Hope Community Church of Santa Maria, California

Sermon Notes 11-29-09

2009-12-08T09:40:00.000-08:00

November 29th 2009 Thanksgiving Check-Up”
"Praise ye the Lord, Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high-sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord." Psalms 150

Thanksgiving DivorceA man in Phoenix calls his son in New York the day before Thanksgiving and says,"I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough.

Thanksgiving was this week---How are thing going in your home?
Thanksgiving Check-Up:1st Why Thanksgiving?
Shouldn’t we be having “Thanksgiving Day” every day?

A. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says ---"IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS CONCERNING YOU."
“Not Being Thankful:” IS A VERY SERIOUS SIN---Romans 1:21 "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imagination, and their foolish heart was darkened."
When Childeren are not “Greatful” for what you give them, parents realize that they have not taught them properly!

Illustratioin: My son and daughter taught us a very real lesson about giving them tooooo much! Sheri and I took them to Majic Mt.; Disneyland; and to Sea World in San Diago. On the way home my son said: ‘Where are we going next?”

To much stuff, desensitizes us to what we already have!

B. This last Thursday we celebrated our national holiday---Thanksgiving! Deuteronomy 8:10-11 "When you eat and are full, then you shall bless the Lord thy God for the good land which He has given you. Beware you forget not the Lord your God."
1. The Pilgrims landed in the worst of times—mid winter, and they were thankful! What made the difference?—They had come from a place of now religious freedom to a place of total religious freedom!
In that first harsh New England winter, 90 of the 102, were sick at one time and only seven well enough to move around and care for the others!
One by one they died---wives, husbands, children, and they laid them in the frozen ground!
51 out of the 102 died that first year!
Yet that first Thanksgiving Day---they found so much, so very much to be thankful for! They offered their praise to God!
Yes, THANKSGIVING IS A LIFE STYLE!Psalm 100:4 "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name."

Thanksgiving Check-Up:
1st Why Thanksgiving? Shouldn’t we be having “Thanksgiving Day” every day? 2nd Thanksgiving Reveals Your Heart!

A. Habakkuk 3:17-18 “17Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

No one likes to be poor!
No one likes to loose their job!
No one likes to be in a car accident!
No one likes to have a toothache!
No one likes broken relationships!

Thanksgiving is a time to:
STOP AND THINK!---EPHESIANS 1:3 "God has blessed us with every blessing in heaven because we belong to him." Joke: A pastor is walking down the street one day when he notices a very small boy trying to press a doorbell on a house across the street.

*We need to begin to THINK THANKFUL THOUGHTS---in doing so we get our eyes off our own situation!Habakkuk 3:17-18 “17Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”Some people say, "I go to church, so I am a Christian." But that's like saying if you go to McDonald's you are a Quarter Pounder.
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom”—do we only praise the Lord when we are being blessed?
What’s on the Inside Comes Out!

Jesus said: Matthew 12:33-35 “33“A tree is identified by its fruit. A tree from a select variety produces good fruit; poor varieties don’t. 34You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For a man’s heart determines his speech. 35A good man’s speech reveals the rich treasures within him.” What’s on the Inside Comes Out!

Thanksgiving Check-Up:
1st Why Thanksgiving? Shouldn’t we be having “Thanksgiving Day” every day? 2nd Thanksgiving Reveals Your Heart!3rd Thanksgiving Breath?

A. Psalm 150:6 "LET EVERYTHING THAT HAS BREATH PRAISE THE LORD."
When Sheri wants to know if I have been into her cookies, she smells my breath!

Illustration: Once I was driving home late from church and a CHP, pulled me over. Be bent over and says: “Have you been drinking?” I answered, “No!” He analyzed my breath and then determined that I had not been drinking.

What is praise? Praise is acknowledging Who's you are and Whom belong to!
GOD DELIGHTS IN HEARING OUR PRAISE TO HIM!

Psalms 150:1-6 "Praise ye the Lord, Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high-sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord."

PRAISE is a measure of our SPIRITUAL VITALITY!Psalms 100:4 "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise."

5. Praise is saying thank you God!
Psalm 146:1-10 “Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. 2 I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. 3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. 4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. 5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6 the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them-- the LORD, who remains faithful forever. 7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, 8 the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. 9 The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. 10 The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD.”

Praise is focusing our heart on God. Psalms 103:2 “…I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things he does for me.”(Psalm 103:2, tlb)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For 26 years, a man known only as Secret Santa has roamed the streets every December quietly giving people money. He started with $5 and $10 bills. As his fortune grew, so did the gifts. In recent years, Secret Santa has been handing out $100 bills, sometimes two or three at a time, to people in thrift stores, diners and parking lots. So far, he's anonymously given out about $1.3 million. It's been a long-held holiday mystery: Who is Secret Santa?

10. Praise God for who He is:
Jehovah-tsidkenu-----The Lord My Righteousness!
Jehovah-m'kaddesh---The Lord Who Sanctifies!
Jehovah-shalom--------The Lord Is Peace!
Jehovah-shammah-----The Lord Is There!
Jehovah-rophe---------The Lord Who Heals!
Jehovah-jireh-----------The Lord's Provision Shall Be Seen!
Jehovah-nissi-----------The Lord My Banner!
Jehovah-rohi------------The Lord My Shepherd!

There Is No Higher Worship Than Your Praise!

Sermon Notes 11-22-09

2009-11-30T12:10:00.000-08:00

November 22nd 2009 “Mind Food”
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”Philippians 4:8

Joel Osteen told a story
What you “THINK” is really important!
What do you “FEED” your mind with?

Mind-Food #1: Whatever is True!
“Sow a thought, reap an actionSow an action, reap a habit.Sow a habit, reap a character.Sow a character, reap a destiny!”
A. Paul says: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true,”Satan, your enemy, “…is come to steal, kill and destroy, but I am come that you my have life and life more abundantly.” John 10:10
Paul is saying: “THINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS! PONDER THEM! FIX YOUR MIND ON THE GOOD STUFF!”

This is about ‘taking every thought captive’. --2 Corinthians 10:5
You are responsible for what you allow your mind to think about!
Memorize Scripture: Phil. 4:18 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Rehearse—Re-Play the good stuff!

Old Song says: “You've got to accentuate the positiveEliminate the negativeLatch on to the affirmativeDon't mess with Mister In-Between

Mind-Food #2: DEVELOP AN “UGLY FILTER”!
A. Train yourself to recognize ugly thoughts—Vindictive, Proud, Jealous, Greed, Lies and Stinkin’Thinkin thoughts. Paul says: “Here are some things to think about:”
“...whatever is just or noble”---(This means worthy of respect and right or that which has the dignity of holiness upon it! Not gutter trash talk!

“...whatever is just”---dikaios---the Greeks defined the man who is dikaios, the righteous man, as the man who gives to gods and men that which is their due! In other words, we may put it this way---dikaios is the word of duty faced and duty done! “...whatever is pure”---hagnos---meaning morally pure, that which is undefiled!
“...whatever is lovely”---pros-philes---that which calls forth love! “The fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

“...whatever things are of good report”---literally means---”fair Speaking” or the things which are fit for God to hear!”

“...whatever possesses virtue and praise”---arete---”that of excellence”---Paul uses this word only here in his writings, although it is a classic Greek word! Arete describes anything of “excellence”: an arete or excellent horse; an arete or excellent Soldier! “Whatever is excellent---think on that!”

“...(finally) if there is any praise---think about such things.” Whenever Jahosaphates singers went out singing the praises of God---the battle was won!

Slam the door… put up ‘No Trespassing” signs…refuse to cultivate, feed and rehearse trash talk in your head.

Mind-Food #3: Affirm Others!
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

REJECT REJECTION Many of those who have risen from failure to real achievement have rejected the rejection of this world.
In 1902, the poetry editor of The Atlantic Monthly returned a sheaf of poems to a 28-year-old poet with this curt note: "Our magazine has no room for your vigorous verse." The poet was Robert Frost, who rejected the rejection.
In 1905, the University of Bern turned down a Ph.D. Dissertation as being irrelevant and fanciful. The young physics student who wrote the dissertation was Albert Einstein, who rejected the rejection.
In 1894, the rhetoric teacher at Harrow in England wrote on the 16-year-old's report card, "a conspicuous lack of success." The 16-year-old was Winston Churchill, who rejected the rejection.

Don’t waste an opportunity to affirm somebody!
God Accepts you—just the way you are—NOW YOU ACCEPT OTHERS! Luke 19:1-10

Jesus is our Best Example of “Philippians 4:9-0” Behavior
He saw me in the weed patch and saw my potential—the diamond in the rough!
He saw the woman at the Well and said “…go and sin no more!”

Take This Home For Thanksgiving:
Mind-Food #1: Whatever is True! My mind needs a gate-keeper!
All sorts of ugly, seductive, repugnant, selfish and negative thoughts are ready to jump in and commandeer my heart!
Search for and identify the beauty that is all around me this Thanksgiving!

Mind-Food #2: DEVELOP AN “UGLY FILTER”! Everybody needs affirmation!
This is a good time to start acknowledging virtues in others…with sincerity!

Mind-Food #3: Affirm Others!
Lord, I will look for the best in people and situations…I’ll work at “Taking every thought captive.”

Thanksgiving 2009!“Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe!
Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow!”
Go and Touch the World

Sermon Notes 11-15-09

2009-11-24T18:24:00.000-08:00

November 15th 2009 “Cornerstone #3” “Idolatry”
“And God spoke all these words: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:1-5

The cornerstones: of HCCSM!
Cornerstone #1 Is God’s Word, God’s Word?
Cornerstone #2 Jehovah-Yahweh?
Cornerstone #3 Idolatry?

"Idols? You must be kidding.”“That’s what they have in Africa, right?” “Me? An idol-worshiper? What do you take me for? A pagan?”“The only thing I worship is my brand-new car.”
What is an idol anyway? The dictionary offers this definition: “an image used as an object of worship. Or “one that is adored.””

—Is it possible to love your house or your car too much?—Is it possible to love success too much?—Is it possible to love the praise of others too much?—Is it possible to work too much?
Has God changed? Are we still responsible to follow the “Ten Commandments?”

“Cornerstone #3 is: “No Idols!”Cause & Effect:1st Idolatry has Generational Consequences!
Exodus 20:5 “You shall not make for yourself an idol for I, the Lord you God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation”
One of the strange dynamics in family is that when children grown up they often repeat the mistakes of their parents!

Alcoholism is usually generational!
Abraham had two sons: Isaac and Ishmael!
Abraham “favored” Isaac over Ishmael!
Abraham’s son, Isaac had two sons: Jacob and Esau!
Isaac “favored” Esau! Isaac’s wife Rebecca favored Jacob! Genesis 25:21-28
Jacob, the 4th Generation from Abraham, showed the sin of “Favoritism” to his son, Joseph: Genesis 34:3-5

Exodus 20:5 “You shall not make for yourself an idol for I, the Lord you God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation”
The first Commandment states Whom We Are To Worship: Jehovah Yahweh!
The Second Commandment tells us “How to Worship!

Cause & Effect:1st Idolatry has Generational Consequences!2nd Idolatry will Destroy Our Nation!
Moses was up on the Mt. for 40 days, the people became fearful that he wasn’t coming back!
Aaron and Marian—Moses’ brother and sister were left in charge of the camp!
They were the “Spiritual” leaders; they were to lead when Moses wasn’t around!

Exodus 32:1-35 Cause & Effect:1st Idolatry has Generational Consequences!2nd Idolatry will Destroy Our Nation!3rd Idolatry to Victory!
There was not a nation that could stand before Israel when they were placing God in His rightful place!

Joshua 1:2-9 “2“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 6“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8Do 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. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

God has called Hope Community Church to “Victory” and I believe that we can see the consequences of following the “lesser gods!”
Remember how to catch a monkey? You place a place a bottle with a narrow opening in it in the jungle with something inside it that the monkey wants. Tie a rope to the bottle and the other end to a tree. It won’t be long before the monkey sticks his hand inside the bottle to get the object of his attraction and he then can’t get his hand out because he has the object in his hand and the opening of the bottle isn’t large enough to allow him to get his hand out! YOU SEE, WHAT HE SET OUT TO CATCH HAS NOW CAUGHT HIM!

In John 21:15 Jesus says to Peter: “Do you love me?” I think Peter loved to fish more and Jesus not only knew it but Peter exhibited it!
Peter had gone back to his nets and after seeing so many things that Jesus had said they would do and yet he was back to the very thing that he loved! FISHING!

Jesus had said to Peter at their first encounter: “Peter, come and I will make you to become fishers of men!” Something that Peter really understood! FISHING!

Now many things have happened---the cross---the tomb and Peter remembers the he denied Jesus!

We are not eager to be in the presence of Jesus if we have allowed things to come between us!

Jesus says: John 21:15 “Simon, son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” --- Fishing boats, the security of the income of his catch, the friends that were there!

“PETER DO YOU LOVE ME MORE THAN ANYTHING?”

Quote: Albert Schweitzer said, "If you have something you can't live without, you don't own it, it owns you."

Sermon Notes 11-1-09

2009-11-17T10:46:00.000-08:00

November 1st 2009 “Cornerstone of Truth”
“You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. And we also thank God continually because, 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 believer.”1 Thessalonians 2:10-15

Illustration: If you were flying over the Amazon rain forest in a small plane and it crashed. The plane is filled with CEO’s from Microsoft, IBM, Intel, and General Motors—plus an Amazon Survival Guide, you know, “Man vs. Wild Guy”: Who would you follow? The CEO’s might be able to lead their companies but they couldn’t save you!
Jesus is our “Survival Guide!”

Quote: YOU THINK THINGS ARE BAD AT YOUR CHURCH?
When Jesus started His church, the Pastor (Jesus himself) was being executed.
The chairman of the board (Peter) was out cursing and swearing that he had never even been a part of the church.
The treasurer (Judas) was committing suicide after embezzling the funds.
Most of the rest of the board members (the apostles) had run away.
A few ladies from the Women's Fellowship were about the only ones who showed much faithfulness.

The cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.
Jesus Christ is HCCSM’s CORNERSTONE!

Jesus said: Mark 12:10 “10Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.”
What is the Cornerstone DNA of a Christ centered Church?

Cornerstone DNA Church
1st It Receives The Word of God!

A Christ centered church—receives the Word of God as the Word of God!A. 1st Thessalonians 2:13 “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God,” Thessalonica was the largest city in first century Macedonia and the capital of the province and even today it is the Second largest city in Greece with 363,987!Scholars reason that Paul probably wrote 1 Thessalonians early in 50 A.D.
Among the problems the Thessalonians’ church faced was persecution by pagans (2:14) and a temptation for believers to accept pagan sexual standards (4:4-8).
Some of the Christians seem to have given up working and to have relied on the others to supply their needs (4:11-12).
There was uncertainty about the fate of believers who had died, and some of the Thessalonians appear to have thought that Christ would come back soon and take them all to be with Him.

Paul writes to the new church: 1st Thessalonians 2:13 “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God

B. The Evidence reveal that Paul had NOT “Received The Word” of God—Acts 9:1-3 “1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Rome.” Paul without Christ was a “maniac!”
The result of “Receiving” the Word of God is Exampled by Paul’s B.C. event = Before Christ in Paul’s life!

Paul (Saul) which was his Jewish name, from Tarsus, which was a Roman city which made him a “Roman” citizen. Paul was from the “Tribe of Benjamin” so he was trained in all the Jewish “Laws and Traditions.”Paul knew just enough of the “Law” to make him dangerous!Paul eventually went to Jerusalem to study under the famous rabbi, Gamaliel. He was probably 13 to 18 years old.
BUT THAT DIDN’T SAVE HIM—HIS ACTIONS SHOWED HE WAS STILL LOST!
Pastor Phil says: “If you have “received” the Word of God— it will be seen by those around us!” Hebrews 4:12 “For the WORD of God is LIVING and ACTIVE. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES OF THE HEART.”

Our ACTIONS speak as to the condition of our heart!Acts 2:41 “Then they that GLADLY RECEIVED HIS WORD were baptized: and that same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
The Cornerstone DNA of A Strong Church Receives The Word of God

Cornerstone DNA Church
1st It Receives The Word of God!
2nd It Believes The Word of God!

A. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 “And we thank God continually because, when you RECEIVED THE WORD OF GOD, which you heard from us, you BELIEVED IT not as the word of men, but as it ACTUALLY IS, THE WORD OF GOD”
The DNA of a Strong Church is made up of People who BELIEVES the Word of God is the Word of God!!!! v. 13 "when you RECEIVED THE WORD OF GOD, which you heard from us, you ACCEPTED IT” or “BELIEVE IT!” Paul wrote in II Timothy 3:16 that Scripture is inspired, literally "God-breathed out." Paul was reassuring them that it was the very Word spoken by God! Our church embraces that truth! Joke: Four clergymen were discussing the merits of the various translations of the Bible. One liked the King James Version best because of its beautiful English. Another liked the American Standard because of its Greek and Hebrew literalness. The third minister liked the Good News Bible because of its up-to-date vocabulary. The fourth minister was silent. When asked to express his opinion, he replied, "I like my mother's translation best." He said, “She translated it into life. And it was the most convincing translation I ever saw."
C. Quote: “The Thessalonians had received the Word not as the word of men, but as “it is in truth, the Word of God.”
Corner-Stone Truth: Our DNA here at HCCSM! The Word of God as presented in the Bible—is the Word of God? John 1:1-5 “In the beginning was the Word, (Jesus) and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God. v.2 He was with God in the beginning. v.3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. v.4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. v.5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.”

Cornerstone DNA Church
1st It Receives The Word of God!
2nd It Believes The Word of God!
3rd It Achieves Through The Word!

1 Thessalonians 2:13 “And we thank God continually because, 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.”

Work is the result of “receiving and “believing!”
What are we to “ACHIEVE”--as BELIEVERS?

Jesus said: This is Jesus’ last directive!Matthew 28:18-20 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to ME. v.19 Therefore GO and MAKE disciples of ALL NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, v.20 and TEACHING them to OBEY EVERYTHING I HAVE COMMANDED YOU. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

CROAKING FROGS: A farmer came to town and asked the owner of a restaurant if he would be able to use a million frog legs. The proprietor asked where he could find so many frogs. "I've got a pond at home just full of them," the farmer replied. "They drive me crazy night and day." After they made an agreement for several hundred frogs, the farmer went back home. He came back a week later with two scrawny frogs and a foolish look on his face. "I guess I was wrong," he stammered. "There were just two frogs in the pond, but they sure were making a lot of noise!" Just remember—Two Turned On Believers Can Make A Lot Of Noise For Jesus!
Corner-Stone Truths: “We believe that the Word of God is literally The Word of God!”

Quote: Chuck Colson said in one of his letters of the inscription on a church in England – “In the year 1653, when all things sacred in the kingdom/ Were either profaned or demolished,/ This church was built . . ./ To do the best of things in the worst of times. Colson adds, "And it is to remember that, when conditions seem absolutely hopeless, Christians have great opportunities."
“For Such A Time As This!”

Sermon Notes 10-25-09

2009-11-03T11:07:00.000-08:00

October 25th 2009 “How Big Is Your God?”
“It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.” Romans 15:20-21

Proverbs 29: 18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish”Say it with me-- Proverbs 29: 18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish”What is meant by Hope Community Church DNA??

What are we made up of?
Where are we going?
What were we created to become?
Hope Community Churches’ DNA is the vision and the genetic makeup of all our ministries.

1. If you were God, what is one thing on earth you would address right away?Mission Statement: Hope Community Church will have members who mobilized to encourage, support, love and accept one another. With a message so simplistic, that anyone would understand it, and is sincere yet so powerful in its foundation that it will set the prisoner free. That message is that this is a place where nobody stands alone.

Paul said to the Romans, "It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation" (Romans 15:20). It is mine as well!
Paul had a heart to reach the unreached areas of life.
What are the unreached areas in our lives? We currently have two unreached areas that we are capable of reaching.

Two Unreached Areas:
1st Love those You Can See!

We are to reach the unreached masses of people in Santa Maria, and the surrounding cities!
Santa Maria’s population is: 92542 people as of January 1, 2009
The estimated population of the area is about 161,227, which includes the Santa Maria Valley, the city of Guadalupe, the unincorporated township of Orcutt. Nipomo is also considered part of the Santa Maria area, as it is adjacent to Santa Maria on the north in San Luis Obispo County.

From City-data.com
The truth is, according to the graph, young families and young people are not being reached in Santa Maria, and the surrounding cities!
Why is it difficult to love those young families?

Matthew 24: 16 - "Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold". Sin gets in your way of loving other people.

The DNA of our Church is “Building Families Sharing Hope” and Jesus said: John 13: 35 - "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
The best way to reach people in this day and age is through small groups of relationships.
Connect Groups. It is in the Connect group environment that authentic relationships, love and ministries can be accomplished.

Church needs to be a place where you feel like you belong. Small Groups (like Men’s Min.; Women’s Min.; Youth Group; College Group; Life Group such as the DNA Class at the Ruiz’s House on Wed; or the other Life Group Classes; the Food Pantry) do that.
Remember, Jesus focused on 12 not the 5,000.

Why should you join a small group?
1. The message of the Bible will become more relevant.
* You will have a chance to ask questions?
2. You will not "slip through" the cracks of the church.
* When you are able to be a part of a smaller group, then your voice is heard and you are able to connect with greater efficiency.
3. You will be able to handle stress better.
* Small Groups provide excellent support in times of crisis, change and stress. When you lose your job, have a health problem, they can support you!
4. In a Small Group: You will have a natural way to share Christ with friends, relatives, and work associates. It may be that some of your friends who don't know the Lord wouldn't be caught dead in a church but “Small Group” is less intimidating! When your friend sees the love and warmth and honesty of your group, it will make him more receptive to the message of the Bible. 5. Small Group is New Testament like.
* The book of Acts is very clear about how God intends for His people to grow and have their needs met in the church. They met in houses during the week and prayed and shared Christ and God added to the church!
Jesus focused on a few to win the many. It will be impossible to reach our entire country by yourself, but you can reach them all by multiplication through individuals.

Two Unreached Areas:
1st Love those You Can See!
2nd Love those You Can’t See!

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:”

Reaching out locally and globally has equal importance. Great Commission. Missions.
Remember when Bonne’s friend Vicky Winkler of Kenya, Africa, came to us and shared about missions! I believe we should support them financially, which we do, but it would be great for us to get a “Mission Group” together and go to Africa and help Vicky or any other mission!
Jesus said: 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.”

Mother Teresa of Calcutta quotes (Albanian born Indian Missionary and Founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity. Nobel Prize for Peace in 1979. 1910-1997) “ The church of today is called out to love the unlovable. We are called out to be involved in the world’s loneliness.”

Paul’s ambition: “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.” Romans 15:20-21
This is what global outreach is all about.

Illustration: It seems the old Standard Oil Company offered an enormous sum of money to a missionary in China to work for them, to help with the development of Standard Oil in China. The missionary turned them down. So they doubled the salary offer. He turned them down again. They said, "What do you want? We can't give more money than that.: He said, "The money doesn't have anything to do with it. The job is too small."

Illustration: Alila stood on the beach holding her tiny infant son close to her heart. Tears welled in her eyes as she began slowly walking toward the river's edge. She stepped into the water, silently making her way out until she was waist deep, the water gently lapping at the sleeping baby's feet. She stood there for a long time holding the child tightly as she stared out across the river. Then all of a sudden in one quick movement she threw the six month old baby to his watery death. Native missionary M.V. Varghese often witnesses among the crowds who gather at the Ganges. It was he who came upon Alila that day kneeling in the sand crying uncontrollably and beating her breast. With compassion he knelt down next to her and asked her what was wrong. Through her sobs she told him, "The problems in my home are too many and my sins are heavy on my heart, so I offered the best I have to the goddess Ganges, my first born son." Brother Varghese's heart ached for the desperate woman. As she wept he gently began to tell her about the love of Jesus and that through Him her sins could be forgiven. She looked at him strangely. "I have never heard that before," she replied through her tears. "Why couldn't you have come thirty minutes earlier? If you did, my child would not have had to die." Each year millions of people come to the holy Indian city of Hardwar to bathe in the River Ganges. These multitudes come believing this Hindu ritual will wash their sins away. For many people like Alila, missionaries are arriving too late, simply because there aren't enough of these faithful brothers and sisters on the mission field.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy quotes "The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty, and all forms of human life."

Illustration: John G. Paton, a missionary to the South Sea Islands, often lived in danger as he worked among the hostile aborigines who had never heard the gospel. At one time three witch doctors, claiming to have the power to cause death, publicly declared their intentions to kill Paton with their sorcery before the next Sunday. To carry out their threat, they said they needed some food he had partially eaten. Paton asked for three plums. He took a bite out of each and then gave them to the men who were plotting his death.
On Sunday, the missionary entered the village with a smile on his face and a spring in his step. The people looked at each other in amazement, thinking it couldn't possibly be Paton. Their "sacred men" admitted that they had tried by all their incantations to kill him. When asked why they had failed, they replied that the missionary was a sacred man like themselves, but that his God was stronger than theirs. From then on Paton's influence grew, and soon he had the joy of leading some of the villagers to the Lord.
“How Big Is Your God?” What is meant by Hope Community Church DNA??
What are we made up of?
Where are we going?
What were we created to become?

Sermon Notes 110-18-09

2009-10-27T18:57:00.000-07:00

October 18, 2009 “Growing Our Deoxyribonucleic Acid!
”Proverbs 29: 18 (NAS) – Where there is no vision, the people are restrained.(KJV) “Where there is no vision, the people perish”
Say with me: “Where There IS a Vision—The People are UNRESTRAINED!”What is meant by DNA?? Double Helix
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and some viruses.
What IS OUR DNA?
Where are we going?
What were we created to become?

Hope Community Church’s DNA is “the vision and the genetic makeup of the Hope Community Churches’ ministries.”
The DNA tells us who we are and where we are going.

DNA part 1: “Growing a church with one another!”
The DNA is the dream of a place where all our members are mobilized to encourage, support, love and accept one another. With a message so simplistic, that anyone would understand it, and is sincere yet so powerful in its foundation that it will set the prisoner free. That message is that this is a place where nobody stands alone.

Luke 14: 23 (NAS) – And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled.”
This is a mandate from the master to the laborer or slave!
Church growth principles – go out and bring them in
Places to go – “Highways and along the hedges”
Method – “Compel them”
This verse indicates that the individual to go out, is a follower of Jesus Christ. - The follower of Jesus Christ is first a minister and not a member of a country club.

Determining Our DNA
1st Be a Nobody to make someone a Somebody!

John said - I must decrease and He must increase.
John was pretty “popular” but he said: “I must decrease and He must increase.”
John said: “I’m not worthy to ‘untie’ His shoes!”
John became a “No-Body” so that Jesus would be accepted by the crowds!

Paul said - I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.
What is the best way to be a church where nobodies become some bodies?

By being a church of “One another’s!”
1. Serve “One-Another” Galatians 5: 13 “…you have been given freedom: not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other.”
2. Accept “One-Another” Romans 15: 7 7So warmly welcome each other into the church, just as Christ has warmly welcomed you; then God will be glorified.
3. Forgive “One-Another” Colossians 3: 13 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
4. Greet “One-Another” Romans 16: 16 16Greet one another with a holy kiss.
5. Bear “One-Another’s burdens Galatians 6: 2 2Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
6. Be devoted to “One-Another” Romans 12: 10 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
7. Honor “One-Another” Romans 12: 10 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
8. Teach “One-Another” Romans 15: 14 14I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.
9. Submit to “One-Another” Ephesians 5: 21 21Honor Christ by submitting to each other.
10. Encourage “One-Another” 1 Thessalonians 5: 11 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. There’s Plenty of Room in This Tent for you to do ministry!

This week Connect by getting in the Men’s Group, The Women’s Bible Study, The Youth Meetings, or The DNA of Relationship’s Group!

Play the Disney’s “TO CATCH A SNIPE”
How do we “catch” new people and get them to come to our church? By being a church of “One another’s!”

Determining Our DNA
2nd God commands us to grow!

The percentage of baseball players signed to professional contracts who never appear in a major league game: 92% Harper's MagazinePastor Phil: “You never can hit a home-run if you do even take a swing at the ball!”
"I swing big, with everything I've got. I hit big or I miss big. I like to live as big as I can." - Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth struck out 1330 times, but he also hit 714 home runs. Don't worry about failure. Worry about the chances you miss when you don't ...take a swing at the ball!

Matthew 22:14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
The majority of individuals that join a church never get seen in action, because they choose not to be in action.
Luke 14: 23 ”Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled.”
Luke is sharing a command of Christ: Go out! This is not a “Suggestion!”

Determining Our DNA
3rd Who makes the church grow?

1 Corinthians 3: 6 Paul speaking: “6My work was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos’ work was to water it, but it was God, not we, who made the garden grow in your hearts.
The Church of the time of Paul’s writing is experiencing “Growing Pains!”
Some were saying, “Paul led me to the Lord and so I am giving him my allegiance!
Some were saying, “Apollos is who I’m following!”

1 Corinthians 3:6 “…it was God, not we, who made the garden grow in your hearts.” Quote: “A problem of the church today is that we have “members” that believe wrongly about membership. They believe that membership is a position to hold and not a job to do.”What is: Our DNA? “Building Families, Sharing Hope!”
That’s it—“Building Families, Sharing Hope!”
Our “Vision” is: “Building Families, Sharing Hope!”
All our Ministries should “Building Families, Sharing Hope!”

Sermon Notes 09-20-09

2009-10-20T18:30:00.000-07:00

September 20th 2009 “Real Joy”“…Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:9-10

“The Incredible” Stressed Out
Ezra and Nehemiah provide the biblical background, for they led a people facing far more difficult circumstances to a point of great success.
After Nehemiah and Ezra led their people to rebuild Jerusalem, they had a great day of celebration; just 52 days after the work had begun.

How To Experience Joy:
1st Don’t Give Up!
A. Nehemiah 6:1-4 “1When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates— They sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me; 3so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” 4Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.”Nehemiah’s rebuilding project involved everyone. Mothers, fathers, grandparents, children, teen-agers … everyone.

Their forefathers had made some choices that cost them dearly and that is why the Temple, walls and gates were in ruin!
When you get to a point of total exhaustion, it’s hard to keep going … but you must resolve now to never give up.

Tony Campolo said that when his wife, Peggy, was at home fulltime with their children and someone would ask, "And what is it that you do, my dear?" she would respond, "I am socializing two Homo sapiens into the dominant values of the Judeo-Christian tradition in order that they might be instruments for the transformation of the social order into the kind of eschatological utopia that God willed from the beginning of creation."Then Peggy would ask Tony, "And what do you do?"

Illustration: Philip Yancey tells of a letter he received from a friend whose daughter, Peggie, was terminally ill. The mother wrote:“The weekend before she went into the hospital for the last time, Peggie came home all excited about a quotation from William Barclay that her minister had used. She was so taken with it that she had copied it down on a 3 x 5 card for me: "Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory." She said her minister must have had a hard week, because after he read it he banged the pulpit and then turned his back to them and cried.

Yes: The walls were rebuilt and the gate was re-hung in 52 days but: it took 70 years of bondage in Babylon before they were ready to build!

How To Experience Joy:
1st Don’t Give Up!
2nd Find the Source of Strength!

Nehemiah 8:10 “Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”By Speaking “affirmations”, out loud, something happens: Speak with me: “…the JOY of the Lord is your strength.”
Say with me: “the Lord—Has No limit to His strength.”
Are your financial resources limited, and sometimes not very strong? the joy of the Lord is your STRENGTH. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Are your children doing crazy things? Speak with me: “God’s Strength is not limited!”
How about your marriage—speak: “I refuse to be a statistic!” the joy of the Lord is your STRENGTH.
Is there anything to hard for God? Speak with me: “the joy of the Lord is your STRENGTH.”
Nehemiah’s team gave out strength and encouragement!
The wall was too hard to build alone!
It was too big a project.
Each one knew their job and no one was gripping about the food.
Nehemiah even lived in the same quarters as all the workers and ate their food!
Through teamwork, and by seeing the progress that was being made, the joy of the Lord became more and more evident, and in only 52 days, the walls of Jerusalem were standing strong again.

How To Experience Joy:
1st Don’t Give Up!
2nd Find the Source of Strength!
3rd Practice Joy!

Joy is something you’ve got to practice.
Joy doesn’t really come naturally to anyone. But if you get the hang of it, it’s kind of contagious, and you can infect yourself with joy!

Nehemiah 89 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep."
Nehemiah gave the theory of joy. V10 "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
The Levites gave the command to be joyful. The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve."

But until the people actually went away and practiced joy, they didn’t have it.
Joy is contagious, and even a baby can teach joy to adults. Haven’t you seen it? A baby smiles, or laughs, and every adult who sees it smiles and laughs in return.

Would you like to learn to play the piano? It’ll take practice. Want to be an artist? Prepare to practice the basic strokes. Maybe your goal is to join a gym and get in shape. Obviously, one single day in the gym isn’t going to get the job done. You’ll need to do a little bit, every day, get a schedule, and stick to it.“Practice joy!” If you can practice joy in the midst of lean times, you’ll move quickly from “surviving” to “thriving.”Conclusion: In the shortest summary, the story of Ezra and Nehemiah is the story of God’s people coming home after a 70-year exile and rebuilding Jerusalem. Because they returned home, the city was rebuilt, the Temple was restored, and the stage was set for the eventual arrival of the Messiah.But a question needs to be asked. Why did God invite His people to come home then, and why does God keep making a way for people to come home today?
Only because he loves us.

But be sure of this. God doesn’t force anyone to come home. The history behind the 70-year exile is very important here. When all of Judah was taken into exile, when they were all forced to walk to ancient Persia, to what we would know as southern Iraq or northern Iran, the Bible tells us that somewhere between 4,600 and 10,000 people were taken into exile. In reality, several thousand people were also left behind, and the shocking reality is that the entire Jewish population was so small. Maybe 15,000 people lived in Jerusalem, and about 120,000 lived in all Judea. But war and a terrible plague had nearly decimated the entire population.In exile, under better living conditions, the group expanded to an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 people. Even today, a small Jewish population continues to live in both Iraq and Iran, though their existence is tenuous, at best.But did you see this? There were between 100,000 and 150,000 people who were offered the chance to return to Jerusalem, to return home … and only a fraction of the people took advantage of the offer. The king said, “Go back! Here’s the money! Here are the items for your Temple! You’ve got my blessing, and my protection! Go home!”And maybe 100,000 of those who heard the invitation said, “Hmmm … well … no thanks.”Those who returned were part of a great work of God. Those who stayed behind missed being a part of the story. They had a life, sure. They had food. They had families. They had some community. But they weren’t home.
God will never force anyone to come home. God will paint the picture. God will go to extreme measures to make sure a person hears the invitation. God will send messages through miracles, through the routine, through any means possible.
But God will never, ever, ever, force a person to come home.

“Can’t Keep Me Down”

Sermon Notes 09-13-09

2009-09-21T13:05:00.000-07:00

September 13th 2009 “The Great Opportunity”
“The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” 4When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” Nehemiah 1:1-4

Are we in “Lean Times?”The Government is intruding into our private life!The Government competing with the private market:
September 2008 Congress approved $25 Billion for GM Government Motors and Chrysler,
Bank of America bailed out to the tune of: $142.2 Billion; Citigroup bailout: $280 billion;
October 2008 Congress passed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act to the tune of $700 Billion; AIG received $180 Billion dollars; Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac received on Sep. 7, 2008, $400 Billion; JP Morgan/Chase got $30 Billion bailout”

Also, We are talking Trillions of dollars for the Gov. proposed Health Care Program—can we all agree; Are we in “Lean Times?” The Great Struggle is on!

Nehemiah, lived in “Lean Times!” Nehemiah thrived in the midst of difficult times—465 to 424 B.C.Israel had turned its back on the teachings of the Torah and embraced the gods of the surrounding countries; so God judged them by allowing the Assyrians to capture and carry them off to Babylon—27,280 men, plus wives and children—2nd Kings 17:6. Judah, called the Southern Kingdom and Named after David because he was from the tribe of Judah; Judah was the smallest section of Israel which was on the Western side of the Jordan. Remember each Tribe had its own territory when they came from Egypt?

Points to Ponder:When Facing lean times—what to do?
1st Proceed slowly!

At first!Nehemiah 1:4 “4When I heard these things, I sat down and wept.” Wait upon the Lord?
My Personality is not about “Waiting!”
It’s important to know your personality and the tendencies of it!
This is not some kind of spiritual procrastination … rather, it’s a careful study of the situation, “I sat down and wept.”,
The first instruction is to be silent … and to do nothing at all.

Jesus said: "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' Luke 14:28-30

Illustration: A surgeon and his team don’t go slowly through a procedure because they’re intent on wasting time … they go slowly because so much is at stake! And aren’t we glad! Don’t ever go to a surgeon who brags on the number of patients she’s operated on … check out to see how they’re doing! Haste makes waste, as the old saying goes!Pastor Phil: “the leaner the times, the more important it is to make correct decisions.”

Illustration: In data collected from over 20,000 Christians in 139 countries (though mostly in America) and between the ages of 15 and 88, The Obstacles to Growth Survey found that, on average, more than 4 in 10 Christians around the world say they "often" or "always" rush from task to task. About 6 in 10 Christians say that it's "often" or "always" true that "the busyness of life gets in the way of developing my relationship with God." Christians most likely to agree were from North America, Africa, and Europe.
While busyness afflicts both men and women, the distraction from God was more likely to affect men than women in every surveyed continent except North America, where 62 percent of women and 61 percent of men reported busyness as interfering with their relationship with God.

By profession, pastors are most likely to say they rush from task to task (54 percent), which adversely affects their relationship with God (65 percent).
In lean times, reading the Bible becomes more important than ever.

Points to Ponder:
When Facing lean times—what to do?
1st Proceed slowly! At first!
2nd You Must Learn to Pray!

Nehemiah 1:4 “4When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”

Illustration: The story is told of an elderly couple who lived together in a nursing home. Though they had been married for 60 years, their relationship was filled with constant arguments, disagreements, and shouting contests. The fights didn't stop even in the nursing home. In fact, the couple argued and squabbled from the time they got up in the morning until they fell in bed at night.It became so bad that the nursing home threatened to throw them out if they didn't change their ways. Even then, the couple couldn't agree on what to do.Finally, the wife said to her husband: "I'll tell you what, Joe, let's pray that one of us dies. And after the funeral is over, I'll go live with my sister."

Let me tell you something about “lean times” and prayer.
Sheri and I have been right at this point many times and God always answers right in the nick of time!
Nehemiah prayed—and fasted “for some days.” (1:4)
The king says, Nehemiah 2:4-5 "What is it you want?"
The king has seen Nehemiah’s downcast mood, and asked a question—‘"What is it you want?"
This was his window of opportunity to save Jerusalem!

Honor God first with the seriousness of waiting before Him, bowing before Him, even fasting … and then keep praying as you try to make the right decisions.

Being alone is one thing but being alone with God is something else!
Realize that God is in charge, that God is in control.

Illustration: In his book “GOOD MORNING MERRY SUNSHINE,” CHICAGO TRIBUNE columnist, Bob Greene chronicles his infant daughter's first year of life. When little Amanda began crawling, he records:crawl again."
Prayer is like that—the choosing to come to Him!

Points to Ponder:
When Facing lean times—what to do?
1st Proceed slowly! At first!
2nd You Must Learn to Pray!
3rd Start Where you are!

Nehemiah 1:11 “I was a cupbearer to the king.”Remember when John Hinkle tried to kill President Regan—March 30th 1981?
Nehemiah was kind of like the Secret Service Agent for the King ARTAXERXES, who ruled Persia from 465 to 424 B.C.
Nehemiah was a “Cupbearer to the King.”
The “Cupbearer” is the person who throws himself in front of a bullet, who puts his life on the line … the person who tastes the wine before the king drinks it, just to be sure an assassin hasn’t tried to poison the king.

Nehemiah could have made excuses as to why he couldn’t rebuild Jerusalem.
After all, he wasn’t a Levite. He wasn’t a priest. He wasn’t even a builder.
He was JUST a cupbearer! But like anyone who is called by God to a significant task, the feelings of inadequacy give way to the necessity of the moment.
You can only start where you are. You can’t wait until some distant day in the future to get the job done, for that distant day will always stay just over the horizon.

Illustration: Jennifer started where she was, the last 8 years of her life had a greater impact on those around her than the 39 years before she got cancer!

Points to Ponder:
When Facing lean times—what to do?
1st Proceed slowly! At first!
2nd You Must Learn to Pray!
3rd Start Where you are!
4th Seize the Moment!

Nehemiah prayed, 1:11 “Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man,"
Look what Nehemiah did: Nehemiah 2:1-9 (HCSB)

In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before; 2 so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart." I was very much afraid, 3 but I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?" The king said to me, "What is it you want?" me.”

Nehemiah was ready, in part because his grief had motivated him. Nehemiah was ready, in part because he’d spend so much time and energy in fasting, in prayer, in waiting before the Lord. And to his credit, when the opportunity presented itself, Nehemiah seized the moment. The door cracked open, and Nehemiah was ready to go through it. He was sensitive to the possibility that God might be at work … so he had this razor-sharp edge of readiness that allowed him to seize the moment.

Illustration: The Chinese symbols for "crisis" are identical to those for the word "opportunity." Literally translated it reads "Crisis is an opportunity riding the dangerous wind." Seizing the moment requires the recognition that every crisis is also an opportunity for success.

Points to Ponder:
When Facing lean times—what to do?

1st Proceed slowly! At first!
2nd You Must Learn to Pray!
3rd Start Where you are!
4th Seize the Moment!

Sermon Notes 09-06-09

2009-09-17T15:22:00.000-07:00

September 6th 2009 “Lean Times”
“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia” Ezra 1:1

Millions of Americans find themselves facing the greatest struggles of their lives today, squeezed financially by rising energy costs, rising unemployment rates, fears of a national recession – or even a depression. The housing market has changed dramatically, dramatic stock market losses have taken huge bites out of once-healthy retirement accounts, and credit that was once easily obtained is suddenly in a lock-down mode. In addition, a new presidential administration means more change is on the way, and no one is certain where the change will lead. It adds up to a shocking new way of life: These are “Lean Times.”

Naturally, “lean times” might apply to some other areas of life, too. Relationships and Marriages; the loss of loved ones, can hit hard times as well and grief can leave a person in emotional ruins!
The faith challenge is simple. If you face “lean times,” you’d better have a good foundation on which you can “lean.”
We a not to just survive in lean times but we are to Thrive in Tough Times!
Ezra and Nehemiah provide the biblical background, for they led a people facing far more difficult circumstances to a point of great success – in their work, in their national identity, and in their new understanding of faith.

Illustration: I saw a man, on TV, standing in front of his home in on Monday, August 31st. He had his cell phone in his hand and he was saying, “It’s all gone, it’s burned to the ground. All the houses on our street are gone.” He was talking to his wife and he said: “We will survive, we will re-build. This will be our home again, don’t worry honey!”
How can you survive in lean times?

Points to Ponder:
1st It Takes Two!

It takes you and God to believe and it will be done!
Ezra 1:1 “In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia”

Ezra and Nehemiah—two guys who followed God! Instead of Malibu, CA, it was Jerusalem that had been destroyed. The great city had lain in ruins for decades. Those who had been left behind when Judah had been taken away into exile were those deemed the least of the bunch, those not worthy even of capture.

When Ezra and Nehemiah returned, they found that no one had attempted to rebuild either the Temple, or the city.
Jerusalem was ruined, and no one had the energy to rebuild it.
When they arrived home, Ezra and Nehemiah changed all of that. One man was a Bible teacher, and the other was a motivator.
One knew the law, and the other one knew people.
One was committed to preaching, one was committed to action. Together, the two men were used by God to rebuild the city, rebuild the Temple, and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
They worked in an environment that was overwhelmingly negative, with each day’s news reports explaining why they couldn’t do … exactly what they were doing.

In the middle of lean times, they succeeded. In the worst of all the bad days, they were victorious. When people insisted they couldn’t make it, they did more than simply survive. They thrived.Connection with today: The news reports tell us that we’re in hard times, right now. House prices have fallen dramatically, and still aren’t selling. A tank of gas feels like a major purchase, and everything from food prices to basic supplies have seen dramatic increases. For most Americans, it creates “lean times.”

Actually, our version of “hard times” won’t sell very well in the rest of the world, or in the past pages of history.
Actually we’ve got a lot of people hurting. The down-turn in the economy has affected everyone, every industry, every organization, every church.
The history that takes us into the story of Ezra and Nehemiah is pretty simple. After seeing its best days ever under David, and then Solomon, Israel foolishly divided with a Civil War.

The northern kingdom became known as Israel, and it had almost all of the natural resources, and the very best cash flow. The southern kingdom was known as Judah, and its best claim to power was Jerusalem, its capitol and the spiritual center of the people.
In time, the northern kingdom was completely destroyed by the Assyrians. The reason for the destruction was ungodly leadership. There wasn’t a single king in the north that was godly.
Once the northern kingdom was gone, the southern kingdom was a sitting duck. The Babylonians finally took the people captive, 136 years later, and transported the whole lot of them to the area of the world we now know as Iraq and Iran. History better knows the area as Persia, but the point of the Bible is that the entire Jewish people – the people of Judah – were taken into a 70-year exile.
Miraculously, the people were given permission to return to Judah. They were allowed to go back to Jerusalem.
And this is Ezra and Nehemiah’s story, for they were the men who inspired those who had returned to re-build.
They were the men who decided to thrive in very difficult circumstances, and lead the reconstruction of Jerusalem, of the Temple, and of God’s people.

Points to Ponder:
1st Two Believed! It just takes you and God to believe and it will be done!
2nd God is In Control! World leaders are under God’s control.

Ezra 1:1”… the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm”
King Cyrus was the ruler of the world of his day!
The most powerful world leaders of Ezra’s day were under God’s control. Ezra 1:2 “Cyrus, king of Persia, hereby announces that Jehovah, the God of heaven who gave me my vast empire, has now given me the responsibility of building him a Temple in Jerusalem, in the land of Judah.”

The Same is true today. No matter how powerful, the world leaders are as puppets in the hands of God.
From Raul Castro, Fidel’s Brother, to President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, to President Mahmoud Ahma-dine-jad of Iran; to President Shimon Peres of Israel; to Prime Minister Valdimir Putin if Russia; to President Barak Hussein Obama of the United States all of them are under God’s control.

The Romans are examples of God using un-Godly nations to spread the gospel:
The Romans built super highways, improved shipping and transportation, and even volunteered to transport missionaries from the Middle East to Europe (via persecution) … spreading that message faster than could have ever been done, if the first followers of Jesus hadn’t had the unintentional help of the Romans.
The Roman emperor decreed that there must be a census and Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem and the Savior was born!
Are world leaders still under God’s control? Absolutely. We may not understand it, but you can count on it. God is in control. Complete control.

Points to Ponder:
1st Two Believed! It just takes you and God to believe and it will be done!
2nd God is In Control! World leaders are under God’s control.
3rd Follow the Instructions!

Only those who hear – and obey – God’s instructions will thrive in lean times.

Illustration: Every year, about the time April 15 rolls around, there are a lot of news stories about income taxes. But did you know each year, thousands of people forget to claim refunds the IRS has waiting? For the 2006 tax year, for instance, the IRS still has about $100 million in refund checks waiting on the rightful owners to claim. The average, unclaimed refund, they say, is $953. And more than 100,000 taxpayers have let it go.If you’re going to get your refund you have to be aware of the rules! Pastor Phil says: “Only obedience will take us to a point of thriving during lean times.” Ezra 1:6-11 Every lesson of value seems to come in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Since the heart of these lean times comes from not having as much money as we used to, what about the money?
Will we take money away from our gifts to the Lord so we can keep putting the same amount of gasoline in our vehicles? What if tough financial times were actually a test from God?

The Bible has told us that God can provide for all our needs. Could it be that God is calling us back to a state of biblical, fiscal responsibility? Psalms 37:1-5 “Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”

Elijah and the Widow women! How to survive in lean times: 1st Kings 17:2-1

Sermon Notes 08-23-09

2009-09-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

August 23rd 2009 “A Successful Failure”
“Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” Jonah 3:1-2

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of man's first steps on the moon, many argue that the feat marked NASA's finest hour. Others, however, consider NASA's finest hour to have been Apollo 13, which was two missions later. In that mission, a serious explosion severely crippled the command module and jeopardized the astronaut's ability to return to earth. Even though the ultimate mission, to land men on the moon, was a failure, NASA's remarkable engineering feats led to the safe return of the astronauts. Thus, the mission of Apollo 13 was dubbed "The Successful Failure". Like Apollo 13, we can think about the Old Testament figure Jonah as a successful failure too.

The Great Billy Graham said: “Heavenly Father, we come before You today to ask Your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, ‘Woe to those who call evil good,’ but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called welfare…We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefather and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!”

Does America need to Return Back To God?
Jonah’s Failure was met with God’s great stament:
Jonah 3:1 “And the Word of the Lord, came to Jonah a second time!”
One of the great lessons of Jonah’s failure and forgiveness is that God can continue to use those who return to Him.
Thankfully, we serve the God of a second chance.
Many spiritual leaders received a second chance to do what God called him to do. Adam sinned in the garden and God covered him. Moses murdered a man and God called him. Elijah quit and complained then God re-commissioned him. Peter denied the Lord and then God used him at Pentecost.
America is looking more and more like a “Successful Failure” unless we Return Back to our Founding Father’s Values!

Jonah’s third chapter reminds us that authentic revival impacts both the individual and the culture.

The Second Chance:
1st Come to Me! The voice of the Lord is different than those of the world!
Jonah 3:1 “Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time:”
We serve the God of the Second Chance!

Moses had seen the suffering of the people and he knew that he was to be the deliverer but he was impulsive. He got ahead of God, he developed his own plan and his own timetable.
The end result was that he killed an Egyptian taskmaster and was forced to flee for his life. He has now spent the last forty years in "God’s School of The Desert."

In forty years, under Pharos’s teaching, in Egypt: Moses had learned the skills of worldly leadership. In "God’s School of the Desert" he had for forty years been taught the qualities of spiritual leadership: patience, maturity and sensitivity in listening to the voice of God.

Then God Calls Moses for the second time: Exodus 3:1-5 we read,
"Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. "And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed." In verse four it says, "When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look…" and verse five says, "Then He said, "Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground."“Holy Ground” latterly means: “Separate” God was telling Moses: “"I want you to separate yourself from your past failures. I want you separate yourself from your present fears. I want you to separate yourself from every human thing. I want you to give me your undivided attention. I want you to listen to what I am saying."

The Second Chance:
2nd Go to Nineveh!
Jonah 3:1 “Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”Who disserves a “Second Chance?” Jonah 3:1 “Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time:” Jesus said to the Woman at the well: John 8:10-11 “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” 11“No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Jonah was re-commissioned Jonah 3:2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”
Jonah was sent to what was at that time the chief city of the gentile world. Proclaim to it the message I give you.
Jonah’s successful preaching campaign had nothing to do with Jonah’s ability: Going to Nineveh was all about Obedience!
The way God dealt with Jonah is the way he deals with every believer—He calls and then Empowers: 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.”

B. Why Nineveh? Well, Why San Francisco? Why Los Angeles? Why New York? Why Santa Maria?
Nineveh was the capital of the most hated people of Jonah’s day and they were lost and without God!
Is Santa Maria lost? God is calling us just as much as He was calling Jonah!

John 3:16 “For God so loved the WORLD, that that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHO-SO-EVER believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

The Second Chance:
3rd See the Response! See what God will do!

Jonah 3:3-8 “Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very important city—a visit required three days. 4On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned.” 5The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. 6When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. 7Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. 8But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence.”Why did they listen?
Some commentators have suggested that the gastric juices of the fish bleached Jonah’s skin pure white!

They listened because:
Jonah 3:3 “Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD”
B. Paul, the Apostle, had a similar experience with God: Acts 9:3-6 “3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Serving the Lord is impossible in our own strength, but with God all things are possible. Only when we recognize our weakness do we know that with God all things are possible.
We serve the God of the Second Chance!

Hezekiah needed a second chance: 2nd Kings 20:1-6
“In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, "Thus says the Lord: 'Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.'" Bad news!
Hezekiah’s response: “Then he turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, saying, "Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight." God’s Response to Hezekiah: “And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Then it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, "Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, 'Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord. And I will add to your days fifteen years."We serve the God of the Second Chance!

Sermon Notes 08-16-09

2009-08-25T13:38:00.000-07:00

August 16th 2009 “Jonah’s Return” “Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” Jonah 1:17

Jonah is classified as “The Reluctant Prophet!” Seems like a oxymoron! Like: “I’m from the government and I’m here to help you!”
Introduction: Jonah’s story is simple. Jonah, a child of God, ran from his Father. God pursued his child on the wings of a storm. Just like a child, Jonah is forced to realize that it is better do God’s will than to run!
Like Jonah, we have a tendency to think that during times of crisis God is distant or removed.
God never forsakes His children – even when we disobey Him, just like with Jonah—even in the belly of the great fish, God was there!
Jonah’s experience illustrates the steps back to God.

Jonah’s Return Steps:
1st Jonah’s Confinement!

Jonah 1:17 “Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”Who prepared the fish? God!
There is much discussion about the nature of this fish. Was it a whale, a large shark, or a large fish?
The type of fish isn’t as important as the role of the fish.
Some see this fish simply as God’s judgment on Jonah. But God used the sea as His hand of correction.

The fish was: A protective haven from the sea –1:17 “Jonah was in the fish.”
And the fish represents God’s provision for his protection.
God had no intention of killing Jonah. If God wanted Jonah dead, He could have left him in the ocean and sent a shark!
God desired to break Jonah’s disobedient will, He wasn’t finished with Jonah yet.
God sent the fish to rescue him from dying.
Even in the throes of the consequences of his disobedience God loves and rescues Jonah.

The fish was: A personal transport to the coast!
After “three days and three nights” [1:17], “God commanded the fish and it vomited Jonah on dry land” [2:10].
The three days and nights probably has nothing to do with the speed of the fish, but with the time Jonah needed to empty his sinful heart.
When Jonah was ready to obey God, the fish was ready to release him.

The fish was: A private sanctuary with the Lord – 2:1
“Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish.”
What is a “sanctuary?” It is the place where you encounter God. You can know that you have encountered God when He has your attention.

Think of what happened inside that fish:
Inside the fish, Jonah recognized his utter dependence on God.
“I cried out for help” [2:2],
“I said, ‘I have been banished’” [2:4],
and “As my life was fading away, I remembered the Lord.” [2:7].
When all hope was exhausted, God moved in.

Inside the fish, Jonah submitted to God without reservation Jonah 2:9 “I will never worship anyone but you! For how can I thank you enough for all you have done? I will surely fulfill my promises. For my deliverance comes from the Lord alone.”
Jonah got alone with God and the voice of sin, of fame, and of others became faint sounds.
If you have wandered from God--find a private place to meet with God. You don’t need a dramatic event, you just need to be alone with God.

Jonah’s Return Steps:
1st Jonah’s Confinement!
2nd Jonah’s Communion!

We need to listen to God’s voice. Jonah quoted from the Psalms.
“Your billows swept over me” [2:3] Psalm 42:7
“I have been banished” [2:4]. Psalm 31:22
“my life was fading away” [2:7]. Psalm 147:3
“Salvation is from the Lord” [2:9]. Psalm 3:8 “For salvation comes from God. What joys he gives to all his people.”
The Word of God was so critical to Jonah’s spiritual recover?

Illustration: God’s Word is God’s Compass!

Jonah’s Return Steps:
1st Jonah’s Confinement!
2nd Jonah’s Communion! We need to listen to God’s voice.
3rd Jonah’s Confession! We need to pour out our hearts to God.

Jonah’s Confessions: Jonah 2:3-4 He said, “You threw me into the depths” and “I have been banished from Your sight.” I recognize Your hand at work here.”
Jonah makes the connection between his disobedience and God’s correction.

B. Jonah 2:4 Jonah added, “yet I will look once more toward Your holy temple.” Here is a good definition of backsliding: Taking your eyes off God. Likewise, a good definition of repentance is turning your eyes back to God.

C. Jonah 2:9 He promised, “I will fulfill my vows.” Repentance without obedience results in failure. True repentance requires change.Illustration: A man in a certain church was known to rededicate his life on a regular basis. And he always prayed the same prayer, “Lord, remove the cobwebs from my life.” Upon hearing the prayer yet another time, his Pastor whispered this prayer to the man, “And Lord kill the spiders!” Conclusion: It is said that the Eastern shepherd, as he brings his sheep back to the fold each night, stands at the door and counts each one. As he does so, he puts his hand on the head of each animal. He makes a habit of touching each one of them. If he were to grow careless and neglect to habitually touch his sheep, it would soon turn its head away when it heard his voice! This, of course, could be very serious, for with such a broken habit would follow the animal's actually ignoring the warning shout from the shepherd and subsequently could be disastrous for the sheep.

If we are experiencing the Shepherd's touch daily in our lives, then we will recognize His voice when He warns of impending danger. This will mean "practicing His presence" daily. If we do not practice His presence then we have probably been practicing the presence of our enemy. Our Lord awaits the moment to "touch" our day with His presence.

Sermon Notes 08-09-09

2009-08-17T15:06:00.000-07:00

August 9th 2009 “Getting Our Attention”
“Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD. Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.” Jonah 1:3-4

Did you know? “On Yom Kippur, the most solemn day of the Jewish calendar, a big fish story is read in synagogues. As worshipers fast, confess their sins, and reflect on the words of Moses and Isaiah, they listen once again to the account of a catch and release that is so amazing no one would believe it if it wasn’t in the Bible.

Here’s a great question: What is God willing to do to bring us back to Himself? God is willing to do whatever it takes to get our attention and bring us back to Him.

Attention Getters:
God has many ways to get our attention.1st God will send Storms!

Jonah 1:4 “Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.”
What is God willing to do?
It is important to remember that these actions by God are intended as correction, not punishment.
Jonah was heading in the wrong direction both physically and spiritually. So God intervened to turn him around.

Jonah 1:4 “Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea,”
“The Lord hurled a violent wind.” The Hebrew term translated “hurled” or “flung” is the same word used when King Saul “cast” the javelin at young David.
The word carries the notion of “violent force.”
Here we see that the wind and waves served as God’s servants to disturb the sleeping prophet.

God often uses the storms of adversity to teach us or to correct us. Quote: Patrick Fairbairn wrote, “God’s goal in affliction is to awaken.” Sometimes God has to shakes us to awaken us. The Bible is full of “Awakings!”
Jacob deceives his father Isaac and claims to be his brother, Esau, and steals his birthright! God sent an angel to wrestle with him! Finally Jacob repented and followed God!
The Israelites refused to seize the promise land and were forced to wander in the wilderness for 40 years.
Sampson lost his eyes and spent the rest of his days pushing a grind stone like a donkey.
King David had to run from his own son.

Attention Getters:
2nd God will Touch Someone Near You!

Jonah 1:4-5 “Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. 5All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god.”
Although Jonah had sinned, “the sailors were afraid.”

Quote: Dr. A.C. Dixon wrote, “Our sins will certainly get others in trouble.”
What happens when a pastor gets caught in sin? Others fall!
When the storm came Jonah was about to drown. But remember, “No one drowns alone.” The storms that touched his life, touched the lives of all those around him.
After King David sinned he remained in an unrepentant state for nearly a year. It was eight months before the prophet Nathan confronted David.
Nathan told David that the child born of the king’s adultery would die.

“What is God willing to do to bring someone back to Him?” The answer is: whatever it takes! God knows which nerve to touch to get your attention.

Attention Getters:
3rd God will Send Someone!

Jonah 1:6 “But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. 6The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us, and we will not perish.” A. As the storm raged, “the Captain approached him.”
The Captain did not follow the Lord God—Yet God used this unbeliever to correct Jonah.

God my send a donkey to talk to you!
Number 22:1-35 there is a story of Balaam’s donkey talking to him!
Can animals speak?
Remember the snake spoke to Adam and Eve in the garden!
Balaam was told by God—“don’t speak until I tell you to speak!”
Balaam didn’t obey God so God spoke to Balaam by way of his donkey: Numbers 22:28-30 “28Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?” 29Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.” 30The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?” 31Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.”

Pastor Phil says: “When the Lord sends someone to us we can respond to those messages with anger or humility. But we cannot ignore that God is speaking.” Illustration: Glen and Norma came to my door and said, “God is not finished with you!” It literally changed my life!
Attention Getters:4th God will Expose Disobedience!
A. Jonah 1:7 “7Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.”
It is an interesting contrast that while the unbelieving sailors discerned that the storm represented God’s hand against someone on board the vessel [1:7], Jonah did not!

God used Mordeci to expose Haman’s plot to have all the Jews exterminated [Ester 3-4].
God used Peter to expose Simon Mangus’ false motives [Acts 8:14-25].
God used Paul to expose Peter’s hypocrisy [Galatians 2:11-16].
God can expose any sin of any sinner.

Attention Getters:5th God will Touch You Physically!
A. He touches you physically – Jonah 1:15 “Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him.”
Once they learned of Jonah’s guilt “they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea.”

God is no respecter of persons.
He struck Miriam, Moses sister, with leprosy [Numbers 12].
In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira who had tried to deceive the church and lied to the Holy Spirit.
God desires to awaken our spirit.
Why would God use seemingly drastic intervention to get our attention?
Is God mad at us?
Does He desire to punish us? No!
His correction is another expression of His love grace and goodness.
God desires for us to submit to His will – 1:2 God told Jonah to “Go to Nineveh.”
Obedience to the Lord’s command will bring an end to His correction. We should notice that the call to Nineveh did not change [Jonah 3:1].
God requires genuine repentance.

Max Lucado has put it: “If there are 1000 steps between you and God, God will take 999 of them and leave the last one for you."

Sermon Notes 09-02-09

2009-08-11T11:12:00.000-07:00

August 2nd 2009 “Symptoms of Needing God”
“The Lord sent this message to Jonah: “Go to the great city of Nineveh, and give them this announcement from the Lord: ‘I am going to destroy you, for your wickedness rises before me; it smells to highest heaven.’” But Jonah was afraid to go and ran away from the Lord. He went down to the seacoast, to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket, went on board, and climbed down into the dark hold of the ship to hide there from the Lord. But as the ship was sailing along, suddenly the Lord flung a terrific wind over the sea, causing a great storm that threatened to send them to the bottom.” Jonah 1:1-5

Introduction: Jay Leno frequently does a "man-on-the-street" interview, and one night he collared some young people to ask them questions about the Bible. Mr. Leno turned to a young man and asked, "Who, according to the Bible, was eaten by a whale?" The confident answer was, "Pinocchio." Unfortunately, some in the church are just as clueless about the book of Jonah.
When we open the book of Jonah we must ask as one preacher said, “Is this a tale of a whale or a whale of a tale?” Could the events in the book of Jonah really have happened?

Some in our enlightened day think that the story of a fish swallowing a man it simply too amazing to believe. They obviously don’t research history often. The following documented account is just one of several Jonah-like incidents.

Quote: “In February 1891, the Star of the East was whale hunting off the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic.
What are the indicators that we need to return to God?

Indicator That We Need to Return to God:
Indicator #1: We ignore God’s Word!Jonah 1:1 “The Word of the Lord came to Jonah.”
God constantly tries to speak to the hearts of His people.

Just like a parent trying to warn their children, God is trying to warn us that He is about to do something really big!

September 11th 2001; God was trying to tell America—“Get ready, I coming back! Repent!”
The Question is: God has spoken, but whether we are listening?

Jonah 1:1 “The Word of the Lord came to Jonah.”
Many times we ignore the Word that speaks to our heart for two reasons:
1st We don’t like what God says or commands. Imagine how Jonah felt when he heard the Spirit say, “go to Nineveh.” He didn’t like it at all. Concerning the Bible, someone wisely observed, “Sin will keep you from this Book, or this Book will keep you from sin.” When Christians drift from God they typically begin here.2nd We don’t love His Word as we should. God’s Word is truly a love letter. And when we love God we will want to hear from Him.

Jonah—ran from God’s Word—that’s why he was on the ship—he was running from God’s Word!
I see people every day running from God’s Word, just like Jonah!
Ignoring God’s Word is an indicator that you need to return to God.

Indicator That We Need to Return to God:
Indicator #2: We harbor Hidden Sins from Our Past!

Jonah 1:2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh, and give them this announcement from the Lord: ‘I am going to destroy you, for your wickedness rises before me; it smells to highest heaven.’”
Have you ever tried to hide a sin?

Jonah had harbored a hidden sin from his past. Look at the phrase “Go to Nineveh.”
He hated Nineveh
Jonah, the man whose name means “dove,” had grown popular as the prophet that denounced the Assyrians. And now he feared he would lose credibility with the Israelites if he went to preach the offer of grace to the Assyrians.
But this hidden sin had come back to haunt him. Now it became the excuse for his rebellion against God. We should all remember Numbers 32:23, “Be sure your sin will find you out.”
If you harbor a hidden sin, this indicates that you need to return to God.

Illustration: A drunken husband snuck up the stairs quietly. He looked in the bathroom mirror and bandaged the bumps and bruises he’d received in a fight earlier that night. He then proceeded to climb into bed, smiling at the thought that he’d pulled one over on his wife. When morning came, he opened his eyes and there stood his wife. “You were drunk last night weren’t you!” “No, honey.” “Well, if you weren’t, then who put all the band-aids on the bathroom mirror?” [“Stories for Preachers and Teachers”, Heaven Word, Inc]

Indicator That We Need to Return to God:
Indicator #3: We neglect our Evangelistic Responsibility!

Jonah 1:3 “But Jonah was afraid to go and ran away from the Lord.” God told Jonah to “preach against” Nineveh.
Most people know that the Jews are “God’s chosen people.”
But have you ever thought about what they were chosen to do?
They were chosen to take the knowledge of God to the nations.
When God called Abraham to become the father of His people, the Lord told the patriarch, “Out of your seed will the nations be blessed.” God entrusted evangelism to His people.
Today the church is under the “Great Commission” of our Lord. We have the responsibility to carry the gospel to the world just like Jonah!
Our indifference to the lost is an indicator that we need to return to God.

Indicator That We Need to Return to God:
Indicator #4: We decide to deliberately disobey God!

Jonah 1:3 “But Jonah was afraid to go and ran away from the Lord. He went down to the seacoast, to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket, went on board, and climbed down into the dark hold of the ship to hide there from the Lord.”
Instead of listening, he decided to willfully disobey.

Sin is: “A Willful Transgression of the Known Law of God!”
For some reason, we have come to believe that God is willing to bargain with us over His commands.
We tend to think that it is reasonable for God to make exceptions to His rules or, at least, compromise to some degree on His expectations.

Know this: God does not negotiate His commands. He didn’t for Abraham, Moses or David. And He will not for us.
If you testify, “I believe in God,” but then qualify it with a “however,” then you need to return to God.

Indicator That We Need to Return to God:
Indicator #5: We run from our calling!

Jonah 1:3 “But Jonah was afraid to go and ran away from the Lord. He went down to the seacoast, to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. A. “to Tarshish” – The insanity of running from God!
What is your “Tarshish?”
It is the place you have gone to that is the opposite of God’s will for your life.
He tried to run as far from God’s call as possible.

“he bought a ticket” – The irresponsibility of running from God
When it comes to our calling, the Christian can find himself or herself in one of three situations: [1] Never started, [2] Started but quit – and you’re making excuses, or [3] Going strong in service.
Neglecting your calling is an indicator that you need to return to God.

Indicator That We Need to Return to God:
Indicator #6: We disregard God’s Correction!

Jonah 1:5 “But as the ship was sailing along, suddenly the Lord flung a terrific wind over the sea, causing a great storm that threatened to send them to the bottom.”
In the midst of a God-sent storm “Jonah had…fallen into a deep sleep.”
His sleep is a good metaphor for spiritual indifference.
Some people today are so “asleep” that they completely miss what God is trying to say to them.

Conclusion: So, how do you return to God? John Newton, the author of “Amazing Grace,” discovered grace and forgiveness through humility, honesty and confession. Newton signed on with a slave ship leaving from Africa with its "cargo." He was an experienced sailor and navigator, but his cursing and blaspheming turned hardened sailors' ears red. Soon the ship was caught in a horrible storm and was taking in water. The crew had to pump 24 hours a day to stay afloat. But the constant wind rocked the boat so dangerously that the sailors had to tie themselves to the deck to keep from being swept overboard. At one point, several of the crew tried to throw Newton overboard. They figured that God was punishing him like Jonah of the Old Testament. The captain declared that the only way the ship would make it in to safe harbor was by God's power. He commanded everyone--including Newton--to pray. "God, if You're true," Newton prayed earnestly, "make good your Word. Cleanse my vile heart."After four weeks of storms and constant brushes with death, the ship limped into an Irish port. John Newton, former "free thinker," former slave trader and atheist, declared his faith in Jesus. He became a well-known preacher and writer. In fact, we chiefly know him as the author of the hymn "Amazing Grace." “Come Unto Me, All Ye that Are Heavy Burdened and I Will Give You Rest!”

Sermon Notes 07-26-09

2009-08-04T19:45:00.000-07:00

July 26th 2009 “Journey to Forgiveness”“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14

Video: “All Have Sinned”Did you see the 1970 film; “Love Story,”
Personally I believe that Love and Forgiveness cannot be separated!
“Love means...never having to say you’re sorry.”—I don’t think so, Love means I always have to say I’m sorry!

Quote: I agree with Ed Young who writes, “A marriage is not so much the union of two great LOVERS as it is of two great FORGIVERS.”
Jesus said: Matthew 5:0 “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. ”

God’s Dare to all of us today is a way to Journey Out of Selfishness and Un-Forgiveness to Forgiveness!

Points to Ponder
1st Why Forgive?

Because we all need to be forgiven!Have you ever tried to outrun your past? I did!
David said in Psalm 32:1-2 Living Bible “What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven. What release for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record!”

Guilt makes us replay over and over again our past. Pastor Phil says: “Guilt will keep you looking in the “Rearview Mirror” of life!”Colossians 3:13 literally says, “Keep on forgiving one another...” because forgiveness is a continuing process. The word “forgiveness” is built around the root word, “give” which should tell us that it is something that is undeserved—like a gift. Kind of like what Jesus did for each of us!Forgiveness is something we are GIVEN...and it is something we give to others as it has been given to us!
Have you ever seen one of those squirt guns where you pull the trigger but it squirts back at you? Un-Forgiveness doesn’t work.

Points to Ponder
2nd Forgiveness is a Boomerang!

Matthew 6:14-15 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”Forgiveness starts—the guilt removing process! Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart”“Pure” katharos—to make pure by cleansing.
It is used in psychology and counseling to refer to a cleansing of the mind or emotions.

“Pure” katharos in the Greek was sometimes applied to milk or wine which is unadulterated with water, or of metal which had been refined until all impurities were removed. So, we might think of pure meaning unmixed, unadulterated, unalloyed.

Matthew 15:19, Jesus said, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders." C. “Pure” katharos in the Greek "Blessed is the man whose motive is always entirely unmixed, for that man shall see God."Illustration: This reminds me of the classic conversation between Lady Astor and Winston Churchill. Lady Astor said to him, “If I were your wife, I’d put poison in your coffee!” And Churchill wittily responded, “If I were your husband, I’d drink it!" This is an example of the heart without Christ in it!
Paul said in: Colossians 3:13 “Never hold grudges. Remember the Lord forgave you so you must forgive others.”

Points to Ponder
2nd Forgiveness is a Boomerang!
3rd My Future Depends on Forgiveness!

Matthew 6:9-13 The Living Bible: “Our Father in heaven, we honor your holy name. 10We ask that your kingdom will come now. May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven. 11Give us our food again today, as usual, 12and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.”

The Bible is teaching that we can only receive what we offer to others. We cannot receive what we don't offer to others. The Bible says "Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy." Illustration: Many years ago I was doing counseling; a lady came to me and poured out her heart. I felt so sorry for her. Soul Searching Questions:Do I need to forgive anybody? The Bible says I need to because I've been forgiven by God, who do I need to forgive? Do you blame anybody else in the world for your unhappiness? Who are you blaming? That is an indication of resentment. Life would be so much better if... Blame is an indication of bitterness. You need to let it go.Do I keep score? Is there a mental balance in my mind that every time they do "something" I say "They owe me one"?

Some of you, in your marriage, have had a partner who made a major mistake in your marriage.
You are still holding it over their head. You are an un-pleasable person because in your mind, no matter what they do it's all just repayment. No matter how good they are to you, you're saying, "They owe it to me."
If you want to save your marriage, you better let go and never bring it up again!

Un-Forgiveness applies to many areas of life. Maybe you were neglected as a child. Maybe you were abused as a child, maybe by your parents. Maybe you never could get that love that you felt like you needed. Maybe you had a brother or sister who hurt you Maybe you had a friend who was disloyal and you've resented them. Maybe you feel cheated in your marriage.
Forgiveness Is The First Step to Your Forgiveness! = Jesus! Song: “The Brush”Pray with me:

Sermon Notes 07-05-09

2009-07-29T16:57:00.000-07:00

July 5th 2009 “What God Can Do Through You”“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Acts 9:1-4

This week I read the tragic story of a man named Glynn Wolfe—who died alone in Los Angeles at the age of 88. No one came to claim his body. He only had $430 to his name—money that was applied to the cost of a pauper’s funeral. The city paid the rest. And, the sad truth is that this kind of thing is a fairly common occurrence—especially in large cities like L.A.—where, in spite of the fact that you live close to millions of people—you can still live and die VERY alone.
Mr. Wolfe’s situation was unique though—because he was no ordinary man. In fact, he held a very special world record. You see he is listed in the Guinness Book as the Most Married Man, with 29 monogamous marriages to his credit.
29 times Glynn Wolfe was asked, “Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife...forsaking all others do you pledge yourself only to her, so long as you both shall live?” Twenty-nine times Glynn Wolfe replied, “I do,” but it never quite worked out that way. His longest marriage lasted seven years and his shortest only 19 days.
It is said that he left behind several children, grand-children, great grand-children, and of course a number of living ex-wives, and innumerable ex-in-laws—but still, Glynn died alone. You would think that, after all the income Glynn sent his way, at least his divorce lawyer would have come to the service!
I share this tragic story because I believe God has created each of us to be a success! With God, anybody can become a Success!
Every time I read this story of Saul becoming Paul: I stand amazed at the great grace of God.
The truth is, Saul was a very unlikely candidate for kingdom service.
He was on a rampage, doing everything in his power to destroy the church.
Yet, God reached down in grace and took this man from where he was and used him to change the world.
Could God use us to change the world like He did with Saul?

Points To Ponder:
1st Our Past Condition Is No Obstacle!

Acts 9:1 “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.” 1. Saul was arresting them and putting them into prison.2. Saul was guilty of doing everything in his power to put Christianity to death.3. Saul says of himself in Acts 22:4, “I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison.” Saul was a fanatic, a maniac! He was zealous for the traditions of his fathers. Saul even consented to the death of Stephen—Acts 8:1 1And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.Saul was a murder and yet he was a leader in the Jewish church—he says: “I was a Pharisee of Pharisees!” He had studied at the feet of Gamalia!

Saul was a wicked man, but here’s the good news, his wickedness was NO obstacle to the grace and saving power of God.
Here’s the good news: “My past and your past will not prevent us from being used by God.”

Points To Ponder:
1st Our Past Condition Is No Obstacle!
2nd Our Past Circumstances are No Obstacle!

Acts 9:2 “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.” 1. Saul was on his way to Damascus to arrest Christians and to take them to their deaths.2. Saul was filled with hatred and wanted nothing more than to completely destroy anyone or anything connected with the name of Jesus Christ.3. Yet, in spite of all this, the Lord was able to change this man and to use him for the glory of God.

You may be sitting here and be saying: “Can God Do It Again?”Moses was 80 years old when the Lord called him into the ministry.
Moses wasn’t very eloquent.
Moses was filed with fear.
Moses was totally opposed to the Lord’s plan for his life.
Yet, despite all this baggage, God was able to use this man for His glory.

The Gadarene Demoniac.
Do you remember him?…running around the tombs breaking his chains…he was considered a mad man, crazy!
God took him where he was and used him for God’s glory.
What I want us to see this morning is that our present circumstances have not caught the Lord by surprise!
He knows everything there is to know about us.
He knows where we are spiritually,
He knows what is going on in our lives right now.
But He can still use us if, and only if, we yield ourselves to Him.

Points To Ponder:
1st Our Past Condition Is No Obstacle!
2nd Our Past Circumstances are No Obstacle!
3rd Our Past Sins Are No Obstacle to God!

Acts 9:3 “3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” God used a young Jewish girl by the name of Esther to save her nation! Esther 4:14 “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”
For such a time as this—what time is it in your life?

God used a young boy by the name of Joseph to save his nation! God used a young boy by the name of David—even though God knew that David would kill a man so he could marry his wife!Our past Sins Are No Obstacle to God! Acts 9:3 “3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

It doesn’t matter to God—your past, what you’ve been into, what your problems are, what you personality quirks are, what your level of educations isn’t or is, what your level of acceptance of others is, GOD CAN AND WILL USE YOU RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE!

God isn’t looking for spiritual powerhouses; He is looking for people who have nothing more than faith and a desire to cling to Jesus.4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” The secret lies in one word - Surrender! Acts 9:5 “5“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Saul did exactly what Jesus asked him to do: v8 “8Saul got up from the ground” First Step is—Get Up! Sin is no obstacle to God—God had a plan in Damascus; God was preparing for a Miracle to happen to Saul: v10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision,“Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11The Lord told him,“Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”13“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”15But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” God will make a way when there seems to be no way!v17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord-Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here-has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.”Saul did what all those before him had done to be saved.

He believed in Christ.
He repented of his sins.
He confessed his name.
He was baptized for the forgiveness of his sins.

What about you, Christian?
Are you fully surrendered?
Are you holding anything back?
Are you available for God to use?
Are you willing to be used by God?

Points To Ponder:
1st Our Past Condition Is No Obstacle!
2nd Our Past Circumstances are No Obstacle!
3rd Our Past Sins Are No Obstacle to God!

Woman Caught in Adultery and Jesus’ Answer!When an angry mob wishes to stone a woman caught in adultery, Jesus responds, “He among you who is without sin, let him cast the first stone.”
“God Can Use Anybody”

Sermon Notes 06-23-09

2009-07-08T18:31:00.000-07:00

June 21st 2009 “Happy Father’s Day 2009”
“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family". Hebrews 11:7

Do you remember the movie: Evan Almighty? staring Tim Carell
In many ways the movie gave an irreverent spoof of the ‘Noah’ story.
Noah was one of the best dads to ever live! He was a great example.
God said to Noah, “Build an Ark!” “What’s an Ark?”

Imagine with me the building of the ark, what would it looked like…. The shape of the ark was unusual. Although the Bible does not give enough detail to enable a full model to be made, the ark was apparently not shaped like a boat, either ancient or modern. The shape more closely approximates a giant block. The length was 300 cubits (about 450 feet), the width was 50 cubits (about 75 feet), and the height was 30 cubits (about 45 feet), overall dimensions that resemble the dimensions of a giant house (Gen. 6:15). The ark had three floors filled with rooms (Gen. 6:14, 16) and one window and one door (Gen. 6:16).

Imagine the different animals entering!Think about what it had to be like inside…and what it would have been like outside! What a storm it was that ragged all around them. But God was with them all the way, and He must’ve dispatched a lot of angels to hold it all together as well as to help calm the circus it must’ve been inside!Eventually the storm would calm. But the waters would remain for many days and many nights. Can you get a sense of what it felt like to finally come to rest on land and eventually step out onto the ground?Today we have a lot in common with Noah in these stormy days we live in, and we need to learn how to build an ark of safety for our family.
People in Noah’s day were hardened toward spiritual matters and that would be a fair assessment of our culture today.

The Bible says: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the son of man”. Matthew 24:37 The Bible says that right before the Second Coming of the Lord and end of the world, things will be like they were in the days of Noah. Get ready friend, He is coming.
The ancient world, like ours, was filled with heartache and turmoil, but there was an exception to the norm. His name was Noah.

When everyone else was swimming downstream into an abyss of sin, Noah was headed upstream, in large part because of his Godly heritage.

Noah’s family included such spiritual giants as Enoch, his great-grandfather; and Methuselah, his grandfather; …and his father, Lamech, who lived 777 years!
METHUSELAH: Methuselah means "his death shall bring".

Enoch (Noah’s Great-grandfather) had a vision that, as long as his son was alive, the flood that would destroy the world would not come. So in effect, Methuselah's death shall bring the flood. The year Methuselah died was indeed the year the flood came.
There is no substitute for a Godly heritage. It’s one of the greatest gifts you can receive or pass on to your children. Do everything within your power to pass on your faith, to raise your family in a way that honors Christ.

Poem: You got it from your father, it was all he had to give So it’s yours to use and cherish for as long as you may liveIf you lose the watch he gave you, it can always be replacedBut a black mark on your name, son, can never be erased

It was clean the day you took it and a worthy name to bearWhen he got it from his father there was no dishonor there.So be sure you guard it wisely; after all is said and doneYou’ll be glad the name is spotless when you give it to your son.Prov.22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.

Three Ways to Pass on a Godly Heritage:
1st Faith means: Getting Right With God!
A. “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.” Hebrews 11:7
Noah had a relationship with God; a FAITH in God!
Noah’s family followed his example!

Pastor Phil says: “Have you noticed that God was able to pull off His plan with just one man and one family?”
Noah and his family were amateurs…not professionals (like the Titanic!)
Dads: take the lead and claim your kids for the kingdom. (lead ‘em to church, lead ‘em in prayer, to know the Lord!)
God told Noah, “It’s going to rain!” Noah said to God: “What’s rain?”
By faith Noah--…it wasn’t because such an event had happened before.
No, It was simply because God had warned him of something to come, and he put his trust in God’s warnings.
Noah operated on faith! He did what he was told.

Noah had an ear for God. Faith cometh by hearing... If you want to have the faith that can protect your children, you have to be a man / woman of the Word.Three Ways to Pass on a Godly Heritage:

1st Faith means: Getting Right With God!
2nd Fear Moved Noah!
A. Hebrews 11:7 “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house”
Fear is a good thing. It will put smoke detectors in your house, and a diligence about taking care of candles.
“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark...” If Noah had no fear of God, he would not have been motivated to build the ark that saved their lives.
Year by year, Noah built the ark for the saving of his family. There is nothing more important that the saving of our homes.
Dad, can your fear protect your family? Noah’s did!
In the day in which we live -- we need spiritual dikes built that can withstand the greatest storms of all time…like the storms of life and eternity!

Three Ways to Pass on a Godly Heritage:
3rd Follow: Noah Followed God!

Hebrews 11:7“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.”
Noah’s stock was riding high while the rest of the world was in liquidation!

There’s no better thrill than to know your family is following the Lord!3John 1:4 - I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Some family won’t follow: Remember Lot’s wife, she looked back and was left behind! But what a thrill when those who WILL follow get on board!

Noah practiced: Three Ways of Passing on a Godly Heritage:
His faith saved him
His fear moved him
His family followed him

Dads, you’re not almighty, but are you trusting in the God Who is?
Have you looked to the eyes of the Lord for grace?
Are you constructing your house by God’s design plans?

The Storms of life don’t upset us, they reveal us!

Sermon Notes 06-14-09

2009-06-23T10:15:00.000-07:00

June 14th 2009 “Fire-Proofing Your Life”“Follow God’s example in everything you do just as a much loved child imitates his father. 2Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, for Christ’s love for you was like sweet perfume to him.” Ephesians 5:1-2

Are You willing to take a dare?I just returned from a trip to Chicago and while I was there I learned about: “The Great Chicago Fire” which ragged from October 8 until October 10, 1871—eventually destroying about four square miles of that city and killing hundreds of its citizens.

Most people believe the cause of this devastating fire was Mrs. O’Leary’s cow who kicked over a lantern in her barn that night. But, in 1893 Michael Ahern—the reporter who first wrote about the cow story—Ahern admitted that he had made that all up because he thought it would make colorful copy—which shows you can’t always believe what you read in the paper!
This was a truly HORRIBLE fire—in fact, it was one of the worst disasters of the 19th century—and several things helped it get that distinction.

First, there was the city’s overuse of wood for building—and a long drought prior to the fire.
On top of all that—the firefighters were exhausted from fighting a fire that had happened the day before. They did not even receive the first alarm until nearly an hour after the fire started because the first glow in the sky was thought to be from the smoldering flames of a fire the day before.

Attempts to stop the fire were unsuccessful. The mayor had even called surrounding cities for help but by that point the fire was simply too large to contain. Plus—when the fire destroyed the waterworks, just north of the Chicago River, the city’s water supply was cut off which forced the firefighters to give up all together.

By the end of the third day the fire finally burned itself out, aided by diminishing winds and a light drizzle that began falling. Eventually it was determined that the fire had destroyed an area of about four miles long and 3/4 mile wide, encompassing more than 2,000 acres—acres that included more than 17,500 gutted buildings—$222 million worth of property—about a third of the city’s value back then. Of the 300,000 inhabitants, 90,000 were left homeless.

I share this bit of history because in a very real sense there is a fire raging throughout thousands of homes in America right now. I’m referring to the “fire” of DIVORCE from God’s Promises!
I “Double-Dare” you to fire-proof your life with God’s Promises!

Points to Ponder:
1st Divorcement from God’s Promises!

Ephesians 5:1“Follow God’s example in everything you do just as a much loved child imitates his father.”
Many are divorcing the Bible truths and saying it is not relevant! Can you count on God’s word?
Divorce is a powerful and destructive word!
When I say “Divorce” you immediately begin to think of Marriage: but “Divorce” can also have many different applications!
We have children “Divorcing” their parents and demanding “emancipation!”
We have “Church Members” “Divorcing” their churches and leaving them!
We have husbands and wives “Divorcing” and leaving their homes and the fire goes on and on and on!
“Fires” are breaking out all over and I believe we as a church need to “Fire-Proof” the promises of God!
Webster defines the word “FIREPROOF” like this: “CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING OR PREVENTING DAMAGE BY FIRE.”

Did you know that we are the “Bride of Christ?” Revelation 19:7 “6Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”

The truths of these sermons will be applicable to Married couples as well as to those who are not married!
Many Christians and married couples have “…lost that lovin’ feeling…” just like Frankie Valley sang many years ago!
It’s all about: “Who’s Going To Be Boss?”

Points to Ponder:
2nd Who’s Going to Be Boss?

A. Married Couples and Believers need to discover who is to be number ONE in their relationship—God or Self? Ephesians 5:21 says: “Submit to ONE ANOTHER out of reverence for Christ.” hoop-ot-as'-so “submit,” here literally means “...to line yourself up under...” or, “..to give up your rights.”
Believers or husband and wife are to each give up their rights—they are to line themselves up under EACH OTHER.
It all comes down to POWER!

B. When we think of someone who has power over us we can have many reactions: “No one is going to “Lord over me!” or “Who died and made you the King?”
In a relationship with God or in a Marriage relationship: “You must come to grips with: WHO’S GOING TO BE BOSS?”

Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.”
It all belongs to Him!
We just get to manage it for 40, 57, 70, 996 years!

B. Jesus said in Matthew 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.”Circle—“his property!” Not “Joe Husband” or “Jane Wife”—everything belongs to God!

I’ve heard these statements:
“The husband should make all the important decisions in the relationship...”
“The husband should go out and earn the family’s daily bread and the wife should stay home and bake it.” or
“The husband is the president of the family and the wife is the vice-president.” or—and this is my favorite: “The husband should control the TV remote...”

“Who is in charge, husbands or wives?” Ephesians 5:21“submit to ONE ANOTHER...out of reverence for Christ.”
Who is in charge, husband or wife?” — NEITHER. The correct answer to that question is JESUS. He is in charge. He is the boss. He is the head of any marriage—just as He is the Head of the church and should be the head of your life.

Illustration: There was a General under Cyrus, ruler of Persia, a general who learned that his wife had been accused of treason and had been condemned to die. When the general heard this he rushed to the palace and burst into the throne room....throwing himself on the floor before the king. Then he cried out, “Oh my lord Cyrus, take my life instead of hers. Let me die in her place.” Cyrus, who by all historical accounts was a noble and extremely sensitive man, was touched by this offer. He said, “Love like that must not be spoiled by death.” And then he gave the husband and wife back to each other and let the wife go free. As they walked away the husband said to his wife, “Did you notice how kindly the king looked at us when he gave you the pardon?” The wife replied, “I had no eyes for the king. I saw only the man who was willing to die in my place.” 1 Corinthians 13 where it says selfless love, “...does not demand its own way...”
Husbands and wives ARE unique—and of course humor relating to this subject abounds.

It has been said that a man won’t hesitate to pay $2 for something worth a $1 if he really wants it.
On the other hand a woman won’t hesitate to pay $1 for something worth $2 even if she DOESN’T want it.
A woman marries a man expecting him to change.
A man marries a woman hoping she won’t change.

Men tend to be physically stronger than women. But because of their greater lower body strength women tend to do better than men in long distance activities like running or swimming which is why the women’s best time in swimming the English Channel is three hours better than the man’s best time!

Women tend to live 4-8 years longer than we guys do. A woman’s metabolism is slower than a man’s—And these physical differences are just the tip of the iceberg!
Men function best when they can focus on one thing at a time while women can usually be multi-focused—an ability that can be very handy when it comes to parenting.

Women tend to be more VERBAL than men. In fact they learn to talk sooner than we guys do. A study was done a few years back that showed that 100% of the sounds coming out of the mouths of girls aged 2-4 had to do with conversation, whereas for the boys only 60% did. The rest were animal sounds or truck or car sounds. So, the truth is men start off behind women in talking and we never catch up. Communication experts say that the average woman speaks over 25,000 words a day, while the average man speaks only a little over 10,000. This means that in marriage by the time the man gets home from work he’s used all his words whereas his wife is just warming up. Anyone every had a marital argument that stemmed from the wife’s desire to talk when the husband got home from work and the husband’s desire to just vegg out in front of the TV?
This verbal uniqueness is why women who hardly know each other can have a long and meaningful conversation. Perhaps you’ve heard of the man who said, “My wife was on the phone for nearly 30 minutes. When she hung up I asked her, ‘Who was that?’ She said, ‘Wrong number.’”
Men tend to focus on doing things—especially FIXING things whereas women focus more on just being heard.

Points to Ponder:
3rd Three is Better than One!

Men and women who experience the joy and fulfillment and excitement of marriage; as well as those who are not married: are those people who invite GOD into their relationship.

Pastor Phil says: “I believe that many brothers and sisters in Christ have, by their actions, divorced themselves from God!”
God’s Promises: Many have lost their belief in the words of the Book:
" God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
" I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world! " John 16:33
" Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28
" I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8
" I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness." Jeremiah 31:3

" I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me." Proverbs 8:17

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Cor. 2:9

" Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3: 5,6
"Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust...." Psalm 40:4
Isaiah 43:1-3 “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;”

“Fire-Proof” your life—I DOUBLE DARE YOU!“Never leave your partner behind!”

Sermon Notes 06-07-09

2009-06-15T18:51:00.000-07:00

June 7, 2009 - It’s a Brand New Day- My Destiny

Praise to God for a Living Hope
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5 (New International Version)

A New Life
3-5What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all—life healed and whole. (The Message)
What is your Destiny? A Future in Heaven

God rewards those who seek after him. Psalms 84:11Jeremiah 29:11 11 for I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Psalm 84:11 (New International Version) 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
Psalm 84:11 (The Message) 10-12 One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship, beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches. I'd rather scrub floors in the house of my God than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin. All sunshine and sovereign is God, generous in gifts and glory. He doesn't scrimp with his traveling companions. It's smooth sailing all the way with God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

God is still on the throne. Sometimes we live like we don’t think he is still there, but he is. You have to believe that God can bring you though any thing that you are going through.
There are a lot of things around us trying to pull us down-but, don’t take hold of those things, and look to things above, the things of God- God’s word. We have to keep God’s word in our hearts, in our minds to not fall victim to Satan’s tricks or schemes.

I think it all starts with a grateful heart. We all have things to be grateful for. Sometimes we get so caught up with what is going on in our lives or in our parents lives or even our friend’s lives and we forget what God has done or is doing right now in our lives. Wake up each morning and thank God for everything you have. If you are going through some tough times right now, here are three things that you should be doing.

Find scriptures to memorize and meditate on daily that are specific to your tough time item. Healing, financial, salvation, addiction…..etc…
Forgive- un-forgiveness keeps us separated from God.

Matthew 6:15 (New International Version) But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Go visit people who are in a worse situation than you. If you can walk around, then go visit the shut INS. Sharing your time with those who need companionship will lift your own spirits as well. God will do a mighty blessing in your life as you bless others.

Please don’t get so caught up in what is going wrong in your life that you stop be grateful to God for all that is good in your life.
God is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow.

Hebrews 13:8 (New International Version)8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 (Amplified Bible) 8Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).Do you believe that God did great things in the lives of Moses, David, Paul and many others? Well he can and will do the same for each one of us.Do you believe that you have seeds of greatness down inside of you? God has given each one of us talents. God threw away the mold when he made you. God’s fingerprints are all over your life- don’t try to be someone or something you aren’t.

3. God can do the extraordinary.Don’t go around saying “I wish I could sing like her, or I wish I looked like him.” God made you unique, you are the best you that is out there, no one else can be a better you. God created you with a purpose, it is up to you to find out what that purpose is and get out there and do it. No one else is going to do it for you, because God put it in you and not in them. God is not asking us to be extraordinary, God is asking us to be ordinary- he will carry out the extraordinary in us, if we let him.In ourselves we can do the natural- but in God we can do the Supernatural. When we do the natural part-God he will show up and do the Super part- the part that takes faith. Knowing that without his help we will fail. We must depend on God’s supernatural power to work in our lives.Do you ever wonder why the car that ran the red light didn’t hit you? That’s because God is working on your behalf, even when you don’t think he is.
I guess the first thing that we have to believe is- Did God create me to be different from those around me?

Psalm 139:13-14 (New International Version) 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 139:13-14 (The Message) 13-16 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day.

The story of the little boy that was about 6 years old. He loved to play the piano, but he could only play chopsticks. His father took him to a symphony one night and they had back stage passes. The little boy saw the Grand Piano setting on the stage and walked over to it and sat down. His father had thought that he went out to his seat in the audience, but he was playing his chopsticks on the Grand Piano when the curtain was raised. The entire audience had come to see a great pianist, but saw this little boy playing chopsticks instead. Just when the little boy saw what was going on, he started to get up, but he felt two hands on his shoulders and then the arms came around him and the two hands were beside the little boy’s hands on the piano keys. The man whispered in the little boy’s ear-“just keep playing”, the master pianist starting playing a piece from the symphony and at just the right time he brought in the wood winds, and then the brass and so on. The audience was stunned that the sound was so spectacular. The song that was being played was in the same key as the little boy’s chopstick tune. But, when the master came and enter into the little boy’s ordinary song, the song became extraordinary. When we allow God to work in our lives- we can fulfill the destiny that God has already laid out for us and our ordinary will become extraordinary. Our natural will become Super-Natural.

We should all make this our prayer:
Lord, don’t let me leave this earth until I have completed all of my God given task, fulfilled all of my God given purposes and performed all of my God given talents.

Sermon Notes 05-31-09

2009-06-10T18:13:00.000-07:00

May 31st 2009 “The Image Giant”
“You made my whole being; You formed me in my mother's body. I praise You because You made me in an amazing and wonderful way. You saw my bones being formed as I took shape in my mother's body. When I was put together there, You saw my body as it was formed. All the days planned for me were written in Your book before I was one day old.” Ps. 139:13-16

You see a lot of people when you sit in an airport or Church or a Restaurant! I have to be honest with you. I had a number of thoughts as I went the airport last month to send Sheri off to Phoenix. One was, “God, You sure formed a lot of different people. And some of them are really strange.”

2. God only makes originals! Everything in this world God made and nothing is a copy. Every tree is different. Every plant is different. Every animal is different. Certainly every human being is different. There’s nobody like you in the entire world. You don’t have to realize that God has done almost creative overkill. He never makes copies of anything. Even twins aren’t exactly alike. God makes everything an original.

3. God could have made us all alike. But God didn’t want to do that. Why? Because an original is always worth more than a copy.
You’re not one in a million. You’re one in over six billion.

Points to Ponder:
1st You Are Unique!
There is no one in the universe like you!

A. Genesis 2:7 it says this, “God formed man from the soil of the ground and He blew the breath of life into his nostrils and man became a living being.”
Circle “formed.” This word is found all through the Bible.
God says that He custom shaped you and there’s nobody else shaped exactly like you.

Most people don’t like the shape or the form God made them into!Isaiah 29:16 “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing”?

You are Custom made!Psalms 139:13-16 “You made my whole being; You formed me in my mother's body. I praise You because You made me in an amazing and wonderful way. You saw my bones being formed as I took shape in my mother's body. When I was put together there, You saw my body as it was formed. All the days planned for me were written in Your book before I was one day old.”

God formed, God saw me, God shaped me, God put me together, and God planned every day of my life before I was even born!
There are no accidental children. You are not an accident.
Your parents may not have planned you but God did.
You are not an accident.

B. When God made Adam He broke the mold!
When God made Eve He broke the mold. Adam looked at Eve and said, “Honey, you’re the only woman in the world for me.”
You could go out and go on a round the world tour and search the entire world and you’re never going to find anybody with your thumbprint, with your footprint, with your voiceprint, with your eye print.

You’re unique.

C. Why did God go to all the trouble to make you? Because He wanted you to be an original. If He had wanted you to be somebody else He would have not made you. He would have made somebody else. But He wanted you.

Points to Ponder:
1st You Are Unique!
2nd What’s the PROBLEM?

First: Most people don’t like the way they are!“I wish I were taller, I wish I were smaller, I wish I were thinner. I wish I had red hair… brown hair, black hair. I wish I had a different skin color!” “I don’t like my nose. I don’t like my teeth. I wish I had more talent. Why couldn’t I be like her? Why couldn’t I be like him?”
They’re always comparing and competing rather than accepting what God made them to be.
Most people do not accept themselves and as a result they live frustrated lives.

Matthew 6:32-34 “So don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, 33and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to. 34“So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.”

What’s the PROBLEM?Second, they try to be somebody else!
A. They say, “I’ve got to wear shoes like her…I’ve got to have bigger hair they her…I’ve got to dress like him… I’ve got to make as much money as he did and I’ve got to do what she did. I’ve got to please my parents.” Most people start off as originals and end up as carbon copies.
If you’re here, it means that God says that you have something you can contribute that Pastor Phil can’t or anybody else can’t.

David tried to wear Saul’s armor, but it didn’t fit—he had to fight in his own armor and so do all of us!

Points to Ponder:
1st You Are Unique!
2nd What’s the PROBLEM?
Trying to change the way they look and Trying to be someone else!
3rd Getting into Your Shape!

The God intended shape for you!A. Job 10:8 “Your hands formed and shaped me...”The ‘S’ in s.h.a.p.e. stands for Spiritual gifts. 1st Corinthians 12:1 “Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.” There’s over twenty listed in the New Testament.
You were designed to use your God given Spiritual Gifts!
Each and every one of us is gifted by God for His glory, not for ourselves but for His glory.

The ‘H’ in s.h.a.p.e stands for Heart. David said: Psalm 52:10-11 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.”
When you heart is cleansed, you will be ready and willing to live within your shape that God has created you to be!

The ‘A’ in s.h.a.p.e stands for Ability!
What natural ability has God given you?
Singing, Laughing, telling jokes, reading blue prints, doing math, spelling, cooking, dancing, walking on your hands, sticking your foot in your mouth—YOU KNOW—things that just come naturally to you—YOU NATURAL ABILITIES!

You have certain abilities – five, six, seven hundred of them.

The ‘P’ in s.h.a.p.e stands for Personality! A. Personality is How has God wired you!
Some of us in this room are very competitive.
Some of us are very cooperative.
Some of us are extroverts and some of us are introverts.
Some of us are self-expressive while others of us are self-controlled.
Some of us in the room just love variety.
While others in this room just love to be around routine.

God takes a man and a woman in a marriage and puts routine and variety together.
How has God wired you?

The ‘E’ in s.h.a.p.e stands for Experiences!
We have all kinds of experiences in our lives.
I have so many people tell me:—“What you see is what you get!” That’s why I like you!

Until I accepted the way God had SHAPED me—I never liked myself and really though nobody else could like me!
What’s the experience in your past that maybe you keep wanting to hold back.
The bottom line is this. You’re made by God, to make a difference for God.

You got your SHAPE or your Experiences from God: Psalms 139:14 “I praise You because You made me in an amazing and wonderful way. You saw my bones being formed as I took shape in my mother's body”
God wired it into your system.
He wanted us all to do different things.
If we all liked to do the same things there would be a lot less done in the world.
You’re unique and you’re special. Nobody’s going to be like you.
If you refuse to be you: there’s going to be a whole missing in history.

God Counts Your Hairs on Your Head!
Matthew 10:30 “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”

It’s very important that you know your shape.
When people fulfill their purpose they bring glory to God. Isaiah 43 “Bring Me all the people who are Mine whom I made for my glory.”Circle “whom I made for My glory.”
You were made for God’s glory.
That’s why you’re alive.

Sermon Notes 05-31-09

2009-06-02T09:36:00.000-07:00

May 24th 2009 “The Obstacle Giant”
1Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. 2Then the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. Joshua 6:1-2

Learning to Fight! Did you know that a bully is a bully because no one has stood up against him?
David finally stood up against a bully called Goliath!
This morning we learn how Joshua learns how to fight the good fight.
Just as Israel faced the formidable walls of Jericho, you and I face walls and obstacles in our lives as well.

Knocking The Walls Down:
1st Identify The Wall! Identify the target!

A. Joshua 6:1 “Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.”ISRAEL HAD A PROBLEM—The Walled City of Jericho!
Jericho is known as the oldest city in the world, in Joshua's day, it was surrounded by a system of two massive stone walls.

The outer wall was 6 ft. thick and about 20 ft. high.
The inner wall was about 12 ft. thick and was 30 ft. high.
Between the walls was a guarded walkway about 15 ft. wide.

Israel's problem was the Walls separated them from victory!

As we go through life, we have obstacles that we face as well.
You wouldn’t believe what Sheri and I have been through just to get the new land started through the county hoops!

You personally may have lost loved one that you would like to have seen the Lord touch and save!
Maybe it our lost community over which you are burdened!
Maybe its a ministry from the Lord that you feel inadequate about, or financial trouble that stresses you to the limits of your patience and faith!
Maybe it’s a besetting sin that constantly crops us in your life, or any of others a million things!

C. We must learn not to look upon our obstacles as dead-ends, but as opportunities for the Lord to work in our lives!
We must come to realize that the power of God is best revealed in and through us when we are unable to handle life.
God is more clearly visible when we are totally out of the picture!
The victory at Jericho was all God!

Knocking The Walls Down:
1st Israel Had a Problem! Israel Had A Problem—the Walls!
2nd Israel Had a Promise!

A. Joshua 6:2 “2Then the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.” God promises Israel the victory before they ever attack Jericho! “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands”
God’s Promises:
We Have His Promise That Our Weapons Are Powerful Through God - 2 Cor. 10:4-5 3For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
We Have His Promise That Our Battles Have All Been Arranged By The Lord 2 Cor. 4:17-18 “17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
We Have His Promise That Our Ability Is Limited Only By Our Faith - Eph. 3:20 “20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!.”
We Have His Promise Of Power In The Day Of Battle - Eph. 6:10 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

There are over 5,000 promises in the The Book!
C. As we face the walled cities in our lives, we need to learn to believe the Lord, to take Him at His Word and trust Him for our victories!
Remember: Jesus did not save you for you to be defeated!
He saved you for the victory and He will be there all the way to help you secure it for His glory!

Knocking The Walls Down:
1st Israel Had a Problem! Israel Had A Problem—the Walls!
2nd Israel Had a Promise!
3rd Israel Had A Partner!
You’d better have a partner if you’re going to tear-down a wall!

A. Joshua 6:3-5 “3March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in.” A. Israel's partner was none other than God Himself!

B. As we face our walled cities and the obstacles of our lives, it is a blessing to know that we do not have to face them alone, Matt. 28:18-20 “18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

No obstacle is insurmountable as long as we face it with the Lord! 3. You see, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

This truth is illustrated by the Lord Jesus Christ on the Mount of Temptation. When the devil tempted Jesus to turn the stones into bread, Jesus responded by saying, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."

Here, Jesus also used the word "rhema". Each time the devil attacked our Lord, Jesus walked into the armory of the Word of God and chose just the right sword for each attack.
Each time, Jesus went into the Deuteronomy section of the armory and carefully selected just the right sword He need to stick the devil.
Folk, the same principle will work for you and me!
God has a word for what you are facing.

Knocking The Walls Down:
1st Israel Had a Problem! Israel Had A Problem—the Walls!
2nd Israel Had a Promise!
3rd Israel Had A Partner!
4th Israel Prevailed and So Will You!

You need to learn to “Blow the Trumpet and to Shout!” Joshua 6:6-21 6So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant of the LORD and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it.” 7And he ordered the people, “Advance! March around the city, with the armed guard going ahead of the ark of the LORD.” 8When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the LORD went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the LORD’S covenant followed them. 9The armed guard marched ahead of the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the ark. All this time the trumpets were sounding.

V14 They did this for six days. 15On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. 16The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the people, “Shout! For the LORD has given you the city! 20When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city.”

Israel experienced victory at Jericho because:
They had a Word from God –Joshua 6:2“Then the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.”

They believed God – Joshua 6:8 “When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the LORD went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the LORD’S covenant followed them.”

C. God's church will prevail—Remember—Rehab—she was saved—and her whole family! Joshua 6:17 “Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent.”
What kind of walled city are you facing right now?
Does it appear to be unconquerable?
Do the walls look too high and do they appear too thick?
Does it seem that victory is absolutely impossible in your case?
Let me remind you that if your walls haven't already fallen down flat, they can!
They can fall right now!
You need to take a lesson from Israel and start handling your Jericho's God's way.
What “WALLS” will you bring it to Jesus right now! He excels in doing the undoable!
He is still a miracle working God!

Sermon Notes 05-24-09

2009-05-28T14:07:00.000-07:00

May 17th 2009 “The Forgiveness Giant”
“Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?” Psalms 130:1-3

Joke: We all need forgiveness! The judge glared down from his bench at the prospective juror. "And just why it is," he asked, "that you don't want to serve on this jury?" The man replied, "Well, judge, I'm biased. One look at that man convinced me that he is guilty." The judge scowled and replied, "That man is not the defendant, he's the District Attorney."What’s Inside? [a can without a label] With the Label, you can tell! The label tells you what’s inside!

Why Should I forgive?
1st BECAUSE GOD HAS FORGIVEN ME!

David said: Psalms 130:3 “If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?”
Paul said: Ephesians 4:32 says “Be kind and compassionate to one another, FORGING EACH OTHER, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

You and I need to REMEMBER how much God has forgiven us—then it will cause us to be a little more forgiving to the other person!

Why Should I forgive?
1st BECAUSE GOD HAS FORGIVEN ME!
2nd BECAUSE RESENTMENT KILLS!

A. The “Giant” of Resentments is very destructive! Job had, it seems, a right to be RESENTFUL!
Job was a kind of Donald Trump of his day!
He was a rich man—one of the richest of his day!
He had everything he wanted!
He was famous!

He lost it all in ONE DAY!An enemy came in and killed all his livestock! Job 1:16-17 “While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.”

All of his children were killed! Job 1:18-19 ”While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: 19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.”He got a terrible disease! Job 2:7 Boils from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet—he couldn’t stand-up, sit-down or even lie down!His WIFE attacked him—and she nagged him! Job 2:9 ”Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.”Then his friends came by and began to work on him— Job 2:11 “Job, it’s your fault!”

B. Job—if anybody had a right to be RESENTFUL—he did!
Job says—5:2 “To worry your-self to death with resentment would be a foolish, senseless thing to do.”
Resentment—holding a grudge—is a dumb thing to do!

Illustration: I remember an episode of “Amos and Andy”—Amos says, “I’m so tired of Andy always slapping me on the chest—I’m going to put a stick of dynamite under my coat, it my top pocket and the next time Andy slaps me on the chest—that dynamite is going to go off and blow his hand off!”

RESENTMENT—WILL HURT OTHERS—BUT IT HURTS US MORE! Ecclesiastes 7:9 “Its foolish to hold a grudge.”

RESENTMENT will not change the past—no matter how resentful you are, no matter how bitter you are toward that person who hurt you-—your mother, your father, your ex-husband or wife, that person at school, that former friend who betrayed you—all the resentment in the world is not going to change the past!

Why Should I forgive?
3rd BECAUSE IF I DON’T—I WON’T BE FORGIVEN!

Matthew 6:14-15 “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

IF YOU ARE A PERSON WHO HAS A HARD TIME FORGIVING—YOU PROBABLY DON’T FEEL FORGIVEN RIGHT NOW!PEOPLE WHO FORGIVE EASILY—USUALLY ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NEEDED FORGIVNESS AND HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN!
If I know what it feels like to need forgiveness—I can readily give it!

FORGIVENESS IS A TWO WAY STREET!
Galatians 6:7-9 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
B. As pastor I’ve heard people say,
“YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND!”
“YOU DON’T KNOW HOW MY HUSBAD HURT ME!”
“YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT MY PARENTS DID TO ME!”
“YOU DON’T KNOW HOW THAT TEACHER IMBASSED ME!”
YOU’RE RIGHT—I DON’T KNOW—BUT GOD DOES!

1. FORGIVENESS—IS NOT:
Minimizing the seriousness of the offense!
It is not saying, “It’s no big deal!”
Forgiveness is not saying, “It didn’t hurt!”
It is not saying, “It was a small thing!”

Illustration: Remember when Bill Cosby’s son was murdered? Can you imagine Bill Cosby getting on the news and saying, “The murder of my son Innes was no big deal!” No! That’s not forgiveness, not at all!2. There is a difference between FORGIVENESS and ACCEPTANCE!
You need to decipher between BEING WOUNDED AND BEING WRONGED!
Wronged is INTENTIONAL! WOUNDS often come ACCIDENTALLY!

Illustration: If you come to my house and drive down my driveway and your brakes fail and you run through my garage door and end up inside my house without a key—THAT WOULD BE AN ACCIDENT!But if you knew your breaks were bad and you looked down my driveway and said, this would sure be a way to see the inside of pastor’s house—now that would be INTENTIONL!
INTENTIONAL HURT NEEDS REPENTANCE—you don’t minimize the wrong—FORGIVENESS IS AN ACT OF YOUR WILL!

FORGIVENESS IS NOT AN INSTANT RESTORATION OF TRUST!
Forgiveness is instant—Trust must be rebuilt over a period of time!

TRUSTWORTHYNESS is an EARNED ITEM!
The Bible says we are to “FORGIVE” Matthew 6:14-15 “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

FORGIVENESS IS “NOT” RESUMING THE RELATIONSHIP WITHOUT ANY CHANGES!
Some people think, “If I forgive this abusive spouse, then I have to let them back into the house.” No, not necessarily!
FORGIVENESS means I’m going to let go of the hurt, but then have to do some things in order to rebuild the trust!

Why Should I forgive?
4th BECAUSE YOU CAN’T GET EVEN!

Romans 12:19 says: “Never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for he has said that he will repay those who deserve it.”

Leave the avenging up to God!
Corrie Ten Boom, who years after her concentration camp experiences in Nazi Germany, met face to face one of the most cruel and heartless German guards that she had ever contacted. He had humiliated and degraded her and her sister. He had jeered and visually raped them as they stood in the delousing shower. Now he stood before her with hand out-stretched and said, "Will you forgive me?" She writes, "I stood there with coldness clutching at my heart, but I know that the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart. I prayed, Jesus, help me! Woodenly, mechanically I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me and I experienced an incredible thing. The current started in my shoulder, raced down into my arms and sprang into our clutched hands. Then this warm reconciliation seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes. I forgive you, brother, I cried with my whole heart. For a long moment we grasped each others hands, the former guard, the former prisoner. I have never known the love of God so intensely as I did in that moment!" To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you.

Jesus said: “Come unto Me, All ye that are heavy burdened!”Jesus is the Son of God!

Sermon Notes 05-10-09

2009-05-19T18:11:00.000-07:00

May 10th 2009 "Men, Read The Directions"
" Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and GAVE HIMSELF UP for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands OUGHT to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself." Ephesians 5:25-28

1. Today we honor Mothers---MOM, WE LOVE YOU!

2. Different views of Mom:
4 YEARS OF AGE ~ My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE ~ My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE ~ My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE ~ Mom…duh!
16 YEARS OF AGE ~ My mom? She's like, so “not cool”.
18 YEARS OF AGE ~ That old woman? She's way out of touch!
25 YEARS OF AGE ~ Well, she might know a little bit about it.
35 YEARS OF AGE ~ Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE ~ Wonder what Mom thinks about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE ~ Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

3. A Mother is what makes you put on a sweater when she feels cold!A Mother makes you eat spinach 'cause it'll give you good, strong teeth---she ought to feed some to Grandma!
Mrs. Wright said---"Orville and Wilbur---you can, get that bicycle shop off the ground!
Positive affirmations!
Mrs. Franklin said--"Ben, go fly a kite!"
Mrs. Washington said---"George---I think you have a 'Head for money!'"
Mr. Armstrong said---"Neil---why don't you go take a walk on the moon?"
Positive Affirmations!

Mom’s need to be paid for what they do!
“I love you!” “You’re the best mom ever!” “Thank You!” Visits to Nordstrom’s, Visit to Macys, Visits to Spas, Dining Out, Being the Center of Attention!

The Directions:
1st Learn to HONOR! AAAHONOR!

Ephesians 5:25 " Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church”
“Christ loved the church”—how did Christ love the church?

Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
To many men say: “My way or the highway!”

Mark 3:25 "If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand."
Consider Jesus' relationships with women.
It was women who ministered to Him during His life. Women stayed to watch the crucifixion...women came to the tomb to anoint the body of Christ, and by that were the first witnesses of the resurrection.

Jesus never met an unimportant person!
HONOR! Exodus 20:12 "Honor your father and MOTHER, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."

The Directions:
2nd Learn to RESPECT!

Even if you’re not married to Tina Turner, learn Women are territorialIllustration: I had two dogs---Buddy and Golden! These two dogs are very TERRITORIAL! If any other dog comes into our yard---they begin to bark and have a fit!

We are just like that---we are TERRITORIAL as well!
Example---(The Garage or the Kitchen) if I go into the kitchen and begin to tell her how to cook---I have found out that that is not my territory---I need to RESPECT her!
I have learned to carry the groceries down to the kitchen but I need to ask Sheri where she would like them put away! She has special places for things!

HONOR AND RESPECT go hand in hand!
Husbands---AAAAHONOR YOUR WIFE LIKE A PRINCESSES!

HONOR AND RESPECT!
I have found that most of the conflicts come directly from the LACK OF HONOR OR RESPECT!

Sheri's Territory:
HER CUPBOARDS---Her territory!
HER MAKEUP---Her territory!
HER CLOSET--Her territory!
HER PURSE----Her territory!

HONOR AND RESPECT!

C. We have two people in our household and both of them have LEADERSHIP personalities!
Without the RESPECT of the other persons abilities or TERRITORY---we would have CONFLICT MOST OF THE TIME!

In ever family there has to be a set of rules that we all play by!
E. RULES TO LIVE BY!
No screaming! No cussing!
When the sun goes down, the noise goes down.
Chew with your mouth closed at the dinner table!
Never switch channels while watching “What Not To Wear!”

5. Never flush the toilet when someone else is in the shower, because the water turns hot and burns the other guy!
RESPECT!---no family can long survive without it!

RESPECT the other persons---privacy, rights, and place!

The Directions:
1st Learn to HONOR! AAAHONOR!
2nd Learn to RESPECT! Women are territorial
3rd Learn to LOVE!

Ephesians 5:25 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and GAVE HIMSELF UP for her” Moms need love too!1. Susannah Weslye had 19 children, including John and Charles, the founders of the Methodist Church. The following is the set of rules she strictly enforced.
Allow no eating between meals.
Put all children in bed by 8:00 PM
Require them to take medicine without complaining.
Subdue self-will in a child.
Teach each one to pray as soon as he can speak.
Require all to be still during family worship.
Give them nothing that they cry for, and only that which they ask for politely.
Never let a sinful act go unpunished.
Never punish a child twice for a single offense.
Commend and reward good behavior.
Any attempt to please, even if poorly performed, should be commended.
Preserve property right, even in the smallest matters.
Strictly observe all promises.

16. Teach children to fear the rod.
Just Mother! She could not paint, nor write, nor rhyme, Her footprints on the sands of time, As some distinguished women do; Just simple things of life she knew, Like tucking little folks in bed, Or soothing someone's aching head. She was no singer, neither blessed, With any special loveliness, To win applause and passing fame; No headlines ever blazed her name. But, oh, she was a shining light, To all her loved ones, day and night! Her home her kingdom, she its queen; Her reign was faithful, honest, clean, Impartial, loving, just, to each, And every one she sought to teach. Her name? Of course, there is no other,In all the world so sweet---just MOTHER!Quote: A seminary student in Ft. Worth, Texas, was visiting a cemetery. He noticed a woman alone. She was weeping bitterly. He went over to her and learned she was the mother of Oswald, the accused assassin of John F. Kennedy. She asked, "Does anybody care that my son is dead?" No one else was there but the mother!
Video—“You Are The Reason”

Sermon Notes 05-03-09

2009-05-13T11:52:00.000-07:00

May 3rd 2009 “The Dream-Buster Giant”
“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel;” Numbers 13:1-2

Points to Ponder: 1st You are what you BELIEVE!

Remember the play: “The Elephant May”—which was released on Oct. 10, 1980? The Plot: A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man who is mistreated while scraping a living as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous facade, there is revealed a person of intelligence and sensitivity. Pastor Phil says: “You are becoming what you believe!”In the movie “South Pacific”—there is a song in there called, “Happy Talk!”
Happy talkie—happy talk! Talk about things you like to do!
If you DON’T HAVE A DREAM, If you DON’T HAVE A DREAM
HOW YOU GONNA HAVE A DREAM COME TRUE?

Moses sent out 12 spies, one representative from each of the 12 tribes of Israel: 10 of them said: Numbers 13:27-28 "We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 "Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there.”
Sons of Anak are found in Genesis 6:4 and Numbers 13:33; and in Deuteronomy 9:1-5 they are describe as a "nations greater and mightier than Israel" with cities fortified to heaven, a people great and tall of whom it’s been said 'who can stand before the sons of Anak?'"
Needless to say, there are many “Giants” mentioned in the bible: The Nephilim, The Anakim, The Emin, The Rephaim, and The Zamzummin! Just to mention a few of the Giants!
The 10 Spies “Believe” in their hearts that they were defeated before they even started! Numbers 13:31 “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” 32And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there. 33We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” Their “Dream-Buster” was the fact that they saw themselves as very small compared to the Anaks or people living there!
You are what you BELIEVE!

What is it that you use to daydream about?
I want to be a “Fireman!”
I want to be a “Make-up Artist!”

I’ve always wanted to have my own “Hot-Dog Stand!”I’ve always wanted to be a “Pastor!”
What is it that you’ve always wanted and what was it that stopped you?
IMAGINAITON is a God given ability—
Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
Napoleon said, “Imagination rules the world.”
Everybody needs to have a DREAM!

4. Our DREAMS DETERMINE OUR LIVES—Kids have a tremendous capacity for imaginations!(Charlie Brown cartoon)
Linus says, “I’d like to make a lot of money but I’d hate to be a snob. I’ve given this a lot of thought.”
Charlie Brown says: “So what have you decided?”
Linus, “I’ve decided to be a very rich and famous person who doesn’t really care about money and who is very humble but still makes a lot of money and is still very famous but is very humble and rich and famous.”
Charlie Brown says, “Good Luck!”

6. The older we get the greater ability we have to lose our capacity to dream!
“If you DON’T HAVE A DREAM, If you DON’T HAVE A DREAM, HOW YOU GONNA HAVE A DREAM COME TRUE?”

Points to Ponder:
1st You are what you BELIEVE!
2nd Families can Burst Your Dream!

(Pop a balloon) A. Genesis 37:5-11 “Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more.6 So he said to them, "Please hear this dream which I have dreamed:7 "There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf."8 And his brothers said to him, "Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?" So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.9 Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, "Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me."10 So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?"a. Joseph was a real big Dreamer!
Joseph was the 10th child born out of 12!
Joseph didn’t care that he was number 10—he said, “One day you’re going to bow down to me and I’m going to rule over everybody.” Right!
Sometimes it’s important to keep a dream to yourself around those who you KNOW aren’t going to be a part of the dream!

b. Some of you have experienced the same reaction with brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers!
“Mom, Dad, I’ve got this great idea!” They say, “Oh, sure, that’s impossible for you!”
They DEFLATE the air out of your DREAM!

c. Jesus had this problem in Mark 6: 1-6 “Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. 2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! 3 "Is this not the carpenter’s son, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" And they were offended at Him. 4 But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." 5 Now He could do no mighty work there..”
Jesus couldn’t do any great work in His own home town!
Sometimes—your parents or family members just won’t let you grow up!
Who’s unbelief, in your family, has deflated your dream?

Points to Ponder:
1st You are what you BELIEVE!
2nd Families can Burst Your Dream!
3rd Friends can Burst Your Dream!

A. David says: Psalm1:1-3 “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.”David says:
“Don’t walk with them!” “Blessed is the man Who walks NOT in the counsel of the ungodly,”
“Don’t stand with them!” “Blessed is the man—who doesn’t stands in the path of sinners,”
“Don’t sit with them!” “Blessed is the man—who doesn’t sits in the seat of the scornful;”
DON’T WALK, STAND OR SIT AND PARTAKE OF THEIR NEGATIVE DREAM BUSTING!

(Psychologists have known for years) “We tend to perform at about the same level as the people we hang-out with!”
Chose your friends carefully! “You can’t sore with the eagles if you’re running with the Turkeys!”
Bible says: “He who walks with wise is wise.”

Genesis 37:5-11 “Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more.”
“BUT GOD”—Genesis 39:2 says, “the LORD was with Joseph and he was a successful man.” WHEN YOU HAVE GOD YOU CAN STAND UP AGAINST YOUR Family and Friends opinion!
Joseph was sold into slavery and the man: Potiphar who bought him had a wife who had eyes for Joseph—but Joseph had eyes only for the Lord!

Joseph is arrested and thrown into prison and even in prison the Lord was with Joseph: Gen. 39:31” But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.”

Joseph—in prison—falsely accused and sold into slavery by his own family—HE COULD HAVE HAD REVENGE ON HIS MIND!

Joseph—interprets the dreams of Pharaoh and is elevated to run the Egyptian kingdom!—because of the interpretation of the dream of Pharaoh—7 years of prosperity and 7 years of famine!
Joseph gets married—Genesis 41:44-46 “44And Pharaoh declared to Joseph, “I, the king of Egypt, swear that you shall have complete charge over all the land of Egypt.” 45Pharaoh gave him a wife, a girl named Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of Heliopolis. So Joseph became famous throughout the land of Egypt. 46He was thirty years old as he entered the service of the king.”

Joseph named his first baby—Manasseh—which means—“GOD HAS MADE ME FORRGET ALL THE EVIL THAT HS BEEN DONE TO ME.!” Genesis 41:51

Joseph had a second child—Genesis 41:52 “And the name of the second he called Ephraim: "For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction!”
Friends and Family did not defer Joseph’s DREAM!
Joseph said:

Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.22Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years 23and saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children.”Do you still have a dream?What is Bursting Your Dream?
John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.

Sermon Notes 04-26-09

2009-05-06T16:42:00.000-07:00

Stand In the Gap 04-26-09 Jeff Kerley
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2 “Do not be conformed”
to give the same shape, outline, or contour to
to be similar or identical ; also : to be in agreement or harmony
to be obedient or compliant
to act in accordance with prevailing standards or customs

Some years ago, musicians noted that errand boys in a certain part of London all whistled out of tune as they went about their work. It was talked about and someone suggested that it was because the bells of Westminster were slightly out of tune. Something had gone wrong with the chimes and they were discordant. The boys did not know there was anything wrong with the peals, and quite unconsciously they had copied their pitch. So we tend to copy the people with whom we associate; we borrow thoughts from the books we read and the programs to which we listen, almost without knowing it. God has given us His Word which is the absolute pitch of life and living. If we learn to sing by it, we shall easily detect the false in all of the music of the world. Donald Grey Barnhouse.
In music you need to have something with which you can tune yourself or your instrument.

Piano tuners may use a tuning fork whichresonates with perfect pitch.
Vocalists sometimes use a pitch pipe (Demo) or a piano.
Without a single source of pitch, vocalists or musicians would begin to “conform” to the pitch of those around them. The music would be out of tune and it wouldn’t be nearly as enjoyable an experience as it would have been if it was performed as the composer intended.
Just as with music, we need to be “tuned-in” to a single source or a single purpose to keep from mimicking the world around us.
Being transformed by the renewing of our minds begins with having singleness of purpose.
The Bible is full of instructions for believers but Jesus Himself broke it all down to a single commandment.

Matthew 22:37-3837 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment.” (Also Duet. 6:5)
This is our single most important purpose in God’s eyes.
It’s not enough to love God as the ‘world’ defines love.
This is the first way we are not to conform to the world.

Romans 12:9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
Let love be without hypocrisy.
This world we live in tells us to love the lovely….to love those who love us. Love who/what makes you feel good. “If anyone doesn’t love me for who I am then forget ‘em.”
It’s the old ‘WIIFM’ mentality.
The world says, “WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?”

God says, “Love the Lord your God.”
God’s saying, “It’s not about you”

Look beyond love for people. This passage is about not conforming to this world but being transformed in Christ.
Are you hypocritical in your love for God?

Not ‘are you perfect?’….Where’s your heart?
Sure, you tell Him you love Him on Sunday morning, but when you leave here, what do your actions say about what you REALLY love?
It’s not a fleeting emotion, but a committed lifestyle.
How can we know that our love for God meets His expectation?
How can we know that our love for God is not fake or fleeting or hypocritical?

Romans 12:9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
What is “evil?” – God gave us a basic set of ‘do’s and ‘don’t’s with the Ten Commandments.
John 15:14“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”
John 14:15“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
To really understand God’s expectations it takes diving into the Scriptures and praying and becoming a His close friend. (Acts 17:11)
“Abhor what is evil”
to regard with extreme repugnance
loathe

Synonyms see HATE
Important Note – We are to abhor what is evil, not those who do evil
Tall order? That’s what God does for you!
How hard is it to abhor or loathe or hate evil?
We are surrounded by it! It’s on every TV channel, every movie, every news stand and magazine rack. It comes out in the words and the actions of almost everyone around us and too often out of our own mouths and our own actions!
How can we possibly keep from conforming to the world when it seeps Godlessness from every pore?
The answer is…. You Can’t

Romans 12:9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
“Cling to what is good”
to adhere as if glued firmly
to hold or hold on tightly or tenaciously
to have a strong emotional attachment or dependence
Sincere love for God requires me to:
Abhor what is evil andCling to what is good.
You can’t have one without the other…..you can’t simply avoid evil and ‘call it a day.’
There’s a good reason for the prevalence of ‘evil’ in this world we live in.
We conform to this world because we are trying to fill a personal need... acceptance, comfort, companionship, peace
We can’t just eliminate those vices without addressing the underlying needs
No one can be a spiritual island or a lone spiritual ‘coal.’
When we cling to what is good and the Christian brothers and sisters who help to motivate us toward Christ, GOD fills those needs.

(comfort, peace, wisdom, direction, companionship, etc.)
We have to come to Christ, desiring to be transformed, with all sincerity. We have to do OUR part to keep our slates clean before God. A guilty conscience is devastating in your relationship to God.

1 Timothy 1:5Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith…
How else can we be transformed instead of conformed?

Sincere love for God comes from a pure heart, from a good conscience and from sincere faith.
Romans 12:10-1310 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
The world says, “Look out for number one.”

God says, “Give preference to one another in honor.”
The world says, “Just do enough to get by.”

God says, “Diligently and fervently serve the Lord.”
The world says, “Life stinks, then you die.”

God says, “Rejoice in hope.”
The world says, “I want it NOW!”

God says, “Be patient in tribulation.”
The world says, “If you don’t see any results, just quit.”

God says, “Continue steadfastly in prayer.”
The world says, “It’s MINE!”

God says, “Distribute to the needs of the saints.”
Romans 12:14-1614 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
The world says, “You have every right to be bitter.”

God says, “Bless those who persecute you.”
The world says, “That’s their problem, not mine.”

God says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”
The world says, “I’m better than you.”

God says, “Associate with the humble.”
The world says, “I know it all!”

God says, “Don’t be wise in your own opinion.”
Romans 12:17-1917 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
The world says, “You’re going to pay for that.”

God says, “Repay no one evil for evil.”
The world says, “You’ll never believe what I just heard.”

God says, “Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.”
The world says, “You don’t like the way I do things? Tough!”

God says, “If it is possible, live peaceably with all men.”
The world says, “Payback will make you feel better.”

God says, “Do not avenge yourself; put anger in it’s place.”
Romans 12:20-2120 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;If he is thirsty, give him a drink;For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”[b]21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
You can’t play for both teams. Either you are conformed to the world or you are transformed in Christ.
Which of those statements would you say best define you?
Which of those statements would your friends say best define you?

Sermon Notes 04-19-09

2009-05-01T12:48:00.000-07:00

April 19th 2009 “The ‘G’ Giant”
“What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven! What joys when sins are covered over! What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record.”Psalms 32:1-2
Point to Ponder:
Why deal with our guilt?

A. Have you ever tried to outrun your past? Illustration: I heard about a recent convention of Arkansas State troopers who were asked to submit the best excuse they ever heard for someone trying to get out of a speeding ticket. The winning entry was submitted by a trooper who clocked a semi tractor truck speeding down the inner state. The trooper pulled in behind the truck, turned his lights on, but the truck kept going. The trooper got right up on his bumper and the truck kept going. The trooper turned on his siren but the truck went even faster. Finally the truck ran out of gas, rolled to the side of the highway. The trooper got out and walked up to the trucker’s window. The driver rolled down his window. The trooper said, “Did you see my lights?” The trucker said, “Yes sir, I did.” Did you see me following you right on your bumper? The trucker said, “Yes sir, I did.” Did you hear my siren all those miles? The trucker said, “Yes sir, I did.” The trooper said, “Then why didn’t you pull over?” The trucker said, “Well, to be honest with you, about two years ago my wife ran off with an Arkansas state trooper. I thought you were trying to bring her back!”
B. Is it possible to live in such a way that you’re unafraid that your past will catch up with you? David said in Psalm 32:1-2 Living Bible “What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven. What release for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record!” Why deal with my guilt?

1st The Giant of: Fear and Guilt are twin sisters they go hand in hand!
Guilt is the fear I'll be caught.
Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart”
Guilt keeps us from being BLESSED!
If we deal with guilt, we’ll gain confidence.

2nd If I deal with my guilt my relationships will improve!1. What happened to Adam and Eve when they had Guilt in their heart? They Hide from God! Genesis 3:8- “8Toward evening they heard the LORD God walking about in the garden, so they hid themselves among the trees. 9The LORD God called to Adam, “Where are you?” 10He replied, “I heard you, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” 11“Who told you that you were naked?” the LORD God asked. “Have you eaten the fruit I commanded you not to eat?”
Guilt makes us replay over and over again our past.
Guilt forces us to stay confined in our past.
We dwell on things that we want to change and we just can’t change.

Point to Ponder:
1st Why Deal With My Guilt?
2nd How to Remove Guilt?

A. Last words are important—before someone dies!Illustration: In Fresno, while I was pasturing there, I was called to the hospital to visit a man who was dying from emphysema. He told me, “I knew that the cigarettes were killing me, but I couldn’t stop using them because of the need for the nicotine! His last words were: “Give me a cigarette!” Jesus’ last words: Luke 23:34 "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
“Forgiveness” is the main cleaning tool for guilt!

You’ve heard the expression “skeletons in the closet”! Where are those closets?
They’re in your mind, your heart. They are those places you’ve locked some secrets away. You’ve shut the door. You don’t want anybody snooping around because you don’t want those skeletons to come tumbling out.

How important is forgiveness? Jesus said: Matthew 6:14-15 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
“Forgiveness” is the main cleaning tool for guilt!

David said: Psalm 139, a great prayer “Search me, O God, and know my heart. Test my thoughts, point out anything You find in me that makes You sad.”

B. Forgiveness starts—the guilt removing process! Proverbs 4:23 "watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life"Matthew 15:19, Jesus said, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders."
The heart encompasses both mind and will.
The heart determines behavior.
Double-mindedness is like a cancer of the spirit. It slowly eats away at your spiritual life until there is no real life left. Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other"

Point to Ponder:
1st Why Deal With My Guilt?
2nd How Do You Remove Guilt?
3rd Accept God’s Forgiveness!

A. It is like a merry-go-round—“Blame, deny, avoid. I blame, I deny, I avoid.”
Blame—“It’s not my fault it’s your fault!
Deny—“Sure there might be some issues somewhere but I don’t think they’re my issues”.
Avoid—“I don’t want to talk about that!”
We do it over and over and over again.

Proverbs 20:27 “The Lord gave us a mind and a conscience. We cannot hide from ourselves.”
Let God do the deep cleaning.

1 John 1:9 “If we freely admit that we have sinned we find God utterly reliable. He forgives our sin. He makes us thoroughly clean from all that is evil.”

Illustration: I read about a woman who was dying of AIDS contracted through a promiscuous lifestyle. She asked the minister to come by and visit her and she said to him “I am so lost. I have ruined my life and the lives of everybody around me. I’m headed for hell. There is no hope that God would do anything for me.” The minister looked at her for a moment. Then he allowed his eyes to wander around her dingy apartment. His eyes landed on a framed picture of a beautiful young woman setting on the dresser of this woman’s small room. He asked, “Who is that?” She brightened just a moment and said, “That is the one beautiful thing in my life. That’s a picture of my daughter.” The minister asked her, “Would you help her if she were in trouble no matter how many mistakes she made? And would you forgive her if she asked you to? Would you love her no matter what?” The woman said, “Of course I would! Why would you even ask me such a question?” “Because I want you to understand,” replied the minister, “that God has a picture on His dresser too. God loves you more than you love your own child.”

God says to you in Isaiah 1:18 “No matter how deep the stain of your sin is, I can take it out and make it clean as freshly fallen snow.”
God, how can you do that? How can You forgive me? Because He is utterly reliable.
Romans 3:23 “All of us have sinned.” We’re all in the same boat.

Explore your experiences with guilt.
Check all that apply:
I feel guilty when I do something I know is wrong.
I feel guilty about everything.
I feel guilty when I do wrong, and it helps me do right the next time.
I feel guilty when I do wrong, but I just keep on doing it, hoping the guilt will go away.
I feel guilty because of what _________ did to me.
I used to feel guilty about certain things, but I gradually got over it.
I feel a heavy burden of guilt, I have begged God to forgive me, but the guilt never goes away for long.
I still feel guilty about ______________________.
I used to feel guilty about _________, but God has lifted that burden from me.
Guilt is bogus—you just need to be true to yourself.
I feel guilty for lying on my answers above.
Many times we feel guilt because … we are guilty!

God used guilt to bring David to repentance and a right relationship with Him. Have you ever truly acknowledged the sin, truly repented and asked forgiveness? 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
the path to a clear conscience is pretty straightforward:
Admit your sin to yourself, and confess it to God.
Ask for and accept God’s forgiveness.
Ask God to change your heart so you will not repeat the sin.
If possible, make amends to whomever you hurt with this sin, and ask his or her forgiveness.

Prayer: Dear God, there are men and women here, so weighed down by their guilt just seemingly can’t move forward but today they want to. God, I’m asking You to give them the courage. I believe You will because You are utterly reliable. I’m thanking You right now for helping them as they commit to take this step. In Jesus name. Amen.

2009-04-21T12:44:00.000-07:00

March 29th 2009 “Confidence Without Conceit”
“Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” 1st Samuel 17:45
You were made to make a difference in your world!
David came to grips with himself—he knew that he and God could make a difference with the Philistines!

We are all different—we all have different Passions.
What is it that you would do for free—no pay? That is your Passion!
Confidence and Passion go hand-in-hand!

I’m Confident and passionate about being a pastor—I pastor this church—Hope Community Church! This is what I do. I pastor this church because I love to pastor this church. I was wired to pastor this church. I’m not going anywhere. I love this church. I’d do it for free. I’m good for nothing.
If you’ve been in a job you don’t have a heart for, it’s boring you to tears, and you’re going, “I’ve got to get out of here!” It’s a real drag.

Paul, in the Bible, was Confident and passionate about sharing the good news with everybody in the world. Hebrews 10:35 “Cast not away your confidence.”
Martin Luther was Confident and passionate about reforming the church in Europe, and the Reformation and the Enlightenment all came as a result of one man having a passion.

Confidence Stoppers:(What keeps you from being Confident?) 1st Confident Stopper: Disappointments!
A. Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred [that means a dream, an ambition, a desire deferred] makes the heart sick.”B. When you’ve been hurt, you tend to pull back into a shell and say, “I’m never going to let anybody else hurt me.”
You give up on your dreams. You give up on your ambitions. You give up on your interests, on your passions. You pull back into a protective mode that says, “Don’t get hurt is the number one goal of life.”
If at first you don’t succeed… welcome to the human race.
You’re normal. Almost nobody succeeds on the first try. But we often give up.
When we allow disappointment to come into our lives, it kills our Confidence.

Confidence Stoppers:
1st Confident Stopper: Disappointments!
2nd Confident Stopper: Fear!

A. Fear is the second Confidence stopper. It keeps you from being what God wants you to be.
Jesus told a story about the parable of the talents.
Jesus tells the story of this wealthy man who gives to three servants – one servant gets five talents and one gets three and one gets one talent.
One guy comes back. He’s doubled his investment, and the master says, “Good job.”
The second guy comes back, and he’s doubled his investment, and the master says, Good job.”
The third guy comes back and says, “I didn’t do anything with it.” What?? “I just buried it in the ground.” You buried your talent in the ground? Why? He said, “I was afraid.”
It is fear that causes you to bury your talents.
It is fear that keeps you from living your dream.
It is fear that keeps you from attempting that goal.
It’s fear that corrals your passion and limits your vision and shrinks your heart.

Fear is a Confidence stopper.
Confidence Stoppers:
1st Confident Stopper: Disappointments!
2nd Confident Stopper: Fear!
3rd Confident Stopper: Guilt!

A. Guilt is a big one. You cannot be guilty and go after your dream with confidence. Why?
Guilt is like carrying a big sack of garbage on your back all the time.
You cannot be confident and guilty at the same time. That’s why people lose their confidence.
They lose their confidence because they think, “What if somebody else finds out? Who did I tell ‘that’ to, and who did I tell ‘that’ to? I’ve always got to be protecting myself.” They lose their confidence because they’re guilty.

Hebrews 10:35 “35So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
B. God never intended for you to walk around with a bunch of guilt and regrets. 1. That’s what Jesus Christ came to do, to forgive it all.
He was hung up for your hang-ups.

2. He died for all your sins so you can be completely forgiven.
He’s paid for them so you don’t have to pay for them.
Everything you’ve ever done wrong has already been paid for by Jesus Christ. That’s called the gospel.
Gospel means good news. It’s the best news in the world.

Everything you’ve ever done wrong has already been forgiven, you just have to accept that forgiveness from Jesus Christ. Put your trust in Him. That’s called the good news.

Disappointment, fear, guilt. These are Confidence stoppers.

Confidence Stoppers:
1st Confident Stopper: Disappointments!
2nd Confident Stopper: Fear!
3rd Confident Stopper: Guilt!
4th Confident Stopper: Bitterness!

Hebrews 12:15 “Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God’s best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.”
Bitterness will eat you alive. It’s worse that cancer. It is the worst heart disease you can have.
Bitterness becomes resentment!
Bitterness always makes you think about how to retaliate and get revenge!

Illustration: II Samuel 15:30-31 30David walked up the road that led to the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went. His head was covered and his feet were bare as a sign of mourning. And the people who were with him covered their heads and wept as they climbed the mountain. 31When someone told David that his adviser Ahithophel was now backing Absalom, David prayed, “O LORD, let Ah-itho-phel give Absalom foolish advice!”

Why did David’s personal friend and advisor join forces against David?
Ah-itho-phel—was David’s advisor for many years but he also had anger and bitterness against David because he was Bethsheba’s grandfather and truly hated David for what he had done to his granddaughter Bethsheba! Bitterness seed that will take root and produce all kinds of sin!
Bethsheba’s Grandfather, Ah-itho-phel shows his BITTERNESS AND RAGE in II Samuel 16:20,21, "Then said Absalom to Ah-itho-phel, Give counsel among you what we shall do. And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong."

Ah-itho-phel’s un-forgiveness caused him to destroy his life and the life of Absalom— II Samuel 17:23, "And when Ah-itho-phel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulcher of his father."
How tragic are the consequences of not forgiving!! How hard un-forgiven sins make the heart stop loving and forgiving!!

“Let Go Of The Past” You can’t get on with the present or the future because you’re so hung up about that person who hurt you. Let it go!
1. Remember: “When you hold on to hurt from the past, it’s like driving a car looking in the rear view mirror.”
You’re going to crack up.
You’re always looking in the past.
Your past is past.
There were people who hurt you in your past. I’m sorry. As your friend and as your pastor, I’m sorry. I really am. I’m sorry you’ve been hurt. God is sorry, too, about your hurt.

Fact is, your past is past .
The people in your past can’t hurt you any more unless you allow them to. The way you allow them to is by rehearsing it in your mind. Let it go.
Let God heal it. Let God heal your heart.
God specializes in heart transplants, and He says, “That heart that’s been guilty, I’ll give you a new heart that’s forgiven.
That heart that’s been resentful, I’ll give you a heart that’s full of peace.
That heart that’s anxious, I’ll give you heart that’s confident.
That heart that’s lonely, I’ll give you a heart full of love.
That heart that has been bitter and angry? I’ll give you a heart that is forgiving and loving and generous and kind.

God says: “Let Me do a little heart transplant in you. I will set you free.”
Jesus said: Matthew 11:28 “28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Which of these heart stoppers has been stopping you from following your heart? Disappointment? Fear or guilt? Resentment, hurt? Ridicule?

Jesus Christ said in: John 10:10, He said, “The thief comes but to steal and kill, but I came to give you real life, life in all its fullness. A life better than you ever dreamed of.”
Letting Go is to Hang On!

The Giant of Confidence is destroyed when we let go of:
1st Disappointments!
2nd Fear!
3rd Guilt!
4th Bitterness!

Sermon Notes 03-01-09

2009-04-02T10:44:00.000-07:00

March 1st, 2009 "Heavy-Weight Words"
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

Heavy-Weight Words: “You never!” “You Always!” “I Want A Divorce!” “I Hate You!” “I Love You!” Sled-Hammer Words!
Did you notice that all of them start with—“I”?

2. Last week—David, the little 20 year old shepherd boy—declared, what God and he were going to do: 1st Samuel 17:45-47 45David shouted in reply, “You come to me with a sword and a spear, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of the armies of heaven and of Israel—the very God whom you have defied. 46Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head; and then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47And Israel will learn that the Lord does not depend on weapons to fulfill his plans—he works without regard to human means! He will give you to us!”

3. I believe words have power!

Points to Ponder:
1st The Power of Words!
The entire universe was formed through the speaking of words!
Genesis 1:3 “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.”
Genesis 1:6 “And God said, “Let the vapors separate to form the sky above and the oceans below.”
Genesis 1:11 “And he said, “Let the earth burst forth with every sort of grass and seed-bearing plant, and fruit trees with seeds inside the fruit, so that these seeds will produce the kinds of plants and fruits they came from.” And so it was”
Genesis 1:20 “Then God said, “Let the waters teem with fish and other life, and let the skies be filled with birds of every kind.”
Genesis 1:24 “And God said, “Let the earth bring forth every kind of animal—cattle and reptiles and wildlife of every kind.” And so it was.”
Jesus, God’s son, spoke with power!
John 11:11-13 Jesus called: “Lazarus come forth!” And he got up out of the grave!
Mark 4:35-39 Jesus spoke to the wind and the wave: “Hush, and they were stilled!”
Luke 17:12-14 Jesus said: “4When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.”
The Common Man’s Tongue has power:
Numbers 14:20 God spared Israel according to Moses’ Word!

Joshua 10:12-14 God stopped the sun and the moon according to Joshua’s Word!

1st Kings 17:1 God closed the heavens and stopped the rain according to Elijah’s Word!

Point to Ponder:
2nd Words Bring Responsibility!
They show ownership!Jesus said in Matthew 15: 18“But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' Sheri and I were watching a television program the other day and the language that was being used was unbelievable! They had to bleep out just about half of the conversation that the two were having!1. How important are the “WORDS” you speak? “Sticks and stones can break my bones---but WORDS can never harm me!”---Is that true?

2. WORDS HAVE WEIGHT!
Illustration: An attractive young woman whose career necessitated a good deal of traveling was asked if she was ever bothered by uninvited male attention. She answered, "Never, I just say five words and immediately I am left alone." "What are the five words?" She said, "I simply ask, 'Are you a born-again Christian?'"
Words are very powerful: they bring death or life!
“You look so very nice today!”---Positive!
“You look like death warmed over!”---Negative!
“I love life, don’t you?”
“I’m so glad you were born!”---bringing life to someone!
“I hate you!” “I wish you were dead!”---bringing death to another!

“This is the best day of my life!” Positive

Psalms 1:1-2 “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”---Words are very powerful!

James says in: 3:3-10 “When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.” 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.”The tongue is a little member that boasts great things.

Consider the bit or bridle that is put in the mouth of a horse to guide and turn the horse’s body. The bit and bridle are ever so small.
Consider the small rudder or helm that guides a ship. It even controls the ship through the winds of a fierce storm.

Scientists say: “The SPEECH center of our brain controls the entire brain: thus what you speak affects your entire body!”If you speak hate it affects your entire body!
If you speak worry it affects your entire body!
If you speak depression it affects your entire body!
If you speak Love---it affects your entire body!

Phil says: “It takes ten ‘Atta-Boys’ to make up for one ‘You Jerk!’”---“I wonder how many ‘Atta-Boys’ it take to make up for being swore at?”
Points to Ponder:3rd You Reap What You Sow!
Galatians 6:7 “7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

Our Words are like seeds!
We will get what we confess! David said: 2nd Samuel 17:45 “I come to you in the name of the Lord of the armies of heaven and of Israel—the very God whom you have defied.

David said: 46Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head” David said: “Today, 47Israel will learn that the Lord does not depend on weapons to fulfill his plans—he works without regard to human means! He will give you to us!”

It’s all about PROPHECY! If you say to someone: “You’re a looser!” “You’re never going to make it!”—they will fulfill that prophecy!If you say about yourself: “I’m a looser, I’ll never achiever that kind of marriage, and I’m just a born looser!” I believe you will fulfill that prophecy!You reap what you sow! Galatians 6:7 “7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

What “Tree” Are You Eating From?----The Tree of Life or The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil?----Genesis 2: 16 “And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

Living in the tree of life means making choices that will lead to life and the building up of the lives of those around us. Living in the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil means making choices based on what is good and what is evil---JUDGING not FORGIVING---which leads to DEATH in us and possibly in those around us!“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

Sermon Notes 02-22-09

2009-03-08T18:33:00.000-07:00

February 22nd 2009 “GIANT SLAYING 101”

"Master," said David, "don't give up hope. I'm ready to go and fight this Philistine." Saul answered David, "You can't go and fight this Philistine. You're too young and inexperienced—and he's been at this fighting business since before you were born." 1st Samuel 17:32-33

Giants jump into our paths unexpectedly.
The car gets a funny sound!
The bill shows up that you didn’t know anything about!
The doctor says, “Come back in, we need to take a second look!”

Illustration: I had a heart stress test about four years ago. The doctor places you on a treadmill, places all kinds of sensors on your body and then begins to elevate the treadmill. Then they introduce a nuclear medication into your blood stream. They keep speeding up and increasing the treadmill until you reach your “Target Heart Rate!” Then they place you on a table with a x-ray machine that circles the bed. The doctor takes many pictures and tells you, “Go home and if I don’t call you in the next few minutes, because he had my cell phone number, everything will be alright.” Well they called me back within five minutes as I was driving back to my office. You can imagine the thoughts that were rushing through my mind. They did the test over and said to go home and wait for the outcome. They didn’t call that day and they didn’t call that night and my imagination was running wild by the next morning. I finally went over to the doctor’s office and said, “What’s going on?” They called the doctor, who was in the operating room at the time and he said, “Oh, I forgot to call, everything was just perfect, the testing equipment malfunction and gave a false report on the first test. You are as healthy as a horse!” Thanks doc! I had a night of fighting the “Giant of Fear of a heart problem!

I’ve Learned: “Giants and Demons”—are to be expected in our lives! Stuff happens to all of us! I’ve learned: “With all of my natural skills and tools I'll be tempted to face enemies in my own strength.”

Points to Ponder: 1st Be Read to Stand-Up!
Be ready to stand-up when other are telling you to sit down!
David was the youngest of eight brothers!
David had red hair and beautiful face! 1st Samuel 16:12
David was a Sheppard and only 20 years old! 1st Samuel 16:11

Be Ready to Stand-Up! 1st Samuel 17:32 "Master," said David, "don't give up hope. I'm ready to go and fight this Philistine." Saul answered David, "You can't go and fight this Philistine. You're too young and inexperienced”

Quote: Moody: “Contradictions will leave the unprepared confused. God will say 'yes' when history and nature say 'No'. Who will you listen to?”

Romans 8:31 “If God before us, who can be against us?” or Message: “With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen?”David gives us a set of guidelines! David gives us a set of guidelines to get young giant slayers started! Those who stand-up against the Giants in their life are in good company!
Daniel—he survived the lion’s den!
Moses—liberated his whole nation!
Noah—rode out the storm and saved his family!

Points to Ponder: 2nd Be Read to BUCK THE ODDS!
Be ready to buck the odds of those around us!
The “Can’t Do” spirit is directly opposite of the “Can Do Spirit!”

Illustration:
I met a lady that was told that she couldn’t run a company!
Her husband had just died!
She was left with a company with over 500 employs!
She had never been the CEO of anything but her family!
But she believed she could—in spite of the ODDS!
She is now running the Caterpillar Company in three different states.

1st Samuel 17:38 38Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off.

Quote: “Critics will abound, Doomsday Prophets will cry out and Hand-Wringers will be in good supply. Ask Joseph and Jesus about their doubting families.” Be ready to buck the odds of those around us!

Points to Ponder: 3rd Be Ready to REPEAT HISTORY!
Remember the “L” factor! Lion: 1st Samuel 17:34 “34But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth.”

Remember the “B” factor! Bear: 1st Samuel 17:34 “34But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear”

Remember the “G” factor! “This Giant (with God's help) is dead. 1st Samuel 17:36-37 “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.”Expect God to show up on time!

Points to Ponder: 4th Be Ready to REAP THE HARVEST!
1st Samuel 17:40 “40Then he picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them in his shepherd’s bag and, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, started across to Goliath.

41-42Goliath walked out toward David with his shield-bearer ahead of him, sneering in contempt at this nice little red-cheeked boy!43“Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. 44“Come over here and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals,” Goliath yelled.45David shouted in reply, “You come to me with a sword and a spear, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of the armies of heaven and of Israel—the very God whom you have defied. 46Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head; and then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47And Israel will learn that the Lord does not depend on weapons to fulfill his plans—he works without regard to human means! He will give you to us!”48-49As Goliath approached, David ran out to meet him and, reaching into his shepherd’s bag, took out a stone, hurled it from his sling, and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and the man fell on his face to the ground. 50-51So David conquered the Philistine giant with a sling and a stone.”

David said: “Your too big to miss!”
Genesis 18:14 “Is anything too big for God?” Be Ready to REAP THE HARVEST!
What Giants do you need to defeat?
SICK’EM!

“Oh Lord, I have been under the control of______ . Please help me to defeat this Giant!”

Sermon Notes 02-08-09

2009-02-26T12:28:00.000-08:00

February 8th 2009 “Courage, for Heaven’s Sake” Or “The Faith to Swim Up-Stream”

“Dear brothers, what’s the use of saying that you have faith and are Christians if you aren’t proving it by helping others? Will that kind of faith save anyone? If you have a friend who is in need of food and clothing, and you say to him, “Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat hearty,” and then don’t give him clothes or food, what good does that do? So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. You must also do good to prove that you have it. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good works is no faith at all—it is dead and useless.”James 2:14-17

Faith isn't something I merely 'have'. The guy on the water skis—he had to take an active step of faith when he stepped out on the water with two pieces of wood under him! Faith is active, participatory and engaging—when you say to the boat driver: “Hit It!” You are now “actively—participating and very engaging” in what you are about to become involved in!

FAITH AND COURAGE: A MARRIAGE MADE IN HEAVEN!
Faith comes from the hands of the One you are placing your life into!
Think of the Pilot of the aircraft you are about to place your confidence in!
If he staggers into the cockpit, well you might just want to get off that flight.
Faith and Courage—are strongly “Married” together because of the Faith you have in the ONE you are having faith in!

Points to Ponder: 1st Definition of Faith!
Pastor Phil says: "Putting ourselves in a situation where, if God doesn't show up, we are in trouble."
Every one of those who were used by God had to “FIRST” learn this lesson—of placing their selves in a situation that if God didn’t show up they were in trouble! Moses, Gideon, David and all the rest!

Here’s the Question we all have to answer: “DO I BELIEVE GOD WILL SHOW UP?”
Moses marched the Israelites up to the shore of the Red Sea—with Pharaoh coming from behind and Red Sea to their back: BUT HE EXPECTED GOD TO KEEP HIS WORD!
Daniel's friends Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego faced the threat of being thrown into a fiery furnace, expecting God to arrive on time.

WHAT JESUS CALLS US TO DO IS ABOUT AS DAUNTING AS WALKING INTO A FURNACE!
Deny yourself.
Take up your cross.
Turn the other cheek when struck.
Walk the extra mile.
Love the unlovely.
Pray for enemies.
Consider others as more important than yourself.
Think of persecution as a blessing.
Repent

DON'T BE UNDONE BY COMPARING YOURSELF TO THE 'BIGGIES' IN THE COURAGE DEPARTMENT! CATEGORY: Winston Churchill, Rosa Parks, Abraham Lincoln, Moses, Gideon. THEY ALL HAD THEIR BOUTS WITH SHAKY KNEES! Moses protested that he would be ineffective since he was a ‘nobody‘and inarticulate when giving speeches. Exodus 3,4 Jeremiah considered himself too young. Judges 6 Gideon needed signs and assurances from God before moving ahead. Judges 6 Abraham said, "Come on God, give me something as a signal that you'll do as you say!" Gen. 15

Points to Ponder:
2nd First Step: BELIEVE!
Thomas said: John 20:25 ““Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” Jesus said: John 20:29 “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”A multitude of miracles performed by Jesus did not result in believing disciples.

Points to Ponder: 3rd Take Action!
When belief leads to action, God will respond to your faith.
Sometimes quickly—Peter said: “Lord, save me!”
Sometimes longer—the Nation of Israel did not come back into its homeland until 1948—over 2,500 years before God answered their prayer!

A woman reaches out to him in a crowd, believing. He heals her. Mark 5:24-31 tells of a women who thought, ‘If I just touch His clothing I will be healed.’ Jesus said: v 34 “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” A blind man calls out for help, believing. Jesus cures him. Luke 18:35-43 “35As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41“What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. 42Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.” God does the same today! WHAT IS AT STAKE?
George Elliot wrote: It is never too late to be what you might have been.

Here is my chance to conquer my love affair with all that would neutralize me, shackle me and keep me on the bench: Pride, Arrogance, Meanness, Blindness, Dishonesty, Laziness and Distraction.

Finally, I can be free to be spontaneous, free to dance and invite others onto the dance floor.
I'll just have to put myself in places where, if God doesn't show up, I'll be in trouble.

TAKE HOME with You:
I will not wait for a miracle before I have faith.
I will not be intimidated by the Giants of faith, they, too, had their shaking knees.
I am priceless to God, precious and worth dying for.
I will let God's Will and My Will work in sync. Wow, I fully expect anything (I mean anything) to happen!

Charles Bondeanii the Tightrope Walker who walked across Niagara Falls! CommitmentLord, I don't want to just slip through life in my comfort zone. Call me out of my boat to walk on water, or to confront my failures, or to try something new for you or whatever is worthy of your beckoning.

“Dear brothers, what’s the use of saying that you have faith and are Christians if you aren’t proving it by helping others? Will that kind of faith save anyone? If you have a friend who is in need of food and clothing, and you say to him, “Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat hearty,” and then don’t give him clothes or food, what good does that do? So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. You must also do good to prove that you have it. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good works is no faith at all—it is dead and useless.”James 2:14-17
Go and Experience the WOW of Faith plus Courage

Sermon Notes 02-01-09

2009-02-11T14:35:00.000-08:00

“ What Is A Real Fan?”
“King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Acts 26:27-28

Sports is one of the largest pastimes in the world.
Billions of dollars are spent on sports events and sports related items.

Advertising's big game

The cost of a 30-second spot for Super Bowl I in 1967 was $42,500 on CBS and $37,500 on NBC. (That’s right, it was the only time the game was broadcast on two networks). Twenty years and 20 games later, the cost had spiraled to $600,000. For this year's game, CBS is asking $2.6 million for a 30-second add!

Events like the Super Bowl and World Series attract worldwide interest.
Many Christians would also add that sports is probably the biggest idol in many people's lives.
Many Christians also follow athletics.
This message is not to condemn all sports as bad. In fact, there are some things sports fans can teach Christians --if we are willing to learn.
What can sports fans possibly teach the Christian?

The Lesson:
1st What is a Fan? Someone who is “one french-fry short of a happy meal!”
The word "fan" is a shortened form of "fanatic."

A fanatic is "one who is unreasonably enthusiastic or overly zealous, going beyond what is reasonable"
A fan, however, is "one who is enthusiastic about a sport, pastime, or performer.”
We can see by the definitions that there is a fine line between the two, with the difference possibly only being in the eye of the beholder.

Have you ever been to an Oakland Rader Game?
The dedication and zeal that a sports fan shows for his team or sport might be considered fanatical—WHAT WOULD WE CALL THE PERSON IF THE OBJECT OF THAT ENTHUSISAM WAS JESUS CHRIST? NUTS?

I believe many Christians stop short of full surrender to God because of "what people might say." After all, we don't want to be fanatics, do we?
In Acts 26, the great Apostle Paul addresses King Agrippa and Festus the governor.
As Paul expounded and preached Christ the two leaders had totally opposite reactions.

Agrippa said in verse 28, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Festus, on the other hand, had this reaction: 24At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
The word in verse 24 that is translated "mad" in the English is the Greek word "mania."
This is the only time in the Bible the word "mania" is used.

It is still used today across the world as a psychological term.

It means "excessive excitability, a persistent, obsessive enthusiasm."
Festus was saying, "Paul, you are a fanatic! You are excessive about this "Jesus."
Festus thought Paul's words were unreasonable and overzealous.
Yet politicians in his day thought nothing of murdering potential rivals to their power.
Paul was fanatical in the eyes of Festus, but murdering for political gain was okay.
I believe Christians can learn a lot from sports "fanatics" of our day.

It is socially acceptable to be a fanatical sports "fan" but is it acceptable to a “Fanatic” for Christ?

The Lesson:
1st What is a Fan?
2nd Sports Fans are Faithful! They don’t conform

Sports fans like to identify with their team. They have hats, shirts, socks, even underwear with the logos of their favorite teams on them.
They don't mind being different.
They enjoy being the only one in a crowd with the logo of their team on it.
They are "representing."
It has been said that Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player of all time, wore his North Carolina Tar Heel gym shorts under his uniform while he was winning championships for the Chicago Bulls.
"Once a Tar Heel always a Tar Heel," he has said.
Some fans have even been buried in a replica jersey of their favorite player.

So if sports fans are so brave about representing their teams, why are Christians so shy about being a witness for Christ?
The Braves fan or Falcon fan can leave his native Atlanta and wear his colors proudly wherever he might go, but the Christian gets in a crowd of lost people and loses his voice!

Acts 1:8 “…...ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
The witness represents Christ to the lost; he testifies of what Christ has done for him.
Some Atlanta Brave fans would do the "tomahawk chop" in a crowded mall to show their spirit, but some Christians have trouble passing out tracts in such an environment.

The Lesson:
1st What is a Fan? Someone who is “one french-fry short of a happy meal!”
2nd Sports Fans are Faithful! They don’t conform.
3rd Sports Fans are Loyal! They don’t switch!

Paul said in Philippians 3:13-15 “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” If you enjoy sports at all, then you have probably heard of the term "bandwagon" fans. These are the (so-called) fans who switch from one team to another according to wins and losses.

They are always on the side of the winner.
But these fans are held in derision by most true fans.
Most fans choose their loyalties based on their parents or their childhood experiences.

Once you become the fan of a certain team, the bond is for life if you are a true fan. Win or lose, sink or swim ---they are your team! Christians should have the same attitude as Paul taught the Philippians in Chapter 3:13 “That I may know him...I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Salvation is a lifetime bond with the Savior.

The personal relationship with Christ Himself is primary to the believer. No one has ever been disappointed in Him.

The Lesson:
1st What is a Fan? Someone who is “one french-fry short of a happy meal!”
2nd Sports Fans are Faithful! They don’t conform.
3rd Sports Fans are Loyal! They don’t switch!
4th Sports Fans are Passionate! They don’t give up!

Jesus said in John 6:66 “66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.”
Another distinguishing characteristic of the sports fan is their passion for their teams.

True fans will never give up until the last second ticks off the clock or the last out is made.
Some of the greatest sports stories are about those who did not give up in the face of great adversity.

In John Chapter 6 we read of followers who walked no more with him.
Jesus watched them leave, and asked His disciples this question, Will ye also go away?

Peter replied with the great acclamation: Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Sermon Notes 01-25-09

2009-02-05T10:14:00.000-08:00

January 25th 2009 “What Will You Harvest?”
14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more.17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more.18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.19 "After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. Matthew 25:14-19

1. How you investing your life?

a. Matthew 25 is saying: “When you get to the end of your life and look back—what will be the reason for you being here?”
“My life was a success—because!”……
“My life counted for……!”
“My life was worthwhile because…….!”
“I went for the gusto!”
“I had wealth and I enjoyed pleasure!”
“I was famous!”
How are you investing your life? WHAT WILL YOU BE KNOWN FOR?

God’s Plan for Your Life:
1st The first principle is Ownership! This is the first principle for investing your life!

A. Psalm 24 “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” HE MADE IT ALL!
It all belongs to Him!

B. Jesus said in: Matthew 25:14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.”Circle—“his property!”
Whose property? His property! The Master’s Property!

God’s Plan for Your Life:
1st The first principle is Ownership!
2nd The second principle is Distribution!

The second principle for realizing God’s plan for your life is how you use God’s Stuff!
God has given each of us talents!
I know some of you say, “I don’t have any talents!” Wrong!
In Matthew 25—the word “TALENT” actually in the original wording means a “measurement of money!” About $1,000 dollars!
Anything that God has ENTRUSTED to you many be declared a talent!
Matthew 25:15 “To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.”

Notice:
The amount of “talents” varies!” “To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent.”
Notice—“everyone gets something!” “five” “two” and “one!” Romans 12:16 says: “We each have been given different gifts according to the grace given us.”

Circle—“different gifts!”
You’re unique!

You’re not one in a “million”—you’re one in over six billion!
You’ve been given “One” “Two” or “Five” or more—we’ve all been given something!
Distribution—we’ve all been given something but—“THE GREATER THE PRIVILEGE THE GREATER THE RESPONSIBILITY!” Luke 12:48 “…everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

God’s Plan for Your Life:
1st The first principle is Ownership!
2nd The second principle is Distribution! How you use God’s Stuff!
3rd The third principle is Answerability! Give an Account for!

Matthew 25:16 “The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more.”A. God expects you to use the talents He gave to you!
He made an investment in you and He wants a return on His investment!
Answerability—v19 "After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.”
Eventually the owner came back!

Today we life in a time when NO ONE IS HELD ACCUTABLE FOR WHAT THEY SAY OR WHAT THEY PROPHESY, WHAT THEY DO!

The principle of ANSWERABILITY IS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE WITH WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN TO EACH OF US—MONEY, TALENT OR WISDOM!

God’s Plan for Your Life:
1st The first principle is Ownership!
2nd The second principle is Distribution! How you use God’s Stuff!
3rd The third principle is Answerability! Give an Account for!
4th The fourth principle is Implementation!

Matthew 25:16 “The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more.”
Implementation means: application, use, putting into practice, getting with the program!

A. Let’s look at these three men:
First Man: v16“The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more.” a. This man “utilized” to the best of his ability and took his talents from “five talents”—to “ten talents!”
100% increase with his investment!
He bought good stocks!
He doubled his money!

Second Man: v17 "So also, the one with the two talents gained two more".
This man double his talents!
100% increase! Two talent to four talents! Terrific!
Even though he had not even half of the amount of what the first man had—he still did SOMETHING with his 2 talents!

Third Man—v18 “But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.”

A. He buried his talent!
He did NOTHING!
He thought he would play it safe!
He thought—“I’ll play it safe!”
“I don’t want to speculate!”
He sat on his talents!
SOUND FAMILIAR? Hummmmmmmmmmm?

B. What was the master’s reaction to the third man with “one talent?”—v19 "After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.” V26 "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.”
“At least you could have put it in the bank in a passbook account!”
You BURIED it! You did nothing! The man didn’t even try!
The sin of passivity!
When you bury something—you are trying to get it out of your sight! OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND!

C. Jesus is saying—“If you have been given a talent and you bury it that is wrong!”
God would rather have you try something and blow it than not try something at all and achiever it!

One Talented people compare themselves with others who have the 5 talents and they play it safe and go out and bury their talent!

Matthew 25:25 “So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' Circle—“I was afraid!”
Fear—Fear is the number one tactic that satan uses to defeat Christians!

D. Application—“IF I DON’T USE IT, I LOSE IT!
Matthew 25:28 "'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.”
God said, Maliciah 3:9-11 “Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.”

WHAT ARE YOU INVESTING YOUR LIFE IN?

Sermon Notes 01-18-09

2009-01-29T13:02:00.000-08:00

January 18th 2009 “A Wise Investment”
Jesus told his disciples: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Luke 16:10-13

1. Do you get much “junk mail?”
Every week I get at least two or three opportunities to invest in some “hot” deal!
Today I want us to look at God’s “Hot Deal,” His financial plan, God’s Investment Strategy!

Jesus spoke to those who would listen in parables!“Parable” Gr. maw-shawl' A pithy metaphorical statement; a proverb.

Parables utilize picture stories; such as metaphors or similes!
Jesus used them all the time! The Wiseman who built his house upon the rock; the sower who planted and received a hundred fold!
Parables are used to help those who hear to understand more clearly—Parables are kind of like our Icons on our telephones.

3. Did you know that one out of every six verses in Matthew, Mark and Luke deal with either money or material possessions?
Jesus spoke more about money than He did about Heaven!
Jesus spoke more about money than He did about hell! I wonder why?
I think it’s because God knows the tremendous influence and power money has over our lives!

4. Did you know that according to a Recent Gallop Pole,that 56% of all divorces in America occur because of financial tensions!
How many of you have learned from experience that if you don’t manage your money it will manage you?
Money is a “test” according to the Bible! Luke 16:11 “If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”

God’s Plan:
1st The Accountability Part!

A. Luke 16: 18 “The people of this WORLD are more shrewd than the people of the Light.” is one of the most misunderstood parables in the Bible!
Many think when they read it, that it looks like Jesus is commending dishonesty!

Jesus says: v18 “The people of this WORLD are more shrewd than the people of the Light.”
Jesus is saying that “the people of the world are better money managers than the believers are!”

C. Jesus in this parable is not commending this man for being dishonest but He does say there are some things he did that we ought to learn from!Luke 16:1-2 “Jesus told his disciples, ‘There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, “What’s this I hear about you? Give an account of your management because you cannot be a manager any longer.

Manager Gr. awb a father, a chief, principal.
Last week I told you that God is the “Owner” and “Creator” of everything!
We don’t really own anything—Everything is “On Loan From God!”
We get to use His stuff for—20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or even 90 years and then we leave all of His stuff behind!

We are to “subdue” the world and manager; be the steward of His creation!

Accountability—the Bible says: Luke 16:1 “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management”“Account” Gr. Logos: a story, a version, description, explanation!”

One day everyone is going to have to “give an account” as we stand before God and He will ask me what I did with His stuff! Romans 14:12 “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

E. In this Parable of Luke 16—the man was a crook! The manager knew he’d lost his job because of his dishonesty, so he plans to deceive the Owner!

Luke 16:3-7 “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg—4I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’ 5“So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6“‘Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied. “The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.’ 7“Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’ “‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied. “He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.”

He’s cheating his Master out of 50% profit on the first guy and 20% profit on the second guy!
Why did he do this?
He was making friends with these guys so that when he was on unemployment, these guys would take him in!
But if they wouldn’t take him in—in the future, he could blackmail them!
v.8 says: “The master commended the dishonest manager because he acted shrewdly.” He doesn’t commend him for dishonesty but he does say he was smart!
What did this guy do that was “smart?”

He’s looking ahead!— v.4 “He said, ‘I know what I’ll do when I lose my job here so people will welcome me into their home.” He has a plan!

Many Christians today only live in the here and now!
Many Christians are doing absolutely nothing when it comes to financial planning!
They don’t look ahead! They don’t plan ahead!
Jesus is coming back and I won’t have to worry about my future! Wrong!
Jesus is saying here—“In light of the time you have in your life, you ought to look ahead, you ought to plan ahead and you better do it while you’ve got the opportunity!”
This is the formula that Jesus gives us for the management of our money!

God’s Plan:
2nd The Purpose of Giving!

A. Luke 16:9 says: “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”
That’s a shocking statement!
Can you buy your way to heaven?
Pay for your salvation?
Bribe God to get into heaven?
What is Jesus saying?

The greatest use of your money should be used to get people into HEAVEN!The Results of Giving Money! When you give to the Church’s ministry, when you give to the Lord’s work—two things happen!

1st I help people come to know the Lord!
Every ministry should have one reason for being—reaching people for Christ!
Children’s Church—children for Christ!
Youth Ministry—youth for Jesus!
Men’s Ministry—men for Jesus!
Women’s ministry—women for Jesus!

2nd Second reason I give is that I will get eternal reward!

You see, we are going to spend a lot more time in eternity than we will here on earth! Matthew 25:21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
In the parable that Jesus gives us in Luke 16, Jesus says, “..so you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”
If you gave to a ministry, if you tithed to the church that a person got saved in, you were a part of his salvation!

This goes along with the Scripture in Matthew 6:20-21 “Store up for your selves’ treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”“rust do not destroy”af-an-id'-zo: to disappear or vanish away; to oxidize!

“rust” or oxidize—disappear or vanish away!”
Buy a car—it gets old and rust away!
But: Invest in eternal things, ministry, people, souls, THEY WILL LAST FOREVER in haven with you!

Illustration: Did you know that there are companies that make suits to bury people in—burial suits! Do you know the difference between the suits we buy a Gottschalk’s and a burial suit? The burial suit has no pockets! You can’t take it with you! But you can send it on a head of you!
Invest in something that will outlast you!

God’s Plan:
3rd The Principle of Blessing!

Do you want to be blessed? I want to be blessed!
A. Luke 16:11 “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”
Jesus is saying: “I use money to test you!”
My guess is that 80% of the Christians I know don’t know or obey this principle I’m talking about today!
This is a God principle—v11 “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”

Illustration: Have you ever heard anybody ever say, “When I make it big, I’m really going to start giving faithfully?” God says, “Who are you kidding?” If you’re not

The Bible is very clear here: “Clearly it says, what I do with my money determines how much God can bless me and my family.” v11 “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”“True riches” al-ay-thace': not concealing!Matthew 25:23“23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Fact is: God is interested in how we use His money, how we spend it, how we save it, and how we give it!
How I use His money determines how God can trust me with His money!
I believe that many Christians today don’t understand this principle—v11 “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”
This statement if understood can be the greatest key to unlock God’s abundant blessing in our lives!

This is the “Principle of Blessing!” Being “trustworthy in handling what God has given to you,” will be the key to being “trusted with true riches!”

This principle affects every area of your life: Financially, Emotionally, and Spiritually!
You can’t say to God: “You can have all my life and then close off the backroom of your life!”

Jesus summarizes it all up in Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

Have you ever tried to work for two bosses?
That’s a fiasco—trying to please two different guys at the same time!
It’s like trying to date two different women or men at the same time, it’s called, “Two Timing!”

B. Jesus lays it out in black and white! 13 “No servant can serve two masters.”
“Masters”: Who or what is the MASTER in your life?

Jesus said: “I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Sermon Notes 01-11-09

2009-01-22T13:11:00.000-08:00

January 11th 2009 “The Contract”
“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you,” declares the LORD,” Jeremiah 29:11-14

Joke: A woman in Brooklyn decided to prepare her Will and make her final requests. She told her rabbi she had two final requests. First, she wanted to be cremated, and second, she wanted her ashes scattered all over Bloomingdales."Why Bloomingdales?" asked the rabbi."Then I'll be sure my daughters visit me twice a week."
We may not be able to count on our family members—but what about God?Can we count on God? Answer: YES!
1. Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
With every promise there is a requirement!
Requirement means: to place in front of: Pre-Conditions!
There is a condition that God says, “If you do this, I will do that!”

God’s Covenant With Man:
God made a covenant with Abraham: Genesis 15:18 “On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates.”

1st The Pre-Qualification!A. The Pre-Qualifying comes before the Promise!
Pre-Qualifying is the doing of our part in obedience!
Being generous to others comes first!

Jesus says in Luke 6:38 “38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. “Pre-Qualifying means to place in front of: things that have to be done prior to whatever!

Pre-Qualify before you buy a home;
Pre-Qualify before you buy a car;
Pre-Qualify before you go to heaven!

God’s Pre-Qualifications says, “If you do this, I will do that!” 2nd Chronicles 7:14 “14If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
People want to take the “Promise” of 2nd Chronicles 7:14 the hearing from heaven and the forgiveness of sins and the healing of the land!” and they want to avoid the Pre-Qualification of—the humbling and praying and seeking of God’s face!

God has always kept His word:
Noah—Genesis 6:17-18 “I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. 18But I will establish my covenant with you” 22Noah did everything just as God commanded him.”Abraham and Sarah: Genesis 17:1-2 “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”

God’s Covenant With Man:
1st The Pre-Qualification!
2nd The Promise Given!

A. The “Promise!” Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

In the Bible, there are 40 verses on "baptism", 275 verses on "prayer", 350 verses on "faith", 650 verses on "love" -- and 2,350 verses that relate specifically to finances and material possessions.

Philippians 4:19 “My God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

“And MY GOD WILL…” circle “my God!” The Source!
“My” God means that He is your Father—you can’t be a child of God until you’ve be born into His family!

V19 “And MY GOD WILL…will meet…” The Scope!

It doesn’t say that God might meet your needs!
It doesn’t say God may meet your needs!
It says He WILL meet your needs!
God is going to take care of your needs—as long as you’re his Child!

C. Pastor, “Does this cover all my wants?” No, just your “needs!” v19 “And My God will meet all your needs…!”
“Needs” PíÜãêáéò = anagkais Hardships; inescapable hardships, difficulties!
Needs, not all your wants!
Children have a hard time distinguishing between “Needs” and “Wants!”
Adults have a hard time distinguishing between the need and the want!

Illustration: In 1890 a sociologist did a study and asked Americans what they thought were the basic needs of life: They were asked what are the absolute bare minimum necessities you fell you have to have in order to survive? The study taken in 1890 revealed that Americans thought there was 16 basic things every one needed in order to survive! The same study was given 100 years later, same question was, “What is the bare minimum necessities you feel you have to have in order to survive?” Just 100 years latter the number of minimum necessities jumped from 16 to 98 things in order to survive! Our wants have a way of being exaggerated into needs—TV, VCR, DVD, Computers, Cars, Airplanes, Microwaves and the list goes on and on!

God’s Covenant With Man:
1st The Pre-Qualification!
2nd The Promise Given!
3rd The Co-sign Guarantor!
Cosigner Guarantor is someone who will be able to payoff the debt if you default!
Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

BILLY GRAHAM said: “A checkbook is a theological document, it will tell you who and what you worship.” B. Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,

There are two false ideas about God these days!
One, that God wants everybody to be a millionaire!
Two, that God wants everybody to be poor!
One idea says, “God wants us all to drive around in expensive cars and live in luxurious homes and have gold plumbing fixtures!”
The other idea says, “God can only bless you when you have nothing and are living in extreme poverty, and that poverty is next to Godliness!”

Both are wrong!The Bible doesn’t say: Philippians 4:19 “My God shall supply all my GREEDS according to His riches in glory!” But “My God shall supply all my NEEDS according to His riches in glory!”
“According to His riches” this is a very significant statement!

How rich is God?

Sam Walton, was one of the wealthiest men in America, a billionaire, was one of those when the stock market crashed a couple of years ago, and lost over a billion dollars in one day! He said: “It’s just paper!”(I guess you could say that if you had 50 billion more!) If Sam Walton wrote you a check of a $1,000 dollars, that would be written out of his riches. If he gave you a blank check and said you could write a check for whatever you needed, now that would be giving according to his riches! A blank check!

“According to His riches”—Paul is saying: “God will supply your needs according to His riches!”
A blank check is worthless if the name on the account is penniless!
“According to His riches!” Whose riches? God’s wealth!

“My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus!” Signed, Jesus Christ! God’s check never comes, back-NSF! Non-Sufficient Funds!

God’s Covenant With Man: cosign1st The Pre-Qualification!Pre-Condition is the doing of our part in obedience! 2nd The Promise Given!
Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

The Premise or Principle is this: God is saying to you and to me: “I will give you a Irrevocable Insurance Plan!” “A Life Management Plan and After Death Plan!”

3rd The Co-sign Guarantor!
The contract is only as good as the One’s who sign it!
If you will meet the “Premise”—that is the basics that God has laid out for you—then God “promises”— Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I heard somebody say: “Wouldn’t it be great if we could keep the spirit of Christmas all year long?”
What is the Spirit of Christmas? It is the Spirit of GIVING!

Mary Gave!
Joseph Gave!
The Shepherds Gave!
The wise men gave!

God Gave!
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten son, that who so ever believeth in Him should have everlasting life.”
Become a GIVER THIS NEW YEAR and learn to Give and Receive!

I talked with a couple last Sunday after the service! They said that until they learned these principles of God’s Management Plan, they were floundering and finances were hard! But since they learned to tithe and give, their lives have been turned up-side-down!

Sermon Notes 01-04-09

2009-01-13T10:31:00.000-08:00

January 4th, 2009 "Pro-active or Re-active?"
"The Lord said to Moses, send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders." So at the Lord's command Moses sent them out from the Desert of Paran. All of them where leaders of the Israelites." Numbers 13:1-3

1. We stand at the brink of a New Year! What does the New Year hold for you----Where will you be at the end of this New Year 2009?
2. Are you Reactive or Proactive?

Illustration: Charles Duell, in 1898, was the director of the U.S. Patent Office. He said, "Everything that can be invented, has been invented." What a foolish statement!Proactive people - are men and women who dream dreams and see visions. Remember Acts 2:17 "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams." This is a quote by Peter of Joel 2:28.

Reactive people - don't dream big dreams or see the potential of a what can be—they just let it be!
Proactive people - see it before it has actually happened! Look at Noah: “when he heard it was going to rain, he didn’t just buy a umbrella, he built an ark!”
Reactive people - see only what's in front of their face.
Proactive people – feel the lump and go immediately to the doctor!
Reactive people – say the lump isn’t real!
Proactive people – go to the dentist!
Reactive people – only go when their teeth begin to fall out!
Proactive people – get the bill and if they don’t have enough money they get a second job!
Reactive people – don’t even open the bill and if they do they put it at the bottom of the stack.
Proactive people - make it happen!
Reactive people - wonder what's happening!

3. Victor Seribriakoff was fifteen, his teacher told him he would never finish school ant that he should drop out and learn a trade.Victor took the advice and for the next seventeen years he was an bum doing odd jobs.He had been told he was a "Dunce" and for seventeen years he acted like one.When he was 32 years old, an amazing transformation took place. An evaluation revealed that he was a genius with an I.Q. of 161!
Guess what? He started acting like a genius!S
ince that time he has written books, secured a number of patents and has become a successful businessman.Perhaps the most significant event for the former dropout was his election as chairman of the International Mensa society. The Mensa Society has only one membership qualification, an I.Q. of 140.

Pro-active vs. Reactive
1st Two Kinds of Reactions!

CONTRASTS BETWEEN THE Proactive Person and The Reactive Person! A. In Numbers 13 and 14 we have a vivid contrast between Reactive People and Proactive People! God had just:
Delivered them out of the hands of Pharaoh---with the 10 plagues--Exodus 7-10---Blood, Frogs, Gnats, Flies, Death of Livestock, Boils, Hail, Locusts, Darkness, and the Death of the Firstborn!
The armies and Pharaoh were destroyed in the Red Sea by drowning!
Bitter water is turned to sweet water---Exodus 15
Manna and Quail--Exodus 16

B. God spoke to His leader, Moses, and said, "Pick out twelve leaders, one from each of the twelve tribes of Israel and send them to spy out the land." Numbers 13:1-2

C. Moses sent them with these instructions:"See what the land is like; see also what the people are like that give there, whether they are strong or weak, many or few; and if the land is fertile or not; and what cities there are, and whether they are villages or are fortified; whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are many trees." "Don't be afraid, and bring back some samples of the crops and see." Numbers 13:17-20

Twelve men---under instruction---they took 40 days to make the trip!

Proactive vs. Reactive
2nd Two Kinds of Reports!

A Majority Report and a Minority Report!
Twelve men came back with a report! But Ten of them made a MOJORIT REPORT!---They all saw the same thing!

Numbers 13:27 " 'We arrived in the land you sent us to see, and it is indeed a magnificent country---land flowing with mild and honey. Here is some fruit we have brought as proof." The cluster of grapes they had brought back was so large that it took two of them to carry it on a pole between them. One grape was so luscious, so delicious, so big, that it appeared like a plumb!
"BUT"----everything is sounding O.K. until they get to the "BUT!"They said: "BUT the people living there are powerful, and their cities are fortified and very large; and what's more, we saw Anakim giants there!" Numbers 13:32"The land is full of warriors, the people are powerfully built, and we saw some of the Anakim there, descendants of the ancient race of giants. We FELT LIKE GRASSHOPPERS before them, they were so tall!" Numbers 13:32

B. The 10 spies are talking like Reactors not Responders!

They saw all the reasons why the land could not be taken. They spread all their negative thinking onto other people!
Soon all the other people were grumbling and complaining and rebelling against God and their leader, Moses!
They wanted to go back to Egypt!
They wanted to go back into their COMFORT ZONES!
The tragedy of life is that people settle for the LESSER than what God wants for them!
The saddest words in Hell will be: "JUST THINK WHAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN!"

THE MINORITY REPORT!
Joshua and Caleb---they were true RESPONDERS---they said:"It is a wonderful country ahead, and the Lord loves us. He will bring us safely into the land and give it to us. It is very fertile, a land 'flowing with milk and honey'!...The Lord is with us and he has removed his protection from them! Don't be afraid of them! ...Let's go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to conquer it." Numbers 14:7-9

Joshua and Caleb---they were RESPONDERS!
They did not have the "GRASSHOPPER" complex!
Do you know how far it is from the Red Sea to the Promised Land? 186 miles! They should have been in the Promised land in less than one year, but because the people decided to be RESPONDERS, the children of Israel spent 40 years wandering around in the desert going nowhere!

Proactive vs. Reactive
3rd The Panacea! The cure-all or answer!

1st HAVE A Clear-Cut-Goal! "Without a Plan---You are Planning to Fail!"Illustration: Howard Hill was probably the greatest archer who ever drew a bowstring. He was so accurate he killed a bull elephant, a Bengal tiger, and a Cape buffalo with a bow and arrow. After sending the first arrow to the center of the bull's eye, he could then literally split the first arrow with a second. The only way to keep Howard Hill from hitting the target was to blindfold him! You see, he could not hit a target he could not see! If Howard Hill couldn't hit a target he couldn't see, how can you hit a target you don't have? You have to have a target or GOAL--before you can hit it!
A man or woman without a goal is like a ship without a rudder!

Each will drift and not have direction!
2nd BE WILLING TO CHANGE!

Illustration: A church had taken responsibility for a family of boat people. The church had put them in a large 7 room home. There were 15 people in this boat family. When the church people checked on them two days later, they discovered that the family was living in one of the rooms of the 7 room house. When asked why they were living in the one room instead of all 7 rooms, they said it was more comfortable to live in one room. They had lived in one room so long that they were uncomfortable to spread out!* CHANGE is necessary for GROWTH! A famous inventor once said, "The world hates change, yet it is the only thing that has brought progress!"* God wants us to grow! To become more and more the person He created us to become!* In the coming New Year---CHANGE FOR THE BETTER---not change for purpose of change!* Be willing to let God change you from the inside out!

3rd COOPERATE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT!
A PROACTIVE SPIRIT in the Christian is lead by the Holy Spirit!

Illustration: When we started this church many years ago---it was a PROACTIVE SPIRIT that made it all happen. The Holy Spirit led us because we were willing to follow!* John 10:3-4 "He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice."

Illustration:The Apostle Peter walked on water for a short distance before he started to sink.The Scriptures say, Matt. 14:30 "When he saw the wind boisterous he was afraid. At that instant, he started to sink."

Why did he sink---HE TOOK HIS EYES OFF THE ONE WHO COULD SAVE HIM---JESUS!"I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME."
The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember...
Noah was a drunk Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
John the Baptist ate bugs
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer
AND Lazarus was dead!

Sermon Notes 12-14-08

2009-01-08T14:37:00.000-08:00

December 14th 2008 “Preparing for the Big Day "

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirnius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:1-7

A four year old was at the doctor for a checkup. As the doctor looked down her ears with an autoscore, he asked, "Do you think I'll find Big Bird in here?" The little girl stayed silent. Next, the doctor took a tongue depressor and looked down her throat. He asked, "Do you think I'll find the Cookie Monster down there?" Again, the little girl was silent. Then the doctor put a stethoscope to her chest. As he listened to her heart beat, he asked, "Do you think I'll hear Barney in there?" "Oh, no!" the little girl replied. "Jesus is in my heart. Barney's on my underpants."

1. 11 Days Until Christmas!
In the town I grew up in--Yakima, Washington----they would keep the record of the days until Christmas on a big billboard! Each day they would change it----between Thanksgiving and Christmas---28---27---26---25---24!

All of us kids----4 boys and 2 girls---my brothers and sisters---we would wait with such anticipation!
The night before Christmas Eve was usually a long night---we would wake up so many time!
We were so excited!
The sights!
The sounds of Christmas!

2. The strangest thing has happened---since I have grown older!
The days between Thanksgiving and Christmas have seemingly quickened!
The days fly by!

3. One thing I know is this---"READY OR NOT CHRISTMAS IS COMING!"PLANNING FOR CHRISTMAS---HOW CAN YOU PLAN FOR CHRISTMAS AND NOT MISS CHRISTMAS?---HOW DO YOU REALLY ENJOY CHRISTMAS?

Points to Ponder:
1st GOD Planned PERFECTLY FOR THE FIRST CHRISTMAS!

A. Galatians 4:4 "When the fullness of time is come, God sent forth His Son."1. God has been preparing for thousands of years for this blessed event!
Over 300 prophecies preceded His coming!
God’s Plan:

The place---Bethlehem---700 B.C. Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."

Born of a Virgin---Mary--- 735 B.C. Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a VIRGIN shall conceive, and bear a SON, and shall call his name Immanuel." (God with us)

The flight to Egypt---701 B.C. Isaiah 19:1 "Behold, the Lord is sitting on a light cloud and coming to Egypt; the idols of Egypt will be shaken by his presence, and their hearts will give way within themselves"

John the Baptist is predicted--430 B.C. in Malichia 3:1 "Behold I send a messenger and he shall prepare the way before me:"The Triumphal entry---Zechriah 9:9 487 B.C.The Betrayal---Psalms 41:9Being spit upon---Isaiah 50:6Being crucified with sinners---Isaiah 53:12Piercing of His hands and feet--Psalms 22:16

GOD PREPARED PERFECTLY FOR THE FIRST CHRISTMAS! God prepared a perfect POLITICAL SITUATION!
When Jesus came it was the fullness of the time POLITICALLY!Rome controlled the world.

For the first time in history there was a common language that was spoken and understood throughout the land---Greek! Interestingly enough, this was the perfect language for the New Testament to be written in. It was so precise in its meaning and became the perfect language to translate from into outer languages in the years to come! All in God's perfect plan!

Points to Ponder:
1st GOD Planned PERFECTLY FOR THE FIRST CHRISTMAS!
2nd God Prepared the Participants! Mary and Joseph!

God Prepared Mary---a virgin---14 years old to become the provider of the Baby Jesus!
Luke 1:26-35 "In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. v. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. v.30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. v.31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in they womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. v.32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: v.33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

Mary answer---Luke 1:34 "How can this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"v. 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”

Mary’s Song: Luke 1:47-55 “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoice in God my Savior. v.48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from hence forth all generations shall call me blessed. v.49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. v.50 And his mercy is upon them that fear him from generation to generation.”---She sounds pretty sad—Right!

God prepares Joseph, a good man!
Matthew 1:18-25 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. v.19 Then Joseph her husband, BEING A JUST MAN, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. v.20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary they wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. v.21 And she shall bring froth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. v.22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,(Isaiah 7:14—704 BC) v.23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. v.24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep DID AS THE ANGEL OF THE LORD HAD BIDDEN HIM, and took unto him his wife: v.25 And KNEW HER NOT TILL SHE HAD BROUGHT FORTH HER FIRSTBORN SON: and he called his name JESUS.”

GOD PLANNED EVERY DETAIL PERFECTLY FOR HIS SON TO COME THE FIRST TIME!

Points to Ponder:
1st GOD Planned PERFECTLY FOR THE FIRST CHRISTMAS!
2nd God Prepared the Participants! Mary and Joseph!
3rd We Need To Prepare!HOW CAN YOU BE PREPARED FOR THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER?

I am reminded of a famous line---"FAIL TO PLAN AND YOU PLAN TO FAIL!"Christmas will come and go and you will be wondering what happened!You need to make a plan this Christmas!

Here’s The Plan Man:

First: BE SELECTIVE WITH YOUR TIME!
Don't get so busy and spend your time trying to make everybody else happy!
Put God first, family next, and relationships with your other friends third!
Say "no" when you need to say "no!" Without apologies!

Second: LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS!
Christmas is fun and giving gifts are great, but if your credit cards come in and bombard you with reality in January---you will have lost the real meaning of Christmas!
Decide how much you can spend before Christmas and make a list of those you "WANT" to spend for!
Have the courage to say "no" "I can't afford that!" and stick to it!
Christmas means so much more than spending money you don't have!

Third: GIVE GIFTS FROM YOUR HEART!
Children have an uncanny ability to go right to the heart of the matter.

illustration: A few years ago, at Christmas time, in North Carolina, Elizabeth Allen, of Highport, North Carolina, asked her class of fifth graders to answer this question. "If you could give any gift you wanted to, what would you give and to whom?" Here's what three of the kids said:
John said, "The gift I would like to give would be love. It lasts forever and never grows dull. It can be given to anyone you like."

Larry said, "I would like to give happiness to the people who have not smiled. And warmth to those who are cold and peace to those how are at war!"

Wanda said, "If I could give one gift, I would give it to my parents. If I could just get them to get along together and live together forever, year after year, month after month. I wouldn't mind if I didn't get any gifts myself, if I could only give them that gift."

Fourth: FOCUS ON WHAT YOU HAVE! AND NOT ON WHAT YOU DON'T HAVE!
Mary could have looked at her situation and become suicidal!
Joseph could have had her put away!
FOCUS IN ON WHAT YOU HAVE AND NOT ON WHAT YOU DON'T HAVE!

Fifth: FOCUS IN ON THE CHRIST! John 1:14 "The word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld him as the only begotten of the Father, full of Grace and truth."
THE BEST PRESENT IS TIED WITH YOUR HEART-STRINGS!

“The Only True Way To Celebrate Christmas Is To Worship And Adore King Jesus!”

Sermon Notes 12-07-08

2008-12-19T10:13:00.001-08:00

December 7th 2008 "Ready Or Not!"
"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light...For unto us a CHILD IS BORN, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, THE MIGHT GOD, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:2-7

1. Decorations are going up all over town! We have a family tradition---the day after Thanksgiving we go get a tree and decorate our home!
CHRISTMAS IS COMING---READY OR NOT!
2. Joke: Anyone who thinks Christmas doesn't last all year doesn't have a charge account!
3. Christmas can be a once a year remembrance or an all year round way of life!
4. Joke: Little six-year-old Jimmy was asked by his Sunday-school teacher:"And Jimmy, what are you going to give your little brother for Christmas this year?""I dunno," said Jimmy, "I gave him the measles last year."
5. CHRISTMAS IS COMING----GET READY FOR THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!

Things to Remember:
1st A God CHILD IS BORN!

They had been looking for a Savior for thousands of years—but they were still looking—they hadn’t given up hope!

Isaiah 9:2-7 "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light...For unto us a CHILD IS BORN, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder”

Illustration: During the Civil War---the college of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, had hard times. During and following the Civil War the college was shut down for seven years. Yet during those cold seven years---every morning President Ewell rang the chapel bell, through summer's sun and winter's snow, he rang it faithfully. There was no faculty to teach, no students to learn, and the rains dripped through the decaying roofs of the deserted old buildings; but President Ewell rang the chapel bell! The bell let the those who heard know that there was still hope and faith in President Ewell's heart and that gave them hope and faith!

It was just as dark a day during Isaiah's writing just like it was during the Civil War days but Isaiah kept on ringing the bells of truth!!!

Isaiah 9:2-7 "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light...For unto us a CHILD IS BORN, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, THE MIGHT GOD, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

WE NEED TO KEEP RINGING THE BELLS----JESUS IS BORN!!

Illustration: Two little children, with their mother, were looking into a department store show window at the Christmas scene. A group of shepherds were kneeling around an old rustic cradle. Mary was sitting beside it with a smile of contentment on her face as she rocked the cradle. As the mother pulled the children away, in dismay the little girl said to her younger brother, "They forgot to put the baby Jesus in the cradle."

WHAT IS THE REAL REASON FOR CHRISTMAS?
Mankind needs a Savior! DON'T FORGET---"A CHILD WAS BORN"Illustration:Little Carol was so excited for Christmas to come!Carol was six years old and this was to be her first year to pass out the gifts.After all the gifts were distributed with loving care, little Carol kept looking and looking around the tree and among its branches. Finally father asked, "What are you looking for, dear?""I thought Christmas was Jesus' birthday and I was just wondering where His present is. I guess everyone forgot Him. Did they, daddy?"

Things to Remember:
1st A God CHILD IS BORN!
2nd God Appointed Governmental Leader!

A. Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.”Executive order #001, what will be our new presidents first Executive order?
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America.We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

B. Isaiah 9:6 "The GOVERNMENT shall be upon HIS shoulders!"
The "New World Order"---says peace at any cost!

Jesus says: Matthew 11:28 “28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

The United States is LOSING it’s VERY FREEDOM TO EXSISTANCE because it refuses to BELIEVE OR FOLLOW JESUS!

C. George Washington's farewell speech has been taken out of most text books of history because of it reference to Christ, the Church and the Holy Spirit!
D. Our government needs to be placed back on the shoulders of Christ!

Things to Remember:
1st A God CHILD IS BORN!
2nd God Appointed Governmental Leader!
3rd God Appointed Attorney!

A. Isaiah 9:6 "And he shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father" Greek: PARACLETE---COUNSELOR!Counselor or "Paraclete"---advocate, comforter, supporter, a legal representative!John 14:15-17 "If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and HE WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER (Paraklet) Counselor to be with you forever"

Barclay says:"The Greeks used the word in a wide variety of ways. A parakletos might be a person called in to give witness in a law court in someone's favour; he might be an advocate called in to plead someone's cause when someone was under a charge which would issue in serious penalty; he might be an expert called in to give advice in some difficult situation. He might be a person called in when, for example, a company of soldiers were depressed and dispirited to put new courage into their minds and hearts. Always a parakletos is someone called into help when the person who calls him in is in trouble or distress or doubt or bewilderment."
Isaiah 9:6 "And he shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father"

illustration: During World War II, when London was being bombed nightly, there were some American boys who served in London.One night when the sirens had gone off and the people scampered into the bombshelters, three young men were noticed that they were Americans and were asked to come to the front of the shelter and sing an American song.
Ephesians 6:13 "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to STAND YOUR GROUND, AND AFTER YOU HAVE DONE EVERYTHING, TO STAND."

WHAT IS IT THAT YOU NEED TO STAND-UP AGAINST?

Things to Remember:
1st A God CHILD IS BORN!
2nd God Appointed Governmental Leader!
3rd God Appointed Attorney!
4th God The Prince of Peace!

A. Isaiah 9:6"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he shall be called WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, THE MIGHTY GOD THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE."

Do we need peace today? Yes! Do you need peace?Illustration: A missionary from Africa related this story:
B. JESUS IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE!
“ONE SOLITARY LIFE” by George Clarke PeckHow does one explain the greatness of the Man whose birthday we celebrate this Christmas.

Psalm 36:5 “Thy mercy oh Lord is in the heavens;and thy faithfulness reaches unto the clouds.” Isaiah 9:6"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he shall be called WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, THE MIGHTY GOD THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE."

Sermon Notes 11-30-08

2008-12-09T10:50:00.000-08:00

November 30th 2008 "The Heart of Thanksgiving!”
"Praise ye the Lord, Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high-sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord." Psalm 150

God's Email
One day God was looking down at Earth and saw all of the evil that was going on. He decided to send an angel down to Earth to check it out. So he called one of his best angels and sent the angel to Earth for a while. When she returned she told God, yes it is bad on Earth, 95% is bad and 5% is good. Well, he thought for a moment and thought maybe he'd better send down a second angel to get a second opinion. So God called another angel and sent him to Earth.When the angel returned he went to God and told him "Yes, the Earth is in decline. 95% is bad and 5% is good." God said this was not good. So he decided to send e-mail to the 5% that were good. He wanted to encourage them, give them a little something to help them keep going.Do you know what that e-mail said? Oh, you didn't get one either, huh? Bummer.

Points to Ponder:
1st What is your Attitude?

A. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says ---"IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS CONCERNING YOU."

INGRATITUDE IS A VERY SERIOUS SIN---Romans 1:21God turned mankind over to a “reprobate mind”— "Because, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imagination, and their foolish heart was darkened."

Ephesians 5:20 “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”-these verses teach, that what appears to be adverse is not really so!

B. This last Thursday we celebrated our national holiday---Thanksgiving! Deuteronomy 8:10-11 "When thou eatest and are full, then thou shall bless the Lord thy God for the good land which He has given thee. Beware thou forgetest not the Lord thy God. "The Pilgrims landed in the worst of times—mid winter, December 11th 1620, and they were thankful! What made the difference?—They had come from a place of now religious freedom to a place of total religious freedom!
In that first harsh New England winter, 90 of the 102, were sick at one time and only seven well enough to move around and care for the others!
One by one they died---wives, husbands, children, and they laid them in the frozen ground!
51 out of the 102 died that first year!
Yet that first Thanksgiving Day---they found so much, so very much to be thankful for! They offered their praise to God!

Yes, THANKSGIVING IS AN ATTITUDE and A LIFE STYLE!

Psalm 100:4 "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name."

Points to Ponder:
1st What is your Attitude?
2nd What’s on the Inside Comes Out!

A. Habakkuk 3:17-18 “17Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18Yet I will praise the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

No one likes to be poor!
No one likes to loose their job!
No one like to be in a car accident!
No one likes to have a toothache!
No one likes broken relationships!

B. STOP AND THINK!---EPHESIANS 1:3 "God has blessed us with every blessing in heaven because we belong to him."

Joke: A pastor is walking down the street one day when he notices a very small boy trying to press a doorbell on a house across the street. However, the boy is very small and the doorbell is too high for him to reach. After watching the boys efforts for some time, the pastor moves closer to the boy's position. He steps smartly across the street, walks up behind the little fellow and, placing his hand kindly on the child's shoulder leans over and gives the doorbell a solid ring.Crouching down to the child's level, the pastor smiles benevolently and asks, "And now what, my little man?" To which the boy replies, "Now we run!"

We need to begin to THINK THANKFUL THOUGHTS---in doing so we get our eyes off our own situation!

Habakkuk 3:17-18 “17Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18Yet I will praise the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

Joke: Some people say, "I go to church, so I am a Christian." But that's like saying if you go to McDonald's you are a Quarter Pounder.

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom”—do we only praise the Lord when we are being blessed?

What’s on the Inside Comes Out!

Jesus said: Matthew 12:33-35 “33“A tree is identified by its fruit. A tree from a select variety produces good fruit; poor varieties don’t. 34You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For a man’s heart determines his speech. 35A good man’s speech reveals the rich treasures within him.”
What’s on the Inside Comes Out!

Points to Ponder:
1st What is your Attitude?
2nd What’s on the Inside Comes Out!
3rd What’s on Your Breath?

Psalm 150:6 "LET EVERYTHING THAT HAS BREATH PRAISE THE LORD."
When Sheri whats to know if I have been into her cookies, she smells my breath!

Illustration: Once I was driving home late from church and an CHP, pulled me over. Be bent over and says: “Have you been drinking?” I answered, “No!” He analized my breath and then determined that I had not be drinking.
What’s your breath like? What’s on your lips? Praise I hope!

What is praise? Praise is acknowledging Who's you are and Who belong to!

GOD DELIGHTS IN HEARING OUR PRAISE TO HIM!

Psalms 150:1-6 "Praise ye the Lord, Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high-sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord."

PRAISE is a measure of our SPIRITUAL VITALITY!

Psalms 100:4 "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise."5. Praise is saying thank you God!

Psalm 146:1-10 “Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. 2 I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. 3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. 4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. 5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6 the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them-- the LORD, who remains faithful forever. 7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, 8 the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. 9 The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. 10 The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD.”

Praise is focusing our heart on God.
Psalms 103:2 “Yes, I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things he does for me.” (Psalm 103:2, tlb)

Praise God for who He is

Jehovah-tsidkenu------The Lord Our Righteousness!
Jehovah-m'kaddesh----The Lord Who Sanctifies!
Jehovah-shalom--------The Lord Is Peace!
Jehovah-shammah-----The Lord Is There!
Jehovah-rophe---------The Lord Who Heals!
Jehovah-jireh-----------The Lord's Provision Shall Be Seen!
Jehovah-nissi----------The Lord My Banner!
Jehovah-rohi-----------The Lord My Shepherd!

There Is No Higher Worship Than Your Praise!

Sermon Notes 11-23-08

2008-12-03T09:03:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving: “Soul Food”
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.” Philippians 4:7-8

What do you feed your soul with?Bulletin Bloopers
"Ladies, Saturday's rummage sale is a chance to get rid of old things you don't want any more. Bring your husbands!"
"A new loudspeaker system has been donated by one of our members in honor of his wife."
"Remember to pray for those who are sick of our congregation."
"Don't let worry kill you. Let the church help."
"For those who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery."
"The end of the world has been postponed until next semester due to lack of classroom space."
The pastor will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, "Break Forth Into Joy."

Points to Ponder:
1st You Get What You Give!

What is our society feeding on? Philippians 4:7-8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.”
“Sow a thought, reap an actionSow an action, reap a habit.Sow a habit, reap a character.Sow a character, reap a destiny!”

Jesus said: Satan, your enemy, “…is come to steal, kill and destroy, but I am come that you my have life and life more abundantly.” John 10:10
Paul says: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true,”“Finally”Do you know what a pastor means when he says “in conclusion?” Nothing!Paul says: “Finally” or “In conclusion, what so ever things are true”

Paul is saying: “THINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS! PONDER THEM! FIX YOUR MIND ON THE GOOD STUFF!”

This is about ‘taking every thought captive’. 2 Corinthians 10:5
You are responsible for what you allow your mind to think about!

Memorize Scripture: Phil. 4:18 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Rehearse—Re-Play the good stuff!Old Song says: "The Sunny Side of the Street," written by Dorothy Fields and Jimmy McHugh:Grab your coat and get your hat, Leave your worries on the doorstep,Life can be so sweet, On the sunny side of the street!
I used to walk in the shade with my blues on parade, But now I'm not afraid...this rover's crossed over!

2nd You Become What You Embrace!

Who said: “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?”
Was she the most beautiful of them all or was she ugly?
What made her ugly? Attitude!

Train yourself to recognize ugly thoughts—Vindictive, Proud, Jealous, Greed, Lies and Stinkin’ thoughts. Paul says: “Here are some things to think about:”
“...whatever is just or noble”---(This means worthy of respect and right or that which has the dignity of holiness upon it! Not gutter trash talk!

“...whatever is just”---dikaios---the Greeks defined the man who is dikaios, the righteous man, as the man who gives to gods and men that which is their due! In other words, we may put it this way---dikaios is the word of duty faced and duty done!

“...whatever is pure”---hagnos---meaning morally pure, that which is undefiled!

“...whatever is lovely”---prosphiles---that which calls forth love! “The fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

“...whatever things are of good report”---literally means---”fair Speaking” or the things which are fit for God to hear!

“...whatever possesses virtue and praise”---arete---”that of excellence”---Paul uses this word only here in his writings, although it is a classic Greek word! Arete describes anything of “excellence”: an arete or excellent horse; an arete or excellent Soldier! “Whatever is excellent---think on that!”

“...(finally) if there is any praise---think about such things.” Whenever Jahosaphates singers went out singing the praises of God---the battle was won

Slam the door… put up ‘No Trespassing” signs…refuse to cultivate, feed and rehearse trash talk in your head.

3rd Chickens will come home To Roost!

REJECT REJECTION Many of those who have risen from failure to real achievement have rejected the rejection of this world.
In 1905, the University of Bern turned down a Ph.D. Dissertation as being irrelevant and fanciful. The young physics student who wrote the dissertation was Albert Einstein, who rejected the rejection.
In 1894, the rhetoric teacher at Harrow in England wrote on the 16-year-old's report card, "a conspicuous lack of success." The 16-year-old was Winston Churchill, who rejected the rejection.

Don’t waste an opportunity to affirm somebody!God Accepts you—just the way you are—NOW YOU ACCEPT OTHERS! Luke 19: “1Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him,“Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.’” 8But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9Jesus said to him,“Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”
Jesus is our best example of Thanksgiving behavior

He saw the woman at the Well and said “Your sins are forgiven…go and sin no more!”
He saw me—the last of Six children and said “I have a plan for you!”

“Soul Food For Thanksgiving!” Take This Home For Thanksgiving:
My mind needs a gate-keeper. All sorts of ugly, seductive, repugnant, selfish and negative thoughts are ready to jump in and commandeer my heart.
Searching for and identifying the beauty that is all around me, but often camouflaged.
Everybody needs affirmation. This is a good time to start acknowledging virtues in others…with sincerity, of course.
Lord, I will look for the best in people and situation even challenges and pain. I’ll work at “taking every thought captive”.
“Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe!Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow!”
Go and Touch the World

Sermon Notes 11-16-08

2008-11-25T14:57:00.000-08:00

“Getting In His Game”
13 Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. Acts 16:13-15

When we last left Paul, he and his fellow-missionary, Barnabas had parted company. Remember? They had a heated argument over Barnabas' recommendation that they give Jon Mark a second chance and take him along with them on this second mission trip.
They couldn't or wouldn't resolve the issue and it ended up causing a permanent break up of that missionary dream team from Antioch.

Barnabas took Jon Mark and went on mission to Cyprus. And Paul chose Silas and headed toward his hometown of Tarsus-stopping along the way to visit and encourage each of the churches he'd founded on his first missionary journey.

I believer Paul and Barnabas realized their sin and repented, they were able to once again join God in His will and work.

AFTER this dispute, the missions effort was doubled. Instead of just Paul and Barnabas going out-ONE TEAM-TWO departed: Paul and Silas, as well as Barnabas and Jon Mark. Plus, Jon Mark was able to prove himself-and he did just that.

With all of the different problems that had come to Paul—I wonder: “How Can You Know The Will Of God?”

Points To Ponder:
1st To Know God’s Will: You Must Be in the Right Camp! You’ve got to be a Christian!
Romans 8:14 "...those who are LED by the Spirit of God, are the SONS of God."
Jesus promised that when the Holy Spirit came He would speak in ways that would, "...guide us into all truth." (John 16:13)

Only Christians, like the believers in Acts, have the Spirit's presence within!
Remember Jesus did not say, "I will SHOW you the way"...He said, "I AM the Way."

Illustration: E. Stanley Jones tells of a missionary who got lost in an African jungle-nothing around him but bush and a few cleared places. He found a native hut and asked the owner if he could lead him out. The native said he could, "All right," said the missionary, "show me the way." The native said, "Follow me." They walked and hacked their way through the unmarked jungle for more than an hour. The missionary got worried and asked, "Are you quite sure this is the way? Where is the path?" The native said, "Bwana, in this place there is no path. I am the path."Paul follows the Leader:
Acts 16:11-12 11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.

Paul was listening to the Spirit and not only listening—he was following!

Christians are not to only “Hear” what God is saying but they are to “do” what the Holy Spirit says! James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” Philippi would be the point of a change in “Church Policy!”

Points To Ponder:
1st To Know God’s Will: You Must Be in the Right Camp!
2nd To Know God’s Will: You Must Be Willing To Change!

Acts 16:13 “On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.” To know God’s will you must be willing to “Change” you thoughts and prejudices!
Women were considered to be items of “ownership” or items of “trade!”
Paul and his followers—“…sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.”

Jesus said to the “Women At The Well”—John 4:4-27 “Will you give me a drink?” 8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) Paul and his followers were breaking traditions —“We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.” To Know God’s Will: You Must Be Willing To Change!

Points To Ponder:
1st To Know God’s Will: You Must Be in the Right Camp!
2nd To Know God’s Will: You Must Be Willing To Change!
3rd To Know God’s Will: You Must Get In His Game! Do what?

Open Your mouth and begin to speak!
Acts 16:14 “14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.”

Lydia was from Thyatira.
Thyatira was noted for its skill in the manufacture of purple dye, which was extracted from the juice of the madder root. It took 8000 of them to produce one gram of purple dye. Thyatira’s waters were said to be well adapted to dyeing cloth. Purple dye was very expensive. Purple garments were worn by emperors and by private citizens as a status symbol. (Gucci)

Lydia was an owner of a very lucrative business—but she was also a “Worshiper!”
Can you know about God and still not be a follower of God? Yes!
Lydia was most likely a “Proselyte” Jew!
Lydia needed someone to tell her “The Messiah Has come!”

Paul obeys the Lord’s direction and begins to speak to “Women!” Acts 16:14 “14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.”
To Know God’s Will: You Must Get in the Game & Begin To Do! Do what? Open Your mouth and begin to speak!

Lydia was drawn to the Lord—“The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” “Opened” literally means the same as in Luke 24:45 “45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.”
We must open our mouths and speak—but it is God’s Spirit that gives it power!
It is God, not the preacher. Everything depends on God.

The Proof of salvation is found: Acts 16:14-15 “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.”
This is the first conversion in Philippi and every conversion throughout the New Testament is accompanied with “Baptism!”

Peter said: Acts 2:38 “38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Some say they believe—but they have never been baptized—strange!

Not Being Baptized: is like those who live together but never get married! They can’t say that they are married! Marriage is a legal union between a “Man and a Women!” Baptism Legitimizes the relationship between you and God!

1st To Know God’s Will: You Must Be in the Right Camp!
2nd To Know God’s Will: You Must Be Willing To Change!
3rd To Know God’s Will: You Must Get In His Game

Did you know that the Church at Philippi was started and established because of this woman—Lydia receiving the Gospel from Paul?

We have the book of Philippians, which was written to those believers in the house of Lydia!
The book of Philippians is known as the “Joy Book!”

This church that you sit in today is in existence because of someone deciding to open their heart and open their ears and then their house to the Holy Spirit’s leadership!

Sermon Notes 11-02-08

2008-11-22T13:34:00.000-08:00

November 2nd 2008 “Joe—the Plumber” God can use anyone!
“Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” Acts 13:1-3

What does it mean to have a “Call” on your life?
My call came to me in the form of music!

The missionary call of Barnabas and Saul, recorded in the thirteenth chapter of the book of Acts is replete with practical helps in a problem that bothers many Christians: How to recognize the guidance of God, how to know the directions of life, and to find the will of the Holy Spirit in these matters.
The thirteenth chapter is a turning point in the book of Acts. It is what Winston Churchill would have called one of the hinges of history. It marks the beginning of the third phase of our Lord's great commission. Remember Jesus said at the beginning of Acts: 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses”
In Chapter 13 we meet the beginning of the last phase, the going unto the uttermost parts of the earth.
It is also the beginning of the apostleship of Paul. Up to this time, he has never acted as an apostle. Now, some eleven or twelve years after his conversion, he begins to fulfill the ministry to which he was called as an apostle of Jesus Christ.
Perhaps the most important thing about this section is that here is found a revelation of the manner of the leading of the Spirit, how the Spirit of God guides his people. Let us get this before us, for this is of great importance. The first three verses relate the setting for the call of the Holy Spirit.

Points to Ponder:1st True Ministry Starts from the Church Outward!

Acts 13:1-3 “Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets”

Today you and I are the “Beneficiaries” of what happened to these early believers!
Sheri’s dad was the son of a pastor, who received the “Gospel” from someone else—who gave the Gospel to someone else!

We need to be “Passing It Along!”
The Church at Antioch is instructed by the Holy Spirit to v3 “lay hands on and send them off!”
The first three are prophets: 1. Barnabas, whom we know and have met before, 2. Symeon was from Nigeria and 3. Lucius of Cyrene, also from North Africa.
Scholars believe Symeon, in the Gospels, as the one who was impressed by the Romans to carry the cross of Jesus on his way to the crucifixion (Matthew 27:32).

Then there were two teachers: Manaen and Saul of Tarsus. Manaen was a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch. This Herod is the one under whom our Lord suffered and before whom he appeared. The Greek text again makes clear that this man, Manaen, was a foster brother of Herod. He was related to him as a foster brother and thus was very close to the king.
Saul of Tarsus is listed only as a teacher. He is not called an apostle, he is not even a prophet; he is a teacher in the church at Antioch.

From this point forward in Church history—Paul becomes the dominant leader of the Church and Peter begins to fade!
Diversity of the Antioch church was one of the reasons it grew so quickly because with such a wide variety of backgrounds this church was better able to reach out to the many ethnic groups that populated the city of Antioch.

Points to Ponder:
1st True Ministry Starts from the Church Outward!
2nd True Ministry Will Progress to Evangelism!

Pastor Phil says: “Personal evangelism IS the ONE reason our hearts are still beating on this side of eternity.”Rick Warren says: "There are only two things you can't do in heaven. One of them is sin and the other is tell people who don't know it the Good News about God's love. Now, which of those two reasons do you think you're still alive for?"

Remember our “40 Days of Purpose!” We found out what our reason for being here on earth was! Some found out that they were Teachers, some were to Preach, some were to be Givers, some were to Serve Others—WE ALL HAVE OUR GOD-GIVEN GIFT!
At the Antioch Church, the Holy Spirit says: v3 "Separate unto me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

God’s call is a call for each of us to “Use our Gifts!”
1st Corinthians 12:4-11 “4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.”

Can handing out water be evangelism? John 4:13 “13Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst;”Could feeding the homeless and hungry be evangelism? Matthew 25:35 “35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Illustration: Evangelism comes in many different packages! Norie didn’t have a lot of physical looks going for her. She was very physically challenged. She help me while I pastured in Puyallup church. I tried to minister to a young girl named Yolanda, who was very deeply involved with LSD. What I couldn’t do was say, “I know what you’re going through.” But Norie was able to talk to this young 16 year old girl and say, “I’ve been where you are and I know what you are going through. I took my fears and addictions to Jesus and He gave me the forgiveness that I needed.” Norie was able to help Yolanda get through he addictions and God changed a whole family. Today, Yolanda is serving the Lord and hundreds of young souls have come to Christ, just because someone shared their experience.

“The Principle Of Multiplication” Have You Heard About The Principle of “MULTIPLICATION?”I
t works like this: If I were to win one person to Jesus every WEEK for the next 16 years-832 people would be saved. 52 x 16 = 832. If I were to win one person to Jesus every DAY for the next 16 years, 5,840 people would be saved. 16 x 365 = 5840. If I were to get REALLY serious and win 100,000 people to Jesus every day for the next 16 years-I know that's far-fetched but play along with me here-if I were somehow able to find enough time in the day to do this, 584 million people would be saved-a little less than half the population of China.
BUT, if I were to win one person and then disciple him or her for the next six months and if the two of us went out and each won another person to Christ, that's a total of four Christians and that may not seem like much. But if we discipled them to share their faith and if they each won one and discipled them in the same way and if this continued for 16 years with Christians PERSONALLY sharing their faith at this rate and then discipling each new Christian to do the same-Well, are you ready for the grand total?-Here it is. In this way at the end of 16 years, 4,294,967,296 would be saved.

At the Antioch Church, the Holy Spirit says: v3 "Separate unto me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

Illustration: I want to illustrate this with a football story. Use your imaginations to picture the following: One little team, which averages about 120 pounds per man, is lined up on offense against another team on which each man weights well over 300 pounds. They're big muscular guys-GIANTS!Well, the coach of the first team-the little guys-calls the first play for Johnson, who is the fullback, to take the ball off tackle. But instead, the quarterback fakes a hand off to Johnson and tries a bootleg around the end. That play fails-the quarterback is smothered. Well, the coach sends in a player who tells the quarterback once again to give the ball to Johnson, but instead as the coach watches with great frustration the quarterback gives the ball to the halfback, who goes straight into line and is absolutely creamed. Once again the coach sends instructions to give the ball to Johnson but as the ball is snapped the quarterback hands off to another player who is flattened by one of the giants on the other team. Well, this time the coach yells from the sideline, "HEY! I said, 'Give the ball to Johnson!'" And on the field, Johnson steps back from the huddle and yells back to the coach, "Johnson doesn't want the ball!"

Well, that is a picture of the tragedy of the modern church. Christians whom our "coach" the Holy Spirit calls to take the gospel to a friend or neighbor or co-worker respond by saying in essence, "Johnson doesn't want the evangelistic ball!
Let the pastor do it!
The Great Commission-will only be accomplished when churches are bold enough to follow the example Antioch has set and disciple it's members such that they see evangelism as their PERSONAL responsibility.

Points to Ponder:
1st True Ministry Starts from the Church Outward!
2nd True Ministry Will Progress to Evangelism!
3rd True Ministry Is About GETTING IN THE GAME!

Paul and Barnabas were the first missionaries ever to be sent out by a church on a purely evangelistic mission. Paul travels has been calculated to have covered the equivalent of at least 13,400 miles-on the open sea-through storms-over rough mountain roads.
No luxury liners-no planes, trains, or automobiles-only slow moving leaky sailing ships and sandal-shod feet.

In Paphos, Paul, Barnabas and John Mark, Barnabas' cousin, whom they picked up in Cyprus-well, they had to confront a demonic magician-a tool of the devil.
In Perga or Pamphilia, several biblical scholars believe Paul contracted malaria, an illness that plagued him off and on for the rest of his life.

In Psidian Antioch where Paul preached in a local synagogue. His message was well received and he was invited to speak further. In fact on the next Sabbath pretty much the whole city turned out to hear him speak but some of the Jews got jealous at his speaking to the Gentiles and they were run out of town.

At Iconium Paul and Barnabas had great success initially but some of the Jews stirred up a sort of lynch mob and planned to stone them but Paul and Barnabas found out about it and left town.
In Lystra God used Paul to heal a crippled man and that drew a great crowd who eagerly listened to what they had to say. In fact many people there in Lystra thought Paul and Barnabas were gods-but then some of the Jews from Iconium who had followed the two arrived and stirred things up such that Paul was stoned, dragged outside of town and left for dead.

2nd Corinthians 11:23-33 “I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? 30If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. 32In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. 33But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.”
Getting In The Game—Leaves Scars!

Sermon Notes 10-19-08

2008-11-06T11:12:00.000-08:00

“What Is A Christian?”
“Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” Acts 11:25-26

What does a “Real” Christian look like?

Several years ago Time magazine carried a story about a controversy that once raged in a Waterloo, Iowa courthouse over the question, "What is a Christian?" It all started when a local doctor who had been very wealthy died-and when his will was read it was discovered that he had left a large sum of money to be distributed to the Christians in town, specifically-and I quote, "...to persons who believe in the fundamental principles of the Christian religion, and in the Bible, and who are endeavoring to propagate the same."

Well, when the will became public a dispute grew over exactly who in town were Christians and therefore worthy of a share of the doctor's bequest. Suits and counter-suits were filed and eventually the court was given the responsibility of settling the issue. Each of the ministers in town who had staked a claim were called in to appear before the judge to be interviewed in order to see if they were in agreement when it came to exactly what, "Christianity's fundamental principles" were. There were representatives of all the various denominations, Baptists, Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Methodists. In fact, even a few Unitarians showed up. So, as you can imagine, there was a great difference of OPINION in that courtroom about what it meant to be a "Christian." I'm sure the discussion of who deserved the money was very interesting!

And you know the fact is, there is STILL quite a variety of OPINION as to what a CHRISTIAN is or is not!

Many people say being a Christian has something to do with the country you live in.
Others seem to believe the political party you choose or the family you are born into determines whether or not you are a Christian.
Some people even seem to refer to themselves as Christians BY DEFAULT-they're not Buddhist or Muslim or Jewish or Hindu-so they must be Christian.
Others think only members of their particular denomination are Christians. And that can be very confusing because there are so many kinds of denominations. For example, at last count there were 267 types of Baptists Churches alone!

Well, today's text from Acts 11 is the perfect place to go in order to clarify this issue because it tells us of the first time the term "Christian" was used-referring to the believers in Antioch.

Points to Ponder: Being a Christian
1st It’s not your Birth-right! You are not a Christians because you were born in America!
I was not born a Christian! I'm a Christian but I was not born that way. My parents were Christians and they took me to church all my life.
My dad was a leader in the church and so if the church doors were open we were there sitting on the front pew.
My mom and dad even taught me Christian principles. But all this did not make me a Christian.
You see, a person does not become a Christian as a result of being born or raised in a Christian home-because salvation is not related to physical birth.

You cannot be BORN a Christian. In fact, Jesus taught that you must be RE-BORN!

Jesus said to Nicodemus: John 3:1-3 “1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

Points to Ponder: Being a Christian
1st It’s not your Birth-right!
2nd It’s not a Reformation!

“Reformation” what do you mean Pastor Phil? Martin Luther in 1571 ultimately rejected the authority of the Church! On October 15th 1571, he nailed his 95 Theses or (Grips against the Church) to the front door of the church!
These were points for debate that criticized the Church and the Pope. Luther posted these “Grips” on the Church’s front door of the “All Saints Church, in Wittenberg, Germany.” His Main “Gripe” was the selling of “Indulgences”—another word for “Looking away from ones sins or APSOLUTION” if you PAID enough money you would be forgiven!

Another major contention was the practice of buying and selling church positions (Simony) and what was seen at the time as considerable corruption within the Church's hierarchy. The most controversial points centered on the practice of the selling of indulgences as connected to the Church's policy on Purgatory.

Purgatory is the condition or process of purification or temporary punishment in which the souls of those who die in a state of grace are made ready for heaven! An indulgence was paid for the remission sin before God and the temporal punishment due to sins was given and the sin forgiven. True Reformation—the Reformation that will guarantee you eternal salvation is: 1st John 5:13 “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

It's not turning over a new leaf-you know, acting like a Christian-trying to live a better life—that doesn’t make me a Christian.
Just turning over a new leaf and trying to do the right thing-simply trying to live a moral life-these efforts do not make you a Christian.

Illustration: When you go to college and major in music, you have to decide what musical instrument you are going to play, all music majors have to play an instrument! A friend of mine decided that he was going to use his voice as the musical instrument of choice. He practiced and even hired a “vocal coach” to help him with his instrument. Now to graduate with a degree in music every undergrad-no matter what their instrument-must perform a senior recital-sort of a personal concert. It's kind of the "final exam" of your undergraduate studies and it's a big deal. You send out formal invitations and offer refreshments. You reserve the concert hall and rent a tux. Well, his vocal teacher insisted that like all vocal majors, at his recital he should sing classic songs in various langues. So when the night of my recital came he sang Italian songs like—“Ave Maira, Gratia Plania, Maria Gratia Plania, Ave Ave Dominus, Dominous Tecum, Benedicti Tu In MuliEriBus, Et Benedictus, Benedictus Furctrus, Furctrus Ventrus, Vendres Tuea, Jesus” Singing Italian, didn't make him an Italian and ACTING like a singing German didn't make him a German. In fact, he must not have done that good at ACTING because he only got a "C" for his recital grade! I share all this to help you see that living and behaving like a Christian doesn't make you one!

Points to Ponder: Being a Christian
1st It’s not your Birth-right!
2nd It’s not a Reformation!
3rd It’s something that Shows! Being a Christian Shows!

Acts 11:26 “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”
Antioch was a long way from Jerusalem-around 400 miles to the north. But as we read a moment ago Christians from Jerusalem had fled there because of the persecution that arose after Stephen's death. Some went to Samaria; others to Caesarea, Damascus, Lydda, and Joppa-and those names should be familiar to you because of the ministry Philip and Peter did in those towns Well in this history book of his, Luke tells us that wherever these believers from Jerusalem fled, they shared their faith. Most of them only witnessed to fellow Jews. But praise the Lord, eventually that mold was broken.

Some of these dispersed believers who were originally from Cyprus fled to Antioch and began sharing their faith with Gentiles. And, through their efforts the first Gentile church was born.

Antioch was the third largest city in the empire, behind only Rome and Alexandria, with a population of about 500,000.

Antioch was the only city in the ancient world that had its streets lighted at night.
Many trade routes passed through Antioch-but this not only made it a wealthy and culturally diverse city; it also made it a vile place-full of pagan worship and sexual immorality.
Antioch was also the home to chariot racing, gambling, and other forms of debauchery.
Think of it as the "red light" district of the world. But in spite of the prevalence of all this immorality, a powerful Christian church started and GREW in Antioch, and the way its members lived led to their being given this name: "Christians."
Acts 11:26 “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”

B. Antioch was a very UNGODLY place but; against this dark backdrop the believers' brilliant Christ-likeness was obvious.

Illustration: The other night I was looking out our bedroom window in to the darkness of the night and out in the ocean, I could see three small lights, three fishing boats—“Light cannot be hidden by darkness!”

That's the way it was for the believers in Antioch. The "light" of their relationship with Jesus shown brightly in that dark sin-filled city.
Paul's words in Philippians 2:15-16 where he challenges the members of the church at Philippi to, "...become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked an depraved generation in which you SHINE like stars in the universe..."
When we invite Jesus Christ into our lives we are REBORN-we are TRANSFORMED into new people. The more we allow God's transforming power to work in our lives, the more our faith will show-the more we will STAND OUT.
So, if someone who claims to be a Christian is not different-if he or she does not stand out, well, it calls into question the sincerity and depth of their faith, because as Spurgeon once put it, "an unchanged life is the sign of an un-cleansed heart."

Illustration: Have you seen that commercial that show a person doing something like helping people to jump out of an airplane, how to put their parachutes on and remember to pull the rip-cord after counting to three? And then the person getting ready to jump out of the airplane asks, “Are you the pilot?” And the guy say, “No, but I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night!”

Just because the person “Acted” like a pilot that didn’t make him a pilot!
Just because a person has a hammer and saw doesn’t make him a carpenter!
Christians are to “stand-out” in the crowd! Christians are different than those in the world!

Acts 11:26 “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” Why were they called “Christians”—“Little-Christ’s” at Antioch?Because in the middle of all the sin and rebellion—they were different!Christ “Showed” through them! Acts 11:29 “The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. 30This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.”

Brand new Christian believers in Antioch took up an offering to send to the church in Jerusalem.
Down through the ages, maturing Christians have been known for this same practice of selfless, generous giving of their money-their time-their talents.
This is because when we grow spiritually we become like God-Who loved so much that He GAVE-and Who is the source of every good and perfect GIFT.

In the latest issue of Discipleship Journal there is a powerful story about a Christian named Jamie Winship, who lives in Bagdad and teaches English in an effort to both help struggling Iraqi businessman-and also to share the love of Christ. While passing through a checkpoint one day an American MP saw his North Carolina drivers license and asked if he was in the ministry. Winship asked, "Why do you ask?" And the soldier said, "Why else would you live here?" In other words, the only motive this soldier could think of for a man to bring his family to Iraq would be to minister as a Christian-to GIVE to those needy, hurting people. Well, the MP went on to tell how much he missed his parents in Missouri and how he longed for the fried chicken dinners they enjoyed at the local church. Winship said, "Don't worry. You'll be there again soon!" The MP replied, "I hope so-but hope is all we got here."
Later, as he was thinking of the missiles that frequently flew overhead and of the car bombs that almost constantly exploded near his English school, Winship prayed and asked God to show him how he could make a difference in that dark, death-shrouded land-and as he prayed God reminded him of the words of that MP, "Hope is all we got here." Winship realized that God was calling him to GIVE hope to the Iraqi people-the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. So Winship decided to begin by GIVING hope to the toughest student in his English school-a former Major in the Iraqi army named Mahmud-a loyal Baathist who constantly interrupted class by criticizing the Bush administration and that of every American president as far back as Harry Truman.
In short, Mahmud was a very bitter man-a difficult man to relate to as an American-but Winship reached out to him anyway. One day after one of his typical tirades, Winship said, "Mahmud, I want you to know how much I like having you in class, and I want to tell you that I spent several hours praying for you last night." Well, this act of prayerful GIVING stunned Mahmed and this led to his opening up to Winship. The more Winship gave, he more Mahmed's defenses were lowered and one day he shared his grief at the fact that he and his wife had been unable to have children. Winship promised to pray about that as well and from that day on Mahmud referred to Winship as "brother"-a high compliment in that culture.
Well, God answered Winships prayers by making it possible for him to set up an appointment for Mahmud and his wife to visit an American fertility specialist who was practicing in nearby Jordan. This caused their friendship deepened even more. And instead of spending class time criticizing American presidents, Mahmed began to use it to steer every discussion to God. One time he pointedly asked Winship to tell the class about the hope he had in Jesus Christ and he did. For 30 minutes Winship shared his Christian testimony. Afterwards a businessman in class invited Winship to come and teach his company's 150 students. Winship agreed and asked, "What kind of English do they need?" "It's not English they need," he said. "They need hope. Come and give them hope." One day Winship invited Mahmud and his wife to his home for dinner and afterwards as they enjoyed dark Iraqi tea Mahmud described his life as an officer under Saddam Hussein:
"My soldiers were starving. Each night on television our president would say how great everything was, but I knew it was a lie. When the American army came, I could not ask my men to fight. It told them to go home and hope that this all would end in Iraqi freedom." At Mahmud’s request Winship prayed for the future of Iraq and then Mahmud agreed to study the New Testament with his new friend. Now understand, Winship was recognized as a follower of Jesus because he GAVE. This Christian answered God's call and did all he could to GIVE what those people need most: HOPE-the HOPE that is found in Jesus. GIVING this hope marked him as a follower of Jesus.

Sermon Notes 10-12-08

2008-10-24T10:13:00.000-07:00

“Losers Become Winners” 1At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”Acts 10:1-3

Chapter 10 of Act changes the focus from Paul to Peter!
Many things have happened to the Church in the first 10 years of existence:
ch1; The Ascension of Jesus in
ch2; The Day of Pentecost and the Infilling of the Holy Spirit and Peter’s first sermon in
ch4; The Healing of the lame man and the arrest of Peter and John ch3; Peter’s second sermon before the Sanhedrin and their release after being told not to speak in the Name of Jesus and the Church share their wealth among the church—all things are common
ch5; Ananias and Sapphira lie and then they die and many are converted and then the apostles are all arrested and jailed but God set them free and they preached the word in spite of the religious leaders threats in
ch6; then the Choosing of the Seven Waiters, Stephen being one of them and Stephen’s confrontation with the Hellenistic Jews in
ch7; Stephen first and last sermon
ch8; Saul’s first introduction to the church and the beginning of Persecution on the Church and the church is scattered and preaches as they flee in
ch9 Saul’s conversion at Judas’ house on Straight St. by Ananias the fearful apostle, also Paul’s conversion scares everybody, Peter also travels throughout the reign preaching and healing Tabitha—who had died and was a leader in the church—but Peter through the power of God brought her back to life in
ch10—Ten years have passed since the founding of the Church! The Church is believed to be numbered in the Thousands!

Chapter 10 is a very interesting Chapter—Peter is challenged on his view of whom the Gospel is to be preached too! Peter thought it’s only for the Jews!
Edwin Markham, the great Christian poet, once knew a banker whom he entrusted with the settlement of an estate. The banker betrayed him, and Markham lost all his money and was rendered penniless by the deed. It made him bitter and for several years he could write no poetry. Then one day as he was trying to write he was sitting at his desk aimlessly scrawling circles. As he doodled, making these circles, suddenly the thought struck him of the great circle of God's love, of how it takes us in. He was struck with inspiration and wrote these words:

I drew a circle and shut him out; Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. But Love and I had the wit to win: We drew a circle that took him in.Edwin Markham forgave the banker and was able to resume his ministry. After that came some of his greatest poems.

Points to Ponder:
1st God Extends Their Mission-Field!
God is about to move His mission-field from Jerusalem to utter-most-parts of the world!

Acts 10:1 “At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.”

In Caesaria, there was a military officer by the name of Cornelius.

Cornelius wasn’t a Jew, a son of Abraham.
That shouldn’t be too surprising for anyone acquainted with this book, though; Abraham wasn’t a Jew, either.
Rehab the prostitute wasn’t Jewish either and yet she is mentioned in linage of Christ!

Caesaria was a city built by King Herod in honor of Caesar. The Jews hated the Romans!

Caesaria had Lavish palaces, a great place to lay on one of the great beaches of the Mediterranean Sea, it was a place for the rich and powerful in Israel to come and play, to pretend they were Roman citizens and not Palestine trash.

Captain Cornelius was based in Caesaria, and God was at work even there, even in him, of all people. One day he had a dream. Acts 10:3 “One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”

Here for the first time we have an account of the gospel going out to a Gentile household!

The Gentile who is selected for this is a most unusual man:
He is a military man, a soldier in the Roman army.
Most of these Roman centurions, captains over a hundred men, were hard military-minded men, usually very rugged individualists, and cruel.
But this man, Cornelius, is different. He is a godly man. He is devout, i.e., he knows there is a God, and he is seeking for him.
Cornelius fears God -- he respects him deeply. And he gives alms. He is a generous man.
We may think alms meant “tithe” or 10% of our income, but to the Old Mosaic system not only paid their tithe—they gave 3 tithes-1st they gave a tithe to run the government, 2nd they gave a tithe to maintain the Temple and 3rd they gave a tithe of all they produced = about 30% of their earnings!
More than that, Cornelius is a praying man. He spends much of his time in prayer, "praying constantly to God."

Points to Ponder:
1st God Extends Their Mission-Field!
2nd God Answered His Prayer!

Acts 10:3-4 “One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.”

Here is a man who is religious, devout, sincere, earnest, and prayerful, but he is not regenerate but He is not yet saved.
There are many people today who think that all you need to do to be acceptable in God's sight is to be religious, to be sincere, to be generous, to live a good, clean, moral life.

Cornelius needs to have someone tell him about Jesus!
Acts 10:9-15 “About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” 14“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” 15The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

Peter didn’t have the “view” of the world that Paul had—Peter believed that only the Jewish people were God’s people—WRONG! Many today have that same view!
Peter was “narrow-minded!”
Peter is been through “The Day of Pentecost”—the coming of the Holy Spirit—and yet he is still under “The Law!”

Jesus says: “15The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” Peter is about to learn a lesson—“Don’t let your prejudice’s stop the spreading of the Gospel!”

Points to Ponder:
1st God Extends Their Mission-Field!
2nd God Answered His Prayer!
3rd God Will Reveal His Plan!

Acts 10:17-18 “While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.”
Sometimes God will work through our doubt! Gideon did not believe that God would use him: Judges 6:12 “12And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.”

Gideon started out with 32,000 warriors and God took the number down to 300! Why? So that they would know for sure that it was God who won the battle!
Peter was “wondering”—we many times try to figure out what God has in mind but our mind is far behind His!

Pastor Phil says: “Where God guides—He provides!”
Acts 10:19-20 “19While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. 20So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”

Have you ever heard the statement: “He who HESITATES is lost?”
“Hesitation”—or “doubting!”

Are you a “Responder” or are you a “Reactor?”

Acts 10:23 “The next day Peter started out with them”
God is saying to someone here today: “hale: thou mighty man/woman of valour.” God wants to use YOU!
Acts has been called: “The Acts of the Disciples!” But in reality it is “The Acts of God!”
Peter—the one who said: “Lord, I’ll follow you to the cross.” And Jesus said—“Before the rooster crows in the morning, you will deny Me three times!” And he did!
Peter—who said, “Lord, let me come to You!” Before he could take his second step on the water he began to sink and the Lord had to save him!”
Peter—had a PATTERN of failures—but with God nothing is impossible!
HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH IS AN ACT OF FAITH!

Peter—finally got it right—Acts 10:23-26 “The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along. 24The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.” Acts 10:27-34 “Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. 29So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?” 30Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter.’ 33So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” 34Then Peter began to speak:”

Peter—had a PATTERN of failures—but with God nothing is impossible!
Peter—finally got it right
Do you have pattern of failures?
Do you need God to perform a miracle in your life?

It all starts with “Faith!”Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Sermon Notes 10-05-08

2008-10-14T20:09:00.000-07:00

October 5th 2008 “Spiritual Oxymoron?”
“Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.23After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him, 24but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. 26When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.”Acts 9:22-26

Oxymoron: Wacky Headlines
“Man Shot Twice in Head Gets Mad”
“Researchers Call Murder A Threat To Public Health”
“Trees Can Break Wind”
“Mervyn’s Two Day Sale – Friday Only”
“Governor wants more cash for kids”
“Quaker Oats to Cut Up 1,200 employees”
“Governor Chiles Offers Rare Opportunity to Goose Hunters”
“Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says”

Oxymoron—according to the dictionary: “A rhetorical figure in which contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence and a mournful optimist.” Virtual Reality; Vegetarian Hamburger; United Nations; Timeless Moment; Terribly Good; Sweet and Sour; Sugarless Candy!
How about: “Sinless Sinner!” How can that be?

Points to Ponder:1st A Holy God can use Well-Known Sinners!

“God can use Sinners to propagate His Kingdom?” Seems like an “Oxymoron:” Charles (Chuck) Wendell Colson was the chief counsel for President Richard Nixon from 1969 to 1973 and while he was commonly named as one of the Watergate Seven, he was never charged with, or prosecuted, for any crime related to the Watergate break-in or its cover-up. After extensively investigating Colson's activities relating to Watergate, Special Prosecutor Leon Jaworski attempted to make a deal with Colson in which Colson would agree to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge relating to Watergate, in exchange for which Jaworski agreed to recommend that he not be sentenced to prison. Colson felt doing so would be pleading guilty to a crime he did not commit. Instead, Colson counter-offered. Colson told Jaworski that he would agree to plead guilty to the crime of obstruction of justice, not in relation to Watergate, but in relation to the planning of the break-in at the office of Daniel Elsberg's psychiatrist. This was a crime of which Jaworski had no knowledge. At the sentencing, Judge Sirica sentenced Colson to the maximum prison term permitted under federal law. In its cover story earlier this year, Time, named Chuck Colson, one of "The 25 Most Influential Evangelicals In America." Under the headline, "Reborn and Rehabilitated," Time pointed out that Colson, had found religion and founded Prison Fellowship Ministries "a $50 million organization that operates in all 50 states and 110 countries." The magazine also noted that Colson's "campaign for humane prison conditions helped define compassionate conservatism and served as a model for the faith-based initiatives that Bush favors."

"HOLY GOD" and "WELL-KNOWN SINNER"-well, those two phrases just don't seem to go together do they?

Saul or Paul wasn't just your typical, every day sinner. He did horrible things before he became a Christian.
Saul who became Paul, said of himself that he was the "the worst of sinners." (1 Timothy 1:16).
Saul was an Arch-ENEMY of the early church.
Think of him as Superman's LEX LUTHOR or Spiderman's DOC OC all rolled into one-because originally his sole purpose in life was to destroy the church.
Remember what the members of the synagogue in Damascus said about him? Look back at Acts 9:21 “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”

Why was Saul like this? How did he end up the most well-known religious terrorist of his day?
Well, to answer this question we need to look back at Saul's upbringing. He grew up in Tarsus-a city that was located on the main trade route between the Orient and Rome.
Saul's father was a tent-maker and living in that city where caravans were constantly coming and going apparently brought him nearly unlimited business-and great wealth.
He used his vast wealth to give his son the best education possible while at the same time making sure Saul understood everything there was to know about his Jewish heritage.
John Pollock, author of The Apostle: A Life of Paul, describes Saul's early life like this: "...probably in the year that Augustus died, A.D. 14, the adolescent Paul was sent by sea to Palestine. During the next five or six years he sat at the feet of Gamaliel. [Under his tutelage] Paul became a skilled rabbi-part preacher and part lawyer...who prosecuted or defended those who broke the sacred Law. Paul outstripped his contemporaries at this. He had a powerful mind which could lead to a seat on the Sanhedrin...and make him a 'ruler of the Jews.'"

So in Saul's mind he was doing a good thing. He thought he was persecuting the church in the name of God. He knew the Scriptures but his flawed interpretation justified his actions.
Saul had head knowledge.
His parents had taken special care to insure He had RELIGION but he didn't have a RELATIONSHIP with God.
Parents, pay special attention here. You see, it is important that we teach our children the doctrines of Christianity—by example not by just sending them to a school to learn moral doctrines!
The most important thing we can do for our kids is introduce them to Jesus.

Illustration: MEL TROTTER who lived in the early part of the 20th century was an alcoholic who again and again promised his wife that he would give up drink for good. Once he managed to stay dry for eleven and half weeks but at the end drink overcame him. He sold their horse to pay for another round of drinks. He reached the point that he committed burglary to feed his awful habit. His wife and child suffered terribly for his sin, going without food-since he wasted his income on booze. When their son was about two years old Trotter came home from another drinking spree and found him dead in his mother's arms. He put his arms around his wife and apologized profusely. Later he swore on the baby's coffin that he'd never touch another drop. But two hours after the funeral he staggered home blind drunk. He had stolen his son's shoes off his little lifeless body, sold them, and used the money to get another drink. Eventually the guilt of all his sins led Trotter to decide to end his life and on January 19, 1897, he walked toward Lake Michigan, intending to drown himself in it's freezing waters. On the way he passed the door of the Pacific Garden Mission. He went inside and heard the testimony of another alcoholic-Harry Monroe-who told how Jesus had delivered him from this addiction. Trotter responded by asking Jesus into his heart and life. God forgave him and freed him from this bondage. Then God used him to found more than 60 other such rescue missions. Trotter eventually became supervisor of a chain of them stretching from Boston to San Francisco.

Points to Ponder:
1st A Holy God can use Well-Known Sinners!
2nd A Holy God will use Pain! A loving God, will use Pain to get our attention!

A. Our Lord blinded Saul-so that he could "SEE." Acts 9:3 3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him,“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
He caused him to endure the discomfort and fear of being sightless, because as his Creator, He knew that this was the only way to make Paul understand.
And many times God uses the same tactic on you and me.
Many Christians think that MONEY will make the “Pain” go away, but sometimes God says: “You must become poor in order to know who I am!”

Illustration: This reminds me of the story of a shepherd who lived in Ireland. His granddaughter went to visit him. One day she walked into a barn and saw a young lamb with its leg in a splint. She asked her grandfather what had happened and he said, "That lamb had a bad habit of running off so one day, I broke his leg." When the old man said that, she began to cry. "Why on earth would you do that?" She asked. Her grandfather replied, "Well, the little guy had a bad habit of running off and every time he would do that, he would be in danger. He could fall off the edge of a cliff and kill himself, or a wolf or some other predator could find him, kill him, and eat him. Every time he ran off, I would have to go find him. Then, I would set him with the rest of the flock only to have him run off again. So I broke his leg. Then I set the bone and put a splint on it and as I was doing this, I talked to him comforted him, consoled him. Now, I have to carry water in to him every day. Not only that, I have to feed him by hand. As I do I continue to talk to him and comfort him. By the time his leg heals, he will know my voice. He will know that it is I who take care of him. He will come when I call him. He will stay with me, no matter what. I will be able to lead him, and the rest of the sheep will follow him. This lamb will one day be the best sheep in the flock...because I broke his leg. You see, in order to break its WILL, I had to break its LEG."Many times for God to be able to use us, He must first break us as he did Saul. He broke him and then He restored him. And in that process Saul met and got to know His Master and Redeemer. He followed Him faithfully for the rest of his life-and in so doing he has inspired countless others to do the same. Well, let me ask you. Are you going through a painful time? If so, could God be allowing this pain so that you will turn from dependency on self, to dependency on Him? Could He be teaching you to listen to and heed His still, small, voice? This leads to another bit of oxymoronic truth that we can see here...

Points to Ponder:
1st A Holy God can use Well-Known Sinners!
2nd A Holy God will use Pain! A loving God? Using Pain?
3rd A Holy God will Seek After the Runner! Jonah said: “We serve the God of the ‘Second’ chance!” Jonah was a runner!

A. God SEEKS us even when we run from Him.Acts 9:4-5 “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” Quote: "No matter HOW FAR you've run from God, it's always only ONE STEP back to Him."C. S. Lewis likened God's conquering Saul's rebel will to a divine chess player systematically, patiently maneuvering his opponent into a corner until he finally conceded, "Checkmate."Quote: “Most of us fall short of our potential because of little things we know or assume about ourselves. And the most self-defeating assumption of all is that we are just like everyone else.” (Bits & Pieces, September 17, 1992, Page 7-8)
B. God has always chosen the weak to accomplish his will. He has been doing it since the Egyptian bondage of the Hebrews.
C. Jeremiah went down to the potter's house and observed a potter working with a piece of marred clay.
Jeremiah 18:3-6 So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the LORD came to me: "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. (NIV)

Illustration: Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. After pondering his problem, he devised a plan. He went to the school near his home, got permission to take some children out of class, and had them push his car off. As he made his rounds, he would either park on a hill or leave the engine running. He used this ingenious procedure for two years. Ill health forced the Jackson family to leave, and a new missionary came to that station. When Jackson proudly began to explain his arrangement for getting the car started, the new man began looking under the hood. Before the explanation was complete, the new missionary interrupted, "Why, Dr. Jackson, I believe the only trouble is this loose cable." He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, pushed the switch, and to Jackson's astonishment, the engine roared to life. For two years needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all the time. Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting that power to work.
Have you ever thought about what you could be if you would only plug into God's power?
Jonah never thought God could use him!
Have you ever thought: “Oxymoron—God Using Me?
The people of Nineveh were sure glad Jonah plugged into God’s power!

Illustration: One of Denmark's leading sculptors had a burning ambition to create the greatest statue of Jesus ever made. He began by shaping a clay model of a triumphant, regal figure. The head was thrown back and the arms were upraised in a gesture of great majesty. It was his conception of Christ the King: Strong, Dominant. "This will be my masterpiece," he said, on the day the model was completed. But, during the night a heavy fog rolled into the area and sea-spray seeped through a partially opened window of the artist's Oceanside studio. The moisture affected the shape of the model so that when the artist returned to the studio in the morning, he was shocked to find a wounded figure. The droplets of moisture that had formed on the statue created the illusion of bleeding. The head had drooped. The facial expression had been transformed from severity to compassion. And the arms had dropped into an attitude of welcome. The head had drooped so low that one had to get on their knees to view the face of Christ! The artist stared at the figure, agonizing over the time wasted and the need to begin all over again. But something came over him to change his mood. He began to see that this image of Christ was the truer one. Then he wrote at the base of the newly-shaped figure: "Come unto Me!"

Sermon Notes 09-28-08

2008-10-08T12:02:00.000-07:00

September 28th 2008 The Book of Acts “Conversion: Then What?”
7The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias.”Acts 9:7-10

When a person first decides to join the team, get in the game—you never know the price of being a “starter” or “First-String” player!

Illustration: I watched my grandson “start” this year as the right guard of the Arroyo Grande Eagles football team!
He looked great in his uniform! He was as big as his opponent!
His number, #72, stood out and I could see him wherever he went.
BUT: Because I played football for AC Davis High School, in Yakima Washington, I knew about the weight-lifting sessions, I knew about the running of wind-sprints until you would through up!
You see, in football, as well as any other game you decided to get into, YOU DON’T REALLY KNOW ABOUT THE PREPERATION; WHAT IT TAKES TO BE IN THE GAME, UNTIL YOU START THE TRAINING!

Paul became a Christian on the road to Damascus but he did not start living the Christian life in all its fullness and potential power for quite a number of years after that. He had many lessons to learn first.
When Jesus was here on earth in the flesh, he said to his disciples on one occasion words which many of you know by heart: "Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest..." (Matthew 11:28). Then he added: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls..." (Matthew 11:29 RSV).
Those two verses mark two separate stages in Christian development—

First: “Come to me all you who labor” Have you ever been so tired that you mistaken your “Tiredness” for your lack of relationship with the Lord?
Second: “Take my yoke”—only then will you find “rest for your souls…” To Get In The Game—you have to push the Blocking Sled! “Take MY YOKE!”

Points to Ponder:
1st It Takes Time!

It takes time to become “all God wants you to become!”Acts 9:8 “8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.” Paul was not ready for “Prime Time!” He had a lot of things to learn!Paul needed to be “…led by the hand”—each of us needs to be “led!”
Paul was “blind”—he had “scales” on his eyes!
We need to understand that there was a period during which Paul was being taught how to take the yoke of Christ upon himself.
Acts 9:19 “For several days he was with the disciples at Damascus.”
Have you ever seen a “rookie” take to school?
Paul needs to learn of the “Yoke!”
Before you can “Get In The Game”—you have to go to school!

Points to Ponder:
1st It Takes Time! It takes time to become “all God wants you to become!”
2nd It Takes A Teacher!

A. Acts 9:10 “10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias.”“Ananias”—who is “Ananias?” My name—“Phil or Phileo” means Love—generally meaning “Lover of the Brothers!”
Ananias’ name means: äéˆð€ð‡ç’ khan-an-yaw'; Jehovah’s favored.

God had favored Ananias—it is believed that he not only placed his hands on Paul’s eyes and he was healed but it is believed that he also Baptized Paul into the New Testament Church!
“Ananias” was just like you and me: Acts 9:11-14 “11The Lord told Ananias, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
What? Go to this killer’s house—that sounds crazy!

It takes an obedient student to learn the lesson! 13“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.
Jesus says to Ananias’ opposition statement: v15 “15But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

You may feel that you can’t teach—but you are right now!
Illustration: My son Scott went to the beach with me when he was very young, and as I was walking along the beach, little did I know that he was jumping along in my footprints. Scott had lunch with me the other day and he told me how he was trying to raise his children just the way I had raised him. Pretty scary!

D. Ananias responded to the call: Acts 9:17-19 “17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and 19after taking some food, he regained his strength.”
Teaching comes through obedient: “17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it.”

Points to Ponder:
1st It Takes Time! It takes time to become “all God wants you to become!”
2nd It Takes A Teacher!
3rd It Will Bring Results!

The taking of TIME; and the learning from a TEACHER means: WE WILL GET GOOD RESULTS!

Acts 9:21 “21All those who heard him were astonished and asked,” If you will take “TIME” to be “TAUGHT”—you will get “RESULTS!” Are you Teachable?
Saul the “Maniac Murder” became what God had meant for him to be all his life!Paul—“Saul” said latter in his life: Galatians 1:1 “15But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace,”
You see: You and I were chosen before we were born to be His!
David always knew that God had chosen him to do great things for the Lord!

Psalms 139 1O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. 3You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. 4You know what I am going to say before I even say it. 5You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head.6This is too glorious, too wonderful to believe! 7I can never be lost to your Spirit! I can never get away from my God! 8If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there. 9If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, 10even there your hand will guide me, your strength will support me. 11If I try to hide in the darkness, the night becomes light around me. 12For even darkness cannot hide from God; to you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are both alike to you.13You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother’s womb. 14Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it. 15You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! 16You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!17-18How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can’t even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me.And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!23Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. 24Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

Points to Ponder:
1st It Takes Time! It takes time to become “all God wants you to become!”
2nd It Takes A Teacher!
3rd It Will Bring Results! The taking of TIME; and the learning from a TEACHER means: WE WILL GET GOOD RESULTS!

Video: “A Student’s Unspoken Plea” See www.hccsm.org for video

Sermon Notes 09-21-08

2008-10-03T11:53:00.000-07:00

September 21st 2008 “God Can Use Anybody”
“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
Acts 9:1-4

1. The Book of Acts records the beginning and the life of the church.
· Things went well for a while then a persecution broke out against the church.
· When the persecution started the church was scattered and a man named Saul of Tarsus began to do everything he could to destroy the church.

2. Every time I read this story, I stand amazed at the great grace of God.
· I see the Lord take this man Saul, save him by grace, and transform him into the great apostle to the Gentiles and then I realize that there is hope for people like you and me to be used by God.
· The truth is, Saul was a very unlikely candidate for kingdom service.
· He was on a rampage, doing everything in his power to destroy the church.
· Yet, God reached down in grace and took this man from where he was and used him to change the world.
3. Could God use us to change the world like He did with Saul?
· I imagine we all feel inferior and unworthy, but I am here today to tell you today that Jesus can and will use us if we will just make ourselves available.

Points To Ponder:
1st Our Past Condition Is No Obstacle!

Acts 9:1 ““Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.”
1. He was arresting them and putting them into prison.
2. He was guilty of doing everything in his power to put Christianity to death.
3. Saul says of himself in Acts 22:4, 4 I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison.”
Saul was a fanatic, a maniac! He was zealous for the traditions of his fathers.
He even consented to the death of Stephen—Acts 8:1 1
And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.
Saul was a murder and yet he was a leader in the Jewish church—he says: “I was a Pharisee of Pharisees!” He had studied at the feet of Gamalia!
4. Saul was a wicked man, but here’s the good news, his wickedness was NO obstacle to the grace and saving power of God.
5. Here’s the good news: “My past and your past will not prevent us from being used by God.”

Points To Ponder:
1st Our Past Condition Is No Obstacle!
2nd Our Past Circumstances are No Obstacle!

Acts 9:2 “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.”
1. Paul was on his way to Damascus to arrest Christians and to take them to their deaths.
2. He was filled with hatred and wanted nothing more than to completely destroy anyone or anything connected with the name of Jesus Christ.
3. Yet, in spite of all this, the Lord was able to change this man and to use him for the glory of God.
You may be sitting here and be saying: “Can God Do It Again?”
Moses was 80 years old when the Lord called him into the ministry.
a. He wasn’t very eloquent.
b. He was filed with fear.
c. He was totally opposed to the Lord’s plan for his life.
· Yet, despite all this baggage, God was able to use this man for His glory.
The Gadarene Demoniac.
1. Do you remember him?…running around the tombs breaking his chains…he was considered a mad man, crazy!
2. God took him where he was and used him for God’s glory.
3. What I want us to see this morning is that our present circumstances have not caught the Lord by surprise!
· He knows everything there is to know about us.
· He knows where we are spiritually,
· He knows what is going on in our lives right now.
· But He can still use us if, and only if, we yield ourselves to Him.

Points To Ponder:
1st Our Past Condition Is No Obstacle!
2nd Our Past Circumstances are No Obstacle!
3rd Our Past Sins Are No Obstacle to God!

Acts 9:3 “3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

God used a young Jewish girl by the name of Esther to save her nation! Esther 4:14 “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”
· For such a time as this—sounds to me like maybe someone who is running for Vice President!

God used a young boy by the name of Joseph to save his nation!
God used a young boy by the name of David—even though God knew that David would kill a man so he could marry his wife!

Our past Sins Are No Obstacle to God! Acts 9:3 “3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

· It doesn’t matter to God—your past, what you’ve been into, what your problems are, what you personality quirks are, what your level of educations isn’t or is, what your level of acceptance of others is, GOD CAN AND WILL USE YOU RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE!

God isn’t looking for spiritual powerhouses; He is looking for people who have nothing more than faith and a desire to cling to Jesus.
4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

The secret lies in one word - Surrender! Acts 9:5 “5“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Saul did exactly what Jesus asked him to do: v8 “8Saul got up from the ground” First Step is—Get Up!

It is no obstacle to God—God had a plan in Damascus; God was preparing for a Miracle to happen to Saul: v10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”13“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”15But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

God will make a way when there seems to be no way!
v17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord-Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here-has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.”

Saul did what all those before him had done to be saved.
1. He believed in Christ.
2. He repented of his sins.
3. He confessed his name.
4. He was baptized for the forgiveness of his sins.
What about you, Christian?
1. Are you fully surrendered?
2. Are you holding anything back?
3. Are you available for God to use?
4. Are you willing to be used by God?

Points To Ponder:
1st Our Past Condition Is No Obstacle!
2nd Our Past Circumstances are No Obstacle!
3rd Our Past Sins Are No Obstacle to God!

“God Can Use Anybody”

Sermon Notes 09-14-08

2008-09-25T19:19:00.000-07:00

September 14th, 2008 “How To Survive Your Worst Day”
“And Saul was there, giving approval to his (Stephen’s) death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.” Acts 6:1-3

Illustration: Two days after her seventeenth birthday, Laura Welch had a friend in her car and the wind in her hair. The world was young in 1963—from Laura’s music, school, and friends, up to the young couple in the White House, John and Jackie Kennedy. Whatever problems Laura had were minor ones, and this day was meant for driving, listening to the radio, and chatting with her girlfriend.

What will you do in the wake of the worst moment of your life? At an intersection of tragedy or crisis, will that day drive you from your faith—or to a new depth of trust in God, who wants to use every moment for good?
In the early days of the church, many people who witnessed the murder of Stephen felt it was the worst day of their lives.
Stephen had been one of the most popular and effective men in the early church.
Stephen was godly to the core and filled with grace, and love, and the ability to do signs and wonders as he prayed in the name of Jesus.
Stephen was one of a kind, and many people looked up to him. Thousands of new believers worshiped in Jerusalem, and most of them must have loved Stephen.
But a flash of violence erupted at a key intersection for the church. Without warning, the unbelievable became a reality. Stephen was arrested, charged, and executed. The enemies of the church took off their gloves and stoned Stephen, breaking his body and leaving him lifeless on the rocks of the killing place.
Acts 8:1 “And Saul was there, giving approval to [Stephen’s] death.”

Points To Ponder:
1st To survive the worst day of your life, remember whom God is!
How do you survive the “Worst Day of Your Life?”

I’ve got the call many time: “Come, mom; dad; my baby: their gone!”
Many of us can easily point to a day when everything went wrong.
As with Laura Welch Bush, maybe it was a car accident. Perhaps it was a sudden heart attack. Or the sudden death of a soul mate. It could have come with a personal financial crisis, or the diagnosis of a medical problem.
For the early Christians, Stephen’s funeral only promised more funerals; it now became open season on Christians.
They escaped Jerusalem, but the persecution followed them throughout Judea. Then it followed them through Samaria.
They ran toward Galilee, Asia, Egypt, and Rome, pulling up roots and trying to carry enough stuff to pay for the journey but Saul would be willing to travel more than 125 difficult miles—either on foot or on an uncomfortable donkey—to arrest Christians in Damascus.
Imagine the hatred that would make a man travel that far. Imagine the fear of those who were hiding!

Bad things happen to good people! Nothing in the Bible, nothing in the nature of God suggests that bad things won’t happen in the course of life. If you live long enough, some things will, in fact, nearly crush you.

But know this: “The worst day of your life” does not change the nature of God, or the nature of God’s love for you.
The worst day of your life is just that—the worst day of your life—but God is not damaged or “Lessened” by your worst day—REALIZE WHOM GOD IS!

When your world is falling apart—God’s plan for your life will still be intact!

The church had “The Worst Day of Their Existence”, the killing of Stephen—but God had not left them!

Points To Ponder:
1st To survive the worst day of your life, remember whom God is!
2nd To survive the worst day of your life, remember what God can do!

A. Acts 8:4 “4Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went”

Tragedy and persecution caused the church to really get serious about the spreading of the “Good News!”
The New Church realized that they were in a battle for the heart of their countrymen!
Laura Bush looks back on that terrible accident as the day she became serious about life. There would be no more childish pursuits, no more laughing through the days as if life would last forever, and no more casual attitude toward the things of God.
The next time she went to church, she went with a passion that would mold her—and mold her—until she was a woman whose faith was strong enough to help mold a president.

B. Because of Laura’s faith she was able to re-shape the heart of our president and on September 11, 2001, following the worst attack of terrorism in American history, America saw a leader with solid spiritual footing:

President Bush: “On 9/11, our nation saw the face of evil. Yet on that awful day, we also witnessed something distinctly American: ordinary citizens rising to the occasion, and responding with extraordinary acts of courage. We saw courage in office workers who were trapped on the high floors of burning skyscrapers -- and called home so that their last words to their families would be of comfort and love. We saw courage in passengers aboard Flight 93, who recited the 23rd Psalm -- and then charged the cockpit. And we saw courage in the Pentagon staff who made it out of the flames and smoke -- and ran back in to answer cries for help. On this day, we remember the innocent who lost their lives -- and we pay tribute to those who gave their lives so that others might live.”

Could God have been at work throughout all of Laura’s life, at work after the worst day of her life so long ago, helping her help us through one of our nation’s worst days?

C. The “Worst Day” for the new church in Jerusalem—the killing of Stephen and the persecution, became the “Best Day” for them—Acts 8:4 ““4Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”

They spread word about Jesus in Joppa.
They planted churches in Cyprus.
They started a Bible study in Alexandria.
They baptized new believers in Ephesus.
They wrote letters, recorded the Gospel in writing, and took the message of Jesus to every corner of the world!

D. Why did the “Worst Day” make it the “Best Day” for the church?1. Before Stephen’s death shook the church to its very foundation, the church was a happy place, a perfect place even, a group of people with almost no troubles or fears.

Sometimes it takes “Very Bad Days” to get us to move!
2. God used persecution to chase the gospel to every corner of the world.

E. Jesus gave us the perfect example of how the church is to operate!
Luke 7:37-38 “37A certain immoral woman heard Jesus was there and brought a beautiful jar filled with expensive perfume. 38Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.”

The “immoral woman” according the Jewish law should have not even been allowed to be in the same house with Jesus—but she was!
The “immoral woman” should not even been able to touch Jesus—but she did!
The “immoral woman” should not even been spoken to—but Jesus did!
You see: “When you had your “Worst Day” and you come to Jesus—He makes your day—“The Best Day of the rest of your life!”

Points To Ponder:
1st To survive the worst day of your life, remember whom God is!
2nd To survive the worst day of your life, remember what God can do!
3rd To survive the worst day of your life, allow God to work through you!

A. Acts l8:5 “Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there.”

The most important part of the story about Stephen’s death and the persecution of the believers may be contained in a simple phrase from verse 5: “Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there.”
Philip is one of the “seven” deacons chose in Acts 6:5—he was “friends” with Stephen—they worked the kitchen and the waiting on the tables together!
Did it hurt Philip to see his buddy Stephen murdered?
BUT—Philip did something about his “Worst Day”—he didn’t turn away from his faith, he didn’t turn away from God—he turned his “Worst Day” into the “Best Day”!
Philip became an evangelist and took the “Good News” to “Samaria”–“5 “Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there.”

Pastor Phil says: “When the worst day of your life comes, you’ll have to either abandon your faith as useless, or keep your faith as the only thing of value in your life!”

A lady told me: “God will use the death of my son to save him!”
A lady told me: “My death will bring my husband to know the Lord!” And it did!
God can use the worst day of your life to take your faith into new areas of strength, to work miracles in the wake of tragedy, to bring good out of something that is no good at all.

Conclusion: When Philip allowed God to walk with him after the worst day of his life, great things happened quickly.

While in Samaria, Philip did the kinds of things Stephen had done, things that had marked the ministry of Jesus. Demons took off running, and miracles happened. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city. (Acts 8:5–8)
At the end of the passage above, it says , “There was great joy in that city.” It was “mega-joy,” to translate the original Greek.
We have “mega” things today—“mega-sized” soft drinks and French fries, “bigger-and-better” mega-sized products on store shelves, the biggest of the big.
And that’s what that city had--they had giant overwhelming joy, the best-days-of-your-life kind of joy, all introduced to them through Philip, who was still reeling from the worst day of his life.

What will you do with your “Worst Day of Your Life?” Illustration: While I was pasturing in Visalia I formed a men’s quartet and my bass’s name was Gary Chisamore! Gary’s worst day came far too suddenly. Never had a community seen a man so passionately devoted to his wife, Ann. She was the light of his life, the diamond of his existence. He was a hopeless romantic, and their marriage was on display for their church and their community. She died suddenly, without warning, a broken blood vessel taking her life before she could say good-bye.

Sermon Notes 09-07-08

2008-09-16T12:52:00.000-07:00

September 7th 2008 “Many Are Called”
“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Greek Jews among them complained against the Hebrew speaking Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.”Acts 6:1-2

I thought to myself: “If I knew, when I was about to answer the call of God to go into ministry, when I was 19 years old: WOULD I STILL BECOME A PASTOR?”
I THOUGHT it only entailed one thing but it was a call to: Crucify your own aspirations and follow HIS direction!

Jesus is our example, but are we willing to follow Him to the Cross?
Who volunteers for a cross?

Today, we look at the first person in the history of the new church, to die for his belief in Christ—Stephen.
Stephen’s ministry was a like a meteor flying thru the night sky…very brief, but brilliant and bright, powerful and spectacular!
We don’t know much about him and his background, but his name tells us much: Stephen=a victor’s crown…and he’ll have a crown in heaven, the martyr’s crown…he was faithful to his ministry, even unto death!
He wasn’t a pastor or an apostle; he was simply a layman who served.

Acts 6:1 “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Greek Jews among them complained against the Hebrew speaking Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food."

The church is about to have its second “Conflict!” The first was Ananias and Sapphira—now Widows!
In each temple there were officials who collected alms on Friday morning. Later that day, this food was distributed to those with both temporary and permanent needs.
But there was a problem—It appeared that the Jewish speaking widows were getting more favorable treatment and the apostles realized that they need someone with everybody’s interest in mind!
Pastors or Apostles should not get involved with what could be taken as showing “Favoritism!”

Who did God chose to handle these widows?—usually God chooses those who are doing something for Him!

God chose David to fight the giant Goliath! Unlikely candidate! Saul’s armor wouldn’t even fit him!

God chose Stephen—the cook! What could a waiter do?

Points to Ponder:
1st God’s choice doesn’t always seem right!

Acts 6:2-3 “So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them”

The guy in the kitchen didn’t seem like the right choice but God make the choice!
Stephen had a record—people knew him!

V3 Stephen was: “known to be”

Stephen took God’s business seriously, as we all should.
People could tell Who he belong to!
Stephen never took his wedding ring off when he went out with the boys!

Stephen had an “Obvious Testimony!”
Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit…he didn’t just have the Holy Spirit.

In every believer the Holy Spirit is resident, but what He wants to be is President! [call the shots, be in full control!]

Points to Ponder:
1st God’s choice doesn’t always seem right!
2nd God’s Fruit!

A. Galatians 5:22-24 “22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.”

Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit—therefore—he exhibited the “Fruit of the Sprit!”

I have met many people who say they have been spirit filled but they don’t exhibit the “Fruit of the Spirit!”
They were all full of the spirit: v3 “3Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.

“Faithfulness”—Stephen was “Faith” “Filled”—therefore he could stand when the time of testing came!

Faith—How did Stephen get faith? The only way any of us can…from the Word of God. Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Stephen was “Full of Faith!”

The evidence of Stephen’s faith is found in chapter 7…read it at home—he preaches completely from memory, he gives the entire history of Israel, from Abraham to Moses, Egypt and slavery, to the wilderness, the promised land…he knew where Abraham was buried when he died, and even gave the names of the men he bought the burial plot from!
Stephen knew the bible because he had been studying it! He was a man of this book…no wonder the Bible says he was full of faith!

David said: Psalm 119:16 “I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” Psalms 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that Stephen was a man full of “Wisdom!”
Wisdom—v10 “These men began to argue with Stephen, 10but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.”
James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

What is it that we need here at Hope Community Church?
Food service professionals?
Licensed counselors?
Financial advisors?
No! We need people full of the Holy Spirit—using their gifts!

Natural qualifications - optional!!
Spiritual qualifications - mandatory!!

Points to Ponder:
1st God’s choice doesn’t always seem right!
2nd God’s Fruit!
3rd God had a plan! God had a plan for Stephen and God has a plan for YOU!

Acts 6:88-10 “8Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. 9Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, 10but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.”

What happened to Stephen?
They brought false witness against him! Acts 6:11
They sized him! Acts 6:12
He preached Jesus to them! Acts 7:1-53
About all the prophets that have been sent to you and you have killed everyone of them and now God sent His only Son and you killed Him— 51“You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears!” As Stephen said this final statement they rushed upon him: “54When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.”

They Stoned Him To Death!
They said: “There we won’t have to hear that again!
Just like they thought when they sealed the tomb of Jesus!

The Rest of the Story
Believers scattered (8:1-4)
Saul convicted (7:58;9:1-19;26:14)
Gospel to world (11:19-21; 13-28)

These are the areas that the Acts church affected.
Stephen and the other 11 signed up to “Flip Burgers!” But God used them to “Change The World!”
Jesus wants people who will trust Him! No matter what!
Jesus is looking for Volunteers to take up His cross and follow Him!

Ill.—young preacher wanted to preach in a robe—tailor took measurements, asked “I need to know how long you’ve been in the ministry.” “What does that have to do w/ it?” “Everything, I’ve made a lot of robes, and if you’re young in the ministry you think you know it all and you walk around w/ your head held high and your chest stuck out…so I need to make it longer in front and shorter in back/but if you’ve been in the ministry for some time, you know you don’t know it all, you’re pretty level headed and level hearted!/finally, once you’ve been serving God a long time, you realize you don’t know anything, you spend most of your time w/ your head bowed in prayer asking for wisdom, or on your knees looking to the only One who can help! You need it shorter in front and longer in back!

John Newton was a drunken slave-trader. After coming to Christ as his Savior he wrote: “Amazing Grace, how sweet…” (quote) That’s saving grace!
All born again Christians have experienced it!

Sermon Notes 08-31-08

2008-09-05T18:16:00.000-07:00

Ananias and Sapphira
(Kevin Asmann) Pastor asked me to preach on Ananias and Sapphira, thanks a lot Pastor!
But Paul said in; 2 Timothy, chapter 4: verse 2 “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-- with great patience and careful instruction.” (NIV)
So let’s read the text found in Acts chapter 4: verse 32 through chapter 5: verse 11;32 “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement),37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.
CHAPTER 51 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.2 With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.3 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? ((KJV) Why have you conceived this thing in your heart?) You have not lied to men but to God."5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.6 Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.8 Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price."9 Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. (NIV)

How many of you want to be just like Ananias and Sapphira?
Interestingly enough, Ananias means (God is gracious) and Sapphira means (beautiful)
What is the point of this story? Is it about giving offerings? No.
Is it about communism? No.
It’s about pride, hypocrisy, greed, honesty.

1. Pride / hypocrisy; Barnabas sold a field and gave the money from the sale to the apostles. This evidently impressed Ananias who would not be out done and sold a piece of property too but though he was unwilling to give all of the proceeds he wanted everyone to think he had and his wife went along with him. They were trying to copy the appearance of Barnabas’ charity.
Peter asked them why they did it. There is no response from Ananias or Sapphira recorded so we can only speculate as to the reasons. Some have argued that they were not really saved, that they were merely acting as Christians. I would mention the fact that it was not easy or popular to be a Christian then;
Acts chapter 4: verses 1-4 says;1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. (NIV)

It’s not likely that under such conditions of persecution that someone would pretend to be a Christian. That would just bring them trouble for no good reason.

2. Greed; They kept back some of the money. They didn’t have to give all but it was just for show with them. (Acts 5:4) Peter said to him; “Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal?” They could have said; “This is the portion we felt to give.” And they would have been fine. Instead, they lied and said they gave it all. How many times have you been caught up in the emotion or passion and made a pledge to help? Then, when the time came to give you had second thoughts?

3. Honesty; “Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'”

Jesus said in Matthew chapter 5: verses 33 through 37:33 "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.'34 But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne;35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.37 Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (NIV)

And James repeats this more succinctly in James chapter 5: verse 12;12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear-- not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned. (NIV)

Peter said they lied to the Holy Spirit, not to men but to God. They so offended Him that when confronted with it they fell dead. These were serious times, I believe the Lord allowed this to happen as an example of just how serious things were. What about now? How serious are the times we are living in? So, what’s the bottom line? Don’t embellish. [to heighten the attractiveness of by adding decorative or fanciful details.]
Keep it simple, real and honest.

Sermon Notes 08-17-08

2008-08-26T18:04:00.000-07:00

August 17th, 2008 “Cause & Effect”

Acts 4:33-37“33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. 36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.”

Introduction: Our church—Hope Community Church—is a “New Testament” Church!Our Church needs to know “WHY” we exist!“Nothing precedes purpose!” God told me in 1989 to start this church in Santa Maria!

The Holy Spirit said: “The Gate of the City will be the South Gate for you to watch and the gates of hell will not prevail against the church!”

The book of Acts is a “blueprint” of what our church is to look like!

Ch 1 Jesus gives His farewell speech—v4 “Go to Jerusalem and wait for the promised Holy Spirit and they you will be My witnesses around the world!”

Jesus is taken back into heaven—v 9—“why are standing here and looking up into the sky, this same Jesus who is taken up from you will come back in the same manner in which you see Him go!”

Peter speaks to 120 believers—v15—and tells them about the prophecy of the coming of the promised Holy Spirit and they choose Matthias to take Judas’ place!

Ch 2 The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost—50 days after Passover and the
New Little Church is changed forever—with The Sound of a mighty rushing wind, the Tongues of Fire one each of them and then the Speaking in 18 Languages of region around them!
Peter gives his first sermon and 3,000 were added to the church that day!

Ch 3 Peter and John heal the crippled bagger, who was at the gate of the
Synagogue for 40 years—and because of it they were arrested by the priests and the temple guards and the Sadducees, for preaching to the people who saw the miracle.

Ch 4 Peter and John are brought before the rules, elders and teachers of the law, and are asked: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

Peter gives his third sermon and tells them how the cow ate the cabbage!
They are told not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus—

Peter says: “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Peter goes back to the little band of believers and they have a prayer meeting and the Holy Spirit comes upon the church and it says: “they spoke the word of God BOLDLY!”

Last week I said: “Nothing precedes Purpose!” We must realize who we are!
Last week we talked about:

1st They had Unity!
2nd They had Power!
3rd They had Favor! They had favor with God!

A. Acts 3:33 “33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.”

Points to Ponder:
The Cause and the Effect!

When you become a believer things change: 2nd Corinthians 5:17 “17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Acts 4:34 “34There were no needy persons among them.”

Song: “Give me that old time religion, give me that old time religion, give me that old time religion—it’s good enough for me. Makes me love everybody, Makes me love everybody, Makes me love everybody, Makes me love everybody and it’s good enough for me!”

When you get true “Pentecost” everything become community property!Illustration: My buddy Jim, mortgaged his home for $40,000 dollars to help their church up in Walnut Creek build their new building!

1st The Cause—is Pentecost!
The Infilling of the Holy Spirit!

They were different after the day of Pentecost—Their heart were loosened in relationship to things and tightened in its relationship to people.

Acts 4:32 Message: “The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind!”
Nothing but a “Pentecost” experience could bring people together and that is what happened then and can happen now!
When you become united to Jesus by faith, you become united to people by love.

2nd Then comes the effect!
What happened because of Pentecost! V32 "Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, (here it is) and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common."
First, the heart is tightened in its relationship to people. Second, the heart is loosened in its relationship to things.

What is mammon?

The word ‘mammon’ comes from an Aramaic word that refers to the inappropriate desire and pursuit of wealth. Mammon is not money.

Mammon is a Spirit! It’s about what money can do!
Mammon is about “Sedition!”

Sedition—is just another word for “Treason” or “Rebellion!”
“Sedition” and rebellion equal me doing my own thing!

Sedition—Satan said: Isaiah 14:12-14 “12How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground—mighty though you were against the nations of the world. 13For you said to yourself, “I will ascend to heaven and rule the angels. I will take the highest throne. I will preside on the Mount of Assembly far away in the north. 14I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.”

God will share His glory with no man or being!
It all comes down to “WHO OWNS MY STUFF?”

Sedition says, “It mine!”
Salvation says: “I’m just the manager, I’m the steward of God’s stuff!”Then comes the effect! Acts 4:32b “no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common."

Because Peter and John were generous God was generous.
Because their heart broke over the same things that broke the heart of God, God smiled upon them.
Because Peter and John held in high esteem the purpose of Jesus, God held them in high esteem.

Illustration: In the movie Chariots of Fire, Eric Liddell tried to explain to his sister why he chose to prepare for the Olympic Games rather than immediately return to China as a missionary: “When I run, I feel his pleasure.” Eric Liddell found his purpose and ran to Olympic stardom. Following his Olympic feat he returned to the mission field in China, there, and there fulfilling his purpose, and there, too, feeling God’s pleasure.
There is nothing like being in the center of God’s purpose for your life!

Robin Jones Gunn said, “If you agree to say yes to God’s purpose for your life, you’ll never be bored again with Jesus Christ.”
Having God’s favor is the greatest “feeling” in the entire world!

October 6, 1965, Sandy Koufax, the overpowering lefty for the Los Angeles Dodgers, did not pitch in the first game of the World Series against the Minnesota Twins because game day fell on Yom Kippur.
Who is the Boss in your life? Can God call upon you to be one with Him?

Unity matters to God!
Unity Show Identity—WHO DO YOU BELONG TO!
Unity SHOWS YOUR COLORS—JUST LIKE A GANG! “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” John 13:35

Paul Billheimer said: “The continuous and widespread fragmentation of the Church has been the scandal of the ages. It has been Satan’s master strategy. The sin of disunity probably has caused more souls to be lost than all other sins combined.”
Could it be that we can only reach Santa Maria and the surrounding area when we are unified?

Get in The Game!
Conclusion: Unity doesn’t begin in examining others but in examining self.
By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).