August 30 & September 6 2015 How Jesus Handles Stress

HOW JESUS HANDLED STRESS

The Jesus Model - Part 3

1. IDENTIFICATION: Know who you are

John 8:12, Mark 14:62, John 14:6, John 6:35 “I am ...the Light of the world... the Son of God...the Way, the Truth and the Life...the Bread of life...” 

John 8:18 (TEV)“I testify on my own behalf.” 

2. MOTIVATION:  Know what you’re living for 

John 5:30 (TEV) “I am not trying to do what I want, but only what my Father who sent me wants.”

John 8:29 (NLT) “ I always do those things that are pleasing to Him.”  

Luke 16:13 (NIV) “No one can serve two masters...” 

3. CONCENTRATION: Focus on what matters most. 

Luke 9:51 (LB) “As the time drew near for his return to heaven, he moved steadily onward toward Jerusalem with an iron will.” 

Luke 9:62 (LB) “Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” 

1 Corinthians 10:23 (Amplified) “We are free to do anything but not all things are helpful or profitable or wholesome or constructive to your character and spiritual life.”

4. MEDITATION: Listen to God

Mark 1:35 (NIV) “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”  

Luke 5:15-16 (NCV) “News about Jesus spread even more. Crowds came to hear him and to be healed...but Jesus often slipped away to be alone so he could pray.” 

Colossians 2:7 (CEV) “Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life.” 

5. COLLABORATION: Join a small group

Mark 3:14 (NIV)“He appointed twelve – designating them apostles – that they might be with him…”

Matthew 26:38 (NIV) “Jesus said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 

6. RECREATION: Take time to recharge

Mark 6:31 (NCV)“Crowds of people were coming and going so that they did not even have time to eat. He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves, and we’ll go to a lonely place to get some rest.’”  

Matthew 11:19 (Ph) “Jesus came enjoying life...” 

7: SALVATION: Give It All to Jesus

Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT)  “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, and you will find rest for your souls.”

April 19 2015 When You Feel Like You're Stuck

WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE STUCK

Psalm 145:14 – God gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.

Mark 10:46 – Sitting beside the road.

Mark 10:52 – Following Jesus on the road.

HOW DO I GET UNSTUCK

SEIZE the moment when it comes.

Mark 10:46 – As Jesus and His disciples left town, a great crowd was following.  A blind beggar named Bartimaeus was sitting beside the road as Jesus was going by.  When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus from Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout out, “Jesus Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Luke 9:62 – Jesus said, “No procrastination.  No backward looks.  You can’t put God’s Kingdom off till tomorrow.  Seize the day.”

TAME your fears.

Mark 10:48 – Many of the people scolded him and told him to be quiet.  But he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

John 6:37 – I will never turn away anyone who comes to Me.

Proverbs 29:25 – The rear of human opinion disables you, trusting in God protects you from that.

ANNOUNCE your faith.

Mark 10:51 – Jesus asked him “What do you want me to do for you?”  The blind man answered, “Teacher, I want to see.”

Galatians 3:27 – Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start.  It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe, Christ’s life, the fulfillment of God’s original promise.

RECEIVE God’s grace.

Mark 10:52a – Jesus said to him, “Go your way, your faith has made you well.”  And immediately he gained his sight.

Ephesians 2:8 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

TAKE the next step.

Mark 10 52b – He regained his sight and began following Jesus on the road.

James 2:14 – If people say they have faith, but do nothing, their faith is worth nothing.

1 Corinthians 1:30 – Everything that we have, right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start, comes from God by way of Jesus Christ

June 2 2013 How To Succeed In Life

How To Succeed In Life
Philippians 3:12-21
Verse 17 - Join with others in following my example, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.

4 Keys To Successful Living

I.  Evaluation.

Verses 12-13 - Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.

Proverbs 28:13 - You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins.  Confess them and give them up, then God will show mercy to you.

Question: Where do I need to change?

II.  Elimination.

Verse 13 b - But this one thing I do, forgetting what is behind.

Isaiah 43:18 - Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past, see I am doing a new thing (says the Lord.)

WHAT TO FORGET
* Our failures.
* Our successes. 

Luke 9:62 - Jesus said, anyone who starts to plow and then looks back is of no use for the Kingdom of God

Questions: What memory do I need to let go of?

III.  Concentration.

Verse 13c - But this one thing I do, straining toward what is ahead I press on toward the goal.

I Corinthians 9:24 - Do you know that in a race, all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to win the prize.

WHAT IS THE GOAL?

II Corinthians 5:9 - so we make our goal to please Him.

Question: What am I living for, what’s my focus?

IV.  Determination.

Verses 12-13 - I press on, straining, I press on to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Acts 20:24 - But I reckon my own life to be worth nothing to me, in order that I may complete my mission and finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do, which is to declare the good news of the grace of God.
II Timothy 4:7-8- I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord will award to me on that day.

3 SUGGESTIONS (Verses 15-16)

*  Don’t become complacent.

*  Be teachable.

*  Be persistent.

May 29 2011 When You Need A Fresh Start

WHEN YOU NEED A FRESH START

Psalm 145:14 – God gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.
Mark 10 :46 – Sitting beside the road.
Mark 10:52 – Following Jesus on the road.

WHAT KEEPS ME FROM SEEING LIFE CLEARLY?

SEIZE THE MOMENT!
(Mark 10:46 – As Jesus and His disciples left town, a great crowd was following. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus was sitting beside the road as Jesus was going by. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus from Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout out, “Jesus Son of David, have mercy on me!”)
(Luke 9:62 – Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.”)

TAME YOUR FEAR!
(Mark 10:48 – Many of the people scolded him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
(John 6:37 – I will never turn away anyone who comes to Me.)
(Proverbs 29:25 – The fear of human opinion disables you, trusting in God protects you from that.)

ANNOUNCE YOUR FAITH!
(Mark 10:51 – Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you? The blind man answered, “Teacher, I want to see.”)
(Galatians 3:27 – Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe, Christ’s life, the fulfillment of God’s original promise.)

RECEIVE GOD’S GRACE!
(Mark 10:52a – Jesus said to him, “Go your way, your faith has made you well.” And immediately he regained his sight.)
(Ephesians 2:8 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.)

TAKE THE NEXT STEP!
(Mark 10:52b – He regained his sight and began following Jesus on the road.)
(James 2:14 – If people say they have faith, but do nothing, their faith is worth nothing.)
(I Corinthians 1:30 – Everything that we have, right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start, comes for God by way of Jesus Christ.)