We may be listening to carefully and living the messages of Christmas, one in particular!
You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout, I'm telling you why.
He's making a list, Checking it twice; Gonna find out who's naughty or nice.
He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good, So be good for goodness sake.
From very young, we’ve been taught to believe that we receive Christmas gifts based on merit, i.e. the Naught and Nice list. If you’re good enough, you deserve presents. If you’re too bad, you deserve and get coal.
Conclusion – gifts are not gifts at all, but the consequence of a year spent in good or bad behavior.
How good do I have to be to land on the nice list and how naughty do I have to be to land on the naughty list? I mean, “How do you measure the good and the bad to decide?”
So, how GOOD IS GOOD ENOUGH? AND HOW BAD IS BAD ENOUGH?
Watch Lifehouse Church's Christmas message.
SOLA: Part 3 (Full Message) from Lifehouse Church on Vimeo.
Enjoy the message and be encouraged that the GIFT of CHRISTMAS is UNDESERVED! So, RECEIVE FREELY!
Fired up,
-Patrick
Showing posts with label sermon series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sermon series. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Thursday, March 07, 2013
THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT FIGHTING FAIR: Learning to dealing with Conflict by the Bible
Read NEW posts at www.PatrickGrach.com Blog. Most recent post "Dealing with CONFLICT."
Please SUBSCRIBE to my new blog, since this blog has been moved. Same author and content, just new location!
THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT EARNING TRUST
Read NEW posts at www.PatrickGrach.com Blog.
Most recent post "How to Earn Trust."
Please SUBSCRIBE to my new blog, since this blog has been moved. Same author and content, just new location!
Please SUBSCRIBE to my new blog, since this blog has been moved. Same author and content, just new location!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
GAINING PEACE in TROUBLED TIMES
(Excerpt taking from sermon in series Adventures of Everyman: a study in the Minor Prophets. Message on Book of Habakkuk- listen here)
What do we do in troubled, difficult times of suffering and hardship?
Habakkuk teaches us to PRAY BY FAITH!
In order to PRAY BY FAITH,
WE DISCOVER PEACE IN GOD’S GOODNESS
Habakkuk DISCOVERED peace in God’s GOODNESS through PRAYER.
Not just praying, but HOW he prayed. He spent time ALONE with GOD in PRAYER,
Habakkuk 1:2 (NIV), How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen?
Habakkuk 2:1 (NLT), I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guard post. There I will wait to see what the LORD says and how he will answer my complaint.
How prays like that? What sounds audacious to you, God hears as authenticity.
Each time Habakkuk prayed like this, those prayers are followed by a response,
Habakkuk 2:2 (NLT), Then the LORD said to me…
The timeless principles revealed in the conversation between Habakkuk and God.
Habakkuk TRUSTS in GOD'S GOODNESS:
Habakkuk 3:1, 2 (NIV), A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet… 2 LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day…
The METHOD of Discovering PEACE IN GOD’S GOODNESS THROUGH PRAYER that Habakkuk modeled is explained by Paul,
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV), Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Paul’s not instructing that feeling anxious is wrong. BUT that we can overcome those anxieties and deep moments of anguish through prayer.
Not just casual prayer, but a powerful, PEACE-producing prayer. How?
What did Habakkuk do and Paul instruct?
Step 1: PRAY- express request or concern to God. Tell God what you want him to do.
Step 2: THEN BEAR or PETITION. Tell God why you want him to do it. Petitioning is a desperate cry of explaining they why behind the what.
Lay open the fears, weights, burdens of life. God is not afraid of our anguish or despair. Lay it open before Him.
Not only pray to ask God for what you need, but explain to Him your worries and fears that lay under those requests.
When we SHARE our fears and anxieties with God, we will SURRENDER those to Him.
Habakkuk submitted His troubles and sorrow to God.
Step 3: PEACE- Then, in surrender and vulnerable SHARING, God gives us a gift of PEACE,
Habakkuk 3:18-19 (NIV), …yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. 2 The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.
In surrender, we discover the PEACE IN GOD that Paul said is beyond all understanding.
Incomprehensible to have inner rest under such weights, troubles, or overwhelming circumstances. SUPERNATURAL!
Step 4: GUARDED- This PEACE will “will GUARD your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
“GUARD” means to “referee” In surrender, peace “governs” our heart and minds, like a referee calling fouls and keeping our thoughts, attitudes, and anxious heart from running out-of-bounds. He keeps us from getting derailed. Peace protects us IN GOD through trouble.
What do we do in troubled, difficult times of suffering and hardship?
Habakkuk teaches us to PRAY BY FAITH!
In order to PRAY BY FAITH,
WE DISCOVER PEACE IN GOD’S GOODNESS
Habakkuk DISCOVERED peace in God’s GOODNESS through PRAYER.
Not just praying, but HOW he prayed. He spent time ALONE with GOD in PRAYER,
Habakkuk 1:2 (NIV), How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen?
Habakkuk 2:1 (NLT), I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guard post. There I will wait to see what the LORD says and how he will answer my complaint.
How prays like that? What sounds audacious to you, God hears as authenticity.
Each time Habakkuk prayed like this, those prayers are followed by a response,
Habakkuk 2:2 (NLT), Then the LORD said to me…
The timeless principles revealed in the conversation between Habakkuk and God.
Habakkuk TRUSTS in GOD'S GOODNESS:
Habakkuk 3:1, 2 (NIV), A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet… 2 LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day…
The METHOD of Discovering PEACE IN GOD’S GOODNESS THROUGH PRAYER that Habakkuk modeled is explained by Paul,
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV), Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Paul’s not instructing that feeling anxious is wrong. BUT that we can overcome those anxieties and deep moments of anguish through prayer.
Not just casual prayer, but a powerful, PEACE-producing prayer. How?
What did Habakkuk do and Paul instruct?
Step 1: PRAY- express request or concern to God. Tell God what you want him to do.
Step 2: THEN BEAR or PETITION. Tell God why you want him to do it. Petitioning is a desperate cry of explaining they why behind the what.
Lay open the fears, weights, burdens of life. God is not afraid of our anguish or despair. Lay it open before Him.
Not only pray to ask God for what you need, but explain to Him your worries and fears that lay under those requests.
When we SHARE our fears and anxieties with God, we will SURRENDER those to Him.
Habakkuk submitted His troubles and sorrow to God.
Step 3: PEACE- Then, in surrender and vulnerable SHARING, God gives us a gift of PEACE,
Habakkuk 3:18-19 (NIV), …yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. 2 The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.
In surrender, we discover the PEACE IN GOD that Paul said is beyond all understanding.
Incomprehensible to have inner rest under such weights, troubles, or overwhelming circumstances. SUPERNATURAL!
Step 4: GUARDED- This PEACE will “will GUARD your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
“GUARD” means to “referee” In surrender, peace “governs” our heart and minds, like a referee calling fouls and keeping our thoughts, attitudes, and anxious heart from running out-of-bounds. He keeps us from getting derailed. Peace protects us IN GOD through trouble.
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
SEDUCED by COMPLACENCY
Spiritual awakening begins first with WAKING UP!
(An excerpt from weekend sermon at Lifehouse Church)
My youngest daughter used to wake me up at ungodly hours by joyously screaming in my ear, "Daddy! Daddy!" and slapping my rapidly in the face. Trust me, it woke me up and got my attention!
All of us get comfortable and complacent. Life has a way of lulling us to sleep spiritually and causing us to dull our spiritual senses and drown out our cry for God.
Joel 3:14, "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision."
Like these Jewish nation in the time of the prophet Joel, I’ve felt Complacency’s dark figure lurking in the shadows of my heart, whispering with seductive appeal.
I’ve heard Lethargy's comforting song of self-satisfying desires of lust, greed, indulgence, and gluttony.
I’ve felt the brush of Apathy's sleep-inducing touch of self-numbing sins called laziness, prayerlessness, slumber, recreation, and easy-living.
Complacency has told me that my faith is a burden and church is a chore.
Lethargy's whispers have turned violent, as her slumber gripped me with militant tactics- stalking my every spiritual attempt and subverting my spiritual hunger and passion.
Apathy speaks convincingly the dark lies of easy-living, “Why bother? It will cost to much?"
She tells me, "God just wants too much? And it won’t even matter? You’re too weak or too strong. Your too insecure, too ugly, too skinny or too fat. Your too dumb to help or too smart, so why not use your brains elsewhere. You’ll fail so don’t try. You’ll succeed, so take your talents elsewhere where you can be rewarded more noticeably."
She taunts, "People will mock you or laugh at you, are even worse, people won’t care at all."
During times of complacency, inevitably things go wrong.
Like an alarm clock in the night, tragedy, pain, a death, a scare, failure, demotion. They all have a way of challenging us to change How far must God go in getting your attention? If God has to choose between your eternal safety and your earthly comfort, which do you hope he chooses? AWAKENING!
I'm calling us to PERSONAL and CHURCH-WIDE AWAKENING!
Joel 2:1, "Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill."
You and me- we’ve screamed at Lethargy's whispers. We’ve grabbed the wrist of Apathy's seductive, comforting touch, and demanded, “NO MORE!”
See, We’re done with easy, comfortable living! We want more from life, faith!
We DON’T want our life to be about "ME." We’re done with ease, comfort, and over-stuffed appetites.
We're TIRED of sitting on the SIDELINES while others live relentlessly their faith in God.
Don’t sit on the sidelines. In the short term we may regret what we have done. But in the long run, we will regret what we didn’t do, the risks we didn’t take.
(An excerpt from weekend sermon at Lifehouse Church)
My youngest daughter used to wake me up at ungodly hours by joyously screaming in my ear, "Daddy! Daddy!" and slapping my rapidly in the face. Trust me, it woke me up and got my attention!
All of us get comfortable and complacent. Life has a way of lulling us to sleep spiritually and causing us to dull our spiritual senses and drown out our cry for God.
Joel 3:14, "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision."
Like these Jewish nation in the time of the prophet Joel, I’ve felt Complacency’s dark figure lurking in the shadows of my heart, whispering with seductive appeal.
I’ve heard Lethargy's comforting song of self-satisfying desires of lust, greed, indulgence, and gluttony.
I’ve felt the brush of Apathy's sleep-inducing touch of self-numbing sins called laziness, prayerlessness, slumber, recreation, and easy-living.
Complacency has told me that my faith is a burden and church is a chore.
Lethargy's whispers have turned violent, as her slumber gripped me with militant tactics- stalking my every spiritual attempt and subverting my spiritual hunger and passion.
Apathy speaks convincingly the dark lies of easy-living, “Why bother? It will cost to much?"
She tells me, "God just wants too much? And it won’t even matter? You’re too weak or too strong. Your too insecure, too ugly, too skinny or too fat. Your too dumb to help or too smart, so why not use your brains elsewhere. You’ll fail so don’t try. You’ll succeed, so take your talents elsewhere where you can be rewarded more noticeably."
She taunts, "People will mock you or laugh at you, are even worse, people won’t care at all."
During times of complacency, inevitably things go wrong.
Like an alarm clock in the night, tragedy, pain, a death, a scare, failure, demotion. They all have a way of challenging us to change How far must God go in getting your attention? If God has to choose between your eternal safety and your earthly comfort, which do you hope he chooses? AWAKENING!
I'm calling us to PERSONAL and CHURCH-WIDE AWAKENING!
Joel 2:1, "Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill."
You and me- we’ve screamed at Lethargy's whispers. We’ve grabbed the wrist of Apathy's seductive, comforting touch, and demanded, “NO MORE!”
See, We’re done with easy, comfortable living! We want more from life, faith!
We DON’T want our life to be about "ME." We’re done with ease, comfort, and over-stuffed appetites.
We're TIRED of sitting on the SIDELINES while others live relentlessly their faith in God.
- Let's choose ANONIMOTY to make GOD'S NAME FAMOUS.
- Let's choose PERSONAL LOSS so some may GAIN CHRIST.
- Let's choose to GIVE ALL so that SOME MAY BE SAVED.
- Let's choose RIDICULE so that SOME MAY know CHRIST’S LOVE.
- Let's choose TEARS so that others may know JOY.
Don’t sit on the sidelines. In the short term we may regret what we have done. But in the long run, we will regret what we didn’t do, the risks we didn’t take.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Who is a FOOL?
Excerpt from my notes in Sermon Series: Fool-Proofing Your Life- a Study of Proverbs
What is the PORTRAIT of a FOOL from teachings of Solomon in Proverbs?
The fool is the antithesis of a God-follower. While the Book of Proverbs, and the Bible as a whole use several words for “fool”, it must be understood that this individual isn’t just silly or goofy like the Three Stooges, but an actual menace- full of destruction, deceit, and death.
Fools can be recognized by the following characteristics:
We are called to apply wisdom. Wisdom is ONLY found in the Fear of the LORD. To Fear God is to hate what is evil, love what is good, and to stand in reverent awe of God and His law.
Wisdom in SKILLFUL LIVING and the only way to AVOID playing the FOOL.
What is the PORTRAIT of a FOOL from teachings of Solomon in Proverbs?
The fool is the antithesis of a God-follower. While the Book of Proverbs, and the Bible as a whole use several words for “fool”, it must be understood that this individual isn’t just silly or goofy like the Three Stooges, but an actual menace- full of destruction, deceit, and death.
Fools can be recognized by the following characteristics:
- Unruly- quick-tempered (12:16; 29:11), careless and swift speech (10:8,10,14; 12:23; 15:2; 18:2,7; 19:1), unrighteous (10:23; 14:9; 27:22); contentious (9:13; 18:6; 30:21-22; 29:9)
- Unreliable- not trustworthy, not faithful or a person of their word (26:6-10), a liar (10:18; 14:8); lazy (1:32)
- Unteachable- unwilling to listen to counsel or learn from others or even his own mistakes (1:7,22,29-32; 9:7-8; 14:6; 15:12; 17:10, 16; 24:7; 26:11); proud (21:24)
We are called to apply wisdom. Wisdom is ONLY found in the Fear of the LORD. To Fear God is to hate what is evil, love what is good, and to stand in reverent awe of God and His law.
Wisdom in SKILLFUL LIVING and the only way to AVOID playing the FOOL.
Saturday, July 09, 2011
Do you have IT? New Sermon Series
IT. Some people have it. Other people want it. Still others are jealous of it. They’re not quite sure what it is, but they know they need it. When you see someone with it, you know. It is powerful, inspiring, and life-changing. When someone has it, you want to follow them, even be like them. It gets people to do what they didn’t think was possible and go where they had only dreamed of going. It will demand more than you’re willing to give, hurt more than you think you can endure so you can become more than what you ever thought you could become.
Of course, you’re asking, “What is it?”
Join me Sundays 8:45, 10:00 or 11:15 AM as we dive into a new series that explains what it is, how to get it, grow in it, and use it for God’s purposes.
Catch a sneak peak of the series by watching the trailer, and we hope to see you this Sunday!
Monday, June 20, 2011
St Patrick Part 3- Living the best life possible
Check out the video trailer for the sermon:
Listen to the message here.
Too often, we see rules and laws as stealing the best in life- telling us what we can't eat and all the fun we can't have. AND in the Name of God...
The Bible seems a like a mountain of laws, rules, civil codes, from hygiene, food care, clothing, home care, medical practices, what foods to eat, not eat, sexual practice and morality. These seem so legalistic!
Jesus actually said the same thing about the religiously leaders who added to God's Law...
Read Matthew 23:25-28 (NIV)
Jesus was challenging these religious leaders that God's Law was not about religious observance but total moral renewal. The Law wasn't about appearances (what can be seen) but the heart.
The goal wasn’t to “cover up” rottenness OR to look religious, but something deeper.
God wants to clean deep parts of our lives. Then, why all the civil law and commands to be holy? How does this apply to my life TODAY?
Read Leviticus 11:43-44 (NIV). The word "consecrate" is to chose an ordinary thing, and set it apart for special purpose.
We are called to Be Set Apart
Read Deuteronomy 26:16, 19, (NIV). God's Law comes from His desire to set apart this nation as His special, chosen people to show all people what is best. His Law is from His love and relationships with Israel.
Be Set Apart for Your Well-Being
Read Deuteronomy 26:17-18, (NIV).
Law of God was for their best- to enjoy, embrace life NOT to prevent them from best. God gave the Law for their well-bring, to instruct them how to live healthy lives and have honorable relationships. This civil law prevented wide spread disease, outbreaks of plagues, sickness.
Observance of law made them different and distinguishable.
SO? God's Law is for OUR well-being. The Bible is not restricting us, but teaching us how to live for our own well-being. We think we know what’s best, but we must be willing to trust that God knows best, then obey Him by FAITH.
When we obey God's Law, we are noticeably different and distinguishable without the devastation and destruction that comes from sin.
Be Set Apart for Your Wholeness
Read Deuteronomy 26:16, (NIV).
The Law is about heart issues not appearance issues. Jesus corrected Pharisees since they missed point.
The Bible is not about behaviors- trying to make people look holy. BUT to lead people to wholeness in their BODY, SOUL, HEART- whole being.
However, the Law cannot make someone whole, anymore than a traffic sign can make someone drive safely. it can only exposes disobedience.
Therefore, the Bible is not about conformity but consecration.
Read Romans 7:19-8:3 (NIV). The Law isn’t bad. It actually is a reflection of God and His character.
BUT the Law does reveal that we cannot live up to it to experience the best wholeness God offers.
Jesus taught that wholeness doesn’t come from being perfect in the law (impossible), but by having a whole heart. Only God can make the heart whole- restore life and offer true wholeness.
Thus, faith in Jesus is an inner-work: see 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV).
When we give God full access and invite Him to clean up our insides rather than just change some of our behavior, an amazing transformation occurs. What we once were gives way to the new life that God intended for us to have. We are cleansed from the inside.
Not only are we cleansed but the inner wholeness begins to spring out of us, just like the filth and vile once did.
We can’t keep anything hidden- whether evil or good. It will come out. When we allow Jesus to transform our hidden shame, the new joy, life, and hope that begins exists will emerge.
Listen to the message here.
Too often, we see rules and laws as stealing the best in life- telling us what we can't eat and all the fun we can't have. AND in the Name of God...
The Bible seems a like a mountain of laws, rules, civil codes, from hygiene, food care, clothing, home care, medical practices, what foods to eat, not eat, sexual practice and morality. These seem so legalistic!
Jesus actually said the same thing about the religiously leaders who added to God's Law...
Read Matthew 23:25-28 (NIV)
Jesus was challenging these religious leaders that God's Law was not about religious observance but total moral renewal. The Law wasn't about appearances (what can be seen) but the heart.
The goal wasn’t to “cover up” rottenness OR to look religious, but something deeper.
God wants to clean deep parts of our lives. Then, why all the civil law and commands to be holy? How does this apply to my life TODAY?
Read Leviticus 11:43-44 (NIV). The word "consecrate" is to chose an ordinary thing, and set it apart for special purpose.
We are called to Be Set Apart
Read Deuteronomy 26:16, 19, (NIV). God's Law comes from His desire to set apart this nation as His special, chosen people to show all people what is best. His Law is from His love and relationships with Israel.
Be Set Apart for Your Well-Being
Read Deuteronomy 26:17-18, (NIV).
Law of God was for their best- to enjoy, embrace life NOT to prevent them from best. God gave the Law for their well-bring, to instruct them how to live healthy lives and have honorable relationships. This civil law prevented wide spread disease, outbreaks of plagues, sickness.
Observance of law made them different and distinguishable.
SO? God's Law is for OUR well-being. The Bible is not restricting us, but teaching us how to live for our own well-being. We think we know what’s best, but we must be willing to trust that God knows best, then obey Him by FAITH.
When we obey God's Law, we are noticeably different and distinguishable without the devastation and destruction that comes from sin.
Be Set Apart for Your Wholeness
Read Deuteronomy 26:16, (NIV).
The Law is about heart issues not appearance issues. Jesus corrected Pharisees since they missed point.
The Bible is not about behaviors- trying to make people look holy. BUT to lead people to wholeness in their BODY, SOUL, HEART- whole being.
However, the Law cannot make someone whole, anymore than a traffic sign can make someone drive safely. it can only exposes disobedience.
Therefore, the Bible is not about conformity but consecration.
Read Romans 7:19-8:3 (NIV). The Law isn’t bad. It actually is a reflection of God and His character.
BUT the Law does reveal that we cannot live up to it to experience the best wholeness God offers.
Jesus taught that wholeness doesn’t come from being perfect in the law (impossible), but by having a whole heart. Only God can make the heart whole- restore life and offer true wholeness.
Thus, faith in Jesus is an inner-work: see 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV).
When we give God full access and invite Him to clean up our insides rather than just change some of our behavior, an amazing transformation occurs. What we once were gives way to the new life that God intended for us to have. We are cleansed from the inside.
Not only are we cleansed but the inner wholeness begins to spring out of us, just like the filth and vile once did.
We can’t keep anything hidden- whether evil or good. It will come out. When we allow Jesus to transform our hidden shame, the new joy, life, and hope that begins exists will emerge.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Here's the latest on St. Patrick
YOU get to VOTE on what happens to St. Patrick...
Vote on what should happen to St. Patrick at the end of Season 3: Law & Order at Lifehouse FB page (I suggest writing in that "he" should be arrested by real police for impersonating a police detective).
Check out part 2 video and message and discover how the Law of God is actually FOR our justice. We don't define right and wrong, or just throw it out the window. God establishes right and wrong.
Listen to the message here.
SHARE these links and resources!
Vote on what should happen to St. Patrick at the end of Season 3: Law & Order at Lifehouse FB page (I suggest writing in that "he" should be arrested by real police for impersonating a police detective).
Check out part 2 video and message and discover how the Law of God is actually FOR our justice. We don't define right and wrong, or just throw it out the window. God establishes right and wrong.
Listen to the message here.
SHARE these links and resources!
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Check it out- resources for part 1 of Law & Order: St Patrick Unit
Watch the trailer for the opening message in the series, "Law & Order: St Patrick Unit"
Listen to the message here.
Discover the principles behind the Law of God laid out in detail in Exodus and Deuteronomy. Come out THIS Sunday, June 12th to discover the 2nd principle that we'll be examining in these books.
Listen to the message here.
Discover the principles behind the Law of God laid out in detail in Exodus and Deuteronomy. Come out THIS Sunday, June 12th to discover the 2nd principle that we'll be examining in these books.
Friday, June 03, 2011
Newest ST PATRICK Series- Law & Order
Rules can seem so… restrictive, so… prudish. Morals and regulations seem to limit all of our fun and freedom. What’s more, Christianity seems to be the greatest offender of that freedom. Many people view the Bible as nothing more than a list of do’s and don’ts. In their estimate, it’s filled with rules designed to restrict and rob us of pleasure. Could their assumptions be true?
Join Pastor Patrick Sundays 8:45, 10:00 or 11:15 AM as he dives into "LAW & ORDER: St. Patrick Unit," a new series that explains that God's laws were not meant to be burdensome but to be a blessing. God's laws reveal his heart and his character, so as we turn our focus from the law to the Lawgiver, we discover the key to a free and fulfilled life!
Catch a sneak peak of the series by watching the trailer, and we hope to see you this Sunday!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Are We Keeping Jesus out of Our Business and Work?
The pursuit of the American Dream has produced a business culture of cheating, corruption, and cut-throat practices, where the ends-justify-means. For many the goal is to get ahead regardless of who you have to step on in the process. This breads competition against others that produces jealousy for those who are worse off and pride for those who are doing better.
Is there any distinction between Christians and unbelievers in business and the workplace? It seems that even Jesus-followers kick into the rat race on Monday morning. Jesus seems to be missing from most Christians’ lives once they get to work.
What would it be like if Jesus went to work in our place? How would He do things?
In part two of the doors series, discover these principles from 1st Corinthians (follow these links to see trailer and listen to podcast).
Much like 21st Century America, Paul wrote a letter to church in Corinth that was full of pragmatic hunt for wealth and the extravagance, decadence, immorality that could come with it.
Since Corinth was full of greed, lust, idolatry, divisive philosophies, and litigation, so was the church.
In his letter to this early church, Paul instructs these new believers that following Christ was counter-cultural, and that God didn't want to just be part of their life but to BE their LIFE.
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16.
There is only ONE message- the Gospel. However, there are many applications into every aspect (or room) of our lives. Here are the ABC’s of Jesus entering the workplace of our lives.
One Big Idea: Serve an Audience of One.
In 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, Paul challenges all believers to examine our work and life as a ministry to God and build on foundation of Jesus. While he wasn't talking about business, he was writing about the kind of life and work that all believers should do to build their life on the foundation of Jesus. This principle certainly applies to the area of business and work. We only have one message and one set of values.
Regardless of our occupation, whether carpenter or surgeon, landscaper or lawyer, we are all servants of Christ. His review is all that matters. Work for His approval. Paul makes this point again in Colossians 3:23-24.
How would our work change if we saw Jesus as our supervisor, manager, or client?
To Serve an Audience of One- Balance
The Ten Commandments for workers: “Have no other God’s before me,” (Exodus 20:3).
Workaholics and the greedy replace God with career, and that is idolatry (putting anything above God).
“Honor the Sabbath.” Exodus 23:8-11. The sabbath was a day set aside for believers to worship God and rest. This "day off" requires us to trust God for our provision.
We must rest and take time for recreation. Our bodies were designed to work for six days and then rest.
To Serve an Audience of One- Character
What standards drives our business practice? Worldly decisions are sinful decisions. Non-Christian business ethic is sinful business practice.
When we accept the Good News, Jesus takes over every aspect of our life through transformation!
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 to challenge believers about what education we trust and instincts we fall back on?
Paul challenging church not to use worldly business, workplace ethics.
The character of Christ is our capital. His character is integrity, truthfulness/ honesty, and righteousness.
To Serve an Audience of One- Diligence.
According to 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Jesus Followers are hard working! All Jesus-followers are servants of Christ and stewards of the gifts, talents, skills, and work that God has entrusted to them.
Paul's writings challenge us to be hard workers, not working just when our supervisor is looking.
Love this quite by Martin Luther King, Jr:
“We must set out to do a good job, irrespective of race, and do it so well that nobody could do it better.Whatever your life's work is, do it well. Even if it does not fall in the category of one of the so-called big professions, do it well. As one college president said, "A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better." If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, like Shakespeare wrote poetry, like Beethoven composed music; sweep streets so well that all the host of Heaven and earth will have to pause and say, "Here lived a great street sweeper, who swept his job well."
Diligence means we work for God and work hard, regardless of benefit or reward.
Be diligent, and God who sees in secret will reward you openly. Not taking longer breaks or cutting out early.
Jesus rewards his servants for being “good and faithful” which means we are doing right thing for long enough.
Is there any distinction between Christians and unbelievers in business and the workplace? It seems that even Jesus-followers kick into the rat race on Monday morning. Jesus seems to be missing from most Christians’ lives once they get to work.
What would it be like if Jesus went to work in our place? How would He do things?
In part two of the doors series, discover these principles from 1st Corinthians (follow these links to see trailer and listen to podcast).
Much like 21st Century America, Paul wrote a letter to church in Corinth that was full of pragmatic hunt for wealth and the extravagance, decadence, immorality that could come with it.
Since Corinth was full of greed, lust, idolatry, divisive philosophies, and litigation, so was the church.
In his letter to this early church, Paul instructs these new believers that following Christ was counter-cultural, and that God didn't want to just be part of their life but to BE their LIFE.
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16.
There is only ONE message- the Gospel. However, there are many applications into every aspect (or room) of our lives. Here are the ABC’s of Jesus entering the workplace of our lives.
One Big Idea: Serve an Audience of One.
In 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, Paul challenges all believers to examine our work and life as a ministry to God and build on foundation of Jesus. While he wasn't talking about business, he was writing about the kind of life and work that all believers should do to build their life on the foundation of Jesus. This principle certainly applies to the area of business and work. We only have one message and one set of values.
Regardless of our occupation, whether carpenter or surgeon, landscaper or lawyer, we are all servants of Christ. His review is all that matters. Work for His approval. Paul makes this point again in Colossians 3:23-24.
How would our work change if we saw Jesus as our supervisor, manager, or client?
To Serve an Audience of One- Balance
The Ten Commandments for workers: “Have no other God’s before me,” (Exodus 20:3).
Workaholics and the greedy replace God with career, and that is idolatry (putting anything above God).
“Honor the Sabbath.” Exodus 23:8-11. The sabbath was a day set aside for believers to worship God and rest. This "day off" requires us to trust God for our provision.
We must rest and take time for recreation. Our bodies were designed to work for six days and then rest.
To Serve an Audience of One- Character
What standards drives our business practice? Worldly decisions are sinful decisions. Non-Christian business ethic is sinful business practice.
When we accept the Good News, Jesus takes over every aspect of our life through transformation!
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 to challenge believers about what education we trust and instincts we fall back on?
Paul challenging church not to use worldly business, workplace ethics.
The character of Christ is our capital. His character is integrity, truthfulness/ honesty, and righteousness.
To Serve an Audience of One- Diligence.
According to 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Jesus Followers are hard working! All Jesus-followers are servants of Christ and stewards of the gifts, talents, skills, and work that God has entrusted to them.
Paul's writings challenge us to be hard workers, not working just when our supervisor is looking.
Love this quite by Martin Luther King, Jr:
“We must set out to do a good job, irrespective of race, and do it so well that nobody could do it better.Whatever your life's work is, do it well. Even if it does not fall in the category of one of the so-called big professions, do it well. As one college president said, "A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better." If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, like Shakespeare wrote poetry, like Beethoven composed music; sweep streets so well that all the host of Heaven and earth will have to pause and say, "Here lived a great street sweeper, who swept his job well."
Diligence means we work for God and work hard, regardless of benefit or reward.
Be diligent, and God who sees in secret will reward you openly. Not taking longer breaks or cutting out early.
Jesus rewards his servants for being “good and faithful” which means we are doing right thing for long enough.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Kick-off of Newest Sermon Series - DOORS
Check out our trailer for DOORS, a new sermon series going through the First Letter to the Corinthians.
This series examines who the gospel changes everything! Hear who the good news of Jesus goes through the various doors that we so often keep God out of. Here are the overview pages of the study guide.
Saturday, May 07, 2011
If you have a mother, READ THIS!
Don't forget- TOMORROW is MOTHER'S DAY! If you have a mom and/ or are married to a mom, you should probably plan for Mother's Day tomorrow! Keep it personal, remember her love language, and pamper her.
Mother's Day at Lifehouse will be exceptional!
Baby dedications:
Mother's Day at Lifehouse will be exceptional!
Baby dedications:
And we'll be recognizing all mom's with a special gift
AND we're announcing an exciting leadership transition and introducing our newest staff member.
AND kicking off our newest sermon series called DOORS, going through the First letter of Corinthians.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Purpose of Doubt
Many contend that we shouldn’t doubt, that doubt is some how the enemy of our faith.
However, doubt isn’t our enemy. God is big enough for our questions and doubts. The Bible deals with people who struggled with doubt and hard questions head on:
“I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me… when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness." Job 30:20, 26, NIV.
Many biblical heroes of the Faith doubted and struggled with dry season in their journey with God! Men like Abraham, Moses, Gideon, Elijah, Samuel, John the Baptist, and even Jesus’ disciples.
David expressed, under inspiration of Holy Spirit, his doubts and spiritual dryness.
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent." Psalm 22:1-2, NIV.
Circumstances led to doubt. Experience trumped belief. Pain darkened his faith.
So, if doubting isn’t unbiblical or an indication of a lack of faith, what do we do with it?
We Walk by Faith.
How? To Walk by Faith, Explore Your Doubts.
God doesn’t correct doubt and spiritual struggle, but teaches His followers to embrace these seasons as part of their faith-journey.
We’re not robots programmed on how to think nor lemmings in a mindless religious cult. Jesus' called us to make "disciples" which means literally "students".
Investigate, study, explore. (see 1 Peter 3:15-16)
When hard questions arise, don’t run from them, allow them to drive you to deeper exploration of the Bible, heightened understanding of truth, and an emboldened faith. The greatest struggles in doubt forge our strongest convictions.
To walk by faith, trust.
"All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: 8 “He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” Psalm 22:7-8, NIV.
But faith isn’t just a blind belief. Faith is substance. Faith is active.
How do we demonstate trust? In a bridge? We are willing to rely on it and put our life into care. This trust is earned and learned. Observed and experienced.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17, NKJV.
Faith grows as we hear and read God’s Story in the midst of scar stories.
We are invited to trust what we discover to be trustworthy- that Jesus is the Son of God.
To walk by faith, obey.
LORD, I praise you in the great meeting of your people; these worshipers will see me do what promised. Psalm 22:25, NCV.
The word “faith” in Greek is means both to trust (rely on) and obey. Not just belief, but my dependence on truth produces action.
And in Hebrew, there is no separation between knowledge and action. To" know" means to live accordingly. We often “know”, but don’t respond. Faith means that my actions match my beliefs.
God’s story intersects with our story, and the scars of Jesus heal our scars.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The purpose of lonely
We don't avoid loneliness, betrayal, and depression. BUT we can come THROUGH them.
At Lifehouse, we're going through a sermon series called "Scars".
We don’t avoid isolation, loneliness, or moments, even seasons, of depression. We go THROUGH it.
What for? What is the lonely for? Psalmist gives us the answer...
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God… Psalms 42:5.
God takes tragedy, desperate situations and turns them into triumph!
We are not shielded from the lonely, when the odds are against you, but God, in the worst of all situations, through Jesus, His Son, died and overcame to offer us HOPE.
There is no true hope, help, deep connection outside of faith in Jesus Christ.
Hope in God through these times. HOW?
To Hope in God, Depend on His Will
Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. Psalm 43:3-4, NIV.
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26: 39
To Hope in God, Be Refreshed by His Presence
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5, NIV.
These lyrics say it best:
Some room is empty/ If I feel hollow that's just my proof that there's more/ For me to follow - that's what the lonely is for
From the deep of your dreams, the height of your wishes/ The length of your vision to see, the hope of your heart/ Is much bigger than this/ For it's made out of what might be That's What The Lonely Is For Lyrics - David Wilcox.
Are you finding hope in God THROUGH your lonely?
At Lifehouse, we're going through a sermon series called "Scars".
We don’t avoid isolation, loneliness, or moments, even seasons, of depression. We go THROUGH it.
What for? What is the lonely for? Psalmist gives us the answer...
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God… Psalms 42:5.
God takes tragedy, desperate situations and turns them into triumph!
We are not shielded from the lonely, when the odds are against you, but God, in the worst of all situations, through Jesus, His Son, died and overcame to offer us HOPE.
There is no true hope, help, deep connection outside of faith in Jesus Christ.
Hope in God through these times. HOW?
To Hope in God, Depend on His Will
Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. Psalm 43:3-4, NIV.
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26: 39
To Hope in God, Be Refreshed by His Presence
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5, NIV.
These lyrics say it best:
Some room is empty/ If I feel hollow that's just my proof that there's more/ For me to follow - that's what the lonely is for
From the deep of your dreams, the height of your wishes/ The length of your vision to see, the hope of your heart/ Is much bigger than this/ For it's made out of what might be That's What The Lonely Is For Lyrics - David Wilcox.
Are you finding hope in God THROUGH your lonely?
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Invite your FRIENDS & NEW Sermon Series
Don't Miss Out or Miss this incredible opportunity to invite your friends to Lifehouse. Hopefully, this video will inspire you to invite everyone you can to join us THIS weekend for Spring Fever Sunday:
TAG, YOU'RE IT! We'll do our part making it a great experience and helping people hear and experience the Gospel and be touch by God's transforming power. But you've got to do your part by inviting them and talking them about Jesus.
Kicking off new sermon series (with a title that you may remember from last year):
You don't want to miss this series. PLUS, we'll be passing out the NEW study guides to go along with this series. This is one of those sermon series that your friends will want to hear.
TAG, YOU'RE IT!
TAG, YOU'RE IT! We'll do our part making it a great experience and helping people hear and experience the Gospel and be touch by God's transforming power. But you've got to do your part by inviting them and talking them about Jesus.
Kicking off new sermon series (with a title that you may remember from last year):
You don't want to miss this series. PLUS, we'll be passing out the NEW study guides to go along with this series. This is one of those sermon series that your friends will want to hear.
TAG, YOU'RE IT!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Re-discovering Masculinity in a Love-crazed Culture
Subscribe, download, or just stream weekly podcast sermons at Lifehouse Church East. Currently in a series called Love & Other 4 Letter Words, and examining what it means to love as Jesus-followers, and how that love impacts every part of our life.
Most recent message addressed the identity and role of men according to the Bible.
Yes, it's counter cultural. Yes, it'll offended some people. Yes, it will challenge you to live different than what you've been taught by our cultural teachers of TV, news, and movies.
BUT guys need a challenge and a fight worth fighting. In a generation plague with fatherless homes and male role models like Charlie Sheen, we could deeply use an infusion of counter- cultural teaching that goes counter- intuitive to our own desires and nature.
To a generation that has seen the role of men torn down to nothing more than negligent sperm-donors or helpless saps.
We need a strong teaching and model of what it means to be real MEN. HUSBANDS. FATHERS.
Listen to this teaching from Ephesians 5:25-33. and discover what it means to BE a MAN!
Most recent message addressed the identity and role of men according to the Bible.
Yes, it's counter cultural. Yes, it'll offended some people. Yes, it will challenge you to live different than what you've been taught by our cultural teachers of TV, news, and movies.
BUT guys need a challenge and a fight worth fighting. In a generation plague with fatherless homes and male role models like Charlie Sheen, we could deeply use an infusion of counter- cultural teaching that goes counter- intuitive to our own desires and nature.
To a generation that has seen the role of men torn down to nothing more than negligent sperm-donors or helpless saps.
We need a strong teaching and model of what it means to be real MEN. HUSBANDS. FATHERS.
Listen to this teaching from Ephesians 5:25-33. and discover what it means to BE a MAN!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Discover the Man's Role in Love - Tomorrow
Come out to Lifehouse Church East tomorrow at 9am or 10:30 and discover what the Bible says about the role of men in love, marriage, and community!
Prepare to be challenged as we continue our series "Love & Other 4 Letter Words".
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Friend Day
No need to sign up for the "Lonely Hearts Club" this Valentine's Weekend!
February 13th is FRIEND DAY at Lifehouse Church East!
Surround yourself with good company, good food, and good music as we kick off a brand new series, "Love & Other 4 Letter Words." Watch the teaser video here.
Services begin at 9:00 AM & 10:30 AM, with free coffee & breakfast available before each service. So, grab a friend, co-worker, or frienemy and we'll see you Valentine's weekend at Lifehouse Church East!
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