12/26/2010


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"Are You Barely Surviving?
"Psalm 63 (NIV)
Rev. Tony Toth, Dec 26th 2010

Introduction:
Psalm 63, “A psalm of David, when he was in the Desert of Judah.”

A. WHY THE DESERT?

   1. Moses – Our own mistakes and choices
Exodus 2:11-22

   2. David – Someone else’s mistakes and choices
          1 Samuel 19

3. Jesus – God intentionally sends us there
          Matthew 4:1


B. TRUTH ABOUT THE DESERT


   1. It is not a location, it is a condition


   2. It is common to everyone

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”                                                        Romans 5:3-4


   3. It tempers our desires with development

“Success can be as painful as failure if you are not equipped for it.”     
                                                                                           - TD Jakes

   4. It will kill you if you stay

 Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”                                                                     Psalm 30:5



C. SURVIVING THE DESERT

   1. The Present : Seeking God’s Presence   (v1-5)

“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”                                                                                  Psalm 63:1

“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.”          
                                                                                          Psalm 63:3-4


   2. The Past : Remembering God’s Faithfulness  (v6-8)

 “I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.”                                                                      Psalm 63:2


“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”         Psalm 63:6-8


   3. The Future : Anticipating God’s Goodness  (v9-11)

 “My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”                                                    Psalm 63:5


        a. Can’t make choices for others

“They who seek my life will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.”                                                              Psalm 63:9-10

        b. Choosing your reaction

“But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God’s name will praise him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.”       Psalm 63:11


Conclusion

12/19/2010


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"What a Choice" - Fourth Sunday in Advent
Dr. Scott E. Koenigsaecker
Luke 2:8-20 (NIV) ~ December 19, 2010
Fourth Sunday in Advent

INTRODUCTION

A. We live in the age of instant communication.

B. God's personal communication with us is waiting for our response.. 
"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord."                                                                 Luke 2:11

C. Our passage this morning is about responding to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, into the world.

I. HOW DID PEOPLE RESPOND?

A. The shepherds were afraid.
"An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified."                   Luke 2:9
·       Not their final response: "The shepherds returned, glorying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen…" 
Luke 2:20
B. The people were amazed.
"…and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”                                                                                      Luke 2:18

C. Mary admired the miraculous coming of Jesus.
"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.                                                                               Luke 2:19

II. HOW WILL WE RESPOND?

A. Some people take cover.
"Anyone who doesn't obey the Son will never experience eternal life.”                                                                                             John 3:36
·       Some people deny or avoid the reality of Jesus:
Ø  Jesus fulfilled the prophecies about His coming
Ø  Jesus really lived
Ø  Jesus lived an exemplary life
Ø  Jesus died and resurrected
Ø  Jesus transforms lives

B. Some people do take notice.
"The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy.  But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long.  They fall away as soon as they have problems…."                                                         Matthew 13:20-21

C. Some people take it to heart.
"For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved."
                                                                                          Romans 10:13
"To all who received Him, He gives the right to become children of God.                                                                                         John 1:12
·       How to take Jesus to heart this Christmas:
Ø  We need to identify ourselves with Christ.
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
                                                                 Luke 10:10
Ø  We need to be invested in knowing and following the Bible.
 "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings."                                                                    John 8:31
Ø  We need to be imitators of Jesus Christ.
"You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind...love your neighbor as yourself."
 Matthew 22:37-39
CONCLUSION
     

12/12/2010


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"What a Peaceful Reality" - Third Sunday in Advent


Dr. Scott Koenigsaecker
Luke 2:8-15 ~ December 12, 2010

INTRODUCTION

A. Everyone, everywhere is looking for inner peace.

B. "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."                                                             Luke 2:14

C. Peace in the Bible is defined as, "An inner spiritual/emotional state of call or joy not dependent on positive external circumstances."

D. Inner peace radiates from people who:
·       Know who they are
·       Have the best priorities in life.

I.  FIRST, CHRISTMAS DECLARES WHO WE REALLY ARE.

A. Who are we really?

B. Jesus Christ came to our planet, the Bible states, so that we would know, without a doubt, that we are children of God.
"God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ.  This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure."                                    Ephesians 4:5

C. God made us to love Him.
"I have loved you…with an everlasting love."             Jeremiah 31:3
"…God had already chosen us to be His through our union with Christ….because of His love…"                                           Ephesians 4:4

D. Who we belong to brings with it certain privileges and securities.
·       One privilege, of belonging to Christ, is to experience a fulfilling life.
"My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."  John 10:10

·       Our security is ultimate because we can live forever with God.
"For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."                                                   John 3:16
         
·       How do we receive this privilege and security?
Ø  Faith---in the facts
Ø  Trust---where we don't know the facts
Ø  Action---a personal response

II.  SECOND, CHRISTMAS ENCOURAGES US TO MAKE JESUS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IN OUR LIFE.

A. Everyone surrounding the birth of Jesus knew that His birth was a profound, first-order priority for them and for the world.

B. We are a child of God by choice "
“…those who believe in Him…" John 3:16

·       The Bible makes it clear that Jesus is the Lord over:
Ø  all creation (Colossians 1:15-17)
Ø  the angels in heaven (Hebrews 1:4)
Ø  evil (Colossians 2:15)
Ø  the earth (Exodus 9:16)

·       The only question is whether we will choose Him to be the Lord of our life.

C. Choosing Jesus Christ is where inner peace is found.
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them… And I am convinced that nothing can separate us from God's love."                                                                      Romans 8:28 & 38

CONCLUSION

12/05/2010


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"What a Change in Direction!" - Second Sunday in Advent

Dr. Scott Koenigsaecker
Psalm 51:1-12 & Mark 1:1-8 ~ December 5, 2010

INTRODUCTION

A. Change is one of the constants in life. 

B. Some of these changes are true paradigm shifts in our life.

C.  Christmas, Mark tells us, is about change.
"This messenger was John the Baptist.  He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven."        Mark 1:4

I. WHAT IS REPENTANCE?

A. The Biblical word repentance has several meanings:
·       In the Old Testament it means a change of heart or the turning away from evil.
"He [God] shows them their sins of pride.  He gets their attention and commands that they turn from evil."                         Job 36:9-10
·       The New Testament adds the idea of a change in one’s life purpose.
"Now, repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away."                                                             Acts 3:19
·       "Repentance is the inner change of one's mind and heart that results in outwardly turning away from sin and turning toward God."
                                                                      Pastor Doug Wendel

B. Repentance isn't……

C. What does the paradigm shift of repentance look like?
·       First, it takes an honest evaluation of our sinfulness.
"I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me."
                                                                                          Psalm 51:3
·       Second it takes open confession.
"Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight.  You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just."                                        Psalm 51:4
"They must confess their sin and make full restitution for what they have done."                                                        Numbers 5:7

·       Third, it takes heartfelt commitment.
"You [God] can teach me to be wise in my inner most being… create in me a clean heart and right spirit in me…make me willing to obey you."                                             Psalm 51:6, 10 & 12
"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.  The old life is gone, a new life has begun!"        
2 Corinthians 5:17

II. THE PARADIGM SHIFT OF REPENTANCE HAS MANY BENEFITS.

A. First it changes our eternal destination.
"For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation."                           2 Corinthians 7:10

B. Second, repentance results in a positive change in lifestyle.
"Prove by the way that you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God."                                                         Matthew 3:8

C. Third is inner peace. 
"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus."                                                                        Romans 8:1

CONCLUSION
"If you always do what you've always done, then you will always get what you've always gotten."        John Maxwell