Eastside Baptist Church, Winfield, Alabama
Biblical Expository Preaching and Teaching
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Episodes
Episodes
Sunday Nov 09, 2014
Sunday Nov 09, 2014
“Christ, the Lord of History” (Revelation
6:1–17)
Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sunday
PM/November 9, 2014
Revelation 6:1–17 (NIV)
6 I watched as
the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four
living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” 2 I
looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was
given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.
3 When the Lamb
opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” 4 Then
another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take
peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a
large sword.
5 When the Lamb
opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked,
and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales
in his hand. 6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the
four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six
pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the
wine!”
7 When the Lamb
opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say,
“Come!” 8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its
rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were
given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and
by the wild beasts of the earth.
9 When he opened
the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain
because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They
called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you
judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” 11 Then
each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little
longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and
sisters, were killed just as they had been.
12 I watched as he
opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like
sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and
the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by
a strong wind. 14 The heavens receded like a scroll being
rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.
15 Then the kings
of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone
else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They
called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of
him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For
the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”
1.
Christ, the Lord of History, controls all
events, including the limits, timing, and unfolding of evil and its
aftereffects in the world (vv. 1–8).
a. The
first horse and its rider: white horse: conquest
b. The
second horse and its rider: red horse: warfare/violence
c. The
third horse and its rider: black: famine
d.
The fourth horse and its rider: pale: death and
Hades
2.
Christ, the Lord of History, cares for his
suffering saints and will vindicate them with justice in his time (vv. 9–11).
3.
Christ, the Lord of History, will bring the
world to its appointed climax and will come to judge in holy wrath (vv. 12–17).
Main Idea:
The Risen Christ is the Lord of History. Nothing happens in the
world or to his saints apart from his control. He cares for his saints and will
vindicate them when he comes to judge the world in holy wrath.
Sunday Nov 09, 2014
Sunday Nov 09, 2014
“Walk in the Light while It Is Still Shining” (John
12:35–36)
Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sunday AM/November 9,
2014
35 Then Jesus told them, "You are going
to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light,
before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where
they are going. 36 Believe in
the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of
light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from
them. (John 12:35-36, NIV)
1.
Opportunity: You will only have
the light for a limited time.
4 In him was life, and that life was the light
of all mankind. 5 The light
shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God
whose name was John. 7 He
came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all
might believe. 8 He himself
was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light
to everyone was coming into the world.
(John 1:4-9, NIV)
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he
said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in
darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12, NIV)
5 While I am in the world, I am the light of
the world." (John 9:5, NIV)
9 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve
hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they
see by this world's light. 10
It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no
light." (John 11:9-10, NIV)
46 I have come into the world as a light, so
that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. (John 12:46, NIV)
a.
Judgment is coming.
31 Now is the time for judgment on this world;
now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from
the earth, will draw all people to myself." (John 12:31-32, NIV)
47 "If anyone hears my words but does not
keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world,
but to save the world. 48
There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the
very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. (John 12:47-48, NIV)
b.
Our hearts are hard.
37 Even after Jesus had performed so many
signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of
Isaiah the prophet: "Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has
the arm of the Lord been revealed?"
39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah
says elsewhere: 40 "He
has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with
their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn-- and I would heal
them." (John 12:37-40, NIV)
2.
Exhortation: Walk In/Believe in
the light while it is still available.
3.
Warning: If you reject the light while
it is available, darkness will overpower/overtake you, and you will not know
where you are going.
4.
Promise: If you walk in/believe in the
light you will become sons of light.
Main Idea: The light of the gospel of
Christ is shining for a limited time, walk in the light now, so that you might
live in the light for all eternity and not the unending darkness of Hell.
Saturday Nov 08, 2014
Saturday Nov 08, 2014
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
by Donald Whitney
Silence & Solitude…for the purpose of godliness: Chapter
10
Silence & Solitude Explained
Ø Silence:
the voluntary and temporary abstention from speaking so that certain spiritual
goals might be sought.
Ø Solitude:
the voluntary and temporary withdrawal to privacy for spiritual purposes.
3 Principles
Ø Think
of silence and solitude as the counter-balance to the discipline of mutual
fellowship.
Ø Silence
and solitude are often practiced together.
Ø Our
culture conditions us to be comfortable with noise and crowds.
Reasons for Silence & Solitude
Ø To
Follow Jesus’ Example
Ø To
Minimize Distractions in Prayer
Ø To
Express Worship to God
Ø To
Express Faith in God
Ø To
Seek Salvation/Deliverance of the Lord
Ø To
Be Physically and Spiritually Restored
Ø To
Regain a Spiritual Perspective
Ø To
Seek the Will of God
Ø To
Learn Control of the Tongue
Ø Silence
& Solitude help connect us to the other disciplines.
Suggestions for Silence & Solitude
Ø “Minute
Retreats”
Ø A
Goal of Daily Silence & Solitude
Ø Getting
Away
Ø Special
Places
Ø Trading
Off Daily Responsibilities
Sunday Nov 02, 2014
Sunday Nov 02, 2014
“Worthy Is the Lamb” (Revelation 5:1–14)
Cameron Jungels/Eastside
Baptist Church/Sunday PM/November 2, 2014
Revelation 5:1–14 (NIV)
5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the
throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And
I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the
seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth
or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I
wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or
look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep!
See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is
able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a
Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne,
encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns
and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the
earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him
who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four
living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one
had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the
prayers of God’s people. 9 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.
10 You
have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will
reign on the earth.”
11 Then
I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon
thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and
the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they
were saying:
“Worthy is the
Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power
and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and
glory and praise!”
13 Then
I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the
sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on
the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and
honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
14 The four living
creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
1.
The Sacred, Sealed Scroll (vv. 1–4)
2.
The Slain Lamb and Victorious Lion Who Is
Worthy (vv. 5–7)
8 "Judah, your brothers will praise you;
your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father's sons will bow down
to you. 9 You are a lion's
cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies
down, like a lioness-- who dares to rouse him?
10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's
staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the
obedience of the nations shall be his. (Genesis 49:8-10, NIV)
5 "The days are coming," declares
the LORD, "when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who
will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called:
The LORD Our Righteous Savior. (Jer.
23:5-6, NIV)
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his
roots a Branch will bear fruit. 2
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and of
understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge
and fear of the LORD-- 3 and
he will delight in the fear of the LORD. (Isa. 11:1-3, NIV) In that day the
Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to
him, and his resting place will be glorious. (Isa. 11:10, NIV)
9 "As I looked, "thrones were set in
place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as
snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with
fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. 10
A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon
thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The
court was seated, and the books were opened.
11 "Then I continued to watch because of the boastful
words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its
body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. 12 (The other beasts had been
stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of
time.) 13 "In my vision
at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with
the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his
presence. 14 He was given
authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language
worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away,
and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (Dan. 7:9-14, NIV)
3.
Universal Praise and Honor to God and to
the Lamb (vv. 8–10)
Main Idea: Jesus of Nazareth, the
descendant of King David, is worthy of the praise of heaven and earth, because
he gave his life to redeem God’s people and then rose victoriously to reign
over all creation.
2 This is how we know that we love the
children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God:
to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God
overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our
faith. 5 Who is it that
overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of
God. (1 John 5:2-5, NIV)
35 Who shall separate us from the love of
Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or
danger or sword? 36 As it is
written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as
sheep to be slaughtered." 37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved
us. 38 For I am convinced
that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor
the future, nor any powers, 39
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39, NIV)
Sunday Nov 02, 2014
Sunday Nov 02, 2014
“Glory through
Shame; Victory through Death” (John 12:20–36)
Cameron
Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sunday AM/November 2, 2014
John 12:20–36 (NIV)
20 Now there were
some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They
came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they
said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell
Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied,
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very
truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it
remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone
who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this
world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must
follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the
one who serves me. 27 “Now my soul is
troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was
for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify
your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I
have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd
that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had
spoken to him. 30 Jesus said,
“This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time
for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And
I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He
said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. 34 The crowd spoke
up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how
can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?” 35 Then Jesus told
them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while
you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark
does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light
while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he
had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. "After this period of sixty-two sets of seven, the
Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing, (Dan.
9:26, NLT)
3 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man
of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their
faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. (Isa. 53:3, NIV)
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! (Philippians 2:7-8, NIV)
15 And I will put enmity between you and the
woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you
will strike his heel." (Genesis 3:15, NIV)
The path of Jesus’ glory was through shame, and the path
of Jesus’ victory was through death.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. (Philippians 2:9-11, NIV)
11 For all those who
exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be
exalted." (Lk. 14:11, NIV)
44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure
hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy
went and sold all he had and bought that field. (Matt. 13:44, NIV)
For Jesus and his followers, the path to glory is through
shame, and the road to victory is through death.
Sunday Oct 26, 2014
Sunday Oct 26, 2014
“Worshiping the Holy Creator” (Revelation 4:1–11)
Cameron Jungels/Eastside
Baptist/Sunday PM/October 26, 2014
Revelation 4:1–11 (NIV) 4 After
this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the
voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and
I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I
was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone
sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance
of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding
the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four
elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From
the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front
of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of
God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a
sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne,
were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in
back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second
was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying
eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and
was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they
never stop saying:
“ ‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’
who was, and is, and is to come.” 9 Whenever the
living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and
who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall
down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and
ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 “You
are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory
and honor and power,
for you created
all things,
and by your will
they were created
and have their
being.”
1.
The Indescribable, Invisible God
2.
The Majestically Enthroned God
a.
The heavenly throne and its surroundings
b.
The members of the heavenly court
i.
24 Elders
ii.
The Four Living Creatures
3.
The Holy, Worshiped God
a.
God is worshiped because he is Holy.
b.
God is worshiped because he is Powerful.
c.
God is worshiped because he is Infinite and
Eternal.
d.
God is worshiped because he is Creator.
e.
God is worshiped because he is Sovereign.
f.
God is worshiped because he is Sustainer.
Main Idea: God, the indescribable, enthroned King of
Heaven is worthy of worship because He is the Holy, Almighty, Eternal,
Sovereign, Creator and Sustainer of the Universe.
Sunday Oct 26, 2014
Sunday Oct 26, 2014
“Life through Death” (John 12:20–36)
Cameron Jungels/Eastside
Baptist/Sunday AM/October 26, 2014
John 12:20–36 (NIV)
20 Now there were
some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They
came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they
said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell
Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied,
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very
truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it
remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone
who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this
world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must
follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the
one who serves me. 27 “Now my soul is
troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was
for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify
your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I
have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd
that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had
spoken to him. 30 Jesus said,
“This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time
for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And
I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He
said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. 34 The crowd spoke
up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how
can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?” 35 Then Jesus told
them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while
you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark
does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light
while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he
had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
1.
Jesus gave his life to save the lives of
many others.
a.
Jesus’ death was the fulfillment of God’s
redemptive purpose.
b.
Jesus’ death brought glory to God and to
himself.
c.
Jesus’ death was an essential step on the path
to glorification.
d.
Jesus’ death was sacrificial and
substitutionary: it was given on behalf of many others to secure their lives.
e.
Though Jesus’ death is unique, it also serves a
model of self-sacrifice for all of his disciples: the path to life is through
death.
2.
A disciple gives his life in the saving
of his own.
a.
Jesus set the example of self-sacrifice: he gave
his life only to take it up again, and he did it on behalf of others to secure
their salvation.
b.
The model is established then for Jesus’
followers: the path to resurrection and eternal life is through believing,
serving, self-sacrificing discipleship.
c.
We do not earn our salvation. Jesus merits our
salvation through his substitutionary sacrifice in death.
d.
Our dying to ourselves now in this life is an
expression of our God-given faith and our allegiance to the Lord who gave
himself for us and bought us and made us his own.
e.
While we do not earn our salvation through our
merits or even through our self-sacrifice; be assured that there is no eternal
life for the one who does not give himself in discipleship to Jesus.
f.
A disciple of Jesus follows him wherever that
path may lead, through comfort and sacrifice.
g.
The one who in faith serves Christ, receives
life and honor.
Main Idea: The path to Life is through Death. Jesus
meritoriously gave his life in death to earn eternal life for his people.
Jesus’ disciples give their lives in loving, thankful service to him in
demonstration of their faith on the way to eternal life.
Wednesday Oct 22, 2014
Wednesday Oct 22, 2014
Spiritual
Disciplines for the Christian Life
by
Donald Whitney
Stewardship…for
the purpose of godliness: Chapter 8
The
Discipline of Stewardship
Stewardship
is the management of that which ultimately does not belong to us. It is a
disciplined, wise use of limited resources that have been entrusted to our
care. Our stewardship of time and money reflects the state of our
disciplined life for godliness.
The
Disciplined Use of Time
Ø Use
time wisely “because the days are evil.”
Ø Wise
use of time is the preparation for eternity.
Ø Time
is short.
Ø Time
is passing.
Ø The
remaining time is uncertain.
Ø Time
lost cannot be regained.
Ø You
are accountable to God for your time.
Ø Time
is so easily lost.
Ø We
value time at death.
Ø Time’s
value in eternity.
Questions:
Ø What
aspects of our sinful heart are the greatest enemies of the disciplined use of
time?
Ø What
activities or attractions in our culture are the greatest time stealers?
Ø How do
we move from wasting time to redeeming the time?
The
Disciplined Use of Money
Ø God
owns everything you own.
Ø Giving
is an act of worship.
Ø Reflects
faith in God’s provision
Ø Should
be sacrificial and generous.
Ø Reflects
spiritual trustworthiness.
Ø Love,
not Legalism
Ø Willingly,
thankfully, and cheerfully
Ø An
appropriate response to real needs
Ø Should
be planned and systematic
Ø Results
in bountiful blessings.
Questions:
Ø Why do
we put so much value in money and things?
Ø In our
culture what are the greatest enemies to the disciplined use of money?
Ø How
does our use of time and money reflect the state of our spiritual progress in
godliness?
Final
Applications:
Ø Are
you prepared for the end of time?
Ø Are
you using your time as God would have you to use it?
Ø Are you
willing to accept God’s principles for giving?
Ø Are
you giving like you mean it?
Sunday Oct 19, 2014
Sunday Oct 19, 2014
“Christ’s
Message to the Church” (Summary of Revelation 2–3)
Cameron
Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sunday PM/October 19, 2014
Revelation 1:9–20 (NIV)
9 I,
John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient
endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the
word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s Day I
was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which
said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to
Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” 12 I
turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw
seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was
someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet
and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his
head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing
fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and
his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right
hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged
sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. 17 When I
saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me
and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I
am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And
I hold the keys of death and Hades. 19 “Write,
therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The
mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven
golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven
churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
1.
Jesus Christ is the glorious, risen Lord
of the Churches.
a.
Infinite authority
b.
Infinite knowledge
c.
Infinite Life
d.
Infinite Justice and Righteousness
e.
Infinite Deity
f.
Infinite Holiness and Truth
2.
Jesus Christ warns his Churches that they
will face constant and dangerous threats until he returns from heaven.
a.
External threats
b.
Internal threats
3.
Jesus Christ exhorts his Churches to
repent of idolatry, worldliness, and sin and remain faithful in obedience until
he comes.
4.
Jesus Christ promises life and glory in
His eternal kingdom to those who persevere in faith to the end.Main
Idea: Jesus Christ, the glorious Lord, teaches his churches
that faithful obedience in this life is worth any and every cost because of the
glorious kingdom that awaits every persevering child of God.
Sunday Oct 19, 2014
Sunday Oct 19, 2014
“Jesus,
the Savior of All Peoples” (John 12:20–36)
Cameron
Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sunday AM/October 19, 2014
John 12:20–36 (NIV)20 Now
there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They
came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they
said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell
Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23 Jesus
replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very
truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it
remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone
who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this
world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must
follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the
one who serves me. 27 “Now
my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’?
No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father,
glorify your name!” Then
a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The
crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel
had spoken to him. 30 Jesus
said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the
time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven
out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw
all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of
death he was going to die. 34 The
crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain
forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this
‘Son of Man’?” 35 Then
Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer.
Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in
the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the
light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When
he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
1.
For the purposes of redemption and to
display his glory, God elected a man (Abraham) and his descendants to represent
God’s kingdom on earth.
a.
The LORD had said to Abram, "Go from your country,
your people and your father's household to the land I will show you. 2 "I will make you into a
great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will
be a blessing. 3 I will bless
those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on
earth will be blessed through you."
(Genesis 12:1-3, NIV)
2.
Through Abraham’s nation, God determined
to send a redeemer to save his people from their sins.
a.
I speak the truth in Christ-- I am not lying, my
conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit-- 2 I have great sorrow and
unceasing anguish in my heart. 3
For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake
of my people, those of my own race, 4
the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine
glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the
promises. 5 Theirs are the
patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God
over all, forever praised! Amen. (Romans
9:1-5, NIV)
3.
By God’s grace, this redeemed people of
God includes not only the ethnic descendants of Abraham, but Jews and Gentiles
who through faith are made heirs of God’s promises.
a.
Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to
worship at the festival. 21
They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request.
"Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." 22 Philip went to tell Andrew;
Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23
Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a
kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.
But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
(John 12:20-24, NIV)
b.
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all
people to myself." 33 He
said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. (John 12:32-33, NIV)
4.
Now, in this age, God is saving Jews and
Gentiles (all peoples) by his grace and is making them into one new spiritual
nation, to represent his kingdom on earth.
a.
16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I
must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one
flock and one shepherd. (John 10:16, NIV)
b.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have
been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups
one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh
the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself
one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile
both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their
hostility. 17 He came and
preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have
access to the Father by one Spirit. 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. 21 In him the whole building is
joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being
built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Eph. 2:13-22, NIV)
c.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who
called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but
now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you
have received mercy. (1 Pet. 2:9-10,
NIV)
d.
29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed,
and heirs according to the promise. (Gal. 3:29, NIV)''
Main
Idea: Jesus, in fulfillment of Scripture and the
purpose of God, came to save not only those of the chosen nation of Israel but
peoples from all nations for the glory of God.
Implications
and Applications:
Ø As
Gentiles who have been grafted in to the Abrahamic promise by faith, we should
be moved to greater depths of gratitude for God’s grace.
Ø In the
gospel of Jesus Christ, all racial, ethnic, cultural, and language barriers are
removed so as to create one new unity of diverse peoples.
Ø The
universal church is composed of peoples from every race, nation, and language
on earth throughout time. We share a common unity in Christ.
Ø The
church in its local expression should to some degree manifest this diverse
unity by including peoples from various races, ethnicities, social statuses,
and genders.
o
28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor
free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then
you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Gal. 3:28-29, NIV)
Ø Every human being,
regardless of class, race, ethnicity, language, culture, or gender is deserving
of respect and dignity and love because they are made in the image of God and
because the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ has been extended to them.
Ø We should make
every effort to fulfill Christ’s commission to take the Gospel to the ends of
the earth, so that God’s name might be glorified among all the peoples of the
earth in fulfillment of Psalm 67.
o
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face
shine on us-- 2 so that your
ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. 3 May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you. 4
May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity
and guide the nations of the earth. 5
May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you. 6 The land yields its harvest;
God, our God, blesses us. 7
May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him. (Psalm
67:1-7, NIV)
Wednesday Oct 15, 2014
Wednesday Oct 15, 2014
Spiritual
Disciplines for the Christian Life
by
Donald Whitney
Service…for
the purpose of godliness: Chapter 7
The
Discipline of Service
Ø “When
Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Ø “It’s
costly service. God asks for your life. He doesn’t want servants who offer Him
the leftovers after their other commitments.” - Whitney
Ø “We’re
drawn to the appeal of service when it holds out the promise of bold
adventure…but it seems that far more commonly Christ’s call is to a death by degrees,
washing feet in obscurity.” – Whitney
Ø “Like
our worship and evangelism, so also our service should flow from within–without
any need of discipline–as a result of the life-transforming presence and work
of the Holy Spirit.” – Whitney
Ø “But…because
of the persistent gravitational tendencies toward selfishness in our hearts, we
must also discipline ourselves to serve.” – Whitney
Service
Is Expected
Ø Motivated
by Obedience
Ø Motivated
by Gratitude
Ø Motivated
by Gladness
Ø Motivated
by Forgiveness, not Guilt
Ø Motivated
by Humility
Ø Motivated
by Love
And
he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but
for him who died for them and was raised again. (2
Cor. 5:15, NIV)
Questions:
Ø What
keeps us from serving God and others?
Ø In
what ways do we tend to serve for the wrong motives?
Ø What
are some practical ways that we can serve inside and outside the church?
Gifted
to Serve
Ø Spiritual
Gifts
ü At
Salvation by the Holy Spirit
ü To
every Christian
ü Sovereignly
bestowed
ü Various
and diverse gifts
ü For
the benefit of the body of Christ
ü For
the glory of God
Each
of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful
stewards of God's grace in its various forms. (1
Pet. 4:10, NIV)
“The
most significant gifts in the church’s life in every era are ordinary natural
abilities sanctified.” – J. I. Packer
Ø Serving
is often hard work.
ü Spiritual
giftedness does not mean it will not be work.
ü Service
that costs nothing accomplishes nothing.
ü Service
is rewarding work.
ü Service
for God is enduring and valuable work.
Therefore,
my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give
yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in
the Lord is not in vain. (1 Co. 15:58, NIV)
God
is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as
you have helped his people and continue to help them. (Heb.
6:10, NIV)
Questions:
Ø Why
do we tend to overlook some spiritual gifts in favor of others?
Ø Why
do we sometimes think that our service is not accomplishing anything?
Final
Applications:Ø Worship
empowers serving; serving expresses worship. Godliness requires a disciplined
balance between the two.
Ø You
are expected and gifted to serve, but will you serve?
Ø The
gospel of Christ creates Christlike servants.
Sunday Oct 12, 2014
Sunday Oct 12, 2014
“The Self-Deceived, Complacent Church”
(Revelation 3:14–22)
Cameron
Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sun PM/October 12, 2014
Revelation
3:14–22 (NIV)
14 “To
the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the
faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I
know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one
or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor
cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am
rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize
that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I
counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich;
and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve
to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those
whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here
I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the
door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 21 To
the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne,
just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever
has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
1.
Jesus Christ is the faithful witness and
the Almighty Creator (v. 14).
15 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. (Col. 1:15-17, NIV)
2.
Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Church
finds lazy, complacent, self-reliant religion to be abominable (vv. 15–17).
9 I know your
afflictions and your poverty-- yet you are rich! (Rev. 2:9, NIV)
3.
Jesus Christ, the Savior of the Church
provides his righteousness as clothing for his redeemed people who believe and
repent (vv. 18–20).
4.
Jesus Christ, the King of Creation,
grants eternal life and royal privilege to all who endure victoriously in faith
to the end (v. 21–22).
Big Idea: A faithful and
successful church is dependent on the Triune God for all things and is not
lulled into a false sense of complacent self-sufficiency.
Sunday Oct 12, 2014
Sunday Oct 12, 2014
“The Entrance of the King” (John
12:12–19)
Cameron
Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sun AM/October 12, 2014
John
12:12–19 (NIV)12 The
next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on
his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out
to meet him, shouting,“Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of
the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”
14 Jesus
found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
15 “Do
not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see,
your king is coming,
seated
on a donkey’s colt.”
16 At
first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified
did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these
things had been done to him.
17 Now
the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him
from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people,
because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. 19 So
the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how
the whole world has gone after him!”
1.
Jubilant Praise
25
LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success! 26
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we
bless you. (Psalm
118:25-26, NIV)
2.
A Misunderstood Messiah
3.
A Procession of Peace
9
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes
to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the
foal of a donkey. (Zech. 9:9,
NIV)
4.
Fulfillment of the Father’s Purpose
Main Idea: Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah King
who came in peace to reconcile sinners to God through his death on Passover in
fulfillment of the Father’s Divine Purpose.
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
by Donald Whitney
Evangelism…for the purpose of godliness: Chapter 6
The Discipline of Evangelism
Ø
“Disciplined faith is a faith that is likely to
survive and lead to faith in others.” – Alister E. McGrathØ
“Talking to a person about Jesus can be an
intensely rewarding experience for any believer.”
Ø
“And yet nothing causes anxiety more quickly
among a group of Christians than talking about our responsibility to
evangelize.”
What Is Evangelism?
Ø “Presenting
Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit to sinful people, in order that
they may come to put their trust in God through Him, to receive Him as their
savior, and to serve Him as their King in the fellowship of His church.”
Evangelism is ExpectedØ Commanded
by Christ
Ø Not
Just for the original 12 apostles
Ø Not
just for those with a “gift” of evangelism
Ø Expected
of all believers
Ø Disciples
make other disciples.
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)
But you are a chosen
people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you
may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light. (1 Pet. 2:9, NIV)
Questions:
Ø Will
every Christian be equally gifted at evangelizing others?
Ø What
are some different methods or strategies for personally sharing the gospel with
others?
Evangelism is Empowered
Ø The
power of Evangelism is the Holy Spirit (not our eloquence).
ü Power
for witnessing (Acts 1:8)
ü Gospel
itself is embedded with power (Rom. 1:16)
ü Illuminating/Regenerating
power (Eph 2:8-9/Titus 3:5)
ü A
holy life adorns the gospel.
Questions:
Ø Why
are we often afraid to evangelize?
Ø Will
the Holy Spirit’s empowerment always manifest itself the same way?
Evangelism is a Discipline
Ø Should
be a natural outflow of a regenerated life, but also requires discipline.
ü Discipline
of Godly Living
ü Discipline
of Study
ü Discipline
of Timeü Discipline
of Relationships
ü Discipline
of Telling
Be wise in the way you
act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation
be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer
everyone. (Col. 4:5–6, NIV)
Final Applications:Ø Because
evangelism is expected, will you obey the Lord and witness?
Ø Because
evangelism is empowered, will you believe God can use your words in the
salvation of others?
Ø Will
you plan for evangelism?
Evangelism and Godliness
“The more we pursue Christ, the more we want to proclaim
Christ.”
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
“Faithfulness Is
Success” (Revelation 3:7–13)
Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sun PM/October 5, 2014
7 "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David.
What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. (Rev. 3:7,
NIV)
22 I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of
David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. (Isa.
22:22, NIV)
8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open
door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have
kept my word and have not denied my name. (Rev. 3:8, NIV)
9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who
claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars-- I will make them come and
fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. (Rev. 3:9, NIV)
14 The children of your oppressors will come bowing before
you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet and will call you the City
of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel. (Isa. 60:14, NIV)
10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I
will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole
world to test the inhabitants of the earth. (Rev. 3:10, NIV)
9 I know your afflictions and your poverty-- yet you are
rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but
are a synagogue of Satan. 10
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will
put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten
days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your
victor's crown. (Rev. 2:9-10, NIV)
14 I have given them your word and the world has hated
them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take
them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even
as I am not of it. 17
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the
world. (John 17:14-18, NIV)
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no
one will take your crown. (Rev. 3:11, NIV)
10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell
you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer
persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will
give you life as your victor's crown. (Rev. 2:10, NIV)
12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the
temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name
of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is
coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new
name. (Rev. 3:12, NIV)
13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to
the churches. (Rev. 3:13, NIV)
Main Idea: Faithfulness to the
infallible, authoritative word of Christ is success.
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
Spiritual
Disciplines for the Christian Life
by
Donald Whitney
Worship…for
the purpose of godliness: Chapter 5
The
Expectation of Worship
“It
is the duty (and privilege) of all people to worship their Creator.” – Whitney,
102
“Come,
let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;” (Psalm
95:6)
WLC
# 1What
is the chief and highest end of man?
Man’s
chief and highest end is to glorify God and fully to enjoy him forever.
Worship
Is…
Ø Focusing
on & Responding to God
ü “My
Lord and my God!” (Jn 20:28)
ü “Holy,
Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty” (Rev 4:8)
ü “Worthy
are you, our Lord and God…” (while falling before him) (Rev 4:11)
Worship
Is…
“To
worship God means to ascribe the proper worth to God, to magnify his
worthiness, or better, to approach and address God as He is worthy.” – Whitney,
103-4
ü Fully
acknowledging the glory and majesty of God and responding with our total being.
Questions:
Ø In
what ways is God revealed to us, so that we might respond appropriately in
worship to him?
Ø How do
the other spiritual disciplines lead us to worship?
Ø How
is worship itself a discipline?
Worship
Is…
Ø Done
in Spirit and Truth
ü Before
we can worship in spirit & truth we must have within us the One who is the
“Spirit of Truth” (John 14:17).
ü Spirit’s
regenerating and illuminating work leads us to worship the Triune God.
ü To
worship in spirit is to worship from the inside out with sincerity in our acts
of worship.
ü Worship
in truth is worship in accordance and agreement with the truth of Scripture and
in the means Scripture prescribes.
Questions:
Ø How
do we engage our spirits in worship and not just go through the motions?Ø How
do we keep worship anchored to the truth?
Ø How
do worshiping in spirit and truth balance each other?
Worship
Is…
Ø Expected
both Publicly and Privately
ü Public
worship is to corporately and physically gather with God’s people as his
church.
ü Private
worship is individual or family worship apart from the gathered church.
Worship
Is…
Ø A
Discipline to Be Cultivated
ü Worship
is both an end and a means.
ü We
emulate what we think about. To think often about God is to become more and
more like God.
Final
Applications:
Ø Will
you commit yourself to the discipline of daily private worship and regular
corporate worship?
Ø Will
you put actual worship into your acts of worship?
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
“A Prophetic Act of Supreme Devotion”
(John 12:1–11)
Cameron
Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sun AM/October 5, 2014
John
12:1–11 (NIV)12 Six days before the Passover,
Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the
dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served,
while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then
Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on
Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the
fragrance of the perfume.
4 But
one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why
wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s
wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor
but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself
to what was put into it.
7 “Leave
her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume
for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among
you, but you will not always have me.”
9 Meanwhile
a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because
of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So
the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on
account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.
Ø The
majesty of Jesus Christ and his kingdom are worthy of our supreme devotion and
sacrifice.
Ø Our
devotion to Christ should overpower any thought of shame or hesitation to
publicly identify with him.
Ø External
displays of religion can often mask inner deceit and depravity.
Ø External
displays of religion can never substitute for true internal piety and worship.
Main Idea: Often, what we truly treasure is measured not by what we keep but by
what we give away and to whom we give it.
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
“Are You
Dead or Alive?” (Revelation 3:1–6)
Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sun PM/September
28, 2014
"To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of
him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. (Rev. 3:1a, NIV)
4 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and
from the seven spirits before his throne,
5 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, (Rev. 1:4-5, NIV)
5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and
peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are
the seven spirits of God. (Rev. 4:5, NIV)
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain,
standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures
and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven
spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (Rev. 5:6, NIV)
6 So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to
Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD
Almighty. (Zech. 4:6, NIV)
2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of
wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of
the knowledge and fear of the LORD-- (Isa. 11:2, NIV)
I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
(Rev. 3:1b, NIV)
2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die,
for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. (Rev. 3:2, NIV)
21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will
enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father
who is in heaven. 22 Many
will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and
in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly,
'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matt. 7:21-23, NIV)
3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard;
hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief,
and you will not know at what time I will come to you. (Rev. 3:3, NIV)
4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled
their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.
(Rev. 3:4, NIV)
12 In a loud voice they were saying: "Worthy is the
Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and
honor and glory and praise!" 13
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on
the sea, and all that is in them, saying: "To him who sits on the throne
and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and
ever!" (Rev. 5:12-13, NIV)
5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in
white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but
will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. (Rev. 3:5, NIV)
6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to
the churches. (Rev. 3:6, NIV)
Main Ideas:
We need to be sure that our church is as alive as we say it is. Spiritual life cannot be assumed; it must be evident in the worship,
witness, and works that accompany true spiritual life.
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
“Human Plots and the Divine Purpose”
(John 11:45–57)
Cameron
Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sun AM/September 28, 2014
John 11:45–57 (NIV) The
Plot to Kill Jesus45 Therefore
many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did,
believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and
told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and
the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.
“What
are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. 48 If
we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans
will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”
49 Then
one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know
nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you
that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”
51 He
did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that
Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that
nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and
make them one. 53 So from that day on they plotted to take his
life.
54 Therefore
Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he
withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he
stayed with his disciples.
55 When
it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem
for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 56 They
kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one
another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” 57 But
the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out
where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him.
1. The stone-cold hardness of unbelief.
2. The wicked plots of unfaithful men.
3. The immovable gracious purpose of God.
Main Idea:
God’s sovereign purpose used the most
wicked scheme in the history of mankind to accomplish the greatest good – the
redemption of sinners (through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ).
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
Spiritual
Disciplines for the Christian Lifeby
Donald Whitney
Prayer…for
the purpose of godliness: Chapter 4 - Albert
Edward Day“We
Protestants are an undisciplined people. Therein lies the reason for much of
the dearth of spiritual insights and serious lack of moral power.”
Prayer
Is ExpectedØ Jesus
Expects Us to Pray
ü Matt
6:5 – “And when you pray…”
ü Matt
6:6 – “But when you pray…”
ü Matt
6:7 – “And when you pray…”
ü Matt
6:9 – “Pray then like this…”
ü Luke
11:9 – “Ask…Seek…Knock…”
ü Luke
18:1 – “they should always pray and not give up.”
Ø God’s
Word Makes it Clear
ü Col
4:2 – “Devote yourselves to prayer…”
ü 1
Thess 5:17 – “Pray continually...”
ü Heb
4:16 – “Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we
may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Prayer
Is Learned
Ø By
Praying
Ø By
Meditating on Scripture
Ø By
Praying with Others
Ø By
Reading about Prayer
Prayer
Is Answered
7 "Ask and it will be given to
you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives;
the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be
opened. (Matt. 7:7-8, NIV)
Questions:
Ø What
makes prayer challenging?
Ø What
makes consistent, regular prayer challenging?
Ø What
are some ways to stay focused and disciplined in prayer?
Ø What
are some biblical components of prayer?
Ø How
should we prioritize the content of our prayers?
Ø How
does prayer relate to the sovereignty of God?
Final
Applications:
Ø Because
prayer is expected, will you pray?
Ø Since
prayer is learned, will you learn to pray?
Ø Since
prayer is answered, will you persistently pray?
Luke
11:5–13
5 Then Jesus said
to them, "Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and
say, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread;
6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no
food to offer him.' 7 And
suppose the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked,
and my children and I are in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8 I tell you, even though he will
not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your
shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. 9 "So I say to you: Ask and
it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be
opened to you. 10 For
everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks,
the door will be opened. 11
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake
instead? 12 Or if he asks for
an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask
him!"