January 26 2014 The Great Harvest

The Great Harvest 

HOW TO FOCUS ON THE HARVEST

Have a proper vision.
Matthew 9:36 – When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

• Jesus had a vision for outsiders.

2 Peter 2:8 – For that just man (lot) living among them tortured his righteous soul every day with what he saw and heard of their unlawful and wicked deeds.

Acts 17:16 – While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.

Have an understanding of the coming verdict.
Matthew 9:37 – The harvest is plentiful.

Joel 3:13 & 14 – Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe, multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision.

Matthew 13:30 – Let both grow together until the harvest.

2 Corinthians 5:11 – Since then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men.

We need a correct view of the workers.
Matthew 9:37 – The workers are few.

• Few consecrated to the work.
• Few that are faithful.

The great harvest requires prayer.
Matthew 9:28 – Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labors into His harvest.

James 2:14 – Faith without action is dead.

January 19 2014 The Great Influence

The Great Influence 

Matthew 5:13
4 Pillars of Truth

1. Christian influence is a positive force.
Verse 13 – You are the salt of the earth.

• Salt preserves
• Salt makes people thirsty

Matthew 23:4 – (Jesus) They crush people with impossible religious commands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.

2. Christian influence is permanent.
Verse 13 – But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?

John 17:15-16 – My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world.

3. Christian influence is precious.
1 Corinthians 1:27-28 – But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things and the things that are not to nullify the things that are.

Genesis 2:7 – And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.

1 Samuel 17:40 – He took a staff in his hand; choose five smooth stones from the stream.

Luke 2:7 – She gave birth to her first-born, a Son, she wrapped in clothes and laid Him in a manger.

4. Christian influence must be planned.
Romans 12:1 – Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, Holy and pleasing to God.

Prayer:
Lord take my life and make it wholly thine,
Fill my poor heart with Thy great Love Divine,
Take all my will, my passion, self and pride,
I now surrender, Lord in me abide.

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.

January 5 2014 God's Encouragement For 2014

GOD’S ENCOURAGEMENT FOR 2014

Joshua 1: 1-11 – Three days from now you will cross the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land the Lord is giving your for your own.

How To “Possess” Your Future:

1. Set up a plan.

Verse 2 & 3 – Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people get ready to cross the Jordan Fiver, I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.

Verse 11 – So Joshua ordered the people, get your supplies ready.

Proverbs 20:18 – Don’t go charging into battle without a plan.

Proverbs 13:16 – A wise man thinks ahead.

2. Stay in the Word.

Verse 7 – Be careful to obey all the law, do not turn from it to the right or the left that you may be successful wherever you go.

Verse 8 – Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

2 Timothy 3:16 – The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives, it straightens us out and helps us do what is right.

3. Step out on faith.

Verse 6, 7 & 9 – Be strong and courageous.

Verse 9 – Remember I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for I the Lord, am with you wherever you go.

Joshua 24:15 – Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

December 29 2013 God The Promise Keeper

God The Promise Keeper

Psalm 33:4 – For the Word of the Lord is right and true, He is faithful in all He does.

God cannot do wrong. (Deut. 32:4) Just

God cannot lie. (Heb. 6:18) Holy

God cannot break promises. (Num.23:19) Faithful

I. The Greatest Example of God’s Faithfulness:

Joshua 21:45 – Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed, everyone was fulfilled!

Deuteronomy 7:9 –He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant to a thousand generations.

Psalm 145:13 – The Lord is faithful to all His promises.

II. God’s Guarantees to you:

1. I can depend on God to forgive your sins.

I John 1:9 –If we freely admit that we have sinned, we find Him reliable and just. He forgives us and makes us thoroughly clean from all that is evil.

2. I can depend on God to give me guidance.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and He will show you the right way.

3. I can depend on God to settle the score.

Romans 12:19 – Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for He has said He will repay those who deserve it.

1 Peter 2:23 – Jesus never answered back when insulted. When He suffered, He did not threaten to get even. He left His case in the hands of God who always judges fairly.

4. I can depend on God to reward my generosity.

Luke 6:38 – Give, and it will be given to you, for with the same measure you use, it will be measured to you.

5. I can depend on God to give me a home in Heaven.

1Corinthians 1:8-9 – God guarantees right up to the end that you’ll be counted free from all guilt on that day when He returns. God will surely do this for you.

2 Timothy 1:12 – I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day.

6. I can depend on God to remember my service.

Hebrews 6:10 – God is not unfair. He will not forget all that you have done, nor the loving labor which you have shown for His sake in looking after fellow Christians.

Romans 10:11 – Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.

Romans 10:13 – Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.