2013-09
2013-09
Sunday Sep 29, 2013
Sunday Sep 29, 2013
“What Does the Church Do?” (Eastside Baptist/Sun
AM/September 29, 2013)
Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these
instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to
conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God,
the pillar and foundation of the truth. (1 Tim. 3:14-15, NIV)
1. The church
worships together.
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true
worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the
kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must
worship in the Spirit and in truth." (Jn. 4:23-24, NIV)
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about
three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to
the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to
prayer. (Acts 2:41-42, NIV)
On the first day of the week we came together to break
bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day,
kept on talking until midnight. (Acts 20:7, NIV)
For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field,
God's building. (1 Co. 3:9, NIV)
Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that
God's Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will
destroy that person; for God's temple is sacred, and you together are that
temple. (1 Co. 3:16-17, NIV)
2. The church
learns together.
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about
three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to
the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to
prayer. (Acts 2:41-42, NIV)
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who
promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward
love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit
of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day
approaching. (Heb. 10:23-25, NIV)
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of
the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you
in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving
together as one for the faith of the gospel (Phil. 1:27, NIV)
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has
ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we
profess. (Heb. 4:14, NIV)
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you
about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend
for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people. (Jude 1:3,
NIV)
For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will
of God. (Acts 20:27, NIV)
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of
Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
(1 Tim. 4:13, NIV)
3. The church
fellowships together.
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42, NIV)
4. The church
evangelizes together.
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in
heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And
surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt. 28:18-20,
NIV)
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers
for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the
gospel from the first day until now, (Phil. 1:3-5, NIV)
5. The church
serves together.
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the
evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his 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. (Eph. 4:11-13, NIV)
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not
think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with
sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of
you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members
do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body,
and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according
to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in
accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching,
then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving,
then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show
mercy, do it cheerfully. (Rom. 12:3-8, NIV)
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all
people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal. 6:10,
NIV)
Main Idea
As we seek to bring honor to Christ, we must faithfully
carry out the tasks that he has given to his church in his Word.
·
We worship together.
·
We learn together.
·
We fellowship together.
·
We evangelize together.
·
We serve together.
·
For the Glory of Christ.
Wednesday Sep 25, 2013
Psalm 73 - Cameron Jungles - 9-25-2013
Wednesday Sep 25, 2013
Wednesday Sep 25, 2013
[Psa 73:1 NIV]A psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.[Psa 73:2 NIV]But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.[Psa 73:3 NIV]For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.[Psa 73:4 NIV]They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.[Psa 73:5 NIV]They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.[Psa 73:6 NIV]Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.[Psa 73:7 NIV]From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits.[Psa 73:8 NIV]They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.[Psa 73:9 NIV]Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.[Psa 73:10 NIV]Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.[Psa 73:11 NIV]They say, "How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?"[Psa 73:12 NIV]This is what the wicked are like-- always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.[Psa 73:13 NIV]Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.[Psa 73:14 NIV]All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.[Psa 73:15 NIV]If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.[Psa 73:16 NIV]When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply[Psa 73:17 NIV]till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.[Psa 73:18 NIV]Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.[Psa 73:19 NIV]How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors![Psa 73:20 NIV]They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.[Psa 73:21 NIV]When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,[Psa 73:22 NIV]I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.[Psa 73:23 NIV]Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.[Psa 73:24 NIV]You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.[Psa 73:25 NIV]Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.[Psa 73:26 NIV]My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.[Psa 73:27 NIV]Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.[Psa 73:28 NIV]But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
Sunday Sep 22, 2013
Sunday Sep 22, 2013
“Why is
the church important?” (Eastside Baptist/Sun
AM/September 22, 2013)
1.
The local church is Christ’s institution.
18 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. (Matt.
16:18, NIV)
2.
Christ gave his life to purchase the church for
himself.
25 Husbands, love your
wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26
to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27
and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or
any other blemish, but holy and blameless. (Eph. 5:25-27, NIV)
3.
The local church is God’s means of
accomplishing the biblical mission for this age.
a. The
great commission is the responsibility of local churches.
18 Then Jesus came to them
and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching
them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the age." (Matt. 28:18-20, NIV)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on
you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8, NIV)
46 He told them, "This
is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third
day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached
in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are
witnesses of these things. (Lk. 24:46-48, NIV)
19 Consequently, you are no
longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also
members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles
and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (Eph.
2:19-20, NIV)
b.The
great commission results in the establishment of more local churches.
2 While they were
worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me
Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3
So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent
them off. (Acts 13:2-3, NIV)
23 Paul and Barnabas
appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting,
committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. (Acts 14:23, NIV)
41 Those who accepted his
message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that
day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:41-42, NIV)
4.
The local church has been given the
responsibility for proclaiming and upholding the Word of God.
14 Although I hope to come
to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am
delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's
household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of
the truth. (1 Tim. 3:14-15, NIV)
5.
The local church is essential for Christian
ministry and growth in the Christian life.
a. It is
essential for making disciples (Matt 28:18–20) who are being taught everything
that Christ instructed us.
b.It is
the incubator for Christian growth, discipleship, and the development of the
fruit of the Spirit.
c. It is
one of God’s primary means for spurring us on to faithfulness and perseverance
in the faith.
23 Let us hold unswervingly
to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let
us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25
not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but
encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb.
10:23-25, NIV)
15 "If your brother or
sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they
listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not
listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established
by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17 If they still refuse
to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the
church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18
"Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and
whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19
"Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything
they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." (Matt.
18:15-20, NIV)
6.
The church was instituted to bring honor and
glory to Jesus Christ and ultimately to God.
Colossians 1:18-20 18 And
he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn
from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all
his fullness dwell in him, 20
and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or
things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Ephesians 3:20-21 20 ¶
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Main Idea: The
church is important to Christ; it should be important to his disciples.
Sunday Sep 22, 2013
Sunday Sep 22, 2013
“A Deeper Devotion” (Eastside Baptist/Sun
PM/September 22, 2013)
Cultivate an unquenchable desire for
God himself.
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul
pants for you, my God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living
God. When can I go and meet with God? (Ps. 42:1-2, NIV)
Cultivate an unquenchable desire for God
by spending time in his Word.
97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day
long. (Ps. 119:97, NIV) 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter
than honey to my mouth! (Ps. 119:103, NIV)
7
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD
are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD
are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring
forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous. 10
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than
honey, than honey from the honeycomb. (Ps. 19:7-10, NIV)
15 "If you love me, keep my commands. (Jn.
14:15, NIV)
Cultivate an unquenchable desire for
God by spending more time in prayer.
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every
family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out
of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in
your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through
faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18
may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and
long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this
love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the
fullness of God. (Eph. 3:14-19, NIV)
Cultivate an unquenchable desire for
God by spending more time in worship.
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul
pants for you, my God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living
God. When can I go and meet with God? (Ps. 42:1-2, NIV)
Main Idea: Greater fruitfulness is inseparably related to
the cultivation of a deeper devotion for God.
7
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of
knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider
them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 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 on the basis of
faith. 10 I want to know Christ--yes, to know the power of his
resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his
death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the
dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already
arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus
took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, 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, 14 I press on toward the goal to win
the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Phil.
3:7-14, NIV)
Wednesday Sep 18, 2013
Psalm 130 - Cameron Jungles - 9-18-13
Wednesday Sep 18, 2013
Wednesday Sep 18, 2013
[Psalms 130:1 NIV]A song of ascents. Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD;[Psalms 130:2 NIV]Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.[Psalms 130:3 NIV]If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?[Psalms 130:4 NIV]But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.[Psalms 130:5 NIV]I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.[Psalms 130:6 NIV]I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.[Psalms 130:7 NIV]Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.[Psalms 130:8 NIV]He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.
Sunday Sep 15, 2013
“The Fruit of Forgiveness” (Eastside Baptist/Sun PM/September 15, 2013)
Sunday Sep 15, 2013
Sunday Sep 15, 2013
“The Fruit of Forgiveness” (Eastside Baptist/Sun
PM/September 15, 2013)
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along
with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one
another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Eph.
4:31-32, NIV)
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance
against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all
these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you
were called to peace. And be thankful. (Col. 3:12-15, NIV)
Main Idea: In order to be like Christ we must forgive as
Christ forgives.
His forgiveness is not determined by
the worthiness or unworthiness of the recipient.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of
your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's
physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish
and free from accusation-- 23 if you continue in your faith,
established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.
This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every
creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. (Col.
1:21-23, NIV)
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into
the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the
forgiveness of sins. (Col. 1:13-14, NIV)
8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood,
how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For
if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of
his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his
life! (Rom. 5:8-10, NIV)
His forgiveness is not limited by the
severity of the offence.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 9 ¶
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be
deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male
prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10
nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will
inherit the kingdom of God. 11
And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified,
you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of
our God.
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are
forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the one whose sin the
LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. (Ps. 32:1-2,
NIV)
His forgiveness is not limited by the
number of offences.
12 But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my
hidden faults. (Ps. 19:12, NIV)
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I
forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?" 22
Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
(Matt. 18:21-22, NIV)
His forgiveness does not keep a
remembrance of wrongs committed.
Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being,
praise his holy name. 2 Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all
his benefits-- 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your
diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with
love and compassion, (Ps. 103:1-4, NIV)
8
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9
He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10
he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our
iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so
great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is
from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Ps. 103:8-12,
NIV)
33 "This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after
that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and
write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34
No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, 'Know the
LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the
greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more." (Jer. 31:33-34, NIV)
His forgiveness always results in a
relationship.
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father
will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their
sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matt. 6:14-15, NIV)
3
So watch yourselves. "If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke
them; and if they repent, forgive them. 4 Even if they sin against
you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying 'I repent,'
you must forgive them." 5 The apostles said to the Lord,
"Increase our faith!" (Lk. 17:3-5, NIV)
Sunday Sep 15, 2013
Sunday Sep 15, 2013
“What is the Church?” (Eastside Baptist/Sun
AM/September 15, 2013)
For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the
head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church
submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up
for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the
word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle
or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. (Eph. 5:23-27, NIV)
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the
beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might
have the supremacy. (Col. 1:18, NIV)
Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these
instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to
conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God,
the pillar and foundation of the truth. (1 Tim. 3:14-15, NIV)
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about
three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to
the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to
prayer. (Acts 2:41-42, NIV)
1.
The church is not...
a. The church is not a building.
b. The church is not a social club or society.
c. The church is not a community service or
civic organization.
d. The church is not a political lobby or
interest group.
e. The church is not a camp, school, or
publishing house.
f. The church is not a recovery group.
g. The church is not a denomination.
h. The church is not a preacher on television,
radio, or internet.
j. The church is not a weekly time to hear
singing and preaching.
k. The church is not your family
meeting at home.
l. The church is not a human
invention or idea.
2.
The church is...
a. The church is an assembly or
congregation.
b. The universal church is...
* All of the
redeemed, regenerated believers in the Lord Jesus Christ in every age and every
location (in heaven and on earth).
For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one
body--whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free--and we were all given the one
Spirit to drink. (1 Co. 12:13, NIV)
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through
the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to
one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and
Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Eph. 4:3-6, NIV)
And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to
take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your
blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people
and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth." (Rev. 5:9-10, NIV)
c. The local church is...
* A geographically
local, chronologically specific manifestation of the body of Christ with:
ü A
regenerate, baptized membership
ü Biblical
officers of pastors (elders) and deacons
ü A
commitment to the gospel and sound doctrine
ü A
mutual cooperation in accomplishing the biblical mission
ü A
faithfulness to meet at regular times for worship, instruction, fellowship,
ministry, and observance of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who
promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward
love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit
of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day
approaching. (Heb. 10:23-25, NIV)
A local church is a body of true believers in the Lord
Jesus Christ who have been baptized by immersion as a public testimony of faith
and commitment; who are organized with scriptural officers; who share a common
body of truth around which to fellowship; who practice mutual accountability
for godliness; who work together to carry out the Great Commission; and who
meet at regular and stated times for worship, spiritual edification,
fellowship, and the observance of the ordinances of baptism and communion.
Main Idea
The church is Christ’s body. He bought it with his own
blood, and he defines what it is and how it should function for his honor and
glory.
Wednesday Sep 11, 2013
Psalm 96 - Cameron Jungles - 9-11-13
Wednesday Sep 11, 2013
Wednesday Sep 11, 2013
[Psalms 96:1 NIV]Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.[Psalms 96:2 NIV]Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.[Psalms 96:3 NIV]Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.[Psalms 96:4 NIV]For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.[Psalms 96:5 NIV]For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.[Psalms 96:6 NIV]Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.[Psalms 96:7 NIV]Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.[Psalms 96:8 NIV]Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts.[Psalms 96:9 NIV]Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.[Psalms 96:10 NIV]Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns." The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.[Psalms 96:11 NIV]Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it.[Psalms 96:12 NIV]Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.[Psalms 96:13 NIV]Let all creation rejoice before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.
Sunday Sep 08, 2013
The Fruit of Self-Control - Cameron Jungles - 9-8-2013 PM
Sunday Sep 08, 2013
Sunday Sep 08, 2013
“The Fruit of Self-Control” (Eastside Baptist/Sun PM/September 8, 2013)22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Gal. 5:22-23, NIV)As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you." (Acts 24:25, NIV)5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. (2 Pet. 1:5-7, NIV)24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Co. 9:24-27, NIV)8 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. (1 Co. 7:8-9, NIV)6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-- 11 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. (Prov. 6:6-11, NIV)5 He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son. (Prov. 10:5, NIV)13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare. (Prov. 20:13, NIV)When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, 2 and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. (Prov. 23:1-2, NIV)20 Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, 21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. (Prov. 23:20-21, NIV)8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. (Phil. 4:8, NIV)2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Rom. 12:2, NIV)3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Co. 10:3-5, NIV)Main Idea: The Spirit who lives within us gives us the grace to control our emotions, desires, and appetites.Another way of phrasing our main idea tonight is this: Self-control is the Spirit-enabled ability to yes to the things we need to say yes to and no to the things we need to say no to. 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 1:6, NIV)
Sunday Sep 08, 2013
Lord’s Supper - Cameron Jungles 9-8-2013 AM
Sunday Sep 08, 2013
Sunday Sep 08, 2013
Eastside Baptist ChurchLord’s SupperSeptember 8, 2013Main Idea: Communion is a reminder of the fellowship that we have with Christ and with each other as the Body of Christ.I. The imagery of the body describes the relationship the church has with Christ.A. The church is connected with Christ.16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf. (1 Co. 10:16-17, NIV)B. Christ is the Lord of the body15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Col. 1:15-20, NIV)C. The church is the center of Christ’s activity in this age.11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 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. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 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. (Eph. 4:11-16, NIV)II. The imagery of the body describes the relationship the members of the church have with one another.A. The members of the body are interconnected.12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body--whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. (1 Co. 12:12-14, NIV) 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Co. 12:27, NIV)B. The members of the body are mutually dependent.Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:15-2515 Now if the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. (1 Co. 12:15-25, NIV)C. The members of the body share unity in fellowship.As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Eph. 4:1-6, NIV)
Wednesday Sep 04, 2013
Malachi - Cameron Jungles - 9-4-2013 PM
Wednesday Sep 04, 2013
Wednesday Sep 04, 2013
Honoring God’s Covenant: The Message of Malachi (Eastside
Baptist/Wed PM/Sept. 4, 2013)
Setting and Context
Ø Malachi,
the prophet
§ “My
Messenger”
§ Ministered
in Jerusalem in post-exilic Judah
§ After
Haggai, Zechariah
Ø Roughly
515 to 457 B.C.
§ Before
reforms of Ezra (in 457)
Ø Spiritual
apathy and disobedience to the covenant from apparent unfulfilled promises.
People thought God had forsaken them.
Ø Message:
God loves his people; he is worthy of honor from his people, expressed in true
worship and obedience to his covenant.
Structure & Message
Ø Malachi
the Prophet (1:1)
Ø Series
of 6 Disputes (1:2-4:3)
§ Six
disputes revolve around the peoples’ assumption that God did not love them and
their resulting unfaithfulness to the covenant.
Ø The
Law and the Prophets (Moses and Elijah, 4:4-6)
God Loves Israel (1:2-5)
Ø Though
the people questioned God’s love, God affirms his abiding love and commitment
to his people.
§ Demonstrated
in his electing love of Jacob over Esau and in his judgment on Edom (Esau) in
fulfillment of Obadiah’s message.
Unacceptable Worship (1:6-2:9)
Ø Ironically,
it was Judah who wasn’t loving and honoring God.
Ø Priests
were dishonoring God by offering blemished animals as sacrifices.
Ø Demonstrating
disloyalty to their covenant with God.
Ø Called
to repent and honor God.
Unfaithful Spouses (2:10-16)
Ø Disloyalty
to God’s covenant expressed in their disloyalty to their marriage covenants.
Ø Guilty
of divorcing Hebrew wives and intermarrying with foreign
women, resulting in idolatry.
Ø Religious
rituals will not cover up for blatant disobedience.
Hypocritical Complaints (2:17-3:5)
Ø Complaining
about the lack of God’s justice against evil.
Ø Meanwhile
they were guilty of polluted worship and injustice.
Ø In
answer to their request, God promises to come in judgment and restore pure
worship and true justice.
A Call to Return to God (3:6-12)
Ø “Return
to me, and I will return to you.”
Ø How
should they repent?
Ø Stop
robbing God and bring their tithes and offerings to the temple, so that the
Levites and the poor may have their needs met.
Illegitimate Complaints (3:13-4:3)
Ø Their
complaints that God did not love them and that God was not justly punishing the
wicked were illegitimate.
Ø God
will come in his time and his way and judge the arrogant wicked and will come
as the “sun of righteousness” for his people.
Last Words (4:4-6)
Ø Malachi
points the people back to the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah).
Ø People
are urged to keep the Torah covenant (Moses), and a second Elijah will come
before the Day of the LORD.
Important Themes
Ø God’s
love for his people is unfailing, even when present circumstances seem like God
is far away.
Ø God
is worthy of honor and deserves love and loyalty from his people.
Ø That
love and loyalty should be expressed in:
§ Faithful
obedience to covenant
§ True,
loyal, fervent worship
§ Faithfulness
to marriage vows
§ Love
and justice to neighbors and poor
§ Not
resting on religious ritual
“Jesus Lens” and Application
Ø The
promised Elijah did come in the person of John the Baptist, who prepared the
way for the coming of the Lord.
Ø God
demonstrated his love by sending Jesus as the “sun of righteousness” with
healing in his wings for those who trust in him.
Ø Jesus’
first coming brought healing and salvation, but it will be his second coming
that will bring final justice and the Day of the LORD.
Ø In
the meantime, we who trust in Christ should honor him with true worship and
love, loyal obedience, and love for our neighbors.
Sunday Sep 01, 2013
The Fruit of Gentleness - Cameron Jungles - 8-1-2013 PM
Sunday Sep 01, 2013
Sunday Sep 01, 2013
“The Fruit of Gentleness” (Eastside Baptist/Sun PM/September 1, 2013) (Message 10)22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Gal. 5:22-23, NIV)1. Humility – not having an overly inflated estimation of yourself or your importance.Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. (Gal. 6:1-3, NIV)As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Eph. 4:1-3, NIV)Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, (Phil. 2:3, NIV)12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Col. 3:12-13, NIV)21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. (Jas. 1:21, NIV)2. Gentleness – responding with calmness, grace, and patience toward others.What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit? (1 Co. 4:21, NIV)By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you--I, Paul, who am "timid" when face to face with you, but "bold" toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. (2 Co. 10:1-2, NIV)24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, (2 Tim. 2:24-25, NIV)Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. (Tit. 3:1-2, NIV)Main Idea: Pride will lead us to mistreat and manipulate others; but humility will cause us to be gentle and respectful toward others.Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matt. 5:5, NIV)15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Pet. 3:15-16, NIV). 28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt. 11:28-30, NIV)
Sunday Sep 01, 2013
Psalm 19 - Cameron Jungles - 9-1-2013 AM
Sunday Sep 01, 2013
Sunday Sep 01, 2013
“God’s World and God’s Word” (Eastside Baptist/Sun AM/September 1, 2013)-Psalm 19-1. God reveals his glory and majesty in his world.The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Ps. 19:1, NIV)Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. (Ps. 19:2, NIV)They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. (Ps. 19:3, NIV)Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. (Ps. 19:4, NIV)It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. (Ps. 19:5, NIV)It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. (Ps. 19:6, NIV)2. God reveals his truth and righteousness in his Word.The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. (Ps. 19:7, NIV)The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. (Ps. 19:8, NIV)The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous. (Ps. 19:9, NIV)They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. (Ps. 19:10, NIV)By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. (Ps. 19:11, NIV)Main IdeaWhen we come to know our glorious and righteous God through his world and his Word, it should lead us to penitent, God-centered worship.But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. (Ps. 19:12, NIV)Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. (Ps. 19:13, NIV)May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Ps. 19:14, NIV)Main IdeaWhen we come to know our glorious and righteous God through his world and his Word, it should lead us to penitent, God-centered worship.
Sunday Sep 01, 2013
Philippians 2 v 1-11 Cameron Jungles - 9-1-2013 AM
Sunday Sep 01, 2013
Sunday Sep 01, 2013
Philippians 2:1-111 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father