Tag: religion

Down in my heart… Where?
“We have confused joy with happy.”
Happy focuses on temporary; joy focuses on eternity.
—
2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
—
Matthew 10:22 NIV
You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
—
James 1:2 NIV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
—
Billy Sunday “the trouble with many men is that they have just enough religion to make them miserable. If there is not joy in your life you’ve got a leak in your religion.”
—
Galatians 3:1-3 NIV
You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?
—
Psalm 16:11 NIV
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
—
Psalm 30:5 NIV
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
—
Psalm 51:12 NIV
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Sermon for Sunday, August 18, 2013
—
The names of God:
ELOHIM
—
Genesis 1:1 NIV
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
ELOHIM: God alone is eternal
Elohim implies that:
1. God is the Creator of everything that exists: He (and no other) is the creator of the heavens and the earth.
It is the starting point of all theology and life.
It gives dignity and meaning to human life and existence – your life is not the result of some random, mindless and evolutionary process.
Jeremiah 1:5 NIV
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Psalm 139:13 NIV
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
2. God is the Sustainer of everything that exists: He upholds all things by his powerful word. (Hebrews 1:3) Our gives us confidence to face life’s difficulties. (Isaiah 40:28-31)
Hebrews 1:3 NIV
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Matthew 6:25 NIV
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.
Job 38:4-5 NIV
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?
Job 42:1-2, 4-6 NIV
Then Job replied to the Lord : “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
3. God is the Restorer of everything tainted by sin — Christ is God’s answer to our brokenness.
Malachi 2:10 NIV
Do we not all have one Father ? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?
Response: live in awe of God. Put your trust in God. Live with a sense of purpose and front. Give your life to him. You are rational and responsible.
NOTE: Text of the “Response” section transcribed incorrectly; original text has since been forgotten.

Sermon for August 11, 2013
“What’s in a name?”
—
1 Samuel 4:21 NIV
She named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The Glory has departed from Israel”—because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband.
—
Exodus 3:13-15 NIV
Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “ I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘ I am has sent me to you.’ ” God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord , the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ “This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.
—
Three reason we study the names of God:
1. We are commanded to honor God’s name
Exodus 20:7 NIV
“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
….
Honor the name of God
We should believe and act in such a way that we should respect and
….
2. We deepen our knowledge of God nature
Proverbs 18:10 NIV
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
….
3. We understand how to praise and worship God.

Sermon for July 28, 2013:
God calls all of us (all believers) to deal with remaining sin.
James 1:21 NIV
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
—
When sin is among us it’s like poison
Galatians 5:9 NIV
“A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”
—
1 Corinthians 15:31 NIV
I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Corinthians 9:27 NIV
No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
—
Dealing with sin is a personal matter…
…it’s not just personal it’s communal;
John MacArthur:
“We all know that a chain is not stronger than its weakest link. And the testimony of a church is no greater than its weakest member.”
…we must be concerned about our personal holiness; but we must also be concerned with the holiness of God’s church…
—
Galatians 6:1-2 NIV
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
—
Matthew 11:29-30 NIV
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
—
Are you in step; are you walking in step with God?
Are you keeping in step with the Spirit?
Keep in step; keep walking with the Spirit…
—
Community exists for restoration…
How are we to respond when one of us wanders from the Spirit’s path and stumbles into a sinful lifestyle?
—
Reasons people avoid restoring someone:
1. It’s not always easy.
2. It’s not my place to confront anyone about their sin.
3. It may not produce restoration.
—
It is the responsibility of the church community to help its members break free from the bondage of sin.
Signs of a community that restores:
1. It recognizes when someone is caught in sin: It focuses on getting someone under the control of sin(s).
2.
—
—Authentic community—
—
Paul Tripp:
As long as there is evil inside of me it will hook me to the evil outside of me. And I am capable of being snared until there is no evil inside of me.
—

Sermon for June 9, 2013:
—
My deepest problem
—
Apostle Peter if there was anyone who could ever show us good grace start hardship and failure.
—
2 Peter 1:1-9 NIV
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
—
Stand strong; his divine power has given you everything that you need.
—
Fundamental Realities in the life of every believer
1. Continuing identity as a sinner
The moment you trust in Christ the power of sin is broken but the is sin remains.
Our deepest problem exists deep inside and not outside of ourselves…
The humbling reality is this: My deepest problem exists deep inside of me and not outside of me.
We are good self-justifiers.
—
1 John 1:9 NIV
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
—
What is it you tell yourself about the presence of sin in your life?
—
2. Reality of present identity as a child of grace.
Do we see the need of the power and reacting grace of God?
—
Rescuing grace:
Through Christ, God has done everything to free you from the power of sin to make you a slave.
—
2 Peter 1:3 NIV
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
—
Reading, understanding, believing, application.
—
Divine promise + divine nature = escaping corruption
2 Peter 1:4 NIV
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
—
Grace is God giving everything we need in life and crisis.

Sunday school – June 9, 2013:
1 Thessalonians 5:12-16, 18 NIV
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
—
Romans 8:28 NIV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
—
Be

Sermon for Sunday June 2, 2013:
—
Communion
Luke 22:15 NIV
And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
1 Corinthians 11:27-32 NIV
So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.
1 John 1:9 NIV
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Luke 22:15-18 NIV
And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
—
My deepest problem:
Is God’s plan defective, or is the issue with man?
Reality of continuing identity as a sinner: The power of sin is broken but the presence of sin still remains.
Romans 7:24 NIV
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?
Galatians 5:22 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Acts 9
Ephesians
Our deepest problem exists deep inside and not outside of ourselves…
The humbling reality is this: My deepest problem exists deep inside of me and not outside of me.
2 Peter — I have given you everything you need….
James 4
James 4:6 NIV
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Sunday school for May 26, 2013:
—
1 Thessalonians 5:16 NIV
Rejoice always,
—
1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 NIV
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
—
1 Thessalonians 5:4, 7-8, 11-16 NIV
But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always,
—
Luke 10:30-37 NIV
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
—

Sermon for May 26, 2013:
—
1 Chronicles 16:7-12 NIV
That day David first appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise to the Lord in this manner: Give praise to the Lord , proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
—

Sunday school, May 19, 2013
James 1:5 NIV
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.