Easter - Erasing Easter

ERASING EASTER

Would it make any difference?

You erase Easter you erase…

If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.  1 Corinthians 15:16-17 NLT

The cross was the payment for our sins, but Easter is what completed the transaction.

If you erase Easter... 
- then you erase faith.
- then you erase redemption.
- then you erase forgiveness.
- then you erase grace.

If there is no resurrection, “Let’s feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!”  1 Corinthians 15:32 NLT

If you erase Easter...  
- then you erase true satisfaction.
- then you erase motivation.

And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.  1 Corinthians 15:19 NLT

If you erase Easter...
- then you erase hope.
- then you erase purpose.

But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.  1 Corinthians 15:20 NLT

O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting?   1 Corinthians 15:55 NLT

Because of Easter there is... hope.

But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.   1 Corinthians 15:57 NLT

Because of Easter there is...
- faith, redemption, forgiveness and grace.

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.  1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT

Because of Easter there is...
- purpose, motivation and satisfaction.

Easter seals these things for us.  

They cannot be taken away.

Game Plan - Part 6

4TH QUARTER

All of us have a tendency to think God thinks about us the way we think about us.

God has a future for me regardless of what I’ve done.

When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” 1 Sam. 16:6 NLT

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him.  1 Sam. 16:7a NLT

God does not see as man sees.

The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  1 Sam. 16:7b NLT

What you did yesterday is of far less concern to God than where your heart is today.

God redeems and restores.

In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.”  1 Sam. 16:10 NLT

Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” “Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”  1 Sam. 16:11 NLT

So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.”  1 Sam. 16:12 NLT

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came on David.  1 Sam. 16:13 NLT

Take my life, I lay it down, 

at the cross where I am found.

All I have to give to you, O God.

Game Plan - Part 5

A WORD FROM THE COACH

How do I know that's God?

Have I put myself in a position to listen?

Three Questions:

1. Is this decision consistent with the Bible?

2. Is this decision consistent with God's thumbprints on me?

Rehoboam went to Shechem, where all Israel had gathered to make him king.  1 Kings 12:1 NLT

When Jeroboam heard of this, he returned from Egypt, for he had fled to Egypt to escape from King Solomon.  The leaders of Israel summoned him, and Jeroboam and the whole assembly of Israel went to speak with Rehoboam.  “Your father was a hard master,” they said. “Lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that your father imposed on us. Then we will be your loyal subjects.  1 Kings 12:2-4 NLT

Rehoboam replied, “Give me three days to think this over. Then come back for my answer.” So the people went away.  1 Kings 12:5 NLT

Then King Rehoboam discussed the matter with the older men who had counseled his father, Solomon. “What is your advice?” he asked. “How should I answer these people? 1 Kings 12:6 NLT

The older counselors replied, “If you are willing to be a servant to these people today and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your loyal subjects.  1 Kings 12:7 NLT

The young men replied, “This is what you should tell those complainers who want a lighter burden: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!  Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!  1 Kings 12:10-11 NLT

Who am I listening to?

The people you listen to are a preview of the future you.

Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to hear Rehoboam’s decision, just as the king had ordered.  But Rehoboam spoke harshly to the people, for he rejected the advice of the older counselors and followed the counsel of his younger advisers. He told the people, “My father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!  1 Kings 12:12-14 NLT

3. Is this decision consistent with wise, Godly counsel?

The question is - are you listening?

Red light        Yellow light         Green light

Game Plan - Part 4

TRADED

God often directs through new opportunities that are connected to current opportunities.

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  Colossians 3:23 NLT

Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.  Colossians 3:24 NLT

Four Questions:

1.  Based on your current performance would you trust you with a better opportunity?

2.  Are you preparing for the next opportunity or are you just waiting for it?

3.  What can you begin doing now to prepare for the next opportunity?

4.  Is there an opportunity where you are now that you are ignoring because the income doesn't match the workload?

Bottom Line:  Fully engage with your current opportunity while you wait, pray and look for the next one.

Game Plan - Part 3

THE PLAYBOOK

God's thumbprints on you are clues about His plan for you.

What did you do with the talents and gifts I gave you?

Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.   1 Timothy 4:14 NLT

Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress.  1 Timothy 4:15 NLT

Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.  1 Timothy 4:16 NLT

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.  2 Timothy 1:6 NLT

*Know your gifts.

www.gifts.churchgrowth.org

    Spiritual gifts
    Heart
    Abilities
    Personality
    Experiences

*Leverage opportunities to use your gifts.

What's at stake? Not only do you lose, but the rest of us lose.

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!'"  Matthew 25:21 NLT

Game Plan - Part 2

CALLING AN AUDIBLE

The 3 Elements of God's Will:
    *Providential will of God
    *Moral will of God
    *Personal Will of God

The more familiar you are with the providential and moral will of God, the easier it will be for you to discern the personal will of God.

They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”.  2 Peter 3:4 NLT

They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water.  2 Peter 3:5 NLT

Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood.  2 Peter 3:6 NLT

 And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.  2 Peter 3:7 NLT

But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.  2 Peter 3:8 NLT

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.  2 Peter 3:9 NLT

Repentance - a change of mind that results in a change of action.

Salvation - a change of mind about Jesus.

God's personal will for you is that you turn in His direction (repent) and embrace His Son as your Savior.

Game Plan - Part 1

FUNDAMENTALS OF THE GAME

God, what should I do with my life?

Premise - There is a God and He has a great plan for your life.

Promise - You're going to be equipped to understand how to find God's plan for your life.

GOD'S WILL:
    *Pray without ceasing
    *Give thanks in everything
    *Rejoice always
    *Submit to authorities
    *Avoid sexual immorality
    *Be saved
    *Be filled with the Holy Spirit

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.   Colossians 3:1 NLT

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.  Colossians 3:2 NLT

For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.  Colossians 3:3 NLT

When Christ, who is your life...   Colossians 3:4 NLT

I think that God is only a component of my life.

GOD - I am your life.

The focus of my life is not the future.  

The focus of my life is a person:  JESUS.

There's a prize inside of me!

Let God be God in my world.

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27 NIV

He is the prize inside of me and if my focus will be on Him, He will lead me to His plans.

HOMEWORK:
Simply go with God.
Shift my focus from the future to my Savior?  
Just rest.

God, what should I do with your life that is within me?

iMarriage - Part 3

IT TAKES 3

The key and goal is to empty the expectation box.

What do you do with all this stuff in the desire box?

Options for dealing with unsatisfied desires:
    *Ignore them
    *Stay bus
    *Find someone else

In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  1 Peter 5:5 NLT

Biblical humility = freely choosing to put your deal ahead of my deal

Grace = God given power to do what you need to do.                 

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.  1 Peter 5:6 NLT

Declare your dependence and announce your obedience.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.  1 Peter 5:7 NLT

"Is this important to you?  Well then, it's important to me."

"The box talk."

Confess
    -Take responsibility for turning your desires into expectations.    

Ask
    -Where do you feel pressure to live up to my expectations?
    -What can I do to make our marriage more fulfilling?

Reward
    -What's rewarded is repeated.
    -He/she will know how important it is to you.

Great marriages are not about two big "I's."  It is about us.