December 30, 2007 by PastorDave.

#297, You Must, Sunday 12-30-2007, Pastor David McIntosh

Text: John 3:1-7
Theme: Christianity is a choice.

INTRODUCTION

1. On the last Sunday of 2007 & as we begin to peak into 2008 and all that is coming at us.
2. Being a Christian is going to become interesting, challenging real fast.
3. With that said, I would like to take this day and go back to the beginning.
4. Sometimes we get so far down the road & so deep in issues we get uprooted from what defines who we are as Christians.
5. Statement: Christianity is not a political stance, it is not a tradition, it’s not a philosophy, or even a religion; CHRISTIANITY IS A CHOICE.

YOU MUST

1. A man came to Jesus once with outstanding character & credentials. He was a respected spiritual leader in the nation.
2. He was a wise man who carefully searched out important matters.
3. He discerned that Jesus was a man who came from God & had supernatural powers.
4. In spite of all these outstanding qualities, when this man, Nicodemus sought counsel from Jesus regarding his own life, Jesus said to him: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (John 3:3,7)

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BORN AGAIN?

1. The term “born again” comes from two Greek words
   1. Gennao = to procreate
   2. Anothen = from above, from the beginning, again
2. To be born the first time is to take on the features, characteristics, weaknesses, and limitations of our earthly parents.
3. But, when we are born a second time, we take on the features, characteristics, strengths, and abilities of our heavenly father.
4. So to be “born again” is a rebirth of the spirit, we are born of the flesh, but when we say we are born again, it means that we have been born from above in spirit.
5. Every single human being ever born, must be “made again” by the Spirit of God.
6. “No one can make you again but He who made you the first time.” W.Y. Fullerton.
7. Jesus said, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (Jn.3:6) Flesh does not turn into spirit; we must be born spiritually we do not become “spirit.”

IS IT NECESSARY TO HAVE A SECOND BIRTH?

1. When we were born into the world, we were born with only one nature, a sin nature.
2. Rom. 5:12 – “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.”
3. Sin is what separated man from God, so the challenge is how one can overcome their sin nature so that eternal death is avoided and peace with God can be attained!
4. THERE IS NO WAY TO OVERCOME THIS SIN NATURE EXCEPT BY CHOOSING TO BE BORN AGAIN INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD!
5. 2 Cor. 5:21 – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
6. Jesus answers the question for us, “No one comes to the Father except through me.”
7. There is only one way to overcome the sin nature that lives in every human being that separated every human being from God; that way is through Jesus Christ, believing in and surrendering to a personal second birth where a person becomes “born again.”
8. Titus 3:5-7 – “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
9. The only way to be saved is by a rebirth through Jesus Christ.

HOW DOES A SECOND BIRTH TAKE PLACE?

1. According to the Bible how does someone truly, I mean really become born again.
2. Nicodemus was puzzled, the idea was totally foreign to his thinking; isn’t it unthinkable that a born human being can be born again?
3. But Jesus did explain that he was not talking about a physical birth, but a spiritual one.
4. Jesus said, “Except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit, he can not enter into the Kingdom of God.”
5. That needs to be seen here, you do not have to be born again to live life or even live a religious life, but if you desire access into the Kingdom of God, you must be born again of the Spirit!
6. A second birth takes place not so much with a prayer (the sinner’s prayer) but with a call-out or a cry out to the Lord.
7. A child can be fully developed in the womb and be born, yet have no life. A “stillborn” birth is a tragedy to everyone. (If you have ever had one, our prayers go out to you).
8. Immediately after the baby is brought from the womb, it is vital to get the baby to breath air, this first breath is usually expressed in a cry or call out.
9. In much the same way the process of spiritual birth or “being born again” requires a “cry” as the spiritual new born calls upon the Name of the Lord to be saved!
10. Notice the “cry” or “call” in the following Scriptures associated with salvation
    1. Acts 2:21; Rom. 10:12-13; 1 Cor. 1:2; Psalm 116:13

IS THERE A PROPER “CRY” OR “CALL” FOR EVERYONE?

1. Well the Scripture does not give us a specific script to be read, but it is specific.
2. Romans 10:8-11 – “But what does it say? The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him for the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
3. So we are born again by putting our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us.
4. Our call to the Lord must contain a confession that Jesus is Lord, and it must come from a belief in our hearts that God truly raised Jesus from the dead.
5. Because belief comes from the heart (soul) and our mouths speak the confession of our heart’s belief.
6. Jesus said in Matthew 12:37 – “For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
7. “Believe” = a principle that has been established in the mind; to the degree that it controls my emotions and actions.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A PERSON IS BORN AGAIN?

1. An amazing transformation takes place, Paul said, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new. (2 Cor. 5:17)
2. The “new” that we have is a “nature” that does not sin; unfortunately it coexists with a human nature that does sin. So we now have a life long, daily struggle.
3. You also experience new sensations, different perspectives, new desires, new hungers:
   1. A Love for God’s Word (Holy Spirit creates a hunger for more of the Word)
   2. New Awareness of Sin (conviction of words, actions, thoughts, that displease God)
   3. A New Love for God (You develop a “first love” for God)
   4. A Love for Other Believers (you are now a member of a large family)
   5. A Desire to Tell Others (you realize you are living in the light; friends & family are not, there is a nature desire to want to tell them)
4. These are vital signs that we need to look for at birth (spiritual.

ONE INGREDIENT TO ENSURE GROWTH

1. 1 Peter 2:2 – “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”
2. James 1:21 – “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.”
3. We must birth a personal relationship with what the Word of God says in order to grow up. So many are born again, be starving in the spirit for the Word.

ARE YOU BORN AGAIN, ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES?

1. In Matthew 7:14 Jesus said, “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
2. In Matthew 7:22-23 Jesus said, “Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evil doers!”
3. It is too important to brush aside and wait until another time. If you are not Biblically born again you live everyday in grave danger, eternal danger.
4. Jesus said, you must be born again.
5. If you know you are not, or if you said a prayer once years ago but you know that prayer was not a call or a cry to be born again then make today the day.
6. Open the altars for anyone and everyone that would like to make a choice to confess with their mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God raised Jesus from the dead. Come call on the Name of Lord and be saved.

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December 30, 2007 by PastorMark.

Here’s a suggestion for January of this new year. So many of us struggle with making and keeping priorities. The Book of Proverbs is God’s Word to us “for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair” (Proverbs 1:3). Proverbs contains 31 chapters and January has 31 days. Why not read one chapter of Proverbs for each day? On January 1 read Proverbs 1, on January 2 read Proverbs 2, and so on. By doing this, you will be challenged and inspired concerning the great priorities of life: the fear of the Lord (1:7), the value of wisdom (4:7), the power of our words (18:21), the importance of right relationships (27:10) and many more. May this discipline of one chapter a day from Proverbs propel you into a year of focused priorities and abundant living!

Pastor Mark Boucher

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December 23, 2007 by PastorMark.

John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus, drew many people to God. Luke provides us with an insight into why John’s public life and ministry so mightily influenced others. Of John, Luke writes, “The child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel” (Luke 1:80). Notice the pattern: John was with God privately before he was with people publicly. The point is this: to have an effective ministry to others first requires a personal, private life with God. Power with God translates into power with people. As we often say, “Much prayer…much power; little prayer…little power; no prayer….” May Jesus help us to love Him enough to spend time at His feet.

Pastor Mark Boucher

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December 16, 2007 by PastorMark.

John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus, drew many people to God. Luke provides us with an insight into why John’s public life and ministry so mightily influenced others. Of John, Luke writes, “The child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel” (Luke 1:80). Notice the pattern: John was with God privately before he was with people publicly. The point is this: to have an effective ministry to others first requires a personal, private life with God. Power with God translates into power with people. As we often say, “Much prayer…much power; little prayer…little power; no prayer….” May Jesus help us to love Him enough to spend time at His feet.

Pastor Mark Boucher

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December 9, 2007 by PastorMark.

#296, Looking Forward, Sunday 12-09-2007, Pastor Mark Boucher

Text: Luke 2:25-35
Theme: As believers, our hope is tied to the promise of His coming.

INTRODUCTION:

1. How we look forward greatly affects life right now.
   1. If you look forward with hope … courage
   2. If you look forward with dread … weak, helpless
2. We can learn so much from a man named Simeon.
   1. He was a believer who looked forward to Christmas.
   2. Not a date on the calendar, but the first one.
   3. He had been given a revelation that he would see the Christ before he died.

Let’s see how the coming of Christ connects with hope.

1. He will come (a look at then and there)
   1. Things were bleak in Simeon’s day.
   2. There was no “word from God” for over 400 years.
   3. The Israelites were Roman rule (63 BC Pompeii)
   4. They had a cruel and corrupt king. (Herod)
   5. Spiritual life had ebbed to a trickle
   6. The religious leaders championed power, corruption, legalism and hypocrisy.
   7. Fake religions were growing like weeds in the empire.
   8. Many people were heavy of heart discouraged.
   9. Simeon was willing to look to the Lord.
   10. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel.” (v.25)
   11. God always has His remnant, people who are righteous and devout.
   12. He was acting in hope because of the Word.
2. Old Testament Prophecy
   1. The Old Testament contains over 300 passages concerning the first coming of Christ.
   2. Of these 300 passages, we discover 60 major, specific prophesies.
   3. Simeon was waiting because he was a man of the Spirit.
   4. “the Holy Spirit was upon him” (v.25)
   5. ”It had been revealed to him be the Holy Spirit (v.26)
   6. “Moved by the Holy Spirit” (v.27)
   7. When Jesus came, Simeon was ready. (He wasn’t disappointed)
   8. He recognized God when he looked in the face of this baby.
   9. He took Him in his arms and praised God for what He would do through Jesus. (Hope)
3. He will come again. (a look at here and now)
   1. Things look bleak in America (to the natural eye).
   2. The soul of America is like a wounded soldier.
   3. A tsunami of immorality has hit our shores and overwhelms all in its path.
   4. Forces and powers are at work (thru people) to eradicate God from society.
   5. We’re pushing the acceleration pedal to our destruction.
   6. All of us struggle with living right, the battles of stress, temptation, despair.
   7. Are you willing to receive your hope from God?
   8. God has a remnant today in America.
   9. What do they look like? Simeon?
   10. People of hope are people of the Word.
   11. The Apostles of the New Testament appealed to two primary area to show that Jesus was the Messiah … a) The resurrection. b) Fulfilled prophecy.
   12. In the Old Testament there are 1,845 references to the second return of Jesus Christ.
   13. In the New Testament 1 in every 25 verses has to do with the second coming.
   14. What God promises, He performs.
   15. People of hope are people of the Spirit.
   16. What does this mean?
   17. We value and choose the leading of the Spirit over the impulses of the flesh.
   18. We choose delayed hope rather that instant gratification.
   19. If you look to Jesus and His coming, you won’t be disappointed.
   20. Don’t look at “the score”
   21. God doesn’t care what the score is because He knows He wins.

“For in just a very little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.” (Hebrews 10:37)
“I shall return” (General Douglas McArthur)

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December 9, 2007 by PastorMark.

Most of us are interested in the future. After all, we’re going to spend the rest of our life there! In their curiosity about the future, the disciples asked Jesus, “What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3). The immediate response of Jesus was a warning: “Watch out that no one deceives you” (24:4). Remember, Jesus was talking to believers, stressing the fact that anyone can be deceived. Before He returns, the world will witness an increase in false Christs, counterfeit spirituality (including miracles), and sensational reports. Our interest in the future must be guided and grounded in the Word of God. The Bible may not give us every detail we want to know, but it gives us all we need to know to be prepared for the coming of Jesus. May all God’s people love the truth and turn from deception.

Pastor Mark Boucher

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December 4, 2007 by admin.

Hannukah (Festival of Lights or Feast of Dedication) is the eight-day period during which Jews around the world celebrate a miracle. Before the birth of the Messiah, the Syrian King Antiochus invaded Jerusalem and forbid the Jews from following their practices written in the Torah (Sabbath, eating kosher, circumcision, etc.). He went so far as to defile the Temple by sacrificing pigs there. A band of Jews led by Judah Maccabee fought the Syrians to regain control of the Temple and then began the process of rededicating it. According to Jewish writings, in 165 B.C. they lit the menorah (lampstand) but had enough oil for only one day. God performed a miracle by making the holy oil burn for eight days. Today, millions around the world celebrate this miracle in their homes by lighting the eight candles of a special Hannukah menorah.

In John 10:22-39, Yeshua (Jesus) spoke publicly about miracles during this eight-day period of Hannukah. When asked if He was the Messiah, Jesus told the Jews that He had already revealed himself as the Messiah (Christ) through the miracles that He performed in His Father’s name. However, those listening did not believe Him.

This year, the first Hannukah candle was lit on December 4. The last candle will be lit on December 11. During this time, let us remember that we are spiritual sons and daughters of Abraham and are wild olive branches grafted into the natural olive tree by God. Let the lights of the menorahs we see remind us that Yeshua is the greatest miracle of all and that He is the Light of the world as He declared (John 8:12). Let us remember that He has come into the temple of our hearts with the everlasting oil of the Spirit that we might shine forth His love. May we let our light so shine before both Jews and Gentiles that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16), and may we rededicate ourselves to the risen, miracle-working Messiah.

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December 2, 2007 by PastorDave.

Have a “Mary” Christmas, Sunday 12-02-2007, Pastor David McIntosh

Text: Luke 10:38-42

INTRODUCTION

1. Today we enter in to the most stressful four weeks of the year. Christmas time!
2. Depression (runs highest beginning now) cost the American economy 45-billion a year due to lost productivity & medical costs.
3. Let me share with you the nine factors one study claims are the reasons why Christmas has become one of the “worst” times of the year for Americans:
   1. Stress
   2. Fatigue
   3. Unrealistic Expectations
   4. Over commercialization
   5. Financial Constraints
   6. Inability to be with family & friends
   7. Demands of Parties
   8. Shopping
   9. House Guests
4. “It came without ribbons, it came without tags, it came without packages, boxes or bags. Christmas can’t simply be bought from a store. Maybe Christmas means a little bit more.” (The Grinch who stole Christmas, Dr. Seuss)

TRANSITION

I would like to take the next few minutes and share with you how to have a “Mary” Christmas, but not the mother of Jesus, a different Mary. We will find her with her sister Martha in Luke 10: 38. (READ MARTHA & MARY CHILDREN’S BOOK)

READ LUKE 10:38-42

1. MARTHA
   1. Martha opened her home to Jesus!
   2. “Received” = to welcome in with hospitality and kindness
   3. Hospitality = cheerfully sharing food, shelter, or conversation to benefit others.
   4. Romans 12:13 –“Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
   5. Qualifications for being church elder; Titus 1 – “An elder must be…hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.”
   6. Martha was also kind: Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to everyone.”
2. MARY
   1. Mary sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.
   2. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His Word.
   3. “Heard” = understand, hear with the ear of the mind; hear with obedience.
   4. Mary was a great listener. Rom. 10:17- says faith comes by hearing.
   5. Mary heard the “Word” = God’s spoken intelligence; God’s specific message.
   6. John 10:27 – “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
3. MESSAGE

1. 1. Martha was hospitable and kind to Jesus.
   2. Mary was a good listener and obedient to Jesus.
   3. Both sisters had Christ like qualities, served the Lord, had a relationship with Jesus.
   4. Follow along as I read v. 40 – 42.
   5. “But Martha was distracted” = encumbered (lay to much upon; to clutter, handicap, burden)
   6. Martha was hospitable, kind…but encumbered
   7. Martha’s heart & mind were full, hampered, loaded, oppressed, taxed, weighed down.
   8. She needed to be the opposite of this; which = EMPTY
   9. Well what was she distracted with; “All the preparations that had to be made” or the KJV says, “About much serving.”
   10. SERVING = a ministry in the Christian community, viewed with reference to the work needed for others both in the case of individuals and community.
   11. Martha was weighed down because of ministry in the Christian community!
   12. Martha saw the activity of “getting empty” as failing God, because Martha placed greater priority on what she was doing instead of who she was becoming!
   13. Now, when she saw her sister Mary, she could only evaluate Mary’s response from her own weakness; Mary isn’t oppressed with all the preparations so she is failing me!
   14. Martha in V.40, turns to Jesus and says, “Don’t you care?”
   15. Martha complained, “My sister has left me.”
   16. Martha complained, “Do the work by myself.”
   17. Then Martha commands Jesus, “Tell her to help me!”
   18. This defined Martha’s relationship with Jesus has He visited her!

4. JESUS’ RESPONSE

1. Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things (troubled about many things)
2. Jesus’ response had nothing to do with hospitality, kindness or the motivational gift to serve others… IT WAS HER RESPONSE TO LIFE
3. Martha worried & got upset, that is a CHOICE she made
4. I know it was her choice because Jesus said…”Mary has chosen what is better…”
5. What “better” thing did Mary choose, the opposite of Martha, Mary chose to empty herself and sit at Jesus’ feet to listen to what He said.
6. Mary “wasted time” at the feet of Jesus! Martha will have none of that.
7. Martha is scared of who she is BECOMING, so she turns the Christian radio up and fills her day with what she is DOING.
8. Everything that Martha is doing is good, but not needful. This is hard to believe.
9. Jesus said that good is not what He is looking for, He desires better than good, the BEST!
10. Martha’s personal relationship with Jesus is don’t you care, everyone’s left me, I do all the work, change other people to be like me.

CHOICE

1. The great deception is that I don’t have a choice, I have to…
2. Jesus wants to say to you today, it is Christmas season, and only one thing is needed… but you have to choose it.

13 DAYS OF A MARTHA CHRISTMAS

12 – People to buy for
11 – Stores to shop in
10 – Yankee swap bible studies to go to
9 – Relatives to prepare for
8 – Rooms to clean
7 – Rooms to decorate
6 – Cookie swap Christmas parties to go to
5 – Christmas plays to get to
4 - Tree lightings to attend
3 - Christmas services to be at
2 - hours of sleep
1 - Huge credit debt
0 - Meaningful time meditating & praying about the birth of my personal Savior.

QUOTE: “But the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

-Gabriel the Angel of the Lord-

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December 2, 2007 by PastorMark.

You can’t please everyone. Both John the Baptist and Jesus were sent by God. John emphasized fasting and was criticized as being demon-possessed. Jesus mingled with people over food and drink and was criticized as being a “glutton, drunkard, and a friend of sinners” (Matthew 11:18-19). Rather than try to explain to His critics, Jesus simply said, “Wisdom is proved right by her actions” (Matthew 11:19). It matters little what people say about us. What matters most is how we live. The smile of God blows away the frown of the critics.

Pastor Mark Boucher

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