February 21 2016 The Word Of Comfort

THE WORD OF COMFORT

John 19:25-27

Verse 26 – Dear woman here is your Son and to the disciple here is your Mother.

Isaiah 40:1 – Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

1. Comfort in suffering.

2 Corinthians 1:5 – For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort over flows.

Romans 5:5 – God has poured His love into our hearts by The Holy Spirit Whom He has given to us.

Philippians 2:5 – Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 4:1 – Since Christ suffered and underwent pain, you must have the same attitude He did.  You must be ready to suffer too.

Exodus 20:12 – Honor thy Father and thy Mother.

2. Comfort in sorrow.

Verse 26 – Here is your Son.

2 Timothy 4:9-10 – Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me.

John 14:16 – I will give you another counselor. (Comforter)

Luke 1:38 – I am the Lord’s servant; may it be to me as you have said.

3. Comfort in service.

Verse 27 – Here is your Mother.

Matthew 28:20 – And surely I will be with you always.

Romans 15:3 – Each of us should please his neighbor, for it’s good to build him up.

REMEMBER IF YOU ARE IN PAIN

• Jesus cares about your pain.
• Don’t handle pain alone.
• Find someone to help.
• Look up to Jesus.

January 25 2015 Getting Stuck In My Career - Parts 1 and 2

GETTING UNSTUCK IN MY CAREER

So I decided there is nothing better than to... find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that this pleasure is from the hand of God. Ecclesiastes 2:24    

Definition of UnStuck: Moving forward in my life because I am willing to give God complete control.

THE STORY OF MARK
(Acts 13:4-5; 13-14; 15:36-40)

So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit.  They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus.  There, in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God.  John Mark went with them as their assistant. Acts 13:4-5

Paul and his companions then left Paphos by ship for Pamphylia, landing at the port town of Perga. There John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem.  But Paul and Barnabas traveled inland to Antioch of Pisidia. Acts 13:13-14

THE STORY OF MARK (contd)
(Acts 13:4-5; 13-14; 15:36-40)

After some time Paul said to Barnabas, >Let's go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing. Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark.  But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted
them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work.  Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated.  Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus.  Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord's gracious care.  Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there. Acts 15:36-40
    
4 CHOICES TO GETTING UNSTUCK IN MY CAREER:

1)  CHOOSE TO MAKE GOD MY BOSS.

In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people. Colossians 3:23

• Love God & Others (see Matthew 22:37-39)
• serve my co-workers. (see Matthew 23:11-12)
• find a Godly mentor.  

(Paul) Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10

2)  CHOOSE TO SEPARATE who I am FROM what I do.

For we are God's masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

• Daily Quiet Time
• A Weekly Sabbath

(Jesus) For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Mark 8:36

3) CHOOSE TO BE FAITHFUL IN THE SMALL THINGS

His master replied, >Good job!  You=re a good and faithful servant!  You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount.  I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master=s happiness. Matthew 25:23

Whatever presents itself for you to do, do it with all your might. Ecclesiastes 9:10

4) CHOOSE TO PERSEVERE EVEN WHEN I FEEL STUCK

We were under great pressure; far beyond our ability to endure As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened.  Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally B not a bad idea since He=s the God who raises the dead! 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

Timothy, please come as soon as you can.  Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica.  Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia.  Only Luke is with me.  Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. 2 Timothy 4:9-11 (see also Colossians 4:10; Philemon 1:24)
                     
Memory Verse: It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5

November 2 2014 Conquering Loneliness

Conquering Loneliness

Genesis 2:18 – It is not good for man to be alone.

2 Timothy 4:6-21

The Final Days Of Paul’s Life

I. FOUR CAUSES OF LONELINESS

1. The transitions of life. (Vs. 6-8)
…..the time has come for my departure.

2. Separation. (Vs. 9, 21)
Do your best to come to me quickly, do your best to get here before winter.

3. Opposition. (Vs. 14)
(He) did me a great deal of harm, he strongly opposed our message.

4. Rejection. (Vs. 16, 10)
….no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. Demas has deserted me.

II. HOW TO COPE WITH LONELINESS

1. UTILIZE my time. Vs. 12)
…bring my coat, and bring my books.

2. MINIMIZE my hurt. (Vs. 16)
…everyone has deserted me. May it not be held against them.

3. RECOGNIZE God’s presence. (Vs. 17a)
But the Lord stood by my side and gave me strength.

4. EMPHASIZE other’s needs. (Vs. 17b)
….so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.

February 5 2012 How To Handle Loneliness

**no sermon audio**

How To Handle Loneliness

II Timothy 4:6 - 22

Four Causes Of Loneliness

1. Transitions in life.
Verse 6 - I am already being poured out like a drink offering and the time has come for my departure.

Verses 7 & 8 - I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness.

2. Separation.
Verse 9 - Do your best to come to me quickly.

Verse 21 - Do your best to get here before winter.

3. Opposition.
Verse 14 - Alexander, the metal worker, did a great deal of harm.

Definition of harm:

4. Rejection.
Verse 16 - At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me.

4 Steps Through Loneliness

1. Utilize your time.
Verses 12 - 13 - I sent Tychicus to Ephesus and when you come bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas and my scrolls, especially the parchments.


2. Minimize the hurt.
Verse 16 - No one came to my support but may it not be held against them.

3. Recognize God's Presence.
Verse 17 - The Lord stood at my side and gave me strength.

John 14:18 - I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you.

Example of David, Psalm 139 - Where can I get away from your presence? If I go up to heaven you are there. Anywhere on earth, you are there. I can’t get away from you.

4. Empathize with other people's needs.
Verse 17 - The Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.

Mark 15:34 - “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

March 20 2011 The Word Of Comfort

THE WORD OF COMFORT

(John 19:25-27 - Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.)

(Verse 26 – Dear woman here is your Son and to the disciple here is your Mother.)

(Isa. 40:1 – Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.)

1. Comfort in times of great suffering.

(II Cor. 1:5 – For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort over flows.)

(Romans 5:5 – God has poured His love into our hearts byThe Holy Spirit whom He has given to us.)

(Phil. 2:5 – Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.)

(I Peter 4:1 – Since Christ suffered and underwent pain, you must have the same attitude He did. You must be ready to suffer too.)

(Exodus 20:12 – Honor thy Father and thy Mother.)

2. Comfort in times of sorrow.

(Verse 26 – Here is your Son.)

(II Timothy 4:9-10 – Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me.)

(John 14:16 – I will give you another counselor (comforter.))

(Luke 1:38 – I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.)

3. Comfort in times of service.

(Verse 27 – Here is your Mother.)

(Matt. 28:20 – And surely I will be with you always.)

(Romans 15:3 – Each of us should please his neighbor, for its good to build him up.)

REMEMBER IF YOU ARE IN PAIN

• Jesus cares about your pain
• Don’t try to handle it alone
• Find someone else to help
• Look up to Jesus