June 27, 2010 by PastorDave.

#388, Praise to God, Pastor David McIntosh, Sunday, 06-27-2010

Text: Psalm 67:3

Introduction

* Praise the Lord! Can you say that with me, praise the Lord!
* One of the most well spoken phrases in Christian circles is: “Praise the Lord”
* I “Googled” the phrase “praise the Lord” and got 4.4 million hits.
* Today we are going to look at Praise to God. How important it is, how powerful it is and how necessary it is.
* Psalm 67:3 – May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.
* The Psalmist desires that all the people’s praise God.

A. PRAISE

1. There are a few Hebrew root words for the English word praise.
2. In Psalm 67:3 the word for praise centers on the thought of giving thanks to God & making a confession of thanks to the name of the Lord.
3. Psalm 150:1 – Praise the Lord. This root word centers on a boast in the Lord, a boast in the radiant power of the Lord. We get Hallelujah from this root word as well.
4. Psalm 150: 6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.
5. So when we say praise the Lord, we are talking about giving thanks to the Lord, making a confession that we thank Him and who He is and what His name means to us. But also we are talking about making our boast in the Lord; He has done something mighty for us as individuals or as a body of believers.
6. Let’s take a minute right now and make a confession of praise and thanks for who He is and what He has done in our lives!

B. WE PRAISE HIM…

1. With Singing: Psalm 9:11 –Sing praises to the Lord, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.”
2. We are to sing praises for what He has done. We are called to sing to God. He wants us to!
3. With Musical Instruments: Psalm 33:2 – Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. (God wants us to sing and use instruments to praise Him)
4. This is why we have praise & worship and invite you to sing and clap and lift your hands.
5. Five Reasons found in 1 Peter 2:9 – But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
* He chose you (Jn.15 – you did not choose me, but I chose you)
* You are royalty (kings kid)
* You are holy (2 Timothy 1:9 – who has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.)
* He has purchased you (1 Cor. 6:19-20 – You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body)
* You live in the light (Jn. 1:4-5 – In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.)
6. Our praise is to be perpetual: Hebrews 13:5 – Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.
7. The Scripture gives us many reasons to “Praise the Lord.” To thank him, to make a confession of his Name, to boast in Him. To acknowledge that He has done mighty things in us, through us and for us. (Let’s  take a minute and praise Him now, again)

C. WE CONTINUE TO PRAISE…

1. In forgiveness (Isaiah 12:1) In that day you will say I will praise you, O Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.
2. For miracles (Luke 19:37) The whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen.
3. For souls saved (Acts 2:47) Praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

D. THE POWER OF PRAISE…

1. In 2 Chronicles there is an incredible story of a battle that took place between God’s people (Israel & King Jehoshaphat) and the nations of Moab & Ammon.
2. Or should I say an incredible battle that didn’t really happen because God’s people praised the Lord!
3. 2 Chron. 20:18- 26 – The Power of Praise:    (I need to turn and read NLT)

* V19 – The Levites stood to praise the Lord with a loud shout.
* V21 – The king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor (give thanks to the Lord for his love endures forever)
* V22 – At the moment they began to sing and give praise the Lord caused the enemy armies to fight among themselves.
* V24 – So when the armies of Judah arrived at the lookout point there were dead bodies lying on the ground
* V25 – There was so much plunder (equipment, clothing, valuables) it took three days to collect it all.
* V.26 – On the fourth day they gathered in the valley of blessing, which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the Lord there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today.
* Now that is the power of a community of believers praising the Lord in unity, in spirit and in truth.

CLOSE

* Praising the Lord can change our lives if we make it a real part of our everyday lives!
* There may be a battle here and there that we can avoid just by having a heart of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord!
* It will be ETERNAL: Revelation 7:12 – Amen praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen

Altar call of praise: All those that want to come and praise the Lord before we leave come to this altar, bring all your cares, fears, worries, doubts, troubles, blessings, testimonies, prayers requests and let’s praise the Lord together in song with instruments and loud voices!

Posted in Podcast, Sermons, Pastor David | Print | No Comments »

June 20, 2010 by PastorDave.

#387, Becoming an Incredible Dad, Pastor David McIntosh, Sunday, 06-20-2010

Text: Deuteronomy 6:4-7

• IntroductionThe year was 2003. This one dad was getting ready for a long trip that he would take because of his work. He was going to be away from home, his wife and kids for awhile.
• This man was the leader of his team at work and before they left he stopped and prayed for everyone on his crew. Someone on his team noted that in all their years working they never saw the leader pray for the crew.
• Well, this dad did not want his two children to miss daily devotions while he would be away for the 17 days. What he did was he recorded a daily devotion video for each of his children. Although this took a great deal of time out of his busy schedule he felt it a top priority. He never realized just how valuable they would become.
• Prov.27:1 – you do not know what a day may bring forth.
• On February 1, 2003, this dad whose name was Rick Husband, Commander Rick Husband was leading his crew on the space shuttle Columbia back into earth’s atmosphere when it just disintegrated. Rick Husband never made it back home he and the rest of the crew from Columbia were ushered into eternity.
• Commander Rick Husband, or should I say, dad Rick Husband had no idea how important those devotion video’s would be. They would be part of his legacy.
• If you were ushered into eternity today, I mean without a moment’s notice, what kind of legacy would you be leaving behind?

TRANSITION: How do we even begin to build a godly legacy? Well God has written out just what He expects from us in His Word, take a look.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 – You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home.

This passage reveals a threefold responsibility that the Lord gives to us:
* We must love God above and beyond anything else
* Treasure His Word in our hearts
* Pass on the faith diligently to our children

How can we begin to do this in our families? Here’s how we can begin: (thank P. John Barnett)
A. BY TALKING ABOUT GOD

1. God commands us to fill our homes with His Word.
2. Deuteronomy 6:7 – Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again.
3. God is telling us to talk about Him and what He has said. God says talk; not preach, scold, or pound into them, but talk about God, talk about what God says.
4. If we see God in everything so will they. But if God stays strictly at church, kids will departmentalize him right out of their lives.
5. Talk about God in all of life, social life, sports life, private life, recreation life everything, God is in everything!
6. John 1:2-3 – He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn’t make.
7. Talk about God to your kids, no matter what age they are. Talk about Jesus, talk about who He is, what He has done, what He means to your life and theirs.
8. Talk at the breakfast table or dinner table, talk at bed time, talk while driving in the car, take “walk talks,” get a plan to talk about God with your kids.
9. Take them out to eat and talk about God. Talking about God will eventually lead to reading the Bible to find out what God really says and thinks.
10. Talk about God inside of family traditions or activities (Christmas tree balls)

B. PRAY: WITH & for YOUR KIDS

1. Matthew 26:41 – Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak. (temptation is kept at bay by prayer)
2. Many dads’s have a good heart but are overcome by temptation.
3. Philippians 4:6 – Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.
4. We need to pray, about everything. With your kids, tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. (What do you need Jesus to do for you today?)
5. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Keep on praying. Prayer is not an event, but something you want to develop has a lifestyle with your kids.
6. Pray for, with, and in agreement with your kids. Pray for, you crying out for them, with; pray out loud with your kids there, in agreement with, listen to what is on their hearts and as they pray you agree in prayer.
7. If you really begin to talk about God, and pray you are well on your way. But there is one more thing a dad needs to do to grow into an incredible dad.

C. DON’T PROVOKE THEM TO ANGER (WRATH)

1. So far we have looked at two things to do. Our last one is something to avoid.
2. Ephesians 6:4 – And now a word to you fathers. Don’t make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord.  (do not provoke to wrath)
3. H. Norman Wright, in his book Winning Over Your Emotions, writes: “When we’re angry we might ridicule, get even with, laugh at, humiliate, shame, criticize, fight, crush, offend, or bully another person. All of these do very little to build relationships.”
4. Think of the damaged relationships that can occur when these actions are experienced with our children.
5. Our kids really have no way to defend themselves, they usually just absorb it all until they become angry and act on their anger.
6. Psalm 106:32-33 – At Meribah, too, they angered the Lord, causing Moses serious trouble. They made Moses angry, and he spoke foolishly.
7. Moses was suppose to speak to the rock to bring forth water, but instead he called the people rebels and raised his hand and struck the rock twice (Numbers 20)
8. Moses got angry and fueled by the anger, he spoke and acted.
9. Deuteronomy 32:51-52 – You broke faith with me…at the waters of Meribah. You failed to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel. So you will see the land from a distance, but you may not enter the land I am giving to the people…
10. Moses had good reason for his anger. He was angry because of FEAR, last time they were without water they wanted to stone him. FRUSTRATION, his sister Miriam had just died and he was frustrated with the people, and he was HURT, he had saved the people’s lives when God was ready to destroy them he interceded for them and they didn’t care about him.
11. Fear, Frustration & Hurt are times when anger can really show up and damage.
12. Colossians 3:21 – Fathers, don’t aggravate (provoke) your children. If you do, they will become discouraged and quit trying.
13. We can help relieve aggravation by: marital harmony (best we can given the circumstance we are in), taking time to talk with them, listen to them, praise them and spend time with them.

CONCLUSION

* We need to leave a legacy to the next generation. That generation needs to have relationships with men of this generation that will inspire them to want God in their lives.
* It begins with dads. A dad that will talk about God to his kids, a dad that will pray for and with his kids, and a dad that is careful not to aggravate his kids to wrath and anger is what I would call an incredible dad!
* A dad that is making an impact that will matter now and in the future.
* We want our children to live godly lives and love people.
* 2 Peter 1:5-8 in the New Living Translation gives a great road map to this destination.
* 2 Peter 1:5-8 (NLT) – Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurances leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone.
* A dad that can lead his kids to grow to be godly and love people is an incredible dad.
* We need to talk about God, pray, and be careful not to provoke our kids to anger.

PRAY: A call for all men to come forward for a group prayer & blessing on the men of our church.

Posted in Podcast, Sermons, Pastor David | Print | No Comments »

June 6, 2010 by PastorDave.

#386, Life By the Spirit, Pastor David McIntosh, Sunday, 06-06-2010

Text: Luke 4:1

Posted in Podcast, Sermons, Pastor David | Print | No Comments »

May 30, 2010 by PastorDave.

#385 Great Faith, Pastor David McIntosh, Sunday, 05-30-2010

Text: Matthew 15:21-28

Introduction

• Jesus’ ministry was all over Israel. One day while He was up in the northern region of Israel by the sea (Mediterranean Sea) is was called Tyre & Sidon. These we two port cities about 20 miles apart.
• Jesus was up in this region and a woman who lived in that area came up to Him and began to talk with Jesus.
• Now, what took place between Jesus and this lady has great significance for you and me today.
• I want to begin with the end of their encounter today. When they were finished with their encounter this is what Jesus declared:
• Matthew 15:19 – Woman you have great faith! Your request is granted.”
• That is why what took place between this local woman and Jesus matters to you and me today. What did she do or say that caused Jesus to declare that she had great faith.
• Another version says, “O woman great is thy faith!”

TRANSITION: I hope this has caught your spiritual attention today because what we have in these verses of Matthew 15 is an example of what great faith looks like to Jesus. And we also discover that this great faith caused Jesus to grant the request she asked Him.

FOCUS ON FAITH

1. Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (more about hoping in God’s promises than what we see happening with our own eyes)
2. James 2:17 – In the same way faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (it can die if we take no action at all)
3. Luke 17:5 – The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” (it can increase)
4. Jesus said, woman you have great faith! Your request is granted. Let’s see what this woman did that cause Jesus to declare her faith great.

READ MATTHEW 15:21-28

FAITH

1. V.22 – “She came to him” the first thing this woman did was she went to Jesus.
2. Great faith begins when someone (just as they are) decides I need to go to Jesus!
3. We usually do 100 things before we go to the Lord. First thing, bring it to Jesus!
4. Jesus made the first move and went to that region of Israel, and now that He was there and available, she went to him!
5. It is a good thing to believe in Jesus, but a greater thing to go to Jesus.
6. V.21 – she was a Canaanite woman. She was not of the commonwealth of Israel. As a matter of fact there was phrase used back in bible days, “Cursed be Canaan.”
7. This woman could not change who she was, she could only come in faith to Jesus!
8. V.22- Crying out Lord, Son of David have mercy on me. She cried out, this speaks of passion, urgency, desperation. She desired mercy. She called Him Lord, Son of David.
9. When Jesus rode in to Jerusalem on a donkey all the people cried out shouting; Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
10. This title (Son of David) was an outward evidence of an inward faith that Jesus was the Son of God, the promised Messiah, the Christ.
11. V.22 – My daughter is suffering terribly form demon-possession. The mercy she wanted was for the Lord to help someone else. Her daughter was in big trouble.
12. Her daughter was filled with the wrong spirits, not Holy Spirit.
13. 1 Peter 5:8 – Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
14. The enemy was devouring this Canaanite woman’s daughter and she came to Jesus, just as she was and cried out for mercy that her daughter would be released.
15. She is hungry, she is desperate, and she is passionate. What will Jesus do next? Is this the great faith?

UNEXPECTED RESPONSE

1. V.23 – Jesus did not answer a word. Wow, what do you do when Jesus says nothing?
2. Can you relate to this woman today? Have you poured out your request and cried for mercy and haven’t heard a word from the Lord? Then don’t give up yet, there is hope.
3. Remember faith is being sure of what we hope for and evidence of what we do not see!
4. The disciples get involved next. When they saw Jesus had nothing to say, they assumed they could read His mind. He wants nothing to do with her.
5. So they come to Jesus and urge him to send this woman away…why, what is she doing that causes them to urge Jesus? “She keeps crying out.”
6. Faith is crying out to God, great faith grows when we keep crying out to God!

JESUS ANSWERS

1. V.24 – I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel. Jesus tests her. He does not lie.
2. V.25- She comes and kneels before Jesus, Lord help me! She does not get into a debate with Jesus. She humbles herself and asks for help!
3. Great faith continues to humble itself and ask Jesus for help despite the situation.
4. Jesus statement disqualified her from getting help from Him, yet she continues to humbly ask for help. She does not try to qualify herself, she cries for help!

THE CRUSHING BLOW

1. So far we have a Canaanite woman who came to Jesus, crying out, believing He is the Christ, and asking for mercy, that Jesus would deliver her daughter from the work of the devil.
2. Jesus doesn’t say a word, his disciples urge him to send her away, she keeps crying out and finally Jesus speaks: I am not sent to anyone but the people of Israel, and she continues to humble herself and ask for help.
3. So now He will help right? This is it, here it comes, she has done enough.
4. V.26 – It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs. Jesus looks her in the eye and says it is not right to give the kid’s food to the dogs! He calls her a dog!
5. Jesus offends her! It is one thing when people offend us, but when Jesus does.
6. Matthew 11:6 – And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
7. John 6:61 – Does this offend you? (He asked his disciples after teaching them)
8. What happens when even the words of Jesus do not bring comfort or hope?

GREAT FAITH

1. What will be her response?  V.27 – Yes, Lord, she said.
2. Jesus called her a dog and she replied, yes Lord! Great faith requires great humility.
3. Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.
4. She received whatever Jesus had for her and said yes Lord; can you give this dog a crumb? (She had no idea how important her response was to what Jesus said)
5. Matthew 19, Jesus was having a conversation with another person, a well to do rich young ruler. He asked Jesus what he lacked. Jesus offended him as well.
6. He said, Sell all that you have, give to the poor and come follow me.
7. But the rich young ruler went away sad because he couldn’t receive it.
8. But Jesus looks at this Canaanite woman and I can see a big smile on his face, you have great faith, your request is granted!
9. Jesus was looking for great faith. A faith that will come to him no matter what has happened or who you are, a faith that will cry out for mercy, a faith that will not be shaken when they don’t hear right away from the Lord, a faith that will keep crying out and a faith that receives even a hard word from the Lord and a faith humble enough to ask for a crumb from the master’s table.

CLOSE

I close with Matthew 15:28b – Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted. And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Posted in Podcast, Sermons, Pastor David | Print | No Comments »

May 16, 2010 by PastorDave.

#384, There is Life in This Death, Pastor David McIntosh, Sunday 05-16-2010

Text: John 11

Introduction

• One of the greatest challenges of living a life committed to following Jesus is that His ways our higher than our ways. (and his thoughts are not our thoughts)
• God will often allow things to happen that we would never let happen if we were God.
• It is at these times that our faith gets really challenged. Do we still believe today what we believed yesterday, even though something incredible has happened?
• Did Joseph still believe the dream when he was thrown into prison?
• Did Daniel still believe when we was thrown into the lion’s den?
• Did the disciples still believe when Jesus was hanging on the cross?
• Believe = to think to be true, to be persuaded of, put confidence in.

TRANSITION: Even though the Lord allows difficult situations into our lives, even death at times, we can still believe Him and His Word!

A FRIEND IN NEED (John 11:1-6)

1. Jesus had friends when He walked around the countryside. Three of His closest were two sisters and a brother. The sisters were name Mary & Martha and their brother Lazarus.
2. V. 2 – we discover that Lazarus was sick. It had to be serious because Mary & Martha sent word to Jesus; “Lord, the one you love is sick.”
3. V.4 – we hear what we expect to hear from Jesus; “This sickness will not end in death. No it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
4. Praise God, we knew Jesus wouldn’t let anything happen! We knew He had a plan all along! I keep telling everyone just have faith like me and believe and Jesus will come though!
5. V.6 – Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.
6. Proclaiming that Lazarus wouldn’t die was just what I expected; staying away for two more days is NOT what I expected.
7. Why not just come and heal him, he is really, really sick, he won’t make two days!

WHEN GOD LETS THINGS DIE (John 11:11-16)

1. The first thing that happens next is confusion between Jesus and his disciples.
2. After the two days, Jesus says let’s go see our friend Lazarus, he has fallen asleep.
3. His disciples reply, well let’s let him sleep, he will get better then.
4. V.13 – “Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.”
5. Now let’s step back for a minute: V. 4 – This sickness will not end in death; V.14 – Lazarus is dead.
6. Wow, what is going on here? When things die in our lives that God said wouldn’t die, what do we do then?
7. John 11:14 – Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.
8. Jesus allows death into the situation because He wants to increase our belief in who Him, His Word and His promises!
9. Sometimes things have to die for our benefit.
10. Loving God, waiting on God, hoping in God, praising God when things are “dying” around us grows a deep faith, trust and belief in God that goes deep.
11. V.17 – On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for 4 days.

JESUS, MARTHA & MARY (John 11:21-37)    (read verse 21-27)

1. Martha told Jesus (v.21) that if he were only there Lazarus wouldn’t have died. But she did have faith because she told Jesus she knew God would give him whatever he asked.
2. V.23, Jesus declares this statement, “Your brother will rise again.”
3. But this didn’t faze Martha, because she knew that she would see him again in heaven.
4. John 11:25-26 – I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live; even though he dies…Do you believe this?
5. What is Jesus saying here? He wants Martha to understand that Jesus wasn’t preaching life, HE IS LIFE!
6. V.32 – Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. (Mary shares Martha’s sediments)
7. Experiencing all the weeping and mourning V.35 Jesus wept. Jesus has emotions and is compassionate and understandings the pain.
8. V.37 – Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?  (the people question)

REFLECTION

1. Jesus declared from the beginning (v.4) that this sickness would not end in death.
2. V.14 Jesus declared, “Lazarus is dead.”
3. Martha & Mary declare that if Jesus was there he wouldn’t have died. Jesus declares that He is life and Lazarus will rise again. People question couldn’t he have done something?
4. What are the things you are going through right now, that you know Jesus declared victory at the beginning, but as the days have moved on, death not life has shown itself and you find yourself saying, where is Jesus? Where is Jesus? If he would have been here none of this would have happened! (others are telling you to move on as well)

JUST BELIEVE

1. Jesus went to the grave, had the stone rolled away. Family & friends were concerned because there would be a bad odor, four days dead.
2. John 11:40 – Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?
3. V.42, Jesus prayed, Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
4. Jesus calls to Lazarus to come out and V.4 declares the dead man came out!

JESUS KNOWS

1. Jesus knows the beginning from the end and he knows what NEEDS to happen in our lives so that new strength and faith will grow inside of us.
2. The kind of strength that would enable us to run and walk without worrying about circumstances or situations.
3. What have you been waiting for? Getting out of debt? Waiting for that new job or opportunity? Focus your attention on His promises, and what he has declared to your situation….and wait.
4. John 20:24 – Stop doubting and believe.
5. Galatians 6:9 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

ALTAR

1. Call up altar workers, open the altars for prayer. Do you feel like something in your life has died, a dream is dead or dying. It seems like Jesus isn’t there.
2. Maybe Jesus said you will have victory and right now you are not.
3. Come and get prayer for the Lord to increase your faith and belief in Him and what he said. Come we want to agree with you in prayer for your victory even if it seems like it is dying!

Posted in Podcast, Sermons, Pastor David | Print | No Comments »

March 28, 2010 by PastorMark.

#383, Why the Tears?, Pastor Mark Boucher, Sunday, 03-28-2010

Text: Luke 19:37-44

Posted in Podcast, Sermons, Pastor Mark | Print | No Comments »

March 21, 2010 by PastorDave.

#382, The Challenge of Change, Pastor David McIntosh, Sunday 03-21-2010

Text:  1 Peter 5:5-11

Introduction

• Letting Christ … CHANGE… us! Well Jesus is surely changing us, Amen! (baptism is a public declaration of personal change…Jesus is my Lord)
• One day a young Jewish girl was living in Nazareth and an angel appeared to her and called her name, Mary… and everything would change.
• God allows change into our lives. Just the fact that it is change makes it a challenge, not necessarily bad, but a challenge.
• God has all of us right now, in the middle of a change. Whether we like or not change is a real part of life. Especially for those whose hearts are set on following Jesus Christ.

Transition: When “change” knocks at the door of a church what are some things we need to consider? I have four questions today that are answered by God in His Word. These answers that the Lord gives are for us. To guide us, teach us, comfort us and inspire us.
Here are the four questions that the Scriptures will answer for us today. (When “change is happening):

1. What should we wear?
2. What should we get rid of?
3. How should we act?
4. What should we look for?

FOR THE ANSWERS LET’S TURN TO 1 PETER 5:5-11

1. WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?
   1. 1 Peter 5:5 – All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
   2. God wants to pick out our clothes during this season of change. He chooses humility as the dress of the day.
   3. Humility: recognizing that in myself I am nothing and have nothing, and therefore, everything in life is a gift from God’s hand.
   4. This humility is certainly toward God but must be toward one another as well.
   5. Humility says we need each other during times of change, pride says I don’t really need other people, I can do it myself.
   6. “Humility is building life around God and others rather than around myself.”
   7. The choice of humility comes with a great reward…God’s grace. We will need God’s grace, Amen!!
   8. Grace: supernatural favor, power and desire to successfully carry out God’s perfect plan.
   9. V.6 – Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
   10. The word used here for “humble yourself” means to bring low, make oneself low.
   11. Let’s ask for humility right now.
2. WHAT SHOULD WE GET RID OF?
   1. 1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
   2. The Lord knows us very well. He knows that questions will arise. They always do in times of change or transition. These questions often lead to cares or anxiety.
   3. If we let anxiety take root we will be in big trouble. So the Holy Spirit gives us specific instructions; cast all your anxieties on him.
   4. It is not a sin to have questions & concerns and be a little uneasy when God starts changing things, but it is dangerous to let then turn into anxiety and let the anxiety rule the day.
   5. Whatever anxieties you may be experiencing right now I have a clear word from the Lord for you: Cast them on Jesus because He cares for you. (So let’s obey this right now together)
   6. Write it down on a card, collect using ushers, bring to the altar and cast them on Jesus!!
3. HOW SHOULD WE ACT?
   1. 1 Peter 5:8 – Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
   2. The enemy of our soul is prowling around. Especially during times of transition he is looking for someone to devour, someone to overwhelm with fear, anxiety & pride so they will give him and ear and hear his crafty (but false) perspective.
   3. So we are exhorted to be self controlled & alert.
   4. Self Control = rejecting wrong desires and doing what is right.
   5. “True self-control means willingness to resign the small for the sake of the great, the present for the sake of the future, the material for the sake of the spiritual, and that is what faith makes possible.”    -Hugh Black-
   6. Alert = being aware of what is taking place around me so that I can have a God response.
   7. The idea of alert presupposes that there are dangers. Our enemy is a master of deception (even to masquerade as an angel of light) & the father of lies.
   8. V.9 – Resist him, standing firm in the faith… (in faith we are self controlled & alert)
4. WHAT SHOULD WE LOOK FOR?    (Dismiss baptismal candidates)
   1. 1 Peter 5:10 – And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
   2. What do we look for? We desire the grace of God but we look for the God of all grace. We fix our eyes not just on the grace but on the God that gives the grace!
   3. In the book of Acts many changes were taking place in the lives of believers and the church. Word got out of a work happening where people were repenting and turning to the Lord so the church sent Barnabas (elder) to check it out. Here is the report:
   4. Acts 11:23 – When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.
   5. Hebrews 12:2 – Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

Conclusion: We put on humility, we cast of anxiety, we are self-controlled & alert and we fix our eyes on the God of all grace, who Jesus the author and finisher of our faith!! AMEN!!

Posted in Podcast, Sermons, Pastor David | Print | No Comments »

March 14, 2010 by PastorMark.

#381, God’s Word, My Word, Pastor Mark Boucher, Sunday 03-14-2010

Text:  Matthew 5:33-37

Posted in Podcast, Sermons, Pastor Mark | Print | No Comments »

February 28, 2010 by PastorMark.

#380, Fear Not, Pastor Mark Boucher, Sunday 02-28-2010

Text: John 14:1-6

Posted in Podcast, Sermons, Pastor Mark | Print | No Comments »

February 21, 2010 by PastorDave.

#379, Becoming an Effective Steward, Pastor David McIntosh, Sunday 02-21-2010

Text: Romans 14:12

Introduction

We have come to the last message in our series Letting Christ Change Us, connecting our vision with our values.
(Show the circles) We have come full circle I guess you could say as today we focus our attention on the call to effective stewardship.
Steward = one to whose care anything has been given, a manager, an administrator, guardian.
We are all stewards for the Lord. Each of us had been given a life, time, talents, gifts, abilities, money and possessions. God is the owner of all of these things and we are his managers, guardians, administrators.
Romans 14:12 – So then, each of us will give and account of himself to God.
There are 2,350 verses in the Bible on handling money & possessions.
There is one verse that helps explain why so many Christians struggle in this area of their walk with the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8-9 – For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
In the area of finances, possessions we do not think like God thinks, nor do our ways line up with God’s ways. So this is a delicate subject but one that must be preached.

TRANSITION: What I would like to do today is look at five key areas of our lives and see what God thinks and says about them in regards to being good stewards of God’s stuff.

WORK

1. Colossians 3:23-24 – Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men; since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
2. “Whatever” here means whatever! It doesn’t matter what you do as long as it is with all your heart. In work God isn’t looking at the what He is looking at the heart!
3. Do you see yourself everyday going to work for God or men? This will change how your work?
4. Our reward is not from men (our employer/boss) but God! We all work for the Lord!
5. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 – If a man will not work, he shall not eat. (Do you remember what happens in Genesis chapter 3? Man sins!)
6. Genesis 2:15 (before sin) – The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
7. Work is not sin or a curse! But part of God’s design for man to fulfill his purpose while he is here on this earth.

PERSPECTIVE

1. Philippians 4:11-13 – I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
2. The world around us teaches us that circumstances dictate action. But the apostle Paul wants us to see a different perspective.
3. Whatever the circumstances (in need or in plenty) if we are living by God’s principles we can do everything through the Lord!

DEBT

1. This is a touchy subject indeed, especially in our day. But we need to let God’s Word speak to every area of our lives.
2. Proverbs 22:7 – The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
3. 1 Corinthians 7:23 – You were bought at a price; do not become slaves to men.
4. The dictionary defines debt as money that a person is obligated to pay to another.
5. Debt puts us in the role of a servant or (according to 1 Cor.7) a type of slave.
6. The Bible does not say that debt is sin, but it discourages the use of debt as we can see from these previous verses.
7. There are two things that debt does that are dangerous.
I  Debt presumes upon tomorrow. When we get into debt we presume that we will earn enough or our jobs will continue for a long time and be profitable. James 4 says, you do not know what you life will be like tomorrow.
II Debt often denies God an Opportunity to show Himself Mighty. (Share story of young man who wanted to go to seminary to become a missionary. He had no money and would be $40,000 in debt on a loan but would never be able to pay it off on a missionary’s salary. So he enrolled without a loan and was amazed how God provided as he went to school & worked.
8. Romans 13:8 – Let no debt remain outstanding…(if we owe God expects us to pay)
9. Getting into debt (beyond a mortgage or well planned out financial decision that does not put undue stress on the budget) is usually a surface symptom of a deeper problem. Show the slide of the iceberg.
10. Before we move on let me say two things, consider a change of life style (used cars, second hand stores, local vacations, cooking at home) cut up credit cards; secondly DO NOT GIVE UP. You can do all things through Christ. Just have to be willing!!

GIVING

1. Acts 20:35 – “It is more blessed to give than to receive.
2. 1 Timothy 6:18-19 – Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
3. God is a giver and is looking for givers. Someone once said if you want to be sure that you are in control of your money and not the other way around; give it away to the Lord’s works!
4. The true test of giving is not what you give but what you have left after you give.

ETERNITY

1. Mark 8:36 – What good is it for a man, to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
2. More times than we care to admit, people choose the possessions & wealth of this world over following God’s ways.
3. Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21; Turn and read NIV)
a) V.19 – You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat drink and be merry.
b) V.20 – But God said, you fool! This very night your life will be demanded of you.
c) The rich fool was a fool not because he was rich, but rather his focus was on this life and taking it easy. God’s focus is on eternity.
d) V.21- Store up things for yourself but are you rich toward God?
4. “Take care of your body as though you will live forever; take care of your soul as if you will die tomorrow.”
5. Eternity is not a place for the things of this world; it is a place for the soul.
6. 1 Timothy 6:7 – For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it.
7. Our failure to view our life through God’s lens of eternity is a major hindrance to seeing our lives and our possessions in their true light. (don’t think 30 yrs from now think 30 million)

CLOSING

1. We started off by saying that God’s thought & ways are not ours. In the area of stewardship to allow His ways to lead us will bring great blessings in the end.
2. Matthew 6:20, 21 – Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
3. God wants every one of you to be storing up treasure in heaven. Now is the time when we do that.
4. Prayer for work, debt, getting Gods perspective with money, being a Godly giver or having an eternal perspective.

Posted in Podcast, Sermons, Pastor David | Print | No Comments »