Sermon Notes 2-28-2016

The Road to Romans 2016!

Hey, this Christian thing is hard!

Romans 13:8–14 (NLT)

⁸Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.

⁹For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

¹⁰Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

¹¹This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

¹²The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.

¹³Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.

¹⁴Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

I’m going to go a little Dave Ramsey on you!!!!

⁸Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.

The hard truth!

Proverbs 22:7 (NLT)

⁷Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.

·      Debt is an evil thing

·      Most people don’t understand the lending system

·      And God says “DON’T”

·      Money can easily become your master!

Matthew 6:24 (NLT)

²⁴“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

·      We can’t live the American dream and serve God

·      Most of us in this room can live comfortably with in our means

o   But it means we have to sacrifice

o   It means not caving to society

o   It means some discipline

o   It means loving God more than stuff!

The 80/10/10 Rule

THE FIVE BELIEFS OF FINANCIAL RECONCILIATION (FROM Bill Hybel’s book Simplify: ten practices to unclutter your soul

ALL I HAVE COMES FROM GOD.

Can you say to God —and mean it —“All I have has come my way by Your loving hand”? When you are tempted to pat yourself on the back for your gifts, talents, opportunities, and possessions, can you humbly remind yourself that these things have been entrusted to you by God, who is counting on you to steward them well?

I LIVE JOYFULLY WITHIN GOD’S CURRENT PROVISION FOR MY LIFE. (The 80%)

Financial patterns are frequently passed down from one generation to the next. Perhaps you inherited yours. But you don’t need to pass them along. Somebody has to stop the financial insanity. Let that somebody be you, and let it begin today. For the sake of your family throughout the ages, get it right. Take a stand and say, “No more living beyond God’s provision in this family.”

You have a chance right now to commit yourself to living joyfully within God’s provision for your life. Take a stand and declare, “I’m not going to live as if God messed up and His provision level for me is not right. I’m not going to raise my provision level through debt. I’m going to pay off the debt I’m carrying, and I’m never going to return to it. From today forward, I’m going to create margin between God’s provision and my spending —and live with contentment and peace for the rest of my life.”

I HONOR GOD BY GIVING THE FIRST TENTH OF ALL MY EARNINGS TO HIS PURPOSES IN THE WORLD. (10%)

Ask yourself: Which kind of idiot do you want to be —the idiot with small faith who does the simple math and gets himself from A to B with 100 percent of his earnings, or the idiot with just a little more faith who actually believes God will get him from A to B and then from B to C? Be the faith-full kind of idiot who decides, “I’m going to step out in faith and commit the first tenth of my earnings to God.”

I SET ASIDE A PORTION OF ALL MY EARNINGS INTO A SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR EMERGENCIES, GIVING OPPORTUNITIES, AND MY LATER YEARS. (10%)

Few things can make you feel more out-of-control than unforeseen expenses you cannot afford. Don’t be caught off guard by winter. Simplify your life by being prepared for the unexpected. From this day forward, will you commit to taking a portion of your earnings and putting it in a savings account for emergencies, giving opportunities, and your later years?

I LIVE EACH DAY WITH AN OPEN EAR TOWARD HEAVEN, EAGER TO RESPOND TO ANY WHISPER FROM GOD REGARDING MY RESOURCES.

By committing to the first four beliefs of financial reconciliation, you create financial margin that helps you respond to God’s guidance when it comes to allocating your resources. You are one decision away from living every day with an open ear toward heaven, responding to God’s whispers regarding your resources. Will you partner with Him to extend compassion and usher in maximum Kingdom impact through the resources He has entrusted to you? This is B-to-C living at its best!

The debt you will never repay!

⁸Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.

·      The debt you will never repay is loving others

·      Paul goes so far as to say you will fulfill all of the requirements of the law with this one thing

·      Does it secure or salvation no, faith does

·      But even Jesus say’s

Mark 12:29–31 (NLT)

²⁹Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord.

³⁰And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’

³¹The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

·      Following these simple things is a life changer!

Think about it for a minute

⁹For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

¹⁰Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

·      Just sit and think a minute!

·      Take no other Gods before me

o    “Money”, “Stuff”

·      Love God with all your heart

o   I mean truly learn to have a deep intimate relationship with him

·      Love you neighbor as yourself

o   Genuine love

o   Authentic Love

o   Selfless Love

·      All the rest just fall in to place!!

The time is NOW!

¹¹This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

¹²The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.

·      Its time to bring all those hidden demons we carry around to the light

o   Greed

o   Pride

o   Idols

·      These three are the at the root of most sin

o   Using people – Greed

o   Gossip – pride

o   False worship – idols

Ephesians 6:13–20 (NLT)

¹³Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

¹⁴Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.

¹⁵For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

¹⁶In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

¹⁷Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

¹⁹And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.

²⁰I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

·      What a powerful statement

·      So remove yourself from the darkness that haunts you and bring it to the light

·      Walk with others

·      And never forget it’s a heart issue!!

The world is watching!

¹³Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.

·      The world is watching

·      We must be the Followers that God calls us to

·      If we live one way on Sunday and different Monday- Saturday

·      We are sending the wrong message

·      So beware of your heart

o   The jokes you tell

o   The TV you watch

o   The Gossip you spread

o   The way you treat others

·      Questions?

o   Are you shady with folks of the opposite sex?

o   Do you work hard for your money?

o   Are your Jokes appropriate?

o   What about Social Media?

o   Are you the Jealous type?

o   Do you treat others with respect?

·      Search your heart

·      Use the bible as a mirror

·      And live in the light!

Sermon notes 2-22-2016

The Road to Romans 2016!
Hey, this Christian thing is hard!

Romans 13:1–7 (NLT)
1Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
2So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.
3For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.
4The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.
5So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
6Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do.
7Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
 
The Road to a transformed life in Jesus!
Don’t forget we transform not just conform! And some times transforming means change! We can conform and never change.

The foundation is love!

Love like:
• Its genuine
• Its honest
• Its not lazy
• It comes from the right place
• Its patient
• Its prayful

Love acts like:
• Its doesn’t persecute
• It loves regardless of feelings
• It doesn’t judge
• It repays evil with good

Love is hard, and Paul waste no time in building on the foundation of what Gods love looks like.
We reflect our love for God in trusting Him. And Paul gives us yet another good example of learning to trust God!



 
The way I see it we can take one of two views on the authority’s that are placed over us!
1. We rule over them
2. They are put in place to rule over us

So today we look at those two different views and wat God has to speak to us about it!

How do you respond to those God has placed in authority over you in your life?
1Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
• What does Paul’s theology of divine sovereignty mean when it comes to authorities?
• Well, if the only ones who rule are those God has placed in authority, then the person unwilling to submit is not just shaking a fist at the ruler, but at God.
• In Paul’s mind, you cannot separate the one from the other.

Practically in means:
• God is in control of everything
• And if we believe that than every one in every position is place there by God
• And if that is so, then we need to submit to those God has put in place

A hard pill to swallow!
• This is where the love for God that we have grows in to trusting him in all things
• It means not conforming to this world, but transforming to understand God is in control
• It was hard then (in Paul’s day) and it is still today!

Two Views on Authority: Despite what we might think, God has a hand in appointing ruling authorities. If we really believe in God’s supremacy and divine sovereignty, Paul reminds us we ought to consider how this theology shapes our respect for government officials.
 
Don’t take this the wrong way
2So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.
3For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.
4The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.

• This has nothing to do with the man or women in office, its has to do with honoring God!
• He uses examples of punishment, because if we are trying to love others and honor others we shouldn’t be punished, but it doesn’t mean we wont!
1 Peter 2:18–20 (NLT)
18You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel.
19For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment.
20Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.
• Don’t miss the point, its not about pleasing Man, its about honoring God
• We always honor God first, if that means standing against oppression, in civil disobedience we do.
o But always in peace
o Always with he right heart
o Always out of love
o And always following God word, not our needs

If we condensed Paul and Peter’s teaching about authority from Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2:21–24 into basic rules of engagement, here’s what we would get:
1. Honor God above all else, even human institutions.
2. Submit to authority, since it is placed there by God.
3. When it is not possible to do both, then expect to suffer for honoring God over human authority.


Two Views on Authority: If God has indeed appointed those in authority over us, there are important ramifications. If we choose to resist these authorities, we are at the same time choosing to resist God.

  
I have to pay them too!?!?!?!
5So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
6Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do.
• This comes back to it all belongs to God
• I we get transformed, the we start to see God is in control of everything
o the government
o your money
o your stuff
• We get in trouble when we insert our needs in the mix
• We don’t not pay taxes because we feel we deserve it more
• The same way we don’t tithe based on our approval of the church we attend
• We do it because it honors God, and puts Him his rightful place as ruler over everything

Sermon Notes 2-14-2016

The Road to Romans 2016!

So, What does Love act like???

Romans 12:14–21 (ESV)

¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

¹⁶Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

¹⁷Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

¹⁸If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

¹⁹Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

²⁰To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Don’t forget we transform not just conform! And some times transforming means change! We can conform and never change but Paul jumps right in the the things that we need to start and change!

Last week we talked about what love is, and this week we talk about how love acts! And we do that in the context of our enemies! You know the ones, the ones persecuting you, the ones that gossip about you, the ones that talk behind your back. They might be jealous, they might be envious of you and Paul says, that’s right, you need to love them to!

Let the change begin!

¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

·      So he just jumps right in!

·      Some days its hard to bless those who help us

·      And he starts off with Bless those who persecute us!

·      He knows what we want to do

o   Curse them

o   Punish them

o   Get back at them!!

o   But nope! He says bless them!!

·      This plays it to a them through out t he Gospel

o   valuing others more than ourselves

o   putting others first

o   no matter who they are or what they do (to a point)

o   but in general we should always think of others first!

Matthew 5:44 (ESV)

⁴⁴But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

·      Jesus was always about putting others first!

·      He did you

·      He didn’t look to give you what you deserve

·      He gave you what you never deserved!!

Let’s keep this in the right context!

¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

·      We are still talking about your enemies, the ones who persecute you!

·      That means

o   Not being jealous

o   That means being happy with them when something good happens

o   That means morning with them when things go sideways

Offering empathy to someone who persecutes you is a variation of valuing others more than ourselves—even enemies who curse us. Paul calls for empathy rather than hatred for the pain these people may be going through. He extends this theme of empathy through verse 15, rejoicing and weeping and taking part in the circumstances rather than responding with jealousy or anger.

  

So what does love act like???

¹⁶Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

·      Live in harmony with one another

o   Being like minded

o   Paul challenges us not to pursue our own interests to the exclusion of others.

Philippians 2:1–4 (NLT)

¹Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?

²Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

³Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

⁴Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

o   We as followers of Jesus need to try and live at peace with everyone

o   We need to look out for others

o   We need to think of their needs

o   We need to walk a mile in their shoes

o   Look at the words

§  Loving

§  Working together

§  One mind

§  Thinking of others

§  Take a interest in others

§  Don’t be selfish

o   Not just with the folks you love, but the ones you don’t too!!

·      Don’t be haughty!

Proverbs 18:12 (NLT)

¹²Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.

Proverbs 16:18 (NLT)

¹⁸Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

·      Arrogance is an ugly thing

·      And Paul reminds us don’t!

·      Nothing good comes out of it

·      Too many Christians, think way to highly of them self!

·      Associate with the lowly! Sounds easy!

o   We all look down on someone

o   It can be because

§  We make more than they do

§  We have a better job

§  We have a better marriage

§  Smarter kids

§  Better car

§  Nicer horse

§  Smarter dog

o   Our sinful self always looks for a reason to better than someone

o   And we are always jealous of the ones we perceive to have more

Paul is saying no matter where they rank on the social latter we treat everyone the same!!

·      Never be wise in your own sight. WHO,ME???

Proverbs 3:7 (ESV)

⁷Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

·      This is a problem that is ramped in the church today

·      We think way to high on our selves

·      And to be honest I see as much sin in the church as I see out!

·      We just hide it better!

·      We need to start being humble

·      Repentant

·      Honest about who we are

·      Instead of putting our selves up, we need to start lifting Jesus up

·      He saved you, you did nothing

·      You have nothing to think good about yourself!!!!

If we are to respond in faith to God’s free gift of grace and turn from our sinful ways, Paul says we must also abandon the structures and hierarchies that embody sin in our society—easy in theory, but very difficult in practice.

  

Part of living the Christian life that we have lost!

¹⁷Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

·      Thake the high road

·      Grin and bear it

·      What ever you call it

·      Some times you have to suck it up and take it

·      People need to see Jesus in you

·      Pick on Robert for a min!

·      Some times doing the honorable thing hurts

o   But its what Jesus did

o   And he expects his followers to do the same thing

Luke 9:23 (ESV)

²³And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

 

We should make peace when ever we can!

¹⁸If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

·      That means we extend our hand in forgiveness

·      That means we seek forgiveness when we sin against others

·      We extend the hand, if they reach back great!

·      If not, we don’t treat them different

·      We continue to show God grace, because that what he did with us!!

 

Its Gods place not yours!

¹⁹Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

·      Gods justice is perfect Justice

·      Gods judgement is perfect Judgement

·      And its his choice! Not yours!

·      God is the author and ruler of your life and there’s also

Proverbs 20:22 (ESV)

²²Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.

We should always do the right thing! And leave the justice to God

²⁰To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

·      When we respond generously to those who have wronged us, we leave retribution in God’s hands.

·      Paul says this counterintuitive response has the effect of “heaping burning coals on their head,” referring to Proverbs 25:21–22, where God promises to reward us for not giving into our desire for vengeance.

·      So they get what is coning to them in Gods time

·      And God will reward you for doing what he calls you to do!