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Do you have ears?

10/28/2018

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"Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Matthew 13:9

White noise, so much noise in our world to distract us. Bombarded with tons of messages. 

"Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”" Matthew 13:2-9
 
Parables were a new way of teaching for the disciples. 


"The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them." Matthew 13:10-12

Are we getting numb to God and His word?


God spoke because someone was listening.

"This is why I speak to them in parables:
“Though seeing, they do not see;
    though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving." Matthew 13:13-14

Some of them just don't want to hear it. We need to have intentional listening.


Intentionally listen to God.

It's easy to get distracted.

Jesus says there is a purpose.

"But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." Matthew 13:16-17

Are we shutting God out? Are we callous to God?


“Consider carefully what you hear,”
 he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more." Mark 4:24

You listen to me -- you're going to hear something.

The more you listen the more you'll hear.

Why bother to listen?


“Come, all you who are thirsty,
    come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
    and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
    and you will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
    listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
    my faithful love promised to David." Isaiah 55:1-3

God says focus on what's important. Focus on God first.


"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened." Romans 1:18-21

If we don't glorify God and give Him thanks, we can grow hard toward God.

If God is living and active, what are we doing about this?  How do we listen?  

Listen through the Spirit.


"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come." John 16:13

"Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.
 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:20-21

If we want to speak we need to listen.


"However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”[a]--
    the things God has prepared for those who love him--
10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." 2 Corinthians 2:9-10


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

The knew the shepherd so well His voice was unmistakable.

Wod of God has to be our foundation.

God's waiting for us, waiting to hear from us, waiting for us to listen.

Have you listened?

Are you listening?
​


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Who is your God?

10/21/2018

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 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 “You shall have no other gods before[a] me." Exodus 20:2-3

So many gods, so many different things people worship. Back in history the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, most all cultures had several gods. 


"So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things cameand through whom we live." 1 Corinthians 8:4-6

We have just one God. The one true God! Everyone has a god (or The God).  Martin Luther said a person's god was whatever that person sought for refuge in time of need.

Pascal said every person has a God-shaped vacuum in his/her heart. What are we filling it with?

(Some of the) Gods of the Modern Age:

Success:  How many people lose all their integrity, their families, their very souls to get success!

Society: governments like communism, materialism, living for government.

Pleasure: We will sacrifice anything to make ourselves happy, to be entertained: drugs, alcohol, sex, addiction to electronics, to fun, vacation, concerts, partying, escapism, etc.

Self: Exercise stuff, spen all their time in front of a mirror trying to perfect the self. Love of self over all else can lead to divorce, abandoned children; tons of cosmetic surgery, tons of diets, try to change themselves, perfect themselves.

In this country, it is arguing over and over -- focus of our country. We've lost sight of the one true God!


"for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God," 1 Thessalonians 1:9

Thessalonica was known for making and selling idols. It was big business. 

Do we have the right God?

The world tells us that there are many ways to God -- tell us all religions are equal. God is the only God. All 66 books of the Bible say there is one God.


"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" John 14:6

This is an absolute!

You can't go to heaven without Jesus.

"Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.
 14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you;15 for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land. 16 Do not put the Lord your God to the test as you did at Massah." Deuteronomy 6:13-16

God is a jealous God. He wants you personally. I have to put God first in my life. 

YAHWEH= I am.

The oneness of God deserves the singlness of our hearts.

If we don't put God in front, He isn't our God.


"One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[b]" Mark 12:28-30

Everything else comes after this commandment. Our standard is God Almighty.

The first commandment is calling us to a life of commitment to God Almighty and His word, to a specific lifestyle.


"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33

If you want _________________ put God first.

We have to put God first or nothing else will work.

This is challenging.  You must do this. It is the choices we make. The Big Piece Must Be God.


“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40

Jesus had problems with Pharisees. They weren't following this. Instead they tried to keep 613 laws for living.  The laws and rules were more important to them than listening to and following God.

If we are loving God fully we will love our neighbors.


“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean." Matthew 23:25-26

Don't brag about outside. Get inside cleaned up first.

God is still God (no matter what).


Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?" Matthew 15:3

Why is anything more important than God in our lives?

“If you love me, keep my commands." John 14:15

Get working. Get loving. Get serving. Who is our God?  Who do we put first?

 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

Is God first in your life?

Is there evidence of this?

Are we visibly His disciples in the way we love?
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The 7th Element of Spiritual Warfare

10/14/2018

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"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." Ephesians 6:18

Praying in the Spirit


"I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49

The Spirit is fighting with us.

“‘In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams." Acts 2:17

Prayer is the breath of Christian life.

Prayer should be like oxygen for us.

Without prayer we will start to decay -- lack of prayer will make our hearts grow cold. We will just live in our heads.


"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God." Romans 8:26-27

So many times we struggle on what to pray. We don't need to fret -- the Spirit prays for us.  Praying in the Spirit is power. We are in a battle every day. Continue your connection with God always. We then will always be ready.

Pray individually and pray together. God will speak to you. It helps strengthen us. The Spirit will lift us up.


"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him."
1 John 5:14-15

Pray according to God's will.

Recognize who God is.

Pray according to His will. What God has in store for us is always good. God isn't Santa Claus.j

A.C.T.S.

Adoration -- Confession -- Thanksgiving -- Supplication

Adoration - recognize who God is.

"in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your paths straight.[a]" Proverbs 3:6

Confession -- without Christ there is no forgiveness.

9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

Confession is part of our individual relationship to God. Talk to God about everything.

Thanksgiving


"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Salvation paid for at a great price.

God does give. His grace is sufficient forever.

Supplication=the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly.

Come to me with your problems.

Lean on Me.

Give them to God and don't take them back. Give me enough for today. Think about your relationships. You need regular and frequent communication.  God wants to be part of your life always. He wants to be in the forefront of our minds. God's "waiting on the Phone" for your call. Spend time with Him. Do we live in a prayerful way? Stop long enough to listen.

"Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:14

"
I wait for the Lord

    more than watchmen wait for the morning,
    more than watchmen wait for the morning." Psalm 130:6


Wait for the Lord like a night watchman waits for the sun to come up.

Sometimes God blesses us with things we don't want. He can change us through things we don't anticipate.

Ask God to show you the blessing in the suffering.

Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.
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The Sword of the Spirit

10/7/2018

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(This is the fourth in a sermon series on the armor of God. I forgot to bring the recorder this week so I can only give you notes.)

"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17

The Sword of the Spirit is an offensive weapon. The Word of God is our offensive weapon against the spiritual forces that are against God and His kingdom.

Paul was very familiar with Roman armor and swords since he was guarded by Roman soldiers 24-7. The Roman sword was called a gladius.

Picture
It was a typical weapon for a Roman infantry soldier. See picture on right. It was a two-edged sword, very sharp, cut both ways.

It had two roles:

To Parry= a deflection of the enemy's weapons.

​To Thurst/Slash= offensive move -- used on the attack.

We are supposed to attack satan and his kingdom with the Word of God.

The Word of God Attributes:

It is Perfect.


"The law of the Lord is perfect,
    refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple." Psalm 19:7

It is Inerrant.

“Every word of God is flawless;

    he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." Proverbs 30:5

It is complete.

 "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.
 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll." Revelation 22:18-19

It is sufficient.

"All Scripture is God-breathed
 and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,"
2 Timothy 3:16

It is alive and active.

'For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:12-13

Jesus used the Word of God (If Jesus Himself who is the Word of God used it, how much more do we need to use it when we are attacked spiritually?)

In Matthew 4, Satan first attacks Jesus by telling Him to turn the stones into loaves of bread.

Jesus replies with a parry stroke (a deflection of the enemy's weapon). 

 "Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[a]” Matthew 4:4

Then, Satan tries to use the word against Jesus. Jesus again parries with the Sword of the Spirit.

"Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[a]”" Matthew 4:7

And finally, Satan tells him to serve satan and Satan will make it easy for Jesus. Jesus uses a thurst, an offensive move. He attacks Satan with the Word of God.

"Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[a]” Matthew 4:10

Soldiers constantly train with their weapons to get better with them and to stay skilled with them. We too need to train in the specific use of the Word.

"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." Romans 10:17

Paul stayed to share the Word of Christ. He stayed till his job was done.

"He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”" Luke 11:28

"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation," 1 Peter 2:2

We have to be craving the Word.

How much time do you spend in the Word?  The Word should be well-worn.

In addition to the joy and blessing of it, of God speaking directly to us through the Word, think about the planning and the intention it took for God to provide us with the Word of God; to give us the perfect sword; a creation we can hold (and read) in our hands.

It gets harder and sharper the more you work with it. Layers upon layers of wisdom.

The only problem is we don't spend enough time in it. 

We're at war.

Why aren't we sharpening our swords?  What aren't we training with it?

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel,
 because it is the power of Godthat brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." Romans 1:16

​What are you doing with it?




​

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    Shannon Hinrichs

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