My Pastor preaching on what he must do to keep his spiritual life on track.
Showing posts with label Sunday's Lesson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sunday's Lesson. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
The Power of Doing Good
Some quotes that summarize much of what this week's lesson address... don't miss out on the last week of Living Beyond Myself in Sunday School and Worship!
sc
"Use power to help people. For we are given power not to advance our own purposes nor to make a great show in the world, not a name. There is but one just use of power and it is to serve people." ~ US President George Bush
"People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care." ~ John C. Maxwell
"Jesus Christ is not valued at all until He is valued above all." ~ Augustine
"No indulgence of passion destroys the spiritual nature so much as respectable selfishness." ~ George MacDonald
"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible." ~ Francis of Assisi
"If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life." ~ Jesus Christ
Blessings...sc
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Just Jump In!
Just Jump In!
This week we are continuing to study Living Beyond Myself, and Sunday we learn the best method to begin such a lifestyle it to "Just jump in!" Different opportunities in life require and function best when we contemplate, test, and discuss options. I'm speaking of things like, purchasing a new car, considering schools/universities/careers, changing jobs, or even deciding where to go eat. Each of these tasks are best performed when significant thought and planning is given to the opportunities before action is taken. (especially the place to eat... :))
"Just jump in" addresses the issue that very often in the Christian life we can wish, think, and plan that one day we will begin serving or one day we will go and do "x." One of our ministers on staff is known for saying, "if you wait for perfect timing, nothing will ever get done." How true in regards to following Christ. God calls us to follow Him regardless if we think we are ready or prepared or have it all in line... how often in Scripture does he call those who are seemingly ill-equiped, not ready, too young, etc to do the work he desires to be done. God's call is to act, not just think, plan and prepare.
Sign-up this week at the Expo for a great opportunity to volunteer at Calvary or simply think of a way you can serve others in the community and go do it. Our goal as a church is not that you would simply fill a need here (though there are plenty) but that we would each have a shift in perspective and begin to think and act in ways that cause us to live beyond ourselves.
See you Sunday!
sc
This week we are continuing to study Living Beyond Myself, and Sunday we learn the best method to begin such a lifestyle it to "Just jump in!" Different opportunities in life require and function best when we contemplate, test, and discuss options. I'm speaking of things like, purchasing a new car, considering schools/universities/careers, changing jobs, or even deciding where to go eat. Each of these tasks are best performed when significant thought and planning is given to the opportunities before action is taken. (especially the place to eat... :))
"Just jump in" addresses the issue that very often in the Christian life we can wish, think, and plan that one day we will begin serving or one day we will go and do "x." One of our ministers on staff is known for saying, "if you wait for perfect timing, nothing will ever get done." How true in regards to following Christ. God calls us to follow Him regardless if we think we are ready or prepared or have it all in line... how often in Scripture does he call those who are seemingly ill-equiped, not ready, too young, etc to do the work he desires to be done. God's call is to act, not just think, plan and prepare.
Sign-up this week at the Expo for a great opportunity to volunteer at Calvary or simply think of a way you can serve others in the community and go do it. Our goal as a church is not that you would simply fill a need here (though there are plenty) but that we would each have a shift in perspective and begin to think and act in ways that cause us to live beyond ourselves.
See you Sunday!
sc
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
When God makes a promise...
Recently, I read 1 Kings 8:24 which says, You spoke with your mouth and with your hand have fulfilled it this day. The context of this verse shows us that Solomon was praying a prayer of dedication over the newly built temple in Jerusalem. It was the same one that the Lord had promised to Solomon's father David years before.
We find here just one evidence of a great attribute of our God. When God makes a promise, he delivers! Other times throughout Scripture, God promises to accomplish what he sets out to do; Isaiah 55:11 is just one of those passages. When you look through Hebrews 11, person after person is commended for their belief and truth in a faithful God.
Solomon's father, David expressed his faith in God in 2 Samuel 7:28 (just after God promised to build the temple during the reign of his son Solomon where he said, And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. Here David is saying at least two things. 1. God is the ONLY God, and there is no one like Him. He is supreme. 2. God's word is truth and what He says He will do.
May you and I have this kind of faith in the Lord. May we believe his Word and trust in his promises, for He is a faithful God, a trustworthy God; He is my Savior and Lord! Praise him for his faithfulness!
sc
We find here just one evidence of a great attribute of our God. When God makes a promise, he delivers! Other times throughout Scripture, God promises to accomplish what he sets out to do; Isaiah 55:11 is just one of those passages. When you look through Hebrews 11, person after person is commended for their belief and truth in a faithful God.
Solomon's father, David expressed his faith in God in 2 Samuel 7:28 (just after God promised to build the temple during the reign of his son Solomon where he said, And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. Here David is saying at least two things. 1. God is the ONLY God, and there is no one like Him. He is supreme. 2. God's word is truth and what He says He will do.
May you and I have this kind of faith in the Lord. May we believe his Word and trust in his promises, for He is a faithful God, a trustworthy God; He is my Savior and Lord! Praise him for his faithfulness!
sc
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Living Beyond Myself
Tiger Woods... three months ago, when that name was spoken, what came to mind? Success, money, fame, life at its best? How many people in the world would say Tiger has life at its best! Today, we all know he is in just as deep need of a Savior as you and I. Jesus calls us to abundant living, to la life greater than you or I can imagine! John 10:10 tells us this is why he came, so that we may have life and have it abundantly.
We often qualify abundant living by quantifying its presence. (If that statement made no sense, now you understand how my mind works... confusing statements over and over again... hang with me for a moment! :) ) In other words, we might recognize someone as living abundantly if they have an abundance of "x"(money, fame, cars, houses, pension, etc). Just ask yourself, do I view myself as living abundantly when I have much or have little? The day his story broke, Tiger most likely did not wake up that day thinking his life would change so quickly. Jesus calls us to something far greater than what can be destroyed, stolen, or lost in an instant.
Jesus' view of abundance comes not in quantity, but in quality. At Calvary over the following 4 weeks, we will be studying a series entitled, Living Beyond Myself. We will be looking at this paradox found in Scripture: To find real life, you must first lose it. We will have the opportunity to examine Jesus' life and teaching and test his claim that true fulfillment--genuine soul satisfaction--is found by offering up our gifts, talents, time and abilities to meet the needs of people all around us.
The world teaches that for one to find complete satisfaction in life you have to take care of #1. (yourself) But Christ teaches something very different... to find life in this world you must lose your life in Him. While so much more could be said, I would not want to spoil each lesson you will be learning in Sunday School and the worship services. I challenge you to make the next 4 weeks a priority and not miss what God has in store for you and I at Calvary.
See you Sunday!
sc
We often qualify abundant living by quantifying its presence. (If that statement made no sense, now you understand how my mind works... confusing statements over and over again... hang with me for a moment! :) ) In other words, we might recognize someone as living abundantly if they have an abundance of "x"(money, fame, cars, houses, pension, etc). Just ask yourself, do I view myself as living abundantly when I have much or have little? The day his story broke, Tiger most likely did not wake up that day thinking his life would change so quickly. Jesus calls us to something far greater than what can be destroyed, stolen, or lost in an instant.
Jesus' view of abundance comes not in quantity, but in quality. At Calvary over the following 4 weeks, we will be studying a series entitled, Living Beyond Myself. We will be looking at this paradox found in Scripture: To find real life, you must first lose it. We will have the opportunity to examine Jesus' life and teaching and test his claim that true fulfillment--genuine soul satisfaction--is found by offering up our gifts, talents, time and abilities to meet the needs of people all around us.
The world teaches that for one to find complete satisfaction in life you have to take care of #1. (yourself) But Christ teaches something very different... to find life in this world you must lose your life in Him. While so much more could be said, I would not want to spoil each lesson you will be learning in Sunday School and the worship services. I challenge you to make the next 4 weeks a priority and not miss what God has in store for you and I at Calvary.
See you Sunday!
sc
Friday, October 30, 2009
The Hall of Faith
Most every week, because of my occupation, I have the privilege of having conversations with individuals seeking to fill a void, a relationship with the Lord, a church family, or simply direction in a given situation. If you haven't noticed already, I love having these types of conversations with people. It is literally what I live for! I love helping people know Christ, helping people better understand their identity in Christ, helping people work through difficult issues and struggles in a biblical fashion, helping people live beyond themselves, directing people to a better understanding of the Truth... and so much more. I seriously have the best job in the world!
In the journey of life, there are always certain individuals who stick out as jewels. Interestingly, its not the people with the nicest car, biggest house, most trendy clothes or whatever. They are those people who along the way stand out as individuals who have an incredible passion and devotion to Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 11, we find some of these jewels that rise out of the text throughout Scripture. This is the highlight "widget" of Scripture... it's the recap, the headlines that reveal amazing testimonies of faith. Hebrews 11 has often been referred to as the "Hall of Faith." Many of the people here stand as exemplary models of who we should strive to be in our walk with Christ.
This Sunday, in our small groups, we look at Hebrews 11:8, focusing on the life of Abraham. It was he who "by faith... when called, he answered... when told to leave, he went... when told he would have decendants, he became a father (though he was at a very old age)... when tested, he proved faithful. All these things occurred through, or because of, his faith in Jesus Christ.
Abraham along with the rest of those mentioned in this chapter did not just hold to some cosy spirituality that said "what's good for you is good for me!" that gave them a label as a "person of faith." You should notice there are a lot of "spiritual" people in the world today. No, their faith rested in an all-powerful, all-knowing, sovereign, eternal, good God who lives to this day and continues to work through people just like He did through Abraham. People who live their lives not just for themselves, wrapped up in their own little world, but He works through people who have faith in Jesus Christ, and trust in his plan, will, and desire for their lives and the world around them.
May you and I have this same faith, and may it drive us to selfless living beyond ourselves.
sc
In the journey of life, there are always certain individuals who stick out as jewels. Interestingly, its not the people with the nicest car, biggest house, most trendy clothes or whatever. They are those people who along the way stand out as individuals who have an incredible passion and devotion to Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 11, we find some of these jewels that rise out of the text throughout Scripture. This is the highlight "widget" of Scripture... it's the recap, the headlines that reveal amazing testimonies of faith. Hebrews 11 has often been referred to as the "Hall of Faith." Many of the people here stand as exemplary models of who we should strive to be in our walk with Christ.
This Sunday, in our small groups, we look at Hebrews 11:8, focusing on the life of Abraham. It was he who "by faith... when called, he answered... when told to leave, he went... when told he would have decendants, he became a father (though he was at a very old age)... when tested, he proved faithful. All these things occurred through, or because of, his faith in Jesus Christ.
Abraham along with the rest of those mentioned in this chapter did not just hold to some cosy spirituality that said "what's good for you is good for me!" that gave them a label as a "person of faith." You should notice there are a lot of "spiritual" people in the world today. No, their faith rested in an all-powerful, all-knowing, sovereign, eternal, good God who lives to this day and continues to work through people just like He did through Abraham. People who live their lives not just for themselves, wrapped up in their own little world, but He works through people who have faith in Jesus Christ, and trust in his plan, will, and desire for their lives and the world around them.
May you and I have this same faith, and may it drive us to selfless living beyond ourselves.
sc
Friday, October 9, 2009
Complete Worship
On my iPod I have a song entitled, You are Worthy, by Hillsong. It is one of my favorite songs of worship that speaks of God's great worth and how He is deserving of not just some, part, or what's left of what I have, but He is worthy of ALL that I am.
Sunday, we will/did look at the the story of Cain and Abel. Here you find that Abel brought his very best, the first fruits of his labor, and the firstborn of his livestock as an offering to the Father. His brother Cain brought a meager portion of what was easy and comfortable. Abel gave and sacrificed what was his very best to give. Cain gave what required no sacrifice and what was comfortable and normal.
There are many passages throughout Scripture that speak of God's desire for ALL of his people, meaning all of each person. just to name a few, read the story of Abraham and Issac, Job, Jesus and the rich young ruler, or passages like Heb 11:4 and Revelation 3:16. Because of his disobedience Cain's life ended up being one of toil, misery, and isolation. Even still, God's grace was evident in his life. (to find explanations of that, be in your small group on Sunday :))
My prayer for you and I is that we do not hold back in our worship, devotion, and service to the Father, but that with total abandon and complete sacrifice, we worship our Father in Heaven.
Below is the song I mentioned above...
You are worthy oh Lord, of all honor.
You are worthy to receive all the praise.
In your presence I live and with all I have to give,
I will worship you, honor you and glorify your holy name....
Sunday, we will/did look at the the story of Cain and Abel. Here you find that Abel brought his very best, the first fruits of his labor, and the firstborn of his livestock as an offering to the Father. His brother Cain brought a meager portion of what was easy and comfortable. Abel gave and sacrificed what was his very best to give. Cain gave what required no sacrifice and what was comfortable and normal.
There are many passages throughout Scripture that speak of God's desire for ALL of his people, meaning all of each person. just to name a few, read the story of Abraham and Issac, Job, Jesus and the rich young ruler, or passages like Heb 11:4 and Revelation 3:16. Because of his disobedience Cain's life ended up being one of toil, misery, and isolation. Even still, God's grace was evident in his life. (to find explanations of that, be in your small group on Sunday :))
My prayer for you and I is that we do not hold back in our worship, devotion, and service to the Father, but that with total abandon and complete sacrifice, we worship our Father in Heaven.
Below is the song I mentioned above...
You are worthy oh Lord, of all honor.
You are worthy to receive all the praise.
In your presence I live and with all I have to give,
I will worship you, honor you and glorify your holy name....
Friday, October 2, 2009
Getting Wise on Evil
Imagine with me for a moment… You’re friend just unintentionally or intentionally insulted you, what now? You wake up in the morning a little earlier than normal, do you turn the TV on or do you pick up the Bible to hear from the Holy Spirit? Your month long project at work was just belittled and thrown out the window for “apparently” no reason, how do you respond? A co-worker was promoted faster than you, than should have been, how do you respond? Anger, resentment, jealousy, lust, covetousness, etc. Insert your own struggle, hurt, or pain, here…the list could go on…
Every day we are confronted with life situations and temptations that present options, choices, and opportunities that serve one of two purposes. They serve a selfish reason, or they serve a godly reason. They will benefit the kingdom of God or the kingdom of self. This Sunday, in Bible study at 10am, we will study a lesson entitled Getting Wise on Evil.
In Romans 1:25, Paul describes the situation of those who have given in to evil as those who have “exchanged the truth of God for a lie.” When we look at the story of Adam and Eve, we see the first example of this common everyday scenario. Satan presented to Eve a truth claim contrary to that of God’s when he said, “did God really say, you must not…” How often do we hear that same lie? That lie that says, “you will find fulfillment if you…?” or “does Scripture really say that you need to…?” or “is all of Scripture really reliable…?”
We think Satan is so creative and deceptive in his schemes. He’s not! He spreads the same lies he always has since the beginning of time… that God’s Word is insufficient, that His message is misleading, and that life is NOT found in Him.
God’s word is the source of truth and life! His word is clear, reliable, and life-giving. If you think it’s not, know that God even gives it to those of us "simple minded folk" in such a way that we can understand… for example, Jesus boiled all of the law down to two main ideas: love God and love people. How much more basic can you get? If you remember nothing else, remember that!
So this post keeps getting longer and longer, I need to stop, for your sake and mine… I challenge you to know Christ, know his Word, and know life in Him. Romans 12:2 says, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This only comes through diligent study of His word, both in community with believers (in small group settings and in large church worship services), but even more so in personal devotional study throughout each week.
I dare you to try it… read his Word today, start in Romans, start in John, start in Galatians… start somewhere, but read his Word… be renewed and be transformed… and get wise on (overcoming) evil in the process.
See you Sunday!
Blessings…
sc
Every day we are confronted with life situations and temptations that present options, choices, and opportunities that serve one of two purposes. They serve a selfish reason, or they serve a godly reason. They will benefit the kingdom of God or the kingdom of self. This Sunday, in Bible study at 10am, we will study a lesson entitled Getting Wise on Evil.
In Romans 1:25, Paul describes the situation of those who have given in to evil as those who have “exchanged the truth of God for a lie.” When we look at the story of Adam and Eve, we see the first example of this common everyday scenario. Satan presented to Eve a truth claim contrary to that of God’s when he said, “did God really say, you must not…” How often do we hear that same lie? That lie that says, “you will find fulfillment if you…?” or “does Scripture really say that you need to…?” or “is all of Scripture really reliable…?”
We think Satan is so creative and deceptive in his schemes. He’s not! He spreads the same lies he always has since the beginning of time… that God’s Word is insufficient, that His message is misleading, and that life is NOT found in Him.
God’s word is the source of truth and life! His word is clear, reliable, and life-giving. If you think it’s not, know that God even gives it to those of us "simple minded folk" in such a way that we can understand… for example, Jesus boiled all of the law down to two main ideas: love God and love people. How much more basic can you get? If you remember nothing else, remember that!
So this post keeps getting longer and longer, I need to stop, for your sake and mine… I challenge you to know Christ, know his Word, and know life in Him. Romans 12:2 says, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This only comes through diligent study of His word, both in community with believers (in small group settings and in large church worship services), but even more so in personal devotional study throughout each week.
I dare you to try it… read his Word today, start in Romans, start in John, start in Galatians… start somewhere, but read his Word… be renewed and be transformed… and get wise on (overcoming) evil in the process.
See you Sunday!
Blessings…
sc
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