January 3 2016 Winning Through Encouragement

Winning Through Encouragement

Introduction:

• Assets make things possible.
• People make things happen.

It is important that people believe in their leader, but it is more important that the leader believes in the people.

Principles Jesus Models About Encouragement

1. Focus on the person’s potential not their past.

John 1:40-42 – The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him “We have found the Messiah.”  Then he brought Simon to Jesus who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John.  You will be called Cephas.” (Which, being translated is Peter.)

2. Develop a relationship with people before you ask anything of them.

Matthew 4:18-20 – As Jesus was walking beside the sea He saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew.  They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, and they left the boat and their father and followed him.

3. Be ready to help people when they stretch.

Matthew 14:28 – “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”  “Come,”  He said.

4. Give people recognition and responsibility.

Matthew 16:16 – Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.  On this Rock I will build my Church.”

5. Never give up on people.

Matthew 16:23 – The Lord tells Peter, “Out of my sight, Satan!  You are a stumbling block.”

Though you cannot go back and make a brand new start, my friend, you can start from now and make a brand new end!

6. Pray for others.

Luke 22:31-32 – “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.  And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

January 12 2014 The Reliability Of The New Testament

The Reliability of the New Testament

Why You Can Believe the Bible part 2 

2 Timothy 3:16 “all Scripture is inspired.

THREE TESTS THAT HISTORIANS APPLY TO ANCIENT BOOKS:

1. THE CORROBORATION TEST: Is there any evidence outside of the document that supports the internal claim that the document makes?

No archeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference. Scores of archeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline in clear detail historical statements in the Bible. -Nelson Glueck , archeologist

2. THE HONESTY TEST: Do the documents claim to be reporting the truth?

Luke 1:1 “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us. Just as they were handed down to us by those who were first eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning it seemed good to me also to write an orderly account so you may know the certainty of the things that you have been taught.”

2 Peter 1:16 “We did not follow cleverly invented stories or myths when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. But we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”

1 John 1:1 “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have looked at, what we have touched with our hands we proclaim to you.”

Luke 3:1 “Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar when Pontius Pilot was governor and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea.”

SOME KNOWN MARTYRDOMS OF THE DISCIPLES:

Peter - crucified
Andrew - crucified
Philip - crucified.
Bartholomew - flayed to death.
James the Greater - beheaded
Paul - beheaded.
Mathias - stoned.
James son of Alpheus - stoned.
Thomas - killed with a spear
Matthew - killed with a sword.

3. THE TELEPHONE TEST: Do we have reason to believe it’s been past faithfully through time?

Two Questions That Textual critics ask:

1. What is the time gap between the original copies and the copies we have today?

Other historians who are roughly contemporaries with the Gospel writers.
Pliny the Younger - 750 years
Caesar - 1000 years
Plato, his Tetralogies - 1200 years
New Testament - 50 years (John Ryland’s papyri)

2. How many manuscripts do we have?

Caesar - 10
Plato’s Tetrolgies - 7
Tacitus - 20
New Testament - 24,633
Illiad - 64

October 3 2010 The Great Invitation

The Great Invitation

(Matthew 4:18-22 - As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.)

Four Lessons To Learn

1. Intimacy

(Verse 19 - "Come, follow me," Jesus said)

2. Intervention

(Verse 19 - "and I will make you")

(Matthew 16:18 - "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.")

(Philippians 1:6 - being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.)

3. Investment

(Verse 20 - At once they left their nets and followed him.)

(Verse 22 - and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.)

4. Increase

(Verse 19 - "and I will make you fishers of men.")

September 26 2010 The Magic Of Christ's Presence

The Magic of Christ's Presence

(Mark 1:29-31 & 35 - As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.)

When Christ was present, the impossible seemed to always happen.

1. His presence will bring serenity & calmness to your life

(Verse 31 - So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.)

2. His presence will bring strength to your life

(Verse 31 - took her hand and helped her up)

(Philippians 3:10 - I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death)

(Philippians 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength.)

3. His presence gives us a heart for service

(Verse 31 - she began to wait on them)

4. His presence gives us good Christian friends

(Verse 31 - on them)

5. His presence is a life changing presence

(Verse 35 - Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.)