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Weekly sermons from our Pastor, Barry Wilkinson.
Episodes
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.
Wednesday Oct 31, 2018
Wednesday Oct 31, 2018
Series: The Bible Story
Sermon: Why It Was Written
Scripture: Luke 1:1-4
Date: October 28, 2018
Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. (Luke 1:1-4)
"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
The Bible was written over a period of roughly 1500 years by around 40 different authors from three continents, who wrote in three different languages. These facts alone make the Bible one of a kind, but there are many more amazing details that defy natural explanation.
Shepherds, kings, scholars, fishermen, prophets, a military general, a cupbearer, and a priest all penned portions of Scripture. They had different immediate purposes for writing, whether recording history, giving spiritual and moral instruction, or pronouncing judgment.
They composed their works from palaces, prisons, the wilderness, and places of exile while writing history, laws, poetry, prophecy, and proverbs. In the process they laid bare their personal emotions, expressing anger, frustration, joy, and love.
Yet despite this marvelous array of topics and goals, the Bible displays a flawless internal consistency. It never contradicts itself or its common theme.
Stephen Langton, a professor at the University of Paris and later Archbishop of Canterbury, is credited with dividing the Bible into chapters in 1227. Verses were added in 1551 and 1555 by Robert Stephanus, a Paris printer.
Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us... (Luke 1:1)
...just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. (Luke 1:2-4)
I am writing the greatest story in the world and nothing but the best is good enough for it.
"Luke, the companion of Paul, put down in a book the gospel preached by him." He also says, "Luke was not only a companion, but also a fellow-laborer of the apostles, especially of Paul." -St. Ireaneus (140-202)
The word "Theophilus" means a friend of God.
The title "most excellent" has by some been supposed to be given to express his character, but it is rather to be considered as denoting rank or office. It occurs only in three other places in the New Testament, and is there given to men in office - to Felix and Festus (Acts 23:26, 24:3, 26:25).
And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20:30-31)
For the New Testament, the biggest two criteria were (1) did it come from apostolic circles and (2) was it regularly read with profit in the churches.
After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. (Colossians 4:16, NIV)
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. (Revelation 1:3, NIV)
...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)
"In fact, within about two hundred years after the first century, not only every book but nearly every verse of the New Testament was cited in one or more of the Fathers (the church leaders in the first 2-8 centuries after the apostles died) - over thirty-six thousand citations by the Fathers." -Norman Geisler
Around AD 240, Origen mentioned the 27 New Testament books by name, which he called "trumpets hammered thin," a charming image of a loud anthem played on the thin pages of the Bible.
Athanasius (296-373) wrote a customary Easter Letter as bishop of Alexandria, in which he took up the subject of the New Testament canon. By this stage, however, the process had matured fully and Athanasius could list each of the 27 books of the New Testament as being canonized.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)
Once discussions resulted in the recognition of the 27 canonical books of the New Testament canon, there have been no moves within Christendom to add to it or take away from it.
The New Testament is far and away the best attested book of ancient history.
Jesus is the reason for the Bible. While Jesus did not write the Bible or any of its books, He is the reason it exists; He is the reason for it. If Jesus had been crucified and not risen from the dead, there would be no New Testament.
Most Christians over the centuries never had personal Bibles. Most were illiterate and only heard the Word during worship.
The average Chinese Bible lasts 3-5 years.
Sunday Oct 28, 2018
Sunday Oct 28, 2018
Series: Life With the King
Sermon: Fake Christians
Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Date: October 28, 2018
Last week's WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Invite Jesus to invade your life this week with Kingdom power and perspective.
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."'" ... Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field." He answered and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)
Am I real or counterfeit?
How am I to live in a world and a church that has real and counterfeit?
The wheat represents true Jesus followers.
The weeds, or tares, represent counterfeit followers of Jesus.
Let's talk about the real and the counterfeit in the kingdom:
- Sowing
- He answered and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil." (Matthew 13:37-39a)
- Satan is a master counterfeiter.
- "The first 5 days after the weekend are the hardest." -Leigh Anne Tuohy
- Some counterfeits of the enemy:
- A false Jesus
- For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted - you may well put up with it! (2 Corinthians 11:4)
- My Jesus would never do/say that.
- A false gospel
- For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted - you may well put up with it! (2 Corinthians 11:4)
- Some false gospels today:
- Everyone goes to heaven.
- You go to heaven if your good outweighs your bad.
- You go to heaven if you are a good person.
- You go to heaven without repentance.
- You go to heaven if you belong to the right group.
- You go to heaven if you have done the right things: joined the church, walked the aisle, said a prayer, got baptized.
- I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God's curse! (Galatians 1:6-9)
- False ministers
- For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. (2 Corinthians 11:13-14, NIV)
- False brothers
- In journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; (2 Corinthians 11:26)
- Don't let a hypocrite or a counterfeit keep you out of heaven.
- A false Jesus
- Growing
- He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."' (Matthew 13:28-30)
- Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13:5)
- It's not: let your parents test you.
- It's not: let your SS teacher test you.
- It's not: let your pastor test you.
- It's not: let your friends test you.
- It's not: let social media test you.
- WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Make sure you are a real follower of Jesus and the people around you are real followers of Jesus.
- "Too many church members have been starched and ironed but never washed." -Vance Havner
- Don't let a hypocrite or a counterfeit keep you out of heaven.
- Knowing
- The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all the things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! (Matthew 13:41-43)
Sunday Oct 21, 2018
Sunday Oct 21, 2018
Series: Life With the King
Sermon: Big Deal from Small Beginnings
Scripture: Matthew 13:31-33
Date: October 21, 2018
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches." Another parable He spoke to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened." (Matthew 13:31-33)
God's kingdom starts small and grows big!
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field..." Another parable He spoke to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened." (Matthew 13:31, 33)
My prayer today is that we will be so encouraged by the possibilities in God's kingdom that we will seek God's kingdom first and with faith.
The growth from small beginnings is possible because of:
- Kingdom power
- When we make our lives about the King, God Himself gets on board. Rather, we get on board with God.
- Do you know who the Emperor of Rome was when Jesus was ministering?
- Do you know the best-selling book of all time?
- Kingdom permeates
- He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough." (Matthew 13:33, NIV)
- The whole point of the parable lies in one thing: the transforming power of the leaven.
- The point is that you invite Jesus into your life and life situation, and He will invade that situation with His presence.
- Have you invited Jesus into your:
- marriage?
- parenting?
- friendships?
- speech?
- finances?
- work?
- school?
- hobbies?
- music?
- social media?
- WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Invite Jesus to invade your life this week with Kingdom power and perspective.
- Kingdom places
- God changing the places of our lives is so encouraging that we should be motivated to invite Him into the places of our lives.
- We are God's mustard seed and God's leaven in this world.
- The one man or woman set on fire for Christ is the person who kindles others.
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018
Series: Freedom in Jesus
Sermon: Faith is Fundamental to Freedom
Scripture: 1 John 5:1-5
Date: October 14, 2018
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:1-5)
Invite Jesus into your stronghold. "Lord, this is the lie that I've been believing. Can you show me where this started?"
Repent and close the door to the agreement.
Remember how much God loves me.
The more you invite God's love into your life, believe it, accept it, and receive it, the less fear you will have.
Remember God has a good plan for your life.
Pray for freedom.
"God, I bring these things that have imprisoned me, and I give them to you. You are the door of freedom, and I come to you through Jesus. I'm walking through the door to freedom - as best I can. I give my life to you, Lord Jesus, and I want to live with, for, and through You. I want to walk through the doors of opportunity You have for me. Take my life."
Faith is fundamental to freedom.
Truths, techniques and prayer will not set us free. Only Jesus will set us free.
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome. (1 John 5:1-3, NIV)
For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:4-5)
How do you get freedom from worldly stuff like:
- materialism
- popularity
- comparison
- compromising to fit in
- gossip
- dressing immodestly
So, what is essential to being set free by faith? At least, these two essentials:
- We believe what God says is true
- Do we truly believe what God says when He says things like:
- It's better to give than to receive
- The way to living is by dying
- Seeking first the kingdom is better than seeking first money
- Contentment with godliness is great gain
- Love God and love others like ourselves
- We are servants of each other
- Love and pray for your enemies
- Gen Z: born between 2002-2015
- Millennials: born between 1984-2001
- Busters/Gen-Xers: born between 1965-1983
- Boomers: born between 1946-1964
- Elders: born between 1945-earlier
- ENGAGED CHRISTIANS identify as Christian, have attended church within the past six months and strongly agree with each of the following:
- The Bible is the inspired word of God and contains truth about the world.
- I have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in my life today.
- I engage with my church in more ways than just attending services.
- I believe that Jesus Christ was crucified and raised from the dead to conquer sin and death.
- CHURCHED CHRISTIANS identify as Christian and have attended church within the past six months, but do not qualify as engaged according to the previous definition
- "Following Jesus makes your life better and makes you better at life." -Andy Stanley
- Do we truly believe what God says when He says things like:
- We act like what God says is true
- And being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. (Romans 4:21)
- "We don't believe something by merely saying we believe it, or even when we believe that we believe it. We believe something when we act as if it were true." -Dallas Willard
- If you say you believe God loves you but don't act like it...
- If you say you believe there is no condemnation in Christ but don't act like it...
- If you say you believe God's plan is too good to miss but don't act like it...
- If you say you believe God answers prayer but don't act like it...
- If you say you believe God loves a holy life but don't act like it...
- If you say you believe God's commands are for our good but don't act like it...
- If you say you believe Jesus sets you free but don't act like it...
Sunday Oct 14, 2018
Sunday Oct 14, 2018
Series: Life With the King
Sermon: Kingdom Fruit
Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Date: October 14, 2018
On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! (Matthew 13:1-9)
Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and than the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matthew 13:18-23)
We love King Jesus and want to please Him.
What's the King looking for?
But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thrity. (Matthew 13:23)
- Hebrews says the fruit of your lips is praise to God.
- Paul said the first people he led to Christ in Achaia are fruit.
- Paul worte to the Philippians and the Colossians about the fruit of righteousness.
- Paul wrote to the Galatians about the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control
We have action fruit and attitude fruit.
Jesus says that the kingdom grows in people according to what kind of hearts we have. We grow in relation to how we obey Jesus' word.
And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore (Matthew 13:2)
Whether the seed grows or not depends on the condition of the soil. That means the condition of our hearts to receive and obey Jesus determines if we grow.
What has God been saying to you these days?
Lord, what are you trying to say to me in this?
Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. (Matthew 13:18-19)
There are 4 different kinds of hearts:
- Hard heart
- When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. (Matthew 13:19)
- What is the biggest cause of a hard heart? When we hear truth and reject it.
- "Why do so many people who say they like Jesus not read the Bible?" -Brant Hansen
- Here's something else that causes a hard heart: we know God wants us to do something and we say we are just not going to do it.
- The single greatest cause of impaired hearing of fresh truth is the refusal to live what we know already.
- The Kingdom does not grow in a hard heart.
- Shallow heart
- But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. (Matthew 13:20-21)
- They just want good gifts from Jesus. It is more of an emotional response than a real decision to go after Jesus.
- Do I find that trials, instead of shattering my faith, actually deepen it?
- After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. (John 6:66)
- The Kingdom does not grow in a shallow heart.
- Crowded heart
- Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. (Matthew 13:22)
- This is the person that has too much going on.
- Jesus does not say, "I understand, life is busy right now and you just don't have time for Me."
- Kingdom people's lives revolve around the King. He is not an add-on.
- "If God's Word is not working, you need to check the ground it landed on, because there is nothing wrong with the seed." -Tony Evans
- The Kingdom does not grow in a crowded heart.
- Obedient heart
- But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." (Matthew 13:23)
- But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." (Mark 4:20)
- But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. (Luke 8:15)
- He who has ears to hear, let him hear! (Matthew 13:9)
- Hebrews says the fruit of your lips is praise to God.
- Paul said the first people he led to Christ in Achaia are fruit.
- Paul wrote to the Philippians and the Colossians about the fruit of righteousness.
- Paul wrote to the Galatians about the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control
- We have action fruit and attitude fruit.
- Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21)
- "Hearing the Bible preaced is like eating an appetizer. Once you hear the sermon, no matter how much you liked it or enjoyed it, all you got was the appetizer. The full meal comes when you take the Word you have heard and process it, digest it, and put it to use in your daily life." -Tony Evans
- The Kingdom does grow in an obedient heart.