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.
2. People over programs.
3. Everyone a minister.
4. God's Word changes lives.
5. 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.

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:

• 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.. :)

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!

Check the Benchmarks

Pt. Dave Kenney

James 4:13-17

Three Truths

1. It is wrong for us to make plans without God
2. It is dangerous to presume that we have an endless supply of tomorrows
3. 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!

The Book Of Hebrew

Wally Kowalski

Christ is superior to:

1. The prophets (Heb 1:1-3)
2. The angels (Heb 1:4-2:18)
3. Moses (Heb 3:1-19)
4. Joshua (Heb 4:1-13)
5. 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.

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. The Desire To Be
   Living in the Age of ME, with all the materials, capacity, etc.
   

THE PROBLEM OF PRIDE
"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.

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

WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT?

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?

1. 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.
2. Get Wiser than Satan
   Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

3. 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!

4. 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?

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.

1. Survival - people need to stay alive
2. Getting ahead - with books, attending seminars
3. Comfort

Is this the only thing that motivates you to seek wisdom?

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

1. 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.

2. 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.