40 Days in the Word - Probe It!

9:00am sermon by Pastor Dick Avey

Ask:
What did it mean then?
Interpretation
What is the timeless truth?
Implication
How does it apply now?
Application

Mark 8:34-38
34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

In the time of Jesus the way of the cross meant the Way of physical death.

Today – the way of the cross, means “death to self”

Not I, but Christ - Galatians 2:20

three key words to consider
KNOW - Romans 6: 3, 6, 9, 13
RECKON - Romans 6:11
“to put to the account of”
YIELD - Romans 6: 12 -23
An act of our will

The Cross = a constant reminder that we have been crucified with Jesus.

three steps to take
RECKON
it’s a fact (vs. 11)
REFUSE
(vs. 12)
OFFER
(vs. 13)

"Take up your cross DAILY..." Luke 9:23


Venue and 10:30 sermon by Pastor Dave Morley

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the LORD is good.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

Illuminate His Truth To Us

“Like newborn babies, crave…”

“The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
John 14:26

Illuminate His Truth To Us

“Like newborn babies, crave…”

“He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.”
John 14:17

Illuminate His Truth To Us

“Like newborn babies, crave…”

“the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you”
John 16:15

Illuminate His Truth To Us

“Like newborn babies, crave…”

“I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you His Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God.”
Ephesians 1:17

Illuminate His Truth To Us

“Like newborn babies, crave…”

The Bible is the only book where you can talk to the author while reading it!
“Now what did you mean here?”

Illuminate His Truth To Us

“Like newborn babies, crave…”

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be ENLIGHTENED in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.”
Ephesians 1:18-19

Illustrate His Truth In Us

“so that by it you may grow up…”

Initiate His Truth Through Us
“…that you may declare the praises of him who called you…”

Initiate His Truth Through Us
“…that you may declare the praises of him who called you…”

“The reward of service is more service.”
-Dwight L. Moody

Initiate His Truth Through Us
“…that you may declare the praises of him who called you…”

"If you don't cross over from what I get to what I can give, your church will become increasingly unsatisfactory to you."
- James McDonald

40 Days In The Word - Picture It!

3 Biblical Principles involved
1.profitable for instruction 2 Timothy 3:16-17
2.real people in real life situations I Corinthians 10:1-13
3.we can relate to real situations

Matthew 8:1-4

picture it
a form of meditation
•Set the scene (context)
•What's my motivation? (perspective)
•Be the man (application)

Set the scene
provides context which gives insight and sets the parameters for proper interpretation

“followed”: so Jesus is going somewhere

“great multitudes”

What's my motivation?
each person involved has a perspective, human reactions, consequences, etc. in this real life moment
disciples - ?
the leper - ?
Jesus - ?

Be the man
•Which person am I at this moment in my life?
•What choice of faith am I presented?
•What lesson am I learning?
•What course of action leads me closer to Jesus?

which character am I?
Matthew 8:1-4

40 Days In The Word - Pronounce It!

app built on 3 principles
1.every word is inspired - 2 Timothy 3:16
2.meditation is key - Psalm 119
3.repetition as effective meditation

why?
Repetition produces familiarity.
Familiarity produces perspective.
Perspective produces understanding.
Understanding produces ownership.

/bi-bel/ pronounce it. Proverbs 18:10

When I wander through the desert
and I'm longing for my home
All my dreams have gone astray
When I'm stranded in the valley
And I'm tired and all alone
It seems like I've lost my way
I go running to Your mountain
Where Your mercy sets me free

You are my strong tower
a shelter over me
Beautiful and mighty,
Everlasting King
You are my strong tower
A fortress when I'm weak
Your name is true and holy
And Your face is all I see.

A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide;
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

You are my strong tower
a shelter over me
Beautiful and mighty,
Everlasting King
You are my strong tower
A fortress when I'm weak
Your name is true and holy
And Your face is all I see.

I go running
to Your mountain,
Where Your mercy
sets me free.

/bi-bel/ pronounce it. Proverbs 18:10

40 Days Overview and Understanding the Workbook

major reasons cited for limited/no Devotional Life:
•too busy or tired due to business
•I don’t understand what I read
•it does not apply to my life today

There's an app for that. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

equipped for Bible = equipped for life

why a church-wide 40 Day Devotional Life study?
•pastors: cling to, preach, & charge congregation
•congregation engaged together: – small group structure, families, house churches
•culture: strong trend to reject Bible

Therefore…
•Preaching emphasis
•Individual study
•Lifegroup encouragement

“The whole” – share, FBC Facebook, Pastor’s blog

Sunday February 12- introduce 1st app - pronounce it.

Monday, February 13
day one/exercise one

Each week a new app introduced on Sunday
Group options available on
•Sunday evening 6:30
•Tuesday evening 6:00
Share: “I saw this today…”
On line – Facebook & blog comments

how are we “complete, thoroughly equipped”?

“inspired scripture”
instruction in righteousness
thoroughly equipped

The Vow

A story from Fox News, worth the read:
Real-life couple from the new movie "The Vow" say "it would have been nice to see Christian references in the film.
Based on the love story of two devout Christians, the movie version of "The Vow," starring Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum, strips the tale of its overt religious themes.

Here is the link.