on the Cornerstone

otC 06.28.09 Hard to Swallow

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:44:24 -0500

Hard to Swallow
John 6:51 NLT

God is covenant establishing and covenant keeping.
A covenant brings peace and security in relationships – we were alienated from God.
The covenant is blood bought and composed of the oath of loyalty, provision and protection.

Gospel of John

Theme: Jesus the creator!
- John 1:1-5
Perspective: Weary in Weakness – Self-absorbed and myopic humanity
Discovery: Humanities’ great needs are exposed and remedied by God’s gracious compassion and provision

The work of a believer is to believe!
John 6:35-70 NLT

Faith, Doubt and Unbelief (willful disobedience)

Temptations
Signs
People of Faith

People of Faith!

Sometimes people of faith are a lot like Mr. Magoo.
In a comical form of lunacy we walk not by sight, but by faith!
We are totally dependent on God in His story for His grace and favor.
We should not take ourselves so seriously!

Choose To Believe

John 20:24-29 – “Doubting” Thomas
“I know down in my knower!”
An overstatement of great faith!
- “I don’t believe it, I know it!”

Sermon in a sentence
Faith is not the absence of doubt, it is the overcoming of doubt.

The Reality of Faith & Doubt

There lives more faith in honest doubt than in half the creeds.
- Alfred Lloyd Tennyson

Hebrews 12:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
“You can believe in your heart while you doubt in your head.”
We must break through the three barriers of faith:
- Cynicism – Ignorance – Empiricism

otC 06.21.09 Fatherhood

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:42:35 -0500

Fatherhood
Following God’s Model
Colossians 3:12-21

September Series:
“For Our Children and Our Children’s Children”

The family is the foundation for Godly seed, the demonstration of Divine agreement, and is sealed by blood covenant!

“Pay close attention, friend, to what your father tells you; never forget what you learned at your mother’s knee.”
Proverbs 1:8

Fathering

“The men you choose must be well thought of for their good lives; they must have only one wife and their children must love the Lord and not have a reputation for being wild or disobedient to their parents.”
Titus 1:6

It is important
It is a learned skill
It has great rewards

Fathers are free to fail, but they are not free to be irresponsible!

Building Families

The family is the place to:

Establish identity and security.
Teach and transmit values.
Make and store lifetime memories.
Develop hidden talents and potentials.
Learn how to love and forgive.
Grow in a safe environment.
Learn honesty and transparency.
Fail without criticism or condemnation.
Hide during the storms of life.
Experience the kingdom of God in action.
Translate Scripture into living realities.
Establish a command center for safety to bring the Kingdom of God to a lost world.

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs⎯heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Romans 8:15-17

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
I John 3:2

otC 06.14.09 God's Bread

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 23:20:02 -0500

God’s Bread
John 6:22-40 NLT

Gospel of John

Theme: Jesus the creator!
- John 1:1-5
Perspective: Weary in Weakness – Self-absorbed and myopic humanity
Discovery: Humanities’ great needs are exposed and remedied by God’s gracious compassion and provision

What To Live For!

John 6:27 “Don’t waste your energy, your life, striving for food that perishes!”
Key Questions:
- What is the “eternal” that we are to pursue?
- What is the work of a believer?
- What are we to believe?
Answer:
- Jesus is sent from the Father
- Expect resurrection on the last day!

Then How Should We Think Of This Life?

Life is very transient – A puff of smoke
Life is very important – it is a gift
Our temporal existence: James 4:14 “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”
- NOW is a brief moment of eternity
- We have no choice of when or where we live
- But life is a great gift!
We are weary in our weakness
Our life is easily high-jacked
- Because of our fallen and fractured nature
The demands of life:
- Life’s physical demands
- The reality of our unregenerate state
- To live well demands faith and obedience
Our natural unredeemed drives oppose our Divine image:
- Sex – A created motivation to fulfill God’s mandate
  - Genesis 1:28a “Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern.”
- Success – Genesis 39:2 = Godly success is a life of growth with prosperity
- Significance – motivated the desire to fulfill our created purpose

Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 Message Bible
What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.

Then How Should We Think Of This Life?

We are blindly lead by our senses:
- sight – sound – touch – taste – smell
We are dimensionally deprived:
- We are made for heaven and earth
- We are made in the image of God
- We have access to the heavenly realm only by faith in this life

John 11:25-26 NKJV
I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?

Romans 10 NKJV
But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart"-- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed."

Weary In Our Weakness

Wrong motives = wasted energies
Consumer Christianity
- Motivated by pragmatism and emotion
- What do I get out of it and how does it make me feel?”
We are to seek Christ for Christ’s sake!
- All the concerns of life, should be subservient to the interest of man’s soul.

He who labors not, in the work of his salvation, is never likely to enter into the kingdom of God. Though our labor cannot purchase it, either in whole or in part, yet it is the way in which God chooses to give salvation; and he that will have heaven must strive for it. Everything that can be possessed, except the salvation of God, is a perishing thing: this is its essential character: it can last to us no longer than the body lasts. But, when the earth and its produce are burnt up, this bread of Christ, his grace and salvation, will be found remaining unto eternal life. This is the portion after which an immortal spirit should seek.
Adam Clark Commentary

Weary In Weakness

We must be careful not to strengthen the layers surrounding our weakness!
- Weary in Shame
- Wicked in Sin
- Wounded in Situations
- Weakness in Self
Our weakness, then, can be distinguished from our shame, our sin, and our wounds.

I Peter 1:3-5 A Doxology of Hope
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

otC 06.07.09 Jesus On Board

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:43:11 -0500

Jesus On Board
John 6:14-24 Message

Jesus the Creator!

The theme of the Gospel of John: Deity of Jesus
John 1:1-5 “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”

Jesus’ Creations In John

John the Baptist – Light in our darkness
Nicodemus – Re-creation
Mary – Provision by multiplication
The Samaritan Woman – Living Water
The Royal Official – Distance Healing
The Paralytic at the Pool – Local Healing
The Religious Elite – No miracle
The Hungry Crowd – Provision by multiplication
Disciples at sea – Controlling Creations Elements

Lessons At Sea

You can’t fix a boat in the middle of the lake!
Keep the boat in the water and not the water in the boat!
Jesus is not so concerned with the storm. But He is concerned about you!

Weary In Our Weakness

The Creator God and Weak People
In this portion of Scripture Jesus has revealed Himself as our provider and protector.
Two groups in this Scripture portion:
- The hungry crowds
- The frightened disciples
- They are:
  - Looking to Jesus
  - In great need
  - Totally dependent
Both miracles (signs) began with the natural elements mastered in a miraculous way.
In both instances, Jesus was moved with compassion.
We must be careful not to strengthen the layers surrounding our weakness!
- Weary in Shame
- Wicked in Sin
- Wounded in Situations
- Weakness in Self
Our weakness, then, can be distinguished from our shame, our sin, and our wounds.

What to do in the middle of the storm

The Time to Trust
When nothing whereon to lean remains,
When strongholds crumble to dust;
When nothing is sure but that God still reigns,
That is just the time to trust.
Trust in yourself, and you are doomed to disappointment.
Trust in your friends, and they will die and leave you.
Trust in money, and you may have it taken from you.
Trust in reputation, and some slanderous tongue may blast it.
But trust in God, and you are never to be confounded in time or eternity!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6

This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with him, we will also live with him.
If we endure hardship,
we will reign with him.
If we deny him, he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny who he is.
II Timothy 2:11-13

otC 05.31.09 Kingdom Compassion

Sun, 31 May 2009 23:44:33 -0500

Kingdom Compassion
John 6:1-15 NLT

Jesus feeds the 5000 – fourth sign
The feeding of the five thousand is one incident recorded by all four Gospel writers:
- Matthew 14:13-21
- Mark 6:31-44
- Luke 9:10-17
- John 6:1-15

Pentecost Sunday

Shavout <Hebrew> = “Weeks”
Pentecost <Greek> = fiftieth
According to Scripture, the “Law,” the Ten Commandments were given to Moses on Mount Sinai on Shavuot
The Festival of Weeks also commemorates the early wheat harvest in Israel.
The spiritual birthday of Israel

God’s Great Gatherings:

The Feasts are central to the nation of Israel and key to our understanding God’s dealings.
God’s holidays – Leviticus 23:1-2
Exodus 12:14,24 – A permanent ordinance – Forever!
Exodus 12:19 – A condition of covenant – in or out!
Three Hebrew words are used:
- Chag = appointed by God
- Miqra = convocation “called out”
- Mowed = Festival – A Holy Ghost party!
The Feasts were special times, appointed by God where the covenant people of God come together for a time of spiritual renewal and celebration.
The feasts are central in their life, culture, & identity

The Father Heart of God

Jesus told Philip in John 14 “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”
John opened his Gospel with a powerful affirmation.
- In Jesus the eternal Word was made flesh, bringing a new revelation to humankind.
- The grace and truth which come by Jesus supersede the Law given by Moses (1:1-14)

The 7 Signs in John’s Gospel

Turning water into wine (2:1-11)
Healing an official’s son (4:43-54)
Healing a paralytic (5:1-15)
Feeding the 5,000 (6:1-14)
Walking on the waters (6:16-21)
Curing a man born blind (9:1-41)
Raising Lazarus (11:1-44)

The Father Heart of God

Our God is a self-revealing God
His heart is to reveal His moral nature and His Divine attributes
His revelation is both general and special
His creation is to reflect this nature
I Corinthians 4:1 = We are both servants and stewards of these mysteries!

He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, placing them in seats of honor. I Samuel 2:8

Never take advantage of poor and destitute laborers, whether they are fellow Israelites or foreigners living in your towns. Deuteronomy 24:14

He gives prosperity to the poor and protects those who suffer. Job 5:11

He rescues the poor from the cutting words of the strong, and rescues them from the clutches of the powerful. Job 5:15

The LORD replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do. Psalm 12:5

Help him to defend the poor, to rescue the children of the needy, and to crush their oppressors. Psalm 72:4

Though the LORD is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud. Psalm 138:6

He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, placing them in seats of honor. I Samuel 2:8

Weary In Weakness

We must be careful not to strengthen the layers surrounding our weakness!
- Weary in Shame
- Wicked in Sin
- Wounded in Situations
- Weakness in Self
Our weakness, then, can be distinguished from our shame, our sin, and our wounds.

otC 05.24.09 Deity on Trial

Sun, 24 May 2009 23:51:37 -0500

Deity On Trial
John 5:16-47 NLT

Prosecution – Vss 15-18
Initially charged with breaking the Sabbath
Main charge was claiming equality with God
Jesus is charged!

Defendant’s response – Vss 19-27
Vss 19, 24, 25 – Emphasis on the truth; “amen, amen,” “verily, verily,” “truly, truly,” “I assure you,” “I tell you the truth!” ----- “Seriously!!!”
Yes, guilty on both counts!!!
Jesus pleads guilty!

Judgment – Vss 28-32
Announced to all that ever lived.
The judgment is eternal.
The defendant is now the judge!
Jesus is the Judge!

Witnesses – Vss 33-40
1st John the Baptist
2nd Signs and wonders
3rd The Father
4th The Scripture – Moses himself!
Jesus calls witnesses.

Closing Argument – Vss 41-47
Does not need their approval.
They reject Him because they reject the truth and the Father.
To understand that those who reject Jesus as the Son of God do so because of their deliberate denial of convincing evidence.
Jesus closes the case!

Weary In Weakness

We must be careful not to strengthen the layers surrounding our weakness!
- Weary in Shame
- Wicked in Sin
- Wounded in Situations
- Weakness in Self
Our weakness, then, can be distinguished from our shame, our sin, and our wounds.

otC 05.17.09 God At Work

Sun, 17 May 2009 23:44:05 -0500

God At Work
John 5:1-17 NLT

John 5:17

Jesus explains that the work of creation ended on the seventh day, but not the work of compassion.
“My Father is always working, and so am I.”

Initial thoughts:

Nagging realities:
- Because we have a sense of justice
- Because we know that there are consequences to our choices
- Because we know that God is all-powerful
- Because we know that God is no respecter of persons
- Because there is clear precedent in the Old Testament for blessings and curses
We struggle with this story of healing:
- Why didn’t Jesus heal all the people that were there?
- Why didn’t Jesus require any faith of the man?
- Why would Jesus intentionally go to the gathering of the sick and only give attention to one man?
Jesus’ Answer: John 9:1-7

As he was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that caused him to be born blind?”
Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned. This happened so that the works of God might be revealed in him. I must work the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9:1-7

The Works of God!

John 5:17 – The Trinity at work
John 5:5-9 – 38 years of suffering
A comparison is sometimes made between Deuteronomy 2:14 and John 5:5
Jesus saw him
Jesus knew about him
Jesus spoke to him.
- It would appear as though the Lord came to the pool specially to meet this man.
Here we see the predestinating foreknowledge of God.
His ways are above our ways!

John 5:10

So the Jews said to the man who had been cured, “It is the sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.” NRSV
Poor human reason when it trusts in itself substitutes the strangest absurdities for the highest divine concepts. - John Chrysostom
We will pursue this weakness next week.

Weary In Weakness

We are helpless and hopeless!
The fact that the man had no friends shows he was helpless
The fact that he had been there for thirty-eight years suggests he was also hopeless.
There was nothing he could do toward his salvation except believe!

Asclepius

This man and the dozens of others at the pool of Bethesda could no longer distinguish their weakness and their real need!
When we have lost hope and do not walk in faith, then our only hope is in the conventional wisdom of the day.

Weary In Weakness

We must be careful not to strengthen the layers surrounding our weakness!
- Weary in Shame
- Wicked in Sin
- Wounded in Situations
- Weakness in Self
Our weakness, then, can be distinguished from our shame, our sin, and our wounds.

otC 05.10.09 A Taste of Heaven

Sun, 10 May 2009 23:36:38 -0500

A Taste of Heaven
Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9

Heaven Breaking Through

Romans 14:17 “The Kingdom of heaven is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
John 12:32 “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself”
Jesus message = The Kingdom of Heaven
Jesus method = Incarnation
Jesus mission = life for life
The Kingdom of heaven is here, but not yet!

Walking by Faith in the Spirit

Change the language of your mind
- This is not just a paragraph on mental health.
These qualities that should dominate our thoughts.
- They will guard us from the evil—and because of evil, pain—which so easily infiltrates our minds, especially in today’s society.
The word finally indicates that Paul has arrived at the climax of his teaching on spiritual stability.

Walking by Faith in the Spirit

Dwell on these things:
- Introducing an important truth: spiritual stability is a result of how a person thinks.
- Proverbs 23:7 declares, “For as he thinks within himself, so he is.”
The focus today is on emotion and pragmatism.
- The importance of serious thinking about biblical truth is downplayed.
- People no longer ask “Is it true?” but “Does it work?” and “How will it make me feel?”
- No concern for “absolutes” but for “feelings”!

otC 04.26.09 Starting Home

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:33:02 -0500

Starting Home
John 4:43-54

Key Points:

We are to raise the bar of our expectation!
- It is temporal rather than eternal
We are to raise the bar of our faith!
- We demand signs and wonders
We are to raise the bar, grow in the knowledge of God, His Divine character!
- He is compassionate

A Royal Decree!

All of Jesus’ words are to be taken with the same confidence!
- a royal decree is given!
The context of this story:
- Following the rejection of the Kingdom of God in Nazareth
- Following the acceptance of the Gospel by the Samaritans.
Jesus’ exhortation:
- Jesus is clear concerning His purpose
- He centers on the temporary demands of the Jews rather than the eternal needs of the Kingdom.
The nobleman also did not understand.
- He was a person of significance in a worldly measure but of no real significance with eternal Kingdom, life and death issues.
The noblemen represents:
- The Jewish people
- Their subjugation to Rome
- The worldly systems and exposes these systems uselessness in serious and eternal issues of life.
Jesus’ response:
- An expression of compassion and a prophetic picture of the Word proclaimed by His life, death and resurrection.

The Weakness of His Faith

The father was a nobleman, yet the son was sick.
- Honors and titles are no security from sickness and death.
- The greatest men must go to God, must become beggars.
The nobleman did not stop from his request until he prevailed.
- He first discovered the weakness of his faith in the power of Christ.
- It is hard to persuade ourselves that the distance of time and place, are no hindrance to the knowledge, mercy, and power of our Lord Jesus.

Jesus Answer of Peace

Christ’s saying that the soul lives, makes it alive.
The father went his way, a sincerity of faith.
His servants met him with the news of recovery.
- Good news will meet those that hope in God’s word.
Diligent comparing the works of Jesus with his word
- It will confirm our faith
- It can result in the salvation of the entire family
An experience of the power of one word of Christ, may settle the authority of Christ in the soul.

Believe Jesus and start home!

Are you afraid?
Are you weary?
Are you lonely?
Have you failed?
Do you worry?

otC 04.19.09 Sam's Source

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 23:23:33 -0500

Sam’s Source
John 4:3-42 NLT

Ministry in Samaria

Jesus exposes the real need
- Sam is incredulous and argumentative
He offers the real remedy
- Sam continues to be unbelieving
He exposes the deceptions
- Again she is unbelieving but humbled
He offers the truth
- Sam reacted with great hope and faith!
- Revival broke out in Samaria

From Weakness & Confusion to Hope

Sam had settled in her religion, she had quit looking – she was hopeless
Sam thought the real truth could not be known – she was agnostic
Sam was trying to justify or reinforce her beliefs – she was religious
Sam tried to push through her confusion with greater arrogance – she was proud

Jesus Addressed the Layers Surrounding Her Weakness

Weary in Shame
Wicked in Sin
Wounded in Situations
Weakness in Self

Jesus Addressed the Confusion Surrounding Her Religion

Vss 19 – 20
Samaritan History
Syncretic Religions
Israelite History
Isaiah 44:13-20 (God’s sarcasm)

otC 04.12.09 The Things Which Make For Peace

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 23:21:28 -0500

The Things Which Make For Peace

He is risen!
Mark 16:1-6

The Resurrection

The affirmation of God’s provision for our redemption
The justification of Jesus’ sacrifice made for our sin against God
The promise, the first fruit, of our own resurrection
The beginning of the restoration of all things

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.
Genesis 3:15

Fear not!
Fear is the dark room where negatives are developed.

Ephesians 3:12
NIV “In Christ we can come before God with freedom and without fear. We can do this through faith in Christ.”
Message “When we trust in him, we’re free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go.”

Three Decisions “which make for peace”

Accept God’s love for you
- I John 4:18 “Where God’s love is, there is no fear because God’s perfect love drives out fear”
- Our deepest need in life is to feel absolutely, totally, unconditionally loved
  - not for something we could be or should be, but loved just as we are.
- We were created just so he can love us.
Believe that Jesus died and rose for you!
- It’s one thing to believe about something; it’s another thing to believe in something.
- Hebrews 2:14-15 NLT “Only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.”
- When you believe what Jesus says about the future is true, then you can stop being afraid of death.
Commit your fears and your life to Christ
- Part of the reason so many people are so scared today is that they’ve placed their trust in the wrong things.
- I Peter 3:14-15 Good News “Don’t be afraid of anyone and don’t worry, but have reverence for Christ in your heart and honor him as Lord”

otC 04.05.09 Here He Comes

Sun, 05 Apr 2009 23:11:09 -0500

Here He Comes!
Mark 11:1-11

Psalm 24
Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!
Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!

Fear not!

Fear is the dark room where negatives are developed.

Ephesians 3:12
Message “When we trust in him, we’re free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go.”
NIV “In Christ we can come before God with freedom and without fear. We can do this through faith in Christ.”

Jesus’ Solution

Like a long train on the tracks to destruction, the human race is racing towards her demise.
Man’s need has continued to become more obvious as time moves forward.
The revelation of need in the heart of a person creates anguish and fear.
Romans 1:16ff Message Without excuse!

Jesus’ Clear Purpose
His Predictions (Announcements) of His Death and Resurrection

Mark 8:31-33
- Jesus taught His disciples about the Kingdom

Question: “Who do men say that I am”
Revealed – His is not a Kingdom realized by the natural leadership but by revelation and obedience.
Jesus was tempted in the wilderness in this very way of thinking to bring salvation.
- provision – persuasion – power

Mark 9:30-32
- Lesson in Kingdom greatness
- True power is reflected in love and service
- A yielded life lived in service to the living God
Mark 10:32-34
- A lesson that it is not the possession of things but of reality and relationship with God that is reflected in service, “Thy will be done.”

Three Decisions to Help

Accept God’s love for you
- I John 4:18 “Where God’s love is, there is no fear because God’s perfect love drives out fear”
- Our deepest need in life is to feel absolutely, totally, unconditionally loved – not for something we could be or should be, but loved just as we are.
- We were created just so he can love us.
Believe that Jesus died and rose for you!
- It’s one thing to believe about something; it’s another thing to believe in something.
- Hebrews 2:14-15 NLT “Only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who
- have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.”
- When you believe what Jesus says about the future is true, then you can stop being afraid of death.
Commit our fears and your life to Christ
- Part of the reason so many people are so scared today is that they’ve placed their trust in the wrong places.
- I Peter 3:14-15 Good News “Don’t be afraid of anyone and don’t worry, but have reverence for Christ in your heart and honor him as Lord”

otC 03.29.09 Sam's Real Need

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:53:57 -0500

Sam’s Real Need
John 4:1-19

Three Strikes

John 4
- Vs 4 – Jesus to Galilee through Samaria
- Vs 7 – Jesus speaking to a woman
- Vs 9 – Jesus dealing with a Samaritan

Characters Encountered

John the Baptist
- Son of Light
- Kingdom of Heaven
Mary
- Holy Ghost Party – God of Covenant
Nicodemus
- Nic @ Night – Start from the top!
- God of our weakness

Nic and Sam

Nic was looking – hopeful
Sam had quit looking – hopeless
Nic thought he knew the answer – perplexed
Sam thought the answer could not be known – agnostic
Nic was trying to reinforce his beliefs – religious
Sam was trying to justify or reinforce her beliefs – religious
Nic was confident but confused
Sam was arrogant and confused.

otC 03.22.09 Nicodemus' Hope

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 23:34:57 -0500

Nicodemus’ Hope
John 3:1-21

Three Encounters with Nicodemus:

John 3:1-21 – Afraid of being discovered, Nicodemus made a night appointment.
John 7:50-52 – Nicodemus next appears as part of the Jewish council.
John 19:39-40 – Our last picture of Nicodemus shows him joining Joseph of Arimathea in asking for Jesus’ body in order to provide for its burial.

Nicodemus’ Hopelessness

Nic @ Night – Part 2
A weary religious leader!
- They not only had the Ten Commandments but these were expanded to 613 commandments and 365 prohibitions and many hundreds of lesser injunctions that people had to follow.
Jesus had become a stumbling block to him.
Jesus ministered to him right where he was…

Nicodemus’ Perspective

The kingdom?
- Ruled by God, a restoration, of God’s people
Jesus revealed to this devout Pharisee that the kingdom would come to the whole world
- John 3:16, not just the Jews
- Nicodemus wouldn’t be a part of it unless he was personally born again (John 3:5)
Jesus later taught that God’s kingdom has already begun in the hearts of believers (Luke 17:21) to be realized at His return (Revelation 21 &. 22)
Ezekiel 36:25-27
Numbers 21:6-9

Layers Surrounding Our Weakness

Weary in Shame
Wicked in Sin
Wounded in Situations
Weakness in Self

Weary in Shame
- First, we face shame in the struggle
- We feel bad about the problem in our life
- Attempt to hide it from others
- We pretend we are fine even though we know we are not!
F.I.N.E. = Our conditioned response: “I’m Fine” (Possible acronyms)

Feelings Freaked out

Inside Insecure

Never Neurotic

Expressed Emotional

Strength In Weakness
by Andrew Comiskey

‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked.
‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’
John 3:4

otC 03.15.09 Nic @ Night

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 23:50:09 -0500

Nic @ Night
John 3:1-10

A Self-Revealing God

The revelation of God in the Gospel of John
We see the heart of God in His general and special revelation
- Romans 1:17-20
- The special revelation of His Word more specifically reveals His moral character.
The Gospel of John reveals the Divine perspective of Jesus ministry

There are only two kinds of people – those who say “Thy will be done” to God or those to whom God in the end says, “Thy will be done.”
--- C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain, The Great Divorce

Three Encounters with Nicodemus:

John 3:1-21 – Afraid of being discovered, Nicodemus made a night appointment.
John 7:50-52 – Nicodemus next appears as part of the Jewish council.
John 19:39-40 – Our last picture of Nicodemus shows him joining Joseph of Arimathea in asking for Jesus’ body in order to provide for its burial.

Nicodemus Perspective
Ezekiel 36:25-27
Titus 3:4-7

Jesus is lightening!

Jesus is lightning, Christianity is a 110 volt receptacle.
Footsteps In The Sea by Ed Chinn

‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’
John 3:4

Feelings	Freaked out
Inside	Insecure
Never	Neurotic
Expressed	Emotional