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Full Circle

4/21/2019

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5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Luke 24:5-7

He is risen!

It has come full circle.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1

God created all of creation with a purpose, with the concept it would be everlasting. 

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” Genesis 1:26

Jesus was there from the very beginning. Creation was created to be without death, without fault. The world as we see it today wasn't what God intended. When humans fell, they took all of creation with them.

"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." Romans 1:20

God shares His art with us daily. We have no excuse to doubt that there is a Creator. 

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

He taught. He healed. He walked the earth so people got to know Him and the Father. He cried. He was hungry. He felt fear and anxiety. He knew what was going to happen, but He did it anyway. 

 "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[a] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6-7

"Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."
John 12:23-24

He stayed and He died and He rose again.

There was no other way we could be saved. Jesus said, "It is finished." He did this because He wanted to.

"In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Luke 24:5-7

When Jesus rose from the dead, it changed everything! Jesus conquered sin and then He conquered death. He was and He is. No other religion worships a living God. Understanding Jesus is understanding God. 

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10

Put the energy into the relationship with Jesus He deserves. Jesus laid it all out. There's more to Jesus than just a life in heaven after you die. Every knee will bow in the end. Why not bow now?

"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;" John 11:25

 "They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph overthem because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” Revelation 17:14

"Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life." Revelation 21:27

He is risen!
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Wide, Long, High and Deep

4/7/2019

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"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 heartsthrough 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

The ones loved the most are the ones that are the most tattered (talking about beloved toys, but often applies to people as well). They are irreplaceable.

We are made irreplaceably beautiful by the love of God.

"so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love," Ephesians 3:17

1. Rooted and Established

Rooted -- like a great tree. Some wild fig trees have 400 ft deep roots. And the roots are connected to all the other trees (of the same species) near it.

2. Deep and Connected.
Firmly established, foundation of bedrock.

Rooted and loved established -- talking about Agape love -- the love that loves no matter what. God's love or the love we should have. Absolute, sacrificial love.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

It's a decision-made love. I'm choosing to love. The love that comes from the Giver. I'll love you whether you want me to or not.

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." 1 John 3:1

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"1 John 4:10

God's love is a free gift. We aren't worth, but I love you anyway.

​"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love5 he[a] predestined us for adoption to sonship[b] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." Ephesians 1:4-6

God's love for us came before the creation of the world. God did it anyway. He's big enough to pick us up. 

"And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:5

Solid foundation. God's love is like the air we breathe.

Take all this from head to heart.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[a]
"37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerorsthrough him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b]neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35-39

"may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deepis the love of Christ," Ephesians 3:18

1st of all we have to want God's love. Read the Bible, pray and take action.
2nd, hang out with God's people. God's love seen and shared.

"Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God." Romans 3:19

It is way beyond me. We don't need to know why God loves us. What do we do about it? 

Be familiar with Him through the Word of God and prayer.
​Dwell with Him!
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Beware the yeast

3/31/2019

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"To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else,Jesus told this parable:" Luke 18:9

Some of Jesus' followers fit into this category. This warning is for us.

What is righteousness?
What it means biblically is "Being justified" not being morally right.

The word that is used in the Bible is Sadaqa which means "the righteousness of grace given solely by God."

“My people, what have I done to you?
    How have I burdened you? Answer me.
4 I brought you up out of Egypt
    and redeemed you from the land of slavery.
I sent Moses to lead you,
    also Aaron and Miriam.
5 My people, remember
    what Balak king of Moab plotted
    and what Balaam son of Beor answered.
Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal,
    that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.” Micah 6:3-5

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector." Luke 18:10

This a parable of comparisons. There were 2 men. The Pharisee was held up in society as the righteous one. The tax collectors were considered the lowest of the low in Society. They were Jewish but worked for the Romans, the enemy. Both men were Jewish. Both men went to worship.

"The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’" Luke 18:11-12

Both men separated themselves off from others. The pharisee stood apart because he didn't want to touch an unclean person. He was following his rules. 

Do we do this? We'd say no. How many of us think of our lives as set on a scale? Like we are better or worse than others? Do we think of our salvation this way? There's nothing we can put on the "good" side of the scale without Christ. 

The tax collector separated himself by staying back, just over the threshhold, standing away from everyone else because he didn't feel worthy.

2 times a day were open prayer time at the temple -- Dawn and 3 p.m.

Prayer should be: confession of sins; thanks for bounty received; and petition for help for yourself and others.  This pharisee's "prayer" was spoken out loud. He saw the Law as a garden that needed protecting from others. The law required fasting only once on the annual day of atonement. Pharisees made the law that people should fast two days before and after the day of Atonement. THIS Pharisee said he fasted 2 days a week! The Law said the tithe was to be from food, from things watched over; things that grew from the ground. THIS Pharisee said he tithes everything. This "prayer" was all about him.

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ Luke 18:13

The tax collector came humbly. He beat his breast. The only other time in scripture we are told people were beating their breasts was when Jesus was crucified and the sky became dark and there was an earthquake. Also, usually it was just women who beat their breast in prayer.

Jesus is comparing these two men: A and B.
Do we come proud or humble to God?

"God, have mercy on me, a sinner." Here mercy means "Atone for me, a sinner."

It's not about the Law. It's about relationship.

"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." James 2:10

On a daily basis we all fall short. Paul talks about this. He was a pharisee of pharisees. He was on fire for the Law. He had everything "right" until he met Jesus.

"What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith." Philippians 3:8-9

God's righteousness is the only righteousness we will ever have.

Keep this in mind when we pray.

Confession is hard. It means we take personal responsibility. We must grieve over our own sin. 

 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” Mark 8:15

This is a warning from Jesus to us.

Don't put yourself above anyone. Without Jesus we are nothing. There's no one who knows it all. Rip off the bandaid daily! Acknowledge the blood of Christ. Bring all to Jesus.

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Radical Change

3/24/2019

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"Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signsyou are doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]”"
John 3:1-3

Nicodemus was a member of the ruling council, a pharisee and a mature man (he was not young). He was aware of Jesus and he acknowledged Jesus. BUT, he came alone at night. He doesn't acknowledge Jesus in public though. Jesus knows what's really going on inside Nicodemus. He says to him,

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]” John 3:3

Jesus knew his heart. Nicodemus was wondering what Jesus had that he could add to what he already had? He was hoping for a self-improvement class from him. 

Jesus says He wants all or nothing. Gospel doesn't add to who we are. Gospel gets rid of who we are and makes us new creatures. It transforms us. Tear down and start over. We can't just add Jesus to our ready-made life. Jesus must become our life. 

Am I Nicodemus? Am I trying to do it my way rather than Jesus' way?

 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” John 3:4

"Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit." John 3:5

Water is the justification, the forgiveness of our sins. Can't have the Spirit without repentance.

"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impuritiesand from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:25-26

Nicodemus didn't think he needed new birth.

"Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[a] gives birth to spirit." John 3:6

Jesus didn't give Nicodemus easy answers. He didn't give him steps to take to be saved. 

"You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[a]must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”[b]" John 3:7-8

You can't give yourself new birth. Nicodemus was probably offended by this point.

“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?" John 3:9-12

Are you, am I, leaning on our own understanding?

 "one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.[a] 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[b] 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”" John 3:13-15

God's message is confrontational. Nicodemus would have got this reference. The people who were bitten by the snakes had to look to the snake, to the representation of their own sin, to be saved. Just like we do with Jesus -- who became our sin on the cross.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

We did nothing to deserve salvation. Jesus struck Paul blind so Paul could see. Pharisees weren't made overnight. We are nothing without Him. Are you part of the radical change or are you a pharisee? The Cross is uncomfortable. Carrying the cross is uncomfortable. If it isn't, then something's wrong.
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Watch Your Back

3/17/2019

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“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36

We can't look to the world for guidance.

The world creeps in. 

Christ is returning. He is coming back. 

What do we do with our days.

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23

All this stuff happens slowly: addictions. We have a finite amount of time in our day. Am I pushing God out?

Starts with a little slip, then a slide. Watch your back If you feel yourself sliding, stop. If we are in the world, it will affect us. They want to call the Bible hate speech (in California). All of this can harden our hearts. Is the world super alive to us and God dead to us? 

"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21

Is my heart hardened toward others? Seek the lost. Do as I do. If we're pushing God out we are letting the world in.

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:15-17

If you water down the gospel you will lead people astray So easy to get comfortable with the things of the world. We've allowed the world to influence us.

We need to reset our spiritual life.  Have we tried turning off the world in our lives?

"Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites,
    because the Lord has a charge to bring
    against you who live in the land:
“There is no faithfulness, no love,
    no acknowledgment of God in the land.
2 There is only cursing,[a] lying and murder,
    stealing and adultery;
they break all bounds,
    and bloodshed follows bloodshed." Hosea 4:1-2

Look for signs of life!

​1. Open eyes -- Look for God. He is everywhere.

"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." Romans 1:20

2. Sense of urgency

As we get closer to the end time will go faster. 

"Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." Revelation 1:3

3. Increase in the presence of God.

"You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11

If we don't spend enough time in the presence of God, standing before Him will be scary. Heaven is being the presence of God. We gotta prepare to go home. Every day prepare to go home.

4. Increase in praise.

"Praise the Lord.[a]
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
    praise him in the heights above.
2 Praise him, all his angels;
    praise him, all his heavenly hosts." Psalm 148:1-2

5. Compassion Intensifies.

"Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." 1 Peter 3:8

"As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes." Luke 19:41-42

When we harden ourselves we lose our compassion for others and separate ourselves from God. If God hadn't intervened, where would we be? 

There are times to look at our past -- look for God there and leave it alone.

There are times to look at our present -- look for God and live.

There are times to look to our future -- look for God.

6. Alive in Christ = dead to the world.

"In the same way, count yourselves dead to sinbut alive to God in Christ Jesus." Romans 6:11

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Read His word.
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The Fig Tree

3/10/2019

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The story of Jesus cursing the poor fig tree has always bothered me a bit. The scripture says it wasn't the season for fruit so I thought it wasn't really the fig tree's fault it didn't have fruit. This talk has made me feel a whole lot better about this story. If you ever read something in scripture that bothers you do some research. God is good all the time. If we think something is wrong that He does, it is usually because we don't understan the entire situation.

I hope you enjoy this recording Shannon and I made called "The Fig Tree."
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Love According to Mr. Rogers

2/10/2019

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"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:7-10

God is love. God came first. God's love is there no matter what we've done. He loves us. We are His. God loves us anyway. He loves everybody whether they love Him or not.

"We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sisteris a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister." 1 John 4:19-21

"Deep inside of everyone is a feeling is a desire to be lovable." Fred Rogers

Love is an action.

"Love is like infinity . . . Infinity just is. That is what I think love is." Fred Rogers

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

Just accept God's love. Sometimes there's a tendency to give love out in little teaspoons. That isn't how God loves. That isn't how we ought to love either. 

Satan can't stop God's love. The world can't stop God's love. Nothing can stop us from expressing God's love -- no one or nothing.

The world's concept of love is the romantic kind --the Valentine's Day kind. God's love is so much bigger than this little bit. 

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8

The world gives "conditional Love." This isn't love at all really. It is the attitude, "How can I give to get?"

Everything God does -- He lays out an example. We were created to be more than we are by ourselves.

The world is starving for love. It is looking for it -- doesn't even know what it is looking for. People are so hungry for love. There is a worldwide poverty of love. We are here to share our endless supply of love with all around us.

"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 heartsthrough faith. And I pray that you, being rootedand 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 filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14-19

Be "rooted and established in love."

This love is power. It's a weapon against the world and against Satan. There is no end to God's love. 

What did Jesus say about love?

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," Matthew 5:43-44

Jesus died for us whether we accept Him or not.

"“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 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]" Matthew 22:36-39

When I am loving my neighbor I am loving God. Radical love. There's no one God doesn't love. There should be no one I don't love. 

"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[a] and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b]10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." Romans 13:8-10

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:16-18

This is our challenge!

Father loves the Son. Therefore, Father loves us through the Son. Therefore, We should love each other in the way of the Son.

He loved us enough to tell us about the Father.

"When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”" John 21:15-16

God sends us to share His love. Jesus asks each of us, "Do you love Me?"
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Fill Me Up, Lord!

2/3/2019

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"You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever." Psalm 23:5-6

We have  a cup. If we don't have God who fills it up, the world will fill our cup with a bunch of junk (or we will). The world is constantly saying we need to change our appearance (for example). It's a fallen world.

If you ask Jesus into your life, your heart will be full of Him -- your cup will be full of Him. You have a cup.

You are the cup!
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," Romans 8:1

"but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14

We need to keep ourselves full. 

Stagnant water is not a good thing. This isn't what Jesus is talking about. Still water is clean and pure. If we aren't constantly replenishing water, we're going to get stagnant (or the water will evaporate).

Get filled.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.​" Romans 15:13

"Fill you" means a continual filling, not a one-time event.

"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." Colossians 3:16 

It should be a continuous thing going on in our lives.

How do we get filled up?
1. Let the message dwell or live in your richly.

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

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5

We can choose to be ignorant. But when we do we will miss out on God.

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips;meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:8

If we overflow someone else will get the benefit too! 

The everlasting waters of Christ aren't just a sip or swallow. It's a raging torrent.

"Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:38

We should have a river overflowing -- people can be swept along in a very good way. 

When the pwoer of God is flowing out of me in a torrent the power can be defeafing (in a good way). It will not let the noise of the world get through. 

Jesus mentioned His cup twice (in the Garden). His cup allowed for our cup.

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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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    Shannon Hinrichs

    Dupree Baptist Church Pastor

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