August 14 2016 Ten Values That Build Strong Families

Ten Values That Build Strong Families

Memory Verse: "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God" - Exodus 20:7

What's in a Name?

• Reputation
• Character
• Authority

I. WAYS GOD'S NAME CAN BE MISUSED

• Using God's name to INSULT
• Using God's name to INDULGE

Leviticus 19:12 (GN) "Do not make a promise in my name if you do not intend to keep it. That brings disgrace on my name."

•  Using God's name to INTIMIDATE
• Using God's name to IMPRESS

Titus 1:16 "They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him."

•  Using God's name to IMPULSIVELY

Isaiah 29:13 "These people worship me with their lips ... but their hearts are far from me."

Matthew 6:7 (GN)"When you pray, don't use a lot of meaningless words..."

Exodus 20:7b"...I the Lord will punish anyone who misuses my name!"

II. HOW CAN I USE GOD'S NAME CORRECTLY?

1. REVERENCE GOD'S NAME CONTINUALLY.

Psalm 29:2 "Give to the Lord the glory due his name."

Psalm 9:10 "Those who know your name will trust in you..."

Psalm 61:5 (LB) "You (God) have given me the blessings you reserve for those who reverence your name."

2. REPRESENT GOD'S NAME CLEARLY.

2 Timothy 2:19 (LB)"A person who calls himself a Christian should not be doing things that are wrong."

Colossians 3:17 "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus."

3. RELY GOD'S NAME COMPLETELY.

Psalm 33:21 (LB)"No wonder we are happy in the Lord! ... We trust his holy name."

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

John 20:31 "... Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name."

Luke 6:45 (GN) "The mouth speaks what the heart is full of."

August 7 2016 Taking God Seriously

Taking God Seriously

Memory Verse: "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God" Exodus 20:7

What's in a Name?

• Reputation
• Character
• Authority

I.  WAYS GOD'S NAME CAN BE MISUSED

• Using God's name to INSULT
• Using God's name to INDULGE

Leviticus 19:12 (GN) "Do not make a promise in my name if you do not intend to keep it.  That brings disgrace on my name."

• Using God's name to INTIMIDATE
• Using God's name to IMPRESS

Titus 1:16"They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him."

• Using God's name to IMPULSIVELY

Isaiah 29:13"These people worship me with their lips ... but their hearts are far from me."

Matthew 6:7 (GN)"When you pray, don't use a lot of meaningless words..."
    
Exodus 20:7b"...I the Lord will punish anyone who misuses my name!"
    
II.  HOW CAN I USE GOD'S NAME CORRECTLY?

1. REVERENCE GOD'S NAME CONTINUALLY.

Psalm 29:2 "Give to the Lord the glory due his name."

Psalm 9:10 "Those who know your name will trust in you..."
    
Psalm 61:5 (LB) "You (God) have given me the blessings you reserve for those who reverence your name."

2. REPRESENT GOD'S NAME CLEARLY.

2 Timothy 2:19 (LB)"A person who calls himself a Christian should not be doing things that are wrong."

Colossians 3:17 "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus."
    
3. RELY GOD'S NAME COMPLETELY.

Psalm 33:21 (LB)"No wonder we are happy in the Lord! ... We trust his holy name."

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

John 20:31"... Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name."

Luke 6:45 (GN) "The mouth speaks what the heart is fullof."

January 31 2016 Let's Get Going

LET’S GET GOING

Matthew 28:16-20

Five observations about ministry:

1. They needed to let God in before going.

Acts 1:4-14 – Ver. 5 – In a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

2. Their ministry was beyond their abilities.

Zechariah 4:6-9

How we live beyond our means:
(a) Great works are always done by God’s Spirit.
(b) Through us.
(c) To glorify God.

3.  Ministry strengthened by unity and commitment.

Acts 2:42-47

Coming together is the beginning of Ministry.

Learning together is the progress of Ministry.

Ministering together is true success.

4. Their Ministry was not problem free.

Problems:

• They had chosen the wrong leader. Acts 1:23-26
• Accused of drunkenness. Acts 2:13-15
• Some credited the miracles to leaders. Acts 3:11-12
• Some hated the Gospel. Acts 4:1-4
• Some in the Church were deceitful. Acts 5:1-5
• Some were jealous of the Church’s success. Acts 5:17
• Some people felt neglected. Acts 6:1

5.Their Ministries expanded until others were needed.

LAY MINISTRY COMMISSION

Congregation unison:
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4)

Pastor Galen:

Realizing our responsibility to equip you for the ministry, I, as pastor of Great Plains Community Church commit myself to this task by standing:
    Before you as a Model of Ministry;
    Among you as a Teacher of Ministry;
    Behind you on Encouragement in Ministry.

Congregation unison:
Understanding our responsibility to use our gifts for the glory of God, we commit ourselves to this task by standing:
    Before God in consecration of these gifts;
    Among each other in the using of these gifts;
    Behind our Pastor in his oversight of these gifts.

Congregation unison:
Together Pastor and People, we commit ourselves to Great Plains Community Church proclaiming the Word of God and we purpose to make Disciples of Christ by:
    Exalting God
    Encouraging Christians
    Equipping Christians for Ministry
    Evangelizing the World for Christ

I Thessalonians 5:24 - “Faithful is He who calls you, He also will bring it to pass.”

March 8 2015 Responding To Intimidation

RESPONDING TO INTIMIDATION

1 Peter 3:13-22

TWO WAYS TO RESPOND

1. Keep your mind on the will of God.

Verse 17 – It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

HOW TO DEVELOP THIS LIFESTYLE

• Be zealous for what is good.

Verse 13 – Who is going to harm you if you are eager (or zealous) to do good?

• Don’t be intimidated or troubled.

Verse 14 – Do not fear what they fear, do not be frightened.

• Keep a life style of Holiness.

Verse 15 – But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.

FOUR DESCRIPTIVE WORDS

• Admit that you are in control.
• Submit your all to God.
• Commit your will to His way.
• Transmit God’s love to others.

Verse 15 – Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

Verse 16 – Respond with gentleness and respect.

A MODEL FOR COPING

Acts 4:23-31

Verse 29 – Consider their threats.

Verse 29 – Enable your servants to speak with boldness.

Verse 30 – Stretch out your hand to heal.

Verse 31 – They were all filled with the Holy Spirit.

• Keep a clear conscience.

Verse 16 – Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

2. Keep your faith in the risen Christ.

Verses 18 & 22 – Christ also suffered.  He died once for the sins of all as guilty sinners, although He Himself was innocent of any sin at any time, that He might bring us safely home to God.  But through His body died, His Spirit lived on, and now Christ is in heaven sitting in the place of honor next to God the Father.

IDENTIFY WITH CHRIST MEANS:

• Our sins are forgiven.
• We will suffer as He did.
• He will take us home to heaven.

November 9 2014 Fully Engaged In Friends

Fully Engaged in My Friends

The eyes of the Lord search to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose hearts are completely His.– 2 Chronicles 16:9

““Never abandon a friend—either yours or your father's.  Then in your time of need, you won't have to ask your relatives for assistance.  It is better to go to a neighbor than to a relative who lives far away.” – Proverbs 27:10

FOUR ACTIONS TO ENGAGE MY FRIENDS THIS WEEK

1. Provide Encouragement

“For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means ‘Son of Encouragement’).” – Acts 4:26

• Through my words (see Matthew 12:36-37)
• Acts of kindness.
• Just listening.         

2. Play together.

“So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people to do in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them.” – Ecclesiastes 8:15

3. Pray specifically for my friends.

“God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God.” – Romans 1:9

(See other of Paul’s prayers for friends in Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:4;

4. Pursue an opportunity to talk about God.

“If you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way.” – 1 Peter 3:15-16

Memory Verse: “I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it – the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.” – John 15:12-13