Stories of Hope

Foundations of Hope      Colossians 1:24-29

 

“Men are God's method. While the church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men.” - E.M.Bounds

 

Hope Defined

Worldly - “a feeling that what is wanted will happen.” Understood in this way, hope can denote either a baseless optimism or a vague yearning after an unattainable good.

 

Biblical hope is the anticipation of a favorable outcome under God’s guidance. More specifically, hope is the confidence that what God has done for us in the past guarantees our participation in what God will do in the future. - Holman Bible Dictionary.

 

Hope’s Paradox

Paradox = a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.

 

 “Biblical faith grows in the garden of adversity.” - Greg Laurie

 

Hope Revealed

“God will only give you what you   would have asked for if you knew everything he knows.”

- Tim Keller

 

Hope Personified

 

Hope Powered

 

Sermon by Pastor Dave Morley

Come On Down!

“Come On Down!”

Mark 3:13-14

 

Significance of our:

1. Time with the Father

Jesus went out to the mountainside to pray, and He spent the night praying to God.

Luke 6:12

 

 

 

Significance of our:

2. Calling by the Father

 

 

 

Significance of our:
 
3. Position with the Father

"As we gather unto Christ, we gather unto each other, and the nearer we get to Christ, the nearer we get to each other." - AW Tozer

 

Significance of our:

4. Purpose for the Father

“Men are God's method. While the church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men.” - E.M.Bounds

 

Sermon by Pastor Dave Morley

The Importance of Preaching the Gospel

The Importance of Preaching the Gospel – Romans 10

 

Truth 1:

 

The DEFINITION of the Gospel

·       Lordship of Jesus: confess – lordship

·       Atonement of Jesus: believe – righteousness

 

Truth 2:

 

The COMMAND of the Gospel

Proclaiming the gospel is the full expression of our salvation

“How can they hear?”

“Beautiful Feet”

 

Truth 3:

 

The MOTIVATION of the Gospel

The Gospel is its own motivation for “preaching”

 

We must proclaim the gospel because . . .

People are searching and do not know how to be saved

Jesus will save everyone who believes in Him

It is God’s only plan for salvation

It is the foundation for a believing faith

We Are.......Pray-ers

WE ARE……PRAY-ERS Isaiah 62

 

We are pray-ers because it is commanded

Taught/emphasize each year:

PRAY, fasting, citizenship

. schools . baby dedications . missions . special events .

Congregational efforts:

intercessory prayers,

Lifegroups, Aaron-Hurr

 

Recently:

 

·       Prayer emphasis

·       Pastors event -spiritual awakening

·       Senior adults Sept/Oct

·       Student prayer meeting; planning for statewide event

 

We are pray-ers to encourage our faith.

   "Remembrances"

 

We are pray-ers because we believe God is a God of redemption

·       "Till He..."

·       "Shall" used 8 times

 

Prayer challenge:

·       Be obedient

·       Be committed

·       Be passionate

 

WE ARE……..PRAY-ERS

WE ARE .... Families

WE ARE………..Families         Ephesians 5

 

Struggles in culture:

·       Breakdown of the family

·       Divorce rate

·       Fatherless children

·       Lack of evangelism of children/students

 

Marriage is a picture of salvation

 

Family is the first plan of salvation

 

Family is the best church strategy

·       For salvation/baptisms

·       For strengthening the home

·       For raising spiritual champions

·       For reaching the community

 

WE ARE………..Families

WE ARE.........Witnesses

WE ARE……..Witnesses    Acts 3

 

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me    in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

 

Our focus must be:

WE ARE WITNESSES OF JESUS

 

·       "ninth hour"- hour of public prayer

·       "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth"

 

ALL WE HAVE TO GIVE IS JESUS

 

"What I do have I give you"

 

when we witness of Jesus, incredible things happen

 

·       "Walking, leaping"

·       Praising God - trusted Jesus

·       "All the people saw"

·       Wonder/amazement

 

WE ARE……..Witnesses

How to love your next Pastor

Continue to be a Bible church - 2 Timothy 2:2-4

 

Do not compare us! 1 Cor. 3:1-6

 

Tithe – It affects him more than anyone else. 2 Cor. 8:1-7

 

Men – Continue to lead, serve, and support. 2 Timothy 2:1-2 See in ALL Paul’s letters

 

Love his family. John 13:34-35

 

Own your faith and church commitment. Ephesians 1:15-19 August series “We are …”

 

Pray for him. Ephesians 6:17-20

 

His Current Prayer List:

·       Softening his grip on current church

·       Prepare his family

·       Strengthen his quiet time to hear God’s voice

·       Open his eyes to FBC’s opportunities

Understanding Freedom

Understanding Freedom      2 Corinthians 3: 17-18

 

Misconceptions About Freedom

·       freedom is granted by government

 

“There is not a truth to be gathered from history more certain, or more momentous, than this: that civil liberty cannot long be separated from religious liberty without danger, and ultimately without destruction to both. Wherever religious liberty exists, it will first or last, bring in and establish political liberty. It yet remains a problem to be solved in human affairs, whether any free government can be permanent, where public worship of God, and the support of religion, constitute no part of the policy or duty of the state in any assignable shape.” Joseph Story

 

Misconceptions About Freedom

·       freedom is granted by government

·       freedom means I am more important than…

·       I can do anything I want

 

Truths About Freedom

·       freedom only exists in Jesus Christ

“Where the Spirit of the Lord is”

·       freedom creates transformation

“Transformed into the same image”

·       freedom creates real understanding

“Unveiled/ beholding”

·       freedom costs everything

“the glory of the Lord” is Jesus

Steadfast

BE STEADFAST - 1 Corinthians 15:58

 

BE STEADFAST IN LOVE

·       for God

·       for one another (1 Cor 13; Eph 4)

·       for the lost

 

BE STEADFAST IN OBEDIENCE

John 14:15

 

BE STEADFAST IN SERVICE & MINISTRY

Col 3:17

 

BE STEADFAST IN PURITY

Phil 4:8; Col 3:2-5

 

BE STEADFAST IN PRAYER

·       priority of it

·       persistence in it (Luke 11:5ff)

·       power of it

presence of God

promises of God

Sermon by Pastor Dick Avey

Man, Milk, or Meat?

MAN, MILK OR MEAT?

Man, Milk, or Meat?

·       The Natural man

·       The Carnal man

·       The spiritual man

 Rated by the ability to live by the spirit!

·       The Natural man (2:14) – No spirit at all

·       The Carnal man (3:1-2) – Not living by the spirit

      ·       The spiritual man (2:15) – living by the spirit

Progressive order

·       Divine revelation given

 
      ·       Only the spirit can understand

      ·       Believers have the spirit

      ·       Only believers can understand

·       Natural man – no spirit nor understanding

·       Carnal man – still clinging to the world

·       Spiritual man – spiritual discernment!

Worldly vs. godly wisdom

Are you walking in the spirit?

 

Sermon by: Pastor Ron Pierce

The Bible "The Christian's Life Guide"

THE BIBLE The Christian's Life Guide - 2 Peter 3:14-17

 

 

Christian Life = Personal relationship

 

·       Relationships have responsibilities

 

Doctrine:  whole of divine instruction

 

Reproof: rebuke to convict of misbehavior/incorrect doctrine

 

Correction: restoring to original or proper order

 

Instruction: training

 

Equipping: enabled to live/serve

68 Sermon

Pray for MUCH - May 04

May 04

 

YIELD- surrender; submit; to give way. The Christian life is lived in total submission to Jesus. He is not just our Saviour, but our Lord. In communicating with Him, we know that He talks with us as well based on some of our previous verses. When He speaks, we must listen and respond. That response requires of us a choice to YIELD to His leading. Since today is Sunday, it is a great to submit to His leading. Pray that when Jesus speaks to you today, you will YIELD to Him and follow.

 

Verse: Luke 9:23-4

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”

 

Lord, today I make the choice …

• To listen for a word from you

• To obey what you ask of me

• To YIELD to His leading and respond to whatever He is stirring in your heart.

Be willing to be obedient.

 

God said to me:

Pray for MUCH - May 03

May 03

 

ASKing is a part of the Christian life. Jesus taught us to ASK for a lot of things: salvation, answers, wisdom, our daily needs, to protect us from temptation, His kingdom to come, and effective opportunities to share the gospel. He wants us to ASK because it connects us to Him as our Source for all that we need. ASKing should be rooted in a desire for His purpose to come to pass and with a faith that He answers prayer.

 

Verse: Matthew 7:8-11

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 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 good gifts to those who ask him!

 

ASK God to give you direction in developing your “Love List” –

a specific list of three people God has placed in your life who need Jesus.

• Who are the three people on your list?

• ASK God to give you opportunities to share your testimony with them.

• ASK God to create an opportunity to invite them to FBC,

i.e. the 4 Weeks Later musical on May 18.

 

God said to me:

Pray for MUCH - May 02

May 02

 

Today, we will focus on Repent. Repentance is an integral part of every christian’s life. As God works in our lives to make us more Christ-like, it involves removing thoughts, patterns, and choices that hinder that work. Do not be afraid or intimidated by facing Jesus in repentance. It is the first step towards drawing closer to Him and He died to forgive you. (1 John 1:9)

 

Verse: 1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

 

I want to Repent of …

• My failure to pray in a committed, fervent way

• My lack of faith that God answers my prayers in a MIGHTY, MUCH way

• ______________________ that keeps me from coming to the Lord in prayer

 

God said to me:

Pray for MUCH - May 01

May 01

 

We often teach the components of prayer using the word PRAY (Praise, Repent, Ask, Yield). Over the next four days, we will again use PRAY to focus our prayers and insure we are engaging every aspect of our prayer lives. Today we will begin with PRAISE.

 

Verse: 1 Peter 1:3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.

 

Praise the Lord for:

• The incredible salvation purchased by Jesus

• The profound impact of your salvation on your life

• The person(s) who shared Jesus with you

• The privilege He gives us to share Jesus and salvation with others

 

God said to me:

Pray for MUCH - April 30

April 30, 2014

 

Verse: James 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

 

Pray that:

• God will help your faith in light of this promise

• God will broaden your vision for your ministry

• God will broaden your vision for FBC

 

God said to me:

Pray for MUCH - April 29

April 29, 2014

 

Verse: John 14:12-14

 

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

 

Pray for yourself:

• Lord, help me believe the truth of what Jesus said

• Lord, help me see how my prayer life needs to change in light of this promise

 

God said to me:

Pray for MUCH - April 28

April 28

 

Verse: Jeremiah 33:3

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

 

Pray for yourself:

• God will speak to you directly during the next 2 weeks

• God will stir your heart in the direction He wants to take you

• He will show you something truly “mighty”

 

Pray for the FBC Family:

• God will stir our hearts by praying together.

• That folks who may struggle in their prayer lives will be encouraged

through this emphasis to call on Him.

• That God will excite in us a sense of reaching lost people in a MIGHTY way

 

God said to me:

The Power of a God-Seeking Prayer Life

The Power of a God-Seeking Prayer Life - Jeremiah 29:11-13; John 17:3; James 4:8

 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

 

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.  John 17:3

 

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

 

Dr. Gregory Frizzell, guest speaker

Prayer and Spiritual Awakening Specialist of the

Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and the NAMB

 

Understanding our Identity as Givers

Foundations for the Future

 

Understanding our Identity as Givers

 

God established giving from the beginning as our identity.

“Willingly” shows the heart.

 

What happens to the church in the next generation if today’s parents fail to exercise Godly stewardship with such passion that they pass it on to their children?

 

Age     % given by generation

65+                              46%

55-64                           22%

45-54                           17%

35-44                           11%

Under 35                       4%

 

FBC generational giving rates:

Age     % given by generation:

65+                              27%

55-64                           21%

45-54                           26%

35-44                           19% (2nd largest group)

Under 35                       7%

 

Understanding our Identity as Givers

 

Deuteronomy 11

 

FBC gives through:

·       Tithes and regular offerings – operates budget

·       March to the Manger – funds missions offerings/projects

·       Foundation for the Future – capital needs

 

2014 Capital Offering: April 20

·       Debt reduction

·       Chapel renovation for children’s area

 

What are you teaching your children?

 

Understanding our Identity as Givers

Understanding our Identity as Givers   Exodus 25, 36

 

4 Truths about who we are and why we should give:

 

Truth 1:

God established giving from the beginning as our identity.

“Willingly” shows the heart.

 

Truth 1:

FBC gives through-

·       Tithes and regular offerings – operates budget

·       March to the Manger – funds missions offerings/projects

·       Foundation for the Future – capital needs

 

Truth 1:

2014 Capital Offering – April 20

·       Debt reduction

·       Chapel renovation for children’s area

 

Truth 2:

It reminds us that all we own comes from Jesus.

 

Truth 3:

When they were not giving, they used their wealth and talents to make an idol.  Exodus 32

 

Truth 4:

When they began giving, there was a huge impact:

·       Everyone participated                                36:4-7

·       There was too much                                   36:4-7

·       God’s presence rested in their sacrifice 40:34-38

Disconnected? Gospel?

Disconnected? 1Peter 2:9 Gospel

 

The Command to Connect:

“follow me” = command to share

·       A natural desire

·       Belief Jesus would impact him

 

Signs of Disconnect:

·       Inviting people to church?

·       More interested in your opinions than presence of Jesus?

·       Participate in efforts to reach – Venue Church?

·       A love list?

 

How to connect

·       Commit to invite people to church

·       Develop a love list

·       Commit to what we are doing

Survey of the Bible Sunday Evening 3-30-14

Disconnected? Hope?

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

 

Disconnected? 1 Peter 2:9   Hope?

 

The Command to Connect:  

 “Rest your hope fully”

 

The Command to Connect:

·       Living hope (1:3)

·       Calls us to holiness – set apart (1:16)

·       Awe-inspiring (1:18-21)

·       Rooted in eternal scripture (1:23)

·       Share with others (3:15)

 

Signs of Disconnect:

·       Desire for Jesus? Ps 42:1-2

·       Broken over sin? Ps 51:10-12

·       Word from God? Ps119:49-50

·       Made a sacrifice? Phil 3:7-8

·       Answered a question “why”? 2 Cor 2: 14-16

 

How to connect:

1.     Devotional Life – time with Jesus

2.     Write your testimony

3.     Commit to feed your “hope” 

Memory verse

Music – gospel

Select a reminder

4.     Exercise your hope by ministry