James 1:6 for the person who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
Main issues that come up when people doubt their personal faith, or doubt the claims of Jesus and discount faith in Jesus
Doubt 1-Bad example of other Christians, crusades, tv preachers, fallen Christians judgmental
3 Reponses
-Look to Jesus they stink Jesus doesn’t
-As a believer we should make a daily effort to live for Jesus
-That’s why we need Jesus, because we are sinners GOSPEL
Doubt 2 -Suffering in this world, If there is a good God everything should be good, so therefore there must not be a good God. This thought ignores the fact that we live in a sin affected world and God does not will for evil and bad to happen but allows it for a time. There are various reasons taught in Scripture of why message in July 07
Bottom line is that suffering does not disprove God but actually makes Him more evident. CS Lewis “My argument against God was that the universe seemed cruel and unjust but how had I gotten the idea of just and unjust”
Doubt 3-Unanswered questions/lack of knowledge 2 Tim 3:16-17
Sometimes the accusations on Christianity are just ignorant
The more you learn the less you doubt. I would say don’t wait till the questions come up from others, research on your own.
Doubt 4-Unanswered prayer-Matthew 21:20-22 This is not a promise that you will get anything you ask for but it is a comparison on what Faith does for you rather then Religion. No fruit in religion but there is the excitement and possibility that with God all things are possible.
Doubt 5- The unexplained/miracles Because there is scientific conflict people doubt biblical accounts because of the unexplained. If this were something that was man made wouldn’t they leave all that type of stuff out?
Lets look at what Jesus said when His disciples doubted His resurrection Luke 24:36-40
-Research His claims
Doubt 6 Fear, Matthew14:30-32 when we take our focus off Jesus we become afraid. We worry about things like. Who will I marry, what am I gonna do with my life, where am I gonna work, I need more money, will my kids be safe, will my parents be safe,
-We start to worry about all these things and it takes a toll on our faith
Fear causes us to not Trust Jesus and doubt that He can take care of our problems
Unfortunately doubt can take over and never allow people trust God Matt 28:16-20
What to do in times of doubt? Remember Ephesians 6:10-12
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Do you ever wonder why Jesus had a profound impact on history?
Christmas Eve Service
H.G. Wells historian said that “Jesus was the most dominant figure of history”
Tonight we are honoring the eve of the most important person to ever walk this earth
Luke 2 simple account, 30 years as a carpenter 3 years of ministry
Legacy is the most profound BC AD Ano domini (the year of our Lord)
Tonight billions of people are celebrating His birth into a simple and obscure life.
Jesus had such a profound impact on history because He inspired many people, not by force but by love
Jesus inspired people
1. Regarding children- in a day where abandonment was common and the average child only lived till they were 8yrs old-Jesus welcomed children- Joseph was his adoptive father, early days of the church Christians adopted children to save them from having no place to go, Adoption is a metaphor of what God did for us
Wherever Christianity is spread adoption and care for children also spread.
2. Regarding women-in a day where women were known as personal property of their husband and there was no legal recourse if they were mistreated. Some of Jesus closest friends were women, he included women in His ministry, He taught women which was not heard of in that day Jesus elevated the dignity and respect of women
Wherever Christianity was spread the respect and dignity of women would also spread
3. Education from the time the pilgrims landed in what we now call America, it was Christians who labored for education and literacy Harvard, Yale, Princton, Cambridge
Where Christianity spread so does education. Christians teach literacy so they can teach God’s Word.
4. Regarding Freedom & Equality Our nation understands the Rule of Law, because that is what Jesus taught, equality and justice He was not exclusive but inclusive to all people and Christianity to this day does not have a certain tribe or clan. Foundation of our nation was based upon freedom to worship Jesus.
Communism was birth out of Atheism and Freedom is inspired by Jesus, so where Christianity is spread so is freedom.
5. Regaurding Mercy & Compassion
Care of the sick, dying and elderly and poor, Jesus cared for those who were sick, poor and downtrodden Jesus was known as the great physician
At the Council of Nicea the early church fathers decided if there was a church there should be a hospital.
Red Cross Christian who signed up so that if people passed they would have people who told them the good news
6. Jesus inspired creativity More books have been written about him, paintings painted of Him and songs sung and written about Him then any other person The arts Michaelangelo, Da Vinci, Raphael music, Handel, Bach, Chicofski, Books, Lewis, Tolken & Lew Wallace, former Atheist set out to disprove the claims of Christ, then trusted in him and wrote the novel Ben Hur, which is a famous novel set in Christ’s time about redemption
7. Jesus inspires generosity Jesus was generous with us He was willing to give Himself so that we may live. Christians actually poor and working class are the biggest givers in recent studies. Wherever Christianity spreads so does goodwill toward people
The power of Jesus knows no boundary of time or space.
Jesus lived a simple life but has a profound legacy
The real question is has Jesus made a profound impact on your history?
When I was 18 years old GOSPEL
If He has then your future will be profoundly impacted.
H.G. Wells historian said that “Jesus was the most dominant figure of history”
Tonight we are honoring the eve of the most important person to ever walk this earth
Luke 2 simple account, 30 years as a carpenter 3 years of ministry
Legacy is the most profound BC AD Ano domini (the year of our Lord)
Tonight billions of people are celebrating His birth into a simple and obscure life.
Jesus had such a profound impact on history because He inspired many people, not by force but by love
Jesus inspired people
1. Regarding children- in a day where abandonment was common and the average child only lived till they were 8yrs old-Jesus welcomed children- Joseph was his adoptive father, early days of the church Christians adopted children to save them from having no place to go, Adoption is a metaphor of what God did for us
Wherever Christianity is spread adoption and care for children also spread.
2. Regarding women-in a day where women were known as personal property of their husband and there was no legal recourse if they were mistreated. Some of Jesus closest friends were women, he included women in His ministry, He taught women which was not heard of in that day Jesus elevated the dignity and respect of women
Wherever Christianity was spread the respect and dignity of women would also spread
3. Education from the time the pilgrims landed in what we now call America, it was Christians who labored for education and literacy Harvard, Yale, Princton, Cambridge
Where Christianity spread so does education. Christians teach literacy so they can teach God’s Word.
4. Regarding Freedom & Equality Our nation understands the Rule of Law, because that is what Jesus taught, equality and justice He was not exclusive but inclusive to all people and Christianity to this day does not have a certain tribe or clan. Foundation of our nation was based upon freedom to worship Jesus.
Communism was birth out of Atheism and Freedom is inspired by Jesus, so where Christianity is spread so is freedom.
5. Regaurding Mercy & Compassion
Care of the sick, dying and elderly and poor, Jesus cared for those who were sick, poor and downtrodden Jesus was known as the great physician
At the Council of Nicea the early church fathers decided if there was a church there should be a hospital.
Red Cross Christian who signed up so that if people passed they would have people who told them the good news
6. Jesus inspired creativity More books have been written about him, paintings painted of Him and songs sung and written about Him then any other person The arts Michaelangelo, Da Vinci, Raphael music, Handel, Bach, Chicofski, Books, Lewis, Tolken & Lew Wallace, former Atheist set out to disprove the claims of Christ, then trusted in him and wrote the novel Ben Hur, which is a famous novel set in Christ’s time about redemption
7. Jesus inspires generosity Jesus was generous with us He was willing to give Himself so that we may live. Christians actually poor and working class are the biggest givers in recent studies. Wherever Christianity spreads so does goodwill toward people
The power of Jesus knows no boundary of time or space.
Jesus lived a simple life but has a profound legacy
The real question is has Jesus made a profound impact on your history?
When I was 18 years old GOSPEL
If He has then your future will be profoundly impacted.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Why do people go to church?
Tonight we are going to talk about the question of practice, why do people go to church?
There is huge misconception about church and it stems from the concept of religion. The concept of religion is that we try to cover sin with religion, by doing good things, this is called a “Works based salvation” meaning you please God and He accepts you because of what you do.
What the Jesus teaches actually threatens religion its called GRACE = ill deserved favor from God. That means that Jesus is willing to not give us what we deserve. GOSPEL The reason why GRACE is a threat is to religion is because it is Jesus saying that He does the work, religion is that I do all the work.
Religion builds up pride, GRACE humbles us, Religion says I can do it, GRACE says I can’t do it,
Christianity is considered a religion so why do Christians religiously go to church, or why should they. I am just going to talk going to church on Sunday’s, actually after the new year I am going to spend a few weeks exploring what the Bible says about being a part of a church is all about.
Unfortunately many Christians feel that going to church is not a necessity.
I feel that in order to understand why we go to church, is to look at the ten commandments
1st three commands focus on God and last six commands focus our relationship to others, but command four is what I like to call the hinge commandment. Ex 20:8, Hebrews 10:24-25
Sabbath-1.time to stop and worship and hear from God 2. a time to rest
Interestingly enough people had to be commanded to rest J
Sunday church services have two general functions
1. Worship God… song, prayer, giving, communion, testimony, scripture readings, listening to The Word
2. Refocuses us to relate to others- hear the Word, reminded of the gospel which reminds us of grace and grace is what we need to relate to others, connect with others
Rest, relax and refreshment
1. A day of rest changes our perspective.
***The time of rest helps to reevaluate, how have I been living, who am I trusting, how am I treating the people around me. How does my schedule need to look this week to bring glory to God?
2. A day of rest helps us to find enjoyment in life.
***God created this world for our enjoyment and the only way we can fully enjoy those things is if we are willing to take a break.
So I have two challenges now that you know why we need church, in the new year don’t be a secret service agent, make a commitment to hinging your week on a day of rest, refocus and worship.
There is huge misconception about church and it stems from the concept of religion. The concept of religion is that we try to cover sin with religion, by doing good things, this is called a “Works based salvation” meaning you please God and He accepts you because of what you do.
What the Jesus teaches actually threatens religion its called GRACE = ill deserved favor from God. That means that Jesus is willing to not give us what we deserve. GOSPEL The reason why GRACE is a threat is to religion is because it is Jesus saying that He does the work, religion is that I do all the work.
Religion builds up pride, GRACE humbles us, Religion says I can do it, GRACE says I can’t do it,
Christianity is considered a religion so why do Christians religiously go to church, or why should they. I am just going to talk going to church on Sunday’s, actually after the new year I am going to spend a few weeks exploring what the Bible says about being a part of a church is all about.
Unfortunately many Christians feel that going to church is not a necessity.
I feel that in order to understand why we go to church, is to look at the ten commandments
1st three commands focus on God and last six commands focus our relationship to others, but command four is what I like to call the hinge commandment. Ex 20:8, Hebrews 10:24-25
Sabbath-1.time to stop and worship and hear from God 2. a time to rest
Interestingly enough people had to be commanded to rest J
Sunday church services have two general functions
1. Worship God… song, prayer, giving, communion, testimony, scripture readings, listening to The Word
2. Refocuses us to relate to others- hear the Word, reminded of the gospel which reminds us of grace and grace is what we need to relate to others, connect with others
Rest, relax and refreshment
1. A day of rest changes our perspective.
***The time of rest helps to reevaluate, how have I been living, who am I trusting, how am I treating the people around me. How does my schedule need to look this week to bring glory to God?
2. A day of rest helps us to find enjoyment in life.
***God created this world for our enjoyment and the only way we can fully enjoy those things is if we are willing to take a break.
So I have two challenges now that you know why we need church, in the new year don’t be a secret service agent, make a commitment to hinging your week on a day of rest, refocus and worship.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Do you ever wonder why we feel bad when we do something wrong?
The question I want to answer is… why we feel bad when we do something wrong? The first thing that we have to do is define what wrong is = sin is anything we think say or do which displeases God.
The interesting thing about sin is even people who do not believe in a God have a moral code.
I want to show you the reasons why people set a standard of goodness and standard of what is wrong.
1. Law is written on heart Romans 2:11-16 This is why almost every civilization had or has some code or rules and oddly enough they are very similar to the commands God teaches in His Word.
Conscience- which is the inner sense of right and wrong, brings guilt to even the unbelievers mind.
This helps us to realize there must be some kind of standard that someone set. This is why even the atheist observes something horrible and says that is wrong. Unbelievers call this morality.
But just by admitting there is right and wrong tells more of what the Bible teaches about the fact that all people sin.
Dorithy Sayers the English writer during WWII in her book Creed or Chaos speaks of the people who are most discouraged in this world are the ones who have moved away from the Biblical teaching that all sin. They believe in the greater good of people and are constantly let down because they keep seeing them doing bad things.
Because the law is on our hearts and God has placed this conscience in us there is going to be a struggle Rom 7:13-25. Thanks the Father for Jesus.
Conclusion: We feel bad because God wrote it on our hearts
2. The sin of Idol worship leaves us feeling unfulfilled Idol=something in the place of God
Martin Luther talks about how if we can keep the first two of the 10 commandments, No others God or no images. Keeping the others will be easier. “What we love will enslave us”
What we love will seduce us into running from what we hate.
What we love is something that takes us away from the things or ideas we hate, we want to escape that which we hate so we seek to be saved from it. Examples: fear of being poor-single-unpopular-unsuccessful-not having fun,
Thomas Oden writes about how when we feel are idols are threatened it shakes us to the core and spins us into despair, depression and causes us to sin. Zane illustration
Bottom line is when we get what we want it is un-fulfilling anyway
Ex. Famous person commits suicide “they had it all” but their “all” was an idol Tim Keller has questions how you can tell what is an Idol in your life
What is your biggest fear? What are you clinging on to save you from it
Where do you run for comfort when things go wrong? food
What do you complain about most? money
What Makes you happiest? vacation
How do you explain yourself to other people? Kirkagaurd says “Justify your existence”
What makes you angry with God? ex. He did not serve my false God, He did not make me rich
What do you brag about? achievements
What do you want more than anything? A spouse
What do you sacrifice for? A hobby
If you could change one thing what would that be? college
Whose approval are you seeking? peers
What do you want to control or master? career
What comfort do you treasure the most? home
As Christians we fall into a trap to idols Hebrews 12:1-2 “Sin easily ensnares us”
We have to live for Jesus with our focus on Him, the rest will fall into place & guess what, when it does not fall into place the way we expect it to, Jesus helps us deal with it and accept it.
Conclusion:We feel bad because the idol did not deliver
3. The Holy Spirit is at work. conviction John 16:8-9 (pumps don’t lie)
Doing wrong things gets harder
Matt 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Conclusion: you feel bad because God the Holy Spirit is at work
You might feel a little beat down
Psalm 42:11 why is your soul so down cast, hope in God
What is the hope we find in God?
Something theologians call Total Depravity
Depravity = people fail the test in pleasing God.
Total=sin effects all aspects of us and all people
Eph 2:1-9
Martin Luther called this “the great exchange”-Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins
Admit it for salvation and admit it to live a life pleasing to Him
The interesting thing about sin is even people who do not believe in a God have a moral code.
I want to show you the reasons why people set a standard of goodness and standard of what is wrong.
1. Law is written on heart Romans 2:11-16 This is why almost every civilization had or has some code or rules and oddly enough they are very similar to the commands God teaches in His Word.
Conscience- which is the inner sense of right and wrong, brings guilt to even the unbelievers mind.
This helps us to realize there must be some kind of standard that someone set. This is why even the atheist observes something horrible and says that is wrong. Unbelievers call this morality.
But just by admitting there is right and wrong tells more of what the Bible teaches about the fact that all people sin.
Dorithy Sayers the English writer during WWII in her book Creed or Chaos speaks of the people who are most discouraged in this world are the ones who have moved away from the Biblical teaching that all sin. They believe in the greater good of people and are constantly let down because they keep seeing them doing bad things.
Because the law is on our hearts and God has placed this conscience in us there is going to be a struggle Rom 7:13-25. Thanks the Father for Jesus.
Conclusion: We feel bad because God wrote it on our hearts
2. The sin of Idol worship leaves us feeling unfulfilled Idol=something in the place of God
Martin Luther talks about how if we can keep the first two of the 10 commandments, No others God or no images. Keeping the others will be easier. “What we love will enslave us”
What we love will seduce us into running from what we hate.
What we love is something that takes us away from the things or ideas we hate, we want to escape that which we hate so we seek to be saved from it. Examples: fear of being poor-single-unpopular-unsuccessful-not having fun,
Thomas Oden writes about how when we feel are idols are threatened it shakes us to the core and spins us into despair, depression and causes us to sin. Zane illustration
Bottom line is when we get what we want it is un-fulfilling anyway
Ex. Famous person commits suicide “they had it all” but their “all” was an idol Tim Keller has questions how you can tell what is an Idol in your life
What is your biggest fear? What are you clinging on to save you from it
Where do you run for comfort when things go wrong? food
What do you complain about most? money
What Makes you happiest? vacation
How do you explain yourself to other people? Kirkagaurd says “Justify your existence”
What makes you angry with God? ex. He did not serve my false God, He did not make me rich
What do you brag about? achievements
What do you want more than anything? A spouse
What do you sacrifice for? A hobby
If you could change one thing what would that be? college
Whose approval are you seeking? peers
What do you want to control or master? career
What comfort do you treasure the most? home
As Christians we fall into a trap to idols Hebrews 12:1-2 “Sin easily ensnares us”
We have to live for Jesus with our focus on Him, the rest will fall into place & guess what, when it does not fall into place the way we expect it to, Jesus helps us deal with it and accept it.
Conclusion:We feel bad because the idol did not deliver
3. The Holy Spirit is at work. conviction John 16:8-9 (pumps don’t lie)
Doing wrong things gets harder
Matt 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Conclusion: you feel bad because God the Holy Spirit is at work
You might feel a little beat down
Psalm 42:11 why is your soul so down cast, hope in God
What is the hope we find in God?
Something theologians call Total Depravity
Depravity = people fail the test in pleasing God.
Total=sin effects all aspects of us and all people
Eph 2:1-9
Martin Luther called this “the great exchange”-Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins
Admit it for salvation and admit it to live a life pleasing to Him
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Do you every wonder why people have faith?
Some will say faith is for the simple minded Nietzsche said Faith means not wanting to know what is true. “God is Dead” He was killed by human rationalism and science. There is no need for Him because we have self. Two things I would say to Nietzsche 1. That is faith and 2 Your dead
Some say faith is a crutch that people lean on because they don’t have the answers, Atheist Frater Ravus said Faith does not give you the answers, it just stops you asking the questions. I would say to Ravus, no we ask the same questions, we actually have better answers.
So why do people have faith?
Definition - confidence or trust in something, belief in anything, as a code of ethics, standards of merit, belief that is not based on proof:
By definition everyone has faith in something and the reason why is, no one has a comprehensive list of all the answers. But I want to suggest to you tonight that faith in Jesus actually has the most comprehensive list.
It’s the Bible
1. Where does faith come from? Romans 10:17 The Word
Hebrews 11:1-3 Vrs 1 Faith treats things hoped for as reality. Vrs 2 that is how we keep a good testimony around others. Vrs 3 A core doctrine of the Bible is what we talked about last week faith in a creator God
Vrs 6 part of what we are rewarded for is trust without every detail
People have faith because it is necessary. Faith is what we need for salvation Eph 2:8-9 & 10 this faith also gives us purpose.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Jesus is not only the object of our faith but He is the example of our faith.
Whether you consider yourself a person of Faith or not you actually are. You have faith in what you believe is true, even if it is not a belief system.
2 challenges 1 is for those of you who do have faith in Jesus, Are you truly trusting Him in all aspects of your life.
Luke 17:4-5 Increase our faith so we can do things that seem impossible like forgiving other people. Faith in God comes in when He is asking us to do something that does not make sense to us but it is good for us. Jesus is saying “listen I know what is best for you, trust me on this one”
Does your lifestyle display your faith Or do people say What? Snoop dog My Heart Christ’s Home by Robert Munger. My spin on it. Let Christ into every area of you life. School, work, relationships-dating-marriage-sibling-friendships. Hobbies
Two things to remember
1. Bad things are going to happen and at that point people will say “where is your Good God” 1 Cor. 2:4-6 we place our faith is God’s power
2. We will not understand everything 2 Cor 5:7 walk by faith not by site
The writer Oliver Wendell Holmes Said It's faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes a life worth living.
Faith in Jesus what sustains us Galatians 2:20 in turn our life become an act of faith.
2. For those of you that are not truly convinced that faith in Jesus is what every person needs.
Blaise Pascal’s challenge the “Wager” This has been highly criticized but Pascal developed this challenge for friends who were atheists.
He fully understood that this challenge could by no means convince someone of faith because he said “it is the heart which perceives God and not reason” But it he designed it to challenge their thinking
Option 1- trust in Jesus for salvation and live a life that is pleasing to Him. If that is true there is gain, Eternal life and a life well lived. If it is not and the claims of an Atheist are true you just die, the believer still had a life well lived. The gain is that life and loss is nothing.
Option 2- don’t trust in Jesus for salvation. If He is not real you gained nothing but if He is real you have lost everything
If someone wagers for Jesus they have nothing to lose but if against Him they stand to lose everything.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the person who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8
So people have “Faith” because it is unavoidable but then the question remains for each one of us is “who do you have faith in?”
Some say faith is a crutch that people lean on because they don’t have the answers, Atheist Frater Ravus said Faith does not give you the answers, it just stops you asking the questions. I would say to Ravus, no we ask the same questions, we actually have better answers.
So why do people have faith?
Definition - confidence or trust in something, belief in anything, as a code of ethics, standards of merit, belief that is not based on proof:
By definition everyone has faith in something and the reason why is, no one has a comprehensive list of all the answers. But I want to suggest to you tonight that faith in Jesus actually has the most comprehensive list.
It’s the Bible
1. Where does faith come from? Romans 10:17 The Word
Hebrews 11:1-3 Vrs 1 Faith treats things hoped for as reality. Vrs 2 that is how we keep a good testimony around others. Vrs 3 A core doctrine of the Bible is what we talked about last week faith in a creator God
Vrs 6 part of what we are rewarded for is trust without every detail
People have faith because it is necessary. Faith is what we need for salvation Eph 2:8-9 & 10 this faith also gives us purpose.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Jesus is not only the object of our faith but He is the example of our faith.
Whether you consider yourself a person of Faith or not you actually are. You have faith in what you believe is true, even if it is not a belief system.
2 challenges 1 is for those of you who do have faith in Jesus, Are you truly trusting Him in all aspects of your life.
Luke 17:4-5 Increase our faith so we can do things that seem impossible like forgiving other people. Faith in God comes in when He is asking us to do something that does not make sense to us but it is good for us. Jesus is saying “listen I know what is best for you, trust me on this one”
Does your lifestyle display your faith Or do people say What? Snoop dog My Heart Christ’s Home by Robert Munger. My spin on it. Let Christ into every area of you life. School, work, relationships-dating-marriage-sibling-friendships. Hobbies
Two things to remember
1. Bad things are going to happen and at that point people will say “where is your Good God” 1 Cor. 2:4-6 we place our faith is God’s power
2. We will not understand everything 2 Cor 5:7 walk by faith not by site
The writer Oliver Wendell Holmes Said It's faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes a life worth living.
Faith in Jesus what sustains us Galatians 2:20 in turn our life become an act of faith.
2. For those of you that are not truly convinced that faith in Jesus is what every person needs.
Blaise Pascal’s challenge the “Wager” This has been highly criticized but Pascal developed this challenge for friends who were atheists.
He fully understood that this challenge could by no means convince someone of faith because he said “it is the heart which perceives God and not reason” But it he designed it to challenge their thinking
Option 1- trust in Jesus for salvation and live a life that is pleasing to Him. If that is true there is gain, Eternal life and a life well lived. If it is not and the claims of an Atheist are true you just die, the believer still had a life well lived. The gain is that life and loss is nothing.
Option 2- don’t trust in Jesus for salvation. If He is not real you gained nothing but if He is real you have lost everything
If someone wagers for Jesus they have nothing to lose but if against Him they stand to lose everything.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the person who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8
So people have “Faith” because it is unavoidable but then the question remains for each one of us is “who do you have faith in?”
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Do you ever wonder why people believe in a creator?
(Science agrees with this)The universe must have had a beginning therefore it must have had a beginner (God) Cosmological Argument
The basic argument here is that every effect has a cause unless it is eternal and does not need a cause (God).
So that leaves us three options
1. The universe is eternal which is not held by any credible scientists
2. An eternal principle of chance or blind intelligence. Large degree of faith 100 dials all falling on the same ##. Richard Dawkins
3. An Eternal being
The Bible tells us a few things about the creator.
1. We can learn about Him from creation. Psalm 19:1-6 General Revelation Because of the clues many other writings, civilizations and people groups have a creation story, such as the “Enuma Elish” the Mesopotamian creation story. And Phoenician Creation Story
Lets break down this passage and see what the clues are…
Vrs 1 The Heavens declare beauty, like a fine painting inspires emotions in us. The beauty of creation gives us a clue that there is something or someone larger and more powerful than us who made it all.
Clue 1: Beauty: He want to inspire us
Vrs 2-3 Each creature and thing in creation speaks forth that there is a creator and there is no language barrier.
Clue 2: what creation communicates to us. Design & Purpose
Vrs 4-6 the regularity of nature-David Hume and Bertrand Russell secular men both admit that they don’t have the slightest idea why natural-regularity is happening today. And can only assume that these things will happen tomorrow. But the Scripture tells us that God is the one who set that in motion
Clue 3: Regularity in Nature: He is Unchanging
2. What happens when people turn from the idea of a Creator?
Romans 1:18-25
v18 –Wrath of God revealed-Because of sin and a rejection of the One who created. If someone does not acknowledge the creator God they fail to Worship Him and the sin that keeps us from Him will be our rejection of Him.
Vrs 19-20 How do we know there is a God, creation
Vrs 21-23 Because of creation people know about God but and don’t thank Him, but they shake their fist at Him when something goes wrong.
Trying to be wise they became fools. The tables are turned in our society people who believe in a creator look simple and foolish and the people who believe it is by chance appear to wise.
Vrs 24-25 Catch this in order to bring people to the knowledge and understanding of how Good He is He allows us to see for ourselves how evil sin is. When people see how wrong things are then they wake up and see how right God is. *New Born ill Hedonistic society
Exchanged the truth for the lie and the lie will grow. **Talk about ales
Survival of the fittest is actually the opposite of the what the Bible teaches.
So where does this leave us? It seems then that there is no hope.
3. The Creators name is Jesus
John 1:1-3 & 14
Col 1:15-17 This earth was created by Him and through Him. Jesus is the agent of creation. (firstborn is rank, inheritance)
Gospel Col 1:19-23 blood shed on the cross pleased the Father and if we have faith we are brought into a right relationship God
The basic argument here is that every effect has a cause unless it is eternal and does not need a cause (God).
So that leaves us three options
1. The universe is eternal which is not held by any credible scientists
2. An eternal principle of chance or blind intelligence. Large degree of faith 100 dials all falling on the same ##. Richard Dawkins
3. An Eternal being
The Bible tells us a few things about the creator.
1. We can learn about Him from creation. Psalm 19:1-6 General Revelation Because of the clues many other writings, civilizations and people groups have a creation story, such as the “Enuma Elish” the Mesopotamian creation story. And Phoenician Creation Story
Lets break down this passage and see what the clues are…
Vrs 1 The Heavens declare beauty, like a fine painting inspires emotions in us. The beauty of creation gives us a clue that there is something or someone larger and more powerful than us who made it all.
Clue 1: Beauty: He want to inspire us
Vrs 2-3 Each creature and thing in creation speaks forth that there is a creator and there is no language barrier.
Clue 2: what creation communicates to us. Design & Purpose
Vrs 4-6 the regularity of nature-David Hume and Bertrand Russell secular men both admit that they don’t have the slightest idea why natural-regularity is happening today. And can only assume that these things will happen tomorrow. But the Scripture tells us that God is the one who set that in motion
Clue 3: Regularity in Nature: He is Unchanging
2. What happens when people turn from the idea of a Creator?
Romans 1:18-25
v18 –Wrath of God revealed-Because of sin and a rejection of the One who created. If someone does not acknowledge the creator God they fail to Worship Him and the sin that keeps us from Him will be our rejection of Him.
Vrs 19-20 How do we know there is a God, creation
Vrs 21-23 Because of creation people know about God but and don’t thank Him, but they shake their fist at Him when something goes wrong.
Trying to be wise they became fools. The tables are turned in our society people who believe in a creator look simple and foolish and the people who believe it is by chance appear to wise.
Vrs 24-25 Catch this in order to bring people to the knowledge and understanding of how Good He is He allows us to see for ourselves how evil sin is. When people see how wrong things are then they wake up and see how right God is. *New Born ill Hedonistic society
Exchanged the truth for the lie and the lie will grow. **Talk about ales
Survival of the fittest is actually the opposite of the what the Bible teaches.
So where does this leave us? It seems then that there is no hope.
3. The Creators name is Jesus
John 1:1-3 & 14
Col 1:15-17 This earth was created by Him and through Him. Jesus is the agent of creation. (firstborn is rank, inheritance)
Gospel Col 1:19-23 blood shed on the cross pleased the Father and if we have faith we are brought into a right relationship God
UFC Series: "Fight the Good Fight"
Matthew 10:40-42
Based upon what Jesus told the disciples about persecution they would face the stakes are pretty high for the people who welcome them or receive them.
Vrs 40 So in the midst of a persecuting antagonistic world Jesus reminds them some will welcome you with open arms and they will receive Me
Two issues
1. Jesus is letting us join with Him and taking how people treat them/us personally. Paul on Damascus Acts 9:4
2. Making us beautiful to others Isaiah 52:7
There will be those who for the first time trust Jesus
“feet” Personal salvation ill, my wife
Bob Dylan
Precious angel, under the sun,How was I to know you'd be the oneTo show me I was blinded, to show me I was goneHow weak was the foundation I was standing upon?
Vrs 41 The reward that a prophet and righteous man receives is salvation, Jesus here is saying the people who trust in the message will receive the same reward at the one preaching… salvation
Speaking of rewards… When Fighters fight and win they get rewards
Soul winners crown 1 Thess 2:19 - Phil 4:1 In these two passages Paul calls the believers he witnessed to “his crown”
Vrs 42 The outworking of salvation is good deeds and God rewards good deeds, no matter how small “cup of cold water” The concept here is “hospitality”
“Hospitality is making your guests feel at home, even though you wish they were”
There is some truth in that joke because many times hospitality takes sacrifice.
Cathrine Ryan Hyde wrote a book in 1999 called “Pay it Forward” which was released as a movie in 2000
This concept was one that Jesus originated-Gospel
Someone once said “That only people who are basically at home, and at home in themselves, can offer hospitality” The only way you can offer anything about Jesus is to know Him for yourself
Ways we are helping you reach out
Series invite cards 1. You can invite a friend 2. Use this as an opportunity to arm yourself with Biblical truth so you can fight,
Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
Christmas Eve Service 5pm & NIB
Ways you can help us extend hospitality
-In NIB
-Greeters for new visitors table
-Small group leaders for 2009
According to a recent study, there is a plague of loneliness sweeping our country today. This outbreak of isolation has infected our closest relationships. The number of people who said they had no one with whom to discuss important matters has doubled, to nearly 25 percent. Another 25 percent are just one person away from nobody and the number of close friends for the average American has gone down from three to two.
Bill Hybels writes: “There is nothing like the local church when it’s working right. Its beauty is indescribable. Its power is breathtaking. Its potential is unlimited. It comforts the grieving and heals the broken in the context of community…It provides resources for those in need and opens its arms to the forgotten, the downtrodden, and the disillusioned…”
We want offer hospitality to the people that come in.
2 Tim 4:7 Fought the good fight Lets join in the fight and make a difference our community for Jesus lets be Ultimate Fighting Christians
Based upon what Jesus told the disciples about persecution they would face the stakes are pretty high for the people who welcome them or receive them.
Vrs 40 So in the midst of a persecuting antagonistic world Jesus reminds them some will welcome you with open arms and they will receive Me
Two issues
1. Jesus is letting us join with Him and taking how people treat them/us personally. Paul on Damascus Acts 9:4
2. Making us beautiful to others Isaiah 52:7
There will be those who for the first time trust Jesus
“feet” Personal salvation ill, my wife
Bob Dylan
Precious angel, under the sun,How was I to know you'd be the oneTo show me I was blinded, to show me I was goneHow weak was the foundation I was standing upon?
Vrs 41 The reward that a prophet and righteous man receives is salvation, Jesus here is saying the people who trust in the message will receive the same reward at the one preaching… salvation
Speaking of rewards… When Fighters fight and win they get rewards
Soul winners crown 1 Thess 2:19 - Phil 4:1 In these two passages Paul calls the believers he witnessed to “his crown”
Vrs 42 The outworking of salvation is good deeds and God rewards good deeds, no matter how small “cup of cold water” The concept here is “hospitality”
“Hospitality is making your guests feel at home, even though you wish they were”
There is some truth in that joke because many times hospitality takes sacrifice.
Cathrine Ryan Hyde wrote a book in 1999 called “Pay it Forward” which was released as a movie in 2000
This concept was one that Jesus originated-Gospel
Someone once said “That only people who are basically at home, and at home in themselves, can offer hospitality” The only way you can offer anything about Jesus is to know Him for yourself
Ways we are helping you reach out
Series invite cards 1. You can invite a friend 2. Use this as an opportunity to arm yourself with Biblical truth so you can fight,
Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
Christmas Eve Service 5pm & NIB
Ways you can help us extend hospitality
-In NIB
-Greeters for new visitors table
-Small group leaders for 2009
According to a recent study, there is a plague of loneliness sweeping our country today. This outbreak of isolation has infected our closest relationships. The number of people who said they had no one with whom to discuss important matters has doubled, to nearly 25 percent. Another 25 percent are just one person away from nobody and the number of close friends for the average American has gone down from three to two.
Bill Hybels writes: “There is nothing like the local church when it’s working right. Its beauty is indescribable. Its power is breathtaking. Its potential is unlimited. It comforts the grieving and heals the broken in the context of community…It provides resources for those in need and opens its arms to the forgotten, the downtrodden, and the disillusioned…”
We want offer hospitality to the people that come in.
2 Tim 4:7 Fought the good fight Lets join in the fight and make a difference our community for Jesus lets be Ultimate Fighting Christians
Sunday, November 16, 2008
UFC Series: "Tap Out"
Matthew 10:32-39
Vrs 32-33 When a person hears about Christ and does not trust Him as Savior and denies the fact that they need Him on the day of Judgment Christ has to deny them. Jesus is teaching that He is just and there is truth
That denial Jesus is talking about is persistent unbelief ex Peter
Jesus then says you guys are going to cause some serious trouble. And here are some of the responses you will encounter when bringing others the message
Vrs 34 “bring peace” John 14:27 Jesus brings peace to our soul and He also wants us to live at peace with others Romans 12:18 “depends on you” the content of the message is on God and it in many senses will actually cause a problem and here are some of the things that you will run into… They will “tap out”
Vrs 35-36 “Tap out” #1 Not wanting to Trust in Jesus because of family pressure
Jesus is speaking about the divisions that will come, even among family members, over their belief or lack of belief about Him. .
Enemies The concept here is also when people are not for God they are against Him and if you are now for Him they are actually against you.
At this point many “Tap out” I can’t take not having my families support
As a Christian “enemies will be of your house” Many times family treat us the worst when it comes to our faith. **** The will Mock us, guilt us, challenge us and in extreme cases they disown us.
Vrs 37 His advice… focus should be on Jesus twofold application here if your family is not supportive of your faith you need to focus on the fact that your relationship with the Lord needs to be more important.
2nd is even if your family is supportive they are still second to the Lord
How do you deal with this ongoing issue in your family as a Christian? Prayer, Live at peace, bring them to Jesus and be respectful
Vrs 38 “Tap out” #2 “Take up cross and follow” When someone was crucified and they carried their own cross they were admitting to their wrongdoing and claiming that the law was right and they were wrong and deserve this death. In the same sense people are called to admit that Jesus has the right over their life.
When Jesus carried the cross it was illustrating that He as taking our sin upon Himself. The Cross is the symbol of death.
Jesus is telling them unless someone admits their sin they are not worthy of Him. This is when people “tap out” I am not a sinner, I can do this myself, I am a good person.
This is something that Christians deal with Luke 9:23 says “daily” part of the Christian life is daily admitting our inadequacy and need for Jesus.
Vrs 39 “Tap out” #3 I like my life if I give it to Jesus it will not be fun.
Paul: the old is gone the new has come. Old will creep up on you
When we give our lives fully to Jesus and His will that is when we fully live.
It is said of missionaries of the Nineteenth Century pack a coffin.
How would you look in the airport with a coffin in tow at an airport
Edward Hopper’s ministry at Land and Sea Church on Market street in NYC was primarily to Sailors so He wrote a hymn of assurance that they could sing while they were away at sea.
Jesus, Savior, pilot meOver life's tempestuous sea;Unknown waves before me roll,Hiding rock and treacherous shoal.Chart and compass come from Thee:Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
He knew the people he was ministering to and wanted to encourage them that Jesus wants to pilot them
All these things are going to make you want to “tap out” but Jesus is saying to the disciples teach them what you learned in 8:26 I am the one in control
We are called to tell people that Jesus can be in control of your life and be your pilot
He is your pilot and will guide you as you go out to bring the message to others
Vrs 32-33 When a person hears about Christ and does not trust Him as Savior and denies the fact that they need Him on the day of Judgment Christ has to deny them. Jesus is teaching that He is just and there is truth
That denial Jesus is talking about is persistent unbelief ex Peter
Jesus then says you guys are going to cause some serious trouble. And here are some of the responses you will encounter when bringing others the message
Vrs 34 “bring peace” John 14:27 Jesus brings peace to our soul and He also wants us to live at peace with others Romans 12:18 “depends on you” the content of the message is on God and it in many senses will actually cause a problem and here are some of the things that you will run into… They will “tap out”
Vrs 35-36 “Tap out” #1 Not wanting to Trust in Jesus because of family pressure
Jesus is speaking about the divisions that will come, even among family members, over their belief or lack of belief about Him. .
Enemies The concept here is also when people are not for God they are against Him and if you are now for Him they are actually against you.
At this point many “Tap out” I can’t take not having my families support
As a Christian “enemies will be of your house” Many times family treat us the worst when it comes to our faith. **** The will Mock us, guilt us, challenge us and in extreme cases they disown us.
Vrs 37 His advice… focus should be on Jesus twofold application here if your family is not supportive of your faith you need to focus on the fact that your relationship with the Lord needs to be more important.
2nd is even if your family is supportive they are still second to the Lord
How do you deal with this ongoing issue in your family as a Christian? Prayer, Live at peace, bring them to Jesus and be respectful
Vrs 38 “Tap out” #2 “Take up cross and follow” When someone was crucified and they carried their own cross they were admitting to their wrongdoing and claiming that the law was right and they were wrong and deserve this death. In the same sense people are called to admit that Jesus has the right over their life.
When Jesus carried the cross it was illustrating that He as taking our sin upon Himself. The Cross is the symbol of death.
Jesus is telling them unless someone admits their sin they are not worthy of Him. This is when people “tap out” I am not a sinner, I can do this myself, I am a good person.
This is something that Christians deal with Luke 9:23 says “daily” part of the Christian life is daily admitting our inadequacy and need for Jesus.
Vrs 39 “Tap out” #3 I like my life if I give it to Jesus it will not be fun.
Paul: the old is gone the new has come. Old will creep up on you
When we give our lives fully to Jesus and His will that is when we fully live.
It is said of missionaries of the Nineteenth Century pack a coffin.
How would you look in the airport with a coffin in tow at an airport
Edward Hopper’s ministry at Land and Sea Church on Market street in NYC was primarily to Sailors so He wrote a hymn of assurance that they could sing while they were away at sea.
Jesus, Savior, pilot meOver life's tempestuous sea;Unknown waves before me roll,Hiding rock and treacherous shoal.Chart and compass come from Thee:Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
He knew the people he was ministering to and wanted to encourage them that Jesus wants to pilot them
All these things are going to make you want to “tap out” but Jesus is saying to the disciples teach them what you learned in 8:26 I am the one in control
We are called to tell people that Jesus can be in control of your life and be your pilot
He is your pilot and will guide you as you go out to bring the message to others
Thursday, November 6, 2008
UFC Series "We've got Spirit"
Matthew 10:16-31 Jesus elaborates on what will happen to us when we share the message with others, but He also informs us that “We’ve got the Spirit” we have to tap into that power
Vrs 16 Sheep among wolves – it is going to be tough to be out there to bring this message. Let me tell you how tough it is going to be.
But remember your natural reactions toward other people when they are hurtful, antagonistic and rude to you are
1. Get back at them. Revenge is like biting the dog that bit you
2. Shrink back and not continue on in bringing the message to other people.
Jesus gives us some advice
“wise as serpents” sly, quiet & contemplative - As Christians we need to be wise in the way that speak to others and not pull trouble on ourselves for foolish reasons.
“harmless as doves” As Christian we do not want to harm anyone but we want to do good to them. Remember when Jesus was baptized the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove, this phrase foreshadows where the disciples and us get our power to bring the message to others.
Vrs 17-18 Jesus is saying this will happen to then disciples
What is going to happen to you? Harm can come our way. People will…make fun of, criticize, ignore, stay away from you, you will loose friends, you will make enemies.
Vrs 19-20 The Spirit’s role especially when times get tough
-Guaranteed the promise and sealed for the day 1 Cor 1:22, Eph 1:13, 4:30
-Guidance John 16:13 what to do and when
-Comforts us Acts 9:31 when people are brutal to you
-Helps us John 15:26 when you don’t know what to say
-Intercession Rom:8:26 a prayer on behalf
Got fruit challenge November topic posted on the website
Vrs 22 Jesus is not teaching a loss of salvation be He is teaching that a proof of our salvation to others is the fact that we can endure persecution and also salvation is the reward we look toward during persecution
John 15:18 Jesus says it hated me first
Vrs 23 Flee persecution- as a believer God does not want us to be gluttons for punishment, He wants us to be effective witnesses in places where we can be effective. Pearls to swine Matthew 7:6
The point is that the evangelizing of the Jewish nation will not be finished by them and Jesus will come a second time. 2nd view is that the coming refers to God’s judgment in the destruction of the Temple in ad 70
“Son of Man” Jesus favorite title for Himself and it comes from Daniel 7
Vrs 24-25 Look at the way they treated Jesus, can we expect to be treated better. We are not greater the Him Gospel
They called Him Beelzebub “god of flies” “the devil” what do you think they are going to call you.
What do people call Christians now? Closed minded, judgmental, conservative, hypocrites, exclusive, misled, simple, arrogant etc. You will get discouraged
Vrs 26 Don’t worry about what people do to you, they will get their just punishment “Sticks and Stones”
Vrs 27-28 Tell the message to others and inform others that there is a loving and just God who can save your soul.
Vrs 29-31 Jesus will provide and take care of you and give you the Holy Spirit that you need to do the work He wants you to do.
Tactic 2 “We’ve got the Spirit so tap into that power”
Vrs 16 Sheep among wolves – it is going to be tough to be out there to bring this message. Let me tell you how tough it is going to be.
But remember your natural reactions toward other people when they are hurtful, antagonistic and rude to you are
1. Get back at them. Revenge is like biting the dog that bit you
2. Shrink back and not continue on in bringing the message to other people.
Jesus gives us some advice
“wise as serpents” sly, quiet & contemplative - As Christians we need to be wise in the way that speak to others and not pull trouble on ourselves for foolish reasons.
“harmless as doves” As Christian we do not want to harm anyone but we want to do good to them. Remember when Jesus was baptized the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove, this phrase foreshadows where the disciples and us get our power to bring the message to others.
Vrs 17-18 Jesus is saying this will happen to then disciples
What is going to happen to you? Harm can come our way. People will…make fun of, criticize, ignore, stay away from you, you will loose friends, you will make enemies.
Vrs 19-20 The Spirit’s role especially when times get tough
-Guaranteed the promise and sealed for the day 1 Cor 1:22, Eph 1:13, 4:30
-Guidance John 16:13 what to do and when
-Comforts us Acts 9:31 when people are brutal to you
-Helps us John 15:26 when you don’t know what to say
-Intercession Rom:8:26 a prayer on behalf
Got fruit challenge November topic posted on the website
Vrs 22 Jesus is not teaching a loss of salvation be He is teaching that a proof of our salvation to others is the fact that we can endure persecution and also salvation is the reward we look toward during persecution
John 15:18 Jesus says it hated me first
Vrs 23 Flee persecution- as a believer God does not want us to be gluttons for punishment, He wants us to be effective witnesses in places where we can be effective. Pearls to swine Matthew 7:6
The point is that the evangelizing of the Jewish nation will not be finished by them and Jesus will come a second time. 2nd view is that the coming refers to God’s judgment in the destruction of the Temple in ad 70
“Son of Man” Jesus favorite title for Himself and it comes from Daniel 7
Vrs 24-25 Look at the way they treated Jesus, can we expect to be treated better. We are not greater the Him Gospel
They called Him Beelzebub “god of flies” “the devil” what do you think they are going to call you.
What do people call Christians now? Closed minded, judgmental, conservative, hypocrites, exclusive, misled, simple, arrogant etc. You will get discouraged
Vrs 26 Don’t worry about what people do to you, they will get their just punishment “Sticks and Stones”
Vrs 27-28 Tell the message to others and inform others that there is a loving and just God who can save your soul.
Vrs 29-31 Jesus will provide and take care of you and give you the Holy Spirit that you need to do the work He wants you to do.
Tactic 2 “We’ve got the Spirit so tap into that power”
Monday, October 27, 2008
UFC Series "Ground Fight"
Matthew 10:1-15 “
Vr 1- Commissioning the disciples
Gave them power over the devil and demons and the power to cure the world of disease The design of the gospel was to conquer the devil and to cure the world.
Our enemy is the devil and our sickness is sin and the cure is the cross of Jesus
“it is a ground fight –tactic is the Message”
Vrs 2-4
This fight is fought by individuals not just the Pastors, The job of a pastor is to teach, train & equip, that is not to say that we don’t do the other things but if we are the only ones doing it, it will be impossible to really reach the people.
We are all part of the “ground fight”
Vrs 5-6 Jesus was commissioning them to go to the Jews first, part of God’s plan is that message goes to the Jews and after they reject it will go to the Gentiles. After Pentecost we see the message going to the Gentiles. Notice Jesus has compassion on them by using the phrase “Lost Sheep”
Principle-Realize who you are effective with, usually the people around you
Vrs 7 Jesus gave the message “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” That was the part of the message they had Tactic 1 Know the message: GOSPEL
Vrs 8 This was apostolic gift. This was a power Jesus gave them to confirm to their doctrine or that they were preaching truth. But today we can apply this by saying meet the needs of the people in Jesus’ name, this will confirm to them that you really believe what you are preaching. When you are telling others about the love of Jesus we should be willing to help them with their needs.
“freely” the apostles were commanded to use their power freely with people and not use it for their own self promotion.
Principle-God has blessed us now we are to freely give to others. Do you think God blesses us so we can hoard and squander? He gives so that we can give. Our society tells us the more we acquire the more we have for ourselves. Remember God is the one who has given it to you.
Vrs 9-10 Jesus wanted them to trust that their needs would be met and their journey was not going to be long. “Workman” As they spread the Word people would notice the work and feed them
Principle- Rely on God he will provide and your time here on earth is not long and you should not spend most of your life worrying and striving to have more. If you are doing what is right God will bless
If you are pursuing full time ministry, God will provide for you
Vrs 11-14
Vrs 11 Find the house with the good reputation and go there.
Vrs 12 Greet the household,
Vrs 13 If they are not warm toward your greeting they will probably not be warm toward the message
Vrs 14 Don’t be annoying and push the message on them & Don’t waste your time arguing, they need prayer, keep praying
In the case that someone is antagonistic Matthew Henry says The dust of the apostles' feet, which they left behind them, would witness against them, and be brought in as evidence, that the gospel had been preached to them,
Principle- there are going to people in your spear of influence that are just going to be cold to you because you are a Christian, we have to be sensitive to that, if you become too annoying and too pushy you cold actually do more damage then good.
Vrs 15 the inevitable results of not trusting in the message of Jesus is eternal judgment.
“The Ground Fight” Bring the message to people around us. Challenge: Christmas Series
Vr 1- Commissioning the disciples
Gave them power over the devil and demons and the power to cure the world of disease The design of the gospel was to conquer the devil and to cure the world.
Our enemy is the devil and our sickness is sin and the cure is the cross of Jesus
“it is a ground fight –tactic is the Message”
Vrs 2-4
This fight is fought by individuals not just the Pastors, The job of a pastor is to teach, train & equip, that is not to say that we don’t do the other things but if we are the only ones doing it, it will be impossible to really reach the people.
We are all part of the “ground fight”
Vrs 5-6 Jesus was commissioning them to go to the Jews first, part of God’s plan is that message goes to the Jews and after they reject it will go to the Gentiles. After Pentecost we see the message going to the Gentiles. Notice Jesus has compassion on them by using the phrase “Lost Sheep”
Principle-Realize who you are effective with, usually the people around you
Vrs 7 Jesus gave the message “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” That was the part of the message they had Tactic 1 Know the message: GOSPEL
Vrs 8 This was apostolic gift. This was a power Jesus gave them to confirm to their doctrine or that they were preaching truth. But today we can apply this by saying meet the needs of the people in Jesus’ name, this will confirm to them that you really believe what you are preaching. When you are telling others about the love of Jesus we should be willing to help them with their needs.
“freely” the apostles were commanded to use their power freely with people and not use it for their own self promotion.
Principle-God has blessed us now we are to freely give to others. Do you think God blesses us so we can hoard and squander? He gives so that we can give. Our society tells us the more we acquire the more we have for ourselves. Remember God is the one who has given it to you.
Vrs 9-10 Jesus wanted them to trust that their needs would be met and their journey was not going to be long. “Workman” As they spread the Word people would notice the work and feed them
Principle- Rely on God he will provide and your time here on earth is not long and you should not spend most of your life worrying and striving to have more. If you are doing what is right God will bless
If you are pursuing full time ministry, God will provide for you
Vrs 11-14
Vrs 11 Find the house with the good reputation and go there.
Vrs 12 Greet the household,
Vrs 13 If they are not warm toward your greeting they will probably not be warm toward the message
Vrs 14 Don’t be annoying and push the message on them & Don’t waste your time arguing, they need prayer, keep praying
In the case that someone is antagonistic Matthew Henry says The dust of the apostles' feet, which they left behind them, would witness against them, and be brought in as evidence, that the gospel had been preached to them,
Principle- there are going to people in your spear of influence that are just going to be cold to you because you are a Christian, we have to be sensitive to that, if you become too annoying and too pushy you cold actually do more damage then good.
Vrs 15 the inevitable results of not trusting in the message of Jesus is eternal judgment.
“The Ground Fight” Bring the message to people around us. Challenge: Christmas Series
Friday, October 24, 2008
Jonah 4: "Player Hater"
Jonah responds to what God does with resentment-a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will.
He feels this way towards God
He feels this way towards the Nineveh because they did not in his mind deserve the break.
Three reasons why people hold onto resentment and bitterness
Someone did something to you and you are not forgiving them
You think someone did something to you
You are jealous because you want to be in their position or have what they have.
Who are you harboring resentment against? Your parents, spouse, sibling, friend, teacher, enemy, boss, co-worker, team mate, person in your class
What does resentment do to your life? Look at what it did to Jonah
Vrs 1 anger-destroys our peace
V3 ruins our purpose
Become unproductive
Perspective gets messed up
How do we get over it? ART
Admit it, maybe confide in someone else and tell them how you feel. This does two things 1. Accountability 2. Prayer
Repent of it, call sin sin
Turn toward God and look at the things he has done
Lets look at what God said to Jonah
How does God respond to Jonah’s resentment?
He is in control and good
God is Sovereign and He is good. Jonah knew this and apparently did not like it
God is in control 3,6,7,8
God is good-2,9-11
What we can take away from this book is that God is in control and He desires to do no harm
The book abruptly ends
He feels this way towards God
He feels this way towards the Nineveh because they did not in his mind deserve the break.
Three reasons why people hold onto resentment and bitterness
Someone did something to you and you are not forgiving them
You think someone did something to you
You are jealous because you want to be in their position or have what they have.
Who are you harboring resentment against? Your parents, spouse, sibling, friend, teacher, enemy, boss, co-worker, team mate, person in your class
What does resentment do to your life? Look at what it did to Jonah
Vrs 1 anger-destroys our peace
V3 ruins our purpose
Become unproductive
Perspective gets messed up
How do we get over it? ART
Admit it, maybe confide in someone else and tell them how you feel. This does two things 1. Accountability 2. Prayer
Repent of it, call sin sin
Turn toward God and look at the things he has done
Lets look at what God said to Jonah
How does God respond to Jonah’s resentment?
He is in control and good
God is Sovereign and He is good. Jonah knew this and apparently did not like it
God is in control 3,6,7,8
God is good-2,9-11
What we can take away from this book is that God is in control and He desires to do no harm
The book abruptly ends
Monday, October 13, 2008
Jonah 3 " Second Chances"
V1-2 God gives second chances & hearing the same Scriptures over
V3 Obedience of Jonah, Three day journey region 55 miles or every door in the neighborhood
V4 40 days. God’s wrath but He was giving them time showing mercy
Jonah was the enemy, sometimes God uses very interesting ways to bring us His message
Always have an open heart to what God wants to teach you and where it is coming from
Nineveh’s response could have been kill this lunatic
Their response
Vrs 5-6 “Believed God” That is the Gospel believing God Matthew 12:41
Judgment- believers will judge with Christ
Jonah is type of Christ
Nineveh responded how we should respond when we find out we are doing something wrong. Repent change your mind about what you are doing.
Fast=giving up of food to focus on prayer. It is also he concept of giving up our own desires to met our own personal needs. A kind of self emptying “Kenosis” Phil 2 Christ did that for us. They were begging for mercy from God
Sackcloth=mourning over what they have done or their coming judgment. When we sin we mourn over the fact that we did it and the fact that there is usually a consequence.
Ashes=repentance turning back on old and going towards new. Burt the idols and sat in the ashes
Verses 7-9 The King of Nineveh displayed leadership. One true sign of a leader is when there is danger He takes the lead to bring his people out of danger.
Sin messes things up, relationships Shopping illustration
We feel like we have gone so far that we can’t turn back Hit the reset button
V10 How God responds when we realize our sin. He relents
If you are an unbeliever and feel that God would not want you. He does
God gives us all a second chance
If you are a believer and feel like you have gone to far God wants you to hit the reset button.
We understand that Jonah’s perspective on God in 4:2b is correct
V3 Obedience of Jonah, Three day journey region 55 miles or every door in the neighborhood
V4 40 days. God’s wrath but He was giving them time showing mercy
Jonah was the enemy, sometimes God uses very interesting ways to bring us His message
Always have an open heart to what God wants to teach you and where it is coming from
Nineveh’s response could have been kill this lunatic
Their response
Vrs 5-6 “Believed God” That is the Gospel believing God Matthew 12:41
Judgment- believers will judge with Christ
Jonah is type of Christ
Nineveh responded how we should respond when we find out we are doing something wrong. Repent change your mind about what you are doing.
Fast=giving up of food to focus on prayer. It is also he concept of giving up our own desires to met our own personal needs. A kind of self emptying “Kenosis” Phil 2 Christ did that for us. They were begging for mercy from God
Sackcloth=mourning over what they have done or their coming judgment. When we sin we mourn over the fact that we did it and the fact that there is usually a consequence.
Ashes=repentance turning back on old and going towards new. Burt the idols and sat in the ashes
Verses 7-9 The King of Nineveh displayed leadership. One true sign of a leader is when there is danger He takes the lead to bring his people out of danger.
Sin messes things up, relationships Shopping illustration
We feel like we have gone so far that we can’t turn back Hit the reset button
V10 How God responds when we realize our sin. He relents
If you are an unbeliever and feel that God would not want you. He does
God gives us all a second chance
If you are a believer and feel like you have gone to far God wants you to hit the reset button.
We understand that Jonah’s perspective on God in 4:2b is correct
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Jonah 2: "Aye Aye Captain"
1:17 God prepared a great fish, God’s provisions. In a case like Jonah God did not allow him to die because He was not done with him. One thing we can understand, if you are still living God is not finished with you.
Three days and three nights Matt 12:40 Jesus as a type Gospel
Vrs1-3 Jonah prayed he cried out because of his affliction. When do you pray? When things are going wrong. Like the mariners usually the last resort of life is to turn to prayer. As believers we need to pray regularly
Sheol-place of death or hell. Jonah was down and out in the belly of the fish. Next stop he was whale waste on the bottom of the sea. It does not get much lower then that.
Have you ever felt down and out because you messed up and did something that was pretty bad and the consequence of that were hard to deal with.
Maybe you were or are experiencing what Martin Luther calls ”God’s merciful wrath” You are feeling the consequences of an act of disobedience and God is bringing you into a place in which you need to be to get you through it.
I admit there are many things and people that you can turn to that will be a quick fix to your sin. Duct Tape ill
We need long term solutions for the sin in our lives and only God can provide that. Gospel
Jonah’s advice for a believer is a Prayer of repentance
Jonah references 15 different Psalms almost no original words in his prayer. He prayed Scripture, that is the value of memorizing Scripture.
V4 Jonah’s response to discipline “I will look toward your holy temple”
We learn from consequences not to make the same mistakes again. God’s mercy through wrath teaches us. Jesus says he prunes us so we can grow. We grow by repentance which simply means… changing our mind about the things that we were doing. Not going to make the same mistake two times
Old Boy's Law: you don't learn anything the second time you're kicked by a mule.
Jonah realized that running from God does not work. Maybe you have learned from past sins. Money, relationships, bad decisions, gossip etc. But we demonstrate that we truly learn by not going down that same route again, then we have growth in our lives
V5-6a He dwells on what has happened. When we are in prayer there is nothing wrong with brutal honesty in our prayer. God it hurts it is horrible
V6b But You oh Lord brought me out of this or through this. Prayer of faith
V7 “When my soul fainted I turned to the Lord” That was a wise decision
V8 When we put our trust in idols we are forsaking what God has to offer
Tim Keller Quote “What is there in your life without which you would lose the will to live?” A functional savior, what are you living for?
Jonah’s idol was his position, he was a Hebrew and his people were prospering and living in the prosperity that God had given them he did not want to go to his enemies and see them feel God’s grace
Maybe God even told Jonah that he would in years to come use the Assyrians to attack Israel.
Idols in our lives can be a main cause of sin. Because of them we don’t listen to God
John6:66-69 We need to follow the example of the twelve and not follow the crowd. The crowd will tell you “this works better”
V9 Jonah reaffirms his commitment to the Lord. Salvation is of the Lord Acts 4:12
V10 Jonah was vomited him out. Deliverance
1. Jonah sinned –are you living in sin right now? 2. God disciplined-are you experiencing discipline or realizing it is right around the corner? 3. God provided-has God provided during the discipline? 4. Jonah repented-has you changed your mind about your sinful patterns 5. God delivered-have you experienced God’s deliverance?
Three days and three nights Matt 12:40 Jesus as a type Gospel
Vrs1-3 Jonah prayed he cried out because of his affliction. When do you pray? When things are going wrong. Like the mariners usually the last resort of life is to turn to prayer. As believers we need to pray regularly
Sheol-place of death or hell. Jonah was down and out in the belly of the fish. Next stop he was whale waste on the bottom of the sea. It does not get much lower then that.
Have you ever felt down and out because you messed up and did something that was pretty bad and the consequence of that were hard to deal with.
Maybe you were or are experiencing what Martin Luther calls ”God’s merciful wrath” You are feeling the consequences of an act of disobedience and God is bringing you into a place in which you need to be to get you through it.
I admit there are many things and people that you can turn to that will be a quick fix to your sin. Duct Tape ill
We need long term solutions for the sin in our lives and only God can provide that. Gospel
Jonah’s advice for a believer is a Prayer of repentance
Jonah references 15 different Psalms almost no original words in his prayer. He prayed Scripture, that is the value of memorizing Scripture.
V4 Jonah’s response to discipline “I will look toward your holy temple”
We learn from consequences not to make the same mistakes again. God’s mercy through wrath teaches us. Jesus says he prunes us so we can grow. We grow by repentance which simply means… changing our mind about the things that we were doing. Not going to make the same mistake two times
Old Boy's Law: you don't learn anything the second time you're kicked by a mule.
Jonah realized that running from God does not work. Maybe you have learned from past sins. Money, relationships, bad decisions, gossip etc. But we demonstrate that we truly learn by not going down that same route again, then we have growth in our lives
V5-6a He dwells on what has happened. When we are in prayer there is nothing wrong with brutal honesty in our prayer. God it hurts it is horrible
V6b But You oh Lord brought me out of this or through this. Prayer of faith
V7 “When my soul fainted I turned to the Lord” That was a wise decision
V8 When we put our trust in idols we are forsaking what God has to offer
Tim Keller Quote “What is there in your life without which you would lose the will to live?” A functional savior, what are you living for?
Jonah’s idol was his position, he was a Hebrew and his people were prospering and living in the prosperity that God had given them he did not want to go to his enemies and see them feel God’s grace
Maybe God even told Jonah that he would in years to come use the Assyrians to attack Israel.
Idols in our lives can be a main cause of sin. Because of them we don’t listen to God
John6:66-69 We need to follow the example of the twelve and not follow the crowd. The crowd will tell you “this works better”
V9 Jonah reaffirms his commitment to the Lord. Salvation is of the Lord Acts 4:12
V10 Jonah was vomited him out. Deliverance
1. Jonah sinned –are you living in sin right now? 2. God disciplined-are you experiencing discipline or realizing it is right around the corner? 3. God provided-has God provided during the discipline? 4. Jonah repented-has you changed your mind about your sinful patterns 5. God delivered-have you experienced God’s deliverance?
Friday, October 3, 2008
Jonah 1: "Can I have your Attention?"
Jonah 1 “Can I Have Your Attention?”
750bc Israel was seemingly in good shape the boarders were good and it was a time of prosperity. With that came pride and idol worship. When things are going good we forget about God.
Vrs 1-3
The Word of the Lord came to=Jonah was a prophet-he was given a message from God for the people.
Jonah=dove Ez. 7:15 mourn as doves over sin Matt 10:16 harmless as doves. When Jesus was Baptized the symbol of the Holy Spirit was a dove and the Holy Spirit convicts of sin.
Am it tie=my truth
Nineveh-flourishing capital of the Assyrian Empire
Tarshish was the farthest known city of that day about 2000 miles away
Paid the fare-running from God costs us something- we always pay a price for sin.. consequences, relationship, money, integrity, reputation, trust of others
Reasons Jonah did not obey.
1. Was afraid of them because they were wicked. Monahan ill
2. Did not feel like it
3. Did not want to see his enemies turn from their sin and God have grace on them. Jonah 4:2 We also find that a few years later God used the Assyrians to bring the northern kingdom into captivity.
God will go to the greatest degree to get you back on tract.
He wants our attention
V4 God is in charge of nature.
V5 even the heathen and the Pagan turn to prayer in a time of trouble. “Our thoughts are with you” Or turning to God
Jonah went to sleep and God was trying to wake him up. It was a wake call to follow God. In life we get wake up calls to follow
V6 I think Jonah was depressed and that is why he was sleeping. He knew he had a call from God and he disobeyed.
V7 “They cast lots” There is no luck or chance. This was a custom when people did not know what to do.
Vrs 8-9 What is your story? We all have some kind of story why we are running from God on certain issues. Or a good reason
Vrs 10-11 The account now becomes more focused on the mariners, what should we do?? If you fear God and he is bringing this storm upon us because of you we are in deep trouble.
What should we do? This is a question we all need to ask about our Salvation: Gospel
V 12 Jonah throw me overboard. 1. Depression wants to die, unless and purposeless. 2. Like Christ a sacrifice.
V13-14 They were reluctant to do it. There are times in life when we must do certain things but we are afraid of what the implications or consequences might be.
V15-16 They threw him overboard and offered sacrifices to God
It seems as though that through Jonah’s original disobedience God used the situation to bring others to Himself.
Maybe you blew it in the past… God can use that
God wants the attention of the unbelievers and believers
750bc Israel was seemingly in good shape the boarders were good and it was a time of prosperity. With that came pride and idol worship. When things are going good we forget about God.
Vrs 1-3
The Word of the Lord came to=Jonah was a prophet-he was given a message from God for the people.
Jonah=dove Ez. 7:15 mourn as doves over sin Matt 10:16 harmless as doves. When Jesus was Baptized the symbol of the Holy Spirit was a dove and the Holy Spirit convicts of sin.
Am it tie=my truth
Nineveh-flourishing capital of the Assyrian Empire
Tarshish was the farthest known city of that day about 2000 miles away
Paid the fare-running from God costs us something- we always pay a price for sin.. consequences, relationship, money, integrity, reputation, trust of others
Reasons Jonah did not obey.
1. Was afraid of them because they were wicked. Monahan ill
2. Did not feel like it
3. Did not want to see his enemies turn from their sin and God have grace on them. Jonah 4:2 We also find that a few years later God used the Assyrians to bring the northern kingdom into captivity.
God will go to the greatest degree to get you back on tract.
He wants our attention
V4 God is in charge of nature.
V5 even the heathen and the Pagan turn to prayer in a time of trouble. “Our thoughts are with you” Or turning to God
Jonah went to sleep and God was trying to wake him up. It was a wake call to follow God. In life we get wake up calls to follow
V6 I think Jonah was depressed and that is why he was sleeping. He knew he had a call from God and he disobeyed.
V7 “They cast lots” There is no luck or chance. This was a custom when people did not know what to do.
Vrs 8-9 What is your story? We all have some kind of story why we are running from God on certain issues. Or a good reason
Vrs 10-11 The account now becomes more focused on the mariners, what should we do?? If you fear God and he is bringing this storm upon us because of you we are in deep trouble.
What should we do? This is a question we all need to ask about our Salvation: Gospel
V 12 Jonah throw me overboard. 1. Depression wants to die, unless and purposeless. 2. Like Christ a sacrifice.
V13-14 They were reluctant to do it. There are times in life when we must do certain things but we are afraid of what the implications or consequences might be.
V15-16 They threw him overboard and offered sacrifices to God
It seems as though that through Jonah’s original disobedience God used the situation to bring others to Himself.
Maybe you blew it in the past… God can use that
God wants the attention of the unbelievers and believers
"You look like Jesus" Series: Moses
Hebrews 11:23-29
V23
Moses - in Exodus 2 All the male babies should be killed on order of Pharaoh because he was afraid the Hebrews would take over. Moses’ mother hid him and in a few months sent him down the Nile in a basket to Pharaoh’s house and his daughter took him in.
Jesus - in Matthew 2 in which an Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and told him to flee from Bethlehem to Egypt for safety of the child. When Herod heard about Jesus’ birth he found out from the priest and scribes that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. Herod the King was in fear of loosing his thrown to “The King of the Jews” Herod ordered all the male babies under two to be killed. Mary and Joseph left to protect Jesus
Us - Sometimes in life we act like Pharaoh and Herod because we are afraid of losing our power or the control that we think we have, so we act out in a sinful way. Maybe we react in violence and anger when someone wrongs us. Maybe we seek to get revenge, maybe we just do the wrong think to promote or protect ourselves.
Us - Lets look at the flip side of that coin Moses’ mom, Joseph and Mary had to take action to protect their babies. God calls believers to be people of action to stand up for what is right.
Maybe you have a friend who is heading down the wrong path that needs you to talk to them and encourage them. Maybe as a parent you need to have stricter boundaries to protect your child from falling into a sinful situation. Maybe in a dating relationship you need to set stricter boundaries in order to stay pure. Maybe in your social life there are people you can’t hang with and places you can’t go because those people and places bring you down. God many times calls us to take action and make decisions in order to follow Him.
Vrs 24-27
Moses - Exodus 2 Moses was brought up by Pharaoh’s daughter and lived in the household of Pharaoh so he became royalty. He saw a Hebrew slave being mistreated and it made him angry so he killed him. Moses turned his back on his place of privilege to stick up for his people and he realized that God had a plan for Jewish people. Moses saw God work and was called by God to obedience and that’s what helped him endure (burning bush)
Jesus – Obviously Jesus was royalty because He was God and in Philippians 2 brings us to the reality that He did not use His high position to get out of what He came to do for us. Jesus mission here on this earth was to die for our sins. Gospel
He could have came off that cross but he didn’t. The Gethsemane prayer shows us that Jesus was willing to fulfill the Fathers Will. Jesus was one with the Father and knew that plan, that’s what helped Him endure.
Us - We should not use our standing in Christ as a license to sin. Romans 6:1-2 Paul warns us not to give in or allow ourselves to fall into that trap. The easy way out for Moses was to stay in royalty and turn his back on his people, For Jesus the easy way out was to get out of being crucified. Many times our easy way out is sin and just think or say “Hey it does not matter God will forgive me” or worse yet go into sin with the attitude that God will forgive me. Like Moses and Jesus knowing the plan helped them endure, we as believers knowing that God wants us to follow and that is the best plan for our lives should help us endure even when things get tough.
Vrs 28
Moses - Exodus 12 Is the account of the Passover and Moses had faith that God would deliver if they followed the directives, put the blood of the lamb on the mantle.
Jesus - Is the Passover lamb and through His bloodshed we can have forgiveness of sins, but Jesus also knew that going to the cross would not only bring an offer of salvation to us but restore Him to His rightful place of authority. Phil 2:9-11
Us - Like Moses and Jesus we need to trust the directives of God, if you trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection you will inherit eternal life, not “I am a good person or I only trust myself.”
And if you follow what He says God will raise you up, do amazing things with your life and bring fulfillment to your life because you know you did what was right before God. Notice this Moses’ obedience made him the leader of a bunch of complainers for 40 years and to boot he did not even get to enter the Promise Land and Jesus’ obedience got Him nailed to the cross. So we can see obedience is not easy but it is the best way because it pleases God.
What if we don’t obey?
As believers when we blow it and sin we don’t have to live life of guilt and shame thinking God can’t forgive our sins because He can and has. He is the God that gives second chances.
Vrs 29
Moses - Exodus 14 Pharaoh let the Hebrews go out of slavery and they were to make their way to the promise land vrs 12-13 The Israelites 2nd guessed Moses and if he was really fulfilling God’s plan because now they were being pursued. Salvation will come was Moses answer and hen God did the impossible parted the Red Sea notice it took faith to pass through
Jesus - Mark 8:31-33 Jesus tells His disciples that He was going to die and Peter was doubted that Jesus really knew the Fathers plan but He was bringing salvation. Jesus had faith that the plan of Himself dying was going to bring Salvation
Us - Maybe right now you are doing the right thing and things just don’t seem to be going right and you don’t feel a blessing from God, you are being pursued like the Israelites but the pursuit is by your own sin and things almost seem to be getting worse now that you trusted in Jesus because now you are trying to do what is right. When we don’t see the blessing or the benefit of trusting and following Jesus it makes us doubt the plans of God. Or when others criticize.
Some people say “I tried Christianity or Jesus it did not work for me” well what was it supposed to do? I will tell you what Jesus is doing for you, first off He can save you from eternal separation from God because of your sin and He will daily teach you this life is tough, He is there for you because it is tough and you should focus on the fact that this world is not your home and He has a place that is way better for you. Sure in this life there will be good things and that is just to give us a little taste of what paradise with God may be like.
Finally we understand that trusting in Jesus and doing what He says can sometime scare us or is not that appealing. My question for you to ask yourself is, What other option do you have?
Moses’ and the Israelites decision to actually go through the Red Sea was as vrs29 an act of faith but did they really have any other choice. It must have been terrifying.
If you don’t trust in Jesus your sin is in hot pursuit of you and the consequence or wage of it is death. It may feel scary to put your trust in Jesus but it the only option you have. If you want to do that today just personally tell Him. If you do let me know so I can pray for you.
If you do trust in Jesus the sin that separates you from God is conquered
but the call on your life is to not let sin get the best of you, to not use your standing in Christ as a license to sin, not have doubts that Jesus wants to help you have victory over sin, or be afraid to do what is right. But to live a life of obedience.
V23
Moses - in Exodus 2 All the male babies should be killed on order of Pharaoh because he was afraid the Hebrews would take over. Moses’ mother hid him and in a few months sent him down the Nile in a basket to Pharaoh’s house and his daughter took him in.
Jesus - in Matthew 2 in which an Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and told him to flee from Bethlehem to Egypt for safety of the child. When Herod heard about Jesus’ birth he found out from the priest and scribes that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. Herod the King was in fear of loosing his thrown to “The King of the Jews” Herod ordered all the male babies under two to be killed. Mary and Joseph left to protect Jesus
Us - Sometimes in life we act like Pharaoh and Herod because we are afraid of losing our power or the control that we think we have, so we act out in a sinful way. Maybe we react in violence and anger when someone wrongs us. Maybe we seek to get revenge, maybe we just do the wrong think to promote or protect ourselves.
Us - Lets look at the flip side of that coin Moses’ mom, Joseph and Mary had to take action to protect their babies. God calls believers to be people of action to stand up for what is right.
Maybe you have a friend who is heading down the wrong path that needs you to talk to them and encourage them. Maybe as a parent you need to have stricter boundaries to protect your child from falling into a sinful situation. Maybe in a dating relationship you need to set stricter boundaries in order to stay pure. Maybe in your social life there are people you can’t hang with and places you can’t go because those people and places bring you down. God many times calls us to take action and make decisions in order to follow Him.
Vrs 24-27
Moses - Exodus 2 Moses was brought up by Pharaoh’s daughter and lived in the household of Pharaoh so he became royalty. He saw a Hebrew slave being mistreated and it made him angry so he killed him. Moses turned his back on his place of privilege to stick up for his people and he realized that God had a plan for Jewish people. Moses saw God work and was called by God to obedience and that’s what helped him endure (burning bush)
Jesus – Obviously Jesus was royalty because He was God and in Philippians 2 brings us to the reality that He did not use His high position to get out of what He came to do for us. Jesus mission here on this earth was to die for our sins. Gospel
He could have came off that cross but he didn’t. The Gethsemane prayer shows us that Jesus was willing to fulfill the Fathers Will. Jesus was one with the Father and knew that plan, that’s what helped Him endure.
Us - We should not use our standing in Christ as a license to sin. Romans 6:1-2 Paul warns us not to give in or allow ourselves to fall into that trap. The easy way out for Moses was to stay in royalty and turn his back on his people, For Jesus the easy way out was to get out of being crucified. Many times our easy way out is sin and just think or say “Hey it does not matter God will forgive me” or worse yet go into sin with the attitude that God will forgive me. Like Moses and Jesus knowing the plan helped them endure, we as believers knowing that God wants us to follow and that is the best plan for our lives should help us endure even when things get tough.
Vrs 28
Moses - Exodus 12 Is the account of the Passover and Moses had faith that God would deliver if they followed the directives, put the blood of the lamb on the mantle.
Jesus - Is the Passover lamb and through His bloodshed we can have forgiveness of sins, but Jesus also knew that going to the cross would not only bring an offer of salvation to us but restore Him to His rightful place of authority. Phil 2:9-11
Us - Like Moses and Jesus we need to trust the directives of God, if you trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection you will inherit eternal life, not “I am a good person or I only trust myself.”
And if you follow what He says God will raise you up, do amazing things with your life and bring fulfillment to your life because you know you did what was right before God. Notice this Moses’ obedience made him the leader of a bunch of complainers for 40 years and to boot he did not even get to enter the Promise Land and Jesus’ obedience got Him nailed to the cross. So we can see obedience is not easy but it is the best way because it pleases God.
What if we don’t obey?
As believers when we blow it and sin we don’t have to live life of guilt and shame thinking God can’t forgive our sins because He can and has. He is the God that gives second chances.
Vrs 29
Moses - Exodus 14 Pharaoh let the Hebrews go out of slavery and they were to make their way to the promise land vrs 12-13 The Israelites 2nd guessed Moses and if he was really fulfilling God’s plan because now they were being pursued. Salvation will come was Moses answer and hen God did the impossible parted the Red Sea notice it took faith to pass through
Jesus - Mark 8:31-33 Jesus tells His disciples that He was going to die and Peter was doubted that Jesus really knew the Fathers plan but He was bringing salvation. Jesus had faith that the plan of Himself dying was going to bring Salvation
Us - Maybe right now you are doing the right thing and things just don’t seem to be going right and you don’t feel a blessing from God, you are being pursued like the Israelites but the pursuit is by your own sin and things almost seem to be getting worse now that you trusted in Jesus because now you are trying to do what is right. When we don’t see the blessing or the benefit of trusting and following Jesus it makes us doubt the plans of God. Or when others criticize.
Some people say “I tried Christianity or Jesus it did not work for me” well what was it supposed to do? I will tell you what Jesus is doing for you, first off He can save you from eternal separation from God because of your sin and He will daily teach you this life is tough, He is there for you because it is tough and you should focus on the fact that this world is not your home and He has a place that is way better for you. Sure in this life there will be good things and that is just to give us a little taste of what paradise with God may be like.
Finally we understand that trusting in Jesus and doing what He says can sometime scare us or is not that appealing. My question for you to ask yourself is, What other option do you have?
Moses’ and the Israelites decision to actually go through the Red Sea was as vrs29 an act of faith but did they really have any other choice. It must have been terrifying.
If you don’t trust in Jesus your sin is in hot pursuit of you and the consequence or wage of it is death. It may feel scary to put your trust in Jesus but it the only option you have. If you want to do that today just personally tell Him. If you do let me know so I can pray for you.
If you do trust in Jesus the sin that separates you from God is conquered
but the call on your life is to not let sin get the best of you, to not use your standing in Christ as a license to sin, not have doubts that Jesus wants to help you have victory over sin, or be afraid to do what is right. But to live a life of obedience.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
"You look like Jesus" Series:Melchizedek
Genesis 14:18-24
Vrs18 Melchizedek=”King of righteousness” Salem is another name for Jerusalem which means peace so He is the “King of peace”
Brought out bread and wine for refreshment of the troops and a congratulatory act. These were staples at the time.
Priest of God-This priesthood is not to be confused with that of priest’s of the law that brought the sacrifices to pay for sin under the law.
This is a different order of eternal peace and righteousness. Melchizedek is the first mention of a priest in the Bible and is generations before Aaron which God set up the Levitical priesthood through.
Psalm 110:4 A Prophecy of Jesus
“The LORD has sworn And will not relent, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.
All priest’s died, but not Jesus. There is no account of where Melchizedek came from or when He died, But we see a few verses in Genesis in which he appears in had a huge impact.
Some even say He may have been the pre-incarnate Christ, meaning an appearance of Jesus.
But as we look at the book of Hebrews it seems to better understand He was a man that foreshadowed Jesus and was not Jesus.
Vrs 19 And he blessed him. We have talked about this before and a modern way to understand blessing is make someone happy
Vrs 20 and Abram gave him a tithe
Now lets take what we have read about Melchizedek and see how the writer of Hebrews connects him with Jesus
Hebrews chapter 5 starts out by saying that the job of a Levitical priest was to bring sacrifices for the sins of himself and the people, in order to be forgiven.
Then the passage goes on to say that Jesus is that High priest for all of us “according to the order of Melchizedek”
So what is this saying about Melchizedek and Jesus?
Hebrews 7:1-4 The writer of Hebrews is communicating to the Jewish audience that The law and the priesthood that comes with it could not save people but Jesus like Melchizedek “the king of righteousness and peace” can and has the power to save us from our sins.
Jesus
Like Melchizedek blessed Abram…Jesus came and blessed us with himself when he laid down his life in our place on the cross. Gospel
Hebrews goes on to say 7:22-25 so that in Jesus we can have surety that the new order or covenant is better and Jesus lives to forgive our sins. There is no sin he cannot forgive
Notice that when we celebrate communion we use bread and wine. Remember I said they were staples or necessities of the time. Jesus body and blood are a necessity for us to receive forgiveness.
Jesus was a priest that brought the Sacrifice to the next level, it was of Himself.
But through this study of Melchizedek how can we look more like Jesus?
Us
1 Peter 2:4-10 God calls us a holy priesthood and His chosen, special people. So how do we respond?
1. 1 Peter 2:7 Jesus is the Cornerstone- in ancient architecture the cornerstone was set and the building was build off of that, if that is out of wack the entire structure suffers and each stone needs to be adjusted to make up for it.
My bathroom ill
Jesus needs to be our cornerstone and what we align ourselves with in order to be on the right track.
If we align ourselves with anything but Jesus we will always be making adjustments to compensate and we will suffer the consequences
The text says we are building a spiritual house, our foundation must be Jesus and then we must continue to build. That means we always reach to learn more and apply those to our lives
2. When our lives are aligned with Jesus 1 Peter 2:5 we as a priesthood offer up spiritual sacrifices. What is that? That means we sacrifice things in our lives and replace them with things that please God. Replace sin with Righteousness.
3. 1 Peter 2:9-10 The response of us should be give back to God by proclaiming what He has done in your life. Tell others how God saved you
Remember how Abraham responded to the work of the Lord He gave the tenth to Melchizedek. How do you usually respond to God when He blesses you with, that extra money, job promotion, good grades, a relationship gets better, you have victory over a sin? We take it and we are happy and we often forget to give back to God. How should you respond?
Give= Time, talent, treasure
4. Melchizedek blessed Abram. Jesus blesses us. How can you bless the people around you?
Vrs18 Melchizedek=”King of righteousness” Salem is another name for Jerusalem which means peace so He is the “King of peace”
Brought out bread and wine for refreshment of the troops and a congratulatory act. These were staples at the time.
Priest of God-This priesthood is not to be confused with that of priest’s of the law that brought the sacrifices to pay for sin under the law.
This is a different order of eternal peace and righteousness. Melchizedek is the first mention of a priest in the Bible and is generations before Aaron which God set up the Levitical priesthood through.
Psalm 110:4 A Prophecy of Jesus
“The LORD has sworn And will not relent, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.
All priest’s died, but not Jesus. There is no account of where Melchizedek came from or when He died, But we see a few verses in Genesis in which he appears in had a huge impact.
Some even say He may have been the pre-incarnate Christ, meaning an appearance of Jesus.
But as we look at the book of Hebrews it seems to better understand He was a man that foreshadowed Jesus and was not Jesus.
Vrs 19 And he blessed him. We have talked about this before and a modern way to understand blessing is make someone happy
Vrs 20 and Abram gave him a tithe
Now lets take what we have read about Melchizedek and see how the writer of Hebrews connects him with Jesus
Hebrews chapter 5 starts out by saying that the job of a Levitical priest was to bring sacrifices for the sins of himself and the people, in order to be forgiven.
Then the passage goes on to say that Jesus is that High priest for all of us “according to the order of Melchizedek”
So what is this saying about Melchizedek and Jesus?
Hebrews 7:1-4 The writer of Hebrews is communicating to the Jewish audience that The law and the priesthood that comes with it could not save people but Jesus like Melchizedek “the king of righteousness and peace” can and has the power to save us from our sins.
Jesus
Like Melchizedek blessed Abram…Jesus came and blessed us with himself when he laid down his life in our place on the cross. Gospel
Hebrews goes on to say 7:22-25 so that in Jesus we can have surety that the new order or covenant is better and Jesus lives to forgive our sins. There is no sin he cannot forgive
Notice that when we celebrate communion we use bread and wine. Remember I said they were staples or necessities of the time. Jesus body and blood are a necessity for us to receive forgiveness.
Jesus was a priest that brought the Sacrifice to the next level, it was of Himself.
But through this study of Melchizedek how can we look more like Jesus?
Us
1 Peter 2:4-10 God calls us a holy priesthood and His chosen, special people. So how do we respond?
1. 1 Peter 2:7 Jesus is the Cornerstone- in ancient architecture the cornerstone was set and the building was build off of that, if that is out of wack the entire structure suffers and each stone needs to be adjusted to make up for it.
My bathroom ill
Jesus needs to be our cornerstone and what we align ourselves with in order to be on the right track.
If we align ourselves with anything but Jesus we will always be making adjustments to compensate and we will suffer the consequences
The text says we are building a spiritual house, our foundation must be Jesus and then we must continue to build. That means we always reach to learn more and apply those to our lives
2. When our lives are aligned with Jesus 1 Peter 2:5 we as a priesthood offer up spiritual sacrifices. What is that? That means we sacrifice things in our lives and replace them with things that please God. Replace sin with Righteousness.
3. 1 Peter 2:9-10 The response of us should be give back to God by proclaiming what He has done in your life. Tell others how God saved you
Remember how Abraham responded to the work of the Lord He gave the tenth to Melchizedek. How do you usually respond to God when He blesses you with, that extra money, job promotion, good grades, a relationship gets better, you have victory over a sin? We take it and we are happy and we often forget to give back to God. How should you respond?
Give= Time, talent, treasure
4. Melchizedek blessed Abram. Jesus blesses us. How can you bless the people around you?
Monday, September 8, 2008
"You look like Jesus" Series: Adam
To define our terms, a type is a shadow cast on the pages of the Old Testament
An account in the Old Testament that is meant to illustrate a truth about Messiah (Jesus) and his mission.
Teaches us about Jesus before Jesus came to earth as a man so people would recognize Him.
Types have the following characteristics:
1. They are rooted in history and serve a purpose.
2. Types are prophetic in nature.
3. Types all point to characteristics of Christ in one way or another.
4. They edify, having spiritual meaning for God's people in OT, NT and Today.
Tonight I want to go back to the beginning of the Bible with the first man Adam. How do we know that Adam was a type of Jesus in the O.T? This one is easy to identify because the book of Romans tells us He is.
Romans 5:12-19 Sin entered the world through Adam and Jesus Christ came to this world to free us from sin if we trust in Him. 1 Corinthians 15:21 echoes that in saying “for in Adam all die through Christ all shall be made alive”
Lets give this the type Characteristic test.
1. They are rooted in history and serve a purpose.
The account of Adam gives us the history that we are all sinners. Some say this is just an allegorical story and don’t believe there is a creator who created. If that is the category you fall into, I want to ask you to consider reading the Bible and research its claims. What do you have to loose?
2. Types are prophetic in nature.
Genesis 3:15 is a prophecy of Jesus in the punishment of the serpent.
3. Types all point to characteristics of Christ in one way or another.
In the case of Adam we see he is actually an antitype in some senses because as we will see he was created to live the life in which Jesus lived sinless but he actually did sin and that is what we are going to look at.
4. They edify, having spiritual meaning for God's people in OT, NT and Today.
It is obvious that all generations can learn from Adam.
Genesis 1:26-30
1) Fill the earth with the image of God through procreation,2) Accomplish this task with the assistance of his bride Eve.
3) Exercise authority over the creation
4) Don’t eat the fruit off the tree of the knowledge of good and evil 2:16-17
But in all that the first Adam failed at, the second Adam, Jesus Christ, succeeded! How?
1) Jesus filled the earth with the image of God, not by procreation as the first Adam, but by making new creations out of us, who are being conformed to His image, the image of Christ, who is Himself the image of the invisible God. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “says that if any one is in Christ He is a new creation” How? The Gospel
2) And as the first Adam failed to pair with his wife Eve, to accomplish being fruitful and multiplying, Christ, the second Adam is using His bride, the church, to accomplish this work on earth! The church is the only organization that is set up by the Lord himself. Why do you think there are so many problems in it then? The number one reason is that we are first on the Satan’s hit list to destroy.
But God’s desire and design for the church is for us to proclaim the good news about Jesus and then help one another grow closer to Him.
3) Adam failed to subdue and exercise authority over the earth because he started to think of himself rather then his job of taking care of the land, animals and so forth.
Christ, the second Adam, holds all authority in heaven and on earth because He chose to give up Himself. Phil 2:7. A true authority or leader thinks of those that he will serve and help rather them putting him or herself first.
Adam got off focus from being the one that God put in charge of things and therefore sinned
4) And lastly unlike Adam who tried to grasp equality with God by taking the fruit, Remember what the serpent said? “you will not surly die, you will just be like God.” So through his sin Adam tried to grasp equality with God by eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
the 2nd Adam, Jesus Christ, did not use His equality with God to save Him from the cross, but willingly went to it, as Phil 2:6-8 states, “although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
-So in the disobedience and failure of the 1st Adam, we see how amazing the obedience of the 2nd Adam Jesus was and what it did for us.
So what do we learn from Jesus’ good example and from Adam’s disobedience?
1. As image bearers of God we are called to live a life that shows who He is. The hardest part of the Christian life is the Christian life. It is hard to live a life like Jesus did, sinless, selfless and obedient. But that is God’s desire for us. IN what areas do you work to look more like Jesus?
2. We are God’s helpers to do His work and be His hands in the work of spreading the Word and teaching others about Him. The church is called the bride of Christ. That means that we are to work together with Him for his kingdom. Are you doing anything to promote His kingdom? Used message
3. We all have responsibilities God gave us which in the case of Adam it was authority over the land and animals and to take care of those things. He got off focus. You have responsibilities in life, family, work, & school and God wants you to do certain things there.
When you start thinking to much of yourself you get off focus. If Adam’s focus was right he would have been right there to talk some sense into his wife and protect her from the deceit of Satan. Instead he was selfish and followed the lie as well. When we get selfish we get off focus. I can tell you the more you think of yourself the more miserable you will become. Remember we can find comfort in the fact that our spouse Jesus will never let us down so bring your responsibilities to Him.
4. Lastly we are not God, that means we have to answer to Him and go to Him with everything. Most of us live our lives as if we are in charge. Adam and Eve wanted to see things as God sees them, they wanted to be His equal. And we feel we deserve to know what He knows. We all have many questions that we all want answers to but the bible says Deut 29:29 “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
An account in the Old Testament that is meant to illustrate a truth about Messiah (Jesus) and his mission.
Teaches us about Jesus before Jesus came to earth as a man so people would recognize Him.
Types have the following characteristics:
1. They are rooted in history and serve a purpose.
2. Types are prophetic in nature.
3. Types all point to characteristics of Christ in one way or another.
4. They edify, having spiritual meaning for God's people in OT, NT and Today.
Tonight I want to go back to the beginning of the Bible with the first man Adam. How do we know that Adam was a type of Jesus in the O.T? This one is easy to identify because the book of Romans tells us He is.
Romans 5:12-19 Sin entered the world through Adam and Jesus Christ came to this world to free us from sin if we trust in Him. 1 Corinthians 15:21 echoes that in saying “for in Adam all die through Christ all shall be made alive”
Lets give this the type Characteristic test.
1. They are rooted in history and serve a purpose.
The account of Adam gives us the history that we are all sinners. Some say this is just an allegorical story and don’t believe there is a creator who created. If that is the category you fall into, I want to ask you to consider reading the Bible and research its claims. What do you have to loose?
2. Types are prophetic in nature.
Genesis 3:15 is a prophecy of Jesus in the punishment of the serpent.
3. Types all point to characteristics of Christ in one way or another.
In the case of Adam we see he is actually an antitype in some senses because as we will see he was created to live the life in which Jesus lived sinless but he actually did sin and that is what we are going to look at.
4. They edify, having spiritual meaning for God's people in OT, NT and Today.
It is obvious that all generations can learn from Adam.
Genesis 1:26-30
1) Fill the earth with the image of God through procreation,2) Accomplish this task with the assistance of his bride Eve.
3) Exercise authority over the creation
4) Don’t eat the fruit off the tree of the knowledge of good and evil 2:16-17
But in all that the first Adam failed at, the second Adam, Jesus Christ, succeeded! How?
1) Jesus filled the earth with the image of God, not by procreation as the first Adam, but by making new creations out of us, who are being conformed to His image, the image of Christ, who is Himself the image of the invisible God. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “says that if any one is in Christ He is a new creation” How? The Gospel
2) And as the first Adam failed to pair with his wife Eve, to accomplish being fruitful and multiplying, Christ, the second Adam is using His bride, the church, to accomplish this work on earth! The church is the only organization that is set up by the Lord himself. Why do you think there are so many problems in it then? The number one reason is that we are first on the Satan’s hit list to destroy.
But God’s desire and design for the church is for us to proclaim the good news about Jesus and then help one another grow closer to Him.
3) Adam failed to subdue and exercise authority over the earth because he started to think of himself rather then his job of taking care of the land, animals and so forth.
Christ, the second Adam, holds all authority in heaven and on earth because He chose to give up Himself. Phil 2:7. A true authority or leader thinks of those that he will serve and help rather them putting him or herself first.
Adam got off focus from being the one that God put in charge of things and therefore sinned
4) And lastly unlike Adam who tried to grasp equality with God by taking the fruit, Remember what the serpent said? “you will not surly die, you will just be like God.” So through his sin Adam tried to grasp equality with God by eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
the 2nd Adam, Jesus Christ, did not use His equality with God to save Him from the cross, but willingly went to it, as Phil 2:6-8 states, “although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
-So in the disobedience and failure of the 1st Adam, we see how amazing the obedience of the 2nd Adam Jesus was and what it did for us.
So what do we learn from Jesus’ good example and from Adam’s disobedience?
1. As image bearers of God we are called to live a life that shows who He is. The hardest part of the Christian life is the Christian life. It is hard to live a life like Jesus did, sinless, selfless and obedient. But that is God’s desire for us. IN what areas do you work to look more like Jesus?
2. We are God’s helpers to do His work and be His hands in the work of spreading the Word and teaching others about Him. The church is called the bride of Christ. That means that we are to work together with Him for his kingdom. Are you doing anything to promote His kingdom? Used message
3. We all have responsibilities God gave us which in the case of Adam it was authority over the land and animals and to take care of those things. He got off focus. You have responsibilities in life, family, work, & school and God wants you to do certain things there.
When you start thinking to much of yourself you get off focus. If Adam’s focus was right he would have been right there to talk some sense into his wife and protect her from the deceit of Satan. Instead he was selfish and followed the lie as well. When we get selfish we get off focus. I can tell you the more you think of yourself the more miserable you will become. Remember we can find comfort in the fact that our spouse Jesus will never let us down so bring your responsibilities to Him.
4. Lastly we are not God, that means we have to answer to Him and go to Him with everything. Most of us live our lives as if we are in charge. Adam and Eve wanted to see things as God sees them, they wanted to be His equal. And we feel we deserve to know what He knows. We all have many questions that we all want answers to but the bible says Deut 29:29 “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
"You look like Jesus" Series: Boaz
“You look like Jesus” Boaz
Into to the series – we are going to look out the doctrine of typology
To define our terms, a type is a shadow cast on the pages of the Old Testament
An account in the Old Testament that is meant to expound a significant truth about Messiah (Jesus) and his mission.
Teaches us about Jesus before Jesus came to earth as a man so people would recognize Him.
Types have the following characteristics:
1. They are rooted in history and serve a purpose.
2. Types are prophetic in nature.
3. Types all point to characteristics of Christ in one way or another.
4. They edify, having spiritual meaning for God's people in OT, NT and Today.
Tell the story of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz
Naomi and Elimalech leave Bethlehem with two sons, they marry two Moabite women. Elimelech and two sons Die and Naomi realizes she should go back o her land and her people and told her two daughters in law to stay with their people and their gods.
Ruth would not leave her and went to Bethlehem. So they got there and all the people heard and Naomi told them to call her Mara which means bitter because she feels that the Lord’s hand has went out against her.
1:20-21
Naomi and Ruth were poor so Ruth went to glean in the fields and happened to glean in Boaz’s field.
Boaz took notice of her, he also heard about what she had done for Naomi 2:11
Boaz gave her a protection and allowed her to work in his field during the Harvest.
Eventually at Naomi’s advice Ruth pursued Boaz to be her kinsman redeemer = Deut. 25 was a Leverite law in which the closest living relative of a widow would marry her and take care of her and the family.
Boaz was not the closest relative but he had already showed kindness and compassion to Ruth
When Ruth pursued him his response was that there was a kinsman redeemer closer then he was 3:12-13. Ruth asked
So Boaz sits down with the unnamed kinsman redeemer with the legal court which were the Elders and showed how this man was not the right man for Ruth.
The unmanned man said 4:1
So now Boaz took Ruth in marriage and they conceived a son named Obed who was grandfather to king David.
So what do we learn about Jesus from Boaz?
Look at the characteristics for a type
1. They are rooted in history and serve a purpose.
Ruth and Boaz fathered Obed who was David’s Grandfather and they were the family in which Jesus would come from.
2. Types are prophetic in nature.
v4:11 Famous not only Ruth and Boaz but the offspring who will eventually be Jesus will be famous. Matthew 1 Genealogy why?
Obligation and religion does not save (the loser kinsman who did nothing)
Having Ruth in Jesus’ genealogy communicates that Jesus is all about redemption and grace not religion and obligation. Matthew is saying look you thought it was “be good and God will love you” “you have an obligation to God”
Religion is like the unnamed kinsmen redeemer the loser it will let you down.
Christianity teaches “God loves you and wants to make you good”
3. They all point to characteristics of Christ in one way or another.
Character traits of Boaz that foreshadow Jesus… These are also things we can apply to our lives so we look more like Jesus.
Compassion-saw she had a bad situation and wanted to make it better. Jesus did that for us and many of his miracles were spurred on by compassion Challenge is how can you do that in another persons life? Maybe there is someone around you that is suffering and you have the resources to help, but you need compassion on them
Kindness-Boaz was kind to her and the passage actually says 2:13 Comforted with words of Kindness. Jesus did that in His earthy ministry and His Word is a comfort for us daily. Challenge for us is are we using our words to kindly speak to others and comfort them?
Provider-Boaz provided job and food for Ruth and Naomi. Jesus provides for us, “every good gift is from above” He provides a way for us to get to heaven. Challenge is how can you provide for other people? Maybe you have a gift or talent that you can use to provide a service for others, maybe it is financial, maybe it is time.
4. They edify, having spiritual meaning for God's people in OT , NT and Today.
Redeem means to pay off and the main parallel between him and Jesus is that it teaches about us about Redemption.
Boaz stepped in with grace and not obligation redeemed Ruth from her situation and one of the many reasons why is because Ruth asked.
Redemption- we all need to be redeemed from our desperate situation. Gospel Jesus was not obligated but willing to redeem us sinners. We only have to ask
Into to the series – we are going to look out the doctrine of typology
To define our terms, a type is a shadow cast on the pages of the Old Testament
An account in the Old Testament that is meant to expound a significant truth about Messiah (Jesus) and his mission.
Teaches us about Jesus before Jesus came to earth as a man so people would recognize Him.
Types have the following characteristics:
1. They are rooted in history and serve a purpose.
2. Types are prophetic in nature.
3. Types all point to characteristics of Christ in one way or another.
4. They edify, having spiritual meaning for God's people in OT, NT and Today.
Tell the story of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz
Naomi and Elimalech leave Bethlehem with two sons, they marry two Moabite women. Elimelech and two sons Die and Naomi realizes she should go back o her land and her people and told her two daughters in law to stay with their people and their gods.
Ruth would not leave her and went to Bethlehem. So they got there and all the people heard and Naomi told them to call her Mara which means bitter because she feels that the Lord’s hand has went out against her.
1:20-21
Naomi and Ruth were poor so Ruth went to glean in the fields and happened to glean in Boaz’s field.
Boaz took notice of her, he also heard about what she had done for Naomi 2:11
Boaz gave her a protection and allowed her to work in his field during the Harvest.
Eventually at Naomi’s advice Ruth pursued Boaz to be her kinsman redeemer = Deut. 25 was a Leverite law in which the closest living relative of a widow would marry her and take care of her and the family.
Boaz was not the closest relative but he had already showed kindness and compassion to Ruth
When Ruth pursued him his response was that there was a kinsman redeemer closer then he was 3:12-13. Ruth asked
So Boaz sits down with the unnamed kinsman redeemer with the legal court which were the Elders and showed how this man was not the right man for Ruth.
The unmanned man said 4:1
So now Boaz took Ruth in marriage and they conceived a son named Obed who was grandfather to king David.
So what do we learn about Jesus from Boaz?
Look at the characteristics for a type
1. They are rooted in history and serve a purpose.
Ruth and Boaz fathered Obed who was David’s Grandfather and they were the family in which Jesus would come from.
2. Types are prophetic in nature.
v4:11 Famous not only Ruth and Boaz but the offspring who will eventually be Jesus will be famous. Matthew 1 Genealogy why?
Obligation and religion does not save (the loser kinsman who did nothing)
Having Ruth in Jesus’ genealogy communicates that Jesus is all about redemption and grace not religion and obligation. Matthew is saying look you thought it was “be good and God will love you” “you have an obligation to God”
Religion is like the unnamed kinsmen redeemer the loser it will let you down.
Christianity teaches “God loves you and wants to make you good”
3. They all point to characteristics of Christ in one way or another.
Character traits of Boaz that foreshadow Jesus… These are also things we can apply to our lives so we look more like Jesus.
Compassion-saw she had a bad situation and wanted to make it better. Jesus did that for us and many of his miracles were spurred on by compassion Challenge is how can you do that in another persons life? Maybe there is someone around you that is suffering and you have the resources to help, but you need compassion on them
Kindness-Boaz was kind to her and the passage actually says 2:13 Comforted with words of Kindness. Jesus did that in His earthy ministry and His Word is a comfort for us daily. Challenge for us is are we using our words to kindly speak to others and comfort them?
Provider-Boaz provided job and food for Ruth and Naomi. Jesus provides for us, “every good gift is from above” He provides a way for us to get to heaven. Challenge is how can you provide for other people? Maybe you have a gift or talent that you can use to provide a service for others, maybe it is financial, maybe it is time.
4. They edify, having spiritual meaning for God's people in OT , NT and Today.
Redeem means to pay off and the main parallel between him and Jesus is that it teaches about us about Redemption.
Boaz stepped in with grace and not obligation redeemed Ruth from her situation and one of the many reasons why is because Ruth asked.
Redemption- we all need to be redeemed from our desperate situation. Gospel Jesus was not obligated but willing to redeem us sinners. We only have to ask
Friday, August 22, 2008
Hey Joe Series: "Forgiveness"
Then we jump to 50:15-21
Joseph’s brothers are afraid that he would be mad at them because he lost all those years with his father.
Tonight we are going to talk about forgiveness this is the first place in the Bible we see the word forgive Gen 50:17
Forgive-to grant pardon, cancel indebtedness.
If you wronged someone ask for their forgiveness.
50:15-17 Joseph’s bad example of asking for forgiveness
1. They worried, what about us, we may now have to pay for ours sin. Self protection. Many times in life we just seek forgiveness because we are caught and we know there is a consequence, so to avoid it we apologize.
Actually Ten years ago today Bill Clinton gave his apology speech to our country and in that speech, he admitted to the fact that he misled the American people to protect himself and his family,
2. They lied about what Jacob said. There is not account that Jacob said this, to their credit it could have been true but I really think there would be some record of it if it was. In their desire for forgiveness instead of being truthful and showing humility they are trying to lie their way out of it. “We know he loves our dad, he will listen to him”
Did you ever lie to protect the wrong thing you did, to soften the blow so you could be forgiven/pardoned, so you did not have to pay?
3. They sent messengers, did you ever hear the phrase don’t kill the messenger, Joseph had the power and authority to take their lives and they knew that, but he would not kill a messenger. His brothers were like the guy that hears a sound in the night and makes his wife check what it is. They were cowards.
We have to face the person we have wronged and take care of business, be a person of integrity and face the music.
I had a situation not long ago
So this begs the question were they really sorry and what should Joseph do if they are not they are just thinking of themselves?
Vrs 18 they did finally do one good thing, they bowed down and humbled themselves before Joseph.
the desire to be forgiven was there many of us have the dsire to be forgiven.
There's a Spanish story of a father and son who had become estranged. The son ran away, and the father set off to find him. He searched for months to no avail. Finally, in a last desperate effort to find him, the father put an ad in a Madrid newspaper. The ad read: Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your Father. On Saturday 800 Pacos showed up, looking for forgiveness and love from their fathers.
Now lets take a look at how Joseph responded
Keys to Forgiveness from Joseph’s life
Before I even look at the rest these verses I want to remind us of what we already witnessed from his life.
1. Joseph did not spend his time being bitter at his brothers which allowed him to forgive them.
Actually named his sons names to remind himself what God has done.
Manasseh:[a] “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.
Ephraim:[b] “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
We realize that bitterness just hurts us more then anyone else
2. He was content in the places God put him, Potpher’s slave, in jail and Pharaoh’s house.
Remember Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor."
Benjamin Franklin
Paul writes from jail in Philippians 2:11“for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content"
3. He extended grace towards his brothers (who were in many senses his enemies) We talked about that extensively last week.
But now we see what he is truly made of, Jacob his dad is dead and he really has no obligation to his brothers who treated him bitterly. And he has the power 2nd in charge.
1. Vrs 19 1st of all the power has not went to his head. Forgiveness belongs to God.
Listen carefully any sin that we commit whether it is against someone else we need forgiveness from God. Joseph is saying that is who you need to be talking to. Eph 1:7 IN Jesus there is forgiveness Luke 7:47 Jesus has the power to forgive
As we talked about last week in Romans 5 we are enemies of God because of our sin and we need forgiveness.
God is the one who needs to forgive you and in order receive that forgiveness you have to realize you are a sinner and need forgiveness and when you trust that Jesus paid the price for your sins on the cross and believer that He rose from the dead you have eternal life.
Jesus can forgive any sin the only sin that He will not forgive is the sin of rejection of Him. But he does it because of His love for us Proverbs 10:12 love covers all sins
As far as a believer in Christ we confess or ask forgiveness to restore our relationship with God
We as believers need to follow Jesus example of love and forgiveness to the others around us. He humbled himself to death on the cross.
Many times we don’t want to humble ourselves, we say they wronged me, I am right, I can’t get over this. Sorry is not good enough, they are not really sorry.
Jesus could have said, why should I go to the cross they are my enemies many of them will reject. But what did He say “Father Forgive them for they know not what they do”
2nd Vrs 20 Joseph reminds them that God is in control and his hand is at work and the reason why he can forgive them is because he realizes that.
Tapestry, God uses the bad situations that happen in our lives to display that He is in control and will work these things out.
Jesus gives us the power to forgive others Luke 7:44-48 Is a beautiful account of what Christ’s forgiveness can do for us.
3rd Vrs 21 Look at how Joseph displayed his forgiveness he acted and spoke
He acted on his forgiveness
Many times we “forgive” people but still give them the cold shoulder and talk about them. Or refuse to do nice things for them. Joseph was still willing to provide for his brothers
Then Joseph spoke kindly and comforted them. This is an act of restoring a broken relationship. This is the hardest part
Think about the kind words Jesus comforts us with “I will never leave you or forsake you”
Joseph is what we call a type of Christ in the OT that teaches us what forgiveness is all about.
We need to be an example of Christ’s forgiveness in the lives of the people around us by putting these things into practice.
Joseph’s brothers are afraid that he would be mad at them because he lost all those years with his father.
Tonight we are going to talk about forgiveness this is the first place in the Bible we see the word forgive Gen 50:17
Forgive-to grant pardon, cancel indebtedness.
If you wronged someone ask for their forgiveness.
50:15-17 Joseph’s bad example of asking for forgiveness
1. They worried, what about us, we may now have to pay for ours sin. Self protection. Many times in life we just seek forgiveness because we are caught and we know there is a consequence, so to avoid it we apologize.
Actually Ten years ago today Bill Clinton gave his apology speech to our country and in that speech, he admitted to the fact that he misled the American people to protect himself and his family,
2. They lied about what Jacob said. There is not account that Jacob said this, to their credit it could have been true but I really think there would be some record of it if it was. In their desire for forgiveness instead of being truthful and showing humility they are trying to lie their way out of it. “We know he loves our dad, he will listen to him”
Did you ever lie to protect the wrong thing you did, to soften the blow so you could be forgiven/pardoned, so you did not have to pay?
3. They sent messengers, did you ever hear the phrase don’t kill the messenger, Joseph had the power and authority to take their lives and they knew that, but he would not kill a messenger. His brothers were like the guy that hears a sound in the night and makes his wife check what it is. They were cowards.
We have to face the person we have wronged and take care of business, be a person of integrity and face the music.
I had a situation not long ago
So this begs the question were they really sorry and what should Joseph do if they are not they are just thinking of themselves?
Vrs 18 they did finally do one good thing, they bowed down and humbled themselves before Joseph.
the desire to be forgiven was there many of us have the dsire to be forgiven.
There's a Spanish story of a father and son who had become estranged. The son ran away, and the father set off to find him. He searched for months to no avail. Finally, in a last desperate effort to find him, the father put an ad in a Madrid newspaper. The ad read: Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your Father. On Saturday 800 Pacos showed up, looking for forgiveness and love from their fathers.
Now lets take a look at how Joseph responded
Keys to Forgiveness from Joseph’s life
Before I even look at the rest these verses I want to remind us of what we already witnessed from his life.
1. Joseph did not spend his time being bitter at his brothers which allowed him to forgive them.
Actually named his sons names to remind himself what God has done.
Manasseh:[a] “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.
Ephraim:[b] “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
We realize that bitterness just hurts us more then anyone else
2. He was content in the places God put him, Potpher’s slave, in jail and Pharaoh’s house.
Remember Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor."
Benjamin Franklin
Paul writes from jail in Philippians 2:11“for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content"
3. He extended grace towards his brothers (who were in many senses his enemies) We talked about that extensively last week.
But now we see what he is truly made of, Jacob his dad is dead and he really has no obligation to his brothers who treated him bitterly. And he has the power 2nd in charge.
1. Vrs 19 1st of all the power has not went to his head. Forgiveness belongs to God.
Listen carefully any sin that we commit whether it is against someone else we need forgiveness from God. Joseph is saying that is who you need to be talking to. Eph 1:7 IN Jesus there is forgiveness Luke 7:47 Jesus has the power to forgive
As we talked about last week in Romans 5 we are enemies of God because of our sin and we need forgiveness.
God is the one who needs to forgive you and in order receive that forgiveness you have to realize you are a sinner and need forgiveness and when you trust that Jesus paid the price for your sins on the cross and believer that He rose from the dead you have eternal life.
Jesus can forgive any sin the only sin that He will not forgive is the sin of rejection of Him. But he does it because of His love for us Proverbs 10:12 love covers all sins
As far as a believer in Christ we confess or ask forgiveness to restore our relationship with God
We as believers need to follow Jesus example of love and forgiveness to the others around us. He humbled himself to death on the cross.
Many times we don’t want to humble ourselves, we say they wronged me, I am right, I can’t get over this. Sorry is not good enough, they are not really sorry.
Jesus could have said, why should I go to the cross they are my enemies many of them will reject. But what did He say “Father Forgive them for they know not what they do”
2nd Vrs 20 Joseph reminds them that God is in control and his hand is at work and the reason why he can forgive them is because he realizes that.
Tapestry, God uses the bad situations that happen in our lives to display that He is in control and will work these things out.
Jesus gives us the power to forgive others Luke 7:44-48 Is a beautiful account of what Christ’s forgiveness can do for us.
3rd Vrs 21 Look at how Joseph displayed his forgiveness he acted and spoke
He acted on his forgiveness
Many times we “forgive” people but still give them the cold shoulder and talk about them. Or refuse to do nice things for them. Joseph was still willing to provide for his brothers
Then Joseph spoke kindly and comforted them. This is an act of restoring a broken relationship. This is the hardest part
Think about the kind words Jesus comforts us with “I will never leave you or forsake you”
Joseph is what we call a type of Christ in the OT that teaches us what forgiveness is all about.
We need to be an example of Christ’s forgiveness in the lives of the people around us by putting these things into practice.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Hey Joe Series: "Grace"
As we continue in our study of Joseph I want to pause and remind us that this historical account of Joseph’s life has a major Biblical theme it is called Grace
The thing the distinguishes Christianity from all other religions is GRACE, Other religions say that you need to be a good person so God will love you, Christianity says that you are not a good person but God loves you and by His grace wants to help you to be good person.
Defining Grace-God’s love demonstrated to ill-deserving sinners. If we were strangers to God we would be undeserving but we are known by God and because of sin we make ourselves out to be enemies of God Romans 5:8-11.
Like you who received the $20 you were undeserving, but what if an enemy of mine walked in and I gave him $20. I would not want to do that because now not only was he my enemy but now I am helping him with resources to possibly do more harm to me.
In God’s eyes we are all ill deserving not just undeserving because we are His enemies. That’s what makes grace so amazing, that God would extend a helping hand to His enemies and unfortunately some use this against Him.
Two types
Common Grace- which everyone enjoys James 1:16-17, Matthew 5:44-46. This is God’s way of telling everyone, “hey I am here”
Saving Grace- which God’s desire is for us to trust in Him
All of Joseph’s story illustrates facets of saving grace and I going to point out the grace illustrations from the next 4 chapters
Chapter 42 overview. Jacob told his sons to go to Egypt to buy some food and he sent 10 but not the youngest Benjamin “incase calamity befell them. When Joseph saw them he recognized them but they did not recognize him and they bowed down to him. He called them spies and they spilled the beans. We are all sons of one man, the youngest is with our father and “one is no more” “we are honest men” So Joseph insisted they were spies and said I will sell you food but you must leave one here with me (Simeon) and return with the youngest brother. At this the brothers vrs 21-23 (read). They felt they were paying for their past sin. He sells them food and has the money put back in their bag and when they find it v28 so they go home tell Jacob their father what happened and he says he will not seen Benjamin back with them.
Joseph’s brothers were in many senses his enemies but he still had grace on them by giving there money back.
Have you ever extended grace to someone who can be said to be your enemy? What would that do to your relationship if you did? It would change the relationship and in most cases make it better
-Sometimes are initial response to Grace is not what you would think. We feel bad, Joseph’s brothers “hearts failed them”. When someone does something gracious for you and you have had hatred or enmity towards them you feel horrible. Proverbs 25:21-22
When I first found out the Jesus went to the cross for my sins it was bitter sweet, sweet because he would do that for me but bitter that I would do that to him.
Genesis 43 So the famine got worse and His sons primarily Judah convince Jacob to let them bring Benjamin back with them so they can get more food and Jacob agreed. They also brought the money that was in their sacks. When they got their Joseph had a feast prepared for them and they told the steward about the money in the sacks and his reply was v 23. So they had a feast with Joseph and Simeon was back with them.
Romans 10:13-15 Preached Grace The steward gave them the Good News.
We extend Grace on others by sharing with them what we know and have experienced about the grace of God. Seaside ill
Genesis 44 So Joseph ordered his servants to fill the men’s bags with grain and their money and send them on their way. But he told them to put His cup in Benjamin’s bag and follow after them and say it was stolen. Then he wanted to keep him as his slave. Then Judah went and begged Joseph to take him as a slave instead.
We see Judah is an example of Sacrificial Grace 1 Cor 5:7 Jesus sacrificed His own life for ours. Gospel
When was the last time you were willing to take the backseat to put the needs of others before you?
How would that change the relationships you have?
If you do that you are an example of God’s grace. Just yesterday Zane and towel.
Grace is a motivation to do good
Hebrews 12:28 Tells us because we are receiving heaven we should “have grace’ and serve God, we know that we serve God by serving others.
Genesis 45 Seeing Judah and the love He had for Jacob and the grace he was willing to extend Joseph was upset and that he told his brothers who he was. Vrs4-8 “God sent me before you to preserve life” Just imagine how the brothers must have felt. Joseph comforted them and told them it was the work of God.
Now does this make God the originator of evil? No but it illustrates how in a sinful world God can use evil men’s purposes to promote His master plan, which is graciously save His people.
Then Pharoah found out that it was Joseph’s brothers and he said send for his father and He will give them the best of land Egypt and take care of them during the famine because it was 5 more years
Hebrews 13:12 talks about Sanctifying grace God set apart Joseph to preserve the lives of his people. As believers in Jesus our lives should be in the constant process of being set apart different from the sinful world and it is only by His grace that this can happen
Joseph’s family was weak and on the verge of death because of famine and Pharaoh said he would take care of them. That is God’s hand working to illustrate a truth that Jesus taught in the NT 2 Cor. 12:9 “my power is made perfect in your weakness because my grace is sufficient for you”
Life has its struggles and those are the times when the need for God’s grace becomes more of a reality to us. We always need it but until trouble hits we rarely realize it.
Some of us are weak right now just looking at all the things I need to do before the end of August. That is barring any problem comes along.
Maybe there is trouble in your family, with friends at work. Maybe it is sickness or death or a financial problem. Maybe you are having trouble parenting or your parents are having trouble parenting you. By God’s grace you can get through it.
-Joseph was enslaved in Egypt to preserve the lives of his people.
God’s Grace is what can preserve our lives. Through the death of Jesus
Ezekiel 36:26 talks about something we call Regenerating grace
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
NT echoes that in 2 Cor. 5:17 “If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation”
Joseph was confident in knowing the God placed him there. Grace gives us confidence
I believe having this “grace net” as I like to call it parallels Ephesians 2:8-10 God saved us by grace and because of that grace we can do Good in His name
1 Cor15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
What kind of effect does God’s grace have on you?
If the answer to that is no effect
then you are following in the words of what Bob Dylan sung in his song “Property of Jesus”You got something better You've got a heart of stone
The thing the distinguishes Christianity from all other religions is GRACE, Other religions say that you need to be a good person so God will love you, Christianity says that you are not a good person but God loves you and by His grace wants to help you to be good person.
Defining Grace-God’s love demonstrated to ill-deserving sinners. If we were strangers to God we would be undeserving but we are known by God and because of sin we make ourselves out to be enemies of God Romans 5:8-11.
Like you who received the $20 you were undeserving, but what if an enemy of mine walked in and I gave him $20. I would not want to do that because now not only was he my enemy but now I am helping him with resources to possibly do more harm to me.
In God’s eyes we are all ill deserving not just undeserving because we are His enemies. That’s what makes grace so amazing, that God would extend a helping hand to His enemies and unfortunately some use this against Him.
Two types
Common Grace- which everyone enjoys James 1:16-17, Matthew 5:44-46. This is God’s way of telling everyone, “hey I am here”
Saving Grace- which God’s desire is for us to trust in Him
All of Joseph’s story illustrates facets of saving grace and I going to point out the grace illustrations from the next 4 chapters
Chapter 42 overview. Jacob told his sons to go to Egypt to buy some food and he sent 10 but not the youngest Benjamin “incase calamity befell them. When Joseph saw them he recognized them but they did not recognize him and they bowed down to him. He called them spies and they spilled the beans. We are all sons of one man, the youngest is with our father and “one is no more” “we are honest men” So Joseph insisted they were spies and said I will sell you food but you must leave one here with me (Simeon) and return with the youngest brother. At this the brothers vrs 21-23 (read). They felt they were paying for their past sin. He sells them food and has the money put back in their bag and when they find it v28 so they go home tell Jacob their father what happened and he says he will not seen Benjamin back with them.
Joseph’s brothers were in many senses his enemies but he still had grace on them by giving there money back.
Have you ever extended grace to someone who can be said to be your enemy? What would that do to your relationship if you did? It would change the relationship and in most cases make it better
-Sometimes are initial response to Grace is not what you would think. We feel bad, Joseph’s brothers “hearts failed them”. When someone does something gracious for you and you have had hatred or enmity towards them you feel horrible. Proverbs 25:21-22
When I first found out the Jesus went to the cross for my sins it was bitter sweet, sweet because he would do that for me but bitter that I would do that to him.
Genesis 43 So the famine got worse and His sons primarily Judah convince Jacob to let them bring Benjamin back with them so they can get more food and Jacob agreed. They also brought the money that was in their sacks. When they got their Joseph had a feast prepared for them and they told the steward about the money in the sacks and his reply was v 23. So they had a feast with Joseph and Simeon was back with them.
Romans 10:13-15 Preached Grace The steward gave them the Good News.
We extend Grace on others by sharing with them what we know and have experienced about the grace of God. Seaside ill
Genesis 44 So Joseph ordered his servants to fill the men’s bags with grain and their money and send them on their way. But he told them to put His cup in Benjamin’s bag and follow after them and say it was stolen. Then he wanted to keep him as his slave. Then Judah went and begged Joseph to take him as a slave instead.
We see Judah is an example of Sacrificial Grace 1 Cor 5:7 Jesus sacrificed His own life for ours. Gospel
When was the last time you were willing to take the backseat to put the needs of others before you?
How would that change the relationships you have?
If you do that you are an example of God’s grace. Just yesterday Zane and towel.
Grace is a motivation to do good
Hebrews 12:28 Tells us because we are receiving heaven we should “have grace’ and serve God, we know that we serve God by serving others.
Genesis 45 Seeing Judah and the love He had for Jacob and the grace he was willing to extend Joseph was upset and that he told his brothers who he was. Vrs4-8 “God sent me before you to preserve life” Just imagine how the brothers must have felt. Joseph comforted them and told them it was the work of God.
Now does this make God the originator of evil? No but it illustrates how in a sinful world God can use evil men’s purposes to promote His master plan, which is graciously save His people.
Then Pharoah found out that it was Joseph’s brothers and he said send for his father and He will give them the best of land Egypt and take care of them during the famine because it was 5 more years
Hebrews 13:12 talks about Sanctifying grace God set apart Joseph to preserve the lives of his people. As believers in Jesus our lives should be in the constant process of being set apart different from the sinful world and it is only by His grace that this can happen
Joseph’s family was weak and on the verge of death because of famine and Pharaoh said he would take care of them. That is God’s hand working to illustrate a truth that Jesus taught in the NT 2 Cor. 12:9 “my power is made perfect in your weakness because my grace is sufficient for you”
Life has its struggles and those are the times when the need for God’s grace becomes more of a reality to us. We always need it but until trouble hits we rarely realize it.
Some of us are weak right now just looking at all the things I need to do before the end of August. That is barring any problem comes along.
Maybe there is trouble in your family, with friends at work. Maybe it is sickness or death or a financial problem. Maybe you are having trouble parenting or your parents are having trouble parenting you. By God’s grace you can get through it.
-Joseph was enslaved in Egypt to preserve the lives of his people.
God’s Grace is what can preserve our lives. Through the death of Jesus
Ezekiel 36:26 talks about something we call Regenerating grace
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
NT echoes that in 2 Cor. 5:17 “If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation”
Joseph was confident in knowing the God placed him there. Grace gives us confidence
I believe having this “grace net” as I like to call it parallels Ephesians 2:8-10 God saved us by grace and because of that grace we can do Good in His name
1 Cor15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
What kind of effect does God’s grace have on you?
If the answer to that is no effect
then you are following in the words of what Bob Dylan sung in his song “Property of Jesus”You got something better You've got a heart of stone
Monday, July 28, 2008
Hey Joe Series: "Used"
Background on the last two weeks Sins of O and Co and resolve, we talked about how God was with Joseph, he was content didn’t covet, resisted temptation, respected his authorities but something bad still happened to him he was put in jail.
Genesis 40 Now Joseph was in jail and the chief butler and baker of Pharaoh were both put in jail also. They both had dreams and were troubled by them.
Joseph being in charge at the jail house asked why are you so sad?
The interpretation of the butlers dream was good, he would be restored and Joseph said remember me and the bakers dream was bad, he would be killed.
Both of those things came to pass and of course the butler did not mention Joseph.
Chapter 41 2 years pass and Joseph was still in jail and Pharaoh had a dream.
Vrs 1-8 Pharaoh’s dream 7 cows and 7 stalks of wheat. He called all the wise men for interpretation.
Vrs 9-13 The Butlers memory was jogged, oh yeah Joseph
Vrs 14-16 Pharaoh called for Joseph and Joseph said it was God
Vrs 17-24 restates the dreams don’t read
Vrs 25-33 Joseph interprets seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine
Vrs 33-36 Then Joseph gives the advice of saving one fifth for the famine years
Vrs 37-45 Pharaoh is pleased and elevates Joseph to second in charge of Pharaoh.
Vrs 46-57 then talks about how Joseph did his Job, and had two children named Ephraim and Manasseh.
Things we can learn from this time in Joseph’s life.
Joseph allowed himself to be “Used” by God
1. 40:38 Has God’s Spirit- We have God’s spirit so we are equipped to serve Him
Gospel
1 Cor. 12:7 “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all”:
Some of the gifts are evangelism, helps, teaching, wisdom, encouragement, faith and leadership.
At the moment you trust is Jesus God gives you at least one spiritual gift to use for Him.
We also have natural talents and abilities in which can also use. Drama, music, good with children, maybe good at a sport or excel in a certain career or field. God wants us to use those things for Him as well.
We all have God’s Spirit in us when we trust in Jesus the question is, are we going to heed to the Spirit and use our gifts and abilities for service?
God was with Joseph and he allowed Him to use him
2. 40:8 & 41:16 In God’s hands- all service belongs to God
We are just joining on the work that He is doing
John 15:1-8 Vine and branches. This passage is really saying without Jesus we are useless but with a abiding relationship with Him we can be useful.
Vrs 6 to some seems to be a problem, some may say “if I don’t abide or follow Jesus gets rid of me” no
Breakdown of verse 6
“He is cast out” loss of fellowship with Jesus and others, if you are not following God and serving Him you are not obeying which is sin, sin mars fellowship with Jesus. It also mars fellowship with other believers, the best way to have fellowship with others is to serve them and serve along side them.
“and withered” not vital, a growing Christian is one who serves, I don’t think you can show me a vital, effective growing Christian that does not have a ministry.
“thrown into the fire and burned” loss of rewards, remember we talked about being rewarded for service, at the day of judgment you will suffer loss if you do not allow yourself to be used.
3. 41:39-45 God will lift you up when you are used by Him- The more we serve God, He will lift you up.
Being “used” is humbling
Humble yourself in His sight James 4:10.
Romans 12:3-6a not think to highly of ourselves and 14:18-19 this will edify others. When God uses you, you should be thankful that He did
We will not truly be used unless we humble ourselves
Look what happened to Joseph God made him second in charge in all of Egypt and the distributor of the food.
4. 40:51-52 He named his children after what the Lord has done in his life. Forget your troubles and God will bless even in a land that he was afflicted.
Being used gets your mind off your own problems and focuses them on the tasks and the fact that there are people around you who need the Lord and need to be ministered to.
“when life gives you lemons…make lemonade” make the best out of a bad situation
-Notice in 40:7 “Why are you sad?” The thing we see here with Joseph is that he cared and had compassion for the needs of others even though he was in jail. We need to have the attitude of caring for others when we get involved in ministry. No one desires to put themselves second but when we do God blesses us.
3 Catagories of being used
1. Over extend yourself. You’re a door mat
2. Don’t do anything and maybe think you do, you bless us with your presence and call it ministry
3. Allowing yourself to be used in a healthy Biblical way which means having a ministry and doing it well and being committed to it.
Genesis 40 Now Joseph was in jail and the chief butler and baker of Pharaoh were both put in jail also. They both had dreams and were troubled by them.
Joseph being in charge at the jail house asked why are you so sad?
The interpretation of the butlers dream was good, he would be restored and Joseph said remember me and the bakers dream was bad, he would be killed.
Both of those things came to pass and of course the butler did not mention Joseph.
Chapter 41 2 years pass and Joseph was still in jail and Pharaoh had a dream.
Vrs 1-8 Pharaoh’s dream 7 cows and 7 stalks of wheat. He called all the wise men for interpretation.
Vrs 9-13 The Butlers memory was jogged, oh yeah Joseph
Vrs 14-16 Pharaoh called for Joseph and Joseph said it was God
Vrs 17-24 restates the dreams don’t read
Vrs 25-33 Joseph interprets seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine
Vrs 33-36 Then Joseph gives the advice of saving one fifth for the famine years
Vrs 37-45 Pharaoh is pleased and elevates Joseph to second in charge of Pharaoh.
Vrs 46-57 then talks about how Joseph did his Job, and had two children named Ephraim and Manasseh.
Things we can learn from this time in Joseph’s life.
Joseph allowed himself to be “Used” by God
1. 40:38 Has God’s Spirit- We have God’s spirit so we are equipped to serve Him
Gospel
1 Cor. 12:7 “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all”:
Some of the gifts are evangelism, helps, teaching, wisdom, encouragement, faith and leadership.
At the moment you trust is Jesus God gives you at least one spiritual gift to use for Him.
We also have natural talents and abilities in which can also use. Drama, music, good with children, maybe good at a sport or excel in a certain career or field. God wants us to use those things for Him as well.
We all have God’s Spirit in us when we trust in Jesus the question is, are we going to heed to the Spirit and use our gifts and abilities for service?
God was with Joseph and he allowed Him to use him
2. 40:8 & 41:16 In God’s hands- all service belongs to God
We are just joining on the work that He is doing
John 15:1-8 Vine and branches. This passage is really saying without Jesus we are useless but with a abiding relationship with Him we can be useful.
Vrs 6 to some seems to be a problem, some may say “if I don’t abide or follow Jesus gets rid of me” no
Breakdown of verse 6
“He is cast out” loss of fellowship with Jesus and others, if you are not following God and serving Him you are not obeying which is sin, sin mars fellowship with Jesus. It also mars fellowship with other believers, the best way to have fellowship with others is to serve them and serve along side them.
“and withered” not vital, a growing Christian is one who serves, I don’t think you can show me a vital, effective growing Christian that does not have a ministry.
“thrown into the fire and burned” loss of rewards, remember we talked about being rewarded for service, at the day of judgment you will suffer loss if you do not allow yourself to be used.
3. 41:39-45 God will lift you up when you are used by Him- The more we serve God, He will lift you up.
Being “used” is humbling
Humble yourself in His sight James 4:10.
Romans 12:3-6a not think to highly of ourselves and 14:18-19 this will edify others. When God uses you, you should be thankful that He did
We will not truly be used unless we humble ourselves
Look what happened to Joseph God made him second in charge in all of Egypt and the distributor of the food.
4. 40:51-52 He named his children after what the Lord has done in his life. Forget your troubles and God will bless even in a land that he was afflicted.
Being used gets your mind off your own problems and focuses them on the tasks and the fact that there are people around you who need the Lord and need to be ministered to.
“when life gives you lemons…make lemonade” make the best out of a bad situation
-Notice in 40:7 “Why are you sad?” The thing we see here with Joseph is that he cared and had compassion for the needs of others even though he was in jail. We need to have the attitude of caring for others when we get involved in ministry. No one desires to put themselves second but when we do God blesses us.
3 Catagories of being used
1. Over extend yourself. You’re a door mat
2. Don’t do anything and maybe think you do, you bless us with your presence and call it ministry
3. Allowing yourself to be used in a healthy Biblical way which means having a ministry and doing it well and being committed to it.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Hey Joe Series: "Resolve"
Vrs 1-6a Joseph was sold into Potiphar’s house and Potiphar realized that there was something different about Joseph “the Lord was with him” and “the Lord made all that he did prosper”
Potiphar trusted him so much that he did not even know the affairs of his own business
Vrs 6b-10 Potphar’s wife advances toward Joseph and his resolve is not to “sin against God” and she kept trying
Vrs 11-18 The wife tried to seduce him again and then made up a story to tell her husband because Joseph left his coat behind.
Vrs 19-23 So Potiphar threw him into prison and again God raised him up and the highest ranking guard put everything under his control.
What can we learn from this?
1. Vrs 2,5 and 21 The Lord was with Joseph.
-If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior the bible says in Acts 17:26-27 that He has placed you where you are so that you will seek God and perhaps find Him. 2 Peter 3:9 God desires all to come to know Him. If you are here today and wondering is God real and if so what does it mean to my life. God loves you and wants to forgive you of your sin the bible tells us that we have to trust that Jesus’ death on the cross was enough to forgive us of our sins 3 days later he rose again to prove that He was God and has victory of sin and death.
-If you trusted in Jesus as your Savior no matter where you are or what situation you are in, God is with you. At your job or school, with friends or in your family He is there with you. Jesus says He “will never leave us or forsake us.”
Hebrew 13:5 Joseph is an illustration of this passage.
2. Lets look at the other things that passage says
“Let your conduct be without covetousness;”
Joseph did not covet what Potiphar had Vrs 6-9 we see that Joseph was in charge of and had access to everything in Potiphar’s house except his wife. Instead of coveting what Potiphar had, his wife, he refused to sin with Potiphar’s wife.
Many times in life we have so much but we still covet after more, we are unhappy with or jobs or our possessions and we feel that we need better or we need more. Maybe you are not content with your relationships in life and you covet others around you because they have a girlfriend or a boyfriend or they have children you and don’t. But God is saying don’t covet be content.
3. Contentment,” be content with such things as you have.” Joseph was content event though he was sold into slavery and was no longer with his father in his own land he was still content Vrs 4 Because Joseph was content he was able to serve. And with that service found favor in the eyes of Potiphar.
Are you content with where God has placed you, your job, school and relationships. If you are not content it will show and eventually you will have a bad testimony among the people around you. When we are content in any and every situation we are a good testimony to those around us.
Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor."
Benjamin Franklin
When you are content you have a good testimony among unbelievers and God will elevate your positions in life.
Paul writes from jail in Philippians 2:11“for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content"
1 Tim 6:6-9 Because Joseph was content he was able to resist temptation
4. Joseph resisted Temptation. Last summer I had a message about Temptation and the focus was Jesus’ temptation. Lets take a quick look at Josephs temptation. Potiphar’s wife was aggressively pursuing him but he did not give in. Vrs 9b “How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”
Maybe you are constantly in situations where you are tempted to do something wrong, sexual sins, drunkinness, gossiping, dishonest gain.
Christian Author John Piper Said “The power of all temptation is the prospect that it will make me happier."
Whatever the temptation may be there is some advice and comfort from the Bible
-1 Cor 10:13 There is a way out
-Luke 22:40 Jesus says pray that you will not enter into temptation.
-James 1:12 says we are blessed if we endure under temptation
-2 Peter 2:9 “The Lord knows how to deliver the Godly out of temptation.
5. Joseph had respect for the authority Romans 13:1-3 Potiphar was over Joseph and Joseph was his slave. But he still respected him Vrs 8-9a This would have been a good way to mock his master “your wife wanted me”
We all have authority over us, our bosses, teachers parents, do you respect that and heed to there direction? Or do you look for and take opportunities to mock them? If you want to be a good testimony for the Lord you will respect them.
6. Even though he did everything right something bad still happened to him. He was wrongly accused and was thrown in jail. But God was still with him Hebrew 13:6 Joseph can boldly say…
You may have been struggling because you seem to have your relationship with God on track but things still seem to go wrong.
Well join the club 2 Tim 3:12 “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution”. When we suffer for doing what is right it is just a reminder that this world is not our home and we need to look toward heaven and not be to comfortable in this life on earth.
Potiphar trusted him so much that he did not even know the affairs of his own business
Vrs 6b-10 Potphar’s wife advances toward Joseph and his resolve is not to “sin against God” and she kept trying
Vrs 11-18 The wife tried to seduce him again and then made up a story to tell her husband because Joseph left his coat behind.
Vrs 19-23 So Potiphar threw him into prison and again God raised him up and the highest ranking guard put everything under his control.
What can we learn from this?
1. Vrs 2,5 and 21 The Lord was with Joseph.
-If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior the bible says in Acts 17:26-27 that He has placed you where you are so that you will seek God and perhaps find Him. 2 Peter 3:9 God desires all to come to know Him. If you are here today and wondering is God real and if so what does it mean to my life. God loves you and wants to forgive you of your sin the bible tells us that we have to trust that Jesus’ death on the cross was enough to forgive us of our sins 3 days later he rose again to prove that He was God and has victory of sin and death.
-If you trusted in Jesus as your Savior no matter where you are or what situation you are in, God is with you. At your job or school, with friends or in your family He is there with you. Jesus says He “will never leave us or forsake us.”
Hebrew 13:5 Joseph is an illustration of this passage.
2. Lets look at the other things that passage says
“Let your conduct be without covetousness;”
Joseph did not covet what Potiphar had Vrs 6-9 we see that Joseph was in charge of and had access to everything in Potiphar’s house except his wife. Instead of coveting what Potiphar had, his wife, he refused to sin with Potiphar’s wife.
Many times in life we have so much but we still covet after more, we are unhappy with or jobs or our possessions and we feel that we need better or we need more. Maybe you are not content with your relationships in life and you covet others around you because they have a girlfriend or a boyfriend or they have children you and don’t. But God is saying don’t covet be content.
3. Contentment,” be content with such things as you have.” Joseph was content event though he was sold into slavery and was no longer with his father in his own land he was still content Vrs 4 Because Joseph was content he was able to serve. And with that service found favor in the eyes of Potiphar.
Are you content with where God has placed you, your job, school and relationships. If you are not content it will show and eventually you will have a bad testimony among the people around you. When we are content in any and every situation we are a good testimony to those around us.
Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor."
Benjamin Franklin
When you are content you have a good testimony among unbelievers and God will elevate your positions in life.
Paul writes from jail in Philippians 2:11“for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content"
1 Tim 6:6-9 Because Joseph was content he was able to resist temptation
4. Joseph resisted Temptation. Last summer I had a message about Temptation and the focus was Jesus’ temptation. Lets take a quick look at Josephs temptation. Potiphar’s wife was aggressively pursuing him but he did not give in. Vrs 9b “How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”
Maybe you are constantly in situations where you are tempted to do something wrong, sexual sins, drunkinness, gossiping, dishonest gain.
Christian Author John Piper Said “The power of all temptation is the prospect that it will make me happier."
Whatever the temptation may be there is some advice and comfort from the Bible
-1 Cor 10:13 There is a way out
-Luke 22:40 Jesus says pray that you will not enter into temptation.
-James 1:12 says we are blessed if we endure under temptation
-2 Peter 2:9 “The Lord knows how to deliver the Godly out of temptation.
5. Joseph had respect for the authority Romans 13:1-3 Potiphar was over Joseph and Joseph was his slave. But he still respected him Vrs 8-9a This would have been a good way to mock his master “your wife wanted me”
We all have authority over us, our bosses, teachers parents, do you respect that and heed to there direction? Or do you look for and take opportunities to mock them? If you want to be a good testimony for the Lord you will respect them.
6. Even though he did everything right something bad still happened to him. He was wrongly accused and was thrown in jail. But God was still with him Hebrew 13:6 Joseph can boldly say…
You may have been struggling because you seem to have your relationship with God on track but things still seem to go wrong.
Well join the club 2 Tim 3:12 “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution”. When we suffer for doing what is right it is just a reminder that this world is not our home and we need to look toward heaven and not be to comfortable in this life on earth.
Hey Joe Series: "O or Co?"
Chapter 37:1-11 Background
Jacob who is also known as Israel had 12 sons and v3 states that Jacob had a special place in his heart for Joseph and he gave him an expensive coat.
V4 his brothers hated him v11 and envied him.
Vrs 5-10Now Joseph had two dreams in which can be taken as his brothers and his father and mother will eventually bow down to him. This made his bothers hate him even more.
V18-20n Joseph’s brothers plot to kill him.
V 21-22 Reuben stood up for Joseph and wanted to get him back to Jacob so he came up with a plan, just throw him into a well.
V23-28 So the brothers decide to sell him into slavery.
V29-30 Reuben was upset and mourned the loss of his brother
V 31-32 They wanted to cover up what they did so they lied to their father. Sin leads to more sin
V33-35 Jacob was saying he would never get over the death of his son.
Today I want to talk about sin
There are two categories of sin…sins of commission and omission
Commission - Acting or doing that which was decided upon
The brothers planned out their sin. They hated and were jealous of Joseph so they decided to get rid of him.
What does God say about that.
Proverbs 6:16-19 God hates when people make wicked plans
Isaiah 30:1 Like they brothers then lied to the father in life when we Sin leads to more sin
So are you planning out your sin or helping others sin?
In my time in ministry I have seen some interesting things, a Christian family putting their daughter on birth control just in case she has sex. “hey if she is going to sin she is going to do it responsibly”
-maybe you are in a dating relationship and you are planning your evening around how you can get into a temping situation and then blame your falling into sin because the temptation was to strong, meanwhile you planned your night so that you would wind up in the situation.
-Maybe you are making money in a dishonest way and you have planned this out.
-Maybe you are planning the rude and nasty things you are going to say to your co-worked, friend or family member because they wronged you and you want to retaliate.
-Maybe you ask people just the right questions so they will gossip about someone and so you can start gossiping about someone.
When we plan out our sin God is not pleased
Sins of commission usually involve regret for what was done because we start to realize our intention was to sin.
Maybe you are saying to yourself “I don’t plan out my sin, I’m good I catch myself in the early stages.
There is another group of sins called
Sins of Omission - Neglect or failure to do that which should have been done. Omitting that which should be done.
When in life do you have an opportunity to do the right thing and you pass it up?
James 4:17
In the story of Joseph, Reuben was an example of someone who did not commit a sin of omission. He did not agree with his brothers and he tried to stop the effort. Some sit back and don’t do anything.
Luke 10:30-37 The priest and the levite did nothing. Many of us see others in need and have the resources to meet them and do nothing about it.
Some sins of omission that are common among believers. Not praying, not giving Mal 3:8, not going to church Heb 10:24-25, not serving, not helping others in need Matt 25, not exposing wrongdoing Eph 5:8-12, not stopping others from doing wrong. James 5:20
What are the results of the sins of omission and commission?
It separates you from God. Gospel
Look what sin does…consequences
It affects the others around us, look at what the sins of Joseph’s brothers did to Jacob.
Hitler planning out the Holocaust and when the US came in we stopped what was going on, but what if we didn’t it would have been a huge sin of omission. The consequences were catastrophic and could have been worse if we ignored it.
What do we have to do?
-Repent, some people think that this word means we turn from sin and never do it again and if you do you have not truly repented
Greek word in the NT is Meta noia is primarily an after-thought, different from the former thought; a "change of mind and heart",
Biblical repentance is a change of mind basically it is looking at our lives through the eyes of God and His Word. When it comes to sin it is saying this action that I commit or fail to do is wrong. Even though you may fall back into it at times you still realize it is something that is wrong and unacceptable to God.
If you leave here today and have a sinful pattern or a sin in your life and you say to yourself it is ok or it is not so bad you have not repented meaning not changed your mind
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.
You have to change your mind first about what you are doing or in some cases not doing. That is why I am up here every Sunday to bring the Word so our minds can be changed.
Jacob who is also known as Israel had 12 sons and v3 states that Jacob had a special place in his heart for Joseph and he gave him an expensive coat.
V4 his brothers hated him v11 and envied him.
Vrs 5-10Now Joseph had two dreams in which can be taken as his brothers and his father and mother will eventually bow down to him. This made his bothers hate him even more.
V18-20n Joseph’s brothers plot to kill him.
V 21-22 Reuben stood up for Joseph and wanted to get him back to Jacob so he came up with a plan, just throw him into a well.
V23-28 So the brothers decide to sell him into slavery.
V29-30 Reuben was upset and mourned the loss of his brother
V 31-32 They wanted to cover up what they did so they lied to their father. Sin leads to more sin
V33-35 Jacob was saying he would never get over the death of his son.
Today I want to talk about sin
There are two categories of sin…sins of commission and omission
Commission - Acting or doing that which was decided upon
The brothers planned out their sin. They hated and were jealous of Joseph so they decided to get rid of him.
What does God say about that.
Proverbs 6:16-19 God hates when people make wicked plans
Isaiah 30:1 Like they brothers then lied to the father in life when we Sin leads to more sin
So are you planning out your sin or helping others sin?
In my time in ministry I have seen some interesting things, a Christian family putting their daughter on birth control just in case she has sex. “hey if she is going to sin she is going to do it responsibly”
-maybe you are in a dating relationship and you are planning your evening around how you can get into a temping situation and then blame your falling into sin because the temptation was to strong, meanwhile you planned your night so that you would wind up in the situation.
-Maybe you are making money in a dishonest way and you have planned this out.
-Maybe you are planning the rude and nasty things you are going to say to your co-worked, friend or family member because they wronged you and you want to retaliate.
-Maybe you ask people just the right questions so they will gossip about someone and so you can start gossiping about someone.
When we plan out our sin God is not pleased
Sins of commission usually involve regret for what was done because we start to realize our intention was to sin.
Maybe you are saying to yourself “I don’t plan out my sin, I’m good I catch myself in the early stages.
There is another group of sins called
Sins of Omission - Neglect or failure to do that which should have been done. Omitting that which should be done.
When in life do you have an opportunity to do the right thing and you pass it up?
James 4:17
In the story of Joseph, Reuben was an example of someone who did not commit a sin of omission. He did not agree with his brothers and he tried to stop the effort. Some sit back and don’t do anything.
Luke 10:30-37 The priest and the levite did nothing. Many of us see others in need and have the resources to meet them and do nothing about it.
Some sins of omission that are common among believers. Not praying, not giving Mal 3:8, not going to church Heb 10:24-25, not serving, not helping others in need Matt 25, not exposing wrongdoing Eph 5:8-12, not stopping others from doing wrong. James 5:20
What are the results of the sins of omission and commission?
It separates you from God. Gospel
Look what sin does…consequences
It affects the others around us, look at what the sins of Joseph’s brothers did to Jacob.
Hitler planning out the Holocaust and when the US came in we stopped what was going on, but what if we didn’t it would have been a huge sin of omission. The consequences were catastrophic and could have been worse if we ignored it.
What do we have to do?
-Repent, some people think that this word means we turn from sin and never do it again and if you do you have not truly repented
Greek word in the NT is Meta noia is primarily an after-thought, different from the former thought; a "change of mind and heart",
Biblical repentance is a change of mind basically it is looking at our lives through the eyes of God and His Word. When it comes to sin it is saying this action that I commit or fail to do is wrong. Even though you may fall back into it at times you still realize it is something that is wrong and unacceptable to God.
If you leave here today and have a sinful pattern or a sin in your life and you say to yourself it is ok or it is not so bad you have not repented meaning not changed your mind
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.
You have to change your mind first about what you are doing or in some cases not doing. That is why I am up here every Sunday to bring the Word so our minds can be changed.
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