October 12 2014 Developing Our Confidence

Developing Our Confidence 

Anything I have confidence in more than God is called an idol.

Deuteronomy 4:15-16 – For your own good don’t sin by making an idol in any form.

I. What happens when I put confidence in anything else more than God?

1. I AM disappointed.

Jeremiah 10:14 – Those who make idols are disillusioned.

Hebrews 2:18 – Of what value is an idol?  For he who makes it trusts in his own creation.

Isaiah 44:20 – The poor, deluded fool is trusting something that can give him no help at all.  Yet he cannot bring himself to ask: is this thing, this idol a lie?

2. I AM dominated.

1 Corinthians 12:2 – You were controlled by dead idols, who led you astray.

Psalm 115:8 – Those who make idols end up like them.  So does everyone who trusts them.

3. I AM embracing false religions.

II. Why don’t I have confidence in God?

Because I Don’t really know God.

Psalm 9:10 – Those who know the Lord trust Him.

III. Why should I put all my confidence in God?

1. BECAUSE He always tells the truth.

Hebrews 6:18 – We can completely count on Him, for it is impossible for God to lie.

Romans 3:4 – God will continue to be true even when every person is false.

2. BECAUSE He loves me.

1 John 4:16, 18 – We know how much God loves us, so we have put our trust in Him, because God’s perfect love drives out fear.

3. BECAUSE He’s in control.

Romans 8:28 – And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.

4. BECAUSE God will help me.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding.  Remember the Lord in all you do, and He will give you success.

Mark 5:36 – Jesus says: “Don’t be afraid.  Just trust Me.”

July 27 2014 Faith: The Working Quality Of The Church

Faith: The Working Quality Of Life And The Church

Mark 5:25 – 34

Does my faith remove my mountains or my mountains remove my faith?

Lessons On Faith

1. We see the determination of faith.

Verses 25-26 – A woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She has suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better, she grew worse.

2. Look at the direction of faith.

Verse 27 – When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His cloak.

Why She Tried Again:

• Her faith in others had been shattered.
• Time was ebbing away.

Two Directions Faith Can Take:

1. Discard our faith and give up.
2. Direct our faith and grow up.

Hebrews 12:12-13 – Wherefore, lift up the hands which hang down and the feeble knees and make straight paths for your feet.

3. We need to see the decision of her faith.

Verses 27-28 – She touched His cloak because she thought if I just touch His cloak.

The Formation Of Faith:

• Begins with knowledge.
• Grows with our inward reflection.
• A decision is made.

Verse 29 – When she touched Him, immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

4. There must be a declaration of this faith.

Verses 30-34 – At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from Him and asked “Who touched my clothes?” “You see the people crowding against You,” His disciples answered, “and yet You can ask, ‘Who touched Me’?” But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman came and fell at His feet and told the whole truth, and He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you.”

Two Reasons For The Question:

1. She had an ignorant faith.
2. Jesus wanted a public demonstration.

Faith that brings us to Jesus and causes a positive response, that is publicly declared, is sufficient faith.

July 13 2014 When I Feel Stressed About My Future

When I Feel Stressed About My Future

1. REMEMBER GOD’S FAITHFULNESS IN MY PAST.

“Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember your kindness – from Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar.” – Psalm 42:5 - 6

2. EVALUATE THE SPECIFIC SOURCE OF MY STRESS.

eu-stress: GOOD STRESS

“Then Jesus said, ‘Let's get away from the crowds for a while and rest.’ There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn't even have time to eat.” – Mark 6:31

dis-stress: BAD STRESS

(Jesus) "So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.” – Matthew 5:31 - 34

3. STICK TO WHAT I KNOW IS RIGHT

“The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”– 1 Peter 3:12

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9

4. TRUST GOD COMPLETELY WITH MY FUTURE.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’”” – Jeremiah 29:11

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

“Then the angel spoke to the women. ‘Don't be afraid!’ he said. ‘I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn't here! He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen.’” –Matthew 28:5-6