April 9 2017 A Gift For The Deeper Life

A GIFT FOR THE DEEPER LIFE

Mark 15:33-47

1. The gift speaks of a penalty paid.

Mark 15:31 - He saved others, they said, but He can’t save Himself.

II Cor. 5:15 - He died for all.

2. The gift speaks of a way to God is opened.

Verse 38 - The curtain in the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

3. The gift speaks of a new motivation.

Verse 39 - And when the Centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus hear His cry and saw how He died, He said, “surely this Man was the Son of God.”

Verse 43 - Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the Kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.

Verse 40 - Some women were watching from a distance. Among them was Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.

4. The gift speaks of our need for intention

Verse 34 – My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?

April 10 2015 Your Failures And God's Grace

YOUR FAILURES AND GOD’S GRACE

Psalm 80:19 – Restore us O Lord God of Hose, cause your face to shine and we shall be saved.

Four Causes Of Drifting Away.

1. Over-Confidence.

1 Corinthians 10:12 – Let him who standeth take heed lest he fall.

Proverbs 16:18 – Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

2. Laziness.

Mark 14:37 – Could you not keep watch for one hour.

Matthew 26:41 – Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.

3. Fear of disapproval.

Mark 15:54 - Peter followed Him at a distance.

Proverbs 29:25 – Fearing people is a dangerous trap.

Mark 8:28 – (Jesus) If anyone is ashamed of Me and My Words, I will be ashamed of him before the Holy angels and My Father in heaven.

4. Convenience.

Verse 54 – There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

Steps To God’s Restoration

Jeremiah 15:19 – If you will return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve Me.

Isaiah 1:18 – No matter how deep the stains of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow.

1. Confession of my movement away.

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2. Cooperation with God’s presence.

John 15:5 – I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing.

Psalm 37:34 – Wait for the Lord and keep His way.  He will exalt you to possess the land.

3. Consecrate your whole life to God.

Romans 12: 1-2 – I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice holy, acceptable to God which is your reasonable service.

4. Continue to serve God.

John 21:15 – Feed my sheep.

2 Corinthians 5:18 – God reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

Jeremiah 15:19 – If you return to Me, I will restore you.

April 27 2014 Restoring Inner Confidence

Restoring Inner Confidence

Lamentations 5:21 – Restore us O Lord and bring us back to you.

Four Causes Of Losing Inner Confidence

1. Over-Confidence.

1 Corinthians 10:12 – Let him who standeth take heed lest he fall.

Proverbs 16:18 – Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

2. Laziness.

Mark 14:37 – Could you not keep watch for one hour.

Matthew 26:41 – Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.

3. Fear of disapproval.

Mark 15:54 - Peter followed Him at a distance.

Proverbs 29:25 – Fearing people is a dangerous trap.

Mark 8:28 – (Jesus) If anyone is ashamed of Me and My Words, I will be ashamed of him before the Holy angels and My Father in heaven.

4. Convenience.

Verse 54 – There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

Steps To God’s Restoration

Jeremiah 15:19 – If you will return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve Me.

Isaiah 1:18 – No matter how deep the stains of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow.

1. Confession of my movement away.

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2. Cooperation with God’s presence.

John 15:5 – I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing.

Psalm 37:34 – Wait for the Lord and keep His way. He will exalt you to possess the land.

3. Consecrate your whole life to God.

Romans 12: 1-2 – I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice holy, acceptable to God which is your reasonable service.

4. Continue to serve God.

John 21:15 – Feed my sheep.

2 Corinthians 5:18 – God reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

Jeremiah 15:19 – If you return to Me, I will restore you.

April 20 2014 Finding Forgiveness

Finding Forgiveness

Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” – Romans 6:4

Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

“A man had two sons. younger son told his father, ‘‘I want my share of your estate now, instead of waiting until you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and took a trip to a distant land.” – Luke 15:11-13a

RECOGNIZE I Need God.

“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired men have food enough to spare, and here I am, dying of hunger!’” – Luke 15:17

TO FIND FORGIVENESS:

Memory Verse: “Jesus was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God.” – Romans 4:25

“So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us.” – John 1:14a

“For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son…” – John 3:16a

RETURN Home to God.

“I will go home to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired man.’ So he returned home to his father.” – Luke 15:18-20a

“Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” – Mark 15:37-38’

“…so that everyone who believes in Him…” – John 3:16b

RECEIVE God’s forgiveness through Christ.

“And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.” – Luke 15:20b

“His father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening in the pen. We must celebrate with a feast, this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’’ So the party began.” – Luke 15:22-24

February 5 2012 How To Handle Loneliness

**no sermon audio**

How To Handle Loneliness

II Timothy 4:6 - 22

Four Causes Of Loneliness

1. Transitions in life.
Verse 6 - I am already being poured out like a drink offering and the time has come for my departure.

Verses 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.

2. Separation.
Verse 9 - Do your best to come to me quickly.

Verse 21 - Do your best to get here before winter.

3. Opposition.
Verse 14 - Alexander, the metal worker, did a great deal of harm.

Definition of harm:

4. Rejection.
Verse 16 - At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me.

4 Steps Through Loneliness

1. Utilize your time.
Verses 12 - 13 - I sent Tychicus to Ephesus and when you come bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas and my scrolls, especially the parchments.


2. Minimize the hurt.
Verse 16 - No one came to my support but may it not be held against them.

3. Recognize God's Presence.
Verse 17 - The Lord stood at my side and gave me strength.

John 14:18 - I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you.

Example of David, Psalm 139 - Where can I get away from your presence? If I go up to heaven you are there. Anywhere on earth, you are there. I can’t get away from you.

4. Empathize with other people's needs.
Verse 17 - The Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.

Mark 15:34 - “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”