Seven 2013

Do these seven things regularly and God will continually be on the throne of your heart.

Illustrate here: need a nice chair of some sort to represent who is sitting on the throne of our life.

1. Purity-Before God and Men

• Purity is not a statement that you make it's a lifestyle you live out.

Psalm 86:8-13 (NLT) "No pagan god is like you, O Lord. None can do what you do! [9] All the nations you made will come and bow before you, Lord; they will praise your holy name. [10] For you are great and perform wonderful deeds. You alone are God. [11] Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. [12] With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, [13] for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death."

• Christ is the way and the truth.
• A Christ follower will be more desirous to be taught the way and the truth.
• We will be more desirous to be taught the way and the truth of God, in order to walk therein, than to be delivered out of earthly distress.
• You don't fall in and out of purity, you make a decision to embrace it, own it, and come peer pressure, temptation, ridicule or worse you choose to stay in its never disappointing principle.

2. Passion-Worship/service

• This year many of us will either choose to be passionate in our service to God and our worship of Him or we will choose to be cold, lethargic, and lazy.
• We should choose to have a strong, barely controllable emotion of passion for God.
• Choosing to be passionate after God despite circumstances, despite what others do, despite what others think, feel, or criticize me into thinking.
• Living out a lifestyle of serving especially when no one is looking, that's God's way.
• When you live an iserve lifestyle God keeps record, He will reward and promote you.
• It's in His word, it's in His DNA.
• Worship is not a moment in time, worship can be every moment in time.

3. Perseverance-Living Christianity Out

• Living out our belief in Jesus Christ, living out our trust in His eternal love and promise for mankind.
• Being thankful of our salvation, His sacrifice, and His grace, daily.
• Stay determined this year not to back down, not to quit, not to get cold, indifferent, ashamed, or fearful of being a Christian.
• Keep dreaming that God dream for your life and rolling it over it in your mind until it becomes a reality. 
• Give your all until you achieve that God dream, then give the rest of your being living that God dream out.

4. Prayer-Demonstration

Daniel 6:3-4,10-11,26-27 (NLT)
"Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel's great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire. [4] Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn't find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. [10] But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. [11] Then the officials went together to Daniel's house and found him praying and asking for God's help. [26] "I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. [27] He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."

• Daniel stood alone.
• Although he knew about the law against praying to anyone except the king, he continued to pray three times a day as he always had.
• Daniel had a disciplined prayer life.
• When you have a disciplined prayer life there is nothing that can keep you away from Him.
• Our prayers are usually interrupted not by threats, but simply by the pressure of our schedules.
• Don't let threats or pressures cut into your prayer time.
• Pray regularly, no matter what, for prayer is your lifeline to God.
• Your prayer life is to show God, yourself, and the world about your strong, undeniable, unbreakable belief in and love for Him.
• It shows who's on the throne of your life.
• Allowing God to be the who, what, why, where, and the how on that throne.

5. Presence-Discipleship

Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT)
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. [9] Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me-everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you."

• The world needs to hear about hope, peace, life.
• If we will fix our thoughts on these things then we will ultimately influence the world.
• Speaking truth, being honorable, being right, being pure, lovely, and admirable.
• Speaking about excellent things and praise worthy things.
• That's the kind of presence we need to be in the life of others, everywhere we go, and in everything we do.
• Keep these things in practice and then the God of peace will be with us.

6. Pursuit-God’s Word/Fasting/Giving

• We will all encounter change this year some good, some bad.
• Some of you will step into another year of life some very exciting, altering years.
• Getting a drivers license, stepping into your teen years, stepping into manhood, graduating high school.
• The bible declares that the steps of a righteous man or woman are ordered of God too bad we never hear what He's trying to say to us through prayer, worship, fasting, and bible reading.
• It's imperative that we hear what God is speaking to us, the world lives without it, the church, Christianity can not.
• Remember fasting without prayer is just starving yourself. Use fasting to jump start your encounters, your awareness, your love for God.

7. People-Evangelism/Opportunity

Acts 10:42-43 (NLT) "And He ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all-the living and the dead. [43] He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in Him will have their sins forgiven through His name.

• Preach and testify.
• Testify-Serve as evidence or proof of something's existence.
• I am to testify that Jesus is the Son of God, that Jesus was virgin born, that Jesus came to save people from their sins, and that Jesus is coming back for the church in the rapture.
• I am to testify to people, I am to the world what God has done in me to declare to the world that God still exists, God still forgives, and that God still embodies hope and love.

Blindfold of Pride

blindfold of pride

Illustrate here: Blindfold with the word pride painted on it and someone wearing it and quoting:

Pride

I desire to do something amazing for God (long pause) someday.

Today is just not my day.

I often think about letting Him take control.

Today is just not my day.

Maybe I worry about what everyone will think about me.

Is today my day?

What would it matter anyway?

I’m doing just fine.

Life couldn’t be any better.

As long as I take care of myself and what I want that’s all that matters.

Life couldn’t be any better. (long pause)

Could it?

·       There are hurting people all around you.

·       You just won’t allow yourself see them. They need God.

·       They need hope. They need a miracle from the only miracle worker. But you can’t see past your pride.

·       You’ll never see the missed opportunities. You’ll never see the lives you injure, corrupt, and even destroy because your pride is in the way.

o      The blindfold of pride.

o      I believe the church is in dire need of a blindfold removal.

2 Timothy 3:1 “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”

1.     Pride is a conceited sense of one’s superiority. It means to be arrogant, haughty, egotistical, or overconfident.

·       Pride exalts me, myself, and I above all others.

·       Pride is selfish and exhausting work.

·       Pride is confidence in the wrong things.

·       Pride is self-reliance because of what we have, who we know, or what we have done.

There are 2 powerful stories in the book of Luke that Jesus taught about the sin of pride.

Luke 14:7 “When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice:8 "When you are invited to a wedding feast, don't sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? 9 The host will come and say, 'Give this person your seat.' Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! 10 "Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, 'Friend, we have a better place for you!' Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests.11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

12 “Then he turned to his host.”When you put on a luncheon or a banquet," he said, "don't invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward.13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you."

1.     Be careful at how you look at yourself and how you perceive others vs. how God looks at all of humanity.

a.    Jesus taught us two lessons here.

                                                             i.      First, speaking to the guests, tells them not to seek places of honor.

1.     Service is more important in God’s Kingdom than status.

                                                          ii.      Second, He told the host not to be limited about whom he invited.

1.     God opens His kingdom to everyone.

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

2.    Proud Pharisee vs. crooked tax collector.

Luke 18:9 “Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: 10 "Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: 'I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don't cheat, I don't sin, and I don't commit adultery. I'm certainly not like that tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.' 13 "But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.'14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

·       We see this statement again from Christ about being justified before God, “those who humble themselves.”

a.    Humility is a choice, an option, an alternative.

The bible teaches us that men look on the outward appearance but how God looks on the heart. 

b.    You might say in public or private, “I am too good to help those kinds of people.” I’m better than that.

                                                             i.      I am more educated than you therefore everything I will ever think, do, dream, or imagine will be better than you. 

                                                          ii.      I am the most incredible looking girl/guy at school, at work. 

o      I was here before you or I know more people than you, I have a better relationship with the Pastors, I serve as part of the volunteer staff.

o      They think they are the only ones doing anything and the only ones capable to do that thing.

o      Everyone asks them to do stuff because the world can’t do without them.

o      These type people walk blindly right into the devils trap.

·       To keep you full of pride will completely cut you off from God.

Isaiah 14:12 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”

·       Pride was the exclusive sin of the devil himself.

o      Don’t stay wearing the Blindfold of pride.

2.    Humility is like an elevator. (act this out)

·       I get in the elevator on my knees before God.

·       My position never changes-I am in a humbled state.

·       But God pushes the button, the door opens and I have been raised to a new level. I didn’t do it, God did!

o      My talents, strengths, and abilities didn’t land me there God did.

·       People give way too much credit to their gifting and not to God.

o      My achievements, my possessions, my education, and the people I know doesn’t impress God and His circle of friends.

1 John 2:16 “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”

o      God still demotes and promotes. He pays tribute to the humble.

·       We must crave what Christ craved, humility.

o      Remember humility is not self-degradation: it is a realistic self-assessment and commitment to serve.

3.    What does God think of pride?

Proverbs 6:16 “There are six things the LORD hates—no, seven things He detests: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, 18 a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, 19 a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.”

·       All encompassing the physical body but all coming from the heart. 3 involving the mouth.

Proverbs 8:13 “All who fear the LORD will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.”

Perverse-wicked, bad, mean, vicious.

·       Pride is infectious, crippling, and destructive.

·       Pride will bankrupt you.

·       Pride will make you drive what others think you should drive, go where others think you should go, wear what others think you should wear, and be who others think you should be.

·       Pride leaves you helpless, causes a person to despise others, and prevents him/her from learning anything about God.

o      You’re so vain I bet you think this sermon isn’t about you. Your so vain I know this sermon isn’t about me, bout me, bout me.

·       If God hates pride and He does then I’m telling you the blindfold of pride will keep you from your divine calling and purpose for God. You can’t get there wearing this!

·       The blindfold of pride will terminate a relationship with Christ.

o      Pride will take you farther than you wanted to go and keep you longer than you intended to stay.

·       If God hates pride and He does then I’m telling you that the blindfold of pride will keep you from:

o      An amazing marriage. An astonishing relationship with your children. 

o      The promotion at work. Opportunities. Financial freedom. Giving gifts. Relationships. Forgiveness.

o      God’s house, God’s truths, God’s blessings, God’s miracles, and God’s heaven.

4.    Humility is a characteristic of greatness.

a.    Moses

                                                             i.      Numbers 12:3 “Now Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.”

                                                          ii.      Deuteronomy 34:10 “There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face.”

b.    John the Baptist

John 3:30 “He must increase and I must decrease.”

c.     Paul

                                                             i.      Paul in the year 59a.d. wrote to one of the churches and made this statement. “I am least of the apostles.”

                                                          ii.      Then 5 years later in 64a.d. he wrote another letter to the church in Ephesus. Here he said, “I am least of the saints.”

·       He was least of the apostles now 5 years later he’s least of the saints.

                                                        iii.      After that one year later in 65a.d. just before he dies he writes to Timothy and he says, “I feel like I am the chief of all sinners.” The longer Paul walked with God the more he served and loved God the smaller he became.

d.    Jesus

                                                             i.      Philippians 2 The model of a servant.

                                                          ii.      Giving himself to the point of death was the essence of who Jesus was. It was in His DNA.

I plead with you to let down the blindfold of pride this morning.

·       Untie the knot and let God have control.

You have fought long enough, you have waited long enough, you have argued with God long enough and you have lived this way long enough.

·       Full of yourself, full of pride, full of the “but what will everyone think of me infection?” but empty inside.

Vacant of God you are and completely unoccupied.

·       Will you fully surrender to Him this morning?

·       Will you allow Him to use you for His service?

Isaiah 57:15 “The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this:

"I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.”

8 problem personalities

Here are 8 types of students to look out for, they still need us, they are longing for our guidance and in most cases desperately need it. Reaching these students is very challenging but who doesn't love a great challenge.

Don't give up on these students but don't give in, discipleship is hard work but always worth the investment!

1.   The Comedian

·       Comedians are funny and quite likable, but their humor isn’t the point-getting attention is the goal.

·       Any attention is good attention to this student.

·       Sometimes others laugh at what these entertaining clowns do, and that gives them the sense that they’re admired, but it’s usually untrue.

2.   The Gossip

·       A gossip is like a traitor, they chip away at trust and they work undercover. What they mainly accomplish is that they have a damaging impact that can spread like wild fire.

·       Gossips thrive on false intimacy. When gossip A talks to gossip B about gossip C, gossip A feels a counterfeit closeness to gossip B.

Proverbs 25:18 “Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.”

3.    The Bully

·       The Bully uses anger fear, and intimidation-verbal and non-verbal- to get what he or she wants.

·       Bullying is usually a sign of insecurity.

·       Since Bullies don’t trust authority, they experience a twisted form of power and control. They actually think they are always in charge.

·       The bible tells us that the devil is a bully. So classify yourself.

4.   The Dear Abby

·       The Dear Abby kid tries to be everyone’s counselor matchmaker and all-around helper.

·       This student can look safely other-centered, but Dear Abby’s act out of a vacuum in their souls.

·       The Dear Abby’s never focus on themselves and what they need from God or others, they only spotlight on what others need leaving them depressed and even more addicted to finding their identity in solving others’ problems.

5.   The Emotional Train Wreck:

·       This personality style surfaces in many variations including depression, neediness or dramatic behavior, insecurity, and serious social awkwardness.

·       They drain others emotionally and don’t get better when others offer encouragement. 

·       Patience and time have no real Positive impact on them.

Proverbs 25:28 “A person without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken down walls.”

6.   The Phantom:

·       Phantom kids are hard to read- they’re often regular attendees in our ministry, but they’re often “there but not there.” They are watching like a hawk to see if you’re real.

·       They secretly expect us to find the magic key to unlock the door to their heart; if we don’t then we’ve let them down.

·       Phantom students fade into the background because they’ve likely been abused or over-controlled.

·       Phantom’s want the church to fail them in some way so they can have an eternal excuse to dismiss themselves from God and His house.

Hebrews 9:27 “It is destined that each person dies only once and after that comes judgment.”

7.   The Whiner

·       Whiners are grumbling complainers who have a knack for detecting fault wherever they look.

·       Whiners are hard to like.

·       These students know they can get under your skin.

·       Their cynicism drains people.

·       Most whiners have experienced major disappointments from key people- they feel abandoned.

“Complaining is the language of unbelief.”

8.   The Golden Child

·       The Golden Child is an exclusive problem personality because he/she does everything just the way you’re “supposed” to do.

·       These students are just plain good- they like to play by the rules within whatever adult structure they can find. They are usually superficial and they spend most of their time praying and hoping no one finds out.

·       They have this whole Christianity thing down pat.

·       They have a regular quiet time, show up on time to ministry events and are involved in every program.

·       Often, these kids have found ways to use God to make their lives work. Like a well-known athlete who uses sports to get applause the Golden Child uses God to make things go smooth and proper.

Closing- We will love you any way, no matter how you treat us.

·       All of these kinds of students are high maintenance low impact Christians. Never reaching their full God given potential.

Luke 5:30-32 “But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus' disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with such scum? 31 Jesus answered them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do.32 I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent."

·       We will always see past color, race, creed, and financial status in the life of every student.

·       But we will not let you run, disrupt, or disrespect our call to ministry nor our gift of us loving our God.

·       Jesus said He would turn us over to our reprobate (good for nothing) minds if we would not listen too or serve Him.

·       We serve Christ out of love, and respect, not out of duty or obligation.

 

       

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