Episodes
4 days ago
Fight For Your Life | A Plan For Battle
4 days ago
4 days ago
Week 1…
Know that you are in a spiritual battle
Week 2…
Walk in the light because the dark creates monsters
Week 3…
Wear the “uniform/armor” of the Christ Believer
Week 4:
Pray to know God and advance His kingdom
Ephesians 6:10-18
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.
How do we stand? How do we fight for our life?
With a plan for Battle!
- How do you stand when things aren’t going well/your way?
- When life is unusually difficult
A plan for battle…
Step 1: Recognizing the season you’re in
Ecclesiastes 3
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Your season dictates your capacity
Recognize your season so you can fight the enemy properly
Some seasons are inward
- Distraction
- Weakness
- Fear
- Weariness
- Unbelief
- Denial
- Frustration
- Grief/hurt
Some seasons are Outward
- Season of life
- Work time/stress
- Kids
- Physical issues
Your season can make it seem like you are drowning
- Your enemy will use this to his advantage
A plan for battle…
Step 2: Address Continual Sin
Sin Separates
- People from God
- People from People
- People from the Spirit’s power in their life
James 1:14-15
14 Each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.
Be killing sin or it will be killing you. ~ John Owen (1600’s)
- Don’t be convinced that your sin is “neutral”
**SOME Examples of Sneaky Sin**
- What we think
- What we see
- How we respond
John Owen’s “The Mortification of Sin”
- Diagnose sin’s severity
- Grasp sin’s serious consequences
- Be convinced of your guilt
- Earnestly desire deliverance
- Consider the relationship between your sins and your natural temperament
- Avoid occasions that incite sin
- Address sin’s first signs
- Meditate on God’s glory
- Don’t rush to comfort yourself
Romans 8
5 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. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
Be Killing Sin of it will be killing you…
A plan for battle…
Step 3: Know Who You Are
Romans 8
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
You are Sons and Daughters of God
“MY DAD CAN BEAT UP YOUR DAD…”
MY DAD CAN BEAT UP MY DEVIL”
Children expect good things
Children trust their father
Some of you did not have healthy relationships with you fathers, but God is not that kind of father, He is a GOOD FATHER
A plan for battle…
Step 4: Grab a Hand and Lend a Hand
Genesis 2:18
18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper corresponding to him.”
No solo fighters
- Strength in numbers
- Alone and vulnerable
- Your faith as a shield protects me, those next to me, and those wounded around me
- Mentor/training
Hebrews 10
24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.
Romans 8
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Take Courage
- Fight the good fight!
Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
Fight For Your Life | Victory Through Prayer
Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
Silence in your prayer life is hard…
- Many of us have laid prayer aside
Prayer is a POWERFUL weapon against Darkness
Series:
FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE
Week 1…
Know that you are a part of a spiritual battle
Week 2…
Walk in the light because there are monsters who destroy in the dark
Week 3…
Wear the “uniform” of the Christ believer
Today, we are looking at how PRAYER plays a part in spiritual warfare
The Spiritual Warfare in Ephesus
- Let’s look at what was happening during Paul’s ministry
Acts 19
23 About that time there was a major disturbance about the Way. 24 For a person named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, provided a great deal of business for the craftsmen. 25 When he had assembled them, as well as the workers engaged in this type of business, he said, “Men, you know that our prosperity is derived from this business. 26 You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods made by hand are not gods. 27 Not only do we run a risk that our business may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and her magnificence come to the verge of ruin—the very one all of Asia and the world worship.”
28 When they had heard this, they were filled with rage and began to cry out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with confusion, and they rushed all together into the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s traveling companions.
This is the context of Paul’s letter
- This stuff is real
Our culture has its own “Artemis”
- Power
- Sex
- Wealth
- Etc
What part does prayer play when fighting for our life?
Ephesians 1:16-23
16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
1: Prayer Keeps us in the Know
Paul breaks down knowing God into important sections
Knowing God
Prayer and scripture study are the PRIMARY ways we know God
- Know His heart
Must have a balance between Scripture and Prayer
- Not one or the other
- Both Important
Knowing The Hope Of His Calling
The hope of his calling looks to the time when God will fully redeem us
Prayer keeps us focused on what really matters
- because God changes our hearts
Knowing Of His Glorious Inheritance
Prayer helps us keep the things of God in our hearts and minds
The things of God, both in this life and the next, are far MORE VALUABLE than what this world offers
Prayer reminds us of this
Don’t trade your favor for junk…
Knowing The Greatness Of His Power
We are only able to fight against the kingdom of darkness through the Power of the Holy Spirit
This is what Paul says about the power of the Spirit…
Ephesians 1:19-23
That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Prayer connects us to the power of Heaven
Don’t fight alone — Battle in prayer!
Prayer serves another major purpose…
2: Prayer Moves the Kingdom Forward
Ephesians 6
18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Some of us are a “BALL HOG” when it comes to our prayers
- Only about us
- Our problems
- Our needs
- Our Battles
Paul points us to the reality that PRAYER MATTERS for the advancement of the kingdom
Paul instructs us to…
Pray in the spirit
- Knowing God
- Knowing His hope
- Knowing His Inheritance
- Knowing His Power
Pray with Perseverance
- Dedication
- Drive
Pray in Intercession
- For the church
- For other believers
- For those who do not know
Prayer should NEVER be just about yourself but about advancing the Kingdom of God
- Not just your problems
The reason prayer hasn’t seemed to be effective is because you pray SELFISH PRAYERS
Prayer is POWERFUL
- It’s effective in our lives and in our WORLD
Prayer is a GIFT
- God calls us to partner with Him
St. Patrick’s Breastplate
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through a belief in the Threeness, Through confession of the Oneness Of the Creator of creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth and His baptism, Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial, Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension, Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim, In obedience of angels, In service of archangels, In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward, In the prayers of patriarchs, In preachings of the apostles, In faiths of confessors, In the innocence of virgins, In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven; Light of the sun, Splendor of fire, Speed of lightning, Swiftness of the wind, Depth of the sea, Stability of the earth, Firmness of the rock.
I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me; God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me, God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me, God’s hosts to save me From snares of the devil, From temptations of vices, From everyone who desires me ill, Afar and a near, Alone or in a multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul, Against incantations of false prophets, Against black laws of pagandom, Against false laws of heretics, Against craft of idolatry, Against spells of women and smiths and wizards, Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison, against burning, Against drowning, against wounding, So that reward may come to me in abundance.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through a belief in the Threeness, Through a confession of the Oneness Of the Creator of creation
Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
Fight For Your Life | Winning Spiritual Battles
Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
Uniforms have two purposes
1: Identity
Emergency situations
professional situations
2: Practicality
Most are utilitarian – Serve a purpose
Series:
FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE
Week 1…
We must know we are a part of a larger spiritual battle
Week 2…
We must walk in the light because there are monsters in the dark
Today we are talking about…
The “SPIRITUAL UNIFORM” of a Christian in the fight for their life
Background:
Paul in Ephesus
- Much spiritual warfare for those Christian believers
- know for its practice of “dark arts”
Ephesians 6:10-17
10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.
Let’s first talk about the ANALOGY Paul gives us here…
Armor – Something they were very familiar with
- Don’t get lost in the analogy
Armor is what you actively choose to use
- it’s something that you already have – Gifts from God
- Don’t have to Pray “today i put on…”
The armor also testifies to your identity and loyalty = UNIFORM
“Take up the full armor of God…” = Discipleship
- Learning to follow Jesus
Paul lays out what we need to win for the FIGHT FOR OUR LIFE…
1: Fight for your life with TRUTH (Belt)
What does he mean by truth in the context of the story the Bible is telling?
Each piece of armor we’ll break into 2 parts…
- Foundation – What we think
- Direction – What we do
Foundation: Believing in the TRUTH
We are all building our lives on a truth
You wear a truth, whether you realize it or not
- It surrounds and envelopes you
- It is what will allow you to walk trip or run
Non-truth (lies) trips you up like an “ungirded loin”
There is always a counterfeit
- The Enemy’s “TRUTH”
- Culture’s “truth”
Direction: Walking in the TRUTH
We speak the truth as we live in the truth
- Partner with truth
- It guides us
- We choose to be guided by it
Declaration of Truth
I choose to believe the truth about God, His will, my life, and the world I live in. I can walk in confidence because truth is bound to my life
2: Fight for your life in RIGHTEOUSNESS (Breastplate)
- What does he mean by righteousness?
Foundation: I am made righteous through Jesus Christ
My old self is GONE
- New Creation
- Not who I was
Guard your heart… (proverbs)
We are made righteous, so now act righteously
Direction: My actions reflect my new status
My behavior
- Righteousness guards us
- Your actions from your heart
- Rightness leads to rightness
- Righteousness leads to Righteousness
Living holy lives protects us from spiritual Attack
- Seasons of doubt connected to sin
- Living a right life protects us (doubt, shame)
What does it look like to live righteously?
To live for righteousness means we wholeheartedly realize that sin does not please God
- we pursue holiness instead of sinfulness in our thoughts, words, and actions
- We submit even our thought life to what is righteous
Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
To Fight For My Life…
I choose to make the right choices in alignment with God’s word and will. I can trust that the righteousness of Christ guards my heart.
3: Fight for your life by carrying THE GOSPEL PEACE (Shoes)
- What is the gospel of Peace in the context of the story the Bible is telling?
Foundation: The Gospel of Jesus is Peace to the world
- Rebellion against God = Chaos
- Sin = Separation, violence, loss, etc
Gospel = Jesus is king
- We are no longer separated from our father
- We have been made right
- We have access to God
- Our sins are forgiven
- PEACE CAN NOW BE HAD
Direction: I carry the best news the world must hear
It’s not whether you will go or not
- But whether you will carry the PEACE OF THE GOSPEL or BROKENNESS
- Taking the gospel where there is chaos
Isaiah 52:7
7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
To fight for my life…
I choose to be a peacemaker and a peace bringer by carrying the good news of grace and salvation. I can bring peace to chaos through the light of the gospel of Jesus
4: Fight for your life in FAITH (Shield)
- What is faith? Why a shield
Faith is TRUST and HOPE in someone or something
Foundation: My faith in God protects me
Protection from circumstances and lies
- Trials
- Protects us in hard times
- Doubt and internal turmoil
Shields us and stops the darts of doubt and temptation
Sounds like…
What God has for me is better than this temptation.
Direction: I keep the faith no matter what
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
We don’t panic when things get tough
- God is FAITHFUL to we can TRUST HIM
- HOPE IN HIM
Our trust in the Lord is stronger than our struggle
To fight for my life…
I choose to trust God and not lies, deceit, or circumstances. I can hold strong in any storm because my God is with me.
5: Fight for your life through SALVATION (Helmet)
- What does he mean by “Salvation?”
Foundation: I am secure in Christ through His salvation
Get a head blow, and you are dead
- satan attacks the mind
Knowing what you believe
- Who you belong to
- Who you are in Jesus
- Christianity 101 – simple gospel
- “I am not who I was”
- I am Saved by GRACE
Direction: I live with confidence because I know who I am and WHO’S I am
When the enemy attacks your mind, you remind yourself who saved you
- You are not Who you were
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
To fight for my life…
I choose to rest in the knowledge that I am loved, redeemed, and called by God. I can understand my place in God’s family and plan for the world.
6: Fight for your life with THE WORD OF THE SPIRIT (Sword/Word of God)
Study about reading the Bible
https://bttbfiles.com/web/docs/cbe/Scientific_Evidence_for_the_Power_of_4.pdf
3 days or less per week = No significant effect
4 or more per week:
- Getting drunk = 57% lower odds
- Sex outside marriage = 68% lower odds
- Pornography = 61% lower odds
- Gambling = 74% lower odds
- Any of these habits = 57% lower odds
Also increased…
- Sharing faith with others = 228% higher odds
- Discipling others = 231% higher odds
- Memorizing scripture = 407% higher odds
Foundation: God’s word is my weapon against evil and temptation
God’s word is how we fight
- One offensive tool
The gospel and all of scripture
Jesus fought this way
- In the desert temptation
How is it effective?
- Gives discernment
- Promises we can claim
- We need the word of God
Direction: I fight the enemy with the Truth of God’s Word
2 Timothy 3:15-17
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
To fight for my life…
I choose to rebuke evil through the word of God’s truth. I can fight with a victory mindset because nothing overcomes my God and his revealed word.
Wednesday Oct 09, 2024
Fight For Your Life | Walking In The Light
Wednesday Oct 09, 2024
Wednesday Oct 09, 2024
Week 1, we learned that:
We must know we are a part of a larger spiritual battle
Today, we are looking at an important Biblical theme
The theme is LIGHT AND DARKNESS
Scripture uses several themes to separate the THINGS OF GOD and the THINGS NOT OF GOD
- Good and Bad
- Wisdom and Foolishness
- Righteous and Unrighteous
Another of those themes is LIGHT AND DARKNESS
An example of this is…
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
This leads to the questions:
What exactly is LIGHT?
What exactly is DARKNESS?
Let’s Start with…
Biblical Theology of Light and Dark
Genesis 1:1-4
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness.
God created light
- The light was GOOD
Darkness represents CHAOS
- Formless
- Empty
- Without purpose
So we can say that…
God’s Creation thrives in the light
Psalm 27:1
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life whom should I dread?
A new layer of what light is…
Light Represents God and His Salvation
Isaiah 9:2
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.
Darkness is a state we can live in
- Perpetually
God’s light (SALVATION) pulls us out of Darkness
But this is not a physical darkness…
Romans 1:21-22
21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools…
This darkness affects our hearts and minds
But…
John 1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light (Salvation) of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.
The light of God’s Salvation in Jesus overcomes the CHAOS and hard hearts of the World
What is this Darkness?
Darkness is the fallen state of humanity, the created world, and the kingdom of evil. It started in the Garden of Eden and continues through humankind’s rebellion.
- Darkness refers to falsehood and evil. To live as children of light means to be directed by what is good, right, and true.
- Symbolizes sin, ignorance, and separation from God
This is important because it challenges our modern perception of:
GOOD VS BAD
- God is not some heavenly principle – BAD
- God is not a sky Santa Clause – GOOD
This leads us to say things like…
- “I think I’m a good person who sometimes does bad things…”
- “I’m not perfect, but I know my own heart…”
- “I think as long as you do good things and aren’t mean to people, you are a good person…”
This isn’t what the Bible is trying to say AT ALL
Some practical ways to better understand how this darkness affects us
Darkness of Understanding
- Unknowing
- Ignorance
Darkness of Decisions
- Falsehood
- Wickedness
- Bad Choices
- Chaos
Darkness of Separation
- From God
- From Life
- From Salvation
Let’s better understand what is in the dark…
There are Monsters in the Dark
There is more to this darkness that scripture speaks about…
Colossians 1:13
He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.
This darkness is a kingdom against God and His creation
There is an agency to evil
We need to rid our minds of the medieval caricature of Satan. Dispensing with the horns, the hooves and the tail, we are left with the biblical portrait of a spiritual being, highly intelligent, immensely powerful and utterly unscrupulous. ~ John Stott
Ephesians 6
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.
What we need to know about Satan and His kingdom of darkness
1: This “kingdom” is structured to wage war against God and his church
- An organized hierarchy
2: He doesn’t just influence people but also nations
- Idolatry
- Evil on a large scale
The destructive malice of Satan against all humanity, and particularly against the church, is channeled through human agents and the systems and institutions they have built. Humanity in general is afflicted by the destroyer through the structures of injustice and oppression of which the flesh and the devil are joint architects, and Christians are murderously attacked by individuals and governments ultimately directed by Satan. ~ Richard Lovelace
Lord’s Prayer:
Your KINGDOM COME…
- We wage war on evil to see this happen
3: He would rather you not know he exists
- Like the mob, works in Darkness
- C.S. Lewis – Either disbelieve he exists or excessive interest
Lastly…
4: He does have SOME authority over this world
- The temptation of Jesus
There is tremendous hope because scripture teaches…
The Light of God Is Always Victorious Against Darkness
Jesus has ULTIMATE Authority and has defeated satan on the CROSS
Our Goal is the WALK IN THE LIGHT
Ephesians 5
6 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. 7 Therefore, do not become their partners. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth— 10 testing what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. 13 Everything exposed by the light is made visible, 14 for what makes everything visible is light. Therefore it is said:
Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Fight For Your Life | Knowing is Half The Battle
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Not a PHYSICAL FIGHT — SPIRITUAL FIGHT
Today’s Goal
Know that we are a part of something bigger
Knowing is half the battle
This world is NOT WHAT IT SEEMS
- There is a behind the veil
We live in BOTH…
A PHYSICAL REALITY
A SPIRITUAL REALITY
- More than just a body
- A soul/spirit
Naturalistic vs. Theistic Worldview
- Naturalism – naturalism beliefs
Naturalism:
The belief that nature is all that exists and that all things supernatural (including gods, spirits, souls, and non-natural values), therefore, do not exist
Theism:
The view that all things are dependent in some way on one supreme or ultimate reality or being
Naturism is what we have inherited
- Suspicious of anything that cannot be proven by science
- Trust the science
But this has left us with a MEANING CRISIS
- What is the point of life if there is nothing beyond what we can see (naturalism)
The spiritual tide is returning — But bring in with it the sharks
- Not all good things
A recent study of 10,000 Gen Z individuals aged 13 to 25 years:
- 68% considered themselves religious
- 77% considered themselves spiritual
Gen Z individuals define spirituality as:
- Autonomous and faith unbundled, and it is inclusive of all faiths and practices
- All roads lead to the same destination
- Pick your spirituality
- Individualism with a “SPIRITUAL VENEER”
Significant increase in the supernatural
- “Witchtok”
- Wiccan
- Crystals
- Horoscopes
- Palm Readers
- Tarot Cards
- Pagan ceremonies
- New Age philosophies
These are off-limits to Christian believers
- Cannot be a partner with both light & darkness
Why does this matter?
It matters because of the CHRISTIAN WORLD VIEW
- There is a spiritual reality
- This spiritual reality is composed of EITHER – Light or Dark – Goodness or Evil
- This Spiritual reality has REAL CONSEQUENCES for our PHYSICAL life
The Christian answer to this is this
The Christian recognizes that there are Good spiritual forces that come from God our Father, and there are also rebellious, wicked forces that oppose the things of God
How we engage with this reality is called:
SPIRITUAL WARFARE
- We take spiritual warfare seriously because we take the Bible Seriously
Paul writes a letter to a church he planted after being a missionary in a place called Ephesus
Ephesus was known as a place that practiced pagan (demonic) magical arts
- Diverse area
- Mixing pot of religion and philosophies
To fight for your life, you must first…
1: Know Your Enemy
Ephesians 2:1-3
1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins 2 in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient. 3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also.
Paul introduces us to the “UNHOLY TRINITY OF EVIL POWERS”
The Unholy Trinity of evil powers:
The Devil
The World
The Flesh
We must take into account all three of these
The Devil
Satan is the personal name of the head of the demons. Demons are evil angels who sinned against God and who now continually work evil in the world
- The tempter – in the Garden and of Jesus
- The King of lies
- The enemy of God and his good creation
The World
The political, philosophical, moral, and relational powers and forces of our current age
- What the world strives for
- Tell us is important
- Driven by the enemy of God
We must understand our culture and RESIST its lies, and speak the truth BACK TO IT
- Salt and light
The Flesh
Fallen Human nature with its affections and lusts
- Our natural fallen inclinations/desires
- Not always “The devil made me do it”
Satan will use all three to his advantage
- He can only tempt us and lie
- He cannot force us to do anything
This is what we are up against, but we are not POWERLESS and WITHOUT HOPE
To fight for your life, you must…
2: Know your allies
Ephesians 3:10-12
10 This is so that God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens. 11 This is according to his eternal purpose accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him we have boldness and confident access through faith in him.
God’s answer is not LONE WARRIORS but THE ARMY OF CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS
- The church of Christ Jesus
The church is BEST THING for the world
- It’s God’s plan for the nations
Spiritual warfare is not a battle we should fight alone but with one another
- Praying for one another
- Encouraging one another
How does a church equip you to fight for your life?
- Corporate Worship – Declaring God’s victory together
- Corporate teaching – Understanding the truth of the world
- Sacraments – Modeling and remembering Christ’s victory (Baptism, communion)
- Life-Giving Relationships – Supporting one another
A lone warrior is an easy target
Satan will pull you away from people to distract and destroy you
There are no bystanders
- Your church helps keep you strong
To fight for your life, you must…
3: Know the enemy’s tactics
Ephesians 4
17 Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts. 19 They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more.
20 But that is not how you came to know Christ, 21 assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, 23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.
25 Therefore, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another. 26 Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and don’t give the devil an opportunity. 28 Let the thief no longer steal. Instead, he is to do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. 29 No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. 30 And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by him for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. 32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
Playing high school football – Film Day
- Learn from your mistakes from the previous week
- See what you were up against next week
This knowledge lets you go into the game with a STRATEGY
Paul is teaching us to live a SPIRITUALLY STRATEGIC life
What are the enemy’s tactics?
Hard Hearts:
A heart that cannot be touched and moved and made to feel tender emotions — empathy, sympathy — toward suffering
Pulling you back to a former way of living
- Returning to the broken thinking and actions that you lived in before coming to Christ
- Habitual sins
Opportunities
- What we do
- How we speak (foul language)
- How we respond
- Bitterness, anger, slander, malice
We’re in a fight for our life
- For our culture
- For our families
- For our church
Let’s close with Paul’s words…
Ephesians 5
15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise— 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit: 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.
Wednesday Sep 25, 2024
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Blueprints | A Healthy Family's Code For Care
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
The final week of our series:
Blueprints: God’s Design for Church and Family
Week 1: Blueprints for God’s Design of Family
A Healthy Family is God’s Blueprint for human flourishing
- Individuals and the church
Week 2: Laying The Foundation For Healthy Families
Biblical Values form a strong foundation for healthy families
Week 3: Quality Framing for Quality Families
Christian Maturity is the quality that sets apart healthy families
This series has been about…
What works for YOUR FAMILY works for the church family
What works for the CHURCH FAMILY works for your family
Our “HOUSE” is almost complete
There is one last thing before it’s complete…
A final walk-through INSPECTION
- Picks out things that may have been missed
- Things that were done wrong
The Importance of a BUILDING CODE
Sets a standard of EXPECTATION
- Same as a job code of conduct
- etc
When things aren’t done to code, the LOWEST BAR becomes the standard
- Dangerous
- Cheap
- Lazy way out
A house built to code is a safe home
A Safe Home is a GOOD HOME
The same happens in our relationships
When codes differ, disappointment is always the result
Let’s not just think about what a code “IS”
But what a good code LEADS TO
Let’s think about it this way…
A Proper CODE leads to PROPER CARE
- It makes sure things are safe
Today, we are talking about:
A Healthy Family’s Code For Care
<PRE VERSE CONTEXT>
Corinthians were a mess…
- In a very pagan city
- Primary God was a sex deity
- Struggling with maturity
- Arguing over meaningless things…
Paul writes…
1 Corinthians 12:12-21
12 For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink. 14 Indeed, the body is not one part but many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted. 19 And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”
Codes for a healthy family…
CODE #1: Acknowledge And Respect One Another’s Differences
<ILLUSTRATION>
Comparing your kids to one another
Data says:
Sibling comparison often leads to conflict and rivalries. Unresolved, these can have extensive consequences, including:
- Being perceived as someone who shows off and brags a lot
- Constantly competing for parental attention
- Pressuring parents to choose their side in sibling conflicts
- Failing to treat their siblings as adults and equals
- Treating their brothers and sisters as enemies
- Sabotaging their siblings’ lives, relationships, and work
- Belittling their siblings to make them feel inadequate
Corinthian Church was caught in a “COMPARISON TRAP“
- Prophecy
- Tongues
- Healing
- Faith
- Wisdom
- etc
Comparison leads to FAMILY CODE VIOLATIONS (Church or Family)
- Jealousy
- Bitterness
- Showboating
Family Examples:
- Husband and wife not working together leveraging strengths rather than focus on weakness
- We use our strengths to cover the other’s weaknesses
- Parents comparing kids — To one another, to themselves
Church Examples:
- Similar to the Corinthian church
So, Paul uses the example of the HUMAN BODY
- Many parts that work TOGETHER
1 Corinthians 12:24-26
Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, 25 so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. 26 So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
We celebrate differences
God is creative in his creation
- Places and people
- “No Jew/Gentile” No “Slave/free”
- One family
What is the primary way we overcome our differences and work together?
- How do we overcome comparison?
Paul Writes…
1 Corinthians 13
13 If I speak human or angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give away all my possessions, and if I give over my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, (Uncomplaining, Long-suffering, Composed)
love is kind. (Generous, Considerate)
Love does not envy, (Not Resentful, Not Jealous)
is not boastful, (Not Puffed Up, Not Overbearing)
is not arrogant, (Not Full of yourself, Not Egotistical)
5 is not rude, (Polite, is Civil, Not “In your face”)
is not self-seeking, (Not Individualistic, Not selfish. It’s Mature)
is not irritable, (Not Testy, Not Grumpy, Not Whinny)
and does not keep a record of wrongs. (Ledger of past hurts)
6 Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Codes for a healthy family…
Code #2: Sacrificially Love One Another
Paul gives one of the best descriptions of CHRISTIAN LOVE
- This love is unique to Christians
Christian love is ACTIVE
- Not a feeling but a set of positive actions
Love does NOT always mean agreeing
- Our culture has highjacked the meaning of love
Love is COMPASSION, and CARE
- Telling someone they are wrong can be GREAT COMPASSION
- Done in love
Code Violations:
- Constant Impatience
- Continual Harshness
- Envy
- Constant Bragging
- Rudeness
- Always self-seeking
- Continual Irritability
- Always keeping a record of wrongs
- Bearing nothing
- Believing nothing
- Hoping nothing
- Enduring nothing
This passage sums up this series so well
1 Peter 2
1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, 3 if you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4 As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by God— 5 you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Tuesday Sep 10, 2024
Blueprints | Quality Framing for Quality Families
Tuesday Sep 10, 2024
Tuesday Sep 10, 2024
Week 1: Blueprints for God’s Design of Family
The family is God’s blueprint for human flourishing
- Individuals and the church
Week 2: Laying The Foundation For Healthy Families
Biblical values form a strong foundation for healthy families
- Individuals and the church
Today is about:
Quality Framing for Quality Families
Framing is what gives the house…
- Structure
- Strength/resilience
- Holds up everything above it
This isn’t actually about building houses; it is about building STRONG, HEALTHY FAMILIES
Like houses, they also provide:
- Structure
- Strength/resilience
- Holds up everything above it
The framing that supports a healthy family is…
MATURITY
The reason we’re talking about maturity is because…
Maturity is modeled and grown in the FAMILY
Family is the primary place where maturity takes place
- Testing of maturity/quality
What is maturity?
Maturity is a learned QUALITY
Like a house that fell down — Lacked quality (Maturity)
Diamonds
- Pressure
- Time
- Tough
- Does not break
- It does not get affected by things around it
Quality takes time
Quality is INTENTIONAL
We have a quality problem when it comes to our culture
- Because we have a maturity problem
The Christian family and Church must reflect back the QUALITY of Christian maturity to the culture that surrounds it
- Instead of the culture reflected in the family and church
Paul to the Corinthians
- Colony of Rome
- A melting Pot of culture
- A key aspect to the city was The Temple of Aphrodite
- Many new Christian families were acting like they were before following Jesus
“On the summit of this steep mountain stood the temple of Aphrodite, a symbol of the lust which pervaded the mind of the city”
Paul writes to correct and focuses on CHRISTIAN MATURITY
1 Corinthians 1
26 Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. 27 Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 28 God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, 29 so that no one may boast in his presence. 30 It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption— 31 in order that, as it is written: Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.
1: Christian Maturity is the Quality of Humility
- Choosing to be humble or get humbled
Maturity is the ability to “GET OVER YOURSELF”
A Child is SELFISH
- My toy
- My Feelings over yours
We don’t give into CHILDISH SELFISHNESS; we teach MATURE SELFLESSNESS
A selfish person is an IMMATURE person
- They only take from those around them
- They don’t have maturity
- Bring harm to those in a relationship with them
God can’t work with prideful hearts because they are a part of IMMATURE people
As families, we teach HUMILITY to one another
Peter says this about humility
1 Peter 5:5-7
5 In the same way, you who are younger (immature), be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.
1 Corinthians 3:1-4
3 For my part, brothers and sisters, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, since you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, 3 because you are still worldly. For since there is envy and strife among you, are you not worldly and behaving like mere humans? 4 For whenever someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not acting like mere humans?
5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given (God’s Blueprints). 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s coworkers. You are God’s field, God’s building.
10 According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation (values) as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ.
2: Christian Maturity is the Quality of Right Priorities
Learning to take care of your body as you get older
“If I knew then what I know now…”
Christian Maturity is KNOWING WHAT REALLY MATTERS
- In life
- To our faith
- To us corporately
- To us individually
The Corinthians were arguing over things that DON’T MATTER
- Who was taught by who
- Who was a better teacher
- Who was baptized by who
Paul teaches that this was a SIGN of their IMMATURITY
- Focus on what matters
A healthy family (Church or individual) teaches WHAT REALLY MATTERS
- People over things
- Purpose over pleasure
- Forgiveness over bitterness
- Generosity over jealousy
- Etc
1 Corinthians 10:23-24
23 “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything builds up. 24 No one is to seek his own good, but the good of the other person.
3: Christian Maturity is the Quality of Healthy Boundaries
How close to sinning can I actually be?
- Try to rationalize all sorts of things…
Immaturity thinking says…
“How close to sinning can I get without actually sinning?”
Maturity says…
“Does this bring glory to God and benefit to those I lead around me?
Paul’s answer is…
1 Corinthians 10
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, 33 just as I also try to please everyone in everything, not seeking my own benefit, but the benefit of many, so that they may be saved.
Healthy boundaries is the MATURITY to say NO
- To certain people
- To situations
- To yourself
A sign of Immaturity is SELFISHNESS
- A child does not know healthy boundaries
So, using our instructions from Paul, how can we build environments that PROMOTE MATURITY?
Raising Mature Kids:
1: Your kids can’t grow past your maturity level
- Make sure you are pursuing maturity
2: Teach how to exercise SELFLESSNESS
- Humility
3: Clear Expectations
- Submission to authority
- Value of hard work
- How to forgive and be forgiven
4: Consistency of Teaching
Deuteronomy 6
6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Maturity for Couples:
1: Submitting to one another
- Healthy Submission
2: Be willing to be challenged
3: Open and clear communication
- Healthy communication is a clear sign of maturity
4: Seeking restoration vs revenge
- Accepting compromise rather than compliance
For Individuals:
1: Choosing Right Opportunities
2: Choosing life-giving relationships
- Friends
- Dating
It is better to be alone than with someone who makes you miserable
Final Call for Christian Maturity
Hebrews 6
1 Therefore, let us leave the elementary teaching about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God, 2 teaching about ritual washings, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
Thursday Sep 05, 2024
Blueprints | Laying The Foundation For Healthy Families
Thursday Sep 05, 2024
Thursday Sep 05, 2024
Series:
Blueprints: God’s Design for Church and Family
Last week:
The family is God’s blueprint for human flourishing
- Immediate Family
- God’s Family of Redeemed Humanity (CHURCH)
As the family goes, so goes the culture
- Place of Societal Stability
The enemy Hates the Family
- Because it is a blessing from God
God used marriage and family as a METAPHOR for his relationship with His Church
- Bride of Christ
- God has and is redeeming the concept of the family
This leads us to…
LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR HEALTHY FAMILIES
What are values?
Values: Ideas and behaviors that are important to a person or group of people
Values demonstrate who we are
We ALL value something
Culture is a combination of values
- The highway that leads us to flourish or decay
Jesus teaches about values in this way…
Matthew 7
24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.”
Jesus teaches that all values ARE NOT created equal
Our culture currently operates from a…
Desire Driven Values:
Desire creates my truth from within myself; thus, everyone around me must align to MY values
- Emotions driven by desire lead to the truth that governs my life
The values of our SECULAR Culture
Individuality: How we view identity and personal value
- I am my own authority
- I choose who and what I am
- The individual overrides the collective
Moral autonomy: How we view shame and repentance
- I do as I choose and cannot be judged
- The only one who can make me feel shame is myself
- Shame is an abuse of the power of others over my life and is harmful to me
Power Projection: How we view protection and authority
- Race, wealth, government, sexes, individual communities)
- The “oppressed now has the right to oppress the oppressor)
- Victim mentality gives power
- Might makes right
How do these things work themselves out?
Galatians 5
19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: (aka… Values of secular Culture) sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Do these values lead to FLOURISHING in the following examples?
- For mom and dad?
- For kids?
- Friends?
This leads to decay… NOT flourishing
Christian Family Values (Blueprint)
Spirit & Truth Driven Values:
Objective truth is outside of myself; thus, I must align my life with its values
- Within the boundaries of God, our Lord and Creator
What are some Christian values?
Galatians 5
22 But the fruit of the Spirit (Spirit & Truth Values) is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Do these values lead to FLOURISHING in the following examples?
- For mom and dad?
- For kids?
- Friends?
This leads to FLOURISHING and BLESSINGS… NOT Decay/brokenness
- They can help put broken things back together
2 major problems when it comes to values…
Problem #1: Assuming values
Parents assuming that you knew something you didn’t
- A tradition
- A rule
Assuming is one of the BIGGEST enemies of teaching VALUES
- where there is uncertainty, there is confusion
Problem #2: Situational Values
- Lying is bad unless I need to do it
- Gossiping is bad about me unless I know something you need to
- Speeding is wrong unless it’s I’m in a hurry
- Sex outside of marriage is wrong… unless you’ve been married before
- Being generous is good unless I don’t think they deserve it
The values we typically possess are the ones that are most convenient for us at a specific moment
- If that are, then they are NOT Biblical Values
Losing the “moral high ground” with your kids because of your decisions
- Divorce and dating with kids
How do we make sure the correct values are being valued?
1: Values are TAUGHT and MODELED
Proverbs 22:6
6 Start a youth out on his way; even when he grows old he will not depart from it.
Family Values
- Teaching the next generation the challenges and values of the culture vs the values of the kingdom
- Parents to kids, mentors
- Taught at home, Church is a reinforcement of those values
We often overprotect our kids in real life and underprotect them online
- Set up safeguards so that you are not battling outside values before your child is ready
The POWER of a mentor
- Kids can brush off their parents, but the power of an outside agent giving the same information is a powerful resource
- Single Parents
Values are Reinforced in COMMUNITY
- Why church is so important
- You and your kids will value the values of their most CONSISTENT CONTACTS
- “Show me your friends, I’ll show you your future”
2: Values are REINFORCED
Through Discipline
Starting a new job
- Value stated = Respecting one another
- Value demonstrated = Gossip, taking credit for others work, lying
- The values that are reinforced are the REAL VALUES
Discipline is the reinforcement of our values
- Discipline (Tough Love)
Hebrews 12
3 For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up. 4 In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly or lose heart when you are reproved by him,
6 for the Lord disciplines the one he loves and punishes every son he receives. 7 Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline—which all receive—then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but he does it for our benefit, so that we can share his holiness. 11 No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Healthy discipline is ALWAYS from a place of love
- Discipline is training
Proverbs 13:24
The one who will not use the rod hates his son, but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently.
Parental Discipline
- Consistency
- Raising kids you actually like
- Outside influence (community)
- Having a GOAL for your kid’s behaviors
Church Discipline
- Much “church hurt” was actually “church discipline”
- Discipline for Adults
- Kids who were never disciplined can’t handle healthy discipline when grown
Christian Discipline is gentle, clear, and consistent
- Without discipline, there can be no restoration, humility, forgiveness
Discipline vs Punishment
- Correction vs Condemnation
- Conviction vs Condemnation
- Condemnation leads to the dark; Conviction leads to the light
Family Ministries at Cornerstone
- Teaches values that you may not know
- You want them there for their own sake
Healthy discipline is a practice of humility
- On the part of the one receiving discipline
- On the part of the one GIVING discipline
Mentorship = Investment into the next generation
- Mentorship and Discipline
Values Form the Foundation for us:
- Individually
- Collectively
- As Christians
Let’s make sure the values we have are CHRISTIAN FAMILY VALUES
Monday Aug 26, 2024
Blueprints | More Than Blood
Monday Aug 26, 2024
Monday Aug 26, 2024
Blueprints set a STANDARD
- How it should be
When blueprints aren’t followed, disaster happens
That’s what this series is about…
Blueprints
God’s design for church and family
God is a God of design
Psalm 8:3-4
3 When I observe your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you set in place, 4 what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man that you look after him?
A MAJOR THEME in the story the Bible is telling is:
Let’s first define Family:
A family consists of people, usually related, with shared values that provide safety, guidance, accountability, respect, and forgiveness.
Let’s build a BIBLICAL THEME of Family…
1: God planned and placed the family at the beginning of creation
Genesis 2:24
This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh.
2: God designed the family for human flourishing
Genesis 1:28
God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.”
3: The enemy of God hates family
Genesis 4
8 Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s guardian?”
The enemy always tries to mimic and distort to eventually destroy anything g that God has created for our good
4: God has chosen to redeem the world through a family
Genesis 12
12 The Lord said to Abram: Go from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
What does all this mean?
To God, Family is a BIG DEAL
- His blueprint for human flourishing and happiness is through Family
Some Examples:
Father vs. Absent Fathers
- According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 17.8 million children, nearly 1 in 4, live without a biological, step, or adoptive father in the home.
No father:
Research shows that when a child is raised in a father-absent home, they are affected in the following ways…
- Greater Risk of Poverty
- More Likely to Have Behavioral Problems
- Greater Risk of Infant Mortality
- More Likely to Go to Prison More Likely to Commit Crime
- More Likely to Become Pregnant as a Teen
- More Likely to Face Abuse and Neglect
- More Likely to Abuse Drugs and Alcohol
- More Likely to Suffer Obesity
- More Likely to Drop Out of School
Kids:
Children with involved fathers have a strong foundation for child well-being. They are at lower risk for…
- Infant Mortality Low Birth Weight
- Emotional and Behavioral Problems
- Neglect and Abuse
- Injury
- Obesity
- Poor School Performance
- Teen Pregnancy
- Incarceration as Juveniles
- Alcohol and Substance Abuse
- Criminal Activity
- Suicide
Mom:
Mothers with active fathers in the home…
- More likely to receive prenatal care
- Less likely to smoke during pregnancy
- Healthier births
- Lower risk of post-partum stress & depression
- Lower parenting stress
- More leisure time
- Higher marital satisfaction
(All info taken from https://www.fatherhood.org)
Healthy Families lead to HUMAN FLOURISHING
Why?
Because it’s God’s blueprint
I don’t think anyone has a problem with this, but it is INCOMPLETE in scripture’s view of FAMILY…
5: Jesus has come, and not only is our savior but also our BROTHER
Hebrews 2
11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12 saying: I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters; I will sing hymns to you in the congregation.
Because we belong to Christ, we belong to his family
6: The church is a family and the Bride of Christ
Ephesians 5
22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, 23 because the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives are to submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word.
31 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. 32 This mystery is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church.
God has EXPANDED the understanding of FAMILY
- Not just “DAD, MOM, KIDS
- The Bible doesn’t have a category for that
Sermon Title:
More than Blood
Here’s where there is trouble for us…
Family as an INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTION
- Me and mine vs you and yours
- Instead, it is US/WE
Personal Family is important, and so is the FAMILY OF FAITH
- Christian Family
- Church Family
The Reality
- We will spend eternity with our FAITH FAMILY, not necessarily our BLOOD relatives
- God’s family is MORE THAN BLOOD
How did this work out in the New Testament?
Summarization of the Reason for the letter:
- Written to Philemon by Paul
- A resident of Colosse (Colossians)
- He held church as his house
- He had a Slave named Onesimus (oh NESS in muss)
- Onesimus stole money and ran away
- Met Paul and became a Christian
Listen for the “family language”
Philemon 1
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother:
To Philemon our dear friend and coworker, 2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your home. 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love for all the saints and the faith that you have in the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us for the glory of Christ. 7 For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
8 For this reason, although I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do what is right, 9 I appeal to you, instead, on the basis of love. I, Paul, as an elderly man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus, 10 appeal to you for my son, Onesimus. I became his father while I was in chains. 11 Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me. 12 I am sending him back to you—I am sending my very own heart. 13 I wanted to keep him with me, so that in my imprisonment for the gospel he might serve me in your place. 14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of obligation, but of your own free will. 15 For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently, 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave—as a dearly loved brother. He is especially so to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would me. 18 And if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—not to mention to you that you owe me even your very self. 20 Yes, brother, may I benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Since I am confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
God’s plan is still the same…. To redeem the world through family
- Through those who are a part of His REDEEMED family
What should we take away from this?
1: Family is a BIG DEAL to God
- We should make it a big deal in our lives, too
- We treat it with respect
2: God’s vision for the world is a RENEWED FAMILY
- With Christ as our king
3: You and your family flourish MOST when a part of God’s REDEEMED FAMILY
- Your family flourishes through its activity in the church family
- Single
- Older – no kids
You no longer need to feel lonely because you have a LARGE family
- You no longer need to feel threatened because you are a family that protects
- You have a part to play because everyone takes part in a healthy family