4/13/13

From Gary V. Womack... Pressing towards the goal



PRESSING TOWARD THE GOAL
A New Year's Message

As we face a new year, we remember our past - and look ahead to a new year.

Phil. 3:13-14 Text = "Forgetting the past - Reaching for the future."

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A LOOK AT ATTITUDE about self

Phil. 1:12-18 Paul writes from a Roman prison.
The providence of God is recognized

Phil. 1:19-21 Paul intends to glorify God whether in life or in death. Making the best of a bad situation - Looking with hope.

Christians do not live for themselves - but for God.

Rom. 14:7-8 "For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. (8) For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's."

Paul demonstrated this:

Gal. 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

We belong to Him - because we have died with Him:

Rom. 6:3-4 "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? (4) Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

A LOOK AT TRUST in God

Phil. 3:3 We are those who should have no confidence in the flesh

Phil. 3:4-7 Paul could have boasted of confidence in the flesh 

Things that many consider important:
Nationality - Education - Accomplishments

Example - Israel entered Canaan with a warning not to trust in the flesh:

Deut. 8:7-18 Grace received from God leaves nothing for us to boast of.

LOOKING BACK - Paul gave up confidence in the flesh

Phil. 3:8-11 Exchanging physical things for spiritual things

What will we give in exchange for our confidence in physical things?

Mt. 16:26 "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

What stands between us and Heaven? Pride? Wealth? Pleasure? Time?

LOOKING AT THE PRESENT

Phil. 3:12 We haven't arrived yet - This is not the time to rest on laurels There is danger in becoming satisfied in our accomplishments

Lk. 12:16-21 The rich fool rested too soon.

We need vision to see that souls need to hear the gospel today

Jn. 4:34-35 "Jesus said to them, 'My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. (35) Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest?' Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!' "

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Phil. 3:13-14 Don't look back - It's counter-productive
You can't change the past - You can only reach to the future.

Example - The Israelites after leaving Mt. Sinai - looked back at Egypt:

Num. 11:4-6 "Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: 'Who will give us meat to eat? (5) We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; (6) but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!' "

The Lord sent quail - they were gluttonous & suffered a great plague.

Example - The Israelites go from Mt. Hor, past Edom -They complained

Num. 21:4-6 "Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. (5) And the people spoke against God and against Moses: 'Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.' (6) So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the of Israel died."

2 Pet. 2:20-ff Better to not know - than to know & turn back.

Those who set their mind on earthly things v/s Our heavenly citizenship:

Phil. 3:17-4:1 We eagerly wait - Therefore we stand fast.

How we endure to reach the goal that we press toward:

Phil. 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing - and His peace will guard our hearts.

Phil. 4:8 Meditate on good things - instead of negative things.

Phil. 4:11-12 Learn to be content under every circumstance.

Our confidence is not in the flesh but in Christ, Therefore:

Phil. 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Jn. 15:4-5 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. (5) I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

From Jim McGuiggan...Messy Spirituality


Messy Spirituality

That's the title of the most recent book I've seen by Mike Yaconelli. There's something very appropriate about it and its subject because so many of us feel we're one of the huge mass of disappointed and disappointing people. I know there are extraordinary people around but my suspicion is that the bulk of us are like so many of the people in scripture--seriously flawed even in the areas of our strength.
Somewhere I read J.H. Jowett making a confession of this kind, "If there was even one area of my life that I thought was exceptional and truly given over to God I would be more content. But when I examine what I think might be my strongest areas they are so fitful and pathetic that I know the rest of me hardly bears examination." Those words aren't an exact verbal quote but they say what Jowett said. He was a man of saintly reputation and an outstanding preacher of some years ago. Messy spirituality we might say.
Then there was Abraham, the illustrious father of the faithful, who blundered mightily in the area of his greatest strength. Twice he denied Sarah was his wife to save his own life. Since God had promised him that he would father a child by Sarah and would become a father of a great nation, and more, a father of a multitude nations--since God had promised that no one could have killed Abraham. Not with a bazooka shot to his head. And yet he subjected his wife to a place in an Egyptian hareem. But once wasn't enough--he had to go do it again. One of the non-elect (Abimelech--a Philistine of all people, you might say) had to rebuke him for his scurrilous mistreatment of his wife. That he did because his faith deserted him. Messy spirituality.
The Hebrew writer knew what he was doing in Hebrews 11 when he makes his "hall of fame" list. Wonderful stuff--and true. But he left out the messy material about Samson, David, Jacob, Gideon and many others. He didn't deny their faith because it was genuine and it was genuine despite the fact that they stumbled and bumbled around even into old age. Picture David getting up on his elbow just before he dies and giving instructions like a Mafia godfather about who was to be killed so that the dynasty would be preserved. And yet, when you asked if an Israelite or Judean was a good king the answer depended on whether he clung to God "as did his father David." Somewhere down in the centre of David, down there in the midst of the messy spirituality the man had met God and wouldn't, couldn't, didn't want to let go of him.
So when we look in the mirror and wince at who looks back at us we should acknowledge that there is some serious "fine-tuning" (!) needed but if we're his we're his. We're glad he started the job and he promised he'll finish it. A day is coming when there'll be no more messy spirituality. (See "Finishing a Good Work".)

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Hard Hearts And Hard Thoughts


                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                 Hard Hearts And Hard Thoughts (3:1-6)

INTRODUCTION

1. We have seen the criticism that Jesus endured from religious
   leaders...
   a. When He claimed to forgive sins - Mk 2:6-7
   b. When He dined with sinners - Mk 2:16
   c. When His disciples plucked grain on the Sabbath - Mk 2:23-24

2. Conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders escalated, from
   criticism to conniving...
   a. When the Pharisees sought opportunity to accuse Him - Mk 3:1-2
   b. When Jesus healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath - Mk 3:3-5
   c. When the Pharisees began conspiring with the Herodians to destroy
      Jesus - Mk 3:6

3. On this occasion, I am struck by hardness of the Pharisees' hearts...
   a. Which moved Jesus to grief and anger - Mk 3:5
   b. Which indubitably led to their hardness of plotting to destroy
      Jesus - Mk 3:6

[Apparently unable to appreciate the healing of a suffering man, it is
easy to be critical of the Pharisees' "Hard Hearts And Hard Thoughts".
Yet if we are not careful, we can be guilty of the same...]

I. CONSIDER THE PROBLEM

   A. OF HARD HEARTS...
      1. Has been around for a long time (Cain, Pharaoh, Israel)
      2. It leads to spiritual dullness - an inability to see truth
         a. Which prompted Jesus to teach the public in parables - Mt 13:13-15
         b. Which hindered His disciples from understanding the obvious
            - Mk 8:13-21; 16:14
      3. It leads to mental resistance - a refusal to consider what
         might be true
         a. As seen in our text with the Pharisees
         b. They were blinded to the good Jesus had done
      4. The end result is calamity! - cf. Pro 28:14
      -- Hardness of heart is a very serious problem!

   B. OF HARD THOUGHTS...
      1. Hard hearts produce hard thoughts (e.g., the plot to destroy
         Jesus)
         a. The Pharisees and Herodians were unable to see the good that
            Jesus was doing
         b. They became co-belligerents, though normally opposed to one
            another
      2. Very similar to what we see in today's political environment
         a. An inability to see any good in the opposition
         b. A willingness to engage in the politics of personal
            destruction
         c. Plotting to destroy by any means possible
      3. The same occurs often in the realm of religious differences
         a. In our efforts to stand firm for the truth
         b. We can easily begin to think ill of neighbors, co-workers,
            even brethren!
         c. It becomes evident in the way we treat others (ignore,
            malign, abuse)
      4. Hard thoughts thus lead to verbal abuse and physical violence
      -- Hard thoughts don't remain thoughts very long, they transform
         into deeds!

[Since the problems of "Hard Hearts And Hard Thoughts" are real and
serious, what can be done...?]

II. CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE

   A. FOR HARD HEARTS...
      1. We can nurture a tender, compassionate heart; by remembering:
         a. Our own weaknesses and need for forgiveness - Ep 4:32; Co
            3:12-13
         b. The condemnation of those without compassion - Mt 18:33-35;
            Ja 2:13
      2. This will help create good and noble hearts, with fair minds
         like:
         a. The good soil in the parable of the sower - Lk 8:15
         b. The Bereans willing to give Paul a fair hearing - Ac 17:11
      -- Tender hearts are created by remembering our own failings

   B. FOR HARD THOUGHTS...
      1. Tender hearts will address the problem of hard thoughts
      2. But kind thoughts can be further nurtured by:
         a. Dwelling on things that are noble and pure - Ph 4:8
         b. Developing the mind of Christ - Ph 2:3-5
      3. Such tender minds will be characterized by:
         a. Lowliness of mind, esteeming others better than ourselves
         b. Looking out for the interests of others
      -- Tender minds are the result of growing in Christ

CONCLUSION

1. Consider the following contrast between...
   a. The mindset of the Pharisees and the Herodians - cf. Mk 3:6
   b. The mindset enjoined by the apostle Peter - cf. 1 Pe 3:8-12

2. What kind of mindset do we have...?
   a. One filled with hard thoughts produced by hard hearts?
   b. One filled with kind thoughts produced by tender hearts?

The goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering of God is designed to
produce the latter.  But if we remain hard-hearted against God and man,
we will experience the wrath of God in the day of judgment...

   Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance,
   and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads
   you to repentance?

   But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart
   you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath
   and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.
                                                       - Ro 2:4-5



Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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From Gary... Brain Damage




By now, you have probably guessed that I am a fan of Bill Cosby.  He has comedic insight that few people have and his brand of comedy is especially appealing to me.  As a parent, I can relate to this video.  Kids do the most unusual things and can drive you "crazy".  As I viewed this routine for the umpteenth time, I wonder; how does God view us, and what would he say to us as HIS children?  The apostle John answers this question in his most stylistic manner... 

1 John, Chapter 3
  1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him.  2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is.  3 Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure.  4 Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness.  5 You know that he was revealed to take away our sins, and in him is no sin.  6 Whoever remains in him doesn’t sin. Whoever sins hasn’t seen him, neither knows him. 

  7  Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.  8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed, that he might destroy the works of the devil.  9 Whoever is born of God doesn’t commit sin, because his seed remains in him; and he can’t sin, because he is born of God.  10 In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn’t do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn’t love his brother.  11 For this is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another;  12 unlike Cain, who was of the evil one, and killed his brother. Why did he kill him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.  13 Don’t be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.  14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn’t love his brother remains in death.  15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. 

  16  By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.  17 But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does the love of God remain in him?  18 My little children, let’s not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and persuade our hearts before him,  20 because if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.  21 Beloved, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have boldness toward God;  22 and whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.  23 This is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he commanded.  24 He who keeps his commandments remains in him, and he in him. By this we know that he remains in us, by the Spirit which he gave us. 

Love, continue to love. Don't continue to sin. Want to please him in everything you do.  That's my summary of this chapter.  Frankly, I do not pretend to know what God THINKS, but I can imagine HIM smiling when we do something foolish or stupid.  When we willingly transgress, HIS attitude must be harsher, but underneath it all, we always know that HE LOVES US.  When we sin, it hurts not only HIM, but us as well and if we truly love HIM, we will always desire to repent.  If not... perhaps we have BRAIN DAMAGE????