Satisfaction Guaranteed

  

Sermon Notes

Treasuring Christ in 2009 – Part 2

Various Scriptures

“Satisfaction Guaranteed”

January 11, 2009

 

 

Last Week (from 1 Peter 2:2-3)

A.  TASTE and SEE that the Lord is GOOD (v.3)

B. CRAVE the pure spiritual MILK (of the Word) (v.2)

C. GROW UP! (v.2)

 

1Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Mt 13:44  "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

 

A. Key Illustrations that help us understand why we should treasure Christ.

 

1. _Hunger

Mt 5:6  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

 Joh 6:35  Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry,

 

2. _Thirst

 

Joh 7:37 ¶  On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.

Psalm 42:1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.

Psalm 42:2  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

Ps 63:1  O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water 

 

3. _Satisfaction

 

Ps 90:14  Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Ps 103:5  who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Eze 16:29  Then you increased your promiscuity to include Babylonia, a land of merchants, but even with this you were not satisfied.

 

 

4. _Money/Spending

 

 

Isa 55:1 ¶  "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2  Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

Re 21:6  He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

Re 22:17  The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

 

 

B. Applying it in real life:

 

1. Use your _physical desires as a reminder to pray for _spiritual satisfaction in Jesus.

*When you are hungry in the morning, ask God to give you that kind of hunger for Him.

*When you crave something in the middle of the afternoon, stop & ask God that He would be your spiritual satisfaction.

*When you are thirsty for something cool after a workout, or something hot when you are cold, or that coffee you like so much in the morning – ask God that He would help you DESIRE Him, long for Him, thirst for Him as much as or more than you do that drink.

*When you open the refrigerator or cupboard door to look for something to snack on or something to pack for your lunch, tell God you don’t love Him as much as food, but that you need His help to want that.  Tell Him you want to be blessed by hungering & thirsting after Righteousness.

 

 

2. Use your _refrigerator as a reminder that crave spiritual food.  Put up a _Verse!

From some of the above verses, make a sticky note VERSE to put on your refrigerator that talks about spiritual hunger and thirst!   

 

3. Choose a _substitute for this week!

If you had a room where you live that is pretty full already – and someone gave you a cool new couch, or a new TV w/ surround sound system…  If you wanted those things, you would need to make room for them.  Your room is already full, so something will have to go.  Would you be willing to trade the old beat up couch that’s falling apart for the new one?  Would you be willing to trade in your old analog TV for the new HDTV that someone gave you?    ARE YOU WILLING TO MOVE OUT SOME OF YOUR WORTHLESS “TREASURE” FOR THE TRUE TREASURE OF GOD?   What are you willing to “move out” so you can fit the BEST into your life?

 

Take a look at the items we have on the table in the hallway under the Treasure Poster.  Try using some of them as "substitutes" that will help you seek God more this week than you did last week.  Most of all, put the Bible into your daily schedule before TV, DVDs, music, computer, texting, reading, or anything you do on a regular basis.

 

May God let you "taste" that He is good and more satisfying than anything this life offers us!

 

Why Evangelism is Better Than Food

Sermon #12

John 4:27-42

“This Is The Life!”

June 8, 2008

 

BIG IDEA: This passage shows us why crossing barriers to tell people about Jesus is worth the risk and can be the joy of your life.

 

A. You are __Qualified:

1. You don’t have to know everything (v.9-26)

2. You just need to know a little about Jesus (v.29)

3. All you have to do is invite people to check Him out (v.29, 39)

 

B. God is ___Able:

1.  If we _invite people to check out Jesus, they will become _curious.

2.  If they get _curious, they will _investigate

3.  If they _investigate, they will _discover for themselves who Jesus really is

4.  If they find out who Jesus is, they will get _excited

5.  If they get excited, they will _talk about it too…

6.  BUT, in all this we leave the results up to God = we simply do the inviting & share our excitement over what we know…

 

C. So, get __excited   about evangelism like Jesus!

1. It’s better than _Food (v.32, 34)

2. It’s better than a _Harvest (v.35)

3. It’s better than getting paid (v.36)

4. It’s better than accomplishing great projects (36)

5. It’s worth the work (v.38)

 

D. Therefore, you should…

1. STOP WAITING, it’s ready NOW! (v.35-36)

2. GET OUT THERE – the JOY is waiting for you (v.37-38)

3. Realize there are people who are ready for the ­­­­­King & the Kingdom!

Why did Jesus HAVE TO Go Through Samaria?

Sermon #11

John 4:1-30

“I Could Never Talk to Him!”

June 1, 2008

 

BIG IDEA: This passage shows us how the choice to reject or believe in Jesus is made.

 

A. Two ways to apply this:

1. You have a choice to make

2. If you have chosen to believe, you have a choice to present

 

B. Things you need to realize in taking on this job:

1. It has high stakes (eternal life or eternal wrath - 3:36)

2. It's a process (like planting & harvesting – 4:35-38)

3. It's a discussion 

4. It gets risky

5. It gets pretty personal

6. It is life transforming

7. It is SO WORTH IT!  (See 4:32-42)

 

C. The Barriers that can keep us from talking to people:

1. The Barrier of Race/Ethnicity

2. The Barrier of Religion

3. The Barrier of Gender/Culture

4. The Barrier of Morality

 

D. Principles of Conversational Evangelism (which can cut through the barriers)

1. Find a common-ground connecting point

2. Use a physical illustration to bridge to the spiritual

3. Bring up Jesus

4. Answer Questions

5. Move to their Kingdom of Self Issue

6. Use YOUR STORY

It's Okay to Be the Best Man & Not the Groom

Sermon #10

John 3:22-36

 “The Joy in Living With A Kingdom Attitude”

May 18, 2008

 

BIG IDEA: This passage gives us a real life example of what it looks like to “believe,” (= to live a life humbly submitted to the King).

 

A. The Setting for the Discussion on Humble Submission to the King (v.22-26) 

The perceived “competition” between Jesus and JB.

 

B. The Example of Humble Submission to the King

1. Humbly accepting God’s assignment (27)

2. Always remembering who is the priority (v.28,30)

 

C. The Illustration of Humble Submission to the King

1. The focus of a wedding is the Bride & Groom

2.  The “Best Man” is ONLY there to help (v.29)

 

D. The Statement of Humble Submission: Jesus = Supreme

1. The One who came from above IS ABOVE ALL (31)

2. You are from the earth

3. He speaks the words of God.  Do you accept? (32-34)

4. Everyone must choose & face the consequences

a) Believe = get Eternal Life  -OR-  (v.36)

b) Reject = NO Life and WRATH that remains.

 

E. The Results of Humble Submission to the King (26-28)

1. Contentment vs. Self-Protecting/Self-Promoting

2. Joy vs. Envy (v.29)

 

What’s the BIG IDEA for you? 

a) Are you humbly submitting to the King?  Content with His assignments?  Okay to “decrease”?

b) Do you find joy rather than jealousy in being a “Best Man”? 

c) Are you pointing people to Him as supreme?

There is Only One Savior & You need Him

Sermon #9

John 3:14-21

“You Are Really Bad!”

May 11, 2008

BIG IDEA: This passage gives us 3 _tragic illustrations that show us how _bad we are – AND it shows us the amazing _love of God which _overcomes each of those tragedies.

A. The really BAD News:

1. You are _BIT (v.14)

2. You are _CONDEMNED (v.17-18)

3. You are in the _DARK (v.19-21)

B. The really GOOD News:

1. If you look to _Jesus on the Cross (_believe), you will get _healing from the deadly bite of _sin. (v.15-16)

2. If you accept the _Pardon from Him (_believe), you will be _Saved from Condemnation. (v.16-18)

3. If you live in the _Light, you won’t be afraid to be _exposed. (v.19-21)

What’s the BIG IDEA for you?

1. Do you realize how BAD you (& others) are?

2. Are you wiling to expose your evil so you can _saved, _pardoned and _live in the light?

3. Are you _explaining this well to people?

When Being GOOD isn't GOOD Enough

John 2:23-25 (the verses right before chapter 3)‏
23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. 24  But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. 25  He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.

JOHN 7:50-52  Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, 51  "Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?" 52  They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee."

 John 19:38-39  Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39  He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.

 JESUS’ RESPONSE to people was based on their heart attitude.  If they were proud, closed to God and self-sufficient, then His approach to them was hard, strong and confrontive (like he was here with Nicodemus, and elsewhere to the Pharisees).  If people were humble, brokenhearted & open to God, then His approach to them was gentle, merciful and healing.

 

Would You Choose THIS Jesus to Run Your Life?

Sermon #7  

John 2:12-25

 “Would You Invite This Man Into Your House?”

April 27, 2008

 

BIG IDEA of this passage:  You need to look at all sides of Jesus before you invite Him to be your King!

 

LET’S LOOK AT THE PIECES:

1. _House Cleaning!  (v.13-16) 

 

 

2. Being _Zealous can get you in trouble - Psalm 69:9  (v.17)

 

 

3. The _sign/proof of AUTHORITY is the _Ressurection (v.18-19) 

 

 

4. Sometimes, Jesus is hard to _understand (v.20-21)

 

 

5. Sometimes it’s easier to see the truth in _retrospect (v.22)

 

 

6. Is all _belief really the same? (v.23-25)

 

 

7. Does Jesus _believe in you? (v.24-25)

 

 

 

What’s the BIG IDEA for you?  Understanding who Jesus really is, will you _“re-elect” Him to be your _KING?

What Do You See? Do You See His Glory?

Sermon #6  

John 2:1-11

 “The Miracle that Many Experienced, but Few Saw”

April 20, 2008

 

BIG IDEA of this passage:  This first _miracle of Jesus is recorded here so that you may see Jesus’ _glory and put your _faith in Him (v.11)

 

1.     Jesus’ Miracles, as recorded in John, are carefully _selected for a _Purpose (Jn. 20:29-31)

 

 

2.     Jesus’ Miracles show His _glory (who He really is)

 

 

3.     Jesus’ Miracles give us reasons to _believe

 

 

4.     Jesus’ Miracles are not believed by everyone who _sees or hears about them

 

 

5.     Jesus’ Miracles don’t need to be a “big _show,” but can be demonstrations of his gracious compassion on people who need _help

 

 

6.     Jesus’ Miracles can _change things that we can’t

 

 

What Do You Get Excited About? What Do You Talk About?

Sermon #4

John 1:35-51

“I Found This Incredible Deal…!”

March 30, 2008

BIG IDEA of this passage: If we get as _excited about Jesus as we do about good _“deals,” we will naturally _influence the people closest to us!

1. If we are _curious, we will _investigate

2. If we _investigate, we _discover

3. If we _discover, we will get _excited

4. If we get _excited, we will _talk about it.

5. If we _talk about it, we will _invite people to investigate for themselves.

6. If we invite people to investigate for themselves, they will become _curious.

7. If they get _curious, they will _investigate

8. If they _investigate, they will _discover who Jesus really is.

9. If they find out who Jesus is, they will get _excited

10. If they get excited, they will talk about it…

BIG IDEA again: If we get as _excited about Jesus as we do about good _“deals,” we will naturally _influence the people closest to us!

 

What is said about Jesus in this passage:
John the Baptist: "Lamb of God" v.35
2 Disciples of John: "Teacher" v.38
Andrew: "Messiah/Christ" v. 41
Philip: "the One Moses wrote about in the Law & about whom the prophets also wrote" v.45
Nathaniel = "the Son of God; the King of Israel." v.49
Jesus = "Son of Man" v.51

How do you get excited about Jesus?
You investigate Him
When you investigate Him, you realize how cool He is
When you realize how cool He is you want to naturally tell people about Him
When you tell people about how cool Jesus is, you simply invite them to investigate Jesus like you did!

So, let's get excited!

Your Place In History

Sermon #4  

John 1:19-37

“A Slave or a Star, Which Would You Choose?”

March 16, 2008

 

BIG IDEA of this passage:  If we are to fulfill our role in history, we need to learn how to _TESTIFY.

 

In order to _Testify effectively, we must…

 

1. We must be clear about who we are = _Slaves (v.19-28)

 

2. WE must be clear about who Jesus is = _Supreme (v.29-34)

 

3. We must be willing for Him to get the _fame & the _following. (v.35-37)

 

Application:  To fulfill our place in history, we must learn to daily realign our _attitudes & apply the _Supremacy of Christ to everything we do.

 

Key verses in John 1:

15  John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’"

19  Now this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was.  20  He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ." 21  They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No."  22  Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"  23  John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’"

27  He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."

29 ¶  The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!  30  This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’  31  I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."  32  Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.  33  I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’  34  I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."

35  The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.
36  When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"
37 ¶  When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.

On The Witness Stand

Sermon #3  John 1:6-18

“Can I Have a Witness?”

March 9, 2008

 

1. v.6-9, 15  On the Witness Stand

 

a)     What is he?  a _Witness

 

b)     What did he come to do?  to _Testify

 

c)     What did he testify about?  the _Light

 

d)     For what purpose?  So that people would _Believe

 

e)     Who are you and what is your job?

 

 

 

2. v. 10-12   What are the two possible responses from those who hear our testimony?

a)     ___UNBELIEF____________ (in spite of… )

 

b)     ____BELIEF___________

 

c)     What happens to the latter?

 

 

3. v. 14, 16-18  To what amazing truths do we testify?

 

a)     The _INCARNATION: Word (God) became _flesh

 

b)     His _Glory

 

c)     His total Uniqueness (“_One and _Only”)

 

d)     His _Grace

 

e)     His Truth

 

f)       His _Blessings

 

g)     His _Explanation of the Father

Gospel of John - Jesus in Your Face

Sermon #2  John 1:1-5

“Where Did This Guy Come From?”

March 2, 2008

1. What is “The Word”?

a)      How did the Greeks use “Word”?

"To the Greek philosophers, the logos was the impersonal, abstract principle of reason and order in the universe." (John MacArthur John 1-11, Moody Publishers, 2006, p.16)

 

b)      How did the Jews use “Word”?

"THE WORD OF THE LORD was also a significant OT theme, well-known to the Jews."  (MacArthur, p.16) As shown in Creation being spoken into being, as "The Word of the Lord" coming to the prophets, the 10 Commandments being called literally the "Ten Words."

 

c)       What does it signify, then?

"To the Gks, then, John presented J. as the personification and embodiment of the logos. "

"John presented Jesus to his Jewish readers as the incarnation of divine power and revelation…"  (MacArthur)

 

2. What 3 crucial/amazing things does v.1 say about Jesus?

a)      He is __Pre-existent_______________

 

b)      He is __Distinct_______________

 

c)       He is __Deity_______________

 

 3. What does v.2 do?  It __Repeats the same truth____________

 

 4. How would you answer a Jehovah’s Witness who said Jesus was “a god,” not God?

 
>> Compare with verses __6,12,13,18

 

5. What’s the difference between “made” (egeneto) in v.3 and “was” (ēn) in v.1-2?

 

“_came into _being” in v.3  and “always _was” in v.1-2

 

Point: Again, Jesus Christ always _was & the creation _came into being.

 

6. In v.4, what is “life”?   .

 

7. In v.4-5, what is “light”?

 Incredibly large symbolic terms packed with meaning.  And Jesus claims to fulfill it all.

 

 

 

GOSPEL OF JOHN - NEW SERIES

Sermon Series: The Gospel of John

Sermon #1 Introduction

“Jesus In Your Face: You Must Decide About Who He is”

February 24, 2008

Just like Judge Judy is a no nonsense, straight-forward kind of person, so the Apostle John reports such an account of who Jesus is.  There is much controversy about Him, but John goes straight to the point to prove to you that Jesus is who He claims to be and that you cannot be neutral about Him.

1. What are some clues to the purposes of a book:

a) Look for repeated words

“Believe” = 98 times
“Life” 36 times
“Witness” or “Testimony” (nouns = 14x)‏
“Testify” = 33 times
“World” 78 times
“Light” 16 times
“Work” 12 times
“Jews” 59 times
“True/Truth/Truly” 62 times
“Miraculous Sign” 17 times

b) Look for what the author says is the meaning

John 20:30-31 “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

>>Why were these specific things chosen by John?

So that you may _believe!

 

3 Purposes:
Apologetic
Evangelistic
Confidence Building

 

2. What is Unique about the book of John?

a) Very different than the “Synoptics”

This word “synoptic” comes from the Greek word meaning 'to see together' = refers to Matthew, Mark & Luke because of how similar they are to each other (how they 'see' Jesus' life) in time-line, structure & content.
About 92% of John is NOT found in the other 3.
Matthew has 42% which is unique, Luke 59%, Mark 7% unique to that gospel

• John has no parables

• No end-times teachings

• No casting out of demons (or healing lepers)‏

• No list of the 12 disciples

• No story of Jesus' birth, baptism or transfiguration

• No temptation by Satan

• No prayer in Garden of Gethsemane

• No ascension

b) Not many miracles = only 8. Only 2 of those are found in the Synoptics.

Water into wine 2:1-11
Healing Nobleman's son 4:46-54
Healing lame man at Bethesda Pool 5:1-9
Feeding 5000 6:1-14 (also in Mt, Mk, Lk)‏
Walking on water 6:15-21 (also in Mt, Mk)‏
Healing of man born blind 9:1-41
Rasising of Lazarus 11:1-44
Large catch of fish 21:1-14

c) Many Unique conversations/speeches/events

1. Prologue about Christ's pre-existence 1:1-18
2. With Nicodemus about spiritual birth 3:1-21
3. With the Woman at the Well in Samaria about living water 4:4-42
4. Healing a lame man on the Sabbath & the ensuing opposition, Jesus' response/defense re: his connection with the Father 5:1-47
5. In the synagogue in Capernaum after feeding the 5000 = about being the Bread of Life 6:26-59
6. 6) At the Feast in the Temple in Jerusalem on being sent from the Father & living water 7:14-52
7. To the people about who He claims to be & the opposition 8:12-58
8. Healing the man born blind & the opposition 9:1-41
9. About being the Good Shepherd & the mixed opinion about Him (belief & unbelief) 10:1-39
10. Raising of Lazarus (belief & strong opposition 11:1-57
11. Washing the Disciples feet 13:1-15
12. The Upper Room Discourse 13,14,15,16
13. Jesus' Prayer for Himself, the Disciples & all believers 17:1-26
14. The miraculous catch of fish 21:1-6
15. Jesus recommissioning Peter & predicting Peter's death 21:15-19

 

d) “Interlocking” with the Synoptics (they supplement one another. John assumes the reader is already familiar with them)‏

1) Jesus actual statement about “destroying the temple” (his body) is referred to in Mk.14:58, 15:29, but only in John is the event told (2:19).
2) John explains why the Jews needed to bring Jesus to Pilate (18:31 capital punishment)‏
3) John explains how Peter got into the courtyard of the high priest (18:15-16)‏
4) John tells how Peter, Andrew, James and John had previous contact with Jesus before they responded to his call in Mt. 4:18-22
5) John explains why Jesus sent the crowds away after feeding the 5000 (6:15 they wanted to make him king)‏
6) The birth narratives in Mt. & Lk. explain how the pre-existent “Word” had a human family

7) John introduces Andrew as Peter's brother (1:40) even though he had not mentioned Peter yet (= assumes knowing the Synoptics)‏
8) John mentions “the 12” (6:67) though they are not listed specifically in his book

e) John's Authorship

• John 21:20-24 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" 22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?" 24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

• John 13:23 “One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.”

• = Present at the last supper = only the 12 were there (Mt. 26:20, Mk 14:17, Lk 22:14)‏

= He was an apostle

• John 21:2 “Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.”

= can't be Peter bec. They talked to each other 13:24,

 

• Mt 17:1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

• Mr 5:37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James.

• Mr 14:33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.

• Ga 2:9 James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship

• “the disciple Jesus loved” would be one of the three (James died to early {Acts 12:2} to have written the book)‏

• Many other outside sources attest to John's authorship
  

f) John's Personality

• Mark 3:17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder);

• Luke 9:49 "Master," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us."

• Luke 9:52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?"

Contrary to the image we may have of the "Apostle of Love," John probably had a strong personality which seems to be reflected in his clear "in your face" presentation of who Jesus is in this Gospel. You cannot be neutral about Jesus. The facts about Him presented in John force us to a decision: Is this true or false? Is Jesus who He claims to be? You cannot say he is a mere man or moral example. No "good" person would ever make such claims. He is God and we must believe in Him. The only other option is to reject Him. The Gospel of John shows us that choice in every chapter.

 

 

10 KEYS TO FINANCIAL STABILITY

 

Sermon Series: 10 Keys To Financial Stability

“Building on the Rock – Part 4”

OUR WAY VS. GOD'S WAY

 

 Material is adapted with permission from resources by Pastor Brian Kluth, 1st Ev. Free Church, Colorado Springs, CO.   For more resources on finances and generoisity, visit www.MAXIMUMgenerosity.org. or Kluth.org

 

10 Faith-Steps Towards Financial Stability

Dear God, here are some things I think You want me to do, but I need your help…

1. Help me remind myself daily that You own everything (Psalm 24:1)

2. Help me be a faithful ‘manager’ of what You’ve given me instead of just wanting more (Matthew 25:21)

3. Help me trust You to provide for my needs rather than fear/panic or turning to other sources {like plastic} (Rom. 8:35)

4. Help me be content with what I have rather than envying or coveting (Ps. 73:16-17, Heb. 13:5-6, 1Tim. 6:7-9)

5. Help me get out of debt and stay out of debt (Ps. 37:21, Pr. 22:7, Mt. 18:25,30)

6. Help me to listen to godly advice & not pridefully stick to my old ways (Prov. 12:15, 16:25, 19:20, 20:18)

7. Help me give to You generously (at least 10%?) & regularly off the top of all I get (Gen. 14:20, 28:22, 1Kings 17:13, 2Cor. 8:7, 9:6)

8. Help my spouse & I to be in total agreement about our finances (Pr. 15:16-17, Ps. 133:1, 1Pet. 3:8)

9. Help me work hard & not fall for the get-rich-quick lies (Pr. 13:11, 27:23, 28:19)

10. Help me be honest in all my financial dealings (Pr. 19:1, 21:6, Lev. 19:11, 1Tim. 6:9

 

10 Keys To Financial Stability

Contrast OUR WAY of dealing with money with GOD'S WAY:

Our Way Gods Way
1. All I have is “Mine, Mine, Mine” 1. All I have is _God’s
Dt 8:17,18, Ps 62:10, Ps 24:1, Col. 1:17

2. “_More, _More, _More” 2. _Manage
Ecc 5:11, Prov 21:20, Lu 16:10, Ps 37:16, Pr 21:17, Pr 23:19

3. _FEAR of loss or hard times 3. _FAITH in God to provide
Ps 37:18-19 , Ps 33:18-19, Rom. 8:35

4. Envy and the pursuit of _Possessions 4. _Contentment and released _resources
Ex 20:17, Ps 73:2-28, Luke 12:15, Heb 13:5-6, 1 Tim 6:6, Psalm 127:2, Matt 6:33, Ecc 2:26, Prov 13:22, Ps 105:44, Job 27:16-17

Quotes:

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JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER - THE FIRST BILLIONAIRE: The very first person to reach the status of billionaire was a man who knew how to set goals and follow through. At the age of 23, he had become a millionaire, by the age of 50 a billionaire. Every decision, attitude, and relationship was tailored to create his personal power and wealth. But three years later at the age of 53 he became ill.  His entire body became racked with pain and he lost all the hair on his head. In complete agony, the world’s only billionaire could buy anything he wanted, but he could only digest milk and crackers. An associate wrote, "He could not sleep, would not smile and nothing in life meant anything to him." His personal, highly skilled physicians predicted he would die within a year.  That year passed agonizingly slow. As he approached death he awoke one morning with the vague remembrances of a dream. He could barely recall the dream but knew it had something to do with not being able to take any of his successes with him into the next world. The man who could control the business world suddenly realized he was not in in control of his own life. He was left with a choice.  He called his attorneys, accountants, and managers and announced that he wanted to channel his assets to hospitals, research, and mission work. On that day John D. Rockefeller established his foundation. This new direction eventually led to the discovery of penicillin, cures for current strains of malaria, tuberculosis and diphtheria. The list of discoveries resulting from his choice is enormous.  But perhaps the most amazing part of Rockefeller’s story is that the moment he began to give back a portion of all that he had earned, his body’s chemistry was altered so significantly that he got better. It looked as if he would die at 53 but he lived to be 98.  Rockefeller learned gratitude and gave back from his wealth. Doing so made him whole. It is one thing to be healed it is another to be made whole.
 

Material is adapted with permission from resources by Pastor Brian Kluth, 1st Ev. Free Church, Colorado Springs, CO.   For more resources on finances and generoisity, visit www.MAXIMUMgenerosity.org. or Kluth.org

10 Keys To Financial Stability

20 Symptoms of Financial INSTABILITY

1. You have difficulty reading your Bible or listening to a sermon because of your money worries
2. You make minimum payments on your credit cards and loans
3. You consistently think and worry about money
4. You've made impulsive purchases or expenditures you later regretted
5. In the past, you have used consolidation loans or second mortgages to relieve the financial pressures you were under and you're now in worse financial trouble than ever
6. You regularly pay monthly bills w/credit cards because you're broke (i.e. You know you have more month than money).
7. You don't faithfully give to the Lord because you think you can't afford it.
8. You argue about money.
9. You are angry, envious or jealous of others who have enough money to pay their bills or who are debt free
10. You have trouble sleeping at night because you worry about bills
11. You have borrowed money to make investments in the past
12. You have no written spending plan to guide your financial giving, savings and spending - - i.e. no budget.
13. You are constantly thinking about getting involved in some get rich quick schemes
14. You think that getting more money is the answer to your problems.
15. You've bought a brand new car on monthly payments because you thought it would save money on your car repair bills.
16. You have borrowed from family and friends and you are not actively repaying the loan.
17. You have bounced several checks in the past year.
18. You have maxed out some or all of you credit cards
19. You have no realistic written plan to pay off all your debts
20. You have never been in a Bible study group where you've learned God's principles for handling your finance

Contrast OUR WAY of dealing with money with GOD'S WAY:

Our Way God's Way
1. All I have is “Mine, Mine, Mine” 1. All I have is _God’s
Dt 8:17,18, Ps 62:10, Ps 24:1, Col. 1:17

2. “_More, _More, _More” 2. _Manage
Ecc 5:11, Prov 21:20, Lu 16:10, Ps 37:16, Pr 21:17, Pr 23:19

3. _FEAR of loss or hard times 3. _FAITH in God to provide
Ps 37:18-19 , Ps 33:18-19, Rom. 8:35

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Material is adapted with permission from resources by Pastor Brian Kluth, 1st Ev. Free Church, Colorado Springs, CO . For more resources on finances and generoisity, visit www.MAXIMUMgenerosity.org. or Kluth.org

Five Smooth Stones For Your Sling - Review of 1st Thessalonians

What can we learn from Thessalonians? learn from it?

1. We want to be like _them. (1:2-3)‏
2. We want God to do for/in _us what He did for them. (1:4-5)‏
3. We want God to do for _others what He did there. (1:6-9)‏
4. We want to be ready for Jesus _coming back (1:10)‏
5. We want to do _ministry like Paul did (2-4:12)
6. To be very _ready for Jesus' Second Coming (4:13-5:13)
7. We want to work together as God's team to accomplish _great things (5:12-22)

List highlights from each chapter:

Ch. 1

Ch. 2

Ch. 3

Ch. 4

Ch. 5

Select one “smooth stone” to turn into a prayer

Ch. 1
Ch. 2
Ch. 3
Ch. 4
Ch. 5

Care Instructions: Do’s and Don’t’s

A. The Don’t’s

1. Don’t put out the _Fire (v.19)
2. Don’t despise _Prophesy (v.20)

a) What is it?

b) What is it not?

B. The Do’s

1. _Test Everything (v.21)
2. Hold onto the _good

C. God’s Part

1. _Peace (v.23)
2. _Sanctification = Total = Thru & Thru
3. _Blamelessness

a) _Body
b) _Soul
c) _Spirit

4. Getting you ready for _Christ _returning

5. HE takes _responsibility for this

a) He is _Faithful/Reliable
b) He _Does it.

D. Last Instructions

1. _Pray (v.25)
2. Greet with _affection (v.26)
3. _Read this to others/everyone (v.27)
4. May _Jesus’ grace we with you (v.28)

 

How to be a Leader and a Follower and a Team Player

1. v. 12-13 The Leader’s Job:

a) to work _hard (v.12)
b) to be _among
c) to be _over
d) to _admonish

2. The Follower’s Job:

a) _Respect (v.13)
b) Hold in _high regard
c) _Love
d) Recognize the _work of others

3. Everyone’s Job:

a) Live in _peace with each other
b) _Warn the idle (v.14)
c) _Encourage the Timid
d) _Help the Weak
e) _Be _patient with everyone
f) Don’t pay back _wrong (v.15)
g) Try to be _kind
h) Be _joyful (when?) _Always (v.16)
i) _Pray (when?) _Continually (v.17)
j) Give _thanks (when?) in _all circumstances (v.18)
k) (why?) It’s God’s _will

Take it Home – One thing you need to apply to yourself?

One thing you can use to help others?

Not the Kind of Night Life You Want

1. v. 1 Some thing you _don’t know – But some things you _do! (Contrast 4:13 = needing to know about the _Rapture)

2. v.1-3 The truth about TIMES & DATES:

a) It will come like a _THIEF (v.2)
b) It will come when the world is _EXPECTING Peace & Safety (v.3)
c) It will come like _LABOR _PAINS: Anticipated, yet not sure _WHEN (v.3)

3. v. 4 The Believer’s perspective: No _SURPRISES

4. v. 4-8 It will show in our _LIFESTYLE: Contrast with the _WORLD.

NOTICE THE CONTRASTS IN THE FOLLOWING VERSES:

v.4 Not _Darkness Darkness
Not Surprise _Surprise
v.5 Sons of _Light/Day (Night & Darkness)
Not be like others _Asleep
Let’s be _alert & _self-controlled
v.7 Sleep at night
Get _drunk at night
v.8 Day = _Self-Controlled
_Faith & Love = Breastplate
Hope of Salvation = _Helmet
v.9 No _Wrath for us
Receive _Salvation

5. v.10 Bottom Line for Believers : Awake or Asleep = _Living _Together with the Lord

6. v.11 SO… Keep Encouraging & Building up each other!

Facing Death with Hope

New Testament Sermon Series: 1st Thessalonians
Sermon #12
“Facing Death with Hope”
1 Thes. 4:13-18
November 18, 2007

1. God doesn’t want us _IGNORANT.

2. The cure for ignorance is _INFORMATION v.13

a) What information do you NEED?
b) We need to know about _DEATH
c) To those who believe, death is only like _SLEEP

3. Death brings one of two kinds of _GRIEF v.13

a) Grief with NO _HOPE
b) Grief with _HOPE

4. The basis of our hope is Jesus’ death & _Res v.14-15

a) If Jesus _ROSE, so God will raise all who believe in Him who have died (v.14)
b) Those alive when Jesus comes back will go up _WITH those who have already died in Christ (v.15)

5. Here’s how it will happen v.16-17

a) Lord will come down from _HEAVEN (v.16)

(1) With a loud _shout of command
(2) With a _voice of a chief angel
(3) With a _trumpet blast/call

b) The dead in Christ will rise _first

c) Next, those alive will be _CAUGHT UP with them in the clouds
d) To MEET the Lord (in the _air)
e) Result: We will BE _WITH THE LORD FOREVER!

6. The purpose for this information is so we can _ENCOURAGE each other with it. v.18

7. Summary: Life can be _hard, so we should look _forward to that exciting day when we (& those before us) will meet Jesus. It could be _any _day!

Are you ready? Are you looking forward?

“4 Things You Can Do To Make God Happy”

New Testament Sermon Series: 1st Thessalonians
Sermon #11
“4 Things You Can Do To Make God Happy”
4:9-12
November 4, 2007

Here’s How You Can Please God (besides avoiding sexual sin v.3)

1. Love your _BROTHERS and _SISTERS v.9-10

a. Like you’ve been _TAUGHT by God (v.9)

b. And Keep on _IMPROVING on it (v.10)

2. Aspire to live a non _FRANTIC/HECTIC life (v.11)


3. Mind Your Own _BUSINESS (v.11)


4. Work _HARD & stay _BUSY (v.11)

Why Be Concerned About This?

1. People are _WATCHING you = You have an _IMPACT (v.12)


2. Your life should be productive, not _DEPENDENT (v.12)
 

“What Does What I Believe Have To Do With Sex?”

New Testament Sermon Series: 1st Thessalonians
Sermon #10
“What Does What I Believe Have To Do With Sex?”
4:1-8
October 28, 2007

A. How do you know how to please God? (v.1-2)

1. Follow the _INSTRUCTIONS

B. How do you PLEASE God?

1. Do His _WILL (v.3)

C. What Is His Will? (v.3)

1. That you be _SANCTIFIED

D. How do you get Sanctified?

 1. Abstain from _SEXUAL  _IMMORALITY

E. What does this mean?

1. Controlling your own _BODY (v.4)
2. Making it _Holy & _HONORABLE
3.  Behaving _differently than our culture (v.5)

F. Why should you do this?

1. Because you will _HURT someone else (v.6)
2. Because God will _PUNISH you for this
3. Because you’ve already been _WARNED
4. Because God called you NOT to _IMPURITY
but to _HOLINESS (v.7)
5. BECAUSE IF YOU REJECT THIS…  (v.8)

a) YOU ARE REJECTING _GOD
(not your parents, pastor, or other people)
b) YOU ARE REJECTING THE _HOLY _ SPIRIT

Getting Ready to Go Out

New Testament Sermon Series: 1st Thessalonians
Sermon #9
“More Fuel For Your Prayer Life”

or

“How to Get Dressed Up for Jesus Coming”
3:11-13
October 21, 2007

What should we pray for?

A. God would bring us to the _right people (v.11)

1. for our _growth and

2. for their _growth

B. GOD to Increase our _love & make it _overflow (v.12)

1. for _each _other in the church

2. for _everyone _everywhere around us

3. for those _far _away

 

C. God to _strengthen our _hearts so we will be (v.13)

1. _blameless &

2. _holy

3. ready for _Jesus when He _comes

 

 

No RISK, No REWARD?

New Testament Sermon Series: 1st Thessalonians
Sermon #8
“Do You Know What You Signed Up For?”
3:1-10
October 14, 2007

A. The Hard
1. Persecution
2. Trials
3. Temptation
4. Separation
5. Distress
6. Unsettled

B. The Good
1. Joy
2. Encouragement
3. Really Living
4. Strength
5. Love
6. Faith
7. Standing firm
8. Good Memories

C. Lessons:
1. Joy & life comes from the _risks we take in _evangelism and discipleship.  
2. There are no _guarantees.  
3. We must accept the risk of _defeat and face the afflictions & pressures in order to get to the _joy, rejoicing, & life that comes after the hard work.

D. Actions:     So…
1. Pray
2. Work hard
3. Love people
4. Supply what is lacking in people's faith
5. Strengthen people's faith so they can persevere
6. Recognize the Tempter at work & _resist him!

Facing Difficult Opponents

New Testament Sermon Series: 1st Thessalonians
Sermon #7
“The Secret Ingredient to Face any Opponent”
1Thes. 2:14-20
October 7, 2007

A. Opponent One (v.14-16) = PEOPLE

1.    Their goal:  To keep people from SPEAKING the Gospel

2.    So that:  People WON’T be saved

3.    Result: For them, their SINS are piling up and their day of ACCOUNTABILITY is coming

4.    Encouragement:
   a) v.14 In your suffering, YOU’RE NOT ALONE –
     (1) Other Christians going through it too!
     (2) When you suffer for your faith, you join a great “group” of people who have also been hurt like you.
   b) Justice will come, you may see it very soon, or you might have to wait. (v.16)‏
B. Opponent Two (v.17-20) = SATAN

1.     Goal: To keep God’s people (workers) away from each other: 
People won’t grow in their faith. 
AND God’s workers won’t be filled with hope & joy or get their rewards.

2. Result: Nothing can keep the Word of God from encouraging & building up believers. 

3.    Encouragement:
    a) God WILL WORK powerfully to beat His opponent
           (1) His Word is not chained!   2Tim.2: 8
           (2) God will take the enemy’s own strategies and turn them upside-down!  (example: this letter)‏
    b)    Love for fellow believers should be intense
    c)    There is an incredible reward

 

Need Some Re-Charging?

New Testament Sermon Series: 1st Thessalonians
Sermon #6
“Getting Charged & Snyc’d in the Word Cradle”
1Thes. 2:13
September 30, 2007

Introduction:  The picture to your left is of a "Hot-Sync Cradle."  What this device does is take information from a main desktop computer and put that information onto a handheld PDA device that can be carried in your pocket.  This "cradle" also charges the battery of the PDA (pocket computer).  As an illustration of our spiritual lives and the importance of God's Word, we also need to be recharged in His Word and we need to download God's information (from the Bible) into our lives.

A. Subject: The _Word of God

1. It is Not just a _Human _Book!

2. It is from _God and IT IS _POWERFUL!

B. Question: Are you _connecting?

1. Are you _hearing it?

2. Are you _receiving it (hearing it with your _ears)?

3. Are you _Accepting it (hearing it with your _heart)?

4. Is it _Working in you?

C. Application: What can you do to make sure you are Charged & Sync’d?

1. Bible Reading Schedule
2. Journal
3. Scheduled time every day
4. Mentor to encourage you
5. Easy to read Bible

Parenting & Discipleship: What Do They Have in Common? Sermon #5

New Testament Sermon Series: 1st Thessalonians
Sermon #5
“Ma & Pa Discipleship”
2:6b-12
September 23, 2007

Question: What kind of attitudes & techniques should we have in making disciples?

A. Attitudes & Techniques Like a Good _Mom
1. (v. 6b ) Not wanting to be a _burden
2. (v.7) Being _Gentle
3. _Caring
4. (v.8) Love that _tells what needs to be told… and…
5. Love that _happily gives her very life/soul for her child
6. Deep _affection/love
7. (v.9) _Toil,
8. _Hardship,
9. _Working to not be a burden

B. Attitudes & Techniques Like a Good _Dad
1. (v. 10) _Holy Life
2. _Righteous Life
3. _Blameless Life
4. _Encouraging
5. _Comforting
6. Urging to live _great lives.

C. Bottom Line
1. We want Christian disciples to live lives _worthy of God
2. Because He is the one who _calls them/us to
a) His _Kingdom and
b) His _Glory

Summary:
Subject (what is the main theme of the passage?)
How to make disciples = like a good parent with their children

How should we see God differently/greater because of this text?
He is not just a book or a program or a course. He is a loving God who loves us. We grow and mature as His children and He is committed to see us through that whole process!

What is the 'problem' in this passage?
Trying to make disciples in a way that’s not loving & sacrificial and speaking what needs to be said.

What is God's solution?
Give them your lives/souls, be committed to them. Don’t give up on them. Be up front with them.

How does this subject hit us? What need or problem does it address?
We as a church are in the process (as always) of trying to do a better job of making disciples. We may sometimes bemoan the fact that we don’t or cant’ do it as well as the big churches, when in fact, we have what it takes right here = it’s people caring about people. People who want to see others mature in Christ & become all they can be – to outgrow their sin and live the kind of life that the world will see and want. I want people to give themselves to this noble task.

(Example: Just look at our Sunday School teachers. They don’t do this simply because they need one more thing to do in their lives! They don’t do it because they get paid lots of money. They don’t do it because it is always fun. They do it because God has called all of us to make disciples on the East Side of St. Paul who Love God, Love Each Other and Love the World.)

Desired Response (How does God want us to think/do differently because of this sermon?)
That we realize we have what it takes to make disciples. It is not beyond our reach. It doesn’t take rocket science or a complicated scheme of things

(Example: We hope that Youth Group for this Fall is going to become something simpler and more basic. It is like this passage says – we want to pair up youth who are interested, with more mature Christians who will try to encourage them towards spiritual growth through friendship/mentoring.

How-To Steps (What suggestions will help us to be 'do-ers' of the Word this week?)

1. Work on becoming mature yourself so that you can help others grow up in their faith.

2. Get a person in your life that will help you spiritually. It’s great to have friends, but get yourself a friend who is a mentor that will help you grow strong in your faith, someone who can pour some of their mature spiritual life into yours.

3. Do something to help someone grow in their faith.

a) If you’re not ready to be a mentor, come and pray on Sunday nights – we want to pray according to God’s will – and we know it is His will that we make disciples. Come and ask Him to help us to that – to pray for children, youth, adults to grow in their faith – to become all God wants.

b) Let us know if you’re interested in applying for some teaching or leading position in the church & we’ll let you know what you can work on to make progress towards that goal.

c) Volunteer to work behind the scenes to help. E.G. In order for Diane to teach a Sunday School class, she needs some people to clean up after our snack time on Sunday mornings. If you can help do some very practical & simple things, you will be freeing others up to have more time to teach, lead & mentor.

d) Encourage. Say thank you to those who are serving, teaching, mentoring and leading you. Don’t take them for granted. Tell your kids to say thank you to their Sunday School teachers and to respect them. Pray for them.

e) If you are a discipler/mentor/leader/teacher, pray to have the kinds of qualities that Paul says he had with the Chtns in Thessalonica. Ask God to grow those qualities in you. Pray that God will fill you so much with love and enthusiasm and hope & wisdom for your fellow Christians that you will give your very life & soul to them. Be encouraged that YOU CAN MAKE (and are making) A DIFFERENCE in someone’s life.

If you don’t see instant results, that’s okay. Who of us has ever seen a kid grow into an adult in 3 weeks, or 3 months? So…

f) Don’t give up! Keep giving yourself to this noble job of making disciples who love God, love each other & love the world.

g) Ask yourself & God if you are doing everything you can be to be effective in this role.

h) If you are a parent, listen carefully to these qualities, they will help you become the best parent you can be. It’s never too late to learn new things. Ask God to give you the qualities you lack so you can help your kids follow Jesus. You can always be an example to them and speak the truth to them in love – even if you’ve made mistakes in the past.