MAIN THOUGHT: Every believer can know God more intimately by discovering who God is to the believer.

Introduction: Wright brothers - Wilbur & Orville - 1899 - spent a great deal of time observing birds in flight.  The hope and dream arose that if birds could fly, perhaps, man could discover a way to fly also.
1899 - built a small biplane glider
1900 - built  a larger glider with a 17-foot wing span
1901 - glider - 22 foot
Dec. 17, 1903, in Kitty Hawk, NC, first successful powered flight that lasted 12 seconds
1904 - 5-minute powered flight

God is our Source of hope.

Psalm 119:49 NIV “Remember Your word to your servant, for You have given me hope.”

Psalm 119:49 NKJ “Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope.”

Hope Defined: “favorable and confident expectation, having to do with the unseen and the future” (Vines, page 311)

College If you came from a poor family where no one had ever gone to college and a good teacher helped you to hope to one day attend and graduate college

“Biblical hope consists of assurance in the heart, even a firm confidence, about future things, because these are based on God’s promises and revelation…Biblical hope is linked inseparably with a firm faith (Romans 15:13; Hebrews 11:1) and a confident trust in God.”
(”The Full Life Study Bible,” “Biblical Hope,” pages 792-793)

Hope - eyes to see;  Faith is the binoculars to focus on something far away

God is a God of Hope

Romans 15:13 NIV “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

1 Timothy 1:1 NIV “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,”

1 Peter 1:3 NIV “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,”

Hebrews 6:19 NIV “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.  It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,”

Romans 15:4 NKJ “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

Hope of eternal life Titus 1:2 NKJ “in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,”

Titus 3:7 NKJ “that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

We Must Place Our Hope in God

Psalm 25:5 NIV “guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.”

Psalm 38:15 NKJ “For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.”

Hope that God hears your prayers
Faith in the Scriptures brings you the confidence that your prayers are heard!

Psalm 39:7 NIV “But now, Lord, what do I look for?  My hope is in You.”

Psalm 78:7 NKJ “That they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments;”

1 Timothy 4:10 NIV “…we have put our hope in the living God…”

1 Timothy 6:17 NIV “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

Don’t place your hope in money - stock market “black days” - People lost thousands and hundreds of thousands of dollars in a day!

1 Peter 1:13 NIV “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Hope of heaven - by faith we can have assurance of heaven

1 Peter 1:21 NIV “Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so your faith and hope are in God.”

The Difference between Faith and Hope

Hebrews 11:1 NIV “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Hope of a map being able to get us to the destination.  Faith actions cause us to get in the car, turn the engine on, and put the car in gear

Hope is very general and concept oriented:
“I have hope in God that He will take care of me.”

Hope is the foundation of a house - Faith is the house built upon the foundation of hope

Faith is very specific and item oriented:
“I believe that God will heal me of this cancer.”

Believers Must Confess Their Hope

Hebrews 3:6 NIV “But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house.  And we are His house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.”

Hope to own your own home - Faith causes you to begin thanking God for that home, get on a budget, trim wasteful spending, dream about that home
My first home: $24,500
Next home - fireplace, 3 car garage
New Jersey - a whole new faith level needed with high prices!

Hope to pay off your home - set a date & start thanking God; pay off by age 60

Hebrews 10:23 NIV “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”

Hebrews 10:23 NKJ “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Hope for favor - start thanking God for it, based on His Word

Psalm 119:49 NKJ “Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope.”

MAIN THOUGHT: Every believer can the need for placing God’s Word first by noting its effects.

What Happens When We Place God’s Word
First in Our Lives

Protection from sinful behavior

Psalm 119:1 NIV “They do nothing wrong;“  NKJ - “do no iniquity”

Psalm 119:9 NIV “How can a young man keep his way pure?  By living according to Your word.”

Psalm 119:11 NIV “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”

1 John 3:9 NIV “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.”

1 John 5:18 NIV “We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.”

Psalm 119:16 NIV “I delight in Your decrees; I will not neglect Your word.”

How has God’s Word steered you away from sinful behavior?
rebellion, sexual sin, bad decisions, harmful actions

True freedom!

Psalm 119:32 NIV “I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free.”

Psalm 119:45 NIV “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out Your precepts.”
119:46 NKJ “I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings and will not be ashamed.”

How free are you, really?

Are you free to: praise unreservedly, enjoy others, speak words of love, encourage others, witness, obey the Lord, not sin, stop harmful habits (over-eating, not exercising, negativity, lying, gossiping, smoking, drinking…)

Eyes opened to eternal realities

Psalm 119:18 NIV “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law.”

119:24 NIV “Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.”

119:27 NIV “Let me understand the teaching of Your precepts; then I will meditate on Your wonders.”

True revival: when God’s Word takes precedence (priority) in a person’s life.

Acts 19:20 NKJ “So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.”

Psalm 119:6 NKJ “…I would not be ashamed.”

Psalm 119:36 The Message “Give me a bent for Your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot.”

119:35 NIV  “I find delight [in the path of Your commands].”

119:37  “Turn my eyes away from [looking at] worthless things.”

What are “worthless things” that you need to turn your eyes from? ___________________________________________________
Certain TV shows and movies, worry, fear, adultery, filthy language, idols, mammon (money)

God’s keeping power

Psalm 119:28 NIV “Strengthen me according to Your word.”

Psalm 119:33 NIV “Teach me, O Lord, to follow Your decrees; then I will keep them until the end.”

Remember a time when God’s Word
helped to bring you back from straying from Him.

backsliding, growing lukewarm, less Bible reading, less praying, less witnessing, less praising

Psalm 119:25 NKJ “Revive me according to Your word.”

Psalm 119:29 NKJ  “Remove from me the way of lying,”

Father in heaven,
I confess that Jesus is the Lord of my life today.
I believe that the Bible is Your Word.
It was written by the Holy Spirit’s influence and inspiration.
I trust that Your Word is the ultimate truth in this universe.

I will fully obey Your Word
And allow Your Word to shape my thinking and my actions.

Give me a greater hunger for Your Word.
Remind me to pay closer attention to it’s truths, warnings and admonitions.

I recognize that Your Word is a gift to believers in this journey towards eternity.
And I thank You for it!

We Know that We have Left Our First Love:

1.  When our delight in Jesus is no longer as great as our delight in someone else  (Mark 12:30; Luke 14:33)

2.  When we no longer yearn for long periods of time in rich fellowship with the Father, in Bible reading and prayer (Psalm 42:1-2; Matthew 5:6)

3.  When during leisure moments our thoughts are not reflecting on God (Psalm 1:2)

4.  When we excuse ourselves as being “only human” and give in to things we know displease God or diminishes our longing to please Him (John 14:15; 15:10; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 12:11)

5.  When we do not willingly and cheerfully give to God’s work and our service becomes a chore (1 John 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 9:7)

6.  When we cease to treat fellow Christians as we would Jesus (Matthew 25:40; John 13:34)

7.  When we view the commands of Christ as restrictions rather than an opportunity to express His love (John 14:21; Psalm 119:16, 40)

8.  When we inwardly strive for the acclaim of the world (or co-workers or friends) rather than seeking the approval of the Lord (1 John 2:15-16)

9.  When we fail to identify ourselves as Christians because we fear rejection or disapproval (Proverbs 29:25)

10.  When we refuse to give up an activity or a practice which offends a weaker brother or sister (Romans 14:13, 16, 21)

11.  When we become complacent of sinful conditions around us (Matthew 24:12; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; Proverbs 4:23)

12.  When we are no longer trusting God in every area of our lives (Philippians 4:6-7; Proverbs 3:5-6)

13.  When we find ourselves criticizing and murmuring (Psalm 34:1; Hebrews 13:15)

14.  When we are unable (unwilling) to forgive another for offending us (1 John 4:20; Matthew 5:23-24)

15.  When we refuse to walk in God’s love (John 15:12-15; Philippians 1:9; Ephesians 5:1)

Further Ways to Detect Loss of First Love

I get too busy to spend time with the Lord.

I don’t care about the things of God.

I start finding fault with God, others.

My faith in God’s Word begins to lag.

My intimacy with the Lord is hard to find.

I begin to dislike other Christians.

My heart becomes callused.

I have less of a desire to worship.

I begin to blame God…

Main Thought: Every believer can receive God’s love by embracing the ways He provides it.

I embrace God’s love by walking in His Word.

Psalm 119:1-3 NIV “Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.
2  Blessed are they who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart.”

119:1 Amplified Bible “”…the way [of the revealed will of God]”
The Message  “…the road revealed by God”
New Living Translation  “the instructions of the Lord”
119:2  The Message “directions”

We show our love for God by obeying His commands.

Exodus 20:6 NIV “but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me AND keep My commandments.”

John 14:15 NIV “If you love Me, you will obey what I command.”

John 14:21 NIV “Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me.  He who loves Me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him.”

1 John 5:3 NIV “This is love for God: to obey His commands.  And His commands are not burdensome,”

2 John 1:6 NIV “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands.  As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.”
Two Sons (Mt 21:28-32) “Work in my vineyard” One said, “Okay,” and did not go;
The other said “No!”  but later went. - 2nd son obeyed

Commitments to God’s Word

1.  obedience
Psalm 119:4 NIV “You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.          Amplified Bible “observe them diligently”
5  Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying Your decrees!”

Psalm 119:8 NIV “I will obey Your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.”

Psalm 119:17 NIV “Do good to Your servant, and I will live; I will obey Your word.”
Husband: “I love you!”  unfaithful to wife

2.  living according to God’s Word
Psalm 119:9 NIV “How can a young man keep his way pure?  By living according to Your word.”
The Message “the map of Your Word”

3.  hiding God’s Word in your heart
Psalm 119:11 NIV “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”
The Message “I’ve banked Your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt.”

4.  rejoicing in God’s Word
Psalm 119:14 NIV “I rejoice in following Your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.”
The Message: delight
Win lottery - imagine what you’d buy, where you’d go, changes

5.  meditating on God’s Word
Ps 119:15 NIV “I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways.”

Old Testament for meditate: “‘to meditate‘ or ‘ponder‘ on something by talking to oneself.”

New Testament for meditate: “to take thought for, attend to, care for”

“It can also mean to ‘to exercise‘ or ‘to practice,’ for example, an orator who practices speaking or reviews a speech in his mind before addressing an audience.”

6.  considering God’s ways
Psalm 119:15 NIV “I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways.”
study, ponder

7.  delighting in God’s Word
Ps 119:16 NIV “I delight in Your decrees; I will not neglect Your word.”

Ps 119:24 NIV “Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.”
Psalm 119:35 NIV “Direct me in the path of Your commands, for there I find delight.”

Psalm 119:47 NIV “for I delight in Your commands because I love them.
48  I lift up my hands to Your commands, which I love, and I meditate on Your decrees.”

Psalm 119:70 NIV “Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in Your law.”
Psalm 119:72 NIV “The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.”

8.  not neglecting God’s Word - 119:10, 16
Psalm 119:10 NIV “I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands.”
The Message: “the road signs You’ve posted.”

Psalm 119:16 NIV “I delight in Your decrees; I will not neglect Your word.”

9.  longing for God’s Word
Psalm 119:20 NIV “My soul is consumed with longing for Your laws at all times.”
The Message “My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous! – insatiable for Your nourishing commands.”

“Father, help me to love Your Word more than ever before.”
Suggestion: Read & meditate on verses from Psalm 119.

I embrace God’s love by seeking God with all my heart.

Psalm 119:2 “Blessed are they who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart.”

If God did not want you find Him, all your seeking Him would be to no avail.

Psalm 119:10 NIV “I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands.”

Isaiah 55:6 NIV “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.”

How to seek God:
prayer & repentance
fasting
reading / meditating on God’s Word
confession of sin / disobedience
praise
express your desire for God’s kingdom and will to be done in you
pray God’s promises and names

MAIN THOUGHT: Every believer can relate to God in a healthy, loving way by breaking through the hindrances.

Hindrances to Expressing Love to God

Not being aware of God’s love and blessings

“This first anointing was in Capernaum near the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.”    (Not Mary of Bethany or Mary Magdalene)

“In this particular town there happened to be a certain well-known woman of bad reputation.  To say that she was probably a harlot is being unfair to her.  A woman could be a ’sinner’ without being a harlot.  Besides, it is clear from the present account that whatever she had been she was no longer.  She must have heard the words of Jesus.  And these words, spoken on previous occasions, must have been applied savingly to her.  Also, even now there was present in her heart the beginning of a consciousness of having been divinely pardoned…”

This woman was aware of Jesus and His forgiveness.  She probably saw Jesus relating to tax collectors, sinners, prostitutes, earthy disciples.

What are some of the ways God has shown His love to you this morning?
forgiveness, grace, strength, help, wisdom, guidance, watch-care, protection

Notice the Pharisee, Simon: a common name; Why did he invite Jesus for a meal?
1 - not because he loved Jesus
2 - probably not because he believed in Jesus and what He preached
3 - merely curious?
4 - He wanted to see what kind of a Man Jesus was.
5 - Did he want to spy on Jesus or try to catch Him in some act or utterance?

“Custom allowed people to join the feast, even though they were not invited.  They did not recline at the table but stood or sat against the wall.  It was not uncommon for them to engage in conversation with those who were eating.”

“It was not at all unusual for uninvited persons to enter a home in which a dinner was being given.  They would generally seat themselves along the wall, observe everything that was happening and even engage some of the invited guests in conversation.  Nevertheless, that his particular woman, widely know as a ’sinner,’ had the courage to enter the home of a strict Pharisee, that was something else again.  The only way we can explain it is by assuming that the urge within her to express gratitude to Jesus was so irresistible that nothing could stop her from doing what she wanted to do.
…………………………………..(”New Testament Commentary, The Gospel of …………………………………………………….Luke,” William Hendriksen, 406)

“The woman took advantage of the social customs that permitted needy people to visit such a banquet to receive some of the leftovers.”
……………………………..(”The Expositor’s Bible Commentary,” Vol. 8, 903)

Reclined at table (literal)
“Orientals did not sit upright in chairs at mealtime as we do today, but reclined on couches at the table.  (CBL, Luke, 225)
“We assume, with the majority of translators and commentators, that those who partook of this meal were reclining on low couches arranged around the table.  Each person, facing the table, would be lying slantwise, with his feet stretched out backward.  He would be leaning on his left arm, in order to keep his right hand free to handle the food.  It is therefore understandable that the woman was standing behind Him, that is, at His extended feet.”
……………………………………(”New Testament Commentary, The Gospel of  ………………………………………………………Luke,” William Hendriksen, 406)

Dishonesty before God

Coming to God, thinking we are okay in ourselves - Standing in our own righteousness, instead of Jesus’ righteousness

Luke 18:9 NIV “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:
10 ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11  The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: “God, I thank you that I am not like other men – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector.
12  I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”
13  But the tax collector stood at a distance.  He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
14 ‘I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.  For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’”

Simon, the Pharisee, thought he was righteous.

This woman was so aware of her sinfulness and Jesus’ love.

Paralysis of Expression

This woman freely gave of herself to Jesus - tears, hair, kisses, ointment
…..“Religion is a private matter.”
…..“We are very conservative in our worship expression.”
…..“I don’t wear my feelings on my sleeve.”
…..“I’m not an emotional person.”

“To anoint Jesus with perfume she has come today; note: with perfume, costly and fragrant…not just with ordinary olive oil…Nothing is too good for Jesus!  But as she stands there, she hesitates.  In fact, she is overcome by emotion.  Overwhelming sorrow for past sin is mingled with profound gratitude for the present sense of forgiveness…Result: she bursts into tears.  This ‘heart water’ (Luther) drops down on the feet of Jesus.  Impulsively she does what in those days no woman was supposed to do in public: she loosens her tresses.  Then, bending down with her hair thus let down, she, while continually weeping, keeps on wiping Jesus’ feet, kissing them, and from the already broken jar pouring perfume upon them.”
………………………………….(”New Testament Commentary, The Gospel of ……………………………………………..Luke,” William Hendriksen, 406-407)

“…brought an alabaster jar of perfume?  Such an alabaster jar was a vase of white (or perhaps delicately tinted) fine-grained gypsum.  It had a long neck.  To pour out its contents this neck had to be broken.  It is clear that she felt the need of bringing an offering of thanksgiving to Him who had been instrumental in changing her life.”
…………………………………(”New Testament Commentary, The Gospel of …………………………………………….Luke,” William Hendriksen, 405-406)

Parable of the Two Debtors Luke 7:40-43

Luke 7:40 NIV “Jesus answered him, ‘Simon, I have something to tell you.’ ‘Tell me, teacher,’ he said.
41 ‘Two men owed money to a certain moneylender.  One owed him five hundred denarii [500 days' wages], and the other fifty.
42  Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both.  Now which of them will love him more?’
43  Simon replied, ‘I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.’ ‘You have judged correctly,’ Jesus said.”

Learning Old / New Ways to Express Love to God

raised hands, kneeling, bowing before the Lord, on your face before God, allowing tears to flow, heart-felt words

Luke 7:44 NIV “Then He turned toward the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give Me any water for my feet, but she wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
45 You did not give Me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing My feet.
46 You did not put oil on My head, but she has poured perfume on My feet.”

Expanded Vocabulary of Love

“I love You…bow before You… Wonderful Jesus…Beautiful One…Lord, You are more precious than silver,” names of God, Jesus, Holy Spirit

We are located at:

1 Kane Place, East Hanover, NJ 07936

Office: 973-386-9300

E-mail: tf2equip@verizon.net

Celebrating 50 years of ministry!

As a caring and loving church that proclaims the whole Word of God, we propose to make disciples of Jesus Christ by:

• Exalting God in praise and worship
• Encouraging Christians
• Equipping Christians for ministry
• Evangelizing the world for Christ.

“And we proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
so that we may present everyone complete in Christ Jesus.”
Colossians 1:28

Main Thought: Every believer can better understand his freedom by knowing the God-given reasons.

Revelation 1:5 NIV “and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth.  To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood,”

Why God Frees Us

To be loved by God and to love Him back

Romans 5:5 NLT “And this expectation will not disappoint us.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.”

Romans 5:8 NIV “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

1 John 3:1 NIV “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!…”

Traps of the Enemy

Performance-oriented relationship - good deeds, prayer, Bible reading, witnessing, fasting

Angry God mentality

“God’s gonna get ya!” attitude

The Truth is:
God loves me!!! Prodigal son’s father

Luke 15:20 NKJ “And he arose and came to his father.  But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
21  And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22  But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
23  And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;
24  for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’  And they began to be merry.”

God frees us to glorify God.

to bring honor & praise to God

Romans 3:23 NKJ “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

John 17:22 NKJ “And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:

2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJ “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Ephesians 1:18 NKJ “the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,”

1 Peter 5:10 NKJ “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”

1 Peter 2:9 NKJ “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

Philippians 1:11 NKJ “being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Hebrews 13:15 NKJ “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”

God frees us to share the “glad tidings of the kingdom of God.”

Luke 8:1 NKJ “Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God….”

Luke 8:39 NKJ “‘Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.’  And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.”  (man with legion of demons)

God frees us to bear fruit.

John 15:16 NKJ “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”

John 15:2, 4-5, 8, 16 - fruit, more fruit, much fruit, fruit that remains

Matthew 3:8 NKJ “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,”
9  and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
10  And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees.  Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Matthew 7:16 NKJ “You will know them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
17  Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
19  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20  Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23  gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.”

Luke 13:6 NKJ “He also spoke this parable: ‘A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.
7  Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, “Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?”
8  But he answered and said to him, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.
9  And if it bears fruit, well.  But if not, after that you can cut it down.”‘”

Romans 7:4 “…that we should bear fruit to God.”

Colossians 1:10 NKJ “that you may have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

God expects believers to bear fruit.
It is abnormal to be fruitless.

God Frees Us to Serve Him

Galatians 5:13 NIV “You, my brothers, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature (NKJ - the flesh); rather, serve one another in love.”

We serve God when we serve one another.

Galatians 6:1 NIV “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.  But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
2  Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

The highest calling is to serve in Jesus’ Name.

When a believer serves properly,
he/she is being prepared to reign.

MAIN THOUGHT: Every believer can break into freedom by taking action against areas of bondage.

The early church had to break free of legalism.

“The legalists, called Judaizers, believed that in addition to exercising faith in Jesus, one must observe the ceremonial custom (v. 1) of the OT, especially the rite of circumcision.  Judaizers, then, expected Gentile believers to be circumcised and observe the Law of Moses, just as converts to Judaism had been circumcised for generations previously (v. 21).  After much dispute (v. 7), the Jerusalem Council agreed on what has become the doctrinal foundation of the Christian faith: salvation is by grace through faith alone (v. 11).  Paul’s letter to the Galatians is an extended explanation of this doctrine.
See also Rom. 3:28; 2 Cor. 3:7-18; Eph. 2:8, 9; Col. 2:11-17.”
……………………………..(”Spirit Filled Life Bible,” note Acts 15:1-35)

Paul fought against legalism Galatians 2:1-5, 11-16; Acts 15:7
Galatians 2:1 NIV “Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also.
2 I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain.
3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.
4 This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.
5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.

Paul fought against legalism along with other leaders.
(This was 21 years after the birth of the Church at Pentecost in Acts 2.)

Acts 15:1 NIV “Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: ‘Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.’
2  This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.”
3  The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad.
4  When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.
5  Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, ‘The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.’
6  The apostles and elders met to consider this question.
7  After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: ‘Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.
8  God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.
9  He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
10  Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?
11  No!  We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.’
12  The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
13  When they finished, James spoke up: ‘Brothers, listen to me.
14  Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself.
15  The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:
16 “After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,
17  that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things”
18  that have been known for ages.
19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
20  Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain
…………………………..from food polluted by idols,
…………………………..from sexual immorality,
…………………………..from the meat of strangled animals and
…………………………..from blood.
21  For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

“Posterity, you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom.  I hope you will make good use of it.”
…………………………………………..John Quincy Adams (1820’s)

Paul fought against legalism among Christians.
Galatians 2:11 NIV “When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong.
12  Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles.  But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.
13  The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
14  When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, ‘You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew.  How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?
15  We who are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners”
16  know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.  So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.’”

We must break free in the following areas:

doctrinal error: issues of authority, penance, worship of saints / Mary, praying for the dead, superstitions, faith excesses

legalism - conformity to types of dress, jewelry, make-up, food restrictions, etc.

inhibitions - in expressing praise to God & others, in showing & speaking words of love; able to laugh & enjoy life & people

guilt - over one’s past, using guilt on others as motivation

control issues - exercising control or being exercised upon

sinful bondages - pornography, foul talk/thinking  __________

sinful habits - obsessive thinking about self, not sharing the gospel, being overtaken by practices (food, smoking, drinking, etc.)  __________________

prejudices - sexual orientation, racism, being exclusive

fears - worrying, limiting yourself by your fears

areas of disobedience - refusing to get out of comfort zones, not obeying God’s voice

unbelief & doubts - limiting God, speaking unbelief

Being free starts with a decision.
Then take actions that will move you in freedom’s direction.

Steps to Break into Freedom

Hate slavery of any kind - physical, emotional, manipulation, domination

Ask God to set you free!

Shake off the shackles of your bondage in the Name of Jesus!
Confess Scripture, receive prayer, be accountable, ask for help, whatever it takes!

Galatians 5:1 NIV “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

MAIN THOUGHT: Every believer can walk in Jesus’ authority by reminding himself of his position in Jesus Christ.

INTRO: I want to walk in Jesus’ authority!  Do you?  The way that will happen comes about as we kick out old ideas and ways of thinking and re-orient our minds to think about God and ourselves as God thinks about us.  Our ideas and ways of thinking change by exposure to God’s Word.

Last week was Father’s day.  I referred to
Deuteronomy 6:6 NIV “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
7  Impress them on your children. [NKJ - You shall teach them diligently to your children.]  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
8  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
9  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

Today, let’s just review what the Lord has been speaking through me over the past number of years.  I have been trying to cause you to grow in your relationship with God by learning to embrace His Word and confess what is in His Word.

Philemon 1:6 NKJ “that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”

Believers must know that God favors them.

Favor Confession

I am surrounded by the favor of God because I am His special son/daughter.  His hand is upon my life to lead and guide me, to open doors that appear to be shut and to close doors that should not be open.

He allows me to be in good standing with people.  The Lord helps me to represent Him well.  He gives me advantages and privileges because He delights in me.  I am one of God’s favorite sons / daughters!

My Father watches over my welfare.  He helps me to obtain great deals in decisions & purchases and protects me from entering into bad deals.

All of this happens because I am “in Christ” and I am being transformed daily to be more like Jesus.

My Father loves me and protects my interests.  He watches over me and leads me in the way I should go.

Favor of God

– a gift from God
– entitled to God’s blessings
– grace
– petitions granted
– surrounds me
– open & closed doors
– honored by God & men
– supernatural increase
– recognition
– win battles
–  preferential treatment
– adversity turned to victory
– prominence
– take possession of what is rightfully yours
– advantages
– confidence, security
– privileges
– head held high
– promotion

Believers must know who they are “in Christ.”

I am God’s child for I am born again by the incorruptible seed of the Word of God which lives & abides forever.     1 Peter 1:23
I am forgiven of all my sins & washed in Jesus’ blood.     Ephesians 1:7
I am a new creation in Christ.     2 Corinthians 5:17
I am the temple of the Holy Spirit.     1 Corinthians 6:19
I am delivered from the power of darkness & translated into God’s Kingdom.     Colossians 1:13
I am chosen in Christ.     Ephesians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:4
I am reconciled to God.     2 Corinthians 5:18
I am justified by God’s grace through faith.     Romans 3:24; 5:1
I am accepted in Christ.     Ephesians 1:6
I have the favor of God on my life!     Psalm 5:2; Luke 4:19; 2 Corinthians 6:2
I know that I have eternal life now!     1 John 5:13; John 3:16, 36
I am a saint.     Romans 1:7; 2 Corinthians 1:1
I am qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints.     Colossians 1:12
I am an heir of God & a joint-heir with Christ.     Romans 8:17
I have boldness to enter God’s Presence.      Hebrews 10:19
I am dead to sin.     Romans 6:2, 11
I am crucified with Christ.     Galatians 2:20
I am alive & raised up with Christ.     Ephesians 2:5-6
I am seated in heavenly places with Christ.     Ephesians 2:6
I am a partaker of Jesus’ divine nature.     2 Peter 1:4
I am the righteousness of God in Christ.     2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:17
I am free from condemnation.     Romans 8:1
I (we) have the mind of Christ.     1 Corinthians 2:16
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.      Philippians 4:13
I always triumph in Christ!     2 Corinthians 2:14
Christ in me is the hope of glory!     Colossians 1:27
God is for me, so who can be against me?     Romans 8:31
I reign in life through Jesus Christ.     Romans 5:17
I am more than a conqueror through Jesus.     Romans 8:37
I no longer have fear because of God’s love.     1 John 4:18
God hears me when I pray.      1 John 5:14-15
I am assured of going to heaven     John 14:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Peter 1:3-4

These two areas: the favor of God and knowing who you are in Christ are vital to lay a foundation out of which the believer can walk in Jesus’ authority.  Ask God to make these areas so real to you so that the devil cannot steal away your sense of who you are in God’s Kingdom!

Main Thought: Every believer can be like a father by finding ways to encourage others.

INTRO: Michael G. Squashic tribute, my father

EULOGY of Mike Squashic & MEMORABILIA

Michael George Squashic was born on Oct. 17, 1914, in a little mining town called Glen White, PA, a town that no longer exists.  Mike loved to play in those hills of PA with his 7 brothers and sisters.  He used to tell us of all the homemade toys and inventions used to pass the time, such as making skis out of barrel spines & explosives from cans, blasting caps and coal mine gun powder.

He & his brothers would pick blueberries by the bushel, hop the train which passed through their area & around the famous horseshoe curve & jump off in Altoona, PA (7 miles) to sell them.

He quit school during the 7th grade (around 1926 at age 14) so he could work 12-hour days in the coal mines to help support his family.

Mike was a pitcher in a minor league baseball team and had a possible future in the major leagues but his father would not allow it because he was needed at home.

Mike was called into the US Army and served from 1941-1945, making the rank of Corporal.  He served in VA, Hawaii & Pelilu Island in the anti-tank division.  He also used his carpentry talents to build housing barracks for the soldiers and to make repairs at camps.

Mike married Pauline on Sept 1, 1946, after he had moved to NJ.  They had 4 children, 10 grandkids, and 2 great grandchildren.

Mike worked in factories and as a carpenter almost all his adult life.  When nearing retirement Mike & Pauline moved to PA and 9 years later to Texas.  He and Pauline’s entire immediate family (except for mine) have lived in Texas for over 20 years.

Music has always been a part of Mike’s life.  He played guitar, bass fiddle & harmonica in bands as a young man at weddings, dances & parties.  You’ve perhaps heard of musical instruments like blowing in a glass jug & scraping a stiff brush on a wash board.  That was some of the instruments his friends used.

Mike used those talents to inspire and teach his three sons to play guitar and encourage his daughter to play piano.

Mike received Jesus Christ as the Lord of his life some 42 years ago around 1958.  The seed of the gospel that was sown into his and my mom’s lives took some 10 years to bring forth eternal fruit.

Colossians 3:21 NIV “Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”

Michael G. Squashic died in September 2000 at age 85

Fathers speak words that stimulate others.

“I CAN”

Philippians 4:13 NKJ “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
………………………….Help your kids memorize this verse.
Everyone needs to be stimulated by encouragement.

Fathers model habits that inspire others.

Perseverance – not giving up when circumstances get difficult

Prayer & Bible reading – 5:30 AM, kneeling next to couch

Consistent Christian life – displayed a moral lifestyle

Witnessed to people on the job almost every day – shared experiences

Whistled while he worked – showed he was relaxed, enjoying

Church attendance – regular, on time, faithful tithing, picked up people with our car for church often

Industrious – worked overtime & took carpentry jobs for extra money

Diligent in keeping yard, house & car in good shape

Ephesians 6:4 NIV “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Fathers give time to what is important.

Spending time with family & kids – baseball, camping, pool, guitar

Serving – Sunday School Superintendent, Royal Rangers, Church Board, Song Leader, Orchestra, cleaned church occasionally

Guidelines For You As A Parent

(It is the family, not the church or church school, that is primarily responsible for the Biblical and spiritual training of the children.  Church and church school only assist parental training.)

The very core of Christian nurture is this: The heart of the father must be turned to the heart of the child in order to bring the heart of the child to the heart of the Savior.

– Dedicate your children to God.

– Teach your children to fear the Lord and turn away from evil, to love righteousness and to hate sin.  Instill in them an awareness of God’s attitude and judgment toward sin.

– Teach your children to obey you through Biblical discipline.

– Protect your children from ungodly influences by being aware of Satan’s attempts to destroy them spiritually through attraction to the world or through immoral companions.

– Bring your children early in life to personal faith, repentance, water baptism and the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

– Encourage your children to remain separated from the world and to witness and work for God.  Teach them that they are strangers and aliens on this earth and that their real home and citizenship is in heaven.

– Implant in them that God loves them and has a specific purpose for their lives.

– Instruct your children daily in God’s Word, both in casual conversation and in family devotions.

– Through example and exhortation, encourage your children to live lives devoted to prayer.

– Prepare your children to suffer and endure persecution because of righteousness.

– Pray for your children by constant and earnest intercession.

– Have such love and concern for your children that you would be willing to pour out your life as if it were a sacrifice to the Lord, in order to deepen their faith and make their lives what they should be in the Lord.
………………………..(Taken from “The Full Life Study Bible,” at Colossians 3:21)

Conclusion:  Prayer for Fathers