August 3 2014 Hope - The Inspiration Of The Church And Life

THE INSPIRATION OF THE CHURCH AND LIFE

Romans 15:1-13

The difference between faith and hope:

Faith: Tends to deal with the details of life.

Hope: Deals with the largeness of life itself.

Hope is a confident anticipation of good things to come with the corresponding effort to reach and attain them.

The Streams of Hope

1. The Dark Stream of Hope

Romans 15:4 – For everything was written to teach us, that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures, we might have hope.

2. The Light Stream of Hope

Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust Him, so that you may overflow with hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

3. The Bridge Between Endurance and Hope

Romans 15:4 – Through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 5:1-5

Perseverance means active endurance.

Psalm 33:18 – The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing peace.

• Hope comes from His character.

Hebrews 6:17-19 – Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, He confirmed it with an oath.  God did this, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.  We have this hope, an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

• Hope comes from His control.

2 Chronicles 16:9 – For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.

The Substance of Hope

Vs. 13 – Fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.

The Supply of Hope

Vs. 13 – So that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

• He gives us surviving power.
• He gives us reviving power.
• He gives us standing power.
• He gives us driving power.
• He gives us arriving power.

Are you looking for hope?  Then grab hold of the rope of Hope.  It is as strong as God’s character and as long as your faith.

February 23 2014 How The Bible Changes Us

How The Bible Changes Us 

Psalm 33:6 “The Lord merely spoke and the heavens were created. He breathed the word and all the stars were born.”

John 6:63 “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.”

The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge; the Bible was given to change our lives. -D.L. Moody

SIX WAYS GOD WANTS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE WITH IS WORD.

1. God’s Word recreates my life.

James 1:18 “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth…

1 Peter 1:23 “You have been born, again not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God.”

2. God’s Word eradicates my guilt.

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins to God he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Romans 8:1 that says “There is now no condemnation no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 5:25-26 “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word.”

3. God’s Word activates my faith.

Romans 10:17, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.” 2

Exodus 23:29-30

4. God’s Word stimulates my growth.

Acts 20:32 “I commit you to God and to the Word of his grace,which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17“All Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

5. God’s Word elevates my mood.

Romans 15:4 “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

6. God’s Word liberates my potential.

John 8:31-32 “If you continue in my Word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free!”

HOW DO I GAIN THESE BENEFITS?

1. I’ve got to learn it.

Mark 12:24 “Your trouble is that you don’t know the Scriptures…”

Proverbs 14:12 “There’s a way that seems right to men but it always ends in death.”

2. I have to accept it.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 “When you received the Word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, – the Word of God, which is at work in you who believe.”

3. I have to act on it.

John 13:17 “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” 3

Memory Verse: Psalm 119:18. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”

August 11 2013 Trusting God During Adversity And Misunderstandings

Trusting God During Adversity/Misunderstandings

Genesis 50:20 - You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish that which is now being done, the saving of many lives.

5 Ways To Hang On In Adversity

1.  He knew the practics of survival.

3 Things To Remember
• He didn’t give in to self pity.
Genesis 39:3 - The Lord gave him success in everything he did.

• He didn’t give in to bitterness.
Genesis 45:15 - He kissed all his brothers and wept over them.

• He knew God sees everything and cares.
“But the Lord was with Joseph.”

2.  We see the plan of God.
Romans 8:28 - In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Psalm 37:25 - I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken.

3.  Remember the promises of God.
Romans 15:4 - For everything that was written was so that we might have hope.

Psalm 9:10 - For you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 34:6 -I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me.

Philippians 4:19 - My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

4.  The people of God.
Hebrews 10:24-25 - Spur one another on, encourage one another.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - The God of all comfort comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others in trouble.

Genesis 39:21

Genesis 40

5.  There is God’s presence through Christ.
Rom 5:10 - When we were God’s enemies we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son.

1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your cares upon Him because He cares for you.

Genesis 49:22 - Joseph is a fruitful bough.  Whose branches run over the wall.

Two Words In Turning To Christ

• Repent of your sins.

• Trust in Christ alone.

November 14 2010 Defining The Purpose Of The Church

Defining The Purpose Of The Church

(Matthew 22:1-10 - Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. "Then he sent some more servants and said, 'Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.' "But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. "Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.' So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.)

(Ephesians 3:21 - to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.)

Four Reasons Why We Exist

1. We exist to celebrate God's presence in the world

• Worship is celebrating God's presence

(Matthew 22:37 - Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.')

(Matthew 4:10 - Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.')

• How do we worship?

(John 4:23-24 - Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.)

(Psalm 122:1 - I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD.")

(Isaiah 40:31 - but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.)

(Hebrews 10:25 - Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.)

2. We exist to communicate God's Word

(Verse 9 - Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.)

• Evangelism is sharing the good news about God's love and forgiveness

(Ephesians 3:10 - His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms)

(Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.)

(2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.)

3. We exist to educate God's people

• Discipleship is teaching people who have faith in Christ to grow spiritually

(Hebrews 6:1 - Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God)

(2 Peter 3:18 - But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.)

• How do we grow spiritually?

(Ephesians 4:11-13 - It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.)

(2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.)

(1 Thessalonians 2:8 - We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.)

(Romans 15:4 - For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.)

4. We exist to demonstrate God's love in our world

• Ministry is meeting needs and healing hurts

(John 13:35 - By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.)

(James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.)

(James 2:17 - In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.)