April 13, 2008 by PastorMark.

#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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April 13, 2008 by admin.

JOIN US TODAY

• WORSHIP and THE WORD at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM
  Nursery, 4s and 5s, Kids 4 Christ
  We will share in Communion this morning.
  Pastor Mark Boucher, “Staying Clean,” Genesis 39:1-21
• CHRISTIAN EDUCATION at 10:00 AM
  There are classes for all ages, including five adult electives.
• ALPHA COURSE at 3:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall
• SPECIAL EVENING SERVICE at 6:30 PM
  The African Fellowship will minister. Don’t miss this!

JOIN US THIS WEEK

• MONDAY 7:00 PM—Prayer
• TUESDAY 9:30 AM—Coffee Break Women’s Bible Study
  6:30 PM—ESL (English for All Nations)
  7:00 PM—Oh Lord, What is Your Vision for My Life?
  7:30 PM—Christian 12 Step
• WEDNESDAY 5:45 PM—A.L.I.V.E. Homeschoolers Prayer
  6:30 PM—FAMILY NIGHT
  Rainbows (girls & boys, 3 up to K)
  Girls Ministries (grades K-8)
  Royal Rangers (boys’ clubs, K-12)
  Impact Student Ministries
  Effective Personal Soul Winning
  Adult Bible Study (L.A.B.I.)—Eight Qualities of a Healthy Church
• THURSDAY 6:30 PM—Ladies’ Night Out Potluck Dinner
• SATURDAY 4:00 PM—Messianic Passover Seder
  7:00 PM—All-Church Prayer

ANNOUNCING

• THERE WILL BE A FAREWELL LUNCH for Cleavie McDonald this Wednesday, April 16, at noon at the Empire Gourmet restaurant on North Main Street in Leominster. Any women who would like to attend are invited. For more info, call Rita at 978-534-4742.
• THE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY will meet next Sunday, 1:00-3:00 PM in Pastor Mark’s office. You may contact Alice Stacy for more information.
• OUR NEXT ROTATION WEEK in the Interfaith Hospitality Net-work is April 27 through May 4. Can you volunteer to make or provide an evening meal or to be an onsite two-hour host or overnight host? Please sign up in the foyer today.
• THE ANNUAL CHURCH BUSINESS MEETING will be held Sunday, April 27, at 6:30 PM. All members are encouraged to attend.
• THE NEXT WATER BAPTISM SERVICE will be on Sunday, May 25, during the 6:30 PM service. Please fill out a blue application card from the Welcome Center if you desire to be baptized.
• SIGN UP CONTINUES FOR VBS! Complete and turn in a volunteer form at the Welcome Center. There will be a meeting for all volunteers on Monday, May 19. More details will be coming.
• ARE LIFE-CONTROLLING ADDICTIONS affecting your life or the life of someone you know. See the bulletin board for details about weekly meetings at the Coffee House or call 978-342-8637.
• THANK YOU to all who prayed for and helped my daughter and her family after they lost everything in a fire. God bless you! ~ Rosa Alicea Cruz

HOMETEAMS MEETING THIS WEEK

• Christians in Action (Proiettis)—Tuesday, 7:00 PM
• Branches of Messiah (Wheelers)—Wednesday, 6:30 PM
• YACC for Young Adults (Gardners)—Thursday, 6:30 PM
• Young Adult Discipleship (Bells)—Thursday, 6:45 PM
• Women of Faith (Telliers)—Friday, 10:00 AM
• Pick up directions at the Welcome Center. You are invited!

CHURCH LIBRARY

• The library, located next to the Youth Chapel, is open:
• Sunday: 10:00-11:00 AM, after second service, 6:00-6:30 PM
• Wednesday: 6:15-6:30 PM and after Family Night ministries

TAKE THE LAND OFFERINGS TO DATE

• Beginning Mortgage: $600,000
• 30-month Offerings Goal: $405,000
• 30-month Total $ Pledged: $217,604
• Offerings/Payments: $102,577
• Current Mortgage Balance: $497,423

NEEDS IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• A sister in Christ, Judy Trainque, needs help with light spring cleaning in her apartment. Please contact Judy or the church office.
• A young couple is in need of a place to live (studio, 1- or 2-bed-room apt.) in the immediate area—$400-$600/month rent. If you know of anything, please call the church office.
• A young man is in need of a job—any entry-level position, office related, data entry, customer service, or warehouse/light construction. Please call the church office.
• A family of six in the church is in great need of a car in good running condition at a low cost. Please call the church office.
• A 10-12 room house is needed for a spiritual renewal ministry. Will share vision/business plan with ministry-minded landlord. Please see or call Susan Laythe.

BULLETIN INSERTS

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April 13, 2008 by PastorMark.

Don’t be surprised when your faith is tested. King Jehoshaphat, early in his reign, dedicated himself and his kingdom to loving and serving God. Soon after, he was told that a vast army was marching against them. Their faith was shaken but not broken. King Jehoshaphat and the people sought God together, and the Spirit gave a word of the assurance of victory. The next morning as they advanced to meet the enemy, Jehoshaphat declared to the people, “Have faith in the Lord our God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful” (2 Chron. 20:20). Faith is sometimes difficult in a world where so many things can go wrong. But God knows our struggles, and He honors simple trust and obedience.

Pastor Mark Boucher

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