September 4 2016 When Only A Miracle Will Do

WHEN ONLY A MIRACLE WILL DO

A Time To Build

1. Admit we have a need.

Mark 6:34-37 - When Jesus saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, so He began teaching them.  By this time it was late in the day, so His disciple came and said, ‘This is a remote place. Send the people away so they can go and buy something to eat.’  But Jesus answered, ‘You give them something to eat!’ They said, ‘That would take eight months of a man’s wages!’

2.  Assess our ability.

Mark 6:38 - How many loaves do you have? Jesus asked, ‘Go and see.’  When thy found out, they said, ‘Five small loaves of bread and two fish.’

John 6:6 - Jesus asked this only to test them, for He already had in mind what He was going to do.

3.  Give God the resources we have.

Mark 6:41 - Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish.  He blessed the food and broke the loaves and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people.

The boy gave what he had, willingly, cheerfully and immediately.

4.  Expect Him to expand it.

Mark 6:42-43 - Everyone ate and had enough.  Afterwards they collected 12 baskets full of leftovers!

Mark 10:27 - All things are possible with God.

EXPECT FOUR THINGS

1.  Expect us to grow spiritually.

2 Corinthians 8:7 - You are growing in faith, in speaking, in knowledge, in truly wanting to help, and in the love you learned from us.  In the same way, be strong also in the grace of giving.

2.  Expect greater fellowship.

1 Peter 3:8 - You should be like one big happy family.

Acts 2:47 – Enjoying the favor of all people.

3. Expect great worship and celebration.

Psalm 95:2 - Let us come before Him with thanksgiving.

4.  Expect a challenge to sell out to God.

2 Corinthians 8:5 - They first gave themselves unreservedly to God.  Then the other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives.

October 6 2013 How To Prepare For A Miracle

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A MIRACLE

A Time To Build

1. Admit that I have a need.
Mark 6:34-37 - When Jesus saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, so He began teaching them. By this time it was late in the day, so His disciple came and said, ‘This is a remote place. Send the people away so they can go and buy something to eat.’ But Jesus answered, ‘You give them something to eat!’ They said, ‘That would take eight months of a man’s wages!’

2. Assess what I already have.

Mark 6:38 - How many loaves do you have? Jesus asked, ‘Go and see.’ When thy found out, they said, ‘Five small loaves of bread and two fish.’
John 6:6 - Jesus asked this only to test them, for He already had in mind what He was going to do.

3. Give God whatever I have.

Mark 6:41 - Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish. He blessed the food and broke the loaves and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people.

The boy gave what he had, willingly, cheerfully and immediately.

4. Expect Him to multiply it.

Mark 6:42-43 - Everyone ate and had enough. Afterwards they collected 12 baskets full of leftovers!
Mark 10:27 - All things are possible with God.

The next miracle in Our Church’s history

A TIME TO BUILD - 4 PURPOSES

1. To help us grow to spiritual maturity.

II Cor. 8:7 - You are growing in faith, in speaking, in knowledge, in truly wanting to help, and in the love you learned from us. In the same way, be strong also in the grace of giving.

2. To deepen our fellowship as a Church family.

I Peter 4:9 - Open your homes to each other.

I Peter 3:8 - You should be like one big happy family.

3. To Worship God by celebrating Thanksgiving.

Psalm 95:2 - Let us come before Him with thanksgiving.

4. To challenge us to complete our family/Worship center.

By having a Commitment Day on Nov. 17th when each of us can make a gift and a three year giving commitment.

II Cor. 8:5 - They first gave themselves unreservedly to God. Then the other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING THIS TIME?

1. To see some miracles.

2. To grow spiritually.

3. To be hassled by Satan.

4. To experience joy.

January 20 2013 How To Avoid Burnout

HOW TO PREVENT BURN-OUT
Exodus 20:8-9

Verses 8-9 - Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.

I. The Sabbath is God’s solution for burn-out.

• What is it? It means rest.

• Why did God create it? For man’s benefit.

Mark 2:27 - Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”

• The problem: Ignore or corrupt.

• When is it? We Worship on Sunday, but the principle is what is important.

Romans 14:5-6 - One man considers one day more sacred than another, each man should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special does so to the Lord.

II. What to do on your Sabbath.

Three Purposes

1. Use the day to rest your body.
Psalm 127:2 - God wants His loved ones to get their proper rest.

Psalm 23:2 - He makes me lie down in green pastures.

2. Use the day to recharge your emotions.

• Have a time of quietness.
Psalm 23:3 - He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.

• Spend time with your family.
Ecclesiastes 9:9 - Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love.

• Fellowship with believers.
Hebrews 10:25 - Let us not give up meeting together, but let us encourage one another.

3. Use the day to refocus your spirit.
Psalm 122:1 - I was glad when they said to me: Let us go to the house of the Lord.

Psalm 95:6 - Come let us bow down in worship before the Lord our maker.

Colossians 2:16-17 - Do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink or with regard to a religious festival, or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come, the reality however, is found in Christ.