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It's not about us. It's about Him!

9/5/2021

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"
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”[a] 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." Romans 15:1-9

We are called to be servants like Jesus Christ.

"When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.
 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." John 13:12-17

Jesus is clear. We are called to be servants.

The Time is Coming...


"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." 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Some of the people in our society who have the biggest titles and most fame or worldly success could be described by the above passage. We can't follow world thought or embrace what the world embraces.

Actions of Servants:

"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves." Romans 15:1


"To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." 1 Corinthians 9:22

There is a revival going on right now in India with the "Untouchables." They are the caste in India society that Mother Teresa worked with. What happens when these people get saved? They immediately ask what they can do to share what they just received. They are blessed in lacking in material goods but having great faith.

We need to seek out the "untouchables" in our society, the ones on the fringes of society; the ones the world says don't "deserve" people's time and attention; the ones who are lost and hurting and desperately want to fit in and be accepted by someone. People need us to look them in the eye and notice them.

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

"not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Philippians 2:4

We are here to fulfill the law of Christ. Jesus didn't wait for people to come to Him. He went to where they were. He sought the "untouchables." 

"Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant," Matthew 20:25-26

Again, Jesus is clear. 


"Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up." Romans 15:2

We are not here to please ourselves. 


"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." Romans 14:19

edification: building each other up.

The Place of Servanthood:


"No one should seek their own good, but the good of others." 1 Corinthians 10:24

"Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved." 
1 Corinthians 10:32-33

God said it doesn't matter what we eat or drink or whatever -- but don't cause others to stumble in your freedom. You have to know someone well to know what will make them stumble.

Single-mindedness of the Servant:


"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:5-6

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

We're not meant to be conceited. We are here to carry the burden. Keep knocking till someone answers.


​"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." Romans 15:7

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14

This is opposite of what the world promotes.

Let Servanthood be Your Joy:


"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

(If you want a copy of the study we do on Monday night that relates to the sermon from the Sunday before, click here and I will email you a copy.)

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Community

8/23/2021

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Picture




Redwood trees grow to 300 feet tall, taller than the Statue of Liberty! And some are 2500 years old!

​They are massive. But they can't survive on their own because their roots are shallow.

Picture




They survive because their roots intertwine -- the trees support each other. 

"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:42-47

This is an example of the first church. Church was made up of Believers of all different walks of life. Prior to this, worship at the Jewish synagogue was about The Jewish people worshiping God. The church excludes no one.  A totally new concept at the time! The Jewish religion had a high priest -- the church no longer needed one because Jesus is the high priest and we are all called to be priests of God. The Jewish religion excluded gentiles. The Church welcomes everyone.

The church was at the center of the Believers' lives. Today, we have lost that and churches are dying. 

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

We gotta stay together. We need each other.

"We are unified by our common weaknesses, our common failures and our common disappointments and our common inconsistencies." Henri Nouwen

The New Testament Church:


1. Everyone baptized in the Spirit -- had Received the Spirit.

"When the day of Pentecost
 came, they were all together in one place." Acts 2:1

2. Accepted the Message of Jesus.

"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day." Acts 2:41

3. Devoted to Teaching and Fellowship.

"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching
 and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Acts 2:42
​
It wasn't until the 1500s that we had Bibles. Medieval churches might have had one book of the Bible. 

Why we need each other in the Church:

Strength: There is strength in numbers. We give each other strength. We encourage each other.

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A 
cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12

 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
1 Thessalonians 5:11

When those storms come we will fail of we try to stand alone, stay isolate.d

The worst a Christian wil experience is this life. The best nonbelievers will experience is this life. This is the hardest we will ever have it.

"And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven." james 5;15

And we can pray for each other.

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

And we can lean on each other.

Ministry: Each one of us has been tasked with the Great Commission:

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”" Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus said GO! This is not a suggestion.

"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,
 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up" Ephesians 4:11-12

We are equipped to go. We are not meant to just absorb and be entertained. Each of us is called to be Jesus's hands and feet. They were learning and studying so they could teach others.

Worship: corporate worship -- necessary for us.

"speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,
 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:19-20

"But you are a chosen people,
 a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

Discipleship: We each are growing or dying -- those are the only two options. Stagnation is dying.


 "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

We learn from each other.

"And the things you have heard me say
 in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." 2 Timothy 2:2

We need to be growing leaders from among us.

Represent the family of God to the world.

See God in action through us! Through our church!

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer
 to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," 1 Peter 3:15

"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,
 but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household," Ephesians 2:19

Therefore:

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Romans 12:10-13

This is what we are supposed to do!

A lot of pastors burn out -- most don't even last 3 years. We need to feed each other's fire. Let us then be a church of:

LOVE!
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12
FAITH!
"This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.
 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome," 1 John 5:2-3
ACTION!
 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’" Mathew 25:40 
  
If we aren't doing then we aren't following. Love the least of these.

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Controlling Anger

3/7/2021

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"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." James 1:19-20

The world is going to ward anger and name calling. in fact it is celebrating anger.

"Emotions are actually more contagious than the flu." Dr. Daniel Goldman

Anger started way back with Cain and Abel.

"Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;

    do not fret—it leads only to evil." Psalm 37:8

"because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." James 1:20

Is anger always wrong? No.

 “In your anger do not sin”[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry," Ephesians 4:26

Righteous anger vs. self-righteous anger:

256 bible verses on God's righteous anger (always dealing with sin, suffering or disobedience)

Human anger has stages
1. mild irritation
2. provoked frustration (these two stay in the thoughts -- they have to change in the  thoughts)
3. Personal indignation -- comes out in speech
4. Uncontrolled rage -- action

People express anger in different ways -- none are good: gossip, sarcasm, cussing, stonewalling, 
How do we stop ourselves before reacting badly?

"The words of the reckless pierce like swords,

    but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18

We have to control what comes out of us.

"Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;

    do not fret—it leads only to evil." Psalm 37:8

20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." James 1:20

We bank our anger -- store it up. it festers there. DON"T DO THIS!!

Anger damages people. Relationships.

Jesus called it RACA -- lashing out in anger.

"An angry person stirs up conflict,

    and a hot-tempered person commits many sins." Proverbs 29:22

"A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,

    but the one who is patient calms a quarrel." Proverbs 15:18

Take time to think before we react. What does your "idiot light" tell you? 

Fear, fatigue, frustration, regret and shame; hurt. These all can cause angry outbursts. Give others grace. Why are they angry? 

Own it -- If you are part of a conflict, you have a part in the conflict no matter how minor. Own that part you are part of -- take responsibility for it. We are called to be peacemakers.

The world is celebrating anger these days; victimhood; entitlement; it's all about victimood. Sometimes we have to choose to do right or to be right -- just because you are right doesn't mean you must demand people see you are right. Be silent about being right at times.

Our speech and actions should be intentional.

Jesus's anger -- he didn't take the bait ever. Jesus got angry because God's temple was being run over by thieves. They were hindering the people in their worship. They were making money on other people's need for worship.

"In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money.
 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables." John 2:14-15

This was righteous anger. He didn't hurt the people. He just got the junk out so the people could worship. He stayed and healed people afterwards.

SUMMARY:
If you do not control anger anger will control you.
Be in the world but not of it -- don't catch the world's anger.
Stop it before it becomes action.
Choose righteousness over being right. Be the peacemaker.

"Fools give full vent to their rage,

    but the wise bring calm in the end." Proverbs 29:11
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Gifts of the Spirit -- your very own Superpower!

2/28/2021

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"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it[a] says:

“When he ascended on high,
    he took many captives
    and gave gifts to his people.”[b]" Ephesians 4:4-8

This passage has a list of Ones:
-- one Body of Believers
-- One Spirit
-- One Hope for Salvation
-- One Lord -- JESUS!
-- One Faith -- Christianity
-- One baptism
-- One God and Father


"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." 1 Corinthians 12:7

Gifts are given by the Spirit as He sees fit. Think of the gifts as tools. Tools do do God's work with. We are given them individually -- we each have at least one. We have different gifts for a purpose. Manifestation -- display of the Spirit in each of us for the purpose of building up the Body and to bring the Body of Christ to maturity.

"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." Romans 12:4-8

What you want might not be what God gives you. He gives us what the church needs.

8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,
 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines." 1 Corinthians 12:8-11

It's not about us. It's about Him.

The gift of Faith -- it is a deeper kind of faith, the kind that can bolster the whole body to believe.

"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,
 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-13

Roles for you?

We won't attain our full measure of maturity if we aren't fulfilling our roles. Gifts are tools so we can go to work.

"And God has placed in the church
 first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues." 1 Corinthians 12:28

It's not forced on us. He doesn't make us use the gifts He gives us. BUT we will be held accountable and responsible for what we did with what He gave us.

USE IT OR LOSE IT -- Do you want to hear:

“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 25:23

OR

28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags.
 29 For 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 25:28-29

Once you start using your gift it will grow. And you need to refine it. Keep using it. Keep seeing it grow.

HOW TO DISCOVER AND CULTIVATE YOUR GIFT(S):

1. Pray about it -- seek revelation from God. Read His Word (and there are tons of surveys online to help you figure it out).

2. Ask someone else what they think your gifts are. Sometimes it can be seen easier from the outside than from the inside.


3. Keep everything in perspective. These are gifts from God (not talents). You aren't going to get rich or famous using these gifts. These are for God's purposes.

Develop your gift. Practice it.

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Loving the Bride

2/14/2021

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15 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.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep." John 21:15-17

Jesus asks us to feed and care for His Church, His Bride. 




"4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 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." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

This is how we are to love Jesus's Bride -- the Church we are part of.

"25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church-- 30 for we are members of his body." Ephesians 5:25-30

"We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19

HOW TO CARE FOR THE CHURCH:


1. Spend Time with Her:

We need to be there. We need to be there on Sunday mornings. We need to be present with the church.

"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”" Matthew 18:20

Get together and encourage each other.

"Dear friends, let us love one another,
 for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7

2. Offer Words of Comfort:

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
 but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

Our speech has power. Gossip and grumbling will destroy a church. Gather together in love. Don't take offense. Don't leave just because someone hurts your feelings. Work it out. We're family.

"If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing." 1 Corinthian 13:1-3

Love each other! Show patience and kindness always.

3. Invest ourselves in this relationship:

Participate. Ask what is needed. Take initiative. Show interest. Give your time, effort labor. Be there. It is Your church. Three times Jesus asked Peter -- do you love Me? If so, take care of my people.


"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:14

Be involved now. Jesus asks us too to take care of His church.

4. Make sure it grows:

What do sheep give? Wool and more sheep. Grow the flock. Draw more people with the church.

"44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.
 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Act 2:44-47

When we take care of each other and those in need we will grow. Constant sharing, constant giving; Trace the word LOVE in other people's hands.


"23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." John 14:23

“A new command
 I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34

Jesus loved without expectation. Jesus loves everyone. We love by taking care of each other. Jesus asks us to take care of His Bride. Please feed His sheep.

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The Promises of Jesus, Part 1

11/15/2020

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The Promises of Jesus  Part 1
 
We have been given so much, but we need to remember that the best is yet to come. The promises of God have always come true, we see that in the bible, and the promises of Jesus are something we can cling to.  Today we are going to talk about just three of the promises Jesus gave to all of us who are true believers.
 
 
  1. Life
Matthew 16: 24-25
  a
 
Conditional: Deny yourself – lose your life to find it. But what we gain is so much more!
 
Luke 14: 27
  •  And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple
 
1 Peter 4: 1-2  Jesus didn’t ask us to do anything He didn’t do himself
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
 
Rich young ruler Mark 10
 
21-22  21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
 
John 10:10   Abundant Life
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
  1. Acceptance.  Condition – come to me.
John 6:37
All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away
Guaranteed acceptance is hard to come by, but this is a promise of Jesus!
John 17:20-24
 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
John 10:28-30  No one will snatch them
28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[a]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
 
Matthew 11:28
 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Romans 5: 1-2
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God.
John 15:15
15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
 
 
 
  1. The Promise of Reward – Condition: sacrifice
Mark 10: 29-31
29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
 
It is easy to follow the promise of immediate gain to self- to obtain the promises of Jesus takes patience and sacrifice.
 
Nothing we can ever surrender can exceed the gains promised by Jesus – nor can we sacrifice more than Jesus did to provide us with  the promise of gain!
 
Matthew 5: 10-11
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
 
Luke 22: 28-30
28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
 
 
 
 
 
Revelation 2 :8-11
8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
 
Revelation 3: 7-13
7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
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Living Through the Eyes of God

9/13/2020

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"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10 

What does it mean to be a child of God?


"13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14

Created in our completeness.


Genesis 2:7
 "Then the Lord God formed a man[c] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." Genesis 2:7

"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day." Genesis 1:31

 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;" John 10:10a

Jesus did not come to show us how God would live on Earth if He were a man, but to show us how we should live on Earth when we are right with God.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

God offers us Abundant Life!
Not just enough – more than enough!
We just have to accept it. We need to know what God allows in our lives and how God answers our prayers and blesses us -- everything is for our best.

Satan came to kill and destroy…
- Destroy our self worth
-Destroy joy through fear
-Destroy our security through insecurity
-Destroy the fullness of life through thoughts of emptiness
-Destroy meaning of life through thoughts of meaningless
-Destroy our future through regrets

The degree that we see ourselves through God’s eyes is the degree that we are able to relate to others through the eyes of God. 

Get back to the Abundant life of a child of God
***Understand the promises of God

"You have granted him his heart’s desire
    and have not withheld the request of his lips" Psalm 21:2

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him." Jeremiah 17:7

The Eyes of God:

World sees God as a punisher
God as El Shaddai – God All Powerful

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19

Start Living Through The Eyes of God:
"God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God"
2 Corinthians 5:21

"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

These verses tell us how God sees us!

Love Yourself as The Father Sees You:
God’s affirming love…
  -You are not who you are when you are weak
  -You are not who you are when you fail
  -You are not who you are when you sin
You are who you are through the eyes of God!
  Not defined by your past but by your future
  Not defined by your circumstances  but by your calling
  Not defined by your failures but by your future

Live the Fearless Life that God intended for You:
"Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[a] Father.” Galatians 4:6

"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father." Romans 8:15
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Education Doesn't End At The Pulpit: The importance of Sunday School

9/6/2020

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The Origins of Sunday School:

Sunday School began in England in the 1780s. According to ChristianityToday.com, "It is important to realize that Sunday schools were originally literally schools: they were places were poor children could learn to read. The Sunday school movement began in Britain in the 1780s. The Industrial Revolution had resulted in many children spending all week long working in factories. Christian philanthropists wanted to free these children from a life of illiteracy. Well into the 19th century, working hours were long. The first modest legislative restrictions came in 1802. This resulted in limiting the number of hours a child could work per day to 12! This limit was not lowered again until 1844. Moreover, Saturday was part of the regular work week. Sunday, therefore, was the only available time for these children to gain some education.
      "The English Anglican evangelical Robert Raikes (1725-1811) was the key promoter of the movement. It soon spread to America as well. Denominations and non-denominational organizations caught the vision and energetically began to create Sunday schools."

Sunday School began in the USA in the 1800s. A man named Edward Kimball led D.L. Moody to the Lord through Sunday School. Kimball took Moody under his wing (Moody was a young boy).

God calls us to educate ourselves in His Word and in our faith outside of preaching.

4 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as [b]frontals [c]on your forehead. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:4-9

It takes the loss of just one generation to  lose it all!

"All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel." Judges 2:10-11

If we let up on educating ourselves, our children, our church family, we will see our churches die. We will see people walk away.

"18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 [a]Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you [b]always, even to the end of the age.”" Matthew 28:18-19

This is a responsibility Jesus has given all of His followers. 

We need to be life-long learners of the Word and the life of Faith:

"9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
10 With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
11 Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O Lord;
Teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I have told of
All the ordinances of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
[a]As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts
And [b]regard Your ways.
16 I shall [c]delight in Your statutes;
I shall not forget Your word." Psalm 119:9-16

Sunday School can give us a fundamental understanding of the basics of the faith:
•Life, death and resurrection of Jesus
•Holy Trinity
•Inerrant Word of God
•The purpose of church
•Service
•Love, humility, grace, kindness,  all virtues
•Relevancy of the bible in today’s world

What is going on in Sunday School right now across the nation?

“Sunday Schools simply do not provide the quality of teaching and experience that people demand today in exchange for their time."
                                            George Barna

People just don't think Sunday School is worth their time.

Purpose of Sunday School:
•Augment what is done in the home

•Discipleship

•Peer lead study and discussion

•Relationships

•Church growth and health

•Leadership development

What do we want from Sunday School?

This is a question for everyone to answer.....
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The Blessing and Purpose of Family

7/26/2020

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7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:71-11

God set the family as an example of His love and the trinity from the beginning.


"21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs[a] and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib[b] he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man." Genesis 2:21-24

Back in Jesus' time unmarried sons would stay with family until marriage; and then marriage the husband was responsible for the family. 

In the USA:
1860s -- 1 out of 34 marriages ended in divorce.
​1900 -- 1 out of 5 marriages ended in divorce
Now -- 1 out of every 2. No difference between Christian and nonchristian marriages.

God knew Adam shouldn't be alone so He gave Adam Eve.


"God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”" Genesis 1:28

And then again in Genesis 9:7 God says the same thing:

"As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.”" Genesis 9:7

God' purpose didn't change when He "reset" the world with Noah and Noah's family.

God calls whole families, not just individuals:

He called Abraham:
"So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there." Genesis 12:4-5

He called all of Abraham's ancestors!

The Role of Families:

1. Families are meant to stay together:

“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’[a] 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’[b]? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”" Matthew 19:4-6

They will become one flesh. What if everyone had to have their right arms cut off when they divorced??? There would be much fewer divorces. 

People who don't have families suffer. The decision to come together in marriage shouldn't be taken lightly.

Children are a blessing from God.


"Children are a heritage from the Lord,

    offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents in court." Psalm 127:3-5

No birth is ever a mistake! God creates every life. 

2. Christian Families are an evangelistic tool.

Tool for saving a lost world!

"Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
    who walk in obedience to him.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;
    blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
    around your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessing
    for the man who fears the Lord." Psalm 128:1-4

3. Family is where we learn to love and nurture.


"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself." Ephesians 5:25-28

​"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”" John 13:35

4. Family is where we learn values and gain character.


"Start children off on the way they should go,
    and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.
 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:6-9

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise-- 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”[a] 4 Fathers,[b] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:1-4

We learn forgiveness in the family -- how to ask for it and how to give it (so, human parents are ideal -- not perfect parents). 

5. Our Family is meant to be an example of God's family.


How could God explaiin His love without the illustration of the family?



"While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”" Matthew 12:46-50

Christian famliies explain the concept of family to others.

"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.”" Romans 8;15

Nobody deserves salvation or God's love; but God will give both if we ask. He gives love no matter what. He will give salvation to anyone who asks.

 "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--
 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God."
John 1:12-13

We have a perfect Father!

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    Shannon Hinrichs

    Dupree Baptist Church Pastor

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