Archive for March, 2013

Outrageous Hope Part 4

March 30th, 2013

Drive verse: Romans 15:13 (NIV)
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Intro: The portion of scripture we are going to look at today is found in the New Testament book of Titus. Titus is a young pastor that was coached and mentored by the Apostle Paul. Titus travels with Paul on some of his missionary journeys. Crete Is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, It is about 150 miles long and never more than 35 miles wide. And according to to Greek legend, was the birthplace of Zeus. The purpose of the letter was to authorize Titus as the head of the Church as well as to encourage him personally. After Paul left there where still many things to be done and one of those things was the setting in order of the church. 
Titus 1:5 (NKJV)
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you–
Paul is instructing Titus to appoint leaders but not just any body but, to appoint people who knew and understood the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. And in chapter three The Apostle breaks it down for him, Let there be no misunderstanding of the message don’t add and don’t take away. Check this out……………  
   
Titus 3:3-7 (NIV)
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,
5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 
                                           He saved Us.
          This is pastor Mark’s theology 101
This is need to know information.
  • Before Christ I was deceived.
Titus 3:3 (NIV)
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
      Love is the bridge and it is shaped like a Cross.
  • I deserved judgement, But GOD showed kindness.
Titus 3:4-5 (NIV)
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,
5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 
The incident occurred Monday July 2nd  at Hallandale Beach in on Florida’s Atlantic coast, north of Miami.
That lifeguard apparently left his station to save a swimmer in distress outside his designated zone. Tomas Lopez, 21, said he was dismissed after Monday’s near-drowning, with his supervisor citing liability issues.
In response, several of Lopez’s lifeguard colleagues banded together and either quit in solidarity or were fired for publicly proclaiming that they would have done the same, according to Fox News.
  • In Christ I am justified. 
Titus 3:5a,b,c (NIV)
5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.    KN: Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved. 
  • In Christ I am sanctified.  
Titus 3:5d-6 (NIV)
5 He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,
KN: 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
  • With Christ I am Glorified.
Titus 3:7 (NIV)
7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
KN: 1 John 3:2 (NIV)
2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
                   I’m right in Christ.

Outrageous Hope Part 3

March 30th, 2013

  • Romans 15:13 (NIV)
    13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
    Intro: Any you guy’s watch reality T.V.? Whats your favorite Show? I have one it’s “pawn star’s” I love to watch people bring their stuff in, you never know what somebody is going to show up with. But what I really like about the show is when somebody brings an item and they just know It is worth thousands of dollars And Rick or Corey looks at it and says I don’t know but I have a buddy who is an expert, let me get him down here and see what he say’s about it. And that is when it get’s fun, When the person finds out that this treasure they thought they turns out to be much less than or worthless the reactions are hilarious. Somewhere along the line they had allowed someone to establish its value who didn’t really have a clue to it’s real worth.
    Some of us have struggled with this issue of worth, What is my life worth? I grew up being told how worthless I was, That I would never amount to anything, and so on, so of you have had a similar experience. If you still have doubt’s about your worth because you have allowed someone who didn’t know your value I am going to help you with that. If we where in Rick’s pawn shop this morning and you asked him what am I worth He would say “Let me get a buddy of mine down here and we will find out” well I am going to do the same thing. I am going to call on someone who knows the value of not only your life but all life. 
      “This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the Lord, who has made all things.” (Isaiah 44:24)
    Today is sanctity of human life Sunday, and Nobody know more about your value than the God the creator of all life. “In the beginning” we are told chapter one verse one of Genesis The Book of origin’s how life begins. The creator of life is the expert on life and it is time we started get our information from the one who know’s the most about it. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” God is speaking and planets and stars and light and plants and animals and then his greatest and most wonderful creation is handmade, crafted by the author of life himself and then he breaths his life giving spirit into him God stands up and stands back and say’s this life is very good.  
    Your life is valuable, All life, All human life is valuable. If you don’t know that, then you have let someone other God establish your value. 
    • Somewhere you let someone establish your value. 
    Listen to what says about not just your life but, All life.
    Luke 12:6-7 (NIV)
    6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
    7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 
    1. All life has Value. Luke 12:6, Psalm 50:11 (NLT)
      11 I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine. 
    Interview with the director of the pregnancy centre Wendy Myers.
    a. When does life begin?
    1. What kind of life is it?
    1. If this is a person how does that change the debate about abortion?
    1. Details of your life have Value. Luke 12:7 Matthew 6:26 (NIV)
      26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 
    1. Human life has a higher Value. Luke 12:7c
    1 Corinthians 7:23 (NLT)
    23 God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.
    1. You are worth more. Luke 12:7b Don’t be afraid.
    Romans 5:8 (NLT)
    8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
     Right in the middle of telling you “I” know your hair and “you” worth more than some birds he say Don’t be afraid.
    • Don’t be afraid of your Value. You think worthless, God thinks priceless.