|
Download MP3 audio
New Life COTR Wednesday March 28, 2007
LAYING ASIDE THE OLD MAN
INTRODUCTION: A couple of weeks ago on Sunday we looked at the life of Esau as recorded in Genesis 25:27-34.
Here we see a man controlled by his “sin nature,” his flesh. The appetites of the flesh. THE OLD MAN!
GOD HAS CALLED US TO LAY ASIDE THE OLD MAN AND ITS DESIRES.
James 3:13-17- Turn and Read
Earthly wisdom versus heavenly wisdom. The flesh versus the spirit.
Ephesians 4:17-24- Turn and Read
LAY ASIDE THE OLD MAN
Do you have a Spirit controlled mind? What controls your thoughts is what will control you.
Many people are controlled by their emotions.
1. Unstable, impulsive, live in a chaotic condition.
2. Your mind can be controlled by your emotions and not the Spirit.
HAVE I LAID THE OLD MAN DOWN OR ARE MY THOUGHTS STILL BEING CONTROLLED BY THE OLD MAN!
IMPULSIVE EMOTIONS- The lust of the flesh, this is where chaos come in.
Unable to make plans and follow through with them. A mind that is controlled by emotions.
A person carried along like the wind out of control.
Anger comes in, one gets depressed, the old man is forming the emotions.
THOSE EMOTIONS CAN CONTROL YOUR LIFE AND FORM THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND!
WHAT’S THE SOURCE OF YOUR THOUGHTS? IT WILL DETERMINE YOUR OWN MOODS IN LIFE!
WHEN YOU’RE RULED BY YOUR EMOTIONS IT ENABLE A SPIRIT OF FEAR TO RULE YOUR LIFE.
Fear paralyzes and you’re unable to make decisions! When you don’t make decisions nothing changes and that’s the whole plan of the enemy.
Then we sink down with hopelessness. So with fear comes depression!
That is the strategy of the enemy to trap you!
TRANSITION: WHAT HAS FORMED THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND?
FIVE ROOTS THAT FEED YOUR EMOTIONS AND CONTROL YOUR MIND!
I. THE SPIRIT OF REJECTION
a. A spirit of Fatherlessness, a sense of worthlessness or failure, don’t know why you’re here.
b. IT ROBS YOU OF DESTINY AND RELATIONSHIP!
The Spirit of Rejection makes a wanderer of a person. Here and there with no destiny or purpose.
It will isolate a person. They will be afraid to make decisions. A spirit of unbelief will take root.
Afraid to step out in faith!
A spirit of fear will control your mind and rob you off destiny.
Fear of failure, fear of rejection. WHAT IS CONTROLLING YOUR MIND!
A SPIRIT OF REJECTION WILL LEAVE YOU IN A TRAP WHERE NOTHING CHANGES!
TRANSITION: What has formed the spirit of your mind? The next root that will feed your emotions and control your mind.
II. BITTERNESS AND HATRED
This will isolate you. Pain is something that goes very deep. You will live in conflict afraid to trust anybody.
All your relationships will begin to shut down!
TWO THINGS COME OUT OF PAIN
1. A broken spirit that forms depression
2. A bitter spirit
Depression is a sense of hopelessness, someone without hope!
A bitter spirit is anger, aggression, live in conflict, division. Pain will turn into bitterness and anger is you allow it.
TRANSITION: What has formed the spirit of your mind? LAY ASIDE THE OLD MAN! What’s controlling your thoughts? LAY ASIDE THE OLD MAN
The third root that will form the spirit of your mind.
III. A SPIRIT OF REBELLION
Forms the spirit of your mind and controls you.
1. Easy to live isolated and to yourself
2. You want freedom from restraint, no restrictions, freedom to be what you want to be.
3. When you seek freedom you loose self-control
Lust will dominate your life. Your body will rule over you.
REBELLION REJECTS ORDER! ANY COMMAND! PARTICURALLY GOD AND HIS GOVERNEMENT!
“The mind set on the flesh is hostile to God.” It rejects God’s order.
Rebellion is a spirit of disobedience, no authority! Wants freedom!
Disorder comes in, no peace and the flesh rules over that person!
A spirit of rebellion is lawlessness in your mind!
TRANSITION: These are all formations of the OLD MAN. These were all the things we were under before we came to Christ.
Romans 12:2- “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” TAKE ON THE NEW MAN. LAY ASIDE THE OLD MAN.
The fourth root that forms the spirit of our mind.
IV. THE ROOT OF PRIDE AND DECEPTION
Sometimes our mind can be easily deceived. It is one of the major tools of the devil
IF THE DEVIL CAN CONVINCE YOU OF A LIE HE CAN CONTROL YOU. DECEPTION ABOUT GOD AND OTHER PEOPLE!
PRIDE OPENS YOUR HEART AGAINST DECEPTION! The essence of pride is deception!
It lifts you up! Everything is about me, my life, my possessions! Pride will lift you up!
You become independent because pride will build you up beyond who you really are!
PRIDE WILL BUILD AN IMAGE THAT WILL BECOME AN IDOL! THAT IMAGE OF A GREAT PERSON!
An image that is a lie or deception is also an idol that you are bowing down to!
Not able to let anyone know who you really are. That’s pride and deception.
Where there’s a strong root of rejection there will also be a strong root of pride.
TRANSITON: These things can form the spirit of our mind. LAY ASIDE THE OLD MAN!
TRANSITION: The last root that feeds our emotions and forms the spirit of our minds.
V. GUILT AND SHAME
Within man is the consciousness of right and wrong.
THE FEAR OF BEING KNOWN. Someone finding out. SHAME CAUSES ONE TO HIDE AND COVER.
GUILT MAKES YOU FEEL UNCOVERED THEN SHAME HIDING AND COVERING.
GUILT IS A SENSE OF NAKEDNESS BEING EXPOSED THEN SHAME COMES AND YOU HAVE TO COVER!
These people normally become very religious people. Underneath is a lot of hypocrisy.
THEY ARE MOTIVATED TO SEEK GOD OUT OF GUILT, NOT LOVE!
CONCLUSION: What controls the spirit of your mind? IT SHOULD BE THE SPIRIT OF GOD AS YOU PUT ON THE NEW MAN.
These roots will form the spirit of your mind if not careful and you’ll be ruled by your emotions.
1. The spirit of rejection
2. Bitterness and hatred
3. A Spirit of rebellion
4. A spirit of pride and deception
5. Guilt and Shame
Could it be that Esau was ruled by one or two of these and that’s what formed the sprit of his mind and he was deceived and sold his birthright for a bowl of soup?
YOU AND I DON’T HAVE TO LIVE THIS WAY. WE CAN LAY ASIDE THE OLD MAN.
2Corinthians 5:17- “If any man be in Christ he is a new creature. Old things are passed away and behold all things become new.”
View Notes...
Hide Notes...
Download MP3 audio
New Life COTR Sunday March 25, 2007
TOTAL DESTINY
“God can use You”
INTRODUCTION: This month we have focused on TOTAL DESTINY. Yes God has a DESTINY for you. GOD CAN AND WANTS TO USE YOU!
He’s given you some gifts and talents and He wants to use you to make a difference in the world.
Many times people are afraid to step out. They fear failure. The fear of failure haunts many people.
They don’t want to fail God, their family, their friends.
In Matthew 25 we read about the PARABLE OF THE TALENTS.
Matthew 25:24,25(NIV)- “Then the man who had received the one talent came, Master he said, I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not scattered seed. SO I WAS AFRAID and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.”
I was afraid of failing so I went out, Dug a hole and hid the talent you gave me.
I WAS AFRAID OF MESSING UP. I WAS AFRAID OF FAILING!
What did Jesus say?
verse 28- “Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.”
GIVE THE TALENT TO THE ONE WHO WASN’T AFRAID TO FAIL!
2Timothy 1:7- “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”
God wants to do more in you and through you than you could ever imagine!
THE EVIL ONE WANTS TO PARALIZE YOU WITH A FEAR OF FAILURE!
TRANSITION: Today we’re going to look at three characters from the Bible and discover the three types of people God’s likes to use.
Each of these had to overcome a FEAR THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THEM TO FAIL!
I. MOSES-GOD LOVES TO USE THE INSECURE
Moses was a brilliant leader who God used mightily to deliver the nation of Israel from Egyptian bondage but MOSES WAS INSECURE!
Exodus 4:10- “Moses said to the Lord, O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant, I am slow of speech and tongue.”
I’m slow, I get nervous, crowds freak me out. I’M INSECURE!
Here’s my resume for failure. Not smart enough, good enough, to inadequate.
GOD LOVES TO USE THE INSECURE! You may not confident in who you are but God is so get some GOD CONFIDENCE!
1. You show up and do the believable and let God do the unbelievable.
2. You do the credible and let God do the incredible.
3. You do the natural and let God do the supernatural.
Exodus 4:11,12- “The Lord said to him, Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I the Lord? NOW GO; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”
WHATEVER GOD ASKS YOU TO DO YOU DO AND WATCH GOD MOVE!
TEANSITION: God loves to use the insecure!
II. DAVID-GOD LOVES TO USE THE UNLIKELY
The one everyone else overlooks. God specializes in using the unlikely.
God sends Samuel the prophet to the House of Jesse of Bethlehem to anoint a King for Israel.
When Samuel arrives he’s sure he’s found the next King.
1Samuel 16:6,7- “When they arrived Samuel saw Eliab and thought, Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord. But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
GOD USES THE UNLIKELY! God doesn’t look at the outward appearance but the heart.
God chose David because of what was on the inside not the outside!
GOD SEES THINGS IN YOU NO-ONE ELSE SEES!
In some Christian Magazines in the back they’ll have a place where churches are looking for a Senior Pastor.
1. Five years of Experience
2. Master of Divinity
3. Must be married
Jesus Christ the Son of God would not qualify to be the Senior Pastor in most American churches!
GOD LOVES TO USE THE UNLIKELY! The one no-body else thinks can do it!
(Tell the story of the Pastor who 12 years ago was rejected by a denomination. Now has 11 campuses with 40 weekend services and 18,000 people who attend.)
STOP BELIEVING WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SAY ABOUT YOU!
Who are you to try that? That’s stupid, you’re not smart enough!
LISTEN TO WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT YOU. YOU’RE UNIQUELY CREATED BY GOD AND HAVE A TOTAL DESTINY HE WANTS YOU TO LIVE.
“Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” “you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you.”
Do you feel a little bit afraid? Feel the fear and take the step anyway!!!!
Feel the fear and obey what God calls you to do!!!
TRANSITION: God loves to use the insecure. God loves to use the unlikely.
III. PETER- GOD LOVES TO USE THE FAILURES
Those that everyone else wants to write off.
The ones who aren’t good enough to use in the church because they messed up in the past!
Peter was the guy who told Jesus, “Man I’ll never forsake you. When everyone else has left you I’ll be the guy who’ll be by your side to the end.”
Peter failed Jesus THREE TIMES!
Luke 22:60-62- “Peter replied, Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about! Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times. And he went outside and wept bitterly.”
Feel the pain of Jesus turning and seeing that denial.
Peter went out and cried and cried and cried!
HE HAD FAILED THE BIG ONE!
The big bomb in the church, DIVORCE!
I raised my kids in church and then they go the other way- I must be a bad parent!
You’re swinging for the fence in a business deal and you end up loosing it all!
WITH GOD FAILURE IS NEVER FINAL!
(Story of the Pastor of had the fastest growing singles ministry in the south. It grew from 120 to 4. He stood before those 4 and said he was a failure)
God spoke to him and said, “Don’t blame yourself for the decline because if you do you might take credit for the increase.”
GOD LOVES TO USE FAILURES
In John 21 Peter experiences the forgiveness and love of Jesus Christ. Eye to eye with Jesus.
Who does God choose to preach the greatest message ever heard on the day of Pentecost? You guessed it Peter.
3000 people are born again and God used a failure to do it!
CONCLUSION: Feel the fear and take the step of faith!
God loves to use the insecure
God loves to use the unlikely
God loves to use the failures
KEY THOUGHT: YOU HAVE TO STEP OUT TO FIND OUT!
God’s calling you to do something.
Matthew 14:28- “Lord if it’s you Peter replied, tell me to come to you on the water. Come he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat , walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”
YOU HAVE TO STEP OUT TO FIND OUT!
(Story of Pastor who was offered a church but instead went and planted a church)
God had put something on that pastors heart that he couldn’t explain!
WHAT DOES GOD WANT TO DO THROUGH YOU? Satan is going to try and talk you out of it!
YOU’VE GOT TO STEP OUT TO FIND OUT!
GOD USES THE INSECURE
GOD USES THE UNLIKELY
GOD USES THE FAILURES
YOU HAVE A TOTAL DESTINY!
View Notes...
Hide Notes...
Download MP3 audio
Wednesday March 21, 2007
TOTAL DESTINY
“How To Dream Bigger”
INTRODUCTION: Everybody needs a dream. If you’re not dreaming you’ve lived you’re greatest day!
When many people start in ministry or a business or new job they probably start with a big dream.
But as you get into it your dreams shrink to the size of the situation. Many times we get our eyes only on what can see at the moment.
WE BEGIN WITH BIG DREAMS AND THEN CIRCUMSTANCES TEND TO SHRINK OUR DREAMS.
If you’re going to move beyond your current situation in ministry, a business, a job, YOU’VE GOT TO BE A DREAMER!
YOU’VE GOT TO HAVE FAITH IN WHAT GOD CAN DO THROUGH YOU!
Hebrews 11:6- “Without faith it is impossible to please God…..” FAITH BEGINS WITH CATCHING A DREAM, A VISION!
Every person, every ministry, every church needs a dream. IF YOU’RE NOT DREAMING YOU’RE DYING!
I don’t believe there’s any such thing as a great person. I believe there are only ordinary people committed to great dreams!
When an ordinary person is committed to a great dream, it makes them a great person. If you want to be healthy you’ve got to have a dream to live for!
Maybe you’ve forgotten how to dream. Maybe you’re just stepping out in life and you haven’t really contemplated what God wants to do through your life.
TRANSITION: No matter where you’re at in life right now we’re going to talk about eight steps to help you find God’s dream for your life.
I. OPEN YOUR MIND TO GOD
Don’t be closed minded. OPEN YOUR MIND TO GOD!
If you’re going to do this you’ve got to be quiet before the Lord.
Mark 6:31(NIV)- “…..Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Psalm 23:2- “….He leads me beside quiet waters.”
Schedule times of silence and solitude.
For many of you God can’t give you a dream because you won’t sit down and shut up!
OPEN YOUR MIND TO GOD AND BE QUIET BEFORE HIM
II. DO SOME RESEARCH
Don’t make decisions out of ignorance. This is a step that many people ignore when they get a dream.
They pray about it but they don’t get any facts.
Proverbs 18:13(MSG)- “Answering before listening is both stupid and rude.”
Proverbs 25:2- “…to search out a matter is the glory of kings.”
Think before you act. Read books, go to conferences.
DO SOME RESEARCH if you want to dream bigger!
III. START ASKING FOR ADVICE
IT’S BETTER TO ADMIT YOUR IGNORANCE THAN PROVE IT BY YOUR EXPERIENCE!
You’re going to appear foolish anyway if you don’t ask!
Proverbs 12:15- “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.”
Proverbs 13:10- “Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
Proverbs 19:20- “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”
Proverbs 20:18- “Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war obtain guidance.”
OPEN YOUR MIND TO GOD, DO SOME RESEARCH AND THEN START ASKING FOR ADVICE.
IV. ESTABLISH SOME PRIORITIES
You don’t have time to do everything. So you have to learn the difference between the important and the urgent. The helpful and the life-changing, and being efficient and being effective.
YOU NEED TO FOCUS ON DOING THE RIGHT THINGS! YOU’RE DEVELOPING A PLAN FOR YOUR DREAMS.
LEARN TO SAY NO!
Proverbs 20:18- “Make plans by seeking advice…”
Proverbs 21:5- “The plans of the diligent lead to profit…”
ESTABLISH SOME PRIORITIES
V. EVALUATE THE COST
This is what’s called a calculated risk.
Proverbs 20:25- “It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows.”
Luke 14:28-33- Turn and Read
Answer this question: Is this worth my life? You must be able to answer, ABSOLUTELY!
VI. PLAN FOR PROBLEMS
Your plan needs to account for problems! Things are going to go wrong, are you ready when they do?
Proverbs 22:3- “A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.”
Ask yourself the question, “What can go wrong with this dream?” That’s not being pessimistic. The Bible says that’s sensible.
DO YOU WANT TO DREAM BIGGER?
OPEN YOU MIND TO GOD
DO SOME RESEARCH
START ASKING FOR ADVICE
ESTABLISH SOME PRIORITIES
EVALUATE THE COST
PLAN FOR PROBLEMS
VII. BE WILLING TO RISK. FACE YOUR FEARS
Most people want take risks because they don’t want to face their fears.
Proverbs 29:25- “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”
FEAR OF MAN IS A DANGEROUS TRAP!
We hate to admit sometimes when we’re afraid. God says to go ahead and admit it. Fear is not a sign of weakness but of humanity.
THE SECRET TO STEPPING BEYOND YOUR FEARS
KNOW WHO GAVE YOU THE DREAM!
Proverbs 14:26- “He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress…”
“reverence for the Lord gives confidence and security.”
WHEN YOU KNOW YOUR DREAM IS FROM GOD IT GIVES YOU CONFIDENCE
It gives you security to keep on moving toward it. If you know where your dream comes from you won’t care what the critics say!
YOU WON’T LET PEOPLE TELL YOU WHY IT CAN’T HAPPEN! WHAT MATTERS IS THAT GOD HAS SAID TO DO IT.
VIII. DO IT NOW
THERE COMES A POINT OF DECISION WHERE YOU’VE GOT TO STOP TALKING AND START ACTING!
YOU’VE GOT TO BEGIN! ONCE YOU’VE DECIDED IT’S WORTH THE RISK YOU’VE GOT TO GO FOR IT!
*****THERE’S GOT TO COME A POINT IN YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU SAY, “GOD’S CALLED ME TO DO THIS. I’M GOING FOR IT!!!!
CONCLUSION: It doesn’t cost anything to dream. DREAM BIG DREAMS FOR YOUR LIFE!
Everything that is possible now in our society was impossible at one point: Cars, computers, planes, microwave ovens, the internet.
TODAY’S IMPOSSIBILITES ARE TOMORROWS MIRACLES!
Open your mind to God
Do some research
Start asking for advice
Establish some priorities
Evaluate the cost
Plan for problems
Be willing to risk, face the fears
Do it now!
View Notes...
Hide Notes...
Download MP3 audio
TOTAL DESTINY
“Hungry For Destiny”
INTRODUCTION: Total God. Total Others. Total Destiny.
God has a DESTINY for me and you. God has a plan, a purpose for you on the earth. Not only that but God has a plan for you in eternity.
The life we live now is just preparation for eternity! TOTAL DESTINY!
WHAT IS YOUR DESTINY WORTH TO YOU?
Exodus 25:27-34 Turn and Read
Esau walks in from a hard day of hunting. He smells this wonderful stew cooking.
This was a soup or stew made of lentils or small beans, which are common In Egypt or Syria.
To the weary hunter, faint with hunger, it’s odor must have been irresistibly tempting.
So much so that Esau Sold His destiny!
A birthright was a special honor given to the firstborn son. It included a double portion of the family inheritance along with the honor of becoming the family’s leader.
****But ancient writings tell us it was legitimate for one to exchange his birthright for something else.*******
The oldest son could sell his birthright or give it away if he chose but in doing so he would lose both material goods and his leadership position.
THE BIRTHRIGHT COULD BE EXCHANGED AMONG MEMBERS OF THE SAME FAMILY!
TRANSITION: Look at what is later wrote about Esau exchanging his birthright.
Hebrews 12:14-17 Turn and Read
If exchanging your birthright was common in that day and age then why is Esau labeled as being godless in this scripture?
Esau wasn’t just giving up some earthy birthright!
Esau impulsively traded his spiritual birthright for a bowl of lentil stew!
By trading his birthright, Esau showed complete disregard for the spiritual blessings that would have come his way if he would have kept it.
Genesis 22:18-18 Turn and Read
For Esau it was not simply the question of giving up his rights as the firstborn. It was his indifference to carrying on God’s plan for the redemption of the world through Abraham and his children.
ESAU DIDN’T CARE THAT HE WS NEXT IN LINE FOR CARRYING OUR GOD’S WORK OF REDEMPTION TO THE WORLD.
ESAU WAS MORE HUNGRY TO SATISFY THE APPETITES OF HIS FLESH THAN HE WAS HUNGRY TO FULFILL THE DESTINY OF GOD!
HIS DESIRE WAS TO SERVE HIS FLESH AND NOT HIS GOD!
ESAU WAS RULED BY HIS FLESH!
ARE YOU HUNGRY FOR DESTINY? TO BE HINGRY FOR DESTINY IS TO BE HUNGRY FOR GOD. TO BE HUNGRY FOR GOD IS TO BE HUNGRY FOR DESTINY.
TRANSITION: Let’s look at the life of someone else who was the “FIRSTBORN.”
Luke 2:7- “and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son…”
Jesus was the firstborn in the natural and also the spiritual.
Colossians 1:15- “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”
Colossians 1:18- “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.”
REMEMBER WE’RE ALSO TALKING ABOUT ESAU BEING THE FIRSTBORN.
John 4:31-35 Turn and Read
Jesus was saying, “I’m not controlled by my FLESHLY APPETITIES. MY LIFE IS CONTROLLED BY THE WILL OF GOD FOR ME!
I’M HUNGRY FOR DESTINY! GOD’S DESTINY!
I AM THE FIRSTBORN! I HAVE A BIRTHRIGHT! I HAVE AN INHERITANCE!
MY INHERITANCE IS THE HARVEST!
Psalm 2:7,8 Turn and Read
TRANSITION: Esau sold his inheritance, his spiritual blessings, HIS DESTINY, for an occasion of the flesh. HIS FLESHLY APPETITES CONTROLLED HIS LIFE!
JESUS WAS CONTROLLED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD AND HIS DESIRE TO DO GOD’S WILL!
With these things in mind we can better understand the following verses!
Matthew 16:21-26- Turn and read
WHAT WAS AT STAKE? JESUS BIRTHRIGHT! HIS INHERITANCE! HE WAS TO BE THE FIRSTBORN AMONG THE DEAD.
TRANSITION: How does all this apply to you and me today?
Romans 8:5-17 Turn and Read
We are heirs of God and co-heirs with Jesus Christ.
MY CONCERN: Many Christians are selling their birthright given them through Jesus Christ, their inheritance given them through Jesus Christ BECAUSE THEY ARE CONTROLLED BY FLESHLY APPETITES!
THEY ARE MORE HUNGRY FOR THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH, THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD THAN THEY ARE THE WILL OF GOD, THE DESTINY OF GOD!
CONCLUSION:
How can you and I live a life that is not controlled by the fleshly man?
“but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”
YOU STARVE THE FLESH BUT FEED THE SPIRIT! HOW IS THAT DONE?
Matthew 4:1,2- “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”
JESUS FASTED!
As you know I’m calling our church to a 21 Day Fast. Many times what we call a Daniel Fast.
Daniel 9:3- “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.”
I’M HUNGRY FOR DESTINY, HOW ABOUT YOU?
JOIN ME IN 21 DAYS OF FASTING AND PRAYER
View Notes...
Hide Notes...
Download MP3 audio
New Life COTR Sunday March 11, 2007
TOTAL DESTINY
“Developed For Destiny”
INTRODUCTION: This month we are talking about TOTAL DESTINY. Total God, Total Others, Total Destiny.
Having a Destiny and being a person of Destiny are two different things.
Every one of us has a God-Given Destiny. But how many of us are living that Destiny?
God has a plan, a purpose for your life. A reason for you to be alive.
In 2004 there were 32,439 suicides in America. There were and estimated 800,000 attempted suicides.
On average someone attempts suicide every 40 seconds in the U.S. By the time this service is over with 135 people would have attempted suicide.
Approximately 88 people die every day because of suicide.
HERE’S A BETTER WAY TO DIE!
Acts 13:36- “For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep;…”
THE APOSTLE PAUL SAID IT LIKE THIS
2Timothy 4:7- “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
David, Paul, they were men of Destiny. They lived out the purpose of God for their lives.
Today God is calling you and me to be people of Destiny!
TRANSITION: Share the story of approaching the Rainbow Bridge.
We can see clearly at the beginning of the journey and we can see are destination but somewhere in between, things get foggy.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE FOG? I believe we’re being
DEVELOPED FOR DESTINY
One of the first steps to being a person of Total Destiny is understanding that God will DEVELOP YOU FOR YOUR DESTINY!
Ephesians 4:11-13(MSG)- “He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christians in skilled servant work, working within Christ Body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.”
DEVELOPED FOR DESTINY
TRANSITION: How does God DEVELOP US FOR DESTINY? Many people drive off the bridge or have a wreck in the fog because they don’t understand how God DEVEOPS US FOR DESTINY.
I. A DREAM
God gives you a Dream- an idea, a goal or ambition. Every great accomplishment first begins as a God-Given dream in someone’s mind.
Genesis 37:5- “Joseph had a dream…”
Ephesians 3:20(LB)- “God is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of-infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts or hopes.”
Are you DREAMING today? If not you’ve lived you’re greatest day!
DEVELOPED FOR DESTINY- God gives a DREAM
II. A DECISION
A dream is worthless until you decide to do something about it! For every 10 dreamers there’s only one decision maker!
This is the moment of truth where you decide to invest your time, money, energy, and reputation and let go of security!
IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER YOU’VE GOT TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT!
James 1:6,8- “You must believe and not doubt….a double-minded man is unstable in all he does.”
DEVELOPED FOR DESTINY- A DREAM, A DECISION
III. A DELAY
There is always a time lapse before your dream becomes a reality. God uses this waiting period to teach us to trust Him!
REMEMBER, A DELAY IS NOT A DENIAL!
Maturity is understanding the difference between “no” and “Not yet.”
Habakkuk 2:3(LB)- “God says, These things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day.”
DEVELOPED FOR DESTINY- A Dream, A Decision, A Delay
While in the fog, don’t get in such a big hurry you have an accident!
Next in being developed for destiny
IV. A DIFFICULTY
Now while you’re in a place of DELAY God DEVELOPS YOU FOR DESTINY through a DIFFUCULTY.
Now problems start popping up. Don’t drive off the bridge in fog! The two most common types of difficulties:
Critics
Circumstances
DON’T WORRY, IT’S ALL PART OF GOD’S PLAN!
1Peter 1:6,7- “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials,. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
DEVELOPED FOR DESTINY- A Dream, A Decision, A Delay, A Difficulty
But it gets better!
V. A DEAD END
Your situation will deteriorate from difficult to impossible!
You are backed into a corner, you reach the end of your rope; it looks hopeless
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU ARE BEING DEVELOPED FOR DESTINY AND YOU ARE ON THE EDGE OF A MIRACLE!
TRUST GOD!
2Corinthains 1:8,9- “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”
YOU’RE BEING DEVELOPED FOR DESTINY- A Dream, A Decision, A Delay, A Difficulty, A Dead End
YOUR DRIVING IN THE FOG AND THEN ALL THE SUDDEN THE SKY CLEARS AND YOU CAN SEE CLEARLY! WHY?
VI. A DELIVERANCE
God provides a supernatural answer!
Miraculously, things fall into place!
GOD LOVES TURNING CRUCIFIXIONS INTO RESURRECTIONS SO YOU AND I CAN SEE HIS GREATNESS!
Psalm 27:13,14- “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
CONCLUSION: DEVELOPED FOR DESTINY
A Dream, A Decision, A Delay, A Difficulty, A Dead End, A Deliverance
Hebrews 12:2- “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
View Notes...
Hide Notes...
Download MP3 audio
New Life COTR Sunday March 4, 2007
TOTAL DESTINY
“The Door of Your Destiny”
INTRODUCTION: Total God, Total Others, Total Destiny.
Are you ready to walk through THE DOOR OF YOUR DESTINY? Yes God has a DESTINY for you to live.
Many of you may be asking, what is my destiny? Why do I even exist? What is my purpose in life?
Jeremiah 29:11- “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Psalm 139:13-18- Turn and Read
Revelation 3:8- “….See, I have placed before you an open door that no-one can shut…”
THE DOOR OF YOUR DESTINY IS OPEN TODAY!
God has a plan for your life. A purpose!
Suicide Statistics in the United States in 2004
32,439 people committed suicide in 2004
An estimated 800,000 attempted suicide
On average someone attempts suicide every 40 seconds
By the time we close this service approximately 135 people will have attempted suicide
On average 88 people a day die of suicide.
SOMEWHERE THESE PEOPLE LOST SIGHT OF DESTINY!
MAYBE THEY DIDN’T KNOW GOD HAD A PLAN FOR THEIR LIFE!
As a Police Officer I can remember the emptiness of having to work a suicide.
THE DOOR OF YOUR DESTINY IS OPEN TODAY! God has a great plan for your life.
TRANSITION: Things may not always be easy. Sometimes they can be very difficult, but always remember “YOU HAVE BEEN FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE.”
In the book of Genesis 37 we read about a man of DESTINY, his name is Joseph.
Genesis 37:5- “Joseph had a dream….”
Genesis 37:9- “Then he had another dream…”
He’s sent to check on his brothers in the field.
Genesis 37:19- “Here comes that dreamer!”
HERE COMES THAT MAN OF DESTINY!
Genesis 37:20- “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”
WHAT’S GOING TO COME OF YOUR DREAMS? ARE YOU WALKING THROUGH THE DOOR OF YOUR DESTINY?
JOSEPH WALKED THROUGH THE DOOR OF HIS DESTINY AND WAS THROWN INTO A PIT!
By his brothers, the ones he was supposed to rule over! Who was ruling over who?
TRANSITION: What they didn’t know was that Joseph was that when Joseph was falling into that pit, he was taking a step toward his destiny.
HE WAS GOING THROUGH THE DOOR OF DESTINY!
*****The purpose of the pit was not to destroy the dream! The purpose of the pit was to develop Joseph to live the dream!******
Genesis 50:20- “But as for you, you meant evil against me: but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”
When Joseph had the dream it was about ruling over his family. When destiny is revealed in Genesis 50 it’s about SAVING LIVES!
The purpose of the pit was not about DESTROYING THE DREAM. It was about DEVELOPING Joseph to live the dream. Fulfill his destiny!
THE DOOR OF YOUR DESTINY!
TRANSITION: Three mental attitudes you’ll need to resist while God is developing you to live your destiny! Or should I say the pit!
I. FEAR
Fear of rejection. What, they don’t like me! Nobody loves me! I’m here in this empty pit. I’ve been rejected by men! I’ve been rejected by God!
Fear of abandonment. I’ve been left here to die. Where is God?
Don’t allow fear to destroy your dream.
2Timothy 1:7- “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
HAVE FAITH IN GOD! “God is not a man that He should lie.” “God will never leave you or forsake you.”
RESIST FEAR, HAVE FAITH! WALK THROUGH THE DOOR OF YOUR DESTINY!
TRANSITION: If you allow the fear of rejection or abandonment to grow then you could possibly struggle with the next mental attitude that could destroy instead of develop your dream.
II. CONFUSION
What are you confused about?
Does God really love me?
Does God really have a plan for my life?
Maybe I’m not worthy.
If I’ve been rejected and abandoned then I’m really confused about God and my future.
HOW DO I FIGHT CONFUSION? I BECOME CONVINCED!
Romans 8:35-39- Turn and Read
RESIST CONFUSION AND BE CONVINCED! WALK THROUGH THE DOOR OF YOUR DESTINY!
TRANSITON: If I fear God has rejected and abandoned me in the pit then I get really confused about who God is and does He really love me.
So then I struggle with the third mental attitude.
III. DOUBT
I begin to doubt everything God has promised me! And if I allow doubt to take root in my life it will cause me to miss the DOOR OF DESTINY GOD HAS OPEN FOR ME!
Have you ever heard of DOUBTING THOMAS?
John 20:27- “Then he said to Thomas, Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
WHY IS THIS SIGNIFICANT TO THIS MESSAGE TODAY?
In many ways the life of Joseph can be compared to the life of Jesus Christ.
Joseph was thrown into a pit which in the end led to saving lives. Jesus died on a cross, which in the end led to saving lives from an eternity in hell.
Hebrews 12:2- “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
When Jesus hung on that cross it looked like it was over! The soldiers standing around him mocked him. “If you’re King of the Jews come down off that cross.”
When Joseph’s brothers threw him into that pit they said, “Let’s see what becomes of his dreams.”
JOSEPH WAS WALKING THROUGH THE DOORWAY OF HIS DESTINY!
WHEN JESUS HUNG ON THAT CROSS HE WAS WALKING THROUGH THE DOORWAY OF HIS DESTINY!
HE WAS DESTINED TO BE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORD’S, DEFEATING DEATH HELL AND THE GRAVE FOREVER MORE!
HE IS ALIVE AND HE IS THE SAVIOR AND LORD OF ALL MANKIND.
“EVERY KNEE WILL BOW AND EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS THAT HE IS LORD!”
In John 20 Jesus stands before Thomas having been resurrected from the grave. He commands Thomas, “STOP DOUBTING AND BELIEVE! “
CONCLUSION: My encouragement to you today is this.
WALK THROUGH THE DOOR OF YOUR DESTINY!
Instead of Fear have Faith in God. Instead of confusion be convinced that God loves you. Instead of doubting, believe.
HAVE FAITH THAT GOD IS WITH YOU AND BE CONVINCED THAT HE LOVES YOU AND BELIEVE THAT HE HAS A DESTINY FOR YOUR LIFE.
TOTAL DESTINY!
If God can raise Jesus three day dead body from the grave, He can resurrect your dreams and your destiny!
Pray
View Notes...
Hide Notes...
Download MP3 audio
JOSEPH
Pastor Kenneth Bent
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Joseph’s life – a perfect segue between “Total Others” and “Total Destiny”
His DESTINY was for the deliverance and preservation of OTHERS.
Outline of Joseph’s life
Genesis 37:1- 50:26
1. Early life (37:1-36)
Dressed a. Coat of Many Colors / Favoritism by his father Jacob (37:1-4)
Dreamer b. Joseph's dreams (37:5-11)
Despised c. Capture and selling of Joseph (37:12-36)
2. Joseph's testing in Egypt (39:1-41:57)
a. Joseph's experiences in Potiphar's household (39:1-18)
Darlinged i. exaltation through faithfulness and skill
Defamed ii. temptation and false accusation by Potiphar’s wife
Demoted
b. Joseph confined to prison (39:19-23)
Dungeoned
c. Joseph interprets dreams (40:1-23)
Divulged - the meaning of the cupbearer and baker’s dreams
Disregarded – cupbearer forgets about Joseph’s accurate dream interpretation gift for ANOTHER 2 YEARS!
d. Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams (41:1-36)
Discerner
e. Joseph elevated to power (41:37-57)
Delivered – from prison and placed second over all Egypt
3. Joseph in power in Egypt (42:1-50:26)
Deliverer- to his family and future generations and to Egypt.
a. Joseph's brothers' first trip to Egypt (42:1-38)
b. Joseph's brothers' second trip to Egypt (43:1-34)
c. Testing of the brothers (44:1-34)
d. Joseph reveals who he really is (45:1-15)
e. Jacob invited to come to Egypt (45:16-28)
f. Jacob comes to Egypt (46:1-7)
g. Names of those who came (46:8-27)
h. Reunion of Jacob and Joseph (46:28-34)
i. Jacob and Pharaoh (47:1-12)
j. Joseph's famine policies (47:13-26)
4. Deaths of Jacob and Joseph (47:27-50:26)
a. Jacob prepares to die (47:27-31)
b. Jacob blesses Joseph's sons (48:1-22)
Destiny –
The SECOND BORN Ephraim (Double Fruitfulness, double blessing- GEN. 41.52) is BLESSED OVER AND ABOVE the FIRST BORN Manassah (God has caused me to forget – Gen. 41.51)
c. Jacob blesses his sons (49:1-27)
d. Death of Jacob (49:28-33)
e. Burial of Jacob (50:1-14)
Dismissed – any unforgiveness and bad actions on the part of his brothers
f. Reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers (50:15-21)
Destiny: Gen. 50:24,25 - carry my bones up to the promised land!
g. Joseph's last words and death (50:22-26)
Other thoughts: Testing: Psalms 18.20 “the Word of the Lord is tried”
Psalm 105:17-23 - until the time,, the word tried him
e.g. Joseph:
Dream Vision
Denial Valley
Destiny Victory
JOSEPH:
THE CLOTHING ASPECT:::
YOUR CLOTHES OFTEN REVEAL WHO YOU ARE…
STORY OF WITNESSING TO AND HELPING YOUNG LADY WITH TIRE THAT FELL APART, BROKEN DOWN CAR, BROKEN WINDSHIELD, NO INSURANCE, 22 YEARS OLD, 1 CHILD, NOT MARRIED, BOY FRIEND ON A HARLEY WITH A THOUSAND TATTOOS AND DISTANCED FROM HER MOM AND NO RELATIONSHIP WITH HER FATHER…AND A NATURE WORSHIPPER!!
TALK ABOUT A PERFECT FIT FOR “JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL”
THE CLOTHES TOLD THE STORY…
Coat of Many Colors: Rev. 5.9 – every nation, kindred, tribe and tongue
Zech 3.1-5 - change garments – accuser is there
Isaiah 49.18
Romans 13.14
Isaiah 22.21
Isaiah 61.10
JOSEPH – Fill in the Blank Notes
Pastor Kenneth Bent Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Joseph’s life – a perfect segue between “Total Others” and “Total Destiny”
His DESTINY was for the deliverance and preservation of OTHERS.
Outline of Joseph’s life
Genesis 37:1- 50:26
1. Early life (37:1-36)
______________a. Coat of Many Colors / Favoritism by his father Jacob (37:1-4)
______________b. Joseph's dreams (37:5-11)
______________c. Capture and selling of Joseph (37:12-36)
2. Joseph's testing in Egypt (39:1-41:57)
a. Joseph's experiences in Potiphar's household (39:1-18)
_______________ i. exaltation through faithfulness and skill
_______________ ii. temptation and false accusation by Potiphar’s wife
_______________
b. Joseph confined to prison (39:19-23)
_________________
c. Joseph interprets dreams (40:1-23)
D________________ - the meaning of the cupbearer and baker’s dreams
Dis_______________ – cupbearer forgets about Joseph’s accurate dream interpretation gift for ANOTHER 2 YEARS!
d. Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams (41:1-36)
Disc________________
e. Joseph elevated to power (41:37-57)
Del_________________ – from prison and placed second over all Egypt
3. Joseph in power in Egypt (42:1-50:26)
D__________________- to his family and future generations and to Egypt.
a. Joseph's brothers' first trip to Egypt (42:1-38)
b. Joseph's brothers' second trip to Egypt (43:1-34)
c. Testing of the brothers (44:1-34)
d. Joseph reveals who he really is (45:1-15)
e. Jacob invited to come to Egypt (45:16-28)
f. Jacob comes to Egypt (46:1-7)
g. Names of those who came (46:8-27)
h. Reunion of Jacob and Joseph (46:28-34)
i. Jacob and Pharaoh (47:1-12)
j. Joseph's famine policies (47:13-26)
4. Deaths of Jacob and Joseph (47:27-50:26)
a. Jacob prepares to die (47:27-31)
b. Jacob blesses Joseph's sons (48:1-22)
D________________________
The SECOND BORN Ephraim (Double Fruitfulness, double blessing- GEN. 41.52) is BLESSED OVER AND ABOVE the FIRST BORN Manassah (God has caused me to forget – Gen. 41.51)
c. Jacob blesses his sons (49:1-27)
d. Death of Jacob (49:28-33)
e. Burial of Jacob (50:1-14)
Dis_______________ – any unforgiveness and bad actions on the part of his brothers
f. Reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers (50:15-21)
D_________________: Gen. 50:24,25 - carry my bones up to the promised land!
g. Joseph's last words and death (50:22-26)
Answers: dressed, dreamer, despised, darlinged, defamed, demoted, dungeoned, divulged, disregarded, discerner, delivered, deliverer, destiny, dismissed, destiny
View Notes...
Hide Notes...
| |
