Don’t Waste Your Life (Wednesday March 6, 2013 Revisited)

“Most believers aren’t in imminent danger of ruining their lives. They’re facing a danger that’s far greater: wasting them. ….”

Last night we had a pre-message for our upcoming series WHAT ON EARTH AM I HERE FOR? One of the most common questions I hear as a pastor is people asking, “What is God’s will for my life?” Or, “What on Earth am I here for?”  It is a question that has so many other questions wrapped up in the one.  So at FUSE, we have decided to spend several weeks diving through the question, WHAT ON EARTH AM I HERE FOR? Last night we started our series off by answering 3 basic questions that people wrestle with daily.  These three questions are ones that seam so simple, yet, they are so foundational for every person to consider, both believer and non-believer.  

3 BASIC QUESTIONS

1.     WHAT DOES GOD WANT?  MY WHOLE LIFE.

“Give yourselves completely to God since you have been given
new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right
for the glory of God.”            Rom. 6:13

“This is what the Lord your God wants you to do: Respect the
Lord  and do what he has told you to do. Love him. Serve the
Lord your God with your whole being.”      Deut. 10:12

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and
love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the
other. You cannot serve both God and money.”   Matt. 6:24

“In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and
crown your efforts with success.”         Pr. 3:6

2.      WHAT DOES IT TAKE?  DISCIPLINE.

“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.”
1 Tim. 4:7

“Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping
spiritually fit.”            1 Tim. 4:7b
“Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the
sin that so easily hinders our progress.”  Heb. 12:1b

“Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him
and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to
do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me.” But the Lord
answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted
by many things; but there is need of only one thing and Mary
has chosen the better part…”          Luke 10:40-42

“God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to
obey his own purpose.”            Phil. 2:13

3.     WHY SHOULD I DO IT?  THE CROSS.

“He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for
themselves but for him who died for them and was raised
again.”                 2 Cor. 5:15

“Through the blood of his Son, we are set free from our sins.
God forgives our failures because of his overflowing kindness.”
Eph. 1:7

“Brothers and sisters, in view of all we have just shared about
God’s compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as
living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him.”
Rom.12:1

“We beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous
life God has given us!”         2 Cor. 6:1

“Lord, I have heard the news about you; I am amazed at what
you have done. Lord, do great things once again in our time;
make those things happen again in our own days.”
Hab. 3:2

WHAT ABOUT YOU?  ARE THERE AREAS IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU NEED TO CUT OUT IN ORDER FOR YOU TO BE MORE DISCIPLINED?  HAVE YOU BEEN SITTING ON THE SIDELINE FOR SOME TIME NOW, AND GOD IS MOVING YOU TO AUDACIOUSLY STEP OUT IN FAITH TO FOLLOW HIM?  HOW CAN I BRING YOU ENCOURAGEMENT TODAY?

I would love to talk: call me on my cell: 281-703-5091

What On Earth Am I Here For? A Fuse Series

“Most believers aren’t in imminent danger of ruining their lives. They’re facing a danger that’s far greater: wasting them. ….”

This is a quote that has had me thinking about my life recently.  Often times I get asked: “What is God’s will for my life?” Or, “What on Earth am I here for?”  So this Wednesday night we are beginning a series called “What On Earth Am I Here For?”  Through this series, we are going to look at several areas of our life, and MORE IMPORTANTLY, OUR CALLING.  We are called to be a part of God’s GREATER story, not our own.

This Wednesday March 6th, we have a Pre-Series message titled: DON’T WASTE YOUR LIFE.  We will answer 3 basic questions that every believer must answer to understand what it takes to live a life that pleases God.  The rest of the series is outlined as follows:

1. What On Earth Am I Here For?  (March 20)
2. Planned For God’s Pleasure  (March 27)
3. Formed For God’s Family  (April 3)
4. Created To Become Like Christ  (April 10)
5. Shaped For Serving God  (April 17)
6. Made For A Mission  (April 24)
7. What Have We Learned  (May 1)

This is going to be one our most basic Sermon Series that we have ever done, yet, it will be one of the most PROFOUND to understanding the purpose of what it means to be created in the image of God.  Join us at FUSE on Wednesdays to discover the true PURPOSE of life.  If you would like to go further, we will have Rick Warren’s book THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE for sale in the lobby of The Mill for you at $12.  This is just to recoup the cost of the books.  This 40 day journey will help you dive further into the conversations that we will be having throughout the rest of the series.  I STRONGLY recommend that you and your family go through this study over the next 40 days together. If you have any questions please contact Jared at jared@fbctw.org.

“Poor In Spirit” (Wednesday September 26, 2012 Revisited)

We began with our NEW series “A Beautiful Life: The Beatitudes Of Jesus” last night, and it was a great start.  In this 8 week series we will be looking at Jesus’ teachings found in the Sermon On The Mount, specifically, the Beatitudes of Jesus in Matthew 5:3-10. Last night we began with verse 3 that says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Here are some notes from Dr. Jim Denison that we used for our talk.

Diet And Training (Wednesday September 12, 2012 Revisited)

We have been in a teaching series called “Two-A-Days” where we have been looking at various truths about life in relation to the Scriptures.  Last week we talked about the idea that everyone is on a team.  There are two teams in this world Team Death and Team Life.  The reality of it is, that we were all born onto Team Death.  There is nothing that we can do about that.  But Jesus paved the way for us to join Team Life.  One of the things that we taught last week is that the great news is that we already know the outcome, and that is: JESUS WINS! You can see more of last weeks talk HERE.

In Galatians chapter 5 verses 16 and 17, Paul gives us a glimpse into the battle that is taking place on the inside of all of our lives.  He says:

Galatians 5:16-17 | 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

There is a battle that is taking place daily between two things: Flesh and Spirit.  Our flesh is the human side of our lives, while the Spirit is Jesus living inside of us (if you are in Christ).

One of the most interesting things about the United States of America is that we as a whole, are the most obese country in the world, and it is not even close.  In 2004 Morgan Spurlock created a documentary that many of you have seen called, SUPERSIZE ME.  While examining the influence of the fast food industry, Morgan Spurlock personally explores the consequences on his health of a diet of solely McDonald’s food for one month.  In this one month period he ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner at McDonald’s.  Every time that Morgan went to the counter or drive thru at McDonalds, and the worker asked if he would like to supersize his value meal he had to answer “YES.”  This was such a challenge for him as you could imagine.  There are plenty of videos on Youtube if you would like to see snapshots of this documentary.  WARNING though, he uses profane language quite often.

If you and I were to sit down and evaluate our lives, it would look like Morgan in this movie, constantly feeling sick and nauseous spiritually speaking.  There are several areas in our lives that we tend to force feed junk into our lives, and shove down our throat.  So the question must be asked then:

How do we train spiritually in a way that we feed the spirit and starve the flesh?

We started our journey by attempting to evaluate our lives through the lens of Romans 12:2 that says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”  So often we tend to get caught up in material things or worldly things that leads down the path to sin.  So what are some areas in our lives that we need to be careful about in the way that we spend our time?  How about this truth?  You ARE what you EAT!   We are exactly what we feed ourselves.  Here are some things that you and I need to look at and evaluate the value of these areas in our lives.  I am not saying that any of these are bad, but what I am saying is that when we constantly feel our minds with bad material it begins to control our thoughts and actions.

5 fatty foods that will leave us spiritually failing:

1. 1.    MUSIC
2. 2.    TELEVISION
3. 3.    INTERNET
4. 4.    VIDEO GAMES
5. 5.    MAGAZINES

So often we define our identity in worldly things, and in John 6:35 Jesus reminds us that our identity is worth placing in His hands and His hands only.   Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”  That means that there is no song, tv show, no website, no video game and no magazine that can make up our identity.

I would then propose that you and I need a LOT of P B AND J in our lives.

            P: PRAYER

            B: BIBLE

            J: JESUS

ARE YOU READY TO TRAIN WITH JESUS?

One GIANT Question (Wednesday September 5, 2012 Revisited)

Romans 3:9-20  9What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin,

10 as it is written: 
”None is righteous, no, not one;
11  no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
12  All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
13  “Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
”The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14  “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15  “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16  in their paths are ruin and misery,
17  and the way of peace they have not known.”
18  “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Everyone must ask the question: What team am I on?

1.    EVERYONE is on a TEAM

2.    EVERYONE was born on Team “DEATH.”

Proverbs 14:12   There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.

“All” under sin

“All” turned aside

Team death spends eternity apart from God.  Sin separates us from God.

3.    Jesus calls US to join Team “LIFE.”

God the Father cares so much about you, he sent his son to us for the right to play for his team.

John 10:10  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 6:40  For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

Colossians 1:13-14  13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

4.    JESUS Wins.  The good news is that the Bible tells us the outcome: JESUS Wins!

1 Corinthians 15: 50-57  50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 
”Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55  “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

WHAT TEAM ARE YOU ON?

UNDERSTANDING THE MEANING OF A TEXT (Sunday August 12, 2012 Revisited)

Today: Interpretation & Correlation

I’ve chosen one of the most vivid passages of Jesus: JOHN 15:1-17

Read it.  Then model how to get the right meaning…

Heard: “God doesn’t expect us to be successful, just faithful.”  Only ½ right!

God expects us to be FRUITFUL!    (one of the great themes of NT)

    “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no FRUIT, while every branch that does bear FRUIT he prunes so that it will be even more FRUITFUL. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear FRUIT by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear FRUIT unless you remain in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much FRUIT; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much FRUIT, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has LOVED me, so have I LOVED you. Now remain in my LOVE. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my LOVE, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his LOVE.

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: LOVE each other as I have LOVED you. Greater LOVE has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear FRUIT- FRUIT that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: LOVE each other.”

4 months of sermons in 17 vs!   Chock-full.     Must limit our study

Show how a vs can be misinterpreted if we ignore the rules of interpretation

Problem Verse: Vs.6  “If anyone doesn’t remain in me, he’s like a branch that’s thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”

ILL: Radio preachers “The fruit of a Christian is another Christian. If you don’t

bring people to Christ, God will throw u away & you’ll burn in hell.”

      Is that what that verse means? Not at all!  A gross misinterpretation.

Using this passage, I want you to learn…

SOME BASIC RULES OF BIBLE INTERPRETATION

1.   Consider the historical context: WHO is being spoken to?  WHY?

               o  Ask: What did it mean to them?

   Ch. 13 to 17 = Jesus’ final words of comfort to his disciples before his arrest

I want to take time for you to see the importance of context.  (surrounding words/events)

o  Had invested 3 ½ yrs. LOVES THEM!  Farewell instructions!  Last

o  Concerned for them.  He knows they’re going to be devastated….

                o  Takes them privately to an upper room for Passover    (intimate)

READ JOHN 13:1-15 (Jesus models serving each other)

    It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

    The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

    He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”  “No Lord,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

    Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

    When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

For the rest of the chapter, Jesus emphases the importance of loving each other!

He knows the tough time they’re about to go through!

   JOHN 14 NEXT JESUS MAKES A NUMBER OF PROMISES TO THEM;

1. Don’t worry I’m going to prepare a place for you in heaven!

2. You’re going to be able to pray & ask for anything in my name (vs 12-14)

3. I’m going send my Holy Spirit to live in you & comfort you (vs 15-25)

4. I’m giving you the Gift of Peace. Don’t be troubled or worry! (vs 27-31)

Screen JOHN 14:31 “Come now, let’s leave this place.”

As they walk through the vineyards to the Garden of Gethsemane

            Jesus gives the illustration of the vine & branches ( read earlier)

He concludes his object lesson with these words:

Vs.11 “I’ve told you these thing so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete!”

Q: What’s the odds of Jesus giving his last words of encouragement to his

dearest friends by saying:  “You’ll lose your salvation & burn in hell if you

       don’t bear fruit”  THEN “I’ve told you this so you’ll be full of joy!!”

THE CONTEXT MAKES THAT INTERPRETATION NONSENSE!

2.  Define the key words

   ILL: Ever had an argument because you meant different things with same word?

CARD: MULTIPLE MEANINGS

(By the way “fire”  here is the Greek word “pur” – not Gehenna /Sheol)

            “Love” = mentioned 9 times          “Fruit” = mentioned 9 times

“Fruit” & “Fruitful” = 44 times in New Testament    Karpos

YOU CANT JUST ARBITRARILY DEFINE THE WORD!

Screen

                  Mt.3:8 “the fruit of repentance”

            Mt.26:29 “the fruit of the vine” (communion wine)               

            Rom.7:5 “we bore fruit for death” (sinful lifestyle)

            Rom.15:28 “received this fruit” (offering of money)

            Gal.5:22 “fruit of the spirit”  (9 godly attitudes)

            Eph.5:9 “the fruit of light” (truth, righteousness, goodness)

            Col.1:6 “this gospel is bearing fruit and growing” (new believers)

            Heb.13:15 “praise to God – the fruit of our lips”

So what is the definition of “fruit” in John 15?

What is Jesus meaning when he says we must bear fruit in this context?

3.  Interpret unclear verses with clear ones!

In this passages we find 3 clear characteristics growing spiritual fruit:

     Vs.4 “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by

   itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you

   remain in me.”

   o  BEARING FRUIT is produced by remaining in Christ

                        Fruit is an inside job!  Can’t just tack it on!

Not imitation but inhabitation:  God’s Spirit flowing IN you.

“REMAIN” = to stay, continue, abide, endure, lasting   (MENO)

     Vs.8 “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing      yourselves to be my disciples.”

   o  BEARING FRUIT brings glory to God

Bearing fruit … is produced by remaining in Christ …. Brings glory to God

Vs.11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your

joy may be complete.” Jesus tell us his motive for saying all of this: JOY!

   o  BEARING FRUIT will give me complete joy.

We’re still left with the question: So what is fruit?

4.  Look for the most obvious meaning.

                    Not some esoteric, mysterious! Purpose God’s Word” to reveal, not conceal!

ILL: FALSE:  Assign a number to letters in Kissinger’s name = antichrist

               o Don’t try to make every detail in a story mean something.

                     ILL: “I bought a red fire engine at Wal Mart for my son Joshua”

Don’t try to force a meaning. (Eisegesis)

Let it speak for itself.

         WHAT’S OBVIOUS ABOUT VS 6?

A fruitless fruit tree loses its purpose! Can only be used firewood!

     When you let the text speak for itself, the meaning of fruit becomes obvious:

   15:7 “If you remain in me and my words remain in you,  you may

   ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you!” 

           o  REMAINING IN CHRIST PRODUCES answered prayers!

         Prayer can do anything God can do!

But don’t expect a $1000 answer to a 10cent prayer!

“Whatever”

If God doesn’t give u what u ask for- it is always something better.

Don’t ask God for what you think is good for you. Ask God for what HE thinks

is good for you!

   14:13 “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring

   glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will

   do it.”   o  Answered prayers brings glory to God!

When your knees are shaking, kneel on them!

When you’re swept off your feet – Get on your knees!

When you feel the sky is falling – hold up your hands!

   16:24 “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and

   you will receive, and your joy will be complete!”

            o  Answered prayers GIVES ME COMPLETE JOY!

James 4:2  “You do not have, because you do not ask God!”

God never shuts his storehouse until you shut your mouth!

When you don’t pray –  you don’t cheat God. You cheat yourself!

Just in case you didn’t get it, Jesus ends his talk with 1 last mention:

     Vs.16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go

   and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever

   you ask in my name!”

I BEAR FRUIT BY ASKING IN PRAYER!

Prayer is the root of all fruit!  All other virtues come thru prayer

Prayer is the password to all God wants to do in your life!

Prayer is not your spare tire – It’s your steering wheel!

Problem:  We never have trouble praying in trouble.

But we have trouble praying when we’re not in trouble!

MY PERSONAL APPLICATION

     Matt. 7:24 “Everyone who hears these word of mine and puts them into

   practice is like a wise man who built his house upon the rock.” 

We need to stop talking about prayer and just pray!

Write out an application statement on what you intend to pray about this week.

PRAYER:  Jesus thank you.. that you loves us… that you created us to bear fruit…

that you allow us to talk to you… that you want to answer our prayers.

that you want us to be filled with you. Forgive us for not rely on the

tremendous resource you have given us in prayer.

PRACTICE THE MEMORY VERSE / WRITE OUT APPLICATION

HOW TO STUDY A BIBLE PASSAGE (Sunday August 5, 2012 Revisited)

The key to Bible Study is asking good questions  (screen)

                                    1. Observation: What does it say?

2. Interpretation: What does it mean?

3. Correlation: What other verses explain it?

4. Application: What will I do about it?

o Today: show you how to do this. Just take a random passage…

PHILIPPIANS 2:19-30

    “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone else looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.    But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.”

At first glance- this doesn’t seem to be a deep passage.

Might ask:   Why did God include it in the Bible?  Like a personal note

Might think: This is just a passage to skip over quickly. BUT…

2 Tim. 3:16 (NLT) “ALL Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.

Rom, 15:4 (NIV) “For everything was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.   So God wants us to get something out of this

I. OBSERVATION:  What does it SAY?

o Paul intended to send 2 men to the church at Philippi

“I hope to send you Timothy”   vs. 19

            “I think it is necessary to send Epaphroditus back to you”  vs. 25

o Paul endorse them as role models who deserve honor

vs. 20 (Timothy)    “I have no one else like him!”

vs. 29 (Epaphroditus)     “Welcome him… HONOR men like him”

ILL: LinkedIn “Will you endorse me?”

o What does it mean to be like these men? What are they like?

From observation we can see 5 characteristics (listed on outline)

vs. 20-21 “takes a genuine interest”

                vs. 22     “has proved himself”

                vs. 25     “my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier”

                vs. 26      “longs for all of you and is distressed”

                vs.27-30  “almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life”

II. INTERPRETATION: What does it MEAN?

Actually, this is a very powerful passage, especially for men.

models 5 marks of a man of God.

identifies 5 characteristics we’re to build into our lives & honor in others!

vs. 21 “I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in

      your welfare. For everyone else looks out for his own interests…”

(TEV) “genuinely cares for you … others only care about themselves”

(Ph)    “…they are all wrapped up in their own affairs…”

1.   A GODLY MAN IS CARING

Fact: Everything in our culture teaches us to be self-centered

Ads… music… movies… sports… video games  “It’s all about you”

An unselfish man is rare. We’re usually wrapped up in our own business

CARD: How to recognize a self-centered man.

vs. 22 “Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father,

      he has served with me in the work of the gospel.”

(GW) “…you know what kind of person Timothy proved to be.”

                        proven = tested, verified, checked out, determined reliable

2.  A GODLY MAN IS CONSISTENT

He is proven trustworthy.  Not wishy-washy. Doent flipflop. Keeps his word.

The greatest ability is dependability

NEEDED: MEN OF CONVICTION & CHARACTER

- not wishy-washy – can’t be bought   (opinion/conviction

                                    – consistent in values

                                    – committed to God’s standards

                                    – If you stand for something, you’ll fall for anyhing

3.  vs. 25 “I send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.”       (GN) “…he has worked and fought by my side

Paul uses 3 relational metaphors: brother, fellow worker, fellow solider

Note 3 terms of cooperationThe Christian Life is:

- A Family – we’re related      “Brother”      133x

Crisis;   “Church really is a family!”

- A Fellowship – we’ve been given same task/mission

We are to work/serve together!

- A Fight – it’s a battle!  Same enemy: Satan

We support/defend/encourage each other!    Why Small groups!

       A  GODLY MAN IS COOPERATIVE

He knows how to work with others… to be a team member… not difficult

PAUL – Spiritual Superstar … Yet even he recognized…

We’re more effective when we work together

  vs. 26 “For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard

he was ill.”  

4.   A GODLY MAN IS CONSIDERATE

Concerned about the feelings of others,

Thoughtful of the effect of his words/actions   “I just say what I think”  Immature!

 1 Peter 3:7 (NIV)  “Husbands be  considerate as you live with your

      wives”

We are not, by nature, naturally considerate of differences (men/women)

1. Physiological Differences between men & women

2. How men and women make decisions

3. Chances of a man willing an argument

vs.27+30 “Indeed he was ill, and almost died…he almost died for the

      work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you couldn’t give

      me.”

5.  A GODLY MAN IS COURAGEOUS    FEARLESS!

Note: what he was courageous about.  NOT FOR HIS BENEFIT

Made a inconvenient journey for the benefit of another church. (PEACE)

WHO PUT THE CAUSE OF CHRIST BEFORE COMFORT.

            Paul in prison-Rome    800 miles away

The  Philippian church in Greece -church takes a loveoffering

no planes, trains,& auto.. Eph. volunteer to be the currier.  Nearly died!

- Ephap.  -persistent in spite of pain   – Committed to finishing what he started

            If your pastor asked you to walk 800 miles w. offering-would you?

Not many men like this today.  Rare!

Most: “I’ll live for Christ when it is convenient”

“Forget church Good game on…” “Leave early – more convenient for me”

God  uses courageous people who serve him even when its ` inconvenient uncomfortable    WHO PUT SERVICE BEFORE SECURITY

o take risks for God’s kingdom

o serve God & others with reckless abandonment

            VS. 29-30  lit. “Hazarding” his life…

A gambling term – to stake everything on a dice roll!

- Epap was God’s gambler!

- Gambled his life for Jesus Christ

Q: Is your commitment to Christ deep enough to cause you to risk anything?

NO challenge- commitment- sacrifice – heroes!

           I thank God- Saddleback is filled with Godly Men of Courage

The PEACE plan would have never happened without them

ILL At 76 & retired- wile others imp. golf game…I

My dad was out making PEACE TRIPS like  Epaphroditus

He’s out putting service before security!

Building church buildings around world

Jungles of Brazil/Guat. to Alaska & Australia,Iran

PAID OWN!     over 100 church bldgs.

                 IF YOU HAVE A PEACE STORY…..  “PEACE STORY”

III. CORRELATION: What other verses explain it?

1. Anything else about the people mentioned?

Timothy: 2 entire books! 1 & 2 Timothy (became pastor at Ephesus)

Epaphroditus Ph. 4:14-18 – he delivered the offering from Philippi!

2. … about the qualities mentioned?

being caring, consistent, cooperative, considerate, courageous

            EXPLAIN WORD SEARCH COMPUTER PROGRAM “considerate”

IV. APPLICATION: What will I DO about it?

o So far, you’ve learned 3 ways to think/meditate on the Bible

Pronounce … Picture it  …  Probe   (S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S)

1 Command to obey “HONOR”

5 Examples to follow

Maybe Attitude to change

Personal – must apply it to myself

Practical & Possible – something I can DO

Provable – set a deadline!

Suggestions for possible application:

      1. Think of ways to honor people this week who model these qualities.

A. 3 Russian Christian leaders – 60% churches Thank you notes

stood firm during all the yrs of Communist persecution

B. Feb. 25-26 Honor Rick Muchow as he concludes 24 yrs leading worship

C. If you know someone who is caring, consistent

     2.  Ask which of these 5 qualities will I work on this week?

Today: Our culture idolizes shallow celebrities living shallow lives.

            You know the sun is setting on a culture when small men cast long shadows.

            Desperately needed Men of God & Women of God!

                 caring, consistent, cooperative, considerate, courageous

This week’s memory verse:  “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”  Psalm 119:11

SEEING WHAT GOD WANTS ME TO SEE (Sunday July 29, 2012 Revisited)

ILLUMINATION: Letting the Holy Spirit show me the

                        meaning of God’s Word and how it applies to my life

Before Jesus went back to heaven he explain the H.S.’s role:

JN. 14:26 “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

JN. 14:17 “He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.”

JN. 16:15 “the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you”                

EPH. 1:17 “I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God.”  

o Bible = only book where you can talk to the author while reading it!

You can ask “Now what did you mean here?”

      o How does this work?

Eph. 1:18-19 “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”   

                        Photizo = to shine light on something.  “The light came on!” 

                        A ha moment!  YES!  I got it!  I understand!    That’s Illumination!   

You’re spiritual eyes were opened!

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD OPENS MY EYES?

1.      I SEE THE SOLUTION TO MY PROBLEM

STORY: Sarah got jealous of Hagar & threw her & her son out of the house

GEN 21:14-18  “Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the desert of Beersheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there nearby, she began to sob.  God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”

GEN 21:19 “Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.”                            The solution was right in front of her but she couldn’t see it!

2.      I SEE THE BARRIER TO MY PROGRESS

STORY: A prophet of God named Balaam agreed to help some bad guys.

NUM, 22:22-27 But God was furious that Balaam was going, so he sent the angel of the Lord to stand in the road to block his way… Balaam’s donkey suddenly saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand and the donkey bolted off the road into a field, but Balaam beat it and turned it back onto the road.

Then the angel of the Lord stood at a place where the road narrowed between two vineyard walls. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing there, it tried to squeeze by and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So Balaam beat the donkey again.

Then the angel of the Lord moved farther down the road and stood in a place so narrow that the donkey could not get by at all. This time when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down under Balaam. In a fit of rage Balaam beat it again with his staff.

NUM. 22:31 “Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.”

When plans aren’t working out, you can get angry at others..

OR let God show you what’s holding  you back!            

3.      I SEE THE DEFENSE FOR WHAT’S ATTACKING ME

         STORY: The Arameans were at war with Israel, But every time they’d

         attack Israel – God would warn Elisha of the battle plans!

2 Kings 6:10-23”This happened several times so the king of Aram became

very upset over this. He called in his officers and demanded, “Which of you is the traitor? Who has been informing the king of Israel of my plans?”

“It’s not us, my lord,” one of the officers replied. “Elisha, the prophet of Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in the privacy of your bedroom!”  The king said “You go find where Elisha is, and we will send troops to seize him!” The report came back: “Elisha is at Dothan.” So one night the king of Aram sent a great army with many chariots and horses to surround the city. When  Elisha’s servant got up early the next morning and went outside, he saw troops, horses, and chariots everywhere!  “ What will we do now?” he cried out to Elisha.  “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha said. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!”

2 Kings 6:17 “Then Elisha prayed, ‘O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.’ Then the             Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills

full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha!”

As the Aramean army advanced toward them, Elisha prayed, “O Lord, please make them blind.” And the Lord did as Elisha asked. Then Elisha went out and told them, “You have come the wrong way! This isn’t the right city! Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are looking for.”  And he led them to Samaria!

 As soon as they had entered Samaria, Elisha prayed, “O Lord, now open their eyes and let them see.” And the Lord did, and they discovered that they were in Samaria!       When Elijah’s king, the king of Israel saw the captive enemy army, he shouted to Elisha, “Should I kill them?”      ”Of course not!” Elisha told him. “Do we kill prisoners of war? Give them food and drink and send them home again.”  So the king of Israel made a great feast for Aramean army and then sent them home to their king. After that, the Aramean raiders stayed away from the land of Israel!

The best way to get rid of an enemy is to turn him into a friend!

4.      I SEE HOW GOD IS WALKING WITH ME!

STORY: The day Jesus was resurrected, 2 discouraged disciples were walking down the road to Emmaus talking about what had happened.

Luke 24:15-29 Suddenly, Jesus himself came along and joined them and began

walking beside them. But they didn’t know who he was, because God kept them from recognizing him.

“You seem to be in a deep discussion about something,” he said. “What are you

so concerned about?”  They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then Cleopas said.  ”You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”

“What things?” Jesus asked.

“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did wonderful miracles. He was a mighty teacher, highly regarded by both God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders arrested him and handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had thought he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. That all happened three days ago.

Then some women were at his tomb early this morning, and came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, Jesus’ body was gone, just as the women had said.”

Then Jesus said , “You are such foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted by the prophets that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his time of glory?” Then Jesus quoted passages from the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining what all the Scriptures said about himself.

By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus would have gone on, but they begged him to stay the night with them, since it was getting late. So he went home with them.As they sat down to eat, he took a small loaf of bread, asked God’s blessing on it, broke it, then gave it to them.

LK. 24:31 “Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight”

                           In their grief, Jesus had been right there with them!

They just couldn’t see it!   They needed illumination!

                           Now, do you realize how important illumination is?

HOW  CAN I PREPARE TO SEE WHAT GOD WANTS ME TO SEE?

1.      BEGIN A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS

               Until I trust him for my salvation, I’m spiritually blind.

1 COR. 2:14 “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

SCREEN 2 Cor. 4:4 (NCV) “The devil who rules this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe. They cannot see the light of the Good News…”

JN. 3:3 Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom

      of God unless he is born again.”

2.      ASK GOD IN FAITH TO OPEN MY EYES

PS. 119:18 “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your Law!”

- It’s a wonder-filled book.     – I cant see it until..

JAMES 1:5-6 “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. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt.”

MATT. 7:7“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”

PS. 32:8  “I WILL instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I WILL counsel you and watch over you.”

3.      COME WITH A HUMBLE ATTITUDE

PS. 25:9  “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his

      way.”                                             Be teachable                          

PROV. 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart  and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will

      make your paths straight.”                      

4.      CLEANSE MY HEART OF SIN & CONFLICT

MATT. 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

1 JN 2:11 “Whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around

      in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the

      darkness has blinded him.”        

5.      COMMIT IN ADVANCE TO DO WHAT GOD SAYS

(unqualified obedience)

PS. 119:33-34 “Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end.  Give me understanding, and I will keep your law  and

      obey it with all my heart.”           

“Whatever you show me, I’m going to ACT on it

MEMORY VERSE

            James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. DO what it says!”

How The Bible Changes Us (Sunday July 22, 2012 Revisited)

-The Bible is unlike any other book.  “Holy”

-It has supernatural power to change things. Why? WORD OF GOD!

HOW DOES GOD’S LIVING WORD CHANGE ME?   7 WAYS

1.   IT RECREATES  MY LIFE

      James 1:18 “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth…”

Without God’s word – the good news – couldn’t be saved!

o Paul told Timothy “the holy Scriptures, are able to make you wise for

                  salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”            2 Tim. 3:15 (NIV)

Bible is often compared to a seed

      1 Pet. 1:23“You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of

      imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God.”

 James 1:21 “Humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you”                                                            

2.   IT ERADICATES MY GUILT

ILL: “I feel so guilty..” “Let me show you what God says…

1 John 1:9     Romans 8:1  “There is now..

How?  By cleansing us!   God’s word is like soap. It disinfects us.

Eph. 5:25-26 “…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word.”

Jesus told his disciples:

      Jn 15:3 “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.”   

3.   IT ACTIVATES MY FAITH

Faith is Word-activated.    The promises of God raise our expectations!

Rom. 10:17 “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.”

Ever heard the Word taught… felt courage well up inside you?

4.   IT STIMULATES MY GROWTH

Acts 20:32  I commit you to God and to the Word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

Inheritance= get all that rightly belongs to you as God’s child!

2 Tim. 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

TEACHING – shows the path to walk on

REBUKING –  shows how we got off the path

CORRECTING – shows how to get back on the path

TRAINING – how to stay on the path

5.   IT ILLUMINATES MY MIND

Ps 119:130 (CEV) “Understanding your Word brings light to the minds of

ordinary people.”

Psalm 119:99 (NIV)  “I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.

Ps. 119:105 “Your Word is a lamp to my feet  and a light for my path.”

THE PRAYER TO PRAY: (MEMORY verse this wk)

Screen PS.119:18 “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law!”

6.   IT  ELEVATES MY MOOD

Whenever you get discouraged, you need a Word break.

Rom. 15:4 “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach

us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”         

Ps.119:114 (Mes) ‘You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to

 renew me.”         

7.   IT  LIBERATES  MY POTENTIAL

            Only God knows how to unlock your full potential

Jn 8:31-32 (NAS) “If you continue in My Word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free!”

HOW DO GAIN THESE BENEFITS?

1. 1.     LEARN IT!

Mk.12:24 (LB) Jesus said “Your trouble is that you don’t know the

Scriptures …”  

       Most of your troubles come from not knowing the Bible!        

Your problem is your response.   Bible tells you how to act in every situation

2.   ACCEPT IT AS MY AUTHORITY

      1 Thes. 2:13 “When you received the Word of God, which you heard from

us,             you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the Word of God, which is at work in you who believe.’

3.   ACT ON IT

      Jn 13:17 “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you

      do them.”

PS.119:18 “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law!”

WHY CAN I TRUST THE BIBLE? (Sunday July 15, 2012 Revisited)

The Bible is the most translated and most read book in the world

2 Tim. 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Ps.119:86 “All of your commands can be trusted” NCV

How do I know this?

I CAN TRUST THE BIBLE BECAUSE…

1.   IT  IS HISTORICALLY ACCURATE! 

Not just doctrinally .. but every other area too!  Why?  God CANNOT LIE!

                  SCREEN HEB. 6:18  “It is impossible for God to lie!”

Ps. 33:4 “The Word of the Lord is right and true.”

1. Most of the Bible is from eyewitness accounts

2. Archeology always confirms the Bible eventually

3. The Scriptures have been copied with extreme care!

2.   IT IS SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE!

The Bible wasn’t given to be a science textbook.  Doesn’t use scientific language

but it never gives bad science!    FACT: always ahead of contemporary views!

J. Kepler (astronomer) “Science is thinking God’s thoughts after him!’

o Reason its accurate: The Laws of the Universe are God’s Laws!

                                           So he understands them even when we don’t!

      SCREEN Ps.148:5-6 (NLT)  Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for he

      issued his command, and they came into being. He established them forever

      and forever. His orders will never be revoked.”  

FACT: Science constantly changes!  Quickly Obsolete.  ILL: Medical views..

Paris Louvre Library- 3 ½ miles of old science books – almost all obsolete!

               1861 French Academy of Science

                  “51 Incontrovertible Scientific Facts that prove the Bible is Wrong”

                   Today- all 51 facts have been proven wrong by SCIENCE!

One proof- not a man-made book is what the Bible DOESN’T SAY!

- You’d expect it to promote the current science of the day!

For 1000s of yrs everyone believed…

1    The earth was flat!   Yet, 2,600 yrs ago  Isaiah said (Screen)

Isa.40:22 “God is enthroned above the sphere of the earth”

Jesus “One sleeping/ one working

2    The earth has to be held up!

Greeks: A giant named Atlas….

Hindus : Giant Elephants held up earth their backs

they stand on the back of giant turtle

on a giant serpent swimming in a sea

Egyptians:  Earth is held up by 5 pillars

Moses “schooled in the wisdom of the Egyptians”  Yet none in Bible!

                    Screen Job 26:7 (NLT) “God stretches the sky over empty space

                     and hangs the earth on nothing!”    How did Job know that?

      3    The number of stars could be counted

150 BC – Hipparchus announced 1,022 stars in the universe!

150 AD – Ptolemy concluded 1,026  (found 4 more)

2,600 yrs ago  JER. 33:22 :”The number of stars are infinite”

              From Hippocrates on for 2,000 yrs- science taught HUMORALISM

all illness& temperament caused by 4 Body Fluids: BILE  BILE  BLOOD  PHEGM

                                                You wont find that in the BIBLE

      4    Too much blood made you sick. “Must bleed people to keep them alive!”

Science didn’t know until 1628 that blood circulates!  William Harvey

Washington got sick. Bled him 3x. Died!

TODAY: We GIVE people blood to help them get well!  (Transfusions

               SCREEN: LEV. 17:11 (NLT) “The LIFE of every creature is IN its blood!”

      5.   25% of all Europe died of bubonic plague in Middle Ages

They didn’t know the value of quarantining the sick!

                        But Long before science discovered germs, God said…

             Lev.13:4 (NLT) “…Put an infected person in quarantine for seven days.

Pr. 30:5 “Every word of God is flawless.”

In fact, it’s more than accurate.  It’s pure!    It’s perfect!

Ps. 12:6 “The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay and purified seven times!”

3.   IT IS PROPHETICALLY  ACCURATE!

The Bible has predicted 1000s of events that happened just as God said!

Over 300 about Messiah-  where & how he’d be born, die – CROSS

2 Pet. 1:21 “No prophecy ever originated from humans. Instead, it was given by the Holy Spirit as humans spoke under God’s direction.” GW

Mt. 26:56 “But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.” NLT

Rev. 22:6 “The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true.

      The Lord …sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon

      take place.”

4.   IT IS THEMATICALLY  UNIFIED 

One unified message!  Next wk- we’ll talk about that unified theme

What’s so amazing about that?

The Bible is one book made up of 66 books

Written

by over 40 different authors  -  over a period of 1,600 years!

              in over a dozen countries on 3 different continents!

in at least 3 different languages

by people from all walks of life!

Farmers & kings,   soldiers & shepherds, princes & priests,

                        historians, fisherman, tax collectors,  scholars, businessmen, MD

caves, ships, palaces, prisons, deserts

COULDN’T GET A MORE DIVERSE GROUP over 1600 yrs.

  yet they make one book with one story without contradiction.

            ILL: Gave out 50 pieces of colored paper- cut it any way you want.

What are the ODDS  they all fit perfectly to form a map of USA!

LK. 24:27 “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, Jesus explained to

      them what was said in ALL the Scriptures concerning himself.”

The theme of the entire Bible is God’s plan of redemption!

The star of the story is Jesus.  You can see him in every book!

Jn. 5:39 “You search the Scriptures because you believe they give you

      eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!”

Mt. 5:18 Jesus  said, “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter  not the least stroke of a pen  will  disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished!”

6.   IT HAS SURVIVED ALL ATTACKS

The most despised, derided, denied disputed, dissected, disputed, debated,

outlawed & destroyed book ever!

YET STILL THE BEST SELLING, MOST READ

Source of more great ART, MUSIC & ARCHITECTURE

Mt. 24:35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never

      pass away.”          Voltaire “Within 100 yrs the Bible will be forgotten”

                        His home became headquarters for French Bible Society

1 Pet. 1:24-25 “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.”

ILL; Gravity- You don’t break God’s laws.. they break you

7.   IT  HAS TRANSFORMING POWER

Nothing can change lives like the Bible!  Your life has been changed by it!

Jn.8:31-32 Jesus said “If you continue in my Word, then you are my

      disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make

      you free!”

      Q: Do any of you believe everything you read online?

            WHY IS THE AUTHORITY& INERRANCY OF GOD’S WORD IMP?

                                    Your salvation depends on it!

If it’s not reliable – you’re in a heap of trouble!

THE WORD OF GOD TELLS US ….   (list benefits)

THE BIG Q: WHAT WILL BE THE AUTHORITY FOR MY LIFE?

The World or the Word?      GOD or ME?   How’s that working for you?

      Rom. 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but

be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test

and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

           The will of God is found in the Word of God

God’s plan for you is good pleasing and perfect

PRAYER: Dear God, from this day forward, I will accept the Bible as your

flawless Word  to me and I will make it  the Final Authority for my life- even when

I don’t understand it, it is not popular, it is not easy, or I don’t like it. You are God

and I am not.  Thank you for loving me enough to speak to me through your

Word. Thank you that you are not silent! I want to LOVE your word, LEARN your

word, and LIVE your Word.

Col. 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.”

Sermon By Rick Warren