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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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Who Is This?

4/14/2019

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The Triumphal Entry. When the Romans would have a victory parade, the leader would be led in with a powerful chariot. All his troops would be marching behind him. It was a big deal. They were conqueroring heroes!

Jesus came in a donkey in a victory parade of sorts (though humbly and nothing like the Roman parade). But excitement was in the air. 2.5 million people were in town for the passover.  Jesus was normally very quiet about his ministry. Would heal people and then tell them not to tell anyone about him. 

"Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” Matthew 8:4

Why did this happen? Did Jesus give the crowds what they wanted so all would see it wouldn't be as they thought it would? They wanted a conquering hero. Jesus came in on a donkey proclaiming peace, but there was no conquering Rome. He had to first conquer sin.

Remember the streets were crowded with people. Celebration feeling in the air. Parties. Reunions. People planning this for a year. 

"As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
"This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”[a] Matthew 21:1-5 (and quoting Zechariah 9:9)

Matthew was a Jewish writer writing to a Jewish audience. He knew how important it was to show that Jesus fulfilled prophecy.

"From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." Matthew 16:21

Jesus knew why He was going to Jerusalem. He had tried to prepare His disciples to face His death.

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29

John the Baptist knew who Jesus was right away!

Prior to going to Jerusalem, Jesus spent time with Lazarus, Martha and Mary in Bethany. Between Bethany and Jerusalem they would go over the Mount of Olives (called this because it was covered in Olive trees). Jesus would look down on Jerusalem before He arrived.
 "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

Jesus told the disciples where to find a donkey for the procession. They did exactly what He told them to do.

"The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on." Matthew 21:6-7

Cloaks and branches were laid down to cut the dust. This was the "red carpet" treatment!

 "A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna[a] to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b]
“Hosanna[c] in the highest heaven!” Matthew 21:8-9

Palm branches and the shout "Hosanna" were signs of victory. Hosanna is a victory chant. The city was shaken (like in an earthquake) with the crowd's enthusiasm. So much fanfare the ground shook. 

There people had huge expectations for Jesus, what Jesus would do for them. They thought they were going to gain from Jesus -- gain physical freedom from Rome. Be free from Rome's taxes. People quickly got disillusioned with Jesus because they didn't cash in with Jesus as they thought they would. Jesus never promises a life of ease. There is only one place in the Gospel where Jesus uses the word "easy."

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

God's great promise is His presence, not a life of ease. His promises aren't for material junk.

"When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophetfrom Nazareth in Galilee.”Matthew 21:10-11

(Where "stirred" is used in this verse is where the ground shook with excitement)

The people are shouting for Him. Jesus is in tears (see Luke 19:41-42) over their blindness.

 "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

They didn't get it. They didn't understand why Jesus was there. Nobody was getting it. They were twisting all of it to their own agendas. He promises redemption, His presence, Eternal life. Before victory there has to be the sacrifice for sin.

Jesus is coming back as a warrior eventually. See below:

"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean." Revelation 19:11-14

Jesus wasn't offering revolution but repentance on Palm Sunday. 

What does your life say Jesus is? When People see Jesus through you, what do they see?
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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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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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Recharging our spiritual batteries

1/13/2019

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why do we need refilling?

Initial filling is at salvation which leads to regeneration.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. Be daily in the Word and in prayer.

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

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

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

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

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

Even Jesus did this!

5. Spread the Gospel -- discharge the energy!

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

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

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The Sheep and the Shepherd

1/6/2019

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

Sheep -- not too smart but quite lovable!

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

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

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

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

2. Worship the Lord with gladness.

Be happy we have the King we have. 

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

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

3. Come before the Lord with singing.

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

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

4. Know that the Lord is God.

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

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

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

5. Enter His gates with Thanksgiving.

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

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

Jesus is our gate!

6. Be thankful unto Him.

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

7. Bless His name.

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

The names of God are powerful.

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

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

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

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

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

​6. The Compassionate Shepherd Mark 6:34
Jesus didn't have to heal or preach to the big crowds. That wasn't exactly why He came to earth. He did because He loved them. He had compassion on them.

7. The Good Shepherd John 10:11-14
Hebrews 13:20
John 10:1
John 10:35
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The Greatest Story Ever Told

12/23/2018

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“For God so loved the world, that He gave His [a]only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

Foundational.

Martin Luther called it, "The minature gospel."

Makes Satan shudder.

Lights pathway to heaven.
​
Let's break it down.

"FOR GOD"

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

"The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they have committed abominable [a]deeds;
There is no one who does good." Psalm 14:1

God exists.  There's no way not to see God. How can there be a creation without a Creator?

"SO LOVED"

Love is mentioned 56 times in the book of John.  Our imagination can't comprehend His love.  

"GOD LOVED"

 “The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples,8 but because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the Lordbrought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of [a]slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt." Deuteronomy 7:7-8

God's love began before time and will last after time.  A sinner cannot go to hell unloved.

"THE WORLD"

The world means people.  God loves everyone -- no qualifications, no limitations. There is no one God hasn't loved.  

"THAT HE GAVE"  giving with sacrifice; Himself -- His Son -- All He had.

Difference between our giving and His giving. He gave of Himself, gave all He had.

"THAT WHOSOEVER"

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

Whosoever means me -- you -- us.  Everyone's given this offer. God wants you.

"BELIEVES"

Nicodemus

"Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

No one can see the kingdom of God without being born again.  Every can have it.

"He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit," Titus 3:5

"IN HIM"

"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

"He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life." 1 John 5:12

Without Jesus we have nothing.

" *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." John 14:6

"SHALL NOT PERISH"

Noah--Lot--First Born--Rahab

Heaven to gain.

We weren't cretaed to be expendable.

We are travelers in this foreign land. When you come to the Father I'll give you everything.

"ETERNAL LIFE"

"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies," John 11:25

"In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men." John 1:4

"to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27

God paid what was necessary to redeem Me! He wants me. He wants all of us back. God doesn't put strings on His offer. Believe in Him.
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    Shannon Hinrichs

    Dupree Baptist Church Pastor

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