Episodes
Monday Feb 24, 2020
Suffering Through Loss (02/23/20)
Monday Feb 24, 2020
Monday Feb 24, 2020
“Collapse: Finding God at the end of me”
“Suffering through Loss”
Job 1 (page 304) and Lamentations 3:19-20, 28-33 (page 488)
“People are born for trouble as readily as sparks fly up from a fire.” (Job 5:7)
“How frail is humanity! How short is life, how full of trouble!” (Job 14:1)
“Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” CS Lewis
See James 1:2-5 (page 735)
Key Thought: Learn to add suffering to the plus column.
How do we Suffer Well?
1. PRACTICE with the LESSER TRIALS
2. NAME your GREATER Trials
Job 7:11, “I cannot keep from speaking. I must express my anguish. My bitter soul must complain.”
Job 3:25-26, “What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true. I have no peace, no quietness. I have no rest; only trouble comes.”
Philippians 4:6-7, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
3. FIGHT through all YOUR TRIALS
(See Job 1:8-12)
Ephesians 6:10-12, “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
4. TRUST GOD in every TRIAL
Job 23:8-12, “I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed. “But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside. I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food.”
(See Isaiah 55:8-9, 53:3-5)
1 Peter 2:21, “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.”
Key Thought: You do not choose your suffering. You only choose how you will suffer. Choose to go through it WITH JESUS.
Monday Feb 17, 2020
Depression (02/16/20)
Monday Feb 17, 2020
Monday Feb 17, 2020
Collapse: Finding God at the end of me
“Depression”
Lamentations 3 and 1 Kings 19:1-12
“…filled with depression and fear”. 1 Samuel 16:14
“…my life seeps away. Depression haunts my days.” Job 30:16
“Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die.” Psalms 143:7
How can you fight depression?
(1) See the Warning Signs
Beware when you ISOLATE v3, “Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there.”
v4a, “Then he went on alone into the wilderness…”
Beware when you FUEL FEAR. v3a, “Elijah was afraid and fled for his life.”
Beware when FATIGUED. v4, “Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said.”
(2) Seek SHELTER: “JUST ENOUGH”
V4a, “Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree…”
Just Enough: REST
Just Enough: HELP
2 Corinthians 7:6, “But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus.”
Just Enough: GOD.
Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Lamentations 3:21-24, “Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”
Final Thought: When the night closes in, don’t give up—leave just enough room for God to show up and set you free.
Monday Feb 10, 2020
Unexpected Grief (2/9/20)
Monday Feb 10, 2020
Monday Feb 10, 2020
Collapse: Finding God at the End of Me
Unexpected Grief
2 Kings 4:18-37 & Lamentations 2:10-13
Life is more about how we approach it than what happens to us. As believers, there is a Godly way to walk through the hard parts of life. When we experience unexpected grief, God gives us a way through.
Foundational Biblical Truth: God is the creator and giver of life. Death came as the result of sin. (2 Kings 4:18-37)
A Biblical Perspective on Grief: (Lamentations 2:10-13)
- Grief is a Godly response to loss. (John 11:35)
- God enters into our grief. (Psalm 23:4, 56:8)
- Grief is a season that changes. (Psalm 30:5-12)
- Grief points us toward the hope of Christ. (John 11:33-44)
Final Thought: “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)
Monday Feb 03, 2020
GO! (2/2/20)
Monday Feb 03, 2020
Monday Feb 03, 2020
GO!
Deuteronomy 15:11
Ecclesiastes 8:15,“…there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.”
Ezekiel 16:49,“Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door.”
Deuteronomy 15:11,“There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need.”
Proverbs 19:17,“If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you!”
BALANCE FOR DAYS LIKE TODAY REQUIRE:
—CELEBRATION and COMPASSION.
Three steps to authentic compassion:
- See the Need.
- Take the Time.
- Use what you Have.
2 Corinthians 9:11; “You will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.”
FINAL THOUGHT: Today is a day for CELEBRATION and COMPASSION—to the GLORY OF GOD.
Sunday Jan 26, 2020
Is Christianity Arrogant?
Sunday Jan 26, 2020
Sunday Jan 26, 2020
That’s a Great Question!
Is Christianity Arrogant?
John 14:6 & Matthew 7:13-14
There is a deeper question we are dealing with, “Is Jesus arrogant?” No.
Individual believers can act arrogantly when, in their zeal, they take matters into their own hands. “I got this.”
Two pictures of zeal in scripture:
Picture One:
- Phinehas takes up a spear. (Numbers 25:5-10)
- Elijah mocks and slaughters the Baal prophets. (1 Kings 18 – 19)
Picture Two:
- Jesus on the cross. (Mark 15:24-39)
- He was the lamb led to the slaughter.
- He was mocked.
- His hands were nailed to the cross.
- His side was pierced by a spear.
Key thought: As a believer, the picture of zeal in your life should be that of Christ.
Questions to ask yourself before moving forward in zeal:
- Am I being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger? (James 1:19-20)
- Am I being obedient to Matthew 18? (Matthew 18:15-20)
- How will this help me grow in the grace of Christ?
- How will this help others grow in the grace of Christ?
- How will this bring glory to God?
- How will this be seen by an unbelieving world?
Final thought: Allow your zeal for the Lord reveal the simple message of the Gospel. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
Tuesday Jan 21, 2020
Is Christianity Racist? (1/19/20)
Tuesday Jan 21, 2020
Tuesday Jan 21, 2020
That’s a Great Question
Is Christianity Racist?
1 Peter 2:18 & Acts 17:26
Imagine a church so rich in Kingdom diversity that all who come find themselves surrounded by many who look just like them—crossing and destroying any and all gender, ethnic, age, economic, and racial barriers.
Galatians 3:28, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Genesis 1:27-28, So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
Acts 17:26, KJV, “And hath made of one blood all nations of men”.
This is our Biblical Hope: God’s Grace is for all people; therefore all of God’s people must deliberately and with intentionality be for ALL people.
What are we to do?
- Know God’s Heart
- Search Your Heart
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10
“When I saw you from afar, I thought you were a monster. When you got closer, I thought you were just an animal. When you got even closer, I saw that you were a human, but when we were face to face I realized that you were my brother.”
African Proverb
- Extend your Hand
Ephesians 2:11-14 “Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders…But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ…in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.”
2 Corinthians 5:18, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation”.
Final Thought: Because I already know what it’s going to be like in heaven—ONE PEOPLE—we are to work toward that here and now.
Monday Jan 13, 2020
Is Christianity Sexist? (1/12/20)
Monday Jan 13, 2020
Monday Jan 13, 2020
That’s a Great Question!
“Is Christianity Sexist?”
In essentials we have unity.
In non-essentials we have liberty.
In all things show love.
Four Foundational Affirmations
1) Men and Women are Image Bearers
(See Genesis 1:27-28; 2:15,18, 21-25)
Psalm 146:5, “But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.”
2) Men and Women are Different
(See Genesis 3:14, 16, 17, page)
Genesis 1 God’s perfect world
Genesis 3 Man’s broken world
3) Men and Women are Gifted to Complement
(See Ephesians 5:21-32, page)
Kingdom Reversal:
Matthew 20:25-26 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.”
Acts 2:17-18, “…the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike—and they will prophesy.”
Final affirmation:
4) Men and Women are to Unify and Edify
1 Corinthians 11:11, “But among the Lord’s people, women are not independent of men, and men are not independent of women.”
Galatians 5:6, “For in Christ Jesus … The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
Imagine a Church in which every man woman and child is fully honored and celebrated as created in the very image of God and is uniquely gifted for eternal kingdom redemption by fulfilling God’s unique calling in their lives.
Monday Jan 06, 2020
Is Christianity Irrational? (1/5/20)
Monday Jan 06, 2020
Monday Jan 06, 2020
That’s a Great Question!
“Is Christianity Irrational?”
Acts 17:16-34
New Year. New Series: That’s a Great Question!
- Is Christianity Irrational?
- Is Christianity Sexist?
- Is Christianity Racist?
- Is Christianity Arrogant?
Is Christianity Irrational?
There are three ways to look at human life:
theological
biological
philosophical
Key truth: All people believe something.
Three Simple Truths:
#1 We came from Somewhere
#2 We are going Somewhere
#3 We have a Choice to Make
Hebrews 11:1,3; “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see…. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command…”
Romans 1:20, “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”
Final Thought: Is Christianity Irrational? No, it is the most rational thing you can do, to look at the world and know there is a God.
Monday Dec 30, 2019
Close the Gap (12/29/19)
Monday Dec 30, 2019
Monday Dec 30, 2019
With
CLOSE THE GAP
Mark 14:53-54, 66-72
“Weren’t you with him?”- Mark 14:67
What is a Gap?
A gap is when we let our sin separate us from Jesus.
Sin is anything that we THINK, SAY, or DO that disobeys God.
So where did Peter sin? Mark 14:27-31, 53-54, 66-72
Peter was 100% with Jesus. Mark 14:27-31
Peter denied Jesus. Mark 14:53-54 & 66-72
- Verse 54 & 68- Peter experienced loneliness
- Verse 70- Peter struggled with fear and anxiety
- Verse 71- Peter was challenged by anger
- Verse 72- Peter realized that he created a gap and was NOT WITH Jesus
When we are not following Jesus as we should others notice.
Are you WITH Jesus? John 21
When we are not with Jesus we fall back into our sinful ways. John 21:1-3
Jesus shows grace even when we fail him. John 21:4-14
Jesus restores those who follows him. John 21:15-19
Final Thought: Jesus is the one who closes the gap but do you love Jesus enough to follow Him?
Monday Dec 23, 2019
The Truth Is (12/22/19)
Monday Dec 23, 2019
Monday Dec 23, 2019
WITH
“The Truth Is”
Mark 2:1-12
ASKING the right QUESTIONS can lead us to the TRUTH
The Truth Is . . .
- Objective
- Universal
- Consequential
- Not Everyone’s Goal
The Truth Is . . .
- Every man DIES; not every man really LIVES
- If you are born ONCE, you will die TWICE, but if you are born TWICE, you will only die ONCE
- JESUS
Final Thought: JESUS is not only the REASON for the season; He is the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life, and no man comes to the FATHER but by HIM.