tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315626669648809212024-03-05T20:17:07.254-08:00Anchor GaslampThis is a website dedicated to Anchor Gaslamp's Sermons and BlogsAnchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-11455703936196537332010-02-23T21:47:00.000-08:002010-02-23T21:50:01.335-08:00The 4 G's: God is Gracious<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwYZy1K45mbXP7RHcqorrG1SLBOfrPaWwnofcoU54T4ojD3WWByjD0tBaVjTphmcX95hxLypO69yChtSSvJzXrqvzpCmk50plhbi4pR3IBj79iISIrWVvaVfRwPCtKeCot8p0-gKyhXc/s1600-h/God+Is+3+Sm.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwYZy1K45mbXP7RHcqorrG1SLBOfrPaWwnofcoU54T4ojD3WWByjD0tBaVjTphmcX95hxLypO69yChtSSvJzXrqvzpCmk50plhbi4pR3IBj79iISIrWVvaVfRwPCtKeCot8p0-gKyhXc/s320/God+Is+3+Sm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441682820590385522" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />• We try to prove ourselves to ourselves<br />• We try to prove ourselves to others<br />• We try to prove ourselves to God<br /><br />• God is Gracious, so we don’t have to prove ourselves<br /><br />• All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can brag. Eph. 2:3-9 <br /><br />• What are some indicators that someone is not believing the truth that God is Gracious?<br /><br />• “Unless we understand what we deserve to get from God, then the gift of God’s son doesn’t seem that great.” Tim Chester<br /><br />• The payment for sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23<br /><br />• But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8<br /><br />• What would our lives look like if we truly believed that God is Gracious?Anchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-29199837698883671612010-02-23T21:46:00.001-08:002010-02-23T21:47:32.373-08:00The 4 G's: God is Good<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xB8EXjIUhouZk8PoIMyVf870leR1lJHfkdOE-4XkYpV0Jt7X5YwYzCVSuA8ihGaWPd1vi4cwBRYKpMu9qgeBCsXv7Mj4Dl4Qhyj2rQgJ68MFh8ntAk_Y84qaUSP10TYL-k1P48zFJR0/s1600-h/God+Is+3+Sm.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xB8EXjIUhouZk8PoIMyVf870leR1lJHfkdOE-4XkYpV0Jt7X5YwYzCVSuA8ihGaWPd1vi4cwBRYKpMu9qgeBCsXv7Mj4Dl4Qhyj2rQgJ68MFh8ntAk_Y84qaUSP10TYL-k1P48zFJR0/s320/God+Is+3+Sm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441682291223907666" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Recap from last week<br />• Head, Heart and Hands<br />• Behind every sin is a lie about God<br />• God is great – so I don’t have to be in control<br /><br />God is Good (outline)<br />I. I Need…<br />a. What needs do all humans have?<br />b. Why did God give us needs?<br /> i. To reveal his character (good) <br /><br /> ii. So that we would look to him to provide <br /><br />“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of heavenly lights” James 1:17<br /><br />I Tim 6:17 “17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. <br /><br />Do you believe that everything good you have comes from God? Even the air you breathe? Does it create in us a posture of thankfulness? Every meal, every sip of water, every breath, is an opportunity to remember that God is good.<br /><br /> iii. To remind us of our need for him <br /><br />“Ask and it will be given to you. Mt.7:7” <br />“You do not have because you do not ask God” James 4:2<br /><br /> iv. Our physical needs are signposts to a deeper spiritual need. Let’s read a story that illustrates this truth for us.<br /><br />II. Samaritan woman (John 4)<br />a. Read story<br />b. Questions<br /> i. Where was this woman going to for satisfaction? What was she looking for?<br /> ii. What was the result?<br /> iii. Where did Jesus point her to? (to himself, to worship the true God)<br /> iv. What does this teach us about God? (That he gives true satisfaction through Jesus) Jesus is the ultimate demonstration of God’s goodness. We have a need. God satisfies it.<br /> v. (God’s Spirit)<br /><br />III. God is Good, so we don’t need to look elsewhere for satisfaction.<br />a. Idolatry is when we turn a good thing into an ultimate thing<br /><br />1st Commandment: “Do not have any other God’s before me…You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God.” Ex. 20:3, 5. (Same Slide)<br /><br /> i. Sin arises when we desire something else more than we desire God.<br /> ii. In our hearts we worship what we desire rather than worshiping God <br /> iii. God is good VS What I desire is bigger and better than God, I believe it offers more than God offers<br /> iv. What is your “if only” statement? If only… I would be happy. Again, not all desires are bad, but when we turn a good thing into an ultimate thing, it becomes sin.<br /><br />What are some things we look to for satisfaction instead of believing that God is good, going to him and trusting his provision?<br /><br />What is the result?<br /><br />Why do we keep going back to those things?<br /><br />What would our lives look like if we truly believed that God is good, so we don’t have to look elsewhere for satisfaction?<br /><br /><br />God desired so much to be our satisfaction that Jesus sacrificed himself so that we could be brought near to God, and sent his very Spirit to live in us. Jesus Christ himself lives in us through his spirit. What else do we need?<br /><br />IV. God is good, but he is not a divine waiter…<br />a. True needs vs perceived needs (you do not receive because you do not ask rightly) <br />b. If I do not have this, God is not good. If this happens, God is not good…<br /> i. “God is not the key to the good life, he IS the good life… God must be desired for his own sake, not as the secret of worldly success.” – Tim Chester<br />1. Jesus says: I am the way the truth and the life.<br />2. Jesus says: I have come to give life, abundantly<br /> ii. Paul<br />2 Cor. 11:23-29 "23Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?"<br /><br />If we look in the following chapter, Paul continues on saying that in order that he wouldn't begin to think too highly of himself for persevering through all these trials, God gave him "a messenger from Satan"and, though Paul asked, God would not take it away. God's response was: 9"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." [And Paul Says] “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.”<br /><br />God's goodness was not dependent on his willingness to alleviate Paul's suffering, but was proved in his grace and his provision of strength to enable Paul to persevere. God did not offer Paul a comfortable life; he offered him Himself.<br /><br /> iii. “God always seeks the best for his people, and that best is himself. Famine, thirst, plagues and conflict are acts of divine love when their aim is to bring us back to God.”<br />1. Come to me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest.<br />2. I am the bread of life, the living water<br />Do you really believe that God Himself is Good? That He alone can truly satisfy the deepest longings of your soul? <br />Can you say with the psalmist, “As the dear pants for water, so my soul longs after you, Oh, Lord.”<br /><br />Are you drinking out of the toilet or out of the spring of living water?<br /><br /><br />V. God created us with needs so that we would look to him to fulfill them and so that he can show his goodness by satisfying those needs. His creation is a part of that provision, and he gives us good gifts to satisfy those needs. But ultimately, those physical needs and provision point us to our deeper need for God himself. Do you believe that God is good? That he has given you everything you need for life and godliness, as his word says? Or are you believing that his provision is not enough? That if you only had that boyfriend, that drug, that new TV, that perfect family, that prestigious job, you would be satisfied?<br /><br />What do you habitually go to in your life for satisfaction? Where is my discontent showing my lack of belief in the goodness of God?<br /><br />How do we change? I begin by confessing to God that I have not believed that he is good, but have believed that something else is better than he is and that he has not provided what I need. <br /><br />Repent in your heart and remind yourself that God is good. When that puff of marijuana is calling, when you are tempted to relieve your heartache through food, sex, money or alcohol, talk to yourself. Tell yourself that God is good, and that you don’t have to look elsewhere for satisfaction. And then do it! Go to him. And the more you do, the more you will be satisfied in him. <br /><br />Change is about enjoying the freedom from sin and delight in God that God gives to us through Jesus.Anchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-76428290300691337272010-02-23T21:44:00.000-08:002010-02-23T21:45:50.735-08:00The 4 G's: God is Glorious<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibrqmGLiw-Z3pa8PfdVjghjINat-RqnQoZ4YHAIY3bI8rMqpaTo9w0MuspIKcTAEI1-OVaHjqlKFEejrKxM4JxclKZjyGXR5LpfP1jYMeyx9DBfpwR8eWJqGBr8bZRrUhbKBPA27XOpA/s1600-h/God+Is+3+Sm.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibrqmGLiw-Z3pa8PfdVjghjINat-RqnQoZ4YHAIY3bI8rMqpaTo9w0MuspIKcTAEI1-OVaHjqlKFEejrKxM4JxclKZjyGXR5LpfP1jYMeyx9DBfpwR8eWJqGBr8bZRrUhbKBPA27XOpA/s320/God+Is+3+Sm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441681957931429874" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />1. God is Glorious: So we don’t have to fear others<br />(-)<br />What is Glory? (CROWD)<br />- The way something or someone truly is<br />- The source, <br />- The ultimate reality<br />- Jesus is the “glory” of God<br />- To Give glory to God is to say what’s true & ultimate reality about God<br />- To live for his glory…<br />- To manifest the hidden nature of something<br /><br />In Hebrew Glory = “Weight, heaviness”<br /><br />We sin because we crave the approval of people or fear their rejection<br /><br />We see their glory as more glorious than God… <br />Their opinion weighs more than God’s…<br />They matter more than God does to us… <br />(We don’t see ourselves thinking this way, but we do…all the time)<br /><br />We “Need” the acceptance of others<br /><br />When we do that, we’re controlled by them… <br /><br />The Bible’s term for this is ‘fear of man’.<br />(-)<br />Proverbs 21:39… the fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.<br />(-)<br />Where do we see this fear of man showing up in the Story of God?<br />- Adam & Eve<br />- Abraham (wife/sister)<br />- Moses<br />- Leah (never got the love of Jacob… so tried to through baring him children… listen to their names: Reuben “Now my husband will love me,” Simeon “Because God has heard I’m hated, he’s given me another,” Levi “THIS Time my husband will become attached to me,” and finally Judah “Now I will praise God.”<br /><br />(-)<br />What does the fear of man look like? (CROWD) (What do our actions look like when we need approval or fear rejection?)<br />- ‘Needing’ something from others<br />- Make fun of others?<br />- Working for approval? …or not working…? Lol!<br />- Hiding weaknesses<br />- Internalizing conflict<br />- Won’t or will say things for approval<br />- Build ministries for approval<br />- Susceptibility to peer pressure<br />(-)<br />What has the “fear of man” produced in your life? Heart?<br />- Self-hatred<br />- Self-doubt<br />- Disingenuous<br />- Pride<br />- Bitterness<br />- Inactivity<br />- Emotional Fluctuation (how they see me affects me & controls me) but our ID is supposed to be rooted in Christ <br />- Double-mindedness<br />- Needing More<br />- Over-committed<br />- Fear of exposure<br />- Embarrassment<br />- Lies & exaggerations to make self look good<br />- Comparisons to others<br />- People make us jealous, anxious, angry… control our emotions<br />- Resentment<br />- Withholding <br />- Avoid confrontation<br />- Craving approval<br />- Behave differently around certain people<br /><br />Who or What do you look to for approval?<br />They are who’s most glorious in our lives.<br />- When we need approval, we have to keep feeding it…it’s cyclical<br />- Regardless of how much we do, we’ll still feel unrest<br />- Often, If we feel accepted or approved, we’ll move on to someone else to get more approval<br />- Frustration with relationships because they cannot provide what we “need.”<br /><br />These are ALL results of not TRULY believing in our hearts that God is Glorious!<br /><br />-SELF ESTEEM-<br />So what do we do? What does our culture tell us to do?<br />(-)<br />We try to overcome this by building more self-esteem… but we become dependant on people or things to boost our self-esteem…like a drug<br /><br />Or we use the language of ‘need’. <br />We elevate good desires (for love, affirmation, respect) to needs without which we think we cannot be whole. <br />We talk about ‘needing’ the approval or acceptance of other people. But our true need is to glorify God and love other people.<br /><br />We need to see the Glorious One as the Glorious One<br /><br />Everything (including healing) starts with God, not us<br /><br />(Putting yourself in the center…boosting your self-esteem only increases the addiction to our false gods)<br /><br />We need to get our identity from God, not man!<br /><br />EXP: We see this right… <br /><br />The girl who gets her identity from that guy or that relationship… so she does anything (including putting up with abuse/neglect) she can to keep it going… we call this co-dependence in our culture<br /><br />Or the son desperately seeking his father’s approval <br />Or the girl who’s emotions are governed by the guy in her life…<br /><br />The teenager who gives in to peer pressure…<br /><br />You can even fall into the trap of believing God is not glorious in the name of religion! …<br /><br />[Anchor Gaslamp “Seeker Sensitive” Example… started with culture instead of the Gospel… Didn’t teach on things like giving – we didn’t want it to be a stumbling block to Christ…”<br /><br />Imagine if Jesus ministry was shaped like that…shaped by the fear of man<br />- He Would have never told people to leave their lives and sacrifice all to follow him<br />- He wouldn’t have gone into the temple kicking over tables<br />- He wouldn’t have had that pivotal moment when He said “I am the bread of Heaven…” “…Will you leave also…”]<br /><br />How do we get free from this cycle?<br />(-)<br />The answer to the ‘fear of man’ is the Fear of God.<br /><br />To fear God is to respect, worship, trust and submit to God.<br /><br />We need to grow our vision & view of God! <br />(This is why praise is so powerful… It reminds us of how Amazing God is…)<br /><br />To fear God is to respect, worship, trust and submit to God. <br />It is the proper response to his glory, holiness, power, love, goodness and wrath.<br /><br />Fear of God displaces the fear of man<br /><br />Isa 40:25 - "To whom will you compare me?<br /> Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.<br /><br />Ps. 27:1 – The Lord is my light… Who shall I fear?<br /><br />Whoever/ whatever it is that we fear… imagine them, then next to them imagine the Glorious God… how does that compare? Can they lay down their life, pick it up again & hand it to you? Can they form the universe?<br /><br />Why do we keep putting others before God? (CROWD?)<br />- Our belief has slipped <br />- Not finding our ID in Christ <br />- Not TRULY believing God is Glorious in our hearts<br />- We must remember how Glorious our God is!<br /><br />[[Do you realize how much of an offense that is to God (to stand next to anyone/anything and say “yeah…that’s more glorious than you God”) we need to start by admitting we realize how off we are, and repent… repent by focusing on God’s glory and asking him to give you a vision of Him that’s greater than anything else. It’s a form of idolatry…<br />- I’m only nice to you for your approval… means I’m using you…it’s sick. <br />- I don’t need their approval, so I treat others like crap…]]<br /><br />So we shouldn’t strive in any relationships w/ man or God. <br />We have our ID through Christ, so we walk in love without need of approval… we don’t work ourselves to death because God has already approved us!<br />(-)<br />Do you believe that the most glorious being in the universe is pleased w/ you because of what Christ did???<br /><br />My joy is not affected by people or circumstances, but it is SECURE in Christ…<br />(-)<br />If this is true, (that God is Ultimate Glory), how would that affect your heart?<br />- Giving<br />- Hospitality<br />- Loving freely<br />- Stable people…not double-minded or tossed about<br />- Authentic<br />- Interested in each other<br />- Easier to give God glory<br />How would it affect our community?<br />How would it affect our city?Anchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-26425394955516437702010-02-23T21:41:00.000-08:002010-02-23T21:44:06.160-08:00The 4 G's: God is Great<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRFmPYUx_-4C51hNj_MRVQlLFMhicfdrUTYs4dQeN0Fw70m-MhvG71OJMY_-3o9m-3CNikWjWgNZ5hEG-24UGUcDXgQvqijS-9UwFdT1BGXicn2aRE7dswQl5SMaocWXhohy7j4TpUFE/s1600-h/God+Is+3+Sm.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRFmPYUx_-4C51hNj_MRVQlLFMhicfdrUTYs4dQeN0Fw70m-MhvG71OJMY_-3o9m-3CNikWjWgNZ5hEG-24UGUcDXgQvqijS-9UwFdT1BGXicn2aRE7dswQl5SMaocWXhohy7j4TpUFE/s320/God+Is+3+Sm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441681287844738546" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />God is Great- so we don't have to be in control. <br /> <br /><br />God's greatness is a central part of what we know to be true about him. <br /><br />Psalm 145:3<br /><br />3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.<br /><br />No one can even understand or measure how Great God is.<br /><br />In the Story, where do we see that God is great? How does he show his greatness?<br /><br /> - the only one who does what is good, right and perfect<br /># Provides for needs before they arise<br /># Creates all<br /># Has authority over all<br /><br />His Greatness is Amazing! Yet it's also amazing how little it takes to make us doubt.<br /><br />Funny personal example: Someone waits through a green light when I'm 2 minutes late to work.<br /><br />Dialogue: What areas of your life do you find yourself wanting to control?? (everything, finances, future, time, impressions, friends)<br /><br />Think to yourself: What do you obsess over? What things do people do that drive you nuts? What do you fear? What makes you anxious?<br /><br />Dialogue: What kind of fruit does this produce??<br />(anxiety, stress, impatience, fear, worry)<br /><br /> <br /><br />You may say, "I believe God is in control." Is there fruit? Fruit that can bless others?<br /><br />We become : overbearing, inflexible, micromanagers, manipulative<br /><br />Not Letting God be King-- and reign in our lives<br /> <br />Don't fall to the temptation of wanting to be God<br /><br />Think of Genesis: Eve & Serpent… “God knows that when you eat of the fruit, you will be like God, knowing good & evil”<br /><br />Who was in control in this story? (wait for crowd response)<br /><br />God was. He set the rules. He is Omnipotent.<br /><br />Adam & Eve are attempting to be in control of their environment… They are disobedient … They realize they didn’t have control<br /><br />If you don’t trust God’s control, you will find yourself trying to take control of everything!<br /><br />Dialogue: If behind every sin is a lie we're believing about God, what is the lie we're believing in this case?<br /><br />We see it all throughout the story<br /><br />Abraham calling Sarah his "sister" instead of his wife--<br /><br />10 out of 12 Spies said, "We can't take the land." - The land that God had promised to give them.<br /><br />Sarah laughed when God said she would become pregnant.<br /><br />Jacob's story-- stole the birthright, deceived his way into getting the blessing, and then had to flee for his life. All trying to be God. <br /><br />But how many times a day do we see it in our own lives...<br /><br />“You’re great, but not great enough for this one…you need a little bit of my help God.”<br /><br />We must learn to rest in the fact that God is in control!<br /><br />To work in the rest of God… what is your heart’s posture… to rest knowing He’s doing the work, and we’re just putting our hands to it…<br /><br />Jesus modeled this… The perfect example of God’s Greatness<br /><br />Luke 12:22-31<br />Who of you, by worrying, can add even 1 hour to his life… Oh you of little faith… Don’t worry<br /><br />1 Cor 3:5-9<br />What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.<br /><br />The reason we worry & try to take control is because we do not truly believe (in our heart) that God is Great<br /><br /> Again, we may know it in our head, but not truly believe it in our hearts…<br /><br />But we must have ears to hear what our hearts are telling us! <br /><br />When you're stressed, anxious, worrisome, doubtful, impatient, etc--<br /><br />Who are you believing is great in that moment?<br /><br />Dialogue: So what do you do when you realize that you're not believing God is great?<br />(repent and confess faith)<br /><br /> We WALK by FAITH… faith is not mental assent… it is methodical, slow, pacing walk… “God, right now I’m not believing you are great… I’m going to take a step of faith and choose to believe in my heart that you are great!”<br /><br />Slow, methodical, back and forth of faith. Step-by-step, moment-by-moment during the day, we have the chance to walk by faith.Anchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-23326164476168767832010-02-23T21:36:00.000-08:002010-02-23T21:40:57.242-08:00The 4 G's: Intro<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CLCE8FRVI-OEzMkW0r91sVQkGGL0hwQ05ut1yS6ZSZqUZupJLKG_0eBHNPNUAfe7YLf2E8MwcHZp9-X9uRSHBbEmMybiee0NYiF044jLWbdTxI8htRHF5y-kngYdkhqQDJ2UIyW4fIc/s1600-h/God+Is+3+Sm.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CLCE8FRVI-OEzMkW0r91sVQkGGL0hwQ05ut1yS6ZSZqUZupJLKG_0eBHNPNUAfe7YLf2E8MwcHZp9-X9uRSHBbEmMybiee0NYiF044jLWbdTxI8htRHF5y-kngYdkhqQDJ2UIyW4fIc/s320/God+Is+3+Sm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441680688753106754" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The 4 G’s Intro <br /><br />How many of you can admit that you need God? <br />How many of you understand that Christ is always calling you to go a little higher, learn a little more, and change to be more like him?<br /><br />That’s the beauty of Jesus (he accepted everyone as they were, but He never left them that way… he was always calling them to change!<br /><br />Let’s lay the foundation here…<br /><br />(-)<br />Dialogue… “What does it mean to “believe?” - To understand something, agree with it & put it into action… to trust… to call something truth. <br /><br />Belief is something that occurs in the heart… the real you… <br /><br />The Heart is the “Seat of Emotions” in scripture<br /><br />[Exp: Different cultures use different body parts to describe the same thing… eyes, kidneys, & bowels…]<br /><br />Why do we do the things we do? <br />Where do evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, greed, hatred all come from? <br />Jesus gives us the answer:… <br />(-)<br />“For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean’.” (Mark 7:21-23)<br /><br />From within. Out of men’s hearts. From inside. <br /><br />According to the Bible, the source of all human behavior and emotions is the heart. <br />(-)<br />The root cause of my behavior is always, always my heart. <br /><br />What WE see is behavior and emotions, and it is easy to focus on changing behavior and emotions. (That’s what 99% of the self-help books out there propagate… “fix this action…heal this emotion”) <br /><br />But lasting change is only achieved by tackling the source of our emotions, words and behaviors: – the heart. <br />(-)<br />Jesus says it this way:<br />No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from brierpatches. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:43-45)<br /><br />Our Actions and Words and Emotions flow from our hearts!<br /><br />A lot of people like to blame other people or circumstances for their behavior…<br /><br />The truth is: Our struggles and temptations often trigger sin, but they do not cause our sin. <br /><br />The root cause is always my heart and its desires. <br /><br />WE choose how we respond to circumstances… <br />What determines those choices are the thinking and desires of our hearts.<br /><br />Most people do not see it this way though... <br />Think of the last time you were angry. <br />What made you angry? <br />We normally point to external factors: <br />- “They didn’t treat me with respect.” <br />- “Someone smashed my car.” <br />- “They never see it my way.” <br /><br />But James says what causes fights and quarrels are the desires that battle within (James 4:1-2). <br />External pressures always impact our behavior via our hearts. <br />We cannot blame our circumstances.<br />(-)<br />When tempted, no-one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:13-15)<br /><br />So don’t blame God for your failures.<br />Don’t blame your parents or your past.<br />Don’t blame people or circumstances.<br />Our struggle is one that takes place HERE…in our hearts…<br /><br />Our background can SHAPE our sinful responses, but the root is in our hearts…<br />- This guys may fly off the handle and start stomping his foot…<br />- This girl might choose the silent treatment and withdraw<br />- The expression of the anger may differ by upbringing<br />- BUT both rage and silence are anger and the root cause of that anger lies in our hearts.<br /><br />Example: Me - If you saw me studying in the morning at, reading my Bible or praying, you might think I’m a godly man! Wait till I’m walking to work and some guy in a car almost hits me, or my boss is having a bad day and treats me badly… You’ll see someone who is far from godly.<br /><br />I used to think of myself as the calm, prayerful man of the mornings, but I have come to realize the REAL me is the one a bit later on in the day… the person revealed when the sinful desires of my heart are exposed by frustrating circumstances and annoying people. The real me is revealed when I am too tired to keep up the pretence.<br /><br /><br />As we said before, the ‘heart’ in the Bible means more than the organ that pumps blood round the body. It refers to the inner person or my essential self.<br />(-)<br />The Heart includes your mind, will & emotions [this is why gospelling the heart is so powerful… we generally address people’s orthopraxy (their practices…they way they speak and live) & orthodoxy (their beliefs… what theology and doctrines they affirm)… not their heart-orthopathy]<br /><br />Rom. 10:10 – Belief is something that occurs within all you are… (not just your mind)<br /><br />If I look at some of the things that come out of my heart I must acknowledge that I am (in those things) an unbeliever…<br /><br />We act upon what we truly believe…<br /><br />“I believe God is in control!”<br /><br />Really??? Do you have Fear in your heart? Anxiety? Then do you really believe God is in control?<br /><br />In truth, Christian Spirituality is related to every point in your life. It’s impossible to separate our priorities in life from our faith. How we spend our time reveals what truth (or what lies) we believe within our hearts. We may try to divorce our faith from our finances, but God sees them as inseparable.<br /><br />(-)<br />The process of closing the gap between what you know in your head & believe in your heart is called sanctification… Becoming holistically Christ-centered & gospel-centered<br /><br />In other words, if you want to become more like Christ, you need to start allowing your heart to be changed deeply by truth so that it flows outward into your life!<br /><br /><br />The root of all our behavior and emotions is the heart – what it trusts and what it treasures. <br /><br />Humanity’s problem is futile thinking, darkened understanding and ignorant hearts (Ephesians 4:17-19). <br /><br />People are given over to sinful desires because ‘they exchanged the truth of God for a lie’ (Romans 1:24-25). <br /><br />We sin because we believe the lie that we are better off without God<br />- that His rule is oppressive, <br />- that we will be free without Him, <br />- that sin offers more than God provides. <br /><br />This is true of every sin and every negative emotion. <br />(-)<br />Behind every sin is a lie about God<br /><br />Not many people think of themselves as someone who believes lies! <br /><br />But every time we do not trust God or his word we are believing something else – and that something is always a lie. <br /><br />If I get angry when I get passed over for a promotion I feel I deserved it is because I do not trust God. I believe the lie that God is not in control or that his purposes for me are not good. <br /><br />If I overwork it is because I don’t trust God, perhaps because I believe the lie that I need to prove or justify myself. <br /><br />Whenever we are depressed or bitter, it is because we believe God is not being good to us or that he is not in control. <br />(-)<br />“Everything that does not come from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23). <br /><br />This is a radical view of sin. <br /><br />It means many of our negative emotions are symptoms of unbelief – the greatest sin and the root sin.<br /> <br />As Christians, many of us don’t think of ourselves as unbelievers…<br /><br />But when our lives don’t match our beliefs, we are unbelievers in those areas (not in the sense that we are bound for hell, but in the sense that there are areas of our lives that are still being brought under the rule & reign of King Jesus)<br /><br />The truth shall set you free<br /><br />Recognizing that behind every sin is a lie not only gives us a radical view of sin, it points us to the road out of sinful behavior and emotions: That road is trust in God.<br /><br />Behind every external thing that comes out of your hands & heart is a lie about God you are believing in your heart.<br /><br />Lust? I’m believing God’s plan is not good enough… That God is not Good enough… I’m even believing I’m more important than you… I lift myself up above God and the rest of His creation…<br /><br />When we try to stop sinning we aim for working on our behavior… we need to work on our beliefs<br /><br />We try to control sin by controlling behavior<br />(-)<br />“Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” (John 8:31-32)<br /><br />Just as lies about God lead to the slavery of sin, so the truth about God leads to freedom (Galatians 5:1, 13). <br /><br />The truth that sets us free is the gospel (“if you hold to my teaching”). <br /><br />Freedom is found in accepting that God is in control of our lives, that he is gracious and that he forgives those who come to him in faith (Titus 2:11-12). <br /><br />Ask yourself this… “What evidence is there in my life that I’m not believing the gospel at a heart level?”<br /><br />We all need to become preachers. <br /><br />We need to learn to preach to our own hearts. <br />(-)<br />The Psalmist says: “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”<br /><br />But to whom is he speaking? The answer is to himself… His innermost self<br />(-)<br />When we find ourselves tempted to sinful behavior or when we find our emotions are getting the better of us, we need to speak truth to ourselves.<br /><br />You do not have to be able to analyze your heart in detail. <br /><br />It’s the truth of the gospel that brings change. <br /><br />But it helps if you can identify the specific lies behind your sin and the corresponding truths that will set you free<br /><br />In this series we want to identify four life-changing truths about God that affect all of our actions and words and emotions in life. If you can allow these truths to become deeply rooted within your heart, and learn to apply them to the many circumstances you face everyday you will be changed.:<br />(-)<br />4 Truths about God<br /><br />God is Great – So we don’t have to be in control.<br />God is Glorious – So we don’t have to fear others.<br />God is Good - So we don’t have to look elsewhere for satisfaction. <br />God is Gracious - So we don’t have to prove ourselves.Anchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-13153641758074657842010-01-28T17:02:00.000-08:002010-01-28T17:06:58.321-08:00Way of the Cross pt. 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifASNrOqHq0R4IZoU_HEPbIocE4mLxjyt3ESXqU2lkTpXDKIeZwYVzwQ2fyvko65ZcC0zOTQ7cRVJSJUBYWUdUBd0XMIybmD3Vg2GQ2PzEmDDqrw23x45yHsT_51fkOaK6PZzqycmoML4/s1600-h/WOTCcutout.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifASNrOqHq0R4IZoU_HEPbIocE4mLxjyt3ESXqU2lkTpXDKIeZwYVzwQ2fyvko65ZcC0zOTQ7cRVJSJUBYWUdUBd0XMIybmD3Vg2GQ2PzEmDDqrw23x45yHsT_51fkOaK6PZzqycmoML4/s320/WOTCcutout.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431962015580337106" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sermon 3 – Power of the Resurrection</span><br /><br /><br />So we have the practice of the cross (sacrifice and service). We have the pattern of the cross and resurrection (suffering followed by glory). But then, of course, we have the power of the resurrection. We haven’t quite put the full picture in here. The NT talks in the most extraordinary way about the power that is ours through the resurrection. Because of time I don’t want to elaborate on that a whole lot, but just think of Ephesians 1:18-20,<br /><br /><blockquote>“8I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.”</blockquote><br /><br />Paul prays that we might know the incomparably great power that is ours in Christ, as it is the power of resurrection. There was Jesus lying in the tomb. Rotting flesh. And God reached down in power and pulled him back from death. That power is in you this morning. That’s astonishing, isn’t it? It’s kind of fizzing… I think of it fizzing through me. Like some super hero. Paul is writing to Ephesus, the center of cult activity. I think they felt the weight of evil and darkness around them. I can imagine that. Paul says, “You have God’s incomparably great power at work in you.”<br /><br />We don’t have time to elaborate, but also we have freedom. Because of the resurrection we have been set free from the power of sin and death. And we have life. We have resurrection life flowing through our veins. And all of that because we have the Spirit. The eschatological Spirit. That is, the role of the Spirit as Paul describes it in Ephesians 1 is to take the life of the age to come and make it real. Make it present for us. And so the Spirit is the empowering Spirit. The liberating Spirit. The life giving Spirit. We have the Spirit of resurrection. The Spirit who gives us resurrection life (Romans 8) so that we have power, freedom and life. But the experience of resurrection power, freedom and life is only half the picture. If you stop there your Christian discipleship will go seriously off course. <br /><br />What is the power for?<br /><br />Acts 1-4 <br /><br />[Power To Be Weak]<br />Let me show you four verses. <br /><blockquote>“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection.”</blockquote> Phillipians 3 <br /><blockquote>“He lives by God’s power. By God’s power we live with him.”</blockquote> 2 Corinthians 13.<blockquote> “We pray this in order that you might live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way, being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might.” </blockquote>Colossians 1.<br /><blockquote>“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline.” </blockquote> 2 Timothy 1:7 <br /><br />Let me go back to the first for a moment. I once saw an ad for a conference in a magazine, quoting those words. “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection.” That was across the top of the ad for the conference, and it promised a time of power and of victory. But that is only half the sentence, and it wasn’t meant to be read on its own. All those verses that we just read contain wonderful truths, and truths that we’ve really got to get into our hearts. Otherwise, we will give up. We will be defeatists. But they all go on, and this is how Philippians goes on, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” Interesting that it’s that way around. We’ll think a bit about that in a moment. Imagine if you had the second part on its own. Boy, you’d be in trouble, wouldn’t you?<br /><br />If we are called to the sharing in the fellowship of Christ’s suffering, and becoming like him in his death, we don’t have a hope of doing that unless we have power, a resurrection power. <br /><br />Ok, let’s carry on. <br />Here’s 2 Cor., <blockquote>“He was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power.” </blockquote><br />That’s the pattern of suffering followed by glory. <br /><blockquote>“Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we live with him to serve you.” </blockquote><br />See how that fits together? <br /><blockquote>“We pray this that we might be strengthened with God’s power according to his glorious might, so that you might have great endurance and patience.” </blockquote><br />He says, I long for you to have power and might so that you might have endurance and patience. <br /><blockquote>“God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline, so do not be ashamed to testify about our lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.” <br /></blockquote><br />So what have we got there? <br />We have power to love, power to serve, power to endure, power to suffer. <br />That is the language of NT power. <br />Resurrection power to be like Christ in his death. <br /><blockquote>“Power to be weak.” </blockquote><br />That’s my kind of headline. <br />That’s so counter-intuitive, isn’t it? <br />Power to be weak. <br />Power to endure. <br />Power to suffer. <br /><br />What does it mean when I say power to be weak? <br />I think first of all, it means laying aside our power, our rights, our status. <br />We become humbly, lowly, meek, gentle servants, slaves. <br />Servants of God and servants of others. <br />We no longer look to be served… <br />…but to serve and to give our lives for others. <br />We are no longer kind of jockeying for privilege and status and influence. <br />We esteem others as better than ourselves. <br />We put their interests above our own. <br />We die to self.<br /><br />For all of that, we need power that we might live that life of weakness. <br />And I think too, power to be weak means God uses our weakness, our frailty, our foolishness. <br />He doesn’t use superheroes, or superstars. <br />He uses ordinary, weak, fragile people like you and me. <br />And you need to GET a vision for that. <br />He does it so that his glory shines out through us. <br />“But the Lord said to me,” famous verse says, “my grace is sufficient for you. <br />For my power is made perfect in weakness. <br />Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”<br /><br />So we have power to be weak. <br />Then remember we have freedom. (resurrection freedom.) <br />There’s a good statement of freedom: “I am free and belong to no man.” <br />I’m just struck by how that could be a slogan of our age, couldn’t it? <br />I mean, that is the kind of motif of our culture. <br />I am free! <br />You are not the boss of me! <br />I am free and belong to no man. <br />Well, ok, that’s what Paul says, but let’s put it into context. <br />“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone to win as many as possible.” <br />In other words, we have freedom to serve. <br /><br />That’s what Paul in Galatians 5, isn’t it? <blockquote>“Do not use your freedom to indulge yourself but to serve one another in love.” </blockquote><br />What freedoms do you forgo in order to serve other Christians? <br />How are you adapting and changing for the sake of mission? <br />To whom are you a slave, that you might win them? <br /><br />The Moravians sold themselves into slavery to reach other slaves.<br /><br />So we have power to be weak, freedom to serve, and then we have life to die.<br /><br />[Hiddenness of Christ]<br /><br />Turn with me to Colossians 3. Before I do that, let me ask you a question. How does the NT most commonly describe what we refer to as the return of Christ? His appearing. His revelation. His manifestation. We’ve met it already in 1 Peter, “When Christ is revealed.” It does use the language of return, but not very much, actually. Mostly, it’s “when Christ is revealed.” Because, the pattern of suffering followed by glory, the cross followed by resurrection… That is the pattern, not only for Christian discipleship, but actually for the whole world. See, the cross is not only the great expression of divine love; it is also the great expression of human hatred, and sin, and rebellion. When we get the chance, we kill our creator. It reveals who we are. And so our world still lives as if it were under the cross. The cross still characterizes the world in which we live. A world in rebellion against God. A world that forsakes God. And a world that is cursed by God, that is forsaken by God.<br /><br />When you open a newspaper… See, Jesus says, “all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.” When you read your newspaper, is that what you see? Do you see a world under the authority of Christ? No. Of course not. You see a world characterized by the cross. A world of rebellion and hatred towards God. We live in a world waiting to be redeemed. A world that one day will be gloriously redeemed, liberated from its bondage to decay. But in the present it still is in bondage to decay. It still is cursed by God. It is still in rebellion against God. There is still that pattern of cross and resurrection, which is true for us, is true for Christ, is true for the world.<br /><br />Christ has been raised as Lord, but his lordship is a hidden lordship. His kingdom is a hidden kingdom. And we really need to rediscover that sense of hiddenness and look forward to the day of revelation.<br /><br />Let me read verses 1 to 4. <br /><blockquote>“1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”</blockquote><br /><br />So there you see that pattern. We are waiting for Christ to appear, for his glory to be revealed to the world. At the moment it is hidden from the world. But actually, that is true of us. We too have been given life. We have been given resurrection life, but, sorry to disappoint, but looking around the room there is not a lot of evidence of a resurrection body. Not like Jesus had. Some of you look pretty much subject to decay. You know what I mean? We’re not appearing in locked rooms. And actually, we are being sick and decaying. The resurrection life we have is not yet manifest in our bodies. It is a hidden life. That’s what Paul is saying. Your life is hidden with Christ, in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. There will be a day when your resurrection life will be apparent, when it will appear, when it will be manifest, but at the moment it is a hidden life. You can’t pick Christians out from a crowd. You can’t say, “Well that one obviously is a Christian, because they are kind of glowing a bit. Sort of floating over the ground with little halos over their heads. Or, the signs of aging haven’t struck them.” They’re not like Aragorn. You know Aragorn is 88 in the story because he’s not affected by aging. It’s not visibly apparent. It’s a hidden life. Ok?<br /><br />So how is it manifest? How do we see resurrection life at work? Well, let’s read the next verse. <br /><blockquote>“5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”</blockquote><br /><br />Put to death. We have life, to die. We have resurrection life. At the present it is a hidden life. One day it will be revealed in glory. But in the present, resurrection life is revealed now in the way of the cross, in a kind of hidden way. That’s kind of a contrary way, isn’t it? Life revealed in death. As you die to self, as you die to sin, resurrection life is revealed. <br /><br />[Resurrection Life Manifested]<br /><br />And that’s precisely what Paul says again in 2 Cor. 4:10-11.<br /><br /><blockquote>“10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.”</blockquote><br /><br />How is the life of Jesus revealed in our body? <br />It is as we carry around in our body the death of Jesus. <br />That means that our life is revealed as we live for the way of the cross. <br />But it also means that we live the way of the cross through the life of Jesus that is ours through the Spirit. <br /><br />We have the resurrection life to follow the way of the cross. <br />We need resurrection life to follow the way of the cross. <br /><br />We are called to serve, to suffer, to love, to die to self. How can we do that? <br />We can do that because we are given resurrection life…<br />…God’s incomparably great power. <br />And as we do it, we reveal Christ to people. <br />We have this treasure in jars of clay, as Paul describes it. <br />This all-surpassing power is from God, not from us. <br />You reveal Christ’s transforming power to people. <br />You reveal Christ’s cross to people. <br />You reveal Christ’s grace to people as we live the way of the cross. <br /><br />One day the skies will be filled with the glory of God. <br />One day everyone will see the resurrected glory of Jesus. <br />One day. <br />But already, resurrection glory is revealed in your home, in your street, in your workplace, in your school, as you follow the way of the cross. <br />As you deny yourself, serve others, and love the Lord Jesus.<br /><br />The churches that are growing are the persecuted churches because persecution forces you to decide whether you are going to follow the way of the cross or not. Because all the decisions are bound up in the choice to be a martyr. <br />So in some ways we’ve got a harder job because we’ve got to bring that way of looking at the world to our people in the context of affluence and ease and call them to the way of the cross and the way of sacrifice, the way of suffering followed by glory, in the hope of resurrection.<br /><br />[Promise of Resurrection]<br />All of this is done in the context of the promise of resurrection. “Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven rather than treasure on earth.” “Our labor is not in vain.” The whole 1 Cor. 15 where Paul talks about the resurrection. The climax to that is, “don’t lose heart, our labor is not in vain.” And then of course we have the Lord Jesus Christ… <br /><br />Hebrews 11 is showing the whole of the OT, saying that all these saints in the OT did what they did because they were looking forward. Hebrews defines faith as looking forward to what is to come, to glory. Moses gives up the pleasures of Egypt because he’s looking ahead. Egypt was the super power of the day. Moses was a son of Pharoah. He was the son of Mega Rich of his day. Just vast fortune. And he gives it all up because he’s looking ahead to the reward that Christ would give him. So there’s that pattern all the way through.<br /><br />The Egyptians thought they could take it with them. But they couldn’t. I know that because most of their wealth is now in the British museum. Moses made a good choice.<br /><br />And then it came to a climax, even when Jesus himself endures the cross for the joy set before him. Suffering followed by glory. Even Jesus is fixing his eyes on the joy that is to come. In order that he might endure the cross.<br /><br />I want to head back to the beginning because if I were doing this properly, this is what I would have started with, but I wanted to make this my climax. Because we talked about the practice of the cross, the pattern of cross and resurrection (suffering followed by glory) the power of resurrection and the weak. Then we end with the promise of resurrection. I am getting very susceptible to the power of alliteration, as you can see. I used to hate it, but there you are, all of us fall eventually. <br /><br />[Pardon of the Cross]<br /><br />All of this will crush you if you don’t begin with the pardon of the cross. <br />The humble confidence that we have because Christ has died for us. <br />And I know you want practical stuff for your life, but please, this is the most practical thing you can understand for your walk. <br />The most practical thing is to bring yourself back again and again to the cross and to the grace of God.<br /><br />The way of the cross will crush you if you don’t embrace the grace of the cross. <br />And not just then, back when you first went to God for forgiveness. <br />But day, by day, by day. <br />Every morning we need to wake up and say, there is now no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus. <br />We are great sinners, but we have a great savior in Jesus, in Christ.<br /><br />God does not merely tolerate us. <br />He delights in us. <br />In fact, we make him sing. <br />Zephaniah 3:17, <blockquote>“The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with his love. He will rejoice over you with singing.” </blockquote><br />We make God sing because he looks at us in Christ.<br />He looks at what Christ has done for us and what Christ has made us. <br />And he rejoices over us with singing.<br /><br />When you look into the face of God, what do you see? <br />When you pray, and you imagine God looking down on you, what do you imagine? <br />Do you see a frown? <br />You see a schoolmaster? <br />See a judge? <br />Or do you see a smile? <br />The Psalmist talks about the countenance of God looking down on us, smiling on us. <br />In Christ, God smiles upon us, and who can resist that smile?Anchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-9660509601951672072010-01-28T16:50:00.000-08:002010-01-28T16:55:22.667-08:00Way of the Cross pt.2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieO9ERW6jGEPdLZcQPxIgp-rnrqwldedrxJixuFMmA-HJkOuZuci-iGAfotiJaG2vZ0X-nbcacVu3kNYLArgD9aRopmCSToIqJ66bR7oYwMLaOg-tsfol6EZPWjcRiKXqNqREIPbfgM4/s1600-h/WOTCcutout.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieO9ERW6jGEPdLZcQPxIgp-rnrqwldedrxJixuFMmA-HJkOuZuci-iGAfotiJaG2vZ0X-nbcacVu3kNYLArgD9aRopmCSToIqJ66bR7oYwMLaOg-tsfol6EZPWjcRiKXqNqREIPbfgM4/s320/WOTCcutout.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431958718254771826" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />SERMON 2 “Pattern of the Cross”<br /><br />[Recap of Sermon 1]<br /><br />So that’s the practice of the cross, but I want to think now about the pattern of the cross and resurrection, and the summary for that is one of suffering followed by glory. <br /><br />[Mark’s Gospel] <br />Turn with me in your Bibles to Mark chapter 8. <br />We could go all sorts of places in Mark because I think these themes run right through Mark’s gospel. <br />In fact, all of Mark’s gospel is structured is around these themes. <br />This gospel begins with the gospel of Jesus, the Christ, the son of God. And the first half comes to a climax when Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ. And that’s because Christ has opened his eyes <br /><br />Mark 8:27-35<br /><br />Peter's Confession of Christ<br /><blockquote> 27Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?"<br /><br /> 28They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets."<br /><br /> 29"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"<br /> Peter answered, "You are the Christ."<br /><br />30 (And)m Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.<br /><br />31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. <br /><br />32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.<br /><br />33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."<br /><br /> 34Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life[b] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.</blockquote><br /><br />Peter hasn’t seen fully who Christ is. So immediately afterward Jesus said, “Ok, now that you’ve realized I’m the Christ let me tell you what kind of Christ I am. I am Christ who is going to suffer and then be glorified.” And Peter rebukes him because he doesn’t yet see what kind of a Christ Jesus is. <br /><br />Look with me to Mark chapter 10. In verse 35: <br />(James and John can’t even see it)<br /><blockquote>“35Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask." <br /> 36"What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. <br /> 37They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." <br /> 38"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?" </blockquote><br />In other words, James and John want glory, but they don’t want suffering. They want the glory of the resurrection, but they don’t want the way of the cross. <br /><br />And then Jesus goes on and talks about what it means to be a leader. If you want to be great you need to be a servant. You need to serve just as he came to serve and not to be served but to give his life as a ransom for many. <br /><br />They want the glory without the cross. They don’t see that there is a pattern of suffering followed by glory in the Christian life. <br /><br />We need to see this pattern of suffering followed by glory. <br /><br />The Message of the Cross is Hard to Understand/ Accept<br /><br />1 Cor 17-25Treasure in the Field<br /><br />John 13:12-17 (Read/Comment)<br />12 - When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. <br />13 - "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. <br />(Discuss – Peter’s not getting it!!!!)<br />14 - Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. <br />15 - I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. <br />16 - I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. <br />17 - Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.<br /><br />*Greatest calling in the Kingdom is that of a servant –<br />Not even Jesus was above it…<br />This is what we’re called to…<br />WOTC<br />Sacrifice, Service, Self-Denial, Submission, Suffering… Followed by Glory<br /><br />[Peter’s Narrative]<br />Peter finally starts getting it! <br />After hanging around Jesus for 3 1/2 years!<br />- Confesses Christ <br />- Rebukes him for talking about suffering<br />- Transfiguration “Build Monuments!”(Mk 9:12 – “Don’t ell anyone about this…I must suffer much and be rejected” – it’s almost like he wants them to remember this moment so they don’t lose faith in the face of suffering… suffering WILL be followed by glory )<br />- Foot Washing… (Peter still hasn’t gotten it)<br />- Over & over told by Jesus about His death & resurrection<br />- Denies Jesus<br />- Witnesses Jesus’ Passion, Crucifixion & Resurrection<br />- Nearly gives up on life<br />- Pardoned by Jesus<br />- Preaches and leads Church writes epistle (letter) to Christians… some of which are in persecution<br /><br /><br />Flip to 1 Peter because it’s everywhere in 1 Peter, really. Verse 3, <br /><blockquote>“3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”</blockquote><br /><br />So there we are. We have that hope, that glorious hope of resurrection glory, but first we have to suffer. Suffering followed by glory. And then look at verses 10 and 11: <br /><blockquote>“10Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.”<br /></blockquote><br />Then what happens in Peter is, we’ve looked more than once this weekend at chapter 2:11-12, where we are called to lead such good lives among the pagans that though they accuse you of doing wrong, they glorify God on the day he visits us. But then, this is how Peter unpacks that, talks about what that means for our relationship with authorities. Talks about what it means for slaves and their masters. Talks about what it means for wives, particularly wives whose husbands are not believers. Talks about what it means for husbands. Talks about what it means within the Christian community when there’s conflict. Now all of those sections are all structured around… well, let’s look at 2:21. He calls on the slaves to suffer for doing good. Verse 21: <blockquote>“21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22"He committed no sin, etc.” Then when he speaks to wives he says, “In the same way.” In the same way as what? In the same way as Christ. Husbands, in the same way. The cross is the model in all of those areas of conduct. <br /></blockquote><br />Now when we get to chapter 4, that then gets put in this context of suffering followed by glory. Verse 1 & 2 1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.<br /><br />The struggle with sin is also talked about in the beginning of chapter 4 in this way, but let’s pick it up in verse 12. “12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”<br /><br />You can rejoice in suffering because suffering is an evidence that you are united with Christ. And if you are united with Christ in his sufferings, then you can have confidence that you will be united with Christ in his glory. You see how that works? For Christ there was a pattern of suffering followed by glory. For his followers there is a pattern of suffering followed by glory.<br /><br />The way of the cross, in all that we’ve talked about, there’s five “S’s” followed by the glory and hope of the resurrection. It all then gets applied to leadership. Same themes going on there. Let me read verse 1 in Chapter 5. “1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:”<br />Same pattern again. But let’s speed on to verse 10, as Peter kind of sums it all up. <br />“10And 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. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 12With the help of Silas,[b] whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.”<br /><br />[True Grace v. False]<br /><br />Why has he written here? He’s written to say that this is the true grace of God. What is the true grace of God? Well it is what is just said in verses 10 and 11. That you are called to eternal glory after you have suffered a little while. This pattern of suffering followed by glory is the true grace of God. <br /><br />Now the reason Peter says that is that there are people who advocate a false grace of God. <br />And they are with us today. <br />People who don’t teach this pattern of suffering followed by glory. <br />People, who like James and John, want the glory now. <br />It is a false grace of God when Christians claim they can leave behind the struggle with sin and live a higher life, resting on God. <br />It is a false grace of God when Christians claim they can leave behind the struggles of sickness and full and unbroken health. <br />It is a false grace of God, when Christians claim they can leave behind the struggles of mission and claim victory over people and areas. <br />It is a false grace of God when Christians claim they can leave behind suffering and sacrifice and claim prosperity. <br />It is a false grace of God when Christians claim they can leave behind the hiddenness of God’s kingdom and complete the task of mission through grand buildings or political influence or dynamic strategies or global structures or charismatic personalities. <br />That is a false grace of God. <br />We are called to suffering followed by glory.<br /><br />Peter, as we said earlier, describes our trials as being for a little while. Paul says our troubles are light and momentary. Both Peter and Paul were imprisoned, probably martyred. They weren’t being flippant when they said these things. By our standards their trials were heavy and sustained. Yet Paul says they are light and momentary because he looked at them from the perspective of eternity. So he says, “So we do not lose heart, though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day, for our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary. But what is unseen is eternal.” <br /><br />(Romans 8:18)Anchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-931214039967994462010-01-28T16:41:00.000-08:002010-01-28T16:49:28.670-08:00Way of the Cross pt. 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRoNPwIjO5edigyuWAxMq6By3oHybEuTFOl7kKi15YxpP55Y5jqgkZJ5vxp5Gm_AGzKSnB6ahwbUsgfmHx1bmD0bvX4TnL6Ne_AiJMSLuoplC79gQ5JK_X6Bx2HLHEpRAy17ZtA9eDbc/s1600-h/WOTCcutout.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRoNPwIjO5edigyuWAxMq6By3oHybEuTFOl7kKi15YxpP55Y5jqgkZJ5vxp5Gm_AGzKSnB6ahwbUsgfmHx1bmD0bvX4TnL6Ne_AiJMSLuoplC79gQ5JK_X6Bx2HLHEpRAy17ZtA9eDbc/s320/WOTCcutout.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431957192947769842" border="0" /></a>
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<br /></h2><h2><i>SERMON 1 “Practice of the Cross” <span style="background: fuchsia none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></h2> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background: fuchsia none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--></span>
<br /><span style="background: fuchsia none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;"><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background: fuchsia none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Last series = Story of God<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><span style=""> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><span style=""></span>- Last episode we discussed the early church… people who’s lives were shaped by this story and the Gospel message who went out and turned the world upside down. (followed by ‘Reconciliation’…BIG project…impossible on our own)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText2">I’m convinced that if we are going to have any affect on the world around us, we can’t be content with being passive in our faith! We need to be people who’s lives have been radically reshaped by the gospel and the cross of Christ!<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><i><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <h1><i>AG History = “Don’t GO to Church; BE the Church”</i><span style="font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h1> <div style="border-style: none none solid; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;color:-moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >What kind of people do we need to be if we are going to “be the church?”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <h1>
<br /></h1><h1>Formula VS. Cross-shaped life<o:p></o:p></h1> <h1><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></h1> <h1>Norormally people desire a program for these kinds of things…<o:p></o:p></h1> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >“What are the 5 steps?” …etc.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >But what we are talking about here is being a community on mission together…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Having life-on-life transformational relationships…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >It’s in the context of that that we see change…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >We don’t have some magical formula…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >We don’t have a course we take people through<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >We don’t have a program that we implement<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >It’s about sharing life…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >And in the kind of day-to-day moments, talking through what it means to be the church, what it means to be a family of disciples that live on mission by living lives of service to everyone around them… …Christians and non-believers as well…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >It’s through the everyday life situations that real discipleship happens, not in sterile classrooms by digesting information… <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >BUT modeling and applied truth that happens from speaking the gospel in the context of daily life…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >What does that look like?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >What we’re going to give you in this series is a framework for living the gospel…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >We need to be people who are SHAPED by the cross and resurrection… <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >That’s it really… it’s as simple as that…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <div style="border-style: none none solid; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;color:-moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >That is so counter-cultural and even counter-intuitive}<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >When you look at church planting movements around the world, one of the common characteristics is that they are persecuted.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >So we’ve been thinking about that…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >What is the lesson that we learn from that?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >I’m not sure that the lesson is that we must be persecuted, or that we should go out and seek persecution…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >“I’m going to be a martyr!!! YEAAAAH!!!”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >But what persecution does is that it makes you a cross-centered people…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >When your decision to become a Christian potentially involves the decision to become a martyr, what does that do for your discipleship?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >See, in our Western culture we have this kind of incremental approach to discipleship:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" >-<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >You kind of get people in through your evangelism<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" >-<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Then you sort of start teaching them to pray and read the Bible<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" >-<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Then to serve in the local church<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" >-<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Then to witness to their friends<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" >-<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >We just kind of lump it up for them bit by bit<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" >-<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >We have this “Step by step” approach<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >If when you decide to become a Christian you make a decision potentially to be a martyr, all the other decisions are made…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >When you make THAT decision, you’ve already made the decisions about:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" >-<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >How you use your money<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" >-<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >How you use your time<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" >-<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >How you approach family life<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" >-<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >How you deal with friends that reject you<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" >-<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >ETC….<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >ALL those sorts of decisions are made, WHEN you make a decision to DIE<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Here’s the deal… <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >When Jesus did his altar-call, his altar-call was “Come and Die… Come take up your cross and follow me…”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Are you with us?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >I want us to get our heads around the idea that maybe we need to be calling people to die…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >To take up the Way of the Cross…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >So let’s dive into that…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <div style="border-style: none none solid; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;color:-moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Let’s think first of the PRACTICE of the Cross – <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >What does it look like to live a cross-centered life?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><i>“Sacrificial Service” </i></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >As we said when Jesus issues his call to conversion this is what he said in Luke 9:23 <i>“If anyone would come after me…deny themselves daily and take up their cross and follow me.”</i></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Following Jesus means following the Way of the Cross<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Later in Luke’s Gospel Jesus says <i>“…and anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me can not be my disciple!”</i></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >As we said that is a decision, potentially, for martyrdom.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >But actually the way that plays out in the life of Jesus and the teaching of Jesus, and even in that phrase there “To take up our cross daily” means that actually the Way of the Cross affects EVERY area of everyday life.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <h3><b></b></h3><blockquote><h3><b>Sacrifice<o:p></o:p></b></h3> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><b><i>Submission<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><b><i>Self-Denial<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><b><i>Service<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <h4>Suffering</h4></blockquote><h4><o:p></o:p></h4> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >What does it mean to follow the way of the cross?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >It means to have that same sacrificial love that Jesus had.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Think of the night he was betrayed… <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Rewind to earlier that evening at the last supper with his disciples…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >What does Jesus do, that so goes against what we think he should do?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >He washes the feet of his followers!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >John tells us he knows three things in that moment.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >He knew that his hour had come<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >He knew that all authority had been given to him<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >He knew that Judas would betray him<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >And then he went and knowing that, he washes his disciples feet!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Think of that!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >That just blows our excuses for not serving others out of the water, doesn’t it!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <h3>“I’ve got too much going on…I’m busy”<o:p></o:p></h3> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Jesus knew that <b>his hour had come</b></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >… <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText2">In other words he knew that he was about to be arrested, tried, beaten, crucified, separated from his Father…<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >In THAT Moment his first thought is serving his disciples<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >He knew that <b>all authority</b></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" > <b>had been given to him</b></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >(In fact, it says that He knew that all authority had been given to him SO he put on the towel and began washing…)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Peter describes it later (I think he’s alluding back to this) as the “Apron of humility” <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Then He knew that <b>Judas was going to betray Him </b></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <h1>Think of our excuses…<o:p></o:p></h1> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><i>“They always bring me down…”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><i>“They’re a waste of time… they never change…”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><i>“I’ve served them so many times and what do I get back?”</i></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><b><i></i></b></span></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><b><i>Sacrifice<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><b><i>Submission to the Will of the Father<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <h4>Self-Denial<o:p></o:p></h4> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><b><i>Service<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><b><i>Suffering</i></b></span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><b><i></i></b></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >One of the striking things about the NT is the way that it is constantly applying the Way of the Cross, to the way we are to live…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <div style="border-style: none none solid; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;color:-moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Whenever there is ethical teaching, the model is always the cross. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >So I don’t know if you have those bracelets that have become hugely popular in the last ten to twenty years… the wwjd, “what would jesus do” bracelets and that whole merchandising thing. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >We're thinking of doing some merchandising around <b>“WDIMTFTWOTC.”</b></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" > <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><i>“What does it mean to follow the way of the cross?”</i></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" > <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >The question we should be asking is not “what would jesus do?” but in this situation, what does it mean to follow the way of the cross?
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >(“<b>WOTC</b></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >”. That would be shorter. <i>“Way of the Cross.”</i></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" > }<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Just think about it. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Somebody wrongs me. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><i></i></span></p><blockquote><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><i>“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.”</i></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" > Eph. 4:32</span></blockquote><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Or you find yourself asking, “How will this affect me?” <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >This situation. “How will it affect ME?” <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><i><blockquote>“All of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus… He humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.” </blockquote></i></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText2">Your family asks why you haven’t pursued a career like other people. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyText2">You’re not successful! <o:p></o:p></p> <p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><i></i></span></p><blockquote><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><i>“May I never boast but in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.”</i></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" > Gal. 6</span></blockquote><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >What happens when I open my wallet? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Paul says, <i>“See that you accept the grace of giving…”</i></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" > <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >What is his standard for our giving? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Does he go back to the law, back to tithing? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >No, he says, <i><blockquote>“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you, through his poverty, might become rich.”</blockquote><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><i><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >What happens if you receive threatening phone calls for your allegiance to Christ? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><i><blockquote>“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the painful trials and suffering as though something strange were happening, but rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”</blockquote><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >What about when you find it difficult to get along with other Christians? <blockquote><i>“Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you.”</i></blockquote><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <h1>What happens when you get into a position of authority? <o:p></o:p></h1> <span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><blockquote>“<i>Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant. And whoever wants to be first must be a slave of all. For even the son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”</i></blockquote><i></i></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >What happens when we see Christians in need? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoBodyText"></p><blockquote>“This is how we know what love is. Jesus Christ laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”</blockquote><o:p></o:p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><b>So the measure again and again is the cross of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >What happens when you get home from a hard day at work, and you come home and your wife is tired, and she’s had enough of the kids, and you just want to slump in the chair. <i><blockquote>“Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”</blockquote></i></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" > <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div style="border-style: none none solid; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;color:-moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >There the model for marriage again is the cross.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: fuchsia none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >What I want you to see is that the way of the cross impacts the big life choices we make, but it also impacts our small daily decisions and actions. It really does include both martyrdom and loading the dishwasher, contextualized. In fact, there’s a sense in which every small act of service is preparation for martyrdom. Every act is a dying to self. A little dying to self. You see many of us, I suspect, think that we might do well with the big things. Many of us do Large things for Christ. Some of you will have left home and moved new places to be on mission. Some of you have changed careers to follow the call of Christ. But sometimes we don’t do so well in the small, everyday things.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >In fact, I just want you to think for a moment, <i>“what would it mean for me to follow the way of the cross in the next five minutes following this gathering?”</i></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" > <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Just think, <i>“How can I do self-sacrifice, submission, denial, suffering and service in the next five minutes?”</i></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" > <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >And then think, <i>“What would it mean for me in the next five hours?”</i></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" > Just sort of track your head in the day. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <h3>What about in the next five days? <o:p></o:p></h3> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><i>What is it going to mean for you when you after this gathering? <o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><i>How about in the next five months? <o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><i>What about in the next five years?</i></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" > <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >See what I’m saying? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >It impacts every day, every part of our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div style="border-style: none none solid; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;color:-moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->
<br /></span></p></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><b><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><b>[Treasure in the field]</b></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Let me tell you a story that Jesus once told. Jesus said the kingdom of God is a bit like this: A man was out working in the field and on his way home he stumbled across, something sort of poking out through the dirt, some treasure. So he goes home and finds out who this field belongs to. And when he discovers who it is, he goes and makes a deal and the price is high, so he sells everything he has. He had big yard sale, on a massive scale. And everyone thinks he’s crazy. He’s sort of smiling, giggling to himself as off goes the stereo, off goes the washing machine. <i>“What kind of fool is this?”</i></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" > everyone’s thinking, but he sold everything. He’s full of joy because he gets to buy the field and have the treasure. Jesus says, <i>“The kingdom of God is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field, and in his excitement he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.” <o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><i><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Notice he does that in joy, in excitement. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><b>He’s excited about this. <o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Giving everything up so that he could gain the treasure. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >In Christ we have a treasure that is worth selling everything to own. We have an inheritance that makes it worth giving up everything. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >We have Christ who is of infinite value. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Not only that, but when we see this…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" >-<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >When we see the value of Christ, <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" >-<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >When we see our wonderful inheritance, <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" >-<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >When we see him as the altogether lovely one, <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" >-<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >When he is our treasure, <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div style="border-style: none none solid; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;color:-moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" >-<span style=";font-family:";font-size:7pt;" > </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Then we will give everything up with excitement and joy.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: fuchsia none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >Paul says, <i><blockquote>“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish in order that I may gain Christ.”</blockquote></i></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" > <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >That’s the story of the man in the field, isn’t it? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >That’s the story of Paul, that’s the story of the man in the field.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><span style=""> </span>Paul says, <i>“I have sold everything to own this treasure. I count<span style=""> </span>everything loss that I may gain Christ.”</i></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><span style=""> </span><i> </i></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" >*You will reveal the value you put on Christ by what you are willing to risk and give up for him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;" ><b><i>Prayer & Discussion<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> Anchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-47739172514307328462010-01-28T10:08:00.000-08:002010-01-28T16:39:50.933-08:00Reconciliation<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyaHaYudoQ-XzOiffMGe5MdIfDbleBJEVoga_nqUnFBuZ9GOMrpyJMaJkyCO66iyslge6A3GEVZCH-wH57_nkUGrkuLCE6IRuWieVmzAdyzdqh43EDQd-wWJzXO5hKEawXGU_g03N3_I/s1600-h/Slide1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyaHaYudoQ-XzOiffMGe5MdIfDbleBJEVoga_nqUnFBuZ9GOMrpyJMaJkyCO66iyslge6A3GEVZCH-wH57_nkUGrkuLCE6IRuWieVmzAdyzdqh43EDQd-wWJzXO5hKEawXGU_g03N3_I/s320/Slide1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431897824483151394" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2 Cor 5:16-21</span><br /><blockquote>So from now on we don’t look at people like the world does (what they have or how they look). Though we once looked at Christ in this way, we do not any longer. Now we see that if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: Think of it! God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.<br /><br />So now we are Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.</blockquote><br /><br />God is busy reconciling Everything to Himself. From the Macro to Micro. From the furthest reaches of the Universe… to our lives… to the tiniest hidden parts of inner-space God has been at work for quite some time bringing about this massive project we call “reconciliation”<br /><br />What do you think of when you hear the word “reconcile”?<br />When we look at the story, where do we see this need to reconcile occur?<br />What is broken?<br />After this tragedy In the story, where do you see God first working reconciliation (Earliest to Latest)?<br />How? (Then What?)<br /><br />He Uses PEOPLE!!! Paul Points out that God has begun His reconciliation THROUGH His people… Through The Church “If anyone is in Christ they are a NEW CREATION”<br /><br />Interesting: who Jesus picked to be his band of world-changers… All pretty much Galilean (from the cities surrounding the Sea of Galilee) The basic Jewish mindset of the day was “Galilee is for losers!” When Jesus is talking to some Pharisees in John 7:52 – they say: <span style="font-style: italic;">‘No great “Men of God” have ever come from Galilee’</span> - Kind of a mean thing to say… The 12 he chooses are Mostly Fisherman… - Everyday people, Blue-collar workers, Small business owners. Andrew, Phillip, Bartholomew, Thaddeus, James the Less, James and John, and Peter are just ordinary fishermen *And it’s goes downhill from there. Thomas: a compulsive-doubter. Matthew: The tax collector. They were Shunned by Jewish society for their mistreatment of their own people. Simon the Zealot- A Roman Killer/ Insurrectionist/ murderer. Judas Iscariot: The disciple who later betrayed Jesus. Was the group’s treasurer and helped himself to their funds when he thought others weren’t looking. (Mark 3:19) *Not the guys I would have picked to carry on my life’s work.<br /><br />Jesus’ Inner Circle: - James and John are known as the sons of thunder because they were so self-righteous and proud they wanted to burn down the town of Samaria…just because - Peter the impetuous loudmouth who’s always screwing up and second-guessing himself…A Perpetual Failure!…And this is who Jesus gives the Keys of the Kingdom to and lead this band of ragamuffins after he passes off the scene.<br /><br />So from the very beginning we see Jesus choosing ordinary-scarred people to be the people he passes the torch to. And he says, “You Too Can Be My Disciple…”<br /><br />Most of us are no different today. We are ordinary. We are all scarred from sin. None of us is perfect. We all fall short. <span style="font-weight: bold;"> Yet He uses the imperfect to bring about His perfection… He uses those not fully-reconciled to bring about His Reconciliation.</span> He calls us “The Righteousness of God.” That’s hard to wrap your mind around… That turns conventional wisdom on it’s head!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I Cor 1:20-30 </span><br /><blockquote>“What happened to those wise people? What happened to those experts in the Scriptures? What happened to the ones who think they have all the answers? Didn't God show that the wisdom of this world is foolish? …God was wise and decided not to let the people of this world use their wisdom to learn about him. Even when God is foolish, he is wiser than everyone else, and even when God is weak, he is stronger than everyone else…My dear friends, remember what you were when God chose you. The people of this world didn't think that many of you were wise. Only a few of you were in places of power, and not many of you came from important families. But God chose the foolish things of this world to put the wise to shame. He chose the weak things of this world to put the powerful to shame. What the world thinks is worthless, useless, and nothing at all is what God has used to destroy what the world considers important…God did all this to keep anyone from bragging to him. You are God's children. He sent Christ Jesus to save us and to make us wise, acceptable, and holy. So if you want to brag, do what the Scriptures say and brag about the Lord.”</blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"> -Paul<span style="font-style: italic;"> (I Cor 1:20-30) </span><br /></div><br />This task of reconciliation is impossible for us For so many reasons…<br />1) It’s too big of a task! (Cure all diseases? Heal all relationships? Rearrange the cosmos? Love one person perfectly???)<br />2) We aren’t even fully-reconciled…etc.<br /><br />How is that possible???<br /><br />Because The Reconciliation begins with God… what Christ is doing within us… the resurrection applied BY His grace and through His Holy Spirit within our lives… As Peter says, “Once we were not a people, but now we are the people of God…” He called us! He chose us! He gave us our identity! He’s equipping us and enabling us for the task!<br /><br />What’s amazing about all this is that the pressures off us!<br /><blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">"The blessing of mission is ours while the burden of mission is God’s." -Jonathon Dodson </span></blockquote><br /><br />What’s that mean??? We can rest in the work... God’s is at work doing it already...<br /><br />But how does reconciliation occur with us? Salvation! “Salvation” is not a one time act but a life-long process! (unfortunately many Christians have relegated it to some prayer you pray one time, or some one-time act of conversion…) I think it’s amazing to have a moment of conversion, but salvation is a process…<br /><br />Salvation begins with our justification, continues with our sanctification and ends with our glorification… What that means is that salvation Begins with my response to God’s irresistibly gracious call upon my life, continues transforming me throughout my life, and finally ends as He calls me home to the resurrection life…<br /><blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">I’ve been saved from the penalty of sin, I’m being saved from the power of sin, and one day I’ll be saved from the presence of sin… </span></blockquote><br /><br />So let’s not limit Salvation to a term that simply describes who’s in and who’s out… Salvation is the work of a Sovereign God calling me to himself and changing me to become more like Him And what’s crazy is, I don’t! I don’t look like him!!! The point is God is at work reconciling us and has given us the job of reconciling our world… While we are still imperfect…<br /><br />We catch up to these same followers of Jesus 3 1/2 years later. 1 gave up! And gave out under a load of condemnation and ended his own life. Another betrayed Christ in a different way and pushed himself to the brink of insanity. (You could preach a whole sermon on that… They both –Peter & Judas- Betrayed Christ, but one gave up in His mess, and the other repented and fell at the feet of the savior) Many ran away and left their rabbi to suffer alone. They failed, questioned, doubted, wept, struggled, and fought. Eleven of them persevered. And when these disciples have gone through their maturing process for a while, and trials and temptations, they emerge as totally different people in the book of Acts… Still imperfect! Still Screwing things up, disagreeing, and walking in grace!<br /><br />Paul confronts Peter because of his hypocrisy (stops eating “unkosher” food he knew he had liberty to eat and had been eating with the gentiles because some legalistic Judaisers came into town). Paul and Barnabas, the great missionary team, split because they argue over John Mark They get into huge arguments about whether or not they should make everyman who follows Christ get circumcised like the Jews!<br /><br />Over and over again they fumble and screw up And over and over again they are forgiven and forgive one another and begin to see glimpses of God’s reconciliation and Kingdom Heroes ONLY because of Christ’s sacrifice And They’re turning their world upside down as a result!<br /><br />This rag-tag, motley crew of losers becomes the force that brings to its knees the single-most powerful empire this world has ever known. They have: No Superpowers or Greatness on their own. Just a bunch of issues, insecurities and failures…changing history... Not on their Merit, but because they opened themselves up to God’s reconciling work in their lives.<br /><br />Who are some imperfect people we see in The Story of God, that God uses inspite of their imperfections?<br />(How were they imperfect in the story and how did God use them?)<br />Adam & Eve: Ate of the tree, yet still received a promise from God - <br />Noah: Saved world then got drunk - <br />Abram: Stumbled at the promise of God - <br />Sarah: Laughed at God - <br />Moses: Doubted, struck the rock & couldn’t enter Promised Land - <br />Joshua: Didn’t drive out the idol worshippers of Promised Land - <br />Israel: Wavering & Worshipping False gods, Not following God’s commands for celebrations n Not taking care of those in need<br /><br />Look @ the list of Heroes of the Faith (from the beginning of the story to the end…in Hebrews 11<br />- Adulterers<br />- Drunkards<br />- Murderers<br />- Liars<br />- Prostitutes<br />- Beggars<br />- Kings<br />- Prophets<br />- And other ordinary radicals…<br />And this passage refers to them as: “Of whom the world was not worthy.”<br /><br />God wants to use you in your mess. To change the world around you. To be His hands and feet. To love that person who’s driving you crazy… To forgive that thing that was done to you so long ago… To begin to look beyond yourself and see the Kingdom in everyday life… To bring healing to a hurting friend… To see people and situations through the eyes of Jesus… To be sensitive to the leading of His voice… He’s not waiting for you to be perfect!<br /><br />It’s not about having it all together, It’s about giving the broken pieces you have to God and letting Him do with it as He will. Because when the Love and Grace of Christ grip your heart, it will mold you and shape you into a new creation So when we look at the areas of life that are broken,<br />- Relationships<br />- Disease<br />- Wars<br />- Politics<br />- Starvation<br />- My sinful nature<br />- This idol factory I call my heart<br />- The problems without me and within me WHEN we look, we see that God is working through us and in us to bring about this incredible plan of reconciliation… Reconciling Creation Reconciling Humanity Reconciling Ourselves<br /><br />Looks very similar to what we talk a lot about here…<br />Communion/ Community/ Commission Communion<br />- Reconciling ourselves Community<br />- Reconciling Humanity Commission<br />- Reconciling Creation<br /><br />We call this living an <span style="font-style: italic;">‘Incarnational Lifestyle.’</span> Taking this Gospel Word of reconciliation and Incarnating it… fleshing it out This is the work that God began, … that was continued through His chosen people, … that was made perfect in Christ … and is now declared through His church/body<br /><br />WHY do we seek to reconcile these things to God?<br />Identity: This is who we are in Christ (we already are, so now we live out of that! We don’t “do” to attain our identity)<br /><br />How do we “minister reconciliation” in each of these areas? What are some daily ideas?<br />Communion:<br />- Worship<br />- Word of God<br />- Prayer<br />- Sanctification<br />- Becoming like Christ<br />- Applying His Word to our lives<br />- Living grace-filled lives<br />- Growing in Maturity<br />- Living out our beliefs (faith in action)<br /><br />Community:<br />- Serving/ Blessing<br />- Caring/ Meeting Needs<br />- Listening/ Counseling<br />- Exhorting<br />- Confessing/Accountability<br />- Forgiving<br />- Modeling Christ<br />- Discipling<br />- Living as family<br /><br />Commission:<br />- Serving/ Blessing<br />- Caring/ Meeting Needs<br />- Engaging/ Transforming Culture<br />- Gospel Intentionality<br />- Caring for Nature/ Stewardship<br />- Loving our City<br />- Feeding/ Clothing/ Visiting<br />- Healing Sickness/ BrokennessAnchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-17259403280038587062009-07-19T19:34:00.000-07:002009-07-19T19:43:15.280-07:00Identity Crisis (pt 3): Apprentice Servants<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEbWsN6eMYv10i7MhqdZSV-5_qmTeyN0PQDpSSgaLJtAmnApaxtxC97IhL7dmaPoLboMjcwPpIsDSXo1jv48oniTHezV_jazsdiAcBjh_Sk6Q0ukblQGJf-YUdE3YFOU5Q4CVBT_2G9U/s1600-h/identitycrisislogo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEbWsN6eMYv10i7MhqdZSV-5_qmTeyN0PQDpSSgaLJtAmnApaxtxC97IhL7dmaPoLboMjcwPpIsDSXo1jv48oniTHezV_jazsdiAcBjh_Sk6Q0ukblQGJf-YUdE3YFOU5Q4CVBT_2G9U/s320/identitycrisislogo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360367363751434194" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Recap:</span><br /><br />Humanity is in an Identity Crisis, living far from the image we were created to be…<br />People all over have lost their connection with the source of life<br />Now they wonder around, looking to fulfill themselves in some way<br />People go through Identity crisis, trying to find their purposes<br /><br />Sometimes that identity crisis is reflected in peer pressures.<br />Who we are is decided by other people.<br />We do not decide who we are.<br />They decide who we are.<br />Whether we are "in" or "out" is determined by them.<br />And if "they" do not say "I" am in, "I" lose a sense of self.<br />Sometimes people make up lies and personas to seem cooler to others<br />(Exp: Documentary- John Holmes – 1st Superstar of the Adult Film Industry – Made up stories and personas till he believed his own lies…)<br /><br />Advertisers play on our identity crisis.<br />"Buy our product and you will find a new identity."<br />"Buy our product and you will know who you are."<br />“Make a statement to the whole world about who you are."<br />A large amount of buying occurs in our society because people are searching for fulfillment & identity.<br /><br />Is it possible that you’ve been trying to blend in with the world around you… or even the opposite – trying to stand out (be original) from the rest of the crowd, that you don’t know who you are at a core level?<br />…That you are defined by what’s around you or by what you believe is inside you, instead of who God made you?<br /><br />This series is seeking to answer 3 questions:<br />Who am I?<br />How did I get this identity?<br />What's it for -- Why am I here – What is my purpose?<br /><br />For that, as Christ-followers, we go to the Sacred Text…<br /><br />We don’t often find such resoundingly clear answers to all three questions in such a small space as we do in this text this morning.<br /><br />(1 Peter 2:9-10)<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."</span><br /><br />These 4:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Family</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ambassadors</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Servants</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Apprentices</span><br /><br />So far we’ve discussed the first 2:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. You are a chosen people. The “called out ones” (FAMILY) </span><br /><br />The Church is a Chosen People/ Family –<br />We are a new family with God as Father.<br />Imagine what our community will be like…<br />What this world could look like…<br />If everyone started seeing everyone else as family!<br />If everyone started treating one another like brothers & sisters, fathers and mothers.<br />If Familial Love defined all our relationships<br /><br />For more of that, tune into the Podcast…<br />Then we discussed our new Family Identity Statement:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anchor’s Family Identity Statement:</span><br />Family – <span style="font-style: italic;">We are all children of God who care for each other as a family.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. You are a royal priesthood. The Sent Ones (Ambassadors) Verse 9: "You are a ... royal priesthood."</span><br /><br />We are a royal priesthood that extends the message of reconciliation to the world.<br />We are ministers of reconciliation with the message of reconciliation.<br /><br />2 Corinthians 5:16-20<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. </span><br /><br />Do you know what this means?<br />This means you don’t need to try to stop your bad behaviors<br />You don’t need to stress out over changing yourself to be a better person<br />You don’t need to aim for your behaviors, you need to aim for your beliefs!<br />You need to begin to See God as He really is in His Gloriousness and His Sovereignty, His faithfulness, love and mercy…<br />And You need to begin to see yourself as He sees you…<br />As you Truly are,<br />…once you’ve come to Him,<br />…and Made him your King<br />…and turned from your ways to His,<br />…and taken on His name in Baptism<br />…and received His Spirit into your life<br />Once You’ve Given Him everything, You are a NEW CREATION… Everything in your past is Gone<br />(the good and bad, your failures and successes)<br />Everything in your Future is New and Gospel centered<br /><br />Also this verse points out how we, as priests, are God’s ambassadors, connecting a disconnected world to God.<br /><br />We do this through displaying God’s glory through our lives and words and actions<br /><br />You’re an ambassador<br /><br />Wake up each day… yeah we’re going to work/ school… but we are doing it with a different mindset<br />Say this with me:<br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">“I’m not here for my purposes, I’m here for God’s purposes”</span><br />That is my priority…<br />That’s the lens I see my life through…<br />That’s the “Jesus Way”…<br />What does He cry out in the garden as his time draws near?<br />“If it’s possible, let this cup of death pass from me…<br />Nevertheless, NOT MY WILL, But Your will be done…”<br /><br />So, as a family of Ambassadors seeking God’s will and seeking to reconcile people to God, we began to study the area God has sent us on mission.<br />We discussed San Diego, and many statistics and demographics… like the fact that SD is 11.4% Christian…<br />which is only about 3% more that Communist China!<br /><br />That God has sent you here, whether you know it or not… for a purpose… to show forth His praises<br />Let your very life paint a picture to glorify God<br /><br />Most importantly, we discussed that…<br />This is not some behavior we need to add to our life…<br />The Gospel Changes the entire way we live…<br />Not more activities, but an entirely different perspective on why we even do our activities…<br />Living “missionally” doesn’t mean we add a bunch more stuff to our lives…<br /><br />The Gospel has informed us of who we are in Christ and changed us.<br /><br />Now we do everyday things with Gospel intentionality<br /><br />When The Gospel gets into the heart of Who you are, it will be at the heart of everything you do…<br />Gospel Intentionality will be naturally flow out of your identity!<br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anchor’s Ambassador Identity Statement:</span><br />Ambassadors – <span style="font-style: italic;">We are sent by God to restore all things to Him through Jesus Christ.</span></span><br /><br />For more on that, check out the podcast…<br /><br />3. You are God's possession. Called to Equip & Be Equipped (Apprentices).<br />This is expressed twice. Verse 9: "You are . . . a people for God's own possession."<br /><br />The Church has been chosen by God;<br />He has shown us mercy and love<br />He has taken us to be his own possession.<br /><br />When God says (in 2 Cor. 6:16), "I will be their God and they will be my people (my possession)," what he means is that "I will dwell in them and walk among them." – John Piper<br /><br />You are chosen; you are shown love, mercy & grace; you are God's possession -- the ones he will walk among and reveal himself to in a personal relationship forever.<br /><br />We learn to walk in His ways… to walk with Him here<br />(This thing is about relationship, not man-made religion)<br /><br />Think about Israel and their wanderings…and Deuteronomy 6…<br />“You will be my people and I will be your God…”<br />Think about their history and idolatry…<br />How did Israel do at this one?<br />They never learned to walk in God’s ways!<br /><br />The church is called to learn Gods way’s (Apprentices) and teach them to others through words and actions<br /><br />The Church is called to equip for ministry and mission…<br />(Ephesians 4)<br /><br />Jesus said “Go into all the world and make… Choirs? Sunday Schools? Sunday Church Services? Disciples!<br /><br />God has called and gifted people in the church to not only use their gifts for works of service and ministry, but to equip others for works of service.<br />It’s Cyclical – We are always learning & teaching- EXP: Line leader<br /><br />The Body of Christ will be built up as each person serves and equips others to serve.<br />The Church doesn’t need more programs to do the work that people are called to do – the Church needs people to be faithful to their calling to develop and equip others.<br /><br />Apprenticeship/ Discipleship is not done on a Sunday.<br />THIS is not discipleship… this is a small part of it: teaching<br />Discipleship was never meant to be done in sterile teaching environments<br />Discipleship was a lifestyle…<br />It was a totally different method of learning…<br />You practically lived with your rabbi…<br />You not only heard their teachings, but saw their lifestyles<br />You saw their Mistakes<br />Respect wasn’t given because of Titles or positions or because people hid parts of themselves/ imperfections<br />(lived a separate life over here)<br />Respect was earned because of the authenticity of the life lived before the disciple – Raw Reality / Imperfection Personified<br />(Only God Deserves Glory right???)<br /><br />Discipleship occurs as we live this thing out in community…<br />As teaching and reading the word of God works its way from our minds down into our hearts and eventually into our words and actions…<br />Discipleship is life on life… incarnational ministry<br />It’s what happens as you see me living my life for God…<br />It creeps into every aspect of our lives…<br />It’s when you come over to my house & see how (imperfectly at times) Nancy & I handle our finances, & how we handle disagreements and how we correct our children..<br /><br />It happens when Tyson goes to Ian @ a DNA group and points out his anxiety over some issue and Ian asks him what he’s not believing to be true about God and gospels his heart…<br />Speaking the truth in love…<br />Creating a culture within our community where we are constantly bringing the truth of God’s gospel to bear on one another’s lives…<br />Constantly Loving, giving grace & mercy & reconciling<br />It happens when we model drinking in moderation to people around us, within & outside our community.<br /><br />We are constantly being equipped and equipping others for ministry and mission.<br />But it won’t happen if we are not intentional about it…<br />It won’t happen if we don’t realize our Identity as Apprentices and begin to live out of that Identity<br />(Otherwise it’s just movies, hanging out & playing church)<br /><br />This responsibility to make apprentices shouldn’t rest in institutions or programs… it needs to be placed back into the hands of the people who ARE the Church.<br /><br />We don’t go to Church. We are the Church<br /><br />As the early church, how did Discipling Happen?<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“Discipling was a model (not curriculum) of teaching and learning in the first century. It was distinct from other models of learning such as parenting or schooling. Western Christianity took the term discipleship to mean, “school” and thus lectured Jesus’ teachings and called it discipleship. When Jesus said, “make disciples” he was referring to a student who learned through a specific model (discipleship). The discipleship model made people the church and not material or events.” </span> -Dr. Jeffrey Garner<br /><br />Discipleship was a form of learning crafted by Greek Philosophers<br /><br />Sylvia Wilkey Collinson ((Theological Monographs, her doctoral research): Although Christian Faith Community holds this model of teaching in high esteem because it was the specific form favored by Jesus. However in present day church life, it appears the dominant models of teaching rarely include it. When people refer to teaching and learning they usually have in mind a schooling model. Protestant circles have largely ignored discipling as a method of teaching. (and thought if it as a curriculum or content).<br /><br />A disciple, then was an apprentice actively learning through the model of discipleship.<br />The notion that we can disciple people through lectures or classes or programs is Western and misses a large part of what Jesus was after.<br /><br />1. Food. Socrates practices discipling over meals.<br />- Eating together was a common motif in the early days of discipleship. E.g. “breaking of bread” and when Mary is “sitting at Jesus feet” (a Hebrew idiom for being discipled)<br />2. Peripatetic. Diogenes, the great discipler of the 4th century BC espoused three habits of discipleship that his famous student Crates developed:<br />- (1) Peripatetic. Diogenes took his disciple into itinerate tutelage. They traveled and learned as they walked.<br />- (2) They took on themselves a vow of poverty.<br />- (3) They were peacemakers.<br />- Jesus’ discipleship model uses all three of these features.<br />3. Storying and Narrative Theology. In this method Jesus departs from much of the Greek disciplers and adopts a pure Rabbinal method of discipling.<br />- Jesus teaches with stories.<br />- He is a masterful storyteller.<br />- Everything is communicated through stories or parables.<br />(CANT WAIT for Story of God!!!)<br />4. Incarnational Teaching. One’s life is an embodiment of the words and thoughts, teachings and sayings… Preaching the Gospel with your very lives<br /><br />1. Community. The teachings and words are digested in the context of community. Everything about discipleship is communal and not devotional. Its 2-3 gathered together, disciples (plural) not disciple (singlular), its doing life together.<br />- This is why entire households are converted and transformed in the first century.<br />- In fact, when Jesus calls his disciples he calls 5 of the twelve from a communal village, Bathsaida, which had no more than 150 people living in community together—Peter, James, John , Andrew and Philip.<br />- They ate together, worked together, dreamed together, prayed together, recreated together.<br />- In Acts they are doing everything together.<br />- The model of discipleship required togetherness in order for it to work.<br />2. Action/Reflection. The method of discipleship required working together toward a common goal or mission or activism.<br />- Jesus activity included feeding the poor (collecting money and giving it to poor people), healing the sick (miraculous signs and deliverances through prayer), advocating for the condemned (woman taken in the act of adultery), visiting prisoners, and preaching/teaching the good news of God’s Kingdom.<br />- He sent out his team to do this work and they all returned and reflected and learned from it. <br />3. Demonstration. Jesus would heal, deliver, feed, and teach them how to do it while he was doing it.<br />- Remember when Jesus said, “Who touched me?”<br />- Or when he cursed the fig tree?<br />- He was constantly teaching and demonstrating who he was and what his kingdom was about.<br />4. Serving. Remember Jesus washing his disciple feet and in this way teaching them that hierarchy was out and servitude was in.<br />5. Recreation. Jesus taught his greatest revelation, “Who do men say I am?” while he was on vacation with his disciples in Caesarea Philippi and it was the perfect location for his “Gates of Hell” field trip.<br />*Notice there is nothing here that remotely suggests Sunday services. This was life.<br /><br />What are we doing that can be called discipling? What are we doing that incorporates these features?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Attractional Church</span><br />This is the model that the Western Church has been using for years and years.<br />It has been a proven tool at bringing people in and leading people to Christ (in some cases).<br />But it has been unsuccessful at making disciples.<br />This model does well at creating time and space in people’s lives for God on weekly basis, but fails to provide a holistic approach to life and God and at the end of the day it creates an unhealthy dualism (sacred/secular; clergy/laity; spiritual/carnal).<br />Though it never says it explicitly the implications are everywhere: Church is a building.<br />Church is an event.<br />Discipleships cannot “become” in a world where church is an event and a building.<br />1. IS THIS MODEL WHAT JESUS ASKED US TO DO? (remember: eating, community, storying, etc.)<br />2. DOES THIS STRUCTURE SHAPE (TRAIN) PEOPLE INTO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP AND MISSION?<br />3. If Overseas Missionaries took this approach reaching unchurched people, would you feel it would be effective?<br /><br />It says things like, “Let’s go to church?” <br />Or Lets raise money for the church (i.e. building)?<br />Its passion is not disciples (except in the comprehension category), but not disciples in the sense of community, redemptive activism, eating together, incarnational (life-on-life) learning, etc.<br /><br />Missional Model<br />(Focused outward not inward/ God’s kingdom not ours)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anchor’s Apprentice Identity Statement:</span><br />Apprentice – <span style="font-style: italic;">We are Students of Jesus who take responsibility for our own development and the development of others.</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">As a young man Jesus grew in both height and wisdom. He learned from local religious teachers, by living in community, and through regular times of listening to God. Jesus called others to follow his ways, to be his disciples and live in obedience to all that God commands. He then sent these followers out to make new disciples. We believe we are also called to be followers of Jesus who take responsibility for our own development and the development of others. This includes both our personal time with God as well as involvement together in training provided by spiritual leadership.</span><br />(Luke 2:52; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11-13; 2 Timothy 2:2)<br /><br />What does it mean for the people who are the Church to be the Learners and Equippers of the Saints?<br /><br />“For the people in the missional church, missions is more centered in “being and doing” than “sending and supporting”. The missional church understands that although some may be supported as those sent to other locations, every member of the church is “sent”. Mission is therefore participative rather than simply representative.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. You are holy nation. The destined ones (Sanctified Servants)</span><br />Verse 9: "You are a . . . holy nation."<br /><br />(Sanctified Servants)<br /><br />You have begun to find your identity…<br />Not within yourself<br />Not within the culture<br />Not within the opinions of everyone around you or the voices that influence your life…<br />But you find your identity in God<br /><br />You are not merely part of the world any more.<br />You are set apart for God.<br />You exist for God.<br />(That’s What it means to be sanctified…holy…)<br />And since God is holy, you are holy.<br />You share his character, because he chose you,<br />He loved you,<br />He had mercy on you, and gave you grace.<br />He filled you with His Holy Spirit<br />You are holy.<br /><br />If you do not act in a holy way, you act out of character.<br />You contradict your essence as a Christian.<br />Why???<br />Because your identity is holiness to the Lord: you are holy.<br />Again, Not by something you’ve Done, but by something that was done for you!<br /><br />Again, this is a corporate identity…<br />It has both individual and corporate ramifications…<br />We are a “holy nation”<br />…that is an alternative nation among nations…<br />A city within a city…<br />To give a foretaste / preview of what the eternal city will be like under the rule and reign of Jesus Christ.<br /><br />We belong to God and exist to bring Him glory.<br /><br />Israel was called to be a set apart people – a Holy Nation…<br />To show God’s ways to the world…<br /><br />Looking at Israel’s History, their kings and idolatry and drive to be like the other nations around them…<br />How would you say they did at that job?<br /><br />So Jesus Comes announcing the Kingdom is here<br />In the New Testament we see that it’s available for EVERYONE<br />This Kingdom is Already AND Not Yet (Consider Matthew’s Gospel)<br />It’s here now but not fully realized yet…<br />The Church (Say “that’s us”) is a City on a Hill<br />The currency in this Kingdom is Love.<br />Love was expressed in Servanthood and Sacrifice.<br /><br />Look at Jesus Example:<br /><br />John 13<br /><br />1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.<br />2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.<br /><br />Jesus, In the HEIGHT of His power…<br />knowing that the “Father had put all things under His power”…<br />Does what???<br />What does power look like in the family of God?<br /><br />He takes on the role of a servant – a slave – and humbles himself by ministering to those who He knew would run away, deny him, and betray Him<br />(He washes Judas’ Feet! His Betrayer!)–<br />How can we do anything else!!!<br />He didn’t just talk about loving your enemies, he lived it!<br /><br />In the family of God, we are at our best when we are at our lowest<br />When we serve one another<br />When we could seek revenge, we humble ourselves<br />When we have power over someone because we have privileged info about them, we choose to let it die within us<br />When someone is out of line, we humble ourselves and give them grace and mercy<br />When people say all manner of things against us and accuse us falsely, we forgive…. Even if they don’t say sorry!<br /><br />We bathe the dirt off the homeless man’s feet<br />We give… give to the needs of our community instead of our excess<br />We make ourselves available when people have needs<br />- When people are moving<br />- When people need a job<br />- When people need help<br /><br />We go out of our way to serve one another as Christ did<br /><br />When I got my Ministerial License they told me, “Welcome to your official Demotion… You’re now a licensed Servant…<br />You just stepped to a lower position on the Totem Pole<br />There’s no glamour in ministry…<br />There’s only a deeper walk with God as we learn more about Him by identifying with His ministry as we Humble ourselves and endure suffering for His sake…<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anchor’s Servant Identity Statement:</span><br />Servants – <span style="font-style: italic;">We are servants who serve Him as we serve others around us.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fully God–fully human, Jesus took on the posture of a servant. He gave his life, even unto death, so that others could experience salvation, peace and restoration. Jesus said, “I am among you as one who serves…” All those who follow Jesus are called to serve in the same humility. For us this means joyful submitting to God, leadership and to each other, as we serve whoever God brings into our lives. We do Whatever He leads us to do, Whenever He tells us and Wherever He wants us to do it (W3).</span><br />(Matthew 20:25-28; 25:31-46; John 13:1-17; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Peter 2:16)<br /><br />What does it mean for the Church to be the Servants of God<br /><br />We are a family on mission sent by God to serve our world…<br /><br />As we have gone through this series, we’ve learned how to live the cross-centered life…<br />understanding that the highest calling – the only calling - in the Kingdom and the family of Christ is the calling to suffer and die…<br />To die out to self and old ways…<br />And begin living a new, abundant life, centered around God and Others…<br /><br />I have news for you… This is impossible!<br />It’s impossible to do on your own<br />It’s impossible without Full and utter dependence on God<br />That’s why you must die out to self (Daily as Paul says) and learn to live a resurrected life centered on the cross – Where all you do is empowered by Christ and informed by the gospel<br /><br />Paul says it beautifully in Galatians 2:20<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“I have been nailed to the cross with Christ. I have died, but Christ lives in me. And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me.”</span>Anchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-1436710141204944082009-07-19T19:23:00.000-07:002009-07-19T19:34:14.099-07:00Identity Crisis (pt 2): A Family of Ambassadors<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdIaS8k_1v1Ub5DQ1tmPSwm8SPFduS0ObzoyR3TOVA3B2VYDzFzDbPz4rcci4EWEJgoSQsgWRFSUoSVZZxexOoIlfpH-iqpEts_sPWZctKklSy-4jTgwyiq9xwx-I9u8pLlNzgn6515Q/s1600-h/identitycrisislogo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdIaS8k_1v1Ub5DQ1tmPSwm8SPFduS0ObzoyR3TOVA3B2VYDzFzDbPz4rcci4EWEJgoSQsgWRFSUoSVZZxexOoIlfpH-iqpEts_sPWZctKklSy-4jTgwyiq9xwx-I9u8pLlNzgn6515Q/s320/identitycrisislogo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360365024168969378" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Recap:</span><br /><br />This series is seeking to answer 3 questions:<br />Who am I?<br />How did I get this identity?<br />What's it for -- Why am I here – What is my purpose?<br /><br />Last week we discussed the human Identity crisis….<br /><br />The fact that many people seek to find their identity in places other than Christ.<br /><br />Most people look for their identity by attempting to blend into the world … or stand out from the crowd around them.<br /><br />They believe the lies of the culture that being “this way”… or doing “these things”… will bring satisfaction… will give your life meaning<br /><br />Many of us are defined by what’s around us or by what we believe is inside us, instead of who God made us?<br /><br />I remember hearing a story about the famous artist, Michelangelo:<br /><br />When the he was once asked the secret of his masterful sculpturing, Michelangelo said, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.”<br />Application…<br />God has planted his own image within us (Imago Dei)<br />He has given us an Identity…<br /><br />What does it take to free that so we stop seeing ourselves as blocks of stone, and begin realizing who God has made us to be?<br />I’ve seen areas in my life…in my past, where God was chipping away at parts of me that I didn’t want to lose<br />He’s done this through relationships with others…<br />Through trials and temptations and struggles…<br />And he’s done this to show me that that piece wasn’t actually part of my identity…<br />I was such a “block-head” that I saw myself as the piece of marble…<br />God see’s the Identity in the marble!<br />Many of the situations we complain about in life are there for our benefit, to open our eyes to reality…<br />The reality of Who God is…<br />The reality of who he created us to be…<br />He’s working to set you free… embrace the process…<br /><br />You can’t find your true identity outside of God<br />You can’t find purpose outside the creator<br /><br />Many of us have found identity in our past accomplishments and/or failures<br /><br />I’m a Doctor.<br />I’m a college-dropout<br />I’m a Homeless Person<br />I’m a Rebel<br />I’m a Surfer<br />I’m a Christian…<br />We throw all those things in there like we’re card-carrying members…<br /><br />If we’re not careful, being a Christ-follower just slips into the pile of our identities instead of being our primary way of seeing ourselves<br /><br />I love the way Paul looks at it (Again we’re reviewing last week here)<br /><br />Philipians 3:4-11:<br /><br />If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.<br /><br />But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them dung, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, (-) not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.<br /><br />He essentially says “I lost myself to my self and my past-to be found in Christ!”<br />When he says this– He’s talking about the good things in his past, but this goes for the BAD as well…<br /><br />EVERYTHING IN OUR PAST!<br />We lose those things when we come to Christ<br />What does he call them?<br /><br />DUNG<br />What is that??? (Wait for Audience Participation)<br /><br />Yesterday’s food!<br />The things that gave me sustenance yesterday…<br />Those things that WERE a source of life to me…<br /><br />Now they’ve lost their nutritious ability…<br />Now they weigh me down<br /><br />I need to LOSE Them… or at least lose my self to them and find myself in Christ!<br /><br />Now Christ is what sustains me…<br />Christ is my source of life<br />I find everything I need in Him<br />I find my TRUE Identity (What I was created to be) IN HIM<br /><br />Your past successes… your past failures… they mean nothing.<br /><br />We find ourselves in Christ<br /><br />If we find our ID through anything besides what God has done, we’re off…<br />IT ALL STARTS WITH GOD (& ends with God)<br /><br />Luther said the 1st commandment is the gospel – “You should have no other gods before me” is the same as, “You shall have no other justification for your life, your righteousness, your significance, your security etc… other than me.”<br /><br />How is your life reflecting that you believe Jesus did enough to save you @ the cross?<br /><br />- That you don’t have to prove yourself to yourself or anyone else because God is Gracious and He’s already accepted you perfectly…<br />- That you don’t have to be in control or stress or manage ever yarea of your life because God is Great & Sovereign & In control and you can rest in that!<br />- That you don’t have to look anywhere else for satisfaction because God is Good and he’s given you everything you need for your enjoyment…<br />- That you don’t have to fear rejection or work for acceptance of others because God is Glorious<br /><br />The more you know God and learn about Him and experience life with Him, the more you will know about yourself and your identity in Him and these realities that we’re speaking of in this series will become SO MUCH More than just words<br /><br />We pointed out 3 questions we’re seeking to answer with this series<br /><br />We don’t often find such resoundingly clear answers to all three questions in such a small space as we do in this text this morning. Who am I?<br />How did I get this identity?<br />What's it for -- Why am I here – What is my purpose?<br /><br />(1 Peter 2:9-10)<br /> “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.<br /><br />Keep in mind that Peter is identifying Christ-followers.<br />This is who you are if you are a Christ-follower.<br />This is how you got your Gospel Identity.<br />This is what you are here for and your reason for living...<br />…a reason you will never find outside of God<br /><br />First, in Verse 9, he gives 4 ways of describing your identity, answering the question of who you are.<br />These are not different Identities necessarily, but Different parts of your identity in Christ that make up the whole.<br /><br />These 4:<br />Family<br />Ambassadors<br />Servants<br />Apprentices<br /><br />Last week we discussed the fist one:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. You are a chosen people. The “called out ones” (FAMILY) </span><br /><br />The Church is a Chosen People/ Family –<br />We are a new family with God as Father.<br /><br />Imagine what our community will be like…<br />What this world could look like…<br />If everyone started seeing everyone else as family!<br />If everyone started treating one another like brothers & sisters, fathers and mothers.<br />If Familial Love defined all our relationships<br /><br />Maybe you didn’t have the best family growing up<br />Real family…the way it should be…real family forgives…<br />Real family may not always agree… BUT<br />Real family doesn’t cut each other’s lives off when they get angry or hurt at one another…<br />Real family finds a way to reconcile!<br />Real family has each other’s backs and looks out for one another<br />For more of that, tune into the Podcast…<br />Then we discussed our new Family Identity Statement:<br /><br />Anchor’s Family Identity Statement:<br />Family – We are all children of God who care for each other as a family.<br /><br />Today we are going to keep plowing<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. You are a royal priesthood. The Sent Ones (Ambassadors) Verse 9: "You are a ... royal priesthood."</span><br /><br />We are a royal priesthood that extends the message of reconciliation to the world.<br />We are ministers of reconciliation with the message of reconciliation.<br /><br />2 Corinthians 5:16-20<br /><br />16-So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17-Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone, the new has come! 18-All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19-that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20-We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.<br /><br />(Exp: Reconciliation – Garden… Sin entered world.. .all relationships were broken with the curse…God/Others/Creation… One of the main focuses of scripture (through priests and judges and Israel and the church) is our role in reconciling those relationships)<br /><br />(We express that here @ Anchor as living an Incarnational Lifestyle…<br />Something you’ve seen a few times if you’ve been around here a bit..<br />We try to reconcile others to God through communion – relating to God-, reconcile relationships between ourselves through community, and reach, repair, and reconcile the world through our commission)<br /><br />You are part of the chosen family of God that has been sent on a mission in this world. (Ambassadors)<br /><br />All your life is priestly service.<br />Are you ever out of God's presence?<br />Are you ever in a neutral zone?<br />(EXP: Remember Sam M’s Sermon a few months back on What happens in Vegas… There is no “Neutral Zone…There is no place where God loses Jurisdiction… He’s God of every area…)<br />You are always in the presence of God<br />You are always in the court of the temple.<br />And your entire life is either a spiritual act of worship (Rom. 12:1-2), or it is out of character.<br /><br />So you can see that your identity -- the question , "Who are you?" -- leads directly to the question, "What are you here for?".<br />Your identity leads to your destiny.<br />You are chosen to minister as priests.<br />And the heart of that ministry Peter describes for us very clearly.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">“To show forth the praises of Him who called you out of Darkness into His Marvelous Light”</span><br />That doesn’t just mean we come and sing praise songs on Sunday<br />What does it mean to “SHOW FORTH PRAISES?”<br />“To glorify God… “<br /><br />What is that? Glory?<br />Churchy term… Southern Baptist preachers say, “GLORY!”<br />What does it mean?<br />It means the ‘heaviness’…’the weightiness’… ‘the fullness’…<br />‘The Ultimate Reality’…<br />When It says Jesus was the Glory of God, What’s it saying?<br />Ultimate reality of God… He displayed it.<br /><br />When we are supposed to glorify God, that doesn’t mean we walk around saying, “Oh Glory!”<br />It means we Say what’s true of Him…<br />What’s ultimate reality about God…that’s what the word Glory means<br />To GLORIFY is to manifest the It’s to manifest the hidden excellence and worth of an object<br /><br />Our Job is to display, by any means possible…even our very lives, God’s Glory… To reconcile people to God<br /><br />What do priests do?<br /><br />A priest in any culture, especially the culture of the Bible has been the person who has connected people around them with a God they were disconnected to… Reconciliation<br />The difference is the priest used to minister in a tabernacle/ temple (seen as the place where heaven touched earth… where God connected with mankind…)<br /><br />Now the New Testament is filled with scriptures pointing to the fact that “God does not live in temples made by hands, but in man… and that, once we have given our everything to God, and receive His Spirit into our lives, we are now “temples of the Holy Spirit” and we are not our own, for we have been bought with a price, so now we are supposed to glorify God with our bodies and spirits which are God’s<br /><br />Now you are a priest ministering in a tabernacle, connecting people to God…<br />You are an ambassador on mission, reconciling people to God, showing them a picture of God through your life, words, and actions<br />Announcing the kingdom with your words and your very life<br />Bringing people in contact with The creator and King<br /><br />You’re an ambassador!<br /><br />“I’m not here for my purposes, I’m here for God’s purposes”<br />That is my priority…<br />That’s the lens I see my life through…<br /><br />This was the concept of what a missionary was…<br />How does a good missionary act? Like an ambassador!<br /><br />What does a missionary/ ambassador do when they go to a country?<br />They learn the language and cultural customs of the group of people they have been called to.<br />They eat their food.<br />They wear their clothes.<br />They take the Gospel message and contextualize it for that culture in terms people can understand.<br />None of you have a problem with that.<br />You say, “Well sure…They’re going to China.”<br /><br />Well same thing if they’re going to Indie-Rock Culture, or Hip Hop Culture, or Techie Culture.<br />If they’re going out into the Suburbs with families, or into the city with all of us crazies…<br />We have to find a way to speak and live that contextualizes the gospel where they can relate to in their culture<br /><br />We don’t try to make them fit our mold.<br />If we aren’t careful we’ll want people to get saved and fit into our church’s culture… like our kind of music…watch our kinds of movies OR Speak our language<br />Jesus went to their culture.<br />He hung out with the low-life’s of his society….<br />The religious people were the ones having a cow.<br /><br />So, if we are His Ambassadors, What does San Diego Culture look like?<br /><br />Here’s some stats:<br /><br />We have many different cultures in our area:<br /><br />Hispanic 891,442 29% <br />White 1,577,029 51% <br />Black 163,766 5% <br />American Indian 15,942 < age=" 32.5" sd=" 7th" income =" $66,715" christians =" 5%" style="font-weight: bold;">Ephesians 6:19-20<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.</span><br /><br />The Gospel Changes the entire way we live…<br />Not more activities, but an entirely different perspective on why we even do our activities…<br />Living “missionally” doesn’t mean we add a bunch more stuff to our lives…<br />It doesn’t necessarily mean we spend more time or money…<br />It MEANS we do everyday things in different ways and with different intentions because we’ve been changed<br /><br />The Gospel has informed us of who we are in Christ and changed us.<br />Now we do everyday things with Gospel intentionality<br /><br />When The Gospel gets into the heart of Who you are, it will be at the heart of everything you do<br /><br />Gospel Intentionality will be naturally flow out of your identity!<br /><br />What does that mean: “Gospel Intentionality?”<br /><br />Let your life preach a sermon to everyone around you…<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel… and when necessary use words” </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">– St. Francis</span><br /><br />If you have a small garden in your front yard, cultivate it as a Gospel metaphor of what God’s done in your life, for all your neighbors to see a visual message<br /><br />We hang out with our friends who don’t know Christ and let our actions… they way we speak and act and love… declare a message of God’s Glory…<br /><br />We minister to our world by repairing the brokenness…<br /><br />We walk down the street and see through the eyes of Jesus<br /><br />If the Curse of sin had never entered creation, and nothing needed to be reconciled what would these people be like, what would these buildings look like… Now How can I, empowered by the Gospel, begin to bring that change… begin to create THAT Culture<br />Every moment of everyday<br />It’s not work… it’s my nature… it’s my identity in Christ<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anchor’s Ambassador Identity Statement:</span><br />Ambassadors – <span style="font-style: italic;">We are sent by God to restore all things to Him through Jesus Christ.</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">God sent his son, Jesus, to Earth to take on human form and live within the culture. He worked, ate and interacted among the people; living in such a way that those around him could see and experience what God was truly like. Jesus came so that all people, places and things (-) could be restored to a right relationship with God. In the same way, we believe we are Ambassadors sent into our culture to restore all things to God through Jesus. We live this out through involvement in a missional community.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">(John 1:14; 20:21; Colossians 1:19; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21)</span><br />What does it mean for the Church to be the Ambassadors of God?Anchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-38285328446237589652009-07-05T17:55:00.000-07:002009-07-05T18:01:52.035-07:00Identity Crisis (pt 1): The Gospel Identity<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44VixadUbUNycMYrvJKtz6AIOUNlBeO-VnaiNIumvx1v_JP7Fvn6_m-bNERlVu0j0CBah5HMzFIMAqvOzw-ajCC1CzNCM7bYKJgCW4p-OgtjUaI36xX8qVLXvJK8eJ4CTom9nAOgBi0A/s1600-h/identitycrisislogo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44VixadUbUNycMYrvJKtz6AIOUNlBeO-VnaiNIumvx1v_JP7Fvn6_m-bNERlVu0j0CBah5HMzFIMAqvOzw-ajCC1CzNCM7bYKJgCW4p-OgtjUaI36xX8qVLXvJK8eJ4CTom9nAOgBi0A/s320/identitycrisislogo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355146036770539362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />THE GOSPEL IDENTITY<br /><br />Introduction:<br /><br />Chicken Prince:<br />An old Rabbi told a story:<br /><br />A long time ago a King & Queen became concerned when their son told them he had realized he was a chicken<br />He began acting like a chicken<br />He even began living in the chicken coup and living off chicken feed<br /><br />One day a wise man came and told the concerned parents he could cure the boy.<br />He walked out to the chicken coup<br />The Boy asked why he was there<br />The man replied, “Why are you here?”<br />“I’m a Chicken,” said the boy…<br />“I am too!” said the wise man… and with that he began hopping around the chicken yard and eat chicken-feed with gusto!<br />The Prince was convinced… a few days passed on like this<br /><br />One morning, the wise man approached the prince One morning, the wise man approached the prince. "I am from a faraway land," he revealed. "In my homeland, chickens don't actually hop. They walk around like regular people."<br /><br />"Really!" exclaimed the prince. "That must be a great place to be a chicken."<br /><br />"Let's try it here," suggested the wise man, "Let's walk around."<br /><br />The chicken prince readily agreed to his new friend's suggestion.<br /><br />After a few days had passed, the now-upright wise man suggested to the now-upright chicken prince that they move inside the house because in another great metropolis, chickens didn't live in coops, they lived in stately palaces fit for princes. Again, the chicken prince agreed.<br /><br />So the process continued. Shortly thereafter the wise man convinced the chicken prince that in another great land, chickens ate people food. Then came sitting at the table and enjoying human conversation. Within a short time, the chicken prince, although still maintaining that he was a chicken, began conducting himself exactly like a regular person.<br /><br />Fortunately, most of us don't suffer from chicken complexes.<br />But here's a question we can all ask of ourselves: Am I limiting my potential because of my self-perception?<br /><br />Could it be that our world is full of people in a similar identity crisis?<br />They were made to stand up like people and eat like people, but instead they live below their potential because they see themselves as chickens?<br /><br />I believe we live in a world where a majority of people are in a perpetual identity crisis…<br />They don’t know who they are…<br />They don’t know why they were created<br />They search for meaning or settle for chicken lives when they were created for so much more<br /><br />The word of God is going to invade our chicken coups this morning and remind us of who we are and what it means to live life More Abundantly…<br /><br />(-)<br />(1 Peter 2:9-10)<br /> “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.<br /><br />Peter Sellers:<br />In The Mask Behind the Mask, biographer Peter Evans says that actor Peter Sellers played so many roles he sometimes was not sure of his own identity. Approached once by a fan who asked him, "Are you Peter Sellers?" Sellers answered briskly, "Not today," and walked away.<br />(-)<br />A lot of us do this…<br />We go through life and adapt to our environments…<br />We may not necessarily change our ideals, but we change how we present ourselves…<br />And sometimes we are even changed in the process…<br /><br />(Exp: story of girl living in Ghetto going to nice school…2 different persona’s – survival mechanism – Who was she?)<br /><br />“If you wake up at a different time, in a different place, could you wake up as a different person?” – Chuck Palahniuk (author of Fight Club)<br /><br />What do you think? Some would say “Yes”… some would say “No Way”… “I YAM WHAT I YAM” (Popeye)… are you?<br /><br />Are you who you were created to be?<br /><br />Is it possible that you’ve been trying to blend in with the world around you… or even the opposite – trying to stand out (be original) from the rest of the crowd, that you don’t know who you are at a core level?<br />…That you are defined by what’s around you or by what you believe is inside you, instead of who God made you?<br />(-)<br />Exp: watch in sand on beach – never seen a watch… what would you think it was? You wouldn’t know unless you knew the watchmaker or someone who could tell you about the watchmaker…<br /><br />You can’t find purpose, meaning or identity in life for anything, without knowing the creator<br /><br />Gen 1 Records that God Created Everything that exists<br />(-)<br />He Spoke to the Ground and said “Let the earth bring forth all manner of trees and plants”<br />(-)<br />- Water “Bring forth living creatures, after their kind”<br />- Same with land creatures<br />- Same with birds<br /><br />Everything was created in it’s proper environment, from it’s proper source.<br /><br />So we find this basic truth in life that…(RECAP)<br />(-)<br />Everything must remain connected to it’s source, or else it dies<br /><br />- You take a plant/ Tree out of the earth and see how long it lives<br />- Fish outta water?<br />- Try to make a horse live in the water or in the air… won’t work.<br />- Everything must remain connected to it’s source of life/ environment to survive<br /><br />Everything else is made after “Their Kind,” but God makes man in His image<br /><br />When He creates man, he shapes him out of the earth<br />(-)<br />But man is not alive until God breathes, then man becomes a living soul<br /><br />So our Source of life/ Original environment was the Spirit of God<br /><br />The moment that soul was Separated from God because of sin, it began to die.<br />(-)<br />You can’t experience true life until you come back in contact with the source<br /><br />You can’t find your identity or your life’s meaning apart from the source<br /><br />And if you want Real Life, You Gotta stay connected to the Source<br />(-)<br />As Paul said in Acts “For in him we live, move and have our being”<br /><br />Introduction: the wonder of being human<br />(-)<br />Who are you? How did you get that identity? What are you here for?<br />We don’t see dogs or turtles or fish or squirrels or birds or dolphins or chimpanzees ever losing one night's sleep pondering those questions.<br />We ask these questions.<br />Only humans kill themselves and kill others when they don't get true and satisfying answers to these questions.<br /><br />We don’t often find such resoundingly clear answers to all three questions in such a small space as we do in this text this morning. Who am I?<br />How did I get this identity?<br />What's it for -- Why am I here – What is my purpose?<br /><br />So let's take a deep breath this morning<br />Let’s go back to the beginning as it were –<br />For the next 2 weeks, Let’s go down to the rock bottom foundational questions of life…<br />And listen to the Word of God and wonder and stand in awe of what He has to say about these three things.<br />(-)<br />Who are you?<br /><br />Keep in mind that Peter is identifying Christ-followers.<br />This is who you are if you are a Christ-follower.<br />This is how you got your Gospel Identity.<br />This is what you are here for and your reason for living...<br />…a reason you will never find outside of God<br /><br />First, in Verse 9, he gives 4 ways of describing your identity, answering the question of who you are.<br />These are not different Identities necessarily, but Different parts of your identity in Christ that make up the whole.<br />(-)<br />These 4:<br />Family<br />Ambassadors<br />Servants<br />Apprentices<br />*Today we’ll cover 2 of these…<br />(-)<br />In our text today, 1 Pet. 2:9,10, Peter tells the church…<br />(-)<br />1. You are a chosen people. The “called out ones” (FAMILY)<br /><br />We understand that this is a corporate identity.<br />He's talking about the church -- the true Israel.<br /><br />Israel was often referred to as the chosen people.<br />There was no reason the people of Israel should be chosen.<br />Actually, they didn’t even exist when God chose them to be his people.<br />His choice began with one man: Abraham.<br />And through Abraham he began the process of creating a people who were to be his children.<br />They were family both because they had a common heritage and because God chose them to be family.<br /><br />Here in this scripture, Peter is saying that the identity of family is no longer exclusive to the Israelites.<br />All those who have been given new life through Christ are born into the family of God.<br /><br />This is a common theme throughout the New Testament…<br />(-)<br />“This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”<br />Eph. 3:6<br /><br />You are part of that chosen family!<br /><br />The Church is a Chosen People/ Family –<br />We are a new family with God as Father.<br /><br />Scripture says that Christ is our brother, and that we are co-heirs of the same Father.<br />We have the same status before God as does Christ.<br />Even though we do not share the same divine nature as Christ, we, like adopted children, have the same place in His family.<br />God loves us like he loves Christ and has given us everything we need, because we are His children. (Heb 2:11-17; Rom. 8:16-17)<br /><br />How does a family act?<br />Consider all of the One Anothers…<br />All the New Testament writers refer often to what we are to do to or for ‘one another.’ This concept of ‘one anothering’ is a central feature of New Testament ecclesiology, yet one which receives little attention in contemporary academic discussions.<br />(-)<br />* be at peace with one another, forgiving, agreeing, humble, accepting, forbearing, living in harmony and greeting with love<br />* do not judge, lie or grumble<br />* show hospitality to one another<br />* confess your sins to one another<br />* be kind to one another, concerned, devoted, serving and doing good<br />* instruct and teach one another<br />* admonish, exhort and stir up one another<br />* comfort and encourage one another<br /><br />Reflection questions<br />1. Which do you think you (as a church and as an individual) are good at?<br />2. Which do you think you (as a church and as an individual) are not very good at?<br />3. What stops you (as a church and as an individual) doing more ‘one anothering’?<br /><br />This isn’t stuff you need to strive and work toward…<br />If you struggle in any of these areas you don’t need to try & change behavior…<br />Like we talked about in our last series, we need to aim for our beliefs (About Who God Is & who We Are in Christ)<br />These are identity issues.<br />When you understand your identity from a Gospel perspective, behavior will come naturally!<br /><br />Each of these is really just preaching our Gospel identity to each other in tangible expressions.<br /><br />(Something we all need to understand: We don’t do things to gain an Identity, earn God’s favor, or feel better about ourselves or prove ourselves to others…<br /><br />We live these things because we have our identity,<br />We have Already earned God’s favor,<br />And because of that we don’t need to prove ourselves to anyone else (because God is Glorious!)<br /><br />Our words and actions do not lead to an identity, they flow from an identity…<br /><br />(-)<br />EXP: Paul’s Correctives in scripture Who God Is – Who We Are – What We Should Do…<br /><br />To be Children of God means we are His offspring – His Kids - who bear His image (John 8:31-47)<br /><br />In this passage Jesus is saying that you know you are a child of God if we love Jesus and hear his Words.<br /><br />See also: “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.” [John 1:11-13]<br />(-)<br />Anchor’s Family Identity Statement:<br />Family – We are all children of God who care for each other as a family.<br />(-)<br />God has always desired a people–an earthly family–who would live in such a way that the world would know what he is like. Jesus said that those who live in his ways and obey his Father are truly his family. Through Jesus we believe we are Children of God and brothers and sisters with each other. As family we see it as our obligation to personally care for the needs of one another (-) – both physically and spiritually. We disciple, nurture and hold each other accountable to this Covenant life together. We do this through regular celebration gatherings and consistent involvement in a DNA group.<br />(Genesis 12:1-3; John 1:12-13; Romans 12:10-16)<br />(-)<br />So, what does it mean for the Church to be the Family of God?<br /><br />This family is not based on race or gender, age or social standing!<br />The chosen family is not descended from racial lines here on the earth that we are familiar with…<br />The chosen family is a new people from all the peoples -- all the colors and cultures – all walks of life, who are now foreigners and strangers among in the world.<br /><br />See verse 11, "Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and strangers . . ."<br /><br />What gives us our identity is not color or culture… we aren’t Christians by name, or by social standing…<br />But by who we identify with….<br />(-)<br />{The Colts finally won a super-bowl a while back!!!!<br />I remember seeing a news report on the internet…<br />(T-shirts… “We Did It!”…<br />What did you do?<br />You didn’t catch a TD Pass from Peyton Manning.<br />Tony Dungie doesn’t even know your name.<br />What did you do?<br /><br />But the problem was I didn’t see the beauty of that statement.<br />And the statement was:<br />“Hey, We Did It because of who We Identify with.”<br />You did it, but you didn’t do it!<br />You got victory, but it wasn’t something you earned, but something that was earned for you.<br />This is the heart of the Gospel.<br />We aren’t great on our own…<br />We did nothing to deserve being called God’s Children<br />That was something that was done for us…By Jesus Christ<br />Now we are God’s family because we’ve identified with him,<br />By giving our lives to Him in faith…<br />By being baptized in His name…<br />By receiving His Spirit into our lives<br /><br />Out from all the cultures & walks of life, we have been chosen as a family…<br />We leave our old identities behind, and walk in our new Identity…<br />(-)<br />Paul in Philippians: I count it all but DUNG!<br />Philipians 3:4-11:<br />(-)<br />If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.<br />(-)<br />But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them dung, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, (-) not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.<br /><br />To me this is one of the single greatest exposes for finding your true gospel identity…<br />(-)<br />He essentially says “I lost myself to my self and my past-to be found in Christ!<br />When he says this– He’s talking about the good things in his past, but this goes for the BAD as well…<br />(-)<br />Those things in your past you’re holding onto…<br />Those things you can’t forgive yourself for…<br />Those things you can’t let go of…<br />They feel like they have a hold on you…<br />Other people may know about them…<br />They may judge you…<br />You may feel like they are an inseparable part of who you are…<br />You may see yourself through the lens of the past…<br />BUT when you come to Christ and give him your whole life and take on his name, the old realities don’t have any jurisdiction over you and your identity any more…<br />You are a new creation… all the bad of the past…all the good of the past is gone!<br />You are a new creation in Christ<br /><br />What do we bring to the table when we sit down w/ the family of God?<br />Nothing!<br />(-)<br />The Bible Says in Isaiah, “All our righteousness is like filthy rags…” dirty diapers!<br /><br />All our accomplishments<br /><br />All our wealth<br /><br />All our allegiances<br /><br />All our family names<br /><br />All our titles<br />(You might have more degrees than DR FAHRENHEIT…)<br />All of that is the old you… it means nothing…<br />(-)<br />*God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called<br /><br />The past means nothing…<br /><br />Because you’ve taken on a family name that is above all other names in the earth<br /><br />Because you’ve taken on a new citizenship… Jesus is your King, not Obama<br /><br />Because your wealth & status are not measured by materialistic gain or temporary happiness<br /><br />Because it’s not about what you have ever done or will ever do, it’s ALL about what He did for you on the Cross and now you’re called worthy and given a new identity in Him<br />(-)<br />Paul says it this way (Old things have passed away, look, ALL things have become new)<br /><br />Christ-followers are color-blind… when we see other Christians of different ethnic backgrounds, we shouldn’t see a White or Asian or Black…etc. Christian… we should see our brother & sister.<br /><br />When we see Christians from different age brackets we shouldn’t see immature young Christians or useless old Christians, but young impressionable brothers and sisters who bear God’s image and share my same heritage, and honorable experienced & wise brothers & sisters/ mothers & fathers who can impart great insight to us and are deserving of great love and care because of their state and their own walk …etc.<br /><br />When I see Poor or Homeless Christians… what do I see? A brother/ sister in need? Do I see God’s image in them?<br /><br />What about Rich Christians? Do I despise them? Do I see my brother who God has prospered for His own purposes?<br /><br />Whenever you run into an issue with other Christians, think about how you’re viewing them… Do you see them as family?<br />(-)<br />Maybe you didn’t have the best family growing up<br />Real family…the way it should be…real family forgives…<br />Real family doesn’t take each other to court…<br />Real family doesn’t eat each other for dinner<br />Real family doesn’t cut each other’s lives off when they get angry or hurt at one another…<br />Real family finds a way to reconcile!<br /><br />If you get angry, forgive!<br />If you feel hatred rising up in you, choose love!<br />(*take a step of love and the feelings will follow)<br />If you want to cut someone off, reconcile<br />If you want to destroy, repair<br />If you want to wound, heal<br />If you want to walk away, walk toward them…<br /><br />Live out of love and otherness, not temporary emotions and self-centeredness disguised as self-preservation…<br />Trust God to preserve you and defend you and avenge you…<br />Your job is to love without reserve and show grace & mercy as Christ has shown you…<br /><br />This comes a lot more natural to a family than it does to a church because we haven’t realized our identity… the fact that we are a family.<br />(We may know it, but there’s a disconnect between our mind and our heart!)<br /><br />That's why this amazing phrase is crucial for you; you are part of the "chosen family" because the family is made up of individuals who have been called out -- from all the races, families and walks of life.<br />So your first identity is that you are part of the Chosen Family of God.<br /><br />You have been adopted by God!<br /><br />Not because of your race -- or for any other qualification – Still you are His sons & daughters<br /><br />Who am I? Say “I am a son/daughter of God.”<br /><br />I do not know why.<br />It was nothing in me of value above other humans.<br />I did not earn it or merit it, or meet any conditions to get it.<br />It was God’s grace alone that allowed me access into this family<br />I stand in awe of it.<br />I tremble with joy at it.<br />I bow and accept it.<br />I long to be faithful to its purpose.<br />I am His.<br /><br />If I act like someone who is not a son/ daughter of God…<br />If I fail to treat the church like my family…<br />If I fail to see those in my community as brothers and sisters in<br />Christ I’m acting out of Character…<br /><br />You need to get that identity deep into your heart!<br />You need to let it soak in past your brain<br />You need to let it invade your heart…<br />You need to look in the mirror and see a child of God surrounded by a family who love you<br />You need to let that identity inform your actions and attitudes and decision-making process…<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">*Discussion Followed...</span>Anchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-88942730578264235532009-06-22T14:30:00.000-07:002009-06-22T14:44:04.041-07:00Talk To Yourself (pt 3): Gospel Change<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb178/vince11881/AGTalktoYourself.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 322px; height: 240px;" src="http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb178/vince11881/AGTalktoYourself.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Gospel Change</span><br /></span><br />What does it mean to “believe?” - To understand something, agree with it & put it into action… to trust… to call something truth.<br /><br />Belief is something that occurs in the heart… the real you…<br /><br />The Heart is the “Seat of Emotions” in scripture<br /><br />(Exp: Different cultures use different body parts to describe the same thing… eyes, kidneys, & bowels…)<br /><br />The Heart includes your mind, will & emotions<br />(-)<br />(this is why gospelling the heart is so powerful… we generally address people’s orthopraxy & orthodoxy… not their heart-orthopathy)<br /><br />Rom. 10:10 – Belief is something that occurs within all you are<br /><br />If I look at some of the things that come out of my heart I must acknowledge that I am (in those things) an unbeliever…<br /><br />We act upon what we truly believe…<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“I believe God is in control!”</span><br /><br />Really??? Do you have Fear in your heart? Anxiety? Then do you really believe God is in control?<br />(-)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The process of closing the gap between what you know in your head & believe in your heart is called sanctification… Becoming holistically Christ-centered & gospel-centered</span><br /><br />The root of all our behaviour and emotions is the heart – what it trusts and what it treasures.<br /><br />Humanity’s problem is futile thinking, darkened understanding and ignorant hearts (Ephesians 4:17-19).<br /><br />People are given over to sinful desires because ‘they exchanged the truth of God for a lie’ (Romans 1:24-25).<br /><br />We sin because we believe the lie that we are better off without God<br />- that his rule is oppressive,<br />- that we will be free without him,<br />- that sin offers more than God provides.<br /><br />This is true of every sin and every negative emotion.<br />(-)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Behind every sin is a lie about God </span><br /><br />Not many people think of themselves as someone who believes lies!<br /><br />But every time we do not trust God or his word we are believing something else – and that something is always a lie.<br /><br />If I get angry when I am stuck in traffic it is because I do not trust God. I believe the lie that God is not in control or that his purposes for me are not good.<br /><br />If I overwork it is because I don’t trust God, perhaps because I believe the lie that I need to prove or justify myself.<br /><br />Whenever we are depressed or bitter, it is because we believe God is not being good to us or that he is not in control.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“Everything that does not come from faith is sin.”</span> (Romans 14:23).<br /><br />This is a radical view of sin.<br /><br />It means many of our negative emotions are symptoms of unbelief – the greatest sin and the root sin.<br /><br />As Christians, many of us don’t think of ourselves as unbelievers…<br /><br />But when our lives don’t match our beliefs, we are unbelievers in those areas (not in the sense that we are bound for hell, but in the sense that there are areas of our lives that are still being brought under the rule & reign of King Jesus)<br /><br />The truth shall set you free<br /><br />Recognizing that behind every sin is a lie not only gives us a radical view of sin, it points us to the road out of sinful behavior and emotions: That road is trust in God.<br /><br />Behind every negative thing that comes out of your hands & heart is a lie about God you are believing in your heart.<br /><br />Lust? I believe I’m more important than you…<br /><br />When we try to stop sinning we aim for working on our behavior… we need to work on our heart beliefs<br /><br />We try to control sin by controlling behavior<br />(-)<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’</span>” (John 8:31-32)<br /><br />Just as lies about God lead to the slavery of sin, so the truth about God leads to freedom (Galatians 5:1, 13).<br /><br />The truth that sets us free is the gospel (“if you hold to my teaching”).<br /><br />Freedom is found in accepting that God is in control of our lives, that he is gracious and that he forgives those who come to him in faith (Titus 2:11-12).<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">“What evidence is there in my life that I’m not believing this gospel at a heart level?”</span><br /><br />We all need to become preachers.<br /><br />We need to learn to preach to our own hearts.<br />(-)<br />The Psalmist says: <span style="font-style: italic;">“Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”</span><br /><br />But to whom is he speaking? The answer is to himself.<br />(-)<br />When we find ourselves tempted to sinful behavior or when we find our emotions are getting the better of us, we need to speak truth to ourselves.<br /><br />You do not have to be able to analyze your heart in detail.<br /><br />It’s the truth of the gospel that brings change.<br /><br />But it helps if you can identify the specific lies behind your sin and the corresponding truths that will set you free<br /><br />We want to identify four life-changing truths about God:<br />(-) <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">4 Liberating Truths about God</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">God is Great – So we don’t have to be in control.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">God is Good - So we don’t have to look elsewhere for satisfaction. </span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">God is Glorious – So we don’t have to fear others.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">God is Gracious - So we don’t have to prove ourselves.</span></span><br /><br />(There is much more to be said about God than is covered by these four truths, but they address many of the problems, sins and emotions with which we struggle. Think of them as a diagnostic tool.)<br /><br />(-)<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. God is Great. <span style="font-style: italic;">So we don’t have to be in control.</span></span></span><br />God’s greatness is a central part of what we know to be true about Him<br /><br />(-)<br />Ps. 145:3 – <span style="font-style: italic;">His greatness is not something you can never measure…</span><br /><br />How is God Great?<br />- Good right & perfect<br />- God provides for needs before they arise<br />- He creates all<br />- He has authority over all<br /><br />It’s unbelievable how much we know about His greatness, yet how little it takes to freak us out…<br /><br />If you do not trust God’s sovereign control then you might try to take control yourself in harmful ways through manipulation or domination.<br /><br />If you are worn out with “busyness” and stress it may well be because you do not trust God’s control.<br /><br />God’s rule is not good enough or great enough so you are pushing him to one side and taking control yourself… Our security and our wealth will become our priority instead of God’s kingdom.<br />(-)<br />What areas of your life do you find yourself trying to control?<br />(Everything? Finances, Future, Relationships, Time, Impressions)<br />What do you obsess over?<br />What things do people do that drive you nuts?<br />What do you fear?<br />Are you anxious?<br /><br />Trying to take control produces what?<br />- Fear<br />- Anxiety<br />- Impatience<br />- Stress<br /><br />We become:<br />- Overbearing<br />- Un-flexible<br />- Manipulative<br />- Micro-managers<br />- Not letting God be King & Reign in our lives<br />(-)<br />Don’t fall to the temptation of wanting to be God<br /><br />Think of Genesis: Eve & Serpent… “God knows that when you eat of the fruit, you will be like God, knowing good & evil”<br /><br />Who was in control in this story?<br />God was. He set the rules. He is Omnipotent.<br />Adam & Eve are attempting to be in control of their environment… They are disobedient … They realize they didn’t have control<br /><br />If you don’t trust God’s control, you will find yourself trying to take control of everything!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">“You’re great, but not great enough for this one…you need a little bit of my help God.”</span><br /><br />We must learn to rest in God… to rest in the fact that God is good!<br /><br />To work in the rest of God… what is your heart’s posture… to rest knowing He’s doing the work, and we’re just putting our hands to it…<br /><br />Jesus modeled this… The perfect example of God’s Greatness<br /><br />Lk. 12: <span style="font-style: italic;">Who of you, by worrying, can add even 1 hour to his life… Oh you of little faith… Don’t worry</span><br /><br />The reason we worry & try to take control is because we do not truly believe (in our heart) that God is Great<br /><br />Again, we may know it in our head, but not truly believe it in our hearts…<br /><br />Jesus goes straight to the heart of the problem: our little faith.<br />(-)<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“Do not be anxious about anything,” </span>says Paul, <span style="font-style: italic;">“but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”</span> (Philippians 4:6-7)<br /><br />Prayer is a recognition of God’s greatness.<br />Prayer is directing our dependence and praise to God for what only he can do.<br /><br />The Bible says, We WALK by FAITH… faith is not mental assent… it is methodical, slow, pacing walk… “God, right now I’m not believing you are great… I’m going to take a step of faith and choose to believe in my heart that you are great!”<br />Debbie<br />(-)<span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">2. God is Good: <span style="font-style: italic;">So we don’t have to look elsewhere for satisfaction</span></span></span><br />(-)<br />Samaritan Woman: John 4 <br /><br />Why did Jesus use the metaphor of water, and thirst?<br />What was the woman thirsting for?<br />Was she satisfied?<br />What did Jesus say the solution was?<br /><br />The question about the woman’s husband leads straight to her heart. She has been looking for satisfaction in men, in sex, in intimacy. There was pleasure for a while, but it kept leaving her empty, thirsty. Jesus says, “Drink of this water, and you will never thirst again.”<br /><br />Nothing but God satisfies – not in a true and lasting way. If you look for satisfaction or fulfillment, meaning or identity, anywhere other than in Jesus, you will be left empty. There may be a moment of refreshment or pleasure. But you will soon be thirsty again<br /><br /><br />Why did God create humans with needs?<br />- So we would look to Him to fulfill<br />- So we’d know we’re incomplete without Him or others<br />- It demonstrates His Goodness<br /><br />If you look for satisfaction or fulfillment, meaning or identity, anywhere other than in Jesus, you will be left empty.<br /><br />Whatever sin offers, God offers us himself. God is not just good; he is better – better than everything else and the true source of all joy.<br /><br />Physical needs are signposts to spiritual needs. They remind us...<br /><br />When God fulfills our needs the response is thankfulness.<br /><br />Thankfulness should be our posture in everything! Then our meals & relationships…everything becomes an act of worship!<br />(-)<br />I Tim. 6:17-19 <span style="font-style: italic;">“God, who richly provides everything for our enjoyment!”</span><br /><br />What is the result of believing that God is not good enough to satisfy me?<br />- Pain<br />- Fear<br />- Separation<br />- Perpetual Emptiness & Dissatisfaction (That’s the curse…)<br />- Turn a good thing & turned it into an ultimate thing = IDOL<br />- When we say I must have that thing to be satisfied… that’s idolatry<br />- Alcoholism<br />- Our understanding of needs is distorted<br />- Entitlement<br />- We take what God has given us & misuse it<br />- We don’t want to wait for God<br /><br />What would be the fruit of not looking elsewhere for provision, of believing in the goodness of God?<br />- Contentment<br />- No debt<br />- No materialism<br />- Put $ to use for the Kingdom & Mission<br />- Happy marriages<br /><br />How do we turn the good things into our lives into idols?<br />We all have needs… it’s not the desires that are the problem… it’s who we look for the satisfaction in.<br /><br />Idolatry is @ the heart & soul of all the wrong & sin going on in humanity<br /><br />The problem is fundamentally that we are not satisfied with God<br /><br />Then we go to other things for satisfaction, what make us more thirsty than we were in the 1st place (Alcohol, drugs, sex, relationships, money, comfort, television, food).<br /><br />Like the Samaritan woman, what are you looking for satisfaction in? Is there a pattern in your life of people or things that keep failing you?<br /><br />What is your “if only” statement? If only… I would be satisfied.<br /><br />If you’re in a situation where you’re looking for satisfaction in something other than Him, what should you do?<br /><br />Realize & Repent & Proclaim your need for God (Gospel yourself)… that will lead to the right attitude in your heart which will lead to proper actions<br /><br />Change is about enjoying the freedom from sin and delight in God that God gives to us through Jesus.<br /><br />(-)<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. God is Glorious: <span style="font-style: italic;">So we don’t have to fear others</span></span></span><br /><br />It’s our belief that needs to change first, not our action<br /><br />What is Glory?<br />- The way something or someone truly is<br />- The source,<br />- The ultimate reality<br />- Jesus is the “glory” of God<br />- To Give glory to God is to say what’s true & ultimate reality about God<br />- To live for his glory…<br />- To manifest the hidden nature of something<br />- In Hebrew = “Weight, heaviness”<br /><br />We sin because we crave the approval of people or fear their rejection<br /><br />We see their glory as more glorious than God… they matter more than God does to us<br /><br />We “Need” the acceptance of others<br /><br />When we do that, we’re controlled by them… we “fear them”<br /><br />Proverbs 21:39… <span style="font-style: italic;">the fear of man lays a snare</span><br />(-)<br />What does the fear of man look like?<br />- Make fun of others?<br />- Working for approval? …or not working…?<br />- Hiding weaknesses<br />- Internalizing conflict<br />- Won’t or will say things for approval<br />- Build ministries for approval<br />- Susceptibility to peer pressure<br /><br />What has the “fear of man” produced in your life?<br />- Self-hatred<br />- Self-doubt<br />- Disingenuous<br />- Pride<br />- Bitterness<br />- Inactivity<br />- Emotional Fluctuation (how they see me affects me & controls me) but our ID is supposed to be rooted in Christ<br />- Double-mindedness<br />- Needing More<br />- Over-committed<br />- Fear of exposure<br />- Embarrassment<br />- Lies & exaggerations to make self look good<br />- Comparisons to others<br />- People make us jealous, anxious, angry… control our emotions<br />- Resentment<br />- Withholding<br />- Avoid confrontation<br />- Craving approval<br />- Behave differently around certain people<br />- What you deem to be the most glorious is who or what we will most fear. They are who’s most glorious in our lives.<br />- When we need approval, we have to keep feeding it…it’s cyclical<br />- Regardless of how much we do, we’ll still feel unrest<br />- If we feel accepted or approved, we’ll move on to someone else to get more approval<br />- Frustration with relationships because they cannot provide what we “need.”<br /><br />These are ALL results of not TRULY believing in our hearts that God is Glorious!<br /><br />We try to overcome this by building more self-esteem… but we become dependant on people or things to boost our self-esteem…like a drug<br /><br />But we need to see the Glorious One as the Glorious One<br /><br />Everything (including healing) starts with God, not us<br /><br />We elevate respect, love, acceptance… our true need is to glorify God and love other people.<br /><br />How do we get free from this?<br /><br />The answer to the ‘fear of man’ is the Fear of God.<br /><br />We need to grow our vision & view of God!<br /><br />Fear of God displaces the fear of man<br /><br />Isa 40:25 - <span style="font-style: italic;">"To whom will you compare me?</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"> Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.</span>"<br /><br />Whoever/ whatever it is that we fear… imagine them, then next to them imagine the Glorious God… how does that compare? Can they lay down their life, pick it up again & hand it to you? Can they form the universe?<br /><br />Why do we keep putting others before God?<br />- Our belief has slipped<br />- We must remember how Glorious our God is!<br /><br />Do you realize how much of an offense that is to God (to stand next to anyone/anything and say “yeah…that’s more glorious than you God”) we need to start by admitting we realize how off we are, and repent… repent by focusing on God’s glory and asking him to give you a vision of Him that’s greater than anything else.<br /><br />It’s a form of idolatry…<br /><br />- I’m only nice to you for your approval… means I’m using you…it’s sick.<br />- I don’t need their approval, so I treat others like crap…<br />So we shouldn’t strive in any relationships w/ man or God.<br />We have our ID through Christ, so we walk in love without need of approval… we don’t work ourselves to death because God has already approved us!<br />(-)<br />Do you believe that the most glorious being in the universe is pleased w/ you because of what Christ did???<br /><br />My joy is not affected by people or circumstances, but in Christ…<br /><br />If this is true, (that God is Ultimate Glory), how would that affect your heart?<br />- Giving<br />- Hospitality<br />- Loving freely<br />- Stable people…not double-minded or tossed about<br />- Authentic<br />- Interested in each other<br />- Easier to give God glory<br />How would it affect our community?<br />How would it affect our city?<br /><br /><br />(-)<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">4) God is Gracious: <span style="font-style: italic;">So we don’t have to prove ourselves</span></span></span><br /><br />We work hard to prove ourselves…that’s why we argue.<br />Why do we defend ourselves & our image?<br />(-)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">a) We try to prove ourselves to ourselves so we can feel good about ourselves</span><br /><br />When we mess up, we feel shame… so we try to distance ourselves from our sin…<br />What are some ways we try to distance ourselves from our sin?<br />It was the other persons fault,<br />it was my circumstances,<br />I had a good reason for doing that<br />I wasn’t in the wrong<br />Anger, covering up feelings of shame<br /><br />When we sin, we feel it’s a sin against ourselves & our image<br /><br />The flip-side is perfectionism. We HAVE to do everything and do it perfectly in order to feel good about ourselves. Otherwise we are overwhelmed by a sense of shame, inadequacy, guilt and fear of being un-loved.<br />(-)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">b) We also try to prove ourselves to others</span><br /><br />This is similar outcomes to “God is Glorious”<br /><br />When I try to prove myself to someone in order to feel ok, to feel justified and worthy of salvation, I am essentially trusting in that person for my salvation.<br /><br />One of the problems in trying to prove ourselves to others, is that they (or we ) set the standard.<br /><br />We settle for living like we want or like others instead of living like Christ…<br /><br />“I’m not as bad as that guy.”<br />(-)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">c) We try to prove ourselves to God </span><br /><br />We have a desire to “Self-Atone”<br /><br />We try to do something to make God act favorable toward us…<br /><br />We think God will be more impressed by us or love us more if we are better than we were the day before, if we are really good and are exhausting ourselves with service.<br /><br />We are hard-wired to prove our worthiness<br /><br />We are all born legalists<br /><br />Why?<br /><br />Because we want to take the credit… Y?<br />Because we are not believing the truth that God is gracious.<br /><br />It can be a longing for control… we work our hardest to prove ourselves so we feel worthy<br />(-)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ephesians 2:1-9</span><br /><br />God is always saying, “In my love, I’ve given you my son who’s already paved the path of your acceptance.”<br /><br />We have the freely given unmerited favor of God! (Grace)<br /> <br />What are some personal examples of things in our lives we know we don’t deserve? family, healing, breath, salvation… the only thing we’ve ever earned is death<br /><br />We don’t earn or deserve anything but wrath… it’s God’s grace that gives us everything…<br /><br />But I wake up tomorrow & try to prove myself to myself & others & God…<br /><br />What happens when I try to prove myself? What are some indicators?<br />- Take criticism & failure badly (defensiveness)<br />- Hard to relax (workaholic)<br />- Proud/Judgmental attitude<br />- Envy of others’ successes<br />- Materialism<br />- Want to prove we are right<br />- Feel pressure to perform<br />- Serve so we can feel good about ourselves or to impress people.<br />- Trying to live up to impossible standards set either by yourself or by someone else.<br />- Enjoyment in hearing of the shortcomings of others rather than grieving<br /><br />I declare myself to be a better savior than Jesus. Here is the shocking truth: all supposed good works that are done without faith in the grace of God are not good works at all, but acts of God-defying pride. ‘Without faith it is impossible to please God.’ (Hebrews 11:6).<br /><br />That is why Jesus says: ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’ (John 6:29)<br /><br />What would be the result of not needing to prove ourselves because we believe in our hearts that God is gracious?<br />- Humility<br />- Spiritual growth<br />- Correction is welcome<br />- Mutual admonishing/accountability<br />- Putting others first<br />- Peace<br />- Ability to show grace to others<br />- Prayer for each other, because we know we live by His grace<br />- Rest, joy<br />- Serving out of freedom instead of obligation<br />- Ability to say no, because our works do not justify us<br />- Openness about our sin, because we believe we are forgiven<br /><br />I guess many of us confidently believe that we will be justified on the last day – acquitted before God through the death of Jesus. But what about justification today and tomorrow? Are you still trying to prove yourself?<br /><br /><br />What’s the answer?<br />- By realizing that we are already atoned for!!! I don’t have to self-atone for myself or anyone else. We are already validated. (Horton Plaza. Don’t have to pay anything. Validation is free. Why do you keep trying to pay?)<br />- Realize that no one else can save you, so you don’t have to impress them or rely on them for your acceptance.<br />- “We must sit in the reality of our great need, before we can understand the reality of God’s great grace.” Do you understand that your attempts to gain God’s forgiveness and approval through our work are like trash to Him? It is a spit in His face. He gave up His son, and we are saying that is not enough.<br />- Live in grace & realization that we are nothing without God, & That he’s everything & the very source of our lives<br />- Think of our failures, then think of all the good we have in our life because of God…that’s a picture of God’s grace and should fuel an attitude of gratitude.<br />- Do you think you deserve Jesus or are you trying to deserve Jesus?<br /><br />How do we begin…?<br /><br />We begin by repenting to the perfect & Holy God who is good, glorious, great & gracious!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Conclusion:</span><br /><br />We are changed when we look at Jesus, delight in Jesus, commune with Jesus. But no-one can embrace Jesus if they are guilty of sin and no-one will embrace Jesus if they still feel the guilt of sin. So change only begins when come ‘under grace’ with its message of divine pardon and welcome. Only then will we “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”(Hebrews 4:16)<br /><br />Change takes place through faith in our great and good God. It takes place as we preach truth to our hearts. This does not mean it is easy. We just have to believe – but that is a big ‘just’! Faith is a daily struggle. Lies about God are all around us: the world, the flesh and the devil whisper them constantly to our hearts. It is a struggle. But it is also possible. ‘This is the victory that has overcome the world,’ says the Apostle John, ‘even our faith.’ (1 John 5:4)<br /><br />First, we need to nurture our delight in God’s goodness, rest in God’s grace, fear of God’s majesty, trust in God’s control, longing for God’s future. We need to do this day by day through the word, prayer and the Christian community (more of this in unit eight).<br /><br />Second, when we face temptation we need to say not only I should not do this, but also I need not do this.<br /><br />When tempted to envy another’s possession, we say not only I must not envy, but also I need not envy because I have Christ. When tempted to worry, we say not only I must not worry, but I need not worry because God is in control. Whatever sin offers, God is bigger and better.<br /><br />To say to temptation ‘I must not do this’ is legalism. To say ‘I need not do this’ is gospel.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Exercise: What truths do you need to turn to?</span><br /><br />What thoughts are behind your behaviour or emotions?<br />∗ Why do you do what you do or feel?<br />∗ What do you hope to achieve?<br />∗ What do you think will make you happy in that situation?<br />∗ What beliefs or thoughts shape your behaviour or emotions?<br /><br />What do your thoughts show about your trust in God?<br />Restate your thinking with God included. The following questions may help:<br />∗ If you want something, do you think it offers more than God offers?<br />∗ If you fear something, do you think it is more important than God?<br /><br />Restate your thoughts as beliefs or thoughts about God.<br />∗ What do your thoughts show about your trust that God is great?<br />∗ What do your thoughts show about your trust that God is glorious?<br />∗ What do your thoughts show about your trust that God is good?<br />∗ What do your thoughts show about your trust that God is gracious?<br /><br />What is the lie that is behind the area you have chosen in your personal change project?<br /><br />What truths do you need to turn to?<br />Turn the answer to the last question the opposite way round. If this is the lie, what is the truth? Which of the following truths particularly apply to these lies?<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />∗ God is great – so we do not have to be in control</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">∗ God is glorious – so we do not have to fear others</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">∗ God is good – so we do not have to look elsewhere</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">∗ God is gracious – so we do not have to prove ourselves</span></span><br /><br />Say the truth to yourself twenty times: ‘God is all I need.’ Say it slowly. ‘God … is … all … I … need.’ Say it out loud. Say it back to him: ‘You are all I need’.<br /><br />Write a summary of the truths you need to turn to in faith.Anchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-29452529194192961152009-06-15T22:38:00.000-07:002009-06-15T22:53:45.618-07:00Talk To Yourself (pt 2)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtQcFnjjN3m5_iR1mKkXWoD73gheQMRCNBvV7fIqEff_rUANH8s0x3Robsi3HfR63Yt_guJai-L08mrQdpo9Pq2o2nBTuSKxAe0F8XHFUf6jKWOtx5_erFt6BfBn0oL4vtz2IXeqS6s8/s1600-h/AG+Talk+to+Yourself.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtQcFnjjN3m5_iR1mKkXWoD73gheQMRCNBvV7fIqEff_rUANH8s0x3Robsi3HfR63Yt_guJai-L08mrQdpo9Pq2o2nBTuSKxAe0F8XHFUf6jKWOtx5_erFt6BfBn0oL4vtz2IXeqS6s8/s320/AG+Talk+to+Yourself.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347799455239626130" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />What do I say to myself???<br /><br />(-)<br />Psalm 42 is the text we discussed last week.<br />We are going to read this Psalm again…<br />Listen carefully as we are addressed by God through this Psalm.<br />(-)<br /> As a deer pants for flowing streams,<br /> so pants my soul for you, O God.<br /> My soul thirsts for God,<br /> for the living God.<br /> When shall I come and appear before God?<br /> My tears have been my food<br /> day and night,<br /> while they say to me continually,<br /> "Where is your God?”<br />(-)<br /> These things I remember,<br /> as I pour out my soul:<br /> how I would go with the throng<br /> and lead them in procession to the house of God<br /> with glad shouts and songs of praise,<br /> a multitude keeping festival.<br /> Why are you cast down, O my soul,<br /> and why are you in turmoil within me?<br /> <br />(-) Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,<br /> my salvation and my God.<br /> My soul is cast down within me;<br /> therefore I remember you<br /> from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,<br /> from Mount Mizar.<br /> Deep calls to deep<br /> at the roar of your waterfalls;<br /> all your breakers and your waves<br /> have gone over me.<br /> <br />(-) By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,<br /> and at night his song is with me,<br /> a prayer to the God of my life.<br /> I say to God, my rock:<br /> "Why have you forgotten me?<br /> Why do I go mourning<br /> because of the oppression of the enemy?"<br /> <br />(-) As with a deadly wound in my bones,<br /> my adversaries taunt me,<br /> while they say to me continually,<br /> "Where is your God?"<br /> Why are you cast down, O my soul,<br /> and why are you in turmoil within me?<br /> Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,<br /> my salvation and my God.<br /><br />INTRODUCTION<br /><br />A brief recap of last week’s sermon:<br /><br />We quoted Paul Tripp, renowned minister and counselor as he said,<br />(-)<br /> I find myself saying it all the time. When people hear it they laugh, but actually I'm being quite serious when I say it. Here it is. No one is more influential in your life than you are because no one talks to you more than you do. You're in an unending conversation with yourself. You're talking to yourself all the time, interpreting, organizing, and analyzing what's going on inside you and around you.<br />(-) <br />You may be talking to yourself about why you feel so tired. Or maybe you woke up this morning with a sense of dread and you're not sure why....Perhaps you're reliving a conversation that didn't go too well. Or maybe [you're] preparing yourself for a conversation that may be difficult by conjuring up as many renditions as you can imagine, so you can cover all the contingencies.<br />(-)<br />Maybe your mind has traveled back to your distant past and, for reasons you don't understand, you're recalling events from your early childhood....The point is that you are constantly involved in an internal conversation that greatly influences the things you decide, say, and do....<br /><br />Then we asked:<br /><br />What do you regularly tell yourself about yourself, God, and your circumstances?<br />- Do your words to you encourage faith, hope, and courage?<br />- Or do they stimulate doubt, discouragement, and fear?<br />- Do you remind yourself that God is near, or do you reason within yourself, given your circumstances, that he must be distant?<br />- Do you encourage yourself to run to God even when you don't understand what he's doing?<br />- Or do you give yourself permission to back away from him when you are confused by the seeming distance between what he's promised and what you're experiencing?<br />- ....When others talk to you, is your internal conversation so loud that it's hard to concentrate on what they're saying?<br /><br />(-)<br />Here's the question: How wholesome, faith-driven, and Christ-centered is the conversation that you have with you every day?<br /><br />Our main point was: No one is more influential in your life than you are, because no one talks to you more than you do.<br />(-)<br />So examining and evaluating the content of this internal conversation in light of holy Scripture, and informing this conversation with the content of holy Scripture and the gospel, can—and by God's grace, will—make all the difference in your soul and in your life.<br /><br />And in Psalm 42, we have the unique opportunity of listening in on the internal conversation of the psalmist.<br /><br />2 Main Examples we pointed out:<br />(-)<br />1. THE TROUBLED SOUL<br /><br />The Psalmist expressed his troubled soul for several reasons…<br />(-)<br />A. Troubled by the Absence of God (vv. 1–4)<br />- Have you ever felt distant from God?<br />- Have your prayers felt like they bounced off the ceiling?<br />- Have you felt alone & unloved?<br />(-)<br />B. Troubled by the Presence of Trials (vv. 6–7)<br />- Maybe life has thrown you some curveballs.<br />- Sickness<br />- Emotional Pain<br />- Broken relationships.<br />- Job loss.<br />- Crippling circumstances.<br />(-)<br />C. Troubled by the Opposition of Man (vv. 3, 9, 10)<br />- This happens in spiritual attack<br />- This happens when people are hostile towards you for various reasons, including your belief<br /><br />The Second example we see is a soul that is not affected by these things but is…<br />(-)<br />2. THE HOPEFUL SOUL<br /><br />When your soul is troubled and in turmoil, what is the appropriate response? Well, the psalmist models the appropriate response.<br />If the psalmist were present, he would tell you personally that when your soul is troubled, when your soul is in turmoil, the appropriate response is (A) talk to yourself, and (B) talk to God.<br />(-)<br />A. Talk to Yourself (vv. 5, 11)<br /><br />The psalmist does not repeatedly and endlessly review and rehearse and describe the state of his troubled soul.<br />He does not ignore his soul.<br />He does not excuse his soul.<br />No, instead, he interrupts his soul.<br />He interrupts this unending conversation taking place within his soul.<br />He questions his soul.<br />He interrogates his soul.<br />He challenges his soul.<br />He rebukes his soul.<br />And he exhorts his soul to trust in God.<br />And this, ultimately, makes all the difference in his soul,<br />And this will make all the difference in your downcast soul as well.<br />(-)<br />Too often this practice of talking to yourself and talking to your soul is neglected by those who are troubled in their soul.<br /><br />Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones writes,<br />(-)<br />"Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?"<br /><br />See, what we have each day is an internal conversation that never ends.<br />It is ceaseless.<br />It continues always within us.<br />And so each day, throughout the day, we have two simple choices:<br /><br />1) We can either spend the day listening to ourselves, listening to ourselves in our constantly changing feelings and circumstantial interpretations<br /><br />-OR-<br /><br />2) We can spend each day talking to ourselves. We can talk truth to ourselves. We can preach the gospel to ourselves, and we can address our troubled and tormented soul with Scripture and ultimately the gospel.<br />(-)<br />Lastly, We pointed out that This takes: Effort, Practice, and Perseverance<br /><br />Now most of us have spent years listening to ourselves and have rarely talked to ourselves.<br />Talking to yourself is a learned skill.<br /><br />Our souls need continuous addressing with truth and with the truth of the gospel.<br /><br />And understand that many of you here are reaping the effect in your soul and upon your soul of listening to your soul for years rather than talking to your soul.<br /><br />Today we’re going to talk about the good news:<br />This Morning, this moment, you can begin to talk to your soul.<br />You can begin sowing truth to your soul.<br />And if you begin this very moment, this will ensure that you will reap the effect of truth in your soul at some point in the future.<br /><br />If you were convinced last week…<br />If you were convinced today by the psalmist<br />of the importance of this practice,<br />and if you employ this practice,<br />by God's grace this will have a transforming effect and make a noticeable difference in your soul.<br /><br />And today, we are going to work on the mechanics…<br />(-)<br />What Do I Say to My Soul?<br /><br />Maybe you are convinced of the practice…<br />But now you ask, "What do I say to my soul?"<br /><br />Here is the good news.<br />The good news is that the psalmist really provides us with a kind of starter's kit for talking to your soul.<br />The content of your conversation with yourself is explicitly presented in this psalm.<br />(-)<br />Notice in verses 5 and 11: "Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God."<br /><br />Here is the content of your conversation with your troubled soul:<br />"Hope in God."<br /><br />It begins by addressing your soul to look outward and to look upward.<br />He exhorts himself to hope in God.<br /><br />(-)<br />(Many good people have begun speaking to themselves<br />Business professionals wake up each morning and recite “Affirmation Statements” to themselves<br />This is a Healthy Practice…<br />But where it can fall a bit short at times is when it becomes human-centered instead of God-centered<br />It can focus on our own projection of reality instead of the Truth of God’s Reality<br />It can make us the center of our universe instead of God<br /><br />We want to be careful that these statements are not glorifying “Self “ instead of glorifying God… (Agreed???)<br /><br />They can lift us up instead of lifting God up and humbling ourselves<br />The Bible is clear that when we glory, we are supposed to glory in God.<br />(-)<br />When you speak to yourself, are you trying to pull God into the center of your universe or are you trying to magnify yourself?<br /><br />(Exp: Solar System…orbits…importance of Keeping God the center... When God is in the center of our lives, He keeps everything in orbit!)<br /><br />The Psalmist looks for no hope introspectively (within himself).<br />He looks for hope in God<br />The psalmist is aware of the sovereignty, faithfulness, & kindness of God.<br />And the psalmist is certain that God, himself, will intervene and in his good timing fulfill his promises in the life of the author.<br /><br />He refuses, in this moment, to be governed by the subjective.<br />He refuses to be troubled by the subjective<br />- His circumstances<br />- His emotions<br />- His feelings.<br />(-)<br />Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties.<br />--Aesop<br /><br />Troubled souls cannot be trusted.<br />And circumstances often lie to us.<br />They lie to us, informing us that God isn't sovereign,<br />God isn't wise,<br />God isn't kind,<br />God isn't active,<br />God isn't present,<br />God isn't for us—<br />in fact, he has forgotten us.<br /><br />We, by God’s grace, MUST not be governed by our souls.<br />We can’t afford to be governed by our faulty interpretation of circumstances.<br />We must hope in God.<br />We must wait on God.<br />We must be certain, as a result of hope, that God is sovereign and he is faithful and he is kind.<br />We must be certain and convinced that he will intervene, that he will fulfill his promise and his purpose for our lives.<br />The psalmist addresses his soul and exhorts his soul to hope in God.<br />(-)<br />The psalmist determines in verse 6 to remember God.<br />God hasn't forgotten the psalmist.<br />It is the psalmist, in effect, who has forgotten God.<br />And he exhorts himself to remember God. "Hope in God." Remember God.<br />This forms the content of your conversation with your soul and your exhortation to your soul.<br /><br />In other words, get your mind off your circumstances & get your mind on God!<br /><br />And the psalmist asserts, "I shall again praise him."<br /><br />I love that phrase.<br />"At some point in the future I will behold the goodness of the Lord. I shall again praise him."<br />Circumstances presently hide his hand, but hope assures the soul that you will eventually see and discern his hands.<br /><br />Spurgeon said, "When you cannot trace God's hand, you must trust God's heart."<br /><br />"I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God."<br />He states it twice.<br />He reminds himself of his relationship with God.<br />My God will save me.<br />The God who initiated this relationship with me, the God who revealed this relationship, the God who established covenant with me, this God will save me. He is my God, and he has pledged himself to me, and he will be faithful to act on my behalf.<br /><br />This forms the content of what you say to your soul, and certainly you can expand on this content.<br />What do you say to your soul?<br />Well, in some ways it depends on what is troubling your soul…<br /><br />What you can begin doing tonight is search the Scriptures for the appropriate promises that address the turmoil in your soul, that address the trials in your life, that address the opposition you are experiencing.<br /><br />Find your way to these promises in Scripture and then, by the grace of God, speak to your soul.<br />By the grace of God stop listening to your soul and instead speak to your soul with the promises of God, and these promises will transform your soul from a troubled soul into a hopeful soul.<br /><br />Talk to yourself.<br />(-)<br />B. Talk to God (v. 8)<br /><br />In verse 8, the psalmist turns his knowledge of God into a prayer which ultimately became a song:"By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life."<br /><br />The psalmist remembers God's Word, rehearses God's Word, prays God's Word to God, and he sings God's Word to God.<br />And his troubled soul becomes a hopeful soul as he addresses God with his Word.<br /><br />And I love the reference to singing.<br />I love it because you have really already experienced the fruit of talking to God and talking to your soul through singing.<br />That's what we have been doing all morning together.<br />Troubled souls become hopeful souls as we sing truth to our souls.<br /><br />The reason we are rarely troubled in the midst of corporate worship is because we are talking to our soul and singing truth to our soul, talking to God, and rehearsing the truth of the gospel and the promises of God to him.<br />And the effect of that upon our soul is hope, joy, affection, an awareness of God, and trust in God.<br />There is an effect.<br /><br />So each time we sing together we really are experiencing the fruit of this practice, talking to ourselves and talking to God.<br />God desires that we humbly but boldly remind him of his promises, and rehearse his promises before him.<br />He invites us to do this.<br /><br />What are some of these promises?<br />What does God say about himself?<br />His Nature?<br />His Love?<br />His Mercy?<br />His Provision?<br /><br />What does He say about you?<br />Your Identity in Christ?<br />How does God view you?<br />What does He promise for you?<br />(-)<br /><br />Some of us struggle with "Grasshopper Mentality" – Like the Children of Israel, after they had been freed from Egypt and were commissioned to take possession of the Promised Land. God saw them as capable of possessing the land and promised it to them, but they couldn’t see it for themselves… The ten spies saw the giants that lived there & said: “We are as grasshoppers in our own sight!”<br /><br />God saw them as capable, through Him. They saw themselves as grasshoppers (and saw God as incapable as a result)<br /><br />Do you believe God is who he says He is?<br />Do we believe we are who He says we are?<br /><br />Some of us believe these truths, but they don’t affect our lives!<br /><br />WHY?!?!<br /><br />Part of our problem is:<br />- We believe the things God has said intellectually but not intrinsically<br />- They’re great as an abstract truth or a doctrine, but not as a practical reality<br />- We believe them at a head level but not a heart level<br />(-)<br />Let me ask you…What does it mean to “believe?”<br /><br />Belief is something that occurs in the heart… the real you… the heart includes your mind, will & emotions<br />Sometimes we only believe things in our minds but not our hearts!<br /><br />(-)<br />(*This is why gospelling the heart (or “speaking the gospel to your heart) is so powerful… we generally address people’s Orthopraxy (Hands) & Orthodoxy (Head)… not their heart-Orthopathy (Heart))<br /><br />Romans 10:10 (New International Version)<br />10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.<br /><br />Rom. 10:10 – Belief is something that occurs within all you are<br /><br />If I look at some of the things that come out of my heart I must acknowledge that I am (in those things) an unbeliever…<br /><br />We act upon what we truly believe…<br /><br />Someone says, “I believe God is in control!”<br /><br />Really??? Do you have Fear in your heart? Anxiety? Then do you really believe God is in control?<br /><br />You know it in your head, but you don’t really believe it in your heart…<br />(-)<br />The process of closing the gap between what you know in your head & believe in your heart is called “sanctification”… Becoming holistically Christ-centered & gospel-centered<br /><br /><br />FOR YEARS I SKIPPED THE HEART!!!!<br />(-)<br />If someone was struggling with a belief or a behavior I went straight to the obvious parts. I dealt with their Orthodoxy (doctrinal beliefs/ Head) & Orthopraxy (Spiritual practices/ Hands) and never dealt with the heart (Orthopathy)!!!<br /><br />Then recently we’ve noticed that Paul’s correction in the Epistles (letters to the early church) always dealt with the heart…<br /><br />Here’s the movement: Who God is => Who you are as a result=> So go & do this…<br /><br />This is who God is… This is what He’s done for you =><br />Now he has called you this… Now you are children… Now you are free =><br />So love your brother & sister… so give generously to the needs around you…<br /><br />This is always the movement in Scripture<br /><br />It starts with belief and moves toward behavior<br /><br />When we try to stop sinning or a negative behavior or addiction, we normally aim for the behavior… we need to work on our beliefs<br /><br />John 8:31 – Truth will set you free<br /><br />Our beliefs (held in our hearts) produce actions!<br /><br />When our hearts are right, our actions will be right!<br />When you believe the right things in your heart – at the root level of who you are- your life will produce the fruit of that!<br /><br />The reason we do so many things we regret is because we choose to do them because we believed something at the time.<br /><br />EXAMPLE 1:<br />“I was angry at my boyfriend because he always does that so I called him a loser and told him I hated him”<br />We all do this kind of thing, but…<br />Is that the kind of behavior we should be striving for?<br />Christ-like behavior?<br />Humble & Loving?<br /><br />“Well, you should have been there…”<br />Does that really matter?<br />Does it matter what people do or say to us?<br />Can we control other people, or only ourselves?<br />Are we evaluated upon other people’s behaviors or our own?<br /><br />“Yeah but…”<br />You say those things because of a belief inside you…<br />Maybe you think those words make you feel better…revenge!<br />Maybe you believe it will teach them not to treat you that way…<br />Whatever the reason we make decisions, speak words and take action because of our beliefs<br /><br />EXAMPLE 2:<br />“I chose not to hurt her when she said those words and slapped me in my face!”<br /><br />Why?<br /><br />“I believed that even though she was out of control for a minute she is a creation that bears God’s image and If I got mad and said or did something in return, it would only make things worse, instead of bringing about this reconciliation that we always talk about as a community… besides, God’s only given me grace mercy & love when I treated Him the same way”<br /><br />If you want to change your behaviors, you need to ask yourself what you’re believing that’s allowing those behaviors…<br />Then Speak God’s Truth to yourself…<br />To Your heart<br />Speak God’s promises to yourself<br /><br />In fact all our behaviors tie directly into our beliefs about God, (which is something we are going to talk much more about next week…)<br /><br /><br /><br />Cash the Banknote of Divine Promise<br /><br />Mr. Spurgeon understood the importance of faith toward God.<br />It seems to me he had a gift of faith.<br />I can't read his writings without experiencing a transfer of faith to my soul.<br />Spurgeon wrote the following about God's promises, which we are to rehearse before him:<br /><br /> God's promises were never meant to be thrown aside as waste paper; He intended that they should be used.... Nothing pleases our Lord better than to see His promises put in circulation; He loves to see His children bring them up to Him, and say, "Lord, do as thou hast said." We glorify God when we plead His promises. Do you think that God will be any the poorer for giving you the riches He has promised? Do you dream that He will be any the less holy for giving holiness to you? Do you imagine He will be any the less pure for washing you from your sins? He has said, "Come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord, though your sins...be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Faith lays hold upon the promise of pardon, and it does not delay, saying, "This is a precious promise, I wonder if it be true?" but it goes straight to the throne with it, and pleads, "Lord, here is the promise, do as thou has said." …Think not that God will be troubled by your importunately reminding Him of His promises. He loves to hear the loud outcries of needy souls. It is His delight to bestow favours. He is more ready to hear than you are to ask....It is God's nature to keep His promises; therefore go at once to the throne with, "Do as thou hast said."<br /><br />Yes.<br />That is exactly what we are being, in effect, exhorted in this psalm,<br />to talk to God and to remind him of his promises.<br /><br />Listen: The more time you spend talking to yourself and speaking to God, the more time you spend speaking the gospel to your soul and humbly reminding God of his promises, the less time you will spend listening to your soul, and the more you will experience a joyful and hopeful soul rather than a downcast and a troubled soul.<br /><br />You cannot read this psalm without remembering someone else whose soul was troubled: our Savior's uniquely troubled soul as his death on the cross drew near.<br />(-)<br />As the hour for which he came drew near, it would appear that he was alluding to this psalm when he said, "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour" (John 12:27).<br /><br />And in the Garden of Gethsemane, we overhear a similar cry: "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death" (Matthew 26:38, Mark 14:34).<br /><br />The Savior's soul was uniquely troubled and sorrowful as he contemplated his impending encounter with the wrath of God as our substitute for our sin.<br />On the cross he would be crushed by the Father with his wrath for our sin.<br />He would be forsaken by the Father, and he would cry out in indescribable agony, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34)<br /><br />Listen:<br />The psalmist felt forsaken by God.<br />The Savior was forsaken by God.<br /><br />The psalmist was troubled in soul because he felt the absence of God.<br />The Savior was troubled in soul as he contemplated being crushed by the righteous wrath of God and truly abandoned by God.<br /><br />The psalmist's soul was downcast.<br />But the Savior's soul would be crushed with the full, furious, righteous wrath of God against our sin.<br /><br />The psalmist's soul was temporarily and, one might argue, superficially downcast.<br />The Savior's soul was uniquely troubled and tormented so that the souls of people like us would know freedom from the fear of eternal torment of soul in hell.<br /><br />He was forsaken so that we might be forgiven.<br />He was forsaken so that we might never be forsaken.<br />Because of his sacrifice on the cross, we can sing about the steadfast love of the Lord.<br />Because of his sacrifice on the cross, we can say with the psalmist, now informed by the cross, "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God" (vv. 5–6).<br /><br />Next Week:<br />Vince Is going to be breaking this down to the daily mechanics…<br />How to work Speaking to your soul into your everyday life…<br />The importance of Understanding this connection we started talking about today between your:<br />- Head<br />- Heart<br />- Hands<br /><br />How your beliefs affect your behavior<br />How every negative behavior can be traced back to a lie we believe about God.<br /><br />It’s going to awesome!…<br /><br />PrayerAnchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-12794934454673761902009-06-07T15:33:00.000-07:002009-06-07T15:36:35.854-07:00Talk To Yourself (pt.1)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BhUrJdaAkuyO_U0rg7jmGAzJCj2x13IyXRYytvWHEsesN3k7_qUSysEB4OfnmIgg-s847jJJyfDkN_QB_F_jGDEFuP-mjDKC5T652CO2mhYPIcMXGIk4pWu6lR4_1hVMhAXTLMTnhmk/s1600-h/AG+Talk+to+Yourself.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BhUrJdaAkuyO_U0rg7jmGAzJCj2x13IyXRYytvWHEsesN3k7_qUSysEB4OfnmIgg-s847jJJyfDkN_QB_F_jGDEFuP-mjDKC5T652CO2mhYPIcMXGIk4pWu6lR4_1hVMhAXTLMTnhmk/s320/AG+Talk+to+Yourself.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344717744696731442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Talk To Yourself! (Pt 1)<br /><br />(-)<br />Psalm 42 is our assignment this morning. Listen carefully as we are addressed by God through this Psalm.<br />(-)<br /> As a deer pants for flowing streams,<br /> so pants my soul for you, O God.<br /> My soul thirsts for God,<br /> for the living God.<br /> When shall I come and appear before God?<br /> My tears have been my food<br /> day and night,<br /> while they say to me continually,<br /> "Where is your God?"<br />(-) <br /> These things I remember,<br /> as I pour out my soul:<br /> how I would go with the throng<br /> and lead them in procession to the house of God<br /> with glad shouts and songs of praise,<br /> a multitude keeping festival.<br /> Why are you cast down, O my soul,<br /> and why are you in turmoil within me?<br />(-)<br /> Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,<br /> my salvation and my God.<br /> My soul is cast down within me;<br /> therefore I remember you<br /> from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,<br /> from Mount Mizar.<br /> Deep calls to deep<br /> at the roar of your waterfalls;<br /> all your breakers and your waves<br /> have gone over me.<br />(-)<br /> By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,<br /> and at night his song is with me,<br /> a prayer to the God of my life.<br /> I say to God, my rock:<br /> "Why have you forgotten me?<br /> Why do I go mourning<br /> because of the oppression of the enemy?"<br />(-)<br /> As with a deadly wound in my bones,<br /> my adversaries taunt me,<br /> while they say to me continually,<br /> "Where is your God?"<br /> Why are you cast down, O my soul,<br /> and why are you in turmoil within me?<br /> Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,<br /> my salvation and my God.<br /><br />Author Paul Tripp has devoted much of his life to studying biblical counseling<br />He has written the finest book, in my opinion, on the topic of biblical counseling: Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands.<br /><br />Paul is a true Christian, a most effective "physician of the soul." Recently I came across the following insight in Paul's writing.<br />Listen carefully as Mr. Tripp describes the most influential voice in your life.<br />(-)<br /> I find myself saying it all the time. When people hear it they laugh, but actually I'm being quite serious when I say it. Here it is. No one is more influential in your life than you are because no one talks to you more than you do. You're in an unending conversation with yourself. You're talking to yourself all the time, interpreting, organizing, and analyzing what's going on inside you and around you.<br />(-)<br /> You may be talking to yourself about why you feel so tired. Or maybe you woke up this morning with a sense of dread and you're not sure why....Perhaps you're reliving a conversation that didn't go too well. Or maybe [you're] preparing yourself for a conversation that may be difficult by conjuring up as many renditions as you can imagine, so you can cover all the contingencies…<br />(-)<br />Maybe your mind has traveled back to your distant past and, for reasons you don't understand, you're recalling events from your early childhood. The point is that you are constantly involved in an internal conversation that greatly influences the things you decide, say, and do....<br /><br />What do you regularly tell yourself about yourself, God, and your circumstances?<br />- Do your words to you encourage faith, hope, and courage?<br />- Or do they stimulate doubt, discouragement, and fear?<br />- Do you remind yourself that God is near, or do you reason within yourself, given your circumstances, that he must be distant?<br />- Do you encourage yourself to run to God even when you don't understand what he's doing?<br />- Or do you give yourself permission to back away from him when you are confused by the seeming distance between what he's promised and what you're experiencing?<br />- ....When others talk to you, is your internal conversation so loud that it's hard to concentrate on what they're saying?<br /><br />(-)<br />Here's the question: How wholesome, faith-driven, and Christ-centered is the conversation that you have-with you-every day?<br /><br />No one is more influential in your life than you are, because no one talks to you more than you do.<br />You are in an unending conversation with yourself.<br />This conversation never ceases.<br />It began when you woke up this morning and it will continue until you fall asleep this evening.<br />It is actually taking place within you right now, even as we speak.<br />And this morning we will consider and examine this unending conversation taking place within yourself each and every day.<br />(-)<br />Even though this conversation is constantly taking place within us, we hardly ever examine it or evaluate the content of this conversation.<br />We rarely consider the influence of this conversation upon our lives.<br />And most of us don't consider this unending conversation as truly significant, or serious, or ultimately influential. (Agreed???)<br /><br />But we are mistaken, because this internal conversation really has the most influence on your soul each and every day.<br />You are more influenced by this internal conversation than you are by<br />- your parents,<br />- your pastors,<br />- your friends,<br />- your teachers,<br />- circumstances,<br />- and (at times) even more than God and his Word.<br />Apart from God's activity in our lives each day, this conversation, and the content of this conversation, is the difference-maker in your soul each and every day.<br />And there is a direct relationship between the content of this unending internal conversation and the state of your soul each and every day.<br />(-)<br />So examining and evaluating the content of this internal conversation in light of holy Scripture, and informing this conversation with the content of holy Scripture and the gospel, can—and by God's grace, will—make all the difference in your soul and in your life.<br /><br />And in Psalm 42, we have the unique opportunity of listening in on the internal conversation of the psalmist.<br />We have the unique opportunity to overhear the psalmist, as he examines and evaluates the unending conversation taking place in his soul.<br />The psalmist records this internal conversation, and he humbly shares this with us.<br />He shares with us his internal conversation so that we might examine and evaluate the content of our internal conversation and the influence of that conversation upon our lives.<br /><br />2 Main Examples We’ll point out today:<br />(-)<br />1. THE TROUBLED SOUL<br /><br />As we overhear the internal conversation present in this psalm, it is immediately obvious to all of us that all is NOT well within the soul of the author.<br /><br />The mood of this psalm is obvious throughout the reading.<br />This man's soul is troubled & the conversation within his soul is troubling.<br />His soul, in verse 5, is downcast.<br />His soul is cast down.<br />His soul is in turmoil.<br />And there is a repetition in verses 5 and 11.<br />His soul is downcast.<br />His soul is in turmoil.<br /><br />And perhaps you’re familiar with this experience yourself.<br />Perhaps, moments ago, as we read through this psalm, the content or mood of this psalm resonated in your soul.<br />Well, to differing degrees I think we are all familiar with the experience of the soul in torment.<br />No one who is present is exempt from this experience.<br /><br />But if you’re not prepared for this experience, you will be vulnerable to failure when you have this experience…<br />You will be prone to struggle.<br />The psalmist, in effect, prepares us for this experience.<br />The psalmist identifies with us in this experience, and he teaches us how to respond to this experience.<br /><br />If you are familiar with an aching soul, this psalm informs you that your struggle is not unique and you are not alone.<br /><br />(-)<br />David Powlison has said, "The Psalms have always been favorites of God's people because they express honest human experience and emotion in the context of faith. In the Psalms you meet God where you are."<br /><br />Yes, they have always been favorites because they express honest human experience and emotion.<br />In this psalm, we obviously have honest human experience and emotion in the context of faith.<br /><br />So prepare this morning, to be freshly introduced to God right where you are today.<br /><br />Now, it would appear that the author's soul has been troubled by three different experiences, experiences that we are all familiar with.<br />(-)<br />A. Troubled by the Absence of God (vv. 1–4)<br /><br />The author of this psalm is a godly man.<br />He is numbered among the sons of Korah.<br />He is numbered among the Levites who were involved in leading temple worship.<br /><br />Notice that the psalm doesn’t begin with a reference to his troubled soul.<br />Instead, at the outset of this psalm we encounter a thirsty soul.<br />(-) "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?" (vv. 1–2)<br /><br />Initially the psalmist portrays himself as thirsty for God, not cast down or troubled in his soul.<br />The author is passionate about God<br />The author of this psalm is passionately pursuing God,<br />- not indifferent to God,<br />- not maintaining a distance from God,<br />- not openly or secretly pursuing sin against God.<br />No, there is a pronounced thirst for God in his soul.<br />And this passion for God is so pronounced that he compares it to a deer desperate for water in a time of drought or when pursued by hunters.<br /><br />The opening lines seem to reveal an increasing intensity.<br />He begins with a reference to God, and then he references the living God, and then finally he cries out, "When shall I come and appear before God?" (v. 2)<br /><br />The psalmist has an intense, impressive, compelling appetite for God.<br />He is thirsty for God, yet his soul is downcast and in turmoil.<br />How can that be present simultaneously in this man's soul?<br />Why is he downcast?<br />Why is his soul in turmoil?<br /><br />Well, his soul is downcast and in turmoil because, even though he longs for God, he feels distant from God.<br />Though he is thirsty for God, he feels alienated from God.<br />He longs for God, yet he feels forgotten by God.<br />He is passionate for God, yet he feels abandoned by God.<br />Meet a man who desires God's presence, but feels God's absence.<br />Meet the psalmist.<br /><br />Have you ever been there???<br /><br />His sense of estrangement from God is only heightened by his geographic separation from the temple and its worship.<br />He writes in verse 6 from Palestine, and he remembers the joy of former days:<br />(-)"…how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival" (v. 4).<br /><br />He passionately desires a renewed experience of that very special communion with God that he experienced in public worship during the festival season.<br />He is thirsty for this, but it ain't happening!<br /><br />Have you ever been away from God’s people for quite a while?<br />(Vince testimony: Left Seminary… Backslid… went back to church…choir practice…God’s presence…overwhelming)<br /><br />It is quite possible to be thirsty for God—to seek God and to serve God—and yet at times not sense the nearness of God and instead feel the absence of God.<br />Would you be surprised today to learn that the people we rightly respect and revere in and throughout church history are familiar with this experience?<br />(-)<br />Charles Spurgeon (1834–1892)<br /><br />Charles Spurgeon wrote the following:<br /><br /> Why, I tell you, young Christians, that the most experienced believers, the men who have great doctrinal knowledge and much experimental wisdom, the men who have lived very near to God and have had the most rapt and intimate fellowship with their Lord and Savior, are the very men who have their ebbs, and their winters.<br /><br />And Spurgeon himself was very familiar with those ebbs and the winter season of the soul. John Piper, in giving a biographical address about Mr. Spurgeon, noted his recurrent battles with depression. John Piper writes,<br /><br /> It is not easy to imagine the omni-competent, eloquent, brilliant, full-of-energy Spurgeon weeping like a baby for no reason that he could think of. In 1858, at age 24 it happened for the first time. He said, "My spirits were sunken so low that I could weep by the hour like a child, and yet I knew not what I wept for."....<br /><br /> He saw his depression as his "worst feature." "Despondency," he said, "is not a virtue; I believe it is a vice. I am heartily ashamed of myself for falling into it, but I am sure there is no remedy for it like a holy faith in God."<br /><br />Spurgeon would once write, "This depression comes over me whenever the Lord is preparing a larger blessing for my ministry." Charles Spurgeon was very familiar with a downcast, troubled soul.<br /><br /><br />(-)<br />Martin Luther (1483–1546)<br /><br />And so was Martin Luther.<br />On one particular occasion when he was greatly discouraged—which was not unusual for Luther—he was forcefully reminded of this by his wife, Katharine…<br />Seeing him unresponsive to any word of encouragement, one morning she appeared dressed in black mourning clothes.<br /> No word of explanation was forthcoming, and so Luther, who had heard nothing of a bereavement, asked her, "Katharine, why are you dressed in mourning black?"<br /><br />"Someone has died," she replied.<br /><br />"Died?" said Luther. "I have not heard of anyone dying. Whoever can have died?"<br /><br />"It seems," his wife replied, (Tilt head sarcastically) "that God must have died."<br /><br />Luther got the point. (lol)<br /><br />These men were familiar with the experience of the psalmist.<br />And if this is your experience as you sit here today, or when this is your experience in the future, these stories should give you hope.<br />And most importantly, we should derive hope from the divinely inspired author of this particular psalm.<br />His soul is downcast.<br />He is thirsty for God.<br />He is passionately seeking God.<br />He longs to experience communion with God.<br />And yet his soul is downcast, in turmoil, and troubled because it seems God has forgotten him.<br />He is more aware of God's absence than he is of God's presence, and the result is a troubled and downcast soul.<br /><br />(-)<br />B. Troubled by the Presence of Trials (vv. 6–7)<br /><br />Secondly, his soul seems to be affected by the presence of trials.<br /><br />Rather than the joyful sounds of temple worship that he identifies in verse 4, all the psalmist seems to hear is vividly described in verse 7:<br />(-) "Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me."<br /><br />These waters symbolize trials and suffering.<br />These waterfalls, waves, and breakers are continuous, relentless, and overwhelming.<br />And the sound of this waterfall and these breakers is deafening.<br />He is not only aware of the seeming absence of God, he is very aware of the presence of trials in his life.<br />"All your breakers and your waves have gone over me."<br /><br />Perhaps today you in some way can relate to the psalmist.<br />Perhaps you are lonely.<br />Perhaps you came to this gathering alone.<br />It doesn't appear you have friends.<br />It appears to you that everyone else has friends.<br />You, in the midst of this congregation, feel alone.<br />You are intimate friends with loneliness on a daily basis.<br /><br />Or perhaps you thought you would be married by now.<br />Yet lately you have begun to think, "Will I ever get married?"<br /><br />Or perhaps, this morning, you are familiar with chronic debilitating sickness in some form, that’s uncommon for someone your age.<br /><br />Maybe life has thrown you some curveballs.<br />Broken relationships.<br />Job loss.<br />Crippling circumstances & setbacks.<br /><br />Your soul is downcast.<br />It is troubled.<br />You are in turmoil.<br />Trials like waves, like breakers, ceaselessly and endlessly overwhelm you.<br /><br />The psalmist, though thirsty for God, is downcast because of the seeming absence of God and the presence of trials.<br /><br />(-)<br />C. Troubled by the Opposition of Man (vv. 3, 9, 10)<br /><br />Finally, it appears he was affected by the opposition of man.<br />He is familiar with opposition.<br />(-)<br />"While they say to me continually, 'Where is your God?'" (v. 3)<br />"Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?" (v. 9)<br />"As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me continually, 'Where is your God?'" (v. 10)<br />(-)<br />His soul is downcast and troubled because of the opposition of man.<br /><br />And for us, that opposition can come in a spiritual or supernatural form.<br />It can come in the form of the demonic.<br />It can come in the form of fiery darts from the evil one taunting us on a daily basis, arguing with us that not only is God invisible, he appears to be quite inactive in your life.<br />Maybe He doesn’t exist…<br />If He does, maybe He doesn’t care about you!<br /><br />You appear to be abandoned by God.<br />You appear to be forgotten by God.<br />Just like the Psalmist, WE are familiar with those tormenting thoughts,<br />- Those secret fears that we are suspicious at times might be true,<br />- Because, when we look around at our circumstances & trials and begin to assess things, our trials seem more tangible than our God in those moments.<br />- The Opposition comes…<br />- It comes to all of us…<br /><br />And the opposition comes in the form of individuals as well.<br />And if you are a college student—and the majority present are college students—you will know opposition.<br />If you identify yourself as a Christian,<br />If you identify yourself with the gospel of Jesus Christ,<br />If you identify yourself with the authoritative content of holy Scripture,<br />You WILL experience opposition, because part of this culture is hostile to God and his Word.<br />And regardless of how humbly you hold your biblical position, you will experience, to some degree, opposition from this culture.<br /><br />The Inevitability of Hostility<br /><br />Opposition is inevitable.<br />We live in a culture hostile to all we believe and proclaim;<br />Hostile to the notion that absolute truth may in fact exist in this world<br />Hostile to masculinity and femininity as defined in Scripture;<br />Hostile to the prescribed commands of God for sexual purity outside of marriage<br />Hostile, most of all and most importantly, to the exclusivity of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross as the way to be reconciled with God.<br /><br />Regardless of how humbly you hold those positions—<br />(And I pray you do hold them humbly…and not self-righteously)<br />You will know opposition.<br />You will know opposition from relatives, friends, teachers, employers, and coworkers.<br />You will know opposition, and that opposition can affect your soul.<br /><br />It was affecting the soul of the psalmist.<br />Aware of those taunts, aware of the opposition, he was downcast.<br />And he was troubled in his soul.<br />As he conversed with himself in his soul about the seeming absence of God and the presence of trials and the ridicule from those around him, his soul was troubled and in turmoil as a result.<br />These themes in his life formed a ceaseless conversation within him.<br /><br />But by God's grace, these situations did cease!<br /><br />It is particularly noteworthy and instructive for us to study how the psalmist responds to this unending conversation within his soul.<br /><br />It is particularly noteworthy and instructive for us, as we overhear his internal conversation, to look carefully at how he responds to his troubled soul, because what is remarkable about this psalm—and critical for us to recognize and ultimately emulate—is how the psalmist addresses his troubled soul and ultimately, the God of his soul.<br /><br />And that brings us to point 2.<br />(-)<br />2. THE HOPEFUL SOUL<br /><br />When your soul is troubled and in turmoil…<br />When you are longing for God but do not sense the nearness of God…<br />When you are overwhelmed by trial and opposed by others…<br />What is the appropriate response?<br />Well, the psalmist models the appropriate response.<br /><br />And if the psalmist were present, he would tell you personally that when your soul is troubled, when your soul is in turmoil, the appropriate response is (A) talk to yourself, and (B) talk to God.<br /><br />(-)<br />A. Talk to Yourself (vv. 5, 11)<br /><br />First, talk to yourself.<br />(I know that sounds crazy)<br /><br />But we’re not talking about wandering through the streets of SD carrying on a conversation with yourself in public!<br />(Example: Yesterday… “Washington Mutual” / Also Tacoma… Kenny (If you talk to them they come out of it & go right back…LOL)<br /><br />That’s true with us too!<br /><br />We’re talking about a conversation that’s going on in your innermost being already… and instead of just being a hearer, actually engaging in that conversation with Biblical truth…<br />If you let your heart dictate everything you do, you will be mislead…<br />(-)<br />“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it!”<br /><br />Without God, we make a pretty bad mess of things…Agreed?<br />We studied this earlier this year in our Billboard series on Romans<br />We are self-seeking, by nature…<br />We are easily angered and allow emotions (fear, anger…) to control us<br />Without God, the Bible says we are wicked and depraved<br /><br />Our hearts still wrestle with addictions to sin and are not fully subject to the things of God<br />If we allow our hearts to guide us, where will it lead?<br />The same place it has our whole life… failure and frustration<br />The definition of insanity is trying to do the same thing repeatedly expecting a different result…<br />We have to stop letting our heart lead us<br />We must learn to begin to inject the word of God into our hearts<br />We must let God’s unchanging word direct our steps<br />We must learn not to be blinded by our circumstances and feelings, but to keep our eyes open, in faith, to the God who seems distant at times, but is never further than the mention of His name…<br />We must learn to walk by faith, not our feelings<br /><br />The psalmist does not wallow in his sorrowful circumstances…<br />He does not repeatedly and endlessly review and rehearse and describe the state of his troubled soul.<br />He does not ignore his soul.<br />He does not excuse his soul.<br />No, instead, he interrupts his soul.<br />He interrupts this unending conversation taking place within his soul.<br />He questions his soul.<br />He interrogates his soul.<br />He challenges his soul.<br />He rebukes his soul.<br />And he exhorts his soul to trust in God.<br />And this, ultimately, makes all the difference in his soul,<br />And this will make all the difference in your downcast soul as well.<br />(-)<br />Too often this practice of talking to yourself and talking to your soul is neglected by those who are troubled in their soul.<br /><br />You can read about this in incredible book called Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Its Cure (Eerdmans, 1965), which we highly recommend.<br />In it, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones writes,<br /><br />I say that we must talk to ourselves instead of allowing 'ourselves' to talk to us! Do you realize what that means? I suggest that the main trouble in this whole matter of spiritual depression in a sense is this, that we allow our self to talk to us instead of talking to our self. Am I just trying to be deliberately paradoxical? Far from it. This is the very essence of wisdom in this matter. Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself? Take those thoughts that come to you the moment you wake up in the morning. You have not originated them, but they start talking to you, they bring back the problems of yesterday, etc. Somebody is talking. Who is talking to you? Your self is talking to you. Now this man's treatment [in Psalm 42] was this; instead of allowing this self to talk to him, he starts talking to himself. 'Why art thou cast down, O my soul?' he asked. His soul had been depressing him, crushing him. So he stands up and says: 'Self, listen for a moment, I will speak to you.'....<br /><br />The main art in the matter of spiritual living is to know how to handle yourself.<br />You have to take yourself in hand,<br />You have to address yourself,<br />Preach to yourself,<br />Question yourself.<br />Gospel yourself.<br />You must say to your soul: 'Why are you cast down?'—<br />What business do you have to be disquieted?<br />You must turn on yourself,<br />Reprimand yourself,<br />Exhort yourself,<br />And say to yourself: 'Hey you, Hope in God!'<br /><br />That is exactly what we must do.<br />(-)<br />"Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?"<br /><br />Let me ask you: Have you realized that?<br />Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to this reality, this fact, that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?<br /><br />See, what we have each day is an internal conversation that never ends.<br />It is ceaseless.<br />It continues always within us.<br />And so each day, throughout the day, we have two simple choices:<br /><br />1) We can either spend the day listening to ourselves, listening to ourselves in our constantly changing feelings and circumstantial interpretations<br /><br />-OR-<br /><br />2) We can spend each day talking to ourselves. We can talk truth to ourselves. We can preach the gospel to ourselves, and we can address our troubled and tormented soul with Scripture and ultimately the gospel.<br /><br />This takes: Effort, Practice, and Perseverance<br /><br />Now most of us have spent years listening to ourselves and have rarely talked to ourselves.<br />Talking to yourself is a learned skill.<br />It is a learned skill requiring practice and it involves effort.<br />This will not happen effortlessly.<br />Talking truth to yourself requires effort that is motivated by, and dependent upon, the grace of God.<br />But one conversation with yourself normally won't be sufficient to alter your troubled soul.<br /><br />Yeah!<br />Our troubled souls don’t immediately cooperate!<br />Our troubled souls are not instantly transformed.<br />Our troubled souls need more than a single exhortation.<br />Our troubled souls need continuous addressing with truth and with the truth of the gospel.<br />And that, actually, is illustrated in this psalm.<br />Please notice, in verse 5, he begins to talk to himself.<br />(-)<br />"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?" Keep reading:<br />"My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you" (v. 6).<br />And then verse 11:<br /> "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God."<br /><br />Notice the repetition of the psalm.<br />Talking to yourself requires perseverance.<br />It requires repetition.<br />“Repetition is the mother of learning”<br /><br />Like the psalmist, you must persevere with this practice and in this practice in order to experience the transition from troubled soul to hopeful soul.<br /><br />And understand that many of you here are reaping the effect in your soul and upon your soul of listening to your soul for years rather than talking to your soul.<br /><br />But the good news today is this:<br />This Morning, this moment, you can begin to talk to your soul.<br />You can begin sowing truth to your soul.<br />And IF you begin this very moment, this will ensure that you will reap the effect of truth in your soul at some point in the future.<br /><br />If you are convinced—and I assume you are convinced by the psalmist—of the importance of this practice, and if you employ this practice, by God's grace this will have a transforming effect and make a noticeable difference in your soul.<br /><br />Next week we are going to get into the good stuff… we’ll be talking about<br />how to do it<br />You may be asking,<br />What Do I Say to My Soul?<br /><br />This week, just start telling yourself truth about God and promises from His word<br /><br />The next 2 Sundays we’ll really start unpacking this subject…<br />- Going much deeper<br />- Explaining the mechanics<br /><br />I’m excited about this series, because if you won’t just stop at listening,<br />but you’ll let this truth go from your head to your heart and into your hands the Gospel is going to change you…<br /><br />The Good news of God will go from informational to TRANSformational!<br /><br /> Let’s Pray.Anchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-12965597110730235292009-06-07T15:29:00.000-07:002009-06-07T15:32:40.919-07:00I Do!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByUTMnxiGkwQmFYpQwTRKX_cfUc3EM7Lb5XHdfkq8qgMN186luKh_jS0f1BFR9kPS0zqmyxkdJSTiNqq61E-c4sIvBNhRQjcgDquRIaB6xDc1TCPFryoIXr6NULfOoSRxogKAuqDj5dY/s1600-h/Slide5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByUTMnxiGkwQmFYpQwTRKX_cfUc3EM7Lb5XHdfkq8qgMN186luKh_jS0f1BFR9kPS0zqmyxkdJSTiNqq61E-c4sIvBNhRQjcgDquRIaB6xDc1TCPFryoIXr6NULfOoSRxogKAuqDj5dY/s320/Slide5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344717210821959538" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I Do!<br /><br />We are created to crave our Creator - anything less will not satisfy.<br /><br />Growing spiritually is the purpose of our lives<br /><br />Relationships are the context where growth in character, obedience, and service occur.<br /><br />Throughout scripture we see our relationship with God compared to many things: (-)<br />- master/servant relationship<br />- friend/friend relationship<br />- father/child relationship<br />- husband/wife relationship<br /><br />Throughout Scripture, God compares His relationship to His people to the relationship a man and woman experience in marriage.<br />- This picture helps us understand how God wants us to relate to Him.<br />- God’s primary message to the world is one of reconciliation<br />n Bringing us back into relationship with our Maker.<br />n He loves us,<br />n Desires us<br />n Wants to be close to us.<br />n Longs for our obedience (result of intimacy&love-not fear)<br />- God’s faithful & sacrificial love to us demonstrates how we are to then love one another.<br />- Our relationships can be small pictures of what God’s love is.<br />n Like~signposts of the divine love God wants to share with the world.<br /><br /><br />The Bible has a Lot to say about this…<br />(-)<br />*Eph 5:25-32 – “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.<br />(-)<br />After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”<br />(-)<br />“I DO”<br /><br />It is important to understand this dynamic of relationship with God because we are looked at as The “Bride of Christ” many times in scripture. (From Israel to the New Testament Church) Why is it like a marriage?<br />(-)<br />- Deep Intimacy we are called to<br />- God has sought us as lovers<br />- He loved us with a perfect, patient, unconditional love<br />- God desires faithfulness and exclusiveness<br />(-)<br />*Also keep in mind, we tend to interpret this topic and these scriptures Individually only, but the way they were written and originally interpreted was Communally.<br /><br />(*They can be interpreted and applied to your life and personal relationship with Christ, but you should also be seeking to understand them in the context of what they mean for us as a group (Anchor Gaslamp) and to the Church as a whole, presently and historically)<br /><br />There are many great examples in the Bible to pull from…<br />- We could talk about almost any marriage,<br />- Song of Solomon - picture of God pursuing His people,<br />- For the purposes of the message today I want to point out 2 examples:<br />(-)<br />What makes a good marriage and what doesn’t, specifically as a wife/bride? (because this is what we are referred to)<br /><br />I gotta admit it’s a bit weird for me.<br />Guys, you know what I mean.<br />(-)<br />I never considered myself the “bride” type…<br />But in my years of studying this out, and being married to a wonderful woman, I have learned to appreciate this metaphor.<br /><br />What does it take to have a successful marriage/ relationship?<br />(-)<br />(Exp. Relationship Pyramid: Passion, Intimacy, and Commitment.<br />Commitment + Intimacy = Boring people who sit across table w/books<br />Passion + Commitment = Bi-polar Relationships/<br />Passion + Intimacy = Swingers)<br /><br />We all say we “love” God, but what is love for us?<br />- Is your love just a love of commitment?<br />- Are you passionate for God, but not committed to Him?<br />- Are you engaging with God on an Intellectual level, but not Emotionally?<br />- Do you have a Hot & Cold relationship with God…on again, off again?<br />- Is your relationship with God Boring?<br />- Is God there just for what you get from Him?<br />(-)<br />What do you mean when you tell God you love Him?<br /><br />The 1st Example:<br />(-) Hosea 1-2:1-20<br />a. There lived a prophet in northern Israel named Hosea / was living at the time of Uzziah, Hezekiah, Jeroboam<br />b. God told Hosea to marry a prostitute as a living metaphor of God’s marriage to Israel…which was rocky to say the least (He chooses a harlot to represent her)<br />i. He found this girl named Gomer, married her and had 3 kids<br />ii. She was a prostitute and found it difficult to stay faithful, she kept going back to her old ways of sleeping around until she had nothing left and decided to come home<br />c. God used the lives of prophets many times to prophecy what God felt or wanted to do to His people<br />i. In this case how God feels is found in 2:5-7 –<br />(-) “(Israel) has been unfaithful and has her children in disgrace. She said, 'I will go after my lovers, who give me my food and my water, my wool and my linen, my oil and my drink.' Therefore I will block her path with thorn-bushes; I will wall her in so that she cannot find her way. She will chase after her lovers but not catch them; she will look for them but not find them. Then she will say, 'I will go back to my husband as at first, for then I was better off than now.'<br />ii. God talks about how His lover’s put on her lingerie and laid on her back for the false gods<br />iii. His decision about how to treat her is found in 2:14-17 –<br />(-) “Therefore I am now going to allure her. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt. "In that day," declares the LORD, "you will call me 'my husband'; you will no longer call me 'my master. ' I will remove the names of the Baals (false gods) from her lips; no longer will their names be invoked.”<br />d. God causes the circumstances of the wayward wife’s life to become so bad, that she wants to return home<br />e. When she has come to a place of repentance and wants to return to her husband God’s response is…<br />i. Forgiveness, a new covenant of marriage, intimacy, a fresh start, freedom from her former life, and being bound to her husband in new marriage<br /><br />This picture of marriage is so powerful because…<br />(-)<br />a. It shows a husband willing entering into a marriage with someone that He knows won’t be faithful<br />b. However the husband, knowing she won’t be faithful, also knows that she will ultimately return to love<br />c. Her husband is patient and willing to cause the circumstances of other people and His wife to become uncomfortable and sometimes deadly for the sake of love<br />d. Everything is done so that love can grow stronger and deeper between a husband and wife and it doesn’t matter who or what gets in the way<br /><br />• The Husband Chooses Love.<br />• God chooses us, when we don’t choose Him. That love overcomes anything.<br />(-)<br />• Where Sin abounds, grace much more abounds –Rom. 5:20<br />• The more I walk from God, the more He reaches for me<br />• …even if that means tough love<br />• Leading me into the deserts of life<br />• Allowing the pain of my decisions & other’s to affect me till I realize how empty all other pursuits are<br />• He just keeps reaching<br />• Compared to his love, proven by the cross (the ultimate expression of Love) all the calls of other lovers are like cheap pick-up lines<br />(-)<br />“But I’ve given my life to Christ and I’m trying to walk in Communion with Him and live for His Purposes and Open my eyes to see reality more…I’m Committed and Passionate and Intimate with Christ (Which let’s just say, for the sake of argument, that one of us can actually claim)…what can I do?”<br /><br />Well there are some ideas the Bible recommends for wives.<br />- Eph 5:22 - Wives, Submit yourselves to your husbands, as unto the Lord<br />- I Tim 3:11 - …Wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but self-controlled and trustworthy in everything.<br /><br />But the best example, usually applied to women (if you’ve ever heard teaching on being a “Woman of Virtue”) is from Proverbs 31, written from the wise king Solomon to his son, telling him what to look for in a wife.<br />Proverbs 31:10-31<br />10 A good wife is hard to find? She is worth far more than rubies.<br />11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.<br />12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.<br />13 She shops for the best they can afford and works with eager hands.<br />14 She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.<br />15 She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.<br />(-)<br />16 She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.<br />17 First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started<br />18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.<br />19 She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in making her home comfortable.<br />20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.<br />(-)<br />21 In bad weather, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are pre-clothed in the finest clothing.<br />22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.<br />23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.<br />24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.<br />25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.<br />(-)<br />26 When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.<br />27 She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.<br />28 Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise:<br />29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."<br />30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty fades away; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised and admired.<br />31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise among the finest of the city.<br />(-)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Me & Nancy:<br /><br />If there is one thing I’ve learned about love, it’s that IT GROWS!<br />- I thought I loved Nancy after a couple of months<br />- I had no Idea how much I would love her today<br />- Several kisses later, I love her more<br />- A couple visits from the stork Later, I love her more<br />- Several arguments/fights later, I love her more<br /><br />*Through Trials, Pain, Joy, Tears, our love has grown deeper & wider & More ProfoundAnchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-89951447667834475402009-06-07T15:26:00.001-07:002009-06-07T15:28:56.370-07:00UNITY.COM - Sermon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DxiPG2slLgdKO3d2lI9Z_w2iePaV28n6-eW0ZZh8OsS8J5rsH2gSeDfDnKbdB9GpyHRFZvKd18BKIJLtXwLJsPIu3B1tiTZ48pSuDluOkXCjFpgW4BVP-9eMnj3a5DCh6EHFY_vC9pc/s1600-h/AGBlackFlagSymbol.svg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DxiPG2slLgdKO3d2lI9Z_w2iePaV28n6-eW0ZZh8OsS8J5rsH2gSeDfDnKbdB9GpyHRFZvKd18BKIJLtXwLJsPIu3B1tiTZ48pSuDluOkXCjFpgW4BVP-9eMnj3a5DCh6EHFY_vC9pc/s320/AGBlackFlagSymbol.svg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344715752254709282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Unity.com<br /><br />Unity.Com<br /><br />(-)<br />John 13:34-35 – (JESUS)<br />34 A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.<br />35 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.<br />(-)<br />1 John 3: 1-24 (EPISTLE/ Letter)<br />(-)<br />John is Writing to Christians in Community during a time of HEAVY Persecution and False Teachers.<br />This Stress is EVEN turning Some People from the Community against one another.<br />They are arguing over<br />- Who’s Right & Who’s Wrong,<br />- Who’s In & Who’s Out, &<br />- Why the Church is being persecuted.<br />They have begun:<br />- Gossiping,<br />- Backbiting,<br />- Sowing Disunity,<br />- Dividing the church.<br />John addresses this division and points out, with Black & White lines what God’s Children should look like AT ALL TIMES – Especially in times of Testing & Struggles?<br />(-)<br /> 1How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not understand us is that it did not understand him. 2My friends {John McCain}, now we are Children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. (How many are trying to purify yourself?)<br />(-)<br /> 4Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 Surely you know Christ Showed up to get rid of sin. There is no sin in Him 6 No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues living sinfully really even understands Him. 7 So, my dear children, don't let anyone divert you from the truth. It's the person who acts right who is right, just as we see it lived out in our righteous Messiah.8 Those who make a practice of sin are straight from the Devil, the pioneer in the practice of sin…<br />(-)<br />…The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the Devil's work. 9 No one who is born of God will make a practice of sin, because God's seed is deep within him, shaping him from the inside out; he won’t practice sin, because he has been born of God. 1O Here's how you tell the difference between God's children and the Devil's children: The one who won't practice righteous ways isn't from God, nor is the one who won't love brother or sister. A simple test.<br />(-)<br /> 11This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. 13Do not be surprised, my friends, if the world hates you.<br />(-)<br />14 Here’s how we know that we have passed from death to life (interesting way of talking about the change God is working in us), because we love our brothers & sisters. Anyone who does not love remains in the old, dead ways. 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in Him. 16 (Key Verse) This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.<br />(-)<br />17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.<br />(-)<br /> 21Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.<br />(-)<br />Unity… unity is important<br />Teams Lose without it<br />Armies Crumble without it<br />Your body can’t operate without it (Exp- Jr. High/ 13-13/ “Vince-Moves”)<br />(-)<br />When I talk about Unity I’m NOT talking about Uniformity<br />When I say we need to Protect Unity in our church I’m NOT saying we all need to wear Nikes and drink the same punch<br />I’m NOT saying we all need to Think alike or Act alike or even Agree on every topic<br />That’s uniformity…that’s Boring & Cultic<br />(-)<br />Old Saying: “In an all blue world there is no color”<br />It’s So True!<br />When God created everything He formed lots of colors, shapes, sizes.<br />God is a God of variety<br />We are all shaped differently - Inside & Out.<br />- Personalities,<br />- Life experiences,<br />- Educations,<br />- Habits.<br />- Ideals,<br />- Perspectives,<br />- Goals for life.<br />We all Handle Conflict Differently, Communicate differently, and even have different Values.<br /><br />That’s good!<br />We need to Celebrate our Differences & Diversity, NOT Critique them…<br />God likes variety!<br />He made the world that way!<br />He called it GOOD!<br />(-)<br />Coral Talked about this a couple moths ago!<br />– In Creation, God Said Everything was “GOOD!”<br />– Main Question of his sermon: “Is God Enough?”…God said it was all Good!<br />– BUT…“It is not Good that man is alone…Helpmeet”(she was hot as you can tell from this picture)<br />– Man NEEDS Community!<br />Man in Garden =Milton Called “Paradise Lost”…<br />Everything is “GOOD” & “Perfect.”<br />(-)<br />God says in Gen 2:15 “Tend it, Guard it, Keep it, Dress it, Clean it, Work it, Look After it, Take Care of it, Cultivate it, Bring Order from Chaos…the ongoing creation of the world…”<br />- God’s creation isn’t complete: There’s Still Work to do…<br />- Even in paradise man had a job<br />* Paradise takes Work to maintain<br />- Trimming trees<br />- Pruning leaves<br />- Pulling weeds …etc.<br />- Weed pulling vs. whacking:<br />- (Exp: Funny Story: Karl & I @ Sister Gray’s House Pulling Weeds)<br />- Important to dig in there…get to root of problem<br />- That’s what God wants to happen in our lives…<br />- …Digging down deep to the root of problems<br />- …Not just taking care of them on the surface<br />- …Covering them up…Hiding them<br /><br />*Life from the beginning involved fixing and correcting things…Even in Paradise!<br /><br />Then God made Eve…<br />Did you know the term “Husband” is also Botanical term? – Means “Gardener”<br /><br />The idea of relationship involves:<br />- Helping one another to grow fruitful,<br />- Maturing<br />- Plucking weeds out of our lives,<br />- Watering,<br />- Nurturing.<br /><br />We believe this should be a mutual role for Each Person in the Relationship<br />Helping each other become better people.<br />Because, let’s face it…we are not perfect<br />(-)<br />(Explain Rock Tumbler/ Relationships…All Relationships…friendships, romances…etc.)<br /><br />The Bible also calls Christ our Husbandman?<br />(-)<br />John 15:1,2<br />“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman [GARDENER]. Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”<br /><br />He “Purges” us<br />This Is ‘Maturity’ Language …<br />Abiding In Christ and Growing to Produce Fruit<br /><br />*But Westernized Christianity has often Misunderstood Maturity<br />(-)<br />Spiritual maturity is not some “Individual” growing up in a Bubble, just taking Spiritual Vitamins … (“Read your Bible, pray everyday and you’ll grow, grow, grow”)<br />…Context of Maturity is Community<br />…Relationships<br />…Lives rubbing up against lives (FRICTION)<br /><br />According to Ephesians 4, God gave us to one another to “Perfect” one another<br />- Counsel one another<br />- Provoke each other to good works<br />- Speak into one another’s lives<br /><br />EXP: Guy who is ‘Christian’ but doesn’t go to church because they’re full of hypocrites…<br />– Who are you kidding?<br />– He’s Running Away<br />– He’s avoiding conflict because he doesn’t like the mess and doesn’t want to deal with it<br />– (But that’s how you grow!!!….It’s how you help others grow!!!)<br />– Your missing out on what your Calling is… [Like Karl Pointed Out…]<br />– “God was in Christ RECONCILING the World…and has Given US the ministry…”<br />– Reconciling relationships,<br />– Fixing things that are broken,<br />– Maintaining the garden.<br />– You can’t escape conflict.<br /><br />Anytime there is relationship,<br />Including:<br />- Friendships,<br />- Marriages,<br />- Communities<br />- Etc..<br />Conflict is essential…<br /><br />We identify with Conflict Intrinsically…it’s IN us<br />Every writer knows this<br />You can’t market a Movie, Novel, or TV show without the Element known as conflict…<br />It Won’t Sell!<br />People won’t buy it!<br />(-)<br />In Fact the More Conflict there is, the more it appeals to us!<br /><br />(* And if you’re not careful your mind will wonder off to last week’s episode because we’re SO drawn to it…<br />We IDENTIFY with Conflict)<br />(-)<br />There was even Conflict in Paradise…<br />In fact, if you view the Bible as ONE Giant Narrative, “The Garden of Eden Story” is the Conflict!<br />Mankind was given a choice… God’s way/ His way<br />When we choose for Self instead of preferring God & Others it multiplies conflict<br /><br />Conflict is everywhere!<br /><br />Scripture points out that without conflict in our lives we would not grow<br />It’s in the Conflict of Choosing:<br />- Others over SELF, choosing<br />- Humility over Pride<br />- Mercy over Bitterness<br />- Faith over Fear<br />- Trust over Anxiety<br />- …that we grow.<br />That’s how maturity happens<br />The Bible Points Out over & over it’s<br />- Trials and Temptations,<br />- Situations in which we are Conflicted,<br />- Those are our Testing Grounds…<br />- That’s Where Character is Formed<br />- That’s Where Growth Happens…<br />- -Conflict-<br /><br />But if we are Honest today, We Don’t Like that or want to Deal with it.<br />We have our own ideas of what Christian Community and Church should be like<br />We want to experience Paradise on Earth, without putting the Work in…<br />Without dealing with the weeds<br />There’s no:<br />- Paradise without Pain<br />- Ecstasy without Agony<br />- Testimony without Tests<br />- Significance without Struggle<br />- Community without Conflict<br /><br />That Doesn’t Exist…<br />Paradise Takes Work<br />(-)<br />Life Together – Dietrich Bonhoeffer<br />“He who admires his Dream of community more than the Christian community itself becomes a destroyer of the latter…”<br /><br />If we aren’t careful, We build such high Expectations that we reject anything else!<br /><br />In Other Words…<br />We love the idea of community when it involves Fun…<br />Go to movies together…<br />Let’s have church in a Nightclub…<br />…Etc.<br /><br />But what about when reality sets in?<br />What about when:<br />- Relationships become strained,<br />- Finances bring stress<br />- Friendships are broken,<br />- When the reality that we are all fallen human beings, AND…<br />- We are in Desperate Need of a Savior SETS IN?<br />- When we realize nobody’s perfect! <br /><br />(-)<br />* If we try to hold on to our Dreams of Christian Community, they often turn into nightmares<br /><br />We have to be people who learn to love “inspite of…”<br /><br />My dad gave me great advice when I became a pastor:<br />(-)<br />“See Everything, Overlook A Great Deal, Correct A Little”<br /><br />I am SO Flawed, but How does Christ see me?<br />He sees me through the window of the Cross<br />He ALWAYS looks for the good<br />He looks @ Me & Sees an:<br />- Over-comer<br />- Righteous Man<br />- Good Person<br />- Someone who’s forgiven<br />THIS is how we all must CHOOSE to see one another…Through the Cross<br /><br />*But We Don’t Naturally Gravitate to that do we?<br />(-)<br />This is the conflict the Beloved Disciple John addresses as he writes this Epistle to a community of believers.<br />(-)<br />He gives them a simple answer: Choose Love<br /><br />{EXP: Love is a choice / NOT Emotion – That way with any relationship}<br /><br />Look @ the Portion we read:<br />- He Talks about God’s great love for us<br />- How it is to infiltrate every aspect of our lives<br />- Then He Points out that Conflict has been there from the Beginning<br />- He uses the example of Cain & Abel<br />- He points out that anyone who doesn’t love [AGAPE- Unconditional/ Forgiving/ Patient/ Selfless Love (Cor 11)] those in his community is guilty of Cain’s Sin<br />(-)<br />Then he gives us his Thesis in verse 16<br />“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”<br />(Point out Parallel - Gospel of John 3:16 – Action / Reaction)<br />Then in verse 18:<br />(-)<br />“Dear children, let us NOT Love with Words or Tongue but with Actions and in Truth.”<br /><br />John is calling us to Action, not words or feelings…<br />Let’s not just say we love one another let’s SHOW it<br /><br />Anything worth having is worth working for & fighting for…<br />(-)<br />NOT some Sense of nationalism:<br />“If someone talked bad about My Church I’ll defend Anchor Gaslamp”<br />But 90% of the time that means defending it from within…<br />Worst enemy is inside (raise hand… “me”)<br />Refusing to:<br />- Gossip,<br />- Choose sides,<br />- Break confidence…<br />- Trying to Prove we are right & They’re wrong<br />Showing Love not Pride…<br />Giving your life for your Brother & Sister<br />Going the way of the Cross<br />(-)<br />Jesus Said, “They will know you’re my disciples because you have love for one another”<br /><br />(1 John…loving one another…)<br /><br />We love each other as Christ loved us<br /><br />What does that mean?<br />(-)<br />We lay down our lives for one another.<br />When we want to be First, we become Last,<br />When we want to be Greatest, we become Least,<br />When we want Revenge, we Turn the other cheek,<br />When we feel taken advantage of, we walk an extra mile…<br />When we feel Unloved, Hated and Mistreated, we Love in return…<br />(We Are never judged by Other’s Actions…only our Actions/ Reactions)<br />We CHOOSE NOT to Gossip, Slander, Divide, Mislead, Hurt, or Reciprocate Pain<br />We Always CHOOSE to Build, Exhort, Unite, Assist, Heal, and Love.<br /><br />John admonishes us to keep loving patiently, knowing the mess might never get cleaner!<br /><br />We Love because we have been loved… and are still loved!<br />We Forgive because we have been forgiven… and are still forgiven.<br />We Treat others how we would want to be treated<br />(-)<br />(Exp: “How Most of us Drive” example – “SPEED UP!” – later someone tailgates you & you say “What’s His Hurry!!!” Road Hog!)<br /><br />We are all hypocrites!<br />We want to get Mercy but we want to give Judgment!<br />We want God to forgive us of everything we’ve done wrong, but we want God to punish those who have hurt us!<br /><br />God Relates to that emotion of wanting things made right.<br />We’ve all done wrong against God<br />He requires judgment to Preserve His Holiness & Righteousness.<br />BUT He Also is a God of Love & Mercy & wants all to come to Him<br />(How do we Reconcile these 2 sides of God? – Love & Judgment)<br />(-)<br />See that’s the Beautiful thing about the cross!<br />At the Cross God’s holiness is preserved…<br />His righteous feelings (that we have sinned against Him & wounded Him) are vindicated, But His loving Mercy is also distributed<br />The cross is this central place where God’s Wrath against sin is poured out on one man, but God’s Mercy is given to all!<br />It’s the Place Where God’s Judgment meets God’s Mercy,<br />Where his Wrath Meets His Love<br />* And the Result: LIFE<br />That love becomes life…<br />(-)<br />“God's love is not simply a thing to be admired.<br />It is, rather, the power that transfers those who have faith from Death to Life,<br />From the realm of Hatred to Love.<br /><br />(John talks about this: Verse 14 – “…we know we have passed from death to life”)<br />From death to life, NOT life to death<br />This is the Christian view of life<br />Everything goes from death to life,<br />From old to new<br />The Cross is a place of Death to Self & Resurrection into a New Life<br />Calvin And Luther Referred to it as Christ’s Throne…the Highest peak of His Ministry<br /><br />The Cross is the center of our salvation…<br />When we “Take up our Crosses” (as Christ pointed out):<br />- We learn to Absorb Judgment and give Love,<br />- We learn to Withhold Wrath and give Mercy,<br />- We learn to NOT spread Negativity or be Reactive,<br />- Instead we Choose to be Positive and Proactive,<br /><br />We learn to Die to the Old ways and Live in New ways<br /><br />(*This is The Awesome Part!)<br /><br />The cross enables us to:<br />- Mend relationships,<br />- Forgive those who have hurt us,<br />- Love inspite of differences,<br />- Be gracious to those who rub us the wrong way.<br /><br />* The Cross enables True Christian Community.<br />Without it we just have a regular group of friends who happen to be Christian,<br />BUT with the cross we live alongside one another with a Loving “Gospel Intentionality.”<br /><br />In Other Words…<br />When we see situations that we used to see as huge struggles…<br />Where we Used to see Drama,<br />We NOW see Opportunities for sharing the good news with one another,<br />We begin to see Chances for Transformation & Reconciliation<br />Opportunities for Growth and Strength and Mercy and Grace and Humility and Love.<br />This is our calling: Reconciliation<br /><br />When someone in our community Wounds another, we Don’t Choose Sides,<br />We Repair with Patience & Love.<br />When Pain strikes in our community we Heal.<br />When Needs arise, we Give.<br />When Failure happens, we Restore<br />When Wars break out, we make Peace.<br /><br />This is how we truly live and spread the Gospel.<br />It’s:<br />- TRUE Evangelism<br />- Picture of Heaven to a dying and longing world.<br />- The life of every True Disciple.<br /><br />* We Actively Seek Opportunities for Redemption and Creative Love.<br />* We Look for Chances for Reconciliation & Unity<br /><br />You can’t say Community without the word Unity.<br />(-)<br />Unity.com = Community (I know It’s Cheesy…lol)<br />We stop being a Community when we lose Unity<br />We Cease being a Christian Community when we:<br />- Cease stomping out drama,<br />- Covering for one another,<br />- Forgiving,<br />- Loving & Moving on.<br /><br />If Christ ever moves out of the center…<br />If we put ourselves in the center…<br />- Our desires,<br />- Carnality,<br />- Selfishness,<br />- Then we cease to be a Christian Community<br /><br />But If we let Christ be the Glue in our Relationships & the Center of our lives…<br />That’s when we begin to experience True Life…. Life more abundantly<br /><br />The Heart of Christian Community is the Cross<br />It’s Soul is Christ and His Unconditional Love that led to His Selfless Sacrifice<br />That is the Good News of God,<br />-The Gospel-<br /><br />Our Community is and always must be a picture of that…<br /><br />Let’s Pray this prayer together:<br />(-)<br />Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.<br /> Where there is hatred, let me sow love;<br /> Where there is injury, pardon;<br /> Where there is doubt, faith;<br /> Where there is despair, hope;<br /> Where there is darkness, light;<br /> And where there is sadness, joy.<br /><br /><br /> O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek<br /> To be consoled as to console;<br /> To be understood as to understand;<br /> To be loved as to love.<br /> For it is in giving that we receive;<br /> It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;<br /> And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen<br /><br />-Then Really Pray-<br /><br />(-)<br />Discussion:<br />What are the enemies of Unity and Community?<br />How do we combat them?<br />(-)<br />What allies build Christian Community?<br />How do we reinforce them?<br /><br /><br />Scriptures for discussion:<br /><br />Discord:<br /><br />- Proverbs 13:10<br />Arrogant know-it-alls stir up discord, but wise men and women listen to each other's counsel.<br />- Proverbs 29:22<br />Angry people stir up a lot of discord; the intemperate stir up trouble.<br />- Rom 16:17-18<br />My friends, I beg you to watch out for anyone who causes trouble and divides the church by refusing to do what all of you were taught. Stay away from them! They want to serve themselves and not Christ the Lord. Their flattery and fancy talk fool people who don't know any better.<br /><br />Conflict:<br /><br />4 Stages: Roots, Conflict, Effects, Resolution<br />*Need to learn how to handle conflict at all 4 stages<br /><br />4 ways of Handling:<br />• Aggression<br />• Ignorance<br />• Calm/ Open-Minded<br />• Short-Term Solution<br />-Aggression<br />You tend to use aggression when you are trying to resolve problems. This does not solve the problem; in fact it makes it worse. You could end up hurting people and getting hurt yourself.<br />- Ignorance is Bliss<br />You tend to ignore the situation when you are dealing with problems this means you are not sorting out the issues and trying to find out why the conflict started and so the conflict is always there at the back of your mind and gets you angry when you think about it.<br />-Calm/ open-minded<br />You try to resolve problems calmly and this will help you to resolve the conflict and find out what started the conflict. This means that you have better relationships with the people you know<br />-Short-term<br />You only look for short-term solutions meaning you only partially resolve conflicts; this could get you into more problems later and means you are not dealing with the problem fully.Anchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-85878475880396668402009-06-07T15:18:00.000-07:002010-03-26T21:16:45.794-07:00He Is Risen... Now What?<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjek0LQDts9hGTmsU6yrfp4Z3l7VueYVgz-xUZ93QC7pLT7AgPd9kAR2BNIySZVtJqMCLtxCK_NrRhJwIwZXgkJq6YXS1jqMNx0rIuuCrsOds8OV7mzSgGGcg6ZkIi3PV4QmhpWYinOMxU/s1600-h/Slide1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjek0LQDts9hGTmsU6yrfp4Z3l7VueYVgz-xUZ93QC7pLT7AgPd9kAR2BNIySZVtJqMCLtxCK_NrRhJwIwZXgkJq6YXS1jqMNx0rIuuCrsOds8OV7mzSgGGcg6ZkIi3PV4QmhpWYinOMxU/s320/Slide1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344714155743662658" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />He is Risen...Now What<br /><br />Resurrection sermon<br /><br />Acts 10:34-43 (New International Version)<br /><br />34Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.<br /><br />39"We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."<br /><br /><br />Today is Resurrection Sunday.<br /><br />Easter is often misunderstood:<br /><br />A friend of mine told me his Sunday school teacher confused Easter with Groundhog Day, & Told the children that Easter is when Jesus comes out of his tomb . . . but that if he sees his shadow he has to go back inside for another six weeks…<br /><br />It’s often even more misunderstood than that…<br /><br />With Easter so often misunderstood, the central premise of Christianity, as a whole, is often misunderstood…<br /><br />Easter is Resurrection Sunday<br /><br />Resurrection is the heart of the Christian faith<br /><br />(Exp: Story of Passion week-<br />- Triumphant Entry<br />- Teaching & Healing<br />- Temple Cleansing<br />- Conspiring<br />- Last Supper<br />- Garden & Betrayal<br />- Trial & scourging<br />- Crucifixion & Burial<br />- Resurrection<br /><br />The Resurrection of Christ was not simply God in the flesh, conquering the power of Death.<br /><br />Our reading from Acts made it quite clear that in the earliest apostolic proclamation about Jesus of Nazareth his death and resurrection were directly linked to two promises, one about the future, and one about the present.<br /><br />These can be simply stated:<br />1) The resurrection shows that Jesus was ordained by God to judge the living & the dead<br />2) The resurrection shows that Jesus is the one in whose name, we can have forgiveness right now!<br /><br />At first sight this may either seem irrelevant to you or like old news.<br /><br />It may seem only loosely connected to Easter… but that shows how far we can be off the mark without even realizing it.<br /><br />This resurrection day is the time all those great Psalms in the middle of the Bible talked about:<br /><br />All about heaven and earth rejoicing,<br />-The sea thundering,<br />-The fields and the trees and the animals celebrating for joy,<br />-Because YHWH is coming to judge the earth,<br />-To judge it with true justice<br />- And the nations with faithfulness & equity.<br /><br />In other words:<br />- Easter is about the whole world creation being set right at last,<br />- Put back on track with the way it was supposed to be,<br />- The way it had been longing to be… <br /><br />According to Paul (echoing Genesis), God intended that the created order should be governed by wise human beings reflecting God’s stewardly love into it.<br /><br />When Humanity rebelled, this purpose went off-track.<br /><br />All the relationships were broken.<br />- Our communion with God<br />- Our sense of community with each other<br />Our drive towards our original commission, to be fruitful, multiply, replenish the world. To take care of it. Be good stewards…etc.<br /><br />We see with the Genesis account that the earth gave birth to thorns; thistles…not on it’s own, but because it has been held ransom until the day when humanity would be restored.<br /><br />Now in Jesus Christ, that restoration has happened!<br />Jesus Christ was perfectly obedient Man that opened the door for all of us to leave the old ways of death and walk into the new ways of life<br /><br />Easter Sunday is the celebration of this incredible assurance that God has set the whole created order right at last! <br /><br />But this has only physically happened in one person so far: Jesus.<br /><br />But Jesus’ Resurrection is a picture of what God is trying to do for his people, and for All People, and for the whole created order world<br /><br />This idea in scripture is that one man, Jesus, will come and begin setting all things right and reconciling the world to himself. <br /><br />In this way, Easter – the resurrection – relates to the rest of the world.<br /><br />It’s good news for the whole world<br /><br />We already see that the resurrection sets Jesus up as the world’s true judge.<br /><br />NOT so much that it qualifies him to sit behind a desk with a black robe and cast judgment from a position of moral superiority<br /><br />But that He has come to set things right!<br /><br />BUT that he Himself is the first part of creation to be set right<br />- After the corruption of evil and death had done its worst to him<br />- He conquered death & rose from the grave…<br />- He is now not only the one who can reflect God’s healing justice perfectly into the world, but he is also the one who actually embodies it in himself.<br /><br />This message of future Judgment we anticipate in Christ is SO Urgently Relevant to several major issues before us right now<br /><br />It speaks directly to the issues around the world…the social injustice and our role = how we’re supposed to bring change, of climate change and our responsibility for the future of the planet , our responsibility towards others… <br /><br />(Especially since those most likely to suffer from rapid change are, as usual, the poorest of the poor)<br /><br />Resurrection of the world<br /><br />If in Jesus, God has begun to bring about his great renewal of all creation the world, then those who in faith and love embrace Jesus as the risen Lord have the wonderful joy of bringing that renewal to fruition<br /><br />God was at work in Christ setting all things right, reconciling the world to himself.<br /><br />Now he is at work through us, as we put out hands and feet and hearts and minds to work rebuilding our world, resurrecting the broken, reconciling the world to God<br /><br />- So when you see others struggling around you, ask yourself what would Jesus be doing to help? Go & do it!<br />- When someone’s giving up on life<br />- People who gravitate toward self-destructive patterns<br />- When a family is falling apart<br />- When people you know are going through financial difficulty<br />- When you see an elderly person being neglected<br />Do we just sit by & hope for the best?<br />What would Jesus be doing in the face of these situations?<br />Would he intervene?<br />Would he bring healing?<br />Sometimes it’s as simple as sharing a smile and letting someone know you care…by listening to them and their struggles…<br /><br />Four things.<br />First, Jesus really is alive again.<br />Second, therefore he really is the Messiah, the world’s true Lord.<br />Third, therefore God’s new creation has begun. <br />Fourth – and this is the sharp edge of it all – therefore you have an urgent and important job to do, and a new identity to do it with.<br /><br />Jesus is raised, therefore the world is a different place, and we are called, as witnesses of the resurrection, to announce it, to make it happen, and to find ourselves remade in the process.<br /><br />The second strand in the apostolic proclamation of Easter is equally powerful and equally urgent.<br /><br />Jesus is the one, in whose name, ‘forgiveness of sins’ is available to all who believe.<br /><br />This is closely linked to what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15: if the Messiah is not raised, your faith is pointless and you are still in your sins.<br />Healthy; Abundant Christian living demands that we understand fully what is going on here.<br /><br />Again, It isn’t just a matter of saying that because Jesus happens to have been raised from the dead, so now he possesses special quasi-magical powers that enable him to give out this strange thing called ‘forgiveness’.<br /><br />Rather, it is that his resurrection demonstrates that on the cross he really did accomplish the defeat of the powers of corruption, evil and death that were at work in the world for us. <br /><br />If he hadn’t, he wouldn’t have been raised from the dead; it’s as simple as that.<br /><br />And, in the middle of religion’s debate about whether there was in fact a literal bodily resurrection, many have begun to hold the view that says nothing is all that wrong;<br />- Sin is an outdated concept<br />- With little more enlightenment, democracy, psychiatry and general common sense we will see ourselves through.<br /><br />Well, sorry: read the newspapers, think of Iraq or Iran or Darfur or a thousand other places, think of stabbings and shootings on our streets, not to mention corruption and folly in high places.<br /><br />But, you say, what has forgiveness of sins got to do with all that?<br /><br />Isn’t forgiveness is what happens when someone realizes that they’ve done something they shouldn’t, and repents to God and says ‘sorry’.<br /><br />Well, yes, that is true, and it matters more than I can say.<br /><br />But ‘forgiveness of sins’ was never simply a random individualistic concept.<br /><br />For any first-century Jew, it was much bigger: it involved the whole notion of a people in exile because of their sins, so that when God forgave them at last this would mean the restoration of an entire nation.<br /><br />And when the early church announced ‘forgiveness of sins’ in the name of Jesus Christ, this didn’t just mean that individual sinners could get right with God,<br /><br /><br />But it also meant forgiveness as: <br />- A whole new program<br />- A whole way of life,<br />- The new covenant way of life, in which the restoration - which God offered to all who believed in Jesus - was to characterize families and communities, worldviews and life-paths,<br />- A Jubilee movement that, whenever it came upon anything amiss in human relations or society, would move heaven and earth to put it right, to restore things to the way they should be.<br />- To Fix relationships, to restore brokenness, to set things right through love!<br /><br />And now we begin to see, perhaps, that judgment and forgiveness are not two extremely different things, but two ways of saying the same thing.<br /><br />Both of them following directly from the Easter victory of Jesus Christ, through whom all things are put right and in whom all who believe find themselves made right in advance of the final great day.<br /><br />If God’s judgment is the form his mercy takes when faced with a world out of joint, God’s mercy is the form his judgment takes when faced with penitent sinners.<br /><br />But we may well ask, what does all this large-scale, important but somewhat big, construction got to do with me, with us, with today?<br /><br />Resurrection of God’s People<br />Think about this: God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself is at work reconciling the world to himself and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. (2 Cor 5:19)<br /><br />God has always chosen to work alongside and through humanity.<br />Through people.<br />Continually throughout the narrative of Scripture, God is at work choosing people to show these ways of restoration, justice, and love to the world:<br />- Seth’s godly line down to Noah<br />- Abraham<br />- Moses<br />- Israel as a nation<br />- Now the church<br /><br />God is at work through people, bringing about this reconciliation.<br /><br />He calls us to be his hands and feet.<br />To feed the poor<br />To clothe the naked<br />To heal the sick…etc<br /><br />He calls us to be a picture of heaven to the world<br />- a picture of the way life is supposed to be<br />- a picture of peace and love<br />- a living example of what heaven’s going to be like<br /><br />This is why we don’t view church as what happens here on a Sunday.<br />Sadly, Westernized Christianity has represented heaven to the world as an eternal church service, with preaching; choirs …etc.<br /><br />Church is you, and me, and us living gospel-centered life together in Community.<br />- Eating and drinking<br />- Enjoying Life and Art<br />- Creating culture<br />- Engaging in mission together<br />- Putting our hands to the making right of all things<br />- Living everyday with a gospel intentionality<br />- Counseling and gospelling one another (letting iron sharpen iron)<br />- Sharing the love of God in TANGIBLE ways with a hurting world<br />- This is the church!<br />- That is a picture of heaven<br /><br />God is at work resurrecting the world<br /><br />And He’s doing it through his church!<br /><br />But it doesn’t stop there!<br /><br />He’s at work resurrecting you<br />In order to change, we must be changed…<br />In order to transform, we must be transformed<br />In order to reconcile, we must be reconciled<br />In order to resurrect, we must be resurrected<br /><br />When does this resurrection begin?<br /><br />When we are filled with the spirit of God and identify with Him!<br /><br />Romans 8:9-11 - But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won't know what we're talking about. But for you who welcome him, in whom he dwells—even though you still experience all the limitations of sin—you yourself experience life on God's terms. It stands to reason, doesn't it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he'll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's!<br /><br />He “lead captivity captive and give gifts to his people” –<br /><br />In other words - he released the old ransom that had bound creation from the beginning and showed us how to begin setting things right – then he gave us the power/gifts to do so by his Holy Spirit<br /><br />The resurrection of Jesus Christ was more than one man – God in the flesh – conquering death.<br /><br />The resurrection was reversing the power of death in a world torn by Death’s reign, to give a new life to all things<br /><br />The resurrection was our Messiah, paving a road to restoration for all of creation to follow.<br /><br />The resurrection is the call of our savior to come and live this life more abundantly – to put our hands and feet to the work of resurrecting our word, reconciling people’s communion with God, their sense of community with one another, and our commission to the world to repair the brokenness within the systems of government, economy, environment…etc<br /><br />This resurrection is the invitation to take our part in the repainting of the world by actually being a picture of what heaven looks like to a world rapidly losing hope.<br /><br />Closing<br />So:<br />May you also experience this wonderful resurrection in a personal sense by the promise of being filled with the Spirit of God<br />May you enter into resurrection life – and as you do –<br />May you take the world with you,<br />- by putting your hands to restoration,<br />- by using the gifts God has given you to create a new world<br />And may we show this world a living picture of faith, hope, and love<br /><br /><br />Prayer<br />Jesus, My prayer today is that we may know you as a living reality in our lives, in our family’s life, in our participation within community, in our engaging the world around us with Gospel Intentionality and<br />That we would put our hands to healing and loving and resurrecting a broken and dying world…etc.Anchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-69399841448417141692009-06-07T15:13:00.000-07:002009-06-07T15:18:28.383-07:00Dietary Disorders of the Common Christian<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzC48irOzJEFE1o0sIBmeFwyvh8LmbKXaLJ4lWmncOOZA6hP9kYkFj0EQySCQZ71EbRPzYR0hNGnGUkTTvyR3yHXSRHwLON2KPtSAfB9useSA25Foyo_Ay8BRaQtcO4a8N392l3OXCu7Q/s1600-h/Dietary+Disorders.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzC48irOzJEFE1o0sIBmeFwyvh8LmbKXaLJ4lWmncOOZA6hP9kYkFj0EQySCQZ71EbRPzYR0hNGnGUkTTvyR3yHXSRHwLON2KPtSAfB9useSA25Foyo_Ay8BRaQtcO4a8N392l3OXCu7Q/s320/Dietary+Disorders.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344713037400356130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dietary Disorders of the Common Christian</span><br /></div><br />Deuteronomy 8:3- “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD!”<br /><br /><br />Often, the word of God = bread in Bible<br /><br />-Human can survive 2 min. w/out air, 3 days w/out water, and about 40 days w/out food<br /><br />You must eat to survive!<br /><br />Food contains calories/ calories = packets of energy<br />No food = no energy for body to function (breathing, pumping blood)<br />It’s simple, no food= death<br /><br />So, it’s strange how many people suffer from dietary disorders in USA<br />Everyday thousands around world die from starvation and malnutrition!<br />-(You don’t see people in India/ Ethiopia suffer from Anorexia- no such thing there- They simply can’t get food!)<br />In America, thousands diagnosed yearly with DD’s<br />[alarming stats: 1:16 people have a DD]<br /><br />Now I’m not trying to make light of Dietary Disorders @ all.<br />They’re a serious thing!<br />But there is an interesting parallel between our physical characteristics as a society, and how they affect every area of our lives…<br />- When our Spiritual Habits begin to Mirror the Phys. Habits of our Generation!<br />(Instead of just Living by the Word of God like we are meant to, we have epidemic of “SPIRITUAL DD’s” we’re going to discuss today)<br />{If you are not careful, you might find yourself in one of these categories…. With one of these “Diseases” that can almost render the Word of God USELESS in your life!}<br /><br />Dietary Disorder 1: Anorexia<br /><br />For instance…<br />(How many here are familiar with the term Anorexia?)<br />-In our world, Anorexia = most widespread DD<br />(Ate out last night? Probably Sat w/in 30 ft. of someone w/ anorexia?)<br />-{Exp. Skinny girl, orders meatloaf& salad/ eats 2 pc lettuce, 1 bite of meatloaf and 3 sips soda.<br />WHY!?!<br />She says she “Ate before she got there.” …RIGHT…<br />She’s a Picker and a Chooser!<br />‘A little bit of this, a little bit of that…not too much, I want to stay right where I’m at!’…Where she’s Comfortable!<br />Is she still hungry? Her Body is starving! But she’s tricked herself into believing she has enough to live on.}<br /><br />When it comes to the Word of God, you better make sure you’re not tricking yourself into believing you’re full, or your spirit man is ok. You could be starving yourself right out of the strength you need to make it through your next trial or situation!<br /><br />What’s the test? (“How do I know that I haven’t been fooling myself so long, that I’m sitting here tonight, barely hanging on, malnourished as can be?”)<br />Are you a picker and a chooser?<br />Or when God’s sets the dinner table, are you lapping it up as fast as you can.<br />Do you skip church or check you brain at the door, when certain people are speaking or when certain topics are being discussed?<br />When you come in contact with The Word, Do you come with your napkin tucked in your collar and your sleeves rolled up with your fork in one hand and your knife in the other, or do you have an unexpectant heart and a mediocre spirit.<br /><br />Sometimes we are uncomfortable with certain parts of Scripture.<br />We like to ignore some and pretend they aren’t in there.<br />We pick & choose and cut up God’s world view to fit our tastes…<br />“A little bit of This, A little bit of that…”<br /><br />You know who gets a lot out of God’s word??? The one who says “The salad’s good, the veggies, the steak and shrimp… “Whatever you cook, just send it down to this end of the table, I know it’s going to be good!” )<br /><br />-We should not take what we like and leave the veggies on the plate because they aren’t sweet like candy. Truly Hungry people don’t care about tastes and preferences; they just want food!<br /><br />A friend of mine said, “You don’t go out to eat at a restaurant and take your own menu.”<br /><br />The Word of God is something you either have to take it as it is or leave it<br />(EXP. Passover Lamb) (Exp. Mt 13:44- Treasure hidden in field: “W/ Treasure came a lot of dirt”)<br />--You must be able to take the good w/ all the rest<br />The King has set the table… are you being a picky eater?<br /><br />Dietary Disorder 2: Bulimia<br /><br />(Joke. I used to think Bulimia was a country)<br />Who are spiritual Bulimics?<br />The ones who sit through service, take it all in….in 1 ear and out the other.<br />Because as soon as they get outside, they have their finger down their throat.<br /><br />Why?!? They don’t want to retain what they hear.<br />Ooh, it’s good to the taste! (If it wasn’t tasty, they wouldn’t be there)<br />-(They eat it because they like it)…and then they vomit it out of their system as fast as they can because they don’t really want to change!)<br />- God forbid they may stand out a little bit…look different… different from what they want others to perceive them as.<br />- Instead of taking it all in and gaining spiritual strength from it, they get it out as soon as possible and end up hanging onto their spiritual lives by a thread, because they have no strength<br />- They are Christians who continually struggle!<br />{{They are the social drinkers of Christianity!<br />(They will have a sip to fit in, but they don’t want to change. They can’t lose control.)<br />{Bumper Sticker- “God is my co-pilot!” if God is your co-pilot, you had better swap seats! What is the fear of letting God take control for a little bit?}<br />-They just sit and sip<br />-They forget our ancestors in the early church were labeled as DRUNKARDS<br />(cared less about status quo)<br />ALL they wanted was more of God. “Bring that keg over here and put the spickett in my mouth; I’m getting lost in God tonight!!!<br />--NOOO!!!!<br />We are too far removed from that/ more sophisticated/ embarrassed about them. “Give me my sip and leave me alone….the way I am}}<br /><br />-Jesus accepted people for what they were, but never left them that way. He took them higher, drew them closer, into deeper place.<br /><br />True followers of Christ were never meant to remain stagnate- {stagnate bodies of water are bodies of water that start to decay!} Christ’s plan for any follower of his is continual growth and consistent maturing and going to higher places in Him and deeper levels of commitment and ministry…<br />(if you are at the same place you were 1-2years ago, even a few weeks ago, you better make sure you’re going the right direction).<br /><br />-We have to get hungry for God.<br />We need to get beside ourselves with hunger for God, so much, that we could care less who thinks what about us because it’s all about Him…<br />I love the attitude of John the Baptist: “He must increase and I must decrease”<br /><br />Dietary Disorder 3: Gluttony<br /><br />Watch out for the spiritual Gluttons!<br />“Who are they?”<br />“What are you saying with this one, Vince… that we can have too much of the Word of God?”<br />God Forbid. We can never have enough!<br /><br />[PHYS> EXAMPLE>] Ave. Person. Any metabolism rate. Put in a LA-Z-BOY<br />“Here is some food… have at it…. just don’t get up…not for anything.” No exercise (except remote) .<br />--I don’t care what you feed them, give them long enough and I guarantee you they are gonna start looking different. It’s not because they don’t eat, or eat too much, but it’s all about what they are doing with the food you give them. Food gives your body energy, but unless your body does something with it, say Bye-Bye energy (and the blessing of calories); and hello fat (and the curse of calories not used properly).<br /><br />That was a Humorous Example…<br />But this is the plague of Laodocia John talked about…<br /><br />Christians who come and get spiritually fed on Sunday morning and in our Missional Communities and then they let that Living Word become just a bunch of dead fat when what God meant for His Word to accomplish was strength for the task ahead.<br /><br />God Doesn’t give us His Word to sit on our spiritual haunches and flip a proverbial remote control, But His Word is Life and strength that we are supposed to take out there to a dying world an “Work it out,” by prayer and love and reaching those who are hurting and suffering<br /><br />One of God’s principles= “I bless you, for you to bless others”<br />(EXP> DEAD SEA)<br /><br />As long as you’re busy blessing the kingdom of God, God will be blessing you.<br /><br />But don’t sit on it, because it will become dead weight and actually take the form of a curse to your spiritual life!<br /><br />-We have to learn to be a people who know how to empty our selves out…(Luke 6:25, “Woe to you who are full, for ye shall hunger!”- Jesus was talking to a mixed crowd that day. His disciples were there, the sick and afflicted, the onlookers and even those who were ungodly and those who were self-satisfied.<br />Even though His sermon on the mount contained many blessings, He also included corresponding judgments towards those who were literally, at ease in Zion and satisfied with their dead, dry religiosity – They were keeping all the laws of their religion, but their hearts were far from God)<br />The Blessing became a cursing.<br /><br />They were cursed with a blessing,<br /><br />He Says, “You’re blessed if you are hungry, cause I’m gonna fill you, but you’re cursed if you are full cause I’m gonna empty you.”<br /><br />What a paradox!! -Is He trying to fill them up or empty them out? The answer is: Both He just wants to fill us up with the RIGHT stuff.<br /><br />America was just recently dubbed the “Fattest country in the world.”<br />(God has bountifully blessed us for blessing others, and we are one of the richest countries in the world-economy, but our blessing is turning around to choke the life right out of us! And that is a picture of our church and even a picture of many of us sitting here, tonight)<br /><br />We must learn to do some spiritual exercise.<br /><br />4: Junk-Food Addiction-<br /><br />Getting full on the wrong stuff.<br />Most widespread problem in the American church.<br /><br />We are a bunch of spiritual Junkies.<br />We are addicted to junk food. (We get so full off of chips and pizza and candy and soda, that when it’s time to eat the full course meal God has prepared for us that night, with lasagna and steak and veggies, we can’t even take much in. that is unhealthy. )<br /><br />People who live on junk food are malnourished.<br />Too Much Junk food pollutes your body!<br />What is your junkfood???<br />Maybe your junk food is music (that’s why they call it soul music, it appeals to the inner man…it’s a form of “soul-food”). Or maybe it’s those movies your watching-or that “days of our lives” or WWF (the male soap opera), or it could even be the book you are reading or the web sights your visiting, but ….<br /><br />(*Disclaimer: There’s nothing wrong with these things in themselves, but when they replace God’s word in your life, they begin to weigh you down…<br />Do you make time to balance all this? Read books about God & Christian Spirituality? Do you make time to watch movies & listen to music that honors God and builds up your character and strength…?)<br /><br />We Do have a tendency to fill our selves up with junk food and then we wonder why we are not getting anything out of the sermon the man of God is bringing.<br /><br />-{That’s why fasting is so great! It brings fresh life into our walk with God. I view fasting differently than some people, but during a fast not only do I put food away from my mouth, but I also turn off the movies and stop reading the books and newspaper and websites and I stop listening to worldly music and just tune myself into God for a while. Fasting empties you! It’s not the only thing that empties you, but it is one sure way to do it! It is like a cleanse (you hear people, “ I’m going on a cleanse…nothing but fruits and veggies and nuts and space food for about two weeks!” and they are excited about it). Fasting is like a cleanse for your spiritual man. No junk food, just the pure, unadulterated Word of God, for a short while. Fasting is powerful! I’ve known people whose lives were totally changed by just a 3-day fast! And it’s because we empty ourselves out of everything that we place before God and all of the sudden it’s just you (emptied out) and Him, and He is all you have to fulfill your needs}.<br /><br />-You see God doesn’t fill a full vessel; He fills empty vessels.<br />The Key is emptying yourself out…making yourself available to God by going out there and putting into action the word of God in your lfe…<br /><br />God wants us to be hungry. (Same Chapter in Matthew, “Blessed are they who hunger now, for ye shall be filled”…)<br /><br />Hunger is a key to the life of a Christ-follower and to the life of the church.<br /><br />If you are not hungry for more of God, you better check yourself.<br /><br />*Revival doesn’t normally come to full vessels.<br /><br />With every great revival throughout history, you’ll find one common thread: HUNGER.<br /><br />At the day of Pentecost…, (they were eagerly anticipating the promise of the Comforter who would guide them. They had no place else to go! They were desperate to hear from God and scared to death that the Romans were going to come busting down the door any minute. But in an answer to their hunger, God sent the greatest revival; this earth has ever seen…The Bible records that they turned the world upside down.)<br /><br />In 1906…(, no one wanted to hear about the Pentecostal experience, until the Great earthquake that caused such devastation. (GOD knew just what He was doing, He knows How to make us hungry when we won’t be emptied out on our own). All of the sudden here comes an earth-shaker, and in response people forsake their dead dry religions and, like an aftershock, here comes an earth shaking revival- that we are still feeling today.<br /><br />But boy I would love to have our very own spiritual earthquake… but… it’s not going to show until we show some hunger. Oh, It’s hitting certain areas around the world: areas, that I might add, are hungry for God and are desperate for a move of God. If we want that great revival, it is going to be birthed out of our hunger.<br /><br />Hunger is a powerful motivator! Hunger will make people do crazy things! (It’ll make some lepers break the law and go wandering into the enemy’s camp for food not knowing God had prepared them a meal…It’ll make a kings son disobey his father’s orders that no man eat before the battle…it’ll make a people recently freed from slavery, want to return to their chains and the cruel whips of their task masters and forsake their promised land…It’ll make us step out of our comfort zones, start doing bizarre things. Like all night prayer meetings…etc).<br /><br />-Everyone seems to be trying to take care of their bodies.<br />(SD recently named healthiest city in USA).<br />Health is the new trend. (24 hour fitness, Jamba Juice, Wheatgrass, vitamins…etc.)<br />We need to start taking care of our souls!<br /><br />-Let me sum this up. Thousands are dying everyday, starving for a taste of what we have, but we remain unchanged, and unaffected by their plea. We are indifferent and apathetic and concerned only about our own bellies. We must get beyond ourselves! Whether it’s that BIG revival you are looking for, or just a more productive walk with God, it will be achieved by your level of hunger.<br /><br />We must eat right.<br />We can’t be picky anorexics or puking bulimics, or even satisfied gluttons…<br />We must be hungry.<br />If it means adjusting our dietary habits, or cutting down on the unfulfilling junk food of this world, we need to create hunger, and learn to empty our selves so that He can fill us and use us.<br /><br />-God loves a cry of hunger and desperation- I challenge you today, if you want to see Anchor Gaslamp turn into a spiritual delivery and birthing room, If you want to get closer to God than ever before, If you want to see revival turn your city upside down, it starts with hunger!Anchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-14560859844710238762009-06-07T15:11:00.000-07:002009-06-07T15:12:56.565-07:00Sermons...We have decided that in addition to our podcasts, we are going to post many of our sermons here on the blog... just a heads upAnchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-22909959758340221832008-09-16T15:07:00.000-07:002008-11-12T13:58:11.199-08:00Our DreamsChurch can get boring. Jesus never really did. He was fun. His message was simple. He told stories even children could understand, yet somehow The most intellectual people were still challenged by him. He was the only one of his kind and his message changed the world. We dream to put that simple message back into the audio-range of people who want to hear it. There are plenty who are interested in him, and even curious about Christian spirituality, who would never go to a "church." That's why we are here. We believe it is God's purpose to bring change to lives and culture by the simplicity of His Gospel. This Gospel is not a man-made, dry & boring, traditional religion. This Gospel is the message of his saving love for all mankind that was exhibited in the life of Jesus, and is now echoed through the lives of his followers. We want to peel away any beliefs, ideals, or traditions of man that tend to make this gospel more complex than we believe it was meant to be. We want to find the Christ in Christ-ianity. We want to celebrate him and his powerful work just as the early 'apostolic' church did. We believe that there are many out there who feel this way also. if you do, come join us this Thursday, or give us a call/e-mail and let us know what you're thinking. We would love to hear from you.Anchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-38805494916344989982008-09-16T14:49:00.002-07:002008-11-12T13:58:37.686-08:00WikipediaAnchor Gaslamp is now on Wikipedia!<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchor_GaslampAnchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-75166493041758773972008-09-16T14:49:00.001-07:002008-11-12T13:58:54.281-08:00PodcastsOur Podcasts are back up and running!!!! Oh yeah! Simply go on our main page to the "podbean" player to listen or link to the website. You can also subscribe for free on iTunes. Go to the iTunes Store and type "anchor gaslamp" in the search bar. from there you may listen or download our most recent podcasts for free. You can even put them on your iPod... Anchor-Gaslamp-on-the-go. Let us know what you think.<br />-VinceAnchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-43844747762697826812008-09-16T14:48:00.001-07:002008-11-12T13:59:35.158-08:00Update as of 07/2008The Last 2 months here @ Anchor Gaslamp have been eventful to say the least. Exciting. Challenging. Rewarding.<br /><br />At the Beginning of March we were busy with our weekly Bible Studies ("Word Alive"), which were being held at Westin Horton Plaza. We were at the end of our expository series on the Life of Christ through Luke. We were able to articulate a lot of our core values, mission, and doctrinal stances during this exciting series.<br /><br />We did a number of group activities that brought us together even more as a group during this time, like attending King of Kings, a local church passion play, hanging out together, and even joining with our friends from Epikos Church for a Good Friday Event @ Gamer's Universe. (Gamer's is a local hotspot owned by our friends Scott and Rowie, who have been attending off and on for a couple of months). On St Patrick's Day (Monday 3/17), We Joined in the Gaslamp Festivities…One of the largest block parties of the year, and passed out a few thousand flyers about who we are, what we are trying to do, and info on our 1st service. We had several good responses.<br /><br />As we geared up for our 1st "preview" service that would launch on Easter (3/23), we received a surprise-call from the senior Editor of Religion and Ethics for San Diego's Largest Newspaper, The Union Tribune. Sandi Dolbee was her name, and she had read a free classified we had posted about our launch service…which was being held in a Nightclub. For some reason this peaked her interest and she asked for an interview with our co-pastor's, Karlton Edison and Vince Larson. The article was a great way for San Diego to see what we were doing, not to mention an incredible source of free advertising. It came out in Saturday's edition, the day before our launch. If you would like to read the article and people's responses go to: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20080322-9999-1c22church.html<br /><br />Our First Service went unbelievably well. The Nightclub Staff @ Minus-1 was a joy to work with and the atmosphere/ ambience was nothing short of perfect. Nancy Larson set up a nursery in the back. With the absence of a stage/ focal point we arranged the music to the side and the "platform" just across from the bar. Our good friend and multi-talented musician Tony from a neighboring church volunteered to do the music. Everything was set… Then 3 minutes before we started service, Tony somehow sliced his 3 middle fingers on his left hand so deep he should have gotten stitches. With blood gushing, he was down for the count! Vince jumped up on the guitar in a moment's notice (with no power-point since he couldn't play Tony's songs) and led us in worship. Then he rushed from the Music area, with the music stand in hand, and over to the "platform area." There Vince Preached a sermon on Free Grace entitled "Open Bar: It's on the House!"<br /><br />After Service we went out to the Pacific Ocean and baptized Kashema, our 1st convert, in the Name of Jesus!<br /><br />We had a number of visitors who have returned to our second service and many other events. At first we planned on having one service a month, but we are planning on adding a second monthly service because of the overwhelming response.<br /><br />On our Off Sundays We have been doing community BBQ's, which we advertise well in advance, bring lots of food and games to (Like Volleyball, Horseshoes, and Bocci). The BBQ's have been an incredible success, but our last BBQ was shut down by the police. Apparently we attracted too may of our Homeless friends with the free food. Unbeknownst to us there is a city ordinance against feeding the homeless in public. Some people who lived across the street were unhappy with the large amount of homeless in their park and called the cops. The Police were very nice and told us we could stay, just not to serve food. We obeyed and thanked them for their understanding. A woman in the Park saw all of this and was moved by what we were trying to do, so she came and talked to us for over an hour. After she left she returned with a check for $250 to fund further ventures of the kind…then she picked up a homeless couple we had been talking to and took them to her house to clean out her garage and give them a little work. We wept because of the love and compassion in that woman.<br /><br />We had our first brainstorming session with our core group in early April. This week, for our Bible Studies, we are beginning our new 10-week series on the Book of Acts called "You Too can be an Action Hero." We are moving from our present location in the Hotel, which costs us $200 a week, and are adding 2 more nights and locations for Bible Studies. We'll meet Tuesday's in Little Italy in Princess Pub & Grille, Wednesday's in Gaslamp @ Starbucks on 5th & F, and Thursdays down in Eastlake. We hop to add a 4th in the next couple of months in North County.<br /><br />Also this week begins our Bi-weekly Sunday Services in the Gaslamp @ the same Nightclub. Please continue to support us in prayer and finances, as starting a church never falls short in the problems department. There is always a rent or print job to be paid, or a truly lost soul to be loved into Christ.<br /><br />We Are Learning, Loving, And pressing Forward. We are so excited for what the future holds. God Bless you and thank you for your friendship.<br /><br />Vince Larson & Karlton Edison<br />Anchor GaslampAnchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431562666964880921.post-79424817305115760142008-09-16T14:46:00.000-07:002008-11-12T14:02:53.432-08:00Our 1st Service - Easter 2008<p class="blogTimeStamp"> Sunday, March 23, 2008 </p> <table class="blog" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td width="30"><img src="http://x.myspace.com/images/spacer.gif" alt="" border="0" height="1" width="30" /></td> <td> <p class="blogSubject"> Our 1st service! </p> <p class="blogContent">We had our 1st service today on easter sunday. It was a success, with some interesting happenings. We had about 25-30 people in attendance. Our Superstar Musician and good friend Tony had an accident where his fingertips got sliced up pretty badly 5 minutes before our gathering began. Our teaching pastor, Vince Larson, who was also preaching today had to pinch-hit and do the music as well. he tried his best (God bless him). The sermon was great. Vince spoke on Grace and titled his sermon "Open Bar, It’s on the House," which was fitting because we were in a bar/ nightclub. the feeling and energy in the place was great! we had people from 5-55 years old in attendance from every walk of life. Various ethnic backgrounds, various walks of life. Our good friends from Invisible Children graced us with their presence and set up a table about their cause, for which we feel a great burden. Thanks Lisa! All in all today was a success. This Wed, we begin a new 6-week series entitled "They like Jesus, but not the church." Next Sunday, we are throwing a Big FREE Community BBQ. Pray for us that God will use us to bring many people to the truth of Who God is, what he’s done for us, and how that can change our lives! God Bless! -The Anchor Church</p></td></tr></tbody></table>Anchor Gaslamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981160262430762456noreply@blogger.com0