1 John 2:1-14
Vrs 1 “These things” The Father extended His love toward us in sending Jesus (the incarnation) to die for us, this should inspire us to not sin, one major goal that we should have in our lives is something called “Sanctification” (Set apart) that is the concept that day by day we are becoming more and more like Jesus and sin less and less.
But if you do sin We have Jesus, who takes our place as our advocate
Vrs 2 “Propitiation”- David says in Psalm 51 against You only have I sinned
God does love us, but He hates sin. God has to hate sin because He is good and he has to be angry and do something about it because He is just. He can’t just ignore the sin that we commit. Sin spurs on God’s wrath or His dealing justly with sin
People have a problem with this.. If God is love, how can He have wrath in Him? Let me ask you this… Would He be love if He didn’t have wrath? Love protects, (I am a dad) part of God’s wrath is the eventual purging this world of sin. It is against God’s Character not be just He must be just, if He is just there must be wrath/payment. Would we consider our justice system to be loving if it let criminal go?
2 forms of wrath: Active wrath we see incidents of that in the OT and NT,
Passive wrath Romans 1 “Wrath of God revealed” “Gave us over to our sinful desires and we make a mess and all the sins we commit are added to the pile and then at the day of judgment that pile falls on you. There is justice because you paid for your sin ways.
The doctrine of Propitiation means that wrath was fully and completely poured out on Jesus, he paid for my sin. So if some say that God cannot have wrath if He is love then 1 John 4:10 clears that up. and if we reject that it is like we are saying I will take it myself.
The Passover illustrates this.
This is extremely important because in Jesus, The Father is not angry with me. (He may be displeased) In Jesus, The father is not punishing me (He may be disciplining me) In Jesus, I don’t have to pay God back for the wrong that I did. He paid it all…and offers to all.
Vrs 3-5 The litmus test for our personal faith in Jesus is our desire to follow, God knows our hearts
Faith- words for (example in Rom. 4:18-25 discussion on Abraham)
1. notitia – notion-understanding
2. assensus – assent-agree with it
3. fiducia – fiduciary(bank) reliable Salvation happens in the presence of assensus and fiducia
4. Actio – Action – readiness to do something. Love is displayed to God in Actio faith
Vrs 6 Abiding in Jesus means we follow His example. Jesus is pleased by “Actio”
loving what He loves, hating what He hates, doing what He does, treating people the way He treats them, praying like He prayed, sacrificing like He sacrificed and acting as He acts.
As a father I understand this (Zane surfing)
Vrs 7 Come on guys this is nothing new, from the beginning of your faith you knew what pleases God but you are neglecting that.
Vrs 8 The new command John 13:34 of love belongs to Jesus is His new age which we are living in.
The darkness passing and the true light is shining
Jesus came and died and now that message was going out into a dark world to light things up. Continent by continent, country, state, city, town, neighborhood, house Rev 21-22 the light will come from the Son Jesus
Vrs 9-10 This is speaking to Christians, if you have hatred toward another Christian you cannot claim to have a tight intimate relationship with Jesus
“cause for stumbling”-consequences and leading to other actions that will be destructive
“Hate is like acid. It can damage the vessel in which it is stored as well as destroy the object on which it is poured”. Ann Landers,
If we hate our fellow Christian we are disobeying the law of love that Jesus has for us and taught us.
What causes us to hate our fellow Christian?
1. They have hurt us…physically, emotionally.
Someone once said “you have never been truly hurt until you have been hurt by your fellow Christian” Why is this true? Because of the expectation you have on them But we have to think are these wants or needs?
2. They let us down by a spiritual downfall
I have noticed when a high profile Christian falls, they are able to find more mercy, compassion and love from those outside the Christian faith
The great preacher C.H. Spergeon said- “if you hate a backslidden brother you hate his master (Jesus), you and him have the same righteousness and the same master Jesus. Take care of the backslider.
3. We envy them, sometimes some people just have it together and we can’t stand it.
Vrs 11 Often times wrath is born out of hatred. The person that hates loses his way, we start to become driven by hatred and the idea of the revenge we seek, it consumes our thoughts our speech and our time because of this there is no room for the things of God, sometimes we kid ourselves, we start to read the Bible and instead of letting it be light to us and work on our heart we read it and think about how the person that we hate needs to follow this or this was written to them not to me as well.
God has taken their wrath on the cross, you don’t have to deal out the wrath. Jesus is their propitiation just like He is yours
In a will written in 1935 by a Mr. Donohoe. It says, "Unto my two daughters, Frances Marie and Denise Victoria, by reason of their attitude toward a doting father, . . . I leave the sum of $1.00 to each and a father's curse. May their lives be fraught with misery, unhappiness, and sorrow. May their deaths be soon and of a lingering malignant and torturous nature." "May their souls rest in hell and suffer the torments of the condemned for eternity." (This dad lost his way)
Which leads us into the next few verses 12-14 I write to you
“Little children” term for young and or immature Christians
Young men and fathers- I want to appeal to the men. Men’s study
How do we overcome hatred in our lives? Repentance especially if it is driven by our own envy and forgiveness.
Realizing that Jesus took our wrath for us on the cross
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
"Know the Son" 1 John Series: "Jesus came to clean"
good link for introduction study of the book http://www.ibsstl.org/niv/studybible/1john.php
1 John 1:1-10
Introduction: Date AD 90 written to the Christians in Roman province of Asia (western Turkey) John was dealing with
-Gnostics – This was not a full blown belief system at the time John wrote this but John saw the danger in what the Gnostic thinkers were teaching. In a nut shell they taught that matter (the physical world) was evil and the spiritual world was good, so if God was good He did not create the physical world. Therefore a lesser god or angels must have created.
-Docetism (Doh-see-tiz-um)- Jesus physical body was not real, and only appeared to be real.
He was refuting Heresy of a teacher named Cerinthus who taught that Jesus received divine (God) nature upon His baptism and it left Him before His crucifixion
So really the purpose of this book is to teach Christians good theology about Jesus and if they understand Jesus they will respond well to one another. And have “Fellowship with God and one another”
If you understand the concept of a game you can play well
Vrs 1-3 John was one of Jesus’ disciples so he was writing to them from first hand experience.
Two things are happening here.. one theological and one application
1. Theology- The incarnation is being explained God came in the flesh
2. Application- As a believer in Jesus you should always be prepared to tell others what He did for you and preach the Gospel. When we trust Jesus we enter into fellowship unity with Him and then in unity with all Christians
Vrs 4 any time truth is taught it brings joy, as your pastor I am up here every week to bring you joy from the Word.
“These things” =the truth about Jesus. Jesus brings joy to our lives and a correct understanding of what Jesus did on the cross brings joy to every situation.
The Gospel brings joy-when we have no money-when we are being made fun of-when someone hurts us-when we lose someone we love
You may say this is foolish and I am not surprised. 1 Corinthians 1:18 The bible says this is foolishness to those who are perishing
Vrs 5 God is good, He is in control, He takes care, He provides, He wants to comfort you, He gives us truth to live by, He disciplines us.
Vrs 6 If we say we are tight with Him and we continue to do what is wrong we are lying to… 1. Jesus, to 2. ourselves and to 3. other people.
It would be like me saying I am close with my wife and kids but not providing for them, spending time with them, listening to them.
I am tight with Jesus but… I don’t go to church..liar, don’t read the Bible, don’t pray, not being sexually pure, I am gossiping about other people, I am stealing money or time from work, I am not giving my best to God, I am not encouraging my fellow Christians, I am complaining, I am worrying
Because we are lying to Jesus, ourselves and others it has a negative affect on who we are and how effective we are with the Gospel message and obedience to Jesus. So we start to feel guilt and shame about what we are doing, have done or are not doing right. Guilt and shame start to paralyze us
The guilt and shame we carry and stain of sin cause us to live in Darkness, depression, self worth issues and more imperative separates us from being close with God and close with other Christians
There is a cure…
Vrs 7 Give us two cures 1. obey Jesus. 2. Trust in Jesus no matter what you are dealing with, guilt, shame or struggling with a habitual sin, it is crucial that you understand what theologians call Expiation-simply means to cleanse
Vrs 8 Sometimes we act like we are not doing the wrong thing. In that case we are rejecting what Jesus did for us. We try to take care of our sin ourselves
Go back to Adam and Eve (fig leaves to hide the stain of sin)
Mark Driscoll in His book “Death by Love” gives us ways people try to hide, guilt, shame and sin, I added one to his list.
1. Good/religious person- Do good to cover up 2. The fun person-life of the party. (I was a class clown) 3. Become tough- nothing effects me.
4. Anti social person –social outcast, I have hurt people they have hurt me.
If you get to know them you will see the stain of sin and the fact that there are problems they are trying to hide.
Vrs 9 There is a remedy…
Two issues here… either
1. Have not trusted in Jesus as their Savior or
2. Have not embraced the fact that He has made us clean. If that is the case it affects our identity.
3 options for identity
1. Define yourself by what you have done 1 Cor 6:9-12 this is what you were lifestyle of sin does not define us I am a drunk, I am an addict, I am a thief, I am a liar,
2. Define yourself by your situation, I was abused, I was abandoned, my parents were divorced, I had a bad home life,
3. Define yourself by what Jesus did for you and what He is for you
If you get your self worth, purpose, and dignity from what Jesus did for you, you will have a close connection with Him and then you are able to relate well with other people.
Gal 2:20
If we don’t accept that Jesus cleansed us from “all unrighteousness” we try to hide that which we cannot clean ourselves… our sin
Vrs 10 When we admit it He will cleanse us of it, but if we don’t we are doubting God and showing that we don’t understand His Word and will not live up to our fullest potential in Jesus.
1 John 1:1-10
Introduction: Date AD 90 written to the Christians in Roman province of Asia (western Turkey) John was dealing with
-Gnostics – This was not a full blown belief system at the time John wrote this but John saw the danger in what the Gnostic thinkers were teaching. In a nut shell they taught that matter (the physical world) was evil and the spiritual world was good, so if God was good He did not create the physical world. Therefore a lesser god or angels must have created.
-Docetism (Doh-see-tiz-um)- Jesus physical body was not real, and only appeared to be real.
He was refuting Heresy of a teacher named Cerinthus who taught that Jesus received divine (God) nature upon His baptism and it left Him before His crucifixion
So really the purpose of this book is to teach Christians good theology about Jesus and if they understand Jesus they will respond well to one another. And have “Fellowship with God and one another”
If you understand the concept of a game you can play well
Vrs 1-3 John was one of Jesus’ disciples so he was writing to them from first hand experience.
Two things are happening here.. one theological and one application
1. Theology- The incarnation is being explained God came in the flesh
2. Application- As a believer in Jesus you should always be prepared to tell others what He did for you and preach the Gospel. When we trust Jesus we enter into fellowship unity with Him and then in unity with all Christians
Vrs 4 any time truth is taught it brings joy, as your pastor I am up here every week to bring you joy from the Word.
“These things” =the truth about Jesus. Jesus brings joy to our lives and a correct understanding of what Jesus did on the cross brings joy to every situation.
The Gospel brings joy-when we have no money-when we are being made fun of-when someone hurts us-when we lose someone we love
You may say this is foolish and I am not surprised. 1 Corinthians 1:18 The bible says this is foolishness to those who are perishing
Vrs 5 God is good, He is in control, He takes care, He provides, He wants to comfort you, He gives us truth to live by, He disciplines us.
Vrs 6 If we say we are tight with Him and we continue to do what is wrong we are lying to… 1. Jesus, to 2. ourselves and to 3. other people.
It would be like me saying I am close with my wife and kids but not providing for them, spending time with them, listening to them.
I am tight with Jesus but… I don’t go to church..liar, don’t read the Bible, don’t pray, not being sexually pure, I am gossiping about other people, I am stealing money or time from work, I am not giving my best to God, I am not encouraging my fellow Christians, I am complaining, I am worrying
Because we are lying to Jesus, ourselves and others it has a negative affect on who we are and how effective we are with the Gospel message and obedience to Jesus. So we start to feel guilt and shame about what we are doing, have done or are not doing right. Guilt and shame start to paralyze us
The guilt and shame we carry and stain of sin cause us to live in Darkness, depression, self worth issues and more imperative separates us from being close with God and close with other Christians
There is a cure…
Vrs 7 Give us two cures 1. obey Jesus. 2. Trust in Jesus no matter what you are dealing with, guilt, shame or struggling with a habitual sin, it is crucial that you understand what theologians call Expiation-simply means to cleanse
Vrs 8 Sometimes we act like we are not doing the wrong thing. In that case we are rejecting what Jesus did for us. We try to take care of our sin ourselves
Go back to Adam and Eve (fig leaves to hide the stain of sin)
Mark Driscoll in His book “Death by Love” gives us ways people try to hide, guilt, shame and sin, I added one to his list.
1. Good/religious person- Do good to cover up 2. The fun person-life of the party. (I was a class clown) 3. Become tough- nothing effects me.
4. Anti social person –social outcast, I have hurt people they have hurt me.
If you get to know them you will see the stain of sin and the fact that there are problems they are trying to hide.
Vrs 9 There is a remedy…
Two issues here… either
1. Have not trusted in Jesus as their Savior or
2. Have not embraced the fact that He has made us clean. If that is the case it affects our identity.
3 options for identity
1. Define yourself by what you have done 1 Cor 6:9-12 this is what you were lifestyle of sin does not define us I am a drunk, I am an addict, I am a thief, I am a liar,
2. Define yourself by your situation, I was abused, I was abandoned, my parents were divorced, I had a bad home life,
3. Define yourself by what Jesus did for you and what He is for you
If you get your self worth, purpose, and dignity from what Jesus did for you, you will have a close connection with Him and then you are able to relate well with other people.
Gal 2:20
If we don’t accept that Jesus cleansed us from “all unrighteousness” we try to hide that which we cannot clean ourselves… our sin
Vrs 10 When we admit it He will cleanse us of it, but if we don’t we are doubting God and showing that we don’t understand His Word and will not live up to our fullest potential in Jesus.
Monday, February 2, 2009
A Safe Place Series: "Battle"
People are attacked when they are alone, because that is when they are vulnerable
Ephesians 6:12 tells us where these attacks come from
Vrs 13 Suited up for battle for when the attacks come. I believe there is an order to which Paul put forth the armor
Vrs 14Truth: Satan wants to deceive us into believing the lie Rom 1:25 and Angel of light 2 Cor 11:14
The lie that… there is more then one way to heaven, that you can be good enough to get to heaven, all religions lead to heaven, that the bible is not the authority, that calling sin sin is closed minded, that Jesus was just a good man. But when we have the truth down and truth is GOSPEL.
Satan knows that he lost on that front so he will attack the next.
Vrs 14 Righteousness: Satan wants us to sin because it will mess things up and kill our testimony, kill our relationships, kill our self worth, kill our sense of freedom.
The second way Satan attacks our righteousness is that he can use our righteousness to make us become self righteous. When we start to think we are good and think too much of ourselves we start to become judgmental towards others we think we are the ones who accomplished that. Remember Jesus is our righteousness and can be the righteousness of others and they need to hear about that.
If Satan does not succeed in defiling our righteousness he will attack our ability to share the Gospel
Vrs 15 Gospel: Satan wants to keep us from sharing the Gospel with others so they will not know the peace that only Jesus can give.
True peace only comes from knowing Jesus and we spent 4 weeks a few months ago talking about how it is a fight (UFC Series), but the fight is for the people around us to know the truth and peace of the gospel.
In Spiritual community (church) if our focus becomes inward, what I like, what I think is right to do in church, what I want to hear, instead of having a heart for the people outside these walls. Its demonic!!
If he fails on that front he attacks our personal faith
Vrs 16 Faith: Satan tries to take our eyes off Jesus and question and doubt Him EX why are you allowing suffering, why are there some things that we don’t know, why am I having a hard time with relationships, why am I struggling with sin, is my faith worth it,
“Heb 12:2 fix eyes author and perfecter of our faith” (Crazy Faith Series)
And if he has you doubting him his next line of attack is to attack your salvation
Vrs 17 Salvation: Satan wants us to question our salvation and our position in Christ. If you are a Christian and think salvation is something you can loose you are right where Satan wants you.
The Bible says you are purchased by the blood Acts 20, sealed with the Spirit and guaranteed the inheritance Eph 1, secure in Jesus hands John 10, will not be cast out John 6, Nothing can separate us for the love of Jesus Rom 8, If you live your life saying am I saved or am I not you will become ineffective for Jesus.
Now that we have our protection, what are the weapons
The weapons of choice
Vrs 17 The Word- Satan will try to keeps us from reading, Studying, memorizing and understanding the Word The Bible is where we find our hope. Challenge bring your Bible, mark it up
Vrs 18-20 Prayer: Satan tries to Detach Us
Pray for the saints, this passage is about going to battle with Satan and demons but it is also about have others to fight along side
Challenge- I am working on some material to teach you how to pray for and with one another.
In closing I want to suggest two areas in which we do battle
Air and ground
Air- is biblical teaching, what we believe,
Ground-is our practice, being out in community groups, impacting our friends and family members, caring for one another and caring for community that we live in.
We don’t have a choice, like many wars fought over the course of human history we have to fight to ensure that we have a “A Safe Place” our Spiritual community.
Ephesians 6:12 tells us where these attacks come from
Vrs 13 Suited up for battle for when the attacks come. I believe there is an order to which Paul put forth the armor
Vrs 14Truth: Satan wants to deceive us into believing the lie Rom 1:25 and Angel of light 2 Cor 11:14
The lie that… there is more then one way to heaven, that you can be good enough to get to heaven, all religions lead to heaven, that the bible is not the authority, that calling sin sin is closed minded, that Jesus was just a good man. But when we have the truth down and truth is GOSPEL.
Satan knows that he lost on that front so he will attack the next.
Vrs 14 Righteousness: Satan wants us to sin because it will mess things up and kill our testimony, kill our relationships, kill our self worth, kill our sense of freedom.
The second way Satan attacks our righteousness is that he can use our righteousness to make us become self righteous. When we start to think we are good and think too much of ourselves we start to become judgmental towards others we think we are the ones who accomplished that. Remember Jesus is our righteousness and can be the righteousness of others and they need to hear about that.
If Satan does not succeed in defiling our righteousness he will attack our ability to share the Gospel
Vrs 15 Gospel: Satan wants to keep us from sharing the Gospel with others so they will not know the peace that only Jesus can give.
True peace only comes from knowing Jesus and we spent 4 weeks a few months ago talking about how it is a fight (UFC Series), but the fight is for the people around us to know the truth and peace of the gospel.
In Spiritual community (church) if our focus becomes inward, what I like, what I think is right to do in church, what I want to hear, instead of having a heart for the people outside these walls. Its demonic!!
If he fails on that front he attacks our personal faith
Vrs 16 Faith: Satan tries to take our eyes off Jesus and question and doubt Him EX why are you allowing suffering, why are there some things that we don’t know, why am I having a hard time with relationships, why am I struggling with sin, is my faith worth it,
“Heb 12:2 fix eyes author and perfecter of our faith” (Crazy Faith Series)
And if he has you doubting him his next line of attack is to attack your salvation
Vrs 17 Salvation: Satan wants us to question our salvation and our position in Christ. If you are a Christian and think salvation is something you can loose you are right where Satan wants you.
The Bible says you are purchased by the blood Acts 20, sealed with the Spirit and guaranteed the inheritance Eph 1, secure in Jesus hands John 10, will not be cast out John 6, Nothing can separate us for the love of Jesus Rom 8, If you live your life saying am I saved or am I not you will become ineffective for Jesus.
Now that we have our protection, what are the weapons
The weapons of choice
Vrs 17 The Word- Satan will try to keeps us from reading, Studying, memorizing and understanding the Word The Bible is where we find our hope. Challenge bring your Bible, mark it up
Vrs 18-20 Prayer: Satan tries to Detach Us
Pray for the saints, this passage is about going to battle with Satan and demons but it is also about have others to fight along side
Challenge- I am working on some material to teach you how to pray for and with one another.
In closing I want to suggest two areas in which we do battle
Air and ground
Air- is biblical teaching, what we believe,
Ground-is our practice, being out in community groups, impacting our friends and family members, caring for one another and caring for community that we live in.
We don’t have a choice, like many wars fought over the course of human history we have to fight to ensure that we have a “A Safe Place” our Spiritual community.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Andrew Barsch on "Stillness"
STILLNESS
I. The Command
Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God”
The Problem - We struggle as individuals and as a culture to be still
Goal – search out ways to break into a life of stillness
II. Ways to Practice Stillness
1. Time in Solitude - Spending time alone with God
A. JESUS’ EXAMPLE - Luke 5:16 – “So He Himself (Jesus) often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.”
(1). Jesus embraced stillness because he knew it brought…
1. Clarity - Be centered on His will
2. Find Peace and Rest
3. Easier to carry God in our hearts when we are with others
(2). Jesus calls disciples into solitude
Mark 6:31-32 - “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place
IF THEY NEED IT WE NEED IT
B. HOW TO START BREAKS OF SOLITUDE
(1). Find a place
a. Get away from distractions
(2). Limit your words
a. Resist the temptation to bring things with you
b. Think about how you spend time with a good friend/spouse
- You don’t usually bring things
- Instead you…
1. Explore new ideas together
2. Talk about future plans
3. Reaffirm our love for each other
- Solitude with God is similar –build intimacy
c. Remember Don’t just talk - Listen too
(3). Rest in God’s presence
2. DEEP LISTENING - Meditation
A. Jesus opened Scripture to His disciples
Luke 24:32 - “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”
B. The Command to Meditate on Scripture
Joshua 1:8 –meditate on the Word day and night
Psalm 77:11-12 – I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord; I will remember you wonders of old, I will meditate on all your work, and muse on your mighty deeds
C. Why Meditate on the Word?
-We are “nourished on the words of the faith” (1 Timothy 4:6)…because…”man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4)
D. Definition of Christian Meditation - “listening for God to speak to our unique situations through words and phrases in a passage”
E. HOW TO MEDITATE ON SCRIPTURE
1. Select a passage
a. Preferably one of current study or teaching
b. Pray for God to speak
2. Read the passage Slowly
a. Aloud – ensures solitude
b. Let sink in – listen for the phrase that touches you most
3. Spend a few minutes in silence
- Ponder the word or phrase
- If you wander refocus
- Notice what your emotions (Joy? Sadness?)
- Tell God your feeling and listen again
- God speaks both intellectually and emotionally
4. Repeat the Process - Goal is to be in God’s presence, not achieve breakthrough
- Be vulnerable to God’s will
3. A CAUTION FOR BEING STILL
A. Luke 11:27-28 (true stillness before God)
(1). Woman Interrupts Jesus’ teaching to shout out her own wisdom
a. We need to be careful that we don’t call out in our time of stillness to share our own wisdom, especially when God is trying to share with us His wisdom
b. We need to be sure we stay still long enough for God to give us the right direction
(2). Jesus confronts her immediately
a. The woman was lucky enough to have Jesus directly there to confront her
b. We need to return in stillness into Christ’s presence, where he will then through pray and the word, show us our direction
Closing:
Through finding a place for solitude and meditating on God’s word, we can bring clarity into our lives and learn the direction God wants us to be moving in. We need to be careful that they we don’t become restless and try to create our wisdom for our situations, but to rely on God’s direction and teaching. When we learn this practice of being still, the peace and rest of God will fill our lives.
I. The Command
Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God”
The Problem - We struggle as individuals and as a culture to be still
Goal – search out ways to break into a life of stillness
II. Ways to Practice Stillness
1. Time in Solitude - Spending time alone with God
A. JESUS’ EXAMPLE - Luke 5:16 – “So He Himself (Jesus) often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.”
(1). Jesus embraced stillness because he knew it brought…
1. Clarity - Be centered on His will
2. Find Peace and Rest
3. Easier to carry God in our hearts when we are with others
(2). Jesus calls disciples into solitude
Mark 6:31-32 - “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place
IF THEY NEED IT WE NEED IT
B. HOW TO START BREAKS OF SOLITUDE
(1). Find a place
a. Get away from distractions
(2). Limit your words
a. Resist the temptation to bring things with you
b. Think about how you spend time with a good friend/spouse
- You don’t usually bring things
- Instead you…
1. Explore new ideas together
2. Talk about future plans
3. Reaffirm our love for each other
- Solitude with God is similar –build intimacy
c. Remember Don’t just talk - Listen too
(3). Rest in God’s presence
2. DEEP LISTENING - Meditation
A. Jesus opened Scripture to His disciples
Luke 24:32 - “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”
B. The Command to Meditate on Scripture
Joshua 1:8 –meditate on the Word day and night
Psalm 77:11-12 – I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord; I will remember you wonders of old, I will meditate on all your work, and muse on your mighty deeds
C. Why Meditate on the Word?
-We are “nourished on the words of the faith” (1 Timothy 4:6)…because…”man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4)
D. Definition of Christian Meditation - “listening for God to speak to our unique situations through words and phrases in a passage”
E. HOW TO MEDITATE ON SCRIPTURE
1. Select a passage
a. Preferably one of current study or teaching
b. Pray for God to speak
2. Read the passage Slowly
a. Aloud – ensures solitude
b. Let sink in – listen for the phrase that touches you most
3. Spend a few minutes in silence
- Ponder the word or phrase
- If you wander refocus
- Notice what your emotions (Joy? Sadness?)
- Tell God your feeling and listen again
- God speaks both intellectually and emotionally
4. Repeat the Process - Goal is to be in God’s presence, not achieve breakthrough
- Be vulnerable to God’s will
3. A CAUTION FOR BEING STILL
A. Luke 11:27-28 (true stillness before God)
(1). Woman Interrupts Jesus’ teaching to shout out her own wisdom
a. We need to be careful that we don’t call out in our time of stillness to share our own wisdom, especially when God is trying to share with us His wisdom
b. We need to be sure we stay still long enough for God to give us the right direction
(2). Jesus confronts her immediately
a. The woman was lucky enough to have Jesus directly there to confront her
b. We need to return in stillness into Christ’s presence, where he will then through pray and the word, show us our direction
Closing:
Through finding a place for solitude and meditating on God’s word, we can bring clarity into our lives and learn the direction God wants us to be moving in. We need to be careful that they we don’t become restless and try to create our wisdom for our situations, but to rely on God’s direction and teaching. When we learn this practice of being still, the peace and rest of God will fill our lives.
A Safe Place Series "Spiritual Friends"
Eccl. 4:9-10 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Jr. High Illustration
We need people to pick us up C.S. Lewis said Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, "What! You, too? I thought I was the only one."
I believe that the Bible teaches at least four practices for being a spiritual friend. I think that we don’t experience these friendships because we do not posses these characteristics in our own lives.
The Golden rule, basic principle that is so difficult to live up to.
Before we get into the four practices we must come to the conclusion that if we live out the Golden rule when it comes to friendships, we are doing our part and hopefully it will inspire others to follow that example.
1. A Spiritual friend is honest with their friend even if when it hurts Pro 27:6
Rom 15:14, Col. 3:16, admonish, exhort (counsel against something), or correcting someone when they are wrong. There is a risk in friendship when you do that. James 5:16 confess, I wronged you
Confrontation Paul confronted Peter in Antioch because he was being a hypocrite and had such a great influence on others. Galatians 2:11-12
A small boy defined a friend as "Someone who knows all about you and likes you just the same.", things about you bother me but you are still my friend.
2. A Spiritual friend is loyal no matter the circumstances David and Jonathan Saul’s Son 1 Sam. 20 Tell story
Author George Eliot, said
Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts, nor measure words, but to pour them all out just as they are, chaff and grain together knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.
We desire to have someone we can be real with, but we need to be real before them.
1. Rom. 12:15 rejoice, weep,
2. Rom: 15:7 Receive to take in
3. A Spiritual Friend should be able to work through conflict Pr 27:17 Iron sharpens Sparks fly
1. Mutual respect, Eph. 4:32
2. Forgiving (from grace) Col. 3:13
Someone once said Prosperity brings friends, Conflict proves them.
There is something wrong with you if you switch friends all the time, They did this to me…
Sometimes as Christians it is appropriate to agree to disagree Acts 15:36-41 Paul and Barnabas go their separate ways in a conflict over John Mark
4. A Spiritual friend lays down their life No Greater Love John 15:13
"A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out."
Going out of your way for others is like laying down your life, As a spiritual friend you are actually giving your life to meet others needs.
· John 13:34, 15:12 Loving them
• Gal. 5:13 Serving them
• Eph. 4:2 bearing burdens to hold up Col 3:13
• Eph 5:21 submitting (I will listen and follow you)
• 1 Thess. 4:18 comfort to aid, encourage Heb. 3:13. (Take time)
• 1 Thess. 5:11 building them up. (Take thoughtfulness)
• Heb 10:24 considering them observing & noticing their needs
• James 5:16 praying for them
All these things take time, effort and going out of your way. In some senses “Laying down your life”
John 15:14-15 Jesus said “you are my friends if you do what I command”.
GOSPEL
There is actually a three fold blessing for being a spiritual friend
1 We walk close with Jesus.
2. People may return the favor
3. We are an example to others of the love that Jesus has for us.
“Jesus said that others will know that you are my disciples by your love for one another”.
New Jersey is one of the least churched states at 15 percent church attendance and only 4 percent are of those people attend churches that believe that the Bible is the only authority.
Developing the characteristics of a spiritual friend will have a great impact for the Gospel in a spiritually dark place.
We need people to pick us up C.S. Lewis said Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, "What! You, too? I thought I was the only one."
I believe that the Bible teaches at least four practices for being a spiritual friend. I think that we don’t experience these friendships because we do not posses these characteristics in our own lives.
The Golden rule, basic principle that is so difficult to live up to.
Before we get into the four practices we must come to the conclusion that if we live out the Golden rule when it comes to friendships, we are doing our part and hopefully it will inspire others to follow that example.
1. A Spiritual friend is honest with their friend even if when it hurts Pro 27:6
Rom 15:14, Col. 3:16, admonish, exhort (counsel against something), or correcting someone when they are wrong. There is a risk in friendship when you do that. James 5:16 confess, I wronged you
Confrontation Paul confronted Peter in Antioch because he was being a hypocrite and had such a great influence on others. Galatians 2:11-12
A small boy defined a friend as "Someone who knows all about you and likes you just the same.", things about you bother me but you are still my friend.
2. A Spiritual friend is loyal no matter the circumstances David and Jonathan Saul’s Son 1 Sam. 20 Tell story
Author George Eliot, said
Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts, nor measure words, but to pour them all out just as they are, chaff and grain together knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.
We desire to have someone we can be real with, but we need to be real before them.
1. Rom. 12:15 rejoice, weep,
2. Rom: 15:7 Receive to take in
3. A Spiritual Friend should be able to work through conflict Pr 27:17 Iron sharpens Sparks fly
1. Mutual respect, Eph. 4:32
2. Forgiving (from grace) Col. 3:13
Someone once said Prosperity brings friends, Conflict proves them.
There is something wrong with you if you switch friends all the time, They did this to me…
Sometimes as Christians it is appropriate to agree to disagree Acts 15:36-41 Paul and Barnabas go their separate ways in a conflict over John Mark
4. A Spiritual friend lays down their life No Greater Love John 15:13
"A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out."
Going out of your way for others is like laying down your life, As a spiritual friend you are actually giving your life to meet others needs.
· John 13:34, 15:12 Loving them
• Gal. 5:13 Serving them
• Eph. 4:2 bearing burdens to hold up Col 3:13
• Eph 5:21 submitting (I will listen and follow you)
• 1 Thess. 4:18 comfort to aid, encourage Heb. 3:13. (Take time)
• 1 Thess. 5:11 building them up. (Take thoughtfulness)
• Heb 10:24 considering them observing & noticing their needs
• James 5:16 praying for them
All these things take time, effort and going out of your way. In some senses “Laying down your life”
John 15:14-15 Jesus said “you are my friends if you do what I command”.
GOSPEL
There is actually a three fold blessing for being a spiritual friend
1 We walk close with Jesus.
2. People may return the favor
3. We are an example to others of the love that Jesus has for us.
“Jesus said that others will know that you are my disciples by your love for one another”.
New Jersey is one of the least churched states at 15 percent church attendance and only 4 percent are of those people attend churches that believe that the Bible is the only authority.
Developing the characteristics of a spiritual friend will have a great impact for the Gospel in a spiritually dark place.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
A Safe Place Series: "The Flesh Cycle"
Lets look at what Galatians 5:13-21 says about living in Spiritual community
Vrs 13-15 Free in Christ, Love and serve one another, if you live according to the flesh you will ruin one another.
An issue that will stand in the way of spiritual community is living by the flesh rather then the Spirit.
Define Flesh- In the New Testament, flesh is used to denote the sinful element of human nature as opposed to the "Spirit" (Rom. 6:19; Matt. 16:17).
Two usages of the Flesh in the NT.
Being "in the flesh" means being un-renewed (Rom. 7:5; 8:8, 9), GOSPEL
To live "according to the flesh" is to live and act sinfully (Rom. 8:4, 5, 7, 12). As a Christian
Vrs 16-18 The flesh and the Spirit are contrary to one another and the flesh is actually what keeps us from “doing the things we wish”
As a believer in Christ through the Spirit we have new desires that would fall in line with the Spirit.
Ex. -When you have a lack of desire to commit sins that you used to.
-When you read God’s Word and you feel guilty or bad about what you are doing
-When you hear or read about a person that has godly characteristics and you wish you had those
-When you feel convicted about what your sin
1 Peter 2:11 Abstain from fleshly lusts that wage war against your soul
Rips us apart
Vrs 19-21 List the works of the flesh, Go to power point with works
When we are living by a “works of the flesh” I am going to call “The Flesh Cycle” James 1:14-15 Explain the flesh cycle with power point.
Desire-power, to be heard, to have something, to be something etc
Sin-The offense
Death-Sin always kills something in our character, in our relationships- friendships, family, marriages, in our finances, in our job, in our personal lives
(During blank text slide)
Common responses to flesh cycle
-Indifference “I don’t care”, Check if you are a Christian???
-Confidence Phil 3:4-14 “This works for me”
-Hopelessness- “I can’t stop” Paul Romans 7
But there is hope in the Spirit
The needed response REPENTANCE (Change of mind) and inserting fruits of the Spirit into our lives
Gal. 5:22-24 Go through Slides
So we get stuck in a “Flesh Cycle” and we need to get into the “Spirit Cycle”
One way is to set up relationships in our lives that help interrupt the “Flesh Cycle” and remind you of the fruit of the Spirit, the only way you are going to have that is if you let people into your life that way.
Heb 10:24 “Let us consider how we may encourage one another to love and good deeds”
We complain to people who will agree with us to validate our flesh instead of opening up to people that will challenge us to will live according to the Spirit.
Community Groups, for the next 2 weeks we are going have opportunities for you to sign up to join a community group. We have 2 that are currently meeting and 5 new ones starting.
All Community Group leaders please stand $10
Next week we are going to learn how to be Spiritual Friend that interrupts the “Flesh Cycle” in your friends life.
Vrs 13-15 Free in Christ, Love and serve one another, if you live according to the flesh you will ruin one another.
An issue that will stand in the way of spiritual community is living by the flesh rather then the Spirit.
Define Flesh- In the New Testament, flesh is used to denote the sinful element of human nature as opposed to the "Spirit" (Rom. 6:19; Matt. 16:17).
Two usages of the Flesh in the NT.
Being "in the flesh" means being un-renewed (Rom. 7:5; 8:8, 9), GOSPEL
To live "according to the flesh" is to live and act sinfully (Rom. 8:4, 5, 7, 12). As a Christian
Vrs 16-18 The flesh and the Spirit are contrary to one another and the flesh is actually what keeps us from “doing the things we wish”
As a believer in Christ through the Spirit we have new desires that would fall in line with the Spirit.
Ex. -When you have a lack of desire to commit sins that you used to.
-When you read God’s Word and you feel guilty or bad about what you are doing
-When you hear or read about a person that has godly characteristics and you wish you had those
-When you feel convicted about what your sin
1 Peter 2:11 Abstain from fleshly lusts that wage war against your soul
Rips us apart
Vrs 19-21 List the works of the flesh, Go to power point with works
When we are living by a “works of the flesh” I am going to call “The Flesh Cycle” James 1:14-15 Explain the flesh cycle with power point.
Desire-power, to be heard, to have something, to be something etc
Sin-The offense
Death-Sin always kills something in our character, in our relationships- friendships, family, marriages, in our finances, in our job, in our personal lives
(During blank text slide)
Common responses to flesh cycle
-Indifference “I don’t care”, Check if you are a Christian???
-Confidence Phil 3:4-14 “This works for me”
-Hopelessness- “I can’t stop” Paul Romans 7
But there is hope in the Spirit
The needed response REPENTANCE (Change of mind) and inserting fruits of the Spirit into our lives
Gal. 5:22-24 Go through Slides
So we get stuck in a “Flesh Cycle” and we need to get into the “Spirit Cycle”
One way is to set up relationships in our lives that help interrupt the “Flesh Cycle” and remind you of the fruit of the Spirit, the only way you are going to have that is if you let people into your life that way.
Heb 10:24 “Let us consider how we may encourage one another to love and good deeds”
We complain to people who will agree with us to validate our flesh instead of opening up to people that will challenge us to will live according to the Spirit.
Community Groups, for the next 2 weeks we are going have opportunities for you to sign up to join a community group. We have 2 that are currently meeting and 5 new ones starting.
All Community Group leaders please stand $10
Next week we are going to learn how to be Spiritual Friend that interrupts the “Flesh Cycle” in your friends life.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
A Safe Place Series: "Spiritual Community"
Define community…. a social, religious, or other group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists
1986 study, McMillan and Chavis identify four elements of "sense of community": 1)belonging, 2) influence, 3) fulfillment of needs, 4) shared emotional connection.
1. Why is community so important? Back to Genesis the only thing that was not good was for “Man to be alone” People are wired for community
Recent studies say that people want to be part of something bigger they want identity.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
There is strength in numbers and we can accomplish many things together.
Problem: People look outside the spiritual community in order to have a sense of community needs met. Teams, clubs, social groups. And in some cases it works. But when real needs surface they fail
This is not necessarily their fault but it can be the fault of the spiritual community because they are being unspiritual and not fulfilling the deepest needs that God has equipped us to fulfill.
2. What is the function of a spiritual community?
Acts 2:42-47 Background for the church, because they were in community it compelled others to enter into that community but more importantly they entered into a relationship with Jesus in His community.
3. So how do we build a spiritual community that pleases God and meets the needs of the people? On a broad level there is much to do. But those are not things that each person here will need to think about. For the next couple of weeks we will talk about the personal level and it is not necessarily what you need to do but more of who each of us need to become.
This is how feel people feel
A group therapist that plays a game called Top Secret with his therapy sessions says the top 2 responses. 1. I feel worthless, why would someone want me and 2. I don’t love others the way I should.
A healthy Spiritual community should teach people to love and be the place where people feel and know that despite their shortcomings they are accepted and loved
Two obstacles to true community
1. We don’t want to share our brokenness
2. We don’t want to accept others for their brokenness.
In The Different Drum: Community-Making and Peace, Scott Peck four stages.
1. Pseudo-community: Where participants are "nice with each other",
2. Chaos: When people move beyond the in-authenticity of pseudo-community and feel safe enough to present their "shadow" selves.
3. Emptiness: When all people become capable of acknowledging their own woundedness and brokenness, common to us all as human beings. Out of this emptiness comes
4. True community: the process of deep respect and true listening for the needs of the other people in this community.
Peck’s basic premise is unless people let down their “shadow” self and show their real self which is a broken wounded person they cannot be a part of a true community.
The example of God in the Trinity- in community, in harmony, in equality, with specific purposes.
God in His Trinitarian community allowed you in when you accepted what Jesus did for you GOSPEL, why would you not let others in when they have accepted His grace as well.
So the spiritual community is based upon individuals admitting they are broken and being accepted in their brokenness and then doing the same for people around them.
Unspiritual community-appears to welcome people but really has some stipulations on the acceptance of the person. James speaks of this.
James 2:1-10 many times we only look to people for what they can bring to the table or add to our church or spiritual community.
Spiritual community accepts and heals
Acts 3:1-10 A place of healing for your soul, the problem is everyone soul has this sin condition and need for community but they try to take care of their sin by doing good works (Religion covers sin concept)
We are wired to live in spiritual community that not only teaches Jesus but lives like Jesus and accepts the people around us regardless of their brokenness.
1986 study, McMillan and Chavis identify four elements of "sense of community": 1)belonging, 2) influence, 3) fulfillment of needs, 4) shared emotional connection.
1. Why is community so important? Back to Genesis the only thing that was not good was for “Man to be alone” People are wired for community
Recent studies say that people want to be part of something bigger they want identity.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
There is strength in numbers and we can accomplish many things together.
Problem: People look outside the spiritual community in order to have a sense of community needs met. Teams, clubs, social groups. And in some cases it works. But when real needs surface they fail
This is not necessarily their fault but it can be the fault of the spiritual community because they are being unspiritual and not fulfilling the deepest needs that God has equipped us to fulfill.
2. What is the function of a spiritual community?
Acts 2:42-47 Background for the church, because they were in community it compelled others to enter into that community but more importantly they entered into a relationship with Jesus in His community.
3. So how do we build a spiritual community that pleases God and meets the needs of the people? On a broad level there is much to do. But those are not things that each person here will need to think about. For the next couple of weeks we will talk about the personal level and it is not necessarily what you need to do but more of who each of us need to become.
This is how feel people feel
A group therapist that plays a game called Top Secret with his therapy sessions says the top 2 responses. 1. I feel worthless, why would someone want me and 2. I don’t love others the way I should.
A healthy Spiritual community should teach people to love and be the place where people feel and know that despite their shortcomings they are accepted and loved
Two obstacles to true community
1. We don’t want to share our brokenness
2. We don’t want to accept others for their brokenness.
In The Different Drum: Community-Making and Peace, Scott Peck four stages.
1. Pseudo-community: Where participants are "nice with each other",
2. Chaos: When people move beyond the in-authenticity of pseudo-community and feel safe enough to present their "shadow" selves.
3. Emptiness: When all people become capable of acknowledging their own woundedness and brokenness, common to us all as human beings. Out of this emptiness comes
4. True community: the process of deep respect and true listening for the needs of the other people in this community.
Peck’s basic premise is unless people let down their “shadow” self and show their real self which is a broken wounded person they cannot be a part of a true community.
The example of God in the Trinity- in community, in harmony, in equality, with specific purposes.
God in His Trinitarian community allowed you in when you accepted what Jesus did for you GOSPEL, why would you not let others in when they have accepted His grace as well.
So the spiritual community is based upon individuals admitting they are broken and being accepted in their brokenness and then doing the same for people around them.
Unspiritual community-appears to welcome people but really has some stipulations on the acceptance of the person. James speaks of this.
James 2:1-10 many times we only look to people for what they can bring to the table or add to our church or spiritual community.
Spiritual community accepts and heals
Acts 3:1-10 A place of healing for your soul, the problem is everyone soul has this sin condition and need for community but they try to take care of their sin by doing good works (Religion covers sin concept)
We are wired to live in spiritual community that not only teaches Jesus but lives like Jesus and accepts the people around us regardless of their brokenness.
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