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Recap of April 26, 2009:
1. Genesis 34 is another example to us that God does His work through imperfect, sinful vessels (the only material He has to work with!):
-“While the story operates at a level of family honor and brotherly concern for a ravished sister, it nevertheless also carries along the theme that God works through and often in spite of the limited, self-serving plans of human beings.” (John H. Sailhamer)
-“It was another case of promoting a holy cause in an unholy way.” (Warren Wiersbe on the actions of Dinah’s brothers)
2. Chapter 34 is also a warning to Israel about the dangers of social and religious interaction with the people of Canaan. They were not to partake of their ways or join with them in a vital way. They were to be in the land but not partners with the people even as we in the church are in the world but we are not to be of the world.
3. On a family level Genesis 34 when a father is disengaged from his family (as Jacob seems to be in this instance) children tend to be out of control.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
A Family In Crisis
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Recap of April 19, 2009:
Six warnings from Proverbs regarding friendship:
-Be careful in choosing friends/companions (good companions will influence you for good, the wrong companions will influence you toward evil, leading you into trouble instead of enriching your life. (Proverbs 13:20)
-It is better to have one genuine friend who is looking out for your interests than a multitude of companions. It is necessary to be discriminating in choosing friends. (Proverbs 18:24)
-We must steer clear of the path of the wicked, those who are restless until they cause someone to fall or take advantage of others. (Proverbs 4:14-17)
-We must avoid those who choose the wrong path, the path of rebellion, because they are not content until they lead someone in their path. (Proverbs 16:29)
-Stay away from angry people (those who are always angry at others especially those in authority and tend to blame others for their misfortune) or you will take up their ways. (Proverbs 22:24-25)
-Steer clear of those who have tendencies toward addictions (alcohol, drugs, food) they will lead you in the path of addiction, laziness, poverty.
Recap of April 19, 2009:
Six warnings from Proverbs regarding friendship:
-Be careful in choosing friends/companions (good companions will influence you for good, the wrong companions will influence you toward evil, leading you into trouble instead of enriching your life. (Proverbs 13:20)
-It is better to have one genuine friend who is looking out for your interests than a multitude of companions. It is necessary to be discriminating in choosing friends. (Proverbs 18:24)
-We must steer clear of the path of the wicked, those who are restless until they cause someone to fall or take advantage of others. (Proverbs 4:14-17)
-We must avoid those who choose the wrong path, the path of rebellion, because they are not content until they lead someone in their path. (Proverbs 16:29)
-Stay away from angry people (those who are always angry at others especially those in authority and tend to blame others for their misfortune) or you will take up their ways. (Proverbs 22:24-25)
-Steer clear of those who have tendencies toward addictions (alcohol, drugs, food) they will lead you in the path of addiction, laziness, poverty.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Fear, Failure, Triumph
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Recap of April 12, 2009:
1. Peter’s pride caused him to be self-reliant, prayerless, impatient, and silent. He spoke when he should have listened, slept when he should have prayed, acted when he should have waited, and was silent when he should have spoken up. (Matthew 26:31-75)
2. The Scripture warns about the danger of pride. (Proverbs 16:18)
3. Peter’s pride made him: blind to his limitations, blind to Satan’s designs on him, trust in his own strength and ability, feel superior to the other disciples, and caused him to reject the Word of God.
4. When Jesus restored Peter after the resurrection, he asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Even as Peter denied the Lord three times, Jesus restores him three times.
5. The heart of Jesus’ challenge to Peter had to do with Peter’s love and devotion to Him. “The Lord didn’t say ‘Simon, son of Jonas, will you preach for Me? Will you suffer for Me? Will you evangelize for Me? Will you believe in Me?’ He didn’t say that. Instead Christ asked, ‘Simon, son of Jonas, do you love Me more than these? Do you really love Me?’ That is what He is after….If your service is not an outflow for your love for the Lord personally, it will become a chore. You will soon give it up. And conversely, the less I love Him, the less I’ll serve Him, and the less I’ll talk about Him.” (An Everlasting Love, John G. Mitchell)
Recap of April 12, 2009:
1. Peter’s pride caused him to be self-reliant, prayerless, impatient, and silent. He spoke when he should have listened, slept when he should have prayed, acted when he should have waited, and was silent when he should have spoken up. (Matthew 26:31-75)
2. The Scripture warns about the danger of pride. (Proverbs 16:18)
3. Peter’s pride made him: blind to his limitations, blind to Satan’s designs on him, trust in his own strength and ability, feel superior to the other disciples, and caused him to reject the Word of God.
4. When Jesus restored Peter after the resurrection, he asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Even as Peter denied the Lord three times, Jesus restores him three times.
5. The heart of Jesus’ challenge to Peter had to do with Peter’s love and devotion to Him. “The Lord didn’t say ‘Simon, son of Jonas, will you preach for Me? Will you suffer for Me? Will you evangelize for Me? Will you believe in Me?’ He didn’t say that. Instead Christ asked, ‘Simon, son of Jonas, do you love Me more than these? Do you really love Me?’ That is what He is after….If your service is not an outflow for your love for the Lord personally, it will become a chore. You will soon give it up. And conversely, the less I love Him, the less I’ll serve Him, and the less I’ll talk about Him.” (An Everlasting Love, John G. Mitchell)
Monday, April 06, 2009
Triumph & Tragedy
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Please note: the audio quality is poor and this recording begins with the sermon already well-underway. (Our apologies).
Re-cap - 4/12/09:
1. “Of the many deficiencies that plague us, broken relationships seem the hardest to put right, the easiest to let slide, and yet the most important to resolve. The psalmist says, ‘How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity’ (Ps 133:1). Yet, often, we let ruptured relationships drift on from year to year.” (Dr. Michael Pocock)
2. Several issues stand in the way of reconciliation: Fear that the person will not accept our overture; fear that they will not forgive us if we are the offender; fear that reconciliation will diminish the offense; pride, an unwillingness to humble ourselves; and desire for revenge.
3. Steps to build or rebuild relationship from Ephesians 4:25-32: speak the truth in love; keep short accounts; choose to be constructive in relationship not destructive; choose kindness and compassion not anger and bitterness; forgive as we have been forgiven.
Please note: the audio quality is poor and this recording begins with the sermon already well-underway. (Our apologies).
Re-cap - 4/12/09:
1. “Of the many deficiencies that plague us, broken relationships seem the hardest to put right, the easiest to let slide, and yet the most important to resolve. The psalmist says, ‘How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity’ (Ps 133:1). Yet, often, we let ruptured relationships drift on from year to year.” (Dr. Michael Pocock)
2. Several issues stand in the way of reconciliation: Fear that the person will not accept our overture; fear that they will not forgive us if we are the offender; fear that reconciliation will diminish the offense; pride, an unwillingness to humble ourselves; and desire for revenge.
3. Steps to build or rebuild relationship from Ephesians 4:25-32: speak the truth in love; keep short accounts; choose to be constructive in relationship not destructive; choose kindness and compassion not anger and bitterness; forgive as we have been forgiven.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Encounters on the Road to Reconciliation, Pt 4
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of the sermon from March 29, 2009:
1. Jacob’s whole life he has been dependent upon himself, going from struggle to struggle, living out his name “heel-catcher,” “deceiver,” “supplanter”. God confronts him about his life through the wrestling match. Jacob had been determined to have his own way, in his own strength. He must now learn the necessity of depending upon God, clinging to God in his weakness.
2. God must remind us periodically who we are, asking of us the same question He asked of Jacob, “What’s your name?” He reminds us that we have a new name given to us by Him. He reminds us that we cannot live the old way, but rather must live in dependence upon Him.
3. We must, like Jacob, cease striving to have our own way, acknowledge our weakness, and cling to God.
Recap of the sermon from March 29, 2009:
1. Jacob’s whole life he has been dependent upon himself, going from struggle to struggle, living out his name “heel-catcher,” “deceiver,” “supplanter”. God confronts him about his life through the wrestling match. Jacob had been determined to have his own way, in his own strength. He must now learn the necessity of depending upon God, clinging to God in his weakness.
2. God must remind us periodically who we are, asking of us the same question He asked of Jacob, “What’s your name?” He reminds us that we have a new name given to us by Him. He reminds us that we cannot live the old way, but rather must live in dependence upon Him.
3. We must, like Jacob, cease striving to have our own way, acknowledge our weakness, and cling to God.
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