Why do we work?

Many people outside of baseball don't think of my job (baseball) as work but as I play a game for a living. But despite that view, playing baseball as a means to provide for my family is actually a lot of work. Athletes in general do not simply show up to the park, play a game, and go home. There is a ton of behind the scenes work that we do to prepare ourselves to be ready for a long season, or just one game. But we still face the same challenges as the office worker, store manager, janitor, etc. Not to mention we all have rough days where we want to just chill out, or we grumble and complain. Then as a believer, the question comes up... Why do we work? If God provides, and we trust in His provision, and all the material benefits we got from making money doesn't affect us when we die and reach glory with the Father, then why bother? These notes may change that attitude...

1. Work declares Gods Character
  - God's 6 days of creative work (Genesis 1-2)
     - God created the heavens and the earth in 6 days
     - So to work is to emulate God. Since we were created in God's image, we work because God worked
     - God is working in us to work. Therefor when we work it is declaring His character

2. Work declares Gods image
  - Ephesians 4:12- Message for the Church and kingdom work. Equipping the saints for ministry. This is local Church's job. Equipping the believers.
  - Ephesians 2:10 - we are his workmanship prepared for good works (or equipped for good works)
  - Work isn't just 9-5 but it is also doing good for others
     - Ask yourself this question. Are you working for the good of others?
  - Jesus was working when he "wasn't supposed to"
     - John 5:9 john 5:17 Christ is working on the sabbath for Gods glory
     - Matthew 12:8 Jesus does this again... He calls out the pharisees and does his work on the man on the sabbath. What's the point? God is always doing good works for others.
** All work is kingdom work for the believer
** 2 Timothy 2:4- Things of this world are not to distract us from our kingdom work 

- The dichotomy between secular work and kingdom work is false. All work has dignity. There is a problem with work if we are concerned where we are at on the totem pole. If you are this person you will feed on your futility.

- Have faithfulness in a very little thing or job- do we cut corners or do we fear the Lord to have dignity in our work? Colossians 3:22-24
 - You are honoring Him and walking in faith if you are working in the Lord
- Phil 2:14- doing all things without grumbling and disputing
   - we give testimony to God with how we handle our work
   - The bible has a lot to say about laziness (Proverbs 13:4; Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 18:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:8; Proverbs 21:25 and plenty more)

3. Work declares his design
- psalms 104- we have a fertile earth that God has given us
- Job 28:5-6 Got to work for that gold
- proverbs 14:23 - work produces and provides for others
   - Paul warns us if we do t work and produce for our home we are worse than

an unbeliever (1 Timothy 5:8)

- So do we work to get? Or work to give?
- Working is like God, it declares his design for us. He works for the benefits of others

4. Work declares Gods purpose (for our sanctification)
- Work is the lifelong process for carrying out good works for others for our sanctification
- How do we respond when work seems unfair? God has a purpose in these moments
   - Jesus submitted himself under Pilot's authority to carry out Gods work
   - Every thorn or prick in work is part of God's purpose
   - We learn Christ through the submission of our will when we are at work
- 1 Peter 2:18-25 when we suffer for His name it is a good work. God is honored when we suffer for doing good
   - Our problem is that we want to work for ourselves
- God will feed you futility if you take credit or grumble or are not happy with where you are at in your work
- So work hard renewing your mind constantly to honor Christ with all you have (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Forgiveness

Forgiveness

I did something I don't usually do. When reading the bible I usually have a plan on what I'm reading for the day. Today I went to the bible and opened it to a random page just not even thinking. I had opened up to Matthew 18 and tucked into that page were sermon notes on forgiveness. Forgiving your brother who sins against you. Man, what an answer to prayer. After reading this I understand how people get so puffed up, and how their hearts get so hardened (including my own heart) that a snowball effect occurs. Is it coincidence that after the parable of the unforgiving servant comes chapter 19, which concerns divorce? I think not. There is a reason why God calls us to forgive eachother, not only because he commands it, but because it is for our own good! Now bust out your bible and let's go over these notes on forgiveness.

Read Matthew 18:21-35

The parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35)

How many times should we forgive someone? (Mat. 18:21-22)
- Peter asks how many times should we forgive someone? Seven times?
   * Think about this, seven times is way more than the normal amount of forgiveness in those days
   * Jesus responds with forgive 77 times more than that
     - Jesus is simply making a point, there should be no artificial limit on forgiveness

- V. 23-35 Jesus gives us a parable
  * The parable challenges us against our bitterness against others
  * The parable also shows us God's forgiveness he demonstrates on us (v. 23-27)

-V. 23-27
  * Talks about talents... Talent- greek word for weight- so 10,000 talents is a lot of debt.
  * 1 talent = 15 years of wages for the average workers pay
  * So Jesus here is portraying an impossible amount of debt to pay off
    - This is Jesus's picture of the sin debt we have accumulated in God's sight

-V. 26- The servant begs for patience

-V. 27- The master forgives the servant of his debt out of compassion for him
   * Reflect here... This servant had an eternity worth of debt, and the master forgave it... done
   ** Like this servant, we have accumulated debt every waking moment that we could never pay off without forgiveness - Colossians 2:12-14

-V. 28-35
   * v. 28-29 This story is identical to what the first slave did
   * v. 30 instead of forgiving, the first slave threw slave #2 in prison
   * Jesus is portraying that it is not acceptable to receive forgiveness and not forgive others
   * v. 34 the first slave would be tortured in prison until all the debt was payed (like us in hell)
     - However the first slaves debt was not payable just like our debt that we have before a perfect God

3 Lessons we can take away from the parable:

1. We must forgive under ANY circumstance
2. We must have full and complete restoration of a relationship after repentance
3. If a Christian who can't forgive is holding a grudge, then perhaps they have never experienced forgiveness from God

** Think about the debt we owe God if we struggle with forgiving others**

Today's song is Forgiveness by Toby Mac (<--- Click the song title)... "we all need forgiveness"

5 Steps to Perseverance (James 1:1-12)

1. Having a Joyous attitude (James 1:2)

- Just because we are Christians we are not free from trouble

  - Our response to our troubles is to "consider it all joy"

- When processing our trial, look ahead to its benefit- (looking past the moment of sorrow)

- Hebrews 12:12-13- having the attitude that the moment is tough but the future is much better

- Job 23:10- Testing of your faith and perseverance 

2. Having an Understanding mind

- What do you need to know?

  - The testing of your faith produces endurance (v. 3)
  - Trails cannot destroy true faith
    + Faith is a gift from God and if we believe, it is secure in us forever
    + Faith can be tested- which reveals our true faith
    + True faith endures/ perseveres
    + Through trials, God is not destroying our faith, He is manifesting it

  

  - You can remain under ANY trial and endure- God is doing a work in your life to develop your spiritual strength to be more useful
  - God uses suffering to refine, strengthen, and keep us from falling
  - Suffering drains us from all human resources and to rely on God
    + Suffering teaches us obedience and self-control
    + Suffering is an inevitable struggle with the sin within us

  

  - When you go through a trial, God is allowing it

  

  - 1 Corinthians 10:13- we are never tempted to where we are not able

  - Know the purpose of that trial

3. Having a Submissive will (v. 4)

- Let it happen, submit to the trial, and then let it go
  -(go back to notes on Faith... submit to the trial and put your faith in God)
- Let God do what God wants to do (Psalm 37:7)- just rest
 - Let God bring you to that spiritual maturity

4. Having a Believing heart (v. 5)
- When you ask God for wisdom, you get re-directed to the word
- God also uses circumstances in your life to guide you
  - Whether with advice from a teacher or a friend

- Rejoice in suffering because Christ is exalted
  - if we believe, our position before God is enough
* If we believe we have an inheritance that does not fade away

- Ask for Wisdom (v.5-8)
  - Wisdom- a practical understanding of the issues of life
    + Wisdom is at its premium when under trials
    + Where do you go for wisdom? (Job 28:12 you want wisdom? Don't look to the world)
    + Fear of The Lord is wisdom
    + Proverbs 3:5 - not trusting in your heart/ own understanding
    + God may bring trials in our life to elevate dependance on Him
      - He gives to us generously and without reproach if we seek Him

- Pray (v.5)
  - If you are going to pray, pray believing in Him
    + v.6 praying in faith without doubting
    + if you doubt then you are "double minded" and this NOT a sign of a true believer
      - Therefore we need to put our faith and trust in Jesus whole-heartily

5. Having a Humble spirit (v. 9)
- Let the brother in humble circumstances rejoice because his spiritual status is one in exaltation... in Christ the poor are exalted. Cast aside by men but approved by God.
   - his position before God is enough in this world
   - Those who are poor and in Christ have the blessing of eternal riches
      + If we attach our joy to any economic or material status then we don't have joy in Him

- (v.10) Let the rich boast when they lose it their riches, they shouldn't have any pride in their possessions anyway
   - Let the rich rejoice in whatever humiliates them, that goes for all in social status. All of us need to be humbled in life
   - Faith fills the rich person with the spirit of Christ, there the poor and rich are equal in Christ
   - Don't attach yourself too tightly to what you have, its all temporary

Song of the Day- Your Heart by Chris Tomlin. Song about David and works well with these notes :) Enjoy!      Click Here--> http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2O-m6GxEX2o

Image of God

The Image of God

(By clicking on red scripture, a pop up window will come up with the scripture)

We have to submit our own instincts/beliefs on who God really is by scripture and not by our own experiences, other people's experiences, etc.

- God is transcendent- above us and beyond us

- yet he comes to us in his glory and grace and love, and patience, etc. to us (imminence) 

• we feel as if we are entitled to God's grace, so the image of God is distorted 

Here is the image of God...

Isaiah 6

V. 1- description on God- lofty chair suggests he is king over all, the superior king

  * God's robe is filling the temple

  * the train of his robe- sounds like a wedding gown for royalty, so the robe here sounds like the longest train imaginable, suggesting his majesty

V. 2- seraphim- sinless holy creatures

  * seraphim are covering their face, they can't even look upon God's beauty and royalty- they are worshipping God 

  * seraphim are also covering their feet, suggesting a humble posture

V. 3- holy holy holy- suggests how marvelous his majesty is, like lord of lords, king of kings... His holiness is unfathomable 

V. 4- the seraphim are calling back and forth with such passion and intensity that the foundations of the temple shutter/tremble 

  * this could be what worship will look like in days to come

  * the smoke may convey the purity of God since Isaiah had a burning coal touched to his lips to purify him

V. 5 only when  we see how Holy God is do we realize how ruined we are before God

  * Isaiah sees that in comparison to God, we are leveled as a people. No matter how you compare yourself to another believer, how holy they seem, we are leveled by our sin. Everyone is level

- but God, rich in mercy, is not obligated to save anyone. The fact that he saves people is astonishing.

- really who Isaiah is seeing here is Jesus.., a king on a thrown in a temple. We would imagine a king on a thrown would be in a palace. But this scripture suggests a king and a high priest is sitting here in the temple. So the only king and high priest is Jesus. Also notice how he saves Isaiah in 6-8 - we are saved through Christ!

V.9 God tells Isaiah I want you to preach what people will reject and ridicule

  * be faithful to these people even though they will reject because it will bring fulfillment in the coming messiah- the truth will prevail in the end 

Song of the Day! Our song is greater by Chris Tomlin--- Click here--> Our God is Greater

New Year Resolutions

New Year Resolutions

So many people go out and make New Year resolutions. New Year resolutions are a great thing, but how many people actually stick to it and follow those changes they want to make? Let’s look at a list of new year resolutions made by people this year:

1. Weight Loss/working out
2. Stop Smoking
3. Learn Something new
4. Eat Healthier and Diet
5. Be less stressed 
6. Drink less
7. Make a health appointment
8. Devote more time to hobbies
9. Visit a new destination
10. Help someone else (described: so it will make you feel better)

- All of these resolutions are not necessarily bad things. In fact many, if not all, are good ideas. However what us the common theme of these resolutions? - Self. Self improvement, making yourself feel better, satisfying yourself... you get the idea. As Christians, we need deeper and less self-centered resolutions. Resolutions that bring God all the glory! 1 Corinthians 10:31 says,  “So, whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” So what should a Christian’s new year resolution look like?

Sanctification- a firm resolution

- always an active (not passive) movement of my will to entrust myself to the Lord

Difference of resolutions with Christians and non-believers

- the Christian makes resolutions devoted to the Glory of God

- "I want to do something to bring God glory"

- not "I want to make myself happy"

Proverbs 28:13- turning from your sin/weaknesses

- Christian life is a Romans 12:1-3 sacrifice to bring God the glory

- We don't grow passively we grow actively 

- 1 Cor. 10 - temptation is common to men

Some good resolutions to consider:

- Resolve to not try and sanctify others (wife)

- Resolve to serve Christians in the church

- Resolve to believe God is good, wise, and sovereign when life is tough

- Engage in gospel conversations with people in my life

- Putting to death fear of man

A resolution to focus on...

- Resolve to softening our hearts while listening to the word

   ---Hebrews 3+4 - resistance to the word of God and hardness to it show that that believer was never changed

   --- those who put themselves in a pattern of not obeying God's word have their hearts hardened and therefor do not believe

-All these resolutions are Christ honoring and are essential for our walk with Christ. Not only do I challenge you to pray and actively engage in these resolutions but to also click this link and see these resolutions by a man named Jonathan Edwards when he was 19 years old.  Click here--> Jonathan Edwards Resolutions

Song of the day! Click here--> Take Me In- Kutless

Luke 2 Jesus Birth

                   Luke 2 Jesus birth

- the greatest message to hit what ever the prophets had proclaimed

- Luke is about to parallel these things side by side

      * parallel between the birth of John and Jesus and all tat happened in ch.1

      * Luke is paralleling the narrative accounts to promote Jesus's birth significance

The birth of Jesus

- the savior quietly arrives

- v. 1-7 Pregnant Mary arrives in Bethlehem 

- at this time a census was being taken for taxation by Caesar Augustus

- God leads Mary to Bethlehem through this census that Augustus put out

    - this was prophesied in Micah where he said Bethlehem is the place

- Joseph and Mary arrive in Bethlehem looking for a place they could afford ("the inn") and there was no room there

- they were then ushered back to the courtyard where the animals of the inn were stored

- it was a cooler part of the season

    - FYI Mary was a 14-15 year old, afraid and was her first birth

    - all she has is Joseph for support, in a small dirty animal stall

    - Joseph must have felt helpless and discouraged, maybe disappointed that all he could supply for Mary was a dirty manger 

- Then it happens, Mary gives birth to her firstborn son... Jesus 

    - now full realization happened to Mary and Joseph... We're going to be the parents of the savior... Such marvelous wonder for them

- that child is not like any other birth 

    - Phil. 2:5-8- from Jesus perspective, as the 2nd in the trinity, he came in existence of God but did not give himself the equality of God 

    - v. 7 he emptied himself as a slave

- for Mary and Joseph, they marvel in the fact that they gave birth to the savior

- for Jesus at his birth, he gave himself as a worldly slave setting himself apart from God

- no god would ever be viewed in such a poor reflection... Ultimate humility 

    - amazing! Jesus humbled himself... Why? John 1:12 for Jesus to become the self revelation of God for us! The word became flesh... Gods word in the flesh... Jesus... God's self expression is Jesus

- at this moment, salvation is possible!

Song of the Day! Click here---> Jesus in Disguise- Brandon Heath

The Good News

The Good News

# Reason for this study- “You can’t have grace if you haven’t heard where we came from, then we’re saved from the wrath of God.”

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

• Since we understand the bad news, we realize that everyone has sinned, no one has been perfect except for Jesus Christ. 

Romans 3:24-25 “And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.”

• God gave us Jesus Christ as a gift. The greatest gift ever. He gave us his only son who lived a perfect life, took our sin, and died for those who believe in him! There is no better gift! (John 3:16-18, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4) 
• Jesus’s blood was shed on the cross so that we may live! (Romans 5:9)
• God did this because he loves us even though his people are going in the wrong direction (Romans 5:9)... So this shows us his righteousness; because of Christ, and if we believe, God passes over our sins.

Romans 3:28 “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.”

• You cannot be saved by works. You can only be saved through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Romans 4:4 “Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.”

• For those who do good works, they are expected to do these works as they claim they are Christian. It is our duty as Christians to do good works for His name and not our own.

Romans 4:13 “For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.”

• Abraham gained his righteousness from God just through faith in God. He didn’t have to do anything physical but to show God his faith and trust in him. (Story on Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac as proof of faith- Genesis 22)

Romans 4:15 “For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.” 

• The law brings wrath on those who think they obey it. It is impossible to live perfectly under the law. If you believe that you are living under the law, then you are being justified by works. Like you are saving yourself. However if there wasn’t a law in place there would be no reason for transgression- breaking the law. So then there would be no point of a savior!

Romans 4:16 “That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring--not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all...”

• By having faith in Jesus, God guarantees his grace to us. The promise of God is that if we have faith in Jesus, God will give us grace. (John 3:16, 2 Peter 1:2, James 4:6, Romans 3:24, John 1:17)

Romans 4: 24 “... but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”

• commenting on verses 20-23... saying “it was counted to him” was not just a word of God for Abraham, but also for those who believe and have faith in Jesus, who died for our sins and was raised as proof to everyone that Jesus is Lord (1 John 4:14).
• If Jesus didn’t raise from the dead, then Christianity would be a hoax and we would not have salvation.

Romans 5: 6 “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”

• Saying that we were weak (read the bad news and you know we were weak) or lacking moral strength which pins us just like the ungodly. So Christ died for us to give us strength. 

Romans 5: 7-8 “For one will scarcely die for a righteous person-- though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

• As humans, one may die for a morally good person. But God’s love is completely different. God didn’t die for morally good people. Instead he died for everyone who is unrighteous. 

Romans 5: 1-2 “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin shall still live in it?”

• Just because we asked Jesus to take control of our life and are considered free from sin doesn’t mean we can continue in sin because our sin is forgiven (Hebrews 3:14, 2 John 1:9, Romans 11:22).

Romans 6: 6-7 “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.” 

• Our sin was crucified on the cross like Christ was crucified. Therefor we are dead to sin. Not physically dead but our old self, old ways, old lifestyle, etc. are dead. When the Holy Spirit came into our heart, we were swept clean. 
• We are also no longer slaves to sin, sin does not control us. So we leave our old sinful ways - Romans 6:11-23

Romans 6: 24 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

• Sin leads to hell, but thanks to God he gave us a “free gift” which is eternal life for those who have faith in Him.

Romans 8: 1-2 “There is therefor now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”

Romans 8: 31 “What then shall we say to those things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

• Therefor we should not be afraid or ashamed of anything because we are guaranteed life and no one can take that away. (John 10:28)
• check romans 8:38-39

Romans 8: 38-39 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.”

• Simple... God loves us :) and if we truly believe in Him, then nothing can separate us from His love

***Romans 10: 9-10 “because, 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. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” 

• When we bow down and repent our sins and confess with our mouth, then we will be saved. 
• We must also believe in our heart and not just give a soft fluffy “im sorry God” and get rid of our guilt, we must bow down and repent our sin because we now understand that we offended God in our past. We ask for forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
• This is the key to being saved. True repentance and faith in our loving God

Romans 10: 12-13 “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

• It doesn’t matter what our ethnic background is, who we are, or what we have done in the past. There is only one God and he is the God of all. If we believe in Him we will be saved.

** So after we repent of our sins, and ask for forgiveness and pray for Jesus to come take over our lives... where do we go from here? Well check out Romans 12- 15! Gives us clear instructions on what we are to do as Christians. I hope that you have made that decision and if you have and are struggling in faith, its time to ask for forgiveness and forget about the past. We only have one life, don’t make that mistake. 

Song of the Day! Click here --> Strong Tower- Kutless