sermon 2008-11-23
bob sproul. hershey evangelical free.
be careful when interpreting parables
- look for the meaning, but dont make one up
parables - communicates spiritual truth through an earthly story
- not an allegory where everything means something
- must understand the audience
- must hold true to the rest of all Scripture
mt13:44-46
2 meanings:
- we are worth everything to jesus
-- god gave up all in order to bringus to himself
1 ptr 1:18-19
- redeemed by god; bought w a price
why?
- he loves us so much
kingdom of god is worth everything from us
- cannot buy k.o.g.
- enter only through faith
-- gal 2:16
-1 cor 1:18, 23-24
-- perishing only see empty field; redeemed see great treasure beneath surface
- trying to teach us the supreme value of the kingdom
-- not how to get in
-- worth giving up everything
-- must surrender all
-- phlp3:4-9
---everything is crap compared to knowing christ
bonhoeffer
"To deny oneself is to be aware only of Christ and no more of self, to see only Him who goes before and no more the road which is too hard for us."
watchman nee
"Presenting myself to God implies a recognition that I am altogether his. This giving of myself is a definite thing, just as definite as (receiving Christ). There must be a day when I pass out of my own hands into his, and from that day forward I belong to him and no longer to myself...If we give ourselves unreservedly to God, many adjustments may have to be made: in family, or business, or relationships, or in the matter of our personal views...His finger will touch, point by point, everything that is not of him, and he will say 'That must go.' Are you willing?...It is always foolish to resist his will, but it is a blessed thing to just hand ourselves over to him and let him have his way with us...My giving of myself to him must be an initial fundamental act. Then, day by day, I must go on giving (myself) to him, not finding fault with his use of me, but accepting with praise even what the flesh finds hard. That way lies true enrichment."
it's a process
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Discipleship Process
regional training 2008-11-21
mark6:30-44
- started as an interruption - v34
jesus had 3 components:
- knowledge - v34; knowledge led to compassion
- attitude - compassion lead to action; v34
- skills - jesus had disciples pass out bread; teach skills to leaders
how teach attitude?
- model it
- involve them in service
- put a face on the hurt
ppl are:
- made to love
- be loved
jesus taught the family business to the disciples
- preparing them to take over
- anytime someone gets it or starts getting the right attitude, bring it up
eph 4:11-13
pastor/teacher-->equip-->saints-->ministry-->built up-->unity in faith & mature in knowledge of christ
- everything builds on itself
equip - campaigner mtgs, small groups, weekend trips, leadrship mtgs, mentors
- equipping is measured by ministry fruit not by number of ppl attending
- ask how is the group doing in unity and knowledge?
mark6:30-44
- started as an interruption - v34
jesus had 3 components:
- knowledge - v34; knowledge led to compassion
- attitude - compassion lead to action; v34
- skills - jesus had disciples pass out bread; teach skills to leaders
how teach attitude?
- model it
- involve them in service
- put a face on the hurt
ppl are:
- made to love
- be loved
jesus taught the family business to the disciples
- preparing them to take over
- anytime someone gets it or starts getting the right attitude, bring it up
eph 4:11-13
pastor/teacher-->equip-->saints-->ministry-->built up-->unity in faith & mature in knowledge of christ
- everything builds on itself
equip - campaigner mtgs, small groups, weekend trips, leadrship mtgs, mentors
- equipping is measured by ministry fruit not by number of ppl attending
- ask how is the group doing in unity and knowledge?
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Faith, Hope, and Luck part 5
Andy Stanley - Faith, Hope, Luck part 5
What does it look like to have incredible faith?
Jesus had a great faith
- didn’t use the faith as leverage to get God to do what he wanted or to make the world work as he wanted
- extraordinarily surrendered to God’s will
-- great faith IS great surrender
-- didn’t use faith for his benefit, but for the Father’s sake
our culture makes us suckers for trying to get things to work better, faster, longer for US
- jesus had extraordinary faith which means extraordinary surrender
- biblical faith is God is who he says he is and that he’ll do everything he promised
-- we can go to him with everything but sometimes he’ll say no
-- faith isn’t getting out of tough times, it’s surrendering to God’s will in the midst of tough times
theme: jesus was not here to do his own will but the will of the father
- the authenticity of faith is not manifested in things going your way, but in surrendering to God’s way
John 5:30
“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.”
- Jesus isn’t here on a happiness quest
- Jesus saying his role is to understand what God wants done and to do that
john 12:49
“For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.”
- Jesus speaks God’s ideas, not his own
John 6:38
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.”
- came to do what God wants done, to say what God wants said, to bring about God’s will not his own
- why would he do this?
-- because Jesus has faith that the Father is who he says he is and that he’ll do everything he said he would do
-- the logical response to that God is faith, surrender to his will
John 6:39-40
“And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
- God’s will is about other people
- Jesus has no life of his own (no will, thoughts, ideas, etc)
-- this is completely opposite of our thought patterns; how did this survive when it is so diametrically opposed to our thoughts patterns?
-- if we believe any part of what Jesus said or did, we must understand what jesus was here for
--- it was all done out of faith in God and surrender to God
John 14:10
“Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.”
- Jesus is just a vessel for God’s will, work, words
*For the following verses, understand them in the context of what Jesus has just told us*
John 14:12
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”
- as I surrender to the will of the Father, God will do even greater things through me
-- not going to be for my benefit but for the benefit of other people
-- not about getting God to do good stuff for me, but getting on my knees and asking God for what to do next
John 14:13
“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
- when jesus talks about doing and receiving, it’s about doing and receiving the will of God
-- not about going my own place
-- I’m a vehicle, not the driver
1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
- we’re to spend our lives figuring out what God wants done in my life
-- once I figure that out, I need to get in line
-- what an honor! For God to use me!
--- God can only use me if I am SURRENDERED!
--- He is god and I am not; faith in that means being surrendered to his will
Why don’t I do that?
- scary
- we would rather ask that God help us, not for us to go
-- makes us out of control
if we live like there is no God, why do we get upset when God doesn’t show up in the area we command him to?
- it’s insulting to the God of the universe; he isn’t an idol or a lucky charm; he doesn’t just do what we say
- then to take him and use just parts of his teaching to fit our own ideas
-- his words speak against our own ideas
- he never came to be just a small part of our lives
- he came to be everything in our lives
the greater my faith and confidence in God, then the greater my surrender
- Jesus had the greatest faith and he was completely surrendered; did nothing of his own will, just what God wanted done/said
brokenness produces surrender
- in our brokenness, we will be glad that God doesn’t fit in our own thoughts or backpack
- surrender is where there is purpose and peacefulness
- anything short of that is an insult
-- why doesn’t God just strike us all down for that? Because he is a God of infinite grace
brokenness and complete surrender means living life as if God is who he says he is
- “thy will be done on earth” (God’s will in my life)
what would it look like to live with faith in God, surrender to God?
- scary, but isn’t it more scary to be doing things on our own
we’re invited into a relationship with our heavenly father!
- that relationship is characterized by trust! And so we can surrender!
How do I start?
- praying for it and then seek it
What does it look like to have incredible faith?
Jesus had a great faith
- didn’t use the faith as leverage to get God to do what he wanted or to make the world work as he wanted
- extraordinarily surrendered to God’s will
-- great faith IS great surrender
-- didn’t use faith for his benefit, but for the Father’s sake
our culture makes us suckers for trying to get things to work better, faster, longer for US
- jesus had extraordinary faith which means extraordinary surrender
- biblical faith is God is who he says he is and that he’ll do everything he promised
-- we can go to him with everything but sometimes he’ll say no
-- faith isn’t getting out of tough times, it’s surrendering to God’s will in the midst of tough times
theme: jesus was not here to do his own will but the will of the father
- the authenticity of faith is not manifested in things going your way, but in surrendering to God’s way
John 5:30
“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.”
- Jesus isn’t here on a happiness quest
- Jesus saying his role is to understand what God wants done and to do that
john 12:49
“For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.”
- Jesus speaks God’s ideas, not his own
John 6:38
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.”
- came to do what God wants done, to say what God wants said, to bring about God’s will not his own
- why would he do this?
-- because Jesus has faith that the Father is who he says he is and that he’ll do everything he said he would do
-- the logical response to that God is faith, surrender to his will
John 6:39-40
“And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
- God’s will is about other people
- Jesus has no life of his own (no will, thoughts, ideas, etc)
-- this is completely opposite of our thought patterns; how did this survive when it is so diametrically opposed to our thoughts patterns?
-- if we believe any part of what Jesus said or did, we must understand what jesus was here for
--- it was all done out of faith in God and surrender to God
John 14:10
“Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.”
- Jesus is just a vessel for God’s will, work, words
*For the following verses, understand them in the context of what Jesus has just told us*
John 14:12
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”
- as I surrender to the will of the Father, God will do even greater things through me
-- not going to be for my benefit but for the benefit of other people
-- not about getting God to do good stuff for me, but getting on my knees and asking God for what to do next
John 14:13
“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
- when jesus talks about doing and receiving, it’s about doing and receiving the will of God
-- not about going my own place
-- I’m a vehicle, not the driver
1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
- we’re to spend our lives figuring out what God wants done in my life
-- once I figure that out, I need to get in line
-- what an honor! For God to use me!
--- God can only use me if I am SURRENDERED!
--- He is god and I am not; faith in that means being surrendered to his will
Why don’t I do that?
- scary
- we would rather ask that God help us, not for us to go
-- makes us out of control
if we live like there is no God, why do we get upset when God doesn’t show up in the area we command him to?
- it’s insulting to the God of the universe; he isn’t an idol or a lucky charm; he doesn’t just do what we say
- then to take him and use just parts of his teaching to fit our own ideas
-- his words speak against our own ideas
- he never came to be just a small part of our lives
- he came to be everything in our lives
the greater my faith and confidence in God, then the greater my surrender
- Jesus had the greatest faith and he was completely surrendered; did nothing of his own will, just what God wanted done/said
brokenness produces surrender
- in our brokenness, we will be glad that God doesn’t fit in our own thoughts or backpack
- surrender is where there is purpose and peacefulness
- anything short of that is an insult
-- why doesn’t God just strike us all down for that? Because he is a God of infinite grace
brokenness and complete surrender means living life as if God is who he says he is
- “thy will be done on earth” (God’s will in my life)
what would it look like to live with faith in God, surrender to God?
- scary, but isn’t it more scary to be doing things on our own
we’re invited into a relationship with our heavenly father!
- that relationship is characterized by trust! And so we can surrender!
How do I start?
- praying for it and then seek it
Faith, Hope, and Luck part 4
Andy Stanley - Faith, Hope, Luck Part 4
At some point in our lives we ask for something from God
- what do you do when there’s no answer or you just hear silence?
Foundation of our faith is not an exp but Jesus
- we always try to figure out ways to get God on our side and do what we want
- the reason we continue to believe even when things suck is because of the person of Jesus
sometimes God will give us what we hope for, but he always gives us what he’s promised
- what happens when God doesn’t say yes to the things we hoped for
2 corinthians 12:7-8
“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.”
- paul was given something that made him unimpressive and hard to be around
-- a physical affliction that ensured he would always be dependent on God
- for this amazing man of faith, there was a time when God was completely silent
- this can be of comfort because there are times when we wonder if God even knows our name
-- it isn’t the absence of God
- Paul had perfect faith if anyone had perfect faith and god still didn’t give him a yes
-- our goodness/faith level doesn’t make god listen or do things for us
2 cor 12:9
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
- CHRIST’S GRACE not our own
- grace is power/ability/energy to endure
- Christ’s grace is sufficient to keep us going
- this same grace is available to us as well!
-- the power that kept paul going is the same power that is available to us
- paul says “how can I walk away? I know Christ is true and my faith is based on him”
-- therefore Paul leaned hard on Christ because there was no other option
- paul finally got to the place that this was what God had chosen for him
-- for god to display his power through his weakness
- for the world to look upon the dreadful state he was in and see that God was using such weakness; it could only be God
- people were saying “are you serious? This is what you’re using to spread Christianity?”
- God’s will is for us to live lives dependant on him
-- that was the purpose of this ailment
-- God filled the gap in Paul’s life with his power, not paul’s
2 Cor 12:10
“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
- for Christ’s sake he delights in all of that crap
-- because when he is weak and powerless, he is strong
--- why? Because it is then that he is most dependant
- Paul has recognized that it is far better to be dependant on God than look good to the world
- God wants us to be dependant on him rather than fine in the sight of the world
- MY GREATEST WEAKNESS IS GOD’S GREATEST OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW HIS POWER ONLY IF I DECIDE TO TRUST HIM
- if I choose to walk away from that, I walk away from his empowering grace that I so desperately need in the midst of something I cannot control or change!
-- I need the grace because I am out of control
- if I run from God I turn to other things that only break and pull me down
- the situation may not change, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t there
-- it may be God’s way of pulling us into dependence on him
-- without this affliction, I wouldn’t see my need for dependence
-- God’s grace is sufficient and available only if I come to him
- must go boldly and every time I go I will find grace and mercy in those moments of weakness even whenever God says no to my hopes
- it takes a lot more faith to endure a no than acquire a yes
-- when God says no, it is not a reflection of my faith
-- when god says no, I have an opportunity to be a reflection of his grace
- this is hard
-- Paul doesn’t want a God that allows his servants to suffer; neither do I
Here’s the kind of God I want: _________________________
- what does this paragraph say? Does it show I want to be God or God to be my butler?
-- is that really a god that I need? One that is a butler to everyone?
- I need a God who is bigger than me; a God who can empathize with me; and God who can pull me from the crap I experience; who can give me the strength to get through the crap I’m in
- that grace is available but I can’t get it till I lean hard on god
-- in that moment, it will be sufficient for you
- I can never make life the way I want it to be; god will never make life the way I want it to be
- what I can get is the grace and mercy to endure the way my life is
At some point in our lives we ask for something from God
- what do you do when there’s no answer or you just hear silence?
Foundation of our faith is not an exp but Jesus
- we always try to figure out ways to get God on our side and do what we want
- the reason we continue to believe even when things suck is because of the person of Jesus
sometimes God will give us what we hope for, but he always gives us what he’s promised
- what happens when God doesn’t say yes to the things we hoped for
2 corinthians 12:7-8
“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.”
- paul was given something that made him unimpressive and hard to be around
-- a physical affliction that ensured he would always be dependent on God
- for this amazing man of faith, there was a time when God was completely silent
- this can be of comfort because there are times when we wonder if God even knows our name
-- it isn’t the absence of God
- Paul had perfect faith if anyone had perfect faith and god still didn’t give him a yes
-- our goodness/faith level doesn’t make god listen or do things for us
2 cor 12:9
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
- CHRIST’S GRACE not our own
- grace is power/ability/energy to endure
- Christ’s grace is sufficient to keep us going
- this same grace is available to us as well!
-- the power that kept paul going is the same power that is available to us
- paul says “how can I walk away? I know Christ is true and my faith is based on him”
-- therefore Paul leaned hard on Christ because there was no other option
- paul finally got to the place that this was what God had chosen for him
-- for god to display his power through his weakness
- for the world to look upon the dreadful state he was in and see that God was using such weakness; it could only be God
- people were saying “are you serious? This is what you’re using to spread Christianity?”
- God’s will is for us to live lives dependant on him
-- that was the purpose of this ailment
-- God filled the gap in Paul’s life with his power, not paul’s
2 Cor 12:10
“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
- for Christ’s sake he delights in all of that crap
-- because when he is weak and powerless, he is strong
--- why? Because it is then that he is most dependant
- Paul has recognized that it is far better to be dependant on God than look good to the world
- God wants us to be dependant on him rather than fine in the sight of the world
- MY GREATEST WEAKNESS IS GOD’S GREATEST OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW HIS POWER ONLY IF I DECIDE TO TRUST HIM
- if I choose to walk away from that, I walk away from his empowering grace that I so desperately need in the midst of something I cannot control or change!
-- I need the grace because I am out of control
- if I run from God I turn to other things that only break and pull me down
- the situation may not change, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t there
-- it may be God’s way of pulling us into dependence on him
-- without this affliction, I wouldn’t see my need for dependence
-- God’s grace is sufficient and available only if I come to him
- must go boldly and every time I go I will find grace and mercy in those moments of weakness even whenever God says no to my hopes
- it takes a lot more faith to endure a no than acquire a yes
-- when God says no, it is not a reflection of my faith
-- when god says no, I have an opportunity to be a reflection of his grace
- this is hard
-- Paul doesn’t want a God that allows his servants to suffer; neither do I
Here’s the kind of God I want: _________________________
- what does this paragraph say? Does it show I want to be God or God to be my butler?
-- is that really a god that I need? One that is a butler to everyone?
- I need a God who is bigger than me; a God who can empathize with me; and God who can pull me from the crap I experience; who can give me the strength to get through the crap I’m in
- that grace is available but I can’t get it till I lean hard on god
-- in that moment, it will be sufficient for you
- I can never make life the way I want it to be; god will never make life the way I want it to be
- what I can get is the grace and mercy to endure the way my life is
Faith, Hope, and Luck part 3
Andy Stanley – Faith, Hope, Luck Part 3
No formula of “good things” ever gets God to bend to our will
- circumstantial faith is merely a way of trying to get control over God
- faith isn’t seeing God in the details, although that happens
-- foundation of faith is a person who lived 2000 years ago
-- faith = God is who he claims to be and that he’ll do everything he promised to do
-- bridge between faith and hope are the promises of God
--- the only things that we can count on god to do is what he promised
--- hope – I really hope this happens
--- faith – God, these are your promises and I’m holding you to those
God has not promised:
- to keep bad things from happening (just look at his disciples—they were beaten, stoned, martyred, stranded on an island, etc) John 16:33 – we will have trouble
- wealth (just look at his disciples—they were all poor)
? – if there’s nothing in it for us, why believe? Because Jesus is raised and this is true
- healing (John 5 – Jesus healed only one of the multitude of sick people)
- to reverse consequences of sin (sometimes he will, but not always. These are things we hope for that sometimes God answers)
- can never get God to do anything just by doing __________
Hebrews 4:14-16
“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize (empathize) with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
- Jesus is able to empathize with our weaknesses because he has experienced those things
-- Jesus spent a night dreading the events of the next day
-- Jesus knows what it’s like to be betrayed
- every time we fail, Jesus has been obedient in those situations so God credits Jesus’ righteousness to us
- because of this, let’s go to God with confidence not formality (enemy of intimacy) out of fear of offending God
-- we can go to God boldly, with extreme emotion, bare, exposed, dependant
--- so that we may receive mercy/grace
- if we come boldly, we’ll receive something from God EVERY TIME
God has promised:
1. mercy: God will take our issue seriously because they are our issues (not necessarily because they are serious)
-He takes it seriously because he loves us, just like a father takes his children’s issues seriously because he loves his kids even if the issues themselves are trivial
-- God knows what we’re struggling!
-- John 11, Jesus weeps outside of Laz’s tomb because he was empathizing with our struggle
--- Jesus isn’t too big or too great to deal with us
2. grace: strength/energy/ability to endure
-- God hasn’t promised us to deliver us from our circumstances
--- he has promised to deliver us through our circumstances
-- every time he will give us the grace to endure whatever we’re struggling through
3. his presence!
- must go boldly to him! Must rely/depend on him even when we can’t see him!
- we want a “can of intervention” from God
-- we want him to do our bidding and our will
-- we want grace and mercy to us and justice to others
- this is the age of grace and mercy to all
- the age of intervention will come
-- it will be the end of the world as we know it
-- there will be a day when we get whatever we want; it will be the end of sin/sorrow/death
-- it will be bigger than our little worries/desires
-- it will also be the end of God’s extension of mercy/grace
- when we see god’s grace, it isn’t because we had great faith but because God is good and gracious
-- our faith is in the person of Christ not our ability to get God to do what we want
-- we can pray for anything we want! And we can go straight to God!
--- lean on God! lose everything that comes between us and God!
No formula of “good things” ever gets God to bend to our will
- circumstantial faith is merely a way of trying to get control over God
- faith isn’t seeing God in the details, although that happens
-- foundation of faith is a person who lived 2000 years ago
-- faith = God is who he claims to be and that he’ll do everything he promised to do
-- bridge between faith and hope are the promises of God
--- the only things that we can count on god to do is what he promised
--- hope – I really hope this happens
--- faith – God, these are your promises and I’m holding you to those
God has not promised:
- to keep bad things from happening (just look at his disciples—they were beaten, stoned, martyred, stranded on an island, etc) John 16:33 – we will have trouble
- wealth (just look at his disciples—they were all poor)
? – if there’s nothing in it for us, why believe? Because Jesus is raised and this is true
- healing (John 5 – Jesus healed only one of the multitude of sick people)
- to reverse consequences of sin (sometimes he will, but not always. These are things we hope for that sometimes God answers)
- can never get God to do anything just by doing __________
Hebrews 4:14-16
“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize (empathize) with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
- Jesus is able to empathize with our weaknesses because he has experienced those things
-- Jesus spent a night dreading the events of the next day
-- Jesus knows what it’s like to be betrayed
- every time we fail, Jesus has been obedient in those situations so God credits Jesus’ righteousness to us
- because of this, let’s go to God with confidence not formality (enemy of intimacy) out of fear of offending God
-- we can go to God boldly, with extreme emotion, bare, exposed, dependant
--- so that we may receive mercy/grace
- if we come boldly, we’ll receive something from God EVERY TIME
God has promised:
1. mercy: God will take our issue seriously because they are our issues (not necessarily because they are serious)
-He takes it seriously because he loves us, just like a father takes his children’s issues seriously because he loves his kids even if the issues themselves are trivial
-- God knows what we’re struggling!
-- John 11, Jesus weeps outside of Laz’s tomb because he was empathizing with our struggle
--- Jesus isn’t too big or too great to deal with us
2. grace: strength/energy/ability to endure
-- God hasn’t promised us to deliver us from our circumstances
--- he has promised to deliver us through our circumstances
-- every time he will give us the grace to endure whatever we’re struggling through
3. his presence!
- must go boldly to him! Must rely/depend on him even when we can’t see him!
- we want a “can of intervention” from God
-- we want him to do our bidding and our will
-- we want grace and mercy to us and justice to others
- this is the age of grace and mercy to all
- the age of intervention will come
-- it will be the end of the world as we know it
-- there will be a day when we get whatever we want; it will be the end of sin/sorrow/death
-- it will be bigger than our little worries/desires
-- it will also be the end of God’s extension of mercy/grace
- when we see god’s grace, it isn’t because we had great faith but because God is good and gracious
-- our faith is in the person of Christ not our ability to get God to do what we want
-- we can pray for anything we want! And we can go straight to God!
--- lean on God! lose everything that comes between us and God!
Faith, Hope, and Luck part 2
Andy Stanley – Faith, Hope, and Luck Part 2
Pleasures of life erode circumstantial faith because faith is inconvenient
True faith in the person of Christ means that if God never showed up or answered a prayer, that we would still have confidence in God because of Jesus
CHRISTIAN DEFINITION OF FAITH:
- faith isn’t a force or power, it isn’t throwing a lasso around God so that he’ll do what I want, it isn’t a power I tap into, meditate into
- faith is not a formula
- faith isn’t confidence or hope; it isn’t saying “I believe/hope it works out”
- faith is not complicated
- the size doesn’t matter, only the object
Hebrews 11 – faith is the assurance of things hoped for; certain of what we do not see
- faith and hope are different
- call someone and leave a voicemail asking to get lunch w a person (hope)
-- faith is being certain that will happen
-- what will have to happen to make hope into faith
why do I believe God created the world?
-- by faith
-- did I meditate myself into that faith?
Who initiated noah and god’s interaction?
-- God
Noah built the ark by faith; confidence in things not seen
Abraham was told by God to leave and go
-- God’s idea but Abraham responded by faith
as a Christian, why do I believe God created the heavens and the earth?
- my idea? No
- Genesis told me
- my belief is an act of faith
the bridge between hope and faith is the promise of God
- the reason I would show up for lunch is because the person called me back and said they would show up (they promised so I can act on it)
- noah built the ark because God made a promise
- Abraham went because God made a promise
FAITH IS CONFIDENCE THAT GOD IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS AND THAT HE’LL DO EVERYTHING HE PROMISED TO DO
Means we can come to god and ask whatever we want
- faith is confidence that God can do that, confidence that God loves me, confidence that God is still good/there/God even if he says no
luke 5
- man with leprosy fell at Jesus feet and begged (means he has something the leper needs)
-- doesn’t know Jesus will heal him but there’s no where else to go
-- doesn’t try to talk Jesus into healing him
- just falls on his face in humility before God; Jesus could walk away and the man’s opinion of his dependence on Jesus wouldn’t change
sometimes God is willing in the moment, maybe in the future, maybe not at all
-- but he is still God and I am not
- I am his beloved child not because he answered my prayer but because he sent his son to be my savior
-- this is proof!
-- JESUS IS STILL MY SAVIOR AND GOD IS STILL GOD
- this is why people can have extraordinary faith in tough times
-- say that God is still who he is
-- grateful that I am on the other side of calvary/saved
--- therefore God has been eternally good to me
--- anything else is just icing on the cake
- God doesn’t do my bidding, he is the creator and sovereign God!
-- but he wants us to address him as Father because I am his child
--- go to him because he is the one that can do something for me
---- not that he will, but he is the only one who can
--- if he is willing, he can and will do it
what has God promised?
-- what has he promised to do?
-- next sermon
Pleasures of life erode circumstantial faith because faith is inconvenient
True faith in the person of Christ means that if God never showed up or answered a prayer, that we would still have confidence in God because of Jesus
CHRISTIAN DEFINITION OF FAITH:
- faith isn’t a force or power, it isn’t throwing a lasso around God so that he’ll do what I want, it isn’t a power I tap into, meditate into
- faith is not a formula
- faith isn’t confidence or hope; it isn’t saying “I believe/hope it works out”
- faith is not complicated
- the size doesn’t matter, only the object
Hebrews 11 – faith is the assurance of things hoped for; certain of what we do not see
- faith and hope are different
- call someone and leave a voicemail asking to get lunch w a person (hope)
-- faith is being certain that will happen
-- what will have to happen to make hope into faith
why do I believe God created the world?
-- by faith
-- did I meditate myself into that faith?
Who initiated noah and god’s interaction?
-- God
Noah built the ark by faith; confidence in things not seen
Abraham was told by God to leave and go
-- God’s idea but Abraham responded by faith
as a Christian, why do I believe God created the heavens and the earth?
- my idea? No
- Genesis told me
- my belief is an act of faith
the bridge between hope and faith is the promise of God
- the reason I would show up for lunch is because the person called me back and said they would show up (they promised so I can act on it)
- noah built the ark because God made a promise
- Abraham went because God made a promise
FAITH IS CONFIDENCE THAT GOD IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS AND THAT HE’LL DO EVERYTHING HE PROMISED TO DO
Means we can come to god and ask whatever we want
- faith is confidence that God can do that, confidence that God loves me, confidence that God is still good/there/God even if he says no
luke 5
- man with leprosy fell at Jesus feet and begged (means he has something the leper needs)
-- doesn’t know Jesus will heal him but there’s no where else to go
-- doesn’t try to talk Jesus into healing him
- just falls on his face in humility before God; Jesus could walk away and the man’s opinion of his dependence on Jesus wouldn’t change
sometimes God is willing in the moment, maybe in the future, maybe not at all
-- but he is still God and I am not
- I am his beloved child not because he answered my prayer but because he sent his son to be my savior
-- this is proof!
-- JESUS IS STILL MY SAVIOR AND GOD IS STILL GOD
- this is why people can have extraordinary faith in tough times
-- say that God is still who he is
-- grateful that I am on the other side of calvary/saved
--- therefore God has been eternally good to me
--- anything else is just icing on the cake
- God doesn’t do my bidding, he is the creator and sovereign God!
-- but he wants us to address him as Father because I am his child
--- go to him because he is the one that can do something for me
---- not that he will, but he is the only one who can
--- if he is willing, he can and will do it
what has God promised?
-- what has he promised to do?
-- next sermon
Faith, Hope, and Luck part 1
Andy Stanley – Faith, Hope, Luck pt1
Faith/belief implies cause/effect relationships in the world
- I make decisions based on my belief system
- something is propping up my belief system about why I think god does/doesn’t do stuff
to those who lost/abandoned faith:
- when faith is shaken/lost, whatever was propping us up has moved and therefore we came crashing down
2 things erode faith:
- lifestyle decisions
-- being raised that cheating/lying is wrong, but going to work in a place where it is a part of the culture
--- 3 choices: don’t cheat, quit, change beliefs
--- most often beliefs change so we start to think cheating is ok, belief system has changed
- unexplainable circumstances
-- god doesn’t do what we expected him to do
-circumstantial faith: I’m believing or trusting in god based on my ability to find God in those circumstances
-- faith that is crushed by unexplainable circumstances/lifestyle decisions is circumstantial
-- WE ALL HAVE SOME ELEMENT OF THIS IN OUR OWN FAITH!
-- always very fragile because life is not consistent!
--- every time we think we have it figured out, life doesn’t seem to match up
--- fragile bc we suck at interpreting events; always a biased/limited perspective
--- we suck also because our timeframe is too limited and small
--- Joseph: for 15 years, God didn’t do anything for him, but he still had faith
--- if my faith is resting on my ability to hear/understand God, then I have a fragile faith because my faith rests God being visible/evident/a feeling
---- we can misunderstand God (just like we misunderstand another person)
moments can often launch faith, but were never meant to be the object of our faith
-- they can be evidence of God, but never God themselves
-- when those moments become our God, my faith is resting on God being clearly manifested in my life (but he won’t be; see Joseph)
when tough times come, I can either exp pain or pleasure
-- circumstantial faith will not stand up, I’ll choose pleasure over pain
-- means what I believe in wasn’t worth it, means it won’t be here tomorrow, won’t/can’t hold me up
- the foundation of Christianity isn’t an exp, my ability to make the world make sense, an answered prayer
-- foundation is so much different and makes Christianity stand out
Hebrews 4:14 (see below)
- context: written to jewish Christians who had no reason to believe in god; sold everything bc they thought JC was coming back and were now suffering; written to encourage them not to give up their faith based on their circumstances
- this is the foundation of faith
- Jesus is the high priest; priest is a person’s representation before God
-- because of Jesus, we have access to God
“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”
- things are tough/hard/prayers aren’t answered, but don’t lose faith because we have (present tense) a God who came, lived, loved, and died
- therefore our foundation isn’t an event or experience; IT’S A PERSON!
-- we have this person
- this is what makes Christianity unique
-- 2000 years ago something happened
-- we’re not trying to interpret events or circumstances or experience or answer to prayer
-- it’s a fact in history; cannot be changed
-- we believe because of something that happened years ago; not because of circumstances right now
--- it’s not what we see/exp, it’s what God did many years ago
stories of god’s good answer to prayers are nice
- based there’s almost always a small aspect of circumstantial faith because god has made them happy
-- true faith is seen through the storm and through the crap of our lives
--- true faith isn’t based on my exp, but on a person who lived 2000 years ago
God doesn’t ask us to trust him based on our ability to figure him out
-- asks us to trust him with everything because God entered into human history because He loves us
-- doesn’t ask us to trust because he answered prayer but because of the person/life/love of Jesus
-- answered prayer isn’t proof of God’s love; proof of god’s love is Jesus
Hebrews 12:
“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
foundation of our faith is not an event in our lifetime or our ability to understand God’s movement in our life
- it is a person, Jesus Christ
Faith/belief implies cause/effect relationships in the world
- I make decisions based on my belief system
- something is propping up my belief system about why I think god does/doesn’t do stuff
to those who lost/abandoned faith:
- when faith is shaken/lost, whatever was propping us up has moved and therefore we came crashing down
2 things erode faith:
- lifestyle decisions
-- being raised that cheating/lying is wrong, but going to work in a place where it is a part of the culture
--- 3 choices: don’t cheat, quit, change beliefs
--- most often beliefs change so we start to think cheating is ok, belief system has changed
- unexplainable circumstances
-- god doesn’t do what we expected him to do
-circumstantial faith: I’m believing or trusting in god based on my ability to find God in those circumstances
-- faith that is crushed by unexplainable circumstances/lifestyle decisions is circumstantial
-- WE ALL HAVE SOME ELEMENT OF THIS IN OUR OWN FAITH!
-- always very fragile because life is not consistent!
--- every time we think we have it figured out, life doesn’t seem to match up
--- fragile bc we suck at interpreting events; always a biased/limited perspective
--- we suck also because our timeframe is too limited and small
--- Joseph: for 15 years, God didn’t do anything for him, but he still had faith
--- if my faith is resting on my ability to hear/understand God, then I have a fragile faith because my faith rests God being visible/evident/a feeling
---- we can misunderstand God (just like we misunderstand another person)
moments can often launch faith, but were never meant to be the object of our faith
-- they can be evidence of God, but never God themselves
-- when those moments become our God, my faith is resting on God being clearly manifested in my life (but he won’t be; see Joseph)
when tough times come, I can either exp pain or pleasure
-- circumstantial faith will not stand up, I’ll choose pleasure over pain
-- means what I believe in wasn’t worth it, means it won’t be here tomorrow, won’t/can’t hold me up
- the foundation of Christianity isn’t an exp, my ability to make the world make sense, an answered prayer
-- foundation is so much different and makes Christianity stand out
Hebrews 4:14 (see below)
- context: written to jewish Christians who had no reason to believe in god; sold everything bc they thought JC was coming back and were now suffering; written to encourage them not to give up their faith based on their circumstances
- this is the foundation of faith
- Jesus is the high priest; priest is a person’s representation before God
-- because of Jesus, we have access to God
“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”
- things are tough/hard/prayers aren’t answered, but don’t lose faith because we have (present tense) a God who came, lived, loved, and died
- therefore our foundation isn’t an event or experience; IT’S A PERSON!
-- we have this person
- this is what makes Christianity unique
-- 2000 years ago something happened
-- we’re not trying to interpret events or circumstances or experience or answer to prayer
-- it’s a fact in history; cannot be changed
-- we believe because of something that happened years ago; not because of circumstances right now
--- it’s not what we see/exp, it’s what God did many years ago
stories of god’s good answer to prayers are nice
- based there’s almost always a small aspect of circumstantial faith because god has made them happy
-- true faith is seen through the storm and through the crap of our lives
--- true faith isn’t based on my exp, but on a person who lived 2000 years ago
God doesn’t ask us to trust him based on our ability to figure him out
-- asks us to trust him with everything because God entered into human history because He loves us
-- doesn’t ask us to trust because he answered prayer but because of the person/life/love of Jesus
-- answered prayer isn’t proof of God’s love; proof of god’s love is Jesus
Hebrews 12:
“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
foundation of our faith is not an event in our lifetime or our ability to understand God’s movement in our life
- it is a person, Jesus Christ
Inflow and Outflow
ff 2008-11-19
dead sea
- no outflow
- dead; no life
sea of galilee
- inflow and outflow
- plentyof fish
all outflow? sea will become empty
col 1:3-14
life worthy of the lord?
- bearing fruit (fruit of spirit in us; fruit of others meeting christ)
- growing in knowledge
- being strengthened
- giving thanks
bearing fruit - out
growing in knowledge - inflow
inflow?
worship, reading bible, prayer, fellowship, freshman fellowship, ministry/witnessing
outflow?
ministry, witnessing, prayer, loving others, service, mission trip
what are my inflows/outflows?
am i in balance or out of balance? where?
how has christ met me recently?
goal for rest of semester to make me more in balance?
dead sea
- no outflow
- dead; no life
sea of galilee
- inflow and outflow
- plentyof fish
all outflow? sea will become empty
col 1:3-14
life worthy of the lord?
- bearing fruit (fruit of spirit in us; fruit of others meeting christ)
- growing in knowledge
- being strengthened
- giving thanks
bearing fruit - out
growing in knowledge - inflow
inflow?
worship, reading bible, prayer, fellowship, freshman fellowship, ministry/witnessing
outflow?
ministry, witnessing, prayer, loving others, service, mission trip
what are my inflows/outflows?
am i in balance or out of balance? where?
how has christ met me recently?
goal for rest of semester to make me more in balance?
Grace!
campaigners. 2008-11-12.
2cor 12:9-10
grace - getting what i dont deserve; undeserved favor
god's mercy to me?
- not getting punished for it
god's grace to me?
- life; promises
grace is sufficient
- covers all and gives us life (saving grace on cross)
- enabling grace - still need grace, enables us to live for him
-- when we're weak, his power can be seen
-- when great things are done, it is clearly god
why boast in weakness?
- thats where god shows up
- god's glory can be seen
when i'm weak, i am strong
2cor 12:9-10
grace - getting what i dont deserve; undeserved favor
god's mercy to me?
- not getting punished for it
god's grace to me?
- life; promises
grace is sufficient
- covers all and gives us life (saving grace on cross)
- enabling grace - still need grace, enables us to live for him
-- when we're weak, his power can be seen
-- when great things are done, it is clearly god
why boast in weakness?
- thats where god shows up
- god's glory can be seen
when i'm weak, i am strong
Campaigners 10/22/08
campaigners. 2008-10-22.
john 11 - lazarus
- jesus raised laz from the dead; how have i seen it?
- raising me from the dead
- but i dont always live like it
-- what grave clothes do i still have on?
rom8:28-39
what pulls me from christ?
- fear of god not being enough
- fear of talking about it
- being busy
- relying fully on christ
- doing something wrong
what does passage say about this?
- not actually seperated
- nothing can pull us from god bc god is for us
v37 more than conquerers
bring bibles/notebooks
john 11 - lazarus
- jesus raised laz from the dead; how have i seen it?
- raising me from the dead
- but i dont always live like it
-- what grave clothes do i still have on?
rom8:28-39
what pulls me from christ?
- fear of god not being enough
- fear of talking about it
- being busy
- relying fully on christ
- doing something wrong
what does passage say about this?
- not actually seperated
- nothing can pull us from god bc god is for us
v37 more than conquerers
bring bibles/notebooks
Campaigners 10/15/2008
campaigners. 2008-10-15
mk 4:35-41
furious squall
- violent, massive storm
waves are breaking in
- fear, thinking theyre gonna die
mark looks at jesus and disciples exp
- jesus = suffering servnt and disciples suffer along side
-- jesus facing greater and greatr opposition
mk1:25 - peace be still to demon-possessed man
- muzzled demon
-- means something to say same thing to wind
-- everyone and everything coming after them
we're still being attacked today
- guilt, temptation, other people, busyness, insecurities, desires, doubts,
why are we being attacked?
- to pull us from christ, keep us from bearing fruit, to belittle god's grace, pull our gaze from christ, keep us from participating in god's life and glory
jesus completely calm/relaxed, asleep
- not ignorant of storm; in spite of storm
-- still got wet
- why so calm? had faith
-- how do i keep my faith and stay focused?
--- finding quiet, be aware of battle and the attacks, identify the lie, live in the victory that christ has won
mk 4:35-41
furious squall
- violent, massive storm
waves are breaking in
- fear, thinking theyre gonna die
mark looks at jesus and disciples exp
- jesus = suffering servnt and disciples suffer along side
-- jesus facing greater and greatr opposition
mk1:25 - peace be still to demon-possessed man
- muzzled demon
-- means something to say same thing to wind
-- everyone and everything coming after them
we're still being attacked today
- guilt, temptation, other people, busyness, insecurities, desires, doubts,
why are we being attacked?
- to pull us from christ, keep us from bearing fruit, to belittle god's grace, pull our gaze from christ, keep us from participating in god's life and glory
jesus completely calm/relaxed, asleep
- not ignorant of storm; in spite of storm
-- still got wet
- why so calm? had faith
-- how do i keep my faith and stay focused?
--- finding quiet, be aware of battle and the attacks, identify the lie, live in the victory that christ has won
Campaigners Mark 6
mark 6:7-13, 30-32
1. purpose of the group was to go out
- vision bigger than group
- how can little group reach so many ppl?
-- can't must rey on god
-- goal is to become closer to god
--- as we try to get closer to god, we get closer together
2. share exp w each other
why? knowing stories/joys/struggles brings group deeper & closer
- encouraging
- learn from eh other
-- really value others
- helps keep us focused
- shared memories = bond
- uplift each other w prayer through struggles
3. place of rest
- come relax and feel refreshed
- place to feel safe and be vulnerable
how?
- be first to be vulnerable
- whats said in campaigners stays here
- put time into relationship outside campaigners
1. purpose of the group was to go out
- vision bigger than group
- how can little group reach so many ppl?
-- can't must rey on god
-- goal is to become closer to god
--- as we try to get closer to god, we get closer together
2. share exp w each other
why? knowing stories/joys/struggles brings group deeper & closer
- encouraging
- learn from eh other
-- really value others
- helps keep us focused
- shared memories = bond
- uplift each other w prayer through struggles
3. place of rest
- come relax and feel refreshed
- place to feel safe and be vulnerable
how?
- be first to be vulnerable
- whats said in campaigners stays here
- put time into relationship outside campaigners
Campaigners 8/27/2008
what is attractive about christ:
saw the need
saved many people
helped despite not having to
loving
willing to forske rules
told her not to cry
1. death meets life
jesus and ppl (life/excitement) vs funeral (death/sadness)
jesus and us vs our non-christian friends
-everyday is like life and death colliding
-in hs, we need to see the world as amission field
2. jesus sees her need and has compassion
- sees her as she is/knows where she's coming from
- for us, we must have compassion
--see the hurt/need, and realize that w/out christ we're the exact same
3. jesus touched the coffin
- willing to get his hands dirty
- coffin was unclean and he was willing to become unclean in the eyes of others
- for us, we have to be active w our compassion
--get involved in ppl and be willing to hurt as they do
--it will be hard
4. the dead are raised to life
christ had a plan in going here
- had a plan for being w ppl
- for us, god has a plan and he will use us
why wouldnt we share christ?
- awkward
- dont know enough
- fear of reaction
- what others think
- might be wrong
- in a minority
- feel alone
- fear of offending
- takes alot of time
- not good
- not good enough
why should we share christ?
- selfish
- knowing what theyre destined for w/out christ
- god told us to (mt28:18-20 last words so it must be important)
- people are hurting and want others to exp life or have a purpose
- gives us a purpose and eternal purpose
- teaches/grows us
- god's work so my lack of knowledge/ability to speak doesnt matter
- word spreads to others (trickle down effect)
how?
- ask others questions and good questions
- ask about others' lives
- talk about how god has transformed your life
- build a relationship/trust w ppl
- living life/good, clean fun
- serving/putting others first
- listen
- being different
- positive attitude/humor (lose the sarcasm)
saw the need
saved many people
helped despite not having to
loving
willing to forske rules
told her not to cry
1. death meets life
jesus and ppl (life/excitement) vs funeral (death/sadness)
jesus and us vs our non-christian friends
-everyday is like life and death colliding
-in hs, we need to see the world as amission field
2. jesus sees her need and has compassion
- sees her as she is/knows where she's coming from
- for us, we must have compassion
--see the hurt/need, and realize that w/out christ we're the exact same
3. jesus touched the coffin
- willing to get his hands dirty
- coffin was unclean and he was willing to become unclean in the eyes of others
- for us, we have to be active w our compassion
--get involved in ppl and be willing to hurt as they do
--it will be hard
4. the dead are raised to life
christ had a plan in going here
- had a plan for being w ppl
- for us, god has a plan and he will use us
why wouldnt we share christ?
- awkward
- dont know enough
- fear of reaction
- what others think
- might be wrong
- in a minority
- feel alone
- fear of offending
- takes alot of time
- not good
- not good enough
why should we share christ?
- selfish
- knowing what theyre destined for w/out christ
- god told us to (mt28:18-20 last words so it must be important)
- people are hurting and want others to exp life or have a purpose
- gives us a purpose and eternal purpose
- teaches/grows us
- god's work so my lack of knowledge/ability to speak doesnt matter
- word spreads to others (trickle down effect)
how?
- ask others questions and good questions
- ask about others' lives
- talk about how god has transformed your life
- build a relationship/trust w ppl
- living life/good, clean fun
- serving/putting others first
- listen
- being different
- positive attitude/humor (lose the sarcasm)
What It Means to Be A Disciple
what it means to be a disciple
mt 4:18-22
- who does the calling?
christ invites us
- what are we called to do?
come; follow; be fishers of men;
what does it mean to follow?
- be close, with them, do what they do
what did disciples leave to follow?
- jobs, friends, family, security
why did the follow immediately?
- jesus was a rabbi and to be called by a rabbi is a big deal bc rabbis are the highest in that society
john 1:40-42
- bringing others
john (transfiguration)
- in the high moments
- personal moments
mt26:36-38
- deep, intimate relationship
- with him in the tough moments
mt26:56
- disciples messed up
mt28:16-20
- werent disqualified from his love
- jesus didnt abandon them
what does it look like for me to follow?
what holds me back? what do i have to give up?
benefits?
mt 4:18-22
- who does the calling?
christ invites us
- what are we called to do?
come; follow; be fishers of men;
what does it mean to follow?
- be close, with them, do what they do
what did disciples leave to follow?
- jobs, friends, family, security
why did the follow immediately?
- jesus was a rabbi and to be called by a rabbi is a big deal bc rabbis are the highest in that society
john 1:40-42
- bringing others
john (transfiguration)
- in the high moments
- personal moments
mt26:36-38
- deep, intimate relationship
- with him in the tough moments
mt26:56
- disciples messed up
mt28:16-20
- werent disqualified from his love
- jesus didnt abandon them
what does it look like for me to follow?
what holds me back? what do i have to give up?
benefits?
Grace and Truth
Jn 1:1-14:
What is Grace?
Undeserved, unearned favor
Getting something we don’t deserve and haven’t earned
Goes above and beyond mercy
What is Truth?
Reality, the whole story
Frank – confrontational, offensive
Define and describe. How do they relate to each other?
What would Grace w/out Truth look like?
Ignorant Love
“Cheap” Love
Example
What would Truth w/out Grace look like?
Judgment, Hell
Is it possible to have one without the other?
Why not?
In order to understand Grace, you need to know you don’t deserve it
Why are we so afraid of the Truth?
Let’s take a look at it
Gen 3:
(Gen 2:21, Gen 3:7-13)
V7 – ashamed, humiliated, in hiding
Why did they make themselves fig leaf coverings?
Closest thing at hand
Desperate to cover themselves
What was their motive?
Shame, guilt
What do we use as “fig leaves”?
Avoid the issue with busyness
Avoid the blame/responsibility by making excuses and blaming others
Rationalize by comparing ourselves to others
Look at our good behavior
What would it have looked like for God to give them “ignorant love”?
Love them w/out fixing their problem
Allow them to stay in their fig leaves
w/out getting at the real problem – what was on the inside
Is this real love? Is this love at it’s most potent point?
V21 – What did they already have on?
Fig leaves
Their own clothes
What does God provide?
Not innocence, but clothes
What did God make them do to give them His coverings?
Strip them of their fig leaves
Expose them
Why?
Fig Leaves get in the way
What was His motive?
He wanted to show them Grace
What did this force Adam and Eve to acknowledge?
Their coverings were inadequate
Fig leaves weren’t enough – not for God and not for them!
What thoughts do you think went through their heads as they saw God make their clothes?
Horrified at death – up to this point no one had died
Adam and Eve had sinned they knew they absolutely deserved it (Gen 2:16-17)
God killing innocent animal to provide their coverings
Deep wonder of God’s mercy
Practicals:
So why are we so afraid of Truth?
Do we know by refusing Truth, we refuse Grace
What are ways that we can expose ourselves to the Truth?
Look at your heart – What is your motive?
If you didn’t drink last weekend b/c …. You’re girlfriend told you not to
Matt said it tastes bad
If you’re here b/c … You think it makes you a good person
You want to make us happy
Then it’s ALL “fig leaves”. It’s ALL a front. It’s ALL fake, and it’s ALL inadequate!
Challenge:
If you want Grace, in all its fullness, then you must take with the Truth. Stop robbing yourself of Grace.
What is Grace?
Undeserved, unearned favor
Getting something we don’t deserve and haven’t earned
Goes above and beyond mercy
What is Truth?
Reality, the whole story
Frank – confrontational, offensive
Define and describe. How do they relate to each other?
What would Grace w/out Truth look like?
Ignorant Love
“Cheap” Love
Example
What would Truth w/out Grace look like?
Judgment, Hell
Is it possible to have one without the other?
Why not?
In order to understand Grace, you need to know you don’t deserve it
Why are we so afraid of the Truth?
Let’s take a look at it
Gen 3:
(Gen 2:21, Gen 3:7-13)
V7 – ashamed, humiliated, in hiding
Why did they make themselves fig leaf coverings?
Closest thing at hand
Desperate to cover themselves
What was their motive?
Shame, guilt
What do we use as “fig leaves”?
Avoid the issue with busyness
Avoid the blame/responsibility by making excuses and blaming others
Rationalize by comparing ourselves to others
Look at our good behavior
What would it have looked like for God to give them “ignorant love”?
Love them w/out fixing their problem
Allow them to stay in their fig leaves
w/out getting at the real problem – what was on the inside
Is this real love? Is this love at it’s most potent point?
V21 – What did they already have on?
Fig leaves
Their own clothes
What does God provide?
Not innocence, but clothes
What did God make them do to give them His coverings?
Strip them of their fig leaves
Expose them
Why?
Fig Leaves get in the way
What was His motive?
He wanted to show them Grace
What did this force Adam and Eve to acknowledge?
Their coverings were inadequate
Fig leaves weren’t enough – not for God and not for them!
What thoughts do you think went through their heads as they saw God make their clothes?
Horrified at death – up to this point no one had died
Adam and Eve had sinned they knew they absolutely deserved it (Gen 2:16-17)
God killing innocent animal to provide their coverings
Deep wonder of God’s mercy
Practicals:
So why are we so afraid of Truth?
Do we know by refusing Truth, we refuse Grace
What are ways that we can expose ourselves to the Truth?
Look at your heart – What is your motive?
If you didn’t drink last weekend b/c …. You’re girlfriend told you not to
Matt said it tastes bad
If you’re here b/c … You think it makes you a good person
You want to make us happy
Then it’s ALL “fig leaves”. It’s ALL a front. It’s ALL fake, and it’s ALL inadequate!
Challenge:
If you want Grace, in all its fullness, then you must take with the Truth. Stop robbing yourself of Grace.
Great Commission
ff 2008-11-05
mt28:16-20
v19
why is it so hard for us to share excitement re: christ?
- different
- hard to explain
- personal
- vulnerable
response?
& behold i am with you to the end of the age
- knew we were going to have fears
-- that's christ's answer
whenever in ministry, must remember christ is w us
why called great commission?
mt28:16-20
v19
why is it so hard for us to share excitement re: christ?
- different
- hard to explain
- personal
- vulnerable
response?
& behold i am with you to the end of the age
- knew we were going to have fears
-- that's christ's answer
whenever in ministry, must remember christ is w us
why called great commission?
Freshman Training 10/15/2008
freshman fellowship. 2008-10-15
length of dotted line line on highway?
- looks like 10ft to me
-- about 12ft; looks shorter bc we're driving so fast
mk 10:17-22
rich man
- rich, young, searching, good guy, ruler, powerful, knows about jesus and that jesus has the answer
what do i know about jesus? and what do i believe?
man left sad...why?
- didnt get answer he wanted, valued what he had, wasnt willing to give up what jesus wanted him to
jesus asks us to sell things away/to give up ownership/claim to it
- what is god asking me to give up?
-- how will i leave my encounter with him?
two groups:
1. given life to christ
2. not made that commitment
- question applies to both
when we hold out all we have, then christ can truly bless our lives
length of dotted line line on highway?
- looks like 10ft to me
-- about 12ft; looks shorter bc we're driving so fast
mk 10:17-22
rich man
- rich, young, searching, good guy, ruler, powerful, knows about jesus and that jesus has the answer
what do i know about jesus? and what do i believe?
man left sad...why?
- didnt get answer he wanted, valued what he had, wasnt willing to give up what jesus wanted him to
jesus asks us to sell things away/to give up ownership/claim to it
- what is god asking me to give up?
-- how will i leave my encounter with him?
two groups:
1. given life to christ
2. not made that commitment
- question applies to both
when we hold out all we have, then christ can truly bless our lives
Freshman Fellowship 9/21/08
Freshman Fellowship 9/21/08
Knowing Who We Are
- John 1:6-8, 19-28
3 points:
- life is ministry
- our life based of who Christ is
- most important thing is to take care of our relationship with Christ
Opening:
Small Groups
- What is one thing you read in the bible and what did you learn?
Lesson:
Read John 1:6-8
Read John 1:19-28
Recap
Brett Favre/Aaron Rodgers
- advice to Rodgers is to play his game, don’t be Favre
Who was John the Baptist?
Who was he not?
- clearly understood this
1. Our life must be based on who Christ is
What was his purpose?
- whole life based around this fact
What was his ministry?
- same thing; his life was his ministry
2. Life is ministry
Where did his mission come from?
- his identity
-- talk about calling; but it’s much more who we’re called to be rather than what job
3. Most important thing is to take care of our relationship with Christ
how do we cultivate our identity in Christ?
- fellowship, study, church, prayer, etc
-- all take time
what else requires our time?
- make the decision; it’s about where my heart is
Questions:
What’s your purpose? Why get up in the morning?
Is that based off Christ? (where is my heart?)
Challenge:
Spend time in the Word. Schedule it in to your lives and make it an immovable task. Ask yourselves these questions during that time and let Scripture answer it for you.
- part of making your identity rooted in Christ
Knowing Who We Are
- John 1:6-8, 19-28
3 points:
- life is ministry
- our life based of who Christ is
- most important thing is to take care of our relationship with Christ
Opening:
Small Groups
- What is one thing you read in the bible and what did you learn?
Lesson:
Read John 1:6-8
Read John 1:19-28
Recap
Brett Favre/Aaron Rodgers
- advice to Rodgers is to play his game, don’t be Favre
Who was John the Baptist?
Who was he not?
- clearly understood this
1. Our life must be based on who Christ is
What was his purpose?
- whole life based around this fact
What was his ministry?
- same thing; his life was his ministry
2. Life is ministry
Where did his mission come from?
- his identity
-- talk about calling; but it’s much more who we’re called to be rather than what job
3. Most important thing is to take care of our relationship with Christ
how do we cultivate our identity in Christ?
- fellowship, study, church, prayer, etc
-- all take time
what else requires our time?
- make the decision; it’s about where my heart is
Questions:
What’s your purpose? Why get up in the morning?
Is that based off Christ? (where is my heart?)
Challenge:
Spend time in the Word. Schedule it in to your lives and make it an immovable task. Ask yourselves these questions during that time and let Scripture answer it for you.
- part of making your identity rooted in Christ
Freshman Training #1
freshman fellowship -
94% of americans believe in god
74% of americans claim to have relationship w christ
- we've got a problem
- greatest argument for christ is christians; we're aso the worst
mk 8:27-30
- who do ppl say that i am?
- jesus teaching disciples what it looks like to be his disciples
- gal 2:20
-- giving up our own lives/dreams/wants
--- ministry forces us into a choice: do i crucify what i want or do i follow my own path?
how do i respond to christ asking me "who do you say that i am"?
- my response means something
-- what would christ teach me based on my response?
94% of americans believe in god
74% of americans claim to have relationship w christ
- we've got a problem
- greatest argument for christ is christians; we're aso the worst
mk 8:27-30
- who do ppl say that i am?
- jesus teaching disciples what it looks like to be his disciples
- gal 2:20
-- giving up our own lives/dreams/wants
--- ministry forces us into a choice: do i crucify what i want or do i follow my own path?
how do i respond to christ asking me "who do you say that i am"?
- my response means something
-- what would christ teach me based on my response?
What's Hard?
leadership 2008-11-02
whats hard?
- having to make new relationships
- no results
- time
- inconsistency w kids
- personal life
- size of school
- few opportunities to meet kids
- campaigners who dont get it
- unfufilled plans
- rejection
- taking care of self
- competing w kids schedules
- not to blame them
- personal pride hurt in failure
- kids walls/finding an in
- cultural context
- tiring
- kids expecting to be entertained
- tough kids/situations
hebrews 12:1-3
- (heb 11 = faith hall of fame)
- therefore... = with their example and what we know...
- throw off everything that entangles
-- what entangles me? what do i have to do to throw that off?
- run race w perseverance
-- we will get tired and it will be hard
- v2 how do i fix my eyes on christ? key to ministry/yl
- hard things are real; so is christ
- we're facing opposition from satan and sinful men/women
-- jesus dealt w this; we will too
--- jesus died without campaigners understanding it
--- god's work and not ours
whats hard?
- having to make new relationships
- no results
- time
- inconsistency w kids
- personal life
- size of school
- few opportunities to meet kids
- campaigners who dont get it
- unfufilled plans
- rejection
- taking care of self
- competing w kids schedules
- not to blame them
- personal pride hurt in failure
- kids walls/finding an in
- cultural context
- tiring
- kids expecting to be entertained
- tough kids/situations
hebrews 12:1-3
- (heb 11 = faith hall of fame)
- therefore... = with their example and what we know...
- throw off everything that entangles
-- what entangles me? what do i have to do to throw that off?
- run race w perseverance
-- we will get tired and it will be hard
- v2 how do i fix my eyes on christ? key to ministry/yl
- hard things are real; so is christ
- we're facing opposition from satan and sinful men/women
-- jesus dealt w this; we will too
--- jesus died without campaigners understanding it
--- god's work and not ours
Testimonies
leadership. 2008-10-19
testimonies
before
- thoughts on god?
- no parent/church hate
how met christ?
- yl had significant impact?
- first club? camp? how got involved?
after
- effect of christ in life
testimonies
before
- thoughts on god?
- no parent/church hate
how met christ?
- yl had significant impact?
- first club? camp? how got involved?
after
- effect of christ in life
Leadership 09/28/2008
leadership 2008-09-28
mk 4:26-34
traits of the kingdom of god:
- not grown by man's work; we gather and god grows
- god's kingdom
- abundant
- starts small but grow large
kingdom - realm thats uniquely the kings
- the range of our effective will
- have i surrenderred all my kingdom to christ?
-- all of my range?
mark 1:15
- kingdom of god is at hand
--electricty is at hand
--- changes my life when i rely on it
--- do i rely on the kingdom of god?
campaigners - 4 key elements
- lesson/teaching
- vision
- worship
- fellowship/sharing
vision:
- announcements
- challenge at the end of every lesson
-- check in about it
-- what's expected/inspected is what's done
- campaigners is for the fastest/smartest kid
- expect them to take notes
lesson:
- attn getter/story/questions
- use the bible
- ask questions more and help them discover it
- lesson should connect to vision
- mix it up!!
mk 4:26-34
traits of the kingdom of god:
- not grown by man's work; we gather and god grows
- god's kingdom
- abundant
- starts small but grow large
kingdom - realm thats uniquely the kings
- the range of our effective will
- have i surrenderred all my kingdom to christ?
-- all of my range?
mark 1:15
- kingdom of god is at hand
--electricty is at hand
--- changes my life when i rely on it
--- do i rely on the kingdom of god?
campaigners - 4 key elements
- lesson/teaching
- vision
- worship
- fellowship/sharing
vision:
- announcements
- challenge at the end of every lesson
-- check in about it
-- what's expected/inspected is what's done
- campaigners is for the fastest/smartest kid
- expect them to take notes
lesson:
- attn getter/story/questions
- use the bible
- ask questions more and help them discover it
- lesson should connect to vision
- mix it up!!
Young Life's Uniqueness
leadership 2008 september 14
what makes yl unique?
- outreach
- not affiliated w a certain church
- relationship based!
--being at school is most important thing
-- about reaching the kids who wouldnt even think about church
1. go to them
john 1:14
the incarnation
- god in a bod, god coming to us
- god's contact work
john 10:10
in christ, we bring life to the full to youth
- lasts forever; nothing compares
mark 2:17
key to contact work: reaching the kids who are sick
- without going to them, we're missing the boat
mt 28:19-20
GO!
- very few ppl go; thats what we do
1cor2:2
- when we go, know nothing but christ and him crucified
-- anything else is death
how do we go?
- ftbl games, after school hang outs, school, mall, community events, any games, their job,
- know where kids are and show up
2. earn the right to be heard
- consistency, be intentional, listen, respect them, lose the cell phone, remember their names, be there for them not for young life
3. share our lives w them
1thess2:8
- be delighted to be w them
- make memories
- know administration
2 most important things:
1. love god (spend time growing our relationship w christ)
2. love your neighbor (love/know/go to kids)
what makes yl unique?
- outreach
- not affiliated w a certain church
- relationship based!
--being at school is most important thing
-- about reaching the kids who wouldnt even think about church
1. go to them
john 1:14
the incarnation
- god in a bod, god coming to us
- god's contact work
john 10:10
in christ, we bring life to the full to youth
- lasts forever; nothing compares
mark 2:17
key to contact work: reaching the kids who are sick
- without going to them, we're missing the boat
mt 28:19-20
GO!
- very few ppl go; thats what we do
1cor2:2
- when we go, know nothing but christ and him crucified
-- anything else is death
how do we go?
- ftbl games, after school hang outs, school, mall, community events, any games, their job,
- know where kids are and show up
2. earn the right to be heard
- consistency, be intentional, listen, respect them, lose the cell phone, remember their names, be there for them not for young life
3. share our lives w them
1thess2:8
- be delighted to be w them
- make memories
- know administration
2 most important things:
1. love god (spend time growing our relationship w christ)
2. love your neighbor (love/know/go to kids)
regional training. 2008-10-31.
what kills our vision?
- spending too much time w program
- misplaced allegiance/glory; believing own press clippings
- dont plan for when club/area grows
gen 2:15-17
- man's job to rule/create/discover
gen 3:1-11
where do i not trust god? (iceberg above water)
- longings, provision, calling, agendas, ministry
beneath the surface? (just beneath surface)
- control issues
sin beneath that?
- wanting to be god, my heart
-- do i really believe god is good, trustworthy, and reliable?
the 'don'ts' of scripture are always for provision/protection
why did god tell adam/eve not to eat of tree?
- trying to develop trust that god knows best
- god never wanted us to know evil
- requiring us to trust/at the very foundation of the relationship
unbelief - making us bigger than we are/god smaller than he is
serpent distorts/creates room for doubt
- lie is a distortion of god's truth
-- lie - god's way/life isnt as good as my way/life
do i trust in god? what lie do i believe that causes me not to believe?
what kills our vision?
- spending too much time w program
- misplaced allegiance/glory; believing own press clippings
- dont plan for when club/area grows
gen 2:15-17
- man's job to rule/create/discover
gen 3:1-11
where do i not trust god? (iceberg above water)
- longings, provision, calling, agendas, ministry
beneath the surface? (just beneath surface)
- control issues
sin beneath that?
- wanting to be god, my heart
-- do i really believe god is good, trustworthy, and reliable?
the 'don'ts' of scripture are always for provision/protection
why did god tell adam/eve not to eat of tree?
- trying to develop trust that god knows best
- god never wanted us to know evil
- requiring us to trust/at the very foundation of the relationship
unbelief - making us bigger than we are/god smaller than he is
serpent distorts/creates room for doubt
- lie is a distortion of god's truth
-- lie - god's way/life isnt as good as my way/life
do i trust in god? what lie do i believe that causes me not to believe?
Discipleship
regional training. 2008-10-17.
Discipleship - Trent Gladstone
brainstorm discipleship principles
- high standards not high expectations (lk14:25-27), invite them into intimate moments (transfiguration mk9:1-13), press them (feeding 5k - mk6:37) and give them leadership (sending disciples out - mk6:7-13), hold to the truth (lk9:23-27)
- choose the people god has chosen, set the standard, discipleship happens mostly through real life/informal moments, gal 5:1 - set free!
luke 9!
- write down life goals
- 1, 5, 10, 50, 500 year goals
-- what goes on after me?
-- i am a result of paul's legacy
- discipleship transcends giftedness
1jn2:1 - life must reflect christs; he built into others so we should do the same
- modelled life - called disciples to be w him
- mentorred them
1. i'm a disciple first
- be 10 steps ahead of where we want others to be
2. be w them as much as possible
3. god is gonna change them
- pray for them
4. get them in front of scriptures constantly
- god is lord of all parts of life
- teach them to love god/the word
-- final authority = god/bible
-- help them draw applications
- teach them to love ppl
-- give them examples
-- help them w ways to be friendly
5. treat and see them as life-long friends
- treat them as insiders, special
-- dont divulge everything to everyone
-- share victories/struggles
practicals
1. pray for god to raise up people for us to be with
2. look for a f.a.t. kid
3. meet w them
- have a curriculum
- regularly/consistently
- meet in morning
4. build virtues into group
- dont cancel mtg
- consistency, start on time, no cut-downs, confidentiality, verse memory, make it part of the expectation
- may take time to grow
5. every mtg has fellowship, doctrine, vision/application
6. model the wheel at every mtg
7. guys reach younger guys, not just peers
- each guy brings younger guy
Discipleship - Trent Gladstone
brainstorm discipleship principles
- high standards not high expectations (lk14:25-27), invite them into intimate moments (transfiguration mk9:1-13), press them (feeding 5k - mk6:37) and give them leadership (sending disciples out - mk6:7-13), hold to the truth (lk9:23-27)
- choose the people god has chosen, set the standard, discipleship happens mostly through real life/informal moments, gal 5:1 - set free!
luke 9!
- write down life goals
- 1, 5, 10, 50, 500 year goals
-- what goes on after me?
-- i am a result of paul's legacy
- discipleship transcends giftedness
1jn2:1 - life must reflect christs; he built into others so we should do the same
- modelled life - called disciples to be w him
- mentorred them
1. i'm a disciple first
- be 10 steps ahead of where we want others to be
2. be w them as much as possible
3. god is gonna change them
- pray for them
4. get them in front of scriptures constantly
- god is lord of all parts of life
- teach them to love god/the word
-- final authority = god/bible
-- help them draw applications
- teach them to love ppl
-- give them examples
-- help them w ways to be friendly
5. treat and see them as life-long friends
- treat them as insiders, special
-- dont divulge everything to everyone
-- share victories/struggles
practicals
1. pray for god to raise up people for us to be with
2. look for a f.a.t. kid
3. meet w them
- have a curriculum
- regularly/consistently
- meet in morning
4. build virtues into group
- dont cancel mtg
- consistency, start on time, no cut-downs, confidentiality, verse memory, make it part of the expectation
- may take time to grow
5. every mtg has fellowship, doctrine, vision/application
6. model the wheel at every mtg
7. guys reach younger guys, not just peers
- each guy brings younger guy
Regional Intern Training 10/03/2008
regional training 2008-10-03
psalm 119:11 - how do we stay pure? store up god's word in our hearts
- changes our heart which alters our actions
- doesnt tell us to do something without giving us the ability to do it
-- ability starts small but grows through practice
- i'm following christ; how much of his words do i really know?
-- how do i live by truth if i dont know it in my heart?
hwlw - his word, last word
lectio divina - " sacred writings"
- cant miss christ in the text
- read several times, quiet, meditate/chew on word that sticks out
psalm 119:11 - how do we stay pure? store up god's word in our hearts
- changes our heart which alters our actions
- doesnt tell us to do something without giving us the ability to do it
-- ability starts small but grows through practice
- i'm following christ; how much of his words do i really know?
-- how do i live by truth if i dont know it in my heart?
hwlw - his word, last word
lectio divina - " sacred writings"
- cant miss christ in the text
- read several times, quiet, meditate/chew on word that sticks out
Regional Intern Training 9/26/2008
regional training 2008-09-26
a king rules, reigns, shapes his kingdom
- christ came to die on cross but that was the means of releasing us from captivity to sin into a kingdom of shalom (flourishing, renewal, full life, wholeness)
luke 4:17-19
- christ announcing his rule, bringing shalom
--------------------
gal 4:19 - morphe (giving birth, forming)
2 cor 3:18 - metamorphis (changing)
- catepillar to butterfly
the heart - ceo of my life, core, center, where will/thoughts/emotions converge
playdoh is shaped by whatever exerts forces on it - aka pressure/freeze points
- culture
- experiences
- wounds
- self-will
- jesus
***thursday - where's the heart?
- mark 7:1-23***
--------------------
pathway of transformation
- not if but what
- voices talking to us all along the way
--what we listen to determines who we become
john 4:
observations of woman
- unsure/confused
- humbled, worn down, dragging
- wanting to leave, searching for hope but doesnt know where to go
- stuck
observations of jesus' interaction with her
- confident
- assured
- draws her out
- affirms her in recognition of sin
- patient w process
jer2:11-13
living water = moving water
- dead water = water sitting in a cistern for too long
what am i thirsting for?
- how do i satisfy that thirst?
a king rules, reigns, shapes his kingdom
- christ came to die on cross but that was the means of releasing us from captivity to sin into a kingdom of shalom (flourishing, renewal, full life, wholeness)
luke 4:17-19
- christ announcing his rule, bringing shalom
--------------------
gal 4:19 - morphe (giving birth, forming)
2 cor 3:18 - metamorphis (changing)
- catepillar to butterfly
the heart - ceo of my life, core, center, where will/thoughts/emotions converge
playdoh is shaped by whatever exerts forces on it - aka pressure/freeze points
- culture
- experiences
- wounds
- self-will
- jesus
***thursday - where's the heart?
- mark 7:1-23***
--------------------
pathway of transformation
- not if but what
- voices talking to us all along the way
--what we listen to determines who we become
john 4:
observations of woman
- unsure/confused
- humbled, worn down, dragging
- wanting to leave, searching for hope but doesnt know where to go
- stuck
observations of jesus' interaction with her
- confident
- assured
- draws her out
- affirms her in recognition of sin
- patient w process
jer2:11-13
living water = moving water
- dead water = water sitting in a cistern for too long
what am i thirsting for?
- how do i satisfy that thirst?
In Everything, Gratitude
sermon. dave martin. 2008-10-12.
in everything, gratitude
romans 11:33-36
3 things i need to know:
1. god cant love you more than he loves me now
- loves me perfectly, never ending
-- why? he made me and in his image even
2. god cant learn anything
- god is omniscient
-- v34-35
- purpose of prayer is not to inform god and pull him into my life
-- purpose is to seek god and be included in his flow
3. god has more to give than we've already received
- no end to god's blessings and resources
-- wants to give and will give and is giving
therefore,
1. receive what god has to give
2. trust that he will give what we need
3. dont make things harder than they need o be
- our disobedience/fear/distrust make things more difficult
- dont spin, just trust
- he knows what i need and he will provide
in everything, gratitude
romans 11:33-36
3 things i need to know:
1. god cant love you more than he loves me now
- loves me perfectly, never ending
-- why? he made me and in his image even
2. god cant learn anything
- god is omniscient
-- v34-35
- purpose of prayer is not to inform god and pull him into my life
-- purpose is to seek god and be included in his flow
3. god has more to give than we've already received
- no end to god's blessings and resources
-- wants to give and will give and is giving
therefore,
1. receive what god has to give
2. trust that he will give what we need
3. dont make things harder than they need o be
- our disobedience/fear/distrust make things more difficult
- dont spin, just trust
- he knows what i need and he will provide
sermon 2008-10-05 shad baker
2 tim 3:16-17 & 2peter 1:19-21
1. what is the bible?
2 tim3:16-17
breath of god
- divine origin
-- can have confidence and truth in its authenticity
but bible was written down by man?
2peter 1:19-21
- men spoke and wrote as they were directed by god
how did god do this?
- dont know forsure but we do know the source is god and god is infallible
-- therefore it all belongs to god and we must accept it as authoritative
2. what does it do?
one thing: reveals christ
- word all is continually repeated bc it is all about jesus
why is this important to know?
- reveals jeus and he is life
-- scripture doesnt bring life but revels where life is found
3. what do we do?
a. read it
- a letter written to us by god!
-- why would we not read it?
-- tells us about jesus/life/our only hope
b. remember it
- read some, remember much
- pray and think about it
-- chew on it
c. respect it
- careful to obey it
- not worship but proper respect as it comes from god
2 tim 3:16-17 & 2peter 1:19-21
1. what is the bible?
2 tim3:16-17
breath of god
- divine origin
-- can have confidence and truth in its authenticity
but bible was written down by man?
2peter 1:19-21
- men spoke and wrote as they were directed by god
how did god do this?
- dont know forsure but we do know the source is god and god is infallible
-- therefore it all belongs to god and we must accept it as authoritative
2. what does it do?
one thing: reveals christ
- word all is continually repeated bc it is all about jesus
why is this important to know?
- reveals jeus and he is life
-- scripture doesnt bring life but revels where life is found
3. what do we do?
a. read it
- a letter written to us by god!
-- why would we not read it?
-- tells us about jesus/life/our only hope
b. remember it
- read some, remember much
- pray and think about it
-- chew on it
c. respect it
- careful to obey it
- not worship but proper respect as it comes from god
In Christ, With the Spirit
sermon. dave martin. 2008-09-28
in christ, with the spirit
the gospel:
1. salvatation is gods doing
2. god saves bc god loves
3. jesus' sacrifice was sufficient for the whole world
4. now we must participate by faith in the victory that is already won (not automatic)
5. to participate means to begin to live by (does) the truth
ephesians 1:11-14
"in him" - guaranteed, cant be taken away bc it is in christ, vic.ory in past (cant be changed)
must become something diff in order to be what christ has for me
- how? holy spirit
seal
- mark of where it came from and to whom it belongs
-- we are sealed by the hs
-- we belong to god, come from god!
- known by love of christ (dont have to be perfect to love)
-- love comes through hs
-- will be noticed (different passions, desires, values, motivations)
-- outward actions mean nothing without the promised gift of the father through faith in christ (holy spirit)
--- without love our actions mean nothing bc they have no eternal value
-- cant buy the hs; it is a gift from god and only he chooses who recieves it
not only what god did (important bc it opens he door) but also what god is doing today/now/in my life
- jesus didnt die to be a historical fact but an eternally present reality
in christ, with the spirit
the gospel:
1. salvatation is gods doing
2. god saves bc god loves
3. jesus' sacrifice was sufficient for the whole world
4. now we must participate by faith in the victory that is already won (not automatic)
5. to participate means to begin to live by (does) the truth
ephesians 1:11-14
"in him" - guaranteed, cant be taken away bc it is in christ, vic.ory in past (cant be changed)
must become something diff in order to be what christ has for me
- how? holy spirit
seal
- mark of where it came from and to whom it belongs
-- we are sealed by the hs
-- we belong to god, come from god!
- known by love of christ (dont have to be perfect to love)
-- love comes through hs
-- will be noticed (different passions, desires, values, motivations)
-- outward actions mean nothing without the promised gift of the father through faith in christ (holy spirit)
--- without love our actions mean nothing bc they have no eternal value
-- cant buy the hs; it is a gift from god and only he chooses who recieves it
not only what god did (important bc it opens he door) but also what god is doing today/now/in my life
- jesus didnt die to be a historical fact but an eternally present reality
The Good and the Bad
sermon. hershey e free. 2000-11-02. kirk belmont.
the good and the bad.
matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
- life is not the way it is supposed to be
- sowed good seeds in his field
- enemy sowed weeds
- dont pull up weeds lest wheat be pulled up too
farmer = god
field = the world
good seeds = sons of the kingdom
weeds =sons of the evil one
enemy = satan
harvest = end of the age
1. everything is not as it should be
god goes to sleep?
- farmer's intentions are always good
-- only sowed good seed
-- satan planted bad; frustration/anger should be directed at satan
- bc satan s evil doesnt mean god isnt good and not still working
2. a day is coming when it will be restored
- promised by god
- doen't change now but we can rest/be encouraged now
3. until then, good/evil exist together
- both good and evil grow
- am i growing? can only be overcome if i stop growing
4. not our job to judge
- wheat's job isnt to condemn the weeds but just to grow and produce good fruit
the good and the bad.
matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
- life is not the way it is supposed to be
- sowed good seeds in his field
- enemy sowed weeds
- dont pull up weeds lest wheat be pulled up too
farmer = god
field = the world
good seeds = sons of the kingdom
weeds =sons of the evil one
enemy = satan
harvest = end of the age
1. everything is not as it should be
god goes to sleep?
- farmer's intentions are always good
-- only sowed good seed
-- satan planted bad; frustration/anger should be directed at satan
- bc satan s evil doesnt mean god isnt good and not still working
2. a day is coming when it will be restored
- promised by god
- doen't change now but we can rest/be encouraged now
3. until then, good/evil exist together
- both good and evil grow
- am i growing? can only be overcome if i stop growing
4. not our job to judge
- wheat's job isnt to condemn the weeds but just to grow and produce good fruit
Live In The Truth
sermon. dave martin. hershey evangelical free church.
live in the truth
john 3:16-21
jesus is speaking truh to nicodemus, premier teacher in israel
- must be born again
-- born of spirit, not flesh
-- this is THE truth
culture disputes truth
- says there is no universal truth that applies to everyone
- christ counters this; stands in opposition to the lies of the world
- difference between no truth and not wanting there to be truth
-- there is a truth that exists all cultures and society
--- jn 3:16-21
1. for god so loved...for god did not send (god's work/doing/plan/idea)
- gospel is god's story of how he saved us
- not how does god fit in my story but how do i fit into god's story
2. god saves bc god loves
- jn 3:16
- true measure of god's love is seen in the incarnation
3. salvation is sufficient and complete
- for god so loved
-- eras tense - complted/finished/in the past
- gospel - jesus has come, lived, and died; conquered forces of evil and christ is lord!
4. my role? believe and participate in the victory
- my response is crucial
- judgment and verdict has already come
-- if we reject him, we are self condemned
--- he came to save us so we condemn ourselves if we reject him
5. begin to live in truth
- v21
- communion is recognition that he is lord, he has won our salvation, and we are dependent on him
live in the truth
john 3:16-21
jesus is speaking truh to nicodemus, premier teacher in israel
- must be born again
-- born of spirit, not flesh
-- this is THE truth
culture disputes truth
- says there is no universal truth that applies to everyone
- christ counters this; stands in opposition to the lies of the world
- difference between no truth and not wanting there to be truth
-- there is a truth that exists all cultures and society
--- jn 3:16-21
1. for god so loved...for god did not send (god's work/doing/plan/idea)
- gospel is god's story of how he saved us
- not how does god fit in my story but how do i fit into god's story
2. god saves bc god loves
- jn 3:16
- true measure of god's love is seen in the incarnation
3. salvation is sufficient and complete
- for god so loved
-- eras tense - complted/finished/in the past
- gospel - jesus has come, lived, and died; conquered forces of evil and christ is lord!
4. my role? believe and participate in the victory
- my response is crucial
- judgment and verdict has already come
-- if we reject him, we are self condemned
--- he came to save us so we condemn ourselves if we reject him
5. begin to live in truth
- v21
- communion is recognition that he is lord, he has won our salvation, and we are dependent on him
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