Sunday, August 14, 2011

August 14, 2011 Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven



The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32)



Jesus also begins these parables with ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is like…’

   Major elements of the mustard seed parable:

·       Mustard Seed (also used in Matthew 17:20, Luke 17:6)
                  ·       Mustard Plant (grow to be the largest plant in the garden)
             ·       Birds
             ·       Field
  
  Jesus explains that the Kingdom will start small but grow into the largest plant in the garden. What’s the significance of the birds in this parable? The Mustard Tree gives safe rest to the travelling birds who in turn eat insects from the garden. Getting rid of the pest help the plants yield more 'fruit.'



The Parable of the Leaven (Matthew 13:33)

   Major elements of the leaven parable:

           ·       Leaven (Love of Jesus)
                ·       Woman
                ·       Flour
                ·       Dough
  
    
A extraordinary amount of dough is illustrated to show the abundance of Jesus' love.

Jesus explains that a little of His love can make a big change in a person’s life.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

August 7, 2011- The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.    Matthew 6:33 NKJV



Jesus makes it simple

After all Jesus had been through on this particular day, you can almost hear Him release a huge sigh as He realizes even His own disciples are getting what He is teaching about the Kingdom. He turns back to the crowd and starts a second parable, this time using the simplest form of comparison in a simile.

Jesus states the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. The major elements of the parable are:

  • Man sowing the seed (Jesus/Son of Man)
  • Good seed (Jesus' message/New Testament)
  • Field (The world)
  • Enemy (Satan)
  • Wheat (Believers)
  • Weeds (Lost)
  • Harvesters (Angels)
Jesus is explaining that during this new age established by His ministry (the Church Age), His Kingdom of believers will exist in the world with the non-believers too. This was a different concept than the Jews had established concerning the coming of the Messiah. Jews believed the Messiah would come and rule the world (kingdom) allowing them to overcome all their enemies.

Jesus states that at the end of this age (Church Age) there will ultimately be an eternal separation between the believers and the non-believers, but not until then time.

Son of Man = Son of God

In this parable, Jesus refers to Himself as the Son of Man. Is He denying His deity? Not at all. The title Som of Man is used over 80 times in the Gospels alone. By referring to Himself as the Son of Man, Jesus isn't denying His deity but rather emphasing His humanity. As part of the Trinity (God in three Persons), Jesus was actually two persons in His role. Let me explain:


In this classic diagram showing the make up of the Holy Trinity, Jesus the Son is one point of the triangle. But, Jesus is actually God as the Son AND was fully human.  Is the plurality a contradiction? Absolutely not. We see clear evidence of Jesus praying to the Father later in Matthew 26:39 and 42, yet earlier in Matthew 1:21-23, Jesus is proclaimed Emmanuel or God with us. There are many other Scriptures that reflect not only Jesus as God and Son but also as man.

Don't let this confuse you, or worse yet, let someone try to confuse you with the concept of the Trinity. God is three persons- Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus is both the Son and came to Earth as a man. If it helps, thing of it this way. The Bible clearly tells us that God is love (1 John 4:8) and has always been. That love is not only shared between the Father and the Son through the Spirit, but each part that makes up God is also love. Love is a force that requires an element of sharing. God has always been as three parts or elements, if you will, and has always been love.

The term Son of Man is also used in the Old Testament in Daniel 7:13 as the prophet has a vision of the coming Messiah.

Next Week: The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven

Sunday, July 31, 2011

July 31, 2011- The Parable of the Sower

Setting the Scene

    As we start Chapter 13, Jesus has already has a full day. He has been harassed at every move by the Pharisees, yet He continues to teach and heal among those who are receptive. Jesus was even accused by the Pharisees of casting out demons in the name of Beelzebul, or Satan. One can only imagine the disappointment and discourage Jesus was feeling at this point. When His mother and brothers arrive, Jesus is quick to point out to the disciples that they are also His family in God.

    As the rather large crowd gathers, Jesus chooses to board a boat and speak from the waters in the Sea of Galilee as people stand on the shore. He begins to teach the crowd with a number of successive parables.

The Parable of the Sower

    Jesus tells the parable of sower who sows his seed. As the seed falls in a number of different soil conditions, the results are also varied. The seed falling on the path is immediately gobbled up by birds. Seeds falling on rocky soil produced plants, but the roots were shallow , and the plants quickly died on the heat of the sun. Seeds falling among the thorns also yielded plants, but they too died being choked out by the weeds. Only the seeds falling on good soil produced plants that yielded many times over.

Disciples Don't Get It...  

    The disciples questions Jesus as to why He speaks in parables. I stated in class that after the long day Jesus had already been through, you can almost feel a heavy sigh as He realizes even those closest to Him aren't understanding His message. Jesus explain to the disciples that they have been given the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven. He further explains that the secrets will be known only by those with sincere, obedient, God-seeking hearts.

    Jews were looking forward to the Kingdom of Heaven, but their viewpoint was very inaccurate. Jews believed God would establish and earthly Kingdom with the Messiah delivering the Jews from their enemies to help rule for a thousand years. Jesus had already been teaching otherwise, but most people weren't understanding that Jesus, the Messiah, had come to establish the Kingdom of Heaven through the sacrifice of His blood. A new age was about to begin...the Church Age.

Parable Explained

   Again, you just know Jesus had to be on some level  frustrated that even His hand-picked disciples didn't get His message either. He begins to break the parable down into what each element represents:


  • The farmer, or sower, is initially Jesus Himself then His followers.
  • The seed is the message of the Kingdom.
  • The path is those who don't understand the message.
  • The birds are the Evil One (Satan).
  • The rocky ground is one who hears the message but quickly loses the meaning when troubles or persecution come.
  • The thorny ground is one who hears but lets worries and the deceit of wealth make him unfruitful
  • The good soil is one who hears and understands. He will be fruitful and continue to deliver the message to all in his path.
Jesus was emphasizing that the message of the Kingdom would receive a varied reception among different people. As His disciples, we are not to be concerned about where the seed fall...we need to just plant the seed broadly. 
    

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Parables of Matthew 13

Gospel of Matthew

       One of the four canonical gospels as well as one of three synoptic gospels, Matthew is viewed by biblical scholars as the most comprehensive manual on discipleship. More about the ministry of Jesus is recorded in Matthew than any other New Testament book.

       Matthew is broken down into Five Discourses mixed in with the synoptic timeline of the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. The Five Discourses are:
  1. The Sermon on the Mount (Chapter 5-7)
  2. The Missionary Discourse (Chapter 10)
  3. The Parabolic Discourse (Chapter 13)
  4. The Discourse on the Church (Chapter 18)
  5. The Discourse on End Times (Chapter 24)
Each discourse has a shorter parallel in the Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of Luke.

Matthew takes place almost entirely within the vicinity of Palestine. Romans rule the area but consider it on the fringe of the empire.


Matthew establishes who Jesus is in Chapter 1:1-17. He links Jesus to David through Joseph, an important indicator (not tracing His lineage through Mary) that Matthew (a former Jewish tax collector) is writing his gospel to the Jews.

In Chapter 3, Matthew records the ministry of John the Baptist preaching along the Jordan River. John is telling people... 'repent, the Kingdom of Heaven is near.' Interestingly, Jesus repeats the same message as He starts His ministry in Chapter 4 verse 17...'the Kingdom of Heaven is near.'

What is the Kingdom of Heaven?

     Matthew uses the phrase Kingdom of Heaven 31 times in his book while using Kingdom 10 times and Kingdom of God only 6. This is another good indicator Matthew is writing primarily to Jews who held the very name of God as sacred and refrained from using His name directly. However, the terms are interchangeable in this context. Kingdom is referenced in the Old Testament (Psalm 103:19, Daniel 4:3) and was a term very familiar to the Jews. Jesus would 'reconfigure' their idea of God's Kingdom during His ministry.

This is where the parables in Matthew 13 pick up...next week.


Thursday, May 26, 2011

Series- 8 Major World Religions: Confucianism

Confucianism: The Way of Propriety

Propriety- conformity to established standards of good and mannerly behavior, righteousness.

The exact number of Confucians is hard to pinpoint for a couple of reason. First, the practice is often combined with elements of Buddhism and Taoism blurring the defining line for a true Confucian. Secondly, disclosing matters of faith is not something done easily by people fearful of government retribution in Communist China.


Some scholars argue Confucianism is a philosophy and not a religion, but the path is often followed in a religious manner by the Chinese, the largest concentration of Confucians.

Confucians discuss elements of the afterlife and views concerning Heaven, but it is relatively unconcerned with some spiritual matters often considered essential to religious thought, such as the nature of the soul.


Confucians believe in the concept of moral perfection for a mortal person and use reaching said moral perfection as the foundation of the religion.



Confucius lives during the Chou Dynasty, and era known for moral laxity. Late in life, he wandered through many states in China and gave advise to each of the respective rulers. He accumulated a small band of followers during his travels, but the movement didn't take off until after his death in 479 BC.

Likes Socrates, Confucius taught that vices developed from ignorance and that knowledge was the only path to true, unfailing virtue. The knowledge on which he insisted was not purely scientific learning but an edifying acquaintance with the sacred texts and the rules of virtue and propriety.


Confucianism is characterized by a highly optimistic view of human nature. The faith that an ordinary human being can possibly become an awe-inspiring sage and worthy (noun- facetious, often a person of distinguished character, merit, or importance) is deeply rooted in the Confucian heritage. History records that Confucius lived quite an ordinary life, yet his teaching centered on human beings being teachable, improvable and even perfectible through personal and communal endeavors.

Li finds its origin in religious ceremony and rites. The broader meaning defines the way things are done. Attitude becomes as important as correct conduct. Manners, orderly behavior, family relations, honoring elders and the concept contained in the Christian Golden Rule all help describe Li.

Filial piety, dutiful respect for parents, is a the single most important social institution in imparting ways of learning to be human. It is the glue for social solidarity.


The community is necessary for this self-transformation to occur. It broadens and deepens the self, expressing the fundamental integration of all segments of our world. Once rooted, the soul contributes to the four visions that identify the classic Confucian vision of the world.

During Confucius’s life, societal conflict, rather than harmony, was the norm. Believing there had been an earlier period of prosperity and peace in China Confucius advocated a return to the traditions and values of that earlier time. These traditions--which maintained peace and social order--became the focus of Confucian thought.



While many elements of Confucianism can easily translate or transfer to the Christian faith and practice, there are distinct difference that make following Confucianism incompatible with Christianity.


The concepts of prayer and worship are vastly different in Confucianism. Also, the reward of accepting Jesus as a personal Savior from sin-debt (and the consequence of hell for not) is a completely foreign concept to the Confucians.

Next Week- Buddhism

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Series- 8 Major World Religions: Hinduism

Hinduism: The Way of Devotion

My apologies for struggling trying to tie Hinduism up into a 30 minute package. As we learned, Hinduism is a very complex, evolving world religion (the third largest by most accounts). While there are some core beliefs for most Hindus, not following these core beliefs doesn't exclude one from being a Hindu either. Being born in India appears to be one sure way to adopt or inherit the belief system.

Hindus in the world



A recent survey of Americans conducted by Religious Tolerence found the number one association with Hinduism in this country was The Simpsons cartoon character Apu (overwhelmingly).


Second was the Hindu deva Ganesha.


Finally, the third most popular association was Mohandas Gandhi.


Well-known people who have 'converted' to Hinduism include George Harrison (Beatles), Julia Roberts and Ricky Williams (Miami Dolphins). 'Adopting' Hindu principles would be a better phrase for changing to a Hindu.

Hinduism snapshot

Because of the wide variety of Hindu traditions, freedom of belief and practices are notable features of Hinduism. The term Hinduism was first used in the 13th century by the medieval ruling Islamic kingdoms in present day India to denote traditions and practices ‘not Islam.’


Naturally, Hindus refer to their religion as being the oldest known religion. Although widely accepted as henotheistic, some elements of Hinduism can be defined as polytheism (many gods), pantheism (God is the whole) and even panentheism (the whole is in God).



It's important to realize that while moksha is the desired outcome of breaking from the revolving cycle of death and rebirth (samsara), moksha is not consider an equivalent to Christian heaven. There is no 'sin debt' in Hinduism or even an ultimate reward for the choice of good actions over evil actions. Karma rectifies these choices as a process of daily living and through samsara. Live a good life (dharma) and you may be rewarded by returning after death through reincarnation (samsara) into a better life. Of course, karma has two sides, and a not so ethical life might see your return as a bug or cow.


The Vedas were the precursors to modern Hinduism.



Christianity vs Hinduism


For a Christian, discussions of faith with a Hindu could be tedious and frustrating. Some (although not all) Hindus completely accept the principles of Christianity as a means to moksha. The concept of a single path to God is completely foreign to Hindus. Acceptance of other beliefs and faiths is a basic principle of the religion.

Next Week: Confusianism

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Series- 8 Major World Religions: Islam

Islam: The Way of Submission

The Islamic faith is front and center on the world stage today. Many views of Islam held by Americans (as well as Christians worldwide) are based in misconception. We discussed merely an overview of the world's second largest religion and then concluded with the Muslim view of Jesus in relation to their faith.


Muslims reject the deity of Muhammad as blasphemy.


The Koran when read aloud in Arabic takes on an almost musical feel in flow and rhythm. Chanting of the Koran is often done during prayer and worship, but Muslims feel strongly it should always be done in the original language of Muhammad.

Muslims in the World










Indonesia, the fourth largest country by population, has the most Muslims as a nation. By far, the largest concentration of Muslims are located in the Middle East and Northern Africa.

Sunni and Shia




The two major factions of Islam, Sunni's and Shi'as, split shortly after the death of Muhammad due to the influence of Ali. Sunni's hold a traditional view of Islam and Islamic law while Shi'as believe Islamic law should be administered through a single entity called an Imam whom they believe is divinely placed by God.

Muhammad al-Mahdi is believed by Shi'as to be the current and last of the Twelve Imams and the promised Mahdi, a messianic figure who will return with Jesus. He was born in 869 and has not died but been hidden by God. His existence is denied by Sunnis entirely.

Until the return of the Mahdi, the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists is conducted by the Supreme Leader (currently only in Iran) addressed as Ayatollah. The Current Supreme leader in Shia majority Iran is the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Other Shia majority countries are Iraq, Azerbaijan and Bahrain.


Five Pillars of Islam



The Shahadah is the basic creed of Islam and must be recited under oath with the specific statement: I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God, and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God.

Ritual prayers, called Salah or Salat, must be performed five times a day. Salah is intended to focus the mind on God. Prayers are recited in the Arabic language and consist of verses from the Koran.

Fasting from food, drink and 'relations' must be performed during the month of Ramadhan from dawn until dusk each day. The fast is to encourage closeness to God and Muslims are to express gratitude for Him as well as atone for past sins.

A pilgrimage is required of all able Muslims to Mecca at least once. While Muslims deny Muhammad is deity, a lot of tradition and ritual is centered around and focused on the man.


Muhammad supposedly received the contents of the Koran through angelic revelations from 610 AD until his death in 632 AD. Since he was illiterate, the verses were transcribed over time by friends and family.

The non-Muslim view of Muhammad has been mixed at best. Medieval Christians believed he was the anti-Christ of Revelations and commonly marked the date of his death in 666 instead of 632. Muhammad is mentioned in the hugely influential 14th century poem of Dante called Divine Comedy where Muhammad is represented by a character in purgatory split in half (representative of the schism believed by many of Islam branching from Christianity).


Women in Islam


The Hijab is required by law for women in Iran and Saudi Arabia but banned in the countries of France and Turkey.

Women are considered equal and accountable to God in religious matters but treated as property in all other aspects. Marriage is strictly a civil union or contract and does not contain a pious element outside of Islamic Law (see next slide).


Another major difference between Christianity and Islam. The concept of separating God from state is completely foreign to Islamic culture. God is the ultimate and supreme law over all aspects of life including civic governments, in contrast to Christianity (see Romans 13:1-7 and Matthew 15:15-22).

Promotes laws being passed that ban or forbid other religions besides Islam under punishment by civil authorities.

Islamic view of Jesus

While Jesus is an important figure in Islam, He is not considered deity. Only one in a line of  prophets. Muslims believe God took Jesus away right as the Romans were crucifying Him.

Verses from the Koran on Jesus:



Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Series- 8 Major World Religions: What you should know and why it's important.

Most scholars and theologians classify and list the major world religions as: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism. For the sake of our study, we will expand that list to 8 major religions because Christians are likely to come into contact with each . To sum up the primary factor for each, I've associated a word or two along with the religion:



This list comprises the stated (and sometimes assumed) faiths of over 6 billion people on the planet.


As pointed out in class (thanks Josh Cline), that leaves out almost a billion people from the current world population of roughly 7 billion souls (see World Population Clock here). They would fall in an assortment of various smaller religious groups and, by in large, a non-religious category (atheist, agnostics, etc.).

Taoism is predominately a faction of either Confucianism or Buddhism, but there are significant enough differences to warrant a separate look from the two.

While Christianity is the largest world religion by sheer numbers, the classification is very liberal and includes Protestants, Catholics and Lutherans, as well as, the faiths of Mormons and the Jehovah Witness (just to name a few). Basically, any religion that centers around Jesus is included.


Why Does Religion Matter? 

For Christians, religion is just merely the practice of our faith which we hold to matter on an eternal scale. But religion doesn't exist in the abstract and has been the single most dominate force in the world since humans were created.

While sociologist and academics have predicted the decline of religion as nations have become modernized and industrialized, statistics show a different story. With the exception of some Western Europe countries (England, Germany and France) the rest of the world is drastically religious.

During the 1960's and the secularist movement in our own country, major publications such as Time Magazine and the New York Daily Times published articles claiming the belief in God was in major decline in our country. Yet, recent surveys by the USA Today and Pew Research show that 85% or more of Americans claim to believe in God (or a Higher Power). In a 2008 Gallop poll on religious attitudes toward presidential candidates, just over 50% of respondents replied under no circumstance would they vote for a well-qualified candidate who claimed to be an atheist (as a comparison, gay 37% and Muslim 38%). Over half!  God is far from dead in our country.


Why should Christians care about other religions? 

I don't by any means advocate for all Christians to become intimately knowledgeable about the finer points of other religions. There's just too much work to be done in our own faith! World religions are a subject matter of personal interest that were a byproduct of straying from the Christian path at one point in my own past. But I do feel it is important to have a working knowledge of other religions, since 2/3 of the world population aren't Christians, and we are called to reach them for Christ.

There are three major reasons, in my opinion, why Christians should at least be familiar with other world religions that I've categorized as: Inward, Outward and Upward. The list is by no means inclusive. I've also listed which of the Five Purposes from the Identity 1-1-1 Series that can be associated with each category.



1. Inward- As we study other religions, we inevitably compare our beliefs to those of others which drives us to think through theological issues we might not have examined otherwise. I believe this helps the Christian not only better understand their own faith but also better appreciate the subtleties and even beauty of biblical teaching.

As Christians see the deep devotion required in some other faiths, it becomes only natural to reexamine one's own commitment to God and should spark a desire for a closer relationship with Him. 

Grow and Worship

2. Outward- While it's only human nature to find it difficult to love those different from us, Jesus didn't add a disclaimer to His commandment for us to love our neighbors *but only if they are like us. While that may look funny written on the page, most Christians act as if those were the actual words of Christ! When humans encounter something (or someone) different from our personal perspective of "normal", we either fear that difference (usually out of ignorance) or become condescending (definitely out of ignorance). Either attitude leads to a dehumanizing effect which in turn creates a strong distinction between us and them. Not very Christ-like.

By having a better understanding of what is, in all likelihood, the most dominating factor in another person's life, Christians will find compassion comes easier for those not of our faith. From that compassion will develop love for others and the clarity that all of mankind was created in God's image, and His grace is extended to everyone including the Muslim, the Buddhist and even the atheist. At this point, the Christian becomes much better equipped to communicate the Gospel with others. With a working knowledge of other religions, a spiritual conversation about the Gospel with a Hindu would be different from that with a Muslim. Different and more effective when presented with more clarity. While it's true the message is very much the same, the method is more adept for the listening party.


Share and Serve


3. Upward- If you believe all things have a purpose according to God's plan, there should be greater value placed on understanding the world we live in today. God works throughout the entire world and expects us to be prepared, if called, to do the same. By trying to better understand the world God works in today, we grow in our appreciation for His greatness. Ultimately, we grow closer to Him.   

Worship





Next Week: Islam

Sunday, February 20, 2011

IDENTITY 1-1-1 February 20, 2011 (Week 6- SHARE)

Keys to the Abundant Live
Sharing the Good News
First Free Will Baptist Church, Church Hill, TN
February 20th, 2011


Jesus: “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”
                                                                                         John 17:18 (NKJV)

“… As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." John 20:21 (NKJV)

“The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me – to
tell people the Good News about God's grace.” Acts 20:24 (NCV)


My 5th Purpose is to SHARE THE GOOD NEWS


“Evangelism”

“… you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the
Earth." Acts 1:8 (NKJV)

“Jerusalem” = the people closest to me

“Judea/Samaria” = people near but different from me

“Ends of the earth” = everybody else!

“This agrees with the purpose God had since the beginning of time, and He carried out His plan
through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ephesians 3:11 (NCV)


Completing My Mission

1. I must share WITH THOSE IN my world.

'Go back home and tell people how much God has done for you.’ So the man went all over town
telling how much Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:39 (NCV)

Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope that you have”
    1 Peter 3:15 (NCV)

“...God does not want anyone to be lost, but he wants all people to change their hearts and lives!”
        2 Peter 3:9 (NCV)


2. I must dare TO REACH BEYOND my world.

“I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
1 Corinthians 9:22b (NKJV)

“Religion that God accepts as pure and without fault is this: caring for orphans or widows who need help…   James 1:27 (NCV)

“for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and
you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and
you came to Me.” Matthew 25:35-36 (NKJV)

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, all those who have left houses, brothers, sisters, mother, father,
children, or farms for Me and for the Good News will get more than they left. Here in this world they
will have a hundred times more homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields."
    Mark 10:29 (NCV)


3. I must care ABOUT THE WHOLE world.


Jesus said to his followers, "Go everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone.”    
     Mark 16:15 (NCV)

“Those who want to save their lives will give up true life. But those who give up their lives for Me and for the Good News will have true life.” Mark 8:35 (NCV)

“David did God’s will during his lifetime...” Acts 13:36a (NCV)

“That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.”  Psalm 67:2 (NKJV)





Sunday, February 13, 2011

IDENTITY 1-1-1 February 13, 2011 (Week 5- SERVE)

Keys to the Abundant Life
Serving God by Serving Others
First Free Will Baptist Church, Church Hill, TN
February 13th, 2011


“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)

“Your hands shaped and made me.” Job 10:8a (NCV)

“Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God’s various gifts of grace.” 1 Peter 4:10 (NCV)

My 4th purpose is to SERVE GOD BY SERVING OTHERS


We are all called to “Ministry”

Jesus: “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” Matthew 20:28 (NKJV)

Learning to Serve Like Jesus


1. Serving like Jesus means being AVAILABLE

“Two blind men... cried out, saying, ‘Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!’ ... Jesus
stood still and called them, and said, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?”  Matthew 20:30-32 (NKJV)

“If you have what your neighbor asks for, don’t say, “Come back later. I will give it to you
tomorrow.” Proverbs 3:28 (NCV)

1st Barrier: SELF-CENTEREDNESS

“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of
others.” Philippians 2:4 (NKJV)

2nd Barrier: PERFECTIONISM

“Those who wait for perfect weather will never plant seeds; those who look at every
cloud will never harvest crops” Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NCV)

3rd Barrier: MATERIALISM

“No servant can serve two masters... You cannot serve both God and mammon."  Luke 16:13 (NKJV)

2. Serving like Jesus means being GRATEFUL

“… Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard Me. And I
know that you always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by..."  John 11:41-42 (NKJV)

“Serve the Lord with gladness.” Psalm 100:2a (NKJV)

“… according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not
according to our works, but according to His own purpose…”  2 Timothy 1:8-9 (NKJV)

1st Barrier: COMPARING AND CRITICIZING

“You cannot judge another person’s servant. The master decides if the servant is doing
well or not…” Romans 14:4 (NCV)

2nd Barrier: WRONG MOTIVATIONS

“Be careful! When you do good things, don’t do them in front of people to be seen by
them. If you do that, you will have no reward from your father in heaven” Matthew 6:1 (NCV)

3. Serving like Jesus means being FAITHFUL

“I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work that You gave Me to do.” John 17:4 (NKJV)

“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NKJV)

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press
toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV)

“God is fair; He will not forget the work you did and the love you showed for Him by helping
His people… “ Hebrews 6:10 (NCV)

"…Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you
ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord."  Matthew 25:21 (NKJV)





Sunday, January 30, 2011

IDENTITY 1-1-1 January 30, 2011 (Week 4- GROW)

Keys to the Abundant Life
Becoming Like Christ
First Free Will Baptist Church – Church Hill, TN
January 30th, 2011


“speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head –Christ--”
Ephesians 4:15 (NKJV)

My 3rd purpose in life is to GROW to become like Christ


“Discipleship”
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are


called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

Three Unexpected Tools


1. God uses TROUBLE to teach us to TRUST HIM.

"...troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces
hope.” Romans 5:3-4 (NCV)

“They came to a place which was called Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, ‘Sit here
while I pray.’ ... He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, 'My
soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death."  Mark 14:32-34 (NKJV)

"Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not
what I will, but what You will.” Mark 14:36 (NKJV)

• Remember the reward

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory” 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NKJV)

2. God allows TEMPTATION to teach us to OBEY.



“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”
     Matthew 4:1 (NKJV)

"Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan!’ For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord
your God, and Him only you shall serve” Matthew 4:10 (NKJV)

• Keep focused on good thoughts

“…think about the things that are good and worthy of praise.”  Philippians 4:8a (NCV)


• Get a spiritual partner


“Two people are better than one…… If one falls down, the other can help him up….”
          Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NCV)

3. God uses TRESPASSES to teach us to FORGIVE.



“People walked by and insulted Jesus and shook their heads….the Jewish elders were also
making fun of Jesus…the robbers who were being crucified beside Jesus also insulted Him.”
   Matthew 27:39-44 (NCV)

“Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" Luke 23:34 (NKJV)


• Remember God has forgiven me



“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ
forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV)


• Remember God is in control


“You meant to hurt me, but God turned your evil into good to save the lives of many people,
which is being done.” Genesis 50:20 (NCV)

“In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 2:5 (NCV)






Sunday, January 23, 2011

IDENTITY 1-1-1 January 23, 2011 (Week 3- BELONG)

Keys to the Abundant Life
Loving God’s Family
First Free Will Baptist Church, Church Hill, TN
January 23rd, 2011


“God is the one who made all things, and all things are for his glory. He wanted to have many children share his glory...” Hebrews 2:10a (NCV)

“ Because of his love, God has already decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. That is what he wanted and what pleased him” Ephesians 1:5 (NCV)

“Show respect for all people: Love the brothers and sisters of God’s family…" 1 Peter 2:17a (NCV)


My 2nd purpose in life is to belong to a church family.

FELLOWSHIP is loving God’s Family.


“I’m writing… so you’ll know how to live in the family of God. That family is the church of the living God, the support and foundation of the truth 1 Timothy 3:14-15 (NCV)


Four Levels of Fellowship:


Level 1: Membership: CHOOSING TO BELONG


“...You are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” Ephesians 2:19 (NKJV)

“so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” Romans 12:5 (NKJV)

“Some of us are Jews, and some are Greeks. Some of us are slaves, and some are free. But we are all baptized into one body through one Spirit. …”  1 Corinthians 12:13 (NCV)


Level 2: Friendship: LEARNING TO SHARE

“All the believers were together and shared everything.” Acts 2:44 (NCV)

• Our EXPERIENCES
“As iron sharpens iron, so people can improve each other.” Proverbs 27:17 (NCV)

• Our HOMES
“Open your homes to each other.” 1 Peter 4:9 (NCV)

• Our PROBLEMS
“Bear one another’s burdens…” Galatians 6:2 (NKJV)

“You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other” Hebrews 10:25 (NCV)

Level 3: Partnership: DOING MY PART


“For we are God’s fellow workers;” 1 Corinthians 3:9a (NKJV)

“The whole body depends on Christ, and all the parts of the body are joined and held together. Each part does its own work to make the whole body grow and be strong with love.” Ephesians 4:16 (NCV)

“… inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” Matthew 25:40 (NKJV)


Level 4: Kinship: LOVING BELIEVERS LIKE FAMILY

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;” Romans 12:10 (NKJV)


“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16 (NKJV)

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  John 13:35 (NKJV)

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26 (NKJV)





Sunday, January 16, 2011

IDENTITY 1-1-1 January 16, 2011 (Week 2- WORSHIP)

Keys to the Abundant Life

Loving God

First Free Will Baptist Church, Church Hill, TN
January 16th, 2011

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10b


“You are worthy , O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.” Revelation 4:11 (NKJV)

"… love the LORD your God… This is the first and great commandment.”  Matthew 22:37-38 (NKJV)


My first priority in life is to WORSHIP GOD.

"So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only to God and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship."  Romans 12:1 (NCV)

1. Worship is MY RESPONSE to God’s love.

2. Worship is GIVING BACK to God.

“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Mark 12: 30 (NKJV)

God wants me to love Him PASSIONATELY with my heart and soul.


I worship by EXPRESSING MY AFFECTION to God.


“We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 (NKJV)

“I want faithful love more than I want animal sacrifices. I want people to know me more than I want burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:6 (NCV)

"(for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God)” Exodus 34:14 (NKJV)


God wants me to love Him THOUGHTFULLY with my mind.

I worship by FOCUSING MY ATTENTION on God.

"Lord, you have examined me and know all about me. You know when I sit down and when I get up. You know my thoughts before I think them. You know where I go and where I lie down. You know everything I do."  Psalm 139:1-3 (NCV)

"When people’s thinking is controlled by the sinful self, they are against God…"  Romans 8:7a (NCV)

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."   Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

“Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore!”  Psalm 105:4 (NKJV)

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You."     Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)


God wants me to love Him PRACTICALLY with my strength.

I worship by USING MY ABILITIES for God.


“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,”  Colossians 3:23 (NKJV)

"So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only to God and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship."   Romans 12:1 (NCV)

“Our only goal is to please God...” 2 Corinthians 5:9 (NCV)





Sunday, January 9, 2011

IDENTITY 1-1-1 January 9, 2011 (Week 1)



Living the Life God Intends

The Identity1-1-1 plan

First Free Will Baptist Church – Church Hill, TN

January 9th, 2011


1. Does my life really matter? Why Do I exist?

“Then I said, ‘I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain;” Isaiah 49:4a (NKJV)

“Thus says the Lord who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you:” Isaiah 44:2 (NKJV)

“you saw my body as it was formed. All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old.” Psalm 139:16 (NCV)

"But the Lord’s plans will stand forever; his ideas will last from now on." Psalm 33:11 (NCV)

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Genesis 2:7 (KJV)



According to God: I was created to be loved by God (Ephesians 1:4)


According to God: I was made to last forever


“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” 2 Corinthians 5:1 (NKJV)


2. What is the life that God intends for me?

Jesus said “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10b (NKJV)

What does the “Abundant” life mean to you?

________________________________________________________

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3. How can I know my purpose?

“Remember how short my life is. Why did you create us? For nothing?” Psalm 89:47 (NCV)

"…And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10b (NKJV)

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3 (NKJV)


According to God: I find my purpose by getting to know God


“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 (NKJV)


Step 1: It begins with the mind


4. What does God say about my purpose?

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39 (NKJV)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you:” Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV)


The 5 Purposes of my life:

o Worship  - Demonstrate and grow my love for God

o Serve  - Demonstrate my love for others

o Belong - Connect with God’s family in a meaningful way

o Grow - Become like Christ

o Share - Reach others in my world


The Identity 1-1-1 plan will help each of us get started:

Commit to 1 Corporate Worship per week

Commit to 1 Area of active service

Commit to 1 Small Group / Sunday School Bible Study per week