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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).
Friday, February 29, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
How to Maintain Your Spiritual Edge, Part 4
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Monday, December 31, 2007
Living At Peace, Part 2
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Recap of Philippians 4:4-9, December 30, 2007:
1. Christians individually and churches corporately should be characterized by the following four attitudes and actions: joy, gentleness, peace, and right-thinking producing right-acting.
2. Joy is possible for Christians, not because circumstances are conducive to joy (often they are not), but because, through our relationship with Christ, we have hope that He is working all things for our good.
3. We are to show gentleness to all people - Christians and non-Christians alike. The gentleness spoken of here is: “knowing when not to apply the strict letter of the law--but to relax justice and introduce mercy” (William Barclay). We must yield our rights and pursue mercy with others.
4. The antidote for anxiety and worry is prayer which brings supernatural peace to guard our inner being (intellect, emotions, will) and our thoughts. If we are unwilling to trust God or to yield control to Him, peace will elude us.
Recap of Philippians 4:4-9, December 30, 2007:
1. Christians individually and churches corporately should be characterized by the following four attitudes and actions: joy, gentleness, peace, and right-thinking producing right-acting.
2. Joy is possible for Christians, not because circumstances are conducive to joy (often they are not), but because, through our relationship with Christ, we have hope that He is working all things for our good.
3. We are to show gentleness to all people - Christians and non-Christians alike. The gentleness spoken of here is: “knowing when not to apply the strict letter of the law--but to relax justice and introduce mercy” (William Barclay). We must yield our rights and pursue mercy with others.
4. The antidote for anxiety and worry is prayer which brings supernatural peace to guard our inner being (intellect, emotions, will) and our thoughts. If we are unwilling to trust God or to yield control to Him, peace will elude us.
Three Responses to Christmas
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Recap of Matthew 2:1-12, December 23, 2007:
1. The events of Matthew 2 happened a least several months after Jesus’ birth. Not on the night of His birth as commonly portrayed.
-He was in a house not a stable, vs. 11
-He was a “child” (Greek, “paidion”) not an infant (Greek, “brephos”), vs. 11
-Luke 2:21-27 tells us that at Jesus’ purification (33 days after circumcision on the 8th day), Joseph & Mary gave a poor family’s offering, and if the Magi had already given their gifts they could not have done that.
-Herod’s order to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and vicinity, two yrs. and younger, vs. 16
2. Herod’s response of hostility and the religious leaders response of apathy have been re-enacted many times through the centuries right up to today.
3. The proper response to Jesus is, as with the Magi, faith and worship.
4. The Magi gave themselves first in worship before they gave their gifts.
5. “… what God favors us with, we must honor Him with.” (Matthew Henry) The talent, resources, and time God has given us must be given back to Him.
6. The gifts of the Magi to Jesus reflected not only His deity but His coming death as well (myrrh was used as a burial spice).
Recap of Matthew 2:1-12, December 23, 2007:
1. The events of Matthew 2 happened a least several months after Jesus’ birth. Not on the night of His birth as commonly portrayed.
-He was in a house not a stable, vs. 11
-He was a “child” (Greek, “paidion”) not an infant (Greek, “brephos”), vs. 11
-Luke 2:21-27 tells us that at Jesus’ purification (33 days after circumcision on the 8th day), Joseph & Mary gave a poor family’s offering, and if the Magi had already given their gifts they could not have done that.
-Herod’s order to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and vicinity, two yrs. and younger, vs. 16
2. Herod’s response of hostility and the religious leaders response of apathy have been re-enacted many times through the centuries right up to today.
3. The proper response to Jesus is, as with the Magi, faith and worship.
4. The Magi gave themselves first in worship before they gave their gifts.
5. “… what God favors us with, we must honor Him with.” (Matthew Henry) The talent, resources, and time God has given us must be given back to Him.
6. The gifts of the Magi to Jesus reflected not only His deity but His coming death as well (myrrh was used as a burial spice).
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Living At Peace
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Recap of Philippians 4:1-3, December 2, 2007:
1. Peace is necessary in the Body of Christ to have an effective witness to those around us.
2. Dissension violates peace in the Body.
3. Dissension often arises when a person is offended in the Body and then shares that offense with others rather than going to the offender.
4. There is no sanction is the scripture for going to anyone other than the offender. If it cannot be resolved at that level, then it is necessary to bring in another.5. When offenses are shared with others it becomes gossip which divides the Body because: gossip always separates people, causes dissension, causes people to be untrusting of others, widens a conflict, crushes the spirit of another, and kills the reputation of another. Gossip is unfortunately appealing.
Recap of Philippians 4:1-3, December 2, 2007:
1. Peace is necessary in the Body of Christ to have an effective witness to those around us.
2. Dissension violates peace in the Body.
3. Dissension often arises when a person is offended in the Body and then shares that offense with others rather than going to the offender.
4. There is no sanction is the scripture for going to anyone other than the offender. If it cannot be resolved at that level, then it is necessary to bring in another.5. When offenses are shared with others it becomes gossip which divides the Body because: gossip always separates people, causes dissension, causes people to be untrusting of others, widens a conflict, crushes the spirit of another, and kills the reputation of another. Gossip is unfortunately appealing.
Monday, November 26, 2007
No Room For Complacency, Part 4
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NOTE: the sermon from November 18 (No Room For Complacency Part 3) is not available due to technical difficulty.
Recap of 11/25/07:
1. Paul, like a runner, is pressing toward the goal of Christlikeness (spiritual maturity) to win the prize. Some believe that the prize he is talking about is the rewards that believers will receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ for faithful life and service since becoming Christians. Only believers will be present at this judgment where salvation is not the issue and is not in doubt, only rewards are in view. Romans 14:10,12; I Cor 3:10-15; 9:24-27; 2 Cor 5:10
2. Paul urges Christians to live up to the truth that they have learned. We must live the truth we know, not just hold it as an intellectual abstraction.
3. Christians must live in obedience to the Word of God, not according to their appetites.
4. Christian’s minds must be focused on heaven from which we await a Savior, not preoccupied with earthly things to the exclusion of spiritual things. Out citizenship is in Heaven, earth is only a temporary dwelling place. Heb 11:13; 1 Peter 2:11
NOTE: the sermon from November 18 (No Room For Complacency Part 3) is not available due to technical difficulty.
Recap of 11/25/07:
1. Paul, like a runner, is pressing toward the goal of Christlikeness (spiritual maturity) to win the prize. Some believe that the prize he is talking about is the rewards that believers will receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ for faithful life and service since becoming Christians. Only believers will be present at this judgment where salvation is not the issue and is not in doubt, only rewards are in view. Romans 14:10,12; I Cor 3:10-15; 9:24-27; 2 Cor 5:10
2. Paul urges Christians to live up to the truth that they have learned. We must live the truth we know, not just hold it as an intellectual abstraction.
3. Christians must live in obedience to the Word of God, not according to their appetites.
4. Christian’s minds must be focused on heaven from which we await a Savior, not preoccupied with earthly things to the exclusion of spiritual things. Out citizenship is in Heaven, earth is only a temporary dwelling place. Heb 11:13; 1 Peter 2:11
Monday, November 19, 2007
No Room For Complacency, Part 2
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Recap of 11/11/07:
1. Our salvation is secure because (continuation of list from last week’s recap):
-Jesus is our Advocate (1 John 2:1) and He intercedes for us (Heb 7:25) when Satan accuses us to God the Father. Jesus’ work would be ineffective if we could be lost.
-Jesus loses none that the Father gives Him (John 6:39-40)
2. In verse 11 Paul was not expressing doubt about his salvation. Nor was he expressing doubt about being raised from the dead (see I Cor 15:51-53; 1 Thes 4:13-18).3. Paul’s hope in Phil 3:11 was either an expression of humility; a wish to part of those who would be alive when Christ returned and there for be raptured, or most likely a desire to live in resurrection power (dying to sin, self, selfishness, pride and living in newness of life in resurrection power).
Recap of 11/11/07:
1. Our salvation is secure because (continuation of list from last week’s recap):
-Jesus is our Advocate (1 John 2:1) and He intercedes for us (Heb 7:25) when Satan accuses us to God the Father. Jesus’ work would be ineffective if we could be lost.
-Jesus loses none that the Father gives Him (John 6:39-40)
2. In verse 11 Paul was not expressing doubt about his salvation. Nor was he expressing doubt about being raised from the dead (see I Cor 15:51-53; 1 Thes 4:13-18).3. Paul’s hope in Phil 3:11 was either an expression of humility; a wish to part of those who would be alive when Christ returned and there for be raptured, or most likely a desire to live in resurrection power (dying to sin, self, selfishness, pride and living in newness of life in resurrection power).
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
No Room For Complacency
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Philippians 3:11-21
Recap of November 4, 2007:
1. Paul was not in doubt about the security of his salvation. In Phil. 1:21-23 he wrote that “to die is gain” and “to depart [this life] is to be with Christ.
2. Our salvation is secure because …
-we are secure in the hands of both God the Father and God the Son (John 10:27-30) and no one can snatch us out of their hands. “Now, ‘no one’ means no one, including the individual himself. The promise does not say that no one, except yourself, can seize the believer out of God’s hand. It says no one.” (Dr. Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology, pp. 330-331)
-the Holy Spirit seals the believer at the moment of salvation “until the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). The sealing is a down payment guaranteeing our future inheritance.
-the moment we are saved we are placed by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13)
-of the work of God in salvation. The chain remains unbroken from foreknowledge to glorification (the final state of the believer in his/her resurrection body)), none are lost in the process. (Romans 8:29-30)
-of the promise of the Word of God that nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:31-39)
Philippians 3:11-21
Recap of November 4, 2007:
1. Paul was not in doubt about the security of his salvation. In Phil. 1:21-23 he wrote that “to die is gain” and “to depart [this life] is to be with Christ.
2. Our salvation is secure because …
-we are secure in the hands of both God the Father and God the Son (John 10:27-30) and no one can snatch us out of their hands. “Now, ‘no one’ means no one, including the individual himself. The promise does not say that no one, except yourself, can seize the believer out of God’s hand. It says no one.” (Dr. Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology, pp. 330-331)
-the Holy Spirit seals the believer at the moment of salvation “until the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). The sealing is a down payment guaranteeing our future inheritance.
-the moment we are saved we are placed by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13)
-of the work of God in salvation. The chain remains unbroken from foreknowledge to glorification (the final state of the believer in his/her resurrection body)), none are lost in the process. (Romans 8:29-30)
-of the promise of the Word of God that nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:31-39)
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