Dupree Baptist Church
  • Home
  • Pastor's Page
  • Family of God
  • Contact Information
  • Extras

Time to Get Salty!

1/10/2021

0 Comments

 
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." Matthew 5:13

What does the world need now?

It needs us to be the salt Jesus has called us to be! Jesus didn't come for political change. He came to change hearts, bring people back to the Father. We are meant to do this too.

Salt has many uses. There of those uses are:
1. Preservation
2. Flavoring
3. A Catalyst 
 

"
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

"
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6

We can add salt to any conversation. We in a way also preserve our society -- without us, without the Salt of the Holy Spirit, this world would a whole lot worse than it is now. We add flavor, the very best kind, to society and to our relationship. Let that salt of the Spirit come out. Let it do its job.

Salt was a catalyst for fire. Back in Jesus' time they had communal ovens. They put salt in the oven to help the fire burn hotter and cleaner and brighter. This is what we can do. This is our role too in society. 

We are called to continue the ministry of Jesus.

"All this is from God,
 who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:"       
2 Corinthians 5:18

We are to meant to be different from the world. Don't be like the world. Don't react to the world's drama. The world's people don't realize there is another way to live. We need to show them the other way, God's way.

"John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." Luke 3:16

Don't put yourself on the shelf.  Let us continue to be active salt.

"The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:24

The world needs us. How can we be salt in where we are at today?

0 Comments

The Promises of Jesus Part 2

11/22/2020

0 Comments

 
Today Shannon shares with us four promises Jesus gives His followers:

​1.Jesus Promises Revelation
John 14: 21
21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.
 
Building a relationship with Christ opens us up to a deeper understanding of God. There are truths that can only be understood from the inside.
 
The most intimate relationships reveal truths and love,
Everyone wants to know all the answers to life, that is human nature, but human nature’s wisdom is empty.
 
Condition for Promise: Whoever has my commands and keeps them.
Psalm 119: 4-6
4 You have laid down precepts
    that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
    in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame
    when I consider all your commands.
 
Revelation 2:17
17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
 
 
 
2. Jesus promises Friendship –

John 15: 14-15
14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 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
 
Jesus didn’t come to just build a bridge
He didn’t come to give us a get out of jail free card
He came to restore the intimacy and friendship between man and God.
The disciples asked Jesus how they should pray. This was an indicator that they did not know how to have a personal relationship. Jesus told them to start, “Our Father, who art in heaven, “
Matthew 12: 50
50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
 
Condition : doing the will of my father in heaven.
 
 
3. Jesus promises Joy:

John 15: 9-11
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
 
Joy comes from remaining in God’s love.
To remain in God’s love takes perseverance, because the world would like nothing more than to steal your joy.
 
 
David – a man after God’s own heart.
Psalm 27:5-7
5 For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
    above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
    I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.
 
Hebrews 12: 1-3
 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
 
4. Jesus Promises Trials
 
John 16: 31-33
31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. 32 “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
 
 
Matthew 5: 10-11
10 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
 
 1 Peter 4: 12-14
12 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.
 
2 Timothy 3: 12
12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
 
0 Comments

The Promises of Jesus, Part 1

11/15/2020

0 Comments

 
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.
0 Comments

Personal Responsibility

10/11/2020

0 Comments

 
We humans have been blaming others for our bad behavior since the beginning of time.

Adam blamed God and Eve for his sin.


"The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”" Genesis 3:12

Eve blamed the serpent:

"The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”" Genesis 3:13b

No matter how others treat us we are responsible for our responses. 

And Jesus said:


"There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day." John 12:48

He will ask each of us individually, Did you do what I told you to do?

46 “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." Luke 6:46-48

If we rely on someone else's faith it will fail. The world and Satan want to destroy yourr foundation.

Seek Maturity:


"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling," Philippians 2:12

Salvation -- what you do with it is how you mature.


"Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[a] make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble," 2 Peter 1:10

Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice your faith. It will get stronger and deeper the more you practice it.

When you get into the Word, when you get into a study you are practicing your faith.

"for each one should carry their own load." Galatians 6:5

We are so blessed! The Word is one of the biggest blessings God has given us. We have such a good Father. We have every resource we need to mature spiritually.


"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

"But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:48

Do something with what God has given you. 

In the parable of the talents, the 3rd servant blamed the master for his own lack of action. You are responsibly for how you respond to other people's actions (good or bad).

"Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[a] and of faith in God,
 2 instruction about cleansing rites,[b] the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so." Hebrews 6:1-3

Don't keep building the foundation over and over. Build on the foundation.

Seek Mature Spiritual Food:

"We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.
 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." Hebrews 5:11-14

Again ..... Practice.

Be who you are supposed to be! It's okay to be nervous to take the first step. The steps get easier and easier the more you take. Don't stop growing.

Be filled with knowledge and understanding:

9" For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[a]
 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God," Colossians 1:9-10

Knowledge, practice and education will help mature you spiritually.


"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. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:13-15

Grow up.
 
Self Evaluation:

Where am I at? How can I get closer to Jesus? Where do I need to go today? Is there anything holding me back from getting closer to Jesus?

Everyone starts at the same place spiritually -- 0. What would you like to have more of in your spiritual life?



0 Comments

Watch Your Mouth

6/7/2020

0 Comments

 
"Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check." James 3:1-2

This is a process. This is a serious thing. We will be held responsible for everything we say to others -- good and bad. When you teach or preach you say even more stuff! 

​"3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts." James 3:3-5a

The tongue is compared to a horse and a ship -- both are extremely powerful. The horse is guided by a piece of metal that can fit in a child's hand. The ship's rudder is 1/1000th the size of the ship.

People often say "it's just words" but it is never just words. 


Prevalence of Speech: 
The average person speaks 1/5 of their lives

A single day’s words would fill a 50 page book

A year’s words would fill 132 books of 200 pages each!

"Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." James 3:5b-6

The Chicago fire was started by one small lantern being kicked over. Our tongue is more powerful than a forest fire -- think of the California wild fires of last year. The property destroyed, the lives lost -- our tongue can do even more damage with its words!

The previous warnings of James:
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry," James 1:19

"Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless." James 1:26

Obviously this was a big problem in the early church and it is still a big problem. As long as humans are on earth we will need to be reminded to think before we speak; that words cannot be taken back; that a loose tongue is a weapon that does much damage.

 "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." Luke 6:45

We can't fake what is in our hearts. What is within us will come out in our speech. If a person is harsh very likely that person has anger in his/her heart. It is all about the heart.

"But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.” Matthew 15:18-20

We need to think before we speak. We must use a filter from our brains to our mouths. Some of us need new filters. Some of us still need filters.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." James 3:7

The word for poison here is venom -- the deadliest venom known to man. When we curse others or slander them this is no different than doing this to God. And that is bad...

" With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water." James 3:9-12

Words from Proverbs about the tongue and our speech:

12:18   The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

15:4   The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

17:27  The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,
    and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

18:21  The tongue has the power of life and death,
    and those who love it will eat its fruit

33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." Matthew 12:33-34

People are starving for positive words. We can start anywhere. We can bless others with kindness and kind words everywhere we go.

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." James 3:13


Humility comes from wisdom. Wisdom comes from God.

2 Corinthians 5:17
" Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!" 
Ephesians 5:4
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
Luke 6:28
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

These are learned behaviors. We have no excuse. If we have accepted Jesus we have the Holy Spirit who will guide us if we let Him.

"But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." James 3:14-16


"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness." James 3:17-18
0 Comments

Mirror, Mirror

3/29/2020

0 Comments

 
Shannon recorded this live on Facebook today. You can see that here if you'd like or you can listen to it below on the Youtube link. I happen to have Shannon's actual sermon notes today, so I will cut and paste those in this blog post. We are missing Sunday Service with everyone, but God will get us through this time and we can all get back together and shout Halleluia together! Below are Shannon's notes:

2 Timothy 3:16 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
Theopneustros – God Breathed.
2 Peter 1:21   21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:13  13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.
John 5:39  39 You study[a] the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,
 
Bible Facts/history
40 authors
Over period of 1500 yrs
Over 25,000 manuscripts – 98% accuracy
95% of entire bible accurate to other manuscripts
Most historically accurate documents in the world.
 
The bible is a mirror, not a window
Coloring book version – Samson, Noah, David and Goliath, Jonah
 
Example : Jonah 1:1-2   The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”
Nineveh was the capital of Assyrian Empire during the reign of King Hezekiah of Israel
Jonah rebels, flees
Great fish
Jonah 4:6-11 6 Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant[a] and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. 7 But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”
9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”
“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”
10 But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
 
How do we become a “man after God’s own heart” like David?
Joshua 1:8  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.
Psalm 1: 1-2  Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
 
 
  1. Read the bible for yourself.
Understand: God’s interactions with man
              God’s plan for redemption
              God’s promises
              God’s character
2 Timothy 2:15  15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
 
  1. Study the bible yourself
Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart
    that I might not sin against you.
Reading does not equal studying
Commentaries, bible study, Sunday school
 
  1. Meditate on the word
Edmund Burke “To read w/o reflecting is like eating w/o digesting”
Matthew 13:19 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path
 
  1. Apply the word
James 1:22 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
 
Let the Spirit lead
John 14:16-17  16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you.
John 16:13 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
 
The written word leads us to the Living Word
The word made text leads us to the Word made flesh. 

0 Comments

Learning Contentment

3/1/2020

0 Comments

 
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:4-19

Contentment isn't a given. It is a learned behavior/practice/outlook/feeling.

We are told we can't be content unless we ________. And then we chase after stuff and recognition and money...all the while never finding contentment. How much do we sacrifice to get some fleeting happiness?

Where we won't find contentment:
a. position/job
b. paycheck
c. stuff
d. another person
e. alcohol/drugs/entertainment

Compulsive gambling is on the rise. In South Dakota alone 105 million dollars were lost in the Casinos last year and 129 million lost to video lottery. 2.6 people out of every 1000 people in SD are divorced....No-fault divorce. 

Depression was 10 times higher after WWII than during the Great Depression. The More stuff we have the more depressed we get. The more primative a culture the less depression they have.

Paul says he has learned to be content.


"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Philippians 4:11

It is a practice -- the more you practice the better you'll get at it. At first it will be very hard and you'll be lousy at it. We don't want to feel discontent. We don't want to feel lack. If Paul can learn contentment in all situations so can we.

Paul's Life:


"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Philippians 4:12

"Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.
 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches." 2 Corinthians 11:23-28

Paul's Secrets To Learning Contentment:

Contentment through prayer.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7

God will fulfill your needs.

Contentment through peace.
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9

"Therefore, since we have been justified
 through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," Romans 5:1

Contentment through the Power of God.
"I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

Contentment through the Provision of God.

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

Contentment through the Presence of God.
"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

We have a living Savior. We have the Holy Spirit within us. We are never alone. 

Without God you can't be content. Jesus voluntarily suffered and died for each of us. 

Peace of God through Jesus=Peace of God within us through the indwelling of the Spirit.

Are you content?

0 Comments

Hold On! Help is on the Way!

12/8/2019

0 Comments

 
"I lift up my eyes to the mountains--
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip--
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep." Psalm 121:1-4

Man is trying to get bigger and bigger and making God smaller and smaller. God's bigger than all of it. God will never be left out. God is still on the throne. He's still saving souls. He's still creating.


"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11

Jesus is alive and well andw orkin in the world. He is alive. We serve a risen Savior.


"When I consider your heavens,

    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?" Psalm 8:3-4

I. God is the Maker of All Things


"Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." John 1:3

Only God can make something out of nothing. God spoke all things into being.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight" Proverbs 3:5-6

If we do this He'll take care of us. Humans want answers. Don't ask why. Ask "What can God do with this?"

II. God has already worked things out for your good.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

This is a promise to all who love God!

"The 
Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

God is always faithful to us.

We have seen God in action. But sometimes we forget what He's done.


III. Help is on the way

"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
    he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:17-18

He's at work in our lives. Always at work. He's already in our future waiting for us to get there. No matter what path we take God is there.


God is our potter. We are the clay. We are the diamonds. God is the master cutter who makes the rocks shine. They don't shine until they are cut. God is polishing and refining us.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials." 1 Peter 1:3-6

Ultimate paradise -- being with God. Welcome back -- this is where you were meant to be!

"but those who hope in the Lord

    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

Anything we are going through is temporary. All will be well. If you hope in the Lord He will renew your strength. God is waiting for us to trust Him.


"See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,

    and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense accompanies him." Isaiah 40:10

We just have to hold on. The end is in sight.
0 Comments

Storing Up Your Blessings

10/20/2019

0 Comments

 
"I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit." Leviticus 26:4

There's nothing we can do to make it rain. 

Rain in Season:
In the Old Testament:
The rain that comes in springtime during planting is called malqosh
The rain that came in autumn when the crops were finishing ripening is called yoreh.

If the rain came at the wrong time it was useless.

Rain was their source of water.

"Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime;

    it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms.
He gives showers of rain to all people,
    and plants of the field to everyone." Zechariah 10:1

Blessings for all.

2 kinds of rain -- common.

"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Matthew 5:44-45

This is the common rain. Treat everyone with a blessings. God does.


"Sow righteousness for yourselves,

    reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
    for it is time to seek the Lord,
until he comes
    and showers his righteousness on you." Hosea 10:12

This is a Christian outlook on God's blessings. Every single breath we take is a blessing. If you look for blessings you will see them. If you look for curses you will see curses.

1. Store Up Your Blessings. 

Wells weren't wells usually in the Middle East. They were really deep cisterns. The patriarch wells were cisterns.

Our blessings need to be stored up in our minds and hearts. Focus on the totality of our lives rather than just the here and now. 

Houses had own cisterns 10,000-50,000 gallons. Israel had such a huge cistern they had water in a siege. We

2. Seek the Blessings.

"Listen, you heavens, and I will speak;

    hear, you earth, the words of my mouth.
2 Let my teaching fall like rain
    and my words descend like dew,
like showers on new grass,
    like abundant rain on tender plants." Deuteronomy 32:1-2

All these examples of rain,drew, showers -- can represent the Word. Seek Him. He wants us to seek Him.


"On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.
 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:37-38

If you come to me You will receive. There are no droughts in heaven!!

3. Recognize the Blessings.


"As the rain and the snow

    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:10-11

The Word and the Rain. The Word of God. We need to survive. If we don't feed on the Word we are creating a drought within us. Without God there's  no purpose or meaning to anytthing. 

Use technology to seek God. We are People of No Excuse.

4. Use the blessings!


"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38

We are meant to be givers. We are to be the blessings of the world. The more you give, the more you can give away and the more you receive. There's a purpose fo the blessings.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

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

If you're a miser with your blessings they will "mold."

"Every good and perfect gift is from above,
 coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

God is and always has been the same (and always will be).

We can live in a realm of blessings.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,

    whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought 
    and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

God intended to walk in the garden with us. Rely on God. He intends for us to be an oasis in the desert for this world.
0 Comments

Why Parables?

10/13/2019

0 Comments

 
Background for before Matthew 13 when the parables begin:

Sabbath is a day of rest. Jesus was again confronted by the Pharisees about Him breaking "their" rules. He had been giving them two years of direct quotes from Scriputre. He had to have constant arguments with the Pharisees. He healed on the Sabbath and all they could think is that he broke "their" rule. He finally was just done with them and their hard-heartedness. The parables were in a sense a kind of judgment on them.

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come." Matthew 12:30-32

"But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” 38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." Matthew 12:36-39

Why Parables?

Pride-- the mind of man: Science and theology and higher education. All these were created to bring us closer to God. But often man's pride will use them to feel like they are so important. Life becomes a theory, not a life application. When we are living in theories rather than really living there is a problem. 


"For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."
1 Corinthians 1:21-27

It's not about how smart you are, it's about how much God loves us.


Parables fulfil prophecy

"In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
    they hardly hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them." Matthew 13:14-15

Jesus is done arguing with them.

Parables: they are all reflections of the kingdom of God. It's all about the heart -- the soils parables. Parables -- unfinished, not logical. 

"I will open my mouth with a parable;
    I will utter hidden things, things from of old—" Psalm 78:2

They aren't just stories. 

Parables show the spiritual kingdom to Believers.


"With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.
 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything." Mark 4:33-34

Explanation to the disciples.


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

Blessed are we. We get to see it all.


"Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things." 1 Peter 1:10-12

It's to us they were written. We have so much potential that is unrealized. Am I being a Jonah? When I use my own "wisdom" I'm being a fool.

What are the parables to us today?

Examples of the kingdom of God.

God wants us to be hungry for Him. Then we will seek Him.

Through the discernment of study and the Holy Spirit, understanding.

“Ask and it will be given to you;
 seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

An "If" passage...If you do____________you wil get_____________.

If you don't seek it you will never find it.

The tools I have don't work if I don't use them. We can't fake our way through. We have to get to be one with God. 

Are you seeking?

Is your heart soft enough, are your ears and eyes open?

Are you willing to surrender your own pride to see what the Spirit is revealing?

In faith, the answers are waiting for you. 


"Because I said so" from God is enough.
​

0 Comments
<<Previous

    RSS Feed

    Picture

    Shannon Hinrichs

    Dupree Baptist Church Pastor

    Picture

    Archives

    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    October 2015

    Categories

    All
    Anticipation
    Baptism
    Bread
    Burdens
    Calling
    Children
    Christmas
    Commitment
    Community Outreach
    Compassion
    Contentment
    Easter
    Faith
    Family
    Family Of God
    Father
    Fear
    Fishing
    Forgiveness
    Freedom
    God
    God's Plan
    God's Word
    Gospel
    Grace
    Habit
    Holy Spirit
    Jesus
    Joy
    Judgment
    Love
    Maturity In Christ
    Mothers
    Mystery Of God
    Nation
    Obedience
    Peace
    Perfection
    Philippians
    Praise
    Prayer
    Priorities
    Promises Of God
    Prophecy
    Responsibility
    Restoration
    Salvation
    Scripture
    Service
    Silence
    Spiritual Warfare
    Strength
    Thankful
    The Church
    Time
    Tongue
    Unity
    VBS
    Word Of God
    Words
    Worry
    Worship

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.