There is certainly a great deal happening in the world around us that can cause us to be alarmed and anxious. In a time of volatile markets, failing banks, and prices skyrocketing, many are question our nation’s economic security, as more and more people are having a harder time to find a good paying job and pay their bills. However, while there is much that can make us anxious, Christ tells us in Scripture that we can have a peace that is not based on what this world offers, but what on Christ has done for us (John 14:27 NIV). Through His death upon the cross and glorious resurrection, He has given us eternal security that cannot be upset by the trials and storms that this world offers.
The psalmist tells us that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble” (46:1 NIV). We do not need to fear the circumstances of this life because Christ will never leave us, nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). While the trials of this world will seek to destroy us, God will use our trials to strengthen us and our faith in Him (Romans 8:28 NIV). We may be “hard pressed on every side” but we will not be crushed (2 Corinthians 4:8 NIV) because God is on our side if we trust Him as Lord and Savior (Romans 8:31 NIV).
When we face difficult times in our lives, let us not be distressed, but let us pray! Paul writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6 NIV). Start off your prayers counting your blessings one by one, and as the song says, soon we will see what God has done before and we can be confident that He will do it again. He is our Father and He will take care of His children.
Lastly, it is important to be grounded in a community of faith. We are going to go through trials, and we can be sure that God will never leave us, but it also helps to have friends who will also walk with us through the storm. The Body of Christ is more than a group of friends—we are family because God is our Father—and He joins us together as one in the bond of love. So, what are you waiting for? Come to Church!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Saturday, October 4, 2008
LIVING AT PEACE IN THE MIDST OF THE CRISIS
LIVING AT PEACE IN THE MIDST OF THE CRISIS
Scripture: Matthew 6:24-34
I. Storms Come
a. In this world we will face many trials and times of crisis
b. Ecclesiastes reminds us that to everything there is a season
c. The question in not how to avoid the storms of life—because they are inevitable; rather the question is how we survive the storms of life.
i. Isaiah 43:2- When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
ii. 23rd Psalm
iii. We survive by building our lives upon the rock of Jesus Christ!
1. Psalm 61:2- From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
II. Do Not Worry
a. If we build our lives upon the rock of Jesus Christ we will survive the storms of this life.
i. Jesus and the disciples in the boat!
ii. Our reaction to crisis is normally what can we do—we develop plans and programs- to our resources
1. In the nation’s financial crisis—it was the love of money that created this crisis.
2. 1 Timothy 6:10- For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
3. Matthew 6:24- No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
iii. The Bible says that we are to turn to God
1. Proverbs 3:5-6- 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
2. 2 Chronicles 7:14- if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
a. We are called by name of Jesus Christ and are His people!
i. 6And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. (Romans 1)
ii. Romans 8:28- 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose.
b. Our eternal hope is secure is Jesus Christ!
i. John 14- 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
ii. 1 Corinthians 15- 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
iii. Hebrews 6- 6But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.
c. Our treasure is not in this world—but in heaven.
i. Matthew 6- 19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
ii. Philippians 4:19- And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
1. Our needs are met in Christ Jesus!
2. John 14:14- You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
3. Philippians 4:6- Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
4. Wait upon the Lord!
d. Therefore—we seek FIRST the Kingdom of God.
i. Philippians 3:7- But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
ii. Philippians 1:19-21- Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[a] 20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
iii. Titus 2- 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
III. Jesus will never leave us, nor forsake us
a. Daniel 3- 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." 25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."
b. Hebrews 13:5- Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Scripture: Matthew 6:24-34
I. Storms Come
a. In this world we will face many trials and times of crisis
b. Ecclesiastes reminds us that to everything there is a season
c. The question in not how to avoid the storms of life—because they are inevitable; rather the question is how we survive the storms of life.
i. Isaiah 43:2- When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
ii. 23rd Psalm
iii. We survive by building our lives upon the rock of Jesus Christ!
1. Psalm 61:2- From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
II. Do Not Worry
a. If we build our lives upon the rock of Jesus Christ we will survive the storms of this life.
i. Jesus and the disciples in the boat!
ii. Our reaction to crisis is normally what can we do—we develop plans and programs- to our resources
1. In the nation’s financial crisis—it was the love of money that created this crisis.
2. 1 Timothy 6:10- For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
3. Matthew 6:24- No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
iii. The Bible says that we are to turn to God
1. Proverbs 3:5-6- 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
2. 2 Chronicles 7:14- if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
a. We are called by name of Jesus Christ and are His people!
i. 6And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. (Romans 1)
ii. Romans 8:28- 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose.
b. Our eternal hope is secure is Jesus Christ!
i. John 14- 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
ii. 1 Corinthians 15- 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
iii. Hebrews 6- 6But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.
c. Our treasure is not in this world—but in heaven.
i. Matthew 6- 19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
ii. Philippians 4:19- And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
1. Our needs are met in Christ Jesus!
2. John 14:14- You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
3. Philippians 4:6- Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
4. Wait upon the Lord!
d. Therefore—we seek FIRST the Kingdom of God.
i. Philippians 3:7- But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
ii. Philippians 1:19-21- Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[a] 20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
iii. Titus 2- 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
III. Jesus will never leave us, nor forsake us
a. Daniel 3- 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." 25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."
b. Hebrews 13:5- Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
GRACE GREATER THAN OUR SIN AND SHAME
GRACE GREATER THAN OUR SIN AND SHAME
Accepting God’s Forgiveness
John 8:1-11
I. Forgiving Ourselves
a. Sometimes it is harder to forgive ourselves then to forgive other people
i. The story of the woman caught in adultery plays out in the mind of one controlled by guilt and shame
b. By not accepting God’s forgiveness we allow our sin to define us, rather than the grace of God
i. 2 Corinthians 5:17- 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
ii. Ephesians 2:10- For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
iii. We cannot serve two masters.
c. Both Judas and Peter betrayed God—but only Peter received the forgiveness that Christ offered—and he became the rock upon which the Church was built
i. Matthew 27- 3When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders.
d. Ungrace perpetuates the cycles of dysfunction in our relationships and within ourselves
i. The law shames us, while grace frees us!
e. The only way to experience the freedom that Christ offers is to be set free from the sin and shame through the power of the Blood
II. Woman Caught in Adultery- Conviction and Condemnation
a. The Pharisees brought the woman before Jesus to condemn her
b. Jesus is not interested in condemning her sinfulness and tries to ignore their cries for “justice”
c. Jesus is not interested in condemning the world—but convicting the world of sin
i. John 3- 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
ii. Romans 8- 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature,[a] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.[b] And so he condemned sin in sinful man,[c] 4in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
1. Jesus did not condemn the person—he condemns the sin
2. The Holy Spirit only convicts a person of sin who has been born again.
d. The Holy Spirit condemns sin and convicts the sinner
i. Condemnation creates guilt and shame; Conviction leads to repentance and freedom
ii. John 16:8- 8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt[a] in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment
iii. The devil tries to turn the healthy conviction of the Holy Spirit into destructive guilt
1. Romans 8:1- Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus
2. John 16- 13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.
a. The truth will set us free!
3. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
4. 1 John 1:8-10- 8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
a. Hebrews 10- 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (BY…)
b. 8What 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 rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and 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. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
III. Laying down our stones and running to Jesus
a. James 4:12- 12There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
b. We need to stop holding the rocks—so we can receive his grace. By the same measure you judge—you will be judged
c. We preach Christ!
i. 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. (1 Corinthians 2)
ii. Galatians 6:14- 14May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
iii. 2 Corinthians 4- 5For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"[a]made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
iv. 1 Timothy 1- 12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
Accepting God’s Forgiveness
John 8:1-11
I. Forgiving Ourselves
a. Sometimes it is harder to forgive ourselves then to forgive other people
i. The story of the woman caught in adultery plays out in the mind of one controlled by guilt and shame
b. By not accepting God’s forgiveness we allow our sin to define us, rather than the grace of God
i. 2 Corinthians 5:17- 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
ii. Ephesians 2:10- For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
iii. We cannot serve two masters.
c. Both Judas and Peter betrayed God—but only Peter received the forgiveness that Christ offered—and he became the rock upon which the Church was built
i. Matthew 27- 3When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders.
d. Ungrace perpetuates the cycles of dysfunction in our relationships and within ourselves
i. The law shames us, while grace frees us!
e. The only way to experience the freedom that Christ offers is to be set free from the sin and shame through the power of the Blood
II. Woman Caught in Adultery- Conviction and Condemnation
a. The Pharisees brought the woman before Jesus to condemn her
b. Jesus is not interested in condemning her sinfulness and tries to ignore their cries for “justice”
c. Jesus is not interested in condemning the world—but convicting the world of sin
i. John 3- 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
ii. Romans 8- 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature,[a] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.[b] And so he condemned sin in sinful man,[c] 4in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
1. Jesus did not condemn the person—he condemns the sin
2. The Holy Spirit only convicts a person of sin who has been born again.
d. The Holy Spirit condemns sin and convicts the sinner
i. Condemnation creates guilt and shame; Conviction leads to repentance and freedom
ii. John 16:8- 8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt[a] in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment
iii. The devil tries to turn the healthy conviction of the Holy Spirit into destructive guilt
1. Romans 8:1- Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus
2. John 16- 13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.
a. The truth will set us free!
3. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
4. 1 John 1:8-10- 8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
a. Hebrews 10- 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (BY…)
b. 8What 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 rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and 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. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
III. Laying down our stones and running to Jesus
a. James 4:12- 12There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
b. We need to stop holding the rocks—so we can receive his grace. By the same measure you judge—you will be judged
c. We preach Christ!
i. 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. (1 Corinthians 2)
ii. Galatians 6:14- 14May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
iii. 2 Corinthians 4- 5For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"[a]made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
iv. 1 Timothy 1- 12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
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