February 7 2016 The Word Of Forgiveness

THE WORD OF FORGIVENESS

Luke 23:33-43

Verse 34 – Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.

THE PROBLEM WITH SOCIETY

-We try to bury the past.

Psalm 32 – When I refused to confess my sins, I was weak and miserable.

-We beat ourselves up.

Psalm 30 – Because I was foolish, I’m bent over and bowed down, I’m sad all day long.

-We try to blame others.

Proverbs19:3 – Some people ruin themselves by their own stupid actions and then blame the Lord.

TRUTHS TO HELP US

1. Forgiveness begins with God.

Verse 34 – “Father.”

Romans 3:23 – All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2. Forgiveness is possible because of Christ.

Verse 34 – “Forgive them.”

Hebrews 4:14 – Therefore since we have a great High Priest who has gone into heaven, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.

Isaiah 53:12 – He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

3. Forgiveness is needed by all.

Verse 34 – “They do not know what they are doing.”

2 Corinthians 5:19 – That God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.

4. This prayer sets an example for us.

Matthew 5:44 – But I tell you love your enemies.

WHAT JESUS WANTS US TO DO

-Admit our guilt.

Proverbs 20:27 – The Lord gave us a mind and a conscience, we cannot hide from ourselves

1 John 1:8 – If we claim to be without sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

-Accept responsibility.

Psalm 51:3 – I recognize my faults. I am conscious of my sin.

James 5:16 – Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

1 John 1:9 – If we freely admit that we have sinned, we find God utterly reliable.  He forgives your sins and makes us thoroughly clean from all that is evil.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

-God forgives instantly.

Isaiah 55:7 – God is merciful and quick to forgive.

-God forgives completely.

Colossians 2:13 – He forgave us all our sins.

-God forgives freely.

Ephesians 1:7 – For by the death of Christ, we are set free.

May 31 2015 Freedom To Change

FREEDOM TO CHANGE

Romans 12:1-2
 
Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask him to remove my character defects. 

Romans 12:1-2 – Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to His service and pleasing to Him, and let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind.

I. Where Do My Character Defects Come From?

• My biological inheritance.

Genetics explain predisposition but don’t excuse sin.

• My circumstances, or how I was raised.

Character defects are often attempts to fill unmet needs.

• My choices in life.

Character defects are often positive qualities being misused.

II. Why Is It So Hard To Change Them?

1. Because I’ve had them a long time.

2. Because I confuse my identity with them.

3. Because they have a payoff.

4. Because satan discourages me.

III. How Do I Cooperate With God’s Change Process?

Romans 12:2 – Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

1. Focus on changing one defect at a time.

Proverbs 17:24 – An intelligent person aims at wise action, but a fool starts off in many directions.

2. Focus on Victory one day at a time.

Matthew 6:11 – Give us this day our daily bread.

Matthew 6:34 – Don’t worry about tomorrow, each day has enough troubles of its own.

3. Focus on God’s power not willpower.

Jeremiah 12:23 – Can a leopard take away his spots?  Nor can you who are used to doing evil now start being good.

BUT…..

Philippians 4:13 – I can master anything with the help of Christ who gives me strength.

4. Focus on what I want, not what I don’t want.

Philippians 4:8 – Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right.  Think about things that are pure.  Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. 

5. Focus on doing good, not feeling good.

Galatians 5:16 – If you are guided by the Spirit you will be in no danger of yielding to self-indulgence.   

6. Focus on people who help me, not hinder me. 

Proverbs 27:1 – As iron sharpens iron, so people can improve each other.

7. Focus on progress not perfect performance.

Philippians 1:6 – God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in His Grace until His task with you is finally finished.

December 29 2013 Mistakes To Avoid In 2014

Mistakes To Avoid In 2014

"Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow." Joshua 7:13 (NIV)

FOOLISH MISTAKES TO AVOID

1. USELESS WORRYING ABOUT THE FUTURE

Matthew 6:27 (NIV)"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

Matthew 6:30b-33 (NCV)"... Don't have so little faith! Don't worry and say, `What will we eat... or drink...or wear?' The people who don't know God keep trying to get these things, and your Father in heaven knows you need them. The thing you should want most is God's kingdom and doing what God wants. Then all these other things you need will be given to you."

Matthew 6:3 (LB)"So don't be anxious about tomorrow -- God will take care of your tomorrow, too. Live one day at a time."

THE WISE WAY: TRUST GOD

2. ARROGANT ASSUMING.

Proverbs 27:1 (NIV)"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth."

Isaiah 56:12"’Come,’ each one cries, ‘... Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even better!’"

James 4:14 & 16 (NIV)"Why, you don't even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil."

Proverbs 22:3 (LB) "A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences."

THE WISE WAY: PREPARE

3. FAULTY PLANNING.

James 4:13 (NIV)"Now listen, you who say, `Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make money.’"

Ecclesiastes 8:7 (NIV) "Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is to come?"

James 4:15 (NIV) "Instead, you ought to say, IF it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

THE WISE WAY: PRAY AS YOU PLAN

Proverbs 16:1 (GN) "We may make our plans, but God has the last word."

Proverbs 16:9 (LB) "We should make plans – counting on God to direct us."

4. LAZY PROCRASTINATING.

James 4:17 (NIV) "Anyone then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it sins."

Proverbs 3:27-28 (NIV)"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, `Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow' -- when you now have it with you."

THE WISE WAY: DO IT NOW

1 John 2:3-4 (NIV)"We can be sure we know Christ if we obey His commands. The one who says `I know Him' but doesn't do what He commands is a liar."

2 Corinthians 6:2 (LB)"RIGHT NOW God is ready to welcome you. TODAY He is ready to save you!

February 17 2013 Keeping Your Peace Of Mind While Getting Ahead

KEEPING YOUR PEACE OF MIND WHILE GETTING AHEAD
Exodus 20:15 - You shall not steal.
Proverbs. 10:2 - Ill gotten gain brings no lasting happiness, but right living does.

I. Wrong ways to get ahead:

1. Dishonesty.
Proverbs 16:11 - The Lord wants weights and measures to be honest and every sale to be fair.
Proverbs 20:14 - It’s no good: It’s no good, says the buyer, then off he goes and boasts about his purchase.

2. Defrauding people.
Leviticus 19:13 - Don’t hold back the wages of a hired man overnight.
Colossians 3:22 - Obey your human masters, not only when they are watching you because you want their favor, but do it with a sincere heart in reverence for the Lord.

3. Getting ahead by default.
Romans 13:8 - Let no debt remain outstanding.
Psalm 37:21 - The wicked borrow and do not repay.

4. Depending on luck.
Proverbs 28:20 & 22 - The man who wants to get rich quick will quickly fail. Trying to get rich quick is evil and leads to poverty.
Proverbs 28:19 - He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will end in poverty.

5. Dishonoring others.
Proverbs 10:18 - Whoever spreads slander is a fool.

II. The right way to get ahead:

1. Hard work.
Proverbs 14:23 - Hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

2. Saving and investing.
Proverbs 21:5 - The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends all he can get.
Proverbs 13:11 - Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers little by little makes it grow.

3. Praying.
Matthew 7:11 - If you being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him.

4. Giving.
Proverbs 11:24-25 - Be generous and you will be prosperous. Help others and you will be helped.

III. Peace of mind while getting ahead:

• Be honest with people.
Proverbs 15:27 & 19:1

• Be honest with the government.
Romans 13:7, Matthew 22:21

• Be honest with God.
MalachI 3:8-10

July 22 2012 How To Make Up Your Mind

How To Make Up Your Mind

James 1:5-11

Immediately after speaking about problems (vs. 2-4), James deals with the matter of decision-making.  The quality of your life will be determined by the wisdom or foolishness of your decisions.

1. The problem: Indecision.
Verse 8 - A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Double-minded: Two-souled

Indecision causes:

•  Unstable emotions.
•  Unstable relationships.
•  Unstable spiritual life.

2. The prescription: Get wisdom.

James suggests three practical steps:

Step One:  Admit your need.
Verse 5 - If any of you lack wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2 - When pride comes, the comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Step Two:  You need to ask.
Verse 5 - He should ask God.
Proverbs 2:6 - It is the Lord who gives wisdom, from Him comes knowledge and understanding.

Step Three:  You anticipate it.
Verse 6 - But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt.
Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

3. The Promise: God will give it.
Verse 5c - Ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

How God Gives:
•  Gives it continuously
•  Gives it generously
•  Gives it cheerfully