Adam Thomas 5.6.09 Gen 48: Joseph brought his two sons - Ephraim and Menassah to his dad, their grandpa Jacob to receive his blessing. Ephraim the older son would receive the blessing according to Jewish tradition. As Ephraim and his younger brother Mannaseh bowed at their grandpa's side to be blessed, Jacob crossed his arms and blessed the younger son. This picture is of a younger un-deserving son getting what he didn't deserve and an older son who according to jewish tradition had a blessing coming to him. Sound alot like the picture of Jesus on a cross and us having a new life.
We deserve the consequances of our sins - death. Jesus deserved to the opposite of what he got.
When Jesus was crucified he got what we deserve. And now we have New life which we could do nothing to earn. The same way Jacob crossed his arms that day, God crossed his arms and gave us the blessing while his son took the blame for our sin.
Forgiven and Refreshed 4.22.09
Acts 3:19
John 19:25
When Jesus died blood and water came out of his side.
Blood representing forgiveness – Heb. 9:
Water representing refreshing – Acts 3:19
The veil was ripped from top to bottom. Forgiveness was immediately offered to humanity and has been spoken of since, however, we tend to focus only on the blood and not the water.
The other half is for being refreshed – being restored – having pasture.
We can go in and out and find pasture. We can now go in and out of God’s presence and have our since blotted out and be refreshed. No matter what is going on around us, we can be refreshed. We can go in and out and find pasture. Most peoples spiritual lives are like a desert. We’re forgiven – but we’re dehydrated. So to many of us – our faith is important when we die (we go to heaven). The question is not just “if you died today” – It’s “if you lived tomorrow”. Most of us will live tomorrow. Rather than being Dehydrated Christians who are forgiven but roughing life in the mean time. We can be refreshed now! Today! Jesus’ death burial and resurrection are not just important when we die – for forgiveness.
It’s important because we can be refreshed daily by entering into his presence.
How to NOT be in his presence:
Listen to slipknot
Neglect your bible and ignore what it says
Always be doing something – ALWAYS!
How to be in his presence:
Free up some time and space.
Talk to God like you talk to anyone – (people will think you’re nuts)
Read his love letter to you often – The Bible
'ADOPTED BY JESUS' 4.5.09
We are adopted by God.
One who is adopted does not choose who adopts them, they are chosen by their adopter.
When we receive salvation, we’re adopted by God our heavenly father.
A lot of people think they’re searching for God – the reality is that God is not hiding from anyone. He was searching for each of us before we ever started searching for him. There’s a God sized hole in every heart that God wants to fill.
JOHN 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name
Eph. 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will
When we give our hearts to God it isn't that we hunted him down and finally gave our hearts to him. He came and chose us. He, by his grace, by his love for us came and poured out his love. Jesus!
'WHAT IS WISDOM SAYING TO YOU' 3.18.09 -Adam T.
'MMMM THIS STUFF IS GOOD' 3.11.09
Psalm 34:8
Says 'O taste and see that the Lord is good'.
We all enjoy cookies, chewy cookies, crunchy cookies, no bake cookies, big cookies, small cookies, unhealthy cookies, or healthy cookies (if there's such a thing - oatmeal raisin?).
Cookies aren't something we eat to fulfill our 'daily nutritional values'. The truth is, cookies taste good - so we eat them.If we were to read the ingredients off the back of an Oreo package we would get very bored, very quickly. Sugar, Flour, Niacin, Saturated (pronounced sacherated) fat, the list continues with many ingredients we can't even pronounce much less understand what they are. Christianity has been presented in a similar way to our generation - read the back of this package "Don't do this, don't do that, whatever you do don't do that, oh and by the way do this only this way." And we wonder why only 4% of our generation are claiming to actually follow Christ. The ingredient list is not what makes us love oreos. It's the taste! Psalm 34:8 say 'O TASTE' - We can take part in a passive faith - one that doesn't make it past Monday morning - one that only requires us to observe, but staring at an Oreo is not what sells oreos. Many picture sharing Jesus as a strenuous task. Similar to reading the package of oreos. When you taste the goodness of the Lord it will change you. When you taste the goodness of the Lord it's not difficult to share. 11 of the 12 disciples died for the cause of Christ. Why? Each of them personally tasted the goodness of the Lord and nobody, NOBODY, could take that from them. Our generation needs to taste the Lords goodness.
Whether you've never been in a church, been coming for months, or grew up in a 'Christian Family', if you've never tasted the goodness of the Lord - Taste now. Because 'MMMM THIS STUFF IS GOOD.'
'NOBODY GETS CUT' 3.4.09
Another season of sports is beginning and so it's time to try-out and see if you're good enough to be on the team.
At every try-out you'll find coaches evaluating players and deciding who's good enough and who needs to be sent home.
There's a lot of intimidation when you first get out there, the only time a coach says anything to you is to correct you. Getting cut is not a good feeling. Some of us know from experience.
Sometimes people feel this way around Christians. Like they're being evaluated, usually only told when they're doing something wrong. Probably associate 'church' with 'disapproval'.
Acts 3:1-10
Vs. 7 says "and he took him by his right hand and lifted him up."
I wonder how often we actually pick each other up?
How often do we actually lift up the broken and hurting?
Too often Christians are known for pointing fingers.
As if we've earned a spot on this 'team' and now we're going to evaluate you and decide if you're good enough.
The truth is, none of us are worthy to be on this 'team' on our own - Jesus died and rose from the dead so that we could be.
Too many Christians are 'Simon's' and not enough of us are 'Paula's'
We need to stop seeing what everyone else sees and start seeing what God sees.
His thoughts about his children are all good. Plans for a good marriage, healthy relationships, a peaceful, joyful, abundant life.
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The Christian Life is not something that was ever meant to be lived alone.
The body of Christ today is not 'in one accord' as they were in Acts.
To the world this looks like and sounds similar to banging on a piano.
When we're together - helping each other, praying for each other, encouraging each other, in one accord. We'll grow together.It it vital that we surround ourselves with good friends who will be 'spotters'
Who's your spotter? and Who are you spotting?
We need each other. Life is not meant to be lived alone.

No 'Buts'
Be the Church part 3 - 2.18.09
Don't stop short, Don't look back.
A group of the 18/19 year old guys came up with the idea to have a box to put our 'buts' in.
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Be the Church Part 2 - 2.11.09
Like most of us, the donkey was young, stubborn, inexperienced, probably inadequate, clumsy, and kinda goofy looking. But Jesus rode in on the Colts back.

Most Christians are 'doing church.'Church to most people is an activity - a service they attend once a month or maybe as much as 3 times a week.Church is a place. A building.Pastors have been saying 'we're the body'-'the church is people' for years.Yet most Christians in America are very passive.We show up, grab a coffee, sit down and listen, sing a few songs, and say a prayer; and now we're good for another week.As long as we're a 'member' somewhere and we're tithing - God's appeased. right?There's a huge contrast between that picture and the church of the Bible.'Church' as mentioned in the new testament through the gospels, acts, and Paul's 13 letters - is always referring to a group of people.Not an organization - but an organism.The next several weeks we'll search through the bible to see what it means to BE the CHURCH and not just 'do church.'
Purity is a means to an end - not the end itself.Purity is about obedience to our creator God.John 8:2-11The pharisees were arrogant, self-righteous religious people.most had the Pentateuch memorized (first 5 books).That's 187 chapters or 5,853 verses.They "knew" the law.They were gung-ho about stoning someone who broke the law.
Jesus said “he who is without sin – cast the first stone.”
Pharisees didn't accept grace.
unmerited favor, love, acceptance; Jesus
This story is a demonstration of what Jesus did for all of humanity.
Eph. 2:13,14
Rom. 5:19
Gal. 3:24,25
Matt. 22:36-40
We must be careful that we don't become a "virgins only" youth ministry - where anyone else is not loved and accepted.
There are plenty of judgemental self-righteous Christians that are living in little compounds and not sharing the love of Christ with those who need it most.
If we’re not careful, we can get so caught up in our purity that we forget why we’re committed to living purely.
We can get back into the Global Gym mentality – High standards are good – but are we treating people like we’re superior to them because we’re pure? Remember ultimately the only purity we have is in Christ – separate from Jesus, we have no purity.
Sexual Purity Part 4 - 1.21.09
Restoration:
II SAM 11:1 (David and Bathsheba's affair that led to murder)
David's Prayer after an affair, lies, and murder.
Psalm 51
God want to restore us like a classic car.
No more guilt, shame or burdens to carry (no more condemnation).
He died for them ROM. 5:8(while we were yet sinners – Christ Died for us).
No more guilt and shame, free in Christ. He wants to Improvise and make you more valuable than ever.
John 8:2 - Adulterous woman - forgiven by Jesus
vs. 11 ". . . . neither do I condemn you: go, and sin no more"
2 Cor. 5:17 "if any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new"
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Sexual Purity Part 3 - 1.14.09
The biggest influence on our relationships is our need for Love and acceptance.Love without acceptance is lacking – it doesn’t satisfy: when your parents love you, but won’t accept you.Acceptance without love is lacking – it doesn’t satisfy: when people accept you but don’t love youWE ALL NEED LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE.JOHN 18:4Many of us drink in the compliments of others. We live every day looking for love and acceptance from our peers.When we feel loved and accepted - we're happy. When we don't feel loved and accepted - we're unhappy. The cup that's filled with everyone Else's acceptance is often empty.God has a cup that's always full of his unconditional love and acceptance - his grace.It overflows all day everyday.We need to start each day reminding ourselves what God thinks of us!PSALM 16:5 5 O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;You maintain my lot.6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;Yes, I have a good inheritance.7 I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel;My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.8 I have set the LORD always before me;Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;My flesh also will rest in hope.10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.11 You will show me the path of life;In Your presence is fullness of joy;At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore
Sexual Purity Part 2 - 1.7.09
We've got to be pure on purpose.Plan to be sexually pure.1 Thess. 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:1 Cor. 6:18-20 Flee Fornication. It's time to be intentional about being pure.God's restrictions for us are out of love for us.Much like a baby gate that a mother puts at the top of the steps to protect her baby. (Every year in America approx. 1307 people die falling down stairs)Sex has a purpose, a time , and a place.When done at God's time should be free of guilt, shame, and regret.God didn't put restrictions in this area of our lives to make life miserable. He knows and wants what's best for us - his children.There's no such thing as a condom for your heart.
Purity is not a score.It's not a scale that we measure ourselves with.Purity is a direction.Sex is not dirty.God created sex.Our culture has a perverted sex.1 Cor. 6:16-20 - Fornication - Por ni'-ah: sexual immorality
Sexual Purity will not happen on accident.Purity isn't just being a virgin.Eph. 5:3We've got to do something different:"if you keep doing what you've been doing, you'll keep gettin' what you've been gettin'."
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