March 20 2016 The Word Of Trust

THE WORD OF TRUST

Luke 23:46-49

Verse 46 – Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit My Spirit.”

1. Christ was committed to prayer.

Mark 14:38 – Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.

Mark 11:24 – Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it will be yours.

2. Christ was committed to the scriptures.

Psalm 31:5 – Into Your hands I commit My Spirit.

Psalm 118:11 – I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.

3. The commitment of Christ brought peace.

Verse 46 – Into Your hands I put Myself.

2 Timothy 1:12 – I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him.

John 15:5 – I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit, apart from Me you can do nothing.

4. Christ’s commitment set an example.

1 Peter 2:21 – Because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.

2 Corinthians 5:19 – He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

5. We need a commitment of trust.

His hands are big enough to bless us.

Psalm 139:5 – You both precede and follow me.  You place Your hand of blessing on my head.

His hands are scarred enough never to forget you.

Isaiah 49:15 – Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne.  Though she may forget, I will not forget, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands.

His hands are strong enough to hold us steady.

2 Corinthians 1:8-9 – I think you ought to know, dear brothers, about the hard time we went through in Asia.  We were really crushed and overwhelmed, and feared we would never live through it.  We felt we were doomed to die and saw how powerless we were to help ourselves, but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us, for He can even raise the dead.

January 24 2016 Stepping Into Commitment

Stepping Into Commitment

Matthew 9:35 - 10:5

Review

Sermon #1 - Winning Through Encouragement

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

Sermon #2 - Jesus Looks For Disciples

People look at people and see them as:

1. What we once were

2. What we are now

God looks at people and sees them as:

1. Where we are

2. What we can be

The Place Of Commitment

1. It's the place where the heaviest battles are fought

2. It's the place where the winners are divided from the whiners

3. It's the place where God reveals Himself

The Process Of Commitment (Matthew 9:35 - 10:5)

1. Jesus gave the Disciples a challenge
(verse 37 - The He said to His Disciples, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

"A congregation is either a field to work in or a force to work with."

2. Jesus gave the Disciples change
(verse 38 - Ask the Lord to send out workers into the harvest field.)

Twofold

  1.  In prayer
  2. Power for ministry

3. Jesus gave the Disciples a chance to get involved
(Matthew 10:2-5)

Which attitude is mine? 

  • I'll do what I want, I don't care what God wants me to do.
  • If God will give me what I want first, then I'll give Him what He wants.
  • I'll give God what He wants first with faith so that He'll give me what I want.
  • I'll give God what He wants regardless of what He gives me.

November 22 2015 Cultivating My Friendships

CULTIVATING MY FRIENDSHIPS

Wiser- Part 6

Proverbs 27:19 (LB) "A mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses.  "

SIX MARKS OF A REAL FRIEND

1. I must be COMMITTED

Proverbs 18:24"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."            

Proverbs 18:24 (GN)"Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.  "

2. I must be CONSIDERATE

Proverbs 19:22 (LB) "Kindness makes a man attractive. 

Proverbs 17:9 (LB)  "Love forgets mistakes.  Nagging about them parts the best of friends.  "

3. I must be CONFIDENTIAL

Proverbs 11:13 "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.  "

4. I must be CANDID        

Proverbs 27:5-6 "Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds  from a friend can be trusted "

Proverbs 24:26 (GN) An honest answer is the sign of a true  friendship.  "

5. I must be CONSTRUCTIVE

Proverbs 27:17 (Knox)"As iron sharpens iron, friend shapes friend    

1 Thessalonians 5:11

6. I must be CONSISTENT

Proverbs 17:17  "A friend loves at ALL times, and a brother is born for adversity. 

Romans 5:11 (LB)"Now we can rejoice in our wonderful relationship with God  all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done in dying for our sins - making us friends with God!"

October 26 2014 Fully Engaged In My Walk With God

Fully Engaged in My Walk with God

Memory Verse: “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” - 2 Chronicles 16:9

KEY TRUTH: GOD IS FULLY ENGAGED WITH ME.

See Psalm 139:1 – 18

God shows His engagement to me through JESUS CHRIST

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” --John 3:16

I show my engagement with God through BECOMING MORE LIKE JESUS

“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son…” --Romans 8:29

KEY QUESTION: AM I  FULLY ENGAGED WITH GOD?

“Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.” -Psalm 26:2

10 Pillars of a Fully Engaged Walk with God

1. My faith is involved in every aspect of my life

2. Because of my faith, I have meaning and purpose in my life

3. My faith gives me an inner peace

4. I am a person who is spiritually committed

5. I spend time in worship every day        

6. Because of my faith, I have forgiven people who have hurt me deeply            

7. My faith has called me to develop my given gifts and talents                            

8. I will take unpopular stands to defend my faith

9. I speak words of kindness to those in need of encouragement
                        
10. I talk about my faith with those who are not yet Christians
                    

(Adapted from www.gallupfaith.com)


KEY DECISION: TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY ENGAGEMENT

My Engagement Measurement

0 ------------------------------------------------100

ACTION: What is one step I can take this week to be more engaged with God?

“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

February 12 2012 Letting Go Of Destructive Lifestyles

Letting Go Of Destructive Lifestyles

What keeps us from committing our all to Christ?


1. Pride
Proverbs 18:12 - Arrogant people are on the way to ruin because they won’t admit it when they need help.
Proverbs 10:8 - The self-sufficient fool falls flat on his face.

2. Guilt
Psalm 40:13 - Problems far too big for me to solve are piled higher than my head. Meanwhile my sins too many to count have caught up with me and I’m ashamed to look up.

3. Fear
Mark 8:36 - How does a man benefit if he gains the whole word and loses his soul in the process? Is anything worth more that his soul? No!

4. Worry
I Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
Philippians 1:6 - God, who began a good work in you, will keep right on helping you grow in His Grace until His task is finally finished.

5. Doubt
Matthew 17:20 - If you have Faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing will be impossible to you.

How To Make The Decision For Christ

1. Accept God’s Son as my Savior.
Acts 16:31 - Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.

2. Accept God’s Word as my standard for living.
II Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching the Faith and correcting error, for resetting the direction of a man’s life, training him in good living.

3. Accept God’s Will as my goal for life.
David said: I desire to do Your Will O my God.


4. Accept God’s power as my strength.
Phil 4:13 - I can do everything God asks me with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.

Rev. 3:20 - Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will go in and eat with him and he with Me.