City Life Church Podcast
By City Life Church, Leduc
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Podcast Description
City Life Church in Leduc, Alberta
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Born Identity - Part 4: Born to Serve | OUR NEW NATURE Serving isn’t just what we do; servant is who we are. To not have an attitude of servanthood is to go against the new nature Christ paid a huge price to gain and give to you. JESUS' EXAMPLE Philippians 2:5-12 NLT 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. YOUR NEW NATURE'S HABITAT Elements of the habitat your new nature needs in order to grow and thrive: LOVE & ACCEPTANCE FAITH GENEROSITY SERVANTHOOD 4 THINGS SERVANTHOOD RELEASES Your Person Potential Power Platform (Yours + Others) GOD'S POWER IN US Romans 15:1-3 NLT 1 We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. 2 We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. 3 For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” SERVANTS OPEN THE DOOR 1 Samuel 16:18 NLT 18 One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the LORD is with him.” CREATING A PLATFORM Matthew 20:28 NLT 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” | 5/27/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Born Identity - Part 3: Born to Be Anonymous | The Birth of the Church Acts 2:42-47 NLT 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. Thoughts 1. They DEVOTED themselves 2. They shared EVERYTHING they had 3. God ADDED to their numbers A Place to Belong Ephesians 4:4-6 NLT 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all. The Old is Gone Galatians 2:20 NLT 20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Problem There are two challenges: Pride & Glory A Word on Pride 1 Corinthians 4:7 NIV 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? RENEW Your Mind Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. PUT ON Our New Nature 1. Give the GLORY to God 2. Stay DEAD 3. Join the FACELESS Army An Amazing Story Mark 2:1-12 NLT 1 When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. 2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, 3 four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4 They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” 6 But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, 7 “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” 8 Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? 9 Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? 10 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 11 “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” 12 And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” Final Thoughts What miracle is waiting on the other side of your FAITH and OBEDIENCE? | 5/20/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Born Identity - Part 2: Born to Give | A Brand New You 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! God Desires to Bring You to Life 2 Peter 1:4 NLT 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. Beliefs That Align Giving increases my life, it doesn't diminish it. Bringing Greater Returns Proverbs 11:24 MSG 24 The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. A New Perspective Giving lives from a stewardship perspective rather than an "it's mine" perspective. Stewardship Psalm 24:1 NLT 1 The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. An Attitude Giving is an attitude before it is an action. The result of my giving is determined by my attitude: I can give with an attitude of: SEED: There will be return & always greater than I give out STONE: hard-heartedness Bountiful Perspective Giving sees current resources from a bountiful perspective rather than a lack perspective. Purpose Giving flows from an eternal purpose. What purpose will you give from? "Where would I be if Jesus chose to steward his resources as I am stewarding mine?" | 5/13/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Born Identity - Part 1: Born With Power | NOT LIKE THE OLD YOU 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! THE ENEMY OF FAITH 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. A NEW NATURE Whenever we choose to live in fear with by virtue of that choice are choosing not to live in power, love or self-discipline. THE CULTURE OF FEAR Jesus told his disciples to not worry or be fearful of their future. Jesus wasn’t saying don’t plan or don’t prepare, He was saying don’t let things occupy your mind that you have no control over. SPIRIT OF POWER God has given us a Spirit of Power. Ischus: ability, strength, force, might. Baptism is the public identification with the new life in Christ. BAPTISM Romans 6:3-7 NLT 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. 5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. RENEWING YOUR MIND Our thinking gives us more trouble than circumstance ever will. Daily reinforce faith in your life. | 5/6/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Three - Part 3: The Spirit | TO BELONG IN CHRIST, YOU NEED THE SPIRIT Romans 8:9 NIV 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. BEING MARKED WITH A SEAL Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory. WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT? 1) The Spirit is a REAL PERSON 2) The Spirit is ESSENTIAL 3) The Spirit is GOD 3-in-1, SEPARATE YET THE SAME Hebrews 9:14 NIV 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! WHY DO WE NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT? 1) The Holy Spirit works FOR us - Gives us power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7) - Gives wisdom/understanding/counsel (Isaiah 11:2, Colossians 1:9) - Unifies (Ephesians 4:3) - Leads (Psalm 143:10, Matthew 4:1) - Warns (Acts 20:23) - Prevents us from making wrong decisions or going where He doesn’t want us to go (Acts 16:6-7) - Renews us (Titus 3:5) - Guards us (2 Timothy 1:14) - Gives us authority and allows us to confront and correct (Acts 13:8-10) - Encourages (Acts 9:31) - Equips us to be witnesses (Acts 1:8) - Creates spirit/passion/enthusiasm in us (John 3:6) - Tells you what to say at opportune times (Luke 12:12, Mark 13:11) - Gives visions/dreams (Joel 2:28) - Fills us with joy (Luke 10:21) - Gives rest (Isaiah 63:14) - Gives practical skills (Exodus 31:3-5) 2) The Holy Spirit works IN us - We can have conversations &make decisions by partnering w/ Spirit (Acts 15:28) - We can prophesy through Spirit (Acts 11:28) - We can worship in Spirit and truth (John 4:23-24) - We can pray in tongues (Acts 2:4, Ephesians 6:18, 1 Cor 4:12) 3) The Holy Spirit works THROUGH us FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT Galatians 5:22-23 NIV 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. HOW TO LIVE A SPIRIT-LED LIFE? 1) Get “UNDER the INFLUENCE” BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT Ephesians 5:18 NLT 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, HOW TO LIVE A SPIRIT-LED LIFE? 1) Get “UNDER the INFLUENCE” 2) Quit TRYING NOT MY STRENGTH BUT HIS Zechariah 4:6 NIV 6 So he said to me, "This is the word of the lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the lord Almighty. HOW TO LIVE A SPIRIT-LED LIFE? 1) Get “UNDER the INFLUENCE” 2) Quit TRYING You have to be EMPTIED before you can be FILLED 3) Shift your FOCUS Q: Is Christ becoming more and more evident in my life? Q: Are people seeing more of Him and less of me? THE SPIRIT IS AN ADVOCATE John 15:26 NLT 26 “But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. HOW TO LIVE A SPIRIT-LED LIFE? 1) Get “UNDER the INFLUENCE” 2) Quit TRYING You have to be EMPTIED before you can be FILLED 3) Shift your FOCUS Q: Is Christ becoming more and more evident in my life? Q: Are people seeing more of Him and less of me? 4) Take a walk WALK IN THE SPIRIT Galatians 5:16-18 NIV 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. WALK IN THE SPIRIT Galatians 5:24-25 NIV 24 Those who belong to Christ J | 4/29/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Three - Part 2: The Father | WE ARE HIS CLAY Isaiah 64:8 NIV 8 Yet you, lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. PASSIONATE Jesus referred to Father as Abba; a very intimate term. Most of our problems are a result of a wrong image of God. A FATHER'S LOVE Luke 15:20 NIV 20 So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. CHILDREN OF GOD 1 John 3:1 NIV 1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. PATIENT How many chances does God give me? God waits for us to return to him, for us to invite him to us. COME TO REPENTANCE 2 Peter 3:9 NIV 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. BELIEVE ON HIM 1 Timothy 1:16 NIV 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. DISCIPLINE Discipline will not make God accept you, it will make your life more successful. Discipline is God’s gift to us. He allows us to experience situations that make us dig deep. Discipline is painful – it stretches us, enlarges us, strengthens us. When you feel the need for discipline (self-control): 1. Don’t run away from it, embrace it! Love the pain! 2. Don’t become insecure. Discipline isn’t because God is mad at us, it’s because He cares for us too much to let us be weak. 3. Allow God to shape you through it. Afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living… HE CORRECTS US Hebrews 12:5-11 NIV 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son." 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. | 4/22/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Three - Part 1: The Son | GOD THE SON John 17:21 NLT 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. CAME TO MAKE A WAY Jesus The Son came to make possible and bring us into a new way of being human. SCRIPTURE DESCRIBES IT THIS WAY: Colossians 1:15-16 MSG 15 We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body. 16 For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels-everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. ORIGINAL INTENDED SHAPE Romans 8:29 MSG 29 God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun. GOD THE SON Jesus – God the Son – is the original and intended shape of what our lives are intended to be like. THOUGHTS ON SONSHIP: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR US THE SON'S IDENTITY Romans 1:4-6 MSG 4 his unique identity as Son of God was shown by the Spirit when Jesus was raised from the dead, setting him apart as the Messiah, our Master. 5 Through him we received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus. 6 You are who you are through this gift and call of Jesus Christ! HE DOESN'T SEE ME When I have received the life of Jesus Christ, that means when God looks at me, He doesn’t see me, He sees His Son. THE SON'S ACCEPTANCE Romans 3:24-28 NLT 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. 27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. MOTIVATION FOR LIVING You live from a “because of…” motivation rather than a “so that…” motivation. THE SON'S POSITION: A POSITION OF AUTHORITY Ephesians 1:22 NLT 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. UNITED WITH CHRIST Ephesians 2:6 NLT 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. THE SON'S OBEDIENCE John 8:29 NIV 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him." THE SON'S PURPOSE John 6:38 NLT 38 | 4/15/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Easter Message | -- | 4/8/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Weird - Part 5: Weird Way to Save the World | MANY ENTER THROUGH IT Matthew 7:13-14 NLT 13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. NORMAL RELIGION Isaiah 29:13 NLT 13 And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote. PRIDE Pride says, “I’ve got it together!” or “I’ve got it right!” How many of you have ever known a proud religious jerk? How many of you have ever been that proud religious jerk? In Luke 18, Jesus said the tax collector was right with God and the Pharisee missed it. DESPAIR Despair says, “I’m not good enough.” or "I’ll never make it." Religion that is all based on the externals. GOD'S WAY TO REACH US Philippians 3:2-10 NLT 2 Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. 3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! 5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death... COUNT IT ALL AS GARBAGE "Skubala" means animal waste or dung. Paul abandoned religion to gain Christ. RELIGION VS. RELATIONSHIP Religion is about what I do. Relationship is about what Jesus has done. Religion is about me and myself. Relationship is about Jesus. Religion says, “If I obey, God will love me.” Relationship says, “Because God has already loved me, I can obey.” RECEIVING CHRIST Forgiveness is not earned through effort and wholeness does not come from trying harder; it comes from Christ. | 4/1/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Weird - Part 4: Money | HEART PROBLEMS Most people today are not good with money. 70% of people live pay cheque to pay cheque. Our heart is tied to our money and what we do with our money affects our heart and life. 80% of our financial situation is determined by our behavior not our circumstance. 1. WRITE YOUR PLAN What ever we fail to take control of and manage will eventually take control of us in life. KEEP LOOKING FORWARD Proverbs 21:5, Proverbs 29:18 NLT 5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. 18 When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. 2. ACT YOUR WAGE You cannot spend more than you make and prosper. The key to wealth is, no matter what situation you’re in, act your wage and adapt. A FOOL DEVOURS Proverbs 21:10 NLT 10 Evil people desire evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. 3. SAVE MONEY We want our treasure to remain in our house. First thing you do is get an emergency fund, a rainy day fund. One day it will rain. 4. GET OUT OF DEBT There is not one positive mention of debt in the Bible. The borrower is servant to the lender, debt is considered a curse. 5. GIVE If you get control of your finances, you will change your family tree. You’re not just getting control of it for your life but for future generations. BE CHEERFUL ABOUT IT 2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” | 3/25/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Weird - Part 3: Desires | Why WEIRD? Because NORMAL isn’t working. Here’s the KEY THOUGHT for our series: If you want what normal people have, you should do what normal people do. But, if you want what few people have, you should do what few people do. Here’s the Good News: Because of Jesus, we don’t have to be normal. We can be a bit weird. Jesus had opportunities to just give in to desires but He didn’t’ and that’s what makes it possible for us to be weird. WHO WAS JESUS? John 8:25-26 NLT 25 “Who are you?” they demanded. Jesus replied, “The one I have always claimed to be. 26 I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won’t. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is completely truthful.” DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NORMAL AND WEIRD PEOPLE Normal people want what they want now, not later. Normal people will often trade the ultimate for the immediate. THE ESAU SYNDROME Hebrews 12:16-17 MSG 16 Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. 17 You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing-but by then it was too late, tears or no tears. THE ESAU SYNDROME IN ACTION Genesis 25:29-34 NLT 29 One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry. 30 Esau said to Jacob, “I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!” (This is how Esau got his other name, Edom, which means “red.”) 31 “All right,” Jacob replied, “but trade me your rights as the firstborn son.” 32 “Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?” 33 But Jacob said, “First you must swear that your birthright is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left. He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn. WHAT'S YOUR POT OF STEW? What are you hungry for that might cause you to sell out? Weird people though, they're very different…. Weird people know that later is often better than now. Weird people, they seek God until His desires become their desires. DELIGHT IN HIM Psalm 37:4 NLT 4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. DIRECT YOUR DESIRES TO GOD When you direct your desires toward God, He begins to replace the destructive desires with His desires. WHAT'S IT TAKE TO GET ON THE ROAD TO REAL LIVING? ROMANS. 8:13 (J B Phillips New Testament) - But if on the other hand, you cut the nerve of your instinctive actions by obeying the Spirit, you are on the way to real living. What nerves do you need to cut this morning? | 3/18/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Weird - Part 2: Is Better | KEY THOUGHT If you want what normal people have, do what normal people do. If you want what few people have, do what few people do. THE TWO GATES Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV 13 Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. JUST LIKE GOD 1 Peter 1:16 NIV 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." AN INTIMIDATING WORD Holy means to be pure, to be set apart, to stand alone, to be different in a God way. Faith will make you a bit weird, you end up making choices that others don’t understand. INWARD PRESSURE In every believer's life there will come a time when they will have to leave the norm. A RING IN A BULL'S NOSE Proverbs 29:25 NKJV 25 The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. OUTWARD PRESSURE Jesus didn’t fit in the religious world; He was accused of being weird. Weird faith doesn’t mean we become bizarre but actually means we become very real. ACCUSED OF BEING WEIRD John 15:18-19 MSG 18 "If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me. 19 If you lived on the world's terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God's terms and no longer on the world's terms, the world is going to hate you. | 3/11/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Weird - Part 1: On Purpose | Why “Weird”? -- Because “Normal” Isn’t Working! NORMAL is a setting in your washer & dryer; it’s the type of shampoo you use when you have “basic hair”. What Jesus Said About Normal Matthew 7:13-14 GWT 13 “Enter through the narrow gate because the gate and road that lead to destruction are wide. Many enter through the wide gate. 14 But the narrow gate and the road that lead to life are full of trouble. Only a few people find the narrow gate. What Did Jesus Have To Say About ‘Normal’? If your life looks like everybody else's life, if you're doing what everyone else is doing, if you are pretty normal, it could be that you are on the broad road that leads to destruction. When you leave the normal road to get on the smaller one where the few are, the ‘normal’ people think you're weird. If you want what normal people have, do what normal people do. But if you want what few people have, do what few people do. 2 Foundational Thoughts To Live A WEIRD Life: 1. Weird people don't think like normal people think. Thinking Differently: When you have an option to do something, don’t ask “Can I?” That’s what most people usually ask themselves. Ask yourself “Should I?” If you want the great things in life, you’ve got to be willing to say no to good things. Be Transformed Romans 12:2 NLT 2 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. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 - Word On The Street Version: “Don’t get molded by what the advertisements say you should have / should do / should be. Keep on becoming more and more outstanding – literally, standing out, as your thinking’s freshened up, regular. Then you’ll know what God wants for you. What His plan is for your life – the plan that can’t be criticized.” 2 Foundational Thoughts To Live A WEIRD Life: 2. Weird people don't live like normal people live. Peter is reminding people: “Hey -- this world isn’t even your home. Why are you trying to fit in here?” This World Is Only Our Temporary Home 1 Peter 2:11 MSG 11 Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. 1 Peter 2:11 - Word On The Street Version: “I’m begging you – you’re foreigners down here, outsiders, so have the guts to say no to all the messed-up urges that snipe away at your soul.” What’s God’s “weird” for you? | 3/4/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Happily Ever After - Part 3: Shunamite & Bridegroom | -- | 2/26/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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15 |
5 Great Commissions of Jesus | -- | 2/19/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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16 |
Happily Ever After - Part 2: Abraham & Sarah | Abraham & Sarah's Story Genesis 12:1-3 NLT 1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” More of the Story Hebrews 11:8 NLT 8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. The Details God is very much into details but He rarely gives us those details. Why? -We’d be too freaked out -We’d run the opposite direction -We’d try to organize the details into a nice “balanced, step by step plan”. -The main reason: if you have all the details, why do you need faith? Examples Even though Abraham and Sarah are typically an example of faith, they weren’t always full of faith. What do we often do when life doesn't go as planned? We Give In to Fear 1) We give in to fear Where have you fallen victim to FEAR? We Try to Speed Things Up Genesis 16:1-2 NLT 1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not been able to bear children for him. But she had an Egyptian servant named Hagar. 2 So Sarai said to Abram, “The LORD has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal. Heart Issues This isn’t about conception issues; this is about heart issues of trust & confidence. Sometimes we don’t wait because our personality gets in the way. FAITH (definition) = “the leaning of your entire human personality on Him in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness” What aspects of your personality are you leaning on Him? Why the wait? The Promise is so much greater than we can imagine! Never give up. It’s always too soon to quit! We Stop Believing God Will Do It Genesis 17:17-19 MSG 17 Abraham fell flat on his face. And then he laughed, thinking, "Can a hundred-year-old man father a son? And can Sarah, at ninety years, have a baby?" 18 Recovering, Abraham said to God, "Oh, keep Ishmael alive and well before you!" 19 But God said, "That's not what I mean. Your wife, Sarah, will have a baby, a son. Name him Isaac (Laughter). I'll establish my covenant with him and his descendants, a covenant that lasts forever. Impossible? What promises have you put in the “Impossibility Jar”? Abraham's Faith Romans 4:19 NLT 19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Final Thought What “even thoughs” are you facing that you need to answer with faith? | 2/12/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 16 Episodes |
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