Wednesday, June 28, 2006

A Commentary On Faith Continued

A Commentary On Faith Continued

gtcotr/ws062806

Tonight we continue our commentary on faith, picking up where we left off last Wednesday evening in the book of Romans, Chapter 5.

Romans 5

1 ¶ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Last time we discussed access by faith into this grace. This gives us the picture of the process of obtaining through faith. Remember, we said:

Grace Provides

Hope Envisions

Faith Lays Hold On

Patience Possesses

Hebrews 6:12 tells us that it is through faith and patience we inherit

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Faith works throughout the process of testing, tribulations, trials and temptations.

Tribulations work (work means to cause or accomplish, to work out)

What do they work? --- Patience!

This patience is a steadfastness or sustaining perseverance

Patience works

What does it work? -- Experience!

Experience here means proof; even used in the sense of a tried and approved character

Experience works

What does experience work? --- Hope!

Hope is the joyful and confident expectation of fulfillment.

So, here is the process of the building of faith.

Remember point #34 from my 122 point sermon.

Point #34: What you believe will be tested.

This comes from the scripture reference in Mark 4 where Jesus is explaining the parable of the sower and the different people who hear the word.

Mark 4 (KJV)

14 The sower soweth the word.

15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.

18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

When we hear the word and the word begins it’s work on in us and on us with the hope of working through us, we become dangerous to satan’s kingdom goals.

This is what happened in the garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. They had received the word of God and that is what satan come to steal. “Hath God said?” He came for the word.

When Jesus was being tempted in the wilderness, satan came to steal the word of God from Him. However, Jesus kept the word of His Father in His heart, His mind and His mouth.

This word is the sword of our spirit. Ephesians 6:17

Here is the process.

We hear the word

Temptation, testing, trials, pressures, questions and deceptions of life come to steal the word and render it unfruitful.

We hold onto the word in the midst of our tribulation and that works in us a greater sustaining perseverance.

Our perseverance accomplishes the task and we receive what we believed into our heart and life.

This process leaves us with hope for future battles, believing that if we continue to hold onto the word, despite the circumstances or disappointments, that the word of God will have it’s final say.

James, the pastor of the church in Jerusalem and the half brother of Jesus said it to his congregation this way.

James 1 KJV

2 ¶ My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

How does faith work?

Galatians 5:6 Faith works by love

This speaks to the necessity of a proper motivation.

Philemon 6 Faith works by acknowledging every good thing which is already in you in Christ.

James 2:20 & 26 Faith works by application

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Sharing Jesus

Sharing Jesus

gtcotr/ss062506

Where there is a shared resource there must also, of necessity, be a shared responsibility.

People everywhere are crying out to be set free. Free from the hurt, the worries, the pains and disappointments of life. Life for many people is not what they expected … but it’s not what God expected either.

However, despite the pain and confusion, there is an answer. I boldly proclaim to you that Jesus is the answer. He and He alone is The Way, The Truth and The Life. Life with Jesus is a higher caliber of life. Life with Jesus makes all the darkness and despair of this world unable to capture the soul of that one who believes and accepts the message.

For this we have been commissioned to ’Go and tell’ … to ‘Bring Jesus’ to a lost and hurting world. To deliver them a chance to be set free.

Key Scriptures: Matthew 28

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

In 1976 there was an African American gentleman in his late 40’s living in California. He was a member of a church that believed and taught this Great Commission we read in Matthew 28.

In the spring of that year he felt in his heart that he should give some of his time and energy in efforts to take Jesus to lost and hurting people. So, under the covering of his church and in connection with a mission‘s agency, he set out on an adventure to England. He arrived in London and met with some contacts for a few days before deciding to drive out West of London and visit a pastor he knew of.

It was about noon, I think it was on a Monday, June 7th, 1976, if my memory serves me, when he stopped at a small café about 60 miles West of London, to eat.

Earlier that morning in the same little town, a man and his wife were arguing. As usual the screams and threats were loud and demanding. Life was good but marriage was unbearable. Everything to live for but nothing to live together for, yet unknown to them - God had a plan for this couple.

Before leaving for work that morning, in an angered moment, it was decided that they would get a divorce. They would both go ahead to work but she would have her stuff out of the house before he got home that evening. There was no reason prolonging the inevitable.

As he stormed out of the house, slamming the door, she screamed “I hate you.” The feeling was mutual. Hearts had grown cold.

Around noon this 23 year old woman went to lunch at a café near where she worked. She sat hurting and alone at a table all by herself. From seemingly out of nowhere a man walked up to her table and asked her if he might sit down with her. To her surprise, she said yes.

It was this African American gentleman turned missionary on his adventure to bring Jesus to a lost and hurting world. He had found the mark and Jesus was about to win another victory.

Sitting there he opened the conversation and then gracefully listened as the young lady shared her hurt. As she talked, he allowed the Holy Spirit to guide him, weaving Jesus into the fabric of her only solution. When the time was right, he closed that destined meeting with a challenge for her to make Jesus the Lord of her life. She did!

Right there in that little café at what was a lonely table with no hope, light shinned in that darkness and brought new life to a dying soul. She was born again!

And right here, now 30 years later, she sits in our front row still faithfully serving Jesus, and still married, happily married, to the man she once had no love for --- after all this time: my wife, Brenda.

After her true conversion that day in 1976, she gained the grace and strength to go back into our marriage and be a conduit through which God could work His plan. Within three weeks I had fallen under such conviction and felt so loved and appreciated, despite my failings, that I could no longer hold out on Jesus. I realized that I was the cause of my problems, I repented and rededicated my life to serve His will.

Seven years ago I was successful in tracking down that African American gentleman who brought Jesus to my wife and me. He is now in his 70’s, living in British Columbia, the retired head of a world wide mission’s agency with more than 300 full time missionaries bringing Jesus to the whole world. Those of you who were in the church seven years ago may remember me bringing this precious saint into our congregation and publicly thanking him for following the Great Commission. You see:

God has a plan

He will succeed

And we have a chance to participate however:

Our participation in God’s plan will involve us bringing Jesus to some lost and lonely soul.

Jesus is our shared resource and:

Where there is a shared resource there must of necessity be a shared responsibility.

It is my personal responsibility --- your personal responsibility --- our individual and collective responsibility to share Jesus with others.

Who is it in your world that needs you to stop by, take the time and share the hope of Christ Jesus with them?

Jesus comes to others through the hands of people with food, through the hearts of people with faith and through the help of people with finances.

For which works of real care and concern will God one day reward us?

Do we take the time to be His hand reaching out, His heart caring, His hope sharing.

We have time, we have talent and we have treasury that can be used to carry Jesus to a lost and lonely world.

Each of us will decide today how we are going to live the rest of our life.

Matthew 25 NKJV

35 ‘for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;

36 ‘I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?

38 ‘When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?

39 ‘Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’

40 "And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Someone brought Jesus to each one of us. Someone brought Jesus to you.

Who will you bring Jesus to?

Sunday, June 18, 2006

The Blessing of Fatherhood

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Key Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:18 "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (NIV)

Title: The Blessing of Fatherhood

Being a father has served me a lot of firsts.

I was there for the first breath

I was there for the first smile

I was there for the first word

The first step

The first fall

The first attempt to ride a bicycle

The first day at school

The first play

The first graduation

The first job

The first time to drive a car, and the first wreck

The first purchase of their own car and insurance

The birth of the first child of their own

Being a father has also given me a tremendous education.

I have been schooled in such things as:

Pre-natal care

Stretch marks

Water retention

Delivery

Sleep deprivation

Baby sitting

Nursing

Diet and exercise

Marriage counseling

School teaching

Problem solving

Athletics

Crisis counseling

Negotiating

True and Lasting Friendships

I have been called upon to give definitive answers to questions about:

Animal husbandry

Weather formation

Why roses have thorns

How to make ice cream

Where does snow come from, Where do babies come from

In what ways are little boys and little girls different

Why aren’t we there yet

Where the Easter bunny lives

What colleges to apply to

Which job to pursue

Interest rates

Stock portfolios

Retirement funds

Being a father has taken me to ball games, school functions, the mall, on countless job interviews, hospital visits, fourth of July celebrations, to museums, movies, plays and ceremonies, I’ve traveled from one side of these United States to the other visiting theme parks and national monuments, vacationed in more than two dozen foreign countries and visited US Air Bases from Germany to South Korea, I’ve built a lifetime of memories, I’ve been the Easter Bunny, Santa Clause, the Tooth Fairy and Superman, I have the power to help and the power to hurt, to encourage and to discourage, I’ve been allowed to handle young impressionable lives and teach them what to do and what not to do. All of this because I am a father.

As far as my children were concerned, my voice was the voice of God for their young lives. Now, in their mature years, leading their own families, they still seek my counsel for life’s major decisions.

In 1998 both my son and my daughter got married eight days apart. My son joined the USAF and my daughter moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma with her husband to attend College.

The first day my wife and I were home, all alone, she saw me crying. Being the good wife she is, she attempted to comfort me. With her hugs she asked me what was wrong. I told her that I felt lost and had just realized for the first time that all I ever wanted to be was a father. What, I asked her, was I going to do with the rest of my life?

Today, more than eight years later, I closely identify with a prominent bible character who feels the same way. Which bible character do you think I am talking about?

It’s someone who wanted to be a father and wanted to love and care for his children, build them a strong and solid foundation and a prosperous future. He wanted his children to love him and trust his counsel. Who is this bible character I am talking about?

Do you suppose it is Abraham? No. How about Jacob? No. Perhaps it’s Joseph or Noah, Simon or Phillip. No, none of these, although I understand them more now than I did when I was much younger.

The bible character I am talking about is the main character of the bible: It’s God! I see God as my pattern Father. I feel His heart. Now, looking back on my life, I can understand Him so much better. His motives are so much more clear and His counsel more trusted.

You see, God wanted to be a Father and so He created the heavens and the earth, the cattle, sheep, trees and all living things, the sun and the moon, the waters and the dry ground. He planted a garden in Eden where His children would be safe and could grow up under His guidance. His hopes were high.

From the dust of the ground God created mankind and gave them His Own Spirit. When mankind fell into sin, God made a way to pay for their sin with His Own Sacrifice … like a Father does so often.

God gave His children His word to guide them and His Spirit to provide for them. He promised to never leave us nor forsake us. His plans for His children are beyond imagination. Soon we will see Him face to face.

Today, our father’s day message comes from the book of Psalms. Won’t you turn to Psalms 103 and lets see the pattern Father.

Psalms 103 (NIV)

1 ¶ Of David. Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—

3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 ¶ The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the children of Israel:

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbour his anger for ever;

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him

All God has ever wanted to be is a Father to you. Won’t you let Him.

To the father’s among us … What a privilege! Happy Father’s Day!

Pattern yourself after God.

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

A Commentary On Faith Continued

A Commentary On Faith Continued

gtcotr/ws061406

Tonight we continue our commentary on faith, picking up where we left off last Wednesday evening in the book of Romans, Chapter 4.

Romans 4 & 5 (KJV)

17 ¶ (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

As I said last week, the faith message got a bad name in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s as a ‘name it - claim it’, ‘it’s all about me’ message.

It appeared to some on the outside looking in, that faith people only cared about the promises in God’s word and not God Himself. They were seen as seeking the blessings of God more than the God of blessings. Although this was not true for the most part, nonetheless the faith message was written off by a large portion of believers as not solid doctrine.

Last week we looked at some of the misconceptions and misinterpretations of the doctrine of faith. One such inverted doctrine I call the:

* It Ain’t Dark Theology

The first lesson on faith was given by God Himself in the very beginning.

In Genesis 1:1-3

1. God acknowledged the situation as it was.

2. God considered what He wanted.

3. God spoke in faith.

God said, “let there be light.” He did not say, “It ain’t dark.”

This is what the Apostle Paul was confirming when he wrote to the believers in Rome and said that God called those things which be not as though they were. The clear reverse implication is that God did not call those things which were as though they were not!

Faith speaks above the circumstances and conditions of life, not denying their existence but denying their right to continue to exist.

Faith in action exercises the power to change current affairs. This is the testimony of Abraham who called himself the father of many nations for years before he ever had a child.

Romans 4

18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:

This is where we left off last Wednesday night … talking about Abraham’s strong faith even though his circumstances were to the contrary.

Romans 4

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

‘Giving glory to God’ means - giving credit to God. Give God some credit for being able to do miracles.

21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Imputed means reckoned. Like the established fact that a bank account has been reconciled and the correct amount verified. That amount is the imputed amount, not supposed, not thought to be, not hoped for, but imputed. Righteousness is the undeniable result of completely trusting in God’s word as full and final say.

23 ¶ Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

Those who believe on God Who raised up Jesus from the dead are reconciled to God by the righteousness which is imputed to them through that faith in God’s word.

25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Romans 5

1 ¶ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Justified - big word! Means: Just If I’d Never Sinned! This is the pathway to peace with God, justification by faith. Right with God!

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Access by faith into this grace. This gives us the picture of the process of obtaining through faith.

Grace Provides

Hope Envisions

Faith Lays Hold On

Patience Possesses

Hebrews 6:12 tells us that it is through faith and patience we inherit

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

See, I told you that faith works. Faith works throughout the process of testing, tribulations, trials and temptations.

James 1 KJV

2 ¶ My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

How does faith work?

Galatians 5:6 Faith works by love

Philemon 6 Faith works by acknowledging every good thing which is already in you in Christ.

James 3:20 & 26 Faith works by application

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Trouble In Paradis

Trouble In Paradise

gtcotr/ss061106

The enemy of our soul is a Master Tempter who serves us tests neither too hard nor too easy but fit to our age, stage and season of life.

Genesis 3 (KJV)

1 ¶ Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

6 ¶ And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

9 ¶ And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

11 ¶ And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

14 ¶ And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

16 ¶ Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

17 ¶ And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

20 ¶ And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

Three Truths About Trouble In Paradise

I. Sin follows a predictable cycle

A. Temptation begins when we are enticed to do wrong

B. Acting on that temptation brings life to sin

C. Sin can only end in death

James 1 (KJV)

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Remember the first temptation:

* It began with a subtle conversation, “hath God said?”, questioning God and what was right.

* It offered the promise of a better life - Enticements - Temptations

(1. its good

a. meet your current need

b. its about me right now

c. I cant survive without this or something like it

(2. its pleasing

a. forget the word for a moment, this will make you happy

b. dont get this checked out by anyone else

c. it looks fine to me and thats good enough

d. this would please me

(3. its desirable

a. I deserve to feel better

b. this is what I want, I crave it to fulfill me

(4. its best

a. the smart thing, the wise thing, the answer

b. this will open up a whole new world of opportunities for me

c. its just the best thing for me and everyone involved

(5. others need it too

a. help others get what I have

b. this is the answer to their problem too

c. give them a life and future like I want to have

d. make them just like me

(1) what I allow and act out will teach others

(2) the tempted becomes the tempter

(3) spread the madness

(4) give the forbidden fruit to my family

Not only does sin follow a predictable cycle, but:

II. Sin Is Usually Blamed On Others

A. God questioned if Adam had disobeyed

B. Adam blamed:

1. God

2. The woman

C. The woman blamed the serpent

Revelation 12 talks about the blame game, satan is the accuser …

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Sin follows a predictable cycle, it is usually blamed on someone else &

III. Sin Costs Everyone

A. Adam: thorns & thistles, sorrow & sweat … toil & trouble

B. Woman: multiplied sorrow & conception … yielded desire and decision

C. Serpent: cursed above all else, eat the dust, bruised head

Note: But what about God? God was blamed too. What did it cost Him?

D. God. It cost Him His Son:

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

The record has now been set straight. God has offerered us a paradise … living in His presence … the penalty has been paid.

Why would you want to bring trouble to your paradise?

Say no to sin.

Say no to the subtle conversations questioning the known Word, Way and Will of God.

Sin will:

Take us farther than we thought to go

Keep us longer than we wanted to stay

Cost us more than we expected to pay

How can we escape the master tempter’s schemes?

1. Stop the voices with the Word of God.

* “It is written …” Luke 4

* Praise … (ordained strength = perfected praise) Psalms 8

2. Don’t act on sinful desires.

* Make no provision … Romans 13:14

3. Run away!

* Flee fornication … 1 Corinthians 6:8

4. Repent and recover.

* 2 Timothy 2:25 & 26

5. Walk in the Spirit.

* Galatians 5:16