June 19 2016 Living With Jesus As Savior

The Apostle's Creed: "I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen."

John 1:38-41 (NIV) 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).

“Jesus Christ” = Jesus the Divine Savior.

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES JESUS MAKE IN MY LIFE?

1. For my past, Jesus offers forgiveness.

“Sin” = missing the mark.

Acts 13:39 (NCV) “Understand we are telling you: You can have forgiveness of your sins through Jesus, the Law of Moses could not free you from your sins, but through Jesus everyone who believes is free from all sin.”

1 John 1:9: (CEB) “But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.”

2. For my present, Jesus offers significance.

John 10:10 (TLB),[Jesus Said] “My purpose is to give life in all of its fullness.

Acts 16:30 (MSG) “Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved? To really live?”

John 8:12 (NIV) When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

3. For my future, Jesus offers security.

1 John 5:13 (NIV) I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

John 11:25 (NLT) “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in Me even though they die like everyone else will live again.”

John 3:16 (NIV) 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.”

Memory Verse: Ephesians 1:13 (GNT) “And you also became God’s people. When you heard the true message the good news of Jesus Christ that brought you salvation. You believed in ownership on you by giving you the Holy Spirit He had promised.”

John 1:10-13, (TLB) But although he made the world, the world didn’t recognize him when he came. Even in his own land and among his own people, the Jews, he was not accepted. Only a few would welcome and receive him. But to all who received him, he gave the right to become children of God.

Acts 16:31 (NIV) “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved ..

September 20 2015 Getting Connected

GETTING CONNECTED

Matthew 6:8 – For your Father knows the things you have need of.

Romans 12:5 – Even though we are many individuals, Christ makes us one body and individuals who are connected to each other.

FOUR CONNECTION POINTS

I. Connection one: God made you to know Him.
   
A) Ephesians 1:4-5 – Before the world was made God had already decided that through Jesus Christ He would bring us to Himself as His children, that was His pleasure and purpose.

HOW TO GET CONNECTED

1. God reached out to us.

a) 1 John 4:10 – This is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

2. Respond to His love.

a) John 5:24 – I tell you the truth, whoever hears my Word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life.

II. Connection two:  God wants you to be like Him.

A) Romans 8:28-29 – We know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into His plans.  For from the beginning God decided that those who come to Him should be like His son.

HOW TO BE LIKE HIM

1. Make Christ your very life.

John 12:24 – I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single see, but if it dies, it produces seeds.

2. Allow circumstances to mold you.

Romans 8:28 – We know that all that happens to us is working for our good.

III. Connection three:  God made us to serve Him.

A) Acts 13:36 – For David served God’s purpose in his generation the then he died.

HOW DO I SERVE?

1. It’s a choice.

a) Romans 12:1-2 – Off yourselves to God, dedicated to His service, then you will be able to know the will of God, what is good, pleasing and perfect.

2. Serve God where you are at.

1 Corinthians 15:58 –Nothing you do in the Lord’s service is ever useless.

IV. Connection four:  We will live with Him.

A) 2 Corinthians 5:1 & 5: - For we know that when the tent we live in on earth is folded up, there is a home built by God for us, an everlasting home in heaven.  This is the purpose for which God made us.

HOW TO PREPARE

1. Make the Lord King.

John 6:40 – Everyone who believes in the Son will have everlasting life.

2. Begin to serve Him.

Matthew 6:33 – Be concerned above everything else with God’s Kingdom and with what He requires and He will provide you with all these other things.

June 28 2015 God's Answer To Your Needs

God's Answer To Your Needs

Matthew 6:9-13 “This, then, is how you should pray:   ‘Our Father in heaven,  hallowed be your name,  your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

Ephesians 1:10 (GN)"God's -purpose, which he will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together..with Christ as head.  " 

WHAT IS GOD'S PURPOSE FOR MY LIFE?

1. God made me to KNOW HIM                    

Ephesians 1:4-5 (GN)"Before the world was made... God had already decided that through Jesus Christ he would bring us to himself as his children -- this was his pleasure and purpose.  "

2. God made me to BE LIKE HIM            

Romans 8:28-29 (LB)"We know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.  For from the beginning God decided that those, who come to Him . .would become like his Son. . . "

3. God made me to SERVE HIM        

Acts 13:36 (GN)"For David served God's -purpose in his own generation, and then he died "

Romans 12:1-2 (GN)"Offer  yourselves ... to God, dedicated to his service .... then you will be able to know the will of God, hat is good, pleasing and perfect.  "

Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:58 (GN)". . . Nothing you do in the Lord's service is ever useless.  "

John 6:40"(God's) will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life"

Matthew 6:33 (GN)"Be concerned above everything else with God's Kingdom and with what he requires, and he will provide you with all these other things."

4. God made me to LIVE WITH HIM SOMEDAY

2 Corinthians 5: 1,5 (LB)"For we know that when the 'tent we live in on earth is folded up, there is a home built by God for us, an everlasting home in heaven .... This is the purpose for which God made us ... !"

John 6:40"(God's) will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life"

Matthew 6:33 (GN)"Be concerned above everything else with God's Kingdom and with what he requires, and he will provide you with all these other things.  "

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 23 2014 Building A Life Of Purpose

Building A Life Of Purpose

IF I DON’T UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF LIFE

• Life Seems useless.

Ecclesiastes 1:2-4 – Life is useless, all useless.  You spend your life working, but what do you have to show for it?  The world just stays the same.

• Life Seems tiresome.

Ecclesiastes 1:4-8 – The sun rises and goes down, the wind blows round and round and back again.  Every river flows into the sea, then the water returns to where the river began and starts all over again.  Everything leads to weariness.

• Life Seems unfulfilling.

Ecclesiastes 1:8-10 – No matter how much we see, we’re never satisfied; no matter how much we hear, we’re not content.  History merely repeats itself.

• Life Seems insignificant.

Ecclesiastes 1:11 – No one remembers what has happened in the past, and no one in days to come will remember what happens between now and then.

• Life Seems uncontrollable.

Ecclesiastes 1:15 – You can’t straighten out what is crooked; you can’t count things that aren’t there!

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LIFE?

• Life is a preparation for eternity.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 – He has planted eternity in the human heart.

WHAT IS GOD’S PURPOSE?

I. First God made you to know Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:4-5 – Before the world was made, God had already decided that through Jesus Christ, He would bring us to Himself as His children that was His pleasure and purpose.

HOW TO KNOW GOD

1. Remember God first reached out to you.

1 John 4:10 – This is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

2. Respond to His love.

John 5:24 – I tell you the truth, whoever hears My Word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life.

II. Secondly, God made you to be like Him.

Romans 8:28-29 – We know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into His plans. For from the beginning God decided that those who come to Him should be like His Son.

HOW TO BE LIKE HIM

1. Make Christ your very life.

John 12:34 – I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat fall to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed, but if it dies it produces seed.

2. Allow every circumstance to mold you.

Romans 8:28 – We know that in all thing God works for the good of those who love Him.

III. Thirdly, God made us to serve Him.

Acts 13:36 – For David served God’s purpose in his generation and then he died.

HOW DO I SERVE?

1. It’s a choice.

Romans 12:1-2 – Offer yourselves to God, dedicated to His service, then you will be able to know the will of God, what is good, pleasing and perfect.

2. Serve God where you’re at.

1 Corinthians 15:58 – Nothing you do in the Lord’s service is ever useless.

IV. God made us to use our treasure in view of eternity.

1 Timothy 6:18-19 – Use your money to do good, always being ready to share whatever God has given you.  By doing this you will be storing up real treasure for yourself in heaven.

Luke 16:9 – Use worldly wealth to make friends who will welcome you into eternal dwellings.