March 2005 Sermon Notes
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March 13, 2005 The Two Kingdoms
March 27, 2005 Matter of Death or Life
Pentecostal Evangel Story –
2004 Gallup Poll reported that 84% of Americans identify with some form of Christianity.
42% describe themselves as born-again or evangelical Christian.If 84% of Americans identify themselves as followers of Christ, evangelical or not, then it should reflect in our culture & society.
Q: Let me ask you then, does our society reflect more of God’s kingdom or the earthly kingdom?
Q: Let me ask you this, do the actions in your life reflect more of God’s kingdom or the earthly kingdom?
To be a Christian is to be a follower of Christ...A Disciple….A Student of Christ, an Apprentice.
Apprentice: A person learning a craft from a skilled worker.Matt 5:1-2
5:1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them…Illustration: Show ‘The Apprentice’
‘ The Donald’ takes in about 12 people to train and learn the ways of doing business.
Not just any method of business, but doing business the Donald Trump way.
If they don’t measure up, they get fired.Q: How many of us are as serious about learning the kingdom way of life, or rather being apprentices to Jesus as these guys are on the show?
Q: What if Jesus dealt with his disciples, his followers, his ‘apprentices’ like Donald Trump?
Q: What would our lives, families, workplaces & communities look like if we were to become true students or apprentices to Christ?
Problem: We assume this happens by osmosis. We assume that by being forgiven of our sins that somehow it just happens…without study, without work, without training, without prayer, without tests & trials…we learn God’s Kingdom way of life.
Not So…we are students in the truest sense of the word.
Jesus said….go into all the world and make disciples, not simply converts.
Matt 6:9-10
9 "This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
NIVAnother way to say this is…may your kingdom rule, your kingdom way of life, be as natural in my life…as it is in heaven.
This is what it is to be a disciple of Christ.
Q: When Jesus walked on this earth, do you think he lived according to the earthly kingdom or the heavenly kingdom?
Romans 12:2
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.The Transformation Process:
#1. Before Christ: Earthly Kingdom is as natural as breathing.#2. Beginning Christian: Natural Habits are of Earthly Kingdom, but the Holy Spirit is beginning to teach them there is another way of living.
#3. Maturing Christian: Kingdom Way of Life is becoming the norm with some exceptions.
#4. Rule with Christ: We carry what we have learned about Christ’s kingdom into eternal future.
**(This is where many of us make the mistake of assuming that getting to heaven will make up the deficit, that it doesn’t really matter what I learn this side of heaven.)Q: Where are you on this continuum?
Many get stuck at #2 and live 10, 20, 30 years of their Christianity at this level.Heb 5:11-14
11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk , not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk , being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
NIVThe Two Kingdoms:
Sermon on the Mount is a good indication of where we are.
#1. Someone offends us, how do you respond?
Earthly: Strike back, “oh yah, well…”, We look for something to criticize.
Heavenly: “If someone strikes you on one cheek , turn to him the other also.” (Luke 6:29)#2. Someone steals from us…(place in line, parking spot, recognition)
Earthly: Take Back, Punishment
Heavenly: Steals your car, put gas in it for them.
“If someone takes your cloak , do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:29-31)#3. Someone we don’t like “gets what’s coming to them.”
Earthly: Rejoice, Gloat, Gossip(‘did you hear what happened to’)
Heavenly: "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies , do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28)#4. How do we handle money?
Earthly: Hoard, Gloat, Excess, Accumulate
Heavenly: "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor.” (Luke 12:32-33)"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
#5. Someone hurts us.
Earthly: Revenge, Grudge, Retribution, Bitterness, Hate
Heavenly: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matt 6:14- 15)A Tree & its Fruit:
Luke 6:43-45
43 "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks
NIVQ: What fruit is your life bearing? Is it fruit of the Heavenly Kingdom or the Earthly? Where are you on the continuum?
Be honest. Be realistic.
Let the truth about who you are begin to set you free.Q: Are there areas in your life of consistent bad fruit?
Attack the root, not the fruit.
So often, we attack the symptom, only to have it reappear over & over.
Did you know that you can be a Christian, love Jesus, and still have “unconverted roots” in your soul?
We can have ‘core beliefs’ which can be learned early in life, that stand opposed to God’s Kingdom.
These are things we assume to be true, but are not!
Untrue beliefs will produce bad fruit.
Excerpt from JournalNow What?
1. Ask the Holy Spirit to recognize the bad roots.
2. Recognize it for what it is.
3. Confess the sinful belief & Seek Forgiveness
4. Replace the false with the truth.
5. Begin practicing the Kingdom Life.Communion shared and following scriptures shared
1 Cor 11:23-32
The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.
NIVMatters of Death or Life
Easter Sunday March 27, 2005
John 11March 27, 2005
Matters of Death· Physical
· Non physical
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins
Ephesians 2:1Matters of Life
· The Good Life
Exhausted
Empty
Enslaved· Long Life
What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14
· Quality of Life
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalms 139:16
Filled with Meaning
Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven — and the future starts now! 1 Peter 1:3-4
Freed By GraceHe gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.
1 Timothy 2:6
Full of EnergyI will give rest and strength to those who are weak and tired. Jeremiah 31:25
· Eternal LifeGod has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:11-13
How Can I Experience Life Like This?
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" "Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." John 11:25-27
· Admit I am a sinner and be willing to turn away (repent) from my sins
· Believe Jesus is God and trust in His death on the cross
· Accept God's free forgiveness.· Choose to follow God's plan for my life.
· Through prayer express my desire for Christ lead my life
“ Dear God, Thank you for sending Your son, Jesus Christ, to earth.
I believe Jesus was who He said He was and proved it by rising from death. . I'm sorry for my sins and I need your power to change I want to follow your plan and purpose for my life. I want to be your friend. Thank you Jesus Christ for dying for me and forgiving all my sins. I accept you as my Lord and Savior. I receive your free gift of eternal life. Amen.”