SERIES:  Beliefs Under Construction

TITLE:   A Roof Over Our Heads

TEXT:  Matthew 6: 5-15 (p.811)

“Prayer cannot truly be taught by principles and seminars and symposiums. It has to be born out of a whole environment of felt need.  If I say, ‘I ought to pray,’ I will soon run out of motivation and quit; the flesh is too strong.  I have to be driven to pray.”

I.   CAUSES FOR A LEAKY ROOF

Turn to Matthew 6.  Why are our prayers unanswered?

1. Prayer becomes a (formal exercise) rather than (free expression).  [v.5a]
2. Prayer becomes a cause for (pride) rather than (talking to God). [v.5b]
3. Prayers were long, filled with verbiage, (necessary words). [v.7]
4. Prayer is a front for (false spirituality). [v.16]

II.   FIXES FOR A LEAKY ROOF

Some vital characteristics about prayer;

1. Don’t be (hypocritical).
2. Don’t use a lot of (repetition).
3. Don’t harbor anything (against anyone).

A quick look at the Model Prayer [Verses 9-15]:

1. Take it (personally).
2. Remember who is THE (priority).
3. Focus on His (agenda).
4. Pray for your (needs).
5. (Forgive) others.
6. Fight off (temptation).
7. Leave it in His more (capable hands)

NEXT WEEK:   Wired- John 14: 16-17; 16: 7-15; Acts 1:8

SERIES:  Beliefs Under Construction

TITLE:   Framework That Lasts

TEXT:  John 1: 1-1840: 12-31 (p.886)

“God raised Him (Christ) from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule.  And not just for the time being but forever.  He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church.”  (MSG) [Eph.1:20-22]

I.   WHO DO MEN SAY HE IS?      

“Jesus is my Homeboy”

“The Man Upstairs” to “My Lord and Savior.”

Mormons- just one of God’s many children with Lucifer as a half-brother.

JW- Michael the Archangel

Unitarian- essentially a reincarnation of Mister Rogers

Deepak Chopra- state of consciousness we can all aspire to

Scientology- an implant forced upon a Thetan about a million years ago.

Buddhism- Jesus not God but enlightened man like the Buddha

Hinduism- not only god, but more likely reincarnation of God

Islam- a good man who was a prophet, inferior to Mohammed

II.   WHO DOES THE BIBLE SAY HE IS?                                                   

“Jesus came to be known, for heaven’s sake, came, to make God known to us. [Heb.1:1-3]

“Jesus came to reveal God to us. He is the defining work of God-on what the heart of God is

is truly like, on what God is up to in the world, and on what God is up to in your life.  An

intimate encounter with Jesus is the most transforming experience of human existence…To

be mistaken about Him is the saddest mistake of all.”  Eldredge in Beautiful Outlaw

John 1 and some basic truths;

1. Verses 1-3- Jesus was already in (existence) when creation occurred.
2. “the word was with God”
3. “the word was God”

4 things the Bible says about Jesus:

1. He is the (Savior).
2. He is the (Christ).
3. He is (God’s Only Son).  John 10:30
4. He is our (Lord).  “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”  Rom.10:9

NEXT WEEK:   A Roof Over Our Heads- Matthew 6: 5-15

SERIES:  Beliefs Under Construction

TITLE:   From Bottom Up

TEXT:  Isaiah 40: 12-31 (p.600); (reference Job 38-41)

I.   UNDERSTANDING GOD     

Voltaire- “God created man in His own image, and man returned the favor.”

“While the subject (of God) humbles the mind, it also expands it.”  J.I. Packer

“It is obvious God desires our love.  We cannot have intimate fellowship with one we do not love, and we cannot love one we do not know; therefore, we must pass on to know Him.”  Dan DeHaan.

II.   UNDENIABLE TRUTHS    

Some Perfections of God:

1. God is (Immutable)- God doesn’t change. God is (faithful).
2. God is Omnipotent (All Powerful); God is Omniscient (All-Knowing); God is Omnipresent (Everywhere Present).

1)     He has unrestrained power.  Psalm 115:3- “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.”

2)     He has unlimited knowledge.

3)     He has unfettered access to everywhere at the same time.  “Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord/”  Jer.23:23-24

3.  God is (Good)- Encompasses His benevolence, love, mercy, and grace.

4.  God is (Just)- He is fair.

5.  God is (Patient)- He is looking for a reason to bless.

6.  God is (Holy)- This sets Him apart.  He is pure.  God does not conform to a standard; He is the standard.

NEXT WEEK:   Framework That Lasts- John 1:1-18

SERIES:  Beliefs Under Construction

TITLE:   Something to Follow

TEXT:  2 Timothy 3: 10-17 (p.996)

 I.  BECAUSE THERE IS A WAR GOING ON

Karl Marx once called religion “the opium of the masses.’

Some crutches people use to cope;

1. (Escapism)
2. (Cynicism)
3. (Humanism)
4. (Supernaturalism)

Two myths people have:

1. The Bible is (too difficult) to understand.
2. The Bible is (boring).

II.  BECAUSE THERE IS A WAY TO DEFEND

The Bible is indispensable to the Christian faith, if you attempt to follow Jesus without it, you’re not going to get very far.

Three truths that need highlighted from verse 16:

1. “breathed out by God”   See also 2 Peter 1: 19-21- p.1018
2. “all”
3. “Scripture”

What is the Word of God profitable for?

1. (Teaching)- refers specifically to divine instruction, or doctrine.
2. Reproof- carries the idea of rebuking in order to (correct misconduct) or false doctrine.
3. (Correction)- After exposing false teaching, Scripture then (builds up).
4. (Training) in righteousness- Insight into truth, but also building up.
5. Competent and equipped- take on (challenges).

A few miscellaneous thoughts:

1. Don’t just read the Bible; let the Bible read you.
2. Don’t just read the Bible; let your mind and heart dwell on it.
3. We need to accept the Bible as the final authority.
4. We need to make the Bible part of our daily diet.
5. Practice it.

NEXT WEEK:   From Bottom Up- Isaiah 40: 12-31; Job 38-41

SERIES:  Beliefs Under Construction

TITLE:   A Never-Ending Project

TEXT:  Phil.1:1-11 (p.980); Eph.2:10,19-22

I.   THE TOOLS REQUIRED             

Tool #1- (Humility).

Tool #2- (Unity).

Tool #3- (Intercession).

Tool #4- God’s work is (never done).

Turn to Romans 8:28 (p.944)

II.  THE ULTIMATE PROJECT          

Essentials for growing in Godliness;

1. Growth in Spiritual (Devotion).  [v.9]

2. Growth in Spiritual (Discernment). [v.10]

3. Growth in Spiritual (Development) [v/10-11]

Turn to Eph.2: 10, 19-22

NEXT WEEK:   Something to Follow- 2 Timothy 3: 10-17

TITLE:   Facing Giants

TEXT:  Zechariah 4: 6-10  (p.794)

 I.   OUR SITUATION   

Solomon-> weakened influence-> kingdom divided-> 10 northern tribes known as Israel/ 2 southern tribes knows as Judah-> Israel taken captive by Assyrians-> Judah taken captive by Babylon 200 years later. Nebuchadnezzar was king.-> Belshazzar his son defeated by Darius the Mede-> Cyrus allows Jews to return to Jerusalem. Involves Ezra & Nehemiah.  Prophets Haggai and Zechariah

II.   OUR SOLUTION    

A21’s foundation: God is with us; God is in the business of making miracles where humans fail; and God told us to go into all the world.

Difficult?  (Yes).  Insurmountable?  (NO)

4 necessities for overcoming giants:

1. Hold On to Where God (Wants you to go).
2. See the (Possibilities) and His (Promise).
3. Keep Going Forward a (Step at a Time).
4. Pave the Way with (Prayer).

NEXT WEEK:

2013 Theme: Under Construction

Series:  Beliefs Under Construction starts

Title: A Never-Ending Project: Phil.1:1-11; Eph.2:10, 19-22

SERIES:  Searching For The Christmas Spirit

TITLE:   What Will You Find?

TEXT:  Luke 2:1-20 (p.857)

I.   YOU CAN FIND THE GIFT OF (FORGIVENESS)     

[Luke 2:11]  Another translation puts it: “Today your Savior is born…He is Christ, the Lord.”  NCV

Our greatest enemy is (sin).

Observation: more people have trouble (forgiving) and accepting (forgiveness) than anything else.

II.   YOU CAN FIND THE GIFT OF (PEACE OF MIND)

“Those who love your teachings will find true peace.”  Ps.119:165

Three peace robbers:

1. (Guilt)
2. (Grief)
3. (Grudges)

III.   YOU CAN FIND THE GIFT OF (ETERNAL LIFE)

1)     We are all (going to die) someday.

2)     We are going to spend more on (that side of death) than on this side.

“God made us ready for heaven…we put our faith and trust in Christ to save us…The man who finds life will find it through trusting God.”  Rom.1:17 (LB)

NEXT WEEK:   Facing Giants- Zechariah 4:6-10

SERIES:  Searching

TITLE:   What’s In A Name

TEXT:  Luke 1:30-31

 I.   IT IS A NAME RICH IN MEANING

The name Jesus is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name Joshua, which means (God saves).   The name Jesus is used over (500) times in the Gospels, but it virtually disappears after His death and resurrection.

What makes the name “Jesus” so special?

1. It is a name given from (heaven).
2. It had (divine meaning).
3. “God knew what He was doing when He named His Son.  Jesus means ‘Jehovah Saves’ or ‘The Lord is Salvation.’ And that is who He is-The Salvation of the Lord.’ “  Quote by David Jeremiah

Turn to Acts 4: 10-13

II.   IT IS A NAME RICH IN HONOR

John 1:1 says, “The Word became flesh and lived among us.”  He was (touchable), (approachable), and (reachable).

“Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Phil.2:9-11

Ephesians 1:20-21

NEXT WEEK:   What Will You Find?  Luke 2:1-20

SERIES:  Searching

TITLE:   No Longer Home Alone

TEXT:  Matthew 1:20-25 (p.807)

I.   THE DEEPER MEANING

Immanuel is one of the names of God.  Deeper meaning: He committed Himself to be near us for all eternity.  This is more than the Christmas story; it is the Christmas (miracle).

God (with us).  That tells us (Jesus is God). Even more, Jesus is God with us. He was more than a godly man or a talented ma or a holy man.  He was (God in the flesh).

John 10:30- “I and the Father are one.’

II.    THE CONCRETE MEANINGS

The glory of Christmas is not a pageant or a play; it is the precious truth that God desired to be near to His sinful creation, to bind Himself to us irrevocably and forever.   What does that mean for us?

1. It means we are far more precious to God than we could ever imagine.
2. It means there is far more to celebrate than we thought.
3. It means we will never be alone.

NEXT WEEK:   What’s In a Name?  Luke 1:30-31

SERIES:  Searching

TITLE:   Searching for the Christmas Spirit

TEXT:  Luke 2:1-38 (p.857)

 I.    THE SHEPHERDS SHOW US

1)     The birth announcement to Zechariah and Elizabeth

2)     The angelic announcement to Mary

3)     The honor of Joseph

4)     The decree of Caesar Augustus

5)     The “No Vacancy” sign on the Inn

6)     The birth of Jesus

7)     The visit of the Magi to Herod

8)     The hatred of Herod

Genesis 46:33-34-“ When Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ in order that you may dwell in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.”

II.    SIMEON AND ANNA SHOW US

These are both stories of (faithfulness rewarded).

The lesson: faithfulness matters.

III.    MARY AND JOSEPH SHOW US

Mary did not understand but was willing to say, “Let it be to me according to your word.”

Joseph did not understand but was willing to say, “I will stay with Mary.”  He shows us what it is to be a quiet man, but a giant of a man in faith, dependability, and steadfastness.

NEXT WEEK:   No Longer Home Alone- Matthew 1:20-25