October 16 2016 Connecting with Jesus - "I am the vine"

Connecting with Jesus - "I am the vine"

John 15:1-8. "I am the true grapevine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit. He prune the branches that do bear fruit, so they will produce even more." "You've already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me and I will remain in you for a branch cannot produce fruit if it severed from the vine. You can not be fruitful unless you remain in me." "Yes I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.","Anyone who doesn't remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned." "But if you remain in me my words remain in you. You may ask for anything and it will be granted. When you produce fruit you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my father."

FOUR VITAL STEPS TO LOVING JESUS AS OUR VINE

1. I start my connection to Jesus by believing in him.

John 14:6 " I am the way the truth and the life. No one can come to the father except through me.

John 15:16. You didn't choose me. I chose you.

2. I strengthen my connection to Jesus by obeying him.

John 15:10. Jesus says, "When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love. Just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in His love."

John 15:14-15 You are my friends if you do what I command. Underline that. He says, I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now, you are my friends since I have told you everything the Father told me."

John 15:6-7. "Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you can ask for anything you want, and it will be granted."

3. I show my connection to Jesus by loving others.

John 15: 12-13. "This is my command. Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.

Galatians 5:22-23 "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

4. I see my connection to Jesus in my joy.

John 15:11. "I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

Memory Verse: John 15:5. "Yes, I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who remain in me and I in them will produce much fruit, for apart from me, you can do nothing."

January 31 2016 Daring To Give God My Best

DARING TO GIVE GOD MY BEST

Daring Faith: The Key To Miracles – Part 5

2 Peter 1:5­8 (CEV) "DO YOUR BEST to improve your faith. You can do this by adding goodness, understanding, self­control, patience, devotion to God, concern for others, and love. If you keep growing in this way, it will show that . . . Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful."

Proverbs 3:9-­10 "Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the BEST part of everything. If you do this, your barns will fill with grain and your barrels will overflow with wine."

HOW DO I GIVE MY BEST TO GOD?

2 Timothy 2:3­7 – A Soldier, An Athlete, A Farmer

"Endure hardship with us like a GOOD SOLDIER of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets tied up in civilian af airs—he wants to please his commanding of icer. Similarly, if anyone competes as AN ATHLETE, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. And the HARDWORKING FARMER should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Think about these three illustrations, and the Lord will help you to understand how they apply to you." 2 Timothy 2:3­7 (NIV/LB)

LESSONS FROM THE MILITARY

LIKE AN EFFECTIVE SOLDIER, I MUST . . .

1. I MUST DEFINE WHAT I’D DIE FOR

John 15:13 (LB) "The greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life

2. I MUST SACRIFICE MY COMFORT

2 Timothy 2:3 "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus."

Ephesians 5:2 "Live a life of sacrificial love just like Christ loved us and gave himself as an of ering and sacrifice for us."

3. I MUST ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS

2 Timothy 2:4 (NIV/NLT)"As Christ’s soldier, do not let yourself become entangled in the af airs of this life, wasting time, for then you can’t please your commanding of icer who enlisted you in his army."

LESSONS FROM SPORTS

1 Corinthians 9:24-­27 (LB/NCV) "In a race everyone runs, but only one person wins the prize. So run your race to win. TO WIN the contest YOU MUST DENY YOURSELVES many things that would keep you from DOING YOUR BEST.

An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a ribbon or medal that won’t last, but we do it for an eternal reward that will last forever! So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win. I’m not just shadow­boxing or playing around. Like an athlete I discipline myself, making sacrifices and training my body to do what it should, not what it wants to do. Otherwise I fear I might be disqualified from the race."

TO WIN THE PRIZE, I MUST . . .

1. I MUST INTEND TO WIN

1 Corinthians 9:24 (LB) "In a race everyone runs, but only one person wins the prize. So run your race to win!"

1 Timothy 6:12 (TEV)"Run YOUR BEST in the RACE OF FAITH, and win eternal life for yourself; for this is the life that God called you to when you professed your faith before many witnesses."

2. I MUST DISCIPLINE MYSELF

Hebrews 12:2 (Mes)"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that joyful finish with God in heaven —he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God."

2 Timothy 2:5 (NAS) "If anyone competes as an athlete, he cannot receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules."

1 Corinthians 9:25+27 (LB/NLT)"To win the contest you must deny yourself many things that would keep you from DOING YOUR BEST. An athlete goes into strict training just to win a ribbon or medal that won’t last, but we do it for an eternal reward that will last forever! . . . So I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should."

3. I MUST STAY FOCUSED ON THE REWARD

1 Corinthians 9:26 (LB )"I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step! I fight to win. I’m not just shadow­boxing or playing around."

Matthew 13:24 (NLT) Jesus: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field."

LESSONS FROM FARMING

2 Corinthians 9:6­-13 (NLT) "Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. Then God will generously provide all you need, and you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others . . . For God is the one who gives seed to the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will give you many opportunities to do good, and he will produce a great harvest of generosity in you! Yes, you will be enriched SO THAT you can give even more generously! . . . You will be glorifying God through your generous gifts, AND your generosity will prove you are obedient to the Good News of Christ!"

TO REAP A GREAT HARVEST, I MUST . . .PLANT GENEROUSLY IN FAITH

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2 PROMISES OF JESUS

Luke 6:38 (ICB) "Give, and it will be given back to you. You will be given much. It will be poured into your hands—more than you can hold. You will be given so much that it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you."

Mark 10:29-­30 Jesus said, "I guarantee you this: Anyone who gives up anything for my sake and the Good News—whether a home or a family member or property—will get MORE THAN THAT BACK, multiplied a HUNDREDFOLD, and in the world to come they will be given life forever!"

November 9 2014 Fully Engaged In Friends

Fully Engaged in My Friends

The eyes of the Lord search to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose hearts are completely His.– 2 Chronicles 16:9

““Never abandon a friend—either yours or your father's.  Then in your time of need, you won't have to ask your relatives for assistance.  It is better to go to a neighbor than to a relative who lives far away.” – Proverbs 27:10

FOUR ACTIONS TO ENGAGE MY FRIENDS THIS WEEK

1. Provide Encouragement

“For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means ‘Son of Encouragement’).” – Acts 4:26

• Through my words (see Matthew 12:36-37)
• Acts of kindness.
• Just listening.         

2. Play together.

“So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people to do in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them.” – Ecclesiastes 8:15

3. Pray specifically for my friends.

“God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God.” – Romans 1:9

(See other of Paul’s prayers for friends in Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:4;

4. Pursue an opportunity to talk about God.

“If you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way.” – 1 Peter 3:15-16

Memory Verse: “I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it – the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.” – John 15:12-13

July 21 2013 God On Film: Monsters University

Memory Verse: “There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, But a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” -Proverbs 18:24

Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.”

TO BECOME A GOD-HONORING FRIEND:
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BE A GOOD FRIEND FIRST

1 John 3:18“Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions.”

John 15:12-13 (Jesus) “I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.”
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ENCOURAGE MY FRIENDS DURING TOUGH TIMEs

Proverbs 17:17“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

3 Ways to Encourage a Friend in Need

1. PRAYER

2. Share a BIBLE VERSE

3. INVITE THEM TO CHURCH

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
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SEEK TO RESOLVE CONFLICT QUICKLY

Ephesians 4:26-27 “…Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil.”

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and gracious to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.”
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TRUST JESUS AS MY PRIMARY FRIEND

1 John 4:19 We love each other because he loved us first.”

Romans 5:11 “So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.”

November 27 2011 A Wonderful Counselor For Life's Decisions

A Wonderful Counselor For Life's Decisions

Isa 9:6 - A child shall be born and His name shall be called wonderful Counselor.

Why we need guidance:

° We have a selfish nature.
Jeremiah 10:23 – O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himself. It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it?

° Our minds are limited.
Isa. 55:8 – For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
Rom. 12:2 – But be ye transformed by the renewing or your mind.

° The Pressures surround us in our world.
Psalm 1:1 - Blesses is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly.
Rom. 12:2 – Be not conformed to this world.
James 1:5 – If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask God, that giveth to all men liberally.

I. He is a wonderful Counselor because of His perception.
John 1:1 – The Word was God. 
Gen. 1:27 – So God created man in His Own image.
Gen 3:15 – He (Christ) will crush your (satan) head.
Rev. 13:8 – The Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world.
Hebrews 4:16 – Let us then approach the Throne of Grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

II. He is a wonderful Counselor because of His personal attachment.
John 15:13 – Greater love has no man that this, that a man lay down his life for another.

III. He is a wonderful Counselor because of His power.
Matt. 28:16 – All power in heaven and earth has been given to Me.
I Cor. 2:4 – My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power.

IV. He is a wonderful Counselor for He waits for permission.
Gal. 2:20 – Christ lives in me.
Isa. 9:6 – For unto us a Child is born and He will be called wonderful, Counselor.