09-25-16 The Proximity and Presence of God

Scripture  Psalm 148:1-14

Stand outside sanctuary and speak without being seen:

“How would it be if a preached for the next 30 minutes like this?” Go several different places showing different views of proximity and Closeness. Finally, “What if I could get inside your brain and communicate directly to you where you are?

Let me check your brain power

Show slide for 1 second:    GODISNOWHERE

          What if I could pick random people to help me read the scripture? (Pick my family)

Ps 148:1-14

Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights above.

2 Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.

4 Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.

6 He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away.

7Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,

9 you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,

10 wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,

11 kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth,

12 young men and maidens, old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted;

his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

14 He has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his saints, of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the Lord!

God is near / God is far

          When we see God as only near – we make God small: Jer 23:23-24 “Am I only a God nearby, and not a God far away?  Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him? Do not I fill heaven and earth?” God is not SOMEWHERE SOMETIMES – God is EVERYWHERE ALWAYS!

God is: OMNIPRESENT The prefix omni- comes from the Latin meaning “all.” So, to say that God is omnipresent is to say that God is present everywhere. God's presence is continuous throughout all of creation, though it may not be revealed in the same way at the same time to people everywhere. At times, He may be actively present in a situation, while He may not reveal that He is present in another circumstance in some other area. God is not only everywhere – but God is here Josh 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Why does God seem close one moment and distant the next?

In a dramatic display of God's power, the prophet Elijah witnessed God's nearness. He challenged the prophets of Baal to climb Mount Carmel for a contest: his God against theirs. After these false prophets spent most of the day pleading for their god to accept their sacrifice, Elijah prayed to the one true God. Immediately "the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil . . ." (1 Kings 18:38). Amazed by God's response, the people put the prophets of Baal to death.

When wicked Queen Jezebel heard what had happened to her prophets, she sent Elijah a message: "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" (19:2).

As a result, "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life" (v. 3).

Did Elijah think God would not, or could not, help him?

          What about Peter?  Matt 16:17-18

Jesus said, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

          Vs 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

         

NEAR than FAR     Proximity VS Presence PIANO – play the piano

          Psalms 148:14. . . For the people of Israel who are near to him.

Distance and separation were marks of the old covenant. When God appeared to His Moses, He said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet";¹ and when He revealed Himself on Mount Sinai to His own chosen people, one of the first commands was, "You shall set limits for the people all around." In the sacred worship of the tabernacle and the temple, the thought of distance was always prominent.

SIX TEMPLE SLIDES: Court of the Gentiles – Court of the Women – Court of the Israelites/Men – Court of the priests – Holy Place – Holy of Holies.

When Jesus came, things changed. The word "Go" was replaced with "Come";

       Matt 11:28     Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

       Matt 19:14     Let the little children come to me

       John 7:37-38  If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.

Ephesians 2:11-13

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)— 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. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:19-22

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

3 slides:

1        GODISNOWHERE

2        GOD IS NO WHERE

3        GOD IS NOW HERE

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

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; you were bought at a price.

Revelation 3:20

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

09-18-16 Here we go round the mulberry bush

Scripture  Luke 17:5-6

VIDEO: Mustard Seed Faith

INTRODUCITON

Our first home was at 101 N Westmore in Columbus. It had two trees in the front yard – one diseased and one huge. How I removed the large one – the roots were two much even for a backhoe.

5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"

6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.”

Here we go round the mulberry bush,
The mulberry bush,
The mulberry bush.
Here we go round the mulberry bush
So early in the morning.

This was associated with a children’s game acting out the verses. What’s wrong with the song? Mulberry’s do not grow on bushes; they grow on trees (various theories why it was called a bush).

The root structure of a mulberry tree is vastly different than that of most trees. Most trees have a vertical root system and may mirror the foliage toward the top of the tree. That is: the roots go down deep. MULBERRY ROOTS The mulberry has a vertical root system as well, but has an even more extensive vertical root system that goes no deeper than two feet but spreads out even further than the edge of the canopy size of its branches and leaves. It does this to get nutrients far and wide. Watering a mulberry tree is done past the size of the tree, not at the trunk like most of us would do.

My faith won’t let me put out into the deep. Why? Can I change that?

Story of Noah building the ark – my faith wouldn’t let me do that.

Story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac – my faith wouldn’t let me do that.

Story of Peter walking on Water – my faith wouldn’t let me do that.

Story of Stephen – would my faith let me do that? I hope so.

          (First I would ask to speak to the assassin’s supervisor…)

Some churches seem to grow and grow – do I have faith Ashland can have that happen? I would say, “well I don’t have enough history to know what we are capable of.” What’s wrong with that? That assumes people are at the center of church growth and seeing people saved. I know what Jesus can do – that is where my faith needs to be. But I have already talked myself out of a spiritual giant type of faith. WAIT WAIT WAIT – Jesus didn’t say I needed to have a spiritual giant kind of faith. He said, and I quote: If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.

Jesus said several things there:

Mustard seeds are the small round seeds of various mustard plants. MUSTARD SEED The seeds are usually about (0.039 to 0.079 in) in diameter and may be colored from yellowish white to black. They are an important spice in many regional foods and may come from one of three different plants: black mustard, brown Indian mustard, or white mustard-mixed with water or vinegar it creates ‘mustard’.

1)    Not everyone has faith. “If you have faith…”

2)    Faith comes in different sizes “…as small as a mustard seed”

3)    You can speak and act in faith beyond your natural abilities.

4)    Speak/Act in faith (in Jesus is implied) and the thing spoken to will obey HIM.

Let’s recall – my faith/our faith is not giant – it seems pretty small when compared to Noah, Abraham, Peter and Stephen. But to do a great thing, as impressive as moving a tree with an astounding root system and tossing it aside, we only need a little faith…HOW LITTLE? As little as yours and we will see God move in the lives of people in Oregon, Ohio and the surrounding area like never before. So, do you have faith in Jesus? Is it an active faith? Will you be counted among Jesus’ apostles – ones who are sent in His name out into the deep where you will let down your nets, because you KNOW there will be a great catch.

09-11-16 Parable of the Fishless Fishers!

Scripture   Acts 26:15-18

Scripture Reading:               Ephesians 4:7-8, 11-13, 16

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men."  It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Jesus call to a specific person from which we see the principal of God:

Acts 26:15-18 (A man named Saul, who was persecuting Christians…and had a vision of Jesus)

 "Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?'

"'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied.

16 'Now get up and stand on your feet.

ORDERS: I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.

17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light,

and from the power of Satan to (the power of) God,

so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

Jesus call to a specific person from which we see the principal of God:

Luke 19:7-10

All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'" But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham (FAITH). For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. (more faith in GPS)"

John 20:21-22

Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."  And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

          When followers of Jesus fail to share the good news of Jesus with others what happens? Then all of us miss out on the joy Paul knew from seeing other people receive eternal life. AND the Zacchaeus’ of the world die without receiving eternal life from Jesus. It is like --- we become fishermen without catching any fish – OR we become fishless fishers:

A Parable of Fishless Fishers

Once upon a time there was a group of people who called themselves Fishers. They lived in a place where streams and lakes abounded and where there were fish in abundance. Week after week, month after month, year after year, the Fishers held meetings and talked about their call to fish, the abundance of fish and how to fish. Again and again they defined what it meant to be Fishers, defended fishing as an honorable vocation and declared that fishing was the primary task of Fishers.

The Fishers continually sought new and better methods of fishing and for new and better definitions of fishing “in a new day, in a new way.” They proclaimed “the fishing industry exists by fishing as fire exists by burning,” and were ever creating slogans such as “Fishing: The Task of Every Fisher” and “Every Fisher Is An Outpost of the Fishers’ Club.”

The Fishers sponsored special meetings – rallies – called “Fishing Campaigns,” held “Fishers’ Months” and held costly national and worldwide congresses to discuss and promote fishing, to hear about new fishing equipment and “fish calls,” and to learn what new, more effective fishing bait had been discovered.

The Fishers appointed committees and hired staff and held more meetings to define and defend fishing and to decide which new streams should be considered for possible fishing. But – the staff and committee members did not fish.

Large and elaborate training units were created for the primary purpose of teaching Fishers to fish. Courses were offered in the needs of fish, the nature of fish, the care and feeding of fish and how to approach fish. Many of the teachers had earned doctoral degrees in fishology. But the teachers still did not fish. They only taught fishing.

Year after year, many completed the tedious training and were graduated and given fishing licenses. Some were sent to distant waters that were full of fish. Their going inspired others to respond to the call to be Fishers. These, too, were commissioned and sent out to fish, but, like the Fishers back home, they never fished. They built power plants to pump water for fish, supplied tractors to plow waterways and traveled here and there to look at fish hatcheries.

Others who said they wanted to be a part of the fishing parties but couldn’t go contributed funds to enable real live Fishers to go and to furnish fishing equipment. Still others thought their job was to relate to the fish in a “good, kind way” so that fish would know the difference between “good” and “bad” Fishers.

Then, after one stirring meeting in which the necessity of fishing was preached, one young person felt a “call,” and soon after leaving the meeting actually went fishing. The next day the young Fisher reported catching not one but two outstanding fish. The other Fishers were overjoyed and began to honor the young Fisher for excellent work. They scheduled appointments for the successful Fisher to share the experience of success with others and tell other Fishers’ Clubs how to do it. Soon the new Fisher, much in demand as a speaker, quit fishing in order to have time to speak – and to serve on the General Board of Fishers International where his considerable experience could benefit everyone.

          Now; I am sure everyone is inspired to go up to complete strangers and share the good news of Jesus. But maybe you feel having a pastor or spiritual leader telling you what to say would be best. With modern technology – this is now possible. Picture yourself witnessing to a total stranger for the very first time, but with help: WITNESSOLA VIDEO

          In a fun way we see the absurdity of trying to do something we are completely uncomfortable with and unprepared for. What about this – what if we start with simply inviting people to a place where they can hear the good news of Jesus. What if we try a 12-month experiment and become the most inviting church in the Toledo area?  A ministry team has begun that is looking at ways to make Oregon and Greater Toledo know we are even here. Mailers are going to be sent out to people who have just moved into the area. We are recreating a more attractive and inviting website. We are going to give guests a few priority parking spots. But there is nothing better than an invitation from someone whom the guest will see when they come to church for the very first time. As you invite and more people come to faith in Jesus, new gifts and skill sets are added to the ministry of our church and the more we honor Jesus and reach out in His name. There are many things we can do besides just inviting people to church, but let’s begin there – the Bible says – the one who is faithful with little, will be given much. Let’s do this one little thing – be faithful in it – and watch for the blessings of God.

Acts 26:16-18

'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness. I am sending you to people to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins by faith in me.'

09-04-16 Equipped for a Labor Day of Love!

Scripture  Colossians 3:17-24

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.

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

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.

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. Vs 17 could be about any aspect of life. Sounds like our entire life should reflect Jesus as the moon reflects the sun which is our way of giving thanks to God for life.

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.     Paul did not argue the

legal status of the day as people would in our day. Men were the legal authority in the home – period. It had to do with position – not importance or value. It was a directive of temperament that would be kind and pleasing and peaceful. It is a call of all Christians to submit to one another. For children and slaves the word obey is Active Imperative where submit is in the middle voice rendering it a choice which is ‘fitting in the Lord.’

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. The primary purpose of marriage was to produce offspring. Paul Veyne said, “love in marriage was a stroke of good fortune, it was not the basis of the institution.” But a Christian husband is commanded to ‘love his wife as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.  Ephesians 6:1-3  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"-which is the first commandment with a promise— "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." Just like husbands are to love the wife who chooses to submit, so the Father loves the children who are obedient. It goes back to the first verse for today: 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. Wives, husbands, children, Fathers

21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.  Who wants children that live a discouraged life? If the parent doesn’t encourage (put courage into…) the world sure won’t.  Some parents feel so inferior, that discouraging their children makes them feel better. NO! A parent’s job is to encourage your children to be the best they can be in the most positive way – what we did with driving…

LAST GROUP:

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

Some would say that Paul is affirming slavery by addressing them here. The opposite is true. He can’t change the institution of slavery but he can treat slaves like everyone else. Considered as property, one thing slaves lacked was self-respect. Paul treats them as morally responsible individuals like he would anyone else. By doing so, they are elevated to the status of “real people” and Christians regardless of their socio economic status. Illustration: selling pencils to store manager.

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord*, not for men, My Rainbow/janitor story – Living this principle this will change your life!

24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. If your hard work doesn’t pay in this life it will in the next, and it doesn’t matter because your excellence at work shows how much you love Jesus!

"KEEP THE WORKDAY HOLY"

Bumper-sticker philosophy, "I owe, I owe, so off to work I go." For a vast portion of the workforce, that's the best reason they can muster for going to the job each day. According to one poll, only 43 percent of American office workers are satisfied with their jobs.

In Christ our jobs should have more meaning than a paycheck: Martin Luther wrote, "The maid who sweeps her kitchen is doing the will of God just as much as the monk who prays - not because she may sing a Christian hymn as she sweeps but because God loves clean floors. The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship."

Do good works for God by doing good work for your employer.

MR> ROGERS NEIGHBORHOOD

The late Fred Rogers, creator and host of the much-loved children's television program Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, had a special understanding of his ministry and his work. His widow, Joanne Rogers, told a journalist: "I always remind people that he was an ordained Presbyterian minister and his educational children’s show was his ministry. His work was his ministry, and he loved his work; my, did he love his work. That's what makes me sad about losing him. Because I think he would have worked for a long time more if he could have.” When we honor God and help people, then our work and ministry blend together in pleasing service to the Lord. Mister Rogers showed us how we can do that in our own neighborhood/Work/or School.

Does your work seem like a waste of time? Imagine what life would be like if nobody bothered to do the job you do.

1. No matter what our task, it's our duty to work for God's glory. In this sense, no job is better than another. Each should result in honor to God.

2. The way we work can earn the respect of those who do not follow Christ. A boss shouldn't have to tell a Christian to use time well or to work hard.

3. Our work is one way to fulfill our dual purpose: to love God and others. Showing love to our co-workers is a good way to show that we love God.

4. We must work to provide for those who depend on us. Harsh words of criticism are reserved for those who don't take care of their family. 1 Tim 5:8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Having a job can be hard work. Even for those who truly enjoy their jobs, it's nice to have a Labor Day breather. But until the day comes when our work is over, our task is to make our labor a testimony to God's glory. It's not the hours you put in that count, but what you put in the hours.

As you wake up each day – what will you invest in the hours you have at work? Not how will you get through the day, but how will you invest that time each day when you work as though working for the Lord? Hear our text a final time with the word today interjected throughout.

CONCLUSION

Add the word TODAY in the text below

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

Wives, submit to your husbands TODAY, as is fitting in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives TODAY and do not be harsh with them.

Children, obey your parents in everything TODAY, for this pleases the Lord.

Fathers, do not embitter your children TODAY, or they will become discouraged.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything TODAY; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

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

          Do THIS and you will be Equipped for a Labor Day of Love!

08-28-16 Equipped for Deep Water Fishing!

Scripture    Isaiah 6:1-8

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty."

          6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."

          8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"  And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

         

About the time that King Uzziah died (having reigned 52 years since age 16), Isaiah saw this vision of God upon a throne; for when an earthly king dies, the Lord reigns forever. Israel's king dies, but Israel's God still lives. King Uzziah died under a cloud, he was a leper till the day of his death; basically died in a hospital, but the King of kings still sits upon his throne.

When the kingdom looks bleak – that is because we are looking at the wrong kingdom. Look past this world to the one that is to come. Imagine life as a slave – things could not be worse – but many of them looked beyond this world to a greater one where the King of glory reigns on high which is why we have great and hope spirituals sung form despair into hope.

John 12:41  Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him.

Now Let Me Fly which references the biblical story of Ezekiel's Wheels. The song talks mostly of a promised land. This song might have boosted the morale and spirit of the slaves, giving them hope that there was a place waiting that was better than where they were. Go Down Moses, a spiritual that depicts the biblical story of Moses in Exodus leading his people to freedom, is believed by some to be a coded reference to the conductors on the Underground Railroad. The oppressor in the song is the pharaoh, but in real life would have been the slave owner. Swing low…

What is the single most important thing about spiritual fishing? About fishing for people? About fishing because Jesus said from now on you will fish for people? The single most important thing is Jesus!  If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus – then having a boat doesn’t matter – knowing how to hoist the sails doesn’t matter, knowing how to catch the wind doesn’t matter. Properly mending your nets doesn’t matter. Washing your nets doesn’t matter. Knowing when to fish; where to fish; how to fish just doesn’t matter if you don’t know WHY you are fishing. You are fishing because Jesus wants EVERYONE to be caught by His spirit so that every fish might be forgiven of their sins (living the opposite way from how God created you to live [STOP sidebar: not from how God says you have to live or because God made rules and laws to follow – but because God created you to live in a way that not only is pleasing to Him but is ABSOLUTELY BEST IN EVERY WAY for you! Heavenly Father does know best.]

WHY FISH? So that someone may have their sins forgiven which means they will also get ETERNAL LIFE. Fishy fishes are caught to be killed – people fish are caught to be given Abundant and Eternal life.

Even before Christ walked the earth – Isaiah understood what was important – there are few people who are neutral on the upcoming presidential election – they either feel strongly about one candidate or the other – love or hate – or they feel strongly that neither candidate is a good one…KNOW WHAT? Jesus is my president – he is my king – Jesus was way less interested in who ruled the land than he was in who ruled people’s hearts. If the heart is submitted to king Jesus – the other stuff will be in place according to his will. God voted for a theocracy where HE is King – the people demanded an earthly king and the world has known nothing but government strife ever since.

How do you know if you have a relationship with Jesus? I’m not asking if you are saved – the bible does say

1 Corinthians 3:10-17

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

So, to become the best possible fishermen for Jesus – you first need to work on your foundation – knowing Jesus – be careful to never have pride that you are a better Christian or know Jesus better than someone else – that is called pride (Uzziah pride went into the temple to burn incense – 80 priests followed and ushered him out because the Lord struck him with leprosy for disobedience and his son took over his reign)

How do you know if you have a good personal relationship with Jesus?

How do you know if you have a good personal relationship with anyone?

)   1)Be interested in that person’s life (triumphs and tragedies)       Bible Study

   2)    Spend time together (Intentional and casual time together)     Fellowship

   3)    Honor that person (Gifts and Encouragement)                        Worship

   4)    Share your life with that person – honestly (triumphs and tragedies)Prayer

   5)    Introduce that person to other people in your life (Family & Friends)Fishing for People

ACTS 2:42

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Acts 2:46-47  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. (Fishing for people) And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

VIDEO:  FAITH AT SCHOOL

08-21-16 Put out into Deep Water! 2016 Theme Introduction

Scripture   Luke 5:1-11

PIC 01) Put out into deep water

THEME 2016: Put out into Deep Water / Sermons are DESCRIPTIVE or PRESCRIPTIVE

PIC 02) Sea of Galilee

D E S C R I P T I V E

The Sea of Galilee, also Gennesaret, or Tiberias is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth 686’ below Sea Level. Its main source is the Jordan River which flows through it from north to south. It is approximately 13 miles long, and 8 miles) wide.

PIC 03) Depth of the Sea of Galilee  Its maximum depth is approximately 141 feet (43m).

Luke 5:1-11

1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2 he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.  (I love this picture of Jesus sitting in the boat-teaching)

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water,    and let down the nets for a catch." (Notice the “comma”. It is one thing to put out into deep water – I love boating, I am not a huge fisherman. I prefer deep water so I don’t hit bottom. But it is an entirely different thing to ALSO let down the nets – not just let them down for a fishing exercise, let them down FOR A CATCH – Jesus knew Peter was going to get a great catch of fish.)

          5 Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. (Isn’t that just like us? No Jesus, I have already tried that – I don’t need to do it again – you know what they say…”do the same thing and get the same results.” Moses didn’t want to follow God, Jonah tried running away from God. Mark abandoned Paul and Barnabas mission work – BUT Peter acquiesced and said:) But because you say so, I will let down the nets. (NO CATCH)"

          LESSON: That is exactly what Moses, Jonah and eventually Mark did – in fact – that is what Jesus did “Father, I don’t want to drink this cup of suffering – please take it away – but if you say so, I will do it.”

6 When they had done so (put out into the deep & let down the nets), they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. (that could make you mad – what was Peter doing at the beginning of this story – or often doing? Washing and/or mending his nets…now they are breaking.  This is a sign of the church on Pentecost – so many new converts so quickly – what do we do with them? I would love to see that happen in our day. WHAT DID THEY DO? Asked for help!) 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. (Following Jesus may cause your nets to nearly break and your boat to nearly sink – when I have nearly sunk my boat my family was not happy about it – imagine the disciples shouting for joy, barely noticing the boat getting lower in the water for the joy of the catch of fish like they had never seen – esp after a long night of catching -0- fish.)

          (The real response;)

          8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.

          Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men."  11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

In Mark’s account (1:16-20) and Matthew’s (4:18-22) the fishermen who follow Jesus leave their nets and their father; in Luke, they leave everything. Discipleship is a powerful, compelling call to a new life: a call away from routine to new purpose. The commissioning of the disciples was by giving then a great haul of fish – Jesus’ last word to them in John 21 was telling them where to put their net and giving them a great catch of fish and telling them to fish for people! There are some fish that will jump into a boat, but for most you have go to where the fish are – in the deep or on the other side of the boat.

CONCLUSION

P R E S C R I P T I V E

04)  VIDEO: “In Here Out There” from Right Now Media

08-14-16 Don't Give Up the Ship!

Scripture:  Philippians 3:7-14

http://bible.com/events/78662

Phil 3:7   But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

          12   Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

THE FLAG

James Lawrence was an American naval officer. During the War of 1812, he command-ed USS Chesapeake in a single-ship action against HMS Shannon.  His dying command to those in his charge was: “Don't give up the ship!", which is still a popular naval battle cry, and was made into a flag flown by his personal friend, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, less than a year later on Sept 10, 1813, during the Battle of Lake Erie as he faced the British fleet in the Western end of Lake Eire.

ADONIRAM JUDSON

Feb 6, 1812 (170 before Kim and I got married) Judson was ordained.

Feb 5, 1812 Married Ann Hasseltine

"I have now to ask whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world. Whether you can consent to see her departure to a heathen land, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of a missionary life? Whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean; to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India; to every kind of want and distress; to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death? Can you consent to all this, for the sake of perishing immortal souls; for the sake of Zion and the glory of God? Can you consent to all this, in hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with a crown of righteousness brightened by the acclamations of praise which shall redound to her Savior from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair?"

Sept 6, 1812 Baptized (4 months to travel to India – Bible Study led them to become Baptist)

July 13, 1813 in Burma

June 26, 1819 First Convert = Maung Nau

June 8, 1824 Prison = 30x40’ by 5’tall 100 people male & female nearly naked, little food, never cleaned, 5 pair of fetters on his ankles; at night a bamboo pole raised his feet in the air with shoulders resting on the floor – 21 months. Ann gave birth to a son who got small pox as did she- and got permission to get Judson out with a guard as they went thru the streets begging a Burmese mother to feed their child.

2 wives died – 3 children died – the church scattered while imprisoned. BUT, Within a few years he finished translating the bible and distributed tracks everywhere sending out people 2x2 into small jungle tribes with the gospel.

Oct 15,1845 With 3 surviving children he came to America and could barely speak above a whisper and had difficulty speaking in English – married again, left children in America and returned to Burma.

                         By his death Judson had hoped to see one church and 100 converts – instead there were over 7000 converts, 63 churches 163 missionaries and native pastors. He was directly responsible for the creation of a foreign Missions board for the Congregationalist and the Baptist in America which influenced the same among Episcopalians, Methodists and Presbyterians.

April 12, 1850 on a ship to regain health – he died and was silently lowered into the sea without even a prayer being said.

          The ship gave up Adoniram Judson, but Judson NEVER gave up the ship!

          Much like the Apostle Paul who NEVER gave up the ship!

2 Cor 11:24-28

Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.   Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

          The world’s religious landscape is changing for Christians. A century ago, 80 percent lived in North America and Europe, compared with just 40 percent today. Christianity is thriving in many places in Latin America, Asia and Africa.

          Lucas County: Religions Adherents In 2010 Catholic: 21% Evangelical Protestant: 9% Mainline Protestant: 9% Black Protestant: 3% Other: 3%  None: 55%

          You may be called to go overseas or just across the street…no matter where you are, In Burma, In Africa, in Latin America, in the USA, in the greater Toledo area or in Oregon Ohio join Paul in saying, I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

CONCLUSION

Serving Jesus never allows us to rest on our achievements of the past or be held back by our failures – as a church or an individual:

"I am not tired of my work, neither am I tired of the world; yet, when Christ calls me home, I shall go with gladness." Adoniram Judson

          The Apostle Paul writing a letter to the one who would pick up his ministry where he left off – his spiritual son Timothy:

1 Tim 1:15-19

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

          18 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.

In other words, “Timothy, DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP!”