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Watch the Clock

1/27/2019

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"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive,disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth." 2 Timothy 3:1-7

This is what we're seeing in today's society.

"while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:13-17

World sliding downhill. The end is rushing toward us. We know things will get worse. 

What should we do?

1. Pray!
"The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray." 1 Peter 4:7

We need to be praying. We need to be alert.

a. Pray God opens people's eyes. (Sliding is so easy to accept).
b. Pray God protects the innocent. Our prayers make a difference. We don't need to see it.
c. Pray God comes soon (to stop the evil).
d. Pray God uses you to the utmost (We should be working harder. Pray God uses us as much as He can).
e. Pray God gives you power to witness (God's word needs to be heard).
f. Pray God gives you a chance to make a difference (We cannot ignore what's going on. Nothing is beyond prayer, beyond our sphere of influence).

Be motivated to get into the fight!

2. Love!
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

We should be standing for love.

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filledto the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14-19

God's love is bigger and beyond anything going on in this world!

"Love never fails. But where there are prophecies,they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

3. Give

a. Give hospitality.
b. Give like there's no tomorrow.
c. Give like you were receiving.
d. Give because giving is a gift. No one should feel like they are turned away.

4. Use the Gifts God has given you.


"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:10-11

Speak kindness. Speak peace. Jesus never let His gifts trickle in. He used His gifts wholly. He gave it all. Our service is for God.
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[a]
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s willshould commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." 1 Peter 4:12-19

I don't care how the world reacts. I care what you do. I'm not serving for the result. I'm serving because that's what God tells me to do. What am I doing for Jesus today? Every day is another day to serve Jesus.


It all comes down to John 15:12 which says:

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12

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Building on the Rock

1/20/2019

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“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” Luke 6:46-49

It was a strategic time for Jesus to talk about this -- right after He chose the 12 apostles and rthe Sermon on the Mount.

Israel -- much of the land is full of clay so it gets very hard. They would have built homes in the summer because winter is the rainy season. The problem with summer is that the clay would make the soil like "bronze." It would take a lot of work to dig a foundation. It would be tempting to take a shortcut. But shortcuts would mean the house would be in danger of sliding off the foundation during the rainy season, during the floods (which would definitely be coming). 

The clay turns to mud. If the house isn't anchored down it will slide off.

In the valley the builders might have to dig down 10 feet to hit bedrock. They had to go all the way to bedrock or the foundation would not be solid. On the top of a ridge it might just be down to 2 ft. 

Jesus used parallel rhetoric.

Good -- hear Me and do it.

Floods will come.

Both builders know the right way to do things. One chooses to do the right thing. The other doesn't.

"Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scoffers
    who rule this people in Jerusalem.
15 You boast, “We have entered into a covenant with death,
    with the realm of the dead we have made an agreement.
When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by,
    it cannot touch us,
for we have made a lie our refuge
    and falsehood[a] our hiding place.” Isaiah 28:14-15

All the gods of Egypt were gods of death. Isaiah tells them they had chosen death gods rather than the God of life. 


So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone,
    a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who relies on it
    will never be stricken with panic.
17 I will make justice the measuring line
    and righteousness the plumb line;
hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie,
    and water will overflow your hiding place.
18 Your covenant with death will be annulled;
    your agreement with the realm of the dead will not stand.
When the overwhelming scourge sweeps by,
    you will be beaten down by it." Isaiah 28:16-18

Isaiah is talking about the coming Messiah. Jesus' crowd would have known about this prophecy. When Jesus says to build on Him they know He's calling Himself the Cornerstone. 

Jesus has given us all the materials. Jesus has given us all the plans. We have a choice on how we build.

There is heaven and hell. Choose the foundation. Choose heaven. 

Jesus probably was a bit frustrated as to why people just don't do what He says. Just do the right thing.

We've been given everything. There's nothing God can't do through us if we let Him. We have to hold ourselves to a higher standard. Yes, we have to dig through the clay. It's hard work!

 “As for you, son of man, your people are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, ‘Come and hear the message that has come from the Lord.’ 31 My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. 32 Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice." Ezekiel 33:30-32

Jesus is not an entertainer. We have no excuse.

Building on the Solid Rock.

1. Dig deep into the Word, get a solid foundation so that when challenges come, we stand (Hear the Word). We each have to build our own foundation, our own faith house.

2. The storms are coming.

3. Build on that foundation (Do what I say).

Our lives need to be laid out in the foundation. Work on till it is finished. Houses are never finished. Hear Me and Do My words.

Just do what He says.

Am I building on the rock?

We're all unfinished.

What are we doing now?

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Recharging our spiritual batteries

1/13/2019

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29 "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." Acts 4:29-31

This was after Pentecost when the disciples were initially filled with the Holy Spirit. In this passage it is talking about a refilling, or a recharging by the Holy Spirit. There are two different Greek words for our word "filling."

Rechargeable Battery Characteristics (when they are recharged):
1. Original chemical battery composition restored.
2. Recharge 100% efficiently -- should be able to do this 100s of times!
3. Recharge safely.
4. Return to their original state.

If we're going to use energy we need to be recharged.

Instances when Christians were recharged/refilled by the Holy Spirit:

--"Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!" Acts 4:8

-- "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." Acts 4:31

-- "Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said," Acts 13:9

Why do we need refilling?

Initial filling is at salvation which leads to regeneration.

Through salvation the Holy Spirit dwells in us. He won't leave. However, we need to be recharged. 

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
2 Corinthians 4:7

We are jars of clay -- we leak out. Clay is porous, has holes. It has a tendence to absorb and leak. 

 "be filled with the Spirit," Ephesians 5:18b

The following verse uses the same form of "fill" as a continuous filling:

"When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away." Matthew 13:48

This full is of a net that can be refilled. It was full to being crammed with fish. We can be crammed full of the Spirit. Crammed as full as you can get!

"The true measure of a spiritual life is not how much you get, but how much you give, how much the Spirit flows through you."

The Spirit wants to make us into people who love and give.

"No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit." 1 John 4:12-13

If you don't let the Spirit out no one will see anything.

"the desire to be filled (by the Spirit) must be all consuming." A.Z. Tozar

God will fill you if you ask. So, how to be refilled.

1. Need to have that initial filling, the salvation filling. 


"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6

2. Be daily in the Word and in prayer.

Like a farmer -- set the enviroment. Prep the field. If we want our yields to increase, we have to work the "soil" of our hearts.

3. Be sold out to God -- He has to have the first priority in our lives. Be All in!


"All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.​" Actts 2:44-45

4. Praise -- an essential part of drawing near to God. 
Praise will change us -- Praise will put our eyes on God.


"At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do." Luke 10:21

Even Jesus did this!

5. Spread the Gospel -- discharge the energy!

A battery will be able to hold its charge better and longer if it is allowed to drain and then be refilled. Same as us. We need to give all we have away and God will refill us. We have to let go and let God live through us.

We receive power for a purpose, for God's purposes, for other people. When we commit to God we will see His commitment to us. The only limits are in us. We are batteries. We aren't the power source. 


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The Sheep and the Shepherd

1/6/2019

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"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2  Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100

Sheep -- not too smart but quite lovable!


The psalm gives us several commands that will lead us how to live worshipful lives.

1. Shout for joy! to the Lord all the earth!!

"This is a joy so big it has to come out large. 
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
    burst into jubilant song with music;
5 make music to the Lord with the harp,
    with the harp and the sound of singing,
6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn--
    shout for joy before the Lord, the King." Psalm 98:4-6

Think of when David was dancing before the ark of the Covenant. He got this verse! A man after God's own heart! He loved God. We need to love God too.

2. Worship the Lord with gladness.

Be happy we have the King we have. 

21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.Come and share your master’s happiness!’" Matthew 25:21

This is how we should be looking at God. Sometimes we forget to praise.

3. Come before the Lord with singing.

Sing no matter what the circumstances.That singing will lift your heart!

"God sets the lonely in families,[a]
    he leads out the prisoners with singing;
    but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land." Psalm 68:6

4. Know that the Lord is God.

My body knows it needs to breathe. It does it on its own. We can get our spirits to the same place where praise becomes second nature!

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27

When we aren't listening for someone in a place of distraction we won't hear them. If we want to hear from God we need to be listening for Him. His whisper will be like a roar in our ears.

5. Enter His gates with Thanksgiving.

David was a shepherd who became king. Jesus was the King who became The Shepherd.

Be grateful you have a gate to go to.
 
"
Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep." John 10:7

Jesus is our gate!

6. Be thankful unto Him.

"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:17

7. Bless His name.

"and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
    wisdom and power are his." Daniel 2:20

The names of God are powerful.

The word "god" is a generic term. The specific names of God mean something. We lose a lot in our English translations. We are the sheep. Sometimes we are frustrating. We need a shepherd to herd us. We were not meant to be without Him, not meant to be alone. We don't do well without God. Jesus is always with us doing His job as our Shepherd.

We have not only a shepherd. We have The Shepherd.

A wandering lamb was a problem -- could cause others to wander. Break its leg and carry it until it was healed. It would learn to follow because of its total dependence on the shepherd for everything. The discipline is for our benefit (not God's.)

1. Certified Shepherd by the Great Shepherd 40 times God is called The Shepherd and Jesus is the Son of God.
2. The Chief Shepherd 1 Peter 5:4
3. The Crucified Shepherd Matthew 26:31
4. The Caring Shepherd 1 Peter 5:7
5. The Common Shepherd Genesis 46:34

A shepherd is not a high position. In fact, it was the lowest position. 

​6. The Compassionate Shepherd Mark 6:34

Jesus didn't have to heal or preach to the big crowds. That wasn't exactly why He came to earth. He did because He loved them. He had compassion on them.

7. The Good Shepherd John 10:11-14
Hebrews 13:20
John 10:1
John 10:35
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    Shannon Hinrichs

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