July 31 2016 Prevailing Through Opposition

The Tactics of Opposition

First Tactic: ridicule. (Vs. 1-3)

He ridiculed the Jews.

Second Tactic: organized resistance. (Vs. 6-8)

They all plotted together.

Third Tactic: rumor. (Vs. 11-12)

Two Characteristics of Rumors:

1. They are always spread by those closest to the enemy.

2. They are exaggerated the more they are repeated.

Effective Christians don’t swallow rumors.

The Effect of Opposition

Verses 10-11 – Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, the strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall. Also, our enemies will attack.

The Effect is discouragement.

When does this usually occur in a project?

When the wall half done.(Vs. 6)

Four Causes of Discouragement:

1. “Strength, giving out” Fatigue

2. “So much rubble” Frustration

3. “We cannot rebuild” Failure

4. “Enemies will attack us” Fear

The Right Response to Opposition

What do you do when you’re under attack?

• Rely on God. (Vs. 4-5)

Proverbs 26:4 – Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.

The Effective Christian says, when you’re ridiculed, don’t take it out on people, talk it out with God.

• Respect the opposition. (Vs. 9)

Petition without precaution is presumption.

“Watch and Pray”

Matthew 26:41; Colossians. 4:2; 1 Peter 5:8

• Reinforce your weak points. (Vs. 13)

Effective Christians know: where they are the weakest and they post a guard. (Vs. 16-18)

Effective Christians must build and battle at the same time.

• Reassure your position. (Vs. 14)

“Remember the Lord.”

• Refuse to quit. (Vs. 15)

(Vs. 21-23)

Effective Christians are persistent.

A fundamental principle of the Christian Life - Never Give Up

Novemer 2 2014 Fully Engaged In My Church

Fully Engaged in My Church

Memory Verse: “The eyes of the Lord search to and fro through out the earth that He may strongly support those whose hearts are completely His. -2 Chronicles 16:9

FIVE ACTIONS OF A FULLY ENGAGED LIFE

1. I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY DAILY FOR MY SPIRITUAL GROWTH

“Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” - James 4:8

2. I PRACTICE CONTENTMENT IN ALL AREAS OF MY LIFE

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” - Philippians 4:12

3. I SERVE ONE HOUR A WEEK IN MY CHURCH  (minimum)                                                    

“Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.” - John 12:27

“The greatest among you must be a servant.” – Matthew 23:11

4. I INVITE ONE FRIEND A MONTH TO TO CHURCH WITH ME
 
“‘Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:2-6

5. I BRING THE FULL TITHE TO GOD EACH WEEK
 
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”  - Malachi 3:7

“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” – Matthew 6:21

“By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” – Matthew 7:16 - 17

June 8 2014 iGod AM All-Loving

iGod AM All-Loving 

iGod: Part 4 of 4

Exodus 3:14 God replied, “I Am the One Who Always Is. Just tell them, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

• Omnipresent: God is everywhere.
• Omnipotent: God has unlimited power.
• Omniscient: God knows everything.

Ephesians 3:18-19 “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”

BECAUSE GOD IS ALL- LOVING

1. I CAN EXPERIENCE GOD’S LOVE personally

• Even when I don’t feel God’s love

Romans 8:32 “Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?”

• Even when I I don’t think I’m good enough.

Matthew 11:28-30 “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my Yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’”

• Even when I doubt

Matthew 28:17-19“ When they saw him, they worshiped him— but some of them doubted! Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations.’”

BECAUSE GOD IS ALL-LOVING

II. I CAN invite others TO EXPERIENCE GOD’S LOVE

Colossians 4:2-4 “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ… Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.”

Memory Verse: 1 Timothy 2:4 “God wants everyone to be saved and to know the whole truth.”

April 7 2013 Enjoying The People In Your Life

ENJOYING THE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE
Philippians 1:3-11

FOUR KEYS TO ENJOYING PEOPLE

I. The first key, be grateful for the good in people.
Vs. 3 - I thank my God every time I remember you.

BACKGROUND ACTS 16
Lesson No. 1: Remember the best & forget the rest.
Vs. 5 - You have helped me from the very first day until now.


II. The second key, picture positive praying. 
Vs. 4 - In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.

Lesson No. 2: Start thanking God in prayer for these people.
Col. 4:2-3 - Devote yourself to prayer and pray for us too.
Eph. 6:18 - Keep on praying for all the saints.
Vss. 9-11- And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

What to pray for others: Pray they will
That they will grow in love. Vs. 9
That they make wise choices. Vs. 10 a
That they would do the right thing. Vs. 10 b
That they would live for God’s Glory. Vs. 11

III. The third key, be patient with their progress.
Vs. 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.

Lesson No. 3: God is not finished with His people.
Our Mistake: We judge others by how far they have to go, rather than how far they have already come

IV. The fourth key, love people from the heart. 
Vss. 7-8 - It is right for me to feel this way about all of you since I have you in my heart.

God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Romans 5:5 - God has poured out His love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to us.

Lesson No. 4
The secret to enjoying the people in my life is to be filled with God’s love.