Jesus Let it Go

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“Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead” (Phil 3:13-14). 

 

We Have to Let it Go Because... 

  1. What lies behind cannot be changed, corrected, or manipulated (Matt 27:3-10) — Judas regretted what he had done, tried to give back the money, they wouldn't take it, and so he hung himself.
  2. What lies ahead is too precious to be affected by our holding on and looking back   (2 Tim 4:6–8)
  3. Our victory in Jesus depends on it   (1 Cor 9:24)  
  4. What other choice do we have?   (Luke 9:57–62) — holding to the past just slows us down. Such a person who looks back is not fit for the kingdom of a God. 

Jesus Said Yes — Will We? (pt. 2)

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Will You Serve Others?

  • Mark 5:21–43
  • Jesus served others will you?
  • He didn't refuse even when asked.  

 

 Will You Share What You Have? 

  • Matt 15:32–38
  • Jesus shared the 7 loaves and a few fish with over 4000 people.

 

Will You Pray? 

  • Luke 11:1–4
  • Jesus taught them to pray. 

 

Will You Sacrifice? 

  • Jesus willingly gave himself so that we might live through him.

 

Jesus Said Yes — Will We? (pt. 1)

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When Jesus's mother asked him to turn water into wine he said yes (John 2:1–5).

 

Jesus Said Yes

  • To what is good, purposeful, and helpful. 
  • To challenges, sufferings, and trials. 

 

Sometimes He Says No

  • Jesus always says no to sin. 
  • He said no to the people who turned the Temple into a den of theives. 

 

What About Us? 

  • Will we do what we can with what we have? 
  • Will we help each other? 
  • Will you say yes to Jesus? 

 

 

Deacon Qualifications

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 The Work of a Deacon is to serve the church.

 

Qualifications

  1. Reverent, Respectful  (1 Tim 3:8) — a deacon serves in the ministry of Christ. Humility is necessary.
  2. Not Doubletongued  (1 Tim 3:8) — able to be truthful in all their activities. They're a consistent person wherever they are.
  3. Not Given to Much Wine   (1 Tim 3:8)  — disciplined in his personal life (i.e. alcohol). God commands kings and princes to abstain (leaders), wine is for the sick (Prov 31).
  4. Not Greedy for Dishonest Gain   (1 Tim 3:8)  — not seeking gain. Their priority must be service.
  5.   Hold the Mystery of Faith with a Clear Conscience   (1 Tim 3:9)  — able to hold onto the faith without compromise.
  6.  Tested and Found Blameless   (1 Tim 3:10)  — they will be examined and held accountable.
  7.   Wife Reverent, Not a Gossiper/Slanderer, Self-Controlled, and Faithful  (1 Tim 3:11)
  8. Husband of One Wife   (1 Tim 3:12) 
  9. Ruling/Managing His House Well   (1 Tim 3:12) — wife and children respect and honor him. 
  10.  

Elder Qualifications

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These are not suggestions or ideals. A man must meet all of these qualifications.

 

  1. Desires to be an Elder   (1 Tim 3:1)  — he must want to serve in this office.
  2.  Blameless and Above Reproach  (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:6) — not perfect since there would be no elders ever, but living in a way that no reproach or blame rests on them.
  3. Husband of One Wife   (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:6)  — he must be a married man.
  4. Temperate    (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:7-8) — self-controlled in all aspects of life they are the same man wherever they are.
  5. Sober-Minded      (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:7-8) — able to clearly make decisions, mature.
  6. Orderly   (1 Tim 3:2) — well behaved and reliable.
  7. Hospitable  (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:8) — courteous, friendly, kind, welcoming.
  8. Able to Teach   (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:9) — able to teach the church and hold to the Word of God. 
  9. Not Given to Wine  (1 Tim 3:3)
  10. Not Violent  (1 Tim 3:3)
  11. Not Greedy or a Lover of Money  (1 Tim 3:3; Titus 1:7) — generous with sound judgement. Able to manage finances for the work of God.
  12. Gentle  (1 Tim 3:3) — courteous, peaceful, not harsh or turbulent or coarse or ride.
  13. Not Quarrelsome  (1 Tim 3:3) — not argumentative but able to manage conflict peacefully.
  14. Not Covetous  
  15. Rule His House Well   (1 Tim 3:5-6) — children living faithful lives in submission.Not a New Christian  — new to the faith or new to the church (how can they shepherd if they know not the sheep?).
  16. Good Reputation among Non-Christians  (1 Tim 3:7)
  17. Faithful Children   (Titus 1:6) —  children old enough to be Christians should be.
  18. Not Quick Tempered   (Titus 1:7) 
  19. Lover of Good  (Titus 1:8)
  20. Holy  (Titus 1:8)
  21. Sound in the Faith   (Titus 1:9) 
  22. Wife Reverent, Not A Gosspier, Temperate, Faithful   (1 Tim 3:11)  — the wife of a man can disqualify him.

Godliness

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2 Pet 2:5–10

Godliness Defined

  1. Having a great reverence for God characterized by a Godward attitude and a Godward devotion. 
  2. Thinking, speaking, living, being like God. 

 

Godliness Illustrated

  1. Noah found favor before God, was righteous and blameless in his generation (Gen 6:8-9).
  2. Abraham trusted in God and it was counted to him as righteousness (Gen 15:6). 
  3. Moses spoke to God as he would a friend - this required Godliness (Exod 33:11).
  4. David was gentle and faithful and had a heart like God (1 Sam 13, 17). 
  5. Mary was submissive and serving (Luke 10:42).
  6. Jesus was selfless and he was one with God.

Examine Yourselves: Goals for 2017

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Goals for Yourselves: Examine Yourselves (2 Cor 13:5–6)

  • But don't measure yourselves by other people (2 Cor 10:12ff).
  • Grow in grace and knowledge (2 Pet 3:1)
  • If you have been in the faith for a long time, should you not be a teacher? (Heb 5:12–13)
  • So it's entirely biblical to sit down at the turn of every year and even more frequently to evaluate whether or not we have been who we need to be as a Christian

Goals for the Church: How Can You Serve?

  1. Discover your gifts and talents to use them in the ministry.
    • Even the "One Talent Man" could have done something useful with his talent but he was scared to use it (Matt 25:14-30). He was afraid to fail, to be criticized, or to do it right.
    • Use your gift to serve one another (1 Pet 4:10). It would be nice to have other certain talents but God has given each of us gifts to use.
  2. Equipped to Serve (Eph 4:11–12)
    • We need a diversity of talents, abilities, and viewpoints.
    • Sometimes we have people who are equipped but unwilling to step forward; others with less ability in this area step forward but with less experience and struggle to accomplish the task. Yet the person who stepped forward was more helpful.
    • The talent who choose to sit on the side should not criticize those who attempt to work.
  3. The Heart of a Servant (Matt 20:20-28)
    • When you have the gifts and talents it's important to have the heart of a servant. To recognize that you have the ability and step forward.
    • But you must ask who are you trying to serve? James and John were confident but sought to be important and recognized.
    • Jesus however led the way by serving (John 13:1–20).

Walking in the Timing of God

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Proverbs 3:1–10

 

  1. Keep God's laws and by his timing it will lead to length of days, long life, and peace (Prov 3:1–2)
  2. Being merciful will lead to favor and success in the eyes of God and men  (Prov 3:3–4)
  3.  Trust and acknowledge the Lord and he will give us direction  (Prov 3:5–6)
  4. Be humble and respectful and God will provide health and strength  (Prov 3:7–8)
  5. Be generous and God will provide blessings   (Prov 3:9–10)