Sunday, August 23, 2009

Delete

Gtoctr/ss082309

Imagine an organic, super computer that runs at the speed of light and is dynamically connected to every person in the world. The computer I am describing is able to instantly read, catalogue and archive every thought, word, and deed of every living thing, every motive as well as each event as it is occurring, as well as track and forecast how each one acts upon the others so that it instantaneously and continually sees everything as only one thing, and each one thing as everything.

Imagine there being a record of every word, thought, action, and motive of every person since the beginning to time - A record that could be accessed in a moment’s notice and used to accuse or excuse one before God.

By now you may be aware that what I am talking about really does exist, perhaps not in an organic state, but exist it does. What am I talking about? It is the mind of God. (And, btw, God is not a computer … that’s just an analogy.)

Does this at all make you want to apply for a disc cleaner, an information removal program, some way to delete your history?

God knows everything, and He keeps records! (Revelation 20:21)

Romans 11
33 ¶ Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
34 "For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?"

The mind of God … what a terrible thing to waste!

35 "Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?"
36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.


Of Him - Creation

God is the Creator of all things

All things have their origin in Him

We owe Him everything

Through Him - Providence

God is the sustainer of all things

By His direct acts we continue

Without His intervention, we cannot maintain life

If it does not go through God is has no life

To Him - Redemption

God is the end of all things

When it is all said and done, there is God

Every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess …

Romans 12
1 ¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Transform your life by renewing you mind to see God as the:

Source of everything

God made you … He made you! And God is intrinsically and dynamically connected to you, your every thought, every deed, every motive and he sees everything you do. He also sees every event in the universe and knows how it will affect you because he sees everything as only one thing and one thing as everything!

Providence and Provider

End of all things

You did not get here without Him

You can’t stay here without Him

And where you are going, you certainly do not want to go without Him!

3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

Anyone who thinks that they got here all by themselves
Anyone who thinks that they can live life all by themselves
Anyone who thinks they die all by themselves

Is drunk --- not thinking soberly --- but foolishly!

God has given you enough faith to realize these things … and of course, even that faith came from Him!

You are saved by grace, through faith, and that not of yourselves!

You Need God!

Remember the super computer analogy? Well, there is a life/history cleaner … His name is Jesus, and His blood wipes away all sin!

Today His blood is available for you!

You can delete your past sins, clean up your life, and begin a new history today!

Romans road to salvation:
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
Romans 10:13

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Calling All Sinners

Gtcotr/ss081609

Luke 5:32 "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

Last Monday night, I went to bed at about 11:30 in Nairobi, Kenya, and I had 2 dreams. (The first dream, with disclaimer – don’t try this at home)

“Everyone I called was a sinner.”

“Every Apostle I called was a sinner when I called them.”

“Don’t be afraid of sinners.”

“I went to Zacchaeus house before he changed … He would never have changed if I had not given him the chance.”

Not everyone will change … But we must give everyone a chance.

As I talked to the Lord and meditated on what the dream meant my mind went to a story about the Apostle Peter recorded in Acts 10.

The story takes place in the old port city of Joppa located on the central Mediterranean shores of Israel. Last month I was in that city … let me show you a brief Postcard I filmed while there.

(Show Peter at Joppa Postcard - 3:52)

Acts 10
13 And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."
14 But Peter said, "Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean."
15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common."

The word “common” in this scripture is best defined as unclean, unworthy or defiled.

The next day Peter journeys to Caesarea, about 30 miles northward, straight up the Mediterranean coast. When he arrives at Cornelius’s house, Peter understands what the vision was all about …

Acts 10
28 Then he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

God may not feel like we feel about some people. We should not make ourselves judge, jury and executioner … nor should we even become the police, but rather, we are called to intercede, be a witness of God’s mercy and grace, and bear the infirmities of the weak.

God’s call and acceptance of person does not depend on what they did or even what they are doing, but rather what they will do!

To be more like Jesus …

1. Fall in love with sinners

John 3
16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

If we want to be like Jesus, we must love sinners.

Mark 10: 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."

The young rich ruler of Mark 10 had not, was not, and was not going to obey Jesus … but Jesus loved him and gave him a chance anyway.

2. Speak the truth in love

Do not compromise or be ashamed of the Word

Do not withhold your testimony. You are a witness … be salt and light to a lost and hurting world. (Matthew 5)

You will be surprised just how many people are ready and receptive to change when they hear a true word spoken in love.

Not everyone will change, but we must give everyone a chance.

3. Remember … only God can convict

John 8
9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?"
11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."

It’s not about what you did but what you will do!

Tell me … What will you do?

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Avoiding Shipwreck on the Sea of Life

Paul had much to say in regard to these three things:
1. Dilemma of Man
2. Doctrine of Christ
3. Deception in the Church (NT)

Key Scripture: I Timothy 1:18-20:
This charge I commit unto you, son Timothy according to the Prophecies which went before on you, that you by them might war a good warfare. Holding Faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning Faith have made shipwreck. Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Focused Faith:
Joseph – in speaking to his brothers, Genesis 50:20 “but as for you, you thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”

Sacrificial Faith:
Abraham – reassuring his son of God’s provision,
Genesis 22:8 “My, son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a Burnt Offering; so they went both of them together.”

Committed Faith:
Joshua – to the gathered Tribes of Israel
Joshua: 24:15 Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt: and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you shall serve; whether the gods which your fathers served who were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Steadfast Faith:
Ruth to her mother-in-law, Naomi
Ruth 1:16-17
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after you: for where you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge: your people shall be my people, and your God my god:
Where you die, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part you and me.”


Repentant Faith :
David’s prayer to God.
Psalm 51:4 Against You, You only; have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight: that You might be justified when You speak, and be clear when You judge.”

Unwavering Faith:
Job statement of faith when his friends confront him.
Job 13:15-16 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him: but I will maintain my own ways before Him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before Him.

Sanctified Faith:
Daniel’s faith exhibited before the king of Babylon.
Daniel 1:8: But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Revelatory Faith:
Peter’s response to Jesus.
Matthew 16: 15-16
He said to them, But whom say you that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said You are the Christ the Son of the Living God!

Evangelistic Faith:
The Woman at the Well
John 4:28-29
The woman then left her water pot, and went her way into the city, and said to the men, Come see a Man, which told me all things that ever I did; is not this the Christ?

Triumphant Faith:
Paul to Timothy
II Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the Faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also who love His appearing.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Don’t Be A Loser In A Winning Game

Gtcotr/ss080209

What does it take to be a winner?
What does it take to keep going when others can’t or won’t?

When the going gets tough what most often makes the difference between winning or losing is attitude.

Attitude determines altitude. How high you fly or how low you go is all determined by attitude.

Attitude is everything and the great thing is that attitude is adjustable … attitude is something that can be changed.

Attitude is often determined by our outlook on life … not in-look, but outlook … how we set ourselves up to proceed with life.

This morning we are going to take a look at four scriptures in the Bible. These four scriptures are the only four times that the word “race” is mentioned in the NKJV of the New Testament.

While we study these verses and attempt to hear what the Spirit of the Lord is telling us, let’s keep in mind that winning in any race, even the race of life, is often the result of having a winning attitude.

Let’s turn to Acts 20 …

This is set around the year AD60 or AD62, give or take a year or two. The Apostle Paul is speaking to a group of Elders from the Church in Ephesus. Paul knows by the Spirit that he is going to be put into chains soon and that his life is about to take a turn for the worse.

He has just revealed to these men that he is about to enter into great tribulations for the Gospel’s sake. Notice Paul’s attitude:

Acts 20:24 "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Now that’s the attitude of a winner! What an outlook on life. Paul has set himself to embrace whatever may come his way as an opportunity to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God.

Notice how he calls the race, “my race”?

Of all the races in life, there is a race that is a personal race. A race to which each one of us is called. A race from the womb to the grave … our personal race of life which no one else is called to run, and indeed no one else is qualified to run.

Job said, naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked shall I return. In the end it’s you and you alone! This is your race …

Paul set himself to finish his race with joy!

How have you set your attitude for your personal race of life?

Race number two:

1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

Here the Apostle Paul is speaking of a competition, how we prepare and how we run to win the prize.

There are some races in life which are competitive races. How well you do can determine things like your future income, ministry opportunities, seasonal productivity.

For these races one must be prepared physically, spiritually, and mentally. What was Paul’s attitude for this competitive race in which only one can prevail?

For our answer let’s look at this scripture in its original context.

1 Corinthians 9
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;
20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;
21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;
22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Once again, this reveals the attitude of a winner!

* A winning attitude is never small minded
* A winning attitude is never selfish
* A winning attitude cares about others
* A winning attitude disciplines the body
* A winning attitude sees the real prize

Our third race today is found in:

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

There is a personal race which only you can run. There is a competitive race which demands discipline and sacrifice. Only one can win, either you win souls or the devil wins that soul.

But there is also an eternal race … “the race” … which began in the Garden of Eden and will end at the close of this age when Jesus and His followers will be declared winner for eternity.

This is the race we were born into and in which every man, woman, boy, and girl participates.

What is our attitude for this race for eternity … faith!

Keep the faith, trust that Jesus wins the race for eternity!

The last race we will discuss today is found in:

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

This scripture paints a picture of your current moment in life.

We understand that life is a process and we know that success in life is more than a one step process … life is more than a one lap race, more than a one event competition. Obstacles are subject to change.

What pressures are you currently facing? What obstacles are you up against today? What is taxing, testing, or trying your will to keep going? What sin are you currently wrestling with?

Life is a daily race and life demands that our daily attitude be one of vigilance and endurance for the race that is set before us.

In heaven, on earth, and written on the pages of the Bible are testimonies of others just like you who faced their daily stresses and rose above them because they trusted God and had the attitude of a winner.

The winning attitude you need today may just be the attitude of one who refuses to quit, refuses to give up, refuses to lie down and let life run you over.

Look, every one has a bad day or a bad week every once in a while, even Jesus had a bad day, but He didn’t quit. You don’t need to be afraid, you don’t need to get depressed, you don’t need to quit. What do you need to do?

You need to do the same thing Jesus did … look at Him and use Him as your example … the next verse in Hebrews 12 says:

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Just because it’s bad does not mean it is finished or will finish bad.

Jesus set His mind to finish His race with joy. Set your mind and change your attitude … when it’s all said and done … we win!

Don’t allow your attitude to make you a loser in a winning game.