1/30/2011


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"Releasing Our Grip" part 4 of  the "8 simple things" series

Dr. Scott e. Koenigsaecker
Hebrews 12:1-2 ~ January 30, 2011


INTRODUCTION

A. "…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."                                                      Hebrews 12:1

B. "Perhaps the biggest sin we need to strip off, is our pre-occupation with ourselves."                                       Pastor & Author Dr. Charles Swindoll
 
I. FIRST, WE WILL BE HUMBLE BEFORE GOD.

A. "…the Lord has told you what is good…to walk humbly with your God."                                                                                           Micah 6:8

  B. How God views us:
·       On the one hand we are flawed sinners.
 "All have sinned and fall short of God's glorious ideal."
                                                                                          Romans 3:23
·       On the other hand He values us deeply.
"See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are!"                                        I John 3:1

 C. God's goal is to increase our value.
"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."
                                                                                          Philippians 4:13
"God uses it [the Bible] to prepare and equip us His people to do every good work."                                                           2 Timothy 3:17

·       This will only happen if we are willing to surrender to Him.
"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches.  Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."                                                              John 15:5 

D. Humility before God will be rewarded.
·       He will encourage you in your time of trouble.
"God opposes the proud but favors the humble…Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor."                                                                                      James 4:6 &10
·       He will hear your prayers, forgive you and bless you.
"Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."                                       2 Chronicles 7:14
·       He will give you the guidance you need.
"He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way."                                                                        Psalm 25:9

II. SECOND, WE WILL BE HUMBLE BEFORE OTHERS.

A. People who put Christ first are humble toward others.
"Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too."              Philippians 2:3-4

·       "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."              Matthew 22:39

B. Jesus is just such a model.
"You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.  Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.  Instead, He gave up His divine privileges, He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being."  Philippians 2:5-7

C. We often believe some myths about humility….

D. All humble people ask this question, "How can I help you?"
"Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave to everyone else."                                                                                Mark 10:43-44

CONCLUSION

1/23/2011


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"Just Stop it" part 3 of the "8 simple things" series

Dr. Scott E. Koenigsaecker
Psalm 29:1-9 ~ January 23, 2011

INTRODUCTION

A. "Be still and know that I am God."                                  Psalm 46:10

B. When we do our part, in obedience, it puts us in touch with God's faithfulness to us.

I.  WE MUST LEARN TO STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN TO GOD.

A. Alone time with God is so important because:
·       We were created to have an on going personal relationship with God.
"So God created humanity in His own image…"         Genesis 1:27

·       Jesus died to make a personal relationship with God possible.
"God…has invited you into this wonderful friendship with His Son, Christ the Lord."                         I Corinthians 1:9 (Living Bible)

·       Alone time with God was Jesus' source of strength.
"Before daybreak the next day, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray."Mark 1:35 (also see Luke 22:39 & Luke 5:16)

·       If you want to grow and mature as a Christian, alone time with God is a must.
"People cannot live on bread alone, but on every word that God speaks."                                                                             Matthew 4:4
"The one who looks steadily at God's perfect law…and makes that a habit…actively putting it into practice, will be happy in all that they do."                                                       James 1:25 (Phillips)

B. Alone time with God requires stopping.
"Jesus left the city and went, as He usually did, to the Mount of Olives…to pray."                                                                Luke 22:39

C. Stopping provides perspective.
"For as you know Him better, God will give you, through His great power, everything you need for living a truly good life."      2 Peter 1:3
"Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word."   Psalm 119:18

D. Alone times with God give us a chance to really listen to God.
“Mary sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what He taught."  Luke 10:39
"Speak, Lord, your servant is listening."            1 Samuel 3:10 

II. THE PURPOSE OF OUR PRACTICE.

A. To give devotion to God.
 "Give to the Lord the glory due to His name.  Worship the Lord in the      splendor of His holiness."                                              Psalm 29:2   

B. To get direction from God.
"Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk.  Lead me…"                                          Psalm 25:4

C. To gain delight in God.
"Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart."                                                              Psalm 37:4 (King James)

D. To grow and develop like Christ.
"When the council saw the boldness of Peter and John…they were amazed and realized what being with Jesus had done for them!"
 Acts 4:13
CONCLUSION

1/16/2011

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"Uncluttering Our Minds" Part 2 of the "8 Simple Things" series

Dr. Scott Koenigsaecker
Ephesians 4:17-24 ~ January 16, 2011

INTRODUCTION

A.  Are you suffering from I.O.S.?
·       We are the bigger—better—faster—more culture.

B. "Instead let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.  Put on your new nature, created to be like God---truly righteous and holy."
                                                                                Ephesians 4:23
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think."
                                                                                Romans 12:2

I. WHY OUR MINDS GET CLUTTERED.

A. Because we say "yes" to far too many things.
"The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear the word of God but all too quickly it is crowded out by the worries of this life…and the desire for other things…"                       Mark 4:18-19

B. Because we yearn for a sense of fulfillment.
"It is pleasant to see dreams come true…"                         Proverbs 13:19

C. Because we are in over our heads financially.
"And if your wealth increases, don't make it the center of your life."
                                                                                Psalm 62:10
"The borrower is a servant to the lender."                            Proverbs 22:7

D. Because we are betting that technology will bail us out.
 "…a time for every activity under heaven."                        Ecclesiastes 3:1

II. HOW TO RE-BOOT OUR BRAINS.

A. Simply, simplify your life.
"Simplicity is the arrangement of life around a few consistent purposes."
                                                                                Author Dallas Willard
·       How to simplify the rest of your life:
Ø  What is your purpose in life?
Ø  What are your priorities in life?
Ø  What are your roles in life?
Ø  What are your spheres of influence?                                   

B. A simplified life will give us the time we need with God.
"Be still and know that I am God."                                         Psalm 46:10
"Give the Lord the glory due His name.  Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness."                                                     Psalm 29:2

C. A simplified life will help us to be the person that God designed us to be.
"You have put off the old self with its habits and have put on the new self…which God is continually renewing in His own image to bring you to a full knowledge of Himself."                                  Colossians 3:9-10

 D. A simplified life positions us to receive and experience God's best.
"For as you know Him better, God will give you, through His great power, everything you need for living a truly good life…."
                                                                                2 Peter 1:3 (Living Bible)

CONCLUSION

1/09/2011


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"Getting Closer to God" Part 1 of the "8 Simple Things" series
1 Timothy 3:6-11
Dr. Scott E. Koenigsaecker,  January 9, 2011

INTRODUCTION:
  1. “It has been said that the quality of one’s life is determined by the quality of one’s relationships.” 
·        Four levels of relationships:
o                                                   Public
o                                                   Social
o                                                   Personal
o                                                   Intimate
B.    If our desire is to have a greater faith we must have a greater closeness to Christ.
·       Closeness to God is about growth and maturity.
That you may become mature Christians and may fulfill God’s will for you.” 
 Colossians 4:12b (Phillips)
  1. What does it take?

I.      GETTING CLOSER TO GOD REQUIRES ACTION.
A.    How distant or close do you feel to God?
B.    Closeness to God is a matter of training.
"Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales.  Instead, train yourself to be godly.  Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and the life to come."                                  I Timothy 4:7-8

·     Easier to be religious than be godly.
"I see that in every way you are very religious… I…looked carefully at your objects of worship.  I even found an alter with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.  Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you."                                                    Acts 17:22-23
·     Easier to do when things are good, harder when things are difficult.
"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…"              Job 23:10-12
C.    God’s training program:
·       Worship plus 2
o Attend worship regularly
o Become part of a Bible study
o Join a Ministry Team in service

II.       GETTING CLOSER TO GOD REFLECTS WISDOM.
  1. Normally, intimacy with God is not instant  or automatic.
·       It is a relationship built over time.
“Continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ.”       II Peter 3:18
·       It is a relationship deepened through vulnerability.
 And the man and woman were both naked and were not ashamed.”                          Genesis 2:25
  1. This is an issue of character development.
·       Not the mere gaining of knowledge
·       Not the mere increase in our skill level
    • "The training we need is that which corrects, molds and prefects our moral character."   
                                   Pastor/Author Charles Swindoll
C.   The crucible of wisdom is the collision of our will with God’s Will.
“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead.” 
         Philippians 3:10

CONCLUSION:

1/02/2011


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"Expect a Miracle"
Nehemiah 1:11-2:8
Rev. Rick Dietzman, January 2, 2011

INTRODUCTION

Personal miracles are…
  • Needs that God fulfills with our presence or action
  • Opportunities for God to show his personal love and concern through a human agent.

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10 (New International Version)

_RESPOND  TO GOD’S NUDGES

“O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you.” Nehemiah 1:11
“How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins.” Nehemiah 2:3

Pay attention to out of context thoughts or interruptions
An inner push that directs us toward a person or an action

I.      __DRAW OUT    THE NEED
  • Provision, resources, money
  • Dreams that are dashed, loss of potential
  • Broken relationships

A.     A  _revealing_ clue:  is a signal that comes from another person’s words or body language.
The king asked, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick ... You must be deeply troubled.” Nehemiah 2:2

B.     A _clarifying_ response: Confirming a need. Usually in the form of a question 
“The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” Nehemiah 2:4

II.          INVEST    YOURSELF AND RISK
The king said to me, "What is it you want?" Then I prayed to the God of heaven…” Nehemiah 2:4 NIV

  1. Asking to be sent
“If you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city.” Nehemiah 2:5

  1. Asking for involvement – and don’t limit it to Christians
“If it pleases the king, let me have letters… Nehemiah 2:7
“Let me have timber”  Nehemiah 2:8
“The king, I should add sent along army officers and horsemen to protect me.”  Nehemiah 2:9

  1. Asking that deeper question that comes to mind about the need.
a.     Trust God to lead you (Move through fear).
b.     Search for the emotional obstacle or limiting belief.
c.     Give God time to act.

III.     __ACKNOWLEDGE_ WHAT GOD HAS DONE
“The king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.” Nehemiah 2:8

Help others to see and give God the credit.

CONCLUSION
“The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden…you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.”  Isaiah 58:11-12 (NLT)