Philippians 4:6-9
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Meditate on These Things
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
• What is your definition of true peace?
o Football on Sunday?
o A day at the spa?
o A foot massage?
o 2 weeks paid vacation?
o How about these?
Finding your soul mate?
Freedom from depression?
Financial security?
• True peace is found in God.
o It is the peace of mind of knowing that
The almighty God of the Universe loves you. You were created in His own image.
• The love of the Lord your God is an “unfailing love”.
If you’re saved, your fate on the day of redemption is sealed. You are on the right side of salvation.
• He sent His son Jesus to die a sinner’s death so that you may have the opportunity to accept the gift of everlasting life.
When you trust God, you are fully equipped to handle anything that He commands.
• There’s peace in knowing that you’ll never be faced with a challenge you can’t handle!
In the Father’s eyes, you have infinite worth.
• Why should we love sinners?
o Look at Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus). No one brought more people to Christ than Paul, yet no one killed more Christians than Paul.
o No matter how badly you’ve messed up in the past, God still desires to use you today!
God has a wonderful plan for your life.
• He is the master builder, the master architect of a plan for you that will bring you infinite joy – joy and peace that only come from serving His kingdom.
Everything in your life is a concern of your Father in Heaven.
• From school, to family, to relationships, God cares.
True peace comes from God and God alone!
• How do you find true peace?
o Stop worrying and obey!
“Be anxious for nothing”
If you’re worrying about things constantly, you are indeed sinning against God. Worrying = not trusting God
Here’s an example. Would we all say there’s something wrong if you constantly have to worry about your significant other cheating on you?
God will do His part. Do yours. Trust that He will.
• When He commands you to something, He wants you to benefit from whatever He is commanding you to do. Count on it!
• When you trust God, you are fully equipped to handle anything that He commands.
• Mark 3 – Healing on the Sabbath – 1 And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3 And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” 4 Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.[a] 6 Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.
• Of course the man couldn’t stretch out his hand. But Jesus commanded it and he did!
• The Holy Spirit is a wonderful gift from God. Trusting the Holy Spirit allows you to trust God beyond your ability to know what will happen in the future.
o Psalm 62:1-2 – My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress; I will never be shaken.
o Psalm 91 1-2 – He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
• If you don’t believe God has provided for you, take a long hard look at the cross!
o Surrender – Acknowledge you can’t find true peace yourself!
• God wants you to
o Trust Him in everything!
He has a plan for everything in our life. Ignore those people who say that you need enlightenment and independent thought – the master plan has already been blueprinted for you!
Whether you will follow or not is the question at hand.
o Pray to Him for anything and everything!
Constant communication with God
He knows what you need. But He wants you to ask Him.
Will you recognize God as the source of all things good in your life? Thank God for all the blessings you have, every single hour of the day!
o Meditate on all things holy!
What you think about will be reflected in your actions.
Remember if you want to know where someone’s heart is, take a look at where he or she spends his or her time and money.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
A Call to Spiritual Revival - America's SOS
A Call to Separation
Billy Graham’s Prayer For Our Nation
‘Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance.
We know Your Word says, ‘Woe to those who call evil good, ‘but that is exactly what we have done.
We have ridiculed the absolute truth of your Word and called it Pluralism.
We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism.
We have endorsed perversion and called it alternative lifestyle.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen! ‘
• A Definition of Spiritual Warfare – Ephesians 6:12 – For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
• Focus in on PRINCIPALITIES.
o Principalities – sins that the world tries to convince us are “OK”. The world will try to make formalities out of sin.
The world likes to call it…
• “A changing of times”
• “Alternative lifestyle”
• “Multiculturalism”
• “Tolerance”
• “Political correctness”
• “How you were raised”
• Just take a look at the words highlighted above
Isaiah 5:20 - Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
• Religious pluralism – acceptance of various world religions as a call for diversity. According to Wikipedia…
o As the name of the worldview according to which one's religion is not the sole and exclusive source of truth, and thus that at least some truths and true values exist in other religions.
o As acceptance of the concept that two or more religions with mutually exclusive truth claims are equally valid. This posture often emphasizes religion's common aspects.
The Bible defines absolute moral truth.
• Defines an “objective truth”
o Objective truth – It is true for all people, and its exceptions for special circumstances are defined in the Bible
o We acknowledge these truths because God does.
For example, it’s wrong to cheat because God is a fair and just God. It’s wrong to lie because God is an honest God. It’s wrong to love sin because God hates sin.
• Pray for Revival in Our Nation
o Pray that America will be frustrated in its sinful lifestyle and seek the face of God.
o Revival in America does not start with a new president, a new speaker of the house, new congressmen and women
It starts with you.
A strong nation is built on a strong foundation. And the foundation of America is its citizens. Just like any sturdy building, the foundation is laid down from the ground up.
Billy Graham’s Prayer For Our Nation
‘Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance.
We know Your Word says, ‘Woe to those who call evil good, ‘but that is exactly what we have done.
We have ridiculed the absolute truth of your Word and called it Pluralism.
We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism.
We have endorsed perversion and called it alternative lifestyle.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen! ‘
• A Definition of Spiritual Warfare – Ephesians 6:12 – For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
• Focus in on PRINCIPALITIES.
o Principalities – sins that the world tries to convince us are “OK”. The world will try to make formalities out of sin.
The world likes to call it…
• “A changing of times”
• “Alternative lifestyle”
• “Multiculturalism”
• “Tolerance”
• “Political correctness”
• “How you were raised”
• Just take a look at the words highlighted above
Isaiah 5:20 - Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
• Religious pluralism – acceptance of various world religions as a call for diversity. According to Wikipedia…
o As the name of the worldview according to which one's religion is not the sole and exclusive source of truth, and thus that at least some truths and true values exist in other religions.
o As acceptance of the concept that two or more religions with mutually exclusive truth claims are equally valid. This posture often emphasizes religion's common aspects.
The Bible defines absolute moral truth.
• Defines an “objective truth”
o Objective truth – It is true for all people, and its exceptions for special circumstances are defined in the Bible
o We acknowledge these truths because God does.
For example, it’s wrong to cheat because God is a fair and just God. It’s wrong to lie because God is an honest God. It’s wrong to love sin because God hates sin.
• Pray for Revival in Our Nation
o Pray that America will be frustrated in its sinful lifestyle and seek the face of God.
o Revival in America does not start with a new president, a new speaker of the house, new congressmen and women
It starts with you.
A strong nation is built on a strong foundation. And the foundation of America is its citizens. Just like any sturdy building, the foundation is laid down from the ground up.
Monday, November 1, 2010
"Claiming Godliness But Denying its Power" - Wolves in Sheep's Clothing
2 Timothy 3
Perilous Times and Perilous Men
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.
• Spiritual warfare is rampant in this world.
o There will be people who
Blaspheme the name of God and reject truth
• Atheism, agnosticism
Teach false prophecy
• Matthew 7:15 – Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
Claim “godliness, but deny its power”
• How many people do you know that claim that they believe in God?
• Claiming belief in God and having an intimate relationship with Christ and Father constitute two completely different things!
o How many people “train themselves” in godliness?
Through prayer
Through reading scripture
Through meditation on the Word
1 Timothy 4:7-8 – Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Try to threaten your faith
• Those that reject Christ will “hate the Christ” that they see in you.
That show apathy towards the kingdom of God
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6 – In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.
• Their actions don’t reflect what they claim to believe.
o You can’t see into a man’s heart, as God can.
1 Samuel 16:7 - But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
o But you can get a pretty good idea of where his or her heart is.
Where do they spend their time?
Where do they spend their money?
o These people aren’t always easy to pick out.
They don’t always know what they’re doing.
• Luke 23:34 - But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.
Satan’s lies are very tempting.
• You’ll find his lies wrapped in pretty wrapping paper topped with a bow – but it’s just a trap!
• Satan doesn’t act through sinners whom we would consider “evil people”. Satan acts through those whom we wouldn’t suspect to be rejecting God’s objective truth.
• Objective truth – Truth that is absolute and applies to all people! In God there is absolute moral truth!
o College Life Applications
• Relationships
Be careful who you allow to infiltrate your personal life. Know the level of spiritual maturity of a person you consider dating before you even think about dating them.
Ask tougher questions. We know that Christians should date other Christians.
• 2 Corinthians 6:14 - Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
But to ask someone whether or not they are a Christian is insufficient. A man and woman are called to be “equally yoked”. God should be the number one priority in their relationship. If at any point this yoke is broken, the relationship will cease. If you choose to continue in such a relationship, get ready to step on a few landmines along the way.
There is no such thing as “missionary dating”. Rather, there is no such thing as “successful” missionary dating.
• Friendships
Watch out for friends that will try to deter you from your Christian walk.
Be “in the world but not of the world”.
• Liberalism
College professors + impressionable college students = CAUTION
Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witness, Christian Scientist = False Religion disguised as Christianity
Perilous Times and Perilous Men
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.
• Spiritual warfare is rampant in this world.
o There will be people who
Blaspheme the name of God and reject truth
• Atheism, agnosticism
Teach false prophecy
• Matthew 7:15 – Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
Claim “godliness, but deny its power”
• How many people do you know that claim that they believe in God?
• Claiming belief in God and having an intimate relationship with Christ and Father constitute two completely different things!
o How many people “train themselves” in godliness?
Through prayer
Through reading scripture
Through meditation on the Word
1 Timothy 4:7-8 – Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Try to threaten your faith
• Those that reject Christ will “hate the Christ” that they see in you.
That show apathy towards the kingdom of God
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6 – In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.
• Their actions don’t reflect what they claim to believe.
o You can’t see into a man’s heart, as God can.
1 Samuel 16:7 - But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
o But you can get a pretty good idea of where his or her heart is.
Where do they spend their time?
Where do they spend their money?
o These people aren’t always easy to pick out.
They don’t always know what they’re doing.
• Luke 23:34 - But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.
Satan’s lies are very tempting.
• You’ll find his lies wrapped in pretty wrapping paper topped with a bow – but it’s just a trap!
• Satan doesn’t act through sinners whom we would consider “evil people”. Satan acts through those whom we wouldn’t suspect to be rejecting God’s objective truth.
• Objective truth – Truth that is absolute and applies to all people! In God there is absolute moral truth!
o College Life Applications
• Relationships
Be careful who you allow to infiltrate your personal life. Know the level of spiritual maturity of a person you consider dating before you even think about dating them.
Ask tougher questions. We know that Christians should date other Christians.
• 2 Corinthians 6:14 - Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
But to ask someone whether or not they are a Christian is insufficient. A man and woman are called to be “equally yoked”. God should be the number one priority in their relationship. If at any point this yoke is broken, the relationship will cease. If you choose to continue in such a relationship, get ready to step on a few landmines along the way.
There is no such thing as “missionary dating”. Rather, there is no such thing as “successful” missionary dating.
• Friendships
Watch out for friends that will try to deter you from your Christian walk.
Be “in the world but not of the world”.
• Liberalism
College professors + impressionable college students = CAUTION
Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witness, Christian Scientist = False Religion disguised as Christianity
Thursday, October 28, 2010
U.S. Endangered Species List – The Godly Relationship
Which of the following is most imminently facing extinction?
A. The Black Rhino
B. The Giant Panda
C. The Tiger
D. The Godly Relationship
Sadly enough for our generation, the answer to this question is D.
The concept of Christian relationships has been sickly twisted and conformed to Satan’s lies about the purpose of dating, the gift of sex, and harsh consequences for violating the guidelines the Bible lays out for relationships. I hope that this message speaks to you in a way that will cause you to examine your own relationships – past, present, and future – as well as challenge you to “seek first the kingdom of God” in preparation for future marriage.
• Are You “Pouring Out”?
o Love = Service.
Love is not a thrill or a feeling. It is a sacred choice to be committed until “death do us part”. Literally, when you’re married, barring marital infidelity, one of the two people has to be dead for the marriage to be over.
o 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
o If you are truly honest with yourself, most people can’t say that they don’t think this way.
Are you only looking to please yourself?
Please someone else in order to please yourself?
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 tells us that love is “not self-seeking”; the verse therefore directly condemns self-gratification in relationships.
o Are you looking to serve your partner, or are you looking for your partner to serve you?
Instead of looking at how much he or she has to gain from a relationship, a person should seek God’s discernment and wisdom to “serve” his or her partner. “Serve” might not sound like a glamorous word, but true Christian selflessness is service performed without the incentive of reward.
o RATHER THAN “LOOKING FOR THE ONE”, BE “THE ONE”.
Evaluate yourself. Could God be witholding "the one" from you because you aren't "being the one"? Think about it.
Are you being the man or woman worthy of experiencing the joy that comes with a Godly relationship?
o The ABC's of Christian Dating...
A... A Christian - Christians should ALWAYS date other Christians, and they shall be "equally yoked"
B... Be aware of your emotions
C... Constant communication with God
Without the ABC's of Christian dating, as mentioned previously, your relationship will not be in compliance with God's plan for you. No compliance with God or only half-hearted compliance = DOOMED for failure!
o Are you “Filling Up"?
Is God your number one priority?
Girls (and guys, too), think about this quote from Maya Angelou.
"A woman's heart should be so lost in God that a man needs to seek Him in order to find her."
Although Angelou addresses women in particular, her principle applies to both sexes. Is God your #1 priority? Is God on the throne in your life, or has He taken the back seat to your romantic and even family relationships?
Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
• How can you “pour out” with an empty cup?
• When God’s first in your life, He will allow all of your other priorities to fall into place.
o Are you engaged in sin?
SIN MATTERS. For those of you that believe that because you’re saved that you have the “license to sin”, you couldn’t be any further from the truth. If you feel no conviction of your sin, you may need to evaluate the status of your salvation. Are you genuinely saved?
• A true child of God is disciplined like a child of God.
• Sin is multiplied with passing generations.
o Compare of lineage of Cain and the lineage of Seth
Lineage of Cain produced Lamech, the Bible’s first polygamist and double murderer
Lineage of Seth produced Enoch, who walked with God and was taken up into heaven by God without even suffering death!
The sins that you fail to repent and commit to eradicate now will be trapped in an endless cycle of your descendents.
If you’re a part of a vicious cycle of sin, then you can escape! You don’t have to be victim to the sins of your ancestors. But you must be willing to surrender and trust God.
o To get our attention about our sin, God the Father punishes us.
Through conviction
Through the withholding of His wonderful plan
• Dr. Charles Stanley said, “I hope that when I am face to face with God, that He won’t have to say to me, ‘Charles, I had a wonderful plan for your life, but you chose to follow your own plan, your own will, so I’m afraid I can’t reveal to you what I would have had in store for you.’”
• Is God withholding His plan for your life because you choose the route of sin and the road of rebellion?
If you’re scared that your soul mate may pass you by, quit living the life of rebellion from God. If you don’t, I promise, you WILL miss out on your soul mate.
If this is you, then YOU must
• Examine yourself under the Holy Spirit’s direction (Psalm 26)
• Repent
• Commit to eradicate such sin out of your life
o Do you believe God will deliver on His part?
A classic statement - "I don't know if I'll ever find someone that amazing ever again."
How many times do we hear this on a college campus? If you're in college, you need not answer aloud.
Romans 8:28 promises us that with obedience and surrender to God's plan for our lives, He will NEVER CHEAT US. If you are 100% surrendered to God, HE WILL NOT SHORTCHANGE YOU! Relationship-wise, God will pair you with the person PERFECT for you. Or maybe you will be called to singularity. For now, or maybe for life.
And yes. God DOES call young men and women to be SINGLE. Our society has made being single "not the cool thing to do" or "the super lame Facebook status of the year." Most certainly God calls singles to give of their time and lovingkindness as He prepares them to be Godly boyfriends or girlfriends or spouses, but even moreso good and faithful servants. Very underrated, and very underappreciated.
Don’t be mistaken. There is no way you can carry out the wonderful plan that God has for you without God Himself.
• If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.
• It is Satan’s lie that you can find your perfect soul mate without the intervention of God.
• Without God, the wonderful plan would never be conceived.
• Isaiah 55:8 – For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.
o Facing Imminent Extinction – Biblical Sexuality (From Rev. Luke Lawson, Redeemer Evangelical Church, Memphis, TN on 10/24)
Why did God create sex?
• For Reproduction
o Genesis 1:28 - And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
• To Unite a Man and a Woman in God’s Glory
o Genesis 2:24 - Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
• The need for physical intimacy?
Is physical intimacy necessary before you're married?
What do you have to gain from physical intimacy before marriage?
On the contrary, what do you have to lose?
oIf you're a child of God, you will be convicted of sexual sins.
oYou will experience shame when committing sexual sins. A feeling of knowing that despite the fact that no one else can see you, the Holy Spirit is watching.
• Sex outside of marriage has devastating consequences
o The idea that sex is OK as long as you love someone = a bold-faced lie.
o Sex outside of marriage grieves the Holy Spirit. You don’t even need to waste your time praying to God about whether it’s OK to have sex outside of marriage.
o Sex includes any kind of physical intimacy, including heavy kissing all the way to intercourse itself. Nothing you wouldn’t do with your mom and dad.
o Hebrews 13:4 - Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.
o Wrap your mind around this.
A wedding night is supposed to be a special time for you and your newly-wed spouse.
• If you’ve maintained purity, it will be just you and your spouse in that room. No one else. No one should be there.
• If you’ve participated in sexual activities outside of marriage, you, your spouse, and all other the guys or girls you’ve slept with will be right there with you.
How many of us would say we wouldn’t want to give our husbands or wives the absolute best?
o Your body is like a gift, wrapped neatly in elaborate paper – if you’ve maintained your purity.
o Every time you participate in a sexual sin, you let someone else other than your spouse tear away at the paper, revealing the gift inside. When you sleep with many others, that gift eventually gets opened and ruined.
o You can no longer say you give your spouse a gift in pristine gift?
Do you really want to give your spouse a used gift?
• The rewards for abstinence from sex until marriage
o 2 Timothy 2:22 - Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
• Gender roles
God created women to be pursued. However our culture has experienced a reversal of gender roles. Women have become too impatient to be pursued and instead, they, in turn, act like men by pursuing a mate.
The man's role is to pursue the woman, as He is the God-ordained leader of His household. More on this topic at a later time.
A. The Black Rhino
B. The Giant Panda
C. The Tiger
D. The Godly Relationship
Sadly enough for our generation, the answer to this question is D.
The concept of Christian relationships has been sickly twisted and conformed to Satan’s lies about the purpose of dating, the gift of sex, and harsh consequences for violating the guidelines the Bible lays out for relationships. I hope that this message speaks to you in a way that will cause you to examine your own relationships – past, present, and future – as well as challenge you to “seek first the kingdom of God” in preparation for future marriage.
• Are You “Pouring Out”?
o Love = Service.
Love is not a thrill or a feeling. It is a sacred choice to be committed until “death do us part”. Literally, when you’re married, barring marital infidelity, one of the two people has to be dead for the marriage to be over.
o 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
o If you are truly honest with yourself, most people can’t say that they don’t think this way.
Are you only looking to please yourself?
Please someone else in order to please yourself?
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 tells us that love is “not self-seeking”; the verse therefore directly condemns self-gratification in relationships.
o Are you looking to serve your partner, or are you looking for your partner to serve you?
Instead of looking at how much he or she has to gain from a relationship, a person should seek God’s discernment and wisdom to “serve” his or her partner. “Serve” might not sound like a glamorous word, but true Christian selflessness is service performed without the incentive of reward.
o RATHER THAN “LOOKING FOR THE ONE”, BE “THE ONE”.
Evaluate yourself. Could God be witholding "the one" from you because you aren't "being the one"? Think about it.
Are you being the man or woman worthy of experiencing the joy that comes with a Godly relationship?
o The ABC's of Christian Dating...
A... A Christian - Christians should ALWAYS date other Christians, and they shall be "equally yoked"
B... Be aware of your emotions
C... Constant communication with God
Without the ABC's of Christian dating, as mentioned previously, your relationship will not be in compliance with God's plan for you. No compliance with God or only half-hearted compliance = DOOMED for failure!
o Are you “Filling Up"?
Is God your number one priority?
Girls (and guys, too), think about this quote from Maya Angelou.
"A woman's heart should be so lost in God that a man needs to seek Him in order to find her."
Although Angelou addresses women in particular, her principle applies to both sexes. Is God your #1 priority? Is God on the throne in your life, or has He taken the back seat to your romantic and even family relationships?
Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
• How can you “pour out” with an empty cup?
• When God’s first in your life, He will allow all of your other priorities to fall into place.
o Are you engaged in sin?
SIN MATTERS. For those of you that believe that because you’re saved that you have the “license to sin”, you couldn’t be any further from the truth. If you feel no conviction of your sin, you may need to evaluate the status of your salvation. Are you genuinely saved?
• A true child of God is disciplined like a child of God.
• Sin is multiplied with passing generations.
o Compare of lineage of Cain and the lineage of Seth
Lineage of Cain produced Lamech, the Bible’s first polygamist and double murderer
Lineage of Seth produced Enoch, who walked with God and was taken up into heaven by God without even suffering death!
The sins that you fail to repent and commit to eradicate now will be trapped in an endless cycle of your descendents.
If you’re a part of a vicious cycle of sin, then you can escape! You don’t have to be victim to the sins of your ancestors. But you must be willing to surrender and trust God.
o To get our attention about our sin, God the Father punishes us.
Through conviction
Through the withholding of His wonderful plan
• Dr. Charles Stanley said, “I hope that when I am face to face with God, that He won’t have to say to me, ‘Charles, I had a wonderful plan for your life, but you chose to follow your own plan, your own will, so I’m afraid I can’t reveal to you what I would have had in store for you.’”
• Is God withholding His plan for your life because you choose the route of sin and the road of rebellion?
If you’re scared that your soul mate may pass you by, quit living the life of rebellion from God. If you don’t, I promise, you WILL miss out on your soul mate.
If this is you, then YOU must
• Examine yourself under the Holy Spirit’s direction (Psalm 26)
• Repent
• Commit to eradicate such sin out of your life
o Do you believe God will deliver on His part?
A classic statement - "I don't know if I'll ever find someone that amazing ever again."
How many times do we hear this on a college campus? If you're in college, you need not answer aloud.
Romans 8:28 promises us that with obedience and surrender to God's plan for our lives, He will NEVER CHEAT US. If you are 100% surrendered to God, HE WILL NOT SHORTCHANGE YOU! Relationship-wise, God will pair you with the person PERFECT for you. Or maybe you will be called to singularity. For now, or maybe for life.
And yes. God DOES call young men and women to be SINGLE. Our society has made being single "not the cool thing to do" or "the super lame Facebook status of the year." Most certainly God calls singles to give of their time and lovingkindness as He prepares them to be Godly boyfriends or girlfriends or spouses, but even moreso good and faithful servants. Very underrated, and very underappreciated.
Don’t be mistaken. There is no way you can carry out the wonderful plan that God has for you without God Himself.
• If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.
• It is Satan’s lie that you can find your perfect soul mate without the intervention of God.
• Without God, the wonderful plan would never be conceived.
• Isaiah 55:8 – For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.
o Facing Imminent Extinction – Biblical Sexuality (From Rev. Luke Lawson, Redeemer Evangelical Church, Memphis, TN on 10/24)
Why did God create sex?
• For Reproduction
o Genesis 1:28 - And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
• To Unite a Man and a Woman in God’s Glory
o Genesis 2:24 - Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
• The need for physical intimacy?
Is physical intimacy necessary before you're married?
What do you have to gain from physical intimacy before marriage?
On the contrary, what do you have to lose?
oIf you're a child of God, you will be convicted of sexual sins.
oYou will experience shame when committing sexual sins. A feeling of knowing that despite the fact that no one else can see you, the Holy Spirit is watching.
• Sex outside of marriage has devastating consequences
o The idea that sex is OK as long as you love someone = a bold-faced lie.
o Sex outside of marriage grieves the Holy Spirit. You don’t even need to waste your time praying to God about whether it’s OK to have sex outside of marriage.
o Sex includes any kind of physical intimacy, including heavy kissing all the way to intercourse itself. Nothing you wouldn’t do with your mom and dad.
o Hebrews 13:4 - Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.
o Wrap your mind around this.
A wedding night is supposed to be a special time for you and your newly-wed spouse.
• If you’ve maintained purity, it will be just you and your spouse in that room. No one else. No one should be there.
• If you’ve participated in sexual activities outside of marriage, you, your spouse, and all other the guys or girls you’ve slept with will be right there with you.
How many of us would say we wouldn’t want to give our husbands or wives the absolute best?
o Your body is like a gift, wrapped neatly in elaborate paper – if you’ve maintained your purity.
o Every time you participate in a sexual sin, you let someone else other than your spouse tear away at the paper, revealing the gift inside. When you sleep with many others, that gift eventually gets opened and ruined.
o You can no longer say you give your spouse a gift in pristine gift?
Do you really want to give your spouse a used gift?
• The rewards for abstinence from sex until marriage
o 2 Timothy 2:22 - Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
• Gender roles
God created women to be pursued. However our culture has experienced a reversal of gender roles. Women have become too impatient to be pursued and instead, they, in turn, act like men by pursuing a mate.
The man's role is to pursue the woman, as He is the God-ordained leader of His household. More on this topic at a later time.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Namaste or God's Way - Biblical Stress Management
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
• Stress. It plays a prominent role in the lives of most everyone above age 13, and believe it or not, it has its proper place in your life, unless you let it get out of hand.
• Are you stressed?
o School
Worried about grades, classes
o Work
Worried about money, career aspirations
o Relationships
Worried about boyfriend/girlfriend, physical intimacy
• Identify the source of your stress
o Are you engaged in sin?
God HATES repeated sin.
Just as with other people, how much credibility comes from the man or woman who commits the same offense repeatedly despite apologizing over and over again? How much do you hate to be wronged repeatedly?
If I cheat on my spouse and then apologize, does that allow me to commit the same offense again? No.
SIN MATTERS. For those of you that believe that because you’re saved that you have the “license to sin”, you couldn’t be any further from the truth. If you feel no conviction of your sin, you may need to evaluate the status of your salvation. Are you genuinely saved?
• A true child of God is disciplined like a child of God.
• Sin is multiplied with passing generations.
o Compare of lineage of Cain and the lineage of Seth
Lineage of Cain produced Lamech, the Bible’s first polygamist and double murderer
Lineage of Seth produced Enoch, who walked with God and was taken up into heaven by God without even suffering death!
The sins that you fail to repent and commit to eradicate now will be trapped in an endless cycle of your descendents.
If you’re a part of a vicious cycle of sin, then you can escape! You don’t have to be victim to the sins of your ancestors. But you must be willing to surrender and trust God.
o To get our attention about our sin, God the Father punishes us.
Through conviction
Through the withholding of His wonderful plan
• Dr. Charles Stanley said, “I hope that when I am face to face with God, that He won’t have to say to me, ‘Charles, I had a wonderful plan for your life, but you chose to follow your own plan, your own will, so I’m afraid I can’t reveal to you what I would have had in store for you.’”
• Is God withholding His plan for your life because you choose the route of sin and the road of rebellion?
If this is you, then YOU must
• Examine yourself under the Holy Spirit’s direction (Psalm 26)
• Repent
• Commit to eradicate such sin out of your life
o Are your priorities out of line?
Is God the highest priority in your life?
Have you made Christianity a crisis religion in your life? An emergency hotline?
Is school, relationships, or work becoming idols in your life?
• Realize that God frustrates us in our sin and allows us to be tested and tried for the purpose of sanctification – the process of becoming more holy, or more like Jesus Christ.
o If you’re stressed, realize that God’s in control of your life. He knows the things you need and He is a loving Father that will provide for you as long as you remain obedient.
o Again, God is your highest priority.
Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
When God’s first in your life, He will allow all of your other priorities to fall into place.
Don’t be mistaken. There is no way you can carry out the wonderful plan that God has for you without God Himself.
• Without God, the wonderful plan would never be conceived.
o Isaiah 55:8 – For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.
• We are insufficient to achieve victory over sin alone! The gifts that this secular world has to offer you cannot compare to the gifts that your Father in Heaven has promised you.
o John 14:27 - I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid.
• If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you don’t have to worry about your fate as lost people do. As a matter of fact, lost people have a legitimate reason to worry, because they have not yet accepted the eternal gifts of God that provide the only means for victory. Lost people are HOPELESS until they receive Jesus Christ. God gives you victory if you trust Him. Therefore, don’t act hopeless as a lost person does, because that in itself blasphemes God and His grace and mercy towards you. In other words, a real slap in the face to God.
Another acronym for you to remember.
A serious problem with our culture
Striving
To
Readily
Embrace
Secular
Society
All of our worries and stressors boil down to
•How am I viewed by other people, the world?
•How am I the most pleasing to other people, the world?
Focus on how you are most pleasing to God and forget the rest!
Three ways to address stress - they will completely change your outlook on life!
1. Pray without ceasing - 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
2. Praise the blessings that you have every day
3. Meditate on the Word of God
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
• Stress. It plays a prominent role in the lives of most everyone above age 13, and believe it or not, it has its proper place in your life, unless you let it get out of hand.
• Are you stressed?
o School
Worried about grades, classes
o Work
Worried about money, career aspirations
o Relationships
Worried about boyfriend/girlfriend, physical intimacy
• Identify the source of your stress
o Are you engaged in sin?
God HATES repeated sin.
Just as with other people, how much credibility comes from the man or woman who commits the same offense repeatedly despite apologizing over and over again? How much do you hate to be wronged repeatedly?
If I cheat on my spouse and then apologize, does that allow me to commit the same offense again? No.
SIN MATTERS. For those of you that believe that because you’re saved that you have the “license to sin”, you couldn’t be any further from the truth. If you feel no conviction of your sin, you may need to evaluate the status of your salvation. Are you genuinely saved?
• A true child of God is disciplined like a child of God.
• Sin is multiplied with passing generations.
o Compare of lineage of Cain and the lineage of Seth
Lineage of Cain produced Lamech, the Bible’s first polygamist and double murderer
Lineage of Seth produced Enoch, who walked with God and was taken up into heaven by God without even suffering death!
The sins that you fail to repent and commit to eradicate now will be trapped in an endless cycle of your descendents.
If you’re a part of a vicious cycle of sin, then you can escape! You don’t have to be victim to the sins of your ancestors. But you must be willing to surrender and trust God.
o To get our attention about our sin, God the Father punishes us.
Through conviction
Through the withholding of His wonderful plan
• Dr. Charles Stanley said, “I hope that when I am face to face with God, that He won’t have to say to me, ‘Charles, I had a wonderful plan for your life, but you chose to follow your own plan, your own will, so I’m afraid I can’t reveal to you what I would have had in store for you.’”
• Is God withholding His plan for your life because you choose the route of sin and the road of rebellion?
If this is you, then YOU must
• Examine yourself under the Holy Spirit’s direction (Psalm 26)
• Repent
• Commit to eradicate such sin out of your life
o Are your priorities out of line?
Is God the highest priority in your life?
Have you made Christianity a crisis religion in your life? An emergency hotline?
Is school, relationships, or work becoming idols in your life?
• Realize that God frustrates us in our sin and allows us to be tested and tried for the purpose of sanctification – the process of becoming more holy, or more like Jesus Christ.
o If you’re stressed, realize that God’s in control of your life. He knows the things you need and He is a loving Father that will provide for you as long as you remain obedient.
o Again, God is your highest priority.
Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
When God’s first in your life, He will allow all of your other priorities to fall into place.
Don’t be mistaken. There is no way you can carry out the wonderful plan that God has for you without God Himself.
• Without God, the wonderful plan would never be conceived.
o Isaiah 55:8 – For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.
• We are insufficient to achieve victory over sin alone! The gifts that this secular world has to offer you cannot compare to the gifts that your Father in Heaven has promised you.
o John 14:27 - I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid.
• If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you don’t have to worry about your fate as lost people do. As a matter of fact, lost people have a legitimate reason to worry, because they have not yet accepted the eternal gifts of God that provide the only means for victory. Lost people are HOPELESS until they receive Jesus Christ. God gives you victory if you trust Him. Therefore, don’t act hopeless as a lost person does, because that in itself blasphemes God and His grace and mercy towards you. In other words, a real slap in the face to God.
Another acronym for you to remember.
A serious problem with our culture
Striving
To
Readily
Embrace
Secular
Society
All of our worries and stressors boil down to
•How am I viewed by other people, the world?
•How am I the most pleasing to other people, the world?
Focus on how you are most pleasing to God and forget the rest!
Three ways to address stress - they will completely change your outlook on life!
1. Pray without ceasing - 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
2. Praise the blessings that you have every day
3. Meditate on the Word of God
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Remember Lot's Wife! (CBU Midterm Exam Week)
A Pillar of Salt
• In Genesis 19, God sends two angels to warn Lot, the nephew of Abraham, and his family that God will destroy the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
o Genesis 19:24-25,28 - 24Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven 25and he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.…28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.
• God gives Lot the chance to walk away from the sin and wickedness of Sodom.
o Genesis 19:13-16 - For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it. 14And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. 15And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying,'Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.' 16And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
• When God commands us to “walk away from sins”, we can’t do so while looking back on our past sins and dwelling on them.
o Genesis 19:17 - And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
o 1 Peter 1:13-16 - Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, 'Be ye holy; for I am holy.’
“Gird up the loins of your mind”
• Men in Biblical times wore long tunics and robes similar to togas. This garb was cumbersome to wear when a man went to do manual labor, so in order to keep from tripping over his robes, a man had to tie the robes up around his waist using a belt. This is what is meant by “girding up your loins”.
• Similarly, we must tie up our “loose ends” in our minds in order to be “on target” with God.
• If we don’t tie up our loose ends, we will continue to trip and stumble until we do. Tying up your loose ends means repenting of your previous sins and not looking back. If you decide to sit among the wicked... you'll experience God's wrath against the wicked as well. Let's say, "Guilty by association."
o Are you ashamed to be a Christian?
o Are you worried that Christianity is "an uncomfortable place to be"?
• Remember that God can separate your sins from you “as far as the east is from the west” if you ask Him to.
• God HATES repeated sins.
• The Consequences for “Looking Back”
o As Lot’s family was leaving Sodom, his wife looks back at the wicked city and is turned into a pillar of salt.
o Genesis 19:26 - But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
o We can’t move forward while looking back. God doesn’t like stagnant Christians – He wants you to move forward from your sins and seek first His kingdom, but that’s not practical when you’re caught up in yourself.
o Remember that we said that the root of all sin is our selfishness and our self-gratifying nature.
Ten Commandments - “You shall have no other gods before Me.”
• God is our highest priority.
Matthew 6:24 - 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.
We are reminded in Luke 17:32 - REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE.
A reminder for us not to "look back" when given the opportunity to walk away from our sins - through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As God gave Lot an opportunity to walk away from the slavery of sin by sending angels, God sent His son Jesus Christ to give you an opportunity to be freed from the slavery of sin.
Applications to College Life
• Whatever mistakes you’ve made in the first eight weeks of school, you need to ask God forgiveness of those “screw-ups”. If you didn't study hard enough, commit to study harder. And always remember - yesterday has come and gone, and tomorrow may never come, so the best time to make resolutions is NOW.
• If you’ve made mistakes in relationships or friendships, realize that we need to reinvest ourselves in something of the spirit rather than the flesh.
o Galatians 5:16 - But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
In our discussion about relationships, we talked about "what if's"? Yes, there is uncertainty when we die to ourselves and submit to the will of God, but we have to KNOW that God's in control.
If you're worried about having your soul mate "pass you by", you're not helping yourself by dwelling in your sins and your past relationships. In fact, dwelling in your past shortcomings is a great way to miss your soul mate as well as God's purpose for your life.
Keep doing it your way and you'll reap the meager results of your actions and intentions. Do it God's way and you'll be both blessed and rewarded through the fulfillment of God's wonderful and perfect plan for your life.
• Commit to eradicate those mistakes from your life – until you do, you will find yourself “enslaved” to those sins and to those mistakes.
• Spend time with God. Institute a daily quiet time. If you make time for God, He’ll make time for the things in your life that you truly need.
• In Genesis 19, God sends two angels to warn Lot, the nephew of Abraham, and his family that God will destroy the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
o Genesis 19:24-25,28 - 24Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven 25and he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.…28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.
• God gives Lot the chance to walk away from the sin and wickedness of Sodom.
o Genesis 19:13-16 - For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it. 14And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. 15And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying,'Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.' 16And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
• When God commands us to “walk away from sins”, we can’t do so while looking back on our past sins and dwelling on them.
o Genesis 19:17 - And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
o 1 Peter 1:13-16 - Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, 'Be ye holy; for I am holy.’
“Gird up the loins of your mind”
• Men in Biblical times wore long tunics and robes similar to togas. This garb was cumbersome to wear when a man went to do manual labor, so in order to keep from tripping over his robes, a man had to tie the robes up around his waist using a belt. This is what is meant by “girding up your loins”.
• Similarly, we must tie up our “loose ends” in our minds in order to be “on target” with God.
• If we don’t tie up our loose ends, we will continue to trip and stumble until we do. Tying up your loose ends means repenting of your previous sins and not looking back. If you decide to sit among the wicked... you'll experience God's wrath against the wicked as well. Let's say, "Guilty by association."
o Are you ashamed to be a Christian?
o Are you worried that Christianity is "an uncomfortable place to be"?
• Remember that God can separate your sins from you “as far as the east is from the west” if you ask Him to.
• God HATES repeated sins.
• The Consequences for “Looking Back”
o As Lot’s family was leaving Sodom, his wife looks back at the wicked city and is turned into a pillar of salt.
o Genesis 19:26 - But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
o We can’t move forward while looking back. God doesn’t like stagnant Christians – He wants you to move forward from your sins and seek first His kingdom, but that’s not practical when you’re caught up in yourself.
o Remember that we said that the root of all sin is our selfishness and our self-gratifying nature.
Ten Commandments - “You shall have no other gods before Me.”
• God is our highest priority.
Matthew 6:24 - 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.
We are reminded in Luke 17:32 - REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE.
A reminder for us not to "look back" when given the opportunity to walk away from our sins - through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As God gave Lot an opportunity to walk away from the slavery of sin by sending angels, God sent His son Jesus Christ to give you an opportunity to be freed from the slavery of sin.
Applications to College Life
• Whatever mistakes you’ve made in the first eight weeks of school, you need to ask God forgiveness of those “screw-ups”. If you didn't study hard enough, commit to study harder. And always remember - yesterday has come and gone, and tomorrow may never come, so the best time to make resolutions is NOW.
• If you’ve made mistakes in relationships or friendships, realize that we need to reinvest ourselves in something of the spirit rather than the flesh.
o Galatians 5:16 - But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
In our discussion about relationships, we talked about "what if's"? Yes, there is uncertainty when we die to ourselves and submit to the will of God, but we have to KNOW that God's in control.
If you're worried about having your soul mate "pass you by", you're not helping yourself by dwelling in your sins and your past relationships. In fact, dwelling in your past shortcomings is a great way to miss your soul mate as well as God's purpose for your life.
Keep doing it your way and you'll reap the meager results of your actions and intentions. Do it God's way and you'll be both blessed and rewarded through the fulfillment of God's wonderful and perfect plan for your life.
• Commit to eradicate those mistakes from your life – until you do, you will find yourself “enslaved” to those sins and to those mistakes.
• Spend time with God. Institute a daily quiet time. If you make time for God, He’ll make time for the things in your life that you truly need.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
What is the Bible? (Part 2)
The Bible is a SWORD.
• God has armed you for battle!
o Ephesians 6:17 - And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
o You are amidst a global conflict – spiritual warfare. Whether you like it or not, you are a soldier in this conflict. You are the watchmen (Ezekial 3), but at the same time you are also the soldier (Ephesians 6).
o The ENEMY
Ephesians 6:12 - For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
o An enemy that comes in many packages. Some of which are pretty packages - Satan is a master of covert operations.
Yoga
Transcendental meditation
Pop culture
Disney
Social obligations
• Political correctness
• Not offending others
From “Man vs. World - Biblical Worldview”
• http://wordsfromhisword.blogspot.com/2010/06/man-vs-world-biblical-worldview-mt.html
• Flesh and blood (people) are not our enemies.
• Rather our enemies are unseen – Satan and his demons.
• People themselves don’t hurt us, but Satan acting through them does – through sin.
• Therefore, we are called to love all people. Specifically, we love all sinners, but we hate their sins.
• Principalities – Sins that the world tries to convince us are “OK”.
o Abortion, Euthanasia
o Homosexuality
o Adulterous relationships/Cohabitation, sex before marriage
• Powers – Witchcraft, fortune telling, psychics
• Rulers and Spiritual Wickedness in High Places – world leaders who stand for ungodly things, false prophets and teachers.
Paul tells his disciple Timothy that false prophets and teachers will arise. Therefore Paul says that Timothy must know the word of God well enough not only to teach it, but to also identify and expose false teachers.
o Kim Jong Il, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Other World Religions and their leaders
Also, DISTRACTIONS
It's not good to be lazy, but it's not good to be so active that God no longer has your greatest affection. Use this as a reminder.
Being
Under
Satan's
Yoke
• An enemy that’s not always easy to recognize - Satan is a master of clandestine operations.
Satan is not always the enemy that blows your front door down and starts firing away. He can also be the enemy that slips in the back door and slits your throat.
o Remember our discussion on tolerance
Tolerance is not love – it’s “love grown cold”.
True love is shown by speaking truth.
You do not love a sinner by being “tolerant” of their sins.
• Is MODERATION always a Christian virtue?
o Is it OK to sin as long as you don’t get too wrapped up in it?
Jesus Christ is pure, and He calls us to purity. He never says, “Practice evil in moderation.”
o The WEAPON
o Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
o The Bible is the incorruptible, indestructible, ever-living seed of the word of God.
o A person must train to properly wield a weapon.
Are you “practicing” with the Bible?
Pray the word.
Meditate on the word.
Live the word.
Share the word.
Are you reading it?
Memorize scripure. Know your APOLOGETICS!
Apologetics - the branch of theology that is concerned with the defense of Christian doctrines.
Know what you believe and why you believe it!
1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
Do you know your enemy? How well do you know your enemy? Do you know his tendencies? His ways?
Are you having your quiet time?
Spend time with God every day! If you come to me saying, "I've been really down about a lot of things, and I'm depressed and angry about my life and people in my life and relationships, etc", I'm going to ask you, "How's your quiet time?"
Are you spending time with God the Father? Or are you going through the motions?
Are you using Him as your crisis hotline?
Are you preparing yourself for combat?
How about this? Are you training others to use the word?
Remember our statistic from Barna. 0.5% of kids ages 18-23 have a Biblical worldview. Are you a watchman?
On the campus of Christian Brothers, that percentage equates to about 5 out of 1000 people having a Biblical worldview. Remember, you are on the winning side with faithfulness and obedience. But we need to be the watchmen and soldiers that God wants us to be.
The Four Types of Soldiers (Adapted from www.warfaresaint.com, by Sherry Shriner)
1. Active Duty: Serving the Lord faithfully, daily, and on duty 24-7-365 days a year. Prepared for combat, ready to uncover and bind the enemy.
2. Reserve Status: Serving only when called upon,
or twice a year: Christmas and Easter. Going through the motions.
3. Guard Status: Backing up the Active Duty group. Prefers to sit on the sidelines and watch.
4. AWOL! Absent Without the Lord.
What type of soldier are you?
Here's what it means to be a soldier of God
I am a Soldier in the Army of God
Author Unknown
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.
The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.
Faith, Prayer, and the Word are my weapons of Warfare.
I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience,
tried by adversity, and tested by fire.
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity.
I will either retire in this Army or die in this Army;
But, I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out.
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable.
If my God needs, me, I am there. I am a soldier. I am not a baby.
I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up,
pumped up, picked up, or pepped up.
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
No one has to call me, remind me,
write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.
I am a soldier. I am not a wimp.
I am in place, saluting my King,
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
Obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His Kingdom!
No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts.
I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to.
I am committed.
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.
I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.
I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
When Jesus called me into this Army, I had nothing.
If I end up with nothing, I will still come out even.
I will win. My God will supply all my needs.
I am more than a conqueror.
I will always triumph.
I can do all things through Christ.
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
Devils cannot defeat me.
People cannot disillusion me.
Weather cannot weary me.
Sickness cannot stop me.
Battles cannot beat me.
Money cannot buy me.
Governments cannot silence me,
and hell cannot handle me!
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
Even death cannot destroy me.
For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield,
He will promote me to a captain.
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
in the Army, I'm marching, claiming victory.
I will not give up.
I will not turn around.
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
marching Heaven bound.
Here I stand!
• God has armed you for battle!
o Ephesians 6:17 - And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
o You are amidst a global conflict – spiritual warfare. Whether you like it or not, you are a soldier in this conflict. You are the watchmen (Ezekial 3), but at the same time you are also the soldier (Ephesians 6).
o The ENEMY
Ephesians 6:12 - For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
o An enemy that comes in many packages. Some of which are pretty packages - Satan is a master of covert operations.
Yoga
Transcendental meditation
Pop culture
Disney
Social obligations
• Political correctness
• Not offending others
From “Man vs. World - Biblical Worldview”
• http://wordsfromhisword.blogspot.com/2010/06/man-vs-world-biblical-worldview-mt.html
• Flesh and blood (people) are not our enemies.
• Rather our enemies are unseen – Satan and his demons.
• People themselves don’t hurt us, but Satan acting through them does – through sin.
• Therefore, we are called to love all people. Specifically, we love all sinners, but we hate their sins.
• Principalities – Sins that the world tries to convince us are “OK”.
o Abortion, Euthanasia
o Homosexuality
o Adulterous relationships/Cohabitation, sex before marriage
• Powers – Witchcraft, fortune telling, psychics
• Rulers and Spiritual Wickedness in High Places – world leaders who stand for ungodly things, false prophets and teachers.
Paul tells his disciple Timothy that false prophets and teachers will arise. Therefore Paul says that Timothy must know the word of God well enough not only to teach it, but to also identify and expose false teachers.
o Kim Jong Il, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Other World Religions and their leaders
Also, DISTRACTIONS
It's not good to be lazy, but it's not good to be so active that God no longer has your greatest affection. Use this as a reminder.
Being
Under
Satan's
Yoke
• An enemy that’s not always easy to recognize - Satan is a master of clandestine operations.
Satan is not always the enemy that blows your front door down and starts firing away. He can also be the enemy that slips in the back door and slits your throat.
o Remember our discussion on tolerance
Tolerance is not love – it’s “love grown cold”.
True love is shown by speaking truth.
You do not love a sinner by being “tolerant” of their sins.
• Is MODERATION always a Christian virtue?
o Is it OK to sin as long as you don’t get too wrapped up in it?
Jesus Christ is pure, and He calls us to purity. He never says, “Practice evil in moderation.”
o The WEAPON
o Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
o The Bible is the incorruptible, indestructible, ever-living seed of the word of God.
o A person must train to properly wield a weapon.
Are you “practicing” with the Bible?
Pray the word.
Meditate on the word.
Live the word.
Share the word.
Are you reading it?
Memorize scripure. Know your APOLOGETICS!
Apologetics - the branch of theology that is concerned with the defense of Christian doctrines.
Know what you believe and why you believe it!
1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
Do you know your enemy? How well do you know your enemy? Do you know his tendencies? His ways?
Are you having your quiet time?
Spend time with God every day! If you come to me saying, "I've been really down about a lot of things, and I'm depressed and angry about my life and people in my life and relationships, etc", I'm going to ask you, "How's your quiet time?"
Are you spending time with God the Father? Or are you going through the motions?
Are you using Him as your crisis hotline?
Are you preparing yourself for combat?
How about this? Are you training others to use the word?
Remember our statistic from Barna. 0.5% of kids ages 18-23 have a Biblical worldview. Are you a watchman?
On the campus of Christian Brothers, that percentage equates to about 5 out of 1000 people having a Biblical worldview. Remember, you are on the winning side with faithfulness and obedience. But we need to be the watchmen and soldiers that God wants us to be.
The Four Types of Soldiers (Adapted from www.warfaresaint.com, by Sherry Shriner)
1. Active Duty: Serving the Lord faithfully, daily, and on duty 24-7-365 days a year. Prepared for combat, ready to uncover and bind the enemy.
2. Reserve Status: Serving only when called upon,
or twice a year: Christmas and Easter. Going through the motions.
3. Guard Status: Backing up the Active Duty group. Prefers to sit on the sidelines and watch.
4. AWOL! Absent Without the Lord.
What type of soldier are you?
Here's what it means to be a soldier of God
I am a Soldier in the Army of God
Author Unknown
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.
The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.
Faith, Prayer, and the Word are my weapons of Warfare.
I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience,
tried by adversity, and tested by fire.
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity.
I will either retire in this Army or die in this Army;
But, I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out.
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable.
If my God needs, me, I am there. I am a soldier. I am not a baby.
I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up,
pumped up, picked up, or pepped up.
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
No one has to call me, remind me,
write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.
I am a soldier. I am not a wimp.
I am in place, saluting my King,
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
Obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His Kingdom!
No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts.
I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to.
I am committed.
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.
I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.
I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
When Jesus called me into this Army, I had nothing.
If I end up with nothing, I will still come out even.
I will win. My God will supply all my needs.
I am more than a conqueror.
I will always triumph.
I can do all things through Christ.
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
Devils cannot defeat me.
People cannot disillusion me.
Weather cannot weary me.
Sickness cannot stop me.
Battles cannot beat me.
Money cannot buy me.
Governments cannot silence me,
and hell cannot handle me!
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
Even death cannot destroy me.
For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield,
He will promote me to a captain.
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
in the Army, I'm marching, claiming victory.
I will not give up.
I will not turn around.
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
marching Heaven bound.
Here I stand!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Introduction to Stewardship: Earthly Deposits = Heavenly Dividends
Luke 19: 11- 26
A Parable of Money Usage
11 While they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.12 So He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return.13 “And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, ‘Do business with this until I come back.’14 “But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’15 “When he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him so that he might know what business they had done.16 “The first appeared, saying, ‘Master, your mina has made ten minas more.’17 “And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.’18 “The second came, saying, ‘Your mina, master, has made five minas.’19 “And he said to him also, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’20 “Another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I kept put away in a handkerchief;21 for I was afraid of you, because you are an exacting man; you take up what you did not lay down and reap what you did not sow.’22 “He said to him, ‘By your own words I will judge you, you worthless slave. Did you know that I am an exacting man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow?23 ‘Then why did you not put my money in the bank, and having come, I would have collected it with interest?’24 “Then he said to the bystanders, ‘Take the mina away from him and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’25 “And they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas already.’26 “I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.
Q- What is a parable?
A- A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.
Q- What are some examples of parables in the Bible?
A- The Prodigal Son, Pearl of Great Price, The Good Samaritan, among many others.
* mina= 100 day's wages
A. What is Biblical Stewardship?
1-Biblical stewardship is taking the main points of being a steward and applying them with a perspective according to God's word.
a) Being a good steward isn't easy.
b) Living within your means, saving, tithing.
2- In college, this can be especially difficult.
a) Disposable income is quickly disposed of.
3- If I were to give you $1000.00, what would you buy?
4- Why should we be good stewards?
a) God has called us to be good stewards.
v13 “And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, ‘Do business with this until I come back.’
b) Why let your money just sit? Invest! Put it into a bank and let it earn interest!
c) Be wise with what God has given you. (spiritual gifts, monetary blessings, special talents)
4- You reap what you sow.
B. Law of the Harvest:
Everyone Reaps:
- What you sow.
- More than you sow.
- Later than you sow.
1-When do farmers plant their crops?
a) Early, so the plants have time to grow and produce.
b) In the harvest, farmers reap what they sowed months earlier.
2- What are you planting/ sowing?
a) Good seeds vs. Bad seeds
b) For example:
- Physical Pursuits -> Healthy Living vs. Poor Choices
- Monetary Pursuits -> Investing/ Saving vs. Loose Spending
- Spiritual Pursuits -> Quiet Times, Genuine Worship vs. Lukewarm Christianity
3- What will you reap when you sow?
C. God rewards those who work for his glory, and rebukes those who do not.
v23 ‘Then why did you not put my money in the bank, and having come, I would have collected it with interest?’
v26 “I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.
1. The third servant made no attempt to increase his Master's wealth.
a) Do not bury your proverbial mina.
b) Are you doing your part to increase your Heavenly Father's kingdom?
c) Do not squander your money; save it or invest it.
2. God will only use us to the extent of what we put forth for Him to use.
a) If we give God everything: He will use everything.
v16 “The first appeared, saying, ‘Master, your mina has made ten minas more.’17 “And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.’18 “The second came, saying, ‘Your mina, master, has made five minas.’19 “And he said to him also, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’
b) Conversely, if we hold back from God: He will hold back his blessings.
v20 “Another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I kept put away in a handkerchief".
D. Three Men and some Minas.
1. Which servant are you?
a) The one who made his master 10 times his money?
b) The one who made his master 5 times his money?
c) The one who failed his master and buried his mina?
2. God lifts up those who magnify Him.
v17 “And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities".
a) Well done, good slave, you have been faithful.
b) 10 minas = 10 cities, 5 minas = 5 cities.
c) Make wise spiritual and monetary investments now so you can reap the bountiful benefits in the harvest.
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