Life Hacks: A Study in Psalms Survive Psalm 1

Life Hacks:  Psalm 1

Keyword: Survive

(sermon preached on 2-5-2017)

In the context of Psalm 1, the themes are:

1. Surviving temptation and the pull of a wayward world

2. Surviving scoffing and seasons of doubt

3. Surviving beyond circumstances by remaining planted in Him

4. Surviving by flourishing in your spiritual relationships and ministry

5. Surviving by the Lord's provenance in our lives

I.  Blessed is the Person vs 1

A. Regarding Poor Counsel

B. Regarding Appropriate Manner

C. Regarding Indecisiveness or Doubt

II. The Position of Such a Righteous Person vss 2-3

A. Regarding the Word

B. Regarding A Spiritual Aptitude

C. Regarding Spiritual Roots

III. The Disposition of Such an Unrighteous Person vss 4-5

A. Inability to Discern Truth

B. Inability to survive judgment

C. Inability to experience truth in community

IV. The Destination vs 6

A. The Provenance

B. The Punishment

Conclusions - We survive:

1. When we choose His option over the world's offer

2. When we immerse ourselves in His frame of reference rather than the world's point of view

3. When we trust His plan even when circumstances seem contrary to His purpose

4. When we refuse to give up, and commit to the end point in Him

5. When we fall down, we get back up - because His grace supersedes our failures

Life Hacks: A Study in Psalms Better 1-29-17

Sermon Notes: 1-29-17

Life Hacks: A Study in Psalms

Key Word: Better

Scriptures: Psalm 37:16-19, 84:10, 118:8-9, 63:1-5

Note: See below for six conclusions.

I. Better: is Little than Much -  Psalm 37:16-19

A. Experience Contentment - Phil 4:11-13, Heb 13:5

B. Pursue Godliness - Phil 6:6-8, 1 Tim 4:7-8

C. Have Integrity - Prov 11:3

II. Better: is Serving than Being Served - Psalm 84:10

A. Servanthood and Worship

-  Better to Be Like Him  - John 12:26

- Better to serve others  - Mark 9:35,  Luke 22:26

- Better to Serve as Worship - Romans 12:1-2 

B. Selection of Yahweh for Life

- Better to be the doorkeeper 

- Better to live in a manner worthy of the Lord. 

III. Better: is the Refuge of the Lord - Psalm 118:8-9

A. Where do We Retreat?

B. Who do we Trust?

IV. Better: is His Love than Life Itself  - Psalm 63:1-5

A. First Love - Mt 22:36-37

B. First Priority - Mt 6:33.

C. Above All - Psalm 95:3, Phil 2:9-11

Conclusions:

1. 2017 will be better not because we set expectations lower, but we set them more clearly regarding purposeful decisions, and in line with God's agenda and purpose.

2.Contentment in Christ tames the fleshly yearn for things, yet it cause the spiritual flame to burn more brightly as we understand the true and real value of knowing Him and pursuing His kingdom.

3. A life well lived is one in which right choices have been made and right directions have been followed.

4. Your destination is often determined by the people you journey with.

5. Being available to the Lord likened to being the doorkeeper who stands instantly ready to serve the Master.

6. What you hope "better for" may determine the "how you get there." That's why it's important to hope for the right things.

Life Hacks: Abound - Psalm 23

Life Hacks - A Study in Psalms

Key  Word: Abound - Psalm 23

I. The Person of Yahweh

He is Shepherd - Provider - not just the provision, He is provider!

Now the Provision:

A. He causes me to lie down - Rest

B. He leads me beside tranquil waters - Restoration

C. He renews my soul - Renewal

D. He guides me into his fullness - Re-position

II. The Profession of the Believer

A1. Even in the deepest darkest places/circumstances

B1. Your Rod and Staff

- weapon and guiding staff

- scepter and kingship

A2. In the Presence of my enemies

B2. You anoint my head with oil

- my cup is filled, beyond over flowing. 

NT reference verses:

1. Romans 15:13

2. Ephesians 3:20

3. 1 Corinthians 2:9

III. The Perpetuity of His Provision

A. Good and Love Pursue Me - all the days of my life

B. I will dwell in the House of the Lord - for length of days

We Wait in Hope for the Lord Psalm 33:12-22

(Sermon preached on 1-15-2017)

I. There is a Blessing for the People of God

II. The Lord Looks Down Upon His People

III. He Discerns Their Actions

A. The King is Not Saved by His Army

B. The Warrior is Not Rescued by His Strength

C. The Horse is a False Hope for Victory

IV. The Eye of The Lord is Upon Them

V. We Wait in Hope for the Lord

A. We wait

B. He Helps

C. We rejoice

D. Because We Trust

VI. The Blessing of His Faithful Love

1 John Series: Illuminated 1 John 5:6-12 The Testimony

 Illuminated

1 John 5:6-12 The Testimony

preached 11-13-16

I. The Testimony of Jesus vs 6

II. The Testimony of the Spirit  vss 6-7

III. The Testimony of the Father  vs 9

IV. The Testimony of the Believer vss 10-13

A. We have been given eternal life vs 11

B. The one who believes has life vs 12

C. You will know you have life vs 13

1 John Series: Illuminated 1 John 4:7-19 Perfect Love

Illuminated

11-6-2016

1 John 4:7-19

Perfect Love Casts Out Fear!

I. Love Presented

A. Love is From God ... and God is Love vss 7-9

B. Love is revealed (vs9)

C. Love Consists in this vs 10

II.  Love Proven  (and Perfected) vs 12

A. God's love in us vs 12

B. God's love assures us

- through the Holy Spirit vs 13

- through the testifying vs 14

- through the confession vs 15

III. Love Perfected

A.  There is no fear in love vs 18

B.   Perfect love drives out Fear vs 18

C.  Love is greater than punishment vs 17-18

1 John Series: Illuminated 1 John 4:1-6, 5:1-5

Illuminated  10-31-16

1 John 4:1-6, 5:1-5

Greater is the One in Us

I. Test the Spirits 4:1

A. Societal Relativism of Truth

B. Deception of Immorality

C. The Work of the Anti-Christ

II. The Test of the Spirit of God 4:2-3

A. Confession of Jesus as the Christ 4:2, 5:1

B. Acknowledgement of His Nature 4:2

C. Lack of Confession verifies the spirit is not from God  4:3

III. Greater is Christ in You - Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world

A.  You are born of God, and thus Greater 4:4, 5:1

B. You obey God and thus are have Victory 5:4-5

C.  Because we are in Christ: (let's put this in a personal and practical perspective)

1. The grace of God is greater than your guilt

2. The love is God is greater than your shame

3. The comfort of God is greater than your sorrow

4. The strength of God is greater than your weakness

5. The hope of God is greater than your despair

6. The plan of God is greater than your agenda

7.  The power of God is greater than your adversity

8. The provision of God is greater than your need

9. The deliverance of God is greater than your temptation

1 John Series: Illuminated 1 John 3:10-20 Living a Different Kind of Love

10-23-16

Illuminated 1 John 3:10-20

Living a Different Kind of Love

I.  Love's Message

A. Love One Another - 3:11

B. The Lack of Love is Equated With Evil - 3:12

C. Love of our Christian Family is the Fruit of Salvation - 3:14

D. The Lack of Love is Equated with Death - 3:15-16

II. Love's Messenger  3:16-17

III. Love's Method

A. We Sacrifice - 3:16

B. We Serve - 3:17

C. We Speak - 3:18

D. We Act - 3:18

IV. Love's Confidence

A. Confidence of His Truth in Us When We Love - 3:19

B. Confidence in His Love, it is Greater Than Our Hearts -  3:20

C. Confidence in His Full Knowledge of Us - 3:20

A Unique Look at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

The following is a paraphrase of the “love” verses based on the question of “what if one paraphrased love as a negative rather than a positive?”  This gives a unique and startling perspective on love and highlights the positive attributes of the kind of love that God has for us and gives to us.

First, the text from the NIV:

1 Cor 13: 4-8  ^4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ^5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ^6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ^7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ^8 Love never fails . . .  (NIV)

A Paraphrase of the Negative Concept:

What if ... Love is short fused, impatient, hurried and rude; it is irritable and often annoyed by others.  It is jealous and resentful, arrogant, prideful and bragging, puffs up and shows off.  It is impolite and discourteous, even disrespectful; and selfish, imposing, demanding.  Flashes with rage, sets off easily; holds grudges, and is bitter; keeps track of mistakes, and uses them as leverage.  Love appreciates inequity and watches gleefully any wrong doing; squashes the truth, hides the truth, doesn’t listen to truth.  Love preserves self, takes advantage of others, doubts others, suspects others, disbelieves others; love renounces, quits, resigns, falls short, lets down, disappoints, dissatisfies.  Love always fails.

A Paraphrase of the Positive Concept:

Love is not short fused, impatient, hurried or rude; it is not irritable and never annoyed by others.  It is not jealous, resentful, arrogant, prideful and bragging; nor does it puff up and show off.  It is polite and courteous, even respectful, and self sacrificing; never imposing or demanding.  Love doesn’t flash with rage, doesn’t set off easily; holds no grudges, and refuses to be bitter; doesn’t track mistakes to use as leverage.  Love appreciates equity and cannot take part in any wrong doing; it cannot squash the truth or hide the truth, and always listens and speaks truth.  Love is not self preserving, takes no advantage of others, doesn’t doubt others, nor suspects and disbelieves others; love will not renounce, quit, resign, fall short, let down, disappoint, or dissatisfy.  Love always triumphs and never fails.

 (written by Mark W. Gregory)

1 John Series: Illuminated 1 John 2:28-3:10

10-16-16

1 John 2:28-3:10

Being Children of God

I. The Claim as Children

A. Bold and not ashamed vs 2:28

B. Doing what is right vs 2:29

C. Called children by His great love vs 3:1

II. The Calling as Children

A. The world doesn't know us vs 3:1

B. We are called be like Him vs 3:2

C. We are to be pure vs 3:3

III. The Commission as Children

A. Living beyond the grasp of sin vss 4-6

B. Living for righteousness vs 7

C. Living for the Son vss 8-10

1 John Series: Illuminated 1 John 2:18-27 The Line in the Sand

10-2-16

1 John 2:18-27

The Line in the Sand

Introductory Comments: These verses draw a definitive line between:

1. Those who are in the Father/Christ or not

2. Those who oppose the Father/Christ or not

3. Those who confess the Father/Christ or not

I. The Defining Line - at the Last Hour vss 18-19

A. Some have gone out

B. Some have remained true

C. The Antichrist and antichrists

II. The Anointed Ones vss 20-23

A. You have the Holy One and the Holy Spirit

B. You have adequate knowledge

C. No lie comes from the truth

III. The Remnant Remains  vss 24-27

A. What you heard must remain

B. Do not be deceived

1. by false teaching/teachers

2. by knowledge that is prideful

3. by reason that justifies sin

C. The Anointing remains

1. The Holy Spirit remains in you

2. The Holy Spirit will teach you

1 John Series: Illuminated 1 John 2:12-17 The Great Trade

10-3-2016

 Illuminated 1 John 2:12-17 

The Great Trade

I. The Reason for Writing

Question 1: What's the Reason for the Passage?

Question 2: Who are the Children, the Fathers, and the Young Men?

Question 3: What is the sequence of responses?

II. The Resulting Trade

Question 4: What is the Connection?

Question 5:  What is the Contrast?

                Father                                                                                   World

Forgiveness and Healing                                               Guilt and Shame

Healthy Relationships                                                    Broken and Dysfunctional Relationships

Victory and Progressive Sanctification                    Self Improvement without Sustained Capacity

Satisfaction and Fulfillment                                         Self Absorption without Satisfaction

Permanent                                                                         Temporary

Conclusion:

Question 6: What are the Implications?

1. There is a baseline of grace and mercy resulting in forgiveness and relationship.

2. We know God through His Word and we experience Him in our daily walk.

3. We walk in strength through increasing our knowledge of His Word.

4. Movement toward the Father moves you away from the world.

5. A Growing love for the Father displaces in your heart a love for the world.

6. Though you remain in the world, the pull of the world diminishes as you grow stronger in the Lord and in His Word.

1 John Series: Illuminated 1 John 2:3-11 The Commanded Reality

 9-25-16 

Series: 1 John - Illuminated

1 John 2:3-11 The Commanded Reality

I. How Do We Know?

A. We Keep His Commands - vss 3-4

B. The Love of God is Perfected in Us - vs 5

C. We Remain in Him and Walk with Him - vs 6

II. The Commands - Old and New - vss 7-8

A. The Old is the Message You Have Heard - vs 7

B. The New is to the Walk in the Light of Christ - vs 8

III. The Character of Christian Care

A. If We Hate - We Walk in Darkness - vs 9

B. If We Love - We Walk in Light - vs 10

C. A Righteous Walk Leads to Ongoing Revelation - vs 10

D. A Walk Apart from the Light Leads to Blindness and Misdirection - vs 11

1 John Series - Illuminated 1 John 1:5-2:2

The Root Issue of Sin

1 John 1:5-2:2

 preached on 9-18-2016

I.  The Comparative Perspective of Fellowship 1:5-7

A. The Contrast of Dark and Light vs 5

B. The Practice of True Fellowship vs 6-7

II. The Conditional Perspective of Sin and Forgiveness 1:7-9

A. If we say we have no sin vs 8

B. If we confess our sins vs 9

C. If we say we have not sinned vs 10

III. The Conclusion to our Personal Dilemma 2:1-2

A. The Hope for Personal Improvement 2:1

B. The Advocate for our Perpetual Problem 2:1

C. The Savior Who is the Propitiation for our Sin 2:2

1 John Series - Illuminated 1 John 1:1-4

Sermon Text 1 John 1:1-4

Preached on 9-18-2016

I.  In the Beginning vs 1

II. In the Personal Knowledge of Jesus vs 1

A. The Affirmative Statements

1. What we have heard - AKOUO

2. What we have seen - HORAO

3. What we have observed - THEAOMAI

4. What we have touched - PSELAPHAO

B. The Father's Revelation vs 2

1. Seen it - HORAO

2. Testify - MARTUREO

3. Declare - AGGELLO

C. For the Purpose of Fellowship  vs 3

Fellowship - KOINONIA 

D. For the Result Of Joy vs 4

Joy - CHARA from CHAIRO

III. The Personal Nature of Faith in Jesus

A. He is a Real Person

B. He is Really God

C. He Desires Real Fellowship with Us

The Master's Design of Discipleship Part 1 and 2

Sermon Series: The Master's Design of Discipleship

Sermon Title: The Call of the  Disciple

Sermon Text: Matthew 4:18-22

I. The Call of the Disciple

GREEK: 1. DEUTE, DEURO - come now, follow urgently

            2. MANTHETES, MANTHANO - learner, pupil, to increase in knowledge by practice and use

A. To Follow  Matthew 4:1

B. To Learn  Matthew 5:1-2

C. To Know  John 10:14, 14:9       

^10:14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me

^14:9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

II. The Characteristics of the Disciple

The Disciple:

A.  Settles the Matter of Lordship  Luke 9:23, Romans 10:9

²³ Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

B.  Desires to be Obedient Luke 6:46

⁴⁶ “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

C.  Commits to Persist/Endure   Matthew 10:22, Rev 2:26

²² All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

D.  Adopts the Posture of a Learner  Matthew 11:29

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

E.  Practices the Habits of the Master 

- prays to the Father - Luke 5:16  But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

- studies and loves the word - Matthew 4:4 Man does not live on bread alone...

- desires the will of the Father - Luke 22:42  "Not my will but thine."

- has compassion for the crowds and the lost - Matt 9:36, 14:14

^9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

- embraces the necessity of Servanthood  Matthew 20:26-28

²⁶ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The Resurrection Essentials: Part 1 3-13-16

Sermon Series: The Resurrection Essentials - from 1 Corinthians 15

The Essentials: 1 Corinthians 15:1-28

I. The Essential Gospel

A. To Clarify vs 1

B. To Continue vss 2-3

C. The Content vss 3-8

II. The Essential Resurrection

A. The Conditional Argument vss 12-19

B. The Oppositional Argument vss 12-19

III. The Essential Guarantee

A. Christ as the First Fruit vs 20-23

B. Christ and His Return vss 23-24

Calvary Family Series 4: Living Stones 1 Peter 2:1-10 2-28-16

Family Sermon Series  4: Living Stones  1 Peter 2:1-10

2-28-16

I. He is the Cornerstone

A. Rejected by many

1. Tripped over

2. Rejected

B. Accepted by Some

Though through the narrow gate: Matthew 7:13-14  

C. Chosen as a Valuable Stone - the Cornerstone and foundation

II. He is the Living Stone

A. He is not Dead, He is Alive

Luke 24:5-6 

B. In Him there is Life Abundant John 10:10

C. In Him there is Life Eternal "made alive in Him"

Ephesians 2:4-5 

III. We are Living Stones in His Spiritual House

A. We are a Spiritual House cf Hebrews 3:1-6

B. The Spirit Moves in a Spiritual Way

1. Orchestrating - coordinating, not coincidental

2. Interacting - guiding and nurturing

3. Intervening - stepping in and redirecting, disciplining when necessary

C. We are a Worshiping Family

Calvary Family Series 3: Connected, Commended, Committed

 2-21-16

Hebrews 3:1-6

Also:  Eph 3:14-21, 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3, Hebrews 2:10-11

I. Connected

A. Shared Faith Journey - Hebrews 2:10-11

B. Supportive Faith Community - 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

C. Sharpen One Another - Proverbs 27:17, Hebrews 3:13, Hebrews 10:24-25

II. Commended 1 Thessalonians 1:3

A. The Work of Faith

B. The Labor of Love

C. The Endurance of Hope

III. Committed

A. Assault the Gates of Hell  - Matthew 16:18

B. Proclaim the Gospel - Matthew 28:19-20 

C. Exalt and Glorify the Lord - Ephesians 3:21

Calvary Family Series Part 2: 2-14-16

2-14-16

 The Calvary Family: Foundational, Intentional, Missional

 Colossians 3:12-17, 1 Thessalonians 1:3,

I. Foundational: We will Stand on the Gospel

A. The Authority of the Word - vs 16 

B. The Uniqueness of Jesus - vs  16 

II. Intentional: We will Love the Church

A. The Attributes of the Members vss 12-15

B. The Commitment to the Family 

C. The Work of God through the Church

III. Missional: We will Serve the World

A. With the Gospel

B.  In Word and Deed

Calvary Family Series Part 1: The Family 1-31-16

Sermon Title:  Calvary - The Family

Sermon Text: Galatians 6:9-10

I. Calvary: A Unique Family

A Household: 

A. We Belong - Where we fit in the God's kingdom family and work

B. We are Related - a place of being, named, identity

C. We are Committed - Connected, Sharing life, Fellowship, Supportive

II. Calvary: The Five Functions

Review: Fellowship, Worship, Prayer, Discipleship, Evangelism

III. Calvary: The Commitment of A Church

A. Proclaim the Gospel

B.  Make Disciples

C. Build a Family