March 19 2017 Responding To The Deeper Life

RESPONDING TO THE DEEPER LIFE

Luke 6:46-49

1. The deeper life can’t be lived without adversity.

Ver. 48 – When the torrent struck that house.

• Temporal affliction
• Temptation

Eph. 6:12 – For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the power of this dark world.

2. The deeper life has a point of assurance.

Ver. 48 – The torrent struck that house, but could not shake it.

I Cor. 3:11 – For no one else can lay any foundation other that the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

II Tim. 2:19 – Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm.

Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

I Peter 2:6 – A precious cornerstone, and the one who trust in Him, will never be put to shame.

3. The deeper life must have action.

Ver. 47 – I will show you what He is like who comes to Me and hears My words and puts them into practice.

Hebrews 7:25 – He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him.

4. The deeper life is aware of accountability.

Ver. 47 – I will show you what He is like that comes to Me and builds a house.

BAPTISM AND THE DEEPER LIFE

1. It follows the example set by Christ.

Mark 1:9

2. It’s an act of obedience.

Matt. 28:19-20

3. It speaks of a new life in Christ.

II Cor. 5:17 –

4. It promotes fellowship and involvement in the Church.

I Cor. 12:13

July 31 2016 Accept No Substitutes

ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES

Ten Values That Build Strong Families - Part 2

"You shall not make any idols ... you must never bow to an image or worship it in any way." Exodus 20:4-5 (LB)            

TWO PRINCIPLES

I.  DON'T `IDOLIZE' ANYTHING!

"Idolize" - to look to something more than God.

"For your own good ... don't sin by making an idol in any form at all."  Deuteronomy 4:15-16 (GN)
    
Why?

1.  Idols will disappoint me.

"...those who make idols are disillusioned because the gods they make are false and lifeless."    Jeremiah 10:14 (GN)

"What's the use of an idol?  It's only something a man has made.  What good does it do ... to trust it?  Habakkuk 2:18(GN)
    
2.  Idols will dominate me

"... (before you knew Christ) you were controlled by dead idols, who always led you astray."  1 Corinthians 12:2 (GN)

3.  Idols will deform me

"Those who make idols will become like them, and so will those who trust in them." Psalms 115:8 (GN)

"They worshiped worthless things and became worthless themselves." Jeremiah 2:5 (GN)

II.  WORSHIP ONLY GOD!

"Worship" -- to give my highestlove and devotion

"(Many) exchange the truth about God for a lie; they worship and serve what God has created instead of the Creator himself!" Romans 1:25 (GN)

The Benefits of Worshiping Only God

1.  IT WILL DELIGHT ME

"Seek your happiness in the Lord and He will give you your heart's desire.” Psalm 37:4 (GN)

"Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed." Romans 10:11 (GN)
    
2.  IT WILL DELIVERME

Jesus said, "If you obey my teaching ... you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32

"If the Son sets you free, you will be really free." John 8:36

3.  IT WILLDEVELOP ME.

"As the Spirit of the Lord works with us, we become more and more like Him."      2 Corinthians 3:18b (LB)

"We arrive at maturity -- that measure of development which is meant by `the fullness of Christ.'" Ephesians 4:13-15 (Ph)

"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God." Colossians 1:5

ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES

September 20 2015 Game On: How To Activate My Gifts

How To Activate My Gifts

“Jesus prayed to the Father: ‘In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.’” - John 17:18

Memory Verse: “A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.” - 1 Corinthians 12:7

HOW TO ACTIVATE MY GIFTS:

1. BE THANKFUL THAT GOD HAS GIVEN ME GIFTS.

“God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing.” - Ephesians 2:10

2. BE PROACTIVE  IN DISCOVERING MY GIFTS.

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” - 1 Peter 4:10

SPIRITUAL GIFTS SELECTION

• Administration (organizing) 
• Pioneering (new works)
• Discernment
• Evangelism
• Encouraging
• Faith (high trust in God)
• Giving (financial) 
• Hospitality
• Leadership
• Mercy
• Shepherding (care) 
• Serving / Helping
• Teaching
• Wisdom / Counseling

“Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received.” - 1 Timothy 4:14

3. BE QUICK TO USE MY GIFTS.

“Give to others, and God will give to you…The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you.” - Luke 6:38

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever wasted.” - 1 Corinthians 15:58

4. BE DILIGENT  IN USING MY GIFTS TO SERVE OTHERS.

“If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” - Romans 12:7-8

“Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” - Romans 6:1

October 12 2014 Developing Our Confidence

Developing Our Confidence 

Anything I have confidence in more than God is called an idol.

Deuteronomy 4:15-16 – For your own good don’t sin by making an idol in any form.

I. What happens when I put confidence in anything else more than God?

1. I AM disappointed.

Jeremiah 10:14 – Those who make idols are disillusioned.

Hebrews 2:18 – Of what value is an idol?  For he who makes it trusts in his own creation.

Isaiah 44:20 – The poor, deluded fool is trusting something that can give him no help at all.  Yet he cannot bring himself to ask: is this thing, this idol a lie?

2. I AM dominated.

1 Corinthians 12:2 – You were controlled by dead idols, who led you astray.

Psalm 115:8 – Those who make idols end up like them.  So does everyone who trusts them.

3. I AM embracing false religions.

II. Why don’t I have confidence in God?

Because I Don’t really know God.

Psalm 9:10 – Those who know the Lord trust Him.

III. Why should I put all my confidence in God?

1. BECAUSE He always tells the truth.

Hebrews 6:18 – We can completely count on Him, for it is impossible for God to lie.

Romans 3:4 – God will continue to be true even when every person is false.

2. BECAUSE He loves me.

1 John 4:16, 18 – We know how much God loves us, so we have put our trust in Him, because God’s perfect love drives out fear.

3. BECAUSE He’s in control.

Romans 8:28 – And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.

4. BECAUSE God will help me.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding.  Remember the Lord in all you do, and He will give you success.

Mark 5:36 – Jesus says: “Don’t be afraid.  Just trust Me.”

May 4 2014 The Source Of Self Confidence

The Source of Self Confidence 

Verse 5 – My God has been my strength. (Confidence.)

Unreliable sources of self-confidence

1. Appearance

Proverbs 31:30 – Charm can be deceptive and beauty doesn’t last.

1 Samuel 17:7 – Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

2. What I own

Proverbs 11:7 – Confidence placed in riches comes to nothing.

3. Achievement

Jeremiah 9:23-24 – The Lord says wise men should not boast of their wisdom, nor strong me of the strength, nor rich men of their wealth. If anyone wants to boast, he should boast that he knows me and understands me.

Luke 16:15 – For what men think is of great value is worth nothing in God’s sight.

The reliable sources of confidence

1. God made you unique

Psalm 9:5 – You (God) made man inferior only to yourself, you crowned him with glory and honor.

Psalm 139:13 – You (God) created every part of me, you put me together in my mother’s womb.

2. Jesus died for you

Romans 5:8 – God has shown us how much He loves us. It was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us.

1 Peter 1:18-19 – God paid a ransom to save you. He paid for you with the precious life-blood of Christ.

3. God has a plan for your life.

Ephesians 2:10 – We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.

1 Corinthians 12:4 – God gives us many kinds of special abilities but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all.

2 Thessalonians 2:17 – May our Lord Jesus Christ inspire you with courage and confidence in every good thing you say or do.