Sunday, February 24, 2013

Who Has the Gold Makes the Rules


Sermon Text: Exodus 3: 21, 22 And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed. Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder the Egyptians


Point 1: Gold Rings Exodus 12: 35, 36 The Israelites did as Moses instructed them and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. The Lord made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians

Now the interesting thing about the text is (a) the suddenness with which the Israelites received their wealth, (b) why did they receive it, and (c) how much they receive?

Point 2: Gold Things Exodus 32: 1 – 8 When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”

2 Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. 4 He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”

5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the Lord.” 6 So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.

7 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. 8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’

The Israelites did what they thought they were supposed to do. Remember Moses originally told them they were going into the desert for three days to sacrifice to their God. Exodus 3: 18b...Let us take a three day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God. Sacrifice also means festival. The Hebrew for festival also means when we meet God. Moses disappears for more than three days. They proceed with their plans to meet God. The problem is they became confused with who was there God and Aaron didn’t correct them...

Point 3: Gold Means Exodus 36: 6, 7 6 Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, 7 because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work. Now fast forward. The Israelites seem to have gotten religion along the way. Now that it is time for them to build the tabernacle/church they give so much of what they have Moses has to make them stop. What happened to change them? (1) The ring leaders were wiped out by God...Moses broke the ten commandments, mixed in water made them drink it and the ground open up and swallowed them up...right leadership is everything (2) God continued to reveal himself to them. (3) They gained more faith in God (4) Moses told them what they were supposed to do with their gold

Conclusion: What should you do with the gold you have? Use your gold wisely.

(1) Take your golden time...

(2) Give your golden talent to...

(3) If you are a graduate...

(4) Complete a commitment card to build...

(5) Learn how to invest your gold in your future and not in things... 

The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1984 (Ex 32:1–8). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1984 (Ex 36:6–7). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.





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Sunday, February 17, 2013

Life at the Summit! 11:00


Sermon Text: Mark 9: 5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here.
Sermon Title: Life at the Summit!
Point 1: You must be led by Jesus vs. 2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain… The text doesn't say they asked to go. The text says Jesus led them. That tells me in order to get to the top of the mountain Jesus has to lead you, which mean, while it may be Jesus idea to go to the summit you have to submit.
Point 2: Jesus looks different which makes the view different Matt 17: 2 There he was transfigured before them…Luke 9: 2…There he was transfigured…vs. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them
The text does not say Peter, James and John went with him. The text doesn’t say they talked about it.
There is one Jesus that saves you. There is another Jesus that delivers you. There is another Jesus that heals you. Still another Jesus that calms you. And the only way you can experience all that Jesus can be in your life you HAVE to make the climb.

Point 3: People live different vs. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
The higher you go the more dead stuff come back to life. The higher you go the dead relationships come back to life. The higher the climb the more things come alive that you thought was dead forever. If there is anything dead in your life. If there is anyone dead in your life that you want to come back to life then climb the mountain and so you can see things resurrected. I know some of you have a problem with that interpretation so I need you to read verse 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead meant.”

Point 4: You leave different vs. 5, 6 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6. (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) When they got to the top of the Summit Peter made the statement they ought to build tents or tabernacles so they could stay. Well you don’t come to the mountain top to stay.
Conclusion: I want you to do at least 4 things as a result of going to the Summit. (1) Never look at your mountains the same way! Jesus will lead you out of your valley to a mountain top experience. Let Jesus lead you. (2) Remember if Jesus hasn’t handled your problem yet, you may not be higher enough to transfigure Him to the point to change your situation. Jesus looks different. (3) Dead things change when you climb mountains People look different. (4) You will leave different. No one climbs a mountain and comes down the same way. You didn’t go to stay. You went to be changed so you can do more for the kingdom. 





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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

OJHS: The Heart of the Matter


Sermon Text: Matt 6: 21
Sermon Title: OJHS: The Heart of the Matter
2 base concepts.
1 Stewardship is not about your money, it is about your life.
Where your heart is there your treasure will be. Mt. 6:21
2 Stewardship is about who is in charge of your life.
You shall have no other gods before Me. Ex. 20:2


Point 1 God Owns Everything 
The earth is the Lord's and everything in it. Ps. 24:1
1 It all belongs to God.
2 God gives His property to us for our enjoyment & investment.
3 To keep perspective, God asks that we give Him the first 10% which represents giving it ALL back to Him
4 Those who live by the ownership principle, God blesses.
5 Those who steal from God, God disciplines.


Point 2 God’s Work Must Be Supported By Gods People
The Reason People Give
« Passion b/c they believe in the cause
« Affiliation b/c they belong to the organization
« Tradition b/c they have a history or practice of giving
« Recognition b/c they want to be known
« Inspiration b/c they’re captured by the project or presenter
« Obligation b/c it is the dutiful or expected thing to do
« Transformation b/c they want to make a difference
« Invitation b/c they’re invited or asked to give
« Completion b/c they’re fulfilling a commitment
A (Consistently) Regular Giving
On the first day of every week, set aside an offering of what you have earned and give it as an offering to the Lord. 1 Cor. 16:2
B (Proportionately) Responsive Giving Idea: God calls upon believers to give in proportion to His blessing upon them.
Honor the Lord w/ your wealth, w/ the first fruits of all of your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing and your vats will brim over w/ new wine. Pr. 3:9
C (Faithfully) Reliant Giving Idea: God requires that His children give based upon God’s ability to supply.
My God shall supply my need according to His riches in glory. Ph. 4:19
D (Sacrificially) Revelation Giving
God reveals a specific need and impresses upon His people to meet it.
E (Joyfully) Radiant Giving
Let each man do according as he has purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God love a cheerful giver. 2 Cr. 9:7

F (Bountifully)
Malachi 3: 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, ‘says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessings that you will not have room enough for it.”

Point 3 God Holds Every Person Accountable 
Verse: Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1Cr. 4:2
Quote: To whom much is given much is required; but all will give an account for what they have been given.


Point 4 God Desires Equal Commitment, Not Equal Contribution
Jesus taught us about this truth when he spoke of the widow/s mite. Mk 12

Point 5 God Blesses the Giver in Proportion to His Giving
Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return. Lk. 6:38 

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Sunday, February 3, 2013

OJHS: Journey Without Jesus Philemon


OJHS: Journey Without Jesus
Philemon
Context/Background:  Paul is in prison in Rome. He was under house arrest for 2 years AD61-63 and writes to the churches at Colossae and personally to Philemon. He sends a personal letter to his friend Philemon about someone he meets in prison.  The someone happens to be Philemon’s runaway slave Onesimus.  Onesimus had stolen from Philemon.  Paul wins him to Christ, then makes an appeal on his behalf.  Then sends him back.

1.  Our life without Jesus can take us far away from our planned journey.  Philemon 12 - 12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you.
a)  Sin can sink your ship!
b)  Sin can delay, postpone, and eat up your time. 
2.  Only Jesus can turn your journey into His-story/history
Philemon 12 - 12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you
3.  Only Jesus can turn your breakdowns into breakthroughs
Romans 8:28 - 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.
a)  With Jesus, your life will become useful.
Philemon 11 - 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
b)  With Jesus your life will become profitable.
Philemon 11 - 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
Matt 25:20-24 - 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more….; I will put you in charge of many things. …!’22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’23 … I will put you in charge of many things. … 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
4.  Winning souls requires a partnership.
Philemon 12, 13, 19 - 12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self.
2 Cor. 3:2-3 - 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
5.   Salvation makes you better than before.  Philemon 16 - 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
a)  Salvation makes you sin/debt free
b)  Salvation makes you financially debt free
6.  God’s story always makes our journey more than enough
Philemon 21       - 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
7.  It takes more than one to save one
Philemon 23 - 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. 

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