1.When we talk about the heart…I’m not referring to the one that pitter patters when you first saw
him or her.
a.It is not the one that beats super fast when adrenaline kicks in.
i.The heart we are dealing with tonight is the REAL YOU!
b.There are several verses in the bible to back up the fact that YOUR
HEART is the most IMPORTANT part of you!
ii.The INSIDE
you! The secret you!
There are
scriptures like:
Luke 6:45 “A good
person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil
person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say
flows from what is in your heart.”
Matthew 6:21 “Wherever
your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
Proverbs 27:19 “As a face is
reflected in water,
so the heart reflects the real person.”
It’s this
simple take a look at what you have been SAYING, THINKING and DOING–you will SEE the REAL YOU–can’t fake that!
Proverbs 4:23 “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course
of your life.”
When we talk
about “ABOVE all
else”
•This is the HIGHEST form of WARNING and WISDOM coupled together.
•If you LOSE your heart…you lose
YOU!
•Your HEART is the SOURCE of your DESIRES and DECISIONS!
•It’s the core
of who and what you are.
•Some people
can’t stand themselves and so they get frustrated,
depressed, down cast because of what others tell them to be or feel.
•When you
have a right heart before God you won’t have to
worry about those issues you will be confident, collected, passionate about Him
and that will make all the difference in you.
•We must not
allow ANYTHING to “COME IN” or “FLOW OUT” that is not PLEASING to GOD!
•There are ENTRY
ways into your HEART and YOU are the only one responsible to keep these areas
GUARDED!
•Your EYES! (What you WATCH!)
•Your EARS! (What you LISTEN to!)
•Your
Emotions! Your Touch (What you allow to control you!) (What you feel…your physical senses are directly tied to your heart!)
•ONE wrong
IMAGE or ONE wrong IDEA…your heart
takes off running.
Jeremiah 17:9, 10 "The human heart is the most deceitful of all
things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? 10 But I, the
LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due
rewards, according to what their actions deserve."
Matthew 6:33 “Seek the
Kingdom of God above all else,
and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”
•The whole issue to GUARDING your heart is what YOU focus on!
•If your true priority is PLEASING God in everything that you do, you
are ACTIVELY in His WORD, His house and really LIVING THIS THING out…YOUR HEART will be and stay in the RIGHT SPOT!
Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied, "'You must love the LORD your God
with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' 38 This is the first
and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor
as yourself.”
See the
RESULT of KEEPING GOD FIRST is a HEART that is plugged into him!
•You will HEAR is VOICE!
•He will SHOW you the DIRECTION (this is a given if you are in His
word…)
Psalm
119:105 “Your
word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
•He will Guide your EVERY STEP!
•Doors will be OPENED and Doors will be SHUT! He deals with the past,
present, future.
The OPPOSITE heart or failure to
guard your heart results in:
•LOSS of GODS HAND and BLESSING on your life!
•LOSS of DIRECTION and GUIDANCE!
•Failure to GUARD your heart will eventually result in the DESTROYING
of your relationship with God!
Proverbs 7:1-2,22-27 "Follow my advice, my son; always treasure
my commands. [2] Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard
your own eyes. [22] He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter.
He was like a stag caught in a trap, [23] awaiting the arrow that would pierce
its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost
him his life. [24] So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words. [25]
Don't let your hearts stray away toward her. Don't wander down her wayward
path. [26] For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims.
[27] Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death."
•WE GUARD our HEART so that the HAND of GOD will NEVER leave our
LIFE!
•Sin and compromise is the den of death!
1 Peter 5:8 "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the
devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to
devour."
•There are
some that he can not devour.
•Some who are
so dead set against him, his antics and his devices and they, every one have
guarded their heart.
Dreaming dreams.
• Do you have a dream?
• A cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal?
• People have so many dreams for their lives but
are they God dreams?
0.Do you have a God dream?
A. If it's a God dream it'll be beyond your
gifting, talent, and ability to prove to the
world that it was definitely Him and not
you.
Genesis 41:32 (NLT) "As for having two similar
dreams, it means that these events have been
decreed by God, and he will soon make them
happen." Daniel 1:17 (NLT)
"God gave these four young men an unusual
aptitude for understanding every aspect of
literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the
special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams." Acts 2:17 (NLT)
"'In the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my
Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will
prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and
your old men will dream dreams."
D. God speaks to people through visions,
His Word, worship, preaching, others, and
through dreams.
E.What could He be saying to you?
F.A dream from God will haunt you, encourage
you, navigate you and fulfill you.
1.Joseph had a dream.
• He was a dreamer.
• Dreaming that God would use him in a
mighty, powerful, and supernatural way but it
all started with a dream.
• His God dream was for a future and a hope
to the nations from God but when he began
to share a portion of the dream with his
family they did not like what was being said
to them.
• When you begin to talk about a dream you feel God has placed in your heart be careful
who you share your dream with, be careful
who you dream with, be assured that they
have a dream for God or they might steal
yours.
2.Dreams are dangerous.
1.How dangerous are you?
2.If dreams were dynamite would you have
enough to blow your nose.
3.Many people, when setting out in the world,
and dreaming dreams think of nothing but
prosperity and pleasure, they never dream of
trouble, frustration, or lack.
4.Who sits around thinking about "Man, I can't
wait to get busted for..."
5."I'm so glad this isn't working out!"
6."That's okay I'll just save more money and try
it all again even though this flopped."
• But be sure...if you have a God dream that
He has spoken to you, there will be a price
to pay to achieve it! I promise.
• You will not be able to live, dwell and
operate in just your flesh to get a hold of
God's dream for you. 3. Your dream will keep you focused on your
dream.
• When you have a God dream you will be
focused on accomplishing it.
G. I see so many people living life haphazardly with no dream, no purpose, no
vision for their life and they end up hurting
people, hurting themselves, and ultimately
hurting eternity because of their selfishness.
• When you have a God dream there are
No Limits to what you will lay down to
achieve that dream.
• There is no attitude, there is no
offense, there is no addiction, there is
no temptation that will keep you from
achieving His plan for you.
• I refuse to let the enemy destroy what
God has designed for me.
• There are No Limits of thinking, No
Limits of Financial want or need, No Limits
of criticism, No Limits of fear, No Limits of
education or any other Limit that will keep
me from reaching all out for God.
• I live my life in reference to the dream.
• I treat my wife, love my wife,
encourage my wife in relation to the
dream.
• I parent my children in reference to the
dream.
• I make my life's decisions in
correspondence with the dream.
• I don't have time for missing the goal,
I don't have time for not achieving, I don't
have time for frustration, inaction, or lack. Genesis 41 The dream of Pharaoh.
• God has a dream for you, what did He
blueprint, engineer, and design? Genesis 40:8 (NLT)
And they replied, "We both had dreams
last night, but no one can tell us what they
mean." "Interpreting dreams is God's business," Joseph replied. "Go ahead and tell me your dreams." 4. Don't dodge the dream. Genesis 39:2-4 (NLT)
"The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in
everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. [3] Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. [4] This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned." B. Joseph dreamed a dream, shared it with his
family, was then sold into slavery, and his 11
brothers faked his death. C.Joseph saves all his family through a major
drought, and depression when there were no
other options.
Genesis 47:5-6 (NLT)
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Now that your
father and brothers have joined you here, [6]
choose any place in the entire land of Egypt for
them to live. Give them the best land of Egypt. Let them live in the region of Goshen. And if any of them have special skills, put them in charge of my livestock, too." I believe if there were a word from God to us on a daily basis it would be, "Stop limiting Me(God) and allow Me to take you to No Limits."
There is no substitute for hard work. Working hard will open doors of opportunity that would not have been available otherwise. The greatest achievements do not always belong to those who have the highest score, but the people who are willing to work hard accomplish great dreams. Those who are busy working will quickly surpass those who have a head start financially or socially but refuse to combine hard work with lofty ambition.
Here are 3 reasons why working hard levels the playing field.
1. TALENT CANNOT WORK HARD.
Talent will take you far but many talented people have failed because they didn’t work. Working hard can help make up for a lack of talent and put you in a position to succeed. Even if you are the most talented person in your field of choices, if you sit still you will get passed by someone who is hustling to make things happen. Talent is like a seed, if it is not active, it cannot grow.
2. YOU CAN’T STEER A PARKED CAR.
If you try to turn left in a car that is parked, you won’t get very far. In order to make choices and navigate through life, you need to be moving. Working hard, no matter where you are, ensures that you are in motion and able to choose the right path.
Proverbs 12:24 (NLT)
"Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave."
3. HARD WORK MAKES UP FOR YOUR BACKGROUND.
No matter where you came from or what kind of family you have, if you are diligent you will be successful. People want to be surrounded by those who are passionate and will work hard to make each endeavor a success. Others will go out of their way to involve you, if you make the choice to be faithful and industrious. Your willingness to work hard and finish a job will be far more attractive than your family name.
Proverbs 10:26 (NLT)
"Lazy people irritate their employers, like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes."
I would like to start by saying thank you to my Pastor and his amazing wife. I love and appreciate your faithfulness, servitude, and dedication to my family and I, then, also to this amazing body of believers. This is the greatest opportunity I have ever been given.
Secondly I have to say a special thank you to my wife, the most amazing woman…ever. She makes me a better Father, husband, Youth Pastor, and friend. She is the greatest mother in the world, the most giving, selfless person I know and God blessed me with her over 16 years ago. Tk you are beautiful, and there are none to compare to you and the other things I’ll have to save for her ears only…this is a family church.
1.Go Serve is our theme for this month and this morning I am going to enlighten you that Fatherhood is a branch of service.
a.Unlike the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or the Coast Guard fatherhood is a branch of service all its own.
i.I live to serve my God.
ii.I live to serve my family.
iii.I live to serve my church family.
iv.I live to serve the lost.
v.I live to serve the world.
b.Society brings confusion when it says “serve yourself”, while God has instructed us to “serve others.”
i.Society says abandon your family, God says embrace them, console them, protect them, honor them, provide for them, teach and train them, and lay down your life for them.
ii.Society says work, work, work and give your children everything they ever want and that will be what’s best for them and I’m here to tell you today that is simply not enough.
c.Wives, children, and families need 3 things for a family’s success.
1.Face time. Physical. Emotional.
2.Faith time. Spiritual. Eternal.
3.Future time. Rewarding. Your family will always need you.
a.I have to be engaged in all of these for it to work.
b.They say that, “If a child is 15 years old and younger they will do what they are told. If a child is 15 years and older they will do what you have shown them.”
d.Key word here that I hope is ringing out in your brain and heart…TIME.
2.The greatest witness I have to the entire world of my love for Jesus Christ is in, to and through my family.
a.If the world can see me love them, respect them, encourage them, equip them, provide for them, serve them, then they will see the love of Christ being modeled.
b.If the world just sees me hate them, disrespect them, mistreat them, ignore them, abandon them, and put everything else first beside them then how will they ever see the love of Christ modeled to them?
c.Early Christians were confused as being so much like Christ their enemies coined the phrase “Christians” as a demeaning stereotypical phrase term used in hate.
i.We have men who could never be confused as being Christians.
ii.As a matter of fact there wouldn’t be enough evidence to convict you of jay walking let alone Christ following.
iii.That is not going to be me!
1.If loving God was a crime I’ve decided I’m gonna be an “Outlaw.”
2.I want to be confused with bearing the image of the Son.
3.Hate me, demean me, be confused with my conduct, and stereotype me all you want…I’m a son.
4.I’m a Spirit Filled, Christ following, bible believing, and world changing “Christian.”
John 1:1 “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it. 14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.”
·The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Christ modeled with His words, His prayers, His life, His walk, and to His family how to live the Christ life.
3.What does that look like for you?
·God planted a seed in the ground by the name of Jesus Christ His one and only Son.
oI love all people but I would never, could never sacrifice one of my children for any of you nor for the world.
§I am that selfish.
oI will never let anyone talk down to my children/students and I believe I am speaking for God the Father when I say don’t you ever talk down to any other human being, “Those are my children.”
·God gave His Son to us and we say wow what a sacrifice He made but God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit say, “Wow what an investment we made.”
oGod said, “I’ll give up my only Son”, Jesus said, “I’ll lay aside my immortality, put on mortality and lay down my life for the entire human race.”
oThen the Spirit of God said, “I will live in them and them in me and will empower them to tell the world of this great gift of salvation.”
·We have become adopted by the Father as if we are all His one and only sons and daughters.
oBeing born into the family means the benefits of the family are mine, the blessings of the family are mine, the reputation of the family is mine, the inheritance of the family is mine and the responsibilities of the family are mine.
oGod loves His family beyond service, beyond performance, beyond gifting, and way beyond what He can receive from them.
§God’s love for His children is immeasurable, incomprehensible, infinite, everlasting, merciful, and perfect.
§I’m telling you of the Father beyond all Father’s this morning.
Illustrate Here: Video Hoyt team: Together
In the spring of 1977, Rick told his father that he wanted to participate in a 5-mile benefit run for a Lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident. That night, Rick told his father, "Dad, when I'm running, it feels like I'm not handicapped."
This realization was just the beginning of what would become over 1,000 races completed, including marathons, duathlons and triathlons even Ironman. Also adding to their list of achievements, Dick and Rick biked and ran across the U.S. in 1992, completing a full 3,735 miles in 45 days.
In a triathlon, Dick will pull Rick in a boat with a bungee cord attached to a vest around his waist and to the front of the boat for the swimming stage. For the biking stage, Rick will ride a special two-seater bicycle, and then Dick will push Rick in his custom made running chair (for the running stage).
Rick was once asked, if he could give his father one thing, what would it be? Rick responded, "The thing I'd most like is for my dad to sit in the chair and I would push him for once."
The 2009 Boston Marathon was officially Team Hoyt's 1000th race. Dick Hoyt hopes that he is able to push Rick in the Boston Marathon when he is 70 years old (2011)! Neither Dick nor Rick are ready to retire.
·For over 25 years, he’s been his son’s hands, feet, and closest friend.
·Much like our Heavenly Father, he’s refused to let circumstances beat his boy.It’s not always been easy . . . But their “souls have sculpted” because of the challenges they’ve faced together.
4.Fatherhood is the absolute privilege of my life.
oI love being Tara’s husband and the father of Alec, Chase and Madi.
oIt’s my ultimate calling!
Malachi 2:14-16 “You cry out, "Why doesn't the LORD accept my worship?" I'll tell you why! Because the LORD witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows. 15 Didn't the LORD make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth.16 "For I hate divorce!" says the LORD, the God of Israel. "To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies. "So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife."
·“Guard yourself; always remain loyal to your wife” means to have the same commitment to marriage that God has to His promises for His people.
Luke “But that doesn't mean that the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God's law to be overturned.”
oGod’s Word is Living, Eternal, and Trustworthy.
oOur passion should be reserved exclusively for our spouse.
oSome people change jobs, mates and friends, but never think of changing themselves.
oThat’s a problem in our society today with men so selfish, so arrogant, so prideful, so addicted, so ready to flirt with every demon that hell would desire to throw at us.
§Laying down all that they have built for a moment of sin that would last only a season but cost them a lifetime of punishment.
Galatians 6:9 “So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.”
·What price are you willing to pay for your family to be a “Major Dad?”
Malachi 4:5,6 "Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the LORD arrives.6 His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse."
Illustrate here: Fatherless Stats.
oWhat price? God paid His price in full. What about you?
oGod is here to help you dad you just have to lay the pride down long enough to see, hear, and experience Him.
·I’m astounded in this technological age we have guided missiles but so many misguided men.
oEveryone wants direction but no one wants correction.
§What kind of dad are you?
§Major dad?
§Player dad?
§Weekend dad?
§Absentee dad?
§$ dad?
·Not just any dad will do.
·Kid's lives are enhanced by dads who are emotionally present, validating, & able to comfort in times of distress.
oNot dismiss themselves in the hard times.
oDismiss themselves to their own wants and desires.
1 Peter 3:7 “In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.”
·If a man is not considerate and respectful of his wife, his prayers will not be heard, because a living, vibrant, passionate relationship with God depends on right relationships with others.
·Your relationship with God is paralleled with your relationship with others.
·Paralleled. Matching. Same as.
oWe have Fathers whose cars are dressed better than their children.
oFather’s hobbies that get filled with finances and focus and their children starve for affection, affirmation, and attention.
oFather’s who choose to abandon their wives, children, and God.
oFather’s more concerned about their personal image than the family name.
§Don’t shame your family.
§Don’t shame the family of God!
oFather’s who will contribute to the moment of passion but not the lifetime of commitment.
§That just makes you a coward.
·I’m talking about Father’s who will lay down their lives for their children.
·I’m talking about father’s who will lay down their lives for the lives of others children.
·These are men in God’s eyes, and these are men in my eyes.
Ephesians “For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her”
Ephesians 6:1 “Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.2 "Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment with a promise:3 If you honor your father and mother, "things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth." 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”
Australian coat of arms.
·The Red Kangaroo and Emu that support the shield are the unofficial animal emblems of the nation.
·It is often claimed these animals were chosen because neither animal can move backward, only forward, progress. Progression!
oMove forward. Change course.
·In reality both animals can move backwards, but infrequently do.
·If you don't deal with your mess at home...you'll bring that mess into the church.
oStrong men build strong homes.
oStrong homes build strong churches.
oStrong churches build strong communities.
oStrong communities build strong cities, etc.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”
·Your childhood father.
oAbsentee Father.
oAbusive Father.
oLong distance dad.
oUnknown Father.
oUncaring, selfish Father.
oSubstance abuse Father.
oWorkaholic Father.
·I’ve asked God a billion times why my father couldn’t hold himself together for me.
oWasn’t I enough?
oWhere was the model of Christ for me?
oWhere is the model of Christ for me?
·God finally spoke to me on this and declared that He took me on as His own special project.
·I am His son and that what my father was unable, unwilling, to model out, He would model out for me.
·He has continued to send Fathers into my life to model Fatherhood.
·Identity-the state of having unique identifying characteristics held by no other person or thing. Individuality, uniqueness, distinctiveness, who a person is.
Psalm 68:5 “Father to the fatherless, defender of widows-this is God, whose dwelling is holy.”
·Pastor Mike why did God call you to the fatherless? Elijah? Curse?
Deuteronomy 28:1-10 "If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the world.2 You will experience all these blessings if you obey the LORD your God: 3 Your towns and your fields will be blessed. 4 Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed. 5 Your fruit baskets and breadboards
will be blessed. 6 Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed. 7 "The LORD will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven! 8 "The LORD will guarantee a blessing on everything you do and will fill your storehouses with grain. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. 9 "If you obey the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways, the LORD will establish you as his holy people as he swore he would do.10 Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the LORD, and they will stand in awe of you.”
When we talk
about “ABOVE all
else”
