June 30 2013 How To Be Effective Christians

HOW TO BE EFFECTIVE CHRISTIANS
Philippians 2:19-30

Paul uses two men as examples of the kind of person who will make a difference in the world.
(Timothy) Verse 20 - I have no one else like him.
(Epaphroditus) Verse 29 - Hold me like him in highest honor.

FIVE VALUES

1.  Compassion.
a) Verse 20-21 - He is the only one who really cares about you.  Everyone else is concerned only with his own affairs, not about the cause of Christ.
b)  They are all wrapped up in their own affairs.
c)  The Samaritan.

2.  Consistency.
People who put character before conformity.
a) Verse 22 - Timothy has proved himself, he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
b) Proverbs 10:9 - The man of integrity walked securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.
c) Proverbs 20:7 - It is a wonderful heritage to have an honest father (mother).

3.  Cooperation.
People who put cooperation before competition.
a) Verse 25 - I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier.
b) Judges 20:11 - So all the men of Israel got together and united as one man against the city.

4.  Commitment.
People who put the cause of Christ before comfort.
a) Verses 25-27 - (Epaphroditus) is your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.  He was ill and almost died.  But God had mercy on him.
b) James 2:17 - Faith, by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead.

5.  Courage.
People who put service before security.
a) Verses 29-30 - Welcome him in the Lord with great joy and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.
b) Romans 12:1-2 - Because of God’s mercy to us, offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to His service.
c) Mark 8:35 - Only those who give away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the good news will ever know what it means to really live.

RENEW THESE NEEDED VALUES

April 8 2012 Building Hope In The Home

Building Hope In The Home

I Peter 1:3 - In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

THREE STEPS TO HOPE

STEP ONE - Build hope through your commitment.

HOW

1. Focus on Christ.

a) Matthew 28:9 - Suddenly Jesus met them.

Resurrection Principle #1

No home is complete without Christ.

b) Acts 16:34 - The whole family was filled with joy

Because they had come to believe in God.

c) Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord builds the house, it’s builders labor in vain.

2. Focus on each other.

a) Philippians 2:4 - Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing.

b) Ecclesiastes 4:12 - One standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back to back and conquer.

STEP TWO - Build hope through communication.

Matthew 28:10 - Jesus said to them, do not be afraid.

HOW TO COMMUNICATE

1. Talk to each other daily.

a) Ephesians 4:26 - Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.

2. Show your appreciation.

a) Example - Mark 14:8 - (Jesus said) she has done a beautiful thing to me.

3. Learn to forgive each other.

a) Ephesians 4:32 - Forgive each other as God forgave you in Christ.

Resurrection Principle #2

Communication builds hope in the home.

STEP THREE - Build hope by being consistent.

a) Psalm 145:17 - The Lord is righteousness in all His ways.

b) Psalm 145:13 - The Lord is faithful to all His promises.

c) Malachi 4:6 - He will turn the hearts of the Father’s to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers.

Resurrection Principle # 3

Honesty promotes consistency.

STEP FOUR - Build hope through confidence in God.

Verse 6 - (The Angel said) He is not here, He is risen.

HOW TO BUILD

1. Remember Jesus is available.

Matthew 11:28 - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.

2. He is adequate.

Jeremiah 32:17 - Nothing is too hard for God.

Resurrection Principle #4

He is always available and adequate.

YOU CAN BUILD HOPE IN YOUR HOME