Archive for April 2008

For The Wheels Have Come Off

April 27, 2008 by admin.

Play now For The Wheels Have Come Off, Roger Hillegas, Sunday 04-27-2008

Text: Psalm 24, Romans 1
Theme: God seems to know how long we need to stay in our trials.

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Avoiding a Collision

April 20, 2008 by PastorMark.

Play now#309, Avoiding a Collision, Pastor Mark Boucher, Sunday 04-20-2008

Text: Proverbs 5:1-23
Theme: We need to receive encouragement and instruction about staying sexually faithful.

INTRODUCTION:

  1. The “accident”.
    1. It doesn’t have to happen.
    2. Since it did, what do I learn from it?
  2. The Book of Proverbs is all about “learning to live”.
    1. Solomon had a desire to transfer wisdom to the next generation.
    2. Much of this wisdom included moral instruction about sex. (In Proverbs 1-7, 31% of the verses talk about sexual morality)
  3. Our moral decisions affect our relationship with God and others.
    1. We’re not simply told, “don’t do this.”
    2. We are given instruction on how to stay faithful, how to learn from God, others.

You don’t have to become a wreck.
What can we do to stay faithful, to avoid the problems of immorality?

  1. Be willing to pay attention. (vv 1-2)
    1. Wisdom listens with the desire to practice truth.
    2. God wants us to listen to Him for our own good.
    3. Be aware of the dangers. (vv 3-6)
  2. The adulteress is mentioned although any sexual immorality could be addressed here.
    1. There is the danger of deceptive talk.
    2. “You’re so special, beautiful, attractive …”
    3. Think it through to “the end” (v 2)
  3. The imagination and the reality are two separate worlds.
    1. She is bitter as gall.
    2. “sharp as a double-edged sword.” (it will tear you up)
    3. Instead of a more satisfying life, your life goes down.
  4. Be aware of your environment. (vv 7-8)
    1. Do not go near the door of her house.
    2. Avoid putting yourself into temptation.
    3. Example: At work, don’t meet with another alone behind closed doors.
    4. Avoid people who pull you down.
    5. Be aware of your own thoughts, weaknesses (inner environment).
    6. Watch for “cycles of temptation” and plan ahead.
  5. Be aware of the consequences. (vv 9-14)
    1. Immorality and wrong relationships sap your energy. (v 9a)
    2. It takes time and energy from God and your family.
    3. Immorality costs you money. (v 10)
    4. The sex industry is after your morals and your money.
  6. It’s not just who you sleep with – it’s who you leave behind
    1. (there’s alimony and child support)
    2. Immorality fills you with regrets. (vv 11-14)
    3. “How I hated discipline.”
    4. “I would not obey or listen.”
    5. “I have come to the brink of ruin.”
  7. Be willing to love your spouse. (vv 15-20)
    1. Sexual expression is pictured as water (well, spring, stream).
    2. Protect what you have.
    3. Look at your husband, wife as God gift to you.
    4. Pornography, explicit movies cause you to compare your spouse downward.
    5. Allow yourself to be “captivated” by your spouse’s love
  8. Be willing to make things right. (vv 21-23)
    1. God knows – we can’t hide anything from Him.
    2. “A man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all his paths.” Proverbs 5:21
    3. If you’re in an addiction there is help.
    4. If you’re in a wrong relationship you can get out.

CONCLUSION:

August 31, 1997 it was tragic because it could have been avoided.

  1. A chauffer drove when he was completely drunk …
    1. What was he thinking?
  2. The paparazzi chased them down the road …
    1. What were they thinking?
  3. Princess Diana and her boyfriend were traveling 180 kilometers in an 80 km zone, but wore no seatbelts …
    1. What were they thinking?

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Staying Clean

April 13, 2008 by PastorMark.

Play now#308, Staying Clean, Pastor Mark Boucher, Sunday 04-13-2008

Text: Genesis 39:1-21

Theme: Do we walk in truth or lies?

INTRODUCTION - BLACK ICE:

  1. Joseph was a young man with a dream.
  2. The dream was tested when Joseph was sold as a slave.
  3. By God’s grace, he found himself in Potiphar’s house.
  4. Potiphar’s wife created some “black ice” for Joseph.
    1. She kept pressuring him.
    2. He appealed to her husband’s honor and trust.
    3. He appealed to God.
  5. All America has become a “danger zone”.
    1. The highway of life is dulled with black ice.
    2. How will we respond to the sexual faithfulness?

Do we walk in truth or lies?

TRUE OR FALSE TEST

  1. “Sex is not important” (false)
    1. “male and female He created them” Genesis 1:27
    2. Our bodies and sex were given by God.
    3. How we use our sexuality is a moral issue.
  2. We don’t own our bodies, as Christians.
    1. “God wants people to enjoy sex” (true)
    2. God wants people to enjoy fire.
  3. Fire makes us feel good (heat, cooking food); but the misuse of fire damages and destroys.
    1. The “safe place” of sex is marriage.
    2. “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral” Hebrews 13:4
  4. “God understands our struggles.” (true)
    1. “for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103:14
    2. We can go to Him with all our temptations.
    3. Jesus welcomed “sinners.”
    4. The prodigal son wasted His Father’s estate on sin and prostitutes, yet was welcomed home.
  5. “God is fine with our sexual immorality” (false)
    1. He commands sexual purity and faithfulness.
    2. “Flee from sexual immorality” 1 Corinthians 6:18
    3. We are called to mirror the character of God.
    4. God is a giver not a taker.
    5. He is faithful and pure.
    6. He commands us to change.
    7. “He who conceals his sins and does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
  6. “Sex is a need” (false)
    1. Sex is not a need (air, food, water).
    2. Sex is a drive, passion which can be controlled.
    3. Example: a School Board in Bisbee, Arizona gave out condoms in a “prom bag” to its students.
    4. This gives a false sense of security about condoms.
    5. Sends a degrading message about morality and self-control.
    6. Why do we teach and expect self-control in regard to drugs, drinking, anger, but with sex … “here’s a condom.”
  7. “Sex is fine as long as you love the other person.” (false)
    1. Jesus said, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love.”
    2. True love does what is best for the welfare of the other.
    3. If you cause them to sin are you acting in love?
  8. If you truly love your partner you will commit yourself to marriage.
    1. “God forgives sexual sin” (true)
    2. You can be forgiven and start over.
    3. But, don’t deceive yourself to think there are no consequences.
    4. Life gets complicated by sexual sin.
    5. God forgives but people don’t forget.
  9. “God honors faithfulness.” (true)
    1. What if Joseph had just given in?
    2. God exalted him.
    3. Dreams came true.

CONCLUSION:

Above all else Joseph valued the presence of God in his life.

“Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.”  1 Samuel 2:30

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