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Weekly sermons from our Pastor, Barry Wilkinson.
Episodes
Wednesday Dec 05, 2018
Wednesday Dec 05, 2018
Series: Why Jesus
Sermon: Jesus Offers Relationship
Scripture: John 1:1, 14
Date: December 2, 2018
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1, 14)
"Truth is the most valuable thing in the world." -Ravi Zacharias
What is the truth about God and your life? Please be honest enough with yourself to ask that question.
How does a universe, which itself developed from nothing, impart into every human strand of DNA enough specific information to cover 600,000 pages of information - all from nothing?
No, the Christian's faith is not a leap into the dark; it is a well-placed trust in the light - the Light of the World, who is Jesus.
One atheist said, "It isn't just that I don't believe in God and, naturally, hope there is no God! I don't want there to be a God; I don't want the universe to be like that."
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we behold His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1, 14)
The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish. (John 1:14, The Message)
Here are three unique aspects of Jesus' offer of relationship to each of us:
- Jesus offers a relationship that is clear
- When the New Age person refers to deity, a follower of this type of spirituality is not talking about a transcendent, personal God who created the universe, but is referring to a higher consciousness within themselves.
- Buddhists do not worship any gods or God.
- It is not a what but a who we are look for, and that is where Jesus is unique.
- Most Hindus worship one Being of ultimate oneness.
- Muslims believe there is the one almighty God, named Allah, who is infinitely superior to and transcendent from humankind.
- He is a powerful and strict judge, who will be merciful toward followers depending on the sufficiency of their life's good works and religious devotion. A follower's relationship with Allah is as a servant to Allah.
- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1, 14)
- In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. (Hebrews 1:1-4, NIV)
- Jesus came after us.
- Jesus offers a relationship that is close
- "God pursues a continuing love relationship with you that is real and personal." -Henry Blackaby
- Are we seeking His guidance?
- As a believer, may the joy of the Lord give you absolute confidence that God is personal and involved in your life and that evil will one day be defeated forever, and that heaven is a reality.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - pray without ceasing
- pray continually (NIV)
- never stop praying (NLT)
- I beg leave! I beg leave, I beg leave....May I be freed at all times from the four states of Woe, the Three Scourges, the Eight Wrong Circumstances, the Five Enemies, the Four Deficiencies, the Five Misfortunes, and quickly attain the Path, the Fruition, and the Noble Law of Nirvana, Lord.
- The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish. (John 1:14, The Message)
- Jesus offers a relationship that is compassionate
- For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)
- Are we missing out on life with Jesus - a clear, close, and compassionate relationship with the God who made us?
Sunday Dec 02, 2018
Sunday Dec 02, 2018
Series: Life With the King
Sermon: A Kingdom Christmas: The Right Way to Celebrate Christmas
Scripture: Romans 14:17
Date: December 2, 2018
Last weeks' WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Spend some time in your alone time with Jesus this week thanking Him for things that a non-believer cannot thank Him for.
For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)
He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it will be counted a curse to him. (Proverbs 27:14)
For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17, NKJV)
In the kingdom of God, eating and drinking are not important. The important things are living right with God, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17, NLT)
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17, NCV)
We've seen that the kingdom of God is that realm of salvation where God rules as King in the hearts of those He has saved.
WEEKLY GROWTH SUGGESTION: Pray about the right way to celebrate Christmas. Memorize Romans 14:17.
The issue here is that the followers of Jesus were getting upset with each other and arguing about things that were not important.
"Not the externals, but the eternals must be first in our lives." -Warren Wiersbe
Let's look at two correct ways to celebrate Christmas:
- God's prescribed righteousness
- There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. (Luke 1:5-7)
- What is your standard for righteousness?
- What are the convictions that you live by?
- A non-Christian, looking at a Christian, ought to see loving things, not arguing and fighting and talking bad about each other and lawsuits, but righteousness. Here he is not referring so much to our righteous standing (justification) but our righteous living (sanctification).
- We cannot hide behind our beliefs that we are convinced we rightly believe and not rightly treat each other. Jesus will not allow for that.
- This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. (John 15:12-14)
- What if He (Jesus) decided to come and rescue people who were like Him?
- "Doing good is the act that benefits other people and reveals the character of God." -Chip Ingram
- It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall. (Romans 14:21)
- Love each other like brothers and sisters. Give each other more honor than you want for yourselves. Do not be lazy but work hard, serving the Lord with all your heart. Be joyful because you have hope. Be patient when trouble comes, and pray at all times. Share with God's people who need help. Bring strangers in need into your homes. Wish good for those who harm you; wish them well and do not curse them. Be happy with those who are happy, and be sad with those who are sad. (Romans 12:10-15, NLT)
- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)
- God's provided righteousness
- "Come, all ye drunkards, swearers, Sabbath-breakers, adulterers, fornicators; come, all ye scoffers, harlots, thieves, and murderers, and Jesus Christ will save you; he will give you rest, if you are weary of your sins." -George Whitefield
- The way to get our Christmas MOJO back - is More of Jesus Only. Christmas is about JOMO for MOJO - the Joy Of Missing Out (on all the pressure!) for More Of Jesus Only (all of His presence!)
- "When the holidays hit this year, we're all not choosing to fall more in debt because of consumerism, but we're choosing to fall more in love because of Christ." -Ann Voskamp
- When the holidays hit this year, we're all not going to be hit by all the worry - we're choosing to be hushed by all His wonder. Holy days - over hyped-up holidays. Falling in love - over falling in debt. Wonder - over worry.
- The wonders of His love are everywhere - if you are in love with the wonder of Him. This is how the brilliant live.
Wednesday Nov 28, 2018
Wednesday Nov 28, 2018
Series: Why Jesus
Sermon: Guess Where He's From
Scripture: John 8:23
Date: November 25, 2018
And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world." (John 8:23)
At its core, every religion is exclusive.
"To deem all beliefs equally true is sheer nonsense for the simple reason that to deny that statement would also, then, be true." -Ravi Zacharias
One of the unique claims about Jesus is His claim that He was from eternity. Let's look at the claim, confirmation, and the change that this claim brings.
- Claim
- And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world." (John 8:23)
- Jesus looked around and saw them following. "What do you want?" he asked them. They replied, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are you staying?" "Come and see," he said. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day. (John 1:38-39)
- We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
- And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Phillip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" (John 1:46-47)
- Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Phillip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered and said to Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" (John 1:48-49)
- Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these." And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." (John 1:50-51)
- Then he [Jacob] dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the Lord stood above it and said: "I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants.... Then Jacob awoke form his sleep and said, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it." And he was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!" (Genesis 28:12-13, 16)
- Were they aware that the Lord who fashioned the heavens and the earth was standing beside them?
- And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world." (John 8:23)
- Confirmation
- There is His miraculous birth.
- When Mary and Joseph claimed a very unique birth, they put themselves at great risk.
- Even the Koran, written 600 years after Jesus, affirmed His virgin birth.
- There is his sinless life.
- His life has always been regarded as the purest that has ever been lived.
- "Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me?" (John 8:46)
- There never was a time when He was not (sinless).
- There never will be a time when He will not be (sinless).
- There is His miraculous birth.
- Change
- "The primary purpose of a home is to reflect and to distribute the love of Christ. Anything that usurps that is idolatrous." -Ravi Zacharias
Sunday Nov 25, 2018
Sunday Nov 25, 2018
Series: Life With the King
Sermon: Kingdom Thanksgiving
Scripture: John 11:41
Date: November 25, 2018
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me." (John 11:41)
Americans are most #thankful for...
- You
- Life
- People
- Family
- Everything
- Love
- Friends
- Everyone
- Today
- God
Being thankful is:
- Good for your brain
- Decreases pain levels
- Better sleep
- Reduces anxiety and depression
- Increases energy
- Improves relationships
- Makes you happier
- Strengthens relationships
WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Spend some time in your alone time with Jesus this week thanking Him for the things that a non-believer cannot thank Him for.
Let's look at three reasons why God's kingdom gives us a reason to be a grateful people:
- There is a Master who is in control
- Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me." (John 11:40-41)
- Here are two important reasons to be grateful for our Master who is in control:
- He can do something about the situation.
- Many times how we respond to something is more important than what happens to us. Will we give thanks or grow angry? Will we be grateful or grumble?
- He can do something in you.
- God works by faith.
- Your hard stuff can make you better or bitter. It depends on your reaction to it.
- He can do something about the situation.
- There is a misery that courts
- What will you do instead of giving thanks to God? Instead of being grateful to God?
- For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (1 Corinthians 11:23-24)
- There is a mission that continues
- "American Christianity is messed up. We forget that Jesus is the prize, that reigning with Him and being with Him is the reward." -Terrence Jones
- What you do today counts.
- We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
- It matters to Jesus that you do them and how you do them.
- Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV)
Tuesday Nov 20, 2018
Tuesday Nov 20, 2018
While Brother Barry and his family are on vacation, please enjoy this message from church member Luke Cullen, as he speaks on entering and enjoying God's rest. Scripture is taken from Hebrews 4. Happy Thanksgiving!
Sunday Nov 18, 2018
Sunday Nov 18, 2018
While Barry is on Thanksgiving holiday, enjoy listening to our Youth Pastor, Emmett Massey!
Wednesday Nov 14, 2018
Wednesday Nov 14, 2018
Series: The Bible Story
Sermon: The Impact of the Bible
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
Date: November 11, 2018
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. The last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)
Tonight I want to talk about Paul's letters and how we got our English Bibles.
"http://www.saulgotthecallnowpaul.com/"
Paul was probably converted c.AD 37, went to Jerusalem in AD 40 and 49, visited Corinth somewhere around AD 50-52, and wrote 1 Corinthians in AD 55.
The idea that the resurrection was a myth or legend that grew up around the stories of Jesus is so problematic in two ways:
- Why would somebody leave their first century religion to embrace this Jewish sect that would cause them to lose their jobs, friends, sometimes their families and their lives?
- Paul writes that people are still alive who saw Jesus alive from the dead.
After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:7)
That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)
With the help of Silas, 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. (1 Peter 5:12)
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. (excerpt from the Nicene Creed)
Many of Paul's commands are living out Jesus' words in the great commandment and new commandment.
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Galatians 5:14)
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. (Romans 12:14-17)
If not the first time, one full copy was assembled by St. Jerome around AD 400. This manuscript included all 39 Old Testament books and all 27 New Testament books in the same language: Latin. (Called the Vulgate)
Here are a few: Judah/Juda/Judas/Jude (all the same name); Golgotha/Calvary; Luke/Lucas; Elijah/Elias; Noah/Noe
For the word of God is quicke and powerfull, and sharper then any two edged sword, pearcing euen to the diuiding asunder of soule and spirit, and of the ioynts and marrowe, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked, and opened vnto the eyes of him with whome wee haue to doe. (Hebrews 4:12-13, KJV 1611)
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:12-13, KJV)
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13, NIV)
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:12-13, NASB)
God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it - no matter what. (Hebrews 4:12-13, The Message)
36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" 37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." 38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. (Acts 8:36-38, NKJV)
36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?" [37] 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. (Acts 8:36-38, NIV)
God inspired a book to reveal Himself and people have sacrificed so much for us to have a copy of it.
Christianity is the result of an event.
Sunday Nov 11, 2018
Sunday Nov 11, 2018
Series: Life With the King
Sermon: Now and Later
Scripture: Luke 17:21, 22:16
Date: November 11, 2018
Last week's WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Pray about whether following you will lead someone to follow Jesus. Pray and ask God what actions you can take to help your family become a kingdom family.
Nor will they say, "See here!" or "See there!" For indeed, the kingdom fo God is within you. (Luke 17:21)
For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God. (Luke 22:16)
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3)
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:20)
The kingdom of God is still yet to come. It is here but it is not fully here.
But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom. (Matthew 26:29)
I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. (1 Corinthians 15:50, NIV)
Let's talk about how the Kingdom is now and later. This will help us live as Kingdom people with our King:
- Entrance
- "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15, NIV)
- It is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
- Experience
- Our experience with Jesus now is different.
- This means there can be Christians who have been set free from spiritual bondage, but who will never enjoy the full rights and privileges they could have inherited in this life.
- Our experience with Jesus now is different.
- Our experience with Jesus later is different.
- And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:3-5)
- Your experience of and ability to reign with Christ later is determined by how you live here now.
- Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:13-15)
- Enjoyment
- Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. (Hebrews 4:1-2)
Wednesday Nov 07, 2018
Wednesday Nov 07, 2018
Series: The Bible Story
Sermon: Is the Old Testament Reliable?
Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:1-2 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Date: November 4, 2018
Now this is the commandment, and these are the statues and judgments which the Lord your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statues and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. (Deuteronomy 6:1-2)
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
"The Bible is a unique book. It is one of the oldest books in the world, and yet it is still the world's bestseller. Tyrants have burned the Bible, and believers revere it. It is the most quoted, the most published, the most translated, and the most influential book in the history of humankind." -Norman Geisler
Now this is the commandment, and these are the statues and judgments which the Lord your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statues and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. (Deuteronomy 6:1-2)
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
...and consider that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation - as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. (2 Peter 3:15-16)
"The Bible is inspired in the sense that Spirit-moved men wrote God-breathed words that are divinely authoritative for Christian faith and practice." -Norman Geisler
The Gentiles' interest in the Jewish scripture was not historical or to become a Jew. It was Christological; their interest was in Jesus.
Ex: Th shrmp nd crwfsh wr dlcs.
Scholars had Hebrew fragments (or even large samples, and a complete copy of Isaiah) of books of the Old Testament that dated from 250-65 BC.
All the texts of our Old Testament were at Qumran (Dead Sea scrolls) except Esther.
"God inspired the books, the original people of God recognized and collected them, and later believers categorized the canonical (official) books according to the overall unity they perceived in them." -Norman Geisler
- Was it written by a prophet of God? Was the author directly called by God?
- Did the writer have credentials from God?
- Did it tell the truth about God, man, etc.?
- Did it possess the life-transforming power of God?
- All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16)
- Was it received or accepted by the people of God for whom it was originally written?
According to Judaism, the canon (books accepted as inspired) was completed by about 400 BC.
Jesus and the New Testament writers assume a fixed canon in "the law and the prophets" that was considered "all the Scriptures" (Luke 24:27)
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself... (Luke 24:27)
These books are called the Apocrypha. The Apocrypha is comprised of non-biblical books that were (are) accepted by some but rejected by others. The word "Apocrypha" means hidden, or doubtful.
Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. (Matthew 5:17-18)
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. (Matthew 12:40-41)
But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. (Matthew 24:37-39)
And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." (Matthew 19:4-5)
There are other creation stories; they are not similar to Genesis.
The Hebrew people did not worship creation; they believed God had created them as the pinnacle of creation.
The debate today is not whether the universe had a beginning but was it a personal, purposeful beginning or a cosmic accident.
The Sinai covenant treated women, children, and the unfortunate, better than any civilization of that day.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment, and who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of My people He was stricken. And they make His grave with the wicked - but with the rich as His death, because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth. (Isaiah 53:6-9)
Sunday Nov 04, 2018
Sunday Nov 04, 2018
Series: Life With the King
Sermon: The Kingdom Family
Scripture: Genesis 1:26-28
Date: November 4, 2018
Last week's WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Make sure you are a real follower of Jesus and the people around you are real followers of Jesus.
Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
Here's some good news today: God is for the family!
Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image... (Genesis 1:26a)
Kingdom families are different from others in their:
- AIM
- "The mission of the family is to reflect God through the advancement of His kingdom and rule on earth. Happiness becomes the natural benefit when this goal is being actualized." -Tony Evans
- We say it here as "Glorifying God by having a great commitment to the Great Commandment and Great Commission".
- Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness." (Genesis 1:26a)
- The world is to know what God is like by looking at us. Your family is to know what God is like by looking at you.
- We are to have children to mirror God's image.
- "The disintegration of the family is the single most devastating internal issue facing our nation in general and our communities in particular." -Tony Evans
- AUTHORITY
- "If and when we seek to build our families on anything other than the stable foundational principles of the Word of God, it will not last when life's trials and challenges come upon us." -Tony Evans
- Where did the family break down? When Adam and Eve quit following God's authority.
- ACTIONS
- If you are going to be a kingdom family, that starts with living a Christian single life.
- As a family, you do the kinds of things Jesus would want you to do.
- You treat each other like you would want Jesus to treat you.
- You get engaged with a church and some Christian friends.
- Pray together.
- Talk about Jesus with each other and others.
- Pray about events around you.
- Give money to advance God's kingdom.
- Let God use you to make others' lives better.
- "To my Dad: Following you taught me to follow Jesus." -Kyle Idleman
- WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Pray about whether following you will lead someone to follow Jesus. Pray and ask God what actions you can take to help your family become a kingdom family.