Pt. Dave Kenney
Christmas Weekend
Galatians 4:1-7 (MSG)
v.4 But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Gal 4:4-5 (NIV).
1. Not my Timing, but God's Timing
"...in the fullness of time..."
"... just the right time..."
"... when the time arrived that was set by God the Father..."
No matter what I see going on around me, God is still in control.
Moses - between the sea and army.
God took their outer control and showed He is still under control [story about apostle Paul]
Who is greater : Jesus or King Herod?
2. Not my Ability, but God's Enabling
Luke 1:13-18 (MSG)
v.8 Do you expect me to believe this?
Luke 1:30-38 (NIV)
v.38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered.
What God wants from us is obedience and willingness and He takes care of the rest.
And Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to Thy word. And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38 (KJV)
Mary accepted God's plan, even she knows it doesn't make sense.
Zachariah rejected what God told him, coz he has no ability. He looks at his own weakness.
God only wants us to OBEY.
3. Not my Plan, but GOd's Plan.
Matt 1:18-25 (MSG)
Joseph:
bitterly felt betrayed.
Actually he has 2 option : publicly divorced Mary meaning humiliate her, OR do it quietly so people won't question.
Him, being a gentlemen, planned to do it quitely. But then God interfere. And he OBEYED.
No matter what is happening in your life, you need to live to please God.
Joseph's dream was totally shattered, the moment Mary "betrayed" him.
But he did the right thing, no matter what.
God still wants you to obey HIM.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Who We Are, Where We Are Going
Pt. Dave Kenney
Eph. 4:1-16
ONE
We have a calling - God has a purpose for everyone's life, but we have a calling together..
It is to be His Body - His representative..
It is fulfilled in and through Love for one another
TWO
Each has a unique and special gift - God has a role for everyone to be played.
You need to take a chance to discover your uniqueness.
THREE
Equippers :
pastor - to train, motivate, encourage
teacher
evangelist
These people aren't the ones who's supposed to be reaching out.
Ministers
FOUR
Result - because the love of Christ, you need to go and reach out.
Impact
Take Three Steps
Step One : Love God
Step Two : Love Others - each other, that's how we start to reach out.
Step Three : Reach the World
Jesus replied, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40 (NLT)
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirt. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)
Eph. 4:1-16
ONE
We have a calling - God has a purpose for everyone's life, but we have a calling together..
It is to be His Body - His representative..
It is fulfilled in and through Love for one another
TWO
Each has a unique and special gift - God has a role for everyone to be played.
You need to take a chance to discover your uniqueness.
THREE
Equippers :
pastor - to train, motivate, encourage
teacher
evangelist
These people aren't the ones who's supposed to be reaching out.
Ministers
FOUR
Result - because the love of Christ, you need to go and reach out.
Impact
Take Three Steps
Step One : Love God
Step Two : Love Others - each other, that's how we start to reach out.
Step Three : Reach the World
Jesus replied, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40 (NLT)
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirt. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Receiving Guidance From God
Pt. Dave Kenney
Week 1 : How to Hear God Speak
Week 2 : How God Talks to You
Why is it so important to really hear to God speak? There are three reasons:
Week 3 : How to Recognize God's Voice
WEEK 4 : RECEIVING GUIDANCE FROM GOD
I will stand at my watch
and station myself on the ramparts;
I will look to see what He will say to me,
and what answer I am to give this complaint.
Then the Lord replied:
"Write down the revelation
and make it plain on tablets
so that a herald may run with it. Habakkuk 2:1-2
1. BACKGROUND : HABAKKUK, PROPHET TO JUDAH
He's a minor prophet also asked "Why there is injustice things happened?" -We aren't the first to ask that.
a. "How long, Lord?" Habakkuk's first prayer.
b. God's Answer - bring Babylonia to wiped the Israelites
c. "How can You use them, Lord?" Habakkuk's second prayer - them : wicked people, worse enemy
d. Waiting for God's answer
e. God's second answer - don't worry. I'll destroyed them for their wickedness. God will use them first to fulfilled His purpose.
f. "I will rejoice in the God of my salvation" Habakkuk's third prayer.
Habakkuk saw injustice occurring in Judah and cried out to God for an answer. We cry out to cry in the midst of crisis, in the midst of sickness, in the times when we can't go on in our own strength. God hears the cries of His people, and responds to them. Example : The nation of Israel in slavery in Egypt (Exodus 3); Jehoshaphat when Moab and Ammon invaded Israel (2 Chronicles 20); Peter's deliverance from jail (Acts 12); Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16)
2. HOW TO REQUEST GUIDANCE?
a. I must realize that God cares about the details of our lives - most of us only asked for the really BIG questions.
Matt 6:31-32
Sometimes we don't ask Him, coz we thought He don't care about the details.
b. I must ask a specific question
James 4: 2b "You do not have, because you do not ask God."
c. I must believe He wants to answer
James 1:5-6
3. FIVE STEPS TO RECEIVING GUIDANCE
While Habakkuk was waiting for God's answer - Hab 2:1-2
a. W ith draw
"I will climb my watchtower"
watchtower: someone getting away from everything.
This is Suzanna Wesley's watchtower : in the rocking chair, under the apron.
b. W ait - be patient, coz God's time line isn't ours. His plans aren't ready yet.
"I will station myself" - hurry is the death of prayer
c. W atch - take a look around you, how God works, what He had for you.
"I will look to see what He says to me"
d. W rite - we need to remember it.
"Write down clearly what I reveal to you."
e. W orship
Habakkuk wasn't happy with what God said, but still worshiping Him for being Him.
"I will rejoice in the God of my salvation"
4. WHAT IF THERE IS NO ANSWER
a. Sometimes God let's us choose - Go and choose whatever. He will be with you anyway. The critical thing is your relationship with God.
b. Make sure you evaluate your choice.
c. Make a decision based on confidence, not on fear.
"...whatever decision your making, Am gonna make it work it out..." [God]
He's not sitting up there just watching and doing nothing
Week 1 : How to Hear God Speak
- Cultivate an open mind
- Allocate time to listen
- Eliminate distractions
- Cooperate with what God says
Week 2 : How God Talks to You
- God speaks through the Bible
- God speaks to us through gifted teachers
- God speaks through impressions
- God speaks through pain
Why is it so important to really hear to God speak? There are three reasons:
- It assures me that I'm in God's family.
- It protects me from mistakes.
- It is the secret of a productive life, listening to God on a moment by moment basis.
Week 3 : How to Recognize God's Voice
- Does it agree with the Bible?
- Does it make me more like Christ?
- Does my church family confirm it?
- Is it consistent with how God has shaped me?
- Does it concern my responsibility?
- Do I sense God's peace about it?
WEEK 4 : RECEIVING GUIDANCE FROM GOD
I will stand at my watch
and station myself on the ramparts;
I will look to see what He will say to me,
and what answer I am to give this complaint.
Then the Lord replied:
"Write down the revelation
and make it plain on tablets
so that a herald may run with it. Habakkuk 2:1-2
1. BACKGROUND : HABAKKUK, PROPHET TO JUDAH
He's a minor prophet also asked "Why there is injustice things happened?" -We aren't the first to ask that.
a. "How long, Lord?" Habakkuk's first prayer.
b. God's Answer - bring Babylonia to wiped the Israelites
c. "How can You use them, Lord?" Habakkuk's second prayer - them : wicked people, worse enemy
d. Waiting for God's answer
e. God's second answer - don't worry. I'll destroyed them for their wickedness. God will use them first to fulfilled His purpose.
f. "I will rejoice in the God of my salvation" Habakkuk's third prayer.
Habakkuk saw injustice occurring in Judah and cried out to God for an answer. We cry out to cry in the midst of crisis, in the midst of sickness, in the times when we can't go on in our own strength. God hears the cries of His people, and responds to them. Example : The nation of Israel in slavery in Egypt (Exodus 3); Jehoshaphat when Moab and Ammon invaded Israel (2 Chronicles 20); Peter's deliverance from jail (Acts 12); Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16)
2. HOW TO REQUEST GUIDANCE?
a. I must realize that God cares about the details of our lives - most of us only asked for the really BIG questions.
Matt 6:31-32
Sometimes we don't ask Him, coz we thought He don't care about the details.
b. I must ask a specific question
James 4: 2b "You do not have, because you do not ask God."
c. I must believe He wants to answer
James 1:5-6
3. FIVE STEPS TO RECEIVING GUIDANCE
While Habakkuk was waiting for God's answer - Hab 2:1-2
a. W ith draw
"I will climb my watchtower"
watchtower: someone getting away from everything.
This is Suzanna Wesley's watchtower : in the rocking chair, under the apron.
b. W ait - be patient, coz God's time line isn't ours. His plans aren't ready yet.
"I will station myself" - hurry is the death of prayer
c. W atch - take a look around you, how God works, what He had for you.
"I will look to see what He says to me"
d. W rite - we need to remember it.
"Write down clearly what I reveal to you."
e. W orship
Habakkuk wasn't happy with what God said, but still worshiping Him for being Him.
"I will rejoice in the God of my salvation"
4. WHAT IF THERE IS NO ANSWER
a. Sometimes God let's us choose - Go and choose whatever. He will be with you anyway. The critical thing is your relationship with God.
b. Make sure you evaluate your choice.
*is it biblical?
*does it make me more like Christ?
*does it make me more like Christ?
c. Make a decision based on confidence, not on fear.
"God, who loved us enough to send His Son to die for us, will walk with you
no matter what you decide." Pastor Dave Kenney
"...whatever decision your making, Am gonna make it work it out..." [God]
He's not sitting up there just watching and doing nothing
Sunday, November 30, 2008
How to Hear God's Voice
Pt. Dave Kenney
Why is it so important to really hear God speak? There are three reasons:
God gives us impressions. But how do we know, it's from God?
1. DOES IT AGREE WITH THE BIBLE?
Luke 21:33 - God never contradicts His own word.
Let me "pray" about it, usually means No.
2. DOES IT MAKE ME MORE LIKE CHRIST?
Eph. 4:13 (NLT)
Gal 5:22-23 (NLT) - What would Jesus do?
3. DOES MY CHURCH FAMILY CONFIRM IT?
Proverbs 12:15 (NLT)
Proverbs 15:22 (ESV)
1 Cor 12:26 (NIV)
Proverbs 11:14b (ESV)
4. IS IT CONSISTENT WITH HOW GOD HAS SHAPED ME?
Eph. 2:10 (NIV)
Rom 12:6 (NLT)
5. DOES IT CONCERN MY RESPONSIBILITY?
We have area of our own responsibility.
When He speaks about other people to you:
6. DO I SENSE GOD'S PEACE ABOUT IT?
Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
Psalm 32:8 (NLT)
John 8:47 (TNIV)
Psalm 78:1 (NIV)
- God speaks through the Bible
- God speaks to us through gifted teachers
- God speaks through impressions
- God speaks through pain.
Why is it so important to really hear God speak? There are three reasons:
- It is assures me that I'm in God's family.
- It protects me from mistakes.
- It is the secret of a productive life, listening to God on a moment by moment basis (not only on dangerous situations)
God gives us impressions. But how do we know, it's from God?
1. DOES IT AGREE WITH THE BIBLE?
Luke 21:33 - God never contradicts His own word.
Let me "pray" about it, usually means No.
2. DOES IT MAKE ME MORE LIKE CHRIST?
Eph. 4:13 (NLT)
Gal 5:22-23 (NLT) - What would Jesus do?
3. DOES MY CHURCH FAMILY CONFIRM IT?
Proverbs 12:15 (NLT)
Proverbs 15:22 (ESV)
1 Cor 12:26 (NIV)
Proverbs 11:14b (ESV)
4. IS IT CONSISTENT WITH HOW GOD HAS SHAPED ME?
Eph. 2:10 (NIV)
Rom 12:6 (NLT)
5. DOES IT CONCERN MY RESPONSIBILITY?
We have area of our own responsibility.
When He speaks about other people to you:
- God uses you to confirm what He's already said to them.
- If God uses me to speak to someone else's life He will often do so without you knowing it. - we don't always know how God uses us.
- Trust God to speak to that person first before you talk to them. Pray that God speak to that person first.
6. DO I SENSE GOD'S PEACE ABOUT IT?
Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
Psalm 32:8 (NLT)
John 8:47 (TNIV)
Psalm 78:1 (NIV)
Sunday, November 2, 2008
How To Hear God Speak
Pt. Dave Kenney
Luke 8:1-12
God speaks to every single people. And it's good news that He speaks to everyone.
He wants to have a communication based relationship.
The problem is, we misunderstand His words. Even most of the time we do according to our own understanding.
IES is not a non PROPHET organizations. :)
Luke 8:1-12
Attitude of your heart and how it reflects on, to how God speaks to us.
Luke 8:4-15
"Jesus said... He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" v.8b
How can we hear Him speak?
I. CULTIVATE an open mind : be eager
"...some seed fell along the path: It was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up." v.5
"Those along the path are those who hear, and then the devil comes along and take away the word from their hearts, so they cannot believe and be saved." v.12
The hardened path - because of the constant traffic. Usually narrow minded, not open to hear what Jesus speaks.
3 Causes:
Luke 8:1-12
God speaks to every single people. And it's good news that He speaks to everyone.
He wants to have a communication based relationship.
The problem is, we misunderstand His words. Even most of the time we do according to our own understanding.
IES is not a non PROPHET organizations. :)
Luke 8:1-12
Attitude of your heart and how it reflects on, to how God speaks to us.
Luke 8:4-15
"Jesus said... He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" v.8b
How can we hear Him speak?
I. CULTIVATE an open mind : be eager
"...some seed fell along the path: It was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up." v.5
"Those along the path are those who hear, and then the devil comes along and take away the word from their hearts, so they cannot believe and be saved." v.12
The hardened path - because of the constant traffic. Usually narrow minded, not open to hear what Jesus speaks.
3 Causes:
- Pride - "didn't need Good to tell me what to do"
- Fear - out of afraid, then decide on not to listen.
- Bitterness - cos our mind start to questioning God. You will be hurt in life. This not heaven, this is earth. But we have God. Our choices today will determine us becoming a better person or a bitter one. If we close our mind, we have close ourselves to the only ONE who can help us.
He didn't promise a god life (non pain life). But He promise to be with you to go through the pain life.
If problems occur, don't run from God. Instead run for God.
The first step in hearing God speak is I must cultivate an open mind.
II. ALLOCATE time to listen.
"Other seed fell on shallow soil with rock beneath. This see began to grow but soon withered and died for lack of moisture." v.6
"Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing, they fail away." v.13
They didn't retain. You can completely be inspired/thrilled with The Word, but not be transformed.
Why God should teach us new things when we haven't resolved the old ones?
The shallow soil -
Secondly, we must allocate time to listen.
III. ELIMINATE the distractions. Give time for God to speak.
"Other seed fell among thorns which grew up with it and choked the plants. v.7
"The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by life's worries, riches, and pleasures, and they don't mature. v.14
Preoccupied our mind.
The soil with weeds
v. weed·ed, weed·ing, weeds
- A plant considered undesirable, unattractive, or troublesome, especially one growing where it is not wanted, as in a garden.
- Rank growth of such plants.
- Tobacco.
- A cigarette.
- Marijuana.
- A water plant, especially seaweed.
- The leaves or stems of a plant as distinguished from the seeds: dill weed.
- Something useless, detrimental, or worthless, especially an animal unfit for breeding.
- Slang
- Tobacco.
- A cigarette.
- Marijuana.
v. tr.
v. intr.
- To clear of weeds.
- To remove (weeds). Often used with out: weed out dandelions.
- To eliminate as unsuitable or unwanted. Often used with out: weed out unqualified applicants.
To remove weeds.
[Middle English, from Old English wēod, herb, grass, weed.]
Weeds are signs of neglect
3 types of weeds
- Worries - you can't be worried and pray for God on the same time.
define [worry]
–verb (used without object)
1. to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts; fret. –verb (used with object)
2. to move with effort: an old car worrying uphill.
3. to torment with cares, anxieties, etc.; trouble; plague.
4. to seize, esp. by the throat, with the teeth and shake or mangle, as one animal does another. –noun
5. to harass by repeated biting, snapping, etc.
6. a worried condition or feeling; uneasiness or anxiety.
7. a cause of uneasiness or anxiety; trouble.
8. act of worrying. —Verb phrase
9. Fox Hunting. the action of the hounds in tearing to pieces the carcass of a fox.
10. worry along or through, Informal. to progress or succeed by constant effort, despite difficulty: to worry through an intolerable situation.
- Riches
- Pleasure - God invented FUN, but don't let those things to distracted but instead make it fulfill.
IV. COOPERATE with what He says
You will never know how His plans will work. You can't tell God, let show me how it works, then I'll decide later. If God tells you to do something, you will only know 2 things: the first step, and the last step. What happened in between, you will never know.
"The seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word retain it and by persevering produce a crop." v.15
Do you want to have a productive life?
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!" James 1:22
Don't think if you came regular to church, or listen to worship music in your car, then you will have a productive life.
I will allocate time to listen MORE!
[God wants us to have a willing mind]
You will never know how His plans will work. You can't tell God, let show me how it works, then I'll decide later. If God tells you to do something, you will only know 2 things: the first step, and the last step. What happened in between, you will never know.
"The seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word retain it and by persevering produce a crop." v.15
Do you want to have a productive life?
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!" James 1:22
Don't think if you came regular to church, or listen to worship music in your car, then you will have a productive life.
I will allocate time to listen MORE!
[God wants us to have a willing mind]
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Making Our World A Better Place
Chris Long
Missions Weekend
2 Tim 1:15-18
Paul was blessed by someone that made his world a better place.
That someone is Onesiphorus.
Do you have a someone like that? Or maybe you could be that someone?
Paul talked highly about Onesiphorus.
What did he do?
1. Remained loyal and stood by Paul in times of destress.,
v.15
definition [Loyal] :
We need to be loyal to the ones who's precious in our life.
Loyal to our faith, to our family, friends, and nation.
2. Onesiphorus ministered to Paul's deepest needs.
v.16 - refreshed me (NIV) ; visited and encourage (NLT).
Rom 12:13 - Practice hospitality.
Usually Christians, they loved God SO much so gave all to God, and left nothing for others.
We can refreshed others with an act of kindness.
3. He was noble and not ashamed of Paul's sufferings
v.16b
Nobility - someone has to got standard classy, not mediocre. He's a class act that can affect people.
definition [Noble] :
When Jesus was on the cross, He prayed for the ones who prosecuted Him.
They KNEW what they did to Him was wrong. And still He prayed for them!
People was like, "what? are you serious?"
Why?
Cause He's got class. He got standard classy.
He saw the case beyond everyone else.
Same thing happened to the murderer who's hanged beside Him.
He forgave him, and promised paradise to him, right now!
4. Onesiphorus had a shepherd's heart
v.17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me.
Luke 15:4-5
That's why, ministry isn't a business.
You go and search for the 1% who's lost, in need, etc. and leave the 99%
Onesiphorus traveled from Ephesus to Rome, just to go and found Paul.
It's a long way!
5. He came and helped Paul in many practical ways.
1 Corinthians 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
No one got excuses to say "I don't have a special gift like you to serve", cos there's a gift called a gift of able to help others. Everyone has this gift.
Missions Weekend
2 Tim 1:15-18
Paul was blessed by someone that made his world a better place.
That someone is Onesiphorus.
Do you have a someone like that? Or maybe you could be that someone?
Paul talked highly about Onesiphorus.
What did he do?
1. Remained loyal and stood by Paul in times of destress.,
v.15
definition [Loyal] :
- firm and not changing in your friendship with or support for a person or an organization, or in your belief in your principles
- always supportive
- always liking and supporting someone or something, sometimes when other people do not
We need to be loyal to the ones who's precious in our life.
Loyal to our faith, to our family, friends, and nation.
2. Onesiphorus ministered to Paul's deepest needs.
v.16 - refreshed me (NIV) ; visited and encourage (NLT).
Rom 12:13 - Practice hospitality.
Usually Christians, they loved God SO much so gave all to God, and left nothing for others.
We can refreshed others with an act of kindness.
3. He was noble and not ashamed of Paul's sufferings
v.16b
Nobility - someone has to got standard classy, not mediocre. He's a class act that can affect people.
definition [Noble] :
noble (HIGH RANK)
adjective [not gradable]
having a high social rank, esp. from birth
a noble family related to the queen
noble
noun [C]
a person of high social rank, esp. from birth
nobility
noun [U]
the class or group of people who have a high social rank, esp. from birth
When Jesus was on the cross, He prayed for the ones who prosecuted Him.
They KNEW what they did to Him was wrong. And still He prayed for them!
People was like, "what? are you serious?"
Why?
Cause He's got class. He got standard classy.
He saw the case beyond everyone else.
Same thing happened to the murderer who's hanged beside Him.
He forgave him, and promised paradise to him, right now!
4. Onesiphorus had a shepherd's heart
v.17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me.
Luke 15:4-5
That's why, ministry isn't a business.
You go and search for the 1% who's lost, in need, etc. and leave the 99%
Onesiphorus traveled from Ephesus to Rome, just to go and found Paul.It's a long way!
5. He came and helped Paul in many practical ways.
1 Corinthians 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
No one got excuses to say "I don't have a special gift like you to serve", cos there's a gift called a gift of able to help others. Everyone has this gift.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Why Bother?
Pt. Duane Danielson
Luke 18: 35-43
Luke 19:1-9
God did things differently
God do things differently
1. God Works in Different Places
v.35 - in ordinary place, a street.
v. 4 - an inordinate tree : Sycamore tree, in an ordinary street.
Nowadays, we usually think that God needs to do things only on stage, line up people, etc.
It doesn't work that way.
Ordinary Places VS Holy Places, Spiritual Places.
God will just intercede in ordinary places.
2. God Works in Different Person
A blind man, which also is a beggar. Usually people don't want to spend time to go deeper coz at the end they think they need to take care of the beggar.
Zacheus, a corrupt man. Do you want to do biz with this kind of people?
Jesus spend the day with an inordinate person.
Jesus just spend a small time in the world, but spend a day one on one with every person that He met.
He's more interested for the people who are on our least of list, just because we ourselves don't stand those bottom list people.
If you want to reach them, you need to reach further in the mud, and it's gonna be muddy. Also you need to get all "the crap" out, while you are pulling stuffs outside the mud.
It's gonna be:
but guess what?
Some of us, God strategically put us in "The Mud"
3. God Works in Different Plans
Sometime Jesus wants to interrupt our plan, coz He got bigger plan for us.
Imagine if the disciples has schedule Jesus, and the blind beggar is just not on the program. Would they stopped Jesus from interfering their plan, just becoz He need to stop for everyone?
v. 43 - Jesus has plans also for the blind man : Follow Jesus and praise God.
If we follow God's plan, it will transformed us immediately.
Transformation that effects you and your family.
4. God Works in Different Participation then we thought.
v.40 - what do YOU want ME to do?
v.5 - I must stay in your house.
He got personally involve with every single "prospect".
He didn't delegate to the disciples, but do it one on one.
Always have a daily interacting with people.
How do you need to be personal and on going with people?
Luke 18: 35-43
Luke 19:1-9
God did things differently
God do things differently
1. God Works in Different Places
v.35 - in ordinary place, a street.
v. 4 - an inordinate tree : Sycamore tree, in an ordinary street.
Nowadays, we usually think that God needs to do things only on stage, line up people, etc.
It doesn't work that way.
Ordinary Places VS Holy Places, Spiritual Places.
God will just intercede in ordinary places.
2. God Works in Different Person
A blind man, which also is a beggar. Usually people don't want to spend time to go deeper coz at the end they think they need to take care of the beggar.
Zacheus, a corrupt man. Do you want to do biz with this kind of people?
Jesus spend the day with an inordinate person.
Jesus just spend a small time in the world, but spend a day one on one with every person that He met.
He's more interested for the people who are on our least of list, just because we ourselves don't stand those bottom list people.
If you want to reach them, you need to reach further in the mud, and it's gonna be muddy. Also you need to get all "the crap" out, while you are pulling stuffs outside the mud.
It's gonna be:
- muddy
- complicated
- there's a time limit
- less return
but guess what?
Some of us, God strategically put us in "The Mud"
3. God Works in Different Plans
Sometime Jesus wants to interrupt our plan, coz He got bigger plan for us.
Imagine if the disciples has schedule Jesus, and the blind beggar is just not on the program. Would they stopped Jesus from interfering their plan, just becoz He need to stop for everyone?
v. 43 - Jesus has plans also for the blind man : Follow Jesus and praise God.
If we follow God's plan, it will transformed us immediately.
Transformation that effects you and your family.
4. God Works in Different Participation then we thought.
v.40 - what do YOU want ME to do?
v.5 - I must stay in your house.
He got personally involve with every single "prospect".
He didn't delegate to the disciples, but do it one on one.
Always have a daily interacting with people.
How do you need to be personal and on going with people?
1. Everyone need to pray for the harvest, by name.
2. Need to be giving more..
3. There's time when God us going to stretch you.
4. We need to go unto the fitness and work - figure our where God want to seed you.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Q&A Weekend
Can we challenge God?
Read the book of Job.
Just remember that God is not afraid of our questions!
Why do people pretend to be Christians?
Cos it's easy to do. Mostly think that they can just humble themselves every time they sin.They took advantage of that.
How do we know that God answers our prayers/not?
Tithing somewhere else?
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Everything belongs to the Lord.
Give wherever, however, whatever He leads.
As long as we give joyfully.
Gossip?
Eph 4:15 - share out of truth, share because of love, if not, STOP talking.
If you're asking the LOVE question, you will never gossip.
If you asked the GOSSIP question, you will never loved.
feel offended because of__
you are putting yourself as a weaker Christian.
Read the book of Job.
Just remember that God is not afraid of our questions!
Why do people pretend to be Christians?
Cos it's easy to do. Mostly think that they can just humble themselves every time they sin.They took advantage of that.
How do we know that God answers our prayers/not?
- Pray in obedience to God. Not because we want something to happened. But because we ARE supposed to pray.
- We don't have to pray everything that's happened ________ circumstances. The more we pray, the more coincidence we have. Pray because of obedience.
- Don't become so rational. Just glorify the Lord.
Tithing somewhere else?
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Everything belongs to the Lord.
Give wherever, however, whatever He leads.
As long as we give joyfully.
Gossip?
Eph 4:15 - share out of truth, share because of love, if not, STOP talking.
If you're asking the LOVE question, you will never gossip.
If you asked the GOSSIP question, you will never loved.
feel offended because of__
you are putting yourself as a weaker Christian.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
IES Family Values
Pt. Dave Kenney
IES Family Values:
1. We don't care where you've been, we only care where you are going - whatever past you have, it's a past.
Acceptance
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accept you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7
A place for people whose aren't accepted by others.
For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26-28 (NLT)
Grace
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that on one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
We are saved by Grace through Faith, NOT saved by Faith. We are receiving Grace WITH Faith.
Grace means "Unmerited gift"
Growth
...so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:13
The sign of maturity is becoming more and more like Jesus.
IES is a river (that flows), not a lake.
Relational - cos we care where you're going.
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:15-16
Growth comes in relationship.
The reason why we want them to have a relationship is because Jesus loves us.
Intentional
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
2. People Over Programs
People
-----------
Programs
3. Everyone a Minister
It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Eph 4:11-13
You're not going to grow if you don't get involve in the ministry.
4. God's Word changes lives.
Romans 1:16-17 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
v.9-10 - kind of things, that's unacceptable.
5. Serious about our Faith, Serious about our Fun, Serious about our Food.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again : Rejoice! Philippians 4:4
I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord." Psalm 122:1
God accept us to be joyful people.
IES Family Values:
- We don't care where you've been, we only care where you are going.
- People over programs.
- Everyone a minister.
- God's Word changes lives.
- Serious about our faith, serious about our fun, serious about our food.
1. We don't care where you've been, we only care where you are going - whatever past you have, it's a past.
Acceptance
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accept you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7
A place for people whose aren't accepted by others.
For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26-28 (NLT)
Grace
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that on one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
We are saved by Grace through Faith, NOT saved by Faith. We are receiving Grace WITH Faith.
Grace means "Unmerited gift"
Growth
...so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:13
The sign of maturity is becoming more and more like Jesus.
IES is a river (that flows), not a lake.
Relational - cos we care where you're going.
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:15-16
Growth comes in relationship.
The reason why we want them to have a relationship is because Jesus loves us.
Intentional
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
2. People Over Programs
People
-----------
Programs
We always take care of people, don't care about the program, or people divided by program
3. Everyone a Minister
It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Eph 4:11-13
You're not going to grow if you don't get involve in the ministry.
4. God's Word changes lives.
Romans 1:16-17 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
v.9-10 - kind of things, that's unacceptable.
5. Serious about our Faith, Serious about our Fun, Serious about our Food.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again : Rejoice! Philippians 4:4
I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord." Psalm 122:1
God accept us to be joyful people.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Faith That Prays
Oyan Simatupang
James 5:7-20
I. Sickness from the Outside.
1. Is any of you in trouble?
If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed but praise God that you bear that name. 1 Pet 4:15-16.
Our Response: When we are suffering, James tells us to PRAY.
Prayer can remove affliction.
Prayer can give us grace to endure affliction.
2. Is anyone happy?
Our Response: When we are cheerful, James tells us to PRAISE - celebrate the praises of God in Song. Bursting in Song is a spiritual.
II. Sickness from the Inside.
1. Is any one of you Sick?
James 5: 14-16 The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. The prayer in faith.
Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrew 12:3
We will call it "sin-sickness"
Our Response:
The Elders will
Pray - And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage them the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14
Listen - be a good listener
Anoint with Oil - a lipstantes : a rub with oil - bestowing, grooming - give extra attention to somebody, relaxation, coffee.
It he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16b - 18
III. The Example of Elijah - Effective Prayer.
James 5:16b - 18
How long are you going to pray to gain victory?
IV. FAITH THAT WORKS - SAVING A SOUL
James 5:7-20
V. EVERYDAY APPLICATION.
James 5:7-20
I. Sickness from the Outside.
1. Is any of you in trouble?
If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed but praise God that you bear that name. 1 Pet 4:15-16.
Our Response: When we are suffering, James tells us to PRAY.
Prayer can remove affliction.
Prayer can give us grace to endure affliction.
2. Is anyone happy?
Our Response: When we are cheerful, James tells us to PRAISE - celebrate the praises of God in Song. Bursting in Song is a spiritual.
II. Sickness from the Inside.
1. Is any one of you Sick?
James 5: 14-16 The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. The prayer in faith.
Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrew 12:3
We will call it "sin-sickness"
Our Response:
- Call for the elders
- Confess your sins - not about bursting out our sins to others but also allowing / opening our heart to God.
- Receive ministry
The Elders will
Pray - And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage them the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14
Listen - be a good listener
Anoint with Oil - a lipstantes : a rub with oil - bestowing, grooming - give extra attention to somebody, relaxation, coffee.
It he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16b - 18
III. The Example of Elijah - Effective Prayer.
James 5:16b - 18
How long are you going to pray to gain victory?
IV. FAITH THAT WORKS - SAVING A SOUL
James 5:7-20
V. EVERYDAY APPLICATION.
- Afflicted? - Pray
- Cheerful? - Sing Praises
- Sin-Sickness? - call for help
- Ministering Others - Prayer for them, go to the extra mile.
- Want to make a different? - Bring someone to Jesus, pray for others, show them how you care.. :)
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Patience and Honesty
Pt. Dave Kenney
James 5:7-12
7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and later rain. (NKJB)
what kind of patients is he talking about?
It it dangerous to go around judging and slandering each other.
It its no use depending on your own plans.
It does no good to cling to your wealth.
So what are you supposed to do when you face trials? - those are things we used to do when we face trials.
Be patient until the Lord returns - not for a short terms
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. James 5:8
Like a farmer, it produces real results.
See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. James 5:7
There's a time to accomplish a certain thing and need to wait for certain things.
Farmer has to be a dependable people. He has to wait until the second rain.
We need to wait like the farmer, understand that there's nothing instantly.
Because the Lord is coming back to judge - our human nature is, to judge other people.
Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! James 5:9
God's is going to settle out what's right or wrong.
We have no right to judge others coz we can only see the outside.
Because we don't want to be judged.
Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! James 5:9
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank (wood) in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and the you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Matthew 7:1-5
Look at Biblical examples
A good reason to read your Bible.
Let's be reminded of Job.
He didn't know how it's going to end, but he was faithful to the Lord.
Doesn't mean all the trials will be gone, you just need to be patient for the Lord's answer.
About Honesty
Matthew 5:33-37
People these days are very "oath maker".
They tend to make quick promises, and find away to get out of it easily.
Christians should be know for their honesty.
When we say it, we should mean it and we do it!
James 5:7-12
7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and later rain. (NKJB)
what kind of patients is he talking about?
It it dangerous to go around judging and slandering each other.
It its no use depending on your own plans.
It does no good to cling to your wealth.
So what are you supposed to do when you face trials? - those are things we used to do when we face trials.
Be patient until the Lord returns - not for a short terms
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. James 5:8
Like a farmer, it produces real results.
See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. James 5:7
There's a time to accomplish a certain thing and need to wait for certain things.
Farmer has to be a dependable people. He has to wait until the second rain.
We need to wait like the farmer, understand that there's nothing instantly.
Because the Lord is coming back to judge - our human nature is, to judge other people.
Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! James 5:9
God's is going to settle out what's right or wrong.
We have no right to judge others coz we can only see the outside.
Because we don't want to be judged.
Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! James 5:9
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank (wood) in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and the you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Matthew 7:1-5
Look at Biblical examples
A good reason to read your Bible.
Let's be reminded of Job.
He didn't know how it's going to end, but he was faithful to the Lord.
Doesn't mean all the trials will be gone, you just need to be patient for the Lord's answer.
About Honesty
Matthew 5:33-37
People these days are very "oath maker".
They tend to make quick promises, and find away to get out of it easily.
Christians should be know for their honesty.
When we say it, we should mean it and we do it!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Check the Benchmarks
Pt. Dave Kenney
James 4:13-17
Three Truths
1. Making Plans without God
Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." James 4:13
What is wrong with that?
Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. Proverbs 21:5
Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house. Proverbs 24:27
Through out scriptures we've been encourage to do a plan. Planning is a good thing.
So what's the solution?
Why warning?
Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that. James 4:15
Make plans include God in it:
What are His plans for our business? Our vacation? etc.
"What do YOU want me to do? What do YOU don't want me to do?"
Planning without praying is presumptions.
Practical Atheist : belief in God but don't want to do anything.
2. Is There An Endless Supply of Tomorrows?
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14
For,
All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall. 1 Peter 1:24
another mistake:
when we presume, shows that we had an endless supply of tomorrow.
Luke 12:16-20
Psalm 31:14-15a
If your planning to follow God, you need to work for a hundred years
but, you need to live as if God is coming tonight.
Planning not worrying
There for I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry saying, "What shall we eat?' or "What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Luke 12:22-34
3. Do what we Do, What We Know We Should Do
Anyone, then who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. James 4:17
On another Sabbath He went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched Him closely to see if He would heal on the Sabbath. But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand in front of everyone." So, he got up and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?"
He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored. But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus. Luke 6:6-11
First (spiritual) Benchmark
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
James 1:2-5
How to handle trials and testing? How do we handle temptation?
God "spare" you for a reason.
He always bought something good out of bad things.
Second Benchmark
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22
Do we just listen to God's Word, or do we also put it into practice/action in our lives?
Third Benchmark
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. James 1:27 ; 2:2-4,8-9
Do you discriminate? Do you care for the weak? Do you favor the rich?
Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed. Proverbs 28:27
If you help the poor, you are leading to the Lord -and He will repay you! Proverbs 19:17
During James' time, there are only 2 groups of people, the wealthy and poor. And there's always a gap between them. Nowadays, more varieties groups.
Fourth Benchmark
18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:18, 26
Do we show our faith in Jesus Christ by our good deeds?
Fifth Benchmark
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. James 3:10
Do you control your speech? Do you judge others?
[imagine James growing up together with Jesus. Having Jesus as his brother. Can't buddy up to tell lies, no cheating, can't pick up on other kids, etc. :) ]
Sixth Benchmark
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:6-7
Do you know how to humble yourself? Do you actively resist the sinful temptations and impulses in your life?
The most humbling thing in the world is apologizing.
The issue here is not about us being tempted, or what kind of temptation you tend to fall to.
But, are you fighting IT?
Seventh Benchmark
Are you a "practical atheist"?
Do you think you have endless tomorrows?
The mistake is thinking that not doing something wrong, is the same as NOT sinning!
James 4:13-17
Three Truths
- It is wrong for us to make plans without God
- It is dangerous to presume that we have an endless supply of tomorrows
- To know the good we ought to do, and not do it, is sin
1. Making Plans without God
Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." James 4:13
What is wrong with that?
Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. Proverbs 21:5
Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house. Proverbs 24:27
Through out scriptures we've been encourage to do a plan. Planning is a good thing.
So what's the solution?
Why warning?
Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that. James 4:15
Make plans include God in it:
What are His plans for our business? Our vacation? etc.
"What do YOU want me to do? What do YOU don't want me to do?"
Planning without praying is presumptions.
Practical Atheist : belief in God but don't want to do anything.
2. Is There An Endless Supply of Tomorrows?
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14
For,
All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall. 1 Peter 1:24
another mistake:
when we presume, shows that we had an endless supply of tomorrow.
Luke 12:16-20
Psalm 31:14-15a
If your planning to follow God, you need to work for a hundred years
but, you need to live as if God is coming tonight.
Planning not worrying
There for I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry saying, "What shall we eat?' or "What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Luke 12:22-34
3. Do what we Do, What We Know We Should Do
Anyone, then who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. James 4:17
On another Sabbath He went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched Him closely to see if He would heal on the Sabbath. But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand in front of everyone." So, he got up and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?"
He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored. But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus. Luke 6:6-11
First (spiritual) Benchmark
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
James 1:2-5
How to handle trials and testing? How do we handle temptation?
God "spare" you for a reason.
He always bought something good out of bad things.
Second Benchmark
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22
Do we just listen to God's Word, or do we also put it into practice/action in our lives?
Third Benchmark
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. James 1:27 ; 2:2-4,8-9
Do you discriminate? Do you care for the weak? Do you favor the rich?
Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed. Proverbs 28:27
If you help the poor, you are leading to the Lord -and He will repay you! Proverbs 19:17
During James' time, there are only 2 groups of people, the wealthy and poor. And there's always a gap between them. Nowadays, more varieties groups.
Fourth Benchmark
18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:18, 26
Do we show our faith in Jesus Christ by our good deeds?
Fifth Benchmark
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. James 3:10
Do you control your speech? Do you judge others?
[imagine James growing up together with Jesus. Having Jesus as his brother. Can't buddy up to tell lies, no cheating, can't pick up on other kids, etc. :) ]
Sixth Benchmark
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:6-7
Do you know how to humble yourself? Do you actively resist the sinful temptations and impulses in your life?
The most humbling thing in the world is apologizing.
The issue here is not about us being tempted, or what kind of temptation you tend to fall to.
But, are you fighting IT?
Seventh Benchmark
Are you a "practical atheist"?
Do you think you have endless tomorrows?
The mistake is thinking that not doing something wrong, is the same as NOT sinning!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
The Book Of Hebrew
Wally Kowalski
Christ is superior to:
"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After HE had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." (Heb 1:1-3 NIV)
God used to talks through dreams, visions, baskets of fruits, burning bushes, even through a donkey (imagine a donkey talks smarter then you :D )
Now, HE do it directly through His Son!
Key word : Sat (down)
"The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean" (Heb 9:13)
This verse sounds weird, shows God with a good sense of humor
"The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming-not the realities themselves. FOr this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
...those sacrifices are annual reminder of sins, because it's impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." (Heb 10:1-4)
SO, what's the purpose if it doesn't work?
It's just a reminder that we do need to come to God.
"Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifies, which can never take away sins.
But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God." (Heb 10:11-12 NIV)
"Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." (Heb 10:13-14 NIV)
We are being made perfect forever and already being made holy.
Jesus gets everything done, and then He sits down. The job is done.
Heb 2 - Jesus is being made perfect.
Christ is superior to:
- The prophets (Heb 1:1-3)
- The angels (Heb 1:4-2:18)
- Moses (Heb 3:1-19)
- Joshua (Heb 4:1-13)
- Aaron and the priesthood (Heb 4:14-10:18) - since He provide a better sacrifice.
"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After HE had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." (Heb 1:1-3 NIV)
God used to talks through dreams, visions, baskets of fruits, burning bushes, even through a donkey (imagine a donkey talks smarter then you :D )
Now, HE do it directly through His Son!
Key word : Sat (down)
"The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean" (Heb 9:13)
This verse sounds weird, shows God with a good sense of humor
"The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming-not the realities themselves. FOr this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
...those sacrifices are annual reminder of sins, because it's impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." (Heb 10:1-4)
SO, what's the purpose if it doesn't work?
It's just a reminder that we do need to come to God.
"Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifies, which can never take away sins.
But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God." (Heb 10:11-12 NIV)
"Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." (Heb 10:13-14 NIV)
We are being made perfect forever and already being made holy.
Jesus gets everything done, and then He sits down. The job is done.
Heb 2 - Jesus is being made perfect.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
How To Avoid Arguments
Pt. Dave Kenney
James 4:1-10
CONFLICTING DESIRES
What is causing quarrels and fights among you? Don't they come from the evil desires at war within you? James 4:1
My wants conflicting from your wants - quarrels and fights.
"Is it not because of this passion that relations are broken, and this natural goodwill changed into desperate enmity? That great and populous countries are desolated by domestic dissensions? And land and sea filled with every new disasters by naval battles and land campaigns? For the wars famous in tragedy ... have all flowed from one source - desire either for money or glory or pleasure. Over these things the human race goes mad" - Phi lo.
"All the evils which come upon man - revolutions and wars, stratagems and slaughters - spring from desire. All these things have as their fountain - head the desire for more." - Lucian.
"The sole cause of wars and revolutions and battles is noting other than the body and its desire." - Plato.
"It is insatiable desires which overturn not only individual men, but whole families, and which even bring down the state. From desires there spring hatred, schisms, discords, sedition, and wars," - Cicero.
Desire is the root of many causes.
3 Basic Desires that created Conflict:
"You do not have, because you don not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because yo ask with wrong motives." James 4:2b-3
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6
God is against the pride.
Number one : We don't pray - pride makes us forget about God, cause we don't look to God, but we look to others.
Number two : when we do pray, we usually pray with wrong motives - pray for the wrong things. We pray for not what we need, but for what we want.
THE RESULT OF HUMAN DESIRE.
Deny - "What is not me there isn't a selfish bone in my body"
Admit and forget - "Yeah, it is there but who cares. Everyone else is the same. So let's not let people take advantage of us."
Embrace the truth and change our life - The ultimate choice is between pleasing one's self and pleasing God.
Do we live for ourselves or do we live for God?
Pleasing God is overwhelmed with love and joy.
THE CURE FOR ARGUMENTS IS HUMILITY.
"God...gives grace to the humble." James 4:6
"Humble yourself before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor." James 4:10
WHAT KIND OF THINGS DID YOU CHOSE?
Be a better person,
Be more like Jesus, or
Become richer, more goods?
HOW CAN I CHANGE?
Which of these desires cause the most conflict in your life?
Maybe it's the desire to have.
Maybe it's the desire to feel good - ("I have my rights") remember that we serve the "me" who gave up HIS RIGHTS for others!
Maybe it's the desire to be?
James 4:1-10
CONFLICTING DESIRES
What is causing quarrels and fights among you? Don't they come from the evil desires at war within you? James 4:1
My wants conflicting from your wants - quarrels and fights.
"Is it not because of this passion that relations are broken, and this natural goodwill changed into desperate enmity? That great and populous countries are desolated by domestic dissensions? And land and sea filled with every new disasters by naval battles and land campaigns? For the wars famous in tragedy ... have all flowed from one source - desire either for money or glory or pleasure. Over these things the human race goes mad" - Phi lo.
"All the evils which come upon man - revolutions and wars, stratagems and slaughters - spring from desire. All these things have as their fountain - head the desire for more." - Lucian.
"The sole cause of wars and revolutions and battles is noting other than the body and its desire." - Plato.
"It is insatiable desires which overturn not only individual men, but whole families, and which even bring down the state. From desires there spring hatred, schisms, discords, sedition, and wars," - Cicero.
Desire is the root of many causes.
3 Basic Desires that created Conflict:
- The Desire To Have You want what you don't have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but can't get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it. James 4:2.
There's nothing wrong with things. It's created by God as something neutral.
We all want things. God created things to be used and enjoyed.
Many are in MINING business: What's mine is mine, What's yours is mine.
Rick Warren : We are not going to let the money change our life.
We are supposed to use things and love people, and not the other way around. - The Desire To Feel Good "...you want only what will give you pleasure." James 4:3
God made everything for your enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17
Not wrong to enjoy live - feel good.
When my pleasure takes over what is my needs, full, and my priorities, I'm in trouble.
Also, when each one wants to hang on to their own comfort. - The Desire To Be Living in the Age of ME, with all the materials, capacity, etc.
"You do not have, because you don not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because yo ask with wrong motives." James 4:2b-3
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6
God is against the pride.
Number one : We don't pray - pride makes us forget about God, cause we don't look to God, but we look to others.
Number two : when we do pray, we usually pray with wrong motives - pray for the wrong things. We pray for not what we need, but for what we want.
THE RESULT OF HUMAN DESIRE.
First, they set people to war against each other.WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT?
Secondly, they lead us to do shameful things.
Finally, like we saw when we talked about pride, they shut the door of prayer - we don't want to hear what God says to us.
"Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong - you want only what will give you pleasure." James 4:2b-3
Deny - "What is not me there isn't a selfish bone in my body"
Admit and forget - "Yeah, it is there but who cares. Everyone else is the same. So let's not let people take advantage of us."
Embrace the truth and change our life - The ultimate choice is between pleasing one's self and pleasing God.
Do we live for ourselves or do we live for God?
Pleasing God is overwhelmed with love and joy.
THE CURE FOR ARGUMENTS IS HUMILITY.
"God...gives grace to the humble." James 4:6
"Humble yourself before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor." James 4:10
WHAT KIND OF THINGS DID YOU CHOSE?
Be a better person,
Be more like Jesus, or
Become richer, more goods?
HOW CAN I CHANGE?
- Give in To God 7So humble yourself before God. James 4:7
Put HIM in charge, when you started to run your own life, you get in conflict with others.
When things get scary, God's in charge.
When things get tempted, you're in charge. - Get Wiser than Satan Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
- Grow Closer to God You will keep in perfect peace, all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3
Spend time, listen, speak to HIM! - Be Willing to Ask Forgiveness. 8Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor. James 4:8-10
When you hurt someone, doesn't matter whether you meant it, or not, or later you can minimized it or not. Whatever it is, you still need to apologize, coz you still hurt them. You need to humble yourself and He will lift you up.
Which of these desires cause the most conflict in your life?
Maybe it's the desire to have.
Maybe it's the desire to feel good - ("I have my rights") remember that we serve the "me" who gave up HIS RIGHTS for others!
Maybe it's the desire to be?
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Survival of the Wisest
Micha Tamaela - Wattimena
James 3:13-18
TWO KINDS OF WISDOM
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter and envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
A. MOTIVATION - to seek wisdom. Being wise isn't about being educated.
Wisdom stems from faith, not Faith stems from wisdom - James
For others, if wisdom doesn't fit the situation, they switch to another faith. Everything is wisdom base.
For Christians, we need faith first, and then wisdom comes along.
Hold on to your faith then you can search for wisdom.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Proverbs 2:6
B. TWO KINDS OF WISDOM
C. WISDOM MUST BEAR FRUIT
"Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts." James 3:13 The Message.
Our wisdom isn't just about the knowledge, but need to bear fruit.
"Stupid is, as stupid does" -Forrest Gump.
Stupid is not about the head. It's about the heart, intentions, motivations.
James 3:13-18
TWO KINDS OF WISDOM
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter and envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
A. MOTIVATION - to seek wisdom. Being wise isn't about being educated.
- Survival - people need to stay alive
- Getting ahead - with books, attending seminars
- Comfort
Wisdom stems from faith, not Faith stems from wisdom - James
For others, if wisdom doesn't fit the situation, they switch to another faith. Everything is wisdom base.
For Christians, we need faith first, and then wisdom comes along.
Hold on to your faith then you can search for wisdom.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Proverbs 2:6
B. TWO KINDS OF WISDOM
- Bad Wisdom 14 But if you harbor bitter and envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.
Motivated by the devil, envy - how can I?
16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
Eq. Cane and Abel - Cane killed Abel out of envy
To compete isn't evil, but how you compete will determine that. - Good Wisdom 17 But the wisdom comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
It's wise when I stop fooling around - means you need to be pure. Are you being deceitful
"Wisdom is pure"
It' when I don't aggravate people - an annoying person aggravates others. Is being right, being conflicted?
"Wisdom is peace-loving"
It's wise when I don't undermine others' feelings - do you boss people around?
"Wisdom is considerate"
It's wise when I value other people's opinion
"Wisdom is submissive"
It's wise when I give what others don't deserve
"Wisdom is full of mercy and good fruit"
It's wise when I show no favoritism
"Wisdom is impartial"
It's wise when I'm not faking
"Wisdom is being sincere"
If you want to do good, don't fake it!
C. WISDOM MUST BEAR FRUIT
"Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts." James 3:13 The Message.
Our wisdom isn't just about the knowledge, but need to bear fruit.
"Stupid is, as stupid does" -Forrest Gump.
Stupid is not about the head. It's about the heart, intentions, motivations.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
No Favoritism
Lew Belcourt
James 2:1-13
I. DON'T SHOW FAVORITISM
II. WHAT IS YOUR MEASURING ROD?
We have seen from the passages above that God's measuring rod is different then man's
Man's Measuring Rod
God's Measuring Rod
Christian love is not just the Golden Rule; Christian Love means treating others the way God has treated me.
It is:
an act of will, not emotion
motive : to glorify God
means : power of the Spirit within
III. TREATING OTHERS AS EQUALS
CONCLUSION
2931 "You Called Me Brother"
Tolstoy, the great Russian writer, was passing along a street one day when a begger stopped him and pleaded for alms. The great Russian searched through his pockets for a coin, but finding none he regretfully said, "Please don't be angry with me, my brother, but I have nothing with me. If I did I would gladly give it to you."
The begger's face flamed up, and he said, "You have given me more than I asked for. You have called me brother."
-Evangelistic Illustration
James 2:1-13
I. DON'T SHOW FAVORITISM
- God Is No Respecter of Person 1 Samuel 16:1-7 The one God chooses, even was outside -David, guarding the sheep.
Jesse even forgot about David. But God didn't.
- Jesus Was No Respecter of Persons They (enemies) sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "We know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of GOd in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are." Matt 22:16
Jesus hangout with the one who is not consider -slave, prostitute, etc. - Paul Was No Respecter of Persons You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:26-29. When you come to the cross, everything is level there.
II. WHAT IS YOUR MEASURING ROD?
We have seen from the passages above that God's measuring rod is different then man's
Man's Measuring Rod
- Appearance
- Achievements
- Possessions
- Athleticism
God's Measuring Rod
- Faithfulness - faithful in small things, God will in trust you in big things.
- Character - A good name / integrity is better then riches
- Love - inclined to love someone
- Forgiveness - the Lord's prayer.
Christian love is not just the Golden Rule; Christian Love means treating others the way God has treated me.
It is:
an act of will, not emotion
motive : to glorify God
means : power of the Spirit within
III. TREATING OTHERS AS EQUALS
- IES Mission : Love God, Love Others, Reach The World. Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of the, an expert in the law, tested Him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. ANd the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:34-40
How do we love others? We treat them equally.
Jesus redefine the word "neighbor" : ALL, not just Jew.
James 2:8 quotes Leviticus 19:8, which is quoted in Matthew 22:39.
Loving Others is a main IES mission. - IES Core Value : Acceptability We welcomes everybody just as they are - everyone is welcome at IES. Any style of clothing, etc.
- God Sees Everyone's Potential For Glory We need to see people through God's eyes. He doesn't see us in our sinful past - He sees us in our glorious future.
We can't look down to the unbelievers. We must adjust our glasses, like on how God sees them, then they can have a better chance.
CONCLUSION
2931 "You Called Me Brother"
Tolstoy, the great Russian writer, was passing along a street one day when a begger stopped him and pleaded for alms. The great Russian searched through his pockets for a coin, but finding none he regretfully said, "Please don't be angry with me, my brother, but I have nothing with me. If I did I would gladly give it to you."
The begger's face flamed up, and he said, "You have given me more than I asked for. You have called me brother."
-Evangelistic Illustration
- In your Life Group: minister to the ones who are not lovely
- In your daily Life : humble yourself and don't play favorities
- In your personal life : use God's measuring rod, not man's, and see the glorious potential in each person's life.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Intentional Legacy
Lew Belcourt
Father's Day
2 Timothy 2:1-2
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
I. GENERATIONAL LEGACY IS AN OLD TESTAMENT PATTERN
a. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - the Patriarch
Exodus 3:13-15
The God of Old Testimont, is a God of Generations.
b. Cursing to the Fourth Generation
Sometimes God curses not only for the father but until the 4th generations.
Exodus 20:5
c. Blessings to a Thousand Generations
II. PAUL'S LEGACY
a. Timothy was a 3rd generation Christian
Act 16:1 ; 2 Tim 1:3;5 - note the clear role of women in passing on the faith, from Lois to Eunice to Timothy.
b. Paul wanted Timothy to leave a legacy of faith.
He understand that God's intention to leave a legacy of faith.
2 Tim 2:2 ; Paul > Timothy > Reliable Men > Others - 4 generations who will teach others.
Legacy process:
III. LEAVE YOUR LEGACY
a. What is your legacy? (intentional... write it down)
to share the gospel cross cultural
b. To whom are you entrusting your legacy? (children, business partners, etc.)
Be intentional about the future.
c. How will they pass it on to others? (generational intentional)
Writing? Video? Fund trust?
Father's Day
2 Timothy 2:1-2
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
I. GENERATIONAL LEGACY IS AN OLD TESTAMENT PATTERN
a. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - the Patriarch
Exodus 3:13-15
The God of Old Testimont, is a God of Generations.
b. Cursing to the Fourth Generation
Sometimes God curses not only for the father but until the 4th generations.
Exodus 20:5
c. Blessings to a Thousand Generations
Israel 40 generations.
Deuteronomy 7:9II. PAUL'S LEGACY
a. Timothy was a 3rd generation Christian
Act 16:1 ; 2 Tim 1:3;5 - note the clear role of women in passing on the faith, from Lois to Eunice to Timothy.
b. Paul wanted Timothy to leave a legacy of faith.
He understand that God's intention to leave a legacy of faith.
2 Tim 2:2 ; Paul > Timothy > Reliable Men > Others - 4 generations who will teach others.
Legacy process:
- entrust - entrusting something : faith
- reliable (people) - God is raising up reliable people
- others - don't forget that we're meant to live intentionally, be intentional about the future.
III. LEAVE YOUR LEGACY
a. What is your legacy? (intentional... write it down)
to share the gospel cross cultural
b. To whom are you entrusting your legacy? (children, business partners, etc.)
Be intentional about the future.
c. How will they pass it on to others? (generational intentional)
Writing? Video? Fund trust?
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