Family Matters - Part 1

Moms Make A Difference

Moms, do you ever feel like a failure?

And though he loved Hannah, he would give her only one choice portion because the Lord had given her no children.  1 Samuel 1:5 NLT

So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children.  Year after year it was the same—Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle. Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat.  1 Samuel 1:6-7 NLT

    *Resist comparing yourself to others

“Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me—isn’t that better than having ten sons?” 1 Samuel 1:8 NLT

    *Don't give up on your dreams

Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray.  Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.”  1 Samuel 1:9-11 NLT

    *Ask for help

“In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.” “Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad. 1 Samuel 1:17-18 NLT

    *Accept the encouragement of others

When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. After sacrificing the bull, they brought the boy to Eli. “Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the very woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord. I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there.  1 Samuel 1:24-28 NLT

    *Prepare your children for the future
    *Continue to provide what they need
    *Remember your goals

Moms, you make a difference.

Dads, be supportive.

Kids, say thank you.

I Love My Church

IT'S FAMILY

Vision - to be the church that the unchurched love to experience.

Mission - following Jesus, changing together.

What should determine the reputation of the church?

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”  John 13:34-35 NLT

Why does the church exist?

To make a difference by relentlessly loving those who are outside.

Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him. Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?” Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”  Luke 5:27-32 NLT

Our church should be a hospital for sinners.

What we receive from the church is in direct proportion to what we are willing to give to the church.

There is no love without sacrifice.

What does it look like to intentionally love the church?
    *love by connecting
    *love by serving - saved people serve people
    *love by giving
    *love by sharing

Church:  It's not about you.

It's about those who are still lost & broken without Jesus.

Taking Responsibility For Your Life - Part 4

EMBRACE YOUR RESPONSE ABILITY

Am I taking responsibility for my life, really?

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip. Matthew 25:14-15 NLT

“The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money. Matthew 25:16-18 NLT

“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’  Matthew 25:19-20 NLT

“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

“The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’ Matthew 25:22 NLT

“The master said, ‘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 25:23 NLT

“Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’ Matthew 25:24-25 NLT

“But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ Matthew 25:26-27 NLT

“Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.  Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 25:28-30 NLT

Everybody gets an uneven amount of opportunity.

Everybody gets held accountable for what they do with it.

We are responsible for our responses.

Great gifts mean great responsibilities; greater gifts, greater responsibilities!  Luke 12:48 MSG

Taking Responsibility For Your Life - Part 3

THIS IS NO TIME TO PRAY

Am I taking responsibility for my life, really?

Four generations later, your descendants will return here and take this land, because only then will the people who live here be so sinful that they deserve to be punished.  Genesis 15:16 CEV

But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the Lord. A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the Lord was very angry with the Israelites.   Joshua 7:1 NLT

Joshua sent some of his men from Jericho to spy out the town of Ai, east of Bethel, near Beth-aven. When they returned, they told Joshua, “There’s no need for all of us to go up there; it won’t take more than two or three thousand men to attack Ai. Since there are so few of them, don’t make all our people struggle to go up there.”   Joshua 7:2-3 NLT

So approximately 3,000 warriors were sent, but they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai chased the Israelites from the town gate as far as the quarries, and they killed about thirty-six who were retreating down the slope. The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events, and their courage melted away.   Joshua 7:4-5 NLT

Joshua and the elders of Israel tore their clothing in dismay, threw dust on their heads, and bowed face down to the ground before the Ark of the Lord until evening. Then Joshua cried out, “Oh, Sovereign Lord, why did you bring us across the Jordan River if you are going to let the Amorites kill us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side! Lord, what can I say now that Israel has fled from its enemies? For when the Canaanites and all the other people living in the land hear about it, they will surround us and wipe our name off the face of the earth. And then what will happen to the honor of your great name?"   Joshua 7:6-9 NLT

But the Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them but have lied about it and hidden the things among their own belongings. That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel itself has been set apart for destruction. I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction.   Joshua 7:10-12 NLT

“Get up! Command the people to purify themselves in preparation for tomorrow. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the Lord. You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things from among you.  Joshua 7:13 NLT

It's not fair, but it's still true.

I can't be accepting of irresponsibility.

How do you know when you need to get up and do something?

    *if God has already addressed it in the Bible

    *if you're trying to pray your way out of something       you have behaved you way into

Bottom Line:

   *where do you need to get up and take responsibility?

   *where are you using prayer as an excuse for inactivity?

   *where am I using misguided compassion as an excuse?

Taking Responsibility For Your Life - Part 2

THE DISPROPORTIONATE LIFE

Am I taking responsibility for my life, really?

A principle is not good or bad.

Principle:  People reap what they sow.

God is not against you.

If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.  Galatians 6:3-5 NLT

If I focus on you, I will make excuses. 

If I focus on me, I will make progress.

Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.  Galatians 6:6 NLT

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:7 NIV

Life is connected.  

Forgiveness doesn't erase this principle. 

God loves you so much that He let you know about this principle ahead of time and made it predictable.

You reap later and greater.

This principle is not fair.

God is not going to remove the principle.

Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.  Galatians 6:8-10 NLT

So what do I do about that?
    -I'm going to quit blaming and excusing.
    -I'm going to begin to do the things I should have been doing all along.

Taking Responsibility For Your Life - Part 1

LET THE BLAMES BEGIN

Am I taking responsibility for my life, really?

What is rewarded is repeated.

Irresponsibility is not a neutral thing.

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  Genesis 1:27 NLT

Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”  Genesis 1:28 NLT

Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.  Genesis 1:29 NLT

You are happiest when you are responsible.

When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees.  Genesis 3:8 NLT

Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”  Genesis 3:9 NLT

He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”  Genesis 3:10 NLT

“Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” Genesis 3:11 NLT

The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”  Genesis 3:12 NLT

Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.” Genesis 3:13 NLT

What does irresponsibility always create?  _____________

There is nothing to be gained through blame.

Irresponsibility creates conflict within us.

This week:
    *Listen to your blame.
    *Listen to your self talk as it relates to blame.

What Does Easter Prove

WHAT DOES EASTER PROVE

What does it take to get you to believe something?

What difference does it make?

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.  Matthew 16:21 NLT

But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”  Matthew 16:22-23 NLT

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.  And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?  Matthew 16:24-26 NLT

Easter proves God is in control.
How much of life do you control?
Not being in control causes stress.

Easter proves God always keeps His promises.
*Most of us are not very excited about heaven. 

How do we get to heaven?

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.  
Romans 3:22 NLT

*God is interested in what you are facing now.

Are you frustrated with an area of your life?

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life...Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”  Matthew 11:28-29  MSG

What should our response be?
- Get to know God
- Learn  to trust Him

How do you know if we are trusting God?

When you start worshiping you stop worrying.

Inside-Out Way of Jesus - Part 3

EMPTIED TO BE FILLED

God loves to fill what's empty.

There's a difference between being full and being fulfilled.

Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations.  When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’  But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’  Luke 14:16-18 NLT

"A presumption of emptiness"

Consumerism is the idea that our success and happiness is directly related to our ever-increasing consumption of goods.

Some of us deal with emptiness by living in a constant state of consumption.

Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’  Luke 14:19 NLT

Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’  Luke 14:20 NLT

Thanks, but no thanks.  My cup is full.

 “The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’  After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’  So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.  For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’” Luke 14:21-24 NLT

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Ephesians 5:18 NLT

So, how do we do that?

"God, empty me of me so I can be filled with you."