Pastor Curt's Notes

Redefining Failure, ALA 071617

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 21:09:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date: July 16, 2017

Series: Defining Moments

Title: “Redefining Failure (not letting it define you)”

Subject: Repentance, Recovering from Sin, Forgiveness, Brokenness

Text: Psalm 51, Psalm 32

Psalm 32:1-7 (NIV)
1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. 3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah 6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. 7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

David’s Path to Victory:

Psalm 51:1-19 (NIV)
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. 14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 18 In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Redefining Failure:

1. Approach the Lord with Humility and Brokenness

Psalm 51:1-19 (NIV)
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
. . .

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

2. Assess (honest Look) v3

2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

3. Admit (confess) v2-4

4. Accept Responsibility v2-4

5. Ask for forgiveness - v2

Psalm 51:1-19 (NIV)
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

6. Aim Towards a Better Future

Psalm 51:1-19 (NIV)
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.
14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

5 Areas David Aimed For:

Purity v10

Presence v11

Restoration v12

Help Others - Future v13

Praise v14-15

Redefining Failure, ALA 071617

Redefining a Loss, ALA 070917

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 02:36:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date:July 9, 2017

Series:Defining Moments

Title:“Redefining a Loss”

Subject:Rebound, Recovery, Loss, Defining Moments, Grief

Text:1 Samuel 30

How to Redefine a Loss:

1. Seek out encouragement from the Lord

2. Focus on what is left, not on what is lost

3. Seek Direction from the Lord

4. Start moving forward

Ref. “Doubting Thomas” (from family camp AM service)

John 11:1-16 (NIV)
16 Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."

John 14:1-7 (NIV)
5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

John 20:24-29 (NIV)
25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Redefining a Loss, ALA 070917

Rules of Engagement, ALA 070217

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 20:10:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date:July 2, 2017

Series:Ministry of Jesus

Title:Rules of Engagement

Subject:Evangelism, Witnessing

Text:1 Thess. 2:1-12

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (NIV)

1 You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. 2 We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed--God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, 7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 9 Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

How Paul Engaged an Unbelieving Culture:

1. Their Motives

2. Their Manner

3. Their Mindset

4. Their Model

5. Their Method

Rules of Engagement, ALA 070217

God's Refreshments, ALA 061817

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 00:04:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date:June 18, 2017

Series:Father’s Day 2017

Title:God’s Refreshments

Subject:Father’s Day, Rest, Refreshing, Lordship, Surrender

Text:Matt. 11:28-30, 1 Sam. 22:1-2, 1 Sam. 23:8-39

Note:

Our Father’s Day gift is “Dad’s” Root Beer and Pop Corn - “Refreshments”

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30 (AMP)

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.

30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

Who is this addressed to?

all you who are weary and burdened

God’s Promise:

and I will give you rest

Matthew 11:28-30 (AMP)

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

God’s Prescription

(2 Secrets for True Refreshment)

1. Jesus Said “Come to ME”

2. Jesus Said “Take My Yoke Upon You”

Take My Yoke implies 3 Areas:

1. His Teaching or His Way

2. His Lordship

3. His Will - His assignment - is “job”

Reference David’s “Mighty Men” Started out in a Mess

1 Samuel 22:1-2 (NIV)

1 David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father's household heard about it, they went down to him there. 2 All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.

2 Samuel 23:8-39 (NIV)

8 These are the names of David's mighty men: Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter. 9 Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered [at Pas Dammim] for battle. Then the men of Israel retreated, 10 but he stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead. 11 Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel's troops fled from them. 12 But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the LORD brought about a great victory. 13 During harvest time, three of the thirty chief men came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 15 David longed for water and said, "Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!" 16 So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the LORD. 17 "Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this!" he said. "Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?" And David would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men. 18 Abishai the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. 19 Was he not held in greater honor than the Three? He became their commander, even though he was not included among them. 20 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, who performed great exploits. He struck down two of Moab's best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. 21 And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear. 22 Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty men. 23 He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

What Changed?

• They Came to the King

• They Took up the King’s Cause

God's Refreshments, ALA 061817

Jesus Method, ALA 062517

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 23:53:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date:June 25, 2017

Series:The Ministry of Jesus

Title:Jesus’ Method

Subject:Repentance, Salvation, Surrender, Lordship

Text:Matthew 4:23-15

Matthew 4:23-25 (NIV)

Mt 4:23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them.

25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

Matthew 9:35-36 (NIV)

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Results of Jesus Ministry:

1. The News Spread (Fame)

2. Crowds Gathered

3. People were “Healed” Physically, Spiritually, Emotionally

Three Primary Ways that Jesus Ministered:

1. Preaching

1 Thessalonians 1:5-7 (NIV)

5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 Youbecame imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

• Words

• Power

• Spirit

• Deep Conviction

• Example (Imitators)

Your life should not be a whisper - it should be a proclamation!!!!

2. Teaching

3. Healing

Matthew 10:5-8 (NIV)

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Jesus Method, ALA 062517

Jesus' Message, ALA 061117

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 15:34:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date:June 11, 2017

Series:The Ministry of Jesus

Title:Jesus’ Message

Subject:Repentance, Salvation, Surrender, Lordship

Text:Mark 1:14-15

Some big problems with faith in our culture today

• Most people think the Bible is bad news

• Most people think “I will get more serious about God later”

• Most people think God is distant

• Most people want to simply add God to their current lifestyle

2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV)

3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Matthew 3:1-2 (NIV)

1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Matthew 3:1-2 (NKJV)

1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"

Matthew 4 and Mark 1 talk about Jesus message:

Mark 1:14-15 (NIV)

14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

Mark 1:15 (AMP)

15 And saying, The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled (completed), and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent (have a change of mind which issues in regret for past sins and in change of conduct for the better) and believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to) the good news (the Gospel).

Mark 1:14-15 (NKJV)

14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

Jesus’ Message:

1. Jesus Preached the “Good News” of the Kingdom

2. Jesus Preached that Now is the Time!

Luke 17:20-21 (NIV)

3. Jesus Preached that the Kingdom of God is VERY near!

1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV)

4. Jesus Preached that the way to embrace the Kingdom was to REPENT and BELIEVE

Jesus' Message, ALA 061117

In Remembrance, ALA 052817

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Sun, 28 May 2017 12:20:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date: May 28, 2017

Series: Communion

Title: In Remembrance

Subject: communion, salvation, Covenant, Christ’s Return

Text: Luke 22:14-23

Luke 22:14-23 (NIV)
14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." 17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him." 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

Joshua 4:4-7 (NIV)
4 So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, 5 and said to them, "Go over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, 6 to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' 7 tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."

What are we to remember?

1. Body

2. Blood

3. Covenant

Jewish Wedding

1. Father would “choose” a bride for His son

Ephesians 1:3-4 (NIV)
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love

2. Father would pay the dowry or bride price

John 3:16 (NIV)
16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

3. Terms of Covenant are given

Hebrews 10:16 (NIV)
16 "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."

Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

4. Sharing of a Cup (Agreement to the covenant)

Luke 22:20 (NIV)
20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

5. Giving of a Gift (token to remember)

Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV)
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having 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.

Acts 1:4-5 (NIV)
4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

6. Season of Separation

John 16:16 (NIV)
16 "In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me."

7. Promise of Return!

John 14:1-4 (NIV)
1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going."

2nd Cup

Matthew 26:27-29 (NIV)
27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."

8. Gifts Given to the Bride

James 1:17 (NIV)
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Ministry Gifts

Spiritual Gifts

9. Son would return for the Bride at the Command of the Father

Mark 13:32 (NIV)
32 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Matthew 25:13 (NIV)
13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

10. Groom is Portrayed as a King at His Return

Revelation 19:11-16 (NIV)
11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

4. Coming Back

In Remembrance, ALA 052817

Positioned for Promotion, ALA 052117

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Sun, 21 May 2017 16:05:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date:May 21, 2017

Series:Graduation Sunday

Title:Positioned for Promotion

Subject:Humility, Promotion, Favor, Grace, Timing VEVO Video

Text:1 Peter 5:5-7

Promotion, advancement, prosperity and abundance -- Whichever word you want to choose you need to know God wants to bring this to you. But you need to cooperate with God and follow his ways to see this come true in your life. Don't lose it by being disqualified to receive. Instead we need to be qualified and the good news is God's word, the Bible clearly leads us to receive.

1 Peter 5:5-7 (NIV)

1Pe 5:5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselveswith humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:5-11 (AMP)

1Pe 5:5 Likewise, you who are younger and of lesser rank, be subject to the elders (the ministers and spiritual guides of the church)—[giving them due respect and yielding to their counsel]. Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)—[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble.

6 Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you,

7 Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

God’s Promises: We look at His nature and how He interacts with us.

1. God Opposes the Proud - This means that God is actually opposed and will stand against you not just taking His hands off of you. The sin of pride was found way back at the beginning with the devil. This pride says, "I'm better than you." Treating God with disdain means we are positioning ourselves to a position above God in our minds -- of course, this is not true. Pridefulness - praises to oneself above God.

Pride -- Insolent, Overbearing, Disdainful, Presumptuous, Boastful

This creeps in and God says, I oppose this sin and will draw up the battlelines over it.

2. God Gives Grace to the Humble. Have you been faithful so he can bless you with more? Are you walking humbly before him. Have you learned to rely on God and not doing life in self-reliance?

3. God Promotes the Humble - here we see the promise of promotion at the right time.

James 4:10 (AMP)

Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].

Our natural, selfish tendency is self-promotion. This seems to be the World's way to advance. But remember, this is not the ways of the Lord - The pathway of a humble servant is His way.

2 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV)

2Pe 3:8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Galatians 6:9 (AMP)

Gal 6:9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.

So . . .

The Key to walking in God’s Grace and Receiving His Promotion is HUMILITY

Pictures of Humility: David the shepherd boy. Jesus selected common humble men to be his disciples.

Not to miss - "In due season." We think in time and chronologically; not God. His due season, has nothing to do with the calendar or passage of time rather He brings the promotion at just the right moment -- never early and never late.

1. Submitting to Authority - This is what humility looks like - This almost seems un-American - rather we choose the pathway of passion, driven and the ultimate self-made man or woman. You need to respect and do what they ask for those placed over you in leadership - unless asking for immoral or illegal acts.

2. Humbling yourself before God and People - Forgetting self and pushing others up; you should desire to have an accurate assessment of who God has created you to be - you are God's instrument in His hands - without him you will not accomplish much in life. 1 Peter 5:5 tells us we choose to make a humble call with no place for pride - humility is pictured by Peter as clothing we put on.

3. Totally Trusting God for the Needs of your Life - verse 6 of 1 Peter Chapter 5 tells us to be humble and to cast

all our cares on the Lord -- Why? Because He cares about you.

Even when it seems I've seen this before I will always seek God first - positioning myself to rely on Him.

Let God promote you at the perfect time - Follow His better way -- life will go better for you.

1 Peter 5:5-7 (KJV)

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Positioned for Promotion, ALA 052117

When Grace Got Blessed, ALA 051417

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Sun, 14 May 2017 00:47:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date:May 14 , 2017

Series:Mother’s Day

Title:When Grace Got Blessed

Subject:Mother’s Day, Breakthrough, Prayer, Brokenness, Hannah

Text:1 Samuel 1-2

Beginning of the Story:

Hannah Was: Barren, Bothered, and Bitter - 1 Samuel 1:1-8 (NIV)

1 There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. 3 Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the LORD Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the LORD. 4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb. 6 And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 8 Elkanah her husband would say to her, "Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don't you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?"

End of the Story:

Hannah Was Blessed - 1 Samuel 2:18-21 (NIV)

18 But Samuel was ministering before the LORD--a boy wearing a linen ephod. 19 Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. 20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, "May the LORD give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the LORD." Then they would go home. 21 And the LORDwas gracious to Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.

So How did she get out of the pit? - 1 Samuel 1:9-28 (NIV)

9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the LORD's temple. 10 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. 11 And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head." 12 As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine." 15 "Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. 16 Donot take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief." 17 Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him." 18 She said, "May your servant find favor in your eyes." Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

19 Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. 20 So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the LORDfor him." 21 When the man Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the LORDand to fulfill his vow, 22 Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, "After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the LORD, and he will live there always." 23 "Do what seems best to you," Elkanah her husband told her. "Stay here until you have weaned him; only may the LORD make good his word." So the woman stayed at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him. 24 After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. 25 When they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli, 26 and she said to him, "As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. 27 I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. 28 So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there.

Six things that Helped Hannah Breakthrough into Blessing:

1. She prayed - sought the Lord - V10-16

2. She was broken before the Lord V10-16

3. She believed! V17 - 18

4. She Worshipped before the blessing V19

5. She Participated in the Provision V19 - 20

6. She Gave her Gift Back to God! V24-28

When Grace Got Blessed, ALA 051417

Prepare Your Heart, ALA 050717

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Tue, 09 May 2017 01:23:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date:May 7, 2017

Title:Prepare your Heart

Subject:Tender Heart, Brokenness, Good Soil

Text:Luke 8:4-15, Psalm 95:7-8, 2 Chron. 34

Luke 8:4-15 (NIV)

Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV)
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

What were the three problems in the parable?

Compaction

Shallow Soil

Competition

2 Chronicles 34:1-33 (NIV)

6 Ways to Tenderize your Heart:

1. Seek God V3

Psalm 34:1-22 (NIV)
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)

2. Purge Sin and Idolotry V3

3. Restore Worship V8

4. Listen to Godly People V18

5. Read the Word of God V18-19

6. Respond to God V19

Prepare Your Heart, ALA 050717

Maitaining Hope, ALA 043017

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 14:01:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date: April 30, 2017

Series: Hope (Easter Series)

Title: Maintaining Hope

Subject: Hope, Endurance, Patience, Spiritual growth

Text: Bible

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

James 1:2-4 (AMP)
Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.
But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.

Ephesians 5:15-17 (NKJV)
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

There certainly is going to be challenges in life and times where the answer to our prayers takes times. Some lose hope when they have to wait for answers and don't have patience for the right time. Sometimes even when we are in faith we still have to wait. We like things fast. Culture today has even undermined our patience more with email and cell phones - it has become our expectation, "Why didn't you respond to my like, in 10 seconds?"

Faith comes by hearing and we need to have patience for God's perfect timing. Just think of Abraham who waited 25 years for just the right time, in faith and patient endurance - See Hebrews Chapter 11. Even Jesus took 30 years before he started his public ministry. This means you need to maintain hope .

Isaiah 40:30

Even youths shall faint and be weary,

and young men shall fall exhausted;

31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not faint.

4 Keys to Maintaining Hope While You Wait:

1. Feed your Faith - Feed yourself with God's word and good teaching. Read and listen to what will feed your faith and the reverse -- starve your doubt. We tend to feasts on spiritual junk food. Don't do it it will leave you unsatisfied.

Romans 10:17 (NKJV)
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

2. Watch your Words. Our tendency is to speak about what is instead of what we have hope and faith for in life. Proverbs 18:21 tells us words have the power of life and death. The fact is that what we say will have power to become reality. We should take captive negative words over others and ourselves. Normal is to complain and take about what is wrong in our bodies.

Romans 4:17-21 (NIV)
Ro 4:17 As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed--the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."
19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead.
20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,
21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

3. Push into the Presence - This means it takes effort on our parts. His door is open to us but we need to push aside the junk in our way. Get around people that are going to build you up and help to push you into God's presence. Get into the presence of God.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (NIV)
1 Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.
2 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.
3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 16:11 (KJV)
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psalm 21:6 (NIV)
6 Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

4. Sow into Service. We tend to make life all about "me." This will only multiply frustration while we wait in hope. Instead at God's right time we will reap -- Big Point here -- "IF" we don't give up. There is a process (time) to this and so you should take the focus off of you. The best thing to do according to God's word is to continue serve others which is sowing. Sowing comes with a promise that you will reap in the future.

Galatians 6:7-10 (NIV)
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Due Time

Colossians 1:11-12 (AMP)
[We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy,
Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God's holy people) in the Light.

Ending thoughts: Paul observed that God's people needed to endure and have patience with joy - and in the end your efforts will be rewarded with an amazing season of harvest. He is not like a seed pack that tells you in "45 Days" to seeds will be ready for harvest.

Maitaining Hope, ALA 043017

The Restoration of Hope, ALA 042317

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 18:43:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date: April 23, 2017

Series: Hope (Easter Series)

Title: The Restoration of Hope

Subject: Restoration, Encouragement, Hope, Faith

Text: Luke 24:13-35

Luke 24:13-35 (NIV)
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.
15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;
16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast.
18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19 "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.
20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;
21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.
22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning
23 but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.
24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."
25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther.
29 But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together
34 and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon."
35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

4 Things These Followers of Jesus had Lost:

- They Had Lost hope (v21)

- They had Lost Direction (v13)

- They Had Lost the Truth (v19)

- They Had Lost Joy (v17)

The End of the Story:

Hope, Direction, Truth, and Joy were Restored!

How Jesus Ministered to the Discouraged Disciples:

1. Jesus Joined Them on their Journey

2. Jesus Listened to their Story

3. Jesus Addressed Their Misunderstandings

4. Jesus Built their Faith With the Word

5. Jesus Tested their Hearts

6. Jesus Revealed Himself to Them

Questions for Discussion:

Have you had an experience where you were driving or travelling and got lost? What did you do?

Tell about a project you started with optimism but quit because of discouragement.

Have you had a time where you trusted God for something and were left disappointed? How did you handle that situation?

Have you had a season where you lost your way spiritually? What brought you back?

What are some things “not to do” when trying to help restore someone who has lost their way spiritually?

Can you think of someone you could “Join in their Journey” to help restore their hope in Christ.

The Restoration of Hope, ALA 042317

Our Hope In Jesus, ALA 041617 Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 01:15:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date:April 16, 2017

Series:Hope (Easter Series)

Title:Our Hope In Jesus

Subject:Hope, Salvation, Easter

Text:1 Peter 1:3-5

1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Our Hope in Jesus:

1. A Living Hope

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:23 (NIV)

23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

John 20:1-31 (NIV)

John 10:10 (ESV)

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

2. A Future Hope

1 Peter 1:4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

1 Corinthians 15:20-23 (NIV)

20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 Forsince death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

3. A Current Hope

1 Peter 1:5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Romans 8:35-39 (NIV)

Misplaced Hope ALA 040917

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:33:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date: April 9, 2017

Series: HOPE – Easter Series

Title: Misplaced Hope

Subject: hope, salvation, idols

Text: Luke 19:28-44, Matthew 21:1-17

HOPE is a confident Expectation if a desired outcome

3 Conditions of Hope

1. Without Hope

Ephesians 2:11-12 (NIV)
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)-- 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.

2. Hope in Jesus

1 Peter 1:3-9 (NIV)
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you,

Romans 5:1-21 (NIV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Isaiah 40:30-31 (NIV)
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

3. Misplaced Hope

Luke 19:28-44 (NIV)
35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" 40 "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes.

Matthew 21:1-17 (NIV)
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!" 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" 11 The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

Three Ways the Palm Sunday Crowd Misplaced their Hope

a. They put Hope in a Person

b. They put Hope in a System

c. They put Hope in a Fabricated Faith

Misplaced Hope ALA 040917

As It Was , ALA 031917

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Sun, 19 Mar 2017 16:48:00 +0000

Title: As It Was

Abundant Life Pastor Steve

19 MAR 2017

Doors, Rudders, and Windows

Text: Genesis 6 and 7

The Judgment of the Flood

9 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. (In habitual fellowship)

10 And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Noah's story is relevant to us today. Oh that others could say about us that we were righteous and walked with God like Noah. God told him to basically a lifeboat to save life. Now Noah did not get a lot of direction from God on how to build it. We read that Noah did everything that God commanded him to do according to scripture. Noah was asked to build the largest ship of wood ever made. Noah was 500 years old when he started on it. Running Genesis Chapters 8 to 1 looks like where we are at today. For example, Noah released the dove is representative of God releasing Holy Spirit. Going backwards we see the rapture of Noah's grandfather Enoch before that we see the sin like in the end times. We then read of the snake deceiving and going back to Ch. 1 the very recreation of a new heavens and earth.

God gave Noah only a big picture calling. Surely Noah had to be intimidated by the size of the calling but Noah obeyed walked through the door of the calling. The vision likely came one day at a time.

Doors, Rudders, and Windows

1. Doors = Opportunity . Noah's ark was built to the exact proportions to maximize strength, storage and efficiency. It is interesting that God said put only one door on it. There was only one way into the salvation of the Ark. Same with Jesus, he says that he is the only door for our salvation today. Our only door for us to ask -- Is this God's door of opportunity?

2. Rudders = Direction - The Ark was designed to go with the wind. Wind represents the Holy Spirit. When Noah entered the boat he gave up the right to steer the boat. God took care of it. God's design did not give Noah the right to steer it. Same when we give our lives over to Jesus. He gets to guide us.

3. Windows = Revelation and Provision (Ephesians Ch. 1). God says test me in this in Malachi 3 - Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Conclusion: As it was in the days of Noah -- Matthew Ch. 24. Rapture of the Church. -- Genesis 7:16 "And the Lord shut him in and closed the door." Noah's Ark shows us the one way of salvation through a single door on the Ark. Scriptures state Noah preached for 120 years. Unfortunately only his family got on the boat when it was time to go. The Rapture is a picture of the day when God will shut our door, available today, that leads to salvation.

In the end there will only be two groups - those in the Kingdom (The Ark) and those who decided to not get on the boat.

As It Was , ALA 031917

Warning, ALA 031217

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 13:48:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date:March 12, 2017

Series:As It Was . . . Part 2

Title:Warnings

Subject:End Times, Noah, Warnings, Rapture

Text:Gen 6 – 8, Matt. 24

ADAM AND EVE

Genesis 2:15-17 (NIV)

16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

CAIN

Genesis 4:2-8 (NIV)

6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

ROD AND STAFF

Psalm 23:4 (NIV)

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

JESUS WARNING:

Matthew 24:30-44 (NIV)

30 "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

32 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

What were the Warnings of Noah?

Genesis 5:1-32 (NIV)

1 This is the written account of Adam's line. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them "man." 3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. 4 After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 5 Altogether, Adam lived 930 years, and then he died. 6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father of Enosh. 7 And after he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8 Altogether, Seth lived 912 years, and then he died. 9 When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan. 10 And after he became the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters. 11 Altogether, Enosh lived 905 years, and then he died. 12 When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel. 13 And after he became the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters. 14 Altogether, Kenan lived 910 years, and then he died. 15 When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he became the father of Jared. 16 And after he became the father of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters. 17 Altogether, Mahalalel lived 895 years, and then he died. 18 When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. 19 And after he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 Altogether, Jared lived 962 years, and then he died. 21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. 22 And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. 25 When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech. 26 And after he became the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters. 27 Altogether, Methuselah lived 969 years, and then he died. 28 When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. 29 He named him Noah and said, "He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the LORD has cursed." 30 After Noah was born, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters. 31 Altogether, Lamech lived 777 years, and then he died. 32 After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth.

Noah was alive and very likely interacted with 7 of the preceding 9 listed patriarchs

Adam died 126 years before Noah was born

Seth died 14 years before Noah was born

7 POSSIBLE WARNINGS OF THE GLOBAL FLOOD

1. Adam

2. Enoch

Jude 1:14-16 (NIV)

14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: "See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him." 16 These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

3. Methuselah

4. Lamech

5. Noah

2 Peter 2:5 (NIV)

5 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;

6. The Ark

7. Final 7 Days

Genesis 7:1-10 (NIV)

1 The LORD then said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. 2 Take with you seven of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and two of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate, 3 and also seven of every kind of bird, male and female, to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth. 4 Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made." 5 And Noah did all that the LORD commanded him. 6 Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters came on the earth. 7 And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood. 8 Pairs of clean and unclean animals, of birds and of all creatures that move along the ground, 9 male and female, came to Noah and entered the ark, as God had commanded Noah. 10 And after the seven days the floodwaters came on the earth.

Warning, ALA 031217

The Heart of God, 5 March 2017

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Sun, 05 Mar 2017 17:17:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date:March 5, 2017

Series:As it Was . . .

Title:The Heart of God

Subject:Noah, Flood, End Times, Heart of God, Character of God

Text:Mt. 24:30-44, Genesis 6

Matthew 24:30-44 (NIV)

Luke 17:22-36 (NIV)

26 "Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 "It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 "It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day no one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. 32 Remember Lot's wife! 33 Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.

Genesis 6:1-22 (NIV)

1 When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. 3 Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years." 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days--and also afterward--when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown. 5

6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth--men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air--for I am grieved that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. 9 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. 10 Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. 11 Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight and was full of violence. 12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. 13 So God said to Noah, "I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. 14 So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. 15 This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. 16 Make a roof for it and finish the ark to within 18 inches of the top. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks. 17 I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. 18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark--you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you. 19 You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. 20 Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. 21 You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them." 22 Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

Jonah 3:10, 4:1-4 (NIV)

10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.

Jonah’s Anger at the Lord’s Compassion

4But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. 2 He prayed to the LORD, “O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. 3 Now, O LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

4 But the LORD replied, “Have you any right to be angry?”

Exodus 34:1-7 (NIV)

6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."

Matthew 24 describes what will happen when Jesus returns in the sky and angel sounds the great trumpet blast and his angels will help to rapture us, as believers from the earth.

The geology and fossil record we have absolutely confirms that the flood did indeed occur just as the Bible describes happened.

Chapter 6 of Genesis states clearly what the problem is that men lusted after the women on the earth. There could have easily have been over a billion people on the earth. So the population has boomed and morale decay is rampant across the earth. God was not sorry He had made man but was grieved about the condition of the hearts of men.

The days of Noah and the Days of Lot - these are the historical accounts Jesus said it would be like in the days when he returns for us in the Rapture. Noah's time was about 1,656 years after the creation. Sometimes passages in the Bible are difficult to understand Genesis 6:4. Get the big idea here - Mankind had lost its way by doing whatever was in their hearts for the beautiful women of the era. Their hearts were not after God any longer; God says in 120 years it will all end - a big period of warning for us. This does not refer how long people were supposed to live.

Nephilim - Fallen Ones. Who were they - #1 Idea or school of thought - Sons of God are the Descendants of Seth. Women of man are the female descendants of Cain - righteous branch mixed with the dead branch of Cain. #2 Fallen Ones are the fallen angels (plainest reading) who noticed the beautiful daughters of man. #3 Rulers or leaders (kings) who were dominant over all other men taking what they wanted. Hard to know which is correct.

Bottom line: Incredible growth in wickedness of men; all the time thinking about evil every inclination of their hearts.

So what does this say about God and His view of us? When the judgement of the flood came it changed everything about God's creation on the earth.

God created man to fellowship with and during the time of Noah he alone was righteous. God saved mankind by destroying all but righteous Noah and his family so there would be a branch to redeem mankind in the future. The escape ship had an open door so anyone of the time could have repented and come aboard - Only Noah and his family would enter.

Jonah's story has an interesting example where God announced his soon coming judgment of destruction on Nineveh. They respond and repent demonstrating that God's heart is for all to be saved.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD

1. GRACIOUS (GIVING WHAT WE DON’T DESERVE) - Like Nineveh we are corrupt and deserve judgment. Today many think they deserve an easy pathway. The gift of a warning in Noah's time is an example.

2. COMPASSIONATE (MOVED TO ACTION) - A compassionate person is moved to action to help others and no one can match the compassion of the Lord.

3. PATIENT (SLOW TO ANGER) - He doesn't just slam us like we deserve.

4. LOVING (ABOUNDING IN LOVE) - His vary nature seen in the Ark.

5. MERCIFUL (RELENTS FROM SENDING CALAMITY – WHICH WE DESERVE) - see preserving a faithful remnant of mankind.

God is also just - He will not leave the guilty without judgment for their sins. Our answer today is to have Jesus to cover or atone for our sins.

God loved mankind so much that He saved us out of the judgment. Jesus says there will be a similarity on the earth during these final days where He will pull us out just before the tribulation comes. Who will get on the 'boat' today? Christ is our 'ark' that saves us from judgement.

Questions to Ponder:

How do we know that Jesus will soon return for us; the signs?

Why did God do this?

What is God's heart toward us during the time of Noah?

Where do we see this in the life of Noah and Jonah?

What is God's heart toward mankind and believers today?

The Heart of God, 5 March 2017

Image Bearers, ALA 022617

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 10:56:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date: Feb 26, 2017

Series: In the Beginning

Title: Image Bearers

Subject: creation, identity, example, witness, godliness

Text: Genesis 1 - 2

Genesis 1:26-31 (NIV)  26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." 29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground--everything that has the breath of life in it--I give every green plant for food." And it was so. 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning--the sixth day.

Genesis 2:7 (NIV)  7 the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Genesis 2:20-23 (NIV)  20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man."

Uniqueness of man vs. all other creation

Let Us Make. . . vs And God Said . . .

Formed from the earth vs. spoke

Breathed life!!!! Vs. spoke

God Blessed the Man

God Gave Man Instructions

We are to bring increase to God’s Kingdom

We are to Rule over Creation for God

We are to live within the Boundaries God gives us

We are to be faithful in the Assignments God Gives us

God Made Mankind Rulers over all Creation

----------------------------------------------------------------

The implications of evolution are vast

The implications of being created By God and For God and in the Image of God are also Vast

When God made us in His Image and Likeness -

It means he has sent mankind as his representatives to rule on earth on His behalf

Luke 20:21-26 (NKJV)  21 Then they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth: 22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" 23 But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, "Why do you test Me? 24 Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?" They answered and said, "Caesar's." 25 And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." 26 But they could not catch Him in His words in the presence of the people. And they marveled at His answer and kept silent.

We are Image Bearers of God:

As God’s Image Bearers: How are we to be Like God?

Like Him in Form and Appearance

Like Him in Ruling Creation

Like Him in Morality

Like Him Relationally

Image Bearers, ALA 022617

Lessons from the Banquet, ALA021917

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 19:41:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date:February 19, 2017

Series:In the Beginning

Title:Lessons from the Banquet

Subject:creation, miracles,

Text:John 2:1-11, Genesis 1

John 2:1-11 (NIV)

1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." 4 "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come." 5 His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." 11 This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

Jesus as the man of the house (it appears Joseph had passed) was asked by Mary to fix the problem. She likely did not expect him to perform a miracle. Jesus in a big way met the need performing a miracle by creating 180 gallons of wine -- This wine was both abundant and the best.

One of the most important take aways is to hear the words of Mary, "Do whatever he says to do."

Impressive to see the obedience of the servants who needed to work hard to see this miracle happen; though there is no indication of what was going to occur.

Master of the Banquet - He had no knowledge of the miracle, nor where the wine had come from. Finally he had no knowledge of who Jesus really was -- The Son of God.

What he did know was it was the best of wines and was served late in banquet when tastebuds were dull and cheap wine was usually served - never the best.

Let me tell you Four things this Story Reminds us of regarding God and Creation:

Genesis 1:1-31 (NIV)

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning--the first day. 6 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." 7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning--the second day. 9 And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning--the third day. 14 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. 16 God made two great lights--the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning--the fourth day. 20 And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." 23 And there was evening, and there was morning--the fifth day. 24 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." 29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground--everything that has the breath of life in it--I give every green plant for food." And it was so. 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning--the sixth day.

1. God can Create in an Instant what would normally require Time. We can certainly see this in Jesus making water into wine - this usually takes years to make the choices of wines. Here He clearly demonstrates that He can operate outside of time. This is seen in the Polonium Radio Halos found in granite demonstrating how the rock was formed in a instant not in as often we are taught billions of years. Same when we look at our bodies where we are formed in a interdependent system - homeostasis. So that there is no ability for the systems of our body to evolve separate from each other. The only explanation is we came about instantaneously in a creation event.

2. God can Create with the Appearance and Properties of Maturity or Age. Salt levels of seas is an example. Universe created in maturity where light from them was also created. He can create with full maturity evident.

3. God gave us the ability to experience Pleasure - Why if we were evolved would pleasure ever have been needed. When God created He wanted us to enjoy what He made. Even eyebrows - which serves no purpose but give us character.

4. God Created everything GOOD! When He created it was 100% good and we can see as time has passed we see the impact of sin on the creation.

Questions to ponder:

Jesus mother, Mary tells the servants, "Do whatever he says to do." How could we apply this to our lives today.

In this story, where do you see faith and obedience?

What do we know about the master of the banquets knowledge?

How can we see the scientific explanation of our created world is wrong?

How is pleasure and goodness come into play with creation verses evolutionary processes?

Lessons from the Banquet, ALA021917

Preparing for a Masterpiece, ALA 021217

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 17:07:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date:February 12, 2017

Series:In the Beginning

Title:“Preparing for a Masterpiece”

Subject:Fresh Start, New Beginnings, Creation, Starting over

Text:Genesis 1 - 2

Genesis 1:1-31 (NIV)

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.

5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning--the first day.

6 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water."

7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so.

8 God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning--the second day.

9 And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so.

10 God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.

11 Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so.

12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

13 And there was evening, and there was morning--the third day.

14 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years,

15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so.

16 God made two great lights--the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.

17 God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth,

18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.

19 And there was evening, and there was morning--the fourth day.

20 And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky."

21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

22 God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth."

23 And there was evening, and there was morning--the fifth day.

24 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so.

25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.

30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground--everything that has the breath of life in it--I give every green plant for food." And it was so.

31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning--the sixth day.

Genesis 2:1-3 (NIV)

1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.

2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.

3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Four Preparations for Turning your Mess into a Masterpiece

1. Revelation - first thing He is the light of the world. No need for a sun. In the very beginning He was the light and the very end of time He remains the light. Ephesians speaks about how Christ brings the light so the eyes of our heart are opened. It was no mere accident or chance that His light was the first thing to shine in creation.

3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.

5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning--the first day.

John 8:12 (NIV)

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Matthew 5:14 (NIV)

14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Revelation 22:5 (NIV)

5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Ephesians 1:15-18 (NIV)

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,

16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

2. Atmosphere - Expanse, a multileveled atmosphere made just perfect to sustain life. We would have been wiped out if this was not second created as the solar radiation of the sun would have fried us. If we want to experience the Abundant Life then we need God to create the proper atmosphere for it to happen. We can see the importance of the correct spiritual atmosphere to see miracles and healing; Mark 5 and 7. A shift in the atmosphere can brings hope, expectation and faith to see Christ work. Change the environment not conducive to life and God's best in your life.

Genesis 1:6 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water."

7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so.

8 God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning--the second day.

Mark 5:35-43 (NIV)

35 While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?"

36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James.

38 When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly.

39 He went in and said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep."

40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was.

41 He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!").

42 Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.

43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Mark 7:31-35 (NIV)

31 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man. 33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, "Ephphatha!" (which means, "Be opened!"). 35 At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

Mark 8:22-26 (NIV)

22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" 24 He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." 25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village."

3. Organization - We can even see this in how the earth was at one time one continent called Pangea; which the great flood tore the land apart into our present order. We can also see this in the area of gardening. If you fail to organize and just toss out seeds you have nothing but a mess. A great garden requires vision and illumination on how to do it. You have to prepare the soil and just right amount of light and water; you must fertilize considering the environment. Finally we have to consider where to plant and how much seed - you must organize your garden. Same for us in our lives as we consider financial organization such as the need for a budget. 1 Cor 14:40 affirms this which calls for everything to be done in an orderly way.

9 And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so.

10 God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.

11 Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so.

12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

13 And there was evening, and there was morning--the third day.

4. Seasons - sun, moon, days, weeks and years all put into motion. He wanted us to understand this timing. See His wonderful creation with the moon for tides to clean the oceans and also for the calendar. Times of planting and harvest. We also learn from this that we have seasons in our lives with times of harvest and plenty and seasons with challenges. God is able and He can take our mess and bring order creating what Ephesians 2:10 calls a "Masterpiece."

14 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years,

15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so.

16 God made two great lights--the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.

17 God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth,

18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.

19 And there was evening, and there was morning--the fourth day.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Preparing for a Masterpiece, ALA 021217

Questions to Ponder:

How do we see God's creative hand today?

How can you see the pattern of organization in His creation?

What does the light of Genesis 1:3 & 1:14 have in common and differ?

What is the best way to clean up a mess? How do we see this in creation?

Where does the consideration of seasons help us today in life?

Starting Point, ALA 020517

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Sun, 05 Feb 2017 17:35:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date:February 5, 2017

Series:In the Beginning

Title:Starting Point

Subject:Creation, Bible Study, God’s Word

Text:Gen. 1 - 2

Genesis 1:1-31 (NIV)

Genesis 2:1-3 (NIV)

1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Today we find a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding among believers. Many believers today would say does it really matter as long as I believe in Jesus - the answer is profoundly yes. Today we have a generation of people who say if Genesis is wrong then forget the whole book.

There are many sources we consider as truth - things we have been taught, our feelings educational sources. When everything lines up with the Bible such as murder then we are ok. But what if they don't all line up - many issues today show an inconsistency where they don't line up. The Bible has principles to guide us. What happens when our thoughts and experiences don't line up with what the Bible says. Consider when the Bible counters the very way we grew up and what our parents or loved ones have taught us. What happens when the books we are taught in school by a biology teacher who is a really good person teaches that we came from apes and the earth is billions of years old.

So what are we to do when society says that the Bible just got somethings wrong or is out of date and step with our great knowledge of science today? The Starting Point to Knowing the Truth: Realize as we start that sometimes what we held on to from our up bringing was just wrong. We have heard this all of our lives - the earth is billions of years old when in reality it is 6,000 years old. Now you can choose to ignore the Bible's statement on creation, but you can't argue with what is written there - A day is a day = 24 hours.

1. Start by Trusting the Authority and Inerrancy of the Scriptures. God has not left this as ambiguous but very clear. No one was here to see it so whatever a person's view it is an act of faith. As history unfolds it always in the end will confirm the Bible's accuracy Exegesis - the text is accurate understanding what was the intent of the author. Isogesis is when we read into the text our own presuppositions - this is not the way to read the Bible. Feelings should not be our source on discerning the truths of life; such as how creation happened.

2. Gain an Accurate Understanding of Scripture using Proper Bible Study Principles.

a. Genre - Most of the time the plain reading of the Bible is just what you should consider. Genre means some is historical documentation and not stating right or wrong but the narrative story. Poetry, prophecy are others

b. Historical / Cultural / Biblical Context - understand the mindset and prospective of the original author. Our goal is the proper understanding of what the author was trying to say.

c. Accurate Reading of Text - quoting scripture accurately and understanding the original language is sometimes required. What did the word mean in the author's setting.

d. Accurate Understanding of Terminology and Sentence Structure.

3. Look at “Extra-Biblical” information through the Lens of Scripture - Stuff outside of the Bible such as fossil record or Grand Canyon.

The Great news is if you believe in God it is possible to understand. If you are stuck with science only, then you just have to make some stuff up in order to bring it all together.

If we can get to understanding that in the beginning God created then we know we need some way to connect with this infinite all powerful creator and that is through Jesus.

Questions to ponder:

What does the Bible say about how creation happened?

Can you name a few of the themes about creation you learned in school?

What are the few Biblically based sites you can get additional information?

Starting Point, ALA 020517

Sharper Together, ALA 012917

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 17:00:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date:January 29, 2017

Series:Sharper

Title:Sharper Together

Subject:relationships, mentoring, sharper

Text:1-2 Samuel

1 Samuel 16:18 (NIV)

18 One of the servants answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him."

David was SHARP as a young man! Prior to this time we don't know a great deal about him. He was the youngest of his siblings. Many Jewish people helped him become the young man of Godly character. Of course he is famous for slaying the giant Goliath (Ch. 17 of 1 Samuel). As he is successful and continues to serve the king we find King Saul becoming jealous to the point of trying to kill David. Both of these difficult men, not of David's choosing, through their attempts to kill him, sharpened David into the character God intended for him. Sometimes difficult people in our lives can sharpen us to person we are to become. James 1:2-4 talks about this when people we did not choose can wear us out or sharpen our character.

1 Samuel 18:1-5 (NIV)

1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the people, and Saul's officers as well.

1 Samuel 18:10-11 (NIV)

10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the harp, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, "I'll pin David to the wall." But David eluded him twice.

1 Samuel 19:8-10 (NIV)

8 Once more war broke out, and David went out and fought the Philistines. He struck them with such force that they fled before him. 9 But an evil spirit from the LORD came upon Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. While David was playing the harp, 10 Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good his escape.

Hard Times and Hard People can make us sharper.

James 1:2-4 (NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Today I want to Focus on the People we intentionally invite into our lives to make us sharper:

Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Three Groups of People David Invited into His Life that Made Him Sharper

1. True Friends we are open and honest with (Covenant). Jonathan's friendship made David a sharper man. Jonathan was to be the prince and next-in-line for the throne after Saul. In David's time friend meant something much more powerful and intimate than it does today in a world of "Facebook" and other social media platforms. Jonathan was so close to David, he even understood that it was David, who would sit on the throne next. Yet numerous times it was Jonathan that would warn David of his father Saul's anger and coming attempt to end David's life. This type of intimate friendship takes time and needs to be cultivated. It is also very rare - maybe just one.

1 Samuel 20:42 (NIV)

42 Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD, saying, 'The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.'" Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.

1 Samuel 23:15-18 (NIV)

15 While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. 16 And Saul's son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. 17 "Don't be afraid," he said. "My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this." 18 The two of them made a covenant before the LORD. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.

2. Peers that push us to be better. People David brought into his circle that pushed him to be better. When David was in the mix of the mighty men he had to set the example and he felt the pressure to lead well. In your life you need to not just have a close friend to sharpen you but also to be in environments that push us as well.

1 Samuel 22:1-2 (NIV)

2 Samuel 23:8-12 (NIV)

3. Spiritual Authorities that have permission to correct us. Nathan was this man for David, had he not brought correction to David the king would have been destroyed by the sin. David takes the correction from Nathan and genuinely repents from his sin. Important to see that David had given permission to Nathan to speak into his life.

Who can you be a Jonathan, a peer or a Nathan to sharpen another person's life?

2 Samuel 12:1-10 (NIV)

1 The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, "There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him. 4 "Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him." 5 David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, "As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! 6 He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity." 7 Then Nathan said to David, "You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8 I gave your master's house to you, and your master's wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. 9 Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.'

Questions to ponder:

What do you admire the most of David's story in the Bible?

Who is the true friend in your life that can speak into your life?

Have there been people in your life that were difficult to you but later on made you a sharper person; more effective for Christ?

List peers in your life that push you? Don't have any, join a Home Connect Group!

Do you have a spiritual authority in your life that can speak into your life the hard things you need to hear?

Sharper Together, ALA 012917

Voice Sharper Hearing, ALA 011517

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Sun, 15 Jan 2017 17:08:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date:January 15, 2017

Series:Sharper

Title:Voice Sharper Hearing

Subject:God's, Hearing God, Spiritual Disciplines, Fasting

Text:1 Kings 19

Subject:Hearing God’s Voice

Central Theme:How to Sharpen our Hearing of God’s Voice

Objective:Every Believer can hear God’s voice more clearly by applying the three practices that Elijah did while Fasting.

1 Kings 19:1-18 (NIV)

1Ki 19:1 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them."

3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there,

4 while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." 5 Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat."

6 He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 7 The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

9 There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 10 He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." 11 The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

14 He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." 15 The LORD said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel--all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him."

Note that Elijah Fasted!!!!

Shaper hearing from the Lord is a worthy goal for 2017. When you truly to talk with someone three rooms away it's just frustrating. When we get closer to each other we tend to hear each other better. Same way with God. When we draw closer to Him we will certainly hear His voice better; He can't get any closer to you He has His Spirit within you if you are a Christian. We need to position ourselves to be sharper in hearing.

With Fasting - I want to Give you three Practices that Sharpen your Hearing of God’s Voice. Today we look at the three of the spiritual disciplines of Simplicity, Solitude and Silence. Elijah serves as an example of hearing from God and lays down a few principles we can use today.

After his greatest day ever Elijah gets word that wicked Queen Jezebel wants to take him out. He finds himself alone and depressed afraid of the queen in desert wilderness. Elijah is directed by God to walk for 40 days, without food, to Mount Horeb. Here he hears the small still voice of the Lord. This gives him mission orders to know with certainty what the Lord wants him to do next. Today we don't necessarily need to climb a mountain to hear from Heaven. Fasting helps us to be positioned to hear from God to receive what He is already ready to do. There is more than just fasting that also needs to happen. We can see these other areas in Elijah's life.

1. Simplicity - Elijah was the most important prophet in all of Israel; his life was filled with daily responsibilities. But now Elijah finds himself alone in the wilderness with a simple directive - walk to Mt. Horeb. We see this in the New Testament parable of the Sower and the Seed. One aspect was the seed that fell into thorns and thickets which chocked out the sprout. (See Matthew 13).

Matthew 13:18-23 (NIV)

Luke 14:15-24 (NIV)

2. Solitude - Getting alone -- Just you and the Lord. This was a common practice for Jesus where He would hear from the Father, receive guidance, and was ready to go to a new destination.

Mark 1:33-39 (NIV) The whole town showed up to meet with Jesus; verse 35 tells us the next morning, while it was still dark, Jesus pulled away to be alone and prayed.

3. Silence - We have to slow down and be quiet to hear His voice. This is known as 'Waiting on the Lord." A time when we are not thinking and trying to figure it all out. God would love for you to be silent so He could speak quietly to you.

Psalms 46:10 (NIV) - Be still and know that I am God.

Isaiah 40:30-31 (AMP) Those that wait on the Lord will renew their strength.

In Christianity, Lectio Divina (Latin for "Divine Reading") is a traditional Benedictine monks practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's Word. It does not treat Scripture as texts to be studied, but as the Living Word.

Traditionally, Lectio Divina has four separate steps: read; meditate; pray; contemplate. First a passage of Scripture is read, then its meaning is reflected upon. This is followed by prayer and contemplation on the Word of God.[3]

A modern Lectio Divina for us may look like: The combination of doing the three points plus Lectio Divina and fasting is going to be an awesome result -- You will hear from the Father. Just like Jesus did we can follow His example and know God's good and perfect will in our lives.

1. Request

2. Read

3. Reflect

4. Respond (Pray)

5. Rest (being silent and giving space for the Lord to speak to us)

6. Record (journaling)

Questions to Ponder:

Why do we fast?

What could happen for you if you rested before the Lord?

Which of the spiritual disciplines could really help you? Why?

Where in your life would you want to hear from God and know His will?

What aspects of Elijah's life speak to us today in the area of hearing from God?

Voice Sharper Hearing, ALA 011517

Back to the Grindstone: Living a Worthy Life; ALA 010817

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 16:59:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date:January 8, 2017

Series:SHARPER in 2017

Title:Back to the Grindstone: Living a Worthy Life

Subject:Victorious Life, Honoring God, Pleasing God, Sharper, Personal Growth

Text:Col. 1:9-13

Subject:Personal Growth and Development

Central Theme: Living our life in a way that is growing “Sharper” to the Glory of God (Worthy of Christ)

Objective: Every believer can stay on a path of continually growing sharper by modeling the four pictures of a “Worthy Life” in Colossians 3:9-12

What does the Bible say about being “Sharper”???

Key Series Verse: Colossians 3:23 (NCV)

23 In all the work you are doing, work the best you

can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people.

Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV)

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

2 Timothy 2:15 (AMP)

15 Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.

Luke 2:52 (NIV)

52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

For Today’s Message: Back to the Grindstone

We will Look at Colossians 1:9-12

Colossians 1:9-12 (NIV)

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Philippians 1:27 (NIV)

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel

Ephesians 4:1 (NIV)

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

A knife is made to be sharp. A dull knife is dangerous because we have to apply extra pressure to get the same effect. Same for us in serving the Lord. We need to maintain our 'sharpness' to maximize our effectiveness. Locking knife history serves as an example - for 2,500 + years. What changed in the 1950's Opinel Knives (France) & Buck Knife Co. (USA) did not change their core product of a locking knife, but changed the designed to make it sharper and they are today both highly successful companies. Same with us when presenting the Gospel to others; the core concept is outstanding, but we should be open to new ways to package the message and seek how to be excellent in all we do for the Lord.

We should not rest on our past methods and successes but always seek ways to improve and bring your best. God wants you to bring your best as a living sacrifice and not as a leftover or afterthought. Understand that God loves you and you are not earning salvation or a ticket to heaven. It is rather the appropriate response to please the Lord. The Bible asks us to do the best we can, not be perfect, always striving for ways to be sharp.

Four Pictures of a "Worthy" or a “Sharp” Life:

1. Striving to Please God (V10) - By bringing your 'A' Game because of the price He paid for you. He is worthy of your very best; a response that considers such a high price by giving His one and only son for you. Living a life that always strives to honor Him. Most strive to please themselves. Consider our first effort be reserved for pleasing the Lord. John Ch. 8, Jesus said, "My number one concern is pleasing my father."

2. Bearing Fruit in Every Good Work (V10) - 'Fruit' of the Kingdom can mean people but also means the blessings of the Kingdom are brought forth for others to enjoy. Every good work means whatever I lay my hands to should bear fruit for His kingdom.

3. Continuing to Grow in your Walk with God (V10-11) - Making steps to move forward by growing in Christ - ever shaper, thru study, growing, and serving etc.

4. Being Thankful (V12) - This is having the attitude that, "I want everything in my life to be pleasing to God," because of the gratitude in my heart. Living a life that's worthy of His love for me.

Questions to Ponder:

What actions can you take this year to give God your best in 2017?

Can you list how the Lord has given His best for you?

Where are you going to sharpen your life this year?

Take a fresh look at the Bible; Is there a few verses to hang on to as we strive to be sharper this year?

How are the means the Lord has given you to sharpen your service?

Back to the Grindstone: Living a Worthy Life; ALA 010817

Bandaids and Breakthroughs, ALA 010117

noreply@blogger.com (Curt Lapham) — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 22:49:00 +0000

Abundant Life Assembly

Date:Jan. 1, 2017

Title:Bandaids and Breakthroughs

Subject:Transformation, Change, Breakthrough

Text:Colossians 3:1-17

Four Steps to Reboot for a Breakthrough:

1.Get your Head in the Game!

Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV)

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-2 (AMP)

3:1 IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.

2.Eliminate the Opposition

Colossians 3:5-9 (NIV)

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

3.Cooperate with God

Colossians 3:10-16 (NIV)

10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

4.Stick to It!!

Colossians 3:9-10 (NIV)

9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Colossians 3:10 (AMP)

3:10 And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it.

Next Week: New Series “SHARPER”

Colossians 3:17

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

Bandaids and Breakthroughs, ALA 010117