Author Archive

Do you want to know what God’s will is? Really.

March 20th, 2015

1 John 5:14-15 (NIV)
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
15 And if we know that he hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of him.

The issue of understanding God’s will seem to be one of the most confusing issues of the Christian life. I often work with people on this issue of God’s will, people what to know but, often people don’t want to do. (their life) I have settled this issue in my life. For me God’s will specifically is to preach the Gospel to anyone who will listen and disciple whoever responds to the message. Ok let’s move on.

What is it? How do I know when I’m in God’s will? What does it look like? How can I be sure? What if I’m wrong? Why am I here? What I’m I suppose to do? Does God care if I Drive a Ford or a Chevy? (I personally think that people that drive a Ford pick-up are clearly in God’s will. LOL)

Does he care where I live? What school? Who  I marry? How big is God’s will? How can I find it?

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WITH OUT A DOUBT WHAT GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE IS?

But before you answer:

WHY do You Want to know? Is it so you can do it or so you can avoid it?  Here’s A KEY: UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING to do BEFORE YOU KNOW THERE IS NO POINT to know.

Romans 12:2 (NIV)
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

God’s will is not really a place or a thing. It is more of a choice to be guided, It is a choice to hand the GPS for your life over to him.

“his good, pleasing and perfect will.” This applies to everyone.

God’s perfect will for you is that you should live with Him forever. 

“That none should perish.” That all should come to faith in Christ, that you receive this great Salvation.

It is God’s will: That you love Him and love people. 

It is God’s will: That you are obedient to His word.  

It is God’s will: That you Know Grace and love mercy.

It is God’s will: That you be like Christ.

It is God’s will: That you refuse sin.

It is God’s will: That you have faith

It is God’s will: That you trust Him.

It is God’s will: That you are faithful.

It is God’s will: That you are forgiving.

It is God’s will: That you are generous.

It is God’s will: That you have wisdom. The believer has the mind of Christ and the Spirit of Truth to guide him.

It is God’s will that you persevere. 

1 John 5:14-15 (NIV)
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
15 And if we know that he hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of him.

The issue of understanding God’s will seem to be one of the most confusing issues of the Christian life. One of the thing’s people come to talk to me about the most is the issue of God’s will for my life.

What is it? How do I know when I’m in God’s will? What does it look like? How can I be sure? What if I’m wrong? Why am I here? what I’m I suppose to do? Does God care if I Drive a Ford or a Chevy?

Does he care where I live? What school? Who do I marry? How big is God’s will? How can I find it?

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WITH OUT A DOUBT WHAT GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE IS?

WHY do You Want to know? Is it so you can do it or so you can avoid it?  HERE’s A KEY: UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING to do BEFORE YOU KNOW THERE IS NO POINT TO KNOW.

Romans 12:2 (NIV)
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

God’s will is not really a place or a thing. It is more of a choice to be guided, It is a choice to hand the GPS for your life over to him.

“his good, pleasing and perfect will.” This applies to everyone in the room.

God’s perfect will for you is that you should live with Him forever. 

“That none should perish.” That all should come to faith in Christ, that you receive this great Salvation.

It is God’s will: That you love Him and love people. 

It is God’s will: That you are obedient to His word.  

It is God’s will: That you Know Grace and love mercy.

It is God’s will: That you be like Christ.

It is God’s will: That you refuse sin.

It is God’s will: That you have faith

It is God’s will: That you trust Him.

It is God’s will: That you are faithful.

It is God’s will: That you are forgiving.

It is God’s will: That you are generous.

It is God’s will: That you have wisdom. The believer has the mind of Christ and the Spirit of Truth to guid him.

It is God’s will that persevere: 

persevere   verb [ no obj. ]

continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success.

It is God’s will: To have Hope, To be thankful, to be Transformed, To be Teachable.

It is God’s will: For you to filled with His Holy Spirit.

It is God’s will: For you to Pray.

It is God’s will: For you to Feed the hungry, Fill the cup of the thirsty, Heal the sick, Shelter the homeless, Clothe the naked, visit the prisoner.

It is God’s will: For you to care for the orphan and the widow.

That is Gods will for you. 

Your Life is no longer yours, If you have trusted Jesus Christ, He has a plan for you and it does not revolve around your time frame or your convenance. You serve His pleasure and what ever you think you own He wants it for the kingdom.

                                                              FYI: He owns it all.

The will of God will not keep you safe But, you are safely Kept if you are in the will Of God. Church, this life we are called to live is an eternal life. We have to take a long view, We have to view this life in light of eternity if you don’t none of this is going to make any sense all.

The will of God will not keep you from Trouble, Trials, or Tragedy, The will of God will keep you and sustain you, When you are in the will of God you enjoy His presence and at the end of the day His presence is ALL that matters any way. 

Gods goal for your life is not to safely get you to heaven, His Goal is that you trust him and obey him regardless of the life circumstance you find your-self in.

Faith, Hope, Grace, Mercy. Purpose, perseverance, self-control, kindness, Direction, are found in the will of God.

  

Don’t wast another prayer on What kind of car is should get. I can give you the answer to that: The one you can afford. Same for the house. Who do I marry? The one who is on the same life mission, with the same vision, the one you treats me like Christ, one who loves me like that. If you are already married Try being Christ-like to you spouse. 

“We often make our plans and then ask God to bless them instead of asking God for a plan.”  Vance Havner

It is time to follow His plan. Will it be safe not likely but, it will be the best plan for life eternal life and at the end of it all, that is all that matters. And thats the way I see it in my market.

In Defense of the Gospel

December 19th, 2013
1 Peter 3:14-15 (NIV)
14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.”
15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 
I heard some disturbing news this week, One of my kids ( actually one of the kids that come to our youth group) recently got a job at a local deli. Her job is to simply bring the sandwich to your table and ask you if you need anything else. Simple right? She is a very bright kid that is trying to make good and  I applaud her effort. So, right now you’er thinking so what? Well here is the deal.
Last Sunday this so called “preacher man” comes in with a group of people and was very rude and mannerless. Apparently it took to long to get “his” order and when she set it on the table the sandwich was not in the center of the plate. And so begins the rant “young lady do you know that I just finished teaching the bible? I am a man of God and you are to treat me with respect.”” I require excellent service so take this back and start over.” All the while this group of “christians” looked on and shook their heads in agreement. There was more but you get the drift. 
So, right now I am mad; well that isn’t true I mad as hell! “preacher man” It Was A Sandwich! Instead of being concerned about your fat belly you should have been concerned for the young lady that brought it to you, You have NO idea what she has been dealing with or have far she has come. She has had pressure on her that NO seventeen year old should ever have to deal with. I have personally known her and my wife and I have come to love her very much. 
She has been coming for a couple of years how and her faith journey has been amazing and one of the things that was hard for her to overcome was people like you. WHY? Why? why? couldn’t you and your group simply been Jesus to her? Christ like? maybe even prayed for her and her situations?
Why didn’t you defend the faith? Why didn’t you love her? and why are you so concerned about your position that you had to declare it? (This what the Pharisees did) Why didn’t you simply serve her?
 ( this is what Jesus did) You said you teach the bible surely you have read the part where Jesus says “love God and love People.” I wish I knew who you are because I would love to have a conversation with you and maybe you could get “saved”. 
Maybe you have wondered why so many people have left church? Short answer: because it doesn’t look like Christ.
                                     Jesus draws people, religion rules people. 
People need a relationship not rules. People need Christ and the Church needs to be Christ like. And you know what the really cool part of this story is She forgave you “preacher man” You see she has had people around her that have taught her the bible and she knew what the right response was. This is a lesson you can learn:  Love your neighbor as your self. Pretty cool for a seventeen year old. 
Preacher to Preacher I hope that I never treat one of your sheep like you treated mine. Here’s a tip be ready to defend the HOPE you have within you, BUT do so with gentleness and respect. Hey I think thats in the bible too. and thats the way I see it I my market.

one down and two to go.

October 8th, 2013

It’s been a while since I have written so bear with me. I have a lot of thoughts running through my head and I just want to start writing them down so, here we go.

If you have know me you know that one of my greatest joys in this life is being a father. I love my kids and want the very best for them, in this life and the next. Incase you don’t know I am a Christian and by that I mean that my hope is in Jesus Christ in this life and the next. I believe that Jesus was born of a Virgin, lived  a sinless life, died for my sin and was resurrected from the dead and now is in heaven and will return one day for His church. Thats what I mean when I say Christian. I just wanted you to understand were I am coming from.

One of the things I want for my kids is to be on the other side, to be in heaven. And that means having a relationship with Jesus. As of right now I have one there and two here. So you probably guessed that from title of this post “one down and two to go” I didn’t know it would happen this way. I alway though it would be my kids crying at my grave not the other way around. Can I be honest? it’s weird to have a kid ahead of you in death, it isn’t suppose to happen that way and while I’m being honest I have a lot of questions? I hear a old preacher say “never question what you know” I know that Jamey (my son’s name) is in heaven because of his relationship with Jesus, it wasn’t a perfect relationship. There was some trouble just like all of have, but I am going to use a word that I have come to like        ‘NEVERTHELESS’  
Nevertheless he had a relationship and when it counted that was all that mattered.

I have had a lot of people ask me about his death and right now I can think of a single person that has ask me about his life, the one he had or the one he has now. Why he died doesn’t really matter, It was to soon as far as I am concerned but nevertheless God chose the time and I am learning to be ok with it, because I have never known God to make a mistake. 

After Jamey died we found evidence of his struggle with life and his pursuit of God.  Galatians 5:22-23 was on his mind and on his desk and a paper he had printed with this Scripture was clipped to the curtains just above the desk so he could see it.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 
There is no law against this things. What a statement! At the end of your life what evidence are you leaving behind? All of us are hopelessly broken and in need of a Savior that is a given, but what you do about is not. Are you pursing God to meet the needs in your life or are you looking for something else? 

“But the Holy spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” 
If you are looking for something to fill the void, the huge God size hole in your life only Jesus can do that because He loves us with-out limit. Jamey finally found it and that makes me happy, when you have time ask me about my son’s life I would love to tell you about him He is with his best friend Jesus. and thats the way I see it in my market.

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. 

Outrageous Hope part 2: Psalm 81 Open wide

January 13th, 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.
‘We fail in this duty of expectancy as much as in the duty of obedience. A large expectation is as much a duty as a complete consecration. The religion of redemption is emphatically the religion of hope. Our prayers disappoint us, not because we ask more than we had a right to expect, but because we ask too little. If we ask of the greater things we shall get all we need of the less. All sin is unreasonable, but no sin has so little to say for itself as the sin of those who profess to lament their failure, and yet refuse to admit those words of salvation which are ever sounding in their ears, and which, if believed, would make all things new.’
—P. J. Maclagan, The Gospel View of Things, p. 187.
Intro: Remember your first taste of freedom? 
The first time mom and dad left you at home alone? 
The first time you went to a sleep over?
The first time you got dropped off at the movies?
The first time you drove the car all by yourself?
The first paycheck? Do you remember what you spent it on?
The Nation of Israel always seemed to have a hard time remembering who God was and what He was capable of. They had seen and heard about the great miracles, but a little time would go by and they would forget. And because of that they never reached their potential as people of faith.
  If you can get your mind around what God has for you today it will change your faith walk, your prayer life, It will change the way you live your life because if you can get your mind to accept who God really is, and what He capable of you will never pray a poverty stricken prayer again.
Psalm 81:10 (NIV)
10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.
  1. God Leads. Psalm 81:10a, v6
I am the Lord. I am your God. He is reminding the nation of Israel I am the God that led you out of your bondage, out of slavery. Look at this:
Psalm 81:6 (NIV)
6 He says, “I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket.
God says look I am the one who removed the burden, I set your hand free. I did it without any help from any body. I am leading you out of Egypt, most of the time when you read about Egypt in this context it is referring to slavery or being in bondage.  Over and over again you will read in the bible about God bringing the nation of Israel out of slavery or some kind of bondage. It is and has been God’s desire to free His people. We see this most completely in Jesus Christ. His mission was to free us from the power of the enemy. (sin and death)
John 8:36 (NIV)
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
It is and has always been God’s plan for you to live free. It is interesting to me out of all the major world religions Christianity is the only one where the “god” being worshiped does all the work of salvation and then freely gives it away.
The Lord Jesus Christ is always leading you from sin, Always leading you to freedom. 
Check this quote out:
  • ‘We fail in this duty of expectancy as much as in the duty of obedience. A large expectation is as much a duty as a complete consecration. The religion of redemption is emphatically the religion of hope. Our prayers disappoint us, not because we ask more than we had a right to expect, but because we ask too little. If we ask of the greater things we shall get all we need of the less. All sin is unreasonable, but no sin has so little to say for itself as the sin of those who profess to lament their failure, and yet refuse to admit those words of salvation which are ever sounding in their ears, and which, if believed, would make all things new.’
         P.J. Maclagan, The Gospel View of Things, p. 187.
  •   You can never ask for more than God can give you.
  1. God fills. Psalm 81:10b v16
Look verse 10: Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. Well pastor just what does God want to put into my mouth? Glad you ask. Look at your neighbor and say “God wants to fill me.” Check out verse 16
Psalm 81:16 (NIV)
16 But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”
Wheat represents bread. Bread is your needs, what you need to live. 
Honey represents your Delight or desires. What you need to thrive. 
Psalm 37:3-4 (NIV)
3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 
This is my life verse actually the whole 37th Psalm but, this is what got me interested in God. When I heard “Trust God” and He take care of me, That was cool but, If I would delight myself in him He would give me what I desired, well I wanted that. And a funny thing begin to happen at first My desire for my life was pretty far from God’s desire for my life but, the more I trusted, the more I lived in his land the closer our desires became until they merged. His desires where becoming my desires…………….. 
  1. God reveals. Psalm 81:10c 
Psalm 81:10 (NIV)
10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. 
May be your stuck in something?………….. If you get this you will be able to get out!
Look at these two phrase’s “I am” and “ I will” I am the God who freed you. By my power and my power alone I brought you out. Nobody helped me. That same power that brought you out, is the same power I will use to fill you. Do you get that?
That same miracle working power that raised Christ, that is the same power, the same God who is unlimited In power, Unlimited in resources, Unlimited presence, unlimited in wisdom, unlimited in grace
Psalm 81:7 (NIV)
7 In your distress you called and I rescued you,
Listen to what God says about himself:
I AM says there is no other god like me. God says: I am the creator.
I Am Jehovah, I am Yahweh.
I Am the famous one.
I Am Holy.
I Am righteous
I Am Just.
I Am Gracious.
I Am full of mercy and loving kindness.
I Am for justice and peace.
I Am against evil and wickedness. 
I Am the Lord God almighty and I do not change.
I Am not a man that I should lie.
I Am your healer.
I Am your provider.
I Am your teacher.
I Am your guide.
I Am your comfort.
I Am Your portion.
I Am your Joy.
I Am the Lord God Almighty there is no other.
  • I AM and I Will. Look at this theres more, Hold on……..
I Am for You.
I Am against your enemy.
I Will bless who bless’s you and cures who cures’ you.
I will hear you.
I will fill you.
I will deliver you.
I will protect you.
I Am your shield.
I Am your shepherd.
I Am your father.
I Am Your friend.
  • THERE’ more, There’s more………
I Am the Great King.
I Am your Rock.
I Am always with you.
I Am the alpha and omega.
I Am the beginning and the end, The first and the last.
I Am the Bread of life.
I Am living water.
I Am the Light Of the World.
I Am the Living Word. 
I Am the True Vine.
I Am the Resurrection and the life.
I Am  The Way, The Truth, and The Life.
I Am Love.
I Am Grace.
I Am Forgiveness, I Am In love you, I am pleased with you, And you can never ask me for more than I can give YOU.
  • You can never ask for more than God can give you.
What do I need to do? OPEN WIDE, To ask and to receive.
When a momma bird shows up at the nest to feed her baby birds she never has to beg them to open their mouths. Open your mouth and I will fill it say’s God almighty creator of the universe. 
Pray.

Outrageous Hope Romans 15:13

January 13th, 2013


The First sermon series of 2013  @ MPC

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: Happy New Year! Our drive verse for this new series and this new year is Romans 15:13………..That is my prayer for this Year. I just want to take a couple of minutes to roll somethings out to you guy’s about the New Year 2013. Our theme for this year is but, before I say it, can anyone tell me what our theme was last year? Engage! Thats right.
This year will be Outrageous! The first sermon series is Outrageous Hope and we will get into that in a minute. We will have some specific goals for this year and each of them is an opportunity for YOU to get involved.
   Sometime during each one of our series we will be doing something for the people in our community. One of our big goals this year will be “The Water Project” In which we will raise $10,000.00 to dig and or repair fresh water well’s for people that need them. At the end of that when the money is raised I want to take a team from MPC on a short term mission trip to actually meet and work with some of the people where the well is drilled. We will be doing fund raising Inside as well as outside the church, we are going to invite as many people as we can to help. Why water? because Clean water Changes the quality of human life. To have access to clean water free of Bacteria, will help people move from barely surviving to thriving. To have drinking water and water for food preparation, simply being able to have a clean bath. It will change the quality of life in a way that we can’t imagine. Sooooooo..
The teaching calendar look’s like this:
  1. Outrageous Hope.
  2. Outrageous Design.
  3. Outrageous Talk (the thing Jesus said)
this one brings us into Easter and we are planning to do somethings for that day stay tuned.
  1. Outrageous Generosity. Stewardship
  2. Outrageous Destinations. a study about Heaven and Hell
  3. Outrageous Issues.  what the bible says about, abortion, capital punishment, sexuality, spiritually
  4. Outrageous freedom. this is summertime we plan to turn part of our parking-lot into a beach for about three days sand, water, and fun.
we will do a movie night and finish on Sunday with service outside with a baptism service and lunch.
  1. Outrageous Challenge. A study through the book of Nehemiah
  2. Outrageous Disciple. what biblical discipleship looks like.
  3. Outrageous Church. biblical Church. A study through Acts.
  4. Outrageous Savior.
Sprinkled in all of that will be opportunity to serve God and community
One of the long term goals has been to get to a place where we can start a small group ministry, I hope by midyear we will see that start to happen. Also as this year roll’s out you will begin seeing some other people using their teaching talents as we become more intentional in developing leaders within this church. We have a great team of leaders 
forming in the youth ministry, and we want to expand that into other areas as well.  With that said let get into God’s word for us today. Pray.
hope |hōp|
noun
1 a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen: he looked through her belongings in the hope of coming across some information | I had high hopes of making the Olympic team.
• a person or thing that may help or save someone: their only hope is surgery.
• grounds for believing that something good may happen: he does see some hope for the future.
2 archaic a feeling of trust.
verb [ no obj. ]
want something to happen or be the case: he’s hoping for an offer of compensation | [ with clause ] : I hope that the kids are OK.
  • [ with infinitive ] intend if possible to do something: we’re hoping to address all these issues.
Would it surprise you to know that Gods desire for you is to be filled with hope but, not just filled or topped off but, to overflow with it. To have so much hope that your just sloshing hope all over everything and everybody you meet. Overflowing Hope, unbridled optimism, unexplainable expectation, to overflow with possibility. To have a confidant conviction that some how, some way something great is going to happen. 
To feel Hopeless is one of the most debilitating places to be. when you are in a place like that it is easy to get a “drop in the bucket mentality”. You know what I’m talking about, a little good happens But, “It’s just a drop in the bucket” To be so far behind that when you do get a little money “It’s just a drop in 
the bucket” I feel better today but, “It’s just a drop in the bucket”.  Can I tell you that every flood start’s with a single drop of rain. God wants to overflow your life with peace and joy. In this series we are going to look at what it take’s to get hope, to keep hope, and to give hope away. If you have your bibles go with me to Romans 15:13 and we will have words on the screen as well.
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.
Do you have that?
Do you what that?
       
  • The result of God’s power is in the overflow.
Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
This is the overflow. More than I can ask. More than I can think. Look at verse 13 again: NIV …..”So that you may overflow”……..      
NLT…..”you will overflow”……
ESV……”you will abound”……
MSG……”you will brim over”……
AMP  …..”you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over)
BUT before something can overflow it must be filled!
??Vessel: a hollow container.  Hope: is fluid and is able to flow easily.
What kind of vessel are you? You are a vessel of HOPE. You where designed by God to be filled with hope.
  • Before you can fill something you have to know the capacity of the source and the vessel to be filled.
This is what Scripture say about God’s capacity.
2 Corinthians 9:8 (NLT)
8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 
This speaks of God’s unlimited resources. Church we are going to have to learn that God and God alone is our unlimited source.
So if we know God is unlimited as our source, we have to ask what is my capacity?
A Thimble, A Bucket, or a Drum.  
If God has a Thimble full of hope could you receive it?  some of you right now are thinking thats just silly. Is it? let me ask you a question when life happens to you what is your primary reaction? Fear? or Hope? 
Is there room in your life for a bucket full of HOPE? How about a Drum of God finest HOPE. Vintage Hope from the ancient of days. Premium quality aged to perfection. Would you like some of That?
Romans 15:4 (NLT)
4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
The Scriptures get us tapped in but How do it get the flow going?
To simply know is not enough, we have to apply what we know to our life. Transformation occurs from the application of the truth we know.
  • How do I open the flow? by Trusting Him.
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
13” ….. as you trust in him,…..” 
As I trust Him with the direction of my life, As I trust Him in the circumstances I am in, As I trust Him with my relationships, As I trust Him with my finances, As I trust Him with my health, As I trust HIM That is where I will begin to Overflow with Hope. It is like this Peace and Joy start to fill this hollow container, It’s filling It’s filling It’s filling Watch out Look what happening It’s overflowing……….. 
Trusting is Active waiting, Active expectation, Active optimism. A couple of things I have settled In my life. And you need this too. 
  1. God is Good.
  2. He know’s what my needs are.
  3. He will never leave me.
Hope is a product of God, Produced by Faith, Powered by the Holy Spirit.
My Prayer for you this New Year Is:    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.

What Happens When You Give

January 13th, 2013

What Happens When You Give
A Sermon on Generosity


Introduction: I shared this with my Church 12/30/12
Have you ever heard a sermon from an angry preacher?  Maybe on TV or maybe in a church.  Seems like there are a lot of angry preachers out there.  As if they LOVE teaching on hell and reminding everyone they are going there.
Maybe you quit going to church because you didn’t want to become an angry Christian led by an angry preacher.
One of the angry preacher’s favorite topics is money.   How you’re spending it wrong.  How you’re selfish because you bought a new car.  
One of the angry preacher’s favorite tactics is guilt.  You could feed 8,234 children if cut out lattes.  Look at this picture.  How can you say no to this face?  What’s the matter with you?
  • Most sermons on giving are designed to get you to give more.  But that’s not what I’m going to try to do.  
I promise a guilt free money message.
  • I want to help you understand what happens when you give.  Cause many of you already give. You’re already support the church.  
Or if you’re thinking about giving, you want to know what happens next.  You don’t need motivation or inspiration…you’re just curious about what happens next.
  • I want to talk to you about what happens when you give.  I’m going to show you five things that happen when we give, and at the end of the message, I’m not going to ask you to do anything at all!
Bet you’ve never heard that before in church!  I want you to listen to this message on giving, and then we’re NOT going to receive an offering.
Are you ready?  Let’s go.
#1 – When you give, you fulfill your purpose.
How many of you were good at math in school?   Man, there are a lot of nerds in here!  I wasn’t good at math.  Well, I take that back.  I was good at math when it just had numbers in it, but for me in the 10th grade, they started adding letters to math.  I was done.  and X = ? I had no idea what  X equaled? I flunked out of Algebra I had a math teacher named MR. Cash and he was no help at all with the X. He would write the problems on the board and then sit down for the rest of the class, you either got it or you didn’t.
  • I was a DIDN’t. 
It was much later after I was out of school when I figured out what X equaled. It was sometime after I started my first business, I went into the roofing trade. And guess who called needing a roof? MR. Cash. I put the roof on his house and made out the bill, X equaled $5000.00 dollar’s. Thats what X equaled.  
But, today where not going to talk about X’s I am going to teach you a giving formula and I am going to give you the answers. How cool is that?
If A = B, and B = C, then A = C.
Ok are you ready for the answer? Cool, here we go.
A = You were created in the Image of God.  Let’s take a look at Genesis 1:26-27.
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;
 male and female he created them.
The Image of God is theological concept that means you and I and everybody on earth was imprinted with God’s image when we were created.  There’s something deep inside us that is like God.  Like a son who has his Father’s eyes, you have a resemblance to God.
B = God is generous.  When you read the Bible and start to piece together information about God, one of those pieces is God’s generosity.  You read things like, “God is love” in 1 John 4:8.  Just how generous is God?  Check out this verse – it’s the most famous verse in all of the Bible.  I know it’s the most famous verse because it’s the only verse I’ve seen written on a sign, held up in the end zone of a nationally televised game.  It’s John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
How generous is God?  He gave his one and only son!
So, let’s put the ABC formula together.   If A = B, and B = C, then A = C.
If you were made in the image of God, and God is generous, then there’s something deep inside you that’s wired for generosity.
You may not always feel generous, but you were created that way.  You’ve got generosity hard wired into your soul.
  • So when you give, you’re fulfilling your purpose…doing what you were created to do in the first place.  You don’t give out of guilt…you give out of purpose.
Okay, that’s the math lesson for today.  Let’s move on to number 2. 
# 2 – When you give, you make God smile.  
Maybe you don’t imagine God smiling because those angry preachers I mentioned earlier never smile.  They spit and sweat a lot, but they never smile.
I bet it’s hard to picture a smiling face of God.  Culture paints a picture of an angry God, God with a frowny face.  Or a Zeus-like god with a lightning bolt in his hand.  A lot of people think God’s motto is I’m gonna getcha.
But the Bible image for God is a father.  But not just any father, a perfect, loving Father.   Some of you had sorry fathers, or fathers who abandoned you.  Some of you had great fathers, who were great examples.  But all of us know deep down in our heart how a father is supposed to be.
  • God is our father and we are his children.
Check out 1 John 3:1.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
God, the perfect heavenly Father, loves his children.
If you have kids, maybe you can relate to this.  As a dad, I like giving my kids gifts.  I like surprising them with something unexpected, or getting them something that they have always wanted.
But I love it even more when they share their stuff with others.  Those rare moments when they let go of a toy, or share something with a friend, or give something away – man, those are special.
I think that’s how God looks at us when we give.  He just loves it when we give.  When we put others first.  When we give things away instead of saying, “that’s mine.”  
  • When we give, we make God smile.
#3 – When you give, you position yourself for blessing.  
The apostle Paul wrote a letter to a group of Christians living in the first century city of Philippi.  You have that letter in your Bible – it’s called Philippians.  
In the first part of his letter, Paul thanked the Philippians for their generosity and their partnership.  They had contributed to his ministry as a missionary and a preacher.  The Christians who lived  in Philippi were generous supporters.  
I believe there is a clear connection between our generosity and God’s provision.  
Philippians 4:19 says, 
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
You might not understand it, and I might not be able to fully explain it, but there’s something supernatural that happens when our finances come into alignment with God’s heart.  1 + 1 + God doesn’t always equal 2.  
There I go with math again.  I’m sorry.
Romans 8:32 says, 
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
God is a generous God, giving us many blessing in life.  
But these blessings from God are not limited to the financial realm.  A $100 contribution may not result in a $100 blessing, but I do know this…you will be blessed in some way.  And just because those blessings may not be financial doesn’t mean they are not important.  If the best things in life cant be bought with money, perhaps the most important blessings from God are not financial. 
#4 – When you give, you gain perspective.  
Have you ever met someone who went on a mission trip?  Those can be expensive.  Between food, airfare and supplies, you could easily spend thousands of dollars traveling to another country to work with children or work on a house.  
But when they talk to them after they return, they use words like “incredible” and “life changing.”  They talk about that expensive experience like it was one of the most important things they’ve ever done.
I’ve never met anyone that said, “Man, I wish I hadn’t raised all that money to go over there and help people…I would have rather used that money to download movies or buy furniture.”
You never hear that story because spending money on other people feels right.  People often regret something they buy, but they rarely regret something they give.  
Spending money can be fun – new clothes, new restaurants, a new car.  Nothing wrong with those things.  But deep down, they don’t really satisfy.  But when we give or serve with our money, we somehow know we’re doing something more important.
Matthew 6:21 says,
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
The Bible teaches that money isn’t solely a financial issue…it’s primarily a spiritual issue.  Our money and our heart are connected.  Where we send our money says something about what we truly value, and when we give, it’s a statement on what’s truly important.
This isn’t a groundbreaking truth to you, and you already know it, because you spend money.  I spend money. If you were to login into my bank account and see where I spent money, You would be able to tell what is important to me.
You can tell what’s important to me not by hearing me talk about what’s important, but by observing how I spend money.   Because money is a heart issue more than a checking account issue.
So when you give, you’re making an intentional statement that something matters.  This thing over here, that person over there, God’s mission through this church…it matters.  It deserves my attention, focus and support.
Eternity matters, and when you give, you’re shifting your perspective.  
We’re on the home stretch now…one more to go.  This one is a biggie…
#5 – When you give, you partner with God.  
Have you ever thought about the fact that God doesn’t need your money?  Seriously, He doesn’t. I don’t mean to sound rude, but if God wanted your money, He would just take it.  I mean…God could do that.
  • God doesn’t need your permission to access your resources.  If he knows how many hairs are on your head, he knows your online banking password.
Not only does God not need your money in particular, He doesn’t need YOU in general.  I’m not intentionally trying to insult you, but the fact is that God doesn’t need you, me or the Pope to accomplish His purposes in the world.  
God is not sitting in heaven, saying, “If we only had a representative down there…then I could do something.”  His activity is not dependent on our involvement – He can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants.
God does need us, but he INVITES us to join Him.  Because He’s God, He doesn’t NEED us, but he WANTS us.  We don’t invite God into our lives; He invites us into His!
That’s pretty cool when you think about it.  While God doesn’t NEED us, He invites us to participate.
And when you give, that’s what you’re doing.  You join with God in his mission in the world.
You don’t give to keep the lights on (though I’m thankful we’re not sitting in the dark) – you give because the Gospel needs to be heard.
You don’t just give to this church (though I love this church) – you give as a part of a worldwide movement, joining with churches in North America, South America, China, the Ukraine, England, Africa and even North Carolina.
  • There is something bigger going on around us.  More than the here and now.
And when you give, you’re a part of what God is doing everywhere.
Conclusion
So we’re at the end of the message.  This is the part when if I was an angry preacher, I’d lay on some guilt and then take up an offering.  
But I told you I wasn’t going to ask you to do anything.  Instead of challenging you to do something, I trust that you’ve been thinking about this for the last few minutes.  So I don’t want to end with a challenge to give, I just want to say thanks.
For those of you who have ever given anything to this church, thank you.
For those of you who have given clothes or food to the needy, thank you.
For those of you who support a child on the other side of the world, thank you.
For those of you who give your time to serve others in need, thank you.
Thank you for fulfilling your purpose.
Thank you for making God smile.
Thank you for positioning your self for God’s blessing.
Thank you for changing your perspective.
Thank you for partnering with God.
Let’s pray.
With help of the Change Group Inc, and the Rocket company.

“I’m making rain”

November 8th, 2012

As the last warm day in October was fading away I recruited my youngest daughter to help me wash my truck. Well, if you have ever seen my “truck” you might be tempted to wonder why anyone would waste the water to do so. This “truck” that I affectionately call the beater is less than good looking, but it gets great gas mileage. I had a up coming trip to Atlanta to attend a preaching Lab. (trying to be come a better preacher) but that’s a story for a different day.

Anyway, Anna is thrilled at the Idea. So she is all to eager to help. She really got jacked up when I told her she could use the hose to wash off the suds. So we go at it, as time pasted and we are about half way through the task, I notice Anna has moved and as I look up she has taken the water hose and moved down the drive way. She shooting the water straight up in the air and is laughing uncontrollably.  I yell “What are you doing?” She replies back at the top of her lungs.

“I’M MAKING RAIN” as she continues to laugh uncontrollably.

Now I am not going to debate the fact that this wasn’t really rain, because It was water out of the hose.  But I was lost in the moment. The sheer joy of “Her” creation had overwhelmed her. All I could  do was stand there and smile. Is this what Jesus was talking about when he said “you can only enter in the the kingdom of heaven like a child?”

Matthew 19:14-15 (NLT)

14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”
15 And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left. 
It was one of those moments that a father never forgets. As a father, one of the things I long to see in my kids is the sheer joy of life, To learn to enjoy the every day things that God brings into life. I think Father God feels the same way, He longs to see  HIS “kids” take time to enjoy life, even in the mundane task’s of life. learning to enjoy every gift from his hand. He created this world for us, and us for HIS pleasure. It is that childlike faith that gains us entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.
When is the last time YOU made it rain? or made anything?
Today would be a good for that. And I am sure God has a smile waiting for you. And that’s the way I see it in my market.

Saved for Perfection

September 12th, 2012

Philippians 3:12-13 (NLT)
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.
13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 
Intro: 
What do you need to let go of to move forward?______________.
……………………………………….
The Apostle Paul was a master at staying focused. Lets look at is career:
A Pharisee (means separated)  no one could find any fault in the way he followed the law.
zealously persecute the Church; That means He murdered people because of their faith in Jesus Christ and thought He was doing God a favor.
Paul Meets Jesus on the way to destroy the Church in Damascus his life is forever changed. 
    Out 27 New Testament books Paul writes 13, well 14 if you count Hebrews.
    18 chapters of the book of Acts are dedicated to Paul.
  Paul traveled over 13,000 hard miles preaching the gospel and planted over 14 churches.
Paul endured many hardships Paul was focused on his God given purpose, To Preach The Gospel.     
This portion of scripture gives us some insight to what he went through. Paul is writing to the church in corinth the purpose of the letter is correction. 
He says you guy’s think you have some things to brag about well I have some too. Paul was being sarcastic:
2 Corinthians 11:22-30 (NIV)

22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I.
23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.
24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,
26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.
27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.
28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

Paul says I have learned some things, I have had all kinds of learning, He had an education from the classroom and from life, “But the greatest thing is to know Christ”. I have been a Pharisee, but the greatest thing is to be like Christ, My mission, my desire, my purpose is to accomplish all that Christ has for me to do.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. 
It is the same for you and me………
  • To know Christ: am i engaged deeply is the relationship?
  • To be Like Christ: Am i developing His character?
  • To accomplish His purpose for me: do you know your mission in life?
………………………………………… 
Philippians 3:13 (NIV)
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
Here’s the bottom line: You where saved for perfection.
  
  • What did Paul need to forget? Galatians 1:13 (ESV)
    13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 
  • I believe Paul thought about Stephen a lot.    
                            Acts 7:58 (NIV)
58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Paul was now building the very thing he had once tried to destroy. Paul says it doesn’t matter if your life is a success or failure; keep going.
What do you need to forget?______________________.

 Baggage; we all have it and it keeps us from reaching our full potential. as long as we hold on to it we can’t completely take hold of Christ. He works best when our hands are empty. 

Here are something’s that you never need to forget…………………..
In Christ I am God’s…………………………….
  • Possession: Genesis 17:8/ 1Cor 6:20 
  • Child: John 1:12 
  • Workmanship: Ephesians 2:10 
  • Friend: James 2:23 
  • Temple:1 Cor 3:16/ 6:16 
                   In Christ I HAVE BEEN……………………………….
  • redeemed by the blood: Rev 5:9 
  • set free from sin /condemnation: Rom 8:1-2  
  • forgiven: Col 2:13
  • given a sound mind: 2 Timothy 1:7 
  • given the Holy Spirit: 2 Cor 1:22 
  • given great and precious promises: 2 peter 1:4
  • In Christ I am ………………………………………….
  • Free from the power of sin: Romans 6:14
  • Going to Heaven: John 14:6
  • The head and not the tail. Deut 28:13

In Christ I CAN…
• do all things through Christ: Philp 4:13
• always pray: Luke 21:36
• defeat the enemy: Rev 12:11
In Christ I CANNOT…
• be separated from God’s love Rom 8:35-39
• be moved Psalms 16:8
• be condemned 1 Cor 11:32
  • Your life matters, you where saved for perfection.
……………………………………….
Hebrews 12:1 (GW)
1 Since we are surrounded by so many examples {of faith}, we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
Think with me for a moment?
What would your life look like if you let go of everything But Christ????????
Your family?
Your marriage?
Your finance’s
Your job?
Your health? How about this one; Your Church? Do you know what the answer is? If you can catch this You will be a world changer like Paul. 
………………………………………
  • The only thing worth holding on to is CHRIST.
Philippians 3:13 (NIV)
13 “ But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”
Paul never lost his focus, from the day he met Jesus he stayed on his mission to “Preach the Gospel”. I believe if we focus on Jesus we won’t worry so much about what is behind us. And thats the way I see it in my market.
……………………………………….