James 4:13-16 This passage appears that the Lord does not want us to make plans. But a closer look shows us that our plans should be first brought to the Lord.
Christians should plan and tonight I want to show you some Biblical texts speak to this.
Luke 14:27-29
How do we plan?
1. Prayer Jeremiah 33:3 God is available
2. The Word Psalm 119:105 Proverbs 19:21 The Lord has the last Word
3. Obedience Psalm 37:5
4. Wise Counsel Proverbs 15:22, 20:8, 20:18
Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you would have preferred to talk. Doug Larson
5. Common Sense Heb 5:13-14
What to remember
1. Plans Benefit Pro 21:5
2. Isaiah 30:1 Be careful where you get counsel
3. Isaiah 32:7, Pro 6:18, don’t plan sin
4. Be aware of following your own plans Jeremiah 18:11-13 men following their own plans “way that seems right”
5. God is in ultimate control Proverbs 16:9, Acts 17:26-28 God put you where you are
6. We need to be willing to accept plans that don’t seem fun or comfortable. Paul Phil 4:10-12 Jesus Matthew 26:36-44 GOSPEL this was always the plan Rev. 13:8
Monday, December 28, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
"How We Live" :Together
Tonight I want to look at the conclusion of Colossians in a different way, rather then looking at it as a “final greeting”, look at what the character of the people that Paul was naming, and as church we need to look at our own lives and how we compare to them.
Over the last 15 weeks we learned many different things from this letter and Paul wraps it all up with “How We Live’ (orthopraxy) together by mentioning the people that serve with him and on many levels are living for Jesus.
vrs 7-8 Tychicus=servant and comforter
1. How well do you serve?
2. Are you comforting to be around?
Reminds us of Encouragement
Vrs 9 Onesimus=useful- Was a runaway slave who stole something from his master Philemon and then met Paul and became a Christian, Paul wrote a letter to Philemon to accept the slave back and forgive Him like Jesus forgave us.
Reminds us that through Prayer people come to Jesus & Our Perspective of them must change. And Christians are to Act as Jesus sees you
3. Can people tell there is a life change?
Vrs 10-11 Aristarchus, Mark and Justus “of the circumcision” Jewish Believers Paul has three guys that are backing him. Everyone needs a little posse to remind us that Jesus is more important then, mans philosophy, religion and our old self. And hang with people who are good to one another.
4. Do you have a group of Christian friends? If not maybe you are not that type of Christian friend for others. Or maybe you are just not looking.
Vrs 12-13 Epaphras, Pastor, cares and prays and brings you the message.
Share the GOSPEL, teach and equip you for works of righteousness. I must say you all are a great group of people to serve in that way, you don’t “bite the hand that feeds you” many pastors are bitten by the very people they serve. When that happens to a pastor what should they do? What Jesus did…He served them and PRAYED, that is what pastors do they pray.
Vrs 14 Luke was with Paul in his Roman imprisonment, same Luke of the Luke and acts
Physician was his vocation, he used this to promote the name of Jesus
Uses his intellect and vocation to benefit Christ. Whne he wrote the gospel of Luke he did it as a journalist.
5. How do you use your abilities to promote Jesus?
Demas according to 2 Tim 4:10 apparently loved the world more then service of Christ
Along the way we will always have people that fall away. Maybe they were never a Christian, maybe they are and they are sidetracked. But we need to pray for them, reach out to them, challenge them and love them. (I don’t let this get me down)
6. Have you been sidetracked by the world? (The Plan two week series into the new year)
Vrs 15 Greeting other believers.
We as believers have to remember other believers; it is not about our church it is about Jesus.
Vrs 16 The Word is intended for all not just the leadership. Our relationships to one another should be based on the Word
Laodicean letter??? Lost letter not a biblical letter but something that Paul wrote. Possibly for encouragement and teaching.
Vrs 17 Archippus (Philimon’s son) the fill in for Epaphas. Sometimes people need a pat on the back or a staunch reminder about their calling and pray for them.
7. Do you need a reminder of what your calling is?
Vrs 18 from Paul, remember my chains, remember that I am still serving despite the fact that I am in jail and the odds are stacked against me. This is “How We Live”
Over the last 15 weeks we learned many different things from this letter and Paul wraps it all up with “How We Live’ (orthopraxy) together by mentioning the people that serve with him and on many levels are living for Jesus.
vrs 7-8 Tychicus=servant and comforter
1. How well do you serve?
2. Are you comforting to be around?
Reminds us of Encouragement
Vrs 9 Onesimus=useful- Was a runaway slave who stole something from his master Philemon and then met Paul and became a Christian, Paul wrote a letter to Philemon to accept the slave back and forgive Him like Jesus forgave us.
Reminds us that through Prayer people come to Jesus & Our Perspective of them must change. And Christians are to Act as Jesus sees you
3. Can people tell there is a life change?
Vrs 10-11 Aristarchus, Mark and Justus “of the circumcision” Jewish Believers Paul has three guys that are backing him. Everyone needs a little posse to remind us that Jesus is more important then, mans philosophy, religion and our old self. And hang with people who are good to one another.
4. Do you have a group of Christian friends? If not maybe you are not that type of Christian friend for others. Or maybe you are just not looking.
Vrs 12-13 Epaphras, Pastor, cares and prays and brings you the message.
Share the GOSPEL, teach and equip you for works of righteousness. I must say you all are a great group of people to serve in that way, you don’t “bite the hand that feeds you” many pastors are bitten by the very people they serve. When that happens to a pastor what should they do? What Jesus did…He served them and PRAYED, that is what pastors do they pray.
Vrs 14 Luke was with Paul in his Roman imprisonment, same Luke of the Luke and acts
Physician was his vocation, he used this to promote the name of Jesus
Uses his intellect and vocation to benefit Christ. Whne he wrote the gospel of Luke he did it as a journalist.
5. How do you use your abilities to promote Jesus?
Demas according to 2 Tim 4:10 apparently loved the world more then service of Christ
Along the way we will always have people that fall away. Maybe they were never a Christian, maybe they are and they are sidetracked. But we need to pray for them, reach out to them, challenge them and love them. (I don’t let this get me down)
6. Have you been sidetracked by the world? (The Plan two week series into the new year)
Vrs 15 Greeting other believers.
We as believers have to remember other believers; it is not about our church it is about Jesus.
Vrs 16 The Word is intended for all not just the leadership. Our relationships to one another should be based on the Word
Laodicean letter??? Lost letter not a biblical letter but something that Paul wrote. Possibly for encouragement and teaching.
Vrs 17 Archippus (Philimon’s son) the fill in for Epaphas. Sometimes people need a pat on the back or a staunch reminder about their calling and pray for them.
7. Do you need a reminder of what your calling is?
Vrs 18 from Paul, remember my chains, remember that I am still serving despite the fact that I am in jail and the odds are stacked against me. This is “How We Live”
Sunday, December 13, 2009
"How We Live" :Opportunities
Take the opportunity to…
PRAY
Vrs 2 Take opportunity...to pray
-Continue-it should be a habit. Think about the fact that you have Jesus willing and waiting to listen any time you want to talk.
"The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, buy un-offered prayer."F.B. Meyer
-Vigilant-watchful-answers to pray are something we should be looking for as we should be looking for opportunities to pray.
There are no unanswered prayers
-Thanksgiving-reminder to be thankful for what you have. An ungrateful spirit is resented by God, remember Jonah.
Vrs 3-4 Take opportunity… to pray for fellow Christians and ministers that they will have opportunities to share the GOSPEL
You need to keep me in your prayers (I preach the gospel every week)
"Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure." D. L. Moody
Take opportunity…to ask others to pray for you. because you should be preaching the gospel
Why is it called a mystery? Through shadows, types and sacrifices Jesus is foretold.
Take opportunity…to work on a clear presentation of the gospel, not just the words we say. Its How We Live the gospel, mercy, grace, compassion, sacrifice
Remember Paul was in prison for preaching the gospel
As far as bringing the gospel to the people around us this is where it counts, your testimony.
LIVE
Vrs 5 Take opportunity…to act wise toward unbelievers.
Early Christians were criticized because they did not bow to the Roman or Greek gods they were accused of being cannibals because of communion. Paul encouraged about the way they act because they already don’t trust us or think we are crazy.
What you do and how you act can either be a good opportunity to be an example of Jesus or an opportunity for others to criticize and mock.
Ask this question… Is what I am doing going to promote Jesus?
Take opportunity… use time to benefit the cause of Jesus. “Redeeming” buying back, so much time is wasted and Eph 5:16 says the “days are evil”
Question: How do you use your time with unbelievers? What do you do? What do you talk about?
Notice Paul challenges our actions then our speech
The words we say will teach if we practice what we preach.
SPEAK
Vrs 6 Take opportunity… to talk about things that please Jesus.
Gentle, kind, loving, encouraging
Matt 12:34 abundance of the heart the mouth speaks
Take opportunity…to learn how to answer questions about Jesus, be a student of the Word
PRAY
Vrs 2 Take opportunity...to pray
-Continue-it should be a habit. Think about the fact that you have Jesus willing and waiting to listen any time you want to talk.
"The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, buy un-offered prayer."F.B. Meyer
-Vigilant-watchful-answers to pray are something we should be looking for as we should be looking for opportunities to pray.
There are no unanswered prayers
-Thanksgiving-reminder to be thankful for what you have. An ungrateful spirit is resented by God, remember Jonah.
Vrs 3-4 Take opportunity… to pray for fellow Christians and ministers that they will have opportunities to share the GOSPEL
You need to keep me in your prayers (I preach the gospel every week)
"Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure." D. L. Moody
Take opportunity…to ask others to pray for you. because you should be preaching the gospel
Why is it called a mystery? Through shadows, types and sacrifices Jesus is foretold.
Take opportunity…to work on a clear presentation of the gospel, not just the words we say. Its How We Live the gospel, mercy, grace, compassion, sacrifice
Remember Paul was in prison for preaching the gospel
As far as bringing the gospel to the people around us this is where it counts, your testimony.
LIVE
Vrs 5 Take opportunity…to act wise toward unbelievers.
Early Christians were criticized because they did not bow to the Roman or Greek gods they were accused of being cannibals because of communion. Paul encouraged about the way they act because they already don’t trust us or think we are crazy.
What you do and how you act can either be a good opportunity to be an example of Jesus or an opportunity for others to criticize and mock.
Ask this question… Is what I am doing going to promote Jesus?
Take opportunity… use time to benefit the cause of Jesus. “Redeeming” buying back, so much time is wasted and Eph 5:16 says the “days are evil”
Question: How do you use your time with unbelievers? What do you do? What do you talk about?
Notice Paul challenges our actions then our speech
The words we say will teach if we practice what we preach.
SPEAK
Vrs 6 Take opportunity… to talk about things that please Jesus.
Gentle, kind, loving, encouraging
Matt 12:34 abundance of the heart the mouth speaks
Take opportunity…to learn how to answer questions about Jesus, be a student of the Word
Sunday, December 6, 2009
"How We Live" :Work
3:22-4:1
Jewish slavery at that time was different then Roman slavery or even the slavery that happened in our country many years ago. A slave would serve for seven years then leave with a payment of some of his masters assets, so in some senses it would be similar to enlisting in the military, there is a commitment and a benefit.
Paul’s intention here is to not change the rules by to inwardly impact how this economy is lived out.
Today we can apply this to our current work situations employee and employer
-Before we do that we have to look at a Theology of Work -Back to Genesis
How do you know if your career choice is your calling?
-Do you get a sense of fulfillment in your work?
-Do the benefits outweigh the stress? 70/30 rule
-Does it allow you adequate time for your other responsibilities?
-Does it provide for your family?
-Does it give you opportunities to share your Christian example and speak to others about Christ?
Obviously there is always tension in situations where there is a long term commitment and Paul speaks to how the Christian should respond in this passage.
Vrs 22
The way we should work (this includes the stay at home mom)
-“in all things obey” Obedient to the rules of your workplace
-“not with eye-service or men-pleasers” Look good for Jesus. Not to please others but so they know you are a believer.
Are there other believers at your workplace that can encourage you, pray for you and fellowship with you?
-“fearing the Lord” Obedient to the Lord- Unethical behavior Total Truth Illustration
Your boss asks you to sin
Vrs 23
-“do it heartily” Diligently
-“as to the Lord” For Jesus, In each situation you need to ask…”if Jesus asked me to do this what would I do?” or “If Jesus where watching me how would I work?”
Vrs 24
-“receive a reward” Focus on the reward. temporal spiritual, future spiritual (motivation)
-“you serve Jesus” Not condoning sin but is careful not to condemn others GOSPEL Jesus did not come to condemn John 3:17
Remember this is the job of the Holy Spirit let Him do that convicting work
Vrs 25
- Rest in the justice of Jesus, things at work will be unfair but trust that Jesus will not only make them right but deal out justice in His perfect plan. Conditions are unfair? God does not say” too bad you are not the boss” HE says “I will take care of that”
Vrs 4:1 If you are the boss…
-Give a fair wage
-Give proper benefits
-Give adequate time of rest.
-Treat with respect & dignity
-Act like Jesus
The Boss still have to answer to Jesus
Jewish slavery at that time was different then Roman slavery or even the slavery that happened in our country many years ago. A slave would serve for seven years then leave with a payment of some of his masters assets, so in some senses it would be similar to enlisting in the military, there is a commitment and a benefit.
Paul’s intention here is to not change the rules by to inwardly impact how this economy is lived out.
Today we can apply this to our current work situations employee and employer
-Before we do that we have to look at a Theology of Work -Back to Genesis
How do you know if your career choice is your calling?
-Do you get a sense of fulfillment in your work?
-Do the benefits outweigh the stress? 70/30 rule
-Does it allow you adequate time for your other responsibilities?
-Does it provide for your family?
-Does it give you opportunities to share your Christian example and speak to others about Christ?
Obviously there is always tension in situations where there is a long term commitment and Paul speaks to how the Christian should respond in this passage.
Vrs 22
The way we should work (this includes the stay at home mom)
-“in all things obey” Obedient to the rules of your workplace
-“not with eye-service or men-pleasers” Look good for Jesus. Not to please others but so they know you are a believer.
Are there other believers at your workplace that can encourage you, pray for you and fellowship with you?
-“fearing the Lord” Obedient to the Lord- Unethical behavior Total Truth Illustration
Your boss asks you to sin
Vrs 23
-“do it heartily” Diligently
-“as to the Lord” For Jesus, In each situation you need to ask…”if Jesus asked me to do this what would I do?” or “If Jesus where watching me how would I work?”
Vrs 24
-“receive a reward” Focus on the reward. temporal spiritual, future spiritual (motivation)
-“you serve Jesus” Not condoning sin but is careful not to condemn others GOSPEL Jesus did not come to condemn John 3:17
Remember this is the job of the Holy Spirit let Him do that convicting work
Vrs 25
- Rest in the justice of Jesus, things at work will be unfair but trust that Jesus will not only make them right but deal out justice in His perfect plan. Conditions are unfair? God does not say” too bad you are not the boss” HE says “I will take care of that”
Vrs 4:1 If you are the boss…
-Give a fair wage
-Give proper benefits
-Give adequate time of rest.
-Treat with respect & dignity
-Act like Jesus
The Boss still have to answer to Jesus
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