Archive for March 2008

Now What?

March 30, 2008 by PastorMark.

Play now #307, Now What?, Pastor Mark Boucher, Sunday 03-30-2008

Text: Acts 1:1-11
Theme: What are we to do in light of His resurrection?

INTRODUCTION:

  1. Jesus is risen from the dead … you are risen in Him … now what?
  2. Jesus said, “you will be my witnesses” Acts 1:8
    1. What is a witness? Someone who shares what they know or have experienced?
  3. Our responsibility is simply “go and tell”
  4. When it comes to witnessing to others, today is the best of times and the worst of times.
    1. It is more difficult today
    2. People are told “religion is a private matter.”
    3. People have trouble with absolutes (authority, truth)
    4. It is more exciting today than ever before.
    5. So many people are “sin sick”. They know there’s “something more”.
    6. Most people (80% from a recent college survey) are interested in spiritual things.

What did the disciples need to be a witness?
What do we need? (We need to know Him first)

  1. We need godly priorities. (v 4-7) [Priority = something meriting prior attention]
    1. The greatest priority in life is Jesus Himself.
    2. The resurrection … is there any other greater event in history?
    3. Do we love Him and think about Him? (It’s hard to witness about a mere theology or “doctrinal persuasion”. When we love Jesus it’s easy to share Him)
    4. Godly priorities are demonstrated by our doing what He says. (What I do reveals my true priorities)
    5. Jesus said, “don’t leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift” (v 4)
    6. What if the disciples and the others did not wait?
    7. Don’t get sidetracked by other priorities.
    8. “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the Kingdom?” (v 6)
    9. The priorities of lesser things can dominate life.
    10. In a world of so many choices and things we forget that we’re just passing through and we’re surrounded by eternal beings.
  2. We need God’s power. (v 8a)
    1. It is no accident that Jesus connected waiting and power.
    2. Waiting on God centers us and slows us down enabling God to fill us.
    3. Powerful witnesses in the Bible knew how to walk with God.
    4. Why do we need “power” to witness?
    5. Answer: There are forces and powers that oppose and work against us.
    6. Apathy – a lack of any sense of urgency.
    7. Fear – we feel intimidated and remain silent.
    8. Hostility – some people stereotype Christians.
    9. How do we receive on-going power from God?
    10. Stay in a current love relationship with the Lord.
    11. God’s love is more like a current than a bomb.
    12. It’s like electricity – it has to have a current.
    13. “I appreciate yesterday’s power, but I need power today.”
    14. Avail yourself of “energy-giving” experiences with God.
    15. Your life adds or detracts from the Message.
  3. We need God’s mission. (v 8 )
    1. “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8b)
    2. How do we accomplish God’s mission to be His Witnesses?
    3. Foundation: Love God, love people.
    4. We can witness by building relationships with “pre Christians”
    5. We can witness by carrying good literature (tracts, cards)
    6. We can witness by inviting someone to church. (statistics say that 1 in 4 will say yes)
    7. Start where you are.
    8. Be involved in world missions (simultaneously)

CONCLUSION:

The lepers …2 Kings 7:3-9
“This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves” 2 Kings 7:9

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Don’t Stay in the Tomb

March 23, 2008 by PastorMark.

Play nowDon’t Stay in the Tomb,

Pastor Mark Boucher, Sunday 03-23-2008

Text: Acts 1:1-3

INTRODUCTION

  1. Cemetery in Winchendon
  2. The message of the Gospel.
    1. “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scripture, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures …” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
  3. After Jesus did on the cross, the disciples were devastated.
    1. Jesus had prepared them (5 times in Matthew alone), but they didn’t allow His words to “register”.
    2. They were overcome by “shock and fear”.
  4. After Jesus rose from the dead. He knew He needed to convince the disciples of His victory.

Text: Acts 1:1-3
“After His suffering, He showed Himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive.” (verse 3) ~ “He presented Himself alive” (ESV)

  1. How do we know Jesus is alive?
    1. The death of Jesus was not enough (no matter how heroic).
    2. How would we know if His sacrifice was acceptable?
    3. How would we gain assurance over sin, death?
    4. God foretold of His Messiah’s mission to rise.
    5. “because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.” (Psalm 16:10)
    6. He appeared to many after His resurrection.
    7. Over a forty day period He appeared at least 12 times.
  2. One of those times was to over 500 people (1 Cor. 15:6)
    1. He offered them “many convincing proofs” (Acts 1:3)
    2. proofs = tekmeriois “demonstratable evidence in contrast with evidence provided by witnesses.” ~ They could touch, see and hear Jesus. (this is the only time the word is used in the New Testament)
    3. We know He’s alive by the affects after the resurrection.
    4. The Roman and Jewish authorities could not produce the body.
    5. The Apostles and disciples were willing to suffer as witnesses for the resurrection.
    6. “He is not here; He is risen just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.” (Matthew 28:6)
    7. What does the Resurrection of Jesus have to do with your life?
    8. Did you know that your life is supposed to parallel with the life of Jesus?
    9. He has a life … you have a life.
    10. He experienced a cross … you have a cross.
    11. He knew death … you have to know death.
    12. He was resurrected … and you can experience resurrection.
  3. How do you know if you’re alive spiritually?
  4. You can be alive physically, but dead spiritually.
    1. “You were dead in your transgressions and sin on which you used to live.” Ephesians 2:1
    2. “God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ.” Ephesians 2:4-5)
    3. Jesus presented Himself alive … a believer will also demonstrate evidences of life.
    4. You will have faith.
    5. We are commanded to repent and believe.
  5. God would not command what we could not do by His grace.
    1. You must believe on God’s terms, not yours.
    2. Some say, “I’ll only believe if I see physically.”
    3. Some believe about God, but don’t trust in Him.
    4. You must believe there’s more to life than the tomb.
    5. You will have love. (the Great Commandment – love God, love people)
    6. The love of Jesus obeys the commands of God and always does what is right for others.
    7. “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.” (1 John 3:14)
    8. “Love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)
    9. You will have His Spirit.
    10. A Christian is one with Christ within.
    11. “Christ in you and the hope of glory.”
    12. If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you …” (Romans 8:11)
    13. “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” (Romans 8:9)
    14. The Holy Spirit is the continuation of the life of Christ in His church.

CONCLUSION

  1. Christ is alive … are you alive?
  2. Are you in the tomb or out?
  3. Are you in the dark or in the light?
  4. Jesus said, “Lazarus, come forth.”
  5. Becoming a Christian is not a leap in the dark, but a leap into light.

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The Day of the Parade

March 16, 2008 by PastorMark.

Play now  #305, The Day of the Parade, Pastor Mark Boucher, Sunday, 03-16-2008

Text: Luke 19:28-44
The Challenge: To respond to Jesus the way He wants.

INTRODUCTION

  1. Have you ever been to a parade?
    1. A parade celebrates an event or person.
  2. The Bible records the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
    1. (Jesus had just finished a last tour of ministry and had raised Lazarus.)
    2. He was riding on a donkey (1 Kings 1:38)
    3. This “parade” seemed to be “out of character” for Jesus.
  3. Why the parade?
    1. To fulfill Scripture and God’s will.
    2. “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See your King comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9
    3. To push the clock ahead.
    4. The religious leaders wanted to wait until after the Passover.
    5. Jesus knew He had to die during Passover (The Lamb of God).
  4. During the parade the crowds rejoiced, but Jesus wept.
    1. Jesus saw what others didn’t see.
    2. He was looking for something in the people, but did not find it.

Jesus is looking for a right response.
The Challenge: To respond to Jesus the way He wants.
The parade will help us understand what Jesus wants.

LET’S LOOK AT SOME IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

  1. What does Jesus want to do?
    1. He wants people to know who He is (the time had come)
    2. He want to bring peace to people.
    3. “If you, even you, have known on this day what would bring you peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes.” Luke 19:42
    4. The greatest war takes place in every heart, with God!
    5. “Submit to me and be at peace.” Isaiah …
    6. The good news of the Gospel is that through Jesus we can be reconciled to God! (He is our peace)
    7. He wants to unite people under His Kingship.
    8. Reconciliation with God enables reconciliation with others.
    9. There are so many forces at work to divide and isolate us …
    10. nationality, color of skin, age, economic level, education, religion, etc…
  2. The greatest agent of unity in the universe is the blood of Jesus. We are all equal at the foot of the cross.
    1. What Jesus want to do and what we want Him to do for us are often very different.
  3. What are we usually looking for?
    1. We want a Savior who changes circumstances now.
    2. It would be great for you to provide bread.
    3. It would be great for you to bring prosperity.
    4. It would be great for you to make life easier.
  4. We want a full service savior.
    1. We want a Savior who destroys our enemies.
    2. If you’re the Messiah, get rid of the Romans.
    3. If you’re my Savior, deal with those who bother me. (Don’t tell me to love them and exercise patience.)
  5. What is Jesus looking for?
    1. We know what He is not looking for …
    2. He’s not looking for self-righteous critics.
    3. “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples.’” (Luke 19:39)
    4. He’s not looking for crowds of disciples.
    5. “the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen.” (Luke 19:37)
    6. He’s looking for people to respond to Him.
    7. Those who don’t know – check Him out.
    8. Those who think they know. Go deeper (examine yourself).
    9. It’s not the loudness or emotion factor
    10. “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father is spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” (John 4:23)
    11. Spirit – inward sincerity of heart before God.
    12. Truth - according to God’s revelation, Word.

CONCLUSION

Don’t miss the main event!!!

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In the School of Jesus

March 9, 2008 by PastorMark.

Play now #304, In the School of Jesus, Pastor Mark Boucher, Sunday 03-09-2008

Text: Matthew 10:24-25
Theme: Jesus uses known human relationships and rules to help the disciples understand their relationship to Him. (The first relationship He mentions is student/teacher.)

INTRODUCTION:

  1. “Power to become Christlike” seminar by Pastor Wes D. What impacted me most was the importance of being teachable.
  2. Jesus taught whoever would come to Him.
    1. Through His miracles and wisdom, He could have traveled the world.
    2. He aimed at depth, not just breadth.
    3. Without commitment, the Gospel would be lost.
    4. Jesus gathered and formed disciples.
  3. What is a disciple? Discipleship?
    1. “mathetes” = a learner, pupil, disciple
    2. “Discipling is an intentional relationship in which we walk alongside other disciples in order to encourage, equip, and challenge one another in love to grow toward maturity in Christ. This includes equipping the disciple to teach others as well” – Greg Ogden (Transforming Discipleship)
  4. Jesus taught His disciples to serve, minister.
    1. After being with them for a while, He sent the out on a mission.
    2. Before they went, He called them to Himself and gave them authority, instructions, warnings.
    3. One warning was persecution.

Text: Matthew 10:24-25

Note: Jesus uses known human relationships and rules to help the disciples understand their relationship to Him. (The first relationship He mentions is student/teacher.)

Jesus wants you in His school of discipleship

WHAT DO I NEED TO BECOME A GOOD STUDENT?

  1. You need to know the purpose of the school.
    1. If you don’t latch on to the purpose, you’ll fail or drop out.
    2. What is the purpose of the “school” of Jesus?
    3. To bring glory to God by becoming like Jesus.
    4. “It is enough for the student to be like his master.” Matthew 10:24
    5. A disciple is “a person who recognizes Jesus as Savior and has made a firm commitment to obediently follow Jesus in every area of life, to become more like Jesus in purpose, understanding, wisdom, attitudes, character, action, and Spirit empowerment.” - Dr. Steve Lim
  2. You need to press past the obstacles.
    1. What did the disciples of Jesus encounter?
    2. Outward obstacles – people’s misinterpretation of Jesus, hardness of heart, satanic opposition, the spirit of the world.
    3. Inward obstacles - the most deceptive. Jesus had to correct, rebuke, and constantly train the disciples.
    4. What about our obstacles?
    5. We face increasingly outward pressure to confirm to the world
    6. Our world emphasizes the temporal and physical.
    7. Relationship with God is relegated to “private life.”
    8. Our inward obstacles are the greatest challenges.
    9. Preoccupation with other things (daydreaming).
    10. Laziness
    11. Pride.
  3. You need to develop the habits of a good student.
    1. What can we learn from the disciples in the Bible?
    2. Learn to listen to God.
    3. Receive correction.
    4. Stay in close relationship with the Teacher.
    5. Learn from other disciples.
    6. Jesus wants to teach you to be more like Him*

How do you answer the school of Jesus? You answer His call to enroll.

What are the class hours? Life is the classroom.

Graduation is coming!

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