I adapted and expanded upon a resource from prayermag.com.
1. You are the creator. You made everything; absolutely everything. Even things that are 'man-made'. You put those designs into the minds of men. Nehemiah 9:6 says 'You made heave, the heaven of heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the sea and all that is in them.' That covers everything. Which means that EVERYTHING I see today has your fingerprints.
2. You are the only God. I am so thankful that the one real God evidenced himself so well. I have no confusion about 'many gods'. I love that you call out in Isaiah 45:5: 'I am the Lord and there is no other. Besides me there is NO God.' Since you are the one God, my life should focus on one thing: you!
3. Lord, you are almighty. That just sounds strong. Your might leaves me speechless. Psalm 89:8 asks a rhetorical question: "O Lord, God of hosts, who is mighty as you are O Lord?". I know it is rhetorical, but I feel compelled to answer anyways. No one is as mighty as you. You are at the top. That being so, I should fear nothing and be in fear of you. "I have nothing to fear but the Lord himself."
4. You last forever. You began forever ago. Everlasting Father. Your 'fathering' attributes have lasted with you: Love, Mercy, Grace, Patience, Understanding. Isaiah 9:6 says your name is 'wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace. Everlasting is stability I can be grounded in. Thank you.
5. God, you are all love. This is balanced with all your other attributes, but you are loving toward all. You love ALL! (Even the Drunks, rapists, and gays as Brave Saint Saturn put it). May I realize and administer a love so powerful.
6. Lord you are 100% just. Nothing you do ever falls into the realm of being unfair. Nothing! (No matter how it feels to me!) Your justice allows Jesus Christ to take the punishment for all who believe. (Romans 3:26.) Your justice lets me live knowing it really will ALL work out in th end. All is fair when an eternal God is involved.
7. You are faithful. Lord, your faithfulness stretches THROUGH the skies (not just to them!). You keep your promises, you do not let me (or anyone) down! Deuteronomy 7:9 says you are faithful to 1000 generations. How many years is that? It's probably not worth counting. Forever faithful you are.
8. Lord, I am so thankful for your mercy. I could never understand how you withhold your wrath, but I know that I personally could not live without you doing so. Thank you for your mercy. Nehemiah 9:31 describes how your mercy preserves Israel. "You are a gracious and merciful God." Who can I tell today about your mercy?
9. Lord, you are a fortress to find refuge in. You are the place I can find refuge, protection, and shelter. There is no storm that you are unable to offer protection from. Psalm 62:7 says that my salvation can fully rest on God, my mighty Rock.
10. You are patient. Your dealings with people are characterized by your patience. II Peter 3:9 remarks that any 'slowness' we may feel is actually a gift. For is you were able to act quickly, I know that I would not be left standing. Patience may be one of your most understated and underestimated attributes. Thank you for it!
11. Lord, you are all about saving people. You know that we are helpless to save ourselves. And even when we're so mired in sin we can't see our own need, you still move and work and act to bring us to you. Jude 25 exclaims that because you're the Savior you "deserve glory, majesty, dominion, and authority."
12. Lord, you are holy. I cannot fully understand that word... YOU ARE HOLY. Wholly different. Totally pure. Copmletely unlike anything else in all creation (because you are the creator). In heaven there are four creatures dedicated to declaring your holiness, might, and eternality. (Revelation 4). They extol you around the clock. How might I extol you today?
13. Lord, I am so thankful that you are a personal God. What would be the point of life if I could not know you? Amazingly, you make yourself known. So much so that you draw people to yourself. You allow us to be intimate enough to 'recline at your table'. Again I will say: Amazing.
14. Lord, you are all about giving. Everyday I pass by thousands (literally) of things that you have given to me. More than that, you have blessed me with a great family. Even more than that, you gave your one and only son to cover my sins (John 3:16).
15. Lord, thank you for providing all I need. We are so blessed and have so much. Thank you for giving just what we need. Even outside of physical and material you give, give, give. II Corinthians says that you give grace unboundingly. Thanks!
16. You are the shepherd. You care for me. You guide me. You lead me on the path you picked out. You are completely worthy of being incharge. You are totally trustworthy. Psalm 23 uses this shepherd analogy to show you provide, give me rest, lead me, and restore me. Shepherd Me!
17. Lord, you always give me victory. Any victory is yours! We get to constantly and always take place in a victory parade with Christ (says II Corinthians 2:14). Am I living like a victor?
18. Thank you Lord for being a God of peace to me. You can provide all the peace I need. I look to you for an evenness of mind and complete calm.
19. Dear God, thank you for being the healer. You promised Israel that if they would follow you, you would be "the Lord, your healer" (Exodus 15:16). Lord, I pray that you heal me as well. Spiritually, physically, emotionally. Keep me whole and completely focused. You are the only one who can heal me!
20. Thank you for providing all (100%) of the comfort I need. II Corinthians 1:3 says you are the God "of mercies and the God of all comfort." I think that the comfort is based in your mercy. I can always find comfort in you for you always withhold the punishment that I truly deserve. Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!
21. Lord, thank you for being a God who works miracles. You created a natural order to the world but you are not bound by it. Psalm 77:14 says "You are the God who does amazing things." Please do amazing things today!
22. Lord, you show non stop forgiveness to me. Forgiveness that doesn't end. Forgiveness for all of my faults, iniquities, and sin. There is NOTHING you can't forgive. Thank YOU! Nehemiah 9:17 says that you are a God "read to forgive." And this despite Israel's continued unfaithfulness. I'm so grateful for your grace and mercy. Pour more on me.
23. Thank you Lord for bearing my burdens. NO matter the size you are always willing to lift us up and hold us close. Psalm 68:19 says that you do this DAILY! Thank you!
24. Lord, thank you for being faithful. Your faithfulness to us is infinite and unending. My faithfulness to you doesn't last very long. But yours continues anyway. Psalm 36:5 says your faithfulness stretches to the clouds. Lamentations 3:22-23 ties your mercy to your faithfulness. I need both every new day.
25. God, take all of the kings of the world, and you are King of them all. Take any and all who would consider themselves Lord, and you are Lord of them all. You are the ultimate and perfect ruler. I Timothy 6:15-16 explains this Kingship and Lordship. It says that you dwell in unapproachable light. You cannot be touched. Thank you for coming to us.
26. Lord, thank you for being "my help and deliverer" (as David said in Psalm 70). I am right with him, for I am poor and needy. I have nothing good to offer. You are all that I need and I need you completely. "Hasten to me, O God."
27. Psalm 3:3: You are a shield around me. You answer my cry. You sustain me. You save me. Thank you for your love and protection. Without you I would be (even more) fearful and timid.
28. God: In you there is light. 100% light and no darkness. Because of this you can reveal what is hidden, you can make light the darkness (Daniel 2:22).
29. Lord, because of your abundant blessings we can have joy. According to Psalm 21 you bless with: strength, salvation, our heart's desire, life, and much more.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
equation for light
got this from a friend:
Attached is an image I thought we both could appreciate. It actually goes quite well with what I'm talking about. It seems, through the various sciences, that we are unlocking the code that underpins God's universe. As a Christian, what do you think about all of this?
Attached is an image I thought we both could appreciate. It actually goes quite well with what I'm talking about. It seems, through the various sciences, that we are unlocking the code that underpins God's universe. As a Christian, what do you think about all of this?
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Stewardship notes from Sermon by Rick Jones
Given at Pekin Bible on 9/19/2004
1) God owns it all: Daniel 5:23, Psalm 24:1, Haggai 2:1, Deuteronomy 8:18, I Corinthians 4:7, 6:19-20, I Chronicles 29:10-16
2) God entrusts his resources to stewards: Adam & Eve-the garden, Joseph-Potiphar's house
Stewardship
= the free & joyous activity of the church in managing all of life's resources for God's purpose
=The use of God given resources for accomplishment of God given goals
Areas of Stewardship- Gospel (I Cor 9:19, Col 1:25), Truth (I Cor 4:1, Eph 3:2), Spiritual Gifts (If Peter 4:10), Oversight in the church (Titus 1:7), Money/Material Things (Luke 16, Matt 25:14)
3) God will ask all stewards to give an account: I Cor 4:2, Luke 16:10, Romans 14:12, II Cor 5:10, I Cor 3:9-15, Habbakkuk 3:17-19
steward
1) God owns it all: Daniel 5:23, Psalm 24:1, Haggai 2:1, Deuteronomy 8:18, I Corinthians 4:7, 6:19-20, I Chronicles 29:10-16
2) God entrusts his resources to stewards: Adam & Eve-the garden, Joseph-Potiphar's house
Stewardship
= the free & joyous activity of the church in managing all of life's resources for God's purpose
=The use of God given resources for accomplishment of God given goals
Areas of Stewardship- Gospel (I Cor 9:19, Col 1:25), Truth (I Cor 4:1, Eph 3:2), Spiritual Gifts (If Peter 4:10), Oversight in the church (Titus 1:7), Money/Material Things (Luke 16, Matt 25:14)
3) God will ask all stewards to give an account: I Cor 4:2, Luke 16:10, Romans 14:12, II Cor 5:10, I Cor 3:9-15, Habbakkuk 3:17-19
steward
Monday, April 6, 2009
Putting Preachers in their Place by Mark Driscoll
Listened to this: http://assets.theresurgence.com/files/audio/mark_driscoll_2008-02-25_audio_tnc_putting_preachers_in_their_place.mp3
Note: I really actually like Mark Driscoll, although it doesn't really show here. I think we have a few slight differences in how we define: preaching & church.
God is the first preacher in Genesis 1.
I just have a difference of opinion... Preaching is totally necessary, but is MD really insisting we need a 30 minute sermon during a church service. What about a small group Bible study that 'proclaims' God's word to those involved?
MD calls Jesus' response to Satan 'a sermon'... I would agree, but it doesn't at all resemble what he is doing right now. I think we agree... MD just is REALLY passionate about the terms 'preaching' and 'sermons'.
(He's been yelling this entire time!) :) My feelings are getting hurt. :)
"Seeker insensitivity is as hot as ever!"
I just can't call Acts 2 a sermon. I can call it preaching... but personally I have too much experience of a sermon being expositional, topical, etc... and I don't see Peter doing that. This preaching was completely evangelistic.
Ecclesiology not widely debated. Assumed but not defined.
1000 years without definition of church.
Why did MD not use THE BIBLE to define the church? Really? He started quoting church fathers and reformers... but not THE BIBLE!!??
I love the use of 'ekklesia'- "the gathering" - great descrption of it.
What constitutes a rightly gathered church? Great question... but he quoted Calvin, Lutheran/Oxford confession, Articles of Church of England, and more. The answers are good.. and I agree... but define it through the BIBLE!
He literally has not quoted one verse to define ecclesiology. None. I love the reformers, but seriously! (His ideas are right-on!... but they are not specifically from the Bible, instead it is reformers, and past church history.)
There is some challenges here that makes me think about how you include Biblical authority, qualified leadership, church discipline, and repentance in a Jesus Community.
Discussion of "Pagan Christianity"
Focus on 'defining church'... It is a good thing to do. We need to define Church.
I agree with his ending: We are all called to the 'proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.'
Note: I really actually like Mark Driscoll, although it doesn't really show here. I think we have a few slight differences in how we define: preaching & church.
God is the first preacher in Genesis 1.
I just have a difference of opinion... Preaching is totally necessary, but is MD really insisting we need a 30 minute sermon during a church service. What about a small group Bible study that 'proclaims' God's word to those involved?
MD calls Jesus' response to Satan 'a sermon'... I would agree, but it doesn't at all resemble what he is doing right now. I think we agree... MD just is REALLY passionate about the terms 'preaching' and 'sermons'.
(He's been yelling this entire time!) :) My feelings are getting hurt. :)
"Seeker insensitivity is as hot as ever!"
I just can't call Acts 2 a sermon. I can call it preaching... but personally I have too much experience of a sermon being expositional, topical, etc... and I don't see Peter doing that. This preaching was completely evangelistic.
Ecclesiology not widely debated. Assumed but not defined.
1000 years without definition of church.
Why did MD not use THE BIBLE to define the church? Really? He started quoting church fathers and reformers... but not THE BIBLE!!??
I love the use of 'ekklesia'- "the gathering" - great descrption of it.
What constitutes a rightly gathered church? Great question... but he quoted Calvin, Lutheran/Oxford confession, Articles of Church of England, and more. The answers are good.. and I agree... but define it through the BIBLE!
He literally has not quoted one verse to define ecclesiology. None. I love the reformers, but seriously! (His ideas are right-on!... but they are not specifically from the Bible, instead it is reformers, and past church history.)
There is some challenges here that makes me think about how you include Biblical authority, qualified leadership, church discipline, and repentance in a Jesus Community.
Discussion of "Pagan Christianity"
Focus on 'defining church'... It is a good thing to do. We need to define Church.
I agree with his ending: We are all called to the 'proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.'
Study of Second Generation Believers
This was a little study I did Summer of 2008.
Name: Cain & Abel
Scripture: Genesis 4:1-26
Previous Generation: Adam & Eve
Thoughts: I believe it is evident that Adam & Eve knew God, but did they pass on how to relate to Him? If they did, how did Cain miss the message? Some kids will choose their own way?
Name: Shem, Ham, Japheth
Scripture: Genesis 6:8-10:32
Previous Generation: Noah
Thoughts: Not much about the spiritual state of sons.
Name: Isaac
Scripture: Genesis 24:62-67, 25: 19-28, 26:1-35
Previous Generation: Abraham & Sarah
Thoughts: Isaac definitely gets it. You can see his relationship with God.
Name: Jacob & Esau
Scripture: Genesis 27-29, 31-33, 35
Previous Generation: Isaac & Rebekah
Thoughts: Through chapter 32 Jacob still says "my father's God". The key is 33:20
Name: 12 Sons of Jacob
Scripture: Genesis 34-39
Previous Generation: Jacob
Thoughts: At this point there are more negative examples of parenting than positive ones in Scripture. Morals did not get passed on to the 12 sons of Israel: murder, adultery, incest, etc. Did being a favorite help Joseph? If so, how can I make all of my kids 'the favorite?'
Name: Joshua?
Previous Generation: Moses
Name: Nation of Israel
Scripture: Judges 2
Previous Generation: Nation of Israel
Thoughts: Lesson from judges: good leaders cannot change bad people.
Name: Eli's sons
Scripture: I Samuel 2 & 4
Previous Generation: Eli
Thoughts: Eli was accused of his son's sins because he let them go on. I have a responsibility to hold my boys to a holy living. (at the very least set it as a standard.)
Name: Samuel's Sons
Scripture: I Samuel 8
Previous Generation: Samuel
Thoughts: Why do so many people in Scripture miss the importance of raising kids well? Seriously! According to this passage one of the reasons the people wanted a king was because Samuel's sons were corrupt!
Name: Ammon & Absalom
Scripture: II Samuel 13-17
Previous Generation: Eli
Thoughts:
Name: Adonijah & Solomon
Scripture: I Kings 1-11, I Chronicles 22, II Chronicles 1-10
Previous Generation: David
Thoughts: Solomon starts right in chapter 3. Chapter 8 shows he had it togeether. Chapter 11 is the turning point and a quick demise, although not necessarily related to his upbringing. Solomon is a study of falling away later in life. Sad.
Name: Rehoboam
Scripture: Solomon
Previous Generation: I Kings 12, 14; II Chronicles 10-12
Thoughts: II Chron. 11:17 - 3 years of right living
Name: Jehoshaphat
Scripture: I Kings 22, II Chronicles 17-20
Previous Generation: Asa
Thoughts: Jehoshaphat was very discerning (I Kings 22:7) and he taught people (II Chronicles 17:9)
Name: Jehoram
Scripture: II Kings 8, II Chronicles 21
Previous Generation: Jehoshaphat
Name: Amaziah
Scripture: I Kings 14, II Chronicles 25
Previous Generation: Joash
Name: Azariah & Jotham
Scripture: I Kings 15, II Chronicles 27
Previous Generation: Amaziah & Azariah
Thoughts: What significance does the phrase 'according to all that his father had done' have?
Name: Ahaz
Scripture: II Kings 16, II Chronicles 28
Previous Generation: Jotham
Thoughts: No respect for any religion what so ever. How did he not get ANYTHING passed on from his father?
Name: Manasseh
Scripture: II Kings 21, II Chronicles 33
Previous Generation: Hezekiah
Thoughts: For how evil Manasseh turned out, why do we not put more blame on Hezekiah?
Name: Jehoahaz and Jehoakim
Scripture: II Kings 23, II Chronicles 36
Previous Generation: Josiah
Thoughts: And so ends the kings of Judah. With very few tips about how to pass on faith to your children.
Name: Uzziah
Scripture: II Chronicles 26
Previous Generation: Amaziah
Name: John the Baptist
Scripture: Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 1&3, John 1
Previous Generation: Zechariah and Elizabeth
Thoughts: Luke 1:8-17- Was John destined to grow Godly?
Name: Timothy
Scripture: Acts 16, II Timothy 1
Previous Generation: Mother & Grandmother
Name: Cain & Abel
Scripture: Genesis 4:1-26
Previous Generation: Adam & Eve
Thoughts: I believe it is evident that Adam & Eve knew God, but did they pass on how to relate to Him? If they did, how did Cain miss the message? Some kids will choose their own way?
Name: Shem, Ham, Japheth
Scripture: Genesis 6:8-10:32
Previous Generation: Noah
Thoughts: Not much about the spiritual state of sons.
Name: Isaac
Scripture: Genesis 24:62-67, 25: 19-28, 26:1-35
Previous Generation: Abraham & Sarah
Thoughts: Isaac definitely gets it. You can see his relationship with God.
Name: Jacob & Esau
Scripture: Genesis 27-29, 31-33, 35
Previous Generation: Isaac & Rebekah
Thoughts: Through chapter 32 Jacob still says "my father's God". The key is 33:20
Name: 12 Sons of Jacob
Scripture: Genesis 34-39
Previous Generation: Jacob
Thoughts: At this point there are more negative examples of parenting than positive ones in Scripture. Morals did not get passed on to the 12 sons of Israel: murder, adultery, incest, etc. Did being a favorite help Joseph? If so, how can I make all of my kids 'the favorite?'
Name: Joshua?
Previous Generation: Moses
Name: Nation of Israel
Scripture: Judges 2
Previous Generation: Nation of Israel
Thoughts: Lesson from judges: good leaders cannot change bad people.
Name: Eli's sons
Scripture: I Samuel 2 & 4
Previous Generation: Eli
Thoughts: Eli was accused of his son's sins because he let them go on. I have a responsibility to hold my boys to a holy living. (at the very least set it as a standard.)
Name: Samuel's Sons
Scripture: I Samuel 8
Previous Generation: Samuel
Thoughts: Why do so many people in Scripture miss the importance of raising kids well? Seriously! According to this passage one of the reasons the people wanted a king was because Samuel's sons were corrupt!
Name: Ammon & Absalom
Scripture: II Samuel 13-17
Previous Generation: Eli
Thoughts:
Name: Adonijah & Solomon
Scripture: I Kings 1-11, I Chronicles 22, II Chronicles 1-10
Previous Generation: David
Thoughts: Solomon starts right in chapter 3. Chapter 8 shows he had it togeether. Chapter 11 is the turning point and a quick demise, although not necessarily related to his upbringing. Solomon is a study of falling away later in life. Sad.
Name: Rehoboam
Scripture: Solomon
Previous Generation: I Kings 12, 14; II Chronicles 10-12
Thoughts: II Chron. 11:17 - 3 years of right living
Name: Jehoshaphat
Scripture: I Kings 22, II Chronicles 17-20
Previous Generation: Asa
Thoughts: Jehoshaphat was very discerning (I Kings 22:7) and he taught people (II Chronicles 17:9)
Name: Jehoram
Scripture: II Kings 8, II Chronicles 21
Previous Generation: Jehoshaphat
Name: Amaziah
Scripture: I Kings 14, II Chronicles 25
Previous Generation: Joash
Name: Azariah & Jotham
Scripture: I Kings 15, II Chronicles 27
Previous Generation: Amaziah & Azariah
Thoughts: What significance does the phrase 'according to all that his father had done' have?
Name: Ahaz
Scripture: II Kings 16, II Chronicles 28
Previous Generation: Jotham
Thoughts: No respect for any religion what so ever. How did he not get ANYTHING passed on from his father?
Name: Manasseh
Scripture: II Kings 21, II Chronicles 33
Previous Generation: Hezekiah
Thoughts: For how evil Manasseh turned out, why do we not put more blame on Hezekiah?
Name: Jehoahaz and Jehoakim
Scripture: II Kings 23, II Chronicles 36
Previous Generation: Josiah
Thoughts: And so ends the kings of Judah. With very few tips about how to pass on faith to your children.
Name: Uzziah
Scripture: II Chronicles 26
Previous Generation: Amaziah
Name: John the Baptist
Scripture: Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 1&3, John 1
Previous Generation: Zechariah and Elizabeth
Thoughts: Luke 1:8-17- Was John destined to grow Godly?
Name: Timothy
Scripture: Acts 16, II Timothy 1
Previous Generation: Mother & Grandmother
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Study of 'Teacher' in Scripture
Pekin Bible Truthseekers Sunday School March 29 2009
Lead study of 'teacher'
Intro: I'm a bad one... date/note mix up
Compliment church functioning as it should.
I set out to look at what it means to be a 'teacher', just looking at where the Bible uses it. And I found that it means that any teacher needs to be like Jesus. (37 times he is called teacher in the Gospel, many by people who don't even follow him)... so can we find anyone to teach that will be as good as Jesus?
Mat: 8:19 9:11 10:24 10:25 12:38 17:24 19:16 22:16 22:24 22:36 23:8 26:18 [ALL]
Mar: 4:38 5:35 9:17 9:38 10:17 10:20 10:35 12:14 12:19 12:32 13:1 14:14 [ALL]
Luk: 2:46 3:12 6:40 7:40 8:49 9:38 10:25 11:45 12:13 18:18 19:39 20:21 20:28 20:39 21:7 22:11
Joh: 1:38 3:2 3:10 8:4 11:28 13:13 13:14 20:16 [ALL]
Eph: 4:11-12 Who gave teachers to the church? What is the teacher's primary responsibility?
2Ti: 4:3 Be careful who you listen to.
Heb: 5:12 Whose fault is it that they have gone back to needing milk?
Jam: 3:1 Whoever is up here, take it easy on them.
Lead study of 'teacher'
Intro: I'm a bad one... date/note mix up
Compliment church functioning as it should.
I set out to look at what it means to be a 'teacher', just looking at where the Bible uses it. And I found that it means that any teacher needs to be like Jesus. (37 times he is called teacher in the Gospel, many by people who don't even follow him)... so can we find anyone to teach that will be as good as Jesus?
Mat: 8:19 9:11 10:24 10:25 12:38 17:24 19:16 22:16 22:24 22:36 23:8 26:18 [ALL]
Mar: 4:38 5:35 9:17 9:38 10:17 10:20 10:35 12:14 12:19 12:32 13:1 14:14 [ALL]
Luk: 2:46 3:12 6:40 7:40 8:49 9:38 10:25 11:45 12:13 18:18 19:39 20:21 20:28 20:39 21:7 22:11
Joh: 1:38 3:2 3:10 8:4 11:28 13:13 13:14 20:16 [ALL]
Eph: 4:11-12 Who gave teachers to the church? What is the teacher's primary responsibility?
2Ti: 4:3 Be careful who you listen to.
Heb: 5:12 Whose fault is it that they have gone back to needing milk?
Jam: 3:1 Whoever is up here, take it easy on them.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Talk on Romans 10:14-17
Meant to be given at “How will they hear?” Cornerstone Missions Conference- Youth- March 30th 5:30 but didn't work out.
Romans 10:14-17
(previous context v5-13)
What in the world does this mean/could this mean for a group of High School students?
Visual- building blocks… make 5 blocks for a tower...
How are they to preach unless they are sent?
How are they to hear without someone preaching?
How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?
How are they to call on him in whom they have not believed?
For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Game: let them stack the blocks in the right order… explain the order (reading from Bible)... we have to get the order right to be able to do missions: that includes around the world or in Central Illinois… anywhere where people need Jesus.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”
-Not your job!
How are they to call on him in whom they have not believed?
-Not your job!
How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?
-Have people really heard of Jesus? =How many of you have friends that grew up going to church or claim to be Christians but just aren't living like it? (Bishop in Satan debate) -Or do they just have a strange/general idea of Christianity & God? -Can you communicate it clearly and succinctly? Anyone brave enough to try? Give the basics of Jesus & the gospel right now. (Me be prepared to!)
How are they to hear without someone preaching?
-What does it mean to ‘preach’?(Just a sermon?) -Can anyone do it? -Is your life adding to or subtracting from your message? (I have just scratched the surface of studying this word... but generally in the Bible this is not a reference to a sermon time in a church service... it's about sharing the good news of Jesus, and tied to it is the concept that your life and actions are part of the message you are speaking.)
Bottom block: How are they to preach unless they are sent?
Sending is hugely important. Like sending a text, e-mail, or fb message… nothing happens until you hit send. Missions: a sending... but Jesus sent all of us: John 20:21. Are you going?- How much time do you spend with people who need Jesus? Warning: don't be led into sin (chess club example)
What happens if we take out a block? Show that knocking out any block ruins the end result. (God can save people regardless of us.)
Which block do you need to work on? If you’re not working on these now, you’ll probably struggle to do them as an official missionary. If you don’t do them now, you’re really not obeying Jesus. Share with someone and pray for each other.
Romans 10:14-17
(previous context v5-13)
What in the world does this mean/could this mean for a group of High School students?
Visual- building blocks… make 5 blocks for a tower...
How are they to preach unless they are sent?
How are they to hear without someone preaching?
How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?
How are they to call on him in whom they have not believed?
For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Game: let them stack the blocks in the right order… explain the order (reading from Bible)... we have to get the order right to be able to do missions: that includes around the world or in Central Illinois… anywhere where people need Jesus.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”
-Not your job!
How are they to call on him in whom they have not believed?
-Not your job!
How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?
-Have people really heard of Jesus? =How many of you have friends that grew up going to church or claim to be Christians but just aren't living like it? (Bishop in Satan debate) -Or do they just have a strange/general idea of Christianity & God? -Can you communicate it clearly and succinctly? Anyone brave enough to try? Give the basics of Jesus & the gospel right now. (Me be prepared to!)
How are they to hear without someone preaching?
-What does it mean to ‘preach’?(Just a sermon?) -Can anyone do it? -Is your life adding to or subtracting from your message? (I have just scratched the surface of studying this word... but generally in the Bible this is not a reference to a sermon time in a church service... it's about sharing the good news of Jesus, and tied to it is the concept that your life and actions are part of the message you are speaking.)
Bottom block: How are they to preach unless they are sent?
Sending is hugely important. Like sending a text, e-mail, or fb message… nothing happens until you hit send. Missions: a sending... but Jesus sent all of us: John 20:21. Are you going?- How much time do you spend with people who need Jesus? Warning: don't be led into sin (chess club example)
What happens if we take out a block? Show that knocking out any block ruins the end result. (God can save people regardless of us.)
Which block do you need to work on? If you’re not working on these now, you’ll probably struggle to do them as an official missionary. If you don’t do them now, you’re really not obeying Jesus. Share with someone and pray for each other.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
quote on progress
If Pro is the opposite of Con
What's the opposite of progress?
(Seen on Unland Companies sign in Pekin Illinois)
What's the opposite of progress?
(Seen on Unland Companies sign in Pekin Illinois)
Stuff to Remember from Related Leaders Session 2
Notes taken from this audio, given by Mark Driscoll at Riverside Community Church in Peoria, January 2008.
Cross-centered preaching and teaching
You haven't told people about Jesus until you get to his death, burial, and resurrection.
Back to the basics:
Jesus is our penal substitutionary atonement.
The most important thing that Paul passes on: Jesus died, for our sins, according to the Bible. (not church, programs, or anything else!) We don't need to vote on that! It is the gospel.
We are really sinful- the crucifixion was US murdering God.
Our goal is not to be innovative, it is to be faithful (which will be innovative because we look to be counter culture)
Christ is our victor!
MD: "I'm charismatic with seatbelt."
Complete victory was attained through his death.
If someone is hearing a 'voice' saying "You are this..." it is probably not their thought. Otherwise it would say " I am this..."
God: conviction - specific sin that you need to repent of and fix
Satan: condemnation - feel really bad even though you don't know what you've done
Jesus is our Redemption
Scripture picture: Israel redeemed from Egypt. (Nobody gets paid, Pharoah gets CRUSHED)
Jesus is our new covenant sacrifice
The Bible speaks of blood 450+ times (says one scholar)
The Bible connects blood to sin... we get sickened by blood, and that is how God responds to sin.
Crazy story about counseling situation (27:00) where the ATONEMENT is big.
Jesus is our justification
We can't lose this. Doctrine of the reformation.
Very few people are trying to live a perfect life to get saved... they assume they are already good enough.
def: We're sinners, God is holy & just & good, we can't be declared just in a legal sense WITHOUT Jesus' work.
Informal religion: environmentalism, politics, people meriting righteousness by doing good works.
We need to be freed from SIN and RELIGION! You don't need to be a sinner and you don't need to religious... you need to live your life as a worship sacrifice to Jesus
Jesus is our propitiation
God's wrath is against us. (more talk about wrath than love in the Bible)
"God hates the sin and loves the sinner" was said by Ghandi
Paul talks about himself in 'worse terms' as he ages... he realizes how bad he is. We need propitiation.
Jesus is our expiation
(I don't know what this means.) the question is: What about all the sins against me?
Sin makes us guilty and dirty. Jesus forgives us and cleans us, no matter what has happened to us. Everything needs to be cleansed... and Jesus can purify from all unrighteousness.
Cross-centered preaching and teaching
You haven't told people about Jesus until you get to his death, burial, and resurrection.
Back to the basics:
Jesus is our penal substitutionary atonement.
The most important thing that Paul passes on: Jesus died, for our sins, according to the Bible. (not church, programs, or anything else!) We don't need to vote on that! It is the gospel.
We are really sinful- the crucifixion was US murdering God.
Our goal is not to be innovative, it is to be faithful (which will be innovative because we look to be counter culture)
Christ is our victor!
MD: "I'm charismatic with seatbelt."
Complete victory was attained through his death.
If someone is hearing a 'voice' saying "You are this..." it is probably not their thought. Otherwise it would say " I am this..."
God: conviction - specific sin that you need to repent of and fix
Satan: condemnation - feel really bad even though you don't know what you've done
Jesus is our Redemption
Scripture picture: Israel redeemed from Egypt. (Nobody gets paid, Pharoah gets CRUSHED)
Jesus is our new covenant sacrifice
The Bible speaks of blood 450+ times (says one scholar)
The Bible connects blood to sin... we get sickened by blood, and that is how God responds to sin.
Crazy story about counseling situation (27:00) where the ATONEMENT is big.
Jesus is our justification
We can't lose this. Doctrine of the reformation.
Very few people are trying to live a perfect life to get saved... they assume they are already good enough.
def: We're sinners, God is holy & just & good, we can't be declared just in a legal sense WITHOUT Jesus' work.
Informal religion: environmentalism, politics, people meriting righteousness by doing good works.
We need to be freed from SIN and RELIGION! You don't need to be a sinner and you don't need to religious... you need to live your life as a worship sacrifice to Jesus
Jesus is our propitiation
God's wrath is against us. (more talk about wrath than love in the Bible)
"God hates the sin and loves the sinner" was said by Ghandi
Paul talks about himself in 'worse terms' as he ages... he realizes how bad he is. We need propitiation.
Jesus is our expiation
(I don't know what this means.) the question is: What about all the sins against me?
Sin makes us guilty and dirty. Jesus forgives us and cleans us, no matter what has happened to us. Everything needs to be cleansed... and Jesus can purify from all unrighteousness.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Stuff to Remember from Mark Driscoll's Related Leaders Session 1
Christ Centered Preaching & Teaching - given at Riverside community church in Peoria, January 2008.
MD "There's been a recent 'downplay' of preaching & teaching." My thought- He requires P&T to be 'a church' He quotes Luther & Calvin for this... I agree that we need God's word... but do we need 'preaching' in the current American sense? He's saying we need God's word and the authority it gives... and I totally agree. I think I disagree that we need more sermons.
my thought- I think MD & I agree... just 'How' we effectively preach & teach... an hour long sermon from the Bible with no interaction? or an interactive hands on study of the Bible?
The first preacher we see in the Bible is God! Genesis 1-3 (God is a God who speaks). It reveals Him, creates order, creates good and very good, separates things into categories, comes with authority, and is attacked by Satan.
3 ways to preach:
1) expository (great story about expository going too far 14:00) MD uses air war/ground war line.. Air war = preaching, ground war = small groups
2) textual - Looking at Jesus prayer life or qualifications for elders, (pulling whole text's from several books)
3) topical
MD uses teaching/preaching interchangeably in this whole audio
6 prep questions for 'framing' a sermon-
1) biblical- What does the Scripture say? (Start with Scripture, not what you want to say). Important to choose a good translation that you don't have to 'correct' by referring to the Greek/hebrew regularly.
2) theological- What does it mean? (Don't start with commentaries). Start with prayer, solitude, contemplation, Bible, Holy Spirt, Get a broad-based 'interpretive community' that requires you to use humility and discernment. (different cultures, times, denomination, etc...) We use 'community' instead of affinity (it's not like-people hanging out, it's unlike people coming together).
3) memorable - What's going to make it stick? What are you teaching on that you will remember? a word, an image, concept, doctrine, emotion, a person,
4) apologetically - assuming that people suppress the truth (Romans 1:18), Can you anticipate hearer's objections and then remove them? Just assume that people will resist what you're saying. *MD is using dialogue and getting answers at this point* Ravi Z: 'Post-modernity is a mood more than a belief system' more or less a moody 'kid' with an authority issue. Ideas for doing this: Password protected church site to get feedback/prayer requests. Turn critics into coaches.
5) missional - Why does this matter/ What are we doing? Take everything back to the Gospel. (MD: "cohabitating: you're preaching a false gospel with your pants!")
6) Christological - how is Jesus the hero? Say "Jesus" all the time. ("God" is easier for a person to redefine.) As Christ's bride we should love him and speak his name. "You have not taught Scripture until you've taught about Jesus" He lists 7 ways to tie everything into Jesus.
MD "There's been a recent 'downplay' of preaching & teaching." My thought- He requires P&T to be 'a church' He quotes Luther & Calvin for this... I agree that we need God's word... but do we need 'preaching' in the current American sense? He's saying we need God's word and the authority it gives... and I totally agree. I think I disagree that we need more sermons.
my thought- I think MD & I agree... just 'How' we effectively preach & teach... an hour long sermon from the Bible with no interaction? or an interactive hands on study of the Bible?
The first preacher we see in the Bible is God! Genesis 1-3 (God is a God who speaks). It reveals Him, creates order, creates good and very good, separates things into categories, comes with authority, and is attacked by Satan.
3 ways to preach:
1) expository (great story about expository going too far 14:00) MD uses air war/ground war line.. Air war = preaching, ground war = small groups
2) textual - Looking at Jesus prayer life or qualifications for elders, (pulling whole text's from several books)
3) topical
MD uses teaching/preaching interchangeably in this whole audio
6 prep questions for 'framing' a sermon-
1) biblical- What does the Scripture say? (Start with Scripture, not what you want to say). Important to choose a good translation that you don't have to 'correct' by referring to the Greek/hebrew regularly.
2) theological- What does it mean? (Don't start with commentaries). Start with prayer, solitude, contemplation, Bible, Holy Spirt, Get a broad-based 'interpretive community' that requires you to use humility and discernment. (different cultures, times, denomination, etc...) We use 'community' instead of affinity (it's not like-people hanging out, it's unlike people coming together).
3) memorable - What's going to make it stick? What are you teaching on that you will remember? a word, an image, concept, doctrine, emotion, a person,
4) apologetically - assuming that people suppress the truth (Romans 1:18), Can you anticipate hearer's objections and then remove them? Just assume that people will resist what you're saying. *MD is using dialogue and getting answers at this point* Ravi Z: 'Post-modernity is a mood more than a belief system' more or less a moody 'kid' with an authority issue. Ideas for doing this: Password protected church site to get feedback/prayer requests. Turn critics into coaches.
5) missional - Why does this matter/ What are we doing? Take everything back to the Gospel. (MD: "cohabitating: you're preaching a false gospel with your pants!")
6) Christological - how is Jesus the hero? Say "Jesus" all the time. ("God" is easier for a person to redefine.) As Christ's bride we should love him and speak his name. "You have not taught Scripture until you've taught about Jesus" He lists 7 ways to tie everything into Jesus.
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