Archive for March 2007

Dead Center

March 25, 2007 by PastorMark.

Play now #273, Dead Center, Sunday 03-25-2007

Theme: If you’re going to know God, you’ve got to face and deal with any obstacle between you and God.

Text: Luke 18:18-27

Introduction

  1. Log jams.

    1. They usually start with one log getting stuck, “the obstacle” It doesn’t move off dead center
  2. One day a young man ran up to Jesus and fell on his knees.

    1. Who was he? What did he want? Could Jesus help him?
    2. He was burdened by a “log jam”, an obstacle.
  3. If you’re going to know God, you’ve got to face and deal with any obstacle between you and God.

Text: Luke 18:18-27

  1. Deep down we feel these obstacles. (v18)

    1. This young man had everything (almost)
    2. He was young, successful.
    3. He was moral, well-respected.
    4. He felt no real assurance, peace with God.
    5. He didn’t even know what the problem was.
    6. There was something inside that was dead.
    7. Have you felt this way?

    1. Jesus was available for the young man.
    2. Jesus didn’t reject him.
    3. Jesus didn’t require him to have it all together.
    4. We think we have to fix our log jam first.
    5. “I’ll untangle it and then Jesus will help me.
    6. The message of the Gospel is “come as you are”, but it isn’t “stay as you are”

    1. He will probe us with questions.
    2. Example: “Why do you call Me good?”
    3. He will lead us to the problem.
    4. Jesus held up the mirror of the law
    5. He quoted five commandments.
    6. The young man gave himself an A
    7. The water is fine, the logs are fine …
    8. He will point out the “log.”
    9. “You still lack one thing” (v 22)
    10. Exodus 20:17 “You shall not covet.” (one of the ten commandments) The young man’s money and wealth separated him from God.
    11. God revealed my log …

    1. The man’s question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (v 18)
    2. Jesus gave the man something to do.
    3. “Sell everything you have … give to the poor … come, follow me.” (v 22)
    4. This challenge is what he needed to be set free.
    5. The command to sell all is not a universal one.
    6. Salvation is by grace, but we are involved.
    7. His grace is not “irresistible.”
    8. We are told to repent. “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near.” (Matthew 4:17)
    9. We must be willing to get off “dead center.”

    1. The young man became very sad.
    2. He had a “near life” experience but walked away.
    3. Very few times did people leave Jesus disappointed, but he did.
    4. He had great wealth.
    5. Great wealth had him.
    6. What keeps you from life? What’s the obstacle?
    7. Fear of the opinion of others?
    8. Unwillingness to consider giving up a habit?
    9. Lack of faith to believe God can control your life?
    10. Afraid that you may lose a relationship?
    11. With all these obstacles it’s amazing that anyone gets saved!

  2. Jesus welcomes us, obstacles and all.

  3. Jesus will lovingly reveal the obstacle. (v 19-22)

  4. Jesus will show us the way to life. (v 22)

  5. The final choice is ours. (v 23-24)

Conclusion:

  • Where is this young man now?
  • Where is his wealth?
  • If he could go back and choose over, what do you think he would do?
  • What holds you back?
  • Jesus says, “Come follow me.”

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Right On The Money

March 18, 2007 by PastorMark.

Play Now#272, Right On The Money, Sunday 03-18-2007

Text: 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19

Theme: Take hold of the life that is truly life.

 

There are about 1000 different verses in the Bible that reference money.

 

Instruction About True Life

 

  1. Keep the Big Picture in mind.
    1. What is the goal of life?
    2. Reflect Godliness
    3. Live life close to God.
  2. Think about your own birth and death.
    1. You came to the world with nothing.
    2. You will leave the world with nothing.
  3. When it comes to money, does it really mean anything?
    1. Everything we have will be gone in a moment.
  4. What truly gives us joy in life?
    1. Knowing and loving Jesus.
  5. Be careful about what you desire.
    1. Money without character = disaster.
    2. With money, many wandered from the faith.
  6. What if you are rich? – What NOT to do.
    1. Do not be arrogant – v17
    2. Never think you are better then someone else.
  7. What if you are rich? – What to do.
    1. Put your hope in God. V17.
    2. Be rich in good deeds. V18a
    3. You will be sending it ahead. V19.

 

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It’s About Time

March 11, 2007 by PastorMark.

audio_mp3_button.png#271, It’s About Time, Sunday 03-11-2007

Text: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Theme: We need a new appreciation toward God’s gift of time.

 

 

Introduction

  1. The apostle Paul wrote a last letter.
    1. He knew he was about to die.
    2. He wanted to leave something for timothy and us.

 

 

Text: 2 Timothy 4:1-8 “The time has come for my departure” (v6)

What does the Bible reveal about time? What should our outlook be toward time?

“Time is God’s gift to us, what we do with time is our own gift back to God.”

 

 

Questions about time:

  1. How are we to understand time from God’s Word?
    1. Time is part of God’s creation.
    2. God purposely provided variation, change, cycles; He didn’t leave the earth static.
    3. He made day and night. (Ecclesiastes 1:5)
    4. He established the week (7 days).
    5. He established the cycle of the moon (by placing the moon where it is).
    6. He made the years.
    7. God is above time
    8. He is eternal.
    9. He made time and one day all will revert back to “eternal time.”
    10. As physical beings we move through time.
    11. God helps us make sense of time.
    12. He gave us the ability to consider past, present and future.
  2. How should we think about the past?
    1. The past offers us opportunity to gain wisdom.
    2. God’s story can impact our story.
    3. We see God’s faithfulness and how others were blessed.
    4. We see God’s warnings and how others failed.
    5. “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us …” 1 Corinthians 10:11
    6. Our own past can help us learn and grow.
    7. We can learn from our failures (self awareness of weaknesses)
    8. We can learn from our past blessings.
    9. example: at the end of his life, Paul rejoiced in god’s faithfulness as he said “I have fought the good fight.”
    10. The consideration of our past is to help us now.
    11. We are not to dwell in the past. “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” Philippians 3:13
  3. How should we think about the future?
    1. The future will have times of testing.
    2. “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.” 2 Timothy 3:1
    3. The testing is only temporary.
    4. The future is filled with great glory and victory.
    5. “There is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day …” 2 Timothy 4:8
  4. How should we think about right now?
    1. The present is given for us to be right with God.
    2. “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord” Isaiah 1:18
    3. “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts …” Hebrews 3:15
    4. I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day f salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2
    5. The present is for us to pursue right relationships with others.
    6. They say time heals. There is good time and bad time:
    7. Good time is when we obey the Word … forgive, go to the person.
    8. Bad time is when we remain bitter, angry.
    9. The present is for us to invest in life.
    10. “making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16

 

 

 

Conclusion:

At most funerals I remind the people of our privilege to still walk in the world. Lord, renew my appreciation of today.

 

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Watch Out!

March 4, 2007 by PastorMark.

Play now#270 Watch Out!, Sunday 03-04-2007

 

Text: 1 Timothy 4:11-16

Theme: God wants you to practice effective self-leadership.

Introduction

1. I believe every Christian is called to be a leader. (we are called to influence others; make an impact)

a. The world emphasizes leadership differently than God.

b. The emphasis is on performance, appearance, ability.

c. Inward character is being increasingly “downsized”

d. Is it any wonder leaders crash and burn?

e. The Word of God emphasizes leadership as first inward.

f. Who you are is more important than what you do.

g. For the Christian, the ministry and the person cannot be disconnected.

2. The Apostle Paul wrote two letters to Timothy.

a. Timothy had been entrusted with the work at Ephesus.

b. Paul zeroed in on Timothy, the person.

Text: 1 Timothy 4:11-16 - “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” (vs 16)

Theme: God wants you to practice effective self-leadership. We must effectively lead ourselves before we can lead others. What are the foundational issues we are to watch over in our own life?

1. WATCH out for your own faith.

a. Watch your doctrine closely (This refers to the teaching you receive and give.)

b. We’re responsible for feeding on truth. (The Faith)

c. Jesus told us to be careful how you hear.

d. The Bereans searched the Scriptures.

e. Make sure you “inspect the fruit.”

f. Hold on to your faith. “holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.” (1 Timothy 1:19)

g. Faith is like a muscle that grows with exercise. … How do we exercise our faith?

h. Watch over the “soil” of your heart. … Are you humble, receptive?

i. Expose your heart to the Word. “Faith comes by hearing …” Romans 10:17

j. Act on your faith.

2. WATCH over your conscience. (1 Timothy 1:19) (our conscience is a function of our spirit)

a. God washes our conscience by His blood at salvation.

b. The goal is to keep a clear conscience.

c. If we have anything between ourselves and God, we make it right.

d. If we have anything between ourselves and someone else we make it right. (forgiveness, repentance, restitution)

3. WATCH over your health.

a. In our country we tend to “over do” everything.

b. We overemphasize the body, appearance.

c. We overindulge the body.

d. The body is a temple and a tool.

e. Paul told Timothy to watch his health. “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” (1 Timothy 5:23)

f. Paul said, “physical exercise is of some value, but godliness has value for all things …” (1 Timothy 4:8)

g. Develop and practice good habits.

h. Get adequate rest. (He gives His beloved rest.)

i. Eat healthy

Conclusion:

If you watch your life and doctrine, you will reap the benefits:
Others will see your progress. (v15)
You will save both yourself and your hearers. (v16)

 

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