Reflections on the Life of an Innkeeper

Reflections on the Life of an Innkeeper 

December 14, 2014

Pastor Miles

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭6-7‬ NIV)

1. We have no room to care for others because we have no margins in our lives.

Do we have room in our lives for Him?

If not, why not?

Are we too busy, like the innkeeper, overcommitted due to our busy schedules? 

2. The story of the Good Samaritan  

In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." (‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭30-37‬ NIV)

Why did the Good Samaritan stop and help, and not the others?

He could easily have used the same excuses as the others, but he didn't.

He felt compassion for the man because he thought "that could have been me".

Do we feel others' pain and difficult circumstances?

3. The story of Mary and Martha.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." (‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭38-42‬ NIV)

Mary stopped and listened to what Jesus was saying.

This is a choice that all of us have to make.

We need to learn from the "inside out" rather than the "outside in".

We need to look at Jesus' example.

He met with and spent time with the "rejects" of his society, and accomplished all that His Father gave Him to do in 3 years.

In today's hectic, hurry-up climate, it's easy to get ensnared by to-do lists, family demands, and even Kingdom service. But in all our busyness, we often lose track of the one thing that is needed, or as Jesus put it to Martha, the "better part."       Learning to cultivate intimacy with the Lord and keep Him in the center of our lives can be a challenge. But once we develop this relationship with Him, we'll discover a greater satisfaction, fullness, and balance to our lives than we've ever known.

...

It's imperative to arrive at a balance between the two sides of our Christian life~work and worship. We must learn to walk the tightrope between having a quiet Mary heart and using our busy Martha hands. Looking to Scripture, we can find help in achieving this balance.

...

When we combine our passion for God with our compassion for people, our lives will fall into balance. We were created both to worship and to do good works. To do both effectively requires a deep love for God and for others. 

...

God also commands us to practice hospitality (see Luke 14:12-14; 1 Timothy 3:2; Romans 12:13)~ opening up our homes and lives to others~and, doing so "without grumbling" (1 Peter 4:9). Hospitality is not always easy. It's challenging amidst a busy schedule to make space for others. But God never wants us to get so busy that we don't have time for other people.

From Having a Mary's Heart in a Martha World in Christian Book Summaries.

http://www.christianbooksummaries.com/library/v3/cbs0316.pdf 

Next Steps:

Be prepared to respond to those in need.

Plan to give something to someone who can't give back.

Choose to stop and listen to Jesus.

Grace inspired

Grace inspired

Lionel Lim

Empty I am 

Before God 

My accomplishments mean naught to Him

My strength insufficient in struggle 

My wisdom limited and finite

Renewed peace

God's grace is

Knowing He sees me through

By His strength and wisdom

As I learn to trust Him

Knowing not the final outcome

But knowing God is good 

No matter what

He desires us good things

As pained the journey may be

Hope of everlasting joy and comfort 

Knowing the Savior waiting

End of rocky dusty road

Arms outstretched

Longing words to hear

"Well done, good and faithful servant"

Eternal Perspective: Our Family, Friends, and Neig

Eternal Perspective: Our Family, Friends, and Neighbors  

2 Corinthians 5:16-21 

Pastor Miles

November 22, 2014

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ NIV)

Fix your eyes not on the temporary (what we see), but focus our eyes on the eternal (what is unseen), that is on Jesus.

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 

(‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭16-21‬ NIV)

1. Because we have an eternal perspective, we see people differently now.

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 

(‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭16-17‬ NIV)

We no longer see people as the world does.

The world sees people as just commodities and expendable. 

From a Christian worldview, every person has value.

Every person has the possibility of a new life (in Christ).

2. We have a different ministry to people now.

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 

(‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭18-19‬ NIV)

God gave us a way to be reconciled back to Him.

He has entrusted the message of reconciliation to us.

It is an honor to be entrusted with this message.

3. We are now Christ's ambassadors to the people around us.

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 

(‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭20-21‬ NIV)

We have the privilege of being called to share the good news with others.

God took our sin and laid it on His own Son, so that He could give us His righteousness - justification - so that we can go back into relationship with Him.

As a result we are now His ambassadors.

Memorize:

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 

(‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭21‬ NIV)

Eternal Perspective: Our Motives

Eternal Perspective: Our Motives 

2 Corinthians 5:11-15

Pastor Miles

November 16, 2014

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ NIV)

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are "out of our mind," as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 

(‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭11-15‬ NIV)

1. Because we have an eternal perspective we try to persuade others.

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. 

(‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭11‬a NIV)

Persuade others:

- to follow Christ

- to come to the Christmas concert

2. God knows our hearts, even if other people think we are "out of our minds."

What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are "out of our mind," as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 

(2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭11‬b-13 NIV)

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. 

(‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭1-5‬ NIV)

3. We are motivated by the love of Christ.

For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 

(‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭14-15‬ NIV)

Why does Christ's love compel us?

He died for all.

He gave up His rights and His life for all of us.

We have also given up our rights.

We've been bought with a price.

We now live for Him out of gratitude.

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 

(‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭17-19‬ NIV)

We love in response to His incredible love.

What are we doing to share His love to those we come into contact with?

Pray. Invest. Invite.

Eternal Perspective: Our Goals

Eternal Perspective: Our Goals

2 Corinthians 5:6-10

Pastor Miles

November 9, 2014

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ NIV)

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭6-10‬ NIV)

1. Our confidence doesn't come from seeing, because we walk by faith.

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭6-7‬ NIV)

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. (‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭1-2‬ NIV)

By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: "He could not be found, because God had taken him away." For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

...

And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.

...

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.

...

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son,

...

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones. By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. (‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭4-8, 11, 13, 17, 20-27‬ NIV)

2. Our one true ambition is to please God.

We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭8-9‬ NIV)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ NIV)

and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, (‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬ NIV)

No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. (‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬ NIV)

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (‭Galatians‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬ NIV)

http://crupressgreen.com/the-audience-of-one/

Most of us, whether we are aware of it or not, do things with an eye to the approval of some audience or other. The question is not whether we have an audience but which audience we have.

...

A life lived listening to the decisive call of God is a life lived before one audience that trumps all others – the Audience of One.

...

Christ-centered heroism does not need to be noticed or publicized. The greatest deeds are done before the Audience of One, and that is enough. Those who are seen and sung by the Audience of One can afford to be careless about lesser audiences.

...

Do you wish to be inner-directed rather than other- directed and truly make one audience decisive, the Audience of One? Listen to Jesus of Nazareth; answer his call.

3. We know that we are accountable to God for what we do in this life.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬ NIV)

Getting into heaven is not a reward for doing good works, but in heaven lies our rewards for doing good works.

If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭12-15‬ NIV)

The foundation is Jesus Christ.

We build on that foundation good works.

The quality of those works will be tested with fire.

If our works survive the test we will be rewarded. If not we will still be saved.

Therefore in light of eternity how are we to live now?

We should be living in the light of that coming day, which is living by faith and not by sight.

We need to live our lives before the Audience of One.

Eternal Perspective: Our Lives

Eternal Perspective: Our Lives

2 Corinthians 5:1-5

Pastor Miles

November 2, 2014

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ NIV)

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭1-5‬ NIV)

1. We live in a temporary home, but we have an eternal home that awaits us.

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ NIV)

2. We long for the transformation of this broken world and our broken lives.

Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭2-4‬ NIV)

We are burdened by our mortality and our fallenness.

So we long for a better place.

It's like living in a motel when we know that we have a home out there.

Paul reminds us that this is all temporary and that we are broken on the inside.

Once in a while we catch a glimpse of what eternity looks like which makes us long for life as it's supposed to be.

We long for the transformation of this world and our broken lives.

Where are our eyes focused on? Is it here and now, or is it on the unseen, what God has made us for?

3. We have a guarantee from God to remind us of what is to come.

Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭5‬ NIV)

A pledge from God to us via the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us.

This is the down payment from God that marks us as belonging to God.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

...

But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

...

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

...

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 

(‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭5-6, 10-11, 14, 16‬ NIV)

Are we seeing our friends, families and colleagues with an eternal perspective?

Will we see them in heaven?

Have we lost our heart for the lost?

Pray that we will see others as God does.

Do we have enough margin in our lives?

Next steps: read 2 Corinthians 5

Lionel

Gods at War: god of me

Gods at War: god of me

Daniel 4:1-37

Pastor Miles

October 19, 2014

There's a part of our hearts that is thinking "why serve when I can rule"?

We buy into Satan's deception in the Garden of Eden, when he told Eve that her eyes will be opened like God's if she ate the forbidden fruit.

King Nebuchadnezzar, To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth: May you prosper greatly! It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation. (‭Daniel‬ ‭4‬:‭1-3‬ NIV)

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. (‭Daniel‬ ‭4‬:‭4-5‬ NIV)

"In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven. He called in a loud voice: 'Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field. " 'Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him. (‭Daniel‬ ‭4‬:‭13-16‬ NIV)

Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar that he is the tree that gets cut down...

"This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. (‭Daniel‬ ‭4‬:‭24-25‬ NIV)

God is giving Nebuchadnezzar a warning and a reality check.

The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue." (‭Daniel‬ ‭4‬:‭26-27‬ NIV)

1. God warns us when we take the throne of our hearts.

Pride can be very subtle:

Being defensive

Being stubborn

Refusal to admit error

Being ungrateful 

Being discontent

Am I listening to the wisdom of others?

How much time is spent inking of what other people think of me?

All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" (‭Daniel‬ ‭4‬:‭28-30‬ NIV)

Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. (‭Daniel‬ ‭4‬:‭33‬ NIV)

2. God will do what is needed to bring us to surrender the throne to Him.

God loves us too much to leave us on our own

He wants us to allow Him to reign in our hearts

God is constantly pursuing us

There is such peace when we surrender

At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?" (‭Daniel‬ ‭4‬:‭34-35‬ NIV)

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. (‭Daniel‬ ‭4‬:‭37‬ NIV)

3. In the end, we will acknowledge that God alone sits on the throne.

God alone is worthy of worship and our devotion 

He alone deserves to be the center of our lives

"Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: " 'In the pride of your heart you say, "I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas." But you are a mere mortal and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god. (‭Ezekiel‬ ‭28‬:‭2‬ NIV)

We have to choose.

Who will it me?

Me or God?

Gods at War: gods of success

Gods at War: gods of success

Mark 10:17-22, Philippians 3:4-9, Luke 10:38-42

Pastor Miles

October 12, 2014

Many measures of success: money, power, politics, etc.

The gods of success appeal to our desire to control our world; it's about pride; we often find our identity in these gods of success.

HOW TO OVERCOME THE IDOL OF SUCCESS 

1. Take a good look at how you measure success.

Success is finding out about how to score points, and keeping track of that score.

Objects of pride can easily become idols and symbols of our success.

Questions to identify our idols of success (success "currencies"):

Who do you find yourself envying?

Who are you competing with?

What are you competing for?

Who are you comparing yourself with?

2. God's measure of success begins with declaring bankruptcy.

The rich young ruler is an epitome of success:

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭17‬ NIV)

Salvation does not come from our achievements.

Salvation comes from our acknowledgment of our spiritual bankruptcy.

"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." (‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭20‬ NIV)

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. (‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭21-22‬ NIV)

Jesus looked into this man's heart and saw the idol that was occupying the throne of his heart, and challenged him to choose his god. This was obviously an idol that he was unwilling to give up.

Paul recognizes his past rewards and achievements were of no value in comparison with gaining Jesus Christ:

... If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ (‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭4b-8‬ NIV)

Paul overcame his pride by recognizing that he was spiritually bankrupt compared to the riches that could be found in Christ:

... and 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 on the basis of faith. (‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ NIV)

3. Daily choose our relationship with God over our measure of success.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." (‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭38-42‬ NIV)

What sort of idolatry do we see?

Martha was distracted by her to-do checklist (good things) but Mary was focused on what mattered more (best things).

Don't let the distractions of life (idols) take the place of the Lord.

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God." (‭Psalm‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬ NIV)

Choose the better thing. 

Stop. Set it (my idol) aside. Choose God.

God's at War: God of Money

God's at War: God of Money 

Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 6:19-24

Pastor Miles

October 5, 2014

Too often we measure our worth (identity) by our net worth instead of finding our worth with God.

Money can be a wonderful servant but a bad master.

HOW CAN WE PREVENT MONEY FROM BEING OUR MASTER?

1. Learn to guard your heart.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬ NIV)

This is the greatest and highest priority. 

Scripture warns us not to look at outward appearance but to look at the heart.

We need to protect our heart because it is so important.

Spiritually the heart is the core of our being.

All that you do flows from your heart.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

...

"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭19-21, 24‬ NIV)

We can only serve one master.

We need to recognize that God is the source of all things, including money.

2. Recognize when money becomes an idol in your life.

"Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭30‬:‭7-9‬ NIV)

Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions." And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' "Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God." (‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭13-21‬ NIV)

When we assign divine attributes to money, it becomes our god.

Are we putting our trust, hope and security in money instead of in God?

Are we putting our satisfaction in money or in God?

Are we finding our identity (significance) in our finances or in God?

3. Honor God with your finances.

A. You honor God by acknowledging that everything you have belongs to Him.

David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, "Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. (‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭29‬:‭10-16‬ NIV)

Everything we have comes from God, and belongs to Him.

Are we being wise stewards of what God has entrusted us with? Remember, He is the owner.

B. You honor God by giving Him the "first fruits" of your work.

As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything. The people of Israel and Judah who lived in the towns of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things dedicated to the Lord their God, and they piled them in heaps. (‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭31‬:‭5-6‬ NIV)

"Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God. "Do not cook a young goat in its mother's milk." (‭Exodus‬ ‭34‬:‭26‬ NIV)

We do this to show that God is first in our lives.

Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always. (‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭14‬:‭22-23‬ NIV)

Giving money away is a way of acknowledging He is more important than it.

C. You honor God by having an open hand toward the needy.

Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭14‬:‭31‬ NIV)

The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭9‬ NIV)

When you make this commitment, you are putting Him first in your life.

Gods at War: gods of love

Gods at War: gods of love

Genesis 29

Pastor Miles

September 26, 2014

Limerence. Psychologist Dorothy Tennov coined the term limerence in the 1970s. It refers to the phenomenon of falling madly, passionately in love, including what happens chemically in the body. Have you ever been "lovesick"?

Limerence describes a powerful emotional attachment that comes over a person who is powerfully attracted to some other person.

- Kyle Idleman. Gods At War.

1. Romantic love can confusing.

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭27‬ NIV)

Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, "I'll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel." (‭Genesis‬ ‭29‬:‭16-18‬ NIV)

So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. (‭Genesis‬ ‭29‬:‭20‬ NIV)

- romantic love can be intoxicating

So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her.

...

When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn't I? Why have you deceived me?" (‭Genesis‬ ‭29‬:‭22-23, 25‬ NIV)

2. When we look to someone other can God to complete us and define our identity, it's idolatry.

Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, "It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now." She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, "Because the Lord heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too." So she named him Simeon. Again she conceived, and when she gave birth to a son she said, "Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." So he was named Levi. (‭Genesis‬ ‭29‬:‭32-34‬ NIV)

With each son she has, Leah thinks maybe now her husband will love her. Maybe now he will be attached to her. But with each child she is left disappointed. For years Leah puts her hope in romantic love, but she continues to feel the pain of rejection and loneliness.

- Kyle Idleman. Gods At War.

3. The idols in your heart are defeated, not by removing them, but by replacing them.

She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, "This time I will praise the Lord." So she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children. (‭Genesis‬ ‭29‬:‭35‬ NIV)

"This time I will praise the Lord." Leah is taking her husband off the throne of her heart and giving God his seat. This time she puts her hope not in her husband, but in the Lord. How many times has the god of love left you brokenhearted? Maybe this time you should praise the Lord.

- Kyle Idleman. Gods At War.

Only God can complete us through Jesus Christ. It is Him that we have our identify.

We are His child. 

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. (‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ NIV)

Lionel

God's at War: Choose This Day

God's at War: Choose This Day
Joshua 24:1-15
Pastor Miles
September 14, 2014

We make choices every day and we are defined by the choices we make.
Our choices determine the direction of our lives.
Our decisions determine our destiny.

Joshua 24
1 Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel, and they presented themselves before God.

2 Joshua said to all the people, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods. 3 But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him throughout Canaan and gave him many descendants. I gave him Isaac, 4 and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. I assigned the hill country of Seir to Esau, but Jacob and his family went down to Egypt.

5 " 'Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I afflicted the Egyptians by what I did there, and I brought you out. 6 When I brought your people out of Egypt, you came to the sea, and the Egyptians pursued them with chariots and horsemen as far as the Red Sea. 7 But they cried to the LORD for help, and he put darkness between you and the Egyptians; he brought the sea over them and covered them. You saw with your own eyes what I did to the Egyptians. Then you lived in the wilderness for a long time.

8 " 'I brought you to the land of the Amorites who lived east of the Jordan. They fought against you, but I gave them into your hands. I destroyed them from before you, and you took possession of their land. 9 When Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, prepared to fight against Israel, he sent for Balaam son of Beor to put a curse on you. 10 But I would not listen to Balaam, so he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you out of his hand.

11 " 'Then you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho. The citizens of Jericho fought against you, as did also the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites and Jebusites, but I gave them into your hands. 12 I sent the hornet ahead of you, which drove them out before you—also the two Amorite kings. You did not do it with your own sword and bow. 13 So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.'

14 "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."


I. Why do we have to make a choice?
...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... (‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬ NIV)

Everyone worships something. Worshipping nothing is not an option.
Who or what will you worship?
What we sacrifice for is what we worship.
We make our choices, and our choices will make us. It will determine our destiny and define our lives.

II. What are our choices?
A. Gods of our fathers and mothers.
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates... (‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬ NIV)

Joshua said to all the people, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods. (‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭2‬ NIV)

B. Gods of our past.
"Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. (‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭14‬ NIV)

Where has our heart lived in the past? Those places where we once visited may still have a piece of our heart. Have we kept some "souvenirs" that should have been discarded long ago?

C. Gods of our culture.
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, ... or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬ NIV)

Is the world around us squeezing us into its mold? Or are we transforming the world around us?

D. God Himself.
...But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬ NIV)

III. Why does God make us choose?
God is a jealous God.

"You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, (‭Exodus‬ ‭20‬:‭4-5‬ NIV)

Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. (‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭19‬ NIV)

Just as God does not condone marital adultery, He certainly does not allow spiritual adultery.

What are the choices that we are making today?
Choose this day whom you will serve.

God's at War. Exodus 20:1-5

God's at War. Exodus 20:1-5
Pastor Miles
September 7, 2014

And God spoke all these words: "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. "You shall have no other gods before me. "You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, (‭Exodus‬ ‭20‬:‭1-5‬ NIV)

1. What is idolatry?
"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. "You shall have no other gods before me. (‭Exodus‬ ‭20‬:‭2-3‬ NIV)

The root of sin is idolatry.

Worship is "worth"-ship.

Idolatry steals or distracts us from God.

2. What is an idol?
"You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. (‭Exodus‬ ‭20‬:‭4‬ NIV)

Anything that we substitute for God. That makes us serve it rather than God Himself.

3. How do you make an idol?
"You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, (‭Exodus‬ ‭20‬:‭4-5‬ NIV)

When our desire for it becomes greater than our desire for God. We can turn a good thing into a god-thing. Where do we look for or turn to for security (salvation), satisfaction (comfort), and significance (worth)?

4. How do you identify an idol in your life?
Idolatry is the root of all sins: idolatry is the root and sin is the fruit (symptom or manifestation).

"What's Important to Us?" Kingdom Mission

"What's Important to Us?" Kingdom Mission
August 31, 2014
Pastor Miles

We engage in Kingdom Mission - living as Christ's representatives in our world and as ambassadors of God's blessings to all people near and far.

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭18-20‬ NIV)

A. Kingdom Mission is about expanding the reign and rule of God.

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, (‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬ NIV)

He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. (‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭26‬ NIV)

and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭2‬ NIV)

B. We have 3 expressions of Kingdom Missions:
1. Traditional missions
2. Personal evangelism
3. Ministry of compassion - serving others around us through deeds of mercy

C. These expressions work together as
Good deeds -> Good Will -> Good News

What am I doing to create an Acts 2 community?
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭42-47‬ NIV)

"What's Important to Us? Authentic Community"

"What's Important to Us? Authentic Community"
We seek to build Authentic Community - believing that life change, healing, and growth occurs best within Christ-centered,healthy relationships characterized by generosity, grace and authenticity.

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭42-47‬ NIV)

1. Authentic Community is vital for life-change because we are the context for spiritual growth.

2. We seek to build Authentic Community characterized by generosity, grace and authenticity.

Generosity:
All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, (‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭44-46‬ NIV)

Grace:
- accept one another, then, just as Jesus Christ has accepted you.
- stop passing judgement on one another.
- be kind and compassionate to one another, forging each other, just as in Jesus Christ God forgave you.
- encourage one another.

Authenticity:
- teach and admonish one another.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ NIV)

- encourage one another.
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭11‬ NIV)

- speaking the truth in love.
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. (‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬ NIV)

Applications:
- sign up for Fall Focus
- attend Acts 2 picnic

"What's Important to Us- Compassionate Service" (C

"What's Important to Us- Compassionate Service" (Core Value 3)
July 27, 2014
Pastor Jeff

We give ourselves to COMPASSIONATE SERVICE -
Responding to the grace of God we have experienced by loving our neighbors, serving those in our church, our communities, and the world.

And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (‭Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭39-40‬ NIV)

A. What is Compassionate Service?
Stands on the 2nd commandment. Matt 22:39

2 parts:
1. Beneficial service to others.
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭13-14‬ NIV)

2. Assistance and care to those in need.
(Parable of the Good Samaritan) Luke 10:
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
26 "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
27 He answered, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
28 "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30 In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
36 "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37 The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."

B. Why?
Responding to the grace of God.
2 big works of grace:
1. The Exodus
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. (‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭10‬:‭17-19‬ NIV)

Deuteronomy 24:
14 Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. 15 Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they may cry to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty of sin.
16 Parents are not to be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their parents; each will die for their own sin.
17 Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. 18 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.
19 When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. 21 When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. 22 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17-21‬ NIV)

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
...
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
...
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭1, 4-5, 8-10‬ NIV)

Grace of God we have experienced
Work of Jesus Christ + faith in Jesus Christ = salvation and good works

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ NIV)

C. How?
- Giving
- Ourselves

Context: 4 channels of mercy:
1. Family
2. Local church
3. Voluntary organizations - "mission societies"
4. State

Arcs of concern:
1. Immediate family
2. Church family
3. Neighborhood or nearby community
4. World

Key principles:
- look close before looking far; start with family, close friends, neighbors...
- stop, look and listen; see what God is doing around you

Responding:
- (re-)affirm this value for yourself, for our church
- begin where you are - circles of concern
- compassion begins at home

"What's Important to Us?" Lives of Worship

"What's Important to Us?" Lives of Worship (core value 2)
7/20/2014
Pastor Miles

Old German proverb: the main thing is to make sure that the main thing remains the main thing.

We live lives of worship -
Believing that God is worthy of worship for who He is and what He has done for us, loving God by honoring Him in our lives, declaring adoration and praise, serving Him faithfully, being devoted to Christ.

1. What is worship?
Worship is our response to God for who He is and what He has done for us.

We love because he first loved us. (‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬ NIV)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ NIV)

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." (‭Revelation‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬ NIV)

Worship is worth-ship, honoring God because He is worthy.

In a loud voice they were saying: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" (‭Revelation‬ ‭5‬:‭12‬ NIV)

2. What does it mean to love a life of worship?
By honoring Him in (all areas of) our lives, declaring adoration and praise, serving Him faithfully, being devoted to Christ.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭31‬ NIV)

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, (‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬ NIV)

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on." (‭Mark‬ ‭12‬:‭41-44‬ NIV)

Sunday morning is a rehearsal and reflection of what we should be doing the rest of the week (and the rest of our lives).

APPLICATION
- commit to corporate worship every Sunday
- commit to private worship every day
- plan to worship as a family
- commit yourself to a life of worship




Lionel

"What's Important to Us?" Biblical Faithfulness

"What's Important to Us?" Biblical Faithfulness
Pastor Miles
July 6, 2014

Core Value #1: We are committed to Biblical Faithfulness -
Believing that the Bible is the Word of God, submitting to it as the ultimate guide and final authority on all matters to which it speaks.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16-17‬ ESV)

1. The Bible is important to us because of what it is.
All Scripture is breathed out (INSPIRED) by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ESV)

knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (‭2 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭20-21‬ ESV)

And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. (‭2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭15-16‬ ESV)

2. The Bible is important to us because of what it does.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and PROFITABLE (USEFUL) for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ESV)

and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭17‬ ESV)

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ ESV)

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16-17‬ ESV)

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (‭Psalm‬ ‭119‬:‭9, 11‬ ESV)

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (‭Psalm‬ ‭119‬:‭105‬ ESV)

But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (‭Matthew‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ESV)

since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you. (‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭23-25‬ ESV)

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— (‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬ ESV)

3. We submit ourselves to the scriptures.
We are committed to Biblical Faithfulness - Believing that the Bible is the Word of God, submitting to it as the ultimate guide and final authority on all matters to which it speaks.

LifeFlow: Making Disciples

LifeFlow: Making Disciples
Matthew 28:18-20
Pastor Miles
June 22, 2014

Trinity Church Purpose Statement:
Trinity Church exists to be a community that makes disciples of Jesus Christ who love God, serve others, and represent Christ in their world.

The final result of all ministry is to make disciples.
The primary reason that we exist is to make disciples.

And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)

1. We make disciples together, as a community.
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (1 Corinthians 12:21-26 ESV)

2. We describe the kind of disciple that we are trying to make.
- we want to make disciples of Jesus
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:10-13 ESV)

3. We have a process for making disciples.
- unchurched person comes to Trinity
- comes regularly to worship
- comes to faith in Jesus Christ and is baptized
- joins small group or Bible class -- place to grow
- finds a place to serve in the ministry team
- invites someone to Trinity
- disciples someone else

What's your next step?

4. How are we doing in the process of making disciples?

LifeFlow: 4 Relationship Skills

LifeFlow: 4 Relationship Skills
Pastor Miles
June 15, 2014

1. Learn to ask.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7, 8 NIV)

You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. (James 4:2 NIV)

- this Kingdom principle also applies to relationships
- one of the reasons we don't ask is that we don't think we need help
- another reason is fear of rejection
- other reasons: we don't want to admit that we have a need
- instead we drop hints, make demands, threats, bribe, manipulate...
- out of mutual respect for one another, we should ask permission when making a request
- by not asking we may be depriving others of the opportunity to serve, grow, learn...

2. Learn to say no.
"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' " 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. "Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go. "Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. (Matthew 21:28-31 NIV)

- we don't have to give a reason to say no. It's our choice.
- we say no to protect ourselves
- learn to say no to the good to be the protector of the best

3. Learn to hear no.
At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, "I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent." (Luke 4:42, 43 NIV)

- you will show respect for the person and their choice
- ultimately the person is responsible for their choice, not you
- even God respects our "no" (see parable for the father of he prodigal son)
- ultimately, that will enable the person to say yes out of choice

4. Learn to say yes out of choice.
"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' " 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. "Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go. "Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. (Matthew 21:28-31 NIV)

- you see the need around you, and you make the choice to give to meet the need

God loves us and asks us to love and obey Him. But we said no. He heard us but waited patiently. Have we made the choice to accept God's love and grace through His son?

LifeFlow: Ambassadors for Christ

LifeFlow: Ambassadors for Christ

2 Corinthians 5:18-21

Pastor Miles

June 8, 2014

What is the most valuable thing that God has entrusted you with?

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. (1 Corinthians 4:1 NIV)

If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. (1 Corinthians 9:17 NIV)

1. Paul understood his ministry as a stewardship of the Gospel.

So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. (2 Corinthians 5:9-11a NIV)

- we need to be persuading others about the truth of he Gospel.

For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:14-17 NIV)

- what matters most is whether they are a new creation or not.

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18, 19 NIV)

2. God has entrusted you with the message of reconciliation.
- to share it with others: family, friends, neighbors

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV)

- God Himself is speaking through us

3. God has made you an ambassador for Christ.

God made him [Jesus Christ] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV)

LifeFlow: Stewardship of your Gifts

LifeFlow: Stewardship of your Gifts
1 Peter 4:10

1. Be a good steward of the grace that God has given you.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10 NIV)

2. Know the special grace that God has given you.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:3-8 NIV)

3. Understand the work of the Holy Spirit.
A. All believers have received the Holy Spirit.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. (Romans 8:9-11 NIV)

B. Every believer has at least one gift of the Spirit.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:7 NIV)

C. No believer has all the gifts of the Spirit.

To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:8-10 NIV)

D. No single gift of the Spirit has been given to all believers.

Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? (1 Corinthians 12:29, 30 NIV)

E. The Spirit decides what gifts you receive.

All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Corinthians 12:11 NIV)

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. (Ephesians 4:7 NIV)

F. Gifts of the Spirit are given to you for the benefit of others.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:7 NIV)

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Ephesians 4:11, 12 NIV)

Reminders
- A "gift of the Spirit" is a special ability, given by the Holy Spirit to every believer at their conversion, to build up the body of Christ.
- There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. (1 Corinthians 12:5 NIV)

LifeFlow: Ministry of Compassion

LifeFlow: Ministry of Compassion
Pastor Miles
5/18/2014

1. The life of Jesus was filled with compassion.
- Jesus was able to identify and connect with the people he ministered to

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36 NIV)

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. (Matthew 14:14 NIV)

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way." (Matthew 15:32 NIV)

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. (Matthew 20:34 NIV)

And a leper came to Him, begging Him on his knees and saying to Him, If You are willing, You are able to make me clean. And being moved with pity and sympathy, Jesus reached out His hand and touched him, and said to him, I am willing; be made clean! (Mark 1:40, 41 AMP)

2. If you have LifeFlow, then your life will be filled with compassion.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:12, 13 NIV)

Luke 10:
33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denariie and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
36 "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37 The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

3. Show compassion for those who are in need and for those who are oppressed.
- for those in need (the poor, the hurting), compassion takes the form of mercy
- for the oppressed (the powerless, the vulnerable), compassion takes the form of justice
- although individually we cannot do everything, each of us can do something.

4. Use the resources God has entrusted to you in a ministry of compassion.

LifeFlow: Ministry as Stewardship

LifeFlow: Ministry as Stewardship
Matthew 25:14-29
Pastor Miles
5/11/2014 Mothers Day

Matthew 25:14–30
"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. "After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.' "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' "The man with two bags of gold also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.' "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' "Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. " 'So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

All that you are and all that you have is a gift from God.

1. God has given you certain "talents".
- what are you doing with all that God has given you for the sake of the Kingdom?
- someday you will give an account of your stewardship

The Lord answered, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, 'My master is taking a long time in coming,' and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. (Luke 12:42-46 NIV)

2. God has given you a stewardship of relationships.
- our families and children and gifts from The Lord.
- we are responsible for nurturing and training them to love and serve The Lord, as well as to be ambassadors for The Lord.

Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth. (Psalm 127:3, 4 NIV)

But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. "Who are these with you?" he asked. Jacob answered, "They are the children God has graciously given your servant." (Genesis 33:4, 5 NIV)

When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, "Who are these?" "They are the sons God has given me here," Joseph said to his father. Then Israel said, "Bring them to me so I may bless them." (Genesis 48:8, 9 NIV)

3. God has given you a stewardship of time.
- we need to be wise with the use of our time

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15, 16 NIV)

LifeFlow: Perspective on Ministry

LifeFlow: Perspective on Ministry
Pastor Miles
4/27/2014

1. Your motivation for ministry is your love for Jesus.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17 NIV)

- We serve others because of our love for Jesus

2. Your ministry flows out of your identity in Christ.
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13:1-5 NIV)

- Jesus derived His security from His relationship with His Father
- He knew who He was and who's He was
- He did not allow Himself to be defined by what others thought of Him
- We need to find our identity in Christ our foundation so that we can serve effectively

3. Your perspective on ministry is that of a steward.
- Stewart = manager. Someone entrusted with something that belongs to someone else.

A. Acknowledging God as the owner of everything that you've been given.
Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. (1 Chronicles 29:11, 12, 14, 16 NIV)

- Everything we have is a gift from God, it belongs to God. We are the manager and have been entrusted with this responsibility.

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (1 Corinthians 4:7 NIV)

B. Accept responsibility as the Steward of everything God has entrusted you.
This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:1, 2 NIV)

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own? (Luke 16:10-12 NIV)

Next Steps:
Make a list of everything God has entrusted to you.

Searching for Hope

Searching for Hope

Luke 24:13-35

Pastor Miles

Easter 4/20/14

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus." He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. (Luke 24:13-35 NIV)

1. Living in a broken world, we can lose hope.

"What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. (Luke 24:19-21 NIV)

2. God speaks to us in the midst of our hopelessness.

In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus." (Luke 24:22-24 NIV)

- God speaks to us in the testimony of others.

He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (Luke 24:25-27 NIV)

- God spoke through the Scriptures.

Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, "Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles." The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, "I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain." (Psalm 2:1-6 NIV)

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. (Psalm 22:1, 7, 16-18 NIV)

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5, 6 NIV)

3. Jesus invited us to respond in faith.

Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." (Luke 24:31-34 NIV)

- the resurrection is the foundation of our hope.
- if it's true, will we respond in faith?
- do we want to know the truth? Ask God to speak to you.