Life Apps - Part 2

THE FORGIVENESS APP

God stands ready to help you release the grip of the grudge

Forgiveness works better than grudge holding

Start with the cross

What Rome knew is that once you experienced someone dying on a cross, you’ll never ever forget it.  

What God knew is that once you come face-to-face with the Savior of the world crucified, you will never ever forget it.

We are not just recipients but distributors of God’s grace and forgiveness

Forgiven people forgive  

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.  Romans 12:17 NLT

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.  Romans 12:18 NLT

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.  Romans 12:19 NLT

Instead,“If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”   Romans 12:20 NLT

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.  Romans 12:21 NLT

Forgiveness is aggressive  

How to apply the life app of forgiveness:
    -embrace God’s forgiveness of you
    -forgiven people forgive
    -let God avenge you
    -overcome evil with good

Life Apps - Part 1

Application is Everything

Application makes all the difference.

The New Testament authors assumed a relationship with God.

The New Testament says that insiders are not supposed to judge outsiders.

If you are a Jesus follower, you really need to pay attention.  If you're not, you get a free pass.

It's what you do that matters.

Believing without behaving is the same as not believing.

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.  James 1:22 NLT

For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.  James 1:23 NLT

You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.  James 1:24 NLT

You're more committed to things that don't make that big of a difference than you are to the things that make the difference.

But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.  James 1:25 NLT

The Word of God is freedom-giving if you trust.

In the application there is liberty and you don't know it initially but you experience it eventually.

Application makes all the difference.

Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  Matthew 7:24 NLT

Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.  Matthew 7:25 NLT

Your Church

YOUR CHURCH

Our non-negotiable:  to draw people to Jesus

When they had finished, James stood and said, “Brothers, listen to me.”  Acts 15:13 NLT

And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.  Acts 15:19 NLT

We are a church that unchurched people love to attend.

You are our church.

Following Jesus makes your life better and makes you better at life.

Mandate:  Assume guests are in the room

1. What do they see?
Do our facilities look like we are expecting guests and their children?
Do guests see themselves?

2.  What do they hear?
    Do we have a good reputation in the community?
    Is the communication engaging?
    Is the content helpful?

3.  What do they experience?
     Was it genuine?
     Did we show respect for the values and views of our guests?

It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. 1 Corinthians 5:12 NLT

We should be attractive not coercive.

God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance. Romans 2:4 HCSB    

Did we respond quickly, directly, and personally?

Will we all be a church that unchurched people love to attend?

Beginning Again - Easter

BEGINNING AGAIN

We believe Jesus rose from the dead not because the Bible says so.

We believe Jesus rose from the dead because of social media.

Q:  Do you know why Nero could persecute Christians in Rome 30 years after the resurrection?

A:  There were thousands of Christians who believe Jesus rose from the dead in the city of Rome and this was long before there was a Bible.

Everybody unfollowed Jesus.

Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.  John 20:1 NLT

Nobody expected no body.

She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”  John 20:2 NLT

Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in.  She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying.  John 20:11-12 NLT

“Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her.

“Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”  John 20:13 NLT

She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him.  John 20:14 NLT

“Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”  John 20:15 NLT

 “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).  John 20:16 NLT

“Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”  John 20:17 NLT

Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.  John 20:18 NLT

Because of the resurrection: 
-you can pray knowing that God hears your prayers.
-you can live knowing there’s life beyond this life.
-you can sacrifice knowing that your faithfulness matters.
-if you have never put your faith in Christ your Savior, you should consider it.

Who is Jesus?  He's exactly who He claimed 

to be - Savior & Lord!

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.