Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of the sermon from December 28, 2008:
1. Fear for his life prompts Isaac to repeat the sin of his father and to lie about Rebekah being his sister. In doing so he is making a mockery of God’s promises.
2. Fear is:
-inconsistent with faith, the antithesis of faith
-paralyzing
-a tacit acknowledgment that we doubt God’s control or His good intentions for us
3. Isaac’s lie is discovered by the pagan king who acts more righteously in this instance than God’s servant.
4. A. W. Pink cites the following lessons from Isaac in Genesis 26:
-Isaac readily follows the sin of his father – “…it is much easier for children to imitate the vices and weaknesses of their parents than it is to emulate their virtues.”
-Abraham and Isaac, despite their differences in temperament succumb to the same sin – “…no matter what our natural temperament maybe, unless the grace of God supports and sustains us we shall inevitably fall!”
Monday, December 29, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
God's Salvation In Infant Form
Click here to download the sermon file.
A re-cap of the sermon from December 21, 2008:
1. Luke cites two witnesses to the significance of the birth of Jesus in Luke 2:21-40, Simeon and Anna. The setting is the Temple, 40 days after Jesus’ birth when Joseph and Mary bring the sacrifice (burnt offering and sin offering) for Mary’s purification (she was not sinless as some doctrine claims) and to present Jesus, the first born to the Lord.
2. The birth of Jesus is significant in three ways:
-He came to bring salvation to the whole world, Jew and Gentile alike (“…all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel”)
-Salvation is found in the person of Jesus, not in a religious system, not in a philosophy, not in righteous works (“My eyes have seen your salvation”)
-Salvation is necessary because we are all sinners and in need of redemption (Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”)
A re-cap of the sermon from December 21, 2008:
1. Luke cites two witnesses to the significance of the birth of Jesus in Luke 2:21-40, Simeon and Anna. The setting is the Temple, 40 days after Jesus’ birth when Joseph and Mary bring the sacrifice (burnt offering and sin offering) for Mary’s purification (she was not sinless as some doctrine claims) and to present Jesus, the first born to the Lord.
2. The birth of Jesus is significant in three ways:
-He came to bring salvation to the whole world, Jew and Gentile alike (“…all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel”)
-Salvation is found in the person of Jesus, not in a religious system, not in a philosophy, not in righteous works (“My eyes have seen your salvation”)
-Salvation is necessary because we are all sinners and in need of redemption (Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”)
Monday, December 15, 2008
DeJaVu All Over Again, Part 2
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of December 14, 2008:
1. In Genesis 26 Isaac, following the bad example of his father Abraham, lies to Abimilech and the men of Gerar about his wife Rebecca calling her his sister to protect himself.
2. Lying of any magnitude (“little” or “big”) is dangerous because it dulls our senses to what is morally right, and will eventually erode our ability to distinguish the truth from falsehood.
3. The Old Testament condemns bearing false witness in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20, Deuteronomy 5:20), in the prophets and in the Proverbs.
4. Lying is inconsistent with the nature of God within the Christian, for God’s nature is to be truthful. In fact, He is truth (Titus 1:2).
5. Lying is however consistent with the nature and language of Satan. He is the “father of lies” (John 8:44).
6. By example and by teaching the believer is exhorted to truthfulness in the New Testament (Acts 5, Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9). Lying is part of our old nature, the sin nature, which we are to be putting away by yielding to the Spirit of God and the Word of God as we are being remade in the character of Jesus Christ.
Recap of December 14, 2008:
1. In Genesis 26 Isaac, following the bad example of his father Abraham, lies to Abimilech and the men of Gerar about his wife Rebecca calling her his sister to protect himself.
2. Lying of any magnitude (“little” or “big”) is dangerous because it dulls our senses to what is morally right, and will eventually erode our ability to distinguish the truth from falsehood.
3. The Old Testament condemns bearing false witness in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20, Deuteronomy 5:20), in the prophets and in the Proverbs.
4. Lying is inconsistent with the nature of God within the Christian, for God’s nature is to be truthful. In fact, He is truth (Titus 1:2).
5. Lying is however consistent with the nature and language of Satan. He is the “father of lies” (John 8:44).
6. By example and by teaching the believer is exhorted to truthfulness in the New Testament (Acts 5, Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9). Lying is part of our old nature, the sin nature, which we are to be putting away by yielding to the Spirit of God and the Word of God as we are being remade in the character of Jesus Christ.
Monday, December 08, 2008
DeJaVu All Over Again
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of December 7, 2008:
1. While Genesis 26 is similar to earlier incidents in Abraham’s life in Genesis 12 & 20, it is a different and separate incident in the life of Isaac, repeating the earlier sin of his father.
2. Genesis 26:1 specifically says this is a different incident, also there are similar elements to the earlier incidents but there are also differences.
3. A famine brings about this test of faith in Isaac’s life (as famine often does in the Bible).
4. As Warren Wiersbe points out: “Faith cannot grow apart from trials.” Our faith grows when it is challenged, when we are stretched beyond ourselves, when we are forced to use “new muscles” in our spiritual life.
5. “A commitment to Christ and obedience to his commands stretch us beyond ourselves, and that hurts. But this is a very different pain from that inflicted by torture or punishment. Growth pain is the kind we don’t regret; it leads to health and not disease or neurosis.” (Eugene Peterson).
Recap of December 7, 2008:
1. While Genesis 26 is similar to earlier incidents in Abraham’s life in Genesis 12 & 20, it is a different and separate incident in the life of Isaac, repeating the earlier sin of his father.
2. Genesis 26:1 specifically says this is a different incident, also there are similar elements to the earlier incidents but there are also differences.
3. A famine brings about this test of faith in Isaac’s life (as famine often does in the Bible).
4. As Warren Wiersbe points out: “Faith cannot grow apart from trials.” Our faith grows when it is challenged, when we are stretched beyond ourselves, when we are forced to use “new muscles” in our spiritual life.
5. “A commitment to Christ and obedience to his commands stretch us beyond ourselves, and that hurts. But this is a very different pain from that inflicted by torture or punishment. Growth pain is the kind we don’t regret; it leads to health and not disease or neurosis.” (Eugene Peterson).
Monday, December 01, 2008
Reversal of Fortune, Part 3
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of November 30, 2008:
1. Jacob schemed for what was already his. Esau sold his birthright (and its spiritual implications) to satisfy his physical hunger.
2. In Esau we are warned not to satisfy physical appetites at the expense of spiritual values. In Jacob we are warned against scheming, manipulating people, circumstances, and even God in seeking spiritual things (pursuing them by the sinful nature rather than by the Spirit).
3. Kent & Barbara Hughes in their book Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome
define true success as: faithfulness, serving, loving God, believing, prayer, holiness, and (a good, positive) attitude.
4. According to the Hughes, we should ask the following questions concerning holiness: Are we being desensitized by the present evil world; where do our minds wander when we have no duties to perform; what are we reading; what dvd’s, videos are we renting (what websites are we going to); and finally, how many chapters of the Bible did we read last week?
Recap of November 30, 2008:
1. Jacob schemed for what was already his. Esau sold his birthright (and its spiritual implications) to satisfy his physical hunger.
2. In Esau we are warned not to satisfy physical appetites at the expense of spiritual values. In Jacob we are warned against scheming, manipulating people, circumstances, and even God in seeking spiritual things (pursuing them by the sinful nature rather than by the Spirit).
3. Kent & Barbara Hughes in their book Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome
define true success as: faithfulness, serving, loving God, believing, prayer, holiness, and (a good, positive) attitude.
4. According to the Hughes, we should ask the following questions concerning holiness: Are we being desensitized by the present evil world; where do our minds wander when we have no duties to perform; what are we reading; what dvd’s, videos are we renting (what websites are we going to); and finally, how many chapters of the Bible did we read last week?
Monday, November 24, 2008
Reversal of Fortune, Part 2
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of November 23, 2008:
1. “Waiting on God is an act of faith—the greatest thing ever required of us humans. Not faith in the outcome we are dictating to God, jut faith in His character, faith in Himself. It is resting in the perfect confidence that He will guide in the right way at the right time. He will supply our need. He will fulfill His word. He will give us the very best if we trust Him.” (Elizabeth Elliot)
2. Difficulty forges character. In our lives, God’s good things are birthed through the pain of failure, difficulty, challenges, hurts.
3. Parents must guard against showing favoritism in the family. Showing favoritism is one way that parents can exasperate or embitter their children (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21).
4. God’s election is not based upon merit but upon grace. He chooses Jacob (the younger) over Esau (the eldest), reversing the natural order. His choice was made before they were born or had done anything good or bad (Romans 9:6-14).
Recap of November 23, 2008:
1. “Waiting on God is an act of faith—the greatest thing ever required of us humans. Not faith in the outcome we are dictating to God, jut faith in His character, faith in Himself. It is resting in the perfect confidence that He will guide in the right way at the right time. He will supply our need. He will fulfill His word. He will give us the very best if we trust Him.” (Elizabeth Elliot)
2. Difficulty forges character. In our lives, God’s good things are birthed through the pain of failure, difficulty, challenges, hurts.
3. Parents must guard against showing favoritism in the family. Showing favoritism is one way that parents can exasperate or embitter their children (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21).
4. God’s election is not based upon merit but upon grace. He chooses Jacob (the younger) over Esau (the eldest), reversing the natural order. His choice was made before they were born or had done anything good or bad (Romans 9:6-14).
Monday, November 17, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Reversal of Fortune
Click here to download the sermon file.
The sermon recap from November 9, 2008:
1. Though Abraham had sons other than Isaac, sons by Keturah, as well as Ishmael by Hagar, none of them were of the promised line, the line of Christ (see Matthew 1). Abraham treated his other sons well, but sent them away to preserve and safeguard Isaac’s inheritance. Abraham ordered his life around God’s promises to the very end: “…thru Isaac your offspring will be reckoned” (Genesis 21:12).
2. Abraham died at the age of 175. Verse 8 notes that he died at a good old age and “full of years.” That means “full of life” or “satisfied.” How important it is for us to live well-to live a full life, not just mark time ‘til our death. That was Moses’ prayer in Psalm 90: that God would teach him to live well, to live “wisely and well,” in whatever years God had allotted to him.
3. Genesis also records that Abraham was “gathered to his people,” a reference to the fact that death is not extinction, those who die continue in existence after death, awaiting a day of resurrection. Those who are believers in Jesus Christ (who have placed their faith in Christ alone for salvation) go into his presence to await the resurrection of the body. Those who are unbelievers go into Hades (the temporary place of the unsaved dead) to await the resurrection of the body, after which they will be cast into the Lake of Fire (which is eternal death, away from the presence of God).
The sermon recap from November 9, 2008:
1. Though Abraham had sons other than Isaac, sons by Keturah, as well as Ishmael by Hagar, none of them were of the promised line, the line of Christ (see Matthew 1). Abraham treated his other sons well, but sent them away to preserve and safeguard Isaac’s inheritance. Abraham ordered his life around God’s promises to the very end: “…thru Isaac your offspring will be reckoned” (Genesis 21:12).
2. Abraham died at the age of 175. Verse 8 notes that he died at a good old age and “full of years.” That means “full of life” or “satisfied.” How important it is for us to live well-to live a full life, not just mark time ‘til our death. That was Moses’ prayer in Psalm 90: that God would teach him to live well, to live “wisely and well,” in whatever years God had allotted to him.
3. Genesis also records that Abraham was “gathered to his people,” a reference to the fact that death is not extinction, those who die continue in existence after death, awaiting a day of resurrection. Those who are believers in Jesus Christ (who have placed their faith in Christ alone for salvation) go into his presence to await the resurrection of the body. Those who are unbelievers go into Hades (the temporary place of the unsaved dead) to await the resurrection of the body, after which they will be cast into the Lake of Fire (which is eternal death, away from the presence of God).
Love Story B.C. Part 2
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of the sermon from November 2, 2008:
1. Among the many important things we should be praying for our children; such as that they might come to trust Christ as Savior early in life, that they be protected from the evil one in each area of their lives (physical, spiritual, emotional), that they be single-heartedly sold out to Jesus Christ; we should pray for their future mate, that they be kept from the wrong mate and saved for the right one.2. Abraham’s servant was successful in his missions because: he planned (leaving room for God to work)(James 4:13-15), he prayed, and he persisted.3. Principles of God’s leading in our lives:-we must be committed to and growing in the Word of God-we must be open to God’s leading-we must be watching for God’s leading, seeing Him in our circumstances-we must be committed to prayer-we must praise God when the answer comes-we must not be deterred
Recap of the sermon from November 2, 2008:
1. Among the many important things we should be praying for our children; such as that they might come to trust Christ as Savior early in life, that they be protected from the evil one in each area of their lives (physical, spiritual, emotional), that they be single-heartedly sold out to Jesus Christ; we should pray for their future mate, that they be kept from the wrong mate and saved for the right one.2. Abraham’s servant was successful in his missions because: he planned (leaving room for God to work)(James 4:13-15), he prayed, and he persisted.3. Principles of God’s leading in our lives:-we must be committed to and growing in the Word of God-we must be open to God’s leading-we must be watching for God’s leading, seeing Him in our circumstances-we must be committed to prayer-we must praise God when the answer comes-we must not be deterred
Monday, October 27, 2008
Love Story B.C.
Click here to download the sermon file.
Due to technical difficulties, this recording begins with the sermon already well underway.
Here's a re-cap of the sermon from October 26, 2008:
1. The need to find a bride for Isaac is another occasion for Abraham to exercise his faith in God in Genesis 24. As the son of promise his marrying was integral to the fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham.
2. Abraham shows his faith in his two concerns for Isaac’s marriage:
-that he not marry a Canaanite girl (there was to be no confusion about the land having been a supernatural gift to Abraham and his family from God-not by Isaac marrying well)
-that he not return to Abraham’s native land (God’s promises were tied to the land, Isaac must not leave it)
3. Eliezer (Abraham’s servant) prayed and “put out a fleece” (a concept that comes from Judges 6:36-40).
4. Because we have the Word of God, the Spirit of God within us, the providence of God, and prayer as resources for determining God’s direction we in the church age should not live by the “fleece.”
Due to technical difficulties, this recording begins with the sermon already well underway.
Here's a re-cap of the sermon from October 26, 2008:
1. The need to find a bride for Isaac is another occasion for Abraham to exercise his faith in God in Genesis 24. As the son of promise his marrying was integral to the fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham.
2. Abraham shows his faith in his two concerns for Isaac’s marriage:
-that he not marry a Canaanite girl (there was to be no confusion about the land having been a supernatural gift to Abraham and his family from God-not by Isaac marrying well)
-that he not return to Abraham’s native land (God’s promises were tied to the land, Isaac must not leave it)
3. Eliezer (Abraham’s servant) prayed and “put out a fleece” (a concept that comes from Judges 6:36-40).
4. Because we have the Word of God, the Spirit of God within us, the providence of God, and prayer as resources for determining God’s direction we in the church age should not live by the “fleece.”
Monday, October 20, 2008
Faith and The Future
Click here to download the sermon file from Sunday, October 19, 2008 from the study of Genesis. This sermon is from Chapter 22.
Here's a re-cap:
1. Abraham demonstrates his faith in God’s promises by, contrary to custom of that day, burying Sarah in the land of promise. There was no turning back in his life from God’s path for him and his family.
2. Physical and spiritual death is the result of sin brought about by the fall of mankind in Adam and Eve, in Genesis 3. Death is always a reminder of sin’s power broken at the cross by Jesus Christ. Believers need no longer fear death but can live and hope and die without fear.
3. “The deaths of patriarchs and saints are brutal reminders that people are sinners. Death brings out mourning. But death in this passage is a basis for hope. The point is that God’s promises to those in the faith are not exhausted in this life. As Abraham in hope bought a grave site in the land, so believers today have a hope beyond this life. The time of death--when one’s natural inclination is to mourn as the world mourns—should be the time of the believer’s greatest demonstration of faith, for the recipient of God’s promises has a hope beyond the grave.” (Dr. Allen Ross)
Here's a re-cap:
1. Abraham demonstrates his faith in God’s promises by, contrary to custom of that day, burying Sarah in the land of promise. There was no turning back in his life from God’s path for him and his family.
2. Physical and spiritual death is the result of sin brought about by the fall of mankind in Adam and Eve, in Genesis 3. Death is always a reminder of sin’s power broken at the cross by Jesus Christ. Believers need no longer fear death but can live and hope and die without fear.
3. “The deaths of patriarchs and saints are brutal reminders that people are sinners. Death brings out mourning. But death in this passage is a basis for hope. The point is that God’s promises to those in the faith are not exhausted in this life. As Abraham in hope bought a grave site in the land, so believers today have a hope beyond this life. The time of death--when one’s natural inclination is to mourn as the world mourns—should be the time of the believer’s greatest demonstration of faith, for the recipient of God’s promises has a hope beyond the grave.” (Dr. Allen Ross)
Monday, October 06, 2008
How To Ace A Test
Click here to download the sermon file.
Re-cap of the sermon from October 5, 2008:
1. Abraham faced the greatest test of faith in his life in Genesis 22. God was testing him to prove and increase his faith. What to Abraham must have seemed a most severe trial was in fact a moment of great promise and hope.
2. God tests our faith today for much the same reasons. According to James 1:2-4, trials build perseverance and cause our faith to mature. Peter similarly, in 1 Peter 1:6,7, says that trials prove the genuineness of our faith and our proper response to them will bring glory to Jesus when He returns.
3. Lessons about true worship from Genesis 22 (by Dr. Allen Ross):
-faith obeys completely the Word of God
-faith surrenders the best to God, holding nothing back
-faith waits on the Lord to provide all one’s needs.
Re-cap of the sermon from October 5, 2008:
1. Abraham faced the greatest test of faith in his life in Genesis 22. God was testing him to prove and increase his faith. What to Abraham must have seemed a most severe trial was in fact a moment of great promise and hope.
2. God tests our faith today for much the same reasons. According to James 1:2-4, trials build perseverance and cause our faith to mature. Peter similarly, in 1 Peter 1:6,7, says that trials prove the genuineness of our faith and our proper response to them will bring glory to Jesus when He returns.
3. Lessons about true worship from Genesis 22 (by Dr. Allen Ross):
-faith obeys completely the Word of God
-faith surrenders the best to God, holding nothing back
-faith waits on the Lord to provide all one’s needs.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
God's Inconvenient Leisure
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of the sermon from September 21, 2008:
1. Five truths from Genesis 21:1,2 (A.W. Pink, Gleanings in Genesis)
-God is in no hurry in working out His plans
-Nothing can hinder or thwart God’s working out His plan
-God is faithful to perform what He as promised (no matter how impossible it seems to us)
-Faith is tried and tested (“A faith that is incapable of enduring trial is no faith at all.”)
-God has set a time for the accomplishing of His will and the fulfilling of His Word.
2. If you’re going through a desert time in your life (what some describe as a time of “waiting, hoping, longing”):
-take time to grow near to God, grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus
-give yourself to service
-keep up your daily responsibilities
-don’t withdraw, give up, or get locked in self-pity
Recap of the sermon from September 21, 2008:
1. Five truths from Genesis 21:1,2 (A.W. Pink, Gleanings in Genesis)
-God is in no hurry in working out His plans
-Nothing can hinder or thwart God’s working out His plan
-God is faithful to perform what He as promised (no matter how impossible it seems to us)
-Faith is tried and tested (“A faith that is incapable of enduring trial is no faith at all.”)
-God has set a time for the accomplishing of His will and the fulfilling of His Word.
2. If you’re going through a desert time in your life (what some describe as a time of “waiting, hoping, longing”):
-take time to grow near to God, grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus
-give yourself to service
-keep up your daily responsibilities
-don’t withdraw, give up, or get locked in self-pity
Monday, September 15, 2008
God Delivers, Part 2
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of September 14, 2008:
1. “To be afraid is to not fully trust God… Fear and lack of trust go hand in hand; where you find one you will find the other. So if we are to understand why we do fear, we must understand why we don’t trust God.” (Patrick Morley).
2. When we are consumed with fear because we believe we are at the mercy of other people we are entrapped by that negative emotion. The answer is to trust that God is ultimately in control of our lives, nothing can touch that He doesn’t permit. Fear must give way to faith (Psalms 56:3; 94:19).
3. How do we explain Abraham’s (and our) lapse into an old and familiar sin:
-even after salvation, the sin nature remains in us seeking to enslave us; we must yield instead to the Holy Spirit (Romans 7:18; Galatians 5)
-older believers (who should know better) as well as young, inexperienced believers are subject to failure. We must always be vigilant.
-sin we haven’t dealt with will come back to exert its power over us
-we may have a particular weakness (i.e. a “besetting sin”) (Hebrews 12)
-we all face circumstances/challenges/reversals/trials that stress us and cause us to revert if we aren’t careful
-we have a tendency toward self-sufficiency, independence. Scheming instead of believing God
-Satan seeks to make us ineffective (even destroy us physically) to silence us.
4. We must resist sin; confess it when we fail; cry out to God for help (1 Corinthians 12:13); learn scripture dealing with our sin; memorize and meditate upon it; and ultimately see that sin is a violation of our love relationship with God.
Recap of September 14, 2008:
1. “To be afraid is to not fully trust God… Fear and lack of trust go hand in hand; where you find one you will find the other. So if we are to understand why we do fear, we must understand why we don’t trust God.” (Patrick Morley).
2. When we are consumed with fear because we believe we are at the mercy of other people we are entrapped by that negative emotion. The answer is to trust that God is ultimately in control of our lives, nothing can touch that He doesn’t permit. Fear must give way to faith (Psalms 56:3; 94:19).
3. How do we explain Abraham’s (and our) lapse into an old and familiar sin:
-even after salvation, the sin nature remains in us seeking to enslave us; we must yield instead to the Holy Spirit (Romans 7:18; Galatians 5)
-older believers (who should know better) as well as young, inexperienced believers are subject to failure. We must always be vigilant.
-sin we haven’t dealt with will come back to exert its power over us
-we may have a particular weakness (i.e. a “besetting sin”) (Hebrews 12)
-we all face circumstances/challenges/reversals/trials that stress us and cause us to revert if we aren’t careful
-we have a tendency toward self-sufficiency, independence. Scheming instead of believing God
-Satan seeks to make us ineffective (even destroy us physically) to silence us.
4. We must resist sin; confess it when we fail; cry out to God for help (1 Corinthians 12:13); learn scripture dealing with our sin; memorize and meditate upon it; and ultimately see that sin is a violation of our love relationship with God.
Monday, September 08, 2008
God Delivers
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of the September 7, 2008 sermon:
1. Abraham lapses into a 25 year old sin when he once again passes off Sarah as his sister, instead of as his wife. In doing so he, humanly speaking, puts in jeopardy God’s promise of a son, the son of promise through Sarah (Gen 17:19).
2. These incidents seem to be the basis for Peter’s praise of Sarah as an example of a woman of faith who, despite her husband’s unwise actions, trusts God with her fear. (1 Peter 3:1-6).
3. As with Abraham, who earlier interceded for the righteous in Sodom (Gen 18:23), Abimelech (king of Gerar) intercedes for his innocent people. Only in this instance, Abraham is the wicked one and Abimelech and his people are the innocents. This is a rebuke from God to Abraham for his actions. As a writer said: “He certainly stumbled in his walk of faith and caused God’s judgment to come on Abimelech.”
4. Abraham who was to be a blessing to the nations, instead in this instance he is having a negative impact. Instead of upholding righteousness, he is holding God up to ridicule.
5. Based on Gen 20 we must: deal decisively with sin in our lives (especially with the world watching); deal with fear; affect the world positively, not just negatively.
Recap of the September 7, 2008 sermon:
1. Abraham lapses into a 25 year old sin when he once again passes off Sarah as his sister, instead of as his wife. In doing so he, humanly speaking, puts in jeopardy God’s promise of a son, the son of promise through Sarah (Gen 17:19).
2. These incidents seem to be the basis for Peter’s praise of Sarah as an example of a woman of faith who, despite her husband’s unwise actions, trusts God with her fear. (1 Peter 3:1-6).
3. As with Abraham, who earlier interceded for the righteous in Sodom (Gen 18:23), Abimelech (king of Gerar) intercedes for his innocent people. Only in this instance, Abraham is the wicked one and Abimelech and his people are the innocents. This is a rebuke from God to Abraham for his actions. As a writer said: “He certainly stumbled in his walk of faith and caused God’s judgment to come on Abimelech.”
4. Abraham who was to be a blessing to the nations, instead in this instance he is having a negative impact. Instead of upholding righteousness, he is holding God up to ridicule.
5. Based on Gen 20 we must: deal decisively with sin in our lives (especially with the world watching); deal with fear; affect the world positively, not just negatively.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Remember Lot's Wife & Other Good Advice
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of August 31, 2008 sermon:
1. Genesis 19 is a warning to unbelievers about sin and judgment. God’s patience with sinners has an end.
2. Genesis 19 is a warning to believers about getting too cozy with the world and its tragic consequences.
3. The chapter describes the tragic unraveling of Lot’s family. From his first leering look at Sodom and the cities of the plain (Gen 13:10), to pitching his tents near Sodom (Gen 13:12), to living in the city (Gen 14:12), to becoming a leading citizen of it (Gen 19:1), Lot’s life was a lie. He had no positive spiritual influence over the city or even his own family. As one writer said: “…it was difficult to get Lot out of Sodom, and Sodom out of Lot’s family.”
4. As with Lot, so much of life is made up of small decisions that have momentous impact on the course of our lives and on the lives of our families. A commentator said: “Where did Lot lose his dignity and faith? Not in big earth-shaking decisions but in making numerous small choices that left God out of his life.”
Recap of August 31, 2008 sermon:
1. Genesis 19 is a warning to unbelievers about sin and judgment. God’s patience with sinners has an end.
2. Genesis 19 is a warning to believers about getting too cozy with the world and its tragic consequences.
3. The chapter describes the tragic unraveling of Lot’s family. From his first leering look at Sodom and the cities of the plain (Gen 13:10), to pitching his tents near Sodom (Gen 13:12), to living in the city (Gen 14:12), to becoming a leading citizen of it (Gen 19:1), Lot’s life was a lie. He had no positive spiritual influence over the city or even his own family. As one writer said: “…it was difficult to get Lot out of Sodom, and Sodom out of Lot’s family.”
4. As with Lot, so much of life is made up of small decisions that have momentous impact on the course of our lives and on the lives of our families. A commentator said: “Where did Lot lose his dignity and faith? Not in big earth-shaking decisions but in making numerous small choices that left God out of his life.”
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Let's Make A Deal, Pt 2
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of August 24, 2008:
1. In Genesis 18 we learn about the justice of God:
-He never acts capriciously (never in haste, never rashly, never ill-informed)
-He will withhold judgment for the sake of the righteous
-He will judge the unrighteous and preserve the righteous in the midst of judgment
-we must intercede for the righteous and unrighteous in our culture
2. Abraham is an example for us of intercession
-He began by acknowledging God’s justice (the rightness of His actions, He always acts rightly)
-He prays for the preservation of the righteous
-He prays for the unrighteous to be spared
-He prays boldly and persistently
-He prays on the basis of his knowledge of God’s character
Recap of August 24, 2008:
1. In Genesis 18 we learn about the justice of God:
-He never acts capriciously (never in haste, never rashly, never ill-informed)
-He will withhold judgment for the sake of the righteous
-He will judge the unrighteous and preserve the righteous in the midst of judgment
-we must intercede for the righteous and unrighteous in our culture
2. Abraham is an example for us of intercession
-He began by acknowledging God’s justice (the rightness of His actions, He always acts rightly)
-He prays for the preservation of the righteous
-He prays for the unrighteous to be spared
-He prays boldly and persistently
-He prays on the basis of his knowledge of God’s character
Monday, August 18, 2008
Let's Make A Deal
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of August 17, 2008:
Suggestions from the Compact Guide to the Christian Life by K.C. Hinckley about the things what parents should teach their children and how they should go about it:
-We must train our children: to pray, to worship, to read the Bible with understanding and benefit, to turn to Jesus when in need, to know the central truths of the faith, to love others, to love self, to obey authority, to control their impulses (i.e. to learn to delay gratification), to act responsibly, to deal with the moral conflicts of secular life, and to manage the practical skills of living on the earth (e.g. pay bills on time, managing a checkbook [or debit card], washing cloths, cooking, driving, living within their means, etc.)
-Training them starts with giving them lots of affections (eye contact, attentive listening, time alone with you); we must be an example of what we are trying to teach them (not “do what I say, not what I do”); we must teach them verbally, in both planned times and teachable moments of life; we must be consistent in discipline; as spouses we must be united in discipline; we must seek support from other Christians; and we must take the long view (realizing there may be set backs along the way).
Recap of August 17, 2008:
Suggestions from the Compact Guide to the Christian Life by K.C. Hinckley about the things what parents should teach their children and how they should go about it:
-We must train our children: to pray, to worship, to read the Bible with understanding and benefit, to turn to Jesus when in need, to know the central truths of the faith, to love others, to love self, to obey authority, to control their impulses (i.e. to learn to delay gratification), to act responsibly, to deal with the moral conflicts of secular life, and to manage the practical skills of living on the earth (e.g. pay bills on time, managing a checkbook [or debit card], washing cloths, cooking, driving, living within their means, etc.)
-Training them starts with giving them lots of affections (eye contact, attentive listening, time alone with you); we must be an example of what we are trying to teach them (not “do what I say, not what I do”); we must teach them verbally, in both planned times and teachable moments of life; we must be consistent in discipline; as spouses we must be united in discipline; we must seek support from other Christians; and we must take the long view (realizing there may be set backs along the way).
Monday, August 11, 2008
Guess Who's Coming To Dinner? (Pt 2)
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of the sermon from August 10, 2008:
1. As He had done previously with Abraham, God now stretches Sarah’s faith in announcing that at the age of 90 she would have a son.
2. Sarah’s response of laughter brought God’s rebuke and statement of His power, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” (vs. 14). The repeated assertion of Scripture is that nothing is too hard or impossible with God (Luke 1:34-37); He can do all things, no plan of His can be thwarted (Job 42:2). Nothing is too hard for the God who by His power and hand made heaven and earth (Jeremiah 32:17).
3. We must believe, along with Sarah and Abraham, that God can do the impossible, that no matter what situation we face, however hopeless it seems, nothing is too hard for Him.
4. God revealed His plans to Abraham concerning Sodom and Gomorrah because of Abraham’s influence over the nations, but especially because of his influence over his own household. It was his responsibility (as it is parental responsibility today) to teach them to live righteously and justly. What would happen to Sodom would be an example to them of that need.
Recap of the sermon from August 10, 2008:
1. As He had done previously with Abraham, God now stretches Sarah’s faith in announcing that at the age of 90 she would have a son.
2. Sarah’s response of laughter brought God’s rebuke and statement of His power, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” (vs. 14). The repeated assertion of Scripture is that nothing is too hard or impossible with God (Luke 1:34-37); He can do all things, no plan of His can be thwarted (Job 42:2). Nothing is too hard for the God who by His power and hand made heaven and earth (Jeremiah 32:17).
3. We must believe, along with Sarah and Abraham, that God can do the impossible, that no matter what situation we face, however hopeless it seems, nothing is too hard for Him.
4. God revealed His plans to Abraham concerning Sodom and Gomorrah because of Abraham’s influence over the nations, but especially because of his influence over his own household. It was his responsibility (as it is parental responsibility today) to teach them to live righteously and justly. What would happen to Sodom would be an example to them of that need.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of August 3, 2008:
1. Two key questions dominate Genesis 18:
-“Is anything too hard for the LORD?” (18:14)
-“Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (18:25)
2. Abraham receives three visitors: The Lord (a Christophany: a pre-incarnation appearance of Jesus Christ), and two angels.
3. Verses 1-8 illustrate the life of intimate fellowship with Jesus. Jesus made Himself at home with His friend Abraham (James 2:23). He ate with him, He revealed future plans with Him.
4. As believers, we are to have that same intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ. Paul prays for believers that Christ may be completely at home in our hearts.
5. Author Robert Boyd Munger raises the question “Is Christ at home in every part of our lives hearts)? (Article: “My Heart Christ’s Home,” Navpress). Is He at home in our thought life; in our appetites, desires, and motivation; in our devotional life; in our talents and gifts; in our entertainment; is hidden sin marring His comfort?; does He have title to our hearts?
Recap of August 3, 2008:
1. Two key questions dominate Genesis 18:
-“Is anything too hard for the LORD?” (18:14)
-“Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (18:25)
2. Abraham receives three visitors: The Lord (a Christophany: a pre-incarnation appearance of Jesus Christ), and two angels.
3. Verses 1-8 illustrate the life of intimate fellowship with Jesus. Jesus made Himself at home with His friend Abraham (James 2:23). He ate with him, He revealed future plans with Him.
4. As believers, we are to have that same intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ. Paul prays for believers that Christ may be completely at home in our hearts.
5. Author Robert Boyd Munger raises the question “Is Christ at home in every part of our lives hearts)? (Article: “My Heart Christ’s Home,” Navpress). Is He at home in our thought life; in our appetites, desires, and motivation; in our devotional life; in our talents and gifts; in our entertainment; is hidden sin marring His comfort?; does He have title to our hearts?
Monday, July 28, 2008
What's In A Name?
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“What’s in a Name?” - Pastor Joe Ricchuiti
Reference: Genesis 17:1-15 and Psalm 107:23
I. A new name vv. 1-8
II. A new sign vv. 9-14
III. A new son vv. 15-22
IV. A new obedience vv. 23-27
Recap of July 27, 2008:
1. “God’s opportunity does not come until man’s extremity is reached. This is a lesson we sorely need to take to heart, for it is of great practical importance. The Lord has a reason for all His delays. God not only does that which is right and best but He always acts at the right and best time.” (A. W. Pink)
2. God had to wait to fulfill His promises until Abram and Sarai had gotten to the end of themselves, “at their wit’s end” (Psalm 107:23-32), so to speak.
3. God introduced Himself to Abram with the name “God Almighty” (El Shaddai), which means “the God Who is sufficient.” He has the might to accomplish all He promises, so that He is sufficient for my crisis/challenge, my marriage, my family/children, my needs, my career, and my hopes and dreams.
4. God calls Abram to complete surrender. He is not interested in half-hearted obedience.
5. Abram’s obedience was immediate (vv. 23-27). It is not enough to say that we love God, to sing it or to pray it. We must show it in our actions. (Lawrence Richards)
“What’s in a Name?” - Pastor Joe Ricchuiti
Reference: Genesis 17:1-15 and Psalm 107:23
I. A new name vv. 1-8
II. A new sign vv. 9-14
III. A new son vv. 15-22
IV. A new obedience vv. 23-27
Recap of July 27, 2008:
1. “God’s opportunity does not come until man’s extremity is reached. This is a lesson we sorely need to take to heart, for it is of great practical importance. The Lord has a reason for all His delays. God not only does that which is right and best but He always acts at the right and best time.” (A. W. Pink)
2. God had to wait to fulfill His promises until Abram and Sarai had gotten to the end of themselves, “at their wit’s end” (Psalm 107:23-32), so to speak.
3. God introduced Himself to Abram with the name “God Almighty” (El Shaddai), which means “the God Who is sufficient.” He has the might to accomplish all He promises, so that He is sufficient for my crisis/challenge, my marriage, my family/children, my needs, my career, and my hopes and dreams.
4. God calls Abram to complete surrender. He is not interested in half-hearted obedience.
5. Abram’s obedience was immediate (vv. 23-27). It is not enough to say that we love God, to sing it or to pray it. We must show it in our actions. (Lawrence Richards)
Monday, July 21, 2008
Waiting Inpatiently
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Today's message is from Genesis 16:1 - 15
A recap of the notes is as follows:
July 20, 2008:
1. Dr. Allen Ross identifies in Abraham, in Genesis 1,6 a cycle of events which occur when we get impatient over God’s delays:
-there are moments of weakness, which lead to
-alternative plans (to God’s) not characterized by faith, which result in
-human efforts to assist God in fulfilling His promises, which causes
-complications in our lives
2. When we take matters into our own hands and do not wait for God:
-we fail to take proper leadership
-we hurt those we love
-we hurt those we use
-we cause lingering complications in our lives and the lives of others
Today's message is from Genesis 16:1 - 15
A recap of the notes is as follows:
July 20, 2008:
1. Dr. Allen Ross identifies in Abraham, in Genesis 1,6 a cycle of events which occur when we get impatient over God’s delays:
-there are moments of weakness, which lead to
-alternative plans (to God’s) not characterized by faith, which result in
-human efforts to assist God in fulfilling His promises, which causes
-complications in our lives
2. When we take matters into our own hands and do not wait for God:
-we fail to take proper leadership
-we hurt those we love
-we hurt those we use
-we cause lingering complications in our lives and the lives of others
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Faith Conquers Fear, Part 2
Click here to download the sermon file.
The sermon recap from July 13, 2008:
1. In tough situations of delay or discouragement we must remember Whose we are. God will protect us and provide for us. “God is our protection and provision, so we need not fear the enemy without or our feelings within.” (Warren Wiersbe)
2. God had to once again get Abram to look up (vs. 5 cp. with Genesis 13:4). We are too often focused on ourselves, our circumstances, or those around us; all the while God is trying to get us focused on Him and His blessings/promises.
3. The Hebrew word translated “believe” in vs. 6 is related to the word translated “amen.” To believe is to say amen to what God has said.
4. Paul uses Genesis 15:6 in Romans 4:1-5,20-24 and Galatians 3:6-9 to illustrate the great truth that justification (a standing of positive righteousness in God’s sight-God sees us with the righteousness of Jesus) on the basis of faith, not on the basis of works. We began the Christian life by faith and we continue to please God by faith, not by works.
5. “Faith gave Abraham his security. God would be Abraham’s protector; God would prosper his life; God would take fear from Abraham’s heart and give him courage.” (Life Application Bible)
The sermon recap from July 13, 2008:
1. In tough situations of delay or discouragement we must remember Whose we are. God will protect us and provide for us. “God is our protection and provision, so we need not fear the enemy without or our feelings within.” (Warren Wiersbe)
2. God had to once again get Abram to look up (vs. 5 cp. with Genesis 13:4). We are too often focused on ourselves, our circumstances, or those around us; all the while God is trying to get us focused on Him and His blessings/promises.
3. The Hebrew word translated “believe” in vs. 6 is related to the word translated “amen.” To believe is to say amen to what God has said.
4. Paul uses Genesis 15:6 in Romans 4:1-5,20-24 and Galatians 3:6-9 to illustrate the great truth that justification (a standing of positive righteousness in God’s sight-God sees us with the righteousness of Jesus) on the basis of faith, not on the basis of works. We began the Christian life by faith and we continue to please God by faith, not by works.
5. “Faith gave Abraham his security. God would be Abraham’s protector; God would prosper his life; God would take fear from Abraham’s heart and give him courage.” (Life Application Bible)
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Faith Conquers Fear
Click here to download the sermon file.
Selecting today's sermon will open a file of the July 6th sermon already in progress.
Recap from July 6, 2008:
1. In Chapter 15 Abram is fearful. His fear may have been caused by: fear of reprisal by the Eastern Kings he had just raided; by second thoughts about having refused the spoils of the victory of Chapter 14; or by the delay of God giving him a child, on which the promises of God hinged.
2. As God does throughout the Scripture for His people, He encouraged Abram (other Scriptures where God encouraged the discouraged are John 9:35 and Acts 23:11).
3. God told Abram to focus on Him. He was his shield (protection, safety) and his reward (no earthly material gain could compare with what Abram had in God).
4. When we find ourselves fearful and discouraged we are, in effect, doubting God’s character and His provision for us. Abram was “… as safe as God Himself could keep Him” and “… as happy as God Himself could make him.” (Matthew Henry)
Selecting today's sermon will open a file of the July 6th sermon already in progress.
Recap from July 6, 2008:
1. In Chapter 15 Abram is fearful. His fear may have been caused by: fear of reprisal by the Eastern Kings he had just raided; by second thoughts about having refused the spoils of the victory of Chapter 14; or by the delay of God giving him a child, on which the promises of God hinged.
2. As God does throughout the Scripture for His people, He encouraged Abram (other Scriptures where God encouraged the discouraged are John 9:35 and Acts 23:11).
3. God told Abram to focus on Him. He was his shield (protection, safety) and his reward (no earthly material gain could compare with what Abram had in God).
4. When we find ourselves fearful and discouraged we are, in effect, doubting God’s character and His provision for us. Abram was “… as safe as God Himself could keep Him” and “… as happy as God Himself could make him.” (Matthew Henry)
Monday, June 30, 2008
What's Appealing About Right Living? Part 2
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of the message from June 29, 2008:
1. Lot illustrates the futility of living for riches. Though he chose the best of the land (Genesis 13) here he and his family and possessions are taken captive. (Matthew 6:19-21,24)
2. When Abram learns of Lot’s predicament he springs into action to rescue him, despite their negative earlier dealings.
3. We must be ready to restore fellow Christians caught in sin or carrying crushing burdens. We must be ready to restore even those who have wronged us. As we have opportunity we must do good to believers first and then unbelievers. (Galatians 6:1-4,9-10)
4. At the moment of temptation God will send a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 4:16). The King of Sodom attempts to compromise Abram and at just the right moment God sent Melchizedek (King of Salem, King of Righteousness) to remind Abram who gave him the victory and to whom he was committed.
5. Abram made sure that only God alone would receive credit for his successes. God alone would receive the glory.
Recap of the message from June 29, 2008:
1. Lot illustrates the futility of living for riches. Though he chose the best of the land (Genesis 13) here he and his family and possessions are taken captive. (Matthew 6:19-21,24)
2. When Abram learns of Lot’s predicament he springs into action to rescue him, despite their negative earlier dealings.
3. We must be ready to restore fellow Christians caught in sin or carrying crushing burdens. We must be ready to restore even those who have wronged us. As we have opportunity we must do good to believers first and then unbelievers. (Galatians 6:1-4,9-10)
4. At the moment of temptation God will send a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 4:16). The King of Sodom attempts to compromise Abram and at just the right moment God sent Melchizedek (King of Salem, King of Righteousness) to remind Abram who gave him the victory and to whom he was committed.
5. Abram made sure that only God alone would receive credit for his successes. God alone would receive the glory.
Monday, June 23, 2008
What's Appealing About Right Living?
Click here to download the sermon file.
The June 22, 2008 message is taken from Genesis 14:1-24
Recap:
1. The historicity of Genesis 14 was questioned until archaeologists found evidence supporting the content of the chapter. “This story, perhaps more than any other from patriarchal times, was challenged by liberal scholars for its historical value until recent years. The thinking was that kings as far away as lower Mesopotamia did not make military expeditions this far from home. However, archaeological research has prompted marked change in the viewpoint today. The facts of the story are now found to fit conditions of Abraham’s time.” (A Survey of Israel’s History,” p. 51).
2. The reliability of the Bible is verified by six lines of evidence illustrated by the acronym UFACTS: Unity & consistency, fulfilled prophecy, archaeology, canonicity, transmission, and self-testimony.
3. The Bible warns the believer against: friendship with the world (by “world” we mean the world system which is anti-God and under the control of Satan) (James 4:4); loving the world
(1 John 2:15-17); and being conformed to the world (Romans 12:2).
The June 22, 2008 message is taken from Genesis 14:1-24
Recap:
1. The historicity of Genesis 14 was questioned until archaeologists found evidence supporting the content of the chapter. “This story, perhaps more than any other from patriarchal times, was challenged by liberal scholars for its historical value until recent years. The thinking was that kings as far away as lower Mesopotamia did not make military expeditions this far from home. However, archaeological research has prompted marked change in the viewpoint today. The facts of the story are now found to fit conditions of Abraham’s time.” (A Survey of Israel’s History,” p. 51).
2. The reliability of the Bible is verified by six lines of evidence illustrated by the acronym UFACTS: Unity & consistency, fulfilled prophecy, archaeology, canonicity, transmission, and self-testimony.
3. The Bible warns the believer against: friendship with the world (by “world” we mean the world system which is anti-God and under the control of Satan) (James 4:4); loving the world
(1 John 2:15-17); and being conformed to the world (Romans 12:2).
Monday, June 16, 2008
The God of New Beginnings, Pt 2
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of June 15, 2008 message:
1. One thing that we can count on in our Christian life is that our faith will be tested. God allows tests to bring us to maturity (James 1:2-4) and to purify our faith and prove its genuineness.
2. Living by faith allows us to be generous with others, generous in forgiveness, in love, and in material things. Living by sight causes us to be grasping and stingy.
3. “Eyegate is one of the avenues through which temptations assail the soul…” (Arthur W. Pink) “Eve saw that the fruit was good for food, pleasing to the eye, desirable for gaining wisdom.” (Genesis 3:6) Achan in Joshua 7:21 explaining his disobedience: “I saw…I coveted…I took.”
3. The choice that is best for us in the decisions of life is the one that is best for our souls. Our decisions are often made on the basis of economics, promotion, opportunity, temporal advantages.
4. What God has to offer to us is better by far than anything the world has to offer.
5. How faith resolves conflict: faith trusts God’s Word; faith doesn’t demand its’ own way; faith doesn’t manipulate or scheme; faith calls us to risk being wronged.
Recap of June 15, 2008 message:
1. One thing that we can count on in our Christian life is that our faith will be tested. God allows tests to bring us to maturity (James 1:2-4) and to purify our faith and prove its genuineness.
2. Living by faith allows us to be generous with others, generous in forgiveness, in love, and in material things. Living by sight causes us to be grasping and stingy.
3. “Eyegate is one of the avenues through which temptations assail the soul…” (Arthur W. Pink) “Eve saw that the fruit was good for food, pleasing to the eye, desirable for gaining wisdom.” (Genesis 3:6) Achan in Joshua 7:21 explaining his disobedience: “I saw…I coveted…I took.”
3. The choice that is best for us in the decisions of life is the one that is best for our souls. Our decisions are often made on the basis of economics, promotion, opportunity, temporal advantages.
4. What God has to offer to us is better by far than anything the world has to offer.
5. How faith resolves conflict: faith trusts God’s Word; faith doesn’t demand its’ own way; faith doesn’t manipulate or scheme; faith calls us to risk being wronged.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The God of New Beginnings
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of the 6/8/08 sermon:
1. Genesis 13 is a comparison of two ways of life; the way of faith (Abram) and the way of the sinful nature (Lot). The way of faith leads to growth, success, peace, and generosity. The way of the sinful nature leads to going away from God, failure, scheming/manipulating your way through life, and selfishness.
2. Abram’s recovery following his failure in Egypt illustrates that our God is a God of new beginnings. No matter how we have failed, a new beginning is available to us if we will confess our failure (sin) to God and accept His restoration (1 John 1:9). We will suffer the consequences of our wrong choices but God will restore us to usefulness. Peter is a prime illustration of this truth (see the aftermath of Peter’s denial of Jesus in Mark 16 and John 21).
3. Peace should always be our objective, but God can use even conflict to accomplish His purposes. A New Testament example of this principle is found in Acts 15:36-40.
Genesis 13:1-18
I. Abram returns vv. 1-4
II. Lot departs vv. 5-13
III. God speaks vv. 14-18
Recap of the 6/8/08 sermon:
1. Genesis 13 is a comparison of two ways of life; the way of faith (Abram) and the way of the sinful nature (Lot). The way of faith leads to growth, success, peace, and generosity. The way of the sinful nature leads to going away from God, failure, scheming/manipulating your way through life, and selfishness.
2. Abram’s recovery following his failure in Egypt illustrates that our God is a God of new beginnings. No matter how we have failed, a new beginning is available to us if we will confess our failure (sin) to God and accept His restoration (1 John 1:9). We will suffer the consequences of our wrong choices but God will restore us to usefulness. Peter is a prime illustration of this truth (see the aftermath of Peter’s denial of Jesus in Mark 16 and John 21).
3. Peace should always be our objective, but God can use even conflict to accomplish His purposes. A New Testament example of this principle is found in Acts 15:36-40.
Genesis 13:1-18
I. Abram returns vv. 1-4
II. Lot departs vv. 5-13
III. God speaks vv. 14-18
Monday, June 02, 2008
Faith and Failure, Part 3
Click here to download the sermon file.Part 3 of the Genesis series from June 1, 2008
(To the left are 2 fragments of pottery that a member acquired when he was in Ur, thought to be about 4,000 year old.)
Recap of June 1, 2008 sermon:
1. The only worthy and reliable object of a Christian’s faith is the Word of God, backed up by the character of God.
2. Our faith is often tested following a new obedience.
3. Our faith is tested as a means of spiritual growth. (James 1:2-4)
4. A test of our faith should lead us to a new appreciation for God and for His Word.
5. Failure in the test of faith: will lead us away from God; into sin; into humiliation.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Faith and Failure, Part 2
Click here to download the sermon file.
This sermon is part 2 in the Genesis series. Scriptural references are taken from Genesis 11:27 through 12:20. The outline is as follows:
1) From Ur to Haran - 11:27-32
2) From Haran to Canaan - 12:1-9
3) From Canaan to Egypt - 12:10-20
Recap of 5/25/08:
1. Abram was called by God when he was still in Ur of the Chaldeans (Acts 7:2-5) to go to a place which God would show him.
“The human race had chosen to go its own way without regard for the God who created them. Then God stepped in. He interrupted the normal routine of Abram’s life with a startling call.” (Larry Richards)
2. Dr. Francis Schaeffer writes: “Abraham was not just some strange wanderer, a Bedouin from the back side of the desert who didn’t know anything.” Excavations of Ur show us that Ur was a highly advanced civilization with whitewashed two-story high homes with well-equipped kitchens, good sanitation, and a high level of learning.
3. The call of God to Abram meant then (and still means to us today) a call from the comfortable, familiar and safe to the uncomfortable, unfamiliar and challenging. God calls us out of our comfort zone to follow Him by faith.
For copies of any message in this series on CD - just e-mail the church office!
This sermon is part 2 in the Genesis series. Scriptural references are taken from Genesis 11:27 through 12:20. The outline is as follows:
1) From Ur to Haran - 11:27-32
2) From Haran to Canaan - 12:1-9
3) From Canaan to Egypt - 12:10-20
Recap of 5/25/08:
1. Abram was called by God when he was still in Ur of the Chaldeans (Acts 7:2-5) to go to a place which God would show him.
“The human race had chosen to go its own way without regard for the God who created them. Then God stepped in. He interrupted the normal routine of Abram’s life with a startling call.” (Larry Richards)
2. Dr. Francis Schaeffer writes: “Abraham was not just some strange wanderer, a Bedouin from the back side of the desert who didn’t know anything.” Excavations of Ur show us that Ur was a highly advanced civilization with whitewashed two-story high homes with well-equipped kitchens, good sanitation, and a high level of learning.
3. The call of God to Abram meant then (and still means to us today) a call from the comfortable, familiar and safe to the uncomfortable, unfamiliar and challenging. God calls us out of our comfort zone to follow Him by faith.
For copies of any message in this series on CD - just e-mail the church office!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Faith and Failure
Click here to download the sermon file.
The How to Maintain Your Spiritual Edge series is complete. For a CD of the entire 15 part series in mp3 format, email the church office at office@delriobiblechurch.com.
Today's first in the Genesis sermon series (actually a continuation from the 2001 study of chapters 1 through 10) is taken from Genesis chapter 11, verse 27 through chapter 12, verse 20. This is a review of chapters 1 through 10 and an introduction to the upcoming Genesis series.
Here's the recap of the sermon notes from the Sunday service, May 18:
1. Hebrews 11:6 says: “And without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
2. Abraham is an important figure to study in regard to the life of faith. He is cited as one of the most prominent “heroes of the faith” in Hebrews chapter 11. In fact, three times in Scripture Abraham is called a “friend of God” (2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23).
3. Dr. Allan Ross says of Abraham in Genesis 12: “The passage points up the faith of Abram, and teaches that faith obeys God. Abram was middle-aged, prosperous, settled and thoroughly pagan. The word of God came to him—though it is not known exactly how—and he responded by faith and obediently left everything to follow God’s plan. That is why he is the epitome of faith in the Bible.”
The How to Maintain Your Spiritual Edge series is complete. For a CD of the entire 15 part series in mp3 format, email the church office at office@delriobiblechurch.com.
Today's first in the Genesis sermon series (actually a continuation from the 2001 study of chapters 1 through 10) is taken from Genesis chapter 11, verse 27 through chapter 12, verse 20. This is a review of chapters 1 through 10 and an introduction to the upcoming Genesis series.
Here's the recap of the sermon notes from the Sunday service, May 18:
1. Hebrews 11:6 says: “And without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
2. Abraham is an important figure to study in regard to the life of faith. He is cited as one of the most prominent “heroes of the faith” in Hebrews chapter 11. In fact, three times in Scripture Abraham is called a “friend of God” (2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23).
3. Dr. Allan Ross says of Abraham in Genesis 12: “The passage points up the faith of Abram, and teaches that faith obeys God. Abram was middle-aged, prosperous, settled and thoroughly pagan. The word of God came to him—though it is not known exactly how—and he responded by faith and obediently left everything to follow God’s plan. That is why he is the epitome of faith in the Bible.”
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
How to Maintain Your Spiritual Edge, Part 15
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of “Maintaining Your Spiritual Edge” series
1. Do I have a regular daily time with God where I replenish my spiritual resources? Mark 1:21-35
2. Is there someone I need to forgive? Am I holding a grudge? Matthew 18:21-35; Ephesians 4:22-32
3. Is there something in my life (an attitude, an activity) of which God cannot approve? Romans 6:2, 11-14
4. Do I yield daily and regularly to the Holy Spirit’s control in my life? Ephesians 5:15-27
5. Do I take reasonable care of my body (food, rest, etc.)? 1 Kings 19:1-8
6. Am I dealing successfully with the frustration and adversity in my life? 2 Corinthians 1:8-12; 12:7-10). Do I face life with enthusiasm?
7. Do I share what God is doing in my life with others? John 7:37-39
8. Do I fellowship with other Christians? 1 John 1:1-10
9. Am I a creative and outgoing person?
10. Do I spend time meditating on the Word of God? Psalm 1; 119:9-16
11. Is a “hidden agenda” ruling my life? Am I “called” or “driven?” Philippians 3:13,14)
12. Am I pre-occupied with myself or with Jesus? Hebrews 12:1-3
Recap of “Maintaining Your Spiritual Edge” series
1. Do I have a regular daily time with God where I replenish my spiritual resources? Mark 1:21-35
2. Is there someone I need to forgive? Am I holding a grudge? Matthew 18:21-35; Ephesians 4:22-32
3. Is there something in my life (an attitude, an activity) of which God cannot approve? Romans 6:2, 11-14
4. Do I yield daily and regularly to the Holy Spirit’s control in my life? Ephesians 5:15-27
5. Do I take reasonable care of my body (food, rest, etc.)? 1 Kings 19:1-8
6. Am I dealing successfully with the frustration and adversity in my life? 2 Corinthians 1:8-12; 12:7-10). Do I face life with enthusiasm?
7. Do I share what God is doing in my life with others? John 7:37-39
8. Do I fellowship with other Christians? 1 John 1:1-10
9. Am I a creative and outgoing person?
10. Do I spend time meditating on the Word of God? Psalm 1; 119:9-16
11. Is a “hidden agenda” ruling my life? Am I “called” or “driven?” Philippians 3:13,14)
12. Am I pre-occupied with myself or with Jesus? Hebrews 12:1-3
Monday, May 05, 2008
How to Maintain Your Spiritual Edge, Part 14
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of 5/4/08
1. According to the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:13,14, issues from our past have a way of making their way into our present and become a hindrance to spiritual growth. Selwyn Hughes calls this a “hidden agenda.”
2. A “hidden agenda” is “an unresolved issue from the past, a negative experience in your past which is influencing your behavior in the present.” (Hughes)
3. According to Gordon MacDonald sources of these hidden agendas (what he calls “drivenness”) are:
- unresolved parental conflicts (homes where “well done” is never heard)(Hughes talks about “mottoes” from our past which drive us today. He gives two examples: “Big boys don’t cry.” “Measure up. The better you do, the more we will love you.”)
-an early experience of deprivation or shame
-being raised in an atmosphere of drivenness
Recap of 5/4/08
1. According to the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:13,14, issues from our past have a way of making their way into our present and become a hindrance to spiritual growth. Selwyn Hughes calls this a “hidden agenda.”
2. A “hidden agenda” is “an unresolved issue from the past, a negative experience in your past which is influencing your behavior in the present.” (Hughes)
3. According to Gordon MacDonald sources of these hidden agendas (what he calls “drivenness”) are:
- unresolved parental conflicts (homes where “well done” is never heard)(Hughes talks about “mottoes” from our past which drive us today. He gives two examples: “Big boys don’t cry.” “Measure up. The better you do, the more we will love you.”)
-an early experience of deprivation or shame
-being raised in an atmosphere of drivenness
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
How to Maintain Your Spiritual Edge, Part 13
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of 4/27/08
1. Gordon MacDonald defines meditation as “ruminating over spiritual food” or as Selwyn Hughes says, “when a Christian takes a text or phrase from Scripture and turns it over and over in his mind, the truth that is contained in that Scripture is fed into his spiritual digestive system and soon becomes part of his personality.”
2. The Navigators 2:7 series suggests the following six methods of meditation over Scripture:
-Paraphrase, put the passage into your own words
- Questions, ask questions about the verse, who, what, when, where, why, how, or random questions
-Prayer, pray about each phrase or thought in the passage, about it’s implications
-Emphasis, emphasize different words or phrases each time you say the verse
-Cross-reference, find other verses which express the same concept as your passage
-Application, apply the truth of the passage to your life in specific, positive steps
Recap of 4/27/08
1. Gordon MacDonald defines meditation as “ruminating over spiritual food” or as Selwyn Hughes says, “when a Christian takes a text or phrase from Scripture and turns it over and over in his mind, the truth that is contained in that Scripture is fed into his spiritual digestive system and soon becomes part of his personality.”
2. The Navigators 2:7 series suggests the following six methods of meditation over Scripture:
-Paraphrase, put the passage into your own words
- Questions, ask questions about the verse, who, what, when, where, why, how, or random questions
-Prayer, pray about each phrase or thought in the passage, about it’s implications
-Emphasis, emphasize different words or phrases each time you say the verse
-Cross-reference, find other verses which express the same concept as your passage
-Application, apply the truth of the passage to your life in specific, positive steps
Monday, April 21, 2008
How to Maintain Your Spiritual Edge, Part 12
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of 4/20/08
1. We need fellowship with other Christians (source: A Compact Guide to the Christian Life)
-to help us grow more like Christ (Christlike character traits are formed in relationships)
-to help us testify to the truth of the gospel (John 13:34,35)
-to help us do the work of the Kingdom (our gifts complement other’s gifts in the Body)
-to worship with us (“… [God] can be adequately worshipped only by a gathered community of His people”)
-to be Christ for us (though God loves us, there are times we need “love with skin on”)
-to help keep us on track (about what the Word says)
-to help us surrender to God
2. Rather than focus on our limitations, we must creatively approach life.
3. Creativity is not a question of whether I am or am not a creative person, it’s a question of how much of my creativity am I using? We must read, grow, take on new challenges. Creativity is a matter of resources/information, attitude, experimentation, variety, wisdom, and time.
Recap of 4/20/08
1. We need fellowship with other Christians (source: A Compact Guide to the Christian Life)
-to help us grow more like Christ (Christlike character traits are formed in relationships)
-to help us testify to the truth of the gospel (John 13:34,35)
-to help us do the work of the Kingdom (our gifts complement other’s gifts in the Body)
-to worship with us (“… [God] can be adequately worshipped only by a gathered community of His people”)
-to be Christ for us (though God loves us, there are times we need “love with skin on”)
-to help keep us on track (about what the Word says)
-to help us surrender to God
2. Rather than focus on our limitations, we must creatively approach life.
3. Creativity is not a question of whether I am or am not a creative person, it’s a question of how much of my creativity am I using? We must read, grow, take on new challenges. Creativity is a matter of resources/information, attitude, experimentation, variety, wisdom, and time.
Monday, April 14, 2008
How to Maintain Your Spiritual Edge, Part 11
Click here to download the sermon file.
Notes from April 13, 2008:
1. For access to “The Bridge” illustration and for many other downloadable tools to help you in your spiritual growth go to http://www.navigators.org/, under “Grow Deep With God” click “Tools,” under “Discipleship” click “bridge.pdf”.
2. A hallmark of the early church was fellowship. Isolation leads to stagnation.
3. Fellowship is what we share with each other because of what we share in Christ. In fellowship we open our lives to another believer; we connect with another Christian though we may have just met them; we share a common bond.
4. In the scripture 'fellowship' is used of: sharing a relationship (such as in the Body of Christ, marriage, partners in a business or venture, and with God); of sharing material goods with teachers and saints in need; and of sharing in others' deeds (negatively, sharing in the sins of others; positively, sharing in the sufferings of Christ).
Notes from April 13, 2008:
1. For access to “The Bridge” illustration and for many other downloadable tools to help you in your spiritual growth go to http://www.navigators.org/, under “Grow Deep With God” click “Tools,” under “Discipleship” click “bridge.pdf”.
2. A hallmark of the early church was fellowship. Isolation leads to stagnation.
3. Fellowship is what we share with each other because of what we share in Christ. In fellowship we open our lives to another believer; we connect with another Christian though we may have just met them; we share a common bond.
4. In the scripture 'fellowship' is used of: sharing a relationship (such as in the Body of Christ, marriage, partners in a business or venture, and with God); of sharing material goods with teachers and saints in need; and of sharing in others' deeds (negatively, sharing in the sins of others; positively, sharing in the sufferings of Christ).
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
How to Maintain Your Spiritual Edge, Part 10
Click here to download the sermon file.
Notes from April 6, 2008
1. To be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks the reason for the hope we have in Christ we need a ready plan to share the gospel.
2. Robert Foster in Essentials of Discipleship cites the following advantages of having a ready plan:
- “It enables you to be prepared at all times to witness.”
-“It enables you to go through a biblical presentation point by point without leaving anything out.”
-“It serves as a set of tracks that provide direction.” It helps to “avoid rabbit trails or tangents.”
3. Three plans are: The Roman Road (all verses from Romans which establish the gospel: Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9,10 – covers sin, death, Christ’s death for sin, and our response in believing); the Bridge Illustration (see Navigators 2:7; Robert Foster, Essentials of Discipleship; or go to www.navigators.org, click “Search” and type in “bridge.pdf’); or use a gospel tract.
Notes from April 6, 2008
1. To be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks the reason for the hope we have in Christ we need a ready plan to share the gospel.
2. Robert Foster in Essentials of Discipleship cites the following advantages of having a ready plan:
- “It enables you to be prepared at all times to witness.”
-“It enables you to go through a biblical presentation point by point without leaving anything out.”
-“It serves as a set of tracks that provide direction.” It helps to “avoid rabbit trails or tangents.”
3. Three plans are: The Roman Road (all verses from Romans which establish the gospel: Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9,10 – covers sin, death, Christ’s death for sin, and our response in believing); the Bridge Illustration (see Navigators 2:7; Robert Foster, Essentials of Discipleship; or go to www.navigators.org, click “Search” and type in “bridge.pdf’); or use a gospel tract.
Monday, March 31, 2008
How to Maintain Your Spiritual Edge, Part 9
Click here to download the sermon file.
Notes from March 30, 2008
1. “Relationship Evangelism” (an article in the Navigator’s 2:7 series) suggests the following attitudes necessary to effectively sharing the gospel: must be willing to initiate relationships; must show the same kind of acceptance toward sinners that Jesus did; must be willing to identify with Christ early in a relationship; and must depend upon God in prayer for the process.
2. Two things are essential to sharing our faith: a ready testimony (1 Peter 3:15,16), and a plan for sharing the gospel.
3. Navigator’s 2:7 suggests three formats as an outline for most testimonies::
-adult conversion
-early conversion/adult full commitment
-early conversion/consistent growth
Notes from March 30, 2008
1. “Relationship Evangelism” (an article in the Navigator’s 2:7 series) suggests the following attitudes necessary to effectively sharing the gospel: must be willing to initiate relationships; must show the same kind of acceptance toward sinners that Jesus did; must be willing to identify with Christ early in a relationship; and must depend upon God in prayer for the process.
2. Two things are essential to sharing our faith: a ready testimony (1 Peter 3:15,16), and a plan for sharing the gospel.
3. Navigator’s 2:7 suggests three formats as an outline for most testimonies::
-adult conversion
-early conversion/adult full commitment
-early conversion/consistent growth
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Love’s Triumph or Why I’ve Stopped Worrying About Death
Click here to download the sermon file.
Notes from the Easter morning sermon:
Matthew 27:45-28:20
1. From noon till 3:00 on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion a supernatural darkness covered the land. This darkness signified: that Jesus had become the sin-offering for the world (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24,25; 3:18); that Jesus was forsaken by the Father (vs. 46; Psalm 22); and that Jesus was separated from the Father judicially. Jesus became a curse for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him, through faith in Him.
2. Three other events signified the uniqueness of Jesus’ death and His victory over sin and death:
-the Temple curtain separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was torn in two from top to bottom signifying that the way to God is now open to all. We now go to God directly, not through man nor ritual (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus’ death provided forgiveness of sin and fellowship with God.
-the earth shook and rocks split (even Creation (which is itself awaiting redemption, Romans 8:19, reacts to Jesus’ death)
-tombs broke open and many righteous were raised to life
Notes from the Easter morning sermon:
Matthew 27:45-28:20
1. From noon till 3:00 on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion a supernatural darkness covered the land. This darkness signified: that Jesus had become the sin-offering for the world (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24,25; 3:18); that Jesus was forsaken by the Father (vs. 46; Psalm 22); and that Jesus was separated from the Father judicially. Jesus became a curse for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him, through faith in Him.
2. Three other events signified the uniqueness of Jesus’ death and His victory over sin and death:
-the Temple curtain separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was torn in two from top to bottom signifying that the way to God is now open to all. We now go to God directly, not through man nor ritual (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus’ death provided forgiveness of sin and fellowship with God.
-the earth shook and rocks split (even Creation (which is itself awaiting redemption, Romans 8:19, reacts to Jesus’ death)
-tombs broke open and many righteous were raised to life
Monday, March 17, 2008
How to Maintain Your Spiritual Edge, Part 8
Click here to download the sermon file.
Notes from the March 16, 2008 sermon:
(Based in part on Selwyn Hughes, Everyday Light: Water for the Soul)
1. We weren’t meant to bottle up the truth, when we do we become stagnant in our Christian walk (John 7:36-39).
2. We must share the hope of the gospel with unbelievers and we must share the lessons God is teaching us with fellow believers and unbelievers alike.
3. We must be ready to respectfully share a reason for the hope within us (1 Peter 3:15,16)
4. We do this best in the context of relationship (Friendship Evangelism or Relationship Evangelism).
5. According to Navigators 2:7 series article, “Relationship Evangelism,” we must understand that: “Evangelism is not an event but a process. This process may take months, and even years. To be successful in this type of evangelism we must be willing to establish relationship with unbelievers; and we must “show the same type of love and acceptance toward sinners that Jesus displayed.”
Notes from the March 16, 2008 sermon:
(Based in part on Selwyn Hughes, Everyday Light: Water for the Soul)
1. We weren’t meant to bottle up the truth, when we do we become stagnant in our Christian walk (John 7:36-39).
2. We must share the hope of the gospel with unbelievers and we must share the lessons God is teaching us with fellow believers and unbelievers alike.
3. We must be ready to respectfully share a reason for the hope within us (1 Peter 3:15,16)
4. We do this best in the context of relationship (Friendship Evangelism or Relationship Evangelism).
5. According to Navigators 2:7 series article, “Relationship Evangelism,” we must understand that: “Evangelism is not an event but a process. This process may take months, and even years. To be successful in this type of evangelism we must be willing to establish relationship with unbelievers; and we must “show the same type of love and acceptance toward sinners that Jesus displayed.”
Monday, March 10, 2008
How to Maintain Your Spiritual Edge, Part 7
Click here to download the sermon file.
Notes from the March 9, 2008 sermon:
(Based in part on Selwyn Hughes, Everyday Light: Water for the Soul)
1. In dealing with frustration and adversity, we must realize that:
-all the circumstances of our lives are useful for maturing us
-God give us the strength we need to deal with the frustrations of our lives (2 Corinthians 12:1-10)
-God can turn negatives into positives (Romans 8:28)
-we can share what we have learned with someone else in need.
2. “Suffering produces something. It is of value; it changes us.” (Philip Yancey)
3. If we have a positive attitude, we draw people to ourselves and to God. If we have a negative, complaining attitude we block God’s work and drive people away from us and God.
4. Problems are an invitation to grow.
Notes from the March 9, 2008 sermon:
(Based in part on Selwyn Hughes, Everyday Light: Water for the Soul)
1. In dealing with frustration and adversity, we must realize that:
-all the circumstances of our lives are useful for maturing us
-God give us the strength we need to deal with the frustrations of our lives (2 Corinthians 12:1-10)
-God can turn negatives into positives (Romans 8:28)
-we can share what we have learned with someone else in need.
2. “Suffering produces something. It is of value; it changes us.” (Philip Yancey)
3. If we have a positive attitude, we draw people to ourselves and to God. If we have a negative, complaining attitude we block God’s work and drive people away from us and God.
4. Problems are an invitation to grow.
Monday, March 03, 2008
How to Maintain Your Spiritual Edge, Part 6
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of the March 2, 2008 sermon:
1. The importance of caring for our physical needs of rest, food, etc. is seen in 1 Kings 19:1-8 where Elijah is depleted physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. God’s answer for him is food, water and rest.
2. Christians are not exempt from facing problems, frustrations, adversity (2 Corinthians 1:8-10; 7:5,6; 12:7-10). (Selwyn Hughes)
-Christians should not bring problems on themselves (1 Peter 4:12-16)
-Christians are just as subject to sickness, accidents, death as non-Christians (these are the results of being fallen beings in a fallen world) (Matthew 5:45; Luke 13:1-5)
3. How we deal with frustration and adversity will affect our spiritual vitality.
4. John Maxwell has said, “The quality of your life and the duration of your success depend on your attitude, and you are the only person in the world with the power to make it better.”
Recap of the March 2, 2008 sermon:
1. The importance of caring for our physical needs of rest, food, etc. is seen in 1 Kings 19:1-8 where Elijah is depleted physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. God’s answer for him is food, water and rest.
2. Christians are not exempt from facing problems, frustrations, adversity (2 Corinthians 1:8-10; 7:5,6; 12:7-10). (Selwyn Hughes)
-Christians should not bring problems on themselves (1 Peter 4:12-16)
-Christians are just as subject to sickness, accidents, death as non-Christians (these are the results of being fallen beings in a fallen world) (Matthew 5:45; Luke 13:1-5)
3. How we deal with frustration and adversity will affect our spiritual vitality.
4. John Maxwell has said, “The quality of your life and the duration of your success depend on your attitude, and you are the only person in the world with the power to make it better.”
Friday, February 29, 2008
How to Maintain Your Spiritual Edge, Part 5
Click here to download the sermon file.
Notes from February 24, 2008
1. Believers are commanded to be filled with the Spirit (i.e. to willingly place themselves under the control of the Holy Spirit). Ephesians 5:18
2. The issue is not how much of the Holy Spirit do we have (we will never have more of the Holy Spirit than we do at the moment of salvation). The issue is how much of us does the Holy Spirit have?
3. The conditions for being filled with the Spirit are: we must deal with sin in our lives (Ephesians 4:30); we must acknowledge God’s right to our lives and consciously yield to God (Romans 12:1; 6:13; Galatians 2:20); and we must live a life of dependence allowing the Spirit to have full control (Galatians 5:16).
4. The results of and evidences of being filled with the Spirit are: Christlike character (Galatians 5:22,23); worship, praise and thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:19,20); and right relationships in marriage, the home on the job and in the church (Ephesians 5:21ff).
Notes from February 24, 2008
1. Believers are commanded to be filled with the Spirit (i.e. to willingly place themselves under the control of the Holy Spirit). Ephesians 5:18
2. The issue is not how much of the Holy Spirit do we have (we will never have more of the Holy Spirit than we do at the moment of salvation). The issue is how much of us does the Holy Spirit have?
3. The conditions for being filled with the Spirit are: we must deal with sin in our lives (Ephesians 4:30); we must acknowledge God’s right to our lives and consciously yield to God (Romans 12:1; 6:13; Galatians 2:20); and we must live a life of dependence allowing the Spirit to have full control (Galatians 5:16).
4. The results of and evidences of being filled with the Spirit are: Christlike character (Galatians 5:22,23); worship, praise and thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:19,20); and right relationships in marriage, the home on the job and in the church (Ephesians 5:21ff).
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
How to Maintain Your Spiritual Edge, Part 4
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of the sermon from February 17, 2008:
Rick Warren in his book, The Purpose-Driven Life, suggests the following steps in overcoming temptation:
-refuse to be intimidated, all are tempted (1 Corinthians 10:13)
-recognize your pattern of temptation and be prepared for it (when, where, in what situations, and who are you with when you are tempted?)
-request God’s help (Hebrews 4:15,16)
-re-focus your attention on something else (Philippians 4:8)
-reveal your struggle to a godly friend or group (Ecclesiastes 4:11.12)
-resist the devil (1 Peter 5:8; James 4:7)
-realize your vulnerability (1 Corinthians 10:1-12, especially 12)
Recap of the sermon from February 17, 2008:
Rick Warren in his book, The Purpose-Driven Life, suggests the following steps in overcoming temptation:
-refuse to be intimidated, all are tempted (1 Corinthians 10:13)
-recognize your pattern of temptation and be prepared for it (when, where, in what situations, and who are you with when you are tempted?)
-request God’s help (Hebrews 4:15,16)
-re-focus your attention on something else (Philippians 4:8)
-reveal your struggle to a godly friend or group (Ecclesiastes 4:11.12)
-resist the devil (1 Peter 5:8; James 4:7)
-realize your vulnerability (1 Corinthians 10:1-12, especially 12)
Monday, February 11, 2008
How to Maintain Your Spiritual Edge, Part 3
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of February 10, 2008
1. Every temptation is an opportunity to do good, to grow into the character of Jesus Christ. It is as much an opportunity to do the right thing, as to do the wrong thing. (Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life)
2. Temptation in itself is not sin. It’s what we do with the temptation. Jesus was tempted, yet He was without sin.
3. Sin begins in the thought life, the heart. James 1:13-15; Matthew 15:16-19
4. Satan’s part in temptation is to cause us to doubt the seriousness of sin or to question, misuse and misquote the Word of God. This can clearly be seen in Genesis 3 and Matthew 4.
5. Three areas of temptation we face are: temptation to fulfill a legitimate need in an illegitimate way; temptation to test God rather than believe Him; and temptation to seek success without holiness.
“Maintaining Your Spiritual Edge” (pt. 4)
(selected Scripture)
1. Do I have a regular daily time with God where I replenish my spiritual resources? Mark 1:21-35
2. Is there someone I need to forgive? Am I holding a grudge? Matthew 18:21-35; Ephesians 4:22-32
3. Is there something in my life (an attitude, an activity) of which God cannot approve? Romans 6:2, 11-14
Recap of February 10, 2008
1. Every temptation is an opportunity to do good, to grow into the character of Jesus Christ. It is as much an opportunity to do the right thing, as to do the wrong thing. (Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life)
2. Temptation in itself is not sin. It’s what we do with the temptation. Jesus was tempted, yet He was without sin.
3. Sin begins in the thought life, the heart. James 1:13-15; Matthew 15:16-19
4. Satan’s part in temptation is to cause us to doubt the seriousness of sin or to question, misuse and misquote the Word of God. This can clearly be seen in Genesis 3 and Matthew 4.
5. Three areas of temptation we face are: temptation to fulfill a legitimate need in an illegitimate way; temptation to test God rather than believe Him; and temptation to seek success without holiness.
“Maintaining Your Spiritual Edge” (pt. 4)
(selected Scripture)
1. Do I have a regular daily time with God where I replenish my spiritual resources? Mark 1:21-35
2. Is there someone I need to forgive? Am I holding a grudge? Matthew 18:21-35; Ephesians 4:22-32
3. Is there something in my life (an attitude, an activity) of which God cannot approve? Romans 6:2, 11-14
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
How to Maintain Your Spiritual Edge, Part 2
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of Part 2 from February 3, 2008
(credit for the outline to Selwyn Hughes, Every Day Light: Water for the Soul)
1. On the basis of God’s forgiveness of our enormous debt of sin against Him at the cross, we are to forgive others without limit.
2. Having an unforgiving spirit produces negative consequences in our lives; physically, emotionally and spiritually.
3. Those we may need to forgive: parents; ourselves; God; our mate; those in authority over us; others. (source: Happiness is a Choice).
4. We forgive by: admitting our hurt, anger or bitterness; asking God for His grace and help; forgiving, yielding up, letting go of our hurt by an act of the will; foregoing the right to strike back; replacing feeling of resentment and anger with good will seeking the good of the other person, not harm; and by taking steps to start over at an appropriate time.
Recap of Part 2 from February 3, 2008
(credit for the outline to Selwyn Hughes, Every Day Light: Water for the Soul)
1. On the basis of God’s forgiveness of our enormous debt of sin against Him at the cross, we are to forgive others without limit.
2. Having an unforgiving spirit produces negative consequences in our lives; physically, emotionally and spiritually.
3. Those we may need to forgive: parents; ourselves; God; our mate; those in authority over us; others. (source: Happiness is a Choice).
4. We forgive by: admitting our hurt, anger or bitterness; asking God for His grace and help; forgiving, yielding up, letting go of our hurt by an act of the will; foregoing the right to strike back; replacing feeling of resentment and anger with good will seeking the good of the other person, not harm; and by taking steps to start over at an appropriate time.
Monday, January 28, 2008
How to Maintain Your Spiritual Edge, Part 1
Click here to download the sermon file.
Sermon re-cap from January 27, 2008
“To know God, it is necessary to spend consistent time with Him.” Robert D. Foster
Time spent in reading and meditating upon Scripture.
Time spent in prayer, both in:
-responding to Him about what we are reading in His Word
-and bringing our praise and requests to Him (A.C.T.S.-adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication)
Taking time to pass on to others what God is showing us
Begin by choosing a time and place that fits your schedule, make this time a priority.
After a busy day and before another busy day, Jesus took time, early in the morning, to spend time in prayer. (Mark 1:21-35)
Sermon re-cap from January 27, 2008
“To know God, it is necessary to spend consistent time with Him.” Robert D. Foster
Time spent in reading and meditating upon Scripture.
Time spent in prayer, both in:
-responding to Him about what we are reading in His Word
-and bringing our praise and requests to Him (A.C.T.S.-adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication)
Taking time to pass on to others what God is showing us
Begin by choosing a time and place that fits your schedule, make this time a priority.
After a busy day and before another busy day, Jesus took time, early in the morning, to spend time in prayer. (Mark 1:21-35)
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Spiritual Accounting 101
Click here to download the sermon file.
The final sermon in the Philippians Series. Recap of Philippians 4:14-23, January 20, 2008:
Principles of Giving
1. Giving is to be done willingly, not under pressure, vv. 14,16
2. Giving is participating in another’s ministry, vv. 14,15
3. Giving is a two way street, as we give God rewards us spiritually and materially [not with wealth, as in the prosperity gospel, but with more to give, 2 Corinthians 9:6ff; Galatians 6:6], vv. 17,19
4. Giving is our priestly duty (one of the sacrifices we offer as NT believers), vs. 18
5. Giving should be sacrificial, vs. 19 (2 Samuel 24:24)
The final sermon in the Philippians Series. Recap of Philippians 4:14-23, January 20, 2008:
Principles of Giving
1. Giving is to be done willingly, not under pressure, vv. 14,16
2. Giving is participating in another’s ministry, vv. 14,15
3. Giving is a two way street, as we give God rewards us spiritually and materially [not with wealth, as in the prosperity gospel, but with more to give, 2 Corinthians 9:6ff; Galatians 6:6], vv. 17,19
4. Giving is our priestly duty (one of the sacrifices we offer as NT believers), vs. 18
5. Giving should be sacrificial, vs. 19 (2 Samuel 24:24)
Monday, January 14, 2008
An Unfamiliar Virtue, Part 2
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of Philippians 4:12,13, January 13, 2008:
1. Signs of discontentment:
-when what we have is never enough
-when we are in a constant state of debt-can’t pay our bills
-when primary relationships are affected (marital, children, etc.)
-when we seek friends for the wrong reasons, for what they have rather than for their character
2. Steps to contentment
-evaluate our view of possessions/money
-understand the temporary nature of money/possessions
-cultivate thankfulness/gratitude toward God for provisions of necessities
-test our priorities (look at our checkbook and calendar), are we living for what will pass away or for the eternal
-find our security in what lasts, the presence of and promises of God
-abide in Christ and allow Him to strengthen us
Recap of Philippians 4:12,13, January 13, 2008:
1. Signs of discontentment:
-when what we have is never enough
-when we are in a constant state of debt-can’t pay our bills
-when primary relationships are affected (marital, children, etc.)
-when we seek friends for the wrong reasons, for what they have rather than for their character
2. Steps to contentment
-evaluate our view of possessions/money
-understand the temporary nature of money/possessions
-cultivate thankfulness/gratitude toward God for provisions of necessities
-test our priorities (look at our checkbook and calendar), are we living for what will pass away or for the eternal
-find our security in what lasts, the presence of and promises of God
-abide in Christ and allow Him to strengthen us
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
An Unfamiliar Virtue
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of Philippians 4:10,11, January 6, 2008:
1. When it comes to contentment; having things is not the issue, loving things is.
2. Contentment is not natural but learned. Paul learned that:
-God would give him what He thinks is necessary for him to have
-The Lord would strengthen him to face every situation
- he must not depend upon circumstances, which can change, for contentment
3. Six wrong assumptions about possessions from Luke 12:13-34:
-thinking that the priority of life was gathering more and more for ourselves
-thinking that possessions can provide satisfaction
-thinking that possessions would last for many years
-thinking that we will live to enjoy possessions
-not recognizing that our provision is from God
-forgetting the importance of spiritual riches
Recap of Philippians 4:10,11, January 6, 2008:
1. When it comes to contentment; having things is not the issue, loving things is.
2. Contentment is not natural but learned. Paul learned that:
-God would give him what He thinks is necessary for him to have
-The Lord would strengthen him to face every situation
- he must not depend upon circumstances, which can change, for contentment
3. Six wrong assumptions about possessions from Luke 12:13-34:
-thinking that the priority of life was gathering more and more for ourselves
-thinking that possessions can provide satisfaction
-thinking that possessions would last for many years
-thinking that we will live to enjoy possessions
-not recognizing that our provision is from God
-forgetting the importance of spiritual riches
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