Saturday, October 1, 2016

Living for the Glory of God part I {Oct. 2 2016}

LIVING OUR LIFE TO THE GLORY OF GOD
James 4:13-17


Theme:  For the follower of Jesus Christ to avoid the sin of “practical atheism.”


Point to Ponder:    My Future is in God’s Hands.


I.   PRESUMING ON HIS HANDS    v13-14

A.   Our PLANS   v13
                        Key Words:  Come near

B.   Our PRESUMPTION v 14
            Key Words:  What is your life?

II.  PRESENT ATTITUDE CONCERNING HIS HANDS   v16

            Key Words:  Boast; All such boasting is evil

III. PRINCIPLES CONCERNING HIS HANDS     v15, 17

A.  BELIEVER’S REASONABLENESS   v15
Key Words:  Instead;  If God wills

B.  BELIEVER’S RESPONSIBILITY  v17
            Key Words:   Therefore; know

Statement of Truth:

It is wrong not to do that which is right

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

In a hurry and don't know why?

Alarm. Protein snack. 3 miles. Shower. Clothes. Coffee... Spill coffee. Change clothes. Breakfast. Traffic delay. Meeting. Class. Emails. Lunch with a friend. More meetings. More classes. Traffic delay. Groceries. Errands. Hurry home. Dinner. Homework. Chores. Emails. Catch up on news. In Bed. {repeat!}

What does your day look like? Your life maybe shockingly similar to the routine I just mentioned. Perhaps it is even more hectic. Life is busy, and it will always be filled with things I compete with Jesus for our attention.

We must learn to give God His time, first and foremost and every day.

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

A Thief of God's Glory

Sin: A Thief of God’s Glory
1 John 2:15-17  + Numbers 20

Theme: Age is no preservative against evil.  As followers of Christ we should learn the difference between sin as a ticket to Hell and sin as a thief of God’s Glory!

From 1 John 2:15-17: A Question for Consideration:
Is age a preservative against evil? 

3 Great Assaults of Sin:
I.      The lust of the flesh 
II.     The lust of the eyes
III.   The pride of life

The Answer:  
Age is NO preservative against evil!

From Numbers 20:  A Question for Consideration:
Have you learned the difference between sin as a ticket to Hell and sin as a thief of God’s Glory?

4 Life Lessons:
I.      Moses Personal Loss  V 1
II.     A decision made in haste V 11
III.   An Act of Anger V 10, 11, 2
IV.   An Aggravated Sin V6


a.  Moses was an aged man

b.   Not the sin of heathens 


The result of sin made in anger  V12

Thursday, August 18, 2016

God’s Great Plan


God has a plan. In case you have not thought about it is a great plan.   God has always been one to plan.  In the opening pages of the Scriptures he had a plan for the universe. A plan for this earth, and he had a plan for the garden.  He had a plan for Adam and Eve.  Even after the fall, God had a plan and purpose for mankind.  He revealed that plan to Cain and Abel, men like Noah, Moses, Abraham and everyone who followed.    Just as God had a plan for David and Solomon the reality is he has a plan for you.

The believer has a responsibility to God's plan.   I Like what Paul had to say in these three passages:
Acts 18:21, “but took leave of them, saying, ‘I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.’ And he sailed from Ephesus.”

1 Corinthians 4:19, “But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.”

1 Corinthians 16:7, “For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.”

If God is willing, if he desires, and if he permits  -  this language in the text leads us to believe that the Lord has a unique purpose and a special plan for each of us.

Jimmy Draper, “We are to live in an awareness that our lives are under His inspection.”
Paul once made a statement of the Scriptures: “I have learned that in whatever state I am in I am to be content.”  It did not matter if it was prosperity or poverty, Paul was to be satisfied with God's will.

The majority of people who have ever occupied space in this earth do better in poverty than they do in prosperity.   It is easier to be content when you are struggling than when you have a lot.    When we have a lot in our hearts are not often satisfied.

If God has blessed you and likely HE has we need to ask:  “Lord, why have you blessed me like this and what do you want me to do with it?”

“If God wills” – this is a heart attitude; it recognizes the sovereignty of God in governing our lives; it is acknowledging our total dependence on God; just the opposite of presumption!
1.     We Can Defy God’s Will:  Living as if God did not exist
2.     We Can Deny God’s Will:  Knowing but arrogantly rejecting His will
3.     We Can Disobey God’s Will:  Know God’s will, affirm it, then proceed to disobey it
4.     We Can Delight in God’s Will:  Know God’s will, affirm it, then live in accordance to  it.


The choice is yours.  However, this one thing is clear:  We need to yield ourselves to His great plan.    We live in the most blessed nation on earth, and we have more resources at our fingertips than almost any other culture.  The question is what are we as believers going to do with the responsibility we have?

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Living With Eternity On My Mind

Living With Eternity On My Mind
1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Theme:  The believer is to think seriously about investing his or her life in the things that matter. Let each one strive to ensure that the life lived is pleasing to the Lord!
  THIS CHALLENGES ME:  Be a  ____________ Worker! 
  •     The word “master builder” (wise builder) – means builders and designers; a combination of architect and general contractor.

  •       God’s kingdom is built on Jesus Christ and every individual life (each man) that pleases God must carefully build on that foundation. 
  1.   THIS CLARIFIES THINGS FOR ME: Use __________ Materials!  
  •          Give Him your best.  Those first 3 materials {v12} are equally valuable. There is no grading.  Things with different functions can be equally precious

  • The materials represent believers responses to what they have, how well they serve the Lord with what He has given them.
         III.   THIS ADDS CONTEXT FOR ME: The ___________ 

  •        Inspections can be intimidating, but do not be too afraid of that day.  We have a good God who has loved us and will be good to us.   He has good things he desires to bestow upon us.  We should fear more our disobedience in this day than the inspection of that day. Doing Good today will provide confidence that we can stand before God unashamed.  


Sunday, July 17, 2016

Eternity in View






I.          THIS CHALLENGES ME   v10-11

A.            As A Wise Worker
B.            As To A Wonderful Foundation

II.        THIS CLARIFIES THINGS FOR ME   v12-13


Statement of Truth:
To be generous you do not have to be rich, you just have to be generous.

A.            The Inspection   v13
B.            Our Goal:  Fruit that remains

C.             The danger: Fruit that perishes

Freedom is Not Free

Freedom is Not Free
Proverbs 14:34

Theme:  W
e know that our nation faces major struggles.  Today, I  will suggest that we have lost our character as a nation and rather than depending upon God we think that Uncle Sam has the answer.  This government does not, however God does.
  1.   The Exultation of a nation

       
    ï    The Greater the character the more freedom given

         •    The Less   the character the less freedom will be given

      II.   The Humiliation of a nation 
     • A lack of righteousness  is going to destroy our nation 


       III.   The Rejuvenation of a nation 


     ï Our nation was born in revival and it will be sustained in revival


Statement of Truth: 
Government will take every inch of ground that we give it, and it grow in direct proportions to the weakness of the character of the people!