Resolutions: In One Year & Out the Other

Resolutions: In One Year & Out the Other

Focus: Apart from God, resolutions do nothing.

I. There is power in Commitment.

II. But that Power does not RESIDE in Human RESOLVE.

III. The Power to change comes from...

A. CHRIST IN you.

B. And you IN CHRIST.

IV. Two Prerequisites to Answered Prayer

A. you're AT HOME with JESUS TEACHINGS.

B. JESUS TEACHINGS are At HOME You.

V. If you are well CONNECTED you will be FRUITED and INTERTWINED.

The Gift Announcement

Focus: Long in advance, God repeatedly announced that his Christmas gift was on the way, so that we would be prepared to receive His gift.

I. When you see only DISTRESS and DARKNESS and FEARFUL GLOOM.

II. Remember, NIGHT is followed by DAWN for the Remnant!

III. For TO US is GIVEN a Gift that keeps on giving.

A. He's the kid with the Big NAME.


B. He's the kid with the Big SHOULDERS.

Levi's Genes

Focus: Promises hung faintly on a dark family tree till it was topped with the star that made it shine brilliantly as the Tree of Christmas.

I. The Line of PROMISE.
Keyword: COVENANT

II. Genes STAINED.
Keyword: MERCY

III. TATTERED, THREADBARE Genes.
Keywords: SOWING & REAPING

IV. CUTOFF Genes
Keyword: JUSTICE

V. JESUS PUT ON OUR Genes
Keywords: CHRISTMAS, (INCARNATION) OR COVENANT FAITHFUL

VI. ...And did OUR LAUNDRY
Keyword: SALVATION

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

Tell-A-Vision Christmas Specials (Part 1 of 3)
"I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas"
Focus: The prediction of the prophets are proofs that history is about his story.
I. Prophecies help us PREPARE.
II. God gave us as .
A. Proof it is His PLAN and PURPOSE.
B. Proof that HISTORY is HIS-STORY.
C. Proof that His WORD is RELIABLE and AUTHORITATIVE.
D. Proof that He will JUDGE (Micah's BAD NEWS)
E. Proof that He DELIVERS (Micah's GOOD NEWS)
III. Prophecies divide a POLARIZED nation.
A. Those who are PREPARE are ultimately delivered.
B. Those who IGNORE the forecasts are JUDGED.

Thanking Backward

Focus: Giving thanks turns on the tap of God's Future Blessings.

I. There were 10 THINKING FORWARD.
II. One THANKED BACKWARD.
III. THANKING BACKWARD Blesses Your FUTURE.

Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers
11(P) On the way to Jerusalem(Q) he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers,[f](R) who stood at a distance 13and lifted up their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." 14When he saw them he said to them, "Go and(S) show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. 15Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back,(T) praising God with a loud voice; 16and(U) he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was(V) a Samaritan. 17Then Jesus answered, "Were not(W) ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18Was no one found to return and(X) give praise to God except this(Y) foreigner?" 19And he said to him, "Rise and go your way;(Z) your faith has made you well."[g]

Have the Heart of Christ

Have the Heart of Christ

Focus: Disciples are trained into steps and stages to be fully devoted to Jesus Christ.

What is a Disciple?

Acts 11:26 NIV
Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.

John 8:31-32 NIV
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

John 13:34-35 NIV
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

John 15:8 NIV
This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

I. A LEVEL 1 BUY-IN
A. The Believe enough to BENEFIT buy-in:
B. A MORAL Level Commitment

II. A LEVEL 2 BUY-IN
A. The Believe Enough to CONTRIBUTE Buy-in
B. A MISSION Level Commitment

III. A LEVEL 3 BUY-IN
A. The WHOLE HEARTED WHATEVER it TAKES Buy-in

Luke 9:23-26 NIV

Luke 14:27-33 ESV

B. A MEANING Level Commitment

A Heart Healthy Life

Focus: Just as there are habits that promote a long and healthy physical life, there are similar habits that will reap eternal rewards.

I. EAT Right.
Matthew 5:6 ESV

II. EXERCISE
Philippians 2:12-13 ESV
A. WORKOUT
B. Find a PERSON TRAINER or a WORKOUT PARTNER.
C. PRACTICE - DO THE REPS!
1. PRAY
2. LEARN
Hebrews 5:12
3. SERVE
Mark 10:42-45 ESV
4. INVEST
Matthew 6:19-21 ESV
Luke 14:12-14 NIV
I Corinthians 3:10-15 NIV
Luke 6:22-23 NIV
Matthew 16:27 NIV

III. GET in the GAME!

A Higher Hunger

A Higher Hunger
Focus: Only feeding the higher hunger truly satisfies.
I. The LOWER Hunger is at WAR with the HIGHER Hunger.
Romans 7:15 ESV
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
Romans 7:18 ESV
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
Romans 7:21-23 NIV
So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
II. Only A Higher Hunger Will SEEK A SAVIOR.
Matthew 5:6 ESV
Romans 7:24 ESV
A. Christ BEATS the GORILLA.
Romans 8:1-4 ESV
B. How Man Beats the GORILLA (Sin's Powerful CRAVINGS)
1. INHALE Fresh Air: (God's Pneuma / BREATH / SPIRIT)
Romans 8:9 NIV
2. EXHALE(CONFESSION)
3. Quit Inhaling SMOKE(Anything that SMELLS of HELL)
Romans 8:5-9 ESV
Philippians 4:8

A NEW HEART!

A New Heart

I. Without a Change of Heart, We Have HEART PROBLEM.
Romans 1:24 ESV
Mark 7:21 ESV
Jeremiah 17:9 ESV
II. God WANTS TO GIVE You a New Heart
Ezekiel 36:26 NIV
III. You have to WANT A New Heart to GET ONE.
Matthew 5:3-5 ESV
Psalm 51: 15-17 NIV
IV. Only a NEW Heart Will DO>>>>>
Philippians 2:13 ESV
V. The Heart You Need is From the And
John 3:16
2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 5:20-21
VI. What Do I Need to Do?
Establish a new Spiritual base for your life!
BELIEVE Jesus Christ died on the cross for me and showed He was God by coming back to life
ACCEPT God's free forgiveness for my sins.
SWITCH to God's plan for my life.
EXPRESS my desire for Christ to be the director of my life.

What if I have my doubts?
John 7:17 NIV

Heart to Heart

Focus: I need other people; when I connect with others, I care, learn and serve better.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-10

9Now concerning(S) brotherly love(T) you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been(U) taught by God(V) to love one another, 10for that indeed is what(W) you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to(X) do this more and more

2 Thessalonians 1:3

3(B) We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers,[a] as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

Hebrews 10:24

24And(AF) let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

A. To ENCOURAGE and BUILD UP ONE ANOTHER.

B. To increase our LEVEL of LOVE.

C. To GROW Abundantly.

D. To STIR UP Love In ACTION.

ll. What's the Common Phrase in E ach of these verses? (ONE ANOTHER)

Ill. Why Heart to Heart?

A. S. K.

A. S. K.

ASK EXPECTANTLY

SEEK PERSISTENTLY

KNOCK SHAMELESSLY

Luke 11
Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer
11:2-4pp—Mt 6:9-13 11:9-13pp—Mt 7:7-11

[5] Then he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, [6] because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’
[7] “Then the one inside answers, ‘Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.’ [8] I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness * he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
[9] “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
[11] “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for * a fish, will give him a snake instead? [12] Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? [13] If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Luke 18
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
[18:1] Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. [2] He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. [3] And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
[4] “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don't fear God or care about men, [5] yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!’”
[6] And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. [7] And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? [8] I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Preparing for the Journey - Fight the Good Fight

Sermon Today by Doug Freeman
Focus: "Grow in the Grace & Knowledge of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ."

I. Be AWARE You're in a Battle.
II. Be CONFIDENT In Your EQUIPPING
A. THE DIVINE NATURE.
B. ALL THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO LIFE AND GOODNESS.

2 Peter 1

1Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:

2Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Making One's Calling and Election Sure

3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

At the Foot of the Mountain

How to Prepare Your Heart for a God Encounter
Jim Hammond, Verde Valley Christain Church

Focus: Come near to God and He will come near to you.

I. LOOK BACK...

...To what God Did in the PAST.
...He CARRIED You.

II. LOOK AHEAD...

...To God's Fulfilled FUTURE PROMISE.
...To God's BIG PLANS for YOU.

III. LOOK AT ...

The at the PRE-CONDITIONS for Your Dream Come True.

IV. LOOK AROUND...

...and Commit TOGETHER

V. LOOK IN ...

...your Heart

VI. In all of this LOOK UP...

Exodus 19 At Mount Sinai
Bible Gateway Link

1 On [the first day of] the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2 After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.

3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."

7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the LORD had commanded him to speak. 8 The people all responded together, "We will do everything the LORD has said." So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD.

9 The LORD said to Moses, "I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you." Then Moses told the LORD what the people had said.

10 And the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, 'Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death. 13 They are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. Whether people or animals, they shall not be permitted to live.' Only when the ram's horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain."

14 After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 15 Then he said to the people, "Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations."

16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. 19 As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.

20 The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up 21 and the LORD said to him, "Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the LORD and many of them perish. 22 Even the priests, who approach the LORD, must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them."

23 Moses said to the LORD, "The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, 'Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.' "

24 The LORD replied, "Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the LORD, or he will break out against them."

25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

Strong Man Slips Down the Slope of Sin!

Focus: Sin takes you farther than you want to go.

Chapter 13 "SET APART"

Chapter 14 Seven Stupid Steps Down the Slope

1. He went to the wrong PLACE.
   
2. He was looking for the WRONG THING.
   
3. He rejected GODLY COUNCEL.
   
4. He continued a WRONG RELATIONSHIP.
   
5. He COMPROMISED his COMPROMISED.
   
6. He ignored his WEAKNESS.
   
7. He'd rather take REVENGE than REPENT.
   

Chapter 15 Rolling Down the Road of RAGE & REVENGE.

Chapter 16 DESTRUCTION and DEATH.

Jephthah's Tragic Vow

A La Carte

Focus: "A La Carte" encompasses the general option of purchasing only select items instead of a merchant's logical group of offerings.

I. How we SPEND "our" TIME.

II. How we MAKE "our" CHOICES.

III. How far we LET GOD IN.

23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.

The Downside of Success

The Downside of Success

Focus: There is a dark side of success that is dangerous and tempting.

I. PRIDE: Tempted to think too MUCH of OURSELVES.
The RIGHTS or AUTHORITY
ll. ENTITLEMENT: Tempted to ADVANCE ourselves.

III. ENCROACHMENT: Tempted to go beyond the usual or PROPER LIMITS, sometimes assuming the RIGHTS or AUTHORITY of another.

IV. IDOLATRY Tempted to REPLACE God or take God's position.

Gideon’s Ephod 22 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, both you and your son, and your grandson also; for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian.” 23 But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you.” 24 Then Gideon said to them, “I would like to make a request of you, that each of you would give me the earrings from his plunder.” For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites. 25 So they answered, “We will gladly give them.” And they spread out a garment, and each man threw into it the earrings from his plunder. 26 Now the weight of the gold earrings that he requested was one thousand seven hundred shekels of gold, besides the crescent ornaments, pendants, and purple robes which were on the kings of Midian, and besides the chains that were around their camels’ necks. 27 Then Gideon made it into an ephod and set it up in his city, Ophrah. And all Israel played the harlot with it there. It became a snare to Gideon and to his house. 28 Thus Midian was subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted their heads no more. And the country was quiet for forty years in the days of Gideon.
Death of Gideon 29 Then Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house. 30 Gideon had seventy sons who were his own offspring, for he had many wives. 31 And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, whose name he called Abimelech. 32 Now Gideon the son of Joash died at a good old age, and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. Gideon’s Ephod 22 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, both you and your son, and your grandson also; for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian.” 23 But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you.” 24 Then Gideon said to them, “I would like to make a request of you, that each of you would give me the earrings from his plunder.” For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites. 25 So they answered, “We will gladly give them.” And they spread out a garment, and each man threw into it the earrings from his plunder. 26 Now the weight of the gold earrings that he requested was one thousand seven hundred shekels of gold, besides the crescent ornaments, pendants, and purple robes which were on the kings of Midian, and besides the chains that were around their camels’ necks. 27 Then Gideon made it into an ephod and set it up in his city, Ophrah. And all Israel played the harlot with it there. It became a snare to Gideon and to his house. 28 Thus Midian was subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted their heads no more. And the country was quiet for forty years in the days of Gideon.
Death of Gideon 29 Then Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house. 30 Gideon had seventy sons who were his own offspring, for he had many wives. 31 And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, whose name he called Abimelech. 32 Now Gideon the son of Joash died at a good old age, and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

Nowhere or Now Here - Gideon Part 1

Focus: When you feel like God is nowhere to be found there is a space that changes nowhere to now here.

I. When it seems like God has abandoned you (6:13)
A. LOOK AGAIN
B. He's not the ONE that MOVED. (6:7-10)
II. Look in the SPACE that changes nowhere to now here; you will find him THERE.
A. At the CENTER of your SUFFERING (6:6-8, James 4:8)
B. In the MIDST of your WEAKNESS (6:14-16; 2 Cor. 12:8-10, 3:4-6)
C. At the HEART of your WORSHIP(6:17-23)

Lappidoth?

Series: The Book of Judges, Chapters 4 & 5

Focus: Like Deborah (and Jesus, see Luke 2:52) we can increase in wisdom And in stature and in favor with God and man.

I. Who defines EVIL? (I Cor 4:4)
II. Avoid being SOLD.
III. God blesses those who DON'T GO WITH THE FLOW.
a. With INFLUENCE(4:5)
b. With INSIGHT(4:6-7)
c. With ENTHUSIASM(4:8)
d. With COURAGE(4:9)
e. With INSTANT MESSAGING(4:9, Psalm 20:7)
f. With HONOR(4:9-24)
g. With A VICTORY CELEBRATION(5)
h. With PEACE(5:31)