January 3 2016 Winning Through Encouragement

Winning Through Encouragement

Introduction:

• Assets make things possible.
• People make things happen.

It is important that people believe in their leader, but it is more important that the leader believes in the people.

Principles Jesus Models About Encouragement

1. Focus on the person’s potential not their past.

John 1:40-42 – The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him “We have found the Messiah.”  Then he brought Simon to Jesus who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John.  You will be called Cephas.” (Which, being translated is Peter.)

2. Develop a relationship with people before you ask anything of them.

Matthew 4:18-20 – As Jesus was walking beside the sea He saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew.  They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, and they left the boat and their father and followed him.

3. Be ready to help people when they stretch.

Matthew 14:28 – “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”  “Come,”  He said.

4. Give people recognition and responsibility.

Matthew 16:16 – Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.  On this Rock I will build my Church.”

5. Never give up on people.

Matthew 16:23 – The Lord tells Peter, “Out of my sight, Satan!  You are a stumbling block.”

Though you cannot go back and make a brand new start, my friend, you can start from now and make a brand new end!

6. Pray for others.

Luke 22:31-32 – “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.  And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

December 27 2015 Missions Is Giving

MISSIONS IS GIVING

John 3:16 – For God so love the world that He gave His one and only Son.

• Missions requires giving yourself in Christian living.

Matthew 5:16 – Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:13 – You are the salt of the earth.

Ephesians 5:18 – Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery, instead be filled with the Holy Spirit.

• Missions is giving a personal witness.

Mark 1:17 – Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men.

• Missions is giving our life.

Matthew 16:24 – If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.

Luke 10:41 – Mary has chosen what is better.

Matthew 28:19 – Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.

The Benefit Of Giving

Luke 6:38 – Jesus said, give and it will be given to you, for with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

• Giving makes us more like God.
• Giving draws us closer to God.

Matthew 6:21 – For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

• Giving gives me victory over materialism.
• Giving strengthens my faith.

Proverbs 3:5-9 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, honor the Lord by giving Him the first part of all your income and He will fill your barns to over-flowing.

• Giving is an investment for eternity.

Jesus said, store up your treasures in heaven.

2 Corinthians 8:5 – They first gave themselves to the Lord.

June 14 2015 Freedom From Depression

FREEDOM FROM DEPRESSION

1 Kings 19:1-18 

Verse 4 – I have had enough, Lord.  Take my life.  I am no better than my ancestors.

A Prime Candidate For Depression Is: Physically tired & emotionally exhausted.

I. First, notice what causes or increases depression.

A) One – You focus on feelings instead of facts.

Verse 3-4 – Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.  He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said.

B) Secondly, you can increase depression by comparing yourselves with others.

Verse 4 – “I’m no better than my ancestors.”

2 Corinthians 10:12 – We do not dare to compare ourselves with some.

C) Thirdly, depression is increased when we take false blame.

Verse 10 – “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty.  The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword.”

You can sometimes influence people but you can’t control them.

D) A fourth mistake we make about depression is exaggerate the negative.

Verse 10 – “Everybody’s against me.”

II. Secondly, notice God’s cure for depression

A) First take care of physical needs.

Verses 5-6 – Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep, and then the angel said, “Get up and eat,” and he looked and saw bread and a jar of water.

B) Secondly give your frustrations to God.

Verses 9-10 – Israel rejected the covenant, broke down the altars, put the prophets to death, the only one left.

Many emotions:

Verse 3:  He was afraid.

Verse 4:  He talks about resentment.

Verse 10:  Worked hard for nothing. Thought they would kill him.

C) Thirdly get a fresh awareness of God.

Verse 11 – “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord for I am to pass by.”

HOW TO GET A FRESH AWARENESS

Get alone with God.

D) Fourthly get a new direction for life.

Verse 15 –“Go back the way you came and go to the Desert of Damascus.  When you get there here’s what I want you to do.”

Matthew 16:25 – Whoever loses his life will find it.

YOU CAN CHANGE!

April 27 2014 How Can I Forgive Myself

How Can I Forgive Myself? 

“None of their past sins will be brought up again…” – Ezekiel 33:16a

Example of Peter:

“Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.’ And he went away, crying bitterly.” – Matthew 26:75

1. COMING TO GOD FOR FORGIVENESS.

“But the angel said, ‘Do not be so surprised. You are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified. He isn't here! He has been raised from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Now go and give this message to his disciples, including Peter.’” – Mark 16:6-7a

Five Ways God Forgives:
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1. God forgives SPECIFICALLY.
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2. God forgives INSTANTLY.
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3. God forgives COMPLETELY.
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4. God forgives REPEATEDLY.
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5. God forgives  FREELY.

“He has forgiven all of your sins. He has utterly wiped out the evidence of broken commandments which always hung over our heads and has completely annulled it by nailing it to the cross.” -Colossians 2:14

2. CHANGING MY PATTERN.

“The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men who had had no special training. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.” – Acts 4:13

Memory Verse: “For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.” – Philippians 2:13

3. REALIZING GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR MY PAST.

“[God] said, ‘My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

Romans 8:1 “There is no condemnation for those who live in union with Jesus Christ.”

January 12 2014 The Great Invitation

The Great Invitation 

Matthew 4:18-22

To experience real fellowship with Christ, we must leave our position of distance and come into the circle of intimacy and service with the Master.

Four Lessons to Learn

1. Invitation To Intimacy.

Matthew 4:19 – Come, follow Me.

Matthew 4:18 – Jesus saw two brothers.

Genesis 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

2. Invitation To Intervention.

Matthew 4:19 – I will make you.

Matthew 16:18 – I will build My church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Philippians 1:6 – He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.

2 Peter 3:18 – Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 10:25 – Let us not give up meeting together as some in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.

3. Invitation To Investment

Matthew 4:20 & 22 – At once they left their nets. They left their boat and their father and followed Him.

Moses: He counted it greater honor to follow God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season and to enrich himself with all the riches of Egypt.

4. Invitation To Increase.

Verse 19 – I will make you fishers of men.