“Nice Ride” Triumphal Entry
Matthew 21:1-11 Luke 19:28-44
This event took place 5 days before Jesus was crucified
Matthew 21:1-6
Colt was a symbol of Peace Zech 9:9-10 Jesus was fulfilling this and also proclaiming Himself as the Messiah. Isaiah 62:11 This is also an answer to critics who say “Jesus never claimed to be the Messiah”. That is such a bad critisism because that is what he got crucified for.
The people would understand this and even the donkey owner would as well, that is why he allowed it to happen. The fact that Jesus “ride” was a donkey displays His humility.
That donkey symbolizes the peace that only Jesus can bring to our lives.
App. Only Jesus could bring peace
U2 line from “Peace on earth”
Heaven on Earth, we need it now I'm sick of all of this hanging around Sick of sorrow, sick of the pain I'm sick of hearing again and again That there's gonna be peace on Earth
Jesus can you take the time To throw a drowning man a line Peace on Earth
Jesus brings peace to our hearts. If you are struggling with something Jesus is the one who can help and bring peace to the situation.
Peace that Jesus gives is not the absence of trouble, but is rather the confidence that He is there with you always.
Duke University did a study on "peace of mind." Factors found to contribute greatly to emotional and mental stability are:
1) the absence of suspicion and resentment. Nursing a grudge was a major factor in unhappiness. If you can’t trust a person in your life you will not have peace.
2) Not living in the past. An unwholesome preoccupation with old mistakes and failures leads to depression. No peace if we live with regret.
3) Not wasting time and energy fighting conditions you cannot change. Cooperate with life, instead of trying to run away from it. No peace if you worry.
4) Force yourself to stay involved with the living world. Resist the temptation to withdraw and become reclusive during periods of emotional stress. No peace if you do not have fellowship with others.
5) Refuse to indulge in self-pity when life hands you a raw deal. Accept the fact that nobody gets through life without some sorrow and misfortune. No peace if you don’t accept and learn from bad situations.
6) Cultivate the old-fashioned virtues--love, humor, compassion and loyalty. No peace if you focus on the negative.
7) Do not expect too much of yourself. When there is too wide a gap between self-expectation and your ability to meet the goals you have set, feelings of inadequacy are inevitable. No peace if you don’t accept how God has made you.
8) Find something bigger than yourself to believe in. Self-centered egotistical people score lowest in any test for measuring happiness. No peace if you don’t know Jesus.
So what does this event tell us about Jesus
Vrs 7 He is the king
Cloak 2 Kings 9:13 Jehu Jesus is the King A good king will bring peace to His people.
App. We need to have reverence and respect for who God is and what He has done in our lives. The peoples response to Jesus was a proclamation of who He is.
If you have peace your response will be to proclaim Jesus everyday in front of the people that are around you. Do people know that you believe in Jesus? Are you telling others about it? Are you proclaiming who Jesus is?
In 1555, Nicholas Ridley was burned at the stake because of his witness for Christ. On the night before Ridley's execution, his brother offered to remain with him in the prison chamber to be of assistance and comfort. Nicholas declined the offer and replied that he meant to go to bed and sleep as quietly as ever he did in his life. Because he knew the peace of God, he could rest in the strength of the everlasting arms of his Lord to meet his need.
Another thing about a Good King is that they get the job done. Phil 4:6-7 really shows us that when we bring our problems to the King Jesus He will give us peace
Vrs 8-9 He is the One who can save us
Hosanna Psalm 118:25 save us
Acts 4:12 He is the only way of salvation
Romans 5:1 Peace with God through Jesus
App. We all need salvation
but we as believers who have salvation. Ps 118:25b We need to be saved of our troubles, our temptations and our sinful nature on a daily basis. We can only live a life that is pleasing to the Lord with help from the Lord.
Vrs 10-11 jump to Luke 19:39-40
Beauty and beast ill.
They told Jesus to rebuke His followers and Jesus’ response was that creation would shout His name.
App. Jesus has power over the creation
Creation groans in pain because of the curse of sin it yearns for peace. Romans 8:20-22
Luke 19:41-44 He is the one who cares about us
Jesus values having peace with His people and wants them to know that only He can bring them peace.
Jesus weeps over Jerusalem and predicts it’s destruction. This actually happened in AD 70
App. God weeps over our rejection and our disobedience because He realizes there are eternal consequences for rejection of Jesus and what he has done for us
Romans 1:18 suffer the wrath
God also mourns over a believers sinfulness and willful disobedience Eph. 4:30-31 We are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption and Jesus does not want us to let Him down by living a lifestyle that is displeasing to Him.
So lets look at the humility of the King and the Saviour who is able to bring not only eternal peace for our souls but also peace to our lives in the present time and ask Him for forgiveness and help to live today.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
"I Was Blind" This message was not recorded
I Was Blind Mark 10:46-52
Vrs 46-47 Son of David is a messianic title, the irony is a blind man who has spiritual insight while others who see the works of Jesus are spiritually blind.
Blindness can lead to frustration and often times disaster
On November 30, 1991 fierce winds from a freakish dust storm triggered a massive freeway pileup along Interstate 5 near Coalinga, California. At least 14 people died and dozens more were injured as topsoil whipped by 50 mile-per-hour winds reduced visibility to zero. The afternoon holocaust left a three-mile trail of twisted and burning vehicles, some stacked on top of one another 100 yards off the side of the freeway. Unable to see their way, dozens of motorists drove blindly ahead into disaster.
Because he was living this life as a blind man he realized he needed someone to heal him.
Vrs 47 He called out “have mercy on me”
Vrs 48 happened a second time
Vrs 49-50 Then Jesus called him then Bartimaus threw aside his garment
The crowd first discourages him then encourages him
Vrs 51 Jesus asked what do you want me to do for you?
Vrs 52 Your faith has healed you
There is a spiritual parallel to all of us here
2 Cor. 3:13-15
Ephesians 4:17-19
Vrs 52 Romans 3:21-23 it is always by faith that God lifts the blinders
I want to tell you about another kind of blind person. When I was in 2nd grade I remember sitting in class and the teacher yelling at me because I could not read the letters on the blackboard. Unfortunately I was not sure what seeing clearly was because I never did, so I didn’t know any better so I didn’t tell anyone. But then the teacher and my mom realized I could not see correctly so I got glasses.
My vision was corrected BUT I was not committed to wearing my glasses, I was afraid of what people would say or think so I left my glasses at home and suffered with blurry vision.
Many of us have a Christian walk that is like that. We accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and because of Him we can see clearly. But then we let other people say or think about us effect our commitment.
Because of this our spiritual life is blurred and inconsistent. A result of living this way will result in un-fullfillment.
So do you fall into this category, are you afraid of what others think of your commitment to Jesus, are you too lazy to be committed or maybe you are just so new in your faith that you don’t even know what commitment looks like.
Tonight we have four people that are taking a set in their commitment to Jesus. One of the first steps that a person who has faith in Jesus Christ can take is being baptized.
Acts 2:41 “those who received the Word were baptized”
The four tonight are displaying their
1. Obedience to Jesus
2. The Bible tells us that baptism symbolizes my old life is put to death and now they have a new life with Christ.
3. Outwardly showing to everyone that they believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for their sins and rose again three days later to prove that he is God and He and only He can forgive us of our sins.
That is what baptism is, it does not get a person into heaven it is an action that we do so others see our commitment to Jesus.
Remember it has always been by faith.
Vrs 46-47 Son of David is a messianic title, the irony is a blind man who has spiritual insight while others who see the works of Jesus are spiritually blind.
Blindness can lead to frustration and often times disaster
On November 30, 1991 fierce winds from a freakish dust storm triggered a massive freeway pileup along Interstate 5 near Coalinga, California. At least 14 people died and dozens more were injured as topsoil whipped by 50 mile-per-hour winds reduced visibility to zero. The afternoon holocaust left a three-mile trail of twisted and burning vehicles, some stacked on top of one another 100 yards off the side of the freeway. Unable to see their way, dozens of motorists drove blindly ahead into disaster.
Because he was living this life as a blind man he realized he needed someone to heal him.
Vrs 47 He called out “have mercy on me”
Vrs 48 happened a second time
Vrs 49-50 Then Jesus called him then Bartimaus threw aside his garment
The crowd first discourages him then encourages him
Vrs 51 Jesus asked what do you want me to do for you?
Vrs 52 Your faith has healed you
There is a spiritual parallel to all of us here
2 Cor. 3:13-15
Ephesians 4:17-19
Vrs 52 Romans 3:21-23 it is always by faith that God lifts the blinders
I want to tell you about another kind of blind person. When I was in 2nd grade I remember sitting in class and the teacher yelling at me because I could not read the letters on the blackboard. Unfortunately I was not sure what seeing clearly was because I never did, so I didn’t know any better so I didn’t tell anyone. But then the teacher and my mom realized I could not see correctly so I got glasses.
My vision was corrected BUT I was not committed to wearing my glasses, I was afraid of what people would say or think so I left my glasses at home and suffered with blurry vision.
Many of us have a Christian walk that is like that. We accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and because of Him we can see clearly. But then we let other people say or think about us effect our commitment.
Because of this our spiritual life is blurred and inconsistent. A result of living this way will result in un-fullfillment.
So do you fall into this category, are you afraid of what others think of your commitment to Jesus, are you too lazy to be committed or maybe you are just so new in your faith that you don’t even know what commitment looks like.
Tonight we have four people that are taking a set in their commitment to Jesus. One of the first steps that a person who has faith in Jesus Christ can take is being baptized.
Acts 2:41 “those who received the Word were baptized”
The four tonight are displaying their
1. Obedience to Jesus
2. The Bible tells us that baptism symbolizes my old life is put to death and now they have a new life with Christ.
3. Outwardly showing to everyone that they believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for their sins and rose again three days later to prove that he is God and He and only He can forgive us of our sins.
That is what baptism is, it does not get a person into heaven it is an action that we do so others see our commitment to Jesus.
Remember it has always been by faith.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
"Are others Laughing"- With My Mind on My Money Series
Matthew Chapter 6
In Matt 6:24 mammon = material wealth. Jesus is telling us if our focus is on our stuff or the burden of not having enough money to pay off our stuff or acquiring more stuff. Then we are trying to divide our time between two masters. Does God want our time divided?
Then He says vrs 25 “Therefore” read 25-32 this type of lifestyle with throw you into a cycle of worry. Sleepless nights, stressful days. Where is my next dollar coming from and who will it go to?
So what Jesus is saying, the key to conquering our time being divided is vrs 33 Seek the Lord first and He will take care of He rest.
With that being said how do we do that in the realm of our finances? Budget- Definition-
an estimate,
2.
a plan of operations based on such an estimate.
3.
an itemized allotment of funds,
Proverbs 27:23
We ended with a passage last week and I want to look more at what that means
Diligent= constant in effort to accomplish something and persistent in doing anything.
If we want to alleviant worry that is caused by financial slavery in our lives we have to live with a Budget. This is important because then we can focus in a things of God rather then things of earth. Serve God not mammon.
Look at what Jesus says about planning
Luke 14:28-30 when you are committing or starting something you should have a plan
So the question is: Is your budget a joke? If others saw the state of your finances would they laugh, maybe they would cry.
Principles to look at when you are making your budget
1. Take drastic measures- Matt 5:29-30 if you are haphazard with spending or don’t know the “state of you flocks” you have to get whatever is in your way out of the way and do it. Maybe it is procrastination. Cut up the credit cards
Tip: credit cards are tools. It takes a plan to make money
2. Proverbs 21:5 don’t act to quickly, Get a free night in hotel and just go through a 2 hour demonstration. The concept is they don’t want to give you time to think. And find out, this is a rip off. So think & pray before you spend 2 week principle $50
3. Proverbs 20:18 get advice. Ask other people who are good with money what their advice is.
4. Hebrews 13:5 contentment with what you have. Remember no matter what we have or don’t have Jesus loves us and was willing to die for us and if we trust Him He will be there for us.
So pray that you would be content with what you have
Challenge- Budget Sheet fill it out and live by it for 6 months.
Challenge 2- Become a crown financial counselor
In Matt 6:24 mammon = material wealth. Jesus is telling us if our focus is on our stuff or the burden of not having enough money to pay off our stuff or acquiring more stuff. Then we are trying to divide our time between two masters. Does God want our time divided?
Then He says vrs 25 “Therefore” read 25-32 this type of lifestyle with throw you into a cycle of worry. Sleepless nights, stressful days. Where is my next dollar coming from and who will it go to?
So what Jesus is saying, the key to conquering our time being divided is vrs 33 Seek the Lord first and He will take care of He rest.
With that being said how do we do that in the realm of our finances? Budget- Definition-
an estimate,
2.
a plan of operations based on such an estimate.
3.
an itemized allotment of funds,
Proverbs 27:23
We ended with a passage last week and I want to look more at what that means
Diligent= constant in effort to accomplish something and persistent in doing anything.
If we want to alleviant worry that is caused by financial slavery in our lives we have to live with a Budget. This is important because then we can focus in a things of God rather then things of earth. Serve God not mammon.
Look at what Jesus says about planning
Luke 14:28-30 when you are committing or starting something you should have a plan
So the question is: Is your budget a joke? If others saw the state of your finances would they laugh, maybe they would cry.
Principles to look at when you are making your budget
1. Take drastic measures- Matt 5:29-30 if you are haphazard with spending or don’t know the “state of you flocks” you have to get whatever is in your way out of the way and do it. Maybe it is procrastination. Cut up the credit cards
Tip: credit cards are tools. It takes a plan to make money
2. Proverbs 21:5 don’t act to quickly, Get a free night in hotel and just go through a 2 hour demonstration. The concept is they don’t want to give you time to think. And find out, this is a rip off. So think & pray before you spend 2 week principle $50
3. Proverbs 20:18 get advice. Ask other people who are good with money what their advice is.
4. Hebrews 13:5 contentment with what you have. Remember no matter what we have or don’t have Jesus loves us and was willing to die for us and if we trust Him He will be there for us.
So pray that you would be content with what you have
Challenge- Budget Sheet fill it out and live by it for 6 months.
Challenge 2- Become a crown financial counselor
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
DEBT- With my mind on my money series
Debt… it is the American way, buy (get) now pay later
The spiritual condition that we are in can sometimes brings to a pace where we make bad decisions that put us in debt
Matt 6:19-21 notice Jesus says this is a heart condition and now in our society we are able to store up stuff and not have the money to back it up.
Lets look at some warning signs that check our hearts to see if we may be headed toward a debt situation.
1.Outstanding loans on depreciating items or living on credit
2.Unable to give or save Mal 3:8
3.Prone to extravagant spending and indulging in things
4.Looking for get rich quick schemes
5.Care what other people thing about your financial situation
What does the Bible say about debt?
Romans 13:8 is a passage many quote in support that a Christian should never borrow money. I don’t believe this passage is saying that, look at vrs 5-6 and explain.
The principle here is pay your debts and have a plan to do so.
Proverbs 22:7 You are servant to whoever you borrow from. This is telling us that when you get up in the morning and go to work you are doing so to pay off your debts. The problem with this type of lifestyle is that you should be a servant to the Lord not to the creditor or your stuff.
1 Timothy 6:10 When we get to greedy and want to much stuff it harms our spiritual lives and brings trouble to our lives.
What do you do if you have debt?
1. Commit to a plan to pay off your debt. Psalm 37:21 it is sin not to pay your debts.
a. Credit cards.
How call creditors and get rates changed
Set up a payment plan that is more the minimums not only are you wasting on paying the interest you are also not making that money work for you in investments
Credit cards are not evil hey just need to be used properly. We will talk about that next week.
b. Cars- this is where we have been so tempted and duped
c. School loans
d. Home. The last step to financial freedom is paying off your home
2.Free up extra money to get rid of this debt. Sacrifice, sometimes in life sacrifice is a consequence of bad decision.
How to stay out of Debt.
Make a plan Proverbs 27:23-24
What is our greatest debt that we can never pay? 1 Cor. 7:22-23
The spiritual condition that we are in can sometimes brings to a pace where we make bad decisions that put us in debt
Matt 6:19-21 notice Jesus says this is a heart condition and now in our society we are able to store up stuff and not have the money to back it up.
Lets look at some warning signs that check our hearts to see if we may be headed toward a debt situation.
1.Outstanding loans on depreciating items or living on credit
2.Unable to give or save Mal 3:8
3.Prone to extravagant spending and indulging in things
4.Looking for get rich quick schemes
5.Care what other people thing about your financial situation
What does the Bible say about debt?
Romans 13:8 is a passage many quote in support that a Christian should never borrow money. I don’t believe this passage is saying that, look at vrs 5-6 and explain.
The principle here is pay your debts and have a plan to do so.
Proverbs 22:7 You are servant to whoever you borrow from. This is telling us that when you get up in the morning and go to work you are doing so to pay off your debts. The problem with this type of lifestyle is that you should be a servant to the Lord not to the creditor or your stuff.
1 Timothy 6:10 When we get to greedy and want to much stuff it harms our spiritual lives and brings trouble to our lives.
What do you do if you have debt?
1. Commit to a plan to pay off your debt. Psalm 37:21 it is sin not to pay your debts.
a. Credit cards.
How call creditors and get rates changed
Set up a payment plan that is more the minimums not only are you wasting on paying the interest you are also not making that money work for you in investments
Credit cards are not evil hey just need to be used properly. We will talk about that next week.
b. Cars- this is where we have been so tempted and duped
c. School loans
d. Home. The last step to financial freedom is paying off your home
2.Free up extra money to get rid of this debt. Sacrifice, sometimes in life sacrifice is a consequence of bad decision.
How to stay out of Debt.
Make a plan Proverbs 27:23-24
What is our greatest debt that we can never pay? 1 Cor. 7:22-23
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
"A basket full of reminders"
Text Deut 26:1-15
Vr. 1 End of Torah=law God is going to bring them into a land. The land will be prosperous and with that the Israelites will be tempted to forget what God has done in their lives.
So He gives a directive…
First Vr. 2 Take a basket and put in the “first fruits” of crops.
Talk about how a farmer must feel to wait for the crops and then give away the first ripe fruits to God. Not the leftovers. Dinner illustrations over for leftovers
=The first thing you need to do is give to the work of the Lord
Second Vr 3-4 Bring it to the priest and declare that God allowed me to come into this land and he gave it to me and fathers. In essence they were saying that God is the King in my life and I am bringing the King the best of what I have in this basket.
= Declaring that God is the King of your life.
Third Vrs 5-10 The worship liturgy that they were to say. The reminder of what is in that basket. Jacob was the Father.
Discuss the passge
=Every time you give to the Lord you should remember what the Lord has done for you and it is a time of worship for you
Susan Ehrnstrom Testimony
Forth Vr. 11 Give thanks for what the Lord has given you.
=Giving is our way of thanking God
Vrs 12-14 what were they giving to and how much was it Levite=rabbi or teachers aside from their temple duties, Stranger=outsider to Israel, Fatherless (orphans) and widows=those in need. So they can eat=support
So God’s people were directed to fund the ministers, the ministries that reach out to outsiders and the ministries that help people in need
Vrs 15 They are calling down a blessing from the Lord
So how did Israel do with this directive?
Duet 26 was written in 1200bc
1050 BC 1 Sam 8 Israel demands a king – shows their lack of reliance on God
700BC Hosea 5:3 Israel is corrupt in their heart because they were prosperous.
6:4 You have lost your heart you forgot your story. Your story is what keeps you connected to God
700 bcAmos – the basket 4:1-22 Cows of Bashon stingy oppressors Cows in region of Israel that were well bred.
So they forgot their King, forgot their story of what God did in their lives and they forgot about the basket and what was supposed to be in it.
What about you?
1. The King- if Jesus is not your King you should not give. That is exactly why we don’t pass the plate because we don’t want people who don’t trust in Christ to feel obligated to give.
2. Are you giving of your “first fruits” do you set aside money each week in proportion to what you earn? Or are you giving Him left overs? Where should you start?
Mal 3, Deut. 14, Numbers 18 23 & 1/3 %
What if you are in debt? Should you still give
3. When you give, every time you write that check or set aside that money are you remembering what God has done in your life and how he has blessed you?
4. Are you saying thank you or are you giving grudgingly?
5. If you are supporting the work of the Lord God will not forget you and He will bless you.
Ann Frank “no one has ever become poor by giving”
So the first step in dealing with your finances is bringing consistently an offering to the Lord.
Vr. 1 End of Torah=law God is going to bring them into a land. The land will be prosperous and with that the Israelites will be tempted to forget what God has done in their lives.
So He gives a directive…
First Vr. 2 Take a basket and put in the “first fruits” of crops.
Talk about how a farmer must feel to wait for the crops and then give away the first ripe fruits to God. Not the leftovers. Dinner illustrations over for leftovers
=The first thing you need to do is give to the work of the Lord
Second Vr 3-4 Bring it to the priest and declare that God allowed me to come into this land and he gave it to me and fathers. In essence they were saying that God is the King in my life and I am bringing the King the best of what I have in this basket.
= Declaring that God is the King of your life.
Third Vrs 5-10 The worship liturgy that they were to say. The reminder of what is in that basket. Jacob was the Father.
Discuss the passge
=Every time you give to the Lord you should remember what the Lord has done for you and it is a time of worship for you
Susan Ehrnstrom Testimony
Forth Vr. 11 Give thanks for what the Lord has given you.
=Giving is our way of thanking God
Vrs 12-14 what were they giving to and how much was it Levite=rabbi or teachers aside from their temple duties, Stranger=outsider to Israel, Fatherless (orphans) and widows=those in need. So they can eat=support
So God’s people were directed to fund the ministers, the ministries that reach out to outsiders and the ministries that help people in need
Vrs 15 They are calling down a blessing from the Lord
So how did Israel do with this directive?
Duet 26 was written in 1200bc
1050 BC 1 Sam 8 Israel demands a king – shows their lack of reliance on God
700BC Hosea 5:3 Israel is corrupt in their heart because they were prosperous.
6:4 You have lost your heart you forgot your story. Your story is what keeps you connected to God
700 bcAmos – the basket 4:1-22 Cows of Bashon stingy oppressors Cows in region of Israel that were well bred.
So they forgot their King, forgot their story of what God did in their lives and they forgot about the basket and what was supposed to be in it.
What about you?
1. The King- if Jesus is not your King you should not give. That is exactly why we don’t pass the plate because we don’t want people who don’t trust in Christ to feel obligated to give.
2. Are you giving of your “first fruits” do you set aside money each week in proportion to what you earn? Or are you giving Him left overs? Where should you start?
Mal 3, Deut. 14, Numbers 18 23 & 1/3 %
What if you are in debt? Should you still give
3. When you give, every time you write that check or set aside that money are you remembering what God has done in your life and how he has blessed you?
4. Are you saying thank you or are you giving grudgingly?
5. If you are supporting the work of the Lord God will not forget you and He will bless you.
Ann Frank “no one has ever become poor by giving”
So the first step in dealing with your finances is bringing consistently an offering to the Lord.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
"At the end of the day"
Matthew 7:21-23
Lets look at the context…
3 weeks ago we studied the preceding verses in which Jesus said you will know them by their fruits. We issued the got fruit challenge and I hope that many of you have taken the challenge.
We spoke about displaying “fruit” or evidence of the fact that you are a believer. In that passage it stated “beware of false prophets they come as sheep in wolves clothing” And their purpose is to lead you the wrong way, so we test them by their “Fruits” what they are teaching.
So Jesus in His conclusion of the “Greatest sermon ever preached” is saying some people who are viewed as religious, that seem to have it all together, that are doing things and claiming it is in Jesus’ name, still don’t know Jesus because they don’t believe the truth about Him.
Vrs 21 Not everyone who says “Lord Lord”
but he who does the “will of my father”
Lets look at what God’s will is John 6:40 “He who believes has everlasting life”
Vrs 22 The people who think they are doing what God wants
Like- keeping the ten commandments, feeding the hungry, giving to the poor, helping others, etc.
but really ignoring “God’s Will” which is belief in Christ.
Who falls into this category? Cults and false religion.
Another Jesus 2 Cor. 11:4
1 John 4:1 Test the spirits
How do we test them? Here are three ways
The Jesus of the Bible is prayed to (Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 116:4 and Zech. 13:9 with 1 Cor. 1:1-2).
The Jesus of the Bible is worshiped (Matt. 2:2,11; 14:33; 28:9; John 9:35-38; Heb. 1:6)
The Jesus of the Bible is God (John 20:28; Heb. 1:8).
The Jesus of the Bible is the only way of salvation. Acts 4:12 not by works
Bottom line
Jesus is saying guess what “it’s not grandma” you are being fooled it’s the wolf and he is leading you to destruction.
Vrs 24-25 Sayings (what are the sayings? Flip back through the sermon) into practice will be equipped to deal with life’s storms.
1 Corinthians 3:12 you will also be rewarded for putting these sayings into practice they are like precious stones.
Vrs 26-27 The flip side if you don’t put these sayings into practice and don’t have a foundation with the true Jesus Christ you are foolish. You will not be able to weather life’s storms and in the end there will be destruction. You are building your life on the ways of the world and that is foolishness.
Vrs 28-29 People were astonished because His teaching had substance, unlike the scribes.
Lets look at the context…
3 weeks ago we studied the preceding verses in which Jesus said you will know them by their fruits. We issued the got fruit challenge and I hope that many of you have taken the challenge.
We spoke about displaying “fruit” or evidence of the fact that you are a believer. In that passage it stated “beware of false prophets they come as sheep in wolves clothing” And their purpose is to lead you the wrong way, so we test them by their “Fruits” what they are teaching.
So Jesus in His conclusion of the “Greatest sermon ever preached” is saying some people who are viewed as religious, that seem to have it all together, that are doing things and claiming it is in Jesus’ name, still don’t know Jesus because they don’t believe the truth about Him.
Vrs 21 Not everyone who says “Lord Lord”
but he who does the “will of my father”
Lets look at what God’s will is John 6:40 “He who believes has everlasting life”
Vrs 22 The people who think they are doing what God wants
Like- keeping the ten commandments, feeding the hungry, giving to the poor, helping others, etc.
but really ignoring “God’s Will” which is belief in Christ.
Who falls into this category? Cults and false religion.
Another Jesus 2 Cor. 11:4
1 John 4:1 Test the spirits
How do we test them? Here are three ways
The Jesus of the Bible is prayed to (Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 116:4 and Zech. 13:9 with 1 Cor. 1:1-2).
The Jesus of the Bible is worshiped (Matt. 2:2,11; 14:33; 28:9; John 9:35-38; Heb. 1:6)
The Jesus of the Bible is God (John 20:28; Heb. 1:8).
The Jesus of the Bible is the only way of salvation. Acts 4:12 not by works
Bottom line
Jesus is saying guess what “it’s not grandma” you are being fooled it’s the wolf and he is leading you to destruction.
Vrs 24-25 Sayings (what are the sayings? Flip back through the sermon) into practice will be equipped to deal with life’s storms.
1 Corinthians 3:12 you will also be rewarded for putting these sayings into practice they are like precious stones.
Vrs 26-27 The flip side if you don’t put these sayings into practice and don’t have a foundation with the true Jesus Christ you are foolish. You will not be able to weather life’s storms and in the end there will be destruction. You are building your life on the ways of the world and that is foolishness.
Vrs 28-29 People were astonished because His teaching had substance, unlike the scribes.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Just A.S.K
Matthew 7:7-12 read
Remember Matthew 7:7-12 is on the heals of 1-6 which speaks about judging others and how we should respond to that.
I want to suggest that this passage is teaching us about our prayer lives in relation to our personal relationships to others. In other words God is willing to change you if you are willing to ASK Him
Many times people get mad at God, doubt Him or claim the Bible is not worth it because they take this passage out of context pray for something (like a material possession) don’t receive it and then they challenge this Scripture. It forms their view of God.
In a Baylor University study
Researchers found these four ideas of God were found among believers. The data showed: • 31.4 percent believe in an Authoritarian God, who is very judgmental and engaged
• 16 percent believe in a Critical God, who is judgmental but not engaged• 25 percent believe in a Benevolent God, who is not judgmental but engaged• 23 percent believe in a Distant God, who is completely removed
Distant God
To me this is the most disturbing because there are believers in our churches today that believe that God is distant and does not concern Himself with the affairs of people.
Or no matter what we ask God He has a blank stare on His face and He will not change the course of things on our behalf.
Two OT illustrations of God changing His mind because He was asked. Ex 32 The Israelites made the Golden Calf to worship and did things that were displeasing to God. God wanted to destroy them. Moses asked Him to relent and He did v12-14
2 Kings 20 Hezekiah v4-6 God gave him 15 years.
If we believe or fall into a trap of thinking God is distant and does not care that will radically affect our prayer life and whether or not we believe God can truly change us.
Lets start in the middle of this passage to first challenge that thought then we will look to what Jesus taught as to our attitude and how we should pray especially for a change in our lives
Vrs 9-11 Jesus uses the illustration of how we being “evil” sinful can figure out how to give good gifts to our children, how can God being good not be able to deliver.
Jesus is being kind of comical as He challenges this thought process. We have to reprogram our thinking and realize that God is good God and wants to help us, comfort us, bless us and answer our prayers
Romans 8:32 The gospel illustrates God’s grace towards us.God wants to give us the desires of our hearts but also wants to change our hearts to His desires.
But we have a responsibility when it comes to prayer.
Vrs 7-8 In these two verses Jesus gives us three attitudes that we should have in prayer it repeats them and gives us the results and repeats them.
Jesus even gives us an acronym to remember it by
Ask- Dependence -receive
Seek-Passion - you will find – A beautiful letdown
Knock-Persistence - the door will be opened
Ask=Dependence, inadequate, we do not have the power inside ourselves or the resources to control the situation.
Who can help me? Can I help myself? What does the world say?
When we ask God we are admitting that we need help and it is some thing that humbles us.
When I was younger and I had to fix my bike and could not get a bolt off that was too tight I asked my Dad and I was confident that not only would he do it but he could do it.
When you ASK God you are showing your dependence on Him.
James 4 says you don’t have because you don’t ask.
But notice prior to him saying that James 4:1. This is a relational idea, if you are going to get along with other people, you need God’s help.
What is the promise?
The promise is it will be “given to you” v8 “receive”
The million dollar question is always, why didn’t it work out or I get what I wanted?
Lets look at one of Jesus prayers Luke 22:32 Jesus prayed that “Peter’s faith would not fail” did it?
But that was part of Peter’s learning experience.
So when the answer to our prayers are not what we think they should be we have to trust God that He is in control and He will work things out the way He sees fit.
When we look at prayer like that it shows our dependence on Him
Seek=Passion or desire-Don’t get confused with emotional experiences. Look at Jesus’ passion, It was obedience to the point of death. Jesus sought to do the will of the Father.
Job 5:7-9 The counsel of Job’s friend Eliphaz is to “Seek God”
Phil 2:21 Our problem is that when we seek we seek for ourselves but God wants us to seek after Him in obedience then we will find.
When we are in prayer seeking God’s direction these are the things we have to remember.
Deut 12:4-6 seek what God chooses
The more we seek God the more we find how we should pray and what we should ask for and what His direction is in each situation. Not to spend it on our own pleasure etc.
Psalm 10:4 the wicked in pride does not seek.
Psalm 34:10 those who seek will not lack
Psalm 69:32 those who seek will live
Psalm 119:1-3 Those who seek him are obeying
You may be asking, why has God put me in this situation?
Acts 17:26-28 God has put each person in a place and situation so that they would seek Him. God wants you to passionately seek Him.
Knock =Persistence
Luke 11:5-8
When God sees our persistence in prayer he appreciates our diligence and desires to reward us. Hezzikiah & Moses
Remember Matthew 7:7-12 is on the heals of 1-6 which speaks about judging others and how we should respond to that.
I want to suggest that this passage is teaching us about our prayer lives in relation to our personal relationships to others. In other words God is willing to change you if you are willing to ASK Him
Many times people get mad at God, doubt Him or claim the Bible is not worth it because they take this passage out of context pray for something (like a material possession) don’t receive it and then they challenge this Scripture. It forms their view of God.
In a Baylor University study
Researchers found these four ideas of God were found among believers. The data showed: • 31.4 percent believe in an Authoritarian God, who is very judgmental and engaged
• 16 percent believe in a Critical God, who is judgmental but not engaged• 25 percent believe in a Benevolent God, who is not judgmental but engaged• 23 percent believe in a Distant God, who is completely removed
Distant God
To me this is the most disturbing because there are believers in our churches today that believe that God is distant and does not concern Himself with the affairs of people.
Or no matter what we ask God He has a blank stare on His face and He will not change the course of things on our behalf.
Two OT illustrations of God changing His mind because He was asked. Ex 32 The Israelites made the Golden Calf to worship and did things that were displeasing to God. God wanted to destroy them. Moses asked Him to relent and He did v12-14
2 Kings 20 Hezekiah v4-6 God gave him 15 years.
If we believe or fall into a trap of thinking God is distant and does not care that will radically affect our prayer life and whether or not we believe God can truly change us.
Lets start in the middle of this passage to first challenge that thought then we will look to what Jesus taught as to our attitude and how we should pray especially for a change in our lives
Vrs 9-11 Jesus uses the illustration of how we being “evil” sinful can figure out how to give good gifts to our children, how can God being good not be able to deliver.
Jesus is being kind of comical as He challenges this thought process. We have to reprogram our thinking and realize that God is good God and wants to help us, comfort us, bless us and answer our prayers
Romans 8:32 The gospel illustrates God’s grace towards us.God wants to give us the desires of our hearts but also wants to change our hearts to His desires.
But we have a responsibility when it comes to prayer.
Vrs 7-8 In these two verses Jesus gives us three attitudes that we should have in prayer it repeats them and gives us the results and repeats them.
Jesus even gives us an acronym to remember it by
Ask- Dependence -receive
Seek-Passion - you will find – A beautiful letdown
Knock-Persistence - the door will be opened
Ask=Dependence, inadequate, we do not have the power inside ourselves or the resources to control the situation.
Who can help me? Can I help myself? What does the world say?
When we ask God we are admitting that we need help and it is some thing that humbles us.
When I was younger and I had to fix my bike and could not get a bolt off that was too tight I asked my Dad and I was confident that not only would he do it but he could do it.
When you ASK God you are showing your dependence on Him.
James 4 says you don’t have because you don’t ask.
But notice prior to him saying that James 4:1. This is a relational idea, if you are going to get along with other people, you need God’s help.
What is the promise?
The promise is it will be “given to you” v8 “receive”
The million dollar question is always, why didn’t it work out or I get what I wanted?
Lets look at one of Jesus prayers Luke 22:32 Jesus prayed that “Peter’s faith would not fail” did it?
But that was part of Peter’s learning experience.
So when the answer to our prayers are not what we think they should be we have to trust God that He is in control and He will work things out the way He sees fit.
When we look at prayer like that it shows our dependence on Him
Seek=Passion or desire-Don’t get confused with emotional experiences. Look at Jesus’ passion, It was obedience to the point of death. Jesus sought to do the will of the Father.
Job 5:7-9 The counsel of Job’s friend Eliphaz is to “Seek God”
Phil 2:21 Our problem is that when we seek we seek for ourselves but God wants us to seek after Him in obedience then we will find.
When we are in prayer seeking God’s direction these are the things we have to remember.
Deut 12:4-6 seek what God chooses
The more we seek God the more we find how we should pray and what we should ask for and what His direction is in each situation. Not to spend it on our own pleasure etc.
Psalm 10:4 the wicked in pride does not seek.
Psalm 34:10 those who seek will not lack
Psalm 69:32 those who seek will live
Psalm 119:1-3 Those who seek him are obeying
You may be asking, why has God put me in this situation?
Acts 17:26-28 God has put each person in a place and situation so that they would seek Him. God wants you to passionately seek Him.
Knock =Persistence
Luke 11:5-8
When God sees our persistence in prayer he appreciates our diligence and desires to reward us. Hezzikiah & Moses
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