12/31/2010 A Jordan ExperienceScriptures: Joshua 3:1-4
In all our lives there are times when we deal with things we have never dealt with before. We come to a new a situation and like the people in Joshua chapter 3: " we have not passed this way before." This type of sitatiuon presents challenges we have never faced, so we ask the question: what does it take to cross the Jordan River? 1) We must obey the command of God- "And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it." Joshua 3:3 shows that the people were told when the ark came to them it was time to get moving. When God gives instruction, we must follow it! Obedience is essential. 2) Whatever God tells you is enough- "And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the LORD of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap." God operates on the need-to-know basis and He will give enough direction to get us started. The problem is all of our questions: "how deep is the water," "whats in the water," or "how is God going to do this?" We must remember there is no miracle without an impossible situation and there is no victory without a fight. Nothing will happen till someone's feet get wet. 3) Give God some space- "Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it..." God changes things in His time. We can try to force God before He is ready to respond, but that will only effect us, not Him. God is the only one who change things that appear impossible. As this year comes to close, we are entering into a time and territory that is new, a Jordan experience, for we "have not passed this way before." Let's endeavor to obey God, listen for His leading and wait for His timing because through Him "nothing shall be impossible." 12/28/2010 Characteristics of a Biblical ChurchScriptures: Thessalonians 1:1-10
In this week's lesson we will study the characteristics of a Biblical church to see what a Biblical church should look like. First we ask the question: "what does a Biblical church major on?" A Biblical church majors on strong faith: "for our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost." Second it majors in loving deeds: labors of love. Third a Biblical church shows evident and definable deep commitment, Paul wrote it this way: "ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake." Finally a Biblical church majors on the gospel. The second question to ask is: "who is it ministering to?" In the book of Thessalonians we see a church that sounded out the Word of the Lord. They reached their hometown Macedonia and then wherever they were they ministered. The Bible says it this way: "Your faith to God-ward is spread abroad." A Biblical church is always ready to minister. The third question to ask of a Biblical church is "what message is it proclaiming?" A message to turn from idols, serve the living and true God, and to wait on Jesus. A Biblical church proclaims the same message that Jesus and his disciples proclaimed. 12/20/2010 The Perfect GiftScriptures: James 1:17, Matthew 2:9-11
Everyone wants to give their loved ones the perfect gift. Studies have shown that the average person for "Christmas spends $630.00, shops fifteen hours and walks in stores over twenty miles." All of this effort in search of the perfect gift. In Matthew 2 we read about the wise men from the East who gave Jesus the perfect gifts. Why were their gifts perfect? Two reasons, first their gifts were symbolic. Gold was the gift for a king. Frankincense was the gift for a high priest and myrrh was the gift used to embalm the dead. The second reason was that their gifts showed who He was, what He came to do, and what it would cost Him. God delights in giving the perfect gift, His words says it this way: "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights." 1) He gives us the gift of salvation- "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord," proclaims Romans 6:23. This gift helps us overcome who we are. 2) He gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit- "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost," Acts 2:38. This is the gift that empowers us to become what God wants us to be. 3) He gives us the gifts of the Spirit- "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant," 1 Corinthians 12:1. These are the gifts that give us the ability to finish what He started. God offers the perfect gift to you this season, are you ready to accept everything He has to offer? 12/17/2010 The City of the Great KingScriptures: Psalm 48:1-14, Revelation 21:1-5
God is our defender and His presence is our joy, security and salvation. He is our refuge. and our guide even unto death. The Bible is our map and the Holy Spirit our constant guide. In Psalm 48 we read about the city of Jerusalem, which is called "the city of the great King." For the Jewish people Jerusalem is a landmark, the center of God's presence in the world. The Jewish temple was located in Jerusalem and it was their place of refuge from their enemies. Jerusalem has been destroyed several times since this Psalm was written. In verse 8 of this Psalm it says: "God will establish it for ever." To find security in God we must be heading for the right city and going in the right direction. The city of our God is beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth and the city of the Great King. Could this Psalm have a prophetic meaning? Take a look at Revelation 21:1-5. These verses describe a city this world has never seen with a new earth, the old has passed away. A new Jerusalem, the holy city coming down from our God out of Heaven. Its never touched by man, never destroyed, and never defiled. Its a city with no tears, no death, no sorrow, no pain, no sickness, etc. Its the "city of the great King." We need to be looking for this city: using our Bible as our map and the Holy Spirit as our guide and constant companion. This journey will take you beyond this world, but we cannot waste time trusting in places or things that can be destroyed. Let's get the desire to live forever in the "city of the Great King." |
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