Turning Defeat into Victory

These are some illustrations from a Sermon Series from the book of Joshua, The Road to Victory: Leading the Way. Part 5 - Turning Defeat into Victory

John Maxwell shares some thoughts on failing in his book, Failing Forward.

Failing Backward	Failing Forward
Blaming others	Taking Responsibility
Repeating the Same Mistakes	Learning from Each Mistake
Expecting Never to fail again	Knowing Failure is part of the process
Expecting to Continually Fail	Maintaining a Positive Attitude
Being Limited by Past Mistakes	Taking New Risks
Thinking I am a Failure	Believing Something didn’t work
Quitting	Persevering

Messages that give us feedback about life.

Interruptions that should cause us to reflect and think

Signposts that direct us to the right path

Tests that push us toward greater maturity

Awakenings that keep us in the game mentally.

Keys that we can use to unlock the next door of opportunity.

Explorations that let us journey where we’ve never been before.

Statements about our development and progress

“Autobiography in Five Short Chapters.” by Portia Nelson.

Chapter 1

I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost. I am helpless. It isn’t my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter 2

I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in again. I can’t believe I am in the same place, but it isn’t my fault. it still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3

I walk down the same street. Thee is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in. It’s a habit. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.

Chapter 4

I walk down the same. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.

Chapter 5

I walk down another street.

I'm Back

Sorry, I haven't been posting in a while. I'm going to update some things today.

Cumulative Value

These points are taken from a teaching by Andy Stanley of Northpoint Church in Atlanta GA.

1. There is a cumulative value to investing small amounts of time in certain activities over a long period of time.

• Exercising
  
• Eating right
  
• Spending time with those we love
• Going to church
• Giving time, talent and treasure to the work of the Lord

2. Neglect has a cumulative value as well

• Ignore your health for 15 years
  
• Ignore your children
  
• Ignore your wife

3. Rarely are there any immediate consequences for neglecting a single installment of time in any particular area

• Sleeping in one Sunday

• Missing one deposit on something you are saving for
  

4. In the critical areas of life you cannot make up for time lost

• You can cram for a test but you can’t cram for a relationship
  If you have neglected your wife for years
  One weekend away is not going to make up for it
  If you have neglected your children for years
  One nice gift is not going to catch you up
  You must start over again
  And build little by little
  

5. There is no cumulative value to the urgent things we all allow to interfere with what is most important

• If you take all of the things that you spent time doing instead of what you were supposed to be doing and add them up - they will add up to nothing
• Sleeping - watching TV - working too much - manicuring your lawn
• Looking back people ask - What did I do with all my time? Where did it go?
• What happened to the relationships that were important long after the golf score, fish, lawn have been forgotten

Senior's Day at MAG

This is something I read at the opening of our Senior's Day Service. It sums up where we were, where we are, where we are going.

This is a special day for us as we celebrate our Seniors and the rich heritage of our church. Someone asked me a few months ago, what made our church special. I told him it was "our willingess to embrace our heritage as a foundation for the future." Some speak only o fthe past and wanting to go backward, missing what God is doing today and failing to plan for the future. Some speak only of the future while ignoring the past and the present. The balance is found by remembering, cherishing and thanking those who have gone before us and paved the way for a bright future.

Now, at this stage in the history of our church we are faced with decisions of what we will leave those who come behind us. Will we leave behind examples of godly lives? Will they look back and see that we were willing to take risks to advance the kingdom of God. What will they find? Will they find we settled in because our needs are met or will they find that we faced the challenges of today standing on the foundation of yesterday to prepare for a brighter tomorrow.

Today let us celebrate. Let us rejoince in what God has done. But let us also look forward to what He is going to do. Because certainly as believers in teh Resurrected One our best days are always ahead.
RAS

Jesus Comes in the Night John 6.14-21

John 6:14 After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world."
John 6:15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
John 6:16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake,
John 6:17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them.
John 6:18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.
John 6:19 When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified.
John 6:20 But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid."
John 6:21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

Besides the fact they were in a storm on a lake, Why were the disciples struggling?
Because they were being obedient to God.
Jesus never promised that following Him would eliminate all the storms of life.
In face, He promised the opposite.

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

In this midst of the storm we can still know:

1. In the storms, Jesus sees what we are going through
John says it was dark and yet the gospel of Mark says Jesus saw them struggling.
How did He see them in the dark from such a distance?

• Because He was omniscient
• Because of the all the lightning around them (I like that thought)
• Or, Because it is never dark to Him

I really like what Ron Mehl says in his book, What God Whispers in the Night,

"The darkness and light are both alike to Him. What seems the deepest darkness, mystery, and perplexity to you and me is perfectly clear to the Lord of heaven. Nothing is hidden from Him. Nothing is confusing to Him. Nothing steps out of the shadows to surprise Him."

RAS has said, "He knows the details of our difficulties"
He sees...

2. In the storms, He comes in ways we don't expect
They thought he was a ghost and were terrified.
Although they had seen Him turn water into wine, healed a boy from a distance and multiply a boys lunch to feed a multitude.
They never thought He could or would "walk on water" to rescue them.
Jesus often comes in ways we don't expect

3. He speaks
He says to them, it is I, take courage.
Literally, I AM has come, don't be afraid
John wrote often of the I AM's of Christ

I Am the Messiah (John 4:26).
I Am (It is I); be not afraid (John 6:20).
I Am the Bread of Life (John 6:35).
I Am from Above (John 8:23).
I Am the Light of the World (John 8:12; John 9:5; John 12:46).
I Am before Abraham was, I am (eternal) (John 8:58).
I Am the Door (John 10:7).
I Am the Good Shepherd (John 10:14).
I Am the Son of God (John 10:36).
I Am the Resurrection and Life (John 11:25).
I Am the Lord and Master (John 13:13).
I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).
I Am the True Vine (John 15:1).
I Am Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8).
I Am the First and the Last (Rev. 1:17).

After He spoke, they let him on board and John records the miracle within the miracle.

John 6:21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

They immediately reached the other side.

Following Christ does not exempt you from storms.
But, Jesus sees, He cares, He comes, He speaks.
Let Him on board in your life.

Jesus comes in the Night

Another Great Quote

From the Daily Bread devotional,

"It is an awesome responsibility to own a Bible!"

Great Quote Alert

"People with humility don't think less of themselves; they just think of themselves less."

Ken Blanchard and Norman Vincent Peale

Building the Great House of the Lord

1 Peter 2.1-5

• 1 Pet 2:1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
• 1 Pet 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
• 1 Pet 2:3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
• 1 Pet 2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him--
• 1 Pet 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
  

God builds His house on the foundation of Christ and then uses us as the stone.

He takes us and builds us upon ONE ANOTHER!

He builds his house by binding us together to make something greater than what we would be by ourselves.

First Peter gives us five ONE ANOTHERS to bind us together.

1. Love ONE ANOTHER

1 Pet 1:22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.

2. Live in Harmony with ONE ANOTHER

1 Pet 3:8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

3. Offer hospitality to ONE ANOTHER

1 Pet 4:9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

“Hospitality is the lost art of the modern church” RAS

4. Clothe yourself with humility toward ONE ANOTHER

1 Pet 5:5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

5. Greet ONE ANOTHER with a holy kiss

1 Pet 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

As a sign of unity between believers.

Conclusion

• We are building the Great House of the Lord.
• One stone won’t do it.
• Instead we become the Living Stones Built upon “ONE ANOTHER”
• We are to accomplish something greater than we could accomplish by ourselves!

The Best is Yet to Come

John 1.1-11

This is the first miracle of Jesus.

A few thoughts.

1. Jesus loved a good party

• Remember he was accused of being a “glutton, a drunkard and a friend to tax-collectors”

2. Jesus cares about People’s Predicaments

• Mary knew the trouble the family was in when they ran out of wine.
• Jesus was sent to earth to reconcile man to God yet he took time to care about People’s Predicaments.
• He still cares

3. Jesus has the power to do what is needed

• Going out and buying that much wine was out of the question
• He used this opportunity to reveal a greater truth:
• “God always has a higher purpose when revealing His Power”
• As wine symbolized joy, Jesus was ushering a new day.
• Old wine brought death
• The New wine would bring life and joy.

4. We have a part to play in miracles

• Jesus asked the servants to do what they could. Get the pots, fill them with water
• We must do what we can do and then trust God to do the rest.

5. Jesus always saves the best for last

• The Master of Ceremonies call the bridegroom over and said “usually a host serves the best wine first, then when everyone is full and doesn’t care, he brings out the less expensive wines. But you have kept the best until now!”

Rom 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

RAS

Thinking, THINKING, thinking

Why are some people successful and others not? John Maxwell says, “Successful people think differently than unsuccessful people.” We must be good thinkers and we must be thinkers of good.

First, be a good thinker. James Allen in his book As A Man Thinketh wrote, “Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results; bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results.” Let me challenge you to take 15 uninterrupted minutes each week to think about TABLE TALK. How can you make your TABLE better? Who can you invite? How can you go the extra mile to encourage someone from your TABLE? Take time to be a good thinker.

Secondly, be a thinker of good. The Apostle Paul puts it this way,

Phil 4:8 Finally, brothers, 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.

Being a good thinker and a thinker of good will change your life and the lives of those around you.

RAS

Just the Facts

"Just the Facts Ma'am" This famous quote is from Joe Friday the no nonsense detective on the classic TV show Dragnet.

On Sunday March 20th I preached a message entitled "Just the Facts" about the return of Christ.
There is and always will be a lot of speculation about his return. People through the ages have predicted it and have always been wrong. I want to cover "Just the facts"

1. Jesus is coming back
The New Testament references His return more the 300 times for an average of 1 verse per 26.
Jesus said he would come back:

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Paul taught that Jesus would come back:

1 Th 4:15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
1 Th 4:16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
1 Th 4:17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

2. We don't know exactly when

Mat 24:36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

3. The Gospel must be preached to every nation

Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

More than just every nation, every people group
We are closer to this happening then ever in History.

Ralph Winter (according to TIME magazine one of the 25 most influential evangelicals of our time) quotes from Habakuk and adds his thoughts:

"Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." (Habakkuk 1:5)

"God's promise to bless all the "families of the earth," first given to Abraham 4,000 years ago, is becoming a reality at a pace "you would not believe." Although some may dispute some of the details, the overall trend is indisputable. Biblical faith is growing and spreading to the ends of the earth as never before in history."

This next quote is the one that really struck me:

"For the first time in history, there are fewer non-Christians within the unreached peoples than there are within the reached groups. As missionaries succeed in establishing church movements in more unreached peoples, that is exactly what you would expect to happen.

As the figures below demonstrate, we are in the final era of missions. For the first time in history we can anticipate the completions of the missionary task, which is to establish an indigenous church planting movement within the language and social structure of every people on earth."

4. We are closer to Jesus' return than we have ever been
Logically and experientially we know this is true.


5. We must be ready
Jesus taught this principle in Matthew 25 when he told the parable of the 10 virgins waiting for the groom. Some were ready and some were not. Those who weren't ready missed it for all eternity.

When Jesus comes I want to be ready
I want to be worshipping Him with my life
I want to be serving His church
I want to be using the gifts He gave me for His glory and honor
I want to be telling others about Him
I want my family to be with me

"Just the Facts"
Are you ready?

Spring Cleaning Hebrews 12.1-3

I am looking forward to spring.
Spring is a time of new beginnings.

• The weather hopefully will get better.
• Flowers start to come up
• Time to get ready to plant
• It also reminds me Spring Cleaning
• Getting rid of junk we don’t need

Today I want to talk about another type of Spring cleaning.

Getting rid of emotional and spiritual junk that we have been hanging on to too long.

Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

I have been carrying these bags around to represent the baggage we carry around with us all the time. (I literally carried around 2 full garbage bags)

1. THE FIRST BAG IS ANGER

Ÿ “Anger is the emotional reaction of hostility that brings personal displeasure, either to ourselves to someone else”
Irritation - feeling of being upset brought on by someone or something
Ÿ Indignation - feeling that something must be answered; there must be an avenging of a wrong
Wrath -Wrath is a strong desire to avenge
Ÿ Fury - the word suggests violence, even loss of control
Rage - this is the most dangerous - loss of control involving acts of violence; the angry person scarcely realizes what he has done

The degrees of anger are progressive. One can lead to the next if not dealt with.

Ÿ These garbage bags I'm carrying started out empty. Ÿ Little by little they filled up. Ÿ Same can happen with anger. It can hinder us and keep us from properly relating to others and doing the things we want to do.

Ÿ Sometimes we have carried it around with us so long we don’t even notice it anymore, Ÿ but other people do

Eph 4:26 "In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
Eph 4:27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

• Anger is a God given emotion
  Do not let the sun go down on your anger
• Don’t prolong the anger - don’t keep it simmering
• Do not give the devil a foothold
• “Don’t allow your anger to be expressed in such a way that you are weakend and the devil reproduces his character through you.” Charles Swindoll
• Jesus wants to reproduce His character through you: love , joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control

Sources of negative anger
Wrong motive

When things don’t go your way

We all like to have our own way
If we choose to be offended when we don’t get our own way, then we are going to be carrying around bags of anger.

The first bag we sometimes carry is anger

2. The second bag is Guilt

Guilt - “the uncomfortable feeling of regret, remorse, shame and self-condemnation that often comes when we have done or thougth something that we feel is wrong, or failed to do something we should have done” Gary Collins

Guilt that is not dealt with properly can lead to
Discouragement
Anxiety
Fear of punishment
Low self-esteem
Isolation

Like the anger bag - sometimes we get so used to living life with it that we don’t even know it is there, but others do

Some of the Causes of Guilt
Past Experiences and Unrealistic Expectations - Standards were set too high
Inferiority - effected by how we perceive the most important people in our lives think of us

Effects of Guilt
Defensive Thinking - Defense mechanisms
Blaming others
Denial
Withdrawing from other people
Rationalizing - finding excuses to justify our actions
Getting angry at others
Self-condemnation
I am worthless - I am no good -I don’t deserve anything good to happen to me

Physical Reactions
Overwhelming guilt can even effect us physically
A cheerful heart is good medicine
A guilty heart will kill you slowly

What do we do about these bags?
After a while the anger and guilt we have carried for so long get to be too much

Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The answer is the forgiveness we can receive through the cross of Jesus Christ!

1. Receive the forgiveness of God

Mat 26:27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.
Mat 26:28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Rom 4:7 "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."

God will forgive you
God has forgiven you. It is time to live like it.

2. Forgive others

They are not perfect
They are not obligated to do what you want
You cannot control what they have done to you
But you can control your willingness to forgive them
Let the bag go - it is killing you

3. Forgive yourself
Every time you remember what you have done
Remember that Jesus has forgiven you

Bring your bags of anger and guilt to the cross. Jesus will meet you there.

Mat 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

More than You Can Imagine

1 Kings 17

Theme for the Assemblies of God National Women's Ministry Day

The Problems are more than we can imagine

• The woman had lost her husband
• She was poor
• She was preparing what she thought was the last meal for herself and her son

God's Provision is more than we can imagine

• Elijah asked her to make him a loaf of bread
• She only had enough for herself and her son
• She did it anyhow
• The flour and oil never ran out

God's Power is more than we can imagine

• The widows son died anyhow
• Elijah prayed and the boy was raised from the dead

We face problems greater than we ever imagined.
We have a God that is greater than we can imagine.
Whatever the problems - He provides - His power is revealed

He is more than we can imagine

Making Decisions

Last Sunday night we showed the movie “Six.” When we purchased it we thought it was about the end times. What the movie was really about was choices.

Every day we make choices. Some are mundane and some are more important. The question is how do we make the right decisions. Here are some simple POINTS I try to follow.

· What does the Bible say?
The Bible is the standard on which we must live. Everything else in life changes at an alarming rate. Yet the Bible stays the same. Does it speak specifically to my situation? Does it have immutable principle relating to the decision?

· What does my wife say?
I’m not kidding. In 14 yrs. of marriage we have not made one major decision without being in agreement. Wives are God’s gifts to us. Never overlook their wisdom!

· What do others I trust say?
For every major decision in life I have people I contact. People who love me enough to tell me the truth.

· What does my own heart say?
Notice this is not the first point but the last. Go through the other POINTS wrapped in prayer. I have found that after I have followed the POINTS my heart is usually on target. When I follow my heart without the process I have been terribly wrong.

Lastly, pull the trigger. Make the decision. You cannot be paralyzed by important decisions. Follow the POINTS and go forward trusting the Good Shepherd to lead.

Great Bible Sites

E-Sword -
Bible Gateway
Bible.com
Crosswalk

Enjoy. There is a lot of great stuff on the web.

Helping the Hurting

Philip Yancey in his book by Where is God When It Hurts tells the story of a friend who had cancer. Because of the treatments she was very sick and had extended stays in the hospital.

He tells of the visitors that came to see her. Her name was Claudia.

A Deacon - Surely something in your life must displease God. These things don’t just happen. It is God's Will.

A cheery church lady - brought flowers, sang, read happy Psalms. Whenever Claudia would mention her illness the cheerleader changed the subject, trying to confront the suffering with cheer and goodwill.

Another lady dropped by - Claudia mentioned what the deacon said, - the lady nearly exploded. “Sickness is never God’s will” Haven’t you read the Bible? The Devil stalks around like a roaring lion, but God will deliver you if you can muster enough faith to believe and be healed. Remember Claudia, faith can move mountains, and that includes Hodgkins disease. Simply name your promise, in faith and claim the victory.

Ÿ The next few mornings while undergoing treatment Claudia tried to “muster faith”

The most spiritual woman in the church - Claudia, you need to come to the place where you can say, “God I love you for making me suffer like this. It is your will, and you know what’s best for me.”

The pastor - “Claudia you have been appointed to suffer for Christ, and he will reward you. God chose you because of your strength and integrity, just as he chose Job, and he is using you as an example to others. You should feel privileged, not bitter. What we see as adversity, God sees as opportunity.

When we are suffering we hear a lot of different advice and scripture

People are well meaning

I know from too much experience - I don’t know what to say.

I have one last story I want to share with you

Silent Answers

Once a young couple lost their only child, a beautiful three-year-old daughter, as a result of a freak accident. Unable to justify this tragedy with their concept of a loving God, they went to their minister for help. "Why?" they asked. "It was God's will," the preacher told them.

The couple just couldn't accept that the passing of their little daughter could somehow serve God's will, and they sought out another preacher friend. He quoted yards of Scripture, trying to give them comfort, but his verses fell on deaf ears.

Finally, the young couple turned to a frail elderly woman in their church. Surely, she could give them a reason for the child's death, but the old woman didn't utter a single word. Instead, she tenderly wrapped her arms around the heartbroken couple's shoulders, and together they cried the hurt away.

Sometimes when theological answers are not easy to the complex misfortunes of life, perhaps we just need to hush our babblings. Sometimes when answers aren't easy, our best statement is silent caring.

Where is God When It Hurst 2 Cor. 1.3-7

Everyone has asked, Where is God?

Paul gives us the answer in 2 Corinthians 1.3-7

2 Cor 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
2 Cor 1:4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
2 Cor 1:5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
2 Cor 1:6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.
2 Cor 1:7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

1. God is the Father of Compassion and the God of all Comfort v. 3

• His relationship to us is that of a Father who stands beside us
• He gives relief, support, solace, encouragement
• Comfort in this passage is the same word used for the Holy Spirit - Paraclete

2. God Comforts us so we can comfort others v. 4

• Two important words
• Us
  
• God didn't only comfort Paul
• greatest missionary ever
• wrote 2/3 of the New Testament
• He comforts us as well

• All
  
• our troubles
• Not just the big or the small but all

• So we can comfort others
• this is an important transformation that needs to take place in our lives
• suffering can cause us to turn inward
• become bitter, despondant, depressed, disillusioned

• Serving and Sharing - turns us outward

3. God's Comfort is Equal to the Suffering v. 5

• Christ suffered so he could become the Perfect Sympathizer
• Born to an unwed mother
  Ÿ Born in a stable
  Born to poor parents - they offered the least of all sacrifices
  Had his life threatened as a baby
  Being the cause of unimaginable sorrow
  Having to be moved for his own protection as a baby
  Raised in a seedy town - Nazareth
  Father died when he was young
  Had to support his mother and family as the oldest male child
  Had no home or even a place to lay his head
  He was hated and opposed by his church
  He was charged with insanity and demon possession
  His own family thought he was crazy
  He was rejected, hated and opposed by the very people he came to serve
  He was betrayed by a close friend
  He was denied by another
  He was left alone, forsaken by all his friends in his greatest hour of need
  He was tried by the highest court in the land for treason
  He was unjustly crucified, the worst possible death
  He was even mocked while on the cross

Heb 2:16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants.
Heb 2:17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
Heb 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Heb 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Where is God?

He is right there beside you

Hold on Tight 2 Timothy 1.13-18

HOLD ON TIGHT

I remember the first roller coaster I ever went on. It was an old wooden one called the blud streak with only one bar that came down over your lap. When we hit the first hill I was scared to death. There wasn't much protection the only thing I could think about was, "hold on tight."


1. Hold on Tight to Sound Teaching

2 Tim 1:13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.

Sound - meaning healthy - that which gives health
We hold on through

• Faith
• starts with faith in Christ
• continues with faith in Christ
  
• Love
• Love for Christ
• Love for His Word
  

2. Hold on Tight to the Deposit (trust) we have been given
2 Tim 1:14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you--guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

"Wm. Barclay says, "Not only do we put our trust in God; God puts His trust in us."

3. Hold on tight and don't desert
2 Tim 1:15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

Dont' give up when the going gets tough

4. Hold on Tight by following the example of other faithful people
2 Tim 1:16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.

The Fourth Decision

Be Spirit Full
1 Th 5:19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire;

"What fire is to the natural world the Holy Spirit is to teh supernatural world"

Dr. Farr

1. The Personality of the Spirit

• The Holy Spirit is not a ghost
• The Holy Spirit is not a force
• The Holy Spirit is a person

John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--
John 14:17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

This distinction makes a huge difference

• If the Holy Spirit were a force we could use it.
• Since He is a person He uses us

2. The Power of the Spirit

• He energizes us

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

• He encourages us

John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--

• He enables us

3. The Presence of the Spirit

• He is with us
• He is in us

John 14:17 ...But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

How do we put out the Spirit's Fire?

• Disobedience
• Ignoring
• Neglecting the Gifts of the Spirit

All lead to putting out the spirits fire

As we begin this new year there are four decisions, choices, we need to make

• Be Joyful
• Be Payful
• Be Thankful
• Be Spirit full

Three Decisions that Will Change Your Year Part III

BE THANKFUL ALWAYS 1 Thes 5.18

1 Th 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.


The Apostle Paul did not live a easy life. He writes to the Corinthians about some of his trials.

• 2 Cor 11:23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.
• 2 Cor 11:24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.
• 2 Cor 11:25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,
• 2 Cor 11:26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.
• 2 Cor 11:27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.
• 2 Cor 11:28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

That is a difficult life and yet we see him telling the Thesalonians to be Joyful, Prayful and lastly Thankful.

How can he be thankful for all that he had been through?

He knew the secrets to thankfulness
1. Focus on the Blessings we have in Christ
2. Die to selfish desires
3. Learn more about Jesus in every situation
4. Keep the kingdom of God first
5. Know that your best days are always ahead

• 2 Tim 1:12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

When theives robbed Matthew Henry he still found something to be thankful for. He wrote this in his diary, "Let me be thankful first, because I was never robbed before; second, because, although they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed."

BE THANKFUL ALWAYS

3 Decisions That Will Change Your Year Part II

Be Prayerful Always 1 Thes 5.17

I was at the driving range one day when I guy comes out of the Pro Shop looking good! He had the right clothes, the best clubs and a driver that was as big as my first apartment. I stopped to watch thinking he was going to be able to smack the ball. He gets up to the tree. Takes a couple practice swings then lets it rip. He hit the ball on the edge of the face and it went straight to the left. Not a "pull" mind you but 90 degrees to the left it bounced off the side fence.

It reminded me of the old golf saying, "You drive for show and you put for dough"

We can look good but it is not how we look it is how we Play.
In church we can look good but it is not how we look but how we Pray

Jesus spoke of prayer in Mat 6.5-8

Mat 6:5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
Mat 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Mat 6:7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
Mat 6:8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

1. We Can Have the Wrong Motive - Praying to be Heard by Men

2. We Must Have the Right Motive - Praying to be Heard by God
Enter your prayer closet
Unobserved
Undisturbed
Unheard

Randy Hurst shares a great thought in the book Help from the Lord
"Invite God to search your heart and move by His Holy Spirit in your secret life. He has a divine purpose to carry out in your personal and public life in this world. We are to be His witnesses-His messengers. But the character of what we are is formed by our secret life with Him. "

3 Decisions that Will Change Your Year Part 1

BE JOYFUL ALWAYS 1 Thes. 5.16

1. We must have a proper relationship to Jesus Christ
John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--
It all begins with this foundation


2. Live a Positive Life
Look at the bright side of things
Don't Compare yourself to other people
Don't Complain

3. Take Control of Your Life
Don't let others control your life

Gal 6:2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Gal 6:5 for each one should carry his own load.

v. 2 - Speaks of helping others in times of tragedy
v. 5 - Speaks of handling our daily responsibilities

One is like a Boulder
The other a Backback

Mat 5:37 Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
It is o.k. to say no.

This is adapted from a book entitled Boundaries by Drs. Henry Cloud & John Townsend

Can I set limits and still be a loving person?
Yes - you end up being more loving in the true sense of the word

What are legitimate boundaries?
Staying healthy and keeping healthy relationships

What if someone is upset or hurt when I say no?
They will be upset. You cannot control the reactions of others

Am I being selfish by saying no?
NO!

John Oswalt Quote

That hope is not in our accomplishments but in his. He has forever solved the problems of justice and freedom by taking into himself the consequences of all our pride and idolatry, which have produced wrong and oppression. In place of the world's seemingly endless tears and loss, he has given joy and abundance. If we wait for a day yet to come to see him enthroned in all his glory, we can still live our days here on earth with confidence and rest.

John Oswalt NIV Application Commentary pg. 228