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Recap of 12-24-06 (John 1:1-18)
1. The Apostle John begins his gospel with a prologue in which he introduces the themes of the book. He argues for the full deity and true humanity of Jesus Christ. He is the God-man. We won’t understand Jesus’ teaching and His works without understanding who He is.
2. John supports the deity of Jesus Christ by emphasizing that He is pre-existent (He existed before anything was), that He was face-to-face with God the Father in eternity, that He had a role in creation, and that He was the giver of life and light. This One became flesh (vs. 14)
3. John’s claims are backed up by eyewitness accounts, those who knew Jesus, heard His words, saw His works.4. Those who received Jesus (i.e. believed in Him) were born-again supernaturally and made a part of God’s family.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Life Without God
The audio file is not available for this sermon. Please review the recap below.
Recap of 12-17-06 (1 Kings 15:25-16:28)
1. The Northern Kingdom was characterized by instability, murder, pride, ambition, conflict, drunkenness, and suicide. Every king was evil in that they continued the ways of idolatry and false worship. In God’s eyes they excelled only in evil, no matter how much the world looked upon them as successes. When people reject God they forfeit real peace and stability.
2. God sent prophets to call them back from their evil ways yet they persisted in going the way of death. God takes no delight in the death of the wicked. His patience, sometimes taken as inability to act, is meant to bring people to Himself (2 Peter 3:9).
3. Pride is the tendency to take credit for what God has done. God’s people should take pride in their relationship with Him, recognizing that all we are and have is from God. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; 4:7; Jeremiah 9:23,24
Recap of 12-17-06 (1 Kings 15:25-16:28)
1. The Northern Kingdom was characterized by instability, murder, pride, ambition, conflict, drunkenness, and suicide. Every king was evil in that they continued the ways of idolatry and false worship. In God’s eyes they excelled only in evil, no matter how much the world looked upon them as successes. When people reject God they forfeit real peace and stability.
2. God sent prophets to call them back from their evil ways yet they persisted in going the way of death. God takes no delight in the death of the wicked. His patience, sometimes taken as inability to act, is meant to bring people to Himself (2 Peter 3:9).
3. Pride is the tendency to take credit for what God has done. God’s people should take pride in their relationship with Him, recognizing that all we are and have is from God. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; 4:7; Jeremiah 9:23,24
Sunday, December 10, 2006
When Victory is Not Victory
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Recap of 12/10/06 (1 Kings 15:9-24)
If we are to be fruitful and victorious in our spiritual life, we must:
-put away the idols in our lives (the things which belie our allegiance to God above all, the things which do not belong in the life of a believer)
-live by faith, with real dependence upon God, not just lip-service
-seek to know God through His Word
-separate from the destructive forces in our lives
-be vigilant, careful about becoming self-sufficient and prideful, forgetting God-be responsive to the promptings of the Lord, confess sin
Recap of 12/10/06 (1 Kings 15:9-24)
If we are to be fruitful and victorious in our spiritual life, we must:
-put away the idols in our lives (the things which belie our allegiance to God above all, the things which do not belong in the life of a believer)
-live by faith, with real dependence upon God, not just lip-service
-seek to know God through His Word
-separate from the destructive forces in our lives
-be vigilant, careful about becoming self-sufficient and prideful, forgetting God-be responsive to the promptings of the Lord, confess sin
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Our Legacy, Part 2
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Recap of 12/3/06 (1 Kings 15:1-8)
How can we train our children and meet Biblical goals? (source: A Compact Guide to the Christian Life by K.C. Hinckley)
-give a lot of affection
-by our example
-use verbal teaching (Deuteronomy 6:7-9)
-be consistent in discipline
-involve our children in our goals
-be united as parents in our discipline and goals
-seek support from other Christians-take the long-range view (Proverbs 22:6)
Recap of 12/3/06 (1 Kings 15:1-8)
How can we train our children and meet Biblical goals? (source: A Compact Guide to the Christian Life by K.C. Hinckley)
-give a lot of affection
-by our example
-use verbal teaching (Deuteronomy 6:7-9)
-be consistent in discipline
-involve our children in our goals
-be united as parents in our discipline and goals
-seek support from other Christians-take the long-range view (Proverbs 22:6)
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Giving Thanks
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Recap of 11/26/06 (Psalm 107)
1. Five times in Psalm 107 the redeemed are called upon to thank the Lord for His consistent love and absolute faithfulness to His people.
2. We sometimes have trouble with thankfulness because:
-we often lack contentment (we are not satisfied with what God has provided for us or we want what someone else has, or we focus on what we do not have)
-we are overwhelmed by the concerns of the world or by worry which both crowd out thankfulness
3. The Psalmist presents four instances in which God undertakes for His people when they cry out to Him: the wanderer (who is aimless without food, water, shelter), the prisoner (who is in bondage of their own making), the sick (who through bad lifestyle choices are near death) and those who face adverse circumstances and are at the end of their ability to deal with the need. In every case when God’s people cry out to Him in prayer He delivers them. They should thank Him.
4. Because God is sovereign over nature and people, the redeemed He has the “power to change things” and has “limitless authority.” This should cause God’s people to praise Him and to be thankful.
Recap of 11/26/06 (Psalm 107)
1. Five times in Psalm 107 the redeemed are called upon to thank the Lord for His consistent love and absolute faithfulness to His people.
2. We sometimes have trouble with thankfulness because:
-we often lack contentment (we are not satisfied with what God has provided for us or we want what someone else has, or we focus on what we do not have)
-we are overwhelmed by the concerns of the world or by worry which both crowd out thankfulness
3. The Psalmist presents four instances in which God undertakes for His people when they cry out to Him: the wanderer (who is aimless without food, water, shelter), the prisoner (who is in bondage of their own making), the sick (who through bad lifestyle choices are near death) and those who face adverse circumstances and are at the end of their ability to deal with the need. In every case when God’s people cry out to Him in prayer He delivers them. They should thank Him.
4. Because God is sovereign over nature and people, the redeemed He has the “power to change things” and has “limitless authority.” This should cause God’s people to praise Him and to be thankful.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Our Legacy
The audio file is not available for this sermon. Please review the recap below.
Recap of 11/19/06 (1 Kings 15:1-5)
10 Commandments for Effective Fathers (source: God’s Little Devotional Book for Dads)
-spend time with your children
-let your children know often that you love them just the way they are
-discipline your children when they need it
-pray with and for you children regularly
-always be honest with your children
-love your children’s mother
-take time to listen to your children
-encourage your children often
-celebrate your children’s achievements
-be flexible with your children
Recap of 11/19/06 (1 Kings 15:1-5)
10 Commandments for Effective Fathers (source: God’s Little Devotional Book for Dads)
-spend time with your children
-let your children know often that you love them just the way they are
-discipline your children when they need it
-pray with and for you children regularly
-always be honest with your children
-love your children’s mother
-take time to listen to your children
-encourage your children often
-celebrate your children’s achievements
-be flexible with your children
Sunday, November 12, 2006
God's Jealousy
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Recap of 11/12/06 (1 Kings 14:21-31; 2 Chronicles 11:5-12:16)
1. When we choose to live and worship in a way disloyal to God He sees it as a betrayal of His love for He is a jealous God. In the Old Testament Israel is seen as married to God. In the New Testament the church is the Bride of Christ. When we live for the world’s values, God sees this as adultery against Him. (James 4:4; 1 Corinthians 10:22)
2. Israel was to be a light to the nations, bringing God’s light to the darkness of licentious, immoral idol worship, worship which included human sacrifice. Instead of bringing light to the world, Israel embraced the darkness of the gentile world and was indistinguishable from the heathen nations around it. The church today is to be a light to the world bringing the truth of the gospel to the nonbelievers around us and yet too often we, like Israel of old, are more influenced by the darkness than we are influencers with the light. Our values, our lifestyles, our morality is often no better than the world around us.
3. Rehoboam’s sin brought God’s judgment upon Judah in the form of invasion by the Pharoah:
-believers cannot sin with impunity
-sin caused God to withdraw His protection from Judah
-sin cost them their freedom-sin cost them what was precious, only to be replaced by a cheap substitute, an ever present reminder of their failure.
Recap of 11/12/06 (1 Kings 14:21-31; 2 Chronicles 11:5-12:16)
1. When we choose to live and worship in a way disloyal to God He sees it as a betrayal of His love for He is a jealous God. In the Old Testament Israel is seen as married to God. In the New Testament the church is the Bride of Christ. When we live for the world’s values, God sees this as adultery against Him. (James 4:4; 1 Corinthians 10:22)
2. Israel was to be a light to the nations, bringing God’s light to the darkness of licentious, immoral idol worship, worship which included human sacrifice. Instead of bringing light to the world, Israel embraced the darkness of the gentile world and was indistinguishable from the heathen nations around it. The church today is to be a light to the world bringing the truth of the gospel to the nonbelievers around us and yet too often we, like Israel of old, are more influenced by the darkness than we are influencers with the light. Our values, our lifestyles, our morality is often no better than the world around us.
3. Rehoboam’s sin brought God’s judgment upon Judah in the form of invasion by the Pharoah:
-believers cannot sin with impunity
-sin caused God to withdraw His protection from Judah
-sin cost them their freedom-sin cost them what was precious, only to be replaced by a cheap substitute, an ever present reminder of their failure.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
When God Speaks, Part 2
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Recap of 10/29/06 (1 Kings 13:11-34)
1. If we expect the people around us to take the Word of God seriously, we must take the Word of God seriously.
2. When Satan cannot deter us from the will of God by evil, he will come as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
3. Very often the greatest time of testing for us is after a great victory or successful ministry.
4. We must wary of those who would tell us what God’s will is for our lives.
5. It’s dangerous to follow those who speak for God but do not know Him, who purport to know His will but do not follow Him.
6. To defy the Word of God is serious business.
Recap of 10/29/06 (1 Kings 13:11-34)
1. If we expect the people around us to take the Word of God seriously, we must take the Word of God seriously.
2. When Satan cannot deter us from the will of God by evil, he will come as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
3. Very often the greatest time of testing for us is after a great victory or successful ministry.
4. We must wary of those who would tell us what God’s will is for our lives.
5. It’s dangerous to follow those who speak for God but do not know Him, who purport to know His will but do not follow Him.
6. To defy the Word of God is serious business.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
When God Speaks
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Recap of 10/22/06 (1 Kings 13:1-10)
1. Worship that God accepts must be “in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)
-because God is spirit worship is not tied to a certain place at a certain time, worship occurs as our human spirit responds to God’s Spirit (that is, not in external forms, but from the inside out)
-to worship “in spirit” we must be saved, yielded to the Holy Spirit, having our minds renewed and centered on God’s Word, and having confessed our sin to God.
-to worship “in truth” we must not just respond to God emotionally or ritually but must respond to His truth. Thus, knowing the Word is essential to worshipping God.
2. God, through the young “man of God” announces judgment upon Jeroboam‘s altar, with its false worship. Despite the sign of the altar being split and the ashes of the sacrifices falling out and the miraculous healing of Jeroboam’s paralyzed hand, he does not respond positively to God’s word.
3. Jeroboam continues to be unconcerned about his spiritual condition. Miracles of themselves do not produce conviction or faith. Miracles are not necessary for evangelism. (Luke 16:25ff)
Recap of 10/22/06 (1 Kings 13:1-10)
1. Worship that God accepts must be “in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)
-because God is spirit worship is not tied to a certain place at a certain time, worship occurs as our human spirit responds to God’s Spirit (that is, not in external forms, but from the inside out)
-to worship “in spirit” we must be saved, yielded to the Holy Spirit, having our minds renewed and centered on God’s Word, and having confessed our sin to God.
-to worship “in truth” we must not just respond to God emotionally or ritually but must respond to His truth. Thus, knowing the Word is essential to worshipping God.
2. God, through the young “man of God” announces judgment upon Jeroboam‘s altar, with its false worship. Despite the sign of the altar being split and the ashes of the sacrifices falling out and the miraculous healing of Jeroboam’s paralyzed hand, he does not respond positively to God’s word.
3. Jeroboam continues to be unconcerned about his spiritual condition. Miracles of themselves do not produce conviction or faith. Miracles are not necessary for evangelism. (Luke 16:25ff)
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Wasted Opportunities, Pt 2
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Recap of 10/15/06 (1 Kings 12:15-33)
1. Jereboam did not believe God’s promise to him in I Kings 11:37,38 and it led to fear for his kingdom and his life.
2. When there is fear in our lives it is an indication of something we do not believe about God.
3. Fear led to greater sin for Jereboam in that he set up alternative worship for the people of Israel to keep them from going to Jerusalem to worship God in the way He prescribed. This led to idolatry among the people of God.
4. When we worship God our worship must be acceptable to Him. Unacceptable worship is:
-to just go through the motions
-to treat God as a good luck charm
-to worship without obedience to His revelation in His Word
-to worship the wrong things, such as material objects, possessions, wealth.
Recap of 10/15/06 (1 Kings 12:15-33)
1. Jereboam did not believe God’s promise to him in I Kings 11:37,38 and it led to fear for his kingdom and his life.
2. When there is fear in our lives it is an indication of something we do not believe about God.
3. Fear led to greater sin for Jereboam in that he set up alternative worship for the people of Israel to keep them from going to Jerusalem to worship God in the way He prescribed. This led to idolatry among the people of God.
4. When we worship God our worship must be acceptable to Him. Unacceptable worship is:
-to just go through the motions
-to treat God as a good luck charm
-to worship without obedience to His revelation in His Word
-to worship the wrong things, such as material objects, possessions, wealth.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Wasted Opportunities
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Recap of 10/8/-6 (1 Kings 12:12-14)
1. Two styles of leadership emerge in 1 Kings 12, servant-leadership and authoritarian leadership.
2. Jesus taught that a leader leads by serving (Matthew 20:20-28; Mark 10:42-45) and that a leader lessens the burdens of others and doesn’t make them greater (Matthew 11:28-30; 23:1-4).
3. Jesus exemplified servant leadership: in His coming to earth as a servant (Philippians 2:1-13) and in His actions (John 13:1-17; Luke 22:24-27)
4. Servant leadership builds people up, it doesn’t use them.
5. Servant leaders lead by example, serving not being served.
Recap of 10/8/-6 (1 Kings 12:12-14)
1. Two styles of leadership emerge in 1 Kings 12, servant-leadership and authoritarian leadership.
2. Jesus taught that a leader leads by serving (Matthew 20:20-28; Mark 10:42-45) and that a leader lessens the burdens of others and doesn’t make them greater (Matthew 11:28-30; 23:1-4).
3. Jesus exemplified servant leadership: in His coming to earth as a servant (Philippians 2:1-13) and in His actions (John 13:1-17; Luke 22:24-27)
4. Servant leadership builds people up, it doesn’t use them.
5. Servant leaders lead by example, serving not being served.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
The Unguarded Heart, Pt 7
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Recap of 9/24/06 (1 Kings 11:14-43)
1. God had warned Solomon that the consequence of his disobedience would be discipline.
2. God uses three enemies of Solomon to discipline him, two are from outside Israel and one from within.
3. When we sin, when our hearts are divided toward God:
-we open ourselves to God’s discipline
-we weaken ourselves against our adversaries (the world , the flesh, Satan)
-we should regard discipline not as a bad thing but as a wake-up call to return to God
4. God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:4-11), that He might produce righteous living in them.
5. Solomon life is a cautionary tale to us in at least three ways
-we must watch what we set our affections upon, what we give ourselves to
-we must make good choices, for choices have consequences
-we must make the most of the opportunities and gifts that God gives us, using them for His glory and purposes
Recap of 9/24/06 (1 Kings 11:14-43)
1. God had warned Solomon that the consequence of his disobedience would be discipline.
2. God uses three enemies of Solomon to discipline him, two are from outside Israel and one from within.
3. When we sin, when our hearts are divided toward God:
-we open ourselves to God’s discipline
-we weaken ourselves against our adversaries (the world , the flesh, Satan)
-we should regard discipline not as a bad thing but as a wake-up call to return to God
4. God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:4-11), that He might produce righteous living in them.
5. Solomon life is a cautionary tale to us in at least three ways
-we must watch what we set our affections upon, what we give ourselves to
-we must make good choices, for choices have consequences
-we must make the most of the opportunities and gifts that God gives us, using them for His glory and purposes
Sunday, September 17, 2006
The Unguarded Heart, Pt 6
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Recap of 9/17/06 (1 Kings 11:4-13)
1. To avoid the problem of a divided heart (one not fully devoted to the Lord), we must guard our hearts through fellowship and service (see complete list below in outline) (Hebrews 10:19-25; 5:11-14)
-we have a role to play in the lives of other believers by encouraging them and challenging them on in their Christian life. We must do this in humility and grace.
-we should be growing in our own Christian lives so that we can no only be recipients of ministry but reach out in ministry to others.
-even a king needs to be open to the advice of others (Ecclesiates 4:13)
2. In spite of his great privileges from the Lord, Solomon turned away from the Lord. We also have been given great privileges and spiritual blessings from God. We must not take them for granted but respond in gratitude and obedience
-we must not be blind to our own weaknesses
-we must not assume that we cannot fall
-we must be alert to the dangers of prosperity and the tendency to forget the Lord in those times
Recap of 9/17/06 (1 Kings 11:4-13)
1. To avoid the problem of a divided heart (one not fully devoted to the Lord), we must guard our hearts through fellowship and service (see complete list below in outline) (Hebrews 10:19-25; 5:11-14)
-we have a role to play in the lives of other believers by encouraging them and challenging them on in their Christian life. We must do this in humility and grace.
-we should be growing in our own Christian lives so that we can no only be recipients of ministry but reach out in ministry to others.
-even a king needs to be open to the advice of others (Ecclesiates 4:13)
2. In spite of his great privileges from the Lord, Solomon turned away from the Lord. We also have been given great privileges and spiritual blessings from God. We must not take them for granted but respond in gratitude and obedience
-we must not be blind to our own weaknesses
-we must not assume that we cannot fall
-we must be alert to the dangers of prosperity and the tendency to forget the Lord in those times
Sunday, September 10, 2006
The Unguarded Heart, Pt 5
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Recap of 9/10/06 (1 Kings 11:4-9)
1. We must guard our hearts against Satan, particularly his schemes, his tricks, his strategies. Ephesians 6:10-20; Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
2. He will seek to deter us from God’s will and way by tempting us:
-to fulfill legitimate needs in illegitimate ways
-to not trust God or to put God to the test
-by offering us worldly success, acclaim, fortune
3. Satan will even use the Word of God and righteousness, twisting them to suit his purposes.
4. We must guard our hearts through sound doctrine. 2 Timothy 1:13; Titus 2:1
Recap of 9/10/06 (1 Kings 11:4-9)
1. We must guard our hearts against Satan, particularly his schemes, his tricks, his strategies. Ephesians 6:10-20; Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
2. He will seek to deter us from God’s will and way by tempting us:
-to fulfill legitimate needs in illegitimate ways
-to not trust God or to put God to the test
-by offering us worldly success, acclaim, fortune
3. Satan will even use the Word of God and righteousness, twisting them to suit his purposes.
4. We must guard our hearts through sound doctrine. 2 Timothy 1:13; Titus 2:1
Sunday, September 03, 2006
The Unguarded Heart, Pt 4
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Recap of 9/3/06 (1 Kings 11:4-9)
1. We must guard our hearts against the world/worldliness (1 John 2:15-17; Titus 2:11-14; Galatians 1:4).
2. Definition: “Worldliness … is generally an attitude or a frame of mind that leaves out the spiritual dimension and concentrates, beyond the proper boundaries, on temporal things.“ (Harold Lindsell)
3. “Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world-wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important-has nothing to do with the Father.” (I John 2:12-17, The Message)
4. The answer to worldliness is to renew our minds by the Word of God and by prayer (Romans 12:1,2)
Recap of 9/3/06 (1 Kings 11:4-9)
1. We must guard our hearts against the world/worldliness (1 John 2:15-17; Titus 2:11-14; Galatians 1:4).
2. Definition: “Worldliness … is generally an attitude or a frame of mind that leaves out the spiritual dimension and concentrates, beyond the proper boundaries, on temporal things.“ (Harold Lindsell)
3. “Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world-wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important-has nothing to do with the Father.” (I John 2:12-17, The Message)
4. The answer to worldliness is to renew our minds by the Word of God and by prayer (Romans 12:1,2)
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