Philippians 1:27-2:11 - Enjoy Unity

How to Enjoy the Rest of Your Life (Part 3)
Enjoy Unity
Philippians 1:27-2:11
Jeff Garrett

Before the sermon, I want you to look at the new church website http://www.norwayave.org/ which appears on the screens. Rob Durst built the new church website and he launched it this week. It contains all the information you need including upcoming events, announcements, and the latest bulletin. You will also be able to obtain my sermon manuscripts and, if you miss an assembly, you can listen to the most recent sermon because Rob has an mp3 player on the website. There are links to previous sermons which can be downloaded on itunes.

As always, Rob Durst, has done an outstanding job building this new website and I want to encourage you to visit it often because this is where you will find the information you need to keep up with the exciting things that are happening in our church family.

We are in a series of sermons from the book of Philippians. The theme of our series is “How to Enjoy the Rest of Your Life”. In the first lesson (1:1-11) we talked about how to enjoy the people in your life. In the second lesson (1:12-30) we talked about how to choose joy in spite of difficult circumstances. In this third lesson (1:27-2:11) we are going to discussed how to enjoy unity. That’s the title of today’s sermon – “Enjoy Unity”.

Some Christians don’t know how to enjoy unity because the enjoy arguing. I have discovered that “being right” is highly overrated. The cost of proving I am right is frequently too high for me to engage in an argument. In fact, I have discovered that the older I get the less things I am willing to argue about. I used to enjoy arguing about a lot of things in the Bible but over time the list of things I believe are essential to salvation have become smaller and smaller. At this time, I believe the only essential is: “Jesus is Lord.” If you accept Jesus as Lord I believe God is living in you and drawing you to himself and I want to do everything I can to encourage you to strengthen your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and I want enjoy unity with you as we journey through life together. I want to stand with you in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel. I want to make every effort to keep the unity that the Spirit created so that we are like-minded, having the same love and being one in spirit and purpose and it all focuses on the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s look at our text for today.

Philippians 1:27-2:2 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

2:1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Five times Paul pleads for unity: I want to know that you stand firm in one Spirit (1:27; 2:2); as one man (1:27); with one mind (2:2) and one love (2:2) and one purpose (2:2).

Philippians 1:27 Whatever happens, [whether I am released or remain incarcerated] conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. The word “conduct” literally means “live as citizens.” The Philippians were proud to be citizens of Rome (cf. Acts 16:20-21) but Paul reminded them that they are citizens of heaven – a kingdom far greater than Rome. Citizenship has not only privileges but responsibilities i.e., you are to conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. What does it mean to live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ? It does not mean perfection i.e., you never sin (1 John 1:8-2:2). It means that your lifestyle gives evidence to your faith in Jesus Christ. Negatively, it means that you do not deliberately, persistently walk in sin – Ephesians 5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them. So negatively, living a life worthy of the gospel of Christ means that you do not walk in high-handed, deliberate persistent sin. Positively, to live a life worthy of the Lord means that you seek to please Christ, to bear fruit, and to grow closer to God and people. Paul put it this way in Colossians 1:10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,… So, living in “a manner worthy of the gospel” means that, you turn from sin and walk with Christ so that your behavior is consistent with your beliefs.

Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel. As one man, with one voice we contend for the faith of the gospel which is that God became a human being in the person of Jesus, that he died for our sins and was raised from the dead. That Jesus Christ is Lord of all. That’s what we are contending for i.e. the faith of the gospel.

Some Christians contend for the wrong thing because they don’t understand the Bible. Some Christians don’t understand even simple truths. Like this four year old little girl who heard her preacher say with arms extended toward heaven - "Dear Lord, "Without you, we are but dust..." At that moment the little girl leaned over and asked, "Mom, what is butt dust?" We don’t understand. Five weeks ago, after officiating a wedding, I was talking with a guest. He told me that he went to such and such church. I said “That’s great. The most important thing in life is the Lord Jesus Christ – following Christ and the Bible. That’s it!” He responded, “Yes, we believe in Jesus and the King James Bible!” And I thought “What is butt dust?” I didn’t say it, I just politely changed the subject. The problem of elevating non-essential issues (e.g., versions of the Bible) and giving them the same weight as to the identity of Jesus runs across all denominations.

Our denomination (Church of Christ) has been split many times over because of non-essential issues. Just look at the abbreviations in the front cover of the directory for Churches of Christ in the United States. Each abbreviation stands for divisions in our tribe. Below are some examples.

MU – “Mutual Edification” – this split occurred over located preachers. These churches are opposed to hiring located preachers – the male members share in the preaching and teaching.
JO – “Baptizes in the name of Jesus Only” – this split occurred over the issue of a baptismal formula.
NI – “Non-institutional” – this split occurred over the issue of supporting institutions like orphanages, Christian colleges, and missionary associations or societies.
OC – “One cup” – this split occurred over the container used to serve communion. These churches are opposed to serving communion in multiple cups and use only one cup.

The list of abbreviations continues (e.g., OCa, OCb; OCc, OC+c, etc) and each one symbolizes another division over some frivolous, peripheral issue that has nothing to do with “the faith of the gospel.” We’ve divided over versions of the Bible, instrumental music, women’s role in the church, praise teams, etc.

This phenomenon of schisms and division is not unique to our denomination. The same sort of infighting and division has occurred in the Baptist and Methodist and Presbyterian and Lutheran and nearly every tribe of protestant and catholic churches. While some divisions were necessary because orthodox beliefs were compromised i.e., Jesus is not the Son of God, most of these divisions across various denominations should have never occurred because they did not concern core essential truths i.e. faith in Christ alone. But, in nearly every group, people elevate trivial issues and contend for them as if they were essential core doctrines but in reality they were not.

We’re not contending for a denomination. Our identity should not be wrapped up in the doctrinal distinctives of our denomination. Sometimes, because of when we make necessary changes in structure or methodology (e.g., instrumental music, small groups, organizational structure, evangelistic outreaches) people get worried and upset and say things like “We’re loosing our identity” or “I don’t know who we are anymore” or “Who are we?” But the question is not “Who are we?” The question is “Who is he?” Our identity is wrapped up in the wrong things. We are to
“stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel” which is focused on the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s all focused on Jesus, as you will see in 2:6-11.

Paul said you’ve got to stand together 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. Don’t be afraid of them. If God is for you who can be against you. You’ve got to be faithful. You’ve got to be focused on Jesus. And you’ve got to be fearless because This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. When see your courage they will eventually realize that they are not fighting against you – their fighting against God who will save you and destroy everyone who persistently opposes the Lord Jesus Christ.

And when you suffer you need to remember how God views it. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. All who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Jesus said “Blessed are you when men insult you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad for great is your reward in heaven!” When apostles were beaten (in Acts 5) they left the Sanhedrin rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for the Name. Paul said you are going through the same struggle I’m going through – counted yourself blessed by God and realize that your present suffering is proof of your authentic faith and your suffering is not worthy to be compared to the glory of heaven.

Just focus on your intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. 2:1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ... The word “if” could be translated “since”. Since you have encouragement, comfort, love, fellowship, tenderness, and compassion in Christ – let it spill over into your relationship with your brothers and sisters. One of the reasons people are divided is because they don’t have an intimate relationship with Jesus. You can’t give what you don’t have. You can’t share what you’ve never experienced. The relationship Jesus has with us is always the model for how we are to relate to other people. Jesus said, forgive each other as I forgiven you and love each other as I have loved you. I keep coming back to Psalm 103.

Psalm 103:8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

I love to think about how compassionate and gracious the Lord has been to me and I want to translate it into my relationships with people. I want to be compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. I want to stop accusing and harboring anger. I want to stop treating people “as their sins deserve”. You see, that’s what Paul’s talking about in 2:1-2. Let the encouragement, comfort, love, fellowship, tenderness and compassion you receive from Jesus flow into your relationships with people - then you will enjoy unity.

2:1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Being “like-minded” does not mean that you agree on every single issue – it means that you agree on the essential issue that Jesus is Lord. Having the “same love” means that you share the love that comes from God. Being “one in spirit and purpose” means that the overarching goal of your life is focused on God’s eternal purpose in Jesus Christ.

The night before Jesus went to the cross he prayed for the unity of all believers. John 17:13 "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. … 20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

A couple of weeks ago I was on the phone with Amber and I overheard a conversation between her and Tori as they were saying goodbye. Amber said “Hold on dad, Tori is leaving for the track meet.” I heard them say to each other - “OK. See you later. I love you. I love you too.” And when I heard them telling each other “I love you” it made my joy complete. How good and pleasant it is when a family lives together in unity (Psalm 103:1). But if you’re not getting along and there’s division – it’s not pleasant and you’re joy is not complete. It’s hard to be happy when there is division in the church and your family.

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Our selfish ambition and vain conceit can be seen even in the pursuit of good things. We try to outdo one another and it always turns out bad. Bruce Johnson shared a story about a group of country friends from the Cottonwood Church wanted to get together on a regular basis in their small groups to socialize and play games. The lady of the house was to prepare the meal.

When it came time for Al and Janet to be the hosts - Janet wanted to outdo all the others. Janet decided to have mushroom-smothered steak, but, mushrooms are expensive. She then told her husband, "No mushrooms. They are too high."He said, "Why don't you go down in the pasture and pick some of those mushrooms? There are plenty in the creek bed." She said, "No, some wild mushrooms are poison." He said, "Well, I see varmints eating them and they're OK."

So, Janet decided to give it a try. She picked a bunch, washed, sliced, and diced them for her smothered steak. Then she went out on the back porch and gave Ol' Spot (the yard dog) a double handful. Ol' Spot ate every bite. All morning long, Janet watched Ol' Spot and the wild mushrooms didn't seem to affect him, so she decided to use them.

The meal was a great success. After everyone had finished, they relaxed, socialized, and played dominoes. About then, the neighbor lady came in the house and whispered in Janet's ear, "Ol' Spot just died."Janet went into hysterics. She called the doctor and told him what had happened.

The doctor said, "That's bad, but I think we can take care of it. I will call for an ambulance and I will be there as quick as possible. We'll give everyone enemas and we will pump out everyone's stomach. Everything will be fine. Just keep them calm."

Soon they could hear the siren as the ambulance was coming down the road. The EMTs and the doctor had their suitcases, syringes, and a stomach pump. One by one, they took each person into the bathroom, gave them an enema, and pumped out their stomach. After the last one was finished, the doctor came out and said, "I think everything will be fine now." Then he left.

They were all looking pretty weak sitting around the living room, and about this time, the neighbor lady came back in the house and said, "You know, that fellow that ran over Ol' Spot never even stopped!"

Selfish ambition and vain conceit always spoils a party and makes everybody sick. Stop trying to outdo one another. Humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you up.

Do you remember the song “You’re so vain, you probably think this song is about you”? I identify with that song because sometimes I am vain and I think everything is about me. I'm trying to change but I still have problems with pride. The Holy Spirit convicted me of vain conceit just this week after I visited Fairland Middle School. I stopped in the school to drop off something for Shayna and I was talking to the principal Mike Whitley and his secretary Debbie. Mike and I usually talk about hunting and school and children and life. But this time I went on and on about myself. I bragged about my speaking engagements in Malibu CA and Birmingham AL and Charlotte NC and I went on to tell them how next month I will be speaking at the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island MI. I just went on and on bragging about myself and when I walked out the door the Holy Spirit stopped me in my tracks in the parking lot. I did not hear him audibly but I’m almost certain God’s Spirit said to my spirit “I hope your flesh got something about of that – I didn’t. I will not bless you when you brag on yourself like you just did to Mike and Debbie.” It bothered me for two days and I finally called the school and apologized to Debbie. I said “Debbie, I am sorry for bragging on myself like I did. I didn’t even let you or Mike get a word in because I was so busy bragging on myself.” Debbie, laughed and said “I didn’t even notice.” And I said “Well, I did and I am sure God did and I just needed to apologize for that. The next time I’m going to try to have a more humble attitude.”

The Hymn of Christ

2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This passage (2:5-11) is probably an ancient hymn. It is called the "Carmen Christi" or the Hymn of Christ. I have divided the song into four stances.

First, Jesus is God (v.6) - 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped … Jesus is the image of the invisible God. He is fully God. He is equal with God.

Second, God became human and died on the cross (v.7-8) - 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! … When God became human he did not cease to be God. Jesus did not empty himself of deity. That’s impossible! Jesus could not empty himself of deity anymore than we could empty ourselves of our humanity. In him the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form. God became human in the person of Jesus. Jesus was a humble servant and he learned obedience by the things he suffered. He was obedient to death – even death on a cross.

Third, Jesus was resurrected and exalted (v.9) - 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,… All authority has been given to Jesus. Jesus has been given a name that is above every name. The name Paul referred to is not “Jesus” but "Lord".

Fourth, everyone will confess “Jesus is Lord” (v.10-11) - 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Every knee will bow including the angels in heaven, the demons in hell, and every human who ever lived – and every one will confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

The hymn of Christ is more than a great theological statement about the identity of Jesus, it is intended to make us humble and obedient so that we can enjoy unity with our brothers and sisters. The message of the song is capture in the scripture "Humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you up" (James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6).

To enjoy unity you’ve got to let your faith rest fully on the Lord Jesus Christ. Not on non-essential issues, but on Christ alone. Then, adopt the humble attitude of Jesus. Like Jesus, humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you up. Consider others better than yourself. Stop fighting for your rights and focus on your responsibilties to love others and maintain the unity of the Spirit. Let the attitude of Jesus dominate your thought life and your behavior will naturally follow.

Prayer Time

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Small Group Questions
Philippians 1:27-2:13
“Enjoy Unity”

Churches often divide along denominational, cultural, theological and social lines, what would it mean to apply Phil. 1:27 in our community? What would have to change to make this possible?

1. Reading between the lines, what was wrong with the church in Philippi?
2. Read Phil. 2:1-2 and name 4 motives for living in unity?
3. How is this unity related to humility?
4. How does Jesus exemplify this humility? (What stories from the gospels come to mind)
5. What else stands out about Jesus from this early church hymn? Vv 6-11
6. How would things change if verses 3-8 marked your family life?
7. How would things change if verses 3-8 marked your church life?
8. How would things change if verses 3-8 marked your work life?
9. How does humility differ from ‘being a doormat’?
In verses 2:12-13 what does it mean to “work out your salvation”…what part is up to God and what part is up to you?

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Resourses - I borrowed and used the same title for my sermon series in Philippians as Rick Warren: "How to Enjoy the Rest of Your Life". The resourses I used in preparation for this series include: Rick Warren; Ray Stedman's expository studies; Rick Atchley's sermon series "To Live is Christ"; Tyndale's commentary "Life Application Bible Commentary"; James Montgomery Boice's commentary; and John MacArthur's commentary. In addition, Jeanie Meadows used the Serendipity Bible and other online resourses for the small group questions which are used in our small group ministry on Sunday nights.

Godly Mothers (Mothers Day 2008)

Mothers Day 2008
Godly Mothers
Jeff Garrett

This morning 12 children will be dedicated to the Lord. Will the parents please bring the children who are being dedicated come to the front and face the congregation.

Baby Dedication
Since children are a gift from God (Psalm 127:3), it is natural that parents dedicate their children to God. In the Old Testament Hannah dedicated her son to God. Samuel became a great leader. In the New Testament parents brought their little children to Jesus so that he would place his hands on them and bless them. In the same way, these parents are dedicating their children to God.

Listen to what the Lord says about raising children in Deuteronomy 6:4-7 "Hear O Israel: The Lord our God is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on their children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

As these children are dedicated to God, we are going to make two promises. The parents of these children are going to promise to raise their children to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and we are going to make a promise to love and support each of these families. I’m going to ask a question and I want you to respond be saying “we do.”

First, to the parents - Parents, by coming forward before God and his people, do you hereby declare your desire to dedicate yourselves and your children to the Lord? If so, please respond by saying "we do." ("We do.")

Now, I want to invite our entire church family to make a vow. As members of the body of Christ, do you hereby declare that you will support these parents and their children so that they may walk in the abundant life that Christ offers? If so please respond by saying “we do.” (“We do.”)

As Matt and the Praise Team sing, the shepherds are going say a prayer of dedication and blessing for these children and their parents. Each child will receive a Bible so that these families always remember the day that their children were dedicated to God. Listen to Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

Shepherds privately prayer with each family and then give them the Bible.

Jeff Prayer – Father, Thank you for these precious children who have just been dedicated to you. Bless these children! Help these parents raise them to be faithful to you and your Son Jesus Christ. Fill them with your Spirit. Teach them to walk according to your word. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen!

Sermon

Exodus 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

We have first class mothers here today and they don’t even know it. Some would say I don’t feel like I’m riding first class. First class is the most expensive and luxurious class of accommodation on an airplane. I don’t even feel like I’m in coach. I feel more like a stewardess who serves everybody.

I’ve never ridden in the first class cabin either. But coming back from LA I was sitting one seat away from 1st class. I noticed that the first class passengers already had their refreshments when I walked on the plane. I could peep through the curtain and see that they had their own bathroom. They were served better food. They even looked important—attractive, successful, relaxed.

I was not relaxed because I had missed my flight. The night before I was to leave I checked the departure time and it said my plane left 7:25 but. I was looking at the itinerary from Columbus to Los Angeles. The next morning I couldn’t find that paper so I checked my computer. It was then I realized that it was a 7am flight. So I crammed everything in my suit case, checked out, and ran to the car. I had to get gas so the rental company wouldn’t charge me $10 a gallon.

I forgot the map to Enterprise at the hotel so asked this guy at the gas station… “Can you give me directions to Enterprise?” He said “Follow me, I’m headed that way” but he took me the wrong way. So I called Enterprise and made them stay on the phone until I saw their sign’.

The bus from Enterprise to LAX was full of people. Just as we pulled out a man ran across the parking lot with a suitcase. The driver stopped and took his bags and he “I’ll be right back”. I was just about to say “Where are you going?” when he said … “I’ve got more bags.” He also had a wife & three kids and they also had bags. The door closed and as we were pulling, another man came running up with trolley of suitcases. I was just about to say “Don’t stop!” when bus driver opened the door and said “let me help you.” The bus was now completely full of men, women and little children singing about big airplanes and of course Continental was the last stop.

When I got off the bus the lady said “you missed your flight, you’ll have to fly stand by.” She said ‘Don’t check your heavy suitcase because you don’t know how you will get home…then she said ‘Hurry on down to the gate and see if they will let you on.’

So I lug my bags to security and security had to do a bag search because I had tooth paste in my suitcase. The security man said “Don’t you know that you can’t take this on the plane?” I said “Yes, but I’ve had a bad morning. I planned to check this big bag in but I was late and I just forgot about the stupid toothpaste.” He said “I have to keep it”. I said “I don’t care, I need to go”

So I grab my suit case and brief case and run down the terminal and with the gate in sight I noticed that my brief case seemed very light. I unzipped it and realized that I had left my laptop in the plastic container at the security x-ray machine. So I ran back to security and I say to the guy who took my toothpaste…. ‘have you seen my laptop? When he found my laptop I ran back to the gate but the plane had just pulled away. So I sit down and waited three hours.
Finally I boarded a flight with a layover in Houston TX. The plane was full but I was sitting in a middle seat, squished between 2 men.

I was studying and writing notes on the tray and my elbow was barely touching the man on my right. So he got a magazine and put it between my elbow and his. This crowded me even more. I asked, “What are you doing?” He said “Your elbow is annoying me”. So I grabbed the magazine and hit him in the face. No, I didn’t but I wanted to. I did the Christian thing and said “I’m sorry”….but in my mind I was saying “you are a stupid idiot”.

The man on the left was a student at USC and he started talking about his dissertation research in ‘aerodynamics’ … but I wasn’t in the mood. Finally, we landed in Houston and after a long lay over…that’s when I noticed the first class passengers. They boarded the plane first and they were relaxing with refreshments when I boarded…their leather seats were wide and luxurious, There were only 8 --- elite 8 passengers. Getting special treatment and it made me wonder what it would be like to fly first class.

Some of you mother’s know what I’m talking about. Your day starts early and you’re always in a hurry, running 30 minutes late. A lot can go wrong because your day is so much more than catching a plane. You’re trying to keep up with everybody’s busy schedule as you take them to school, to soccer practice, and somebody forgets their tennis shoes so you run back and get them.

Moms are so busy. I know one mother used to hide in the bathroom just to be alone time. Here is a little sign may want to hang up on the bathroom door.

Mom's Sign
Attention Children: The Bathroom Door is Closed. Please do not stand here and talk, whine, or ask questions. Wait until I get out. Yes, it is locked. I want it that way. It is not broken, I am not trapped. I know I have left it unlocked, and even open at times, since you were born, because I was afraid some horrible tragedy might occur while I was in here, but it's been 10 years and I want some PRIVACY. Do not ask me how long I will be. I will come out when I am done.
Do not bring the phone to the bathroom door. Do not go running back to the phone yelling, "She's in the BATHROOM!" Do not begin to fight as soon as I go in. Do not stick your little fingers under the door and wiggle them. This was funny when you were two, but not now.
Do not slide pennies, Legos, or notes under the door. Even when you were two this got a little tiresome. If you have followed me down the hall talking, and are still talking as you face this closed door, please turn around, walk away, and wait for me in another room. I will be glad to listen to you when I am done.
And yes, I still love you.
Mom

You’re fixing meals and paying bills, taking kids to orthodontist and the pediatrician. You’re cleaning up messes…and no one has a clue as to what you do all day. Then when you finally sit down somebody starts complaining about something little thing that annoys them (e.g., your elbow is annoying me and they do the magazine thing) and you respond like Mothers do…. but you think, “if they even had a clue…if they only knew what it takes to be a Mom and all that you do for them. They would show a little more appreciation.” But they don’t know and won’t know until they have kids of their own.

So you wait on them and help with the homework and do all the chores that moms do but sometimes you wonder “How in the world am I going to raise my family without losing my mind?”

And some days, when your weary and frazzled, you see another mother that you don’t really know but they just seem to have it all together….they dress nice, they live in bigger houses, drive nicer cars…and you think she must go to El Haaj for her manicures, pedicures and I bet she gets a massage once a week. The way she looks and that tan from her recent trip to the beach. And you hear her talking about an expensive family vacation and her children are so excited. And you think, “I’ll bet she never worries about how she’s going to pay her bills.” I’ll bet her husband listens to her and her children obey her and I’ll bet she has no problems. I’ll bet she’s appreciated and loved.

But you can’t remember the last time you felt that good. The only time you get their attention is when they want something. Sometimes you feel like the stewardess who gives safety instructions with animated gestures but no matter how important it is, they don’t even listen.
And you wonder what it’s like to ride first class. But let me share a few things God gave me.

First, you have no idea what problems people have. I’ve been a counselor long enough to learn that everybody has problems. If you only knew what they deal with you might think your life is a picnic compared to theirs. Jesus said in John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Second, you will have first class accommodations in heaven. God has a first class room for you in heaven. John 14:2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. If you have to ride in coach to get there---that is not too bad, is it? In fact when you know you’re going to spend eternity in a place far greater than any expensive vacation on earth you can enjoy the trip. This week I spent time at the Presidents House at Pepperdine University, overlooking Malibu Beach (this o’ boy from Boone Co., who knows that Malibu’s nothing compared to the heaven Jesus is preparing. You can even be happy for those who have more and ride in first class.

Third, it might be best for you to be right where you are because if you had more it might not be good for you. Another thing---I think God sometimes sends difficult people into our lives to help us grow. Hebrews 12:7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons [and daughters]. I know God saw that whole ordeal, he saw the man who took me the wrong direction and the bus full of people and the toothpaste and laptop. He saw it all and wondered if he didn’t have an influence on the man who said “your elbow annoys me.” Why would he do this? Because I’m going to face things a whole lot worse than that man on an airplane. I didn’t need to be frustrated about that man. He’s not my problem, he’s God’s problem. When you are faithful in the small things, it equips you for the big things. And mothers, your faithfulness is what makes you so beautiful.

That’s what Peter said in 1 Peter 3:2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful.

This week I did a study on the holy women of the past and I focused on five outstanding women and what the god-like qualities that they are remember for. I learned about the laughter of Sarah (Genesis 21:6) and the earnest prayer of Hannah (1 Samuel 1:12-15) and the beautiful song of Mary (Luke 1:46-49) and the service of Dorcas (Acts 9:36-39) and how Eunice and Lois taught Timothy the scriptures from infancy. That’s what makes you beautiful and that’s what we remember. We remember that your beauty was not just outward adornment. We remember your inner and unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in God’s sight and ours because you …

Laugh like Sarah (Genesis 21:6)
Pray like Hannah (1 Samuel 1:12-15)
Worship like Mary (Luke 1:46-49)
Serve like Dorcas (Acts 9:36-39)
Teach like Eunice and Lois (Luke 1:46-49)

And when we read passages like Proverbs 1:8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching – we think of you and we honor you by being grateful for all you do and by living life as you taught us to live.

Prayer Time
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Small Group Questions
Godly Mothers
May 11, 2008


What TV mom do you most identify with…..The Cosby Mom, Married with Children Mom, 7th Heaven Mom, Marge Simpson, Joy from “my name is Earl”, Elyse Keaton from Family Ties, or the Brady Bunch Mom?


1. How do children bring joy and laughter into your life?
2. Read I Samuel 1:12-21, describe what you think Hannah’s prayer may have been like….have you ever prayed like that?
3. How hard is it when God does not answer your prayers the way you want?
4. Read Mary’s Song in Luke 1:46-55, why do you think Mary was chosen to bare God’s son?
5. In verse 48 how does Mary describe herself after her vision with the angel? What example does she leave for us as parents?
6. Read 2 Tim. 1:5; in light of all the pressures Timothy is under why do you think scriptures reveal that his faith came from his mother and grandmother? What does this say to us about the power of Mothers?
7. Dorcas was used as an example of service. What would happen to our churches today if only men were to serve? Expound on this thought?
8. Turn to Proverbs 31, before you read it….can you think of all the jobs this virtuous women did each day? How is this like the multi tasking that mother’s go through today?

What one memory of your mother stands out to you?

Easter 2008

Easter 2008
Easter Changes Everything
Jeff Garrett

Psalm 103:8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

The title of my lesson is "Easter Changes Everything" and I want to make three points.

1) Jesus helps you heal from the pain of the past

Two types of pain: regret and resentment. We regret what we’ve done to others. We resent what others have done to us.

First, Jesus wants to heal the pain of regret. King David knew the pain or regret. After his sin with Bathsheba he wrote in Psalm 32:3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

My first bout with guilt was at age 11. My friends and I were smoking stolen cigarettes under the train trestle at the mouth of Six Mile. I saw dad's truck coming down the road. He parked his truck and started walking down the railroad tracks. I ran to meet him and he asked "What are you boys doing?" I said "We're skipping rocks." He looked at me knowingly, as if he could see right through me. He said, "Be home before dark." He walked back to his truck and drove away. As I walked back to the trestle where my friends were I felt so guilty. I couldn’t play. I felt so heavy with guilt. The one-mile bike ride up to hollow to my home was pure torture as I thought about how I had lied to my dad about smoking cigarettes. I knew I would go to hell now! I kept it a secret for three hours and could stand it no longer - I confessed to mom at a PTA meeting and that night, after dad come home from work, I told him the truth. I thought he was going to punish me and I knew that deserved it. But he was compassionate and gracious. Slow to anger. Abounding in love. He did not treat me as my sins deserve. He was so tender and forgiving. This gave me a little glimpse into the character of my heavenly Father. Look at these character qualities. Think about the character qualities described in the first passage I read. I don't know what your concept of God is but listen to the Bible's description.

Psalm 103:8-14
God is compassionate and gracious,
God is slow to anger,
God is abounding in love.
God will not always accuse or harbor his anger
He does not treat us as our sins deserve
He does no repay us according to our iniquities.
His love is higher than the heavens
He’s removed our sin as far as the east is from the west
He is a compassionate Father
He remembers we are dust

I like to contemplate on that passage. It helps me with guilt. It helps me deal with the pain of the past. You see, my sin developed into something far worse the under-age smoking and lying to my parents. It developed into full-blown alcoholism with all the associated vices and the guilt and shame ate me up. I used to punish myself but then I learned that Jesus took my place.

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. I don’t have to punish myself because Jesus was punished for me. He was falsely accused. Beaten. Mocked. Led through the streets and lifted up on skull hill. His face covered in spit and blood. Bruised. Swollen. Lacerations covered his body. Marred beyond human likeness. Gradual asphyxiation. Unimaginable agony. Darkness. Devils. Evil. Wave after wave of human guilt poured into him until he became sin as God’s wrath burned down on him. Vicarious punishment. Substitute sacrifice – for us. God’s glory, a bloody cross. God’s Son, dead on Friday but raised on Sunday and exalted to the highest place. His cross proves that we are loved. Accepted. Justified by faith. Forgiven forever. Praise God for Jesus Christ our Lord who forgives our sin and takes away our guilt and regrets of the past.

Second, Jesus wants to heal the pain of resentment. We regret what we’ve done. We resent what others have done to us. Your loved ones can hurt you and it’s easy to be resentful.

I heard about a married couple. The wife died and when she got to heaven she met Peter at the gate. She could see all her friends were enjoying each other and having a good time and she said “What do I need to do to get in here?” Peter said, “All you have to do is spell one word.” She said “What’s the word?” He said “love.” She said “That’s easy – L O V E.” Peter said “Come on in.”

About ten years later her husband died and she met him at the gate. She said “I really missed you and I’ve been wondering how you spent the rest of your life? Did you miss me?” He said “Yes I did but I got a long just fine. Do you remember that attractive nurse that took care of you before you died? We fell in love and got married. We took the million dollars from your life insurance policy and bought a nice house on the beach.” He looked over her shoulder and saw all their friends enjoying each other and having a good time. He said “What do I have to do to get in here?” She said “All you have to do is spell one word.” He said, “What is the word?” She said “Checkloslavakia”

It’s easy to resent the father who abused you or the mother who criticized you or the brother or sister who deceived you or the husband or wife who betrayed you. You need two things.

First, you need healing. You need to know that Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and He saves those whose spirits have been crushed."

Second, you need a fresh start. You need to hear Isaiah 43:18-19 “The Lord says, ‘Forget about what has happened. Do not think about the past. Instead look at the new thing I am going to do.’”

Don’t be preoccupied with the pain of the past. Don't allow resentment and bitterness take root in your heart. Instead, learn to say with Joseph Genesis 50: 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Easter changes everything. Jesus wants to heal the pain of your past.

2) Jesus helps you deal with the pressure of the present

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me for real rest and you’ll recover your life and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” A lot of you are tired, worn out, and burned out by the pressure of the present. What’s got you stressed out? Your finances? Marriage problems? Your children? Your aged parents? Are you worried about your job? Are you worried about your health? Are you worried about your taxes? What's got you stressed out?

The pressure keeps building. The pressure makes you tired, exhausted, worn down, used up. Like the battery on my cell phone. When my cell phone battery gets low a little red icon appears in the top corner of the screen and the phone makes an annoying beep because the battery is drained and it needs recharged. That’s you! You're drained. Overwhelmed. You’ve got so much on you and you think "know one knows; no one understands; no one really cares."

But there is one who knows and understands and cares. Listen to this beautiful passage from Psalm 139.

Psalm 139:1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. … 16 … All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. … 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

When you feel overwhelmed by anxiety, when your feel stressed out by the pressures of life; when you feel like know one knows what you are going pray Psalm 139 aloud. Speak words of faith into your heart and soul. Don't let yourself talk to you, you talk to yourself. Let your faith speak to you and then be very still. Be very quiet and listen for God to speak. You’ve heard the statement “Don’t just stand there, do something.” I like to turn it around and say “Don’t just do something, stand there.” Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

When you get a vision of how awesome and mighty and powerful God is, it will give you a fresh new perspective on your problems and it relieves your pressure. So exalt God over your problems and then be quiet and hear Jesus say “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me for real rest and you’ll recover your life and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28).

Jesus can heal the pain of the past, the pressure of the present and third ...

3) Jesus helps you deal with the pessimism of the future

When you’re haunted by the pain of the past and you're living under the pressure of the present it’s easy to be pessimistic about the future. You can’t enjoy life because you feel hopeless, like you have nothing to live for.

I heard about a older woman who was pessimistic. But she had four sons who went to college and became successful. Two became doctors and and the other two became attorneys. All four were wealthy. One day these four brothers had dinner together and they discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother who lived far away in another city.

The first said, "I had a big house built for Mama." The second said, "I had a hundred thousand dollar theater with Dolby sound built in the house." The third said, "I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her." And the fourth said, "You know how Mamma loves reading the Bible but she cannot read anymore because of her poor eyesight?" He continued, "I met a preacher who told me about a parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took twenty preachers 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute 100,000 a year for twenty years to the church, but it was worth it because all Mamma has to do is name the book, chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it word for word." And the other brothers were impressed.

After the holidays Mom sent out her "thank you" notes. She wrote;

"Milton, the house you built is so huge I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway. Love, Mamma"

"Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home, I have my groceries delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks. Love, Mamma."

"Michael, you gave me an expensive theater with Dolby sound, it could hold 50 people, but all of my friends are dead, I've lost my hearing, and I'm nearly blind. I'll never use it. Thank you for the gesture just the same. Love, Mamma."

"Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious. Thank you. Love, Mama"

We can become so pessimistic that we can't appreciate anything and we end up eating the parrot!

In contrast, last Friday Mildred Lucas came to the building and dropped off Easter gifts. She buys gifts for 18 children. After I put the gifts up I went with her to decorate the grave of her husband. She’s been visiting her husband's grave and her brother’s grave for 23 years. Mildred has many health problems and she is a widow. She deals with a lot but she has such a sweet spirit because she is full of Jesus Christ.

I don’t know what you are struggling with or why you are pessimistic – old age, health, finances, marriage, work, but Jesus gives you hope for the future.

Romans 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?... 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Easter changes everything. History is divided into AD and BC by the event i.e., the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Every time you write a date, whether you believe in him or not, you’re using Jesus as the reference point. Your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is the most important thing in your life. He helps you deal the past, present, and future.

Here’s the conclusion of our Easter message. Jesus is the fountain of every blessing and the stream of blessing runs in all directions to help us heal the pain of the past, the pressure of the present, and the pessimism of the future. We are going to sing a song that celebrates Jesus as the fount of every blessing. Let’s pray over this lesson as the Praise Team takes their places.

Prayer

Praise and Worship - Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King

Benediction

Philippians 1:12-30 - Choose Joy

How to Enjoy the Rest of Your Life (Part 2)
Choose Joy
Philippians 1:12-30
Jeff Garrett

Live like you were dying (Tim McGraw)

He said I was in my early forties with a lot of life before me
and a moment came that stopped me on a dime
I spent most of the next days looking at the x-rays
talking ‘bout the options and talkin’ ‘bout sweet time
I asked him when it sank in if this might really be the real end
How’s it hit ‘cha when you get that kind of news, man what’cha do

I went skydiving
I went rocky mountain climbing
I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu
And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter and I gave forgiveness id been denying
and he said some day I hope you get the chance to live like you were dying

He said I was finally the husband that most the time I wasn’t
And I became a friend a friend would like to have
And all of a sudden going fishin’ wasn’t such an imposition
And I went three times that year I lost my dad
Well I finally read the Good Book and I took a good long hard look
at what id do if I could do it all again and then

Paul lived like he was dying. He faced death again and again. In the passage we are going to study today Paul said “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Someone has said, “A man isn’t fit to live until he’s ready to die.” Paul is an old man in chains (Philemon1:9). He’s been in prison four years and he’s on trial for his life. Paul could have been complaining about the slowness of the Roman courts. He could have hated the guards he was chained to because the represent Rome. But Paul had a Jesus-perspective that enabled him to rejoice no matter what.

Philippians 1:12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Notice the repitition of the phrase "What has happened to me". Paul said 1) What has happened to me has really served the advance the gospel. 2) What has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 2) Whatever happens, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel. These are the three points I want to focus on.

That Bible clearly teaches that our reponse to problems is our responsibility. What happens to you is not what disturbs you or upsets you or causes you to behave the way you do. We have a choice as to how we will respond. It depends on what you think about it. How you perceive it. When something bad happens, after the initial shock and the immediate emotional response (whether grief or anger or anxiety or depression) – we have a choice as to how we will respond long-term. Look at how Paul responded.

1. What has happened to you can serve to advance the gospel (v.12-16)

That’s what Paul said in v.12. Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. He’s been a prisoner for four years - two years in Caesarea and now two years in Rome. How could being in chains advance the gospel? Three good things resulted from Paul’s chains. 1) He got to witness to the palace guards. Can you imagine what it would be like to be chained to Paul? It was an automatic Bible study about Jesus. After a while you wouldn’t know who was chained to who - he had a captive audience. And Paul said “the whole palace guard” (v.13) knew that he was in chains for Christ. He must have converted some of those elite guards who had inside connections to the palace because at the end of this letter Paul said 4: 22 All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household. 2) He inspired Christians to speak the word of God more courageously and fearless. 3) He wrote four letters of the New Testament. And that probably would not have happened without being chained.

What are you chained too? A job you hate. Family problems you can’t fix. An ex-husband you can’t stand. Debt you can’t pay. Past abuse you can’t overcome. Addictions you can’t break. A hospital bed with health problems. Did you know that whatever has happened to you (divorce, addiction, cancer, the death of a loved one, loss of a job) can serve to advance the gospel? But you got to view it through the eyes of Jesus and understand that God can use the bad things that have happened to equip you to help others.

We think that everything is about what has happened to us. Your attitude and your thoughts have more influence on you than what has happened. It’s not just the bad thing that happened to you that controls – it’s your attitude towards it and whether you believe that God is greater than you problem and can use it to equip you to advance the gospel. Your critics don’t control your mood – it’s attitude toward your critics.

Look at how viewed his critics (v.15-18). Paul mentioned two groups of preachers. One group was sincere and preached Christ “out of goodwill.” The other group was insincere – driven by envy, rivalry, selfish ambition, hoping they can stir up trouble for Paul while he’s in chains. But I love Paul’s perspective – he said, v.18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,…

How can he say that? How can you rejoice when people are criticizing you? If somebody criticizes us it takes a whole week to recover - like this preacher who was standing at the back door after service and a little boy walked up and said “when I grow up I’m going to give you money.” The preacher said, “That’s nice. But why are you going to give me money.” The little boy said “Because my daddy said that you were the poorest preacher we’ve ever had.” All it takes is a little bit of criticism to rob us of joy and we get angry or worry or become insecure.

But we need to remember it’s we’re not disturbed by what people say, but what we think about it. You got better things to think about than to roll over and over in your mind all day what they just said. It doesn’t matter what they say - if you don’t let it get in you it can’t hurt you. Keep it on the outside and don’t take it in and meditate on it and let it upset you – that’s what does the harm.

2. What has happened to you will ultimately turn out from your good (v.18-26).

1:19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. … For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

No matter how bad it gets, it's all going to eventually turn out for your good. You can't loose when Jesus is your Lord. If you live - Christ! If you die - Christ! Heaven! Forever!

This week I preached Bill Stollings funeral. Lydia and Becky and Dan and their whole family know where Bill is - he is with Jesus in heaven. And then Friday, I was visiting Adalou Lewis at the Hospice Care Center. While Carol (her daughter) and Rob (her Grandson) and I were in the room she died peacefully and she went to heaven. We shed tears but we were comforted knowing that the angels carried her to paradise and now she is with Christ - which is far better.

When your destiny is settled - you can face life's most difficult problems with greater confidence and enjoy experience joy in grief and sorrow. It's the joy that only Jesus can give.

Your perspective makes a difference. I love the story of the little Chinamen was arrested for preach Christ. He gave his testimony at a Billy Graham crusade. He talked about his experience in prison. He was kept in a small prison cell that was crowded with me that he couldn’t sit down. And the only time he left the cell was to shovel human waste in the basement. He said the first time the guards took him to the basement of the prison and open the door to the sewer the stench was overwhelming and he had to shovel human waste into truck. But after a while he began to view it differently. He viewed as his only time to be alone with Christ and he would sing a song. And he told the audience at the Billy Graham crusade, would you like for me to sing it?

I come to the garden alone. While the dew is still on the roses. (Can you see that little Christian man standing knee deep in human waste?) And the voice I hear falling on my ear. The Son of God discloses. (Sing it with me.) And he walks with me and he talks with me. And he tells me I am his own. And the joy we share as we tarry there. None other has ever known.

The next time you think about the bad things that have happened to you remember that little Chinamen and sing that song.

So, what has happened to you can serve to advance the gospel. What has happened to you will ultimately turn out for your good. And last …

3. Whatever happens conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel (v.27-30).

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.

Behavior that is observed tends to change for the good. If Paul were present their behavior may improve for the better. But Paul is encouraging them to conduct their lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ even though he is absent. Your character is defined by who you are and what you do when no one is watching. But we must remember, the Lord is always watching and we must always obey him even when life is difficult.

What problems are you facing this week? Will you take a Jesus-perspective and choose joy in spite of your problems? Your perspective is important!

Sometimes it helps to remember that as bad as things are at this time, they could always be worse. It reminds me of the letter a 15 year old wrote to his father.

A father passing by his son's bedroom was astonished to see that his bed was nicely made and everything was picked up. Then he saw an envelope, propped up prominently on the pillow that was addressed to "Dad." With the worst premonition he opened the envelope with trembling hands and read the letter.

Dear Dad,

It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with Mom and you. I have been finding real passion with Stacy and she is so nice. But I knew you would not approve of her because of all her piercings, tattoos, tight motorcycle clothes and the fact that she is much older than I am.

But it's not only the passion...Dad she's pregnant. Stacy said that we will be very happy. She owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. We share a dream of having many more children.

Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone. We'll be growing it for ourselves and trading it with the other people that live nearby for cocaine and ecstasy. In the meantime we will pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so Stacy can get better. She deserves it.

Don't worry Dad. I'm 15 and I know how to take care of myself. Someday I'm sure that we will be back to visit so that you can get to know your grandchildren.

Love,
Your Son,
John

P.S. Dad, none of the above is true. I'm over at Tommy's house. I just wanted to give you some perspective so that you would realize that there are worse things in life than the report card that's in my center desk drawer. I love you. Call me when it's safe to come home.

Isn’t that great? If he would have just given his dad the report card his dad would have been very upset. But now he’s thinking, is that all that’s wrong – a bad report card is not the end of the world!

Take a Jesus-perspective when you view your problems: 1) What has happened to me can really serve to advance the gospel. 2) What has happened to me will ultimately turn out for my good. 3) Whatever happens I am going to conduct my life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Jesus.

Prayer Time

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Resourses - I borrowed and used the same title for my sermon series in Philippians as Rick Warren: "How to Enjoy the Rest of Your Life". The resourses I used in preparation for this series include: Rick Warren; Ray Stedman's expository studies; Rick Atchley's sermon series "To Live is Christ"; Tyndale's commentary "Life Application Bible Commentary"; James Montgomery Boice's commentary; and John MacArthur's commentary.

Philippians 1:1-11 - Enjoy the People in Your Life

How to Enjoy the Rest of Your Life (Part 1)
Enjoy the People in Your Life
Philippians 1:1-11
Jeff Garrett

Its 61 A.D. and Paul is under house arrest in Rome. This time his living conditions are more comfortable (relative to some prisons). He’s in a rented house and he is able to receive visitors, preach, teach and write letters (Acts 28:11-31). Epaphroditus had brought Paul a gift from the church in Philippi. So Paul wrote this letter to thank them for the gift. He wanted them to know that he was not discouraged even though he was in chains. [Pic of Map] Paul wrote four letters – we call them the prison epistles (Eph, Phil, Col, and Philemon). Philippians is the most positive and upbeat letter Paul wrote. In this short little letter, the words "joy" or "rejoice" or "be glad" are used 17 times. Let me show you …

1:4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.

1:18 Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,

2:2 make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose

2:17 I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

2:29 Welcome him (Epaphroditus) in the Lord with great joy

3:1 my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!

4:1 … you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown,

4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

4:10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord

It’s easy to see why we are going to study the book of Philippians around the theme “How to Enjoy the Rest of Your Life”. But how could he be joyful when his circumstance was so terrible?

When I think of joy I think of things like – when the girls were little. I’d come home and say “Where are my little girls?” And they would hide and I would find them one at a time and turn into a tickle monster and we would laugh hysterically. That was unbridled joy! But I have also experienced joy in the pain and struggles of life. Mom gave me a commentary on Philippians that belong to dad. He was preaching through the book of Philippians at the end of his life. He wanted so much to finish the book but he died before he finished. The last section he highlighted in the commentary was this verse 3:10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. When I read that I thought – how fitting, Dad preached about death and resurrection right before he died. And even though there’s pain because we miss him, there is great joy in knowing that dad is in heaven with Jesus. If you can hear me dad, I am going to finish the book for you. I won’t do as well as you, but I’ll do the best I can.

I have found joy in the pain and struggles of life just this week as I talked to Joe and Virginia Thompson. Joe has been struggling with cancer and all kinds of health problems – But Joe and Virginia both said “Jeff, we can’t believe how good God has been to us. And then I talked to L.D. Handley who just lost his wife and though he misses her so much, there is joy in knowing that she is in heaven and they will see each other again. It’s the joy of Jesus. It’s a joy that nothing can take away. Jesus said in John 16:22 Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. It is the joy that you can know.

The title of today’s lesson is “Enjoy the People in Your life.” If you are going to enjoy the rest of your life the first thing you need to learn is how to enjoy the people in your life. Many times we allow our circumstance to dictate our mood. When we are in a foul mood because our circumstances are difficult we don’t enjoy people, we endure them- tolerate or put up with them.

We can learn a lot from Paul because he knew how to enjoy the people in his life even when life was difficult. If you are going to enjoy the people in your life you need to ….

1. Remember who you are (your identity in Christ) (v.1-2)

Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul is the author. Timothy is with him. They are servants of Christ. Servants means “slaves”. The letter was addressed to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: The word “saints” which means “holy ones” “morally blameless” or “ceremonially consecrated” and set apart because they were “in Christ.” The overseers are the bishops, the elders or shepherds. And the deacons refer to servants. That’s the writer and the recipients and v.2 contains the blessing - 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace always comes before peace. You can’t have peace until you have grace.

But notice how Paul’s identity and his relationships are all wrapped up in Jesus. Look at how many times he mentions the name of Jesus. Paul said we are servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. And that’s just in the first two verses. When I study a book I like to count the number of times the name of Jesus is mentioned. The name of the Lord Jesus Christ is used 51 times (and there are only 103 verses in the book). Paul talks about Jesus a lot. He referred to Jesus almost every other sentence.

One little boy stead home from church with his dad on Palm Sunday. When his mom and brother got home he asked about why his little brother had palm branches. And she explained that when Jesus came the people waved palm branches. He said “Great. I miss one Sunday and Jesus shows up!” Another little boy came out of Bible class and his mom asked about his class. He told her the grandmother of Jesus taught the class. She said “How do you know it was Jesus’ grandmother?” He said, “It had to be his grandmother because that’s all she talked about – Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.”

About every other verse Paul is talking about the Lord Jesus Christ and the point is clear i.e., the key to enjoying the rest of your life is to live everyday for Jesus. That’s our identity. We are servants of Christ and saints of Christ, not victims of circumstance.

2. Be Thankful for the Good in People (v.3-5)

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,

How could Paul be thankful when his circumstances were so terrible? Well he was counting his blessings rather than wallowing in self-pity. Everybody has a good list and a bad list. And your joy is determined by which list you focus on.

Paul's Bad List.
False accused and beaten
Ship-wrecked
Thorn in the flesh
Lived in constant danger
In prison

Paul's Good List
Sins forgiveStoned
He was loved
He had a purpose
He could write and preach Jesus
Churches were growing
He received gifts
The opportunity to witness to elite guard
He was going to heaven

Everybody has a good list and a bad list and your mood depends on which list you focus on. If you have a habit of focusing on the bad list and talking about your problems, you will not enjoy the people in your life and they will not enjoy being around you. So remember the best and don’t dwell on the rest and you will enjoy life and the people around you.

3. Be patient with their progress (v.6)

6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Notice the three phases of God’s good work in v.6.

God “began a good work” – by opening your heart to receive the message (Acts 16:14)
God “will carry it on” – by his Holy Spirit (Romans 8)
God will bring it “to completion on the day of Christ Jesus” – (1 John 3:2)

That’s a wonderful promise – it’s God’s work, not yours. We get so impatient with our children and our mate and our family and our friends because they aren’t making the progress we think they should be making. Stop being so impatient – that’s not your job. It’s God’s job to carry it on to completion and God always finishes what he starts. So be patient and remember that song …

“He’s still working on me. To make me what I ought to be. It took him just a week to make the moon and the stars - the sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars. How loving and patient he must be, cause he’s still working on me. There really out to be a sign upon my heart. Don’t judge me yet there’s an unfinished part. But I’ll be fashioned just according to his plan. Fashioned by the Master’s loving hand. Cause He’s still working on me. To make me what I ought to be. It took him just a week to make the moon and the stars - the sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars. How loving and patient he must be, cause he’s still working on me.

4. Love them from your heart (v.7-8)

7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

The word "affection" is the word for “bowels” or "intestines". That’s why the King James translates this phrase "how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ". The Greeks thought that the seat of the emotions was in your stomach and internal organs. It was a gut level feeling of love. I long for you and I love you so much it hurts. But it was not Paul’s love. He longed for them with the affection of Christ Jesus. I was God’s love channeled through Paul (Romans 5:5). You’ve got to love them from your heart. Say “I have you in my heart.”

I've discovered that if people are not on my heart, it’s easy for them to get on my nerves. If you don't have your kids in your heart, it’s easy for them to get on your nerves. If you don't have your husband in your heart, it’s easy for him to get on your nerves. So get them in your heart and love them with the affection of Christ.

5. Pray they become like Jesus

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ— to the glory and praise of God.

Here’s how to pray for the people in your life. Make six specific request.
- Love - that your love may abound more and more (9)
- Knowledge and insight - more and more in knowledge and depth of insight (9)
- Wisdom - so that you may be able to discern what is best (10)
- Purity may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ (10)
- Righteous - 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ (11)
- Glorify God - to the glory and praise of God (11)

Jay’s announcement about his decision to move to Flordia and Jay and Lacy's video presentation

Prayer Time

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Resourses - I borrowed and used the same title for my sermon series in Philippians as Rick Warren: "How to Enjoy the Rest of Your Life". The resourses I used in preparation for this series include: Rick Warren; Ray Stedman's expository studies; Rick Atchley's sermon series "To Live is Christ"; Tyndale's commentary "Life Application Bible Commentary"; James Montgomery Boice's commentary; and John MacArthur's commentary.

Building Great Relationships – Jesus Style (Part 2)

Faith Family and Friends:
Building Great Relationships – Jesus Style (Part 2)
Jeff Garrett

Nobody has perfect relationships. Everybody has trouble. Even Jesus had trouble with his family and friends. Did you know that Jesus was raised in the big family? The people said in Matthew 13:55 "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?56 Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor." 58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. Jesus had at least four brothers and we know their names - James, Joseph, Simon and Judas. Notice that “sisters” is plural – we don’t know their names but we know he had more than one. There were at least seven siblings in his family. But at this point his hometown friends and family did not honor him. They were offended by him and thought he was crazy.

Mark 3:21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you." 33 "Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked. 34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother." Jesus did not reject his mother and brothers and sisters. They just couldn’t communicate at this time because they didn’t understand him and his brothers did not believe him.

John 7:2 … when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, 3 Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him. … 10 after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. Holidays are important times for families to be together – but Jesus couldn’t be with his family – they thought he was crazy. Jesus didn’t have perfect relationships with his brothers and sisters and friends.

Brothers and sisters can be hard to get along with sometimes. A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "Honor thy father and thy mother," she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?" Without missing a beat one little boy answered, "Thou shall not kill."

I want to share four things you can do to build great relationships – Jesus style. Get your head in the book, your knee on the floor, your feet with your brothers and sisters, and your eyes on Jesus. Let’s think about the first one.

1. Get your head in the book

Jesus said in Matthew 4:4 "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

The only way to let the word of Christ dwell in your richly is to get your head in the book and it will change the way you think about yourself and other people because you’re going to come across relationship passages that encourage you to be honest, forgiving, loving, serving, patient and faithful. But you got to get your head in the book.

Amber studied for her driver’s exam and I watched her as she took the test and she passed it. She couldn’t pass the test if she didn’t have her head in the book. Jesus is watching you as face trails and test of every kind in all your relationships but you’re not going to pass the test unless you get your head in the book – you’ll get angry or bitter or insecure or jealous and it will ruin your life.

I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone? What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets? What if we flipped through it several times a day? What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it? What if we used it to receive messages from the text? What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it? What if we gave it to kids as gifts? What if we used it when we travelled? What if we used it in case of emergency? What if we used it to resolve problems and stay in touch?

How many minutes you got on your cell phone? 300? 600? Unlimited? If you spent some time in God’s word it would help you build great relationships – Jesus style. I want to give you a challenge. Read the book of Philippians – that’s what I’m going to be preaching through next week. If you have trouble reading, then listen to Max McLean on biblegateway.com.

2. Get Your Knee on the Floor

Jesus kept his knee on the floor in prayer.

Luke 5:16 … Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Luke 6:12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

When he was with a crowd of people he said little short little prayers. When with his friends he said medium prayers. And when he was by himself he prayed all night.

Luke 11:1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray,…"

Say the Lord’s Prayer with me – This is how the Lord taught us to pray.

Our Father in heaven, hollowed by thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done. On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever – Amen.

I want to challenge you to pray five times a day. Does that sound like a lot? It isn’t. This will be easy because you can build it into your daily routine. Just remember to pray every morning when you rise, before every meal, and at bedtime. If you do that you will pray at least five times a day. Then it will grow so that you are talking to God all day long. You’ll wake up in the morning and say “Father in heaven” and you talk to God all day long and when you go to bed you’ll say “In Jesus name, Amen.”

So, get your head in the book. Get your knee on the floor. And #3 …

3. Get your feet with your brothers and sisters

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

We have a motto in AA and it is “Meeting makers make it”. What that means is – if you want to stay sober then go to meetings. But when you stop going the chance of relapse is greater because meeting makers make it. That used to be a motto in the church. If you didn’t come every time the doors were open then weren’t going to make it i.e., you’re not going to heaven. Then we changed – we’re saved by grace not by church attendance. We even told jokes about how Wednesday nights don’t count. And very few people show up on Wednesday nights, except the youth. Wednesday nights are like their Sunday mornings. But I want to encourage you and challenge you to do two things that will help get your feet with brothers and sisters. First, come to church every Sunday. Second, join a small group. Meeting makers make it. I’m not talking about heaven – I’m talking about life and relationships and your walk with Jesus. You need to be here to worship and fellowship and give and commune and hear God’s word.

Show up and don’t be late. A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Bible class. As she ran she prayed, "Dear Lord, please don't let me be late! Dear Lord, please don't let me be late!" While she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again! As she ran she once again began to pray, "Dear Lord, please don't let me be late...But please don't shove me either!"

Let it become your custom. It was a custom for Jesus. Luke 4:16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. Paul did the same thing. Acts 17:2 As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, Paul did the same thing as Jesus, do you? I have actually met some people who take pride in the fact that they don’t attend assemblies. Like they are so spiritual they’ve out grown it. Don’t fool yourself. Remember Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

You need to get your head in the book, your knee on the floor, your feet with your brothers …

4. Keep your eyes on Jesus

Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

What are your eyes fix on? Your work? Your hobbies? You money? Your possessions?

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?" "It was great, Dad."
"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked. "Oh yeah," said the son. "So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered : "I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them." The boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have. Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends!

It refreshes your perspective and appreciation on family and friends. Enjoy every minute with them. You don’t have to be poor to have great relationships. You just have to keep your eyes on Jesus and build great relationships – Jesus style. But you’ve got to get your head in the book, your knee on the floor, your feet with your brothers, and keep your eyes on Jesus.

Prayer Time

Building Great Relationships – Jesus Style (Part 1)

Faith Family and Friends:
Building Great Relationships – Jesus Style (Part 1)
Jeff Garrett

Your Gonna Miss This (Trace Adkins)

She was starin' out the window of that SUV
Complainin' sayin' I can't wait to turn 18
She said I'll make my own money and I'll make my own rules
Mama put the car in park out there in front of the school
and she kissed her head and said I was just like you

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Before she knows it she's a brand new bride
In her one bedroom apartment and her daddy stops by
He tells her it's a nice place, she says it'll do for now
Starts talkin' about babies and buyin' a house
Daddy shakes his head and says Baby just slow down

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Five years later there's a plummer workin' on the water heater,
Dogs barkin' phones ringin' one kid's cryin' one kid's screamin',
And she keeps apologizing, he says they don't bother me
I got 2 babies of my own one's 36 one's 23 ... it's hard to believe

But you're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times so take a good look around
You may not know it now
You're gonna miss this

I love that Trace Adkins song. Today I begin a two part mini-series called “Faith, Family and Friends: Building Great Relationships – Jesus Style.” Jesus is the model and the key to building great relationships. I’ll preach this sermon today and I’m so excited about next Sunday because Jeff Stevenson and his family will be here and Jeff will preaching! Today, I want share four simple things that will help you build great relationships with your family and friends. Don’t walk away thinking that was too simple. Walk away thinking, I need to do these simple things if I’m going to build great relationships – Jesus style.

Jesus lived one day at a time

Jesus said in Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Jesus lived one day at a time – do you?
When you’re in high school you say “I’ll be happy when I get out of high school and go to college.” When you are in college you say “I’ll be happy when I graduate and get a job.” When you are single – “I’ll be happy when I get married.” When you married – “I’ll be happy when we have some kids.” After you have kids you say “I’ll be happy when their grown and gone” and then “I’ll be happy when I get some grandchildren” and then “I’ll be happy when I retire and move to Florida.” And then you look back and realize it all happened so fast. Rather than enjoying your loved ones at each stage you were postponing happiness to the next. You plan to be happy somewhere in the future but you missed out on life today. "Life is what happens to us while we're planning something else." It’s like always planning for what's going to happen in January and you miss Christmas.

Today is the Good Old Days you're going to talk about in 15 years. Enjoy now. Every day is a gift from God. Life is brief. You get about 70 to 80 years if you’re blessed with good health. Psalm 90:10 The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. 70-80 years sounds like a long time. At least we get to live longer than many animals. Do you know why we live longer than dogs, monkeys and cows?

You see, on the first day God created the dog and said, "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this I will give you a life span of twenty years." The dog said, "That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?" So God agreed. On the second day God created the monkey and said, "Entertain people, do tricks and make them laugh. For this I'll give you a twenty year life span." The monkey said, "Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the dog did?" And God agreed. On the third day God created the cow and said, "You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this I will give you a life span of sixty years." The cow said, "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the forty?" And God agreed. On the fourth day God created man and said, "Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this I will give you twenty years." But the man said, "Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?"
"Okay," said God, 'You asked for it." So that is why the first twenty years we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And the last ten years we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.

I don’t know about you but I don’t want to spend the last part of my life barking at everyone. I want to live like Jesus, enjoying my family and friends one day at a time.

Jesus was content

Paul said in Philippians 4:12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Where did he learn contentment? From Jesus.
Jesus said in Luke 9:58 Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. Jesus is the greatest man who ever lived. Yet he never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never went to college. He never traveled more than two hundred miles from the place where He was born. He never did one of those things that usually accompany greatness but he was greatest man who ever lived. If Jesus left the throne in heaven to be born in a barn – surely I can be content in my house. There was love and happiness among Jesus’ family and friends as they sit around campfires and walked along the beach.

I want to live like Jesus and be able to say 1 Timothy 6:8 if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that …. I’d like to have more but if I can’t afford it and can’t get it – I stubbornly refuse to ruin my relationships being discontent. I’ll just enjoy my family and friends around this little campfire and we will walk together and be happy. That’s all that really matters anyway.
When Kim and I got married we lived in a little one bedroom house that cost $150 a month. I did yard work, worked on a loading dock at UPS in the evening, and preached on the weekend for a little church outside Nashville. Kim worked part-time at one of those old fashion drug-stores on Granny White Pike. We didn’t have much but we were happy. I remember the little things like going for walks around observatory drive and watching Kim work in the drug-store – I was so attracted to her. One time I was watching her, admiring her beauty while I was filling my 69 mustang up with gas – I didn’t realize that I was filling up the tank with diesel fuel! That was really frustrating and expensive to fix – but I just take my eyes off of her. You ought to have read the letters I wrote – she kept those letters and they were embarrassing to read because they were so mushy. Many of you have had similar experiences and some of your best memories come from times when you had very little.

I’m not denying the fact that it was hard and you struggled. I’m just saying that while you are through hard times it’s easy to forget that you’re going to miss this – you’re going to want this back. You’re going to wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast. These are some good times. So take a good look around. You may not know it now, but you’re going to miss this.

I wrote a new song and I want to share it with you. Most of the songs I’ve written came from my childhood and adolescents. Shayna said, “Dad when are you going to write a song about us?” So I wrote one and I want to sing it for you. It’s called “Kim and the Girls”

Kim and the Girls (Jeff Garrett)

The treasure in my heart is something better than gold
It’s Amber and Tori and Shayna Nicole
Kim and the girls you know they’re my whole world
With all my heart I love my family

I met her in Nashville Tennessee
I got down on my knee, Kim won’t you marry me
A brick house near the university
That’s where I started my family

Little baby girls dancing round my feet
Upstairs, downstairs hide and go seek.
A romp in the park, a ride around the block
I love it daddy when you play with me

Sledding down the hill just as fast as we can
Cold hands, warm heart, a big snow man
Plant some Cheerios and make those donuts grow
I’m tired, daddy won’t you tuck me in

Bridge
Every night when we said our prayers
They’d snuggle up their little teddy bears
My heart is full of love and God only knows
How I love to watch them grow.

They say “Ipod, cell phone, I want it daddy can I?
Sitting on the couch watching Hannah Montana
Kim and the girls you know they’re my whole world
With all my heart I love my family

Jesus made time for his family and friends.

Jesus went fishing (Luke 5:1-11),
fixed breakfast (John 21:1-14),
he took long walks (Luke 24:13-35),
he shared meals (John 13:1-17),
he washed their feet (John 13:1-17),
he prayed with them (Matthew 6:9-15),
he spent time teaching (Matthew 5-7),
he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath (Luke 4:16),
he went to weddings (John 2:1-11) and funerals (Luke 7:11-17),
he attended the holiday festivals in Jerusalem (John 7:14-24).

Jesus spent time with his family and friends in all sorts of settings.

Some of us are workaholics - it’s like we walk around with a big sign that says “do not disturb” – I’m busy. Unavailable! There are going to be times when you have to work a lot (e.g., Mk 6:31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.") but if you do it all the time you’ll miss out – you’ll regret it. Children need you to make time.
There are 56 million kids in public schools and 80% don’t have a church affiliation. 30% of children drop out of school between the 9th and 12th grade. 14 million teenagers have contracted an STD. The fastest growing group dying of AIDS is young people between the ages of 14-22. The second leading cause of death for teenagers is suicide. There are 100 youth suicides per week. There were 17,600 deaths caused by DUIs and 5,000 of those deaths were due to underage drinking. Kids need parents who follow Jesus, along extended family and a church family that loves them.

I love to look at family photo albums and reminisce. It reminds me about what’s most important in life i.e., our relationship with Jesus Christ and your relationship with family and friends. As you watch this presentation you are going to see families evolve through different stages of life and it will remind you of how precious each stage is.

Video Presentation – You’re Gonna Miss This

It’s amazing to see those pictures from the past – it makes you think about your family and friends and all the good times you’ve had in the past. But I want you to think about the future and one more thing Jesus did for his family and friends.

Jesus prepared a place in heaven

John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going."
5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Jesus prepared a place in heaven – the word place literally means “a space”, “a spot” - Jesus prepared “a room” for you. If I get to heaven before Kim and the girls, I’m going to asked Jesus to show me the place he has prepared for them. I’m going to ask permission to put something special like a little note saying “I’ve been waiting for you.” And I want to be there when they enter the place Jesus has prepared. I want to walk and talk and visit and worship together with my family in heaven. How about you?

You have a choice to make. Remember Joshua 24:15… if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, …. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

What will you choose? If you want to build great relationships with your family do it Jesus style - live one day at a time, be content with what you have, make time for them, and prepare a place in heaven so that you can live forever together.

If you want to pray for your family – come forward at this time.

Prayer Time

2 Corinthians 12:11-13:14 - Maintaining Healthy Relationships (Part 9)

Maintaining Healthy Relationships (Part 9)
Friends for Life
2 Corinthians 12:11-13:14
Jeff Garrett

After this long section of boasting (chapters 11-12) Paul said, “Well I’ve done it! I’ve made a complete fool of myself, but you drove me too it. You should have been commending me, defending me – I’m not inferior to the “super-apostles” i.e., the false apostles. All the marks of an apostle are evident in my ministry – signs, wonders, and miracles – I did it all! But it feels like you’re ashamed of me, like you’re an inferior church because you are associated with me. How are you inferior, except that I didn’t take your money? Would you feel better if I would have allowed you to pay me? That’s crazy!

I’m ready to visit you again but I’m not coming for your money. I’m coming for you! v.14 After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? Do you still believe the lies about me being a crafty fellow who’s after you’re money? Or that Titus and the other brother I sent conspired with me to take your possessions? Surely you don’t believe that! We’ve never exploited you. I wish we didn’t have to defend ourselves against such ridiculous accusations. We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.

But 12:20b I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.
I’m on my way and this will be my third visit. I warned you when I was with you during my second visit and now I’m warning you again in this letter. 13:2b On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, 3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me.

So you better … 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves