December 6 2015 Recovering The Hope Of Christmas

RECOVERING THE HOPE OF CHRISTMAS

Isaiah 9:6 - To us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.  And He will be called Wonderful Counselor.

FIVE CAUSES OF HOPELESSNESS

1. Disappointment.

Psalm 17:13 - Rise up, O Lord, confront them, bring them down, rescue me from the wicked by your sword.

2. Our mechanical world.

Genesis 2:18 - It is not good for man to be alone, then the Lord God made a woman.

3. The commercial world.

Ecclesiastes 6:10 - Whoever loves money never has enough, whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his     income.  This too is meaningless.

4. The busy world.

Ecclesiastes 4:8 - There was a man all alone. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.

5. Our artificial world.

Ecclesiastes 6:17 - All his days he eats in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.

SIX WAYS TO RECOVER HOPE

1. Receive Christ into your heart and life.

Galatians 2:20 - I will come in to you and will fellowship with you.

2. Walk with God in obedience.

John 15:5 - Apart from me, you can do nothing.

1 Corinthians 2:9 - Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.

James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.

3. Fellowship with other Christians.

Isaiah 9:6 - To us a child is born, to us a Son is given.

Proverbs 27:9 - Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart and the pleasantness of one’s friends springs from His earnest counsel.

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10- But they soon forgot what He had done and did not wait for His counsel.

John 11:12 - I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.

Isaiah 28:16 - He that believeth shall not make haste.

4.  Wait on God for guidance.

Psalm 106:13 - But they soon forgot what He had done and did not wait for His counsel.

John 11:12 - I still have many things to say to you but You cannot bear them now.

Isaiah 28:16 - He that believeth shall not make haste.

5.  Accept God’s Will.

Noah

Abraham

The blessing does not come in discovering God’s Will. but in the doing of God’s Will.

Ephesians 6:6 - Do God’s will from the heart.

6.  Recognize God’s presence.

Isaiah 9:6 - A Child is born. A Son is given.

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

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.

October 11 2015 Game On: It's Time To Walk Across The Room

Game On: It's Time To Walk Across The Room

(Jesus) “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19-20

WHY JESUS WALKED FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH

• HE WALKED TO SHOW HIS LOVE FOR US.

John 1:14“So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father.” 

Romans 5:8  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

• HE WALKED TO SHOW HIS COMPASSION FOR US.

Matthew 9:6  “He felt great compassion for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn’t know where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd.” 

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” 

• HE WALKED TO SHOW HIS DREAM FOR US.

John 10:10  (Jesus) “I came so they can have real and eternal life,  more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” 

WHY SHOULD I WALK ACROSS THE ROOM?

John 17:18   “Jesus prayed to the Father: ‘In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.’”  

• I WALK BECAUSE OF MY LOVE FOR OTHERS.

Memory Verse: 1 John 4:19  “We love because God loved us first.” 

Matthew 22:39  “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

• I WALK BECAUSE OF MY COMPASSION FOR OTHERS        

Luke 16:27-28“Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, send him to my father’s home.  For I have five brothers,  and I want him to warn them about this place of torment so they won’t have to come here when they die.’”

• I WALK BECAUSE OF MY DREAM  FOR OTHERS.

1 Corinthians 13:7  “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 

Acts 20:24 “But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others  the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love.

December 21 2014 What Difference Does Christmas Make?

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES CHRISTMAS MAKE?

John 3:16 (LB)  "For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son..."

Because Jesus came at Christmas ...

1.  MY PAST CAN BE FORGIVEN

Romans 3:23-24 (LB)"All of us have sinned... yet now God declares us `not guilty' of offending him IF we trust in Jesus Christ who freely takes away our sins."

2 Corinthians 5:17 (Ph)"If anyone is in Christ, he becomes a new person altogether; the past is finished and gone, everything becomes fresh and new."

2.  MY PRESENT PROBLEMS CAN BE MANAGED

Philippians 4:13 (GN)"I have the strength to face all conditions by the power Christ gives me."

Romans 8:32 (Ph)"... God gave us his own son - can we not trust such a God to give us ... everything else that we need?"

3.  MY FUTURE CAN BE GUARANTEED

Hebrews 2:14-15 (GN) "... Jesus became like us ... (to) set free those who were slaves all their lives because of their fear of death."

Three Christmas Gifts to you from God

1. Ephesians 1:4-7 (GN)"Let us praise God for the FREE GIFT he gave us in his Son... we are set free, our sins are forgiven."  
2. John 14:27 (LB) (Jesus) "I am leaving you with a GIFT; peace of mind and heart... so don't be troubled or afraid."  
3. Romans 6:23 "... the GIFT of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."

Have you accepted these gifts?

January 27 2013 How To Live At Peace With Your Parents

HOW TO LIVE AT PEACE WITH YOUR PARENTS
Exodus 20:12

Verse 12 - Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

I.  Why God gave this commandment.

•  Principle:  I need to always honor my parents.

•  Pattern:  How I relate to my parents will affect
every other relationship in life.

•  Promise:  If I honor my parents I will live a long (or full) life.

II.  How to live at peace with your parents.

1.  I can honor my parents by accepting them.
Proverbs 23:22 - Listen to your father who gave you your life, and do not despise your mother.

Romans 15:7 - Accept one another just as Christ accepted you.

2.  You can honor your parents by appreciating them.
Deuteronomy 26:11 - Be grateful for the good things that the Lord has given you and your family.

Proverbs 23:22 - When your mother is old, show her your appreciation.

3.  You can honor your parents by affirming them.
Proverbs 3:27 - Do not withhold good fRomans those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.

4.  You can honor your parents by not abandoning them.
I Timothy 5:4 - If a widow has children or grandchildren, they should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.

John 1:12 - All who received Him He gave the right to become children of God.

You can live at peace with your parents.

May 27 2012 How To Pray For Your Family

How To Pray For Your Family

Children may go beyond our reach, but never beyond the reach of God.

I. Three things that make up a parent of prayer:

1. They understand the power of prayer.
James 5:17 - Elijah was a man just like us.

2. They provide an atmosphere that backs up what they pray for.

3. They pray continually.
Colossians 1:9 - Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.

II. Seven things we should pray for:

1. That they know God’s Will.

Colossians 1:9 - We are asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will.
II Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
I Timothy 3:15 - Paul said, “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”
Romans 12:1-2

2. Their life style.
Colossians 1:10 - We pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord.
Proverbs 1:10 - My Son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.

3. The productivity of our children.
Colossians 1:10 - Bearing fruit in every good work.

4. Grow in their walk with God.
Colossians 1:10 - Growing in the knowledge of God.

5. Power to overcome difficult situations.
Colossians 1:11 - Being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.

6. They would have a right attitude.
Colossians 1:11-12 - Joyfully, giving thanks to the Father.


7. A good self image.
Colossians 1:12 - Who qualified you to share in the inheritance of the Saints.