La Gran Historia

"Capítulo 6: Revelación"

Apocalipsis 5: 9-14

1. El cordero es digno

a. Por su carácter

b.Por su conquista

2. El cordero está trabajando

a. Para rescatar personas

b. Para restaurar personas

3. El cordero es adorado

a. A través de oraciones

b. A través de la alabanza

The Big Story

“Chapter 6: Revelation”

Revelation 5:9-14

1. The lamb is worthy
   1. Because of his character
   2. Because of his conquest
2. The lamb is working
   1. To ransom people
   2. To restore people
3. The lamb is worshipped
   1. In song
   2. By singers

In the span of a single day, an Argentinian woman received the two biggest shocks of her life.  First she heard the heartbreaking news that her newborn baby was stillborn.  Devastation.  Later that day she discovered in the morgue that her baby girl was actually still alive.

The infant, named, Luz Milagros, or “Miracle Light,” was pronounced a stillborn on April 3rd, 2012. Twelve hours after she “died,” her parents went down to the morgue to uncover the baby’s body in its coffin. They wanted a picture for the funeral.

As he opened the box, the baby let out a sudden cry and the mother fell to her knees in shock.  She said in a TeleNoticias interview: "That's where I heard a tiny little cry. I told myself I was imagining it—it was my imagination. And then I stepped back and saw her waking up. It was as if she was saying 'Mama, you came for me!'  That was when I fell to my knees. My husband didn't know what to do. We were just crying and I laughed and cried, cries and laughter.  We must have seemed crazy.  I'm a believer. All of this was a miracle from God''

There was a miracle in the morgue that day!  The little one that they thought was dead now is very much alive! 

This morning I want to take you to another family whose baby had brought them laughter.  In fact, his name, Isaac, meant “laughter.”  As we will see, that laughter was silenced for a time when it seemed that Isaac, now a vibrant young man, was as good as dead.  But God in His mercy spared Isaac’s life and, in so doing, pointed beyond that boy to another beloved Son who would die, yet live again.  It’s all a part of “the big story” of God’s redeeming love. 

The Big Story

“Chapter 3: Redemption”

Genesis 22:1-14

1. The purpose of a faithful God
   1. A difficult order
   2. A direct obedience
   3. A definite optimism
2. The provision of a faithful God
   1. A costly price
   2. A clear prophecy
3. The promise of a faithful God
   1. We can receive his blessings
   2. We can relay his blessings

Johnella Howard, 72-years-old, and her caretaker, Susan Snow, entered a Publix grocery store in Florida.  In the course of their shopping, Johnella apparently suffered a nasty fall.  Her caretaker rushed to the management of the store to report the fall.  Employees called 911 and first responders attended to her.

It was a nasty fall, because it was staged.  Truth be told, she didn’t fall as much as she took a dive! The whole episode was captured on camera.  The pair had come across some water in an aisle.  The footage shows Johnella smearing the water around with her foot.  She then kneels, and turns to sit, before lying down.  In fact, the camera catches her adjusting her hair before getting into position.

The motive?  Money.  They sued the store for $300,000, but an investigation revealed the ruse. 

What a fall from grace it turned out to be!  Instead of  getting $300,000, they were prosecuted and faced 35 years in prison.  The temptation and transgression came back to bite them—hard!

I thought of this bumbling pair as I prepared for this week’s message.  We are going to look at the story of the “fall of man.”  That is how Genesis 3 is typically described.  But the truth is, Adam and Eve didn’t fall as much as they took a dive.  They knew God’s will but purposefully transgressed it in hopes of some payoff, but oh the heartache their fall unleashed!

As we will see this morning, all of us too have fallen and, in most cases, the reality is that we’ve just taken a dive.  Like Adam and Eve, we’ve know what is right, but have often fallen for the wrong.  Their story is really ours as well.

But here’s the good news: though we are fallen, we can be forgiven! 

The Big Story

“Chapter 2: The Fall”

Genesis 3:1-9 and 21

1. The choice to sin
   1. Our enemy has a target
   2. Our enemy has a tactic
2. The consequences of sin
   1. Sin brings shame
   2. Sin brings separation
3. The covering for sin
   1. Is an innocent sacrifice
   2. Is an invincible savior

La Gran Historia

“Capitulo 2: La Caída”

Génesis 3.1-10 & 21

1. El Pecado tiene elección
2. Nuestro enemigo tiene un objetivo
3. Nuestro enemigo tiene una estrategia
4. El pecado tiene efectos
5. El pecado trae vergüenza
6. El pecado trae separación
7. El pecado tiene esperanza
8. Un Sacrificio inocente
9. Un Salvador invencible

The Big Story

“Chapter 1: Creation”

Genesis 1:1, 26-28 & 31

1. The Creator

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (v. 1)

1. His person
2. His power

2. The Created

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good (v. 31a).

1. His imagination
2. His image

3. The Causes

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion . . . “ (v. 26)

1. That we might relate to Him
2. That we might reign with Him

Guest speaker: Pr. Aroldo Vargas

“Tres motivos para Celebrar y Agradecer”

1 Pedro 1:3-9

Dios es el que da, el hombre es el que agradece. Dios es quien concede su Gracia y el hombre es el que le da Gracias por ella.

1. Primer motivo: Como cristianos tenemos en nuestro corazón un profundo agradecimiento por la ________ y ____________del Hijo de Dios. (1 Pedro 1.3-4)

2. Segundo motivo: El Cristiano vive agradecido a Dios por las ___________ que enfrentó y sobrepasó durante todo el año. (1 Pedro 1.5-8)

3. Tercer motivo: Como Cristianos celebramos en el presente la Gran ______________ de Salvación. (1 Pedro 1.5,7,9)

Generous

“Sowing and Reaping”

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

1. The principles of giving

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (vv. 6-7).

1. How to give

1. Heart to give

2. The provisions for giving

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work (v. 8).

1. Divine source

1. Divine supply

3. The purposes for giving

For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. . . while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift (vv. 12-15)!

1. Compassion

1. Celebration
2. Community

Generoso

"Siembra y Cosecha"

2 Corintios 9:6-15

1. Sembrar generosamente

Recuerden esto: El que siembra escasamente, escasamente cosechará, y el que siembra en abundancia, en abundancia cosechará (v. 6).

1. La provisión de las semillas

1. Los principios de la siembra

2. Sembrar alegremente

Cada uno debe dar según lo que haya decidido en su corazón, no de mala gana ni por obligación, porque Dios ama al que da con alegría (v. 7).

1. Algunos dan por culpabilidad

1. Algunos dan por codicia

1. Algunos dan con alegría

3. Sembrar agradecido

                  ¡Gracias a Dios por su don inefable! (v. 15)

1. Satisface las necesidades

1. Construye una comunidad

1. Glorifica a Dios

On the night Nell and I were commissioned as missionaries, a former missionary shared the following story with us.  She and her husband had served the Lord in the Far East.  One evening they hosted other missionaries in their home for a nice dinner.  She set the table with their fine china.  She prepared a delicious meal of favorite dishes.  For the centerpiece she chose a beautiful orchid from their flower garden.  It was a gorgeous bloom and, as they and their guests enjoyed their time together, comments were made about the flower’s exquisite beauty.

After they had eaten, the guests moved to the living room to continue their fellowship.  In the course of their conversation, her husband asked the guests if any of them had noticed the container that held the flower.  None of them had noticed it.  After all, it was a simple, small, unadorned glass star that had doubled at other times as a candle holder.  He then made a point.  The flower was the centerpiece and rightly got the attention.  The container did its job by putting the glory of the blossom on display.  No one needed to have noticed the small, glass star. 

We, as believers, are like that small, glass container.  Nothing too special about us.  But we are to put on display the glory of God’s goodness—His grace in Jesus Christ.  We hold this treasure in earthen vessels (2 Cor. 4:7).  We are to be “grace displays.”  When people see our lives, they should see a living demonstration of the goodness of our Lord. 

There were some believers who lived this way.  They were “grace displays.”  We meet them in 2 Corinthians 8:1-7.

Generous

“Grace Displays”

2 Corinthians 8:1-7

1. Generosity is a proof

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part (vv. 1-2).

1. Tough realities

1. Tender response

2. Generosity is a privilege

For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints (vv. 3-4).

1. It is extravagant

1. It is enthusiastic

3. Generosity is a process

And this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also (vv. 5-7).

1. Starts with conversion

1. Strengthened by community
2. Shows through compassion

This Lord’s Day we will celebrate “Go Global” Sunday.  It is our special yearly emphasis on taking the good news of God’s grace to the far corners of the globe.

The basis for our global goal is the grace of God in Christ.  Because we have come to know His grace experientially, we are motivated to give generously and go courageously till all the world has had an opportunity to experience the same gift.

William Borden was heir to his family’s massive wealth.  As a young man he was already a millionaire.  His parents gave him a trip around the world as a graduation present from high school.  He was sixteen. 

He went to Yale University and there impacted his campus powerfully for Christ.  He eventually surrendered his future to become a missionary to Muslims and to “go global.”  He renounced the wealth and comforts that could have been his and set sail. 

He never made it there.  He died at 25 years of age of spinal meningitis, contracted in Cairo, as he studied Arabic.  When the news of William Borden's death was cabled back to the U.S., the story was carried by nearly every American newspaper.  "A wave of sorrow went round the world . . . Borden not only gave (away) his wealth, but himself, in a way so joyous and natural that it (seemed) a privilege rather than a sacrifice" wrote Mary Taylor in her introduction to his biography.  He had written in his Bible, “No retreat, no reserves, no regrets.”  God wants us to live that way as well.  He wants us to “go global” because his grace is global.

In the mid-1900s Detroit, Michigan was one of America’s greatest cities.  Its population swelled to some 2 million.  Its industrial base, centered on the production of automobiles, made it affluent.  The architecture of the city reflected its optimism and wealth. 

But in more recent years its fortunes have changed.  People began to move out into the suburbs.  The population plummeted.  Buildings fell into disrepair and ruins.

The demise of Detroit was captured in a series of photos by a pair of Parisian photographers named Marchand and Maffre.  There’s a heavy sadness that these photos prompt (show photos).  The sadness arises from the chasm that exists between what once was and now is.

This morning we’re going to take a closer look at a majestic, ancient city that once stood proudly.  It enjoyed the blessings of heaven—Jerusalem, the city of David, the capital city of God’s people.  It gleamed with golden facades beneath the sun’s rays.  But that once mighty city fell tragically.  Thankfully, that fall was not the final chapter in its story.

The reason its fall was not its final chapter is because of the amazing faithfulness of our God.

Now you may wonder, “What does Detroit, much less an ancient city like Jerusalem, have to do with me?”   Good question.  I want you to consider whether they might be a parable of our own lives.  Is there a gap between what once was in your spiritual life and what now is?  If so, that doesn’t have to be the final chapter in your story.  In God we all have a future and hope!

God Is

“God Is Faithful”

Lamentations 3:21-24

Key verses: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (3:22-23).

1. Great fall
   1. Rooted in disobedience
   2. Results in discipline
2. Greater faithfulness
   1. That is never-ending
   2. That is new
3. Greatest future
   1. Linked to a person
   2. Launched with a plea

One of the first choruses I learned to sing is entitled “God Is So Good.”  It is simple and child-like, but it is also true and priceless.  Here are the lyrics:

God is so good,

God is so good,

God is so good,

He’s so good to me!

The famous and brilliant Swiss theologian Karl Barth was once asked if he could summarize his life’s work in theological studies in one sentence.  He answered that he could.  He said it could be summarized in a sentence he learned at his mother’s knee, “Jesus love me, this I know for the Bible tells me so.” 

“God is so good” is another summary statement that could encompass the whole of theology and Bible truth.  It will be our focus in this message from Psalm 34:1-10.

God Is

“God Is Good”

Psalm 34:1-10

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8)!

1. God Is Worthy
   1. Of unending praise
   2. Of unequalled praise
   3. Of united praise
2. God Is Working
   1. He responds to our cries
   2. He rescues from our crises
3. God Is Wonderful
   1. Accept his proposal
   2. Accept his provisions

Dios es

"Dios es bueno"

Salmo 34:1-10

“…Prueben, y vean que el Señor es bueno. ¡Feliz el hombre que en él confía! “ (Salmo 34:8)

1. Dios es digno
   1. De una adoración ininterrumpida
   2. De una adoración inigualable
   3. De una adoración unida
2. Dios está trabajando
   1. El responde a nuestras oraciones
   2. El nos rescata de nuestras aflicciones
3. Dios es Maravilloso
   1. Aceptemos su invitación
   2. Aceptemos su provisión

Todo comienza en Dios

“…Todo fue creado por medio de él y para él.” (col. 1.16)

1. Fuiste creado para AGRADAR a Dios (Apocalipsis. 4.11)
   1. Dios quiere que DISFRUTEMOS la vida.
   2. La relación con Dios es una DESICION.

2. Fuiste hecho para la FAMILIA de Dios (Romanos 12.5)
   1. Dios le da importancia a las RELACIONES en la familia.
   2. Fuiste llamado a PERTENECER.

3. Fuiste creado para SER como Cristo (Romanos. 8.29)
   1. La meta es el CARACTER
   2. Debes CAMBIAR tu manera de pensar

4. Fuiste formado para SERVIR a Dios (Efesios 2.10)
   1. Tú eres UNICO.
   2. Dios usa personas ORDINARIAS para hacer cosas

5. Fuiste hecho con una MISION (Juan 17.18)
   1. Tu misión es CONTINUAR la tarea de Jesús
   2. Dios quiere DECIR algo a través de ti.

An elementary school teacher gave her children the assignment to draw anything of their choosing.  The children happily began to draw.  She went from seat to seat, looking at each child’s work.  She offered them encouraging comments.

One boy was drawing a fireman.  A girl was drawing a pony.  She came to Johnny’s seat and stopped.  She watched him work for a moment but could not quite make out what he was drawing. 

“What are you drawing, Johnny?”  “A picture of God,” he responded.  “But,” she gently offered, “no one knows what God looks like.” Without looking up, he continued drawing unfazed, “They will in a minute.”

That boy was confident that he could portray God for those who didn’t yet know what He is like.  What about you?  Do you know what God is like—who He truly is? 

We can know Him because He has drawn us a portrait of Himself in the world and in the word.  Today we begin a three-part series entitled simply, “God Is.”  The opening message is “Getting to Know the Unknown God.”  It will be based on Acts 17:22-34.

It is vital that we know God. How vital?  Jesus said, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3).  Let’s get to know Him and by so doing experience life at its fullest!

God Is

“Getting to Know the Unknown God”

Acts 17:22-34

1. The Audience

“Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For . . . I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’” (17:22-23).

1. People are religious
2. People are restless

2. The Almighty

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man” (17:24).

1. He is sovereign
2. He is sufficient
3. He is savior

3. The Answers

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” . . .  But some men joined him and believed (17:32-34).

1. Some respond with contempt
2. Some respond with curiosity
3. Some respond with commitment

DIOS ES

“Conociendo al Dios no conocido”

Hechos 17.22-34

1. La audiencia

22  Hombres de Atenas, veo que ustedes son muy religiosos en todo sentido,23 porque mientras caminaba observé la gran cantidad de lugares sagrados. Y uno de sus altares tenía la siguiente inscripción: “A un Dios Desconocido”. (17.22-23)

1. Ellos eran religiosos
2. Ellos eran inquietos

2. El Todopoderoso

24 Él es el Dios que hizo el mundo y todo lo que hay en él. Ya que es el Señor del cielo y de la tierra, no vive en templos hechos por hombres, (17.24)

1. El es Soberano
2. El es Suficiente
3. El es Salvador

3. Las Respuestas

32 Cuando oyeron a Pablo hablar acerca de la resurrección de los muertos, algunos se rieron con desprecio, pero otros dijeron: «Queremos oír más sobre este tema más tarde…34 pero algunos se unieron a él y se convirtieron en creyentes. (17.32-34)

1. Algunos lo despreciaron
2. Algunos fueron curiosos
3. Algunos creyeron

I want to share with you the story of a beautiful young woman named Lauryn Lax.  She is a doctor and nutritionist.  Her mission is to help people struggling with eating disorders and similar issues. 

I’ll pick up her story several years ago when she was in her 20s.  She was a fitness fanatic.  She fixated on her weight.  She worked out at the local YMCA every day for hours at a time.  She ate little to nothing.

Her friends at the gym took note of the remarkable intensity and consistency of her workouts.  She was growing alarmingly slender.  They began to worry about her well-being.

They decided that they would intervene.  One morning they agreed to get to the gym parking lot before daylight.  They saw her park her car.  They converged around it.

What they did not know is that Lauryn had prayed that morning for help.  When she weighed herself at 4 am, she tipped the scales at 79 pounds.  She knew it wasn’t healthy.  These friends were to be the answer to her prayers.

They gently and lovingly insisted that she go to the hospital.  She resisted at first but reluctantly yielded to them.  Upon examination, doctors discovered that her heart rate was in the 30s.  She was in ICU for 3 days then the cardiac unit for 3 weeks.  For a while it looked like she might have to have a pace maker installed due to heart damage from the anorexia. 

But God was gracious.  For a year she worked her way back to a healthier place.  She pursued her studies with a new zeal and vision to help others.  She now has a story of help and healing that is benefitting others. 

She attributes the positive turn in her life to these friends.  She calls them her “angels.”  They loved her enough to confront her—painful though it must have been for all involved.  She was blessed to have friends like these that risked their own comfort to confront Lauryn.  We all need friends like these and we need to be friends like these.

God’s word calls us to this kind of friendship.  Proverbs 27:5-6 says, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love.  Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”

In this message we will learn that faithful wounds hurt, help, and, ultimately, heal.

Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days

“Faithful Wounds”

“Better is open rebuke than hidden love.  Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” (Proverbs 27:5-6).

1. Faithful wounds hurt
   1. The affection behind the wounds
   2. The aim beyond the wounds
2. Faithful wounds help
   1. Promises of help
   2. Protection from harm
3. Faithful wounds heal

Proverbios: La sabiduría antigua para los tiempos modernos

Proverbios 27:5-6

5 ¡Una reprensión sincera, es mejor que amar en secreto! 6 Las heridas de un amigo sincero  son mejores que muchos besos de un enemigo.

“Correcciones”

1. Correcciones que lastiman

2. Correcciones que ayudan

3. Correcciones que sanan

Nitroglycerin is a fascinating product.  It is a liquid compound.  It can kill or it can heal.

It is a primary component of dynamite and explosives.  Alfred Nobel used it in the creation of dynamite and armaments. 

At the same time, nitroglycerin can heal.  Doctors discovered that it is a vasodilator.  It is used to dilate the vascular system and is used for heart conditions.  Heart patients can ingest a pill and the effect can be life-saving.

That’s crazy isn’t it?  The same thing can either kill or heal.

The tongue is like that.  Proverbs 18:21 makes this truth clear: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

Over 150 times Proverbs refers to our lips, our mouth, and our tongue.        Proverbs may have more to say about our words than about any other subject.  It gives us God’s counsel on communication--His wisdom for our words. 

Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days

“Wisdom for Our Words”

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits” (Proverbs 18:21).

1. Power of our words
   1. Words have an amazing power
   2. Words have an ambiguous power
2. Parameters for our words
   1. Let’s curtail our words
   2. Let’s clean up our words
3. Possibilities of our words
   1. Words can cure
   2. Words can cheer
   3. Words can correct

Proverbios: La sabiduría antigua para los tiempos modernos

"Sabiduría en nuestras palabras"

" La vida y la muerte dependen de la lengua;

los que hablan mucho sufrirán las consecuencias.”

(Proverbios 18:21).

1. El poder de nuestras palabras
2. Las palabras tienen un poder asombroso
3. Las palabras tienen un poder ambiguo

2. Los parámetros de nuestras palabras
3. Vamos a limitar nuestras palabras
4. Vamos a limpiar nuestras palabras

3. Las posibilidades de nuestras palabras
4. Las palabras pueden curar
5. Las palabras pueden corregir

Once there was a frog who made friends with a flock of Canadian geese.  He dreamed of flying with them to exotic locations.  He came up with an idea.  He told a pair of the geese that if they would each hold an end of a stick in their beaks, he could hold onto it with his mouth and he could go with them when they flew south for the winter.

Sure enough, two of his geese friends held a stick in their beaks and he jumped up and clamped onto the stick with his mouth.  Off the odd trio flew.  All was going well until they flew over a farmer in his field.  He looked up and saw the geese and the frog suspended by the stick.  He whistled and with admiration said, “Well, look at that.  That’s amazing!  A flying frog.  Whose idea was that?”

The frog said proudly, “It was miiiinnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeee.”  Splat.

All was going well until pride caused his downfall.

Pride has caused the fall of many more besides.  Today’s message is: “The Peril of Pride.”  We are in a series of messages entitled, “Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days.”  In its wisdom, Proverbs has much to say about pride—and none of it especially good.

Proverbs 29:23 says, “One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.”  Another translation, the New American Bible (revised edition), puts it this way, “Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.”

In the NAB translation, there are four key words: haughtiness, humiliation, humble (or humility) and honor.  I want to use those four words as the hooks upon which we will hang our thoughts for our message today.

Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days

“The Price of Pride”

“One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor” (Proverbs 29:23).

1. Haughtiness

“Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.”

2. Humiliation

“Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.”

3. Humility

“Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.”

4. Honor

“Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.”

Proverbios: Sabiduría antigua para los tiempos modernos

"El precio de la soberbia"

"La soberbia termina en humillación, mientras que la humildad trae honra”

(Proverbios 29:23)

1. La Soberbia

"La soberbia termina en humillación, mientras que la humildad trae honra”

2. La Humillación

"La soberbia termina en humillación, mientras que la humildad trae honra”

3. La Humildad

"La soberbia termina en humillación, mientras que la humildad trae honra”

4. La Honra

"La soberbia termina en humillación, mientras que la humildad trae honra”

Ray Raney, Adm. Pastor

"Sabiduria sobre el trabajo

Proverbios 6.6-11

1. Una Ilustración del trabajo

a. Considere la hormiga

b. Imite a la hormiga

2. La Iniciativa para  el trabajo

a. Sin supervisión

b. Sin pereza

3. El Incentivo al trabajo

a. Asequrar el presente

b. Asegurar el futuro

This Sunday we will have a guest preacher.  He is embarrassingly short of stature, has six legs, and no voice.  Yet this little messenger has a big message for us.  Our preacher is the ant.

His Bible text is Proverbs 6:6-11:

6 Go to the ant, O sluggard;

    consider her ways, and be wise.

7 Without having any chief,

    officer, or ruler,

8 she prepares her bread in summer

    and gathers her food in harvest.

9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard?

    When will you arise from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a little slumber,

    a little folding of the hands to rest,

11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,

    and want like an armed man.

The story is told about a man just taking up the sport of golf.  As you may know, it’s a lot harder than it looks.  He got on the first tee box and placed his ball on the tee.  He happened to tee it up right beside an anthill.  When he took his first swing, he completely missed the ball and hit the anthill instead.  Ants went flying in every direction.  Unfazed, he took a second giant swing and, again, he missed and hit the anthill.  As he wound up for a third try, one ant said to the other, “We’d better get on that ball or we’re gonna’ get killed!”

In short, that’s the message of the ant: “Get on the ball!”  He offers us wisdom about work.  Let’s learn the lesson God wants to teach us through the ant.

Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days

“Wisdom about Work”

Proverbs 6:6-11

1. Illustration of work

“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise” (Proverbs 6:6).

1. Consider the ant
2. Copy the ant

2. Initiative to work

“Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, 8 she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest” (Proverbs 6:7-8).

1. No leader
2. No laziness

3. Incentive for work

“How long will you lie there, O sluggard?  When will you arise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man” (Proverbs 6:9-11).

1. Avoid poverty
2. Assure plenty

Water is good for you.  It’s one of God’s great gifts.  But water can kill you too.  Drinking water gives life.  But drinking water can also end life. If you drink too much water in too short a period of time, it can throw off your body's balance of electrolytes, cause brain swelling and lead to seizures, coma, or even death.  It is called “water intoxication.”

In 2007 a radio station held a contest to win a Nintendo video game.  The objective of the contest was to drink the most water possible in a 3-hour period. One of the entrants was Jennifer Strange.  She wanted to win a Wii system for her 11-year-old son.   Jennifer drank some 2 gallons of water.  She got second place in the contest.  Her prize was a pair of tickets to a Justin Timberlake concert for that same night.  The tickets went unused.  Jennifer was dead by 3 that afternoon due to the effects of acute water intoxication.

What makes it even more sad is that it was so preventable.  During the contest, she could be heard complaining about experiencing pain to disc jockeys at 107.9 "The End." "Oh, it hurts," Strange said, while one male disc jockey remarked that she looked pregnant and another, a woman, said "That is so funny."  Warnings were called in by listeners.  One caller (named Eva Brooks) said (and they have the tape of her call):  "Those people that are drinking all that water can get sick and possibly die from water intoxication."  The disc jockeys replied that they "were aware of that" and that contestants had signed a release "so we're not responsible."

A jury disagreed with that and awarded Jennifer’s widower and children $16.5 million dollars in damages. 

Water is good for you, but even water can kill.  It’s ok for the boat to be in the ocean, but it’s not ok for the ocean to be in the boat. 

There’s another gift that God has given us.  It too is essential for life.  It is the marriage union.  It is good.  Sexual intimacy gives life.  But sexual intimacy can also end life—and that’s not hyperbole.

Good’s good gifts, like marriage, are meant to be enjoyed!  God has given us guardrails--boundaries and guidelines--so that we can rejoice in His good gifts.  As long as we honor God’s design—one man faithfully married to one woman—we are safe.  But when we violate that design, destruction lurks. 

An encompassing term for violating God’s design in marriage is adultery.  Today we will look at some of God’s counsel in a message entitled, “The ABCs of Adultery.”  We will see the allure, the bitterness, and the cure for adultery.

Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days

“The ABCs of Adultery”

Proverbs 5:1-23

1. The allure of adultery

“For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil” (5:3).

1. Lips are alluring
2. Looks are alluring

2. The bitterness of adultery

“But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.  Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol” (5:4-5).

1. Expectations will be crushed
2. End will be costly

3. The cure for adultery

“Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house. . . .  Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe.  Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love” (5:8, 18-19).

1. Distance yourself from lust
2. Delight yourself in love

During my college days, I served as a summer missionary.  My partner was a guy from Arkansas State University named Dave McKinney.  He was different from me in many ways—shy, quiet, calm, patient, slow, methodical, and meticulous.  At times his character traits drove me crazy.  And I’m sure my outgoing nature, quick pace, and impatience irked him.  The summer ended and we went our separate ways. 

Sometime later a group of students from my college went to an event where he was.  They all ran into each other and discovered that David and I had served together.  They talked for some time.  Their comment to me upon their return was, “Jeff, we met a guy named Dave McKinney.  He said he knew you and that you had served together as summer missionaries.  You guys are just alike!”  The comment stunned me. 

We were not at all alike—when we started that summer.  But I believe that the time we spent together changed the two of us.  I’m not even sure that we were aware of the impact we were having on one another.  I learned to slow down a bit; he learned to speed up a little bit.  I learned to listen better; he learned to interact more readily.  We rubbed off on each other.  As iron sharpens iron, we had shaped one another hopefully to be more like Jesus!

God wants something similar to happen in our lives on a daily basis.  He intends that our friendship with others be a means of growing in Christlikeness.

The book of Proverbs has some great counsel on friends.  Our focus verse for Sunday will be Proverbs 13:20, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” 

May God bless the study of friendship that we undertake so that our relationships become more and more redemptive!

Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days

“Friends”

Proverbs 13:20

1. Companionship of friends

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov. 13:20).

1. Our design
2. Our duty

2. Choice of friends

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov. 13:20).

1. Those who are wise
2. Those who are wayward

3. Consequence of friends

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov. 13:20).

1. Friends can help us
2. Friends can harm us

Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days

Proverbs 1:1-7

1. Encouraging start
   1. Despite his parents’ failings
   2. Due to his prayer’s focus
2. Exhaustive search
   1. Through learning
   2. Through laughter
   3. Through luxury
   4. Through lust
3. End summary
   1. Fear the Lord
   2. Follow the Lord

Proverbios: Sabiduría antigua para el día de hoy

 (Proverbios 1:1-7)

1. Un gran comienzo
2. A pesar del pecado de sus padres
3. Debido al enfoque de su oración

2. Consecuencias de una caída
3. Desobedeció el mandato de Dios
4. Su corazón se alejo de Dios.

3. Al final de cuentas
4. Teme al Señor
5. Sigue al Señor

July 30, 2017

What Would You Ask?

Mike Holmes 

Can God be sovereign and mankind be free?

Yes

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Genesis 50:20

God possesses__all_____power and is the ruler of __all______ things. God rules and works according to His eternal purpose, even though events that seemingly contradict His rule. 

Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:17; Acts 17:28; Prov 16:4, 9

We__freely_____make choices, and we _responsible______for those choices. Our choices have real and eternally significant results. 

God is setting and fixing absolutely everything the way he wants it to be, but He doesn't  do that__despite___our choices, but _through__ them.

Prov. 16:1; Acts 27:22-32

Implications on:

Fear- Rom. 8:28

Hope-Eph. 3:20

Thanksgiving-Col. 3:15

Hard Choices-Prov. 16:33, Prov.  21:5

Evangelism-Acts 18:9-11, Rom. 10:13-15, 2 Tim. 2:10

Salvation-Rom. 8:29-30, Rom. 10:9-13, John 6:44, John 16:15

Assurance-Rom.  8:39-39

ThisJesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.  Acts2:23

La Soberanía de Dios y la libertad del hombre

Colosenses 1.16

“Porque por él fueron creadas todas las cosas, las que hay en los cielos y las que hay en la tierra, las visibles y las invisibles; sean tronos, sean dominios, sean principados, sean potestades; todo fue creado por medio de él y para él.”

1. La Soberanía de Dios

Se refiere al control absoluto que Dios tiene sobre todo, incluyendo la humanidad.

            _____________________________________________________________________

            _____________________________________________________________________

2. La libertad y la responsabilidad del hombre

Dios nos dio la libertad de elegir, y el hombre eligió desobedecer, y echarle la culpa al otro. 

            _____________________________________________________________________            _____________________________________________________________________ 

3. La Soberanía de Dios trabajando a través de nuestras decisiones.

Dios esta en control y todo se hace a la manera de Dios, pero no a pesar de nuestras decisiones, sino a través de ellas.

            _____________________________________________________________________          ____________________________________________________________________ 

"Can Faith and Science Coexist"

Hebrews 11:1-3

The reality of Faith

The reason for Science

The real issues of Life

¿Pueden coexistir la fe y la ciencia?

Hebreos 11.1-3

1. La realidad de la fe
2. Confianza
3. Garantía

2. La razón de la ciencia
3. La especulación
4. La revelación

3. La realidad de la vida
4. Argumento cosmológico
5. Argumento del diseño
6. Argumento moral

One of the popular tv shows during my childhood years was “I Dream of Genie.”  It was a show about a genie that lived in a bottle.  She had to do the bidding of her master.  Wouldn’t you love to have that?

We have something far better.  We have Almighty God to whom we can take our requests and He will answer them in a way that is best for us.

Sometimes it may seem that He is not answering our prayers.  We pray but it seems that our prayers don’t get beyond the ceiling.  Let’s look into the Word of God for an answer to the question, “Why doesn’t God answer my prayers?”

What Would You Ask?

“Why Doesn’t God Answer My Prayers?”

James 4:1-3

1. Hope in prayer
   1. It is promising
   2. It is puzzling
2. Hindrances to prayer
   1. Our silence
   2. Our sin
   3. Our scriptural ignorance
3. Help for prayer
   1. Call to God
   2. Confess to God
   3. Cling to God’s word

¿Porque Dios no contesta mis oraciones?

Santiago 4:1-3

1. Esperanza en la oración
2. Es garantizada
3. Es desconcertante

2. Obstáculos en la oración
3. Nuestro silencio
4. Nuestro pecado
5. Nuestra ignorancia de las escrituras

3. Ayuda para la oración
4. Clamar a Dios
5. Confesar a Dios
6. Aferrarse a la palabra de Dios

What Would You Ask?

“What Does God Say about Sexual Identity?”

Genesis 1

1. Rooted in creation
   1. Number of genders
   2. Nature of genders
2. Reflected in conduct
   1. Sexual boundaries
   2. Sexual brokenness
3. Redeemed by change
   1. Checkered past
   2. Clean present

¿Qué dice Dios acerca de la identidad sexual?".

Génesis 1.27-28 / 1 Corintios  6.9-11

1. Su raíz esta en la creación
2. Número de géneros
3. Naturaleza del género
4. Reflejado en la conducta
5. Purezas sexuales
6. Desviaciones sexuales
7. Redención produce un cambio
8. Un pasado turbio
9. Un presente limpio

"¿Por qué le suceden cosas malas a gente buena?"

 “… En el mundo tendréis aflicción; pero confiad, yo he vencido al mundo” (Juan 16:33b)

1. La realidad del sufrimiento
2. Problemas garantizados
3. Victoria garantizada

2. Las razones del sufrimiento
3. La transgresión contra Dios
4. La transformación de Dios

3. La respuesta al sufrimiento
4. Confianza en el Señor
5. Compartir del Señor

It happened on June 8, 2017.  A volunteer student mission team from Birmingham, AL was headed to Africa on a mission trip.  Their bus was involved in a crash.  Over 20 team members were injured and one of the teens, Sarah Harmening, 17 years old, was killed [picture of Sarah with her family]. 

Here was a text she sent to her younger sister, Katelyn, just before her death: “We are like a wisp of smoke. We are only here for a moment and this not about us, life is not about us, it’s about God who is eternal. So, I want to dedicate the one moment I am here, completely and entirely to Him” [Slide with full text of her quote].

Why would such a sweet girl, devoted to God, on a mission of kindness to impoverished people have her life come to such an abrupt end?  Why are there wars? Diseases?  Natural disasters?  Why do bad things happen to good people?  This is an ancient question.

Job, in what is believed to be the oldest book of the Bible, asked it.  Job 3:11, “Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire?”

David asked it.  Psalm 44:24, “Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?” 

Jesus asked it.  “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

At its root it wrestles with the problem of evil.  Here is how this dilemma was stated by the ancient philosopher Epicurus [put quote on screen]:

Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. [1]

Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?

The Bible affirms that God is omnipotent.  The Bible teaches that God is love.  How then does evil exist?  Why do bad things happen to good people?

Let’s launch today’s message from the words of Jesus in John 16:33b, “In the world you will have (C)tribulation. But (D)take heart; (E)I have overcome the world.”

What Would You Ask?

“Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?”

John 16:33b

1. The reality of suffering
   1. Guaranteed trouble
   2. Guaranteed triumph
2. The reasons for suffering
   1. Transgressions against God
   2. Transformation by God
3. The response to suffering
   1. Trust in the Lord
   2. Testify for the Lord

¿Que le preguntarías a Dios?

¿quiénes serán los que irán al cielo?

Juan 3.1-16

1. Sincera Religiosidad
2. Alta posición
3. Raíces sanas

2. Verdadero Dilema
3. Nacer de nuevo
4. Nacer del Espíritu

3. Extraordinaria Relación
4. El cielo responde
5. El Corazón recibe

This morning we’re starting a brand new summer sermon series called, “What Would You Ask?”  We invited you to submit questions that you would ask the Lord.  And you accepted the invitation!  We received dozens of questions.  From them we’ve chosen six that we will try to answer from God’s word over the next six Sundays. 

Let me give you an idea of some of the questions that we will tackle in coming weeks:

              “Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?”

              “What Does God Say about Sexual Identity?”

              “Why Doesn’t God Answer My Prayers?”

              “Can Faith and Science Coexist?”

              “Can Man Be Free and God Be Sovereign?”

I hope you will join us for the entire series.  We also are planning to do a Facebook live chat each week to answer questions that arise from the questions we answer. 

We begin today by tackling a question that could be seen by some as offensive.  I want to ask you beforehand not to take offense.  I’ll read the questions as it was submitted, “Will Catholics go to heaven?” 

Out of curiosity I googled this question and the first result that popped up (after an ad) was “Can Non-Catholics Go to Heaven?”  Isn’t that funny?  The same question that some may have about Catholics, Catholics have about some of us!   This morning’s question could actually be posed for all denominations: “Will Baptists go to heaven?”  “Will Methodists go to heaven?”  That same question could be broadened beyond denominations to other faiths or religions.  Mormons?  Muslims?  Jews?

I’m reminded of an oft-told story about heaven.  A new arrival was getting a tour.  As he walked alongside an angel down a long hallway, they came to a room where the folks where excited.  They were shouting, clapping, shaking a tambourine, and running.  “Those are the Pentecostals,” said the angel.  Soon they came to another room.  The folks were solemn.  A priest in a colorful robe was in procession with candles and liturgy.  They were sharing the Holy Eucharist.  “Those are the Anglicans,” said the angel.  Soon they approached a third room.  The angel began tiptoeing and whispered, “Shhhh. Those are the Baptists and they think they’re the only ones here.”

Ouch.  Sometimes we might think that we are the only ones that are going to be in heaven.  It’s been said that when we get to heaven, two things will surprise us: who’s there and who’s not there. 

We are going to look at God’s word in an effort to answer this question: “Will [You Fill in the Blank] Go to Heaven?”

What Would You Ask?

“Will [You-Fill-in-the-Blank] Go to Heaven?”

John 3:1-16

1. Religious denomination
   1. His high rank
   2. His healthy roots
2. Real dilemma
   1. We are dead before Christ
   2. We are dependent on Christ
3. Remarkable deliverance
   1. Heaven responded
   2. Heart receives

El Plan de Dios para los Padres

“Padres, no hagan enojar a sus hijos con la forma en que los tratan. Más bien, críenlos con la disciplina e instrucción que proviene del Señor.” (Efesios 6.4)

1. Lo que los padres no deben hacer
2. No ser ausentes
3. No ser hipócritas
4. No ser abusivos
5. No ser permisivos

2. Lo que los padres deben hacer
3. Deben ser protectores
4. Deben dar libertad
5. Deben disciplinar
6. Deben sacrificarse

Fight

“God’s Playbook on Parenting”

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

• Parental don’ts
• • Don’t be absent
  • Don’t be hypocritical
  • Don’t be abusive
  • Don’t be permissive
• Parental do’s
• • Do be jealous
  • Do be angry
  • Do be surrendered
  • Do be sacrificial

A young man, newly married, went to see his pastor.  He said, “I think I love my wife too much.”  The pastor was surprised and a bit curious.  “What makes you say that?”  “Well,” replied the young man, “I can’t get my mind off her.  I think of her first thing in the morning.  I think of her throughout the day and can barely get my work done.  I can’t wait to get home to see her in the evening.  I even dream about her.” 

The pastor thought for a moment and then asked, “Do you love her as much as Christ loved the Church?”  “Well, I guess I don’t love her that much.”  “Well, then,” said the pastor, “Get busy!”

Men, a lot of us need to get busy loving our wives!  God is going to teach us this morning how to love her well.  Please turn in your Bibles to Ephesians 5:25-33 . .

Fight

“Husbands, Get Busy!”

Ephesians 5:25-33

• Summary of his responsibility

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (v. 25).

• • Love is commanded
  • Love is compared
• Specifics of his responsibility
• • Sacrificial love

Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (v. 25b).

That he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by . . . the word (v. 26)

In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church (v. 28-29).

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother . . .” (v. 31a).

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh” (v. 31).

• Symbolism of his responsibility

This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church (v. 32).

There have been some long wars in human history.  For example, the U.S. has been in Afghanistan for 14 years (by comparison, WWII lasted only 4 years).

In Europe, the French and English actually fought for 116 years over the rights to the French crown.  That war was called the “Hundred Years’ War.”

But the longest-standing battle in human history hasn’t lasted 10 years or 100 years or even 1000 years.  It has raged since Adam and Eve.  I’m talking about the “battle between the sexes.”   

Today God’s word offers us hope for history’s longest battle.  You can end this battle and have a home of peace and harmony!

Let’s open our Bible to Ephesians 5:21-25 for God’s battle plan as we fight for our families!

Fight

“Hope for History’s Longest Battle”

Ephesians 5:21-25

1. Establish the context

Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ (Eph. 5:21).

1. The principle of context
2. The passage in context

2. Embrace the counsel

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord (Eph. 5:22).

1. The wife is to submit willingly
2. The wife is to submit worshipfully

3. Experience the companionship

For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior (Eph. 5:23).

1. The husband is to submit by leading
2. The husband is to submit by loving

For the adventurous among us, there are some exciting and dangerous treks that you can take.  I’ll mention three (see attached photos) that I’ve taken from a list of the world’s top ten most dangerous hikes.

One is Mount Huashan in China.  It is a very steep mountain, with sheer drops of hundreds of feet.  The trail leaves you breathless.  In Spain there is a similar trail called the “Caminito del Rey.”  Many have died hiking that trail.  In fact, for some years the government closed the trail because of a spate of deaths there. 

My family and I have actually hiked the third trail I’ll mention.  It is called the Bright Angel Trail.  It is in the Grand Canyon.  Strangely enough, it may be the most dangerous of all.  Part of the reason it is so dangerous is because it is so close to civilization.  The beauty is alluring but the dangers are real.  110 degree temps in the summer.  Lack of water.  Dehydration.  Steep cliffs.  Overconfident hikers.  Strenuous climb—basically one mile up over 9.5 mile hike.  Each year there are about 200 rescues attempted.  About 12 people per year die at the Canyon. 

Life itself is a hike.  It’s a trek.  There is alluring beauty all around us but also hidden dangers.  This is true for your family.  You’re on a journey together and God wants you to make it to the destination safely.  To do so we must “watch our walk.”

In Ephesians 5:15-21 we will learn how to fight for our family by walking a secure, sensible, and spiritual path.

Fight

“Watch Your Walk!”

Ephesians 5:15-21

• Walk securely (Eph. 5:15-16)
• • Time is passing
  • Time is perilous
• Walk sensibly (Eph. 5:17)
• • Be saved
  • Be sanctified
  • Be submissive
  • Be Spirit-filled
• Walk spiritually (Eph. 5:18-21)
• • Understand the requirement (Eph. 5:18)
  • Understand the results (Eph. 5:19-21)

I suppose we all know what it is to fight with our family.  Even the best of families fight each other. 

One of the most famous figures of the 20th century was Martin Luther King, Jr.  He was a preacher and a dreamer.  He dreamed that the day would come when, as he put it, “my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”  For his dream and labors, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

After his death, his three surviving children were the heirs of his estate.  When money ran low, the two sons proposed that they sell their dad’s peace prize and Bible to generate some cash.  Estimates put the value of those items at some $20 million.  Their sister protested and eventually it went to court. 

That’s ironic.  Fighting over the peace prize.

But it’s not just the King family that fights.  We all fight with each other.

But in this new series we are calling you to put your sights on a different enemy.  Let’s stop fighting with our family and start fighting for our family!

The call to fight for our family comes straight from the Bible.  Nehemiah 4:14b says, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

Let’s fight!

Go225

“Fight for Your Family”

Nehemiah 4:14

1. Your family has an adversary
   1. Recognize your adversary
   2. Respond to your adversary
2. Your family has an ally
   1. Pray to God
   2. Post a guard
3. Your family has an aim
   1. The aim is your family’s good
   2. The aim is your Father’s glory

I love “Fixer Upper.”  It is a show starring Chip and Joanna Gaines [show pic].  They take dilapted, dated houses and transform them into beautiful, welcoming homes [show pic of before & after of a home they’ve renovated].   The climax of each episode is the “reveal” when an old photo of the home obscuring their view is removed.  Now the new façade is unveiled to the delight of the owners. 

This morning we’re going meet a man that was totally transformed by Jesus.  We will see his before pic and his after pic.  His transformation touched many of his family and friends.

What happened to him Jesus wants to happen to us.  He wants to transform us and, in turn, impact the world through us.  That’s really what “Go Day” was all about—transformed people being used by God to touch the 225 for Jesus!

Go225

“Fixer Upper”

Mark 5:1-20

1. The mercy Jesus shows (5:1-17)
   1. He comes to us (5:1)
   2. He changes us (5:2-17)
2. The mission Jesus shares (5:18-19)
   1. The place: Go home
   2. The plan: Go tell
3. The marvel Jesus inspires (5:20)
   1. The obedience of the man
   2. The outcome of the mission

A well-known jingle says, “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.”  The ad campaign is built on the whimsical idea that you can sing that jingle and, “poof,” a State Farm agent will appear and save you from whatever danger or disaster you face.  That’d be nice, wouldn’t it?  But we know that there are times when our need is so great, no insurance agent or any other person can meet it. 

Fortunately, there is hope.  Like a good neighbor, Jesus is there!  He comes to us in our brokenness and, with compassion, takes care of our needs with abundant mercy and grace.  That’s apart of the point of the story of the “Good Samaritan.”  Not only is Jesus the ultimate “neighbor.”  He’s an example for how we are to live.  After all, he told his audience to “Go and do likewise.”

As we face “Go Day” and all of its opportunities to be a good neighbor, we will take a fresh look at the story of the Good Samaritan.  From it we will be challenged to see Jesus as the ultimate good neighbor, trust in his gracious provision for our desperate need, and to “go” and be a good neighbor to all!

Go225

“Like a Good Neighbor, Jesus Is There”

Luke 10:25-37

1. The good neighbor and the lawyer
   1. The lawyer’s hypocrisy
   2. The Lord’s heart
2. The good neighbor and the law
   1. The law is correct
   2. The law is convicting
3. The good neighbor and the lesson
   1. A lesson about life
   2. A lesson about love

In March of 1836 Mexican forces under General Santa Anna besieged the Alamo in San Antonio, TX.  The Alamo was defended by a ragtag band of less than 200.  The Mexicans numbered in the thousands.  The Alamo’s acting leader, Colonel Travis, could see the gravity of their situation.  In a voice trembling with emotion he described the hopelessness of their plight.  He drew a line in the sand and said, “those prepared to give their lives in freedom’s cause, come over to me.”  All did except two.  Co-commander Jim Bowie, lying sick on a cot, asked some of his men to carry him across. That left only one--Louis Moses Rose, a French soldier of fortune.  He escaped and lore has it that he was the one who told this story.

Without hesitation, every man, save one, crossed the line, Colonel James Bowie, stricken with pneumonia, asked that his cot be carried over. 189 of 190 men at the Alamo came over.  Only one escaped to tell the tale.

They volunteered for a cause that seemed doomed.  Yet “Remember the Alamo” became the rallying cry that ultimately led to victory.

There is a call going out today for volunteers for a cause that is destined for ultimate victory.  The Lord Himself has drawn a line in the sand and has asked for those who will step across it.  He asks, “Whom shall I send?”  And, “who will go for us?”  He asks us to step across the line to worship Him and witness for Him.

Go225

“A Line in the Sand”

Isaiah 6:1-8

1. Vision of the Lord
   1. The cause of the vision
   2. The content of the vision
   3. The consequence of the vision
2. Voice of the Lord
   1. Speaks of his resources
   2. Speaks of his representatives
3. Volunteer for the Lord
   1. Be ready
   2. Be reliant

One of my favorite characters in J. R. R. Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings triology is Samwise Gamgee [show pic].  He is the ever loyal sidekick of Frodo Baggins.  From Samwise comes a saying that has made its way into our vernacular.  I think you’ll know it.  Please finish this familiar expression: “Where there’s life, there’s              .” 

Yes.  Where there’s life, there’s hope.

The idea is that, no matter how grim the circumstance are, so long as there is life, there is hope for victory. Once death comes, however, all hope is lost.

Where there’s life, there’s hope. 

But this does not do justice to the good news of Jesus.  The good news goes much further.  The world says, “Where there’s life, there’s hope.”  Jesus says, “Where there’s death, there’s hope.”

Because of Jesus, even death itself has no claim on believers.  We have hope in this life and after this life!

How can we have hope when death comes knocking?  Turn in your Bible to John 11 and we’ll show you the source of our hope.  It is found in him who is the resurrection and the life—Jesus!

Read 11:1-7 and 34-44.

Pray.

Transition to first point: Where there’s death, there’s hope.  This hope is only and wholly because of Jesus.  In our story today we are going learn more about Jesus and how he works in our lives.  Knowing him and his ways better should strengthen our hope, even in the darkest of days.  Now to be sure, there are times when his ways can be mysterious and even frustrating to us.  The first thing that stands out in the story of Larazus is that Jesus waited. . . .

Signs: So You May Believe
“Where There’s Death, There’s Hope!”
John 11:1-44

Jesus waited
Despite the crisis
Despite the connection
Jesus wept
Because of his emotions
Because of his enemy
Jesus won
Faced the problems
Fulfilled the promise

Signs: So You May Believe

“Lessons from the Loaves”

John 6:1-15

1. Go after Jesus

1. Run to him

1. Remain with him

2. Give to Jesus

1. Though it is small

1. Though it is all

3. Get from Jesus

1. The gift of satisfaction

1. The gift of surplus

Señales

“Sucedió en una boda”

Juan 2.1-11

1. Una escena modesta.

“ Al tercer día se hicieron unas bodas en Caná de Galilea; y estaba allí la madre de Jesús. Y fueron también invitados a las bodas Jesús y sus discípulos.” (Juan 2.1-2)

1. un lugar

1. un lugar

2. Una situación embarazosa.

“Y faltando el vino, la madre de Jesús le dijo: No tienen vino. 4 Jesús le dijo: ¿Qué tienes conmigo, mujer? Aún no ha venido mi hora. 5 Su madre dijo a los que servían: Haced todo lo que os dijere.” (Juan 2.3-5)

1. un llamado de auxilio.

1. Una orden que obedecer.

3. Una señal

“Este principio de señales hizo Jesús en Caná de Galilea, y manifestó su gloria; y sus discípulos creyeron en él.”(Juan 2.11)

1. Mas que un milagro.

1. Mas que un seguidor.

VALORES

"NUESTRO OBJETIVO"

(Mateo 28:16-20)

1. La declaración de nuestro objetivo
2. Jesús la declara
3. Jesús la delega

2. La estrategia para alcanzar nuestros objetivos
3. Conectar
4. Crecer
5. Servir
6. Ir

3. La sinergia en torno a nuestro objetivo
4. Tenemos una comunidad
5. Tenemos un compañero

Series: valores

IR

“Nuestro lugar en la Tarea”

Hechos 1.6-8

1. Un mandato que debemos conocer

1. Su Poder

      “pero recibirán poder cuando el Espíritu Santo descienda sobre ustedes…” (Hechos 1.8a)

1. Su Pueblo

      “…y serán mis testigos, y le hablarán a la gente acerca de mí en todas partes…” (Hechos 1.8b)

1. Su Plan

      “…en Jerusalén, por toda Judea, en Samaria y hasta los lugares más lejanos de la tierra…” (Hechos 1.8c)

2. Un mandato que debemos cumplir

1. Oración enfocada globalmente

“Pídeme, y te daré por herencia las naciones, Y como posesión tuya los confines de la tierra.” (Salmos 2.8)

1. Participación local – global

“¿Cómo, pues, invocarán a aquel en el cual no han creído? ¿Y cómo creerán en aquel de quien no han oído? ¿Y cómo oirán sin haber quien les predique?¿Y cómo predicarán si no fueren enviados?” (Romanos 10.13-15)

1. Ofrendas con sacrificio

“Pues doy testimonio de que con agrado han dado conforme a sus fuerzas, y aun más allá de sus fuerzas,  pidiéndonos con muchos ruegos que les concediésemos el privilegio de participar en este servicio para los santos. (2 Corintios 8.3-4)

Grow
Colossians 1:24-29

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 
Colossians 1:28

The Goal
Christ in you and _Mature_ in Christ

The Process
Let the word of Christ _dwell_ in you and make it _fully_ known

Focus on Jesus and _Proclaim_ Jesus

Receive warning and _warn_others

Be taught and _teach_others

Work but work with God's _power_

Serie: VALORES

Sermón: “Conectar”

Hechos 2:41-47

1. Conectarse a Cristo

“Así que, los que recibieron su palabra fueron bautizados…” (Hechos 2.41a)

2. Conectarse a la Iglesia

“Todos los que habían creído estaban juntos…” (Hechos 2.47a)

3. Conectarse a la Comunidad

“alabando a Dios, y teniendo favor con todo el pueblo…” (Hechos 2.47)

The Core: This Is Who We Are

Matthew 28:18-20

1. We have an authority
   1. That is stated
   2. That is shared
2. We have an assignment
   1. With a global scope
   2. With graduated steps
3. We have an assurance
   1. Of a personal companion
   2. Of a permanent companion

“How to Come Back from Setbacks”

Job 1-42

1. Job enjoyed great riches
   1. In faith
   2. In family
   3. In fortunes
2. Job endured great ruin
   1. Commitment was the cause
   2. Commitment was the cure
3. Job experienced great restoration
   1. In treasures
   2. In time