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

___________________________
Resources - 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

____________________________________
Resources - 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 resources 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. Example – going through security at the airport. Examine your thoughts, attitudes and behavior. Paul said, regardless of what you think of me I pray that you will always do what is right. I pray you’re your perfection i.e., your maturity. You need to grow up so that I won’t be as harsh with you as I will be with the “super-apostles.”

And so Paul ends the letter with these words. 13:11 Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints send their greetings. 14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Five Lessons from 2 Corinthians on maintaining health relationships

1. Jesus must be in the center of your relationships in order for them to be healthy. Paul mentioned God 84 times, Father 5 times, Jesus 18 times, Lord 30 times, Christ 48 times, Spirit 16 times. Then I added it up and that that it equaled that Paul mentioned the name of God 201 times. Then I counted all the verses in the book and found that there are 257 verses in 2 Corinthians which means that Paul mentions the name of God every 1.3 verses (without the personal pronouns).

2. Openness and transparency are essential to maintain healthy relationships – this is Paul’s most personal and autobiographical letter.

3. Sometimes stern confrontation is necessary to maintain your relationships. Paul confronted the trouble makes and called them false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. …

We may not have any false apostles but others can interfere with our relationships and I’ve listed a few Toxic Relationships below.

Toxi People
• The Two-Faced Foe
• The Mean Manipulator
• The Laid-Back Liar
• The Negative Pessimist
• The Amoral Abomination
• The Best Buddy Backstabber
• The Mad, Angry Hatter
• The Demeaning Devil
• The Jealous Joker
• The Cowardly Creep
• The Superior Sick-O
• The Expert in Everything

We can take a lesson from Paul. Self-disclose. Confront. Call for repentance. Forgive and give them another chance. But if they don’t repent – it may be best to avoid them.

4. Generosity enhances our relationship with God and each other – chapters 8-9
5. The foundation of healthy relationships is grace, love and fellowship. This is what I want to focus on as I end this series of sermons on 2 Corinthians. I to share three essentials for life-long friendships with God and people – it’s in v.14. Grace, love and fellowship.


Three Final Points

1. The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ

13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
We are saved by grace and no sin will be counted against us. You have nothing on your record. Last Friday I was pulled over by the police on 3rd Avenue. When I saw those blue lights I thought I’ve lost my license because I thought I had 10 points on my record. He gave me a warning because I had a headlight out and he gave me citations the restriction on my license – no glasses and I didn’t have a copy of my current registration. So I had to park my car and Kim had to come and get me. I got the light fixed and I got a current copy of my registration and I went to the eye doctor and bought two pair of glasses and contacts.

On Tuesday I went to the DMV and ask how many points I had on my driving record. The lady printed my record and she said you have no points. [pic of my driving record] I said that can’t be right – Five years ago when my license I lost my license and when I got my privileges back I had 10 points against me. She said “Sir, there is nothing on your record because your record goes back only three years and when I went the magistrate they dismissed the citations and I have no points against me.

When I walked out of the court house I thought that’s what its like when Jesus forgives you but you don’t have to wait three years. You’re not on probation. You are not on parole. You are completely pardoned. Some of you drive through life thinking you’ve got 10 points against you but there is nothing on your record because of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. As friends we remind each other that our sins are forgiven.

2. The Love of God
13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
12: 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?
13: 11 Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints send their greetings.

He calls him the God of love and he talks about the love of God e.g., 1 Cor 13:4-8. Sometimes we’ve tried to beat the love of God into people – e.g., you better evangelize.

That’s not approach we are using. Jesus said all people will know you are my disciples if you love one another. Demonstrate your love for each other and invite a friend to Invisible Children and to Friend Day.

3. Fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

The Holy Spirit is your counselor and comforter. The Holy Spirit draws you to Jesus and transforms you into his image. He intercedes for you when you prayer. He gives you spiritual gifts. He is the deposit and seal guaranteeing your salvation. He illuminates God’s word and gives you insight. That’s what Paul means by the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. And when we have fellowship with the Spirit we have fellowship with one another so that we can be friends forever. It is our goal to create environments that connect us with Jesus and other people. We want everybody to find significant friendships and significant ministry so that we can be friends for life.

Prayer is a great example – it demonstrates the interplay between fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit and each other.

Example – Kim’s email to me.

Last week I was speaking in Williamsburg VA and I asked Kim to pray for me and she sent this email. "Lord, please give Jeff the energy and creativity he needs for this speaking engagement. He drives himself very hard to do a good job and I thank you for his good health that enables him to do so. Please move your spirit over him now to feel refreshed and full of the message that he will be presenting, and give him restful sleep on this trip also.

Lord, please grant him travel mercies. You really are so good to us and we love you. AMEN

I love you sweetheart.
Kim

Here is my response to Kim's email - Kim,
Thank you honey! I just got this. I felt your prayer yesterday but I didn’t see it till this morning – God really listens to you baby. Keep praying for me today so that I carry out well what he’s helped me do so far.
I love you,
Jeff

Here's a challenge four this week– Set your cell phone alarm for 3:16 (for John 3:16) and name the alarm – pray for family and friends.

Prayer – Praise Team comes to front.

Watch this video. It illustrates the love we have for each other i.e., friends are friends forever when the Lord’s the Lord of them.

Show “Friend’s are Friends for Ever Video” as Praise Team sings.

Benediction

2 Corinthians 12:1-10 - Maintaining Healthy Relationships (Part 8)

Maintaining Healthy Relationships (Part 8)
When We’re Weak We are Strong
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
Jeff Garrett

Skit – Ron John and Jay

12:1 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

Why must he go on boasting when there’s nothing to be gained? - because he was trying to win them back from the influence of the false apostles.

12:11 I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the "super-apostles," even though I am nothing.

“Super-apostles” is a sarcastic reference to the false apostles [pic of superman]. Paul did not brag about his academic degrees or his famous converts. He didn’t boast about the great crowds he has preached to or the remarkable miracles he had performed. All of these things were true, but Paul did not say one word about them, in sharp contrast to the Corinthians and the false apostles.

The Corinthians boasted – “I follow Paul. I follow Apollos. I follow Cephas. I follow Christ.” They bragged about who baptized them. They bragged about their spiritual gifts e.g., “I can do miracles. I can speak in tongues. I have the gift of healing.” And the false apostles boasted e.g., “I am a Hebrew. I’m an Israelite. I’m a descendent of Abraham. I have visions and revelation from the Lord.” So Paul said 11:18 Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. … What anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more.

At this point Paul breaks away from his strengths to brag about his weaknesses i.e., I have been in prison more frequently, I have been flogged five times, I have been beaten with rod three times, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I’ve been in danger in every imaginable situation. I know what it’s like to be hungry and cold and naked.” This not a normal “list brag” list This list of hardships is the very thing the false apostles used to discredit him. But Paul said 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

But, Paul said, I know you are not impressed with weakness. So … 12: 1 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.

Notice in v.2-3 that twice he referred to himself in third person pronouns with almost identical phrases. You can see his discomfort, embarrassment, shyness – but we know he’s talking about himself because he identifies the man as himself in v. 6-7. He’s just so reluctant and he tells the story like it happened to someone he knows but he’s talking about himself.

Notice that this happened “14 years ago” – about A.D. 42 – probably it was somewhere around the time when he came out to Tarsus, back to Antioch (about ten years after his conversion and before his first missionary tour).

Paul was “caught up to the third heaven”(v.2). The first heaven is the atmosphere. The second heaven is the place of the stars. And the third heaven is the abode of God. He called it paradise. It’s the word used to refer to Eden in the Septuagint – the Greek translation of the OT. It is also used two other places in the NT. Luke 23:43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." And Revelation 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Paul was caught up into the third heaven – into paradise. He didn’t know if his body was involved but the the experience was real. And while he was there 12:4 [he] was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.

Notice two things: First, he heard “inexpressible things” i.e., indescribable things. Sort of like the prophets, who had visions but were never able to quite adequately describe what they saw because of the limitations of human language and experience - so they put it in symbols e.g., Ezekiel's wheels within wheels and strange animals with four faces. Daniel and John’s descriptions are similar. It was difficult to describe exactly what they saw because it is so far beyond what we presently know. Paul also heard “inexpressible things”.

Second, he heard things man was not permitted to tell – God had forbidden him to speak of it.

Now, apart from John’s revelation there is nothing in the NT to compare with it. You might expect, after telling about this great vision, Paul would put down the false apostles and say “Can you top that?” But he does not do that. In v.5 he goes on to say …5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say.

If he did boast about it, it would be true. But he refrained. Most people, if they had experienced this could hardly contain themselves. They wouldn’t have waited 14 years. They would have written a best-selling book “To Heaven and Back” and would have appeared on Larry King Live.

But Paul refrained from talking about it for 14 years and even now he was reluctant about sharing it now because he did not want people to think too much of he so he focused on practical things like conduct and speech.

Paul warns us about people like this in Colossians 2:18 Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. Paul was not puffed up. In fact, Paul said in …

7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. What was his thorn? Some people speculate that he had a speech impediment. Some people think it was malaria – which cause severe headaches and affects the optic nerve and eyesight – because he commended the Galatians in Galatians 4:15 I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. And he closed that letter by saying Galatians 6:11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! We don’t know what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was and it’s probably good that we don’t because people may get proud if they suffered from the same ailment. Whatever it was it appeared to be “in his flesh” – a physical problem.

Paul’s thorn came after the revelation and in consequence of it. It was given to humble him. Notice that the Lord and Satan are involved in this. “A messenger of Satan” was the instrument that the Lord used (e.g., Job). Satan’s purpose was to harass and torment but God’s purpose was to strengthen him. There’s a lesson here for us: When Satan attacks you, the Lord will strengthen you.

Paul apparently needed the thorn so that he wouldn’t become conceited. Paul turned the argument of his critics on its head. They said Paul’s thorn proved that God was not with him, but Paul explained that his thorn was proof of his superior experience. He prayed that God would relieve him.

8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. Paul’s three prayers parallels Jesus’ three prayers in the garden of Gethsemane. God answered him even though the cup (or thorn) was not taken away. The answer was not negative – it was positive and resulted in blessings.

9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
This statement is the summit, the mountain peak – the one-sentence-summary of the book. Power in weakness is the thread woven throughout the entire letter (e.g., 1:8-9; 4:7-10; 6:4-10).

12:9b … Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. No shyness here – he boast all the more gladly (i.e., with pleasure). Why? So that Christ’s power may “rest on me”. That’s the vocabulary used for the tabernacle. Exodus 40:34 The cloud covered the Tent of Meeting and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. It is also the language used of Jesus when the “Word became flesh and dwelt (literally, pitched his tent) among us and we beheld his glory (John 1:14). That’s the entire point of the lesson – God pitches his tent in the weakness of his people.

10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

That’s the paradox of power. God may use your strengths but he pitches his tent on you weakness. God wants your weakness, your sufferings, your inadequacies, your fears, and your failures.

Isaac Watts wrote “Forbid it Lord that I should boast save in the death of Christ my God. All the vain things that charm the most, I sacrifice them to his blood.

Three Challenges

1. Refrain from boasting – If you find yourself wanting to boast, find some area of weakness where the Lord has helped you and talk about it.

2. Remember to pray (about your thorn) – If God takes it away praise him. If he chooses not to, remember that his grace is sufficient. Remember that God will work more through your weakness than he will your strength.

3. Reveal your weakness (to a trusted friend) – 2 Corinthians 1:8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered

Prayer Time

2 Corinthians 10-11 - Maintaining Healthy Relationships (Part 7)

Maintaining Healthy Relationships (Part 7)
Triangles
2 Corinthians 10-11
Jeff Garrett

Announcement - During the dinner we will have display tables of church bulletins, pictures and directories dating back to the 1920s. The construction of our current building and a book about the history of you church will be available to order. The cost is $15. We ask that you pay when placing your order. The packages will be ready for pickup next Sunday.

The concept of “triangles” is easy to understand. The perfect triangle is the Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Another triangle is clearly seen in marriage. The husband and wife form the lower corners and Christ stands in the center. The closer the couple gets to Jesus the closer the get to one another.




Anytime there is stress between two lower corners of a triangle there’s a tendency to triangulate someone else in to relieve the tension. I’ve seen it happen in marriage. A married couple has conflict and a third person is triangulated in and an affair begins. The more conflict there is between the married couple the stronger the attachment grows between the mate and the mistress. And the mistress can strengthen the unhealthy attachment by sympathizing with her lover and criticizing his mate. It creates a false sense of attachment and security.

That’s what’s happening in 2 Corinthians 10-11. Let me show you the triangle. 2 Corinthians 11: 2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. The original triangle looked like this











But there was conflict between Paul and the Corinthian Church because of their disobedience and this made them vulnerable to the false apostles who tried to take the place of Jesus.


The false apostles tried to take the place of Jesus. There was tension and conflict between Paul and it strengthened the unhealthy relationship between the Corinthians and the false apostles.










Ten Accusations Against Paul
His boldness
His letters
His looks
His speech
His training
His character
His sincere love
His refusal of payment
His apostleship
His suffering

This created a false sense of attachment and security. I want you to notice how Paul dealt with it.

1 Corinthians 10:1 By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am "timid" when face to face with you, but "bold" when away! You see the irony. He appealed to them in the spirit of Jesus who said in Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. But the false apostles turned his humility into a weakness (“timid”) – he’s a wimp in person and bold only when he’s away. His letters are paper bullets but in person he’s a weakling.

2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. The majority had repented (7:7) but “some people” – a very vocal minority who were led by the false apostles had not repented and acted like Paul and his associates (Titus, the famous brother, and the zealous brother from chapter 8) lived according to the standards of this world. Paul said “I hope that I don’t have to be as bold with you as I will be with them. Because when I come to Corinth I will be armed with weapons.

3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. We will come back to these verses at the end of the lesson. But now notice v.6.

6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. The majority have repented but the rest will be punished? How would be punish the unrepentant? Excommunication (1 Cor 5)? Or worse –Acts 13:9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun."

Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord. Or maybe it would be like Ananias in Acts 5:4-10 You have not lied to men but to God." 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. 7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price." 9 Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11
Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

When Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10:6 that he was going to punish every act of disobedience great fear should have seized the church. But they were not fearful of Paul they were mesmerized by the false apostles because v.7 You are looking only on the surface of things.

You’re impressed with their resume’, their education, eloquent speech and swayed by their criticism of me. 10 For some say, "His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing."

Noticed – they criticized the way he looked and the way he talked. I wish we had a picture of Paul. Among the descriptions of Paul that have come down to us, the only one that has any possibility of being based on early tradition is the famous paragraph from The Acts of Paul and Thekla, which the classical scholar and archaeologist Sir William Ramsey assigned to the first century. The description in the Syriac version reads: "A man of middling size, and his hair was scanty, and his legs were a little crooked, and his knees were projecting (or far apart); and he had large eyes, and his eyebrows met, and his nose was somewhat long.'"

Pau certainly did not appear like a Greek-god-statue with handsome features and bulging muscles. They said “Paul’s a weakling! He’s a wimp! And when you hear him speak you can tell he’s not trained like us. And they bragged about themselves (v.12) and compared themselves to each other and measured their successes against the accomplishments of others and took credit for work they did not accomplish and in 11:1 Paul “you put up with their foolishness (11:1) and it makes me jealous for you – it’s not a sinful jealousy. 2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.

Here Paul views himself as their spiritual father who has promised his daughter to one husband, to Christ, so that he might present them a pure virgin. He wasn’t jealous for himself, he was jealous for Jesus. But just like the first bride Eve was deceived by the devil 3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.

Notice they were deceived – led astray from Christ because the false apostles preached a different Jesus, received a different Spirit, and preached a different gospel.
5 But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those "super-apostles." 6 I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. I believe Paul was a dynamic speaker but he intentionally avoided using wise and persuasive words so that their faith would rest on Christ and not on him. He even refused payment for his ministry and the criticized him for that.

7 Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. 10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! 12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about.

Then Paul pulls the gloves off and calls a spade a spade.
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

These men are not just false apostles they are deceitful servants of Satan. What do I have to do to keep you from following them? Do I have to make a fool out of myself by comparing myself to them. OK. I’ll do it.

21 … What anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying.
If you lay my resume beside their resume’ mine looks better! I’m acting like a fool when I do this but drove me to it. I’m not jealous of them. I jealous for Jesus because I promised to present you as a pure virgin on his wedding day and you are ruining everything because you are being led astray by false apostles!

Three Takeaways

1. Don’t wrap your emotional life around your critics

2. Put Christ at the Center of Your Thoughts – 2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Arrest each though with Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.

3. And the God of peace will be with you.
Put Christ at the Center of your Triangles – Example – Lee May baptized last night. I want to make a commitment to Christ before I make a commitment to my wife.
When there is conflict between you and someone you love don’t triangulate someone or something else (work, hobbies) into your relationship to relieve the tension. If you are going to maintain health relationships – take the problem to the Lord and ask him to help you resolve it.

Prayer Time

2 Corinthians 8-9 - Maintaining Healthy Relationships (Part 6)

Maintaining Healthy Relationships (Part 6)
Generosity and integrity produces unity
2 Corinthians 8-9
Jeff Garrett

Susie May – 2 Corinthians 8-9

Video – The Offering Plate (from Bluefish video)

This section of Scripture is not really about tithing to the local church. It is about a onetime special gift to the first century church in Jerusalem. This passage, however, is relevant to us. I can summarize the entire sermon in one sentence: Generosity and integrity produces unity.

Generosity

The original call to give - 1 Corinthians 16:1 Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me. – was disrupted by Paul’s opponents who falsely accused him of stealing money. But after Paul received the good report from Titus (7:5-7) he reasserted his call to give. The grace of giving is what this section is about. The word “grace” (charis) appears 8 times in chapters 8-9. Paul begins with two inspiring examples that motivate believers to excel in the grace of giving.
The Grace of the Macedonians - 8:1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.
Two things made the gift from the Macedonians special: First, they were suffering severe hardships. Second, they were extremely poor. So their generosity welled up out of severe trials (troubles) and extreme poverty. They actually begged (“urgently pleaded”) for the privilege of giving to the effort in order help the poor saints in Jerusalem. No sob stories or arm twisting from Paul - it was totally spontaneous and entirely their own initiative.

Paul said in 8:5 … they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. It's easy to surrender part when we've already given the whole. God doesn’t want your money without your heart. When you give your heart to the Lord your money will follow.

Paul said in 8:8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ - 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

So, in view of the grace of the Macedonians and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul said in 8:10 … here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: and in v.10-15 Paul advices them to do three things.

1) Finish what you started – 8:10 Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it,

2) Give according to your means – 8:10b … according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

3) Let the sacrifice be equal – 8:13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. Paul said I am not trying to make life easier for others by making life harder for you. But it is only fair for you to share with them when you have so much, and they have so little. Later, when they have more than enough, and you are in need, they can share with you. Then everyone will have a fair share.

So first, in 8:1-15, Paul encouraged generosity. The second part of this passage focuses on handling money given with integrity.

Integrity

Paul’s enemies had falsely accused him of stealing money. They said the reason Paul didn't accept payment for his services was that he had other ways of fleecing the flock (see 12:14-18; cf. 2:17; 7:2; 11:7-12). So demonstrated his integrity in handling the money they gave. He distanced himself from the money by sending three brothers who were trusted by the church.

His Soul Brother – 8:16 I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.

His Famous Brother - 8:18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. Perhaps this famous brother was Luke.

His Zealous Brother – 8:22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you.

The purpose behind the plan- 8:20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.

Generosity and integrity produces unity, which is my final point from chapter 9.

Unity

Let me show you two ways generosity and integrity produced unity.
First, it unity between the Macedonians and Corinthians – 9:1 There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. 2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.

In v. 3-5 Paul said if the Macedonians find you unprepared – it’s going to be embarrassing for both of us. But, if we find you ready with generous gift that you’ve been accumulating through weekly offerings (1 Cor 16:1-4) it will produce unity because it was your enthusiasm that stirred them into action.

Second, produced unity between Jews and Gentiles - 9:12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people [the Jews in Jerusalem] but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. … 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Can you imagine the poor Jewish believers learning about the generosity of Gentile believers? When they sat down for a meal they thanked God for the generosity of their Gentile brothers and sisters. Generosity and integrity produces unity.

Three Action Points

1. Give generously – 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

2. Give cheerfully – 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

3. And God will bless your abundantly – 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. … 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Offering – Grady Starky

Song

Benediction

Announcement

Next Sunday during our anniversary luncheon we will pictures and directories from the last 96 years on display for everyone to look at. We will also be selling a DVD of this building’s construction from start to finish. This package will include a booklet explaining the history of our church back to when we began in 1912. You may sign up for the package during the luncheon. The cost will be $12 and they will be available for pickup in the beginning of March.

2 Corinthians 7:8-16 - Maintaining Healthy Relationships (Part 5)

Maintaining Healthy Relationships (Part 5)
Carefronting
2 Corinthians 7:8-16
Jeff Garrett

If one of your friends is trapped in a sin do you care enough to confront them? You say, “Yes but I don’t know how to confront them.” Many times we don’t know how to confront problems so we do resort to one of the following.

Repression – keep it inside, hold it back, or bottle it up.
Rejection – discard, throw away, or end the relationship.
Rumors – gossip, talk about the person rather than to them.
Resentment – live in anger, bitterness and hate.
Run – avoid, evade, or stay away from them.

Jesus doesn’t want you to repress it or reject them or spread rumors or resent them or to run from them. Jesus wants you to resolve problems. That’s what we are going to learn in this lesson called “Carefronting.” The first part of the lesson on those who need to confront a friend and the last part focuses on those who need to be confronted (which includes all of us at one time or another).

1. Care enough to wait
1:16 I planned to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea … 23 I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. 2:1 So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you.

Paul cared enough to wait. He originally planned to make two visits but he only made one because the time was right so he waited. If the time and place is wrong it will only result in a painful visit and more problems. The Bible describes both private and public confrontations.
Matthew 18: 15"If your brother sins against you,[b] go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

1 Timothy 5:19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning. 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

2. Care enough to cry

2:4 For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you. Paul cared enough to cry. Do you care enough to cry? Tears communicate deep love and great concern for the ones you love. If you don’t care enough to cry you probably won’t care enough to confront. If you do, your motives and manner may be wrong. You may use self-righteous judgment with harsh condemning words that makes the problem worse. You need to remember this next point ….

3. Care enough to admit your own sin

7:2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. Paul began in a way that we typically cannot. Paul claimed to be innocent because he had wronged no one (7:2). We typically have to begin confrontation with an apology like “I am sorry for my wrong.” We need to get that out of the way before we begin to talk about their sin.

4. Care enough to be specific about the sin and optimistic about the outcome

Paul was specific - 12:20 For 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. Notice how specific Paul was about the problems. He did not speak in vague, general terms. If you don’t name it they can’t tame it. But he doesn’t want you to condemn them.
3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. 4 I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds. … Do you see how optimistic he is about the outcome? You need to be optimistic about the outcome because the person you are confronting may not be able to envision the benefits of restoring the relationship – they may feel so hopeless and guilty. But as you express optimism don’t minimize the guilt. Let them feel it so that they will repent.

5. Care enough to confront

7:8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.
Notice Paul said “I do not regret it” – “I did regret it” – “yet now I am happy”. What does that mean? Well, Paul did not regret confronting the sin but he felt regret and distress for the situation itself and the grief it caused as he waited for their response. And when he heard how they responded he was happy. Not because the confrontation made them feel sorrow but because their sorrow led them to repent.

The next time you have to confront a friend remember to follow Paul’s example. You’ve got to care enough to wait, care enough to cry, care enough to admit your own sin, care enough to be optimistic about the outcome, and you’ve got to care enough to confront.

Now, I want to speak to the one being confronted. Remember this Proverbs 27:5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love. 6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. If who have a friend who cares enough to confront you, thank God for them and repent. Repent means to turn away from sin and turn to Jesus. The time to repent is now. If you put off repentance another day, you have a day more to repent of, and a day less to repent in.
10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

The contrast is between Godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. The first God-centered sorrow over the wickedness of sin but the second is self-center over the painful consequences of sin. The first results in repentance and the second results in death. The purpose of the letter was not merely to deal with the notorious offender in Corinth or the person he had injured, but to test their loyalty and devotion to Paul as their apostle.

Contrasting Godly Sorrow and World Sorrow

Godly Sorrow produces - Earnestness
Worldly Sorrow produces - Resistant

Godly Sorrow produces - Eagerness to clear yourselves
Worldly Sorrow produces - Defensive

Godly Sorrow produces - Indignation
Worldly Sorrow produces - Denial

Godly Sorrow produces - Alarm
Worldly Sorrow produces - Apathy

Godly Sorrow produces - Longing
Worldly Sorrow produces - Excusing

Godly Sorrow produces - Concern
Worldly Sorrow produces - Careless

Godly Sorrow produces - Readiness to see justice done
Worldly Sorrow produces - Defiance

Godly Sorrow produces - At every point you have proved yourselves
Worldly Sorrow produces - Blaming

Ask yourself – What does my sorrow produce? I’m I resistant? Defensive? Denying? Excusing? Blaming? Or am I earnest? Eager to clear myself? … The Corinthians repented and look at Paul’s reaction. Look at the change in his mood.

7:12 So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. 14I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. 15And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. 16 I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.
I love what John said in 3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Satan wants to destroy your relationships with Jesus and people. If you are not a Christian he will blind you to Jesus (4:4). If you are a Christian he will masquerade as angel of light (11:13-14). He’s constantly scheming, trying to outwit you (2:11). He won’t terrify you. He’ll tempt you with things that are appealing. He wants to lure you away and make you feel so guilty and hopeless. He wants you to feel so bad and hopeless so that he can destroy you or even better, that you would destroy yourself. I’m going to show a video at the end that Tori told me about. It was a drama from Winterfest 2006. Jon and the teenagers will be heading to Winterfest next weekend. When I saw this I thought – the thing that makes me want to repent (more than anything else) is just thinking about what God has done to save me - that makes me want to repent.

As you watch this video you will see images of God enjoying fellowship with this young woman that he created. Then you will see temptations come in various forms (romance, money, alcohol and drugs, fashion) and the guilt and sorrow she experiences is so overwhelming that she nearly commits suicide. That’s the ultimate expression of worldly sorrow – it ends in death. Then she repents and runs to God but she can’t make it so God breaks through to save her. Watch this video and you will see what I am talking about.

Video

Prayer Time

2 Corinthians 6:3-7:7 - Maintaining Healthy Relationships (Part 4)

Maintaining Healthy Relationships (Part 4)
Friends Forever
2 Corinthians 6:3-7:7
Jeff Garrett

3 We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Paul knew that the thing that would destroy his ministry was a moral failure. He was already being viciously attacked by false apostles with false accusations. Can you imagine what they would say if discovered a moral failure? He would be discredited. So 4 …, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; Maintaining integrity while enduring hardships is the theme of v.3-10. He maintained his integrity in troubles, hardships and distresses;… Notice the physical adversity 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;… Notice the Christ-like character qualities in 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; but he did not do this by willpower and self determination. He did it in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; And Paul stayed strong regardless of how people treated him or received him, regardless of the social climate – whether it was a friendly or hostile environment he displayed integrity 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

That’s the kind of faith I want, don’t you? Stop whining. Stop complaining. Stop grumbling. Everything can be good but if one little thing bugs you it’s like your whole world comes apart. Then you over react or become emotionally reactive and you are vulnerable. You’re having marriage problems. He’s beat you down and hurt you – so you have an affair with someone who makes you feel good about yourself. You having difficulty with you finances and your job so you start drinking too much. You’re not pure or understanding or patient and you’re not kind at all. Your attitude and your anger is a stumbling and the real problem is overshadowed by your own anger and you become a stumbling block.

Endure hardships like a good soldier of Christ. It’s a battlefield brother not a recreation room it’s a fight and not a game. You are in a war. God wants you to maintain your integrity as you endure hardships and thank God that you will never have to endure the troubles and hardships that Paul faced. You’ll face them but they will not be as bad. If God enabled Paul to endure these great hardships he will empower you to endure whatever difficulties you face so that you still have a sweet spirit that invites friendship.

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

Paul like with his heart wide open and he said to the Corinthians “Do you know why your hearts are closed? You’ve teamed up with those false apostles.” Then Paul gave them one command and followed it with five question. The command in v.14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. Don’t misunderstand Paul. This is a warning against the false apostles who are Satan’s servants masquerading as servants of God. The command is “Don’t team up with the false apostles who reject God.” Can you imagine hiring a preacher to discredits Paul and rejects Jesus? Here are the five questions. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Nothing! Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? None! 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? None! What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? Nothing! 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? There is no agreement between God’s temple and idols. You are his temple. Then, in in 6:16-18, Paul Leviticus, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and 2 Samuel to say – come out and separate your selves from them. You are sons and daughters of God. You are his temple. He lives in you and walks with you. You are his children and he is your Father. And 7:1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. Those false apostles will lead you right back into idolatry. They are interfering with your relationship with Jesus and your friendship with me. You have closed your heart to us and opened your heart to those false apostles.

Separate yourself from them and … 7:2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. 4 I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds. And finally, he returns to the narrative of his itinerary.

Finally, the lengthy digression from 2:12 is over. He was not off the subject. He taught us how to cope when you’re living between Troas and Macedonia: To spread fragrance of Jesus and to seek to face of Jesus; that we are like jars of clay and the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus who shines through our cracks; that we will one day exchange this fragile tent of a body for a permanent resurrected immortal body and that our problems are light and momentary and not worthy to be compared to the glory of heaven. He digressed on purpose – because we need to know how to cope when we are living between Troas and Macedonia.
5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, … Finally we get to hear from Titus – but notice that Paul gave God credit for the comfort. Titus gave the report but God gave the comfort through Titus. If you are going to be friends forever you need to put God at the center of your friendship.
6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

Notice the range of emotion of this passage. Paul goes from “fears within” to exuberant “joy” – so that his joy was greater than ever. Paul was joyful for five reasons in v.6-7: two regarding Titus and three regarding his own friendship with the Corinthians. – 1) Paul was happy to see Titus (v.6). Paul must have said, “Titus, I couldn’t find you in Troas but I’m so happy to see you now! 2) Paul was happy to hear how the Corinthians had received him (v.7), 3) he was happy to hear about 3) their longing to see Paul, 4) their deep sorry for causing Paul grief and 5) their ardent concern for him. But the relationship was made right until Paul confronted the wrong. So here are the takeaways.

Three Takeaways (If you are going to be friends forever …)

1. You’ve got to care enough to confront

7:8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.
I love Proverbs 27:5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love. 6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. If you are going to be friends forever you have to care enough to confront. That’s why I call it carefronting. Some of you need to confront a friend about the wrong and some of you need to be confronted. That leads to my second point.

2. You’ve got to be humble enough to repent

10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

Prayer

Matt sings – Friends Forever

Benediction

2 Corinthians 4.7-5.21 - Maintaining Healthy Relationships (Part 3)

Maintaining Healthy Relationships (Part 3)
Reconciling Relationships
2 Corinthians 4.7-5.21
Jeff Garrett

I’m going to give you two word pictures to help you understand yourself and show how God reconciled us to himself.
Clay Jar
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. What treasure? The treasure he is referring to is in v.6 … the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
We have this treasure in jars of clay – Clay jars were common containers of the ancient world. They were used to carry water and food and store leftovers. We would view it as a fast-food container. It was customary to conceal treasure in clay jars, which had little value or beauty and did not attract attention to themselves and their precious contents. Here they represent Paul’s human frailty and unworthiness (e.g., declaration of independence found in a $4 picture frame at a flea market). What makes you valuable is not what’s on the outside but what’s in your heart.
The treasure is in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. This is the principle that pervades the letter. God’s power is made perfect by weakness. So I have the weakness and God has the strength. My weakness is the medium through which God exerts his strength. When I am weak then I’m strong. God uses my brokenness to display his power. So the more open I am about my weakness the more strength God displays in my life.
I’m just a jar of clay. I am a cracked pot. And the light - of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus – shines through my cracks to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. When you understand and internalize this you it gives you strength to hand four different types of problems. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. Hard pressed means squeezed. Perplexed means baffled. Persecuted means mistreated and struck down simply means knocked down.
That describes some of you after a hard week. You feel squeezed by the pressure at work or baffled by hard decisions and dilemmas or mistreated by coworkers/family/friends or knocked down, like you’ve had the rug pulled out from under your feet - but you are going to learn to say with Paul - I’m squeezed but not squashed. I’m baffled but not befuddled. I’m mistreated but not forsaken. I’m knocked down but I’m not knocked out and I realize the hardships and difficulties I face are the platform from which God does his best work.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
The problems Paul faced we could hardly be called light and small.
Paul’s Troubles in 2 Corinthians 11:23-29
· Shipwreck – a night and day in the open sea
· Constantly facing danger
· Without food, water, clothing
· Frequently in prison
· Three times – beaten with rods
· Stoned and left for dead
· Five X 39 = 195 lashes

But the weight of eternal glory far outweighs them all. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Tent

5:1 Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

When we die the earth swallows our body into a grave. But in the resurrection we’ll be clothed with our heavenly dwelling so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. So we are always confident and v. 7 We live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For two reasons – fear and love.
The Fear of judgment - 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. Now, I want to speak to people who are not Christians. When I think about you standing before the judgment seat of Christ – I fear for you. I fear that you will hear Christ say – Depart from me, I never knew you and you will be throw into the lake of fire. When I think about that I fear for you and that’s one reason I’m trying to persuade you.
You say, “When should I respond to Christ?” Today! Now! 6:2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." What is the time of God’s favor? What is the day of salvation? I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
The Love of Christ – 14 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. That doesn’t sound correct. It seems more reasonable to say “one died for all, therefore all did not die.” Or “One died for all, and therefore all lived.” But that is not what he says – he says one died for all, and therefore all died – when Christ was crucified we all died with him so that we would no longer live for ourselves but for Christ who died for us and was raised again (v.15).

When you accept Christ as Lord three wonderful things happen.
Re-creation – 5: 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Reconciliation - 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Righteousness - 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Prayer Time

2 Corinthians 2:12-4:18 - Maintaining Healthy Relationships (Part 2)

Maintaining Healthy Relationships (Part 2)
Transforming Relationships
2 Corinthians 2:12-4:18
Jeff Garrett

Susie reads 2 Corinthians 2:12-4:18

12 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, ... If Paul came to Norway there would be standing room only and other churches would invite him to speak. That’s what happened in Troas but Paul said …

13 I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said good-by to them and went on to Macedonia… looking for Titus who Paul had entrusted with the collection (8:6) and with the letter to the Corinthians (8:16-17). He went to Macedonia to look for him.
Some of you are stuck in Troas and you have no peace of mind – it’s hard to concentrate on anything when you have problems in your relationships with others. Perhaps you need to leave Troas and head for Macedonia. Stop moving away from people and move toward them.
So Paul went to Macedonia looking for Titus and you would expect the next verse to say “I found Titus in Macedonia and he let me know how you were doing. But Paul doesn’t do that. At this point Paul digresses and he doesn’t return to the narrative about his itinerary until five chapters later. What did he learn from Titus? I’m not going to tell you – you have to come back.
I want us to wrestle with the question – What do you do when you don’t have peace of mind because of relationship problems? Distract yourself with drinking and drugs or gossip or entertainment or work or anger or depression? You can’t be at peace and you won’t let anyone else live in peace.
What did Paul do? In this lengthy digression we learn two things.
Spread the fragrance of Christ
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 15 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. … The imagery is that of a Roman triumph in which the general would lead his soldiers and the captives they had taken in festive procession, while people watched and applauded and the air was filled with the sweet aroma of burning spices in the streets.
Notice what he says – 2:15 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. He calls the aroma the fragrance of the knowledge of him. The fragrance drifts in two directions. It drifts vertically and rises before God has the sweet aroma of Christ. And it drifts horizontally to two different groups of people - “those who are being saved and those who are perishing” (15). To the later, we smell like death but two those who are being saved we are the fragrance of life.
If you’re going to transform your relationships you need to spread the fragrance of Christ.
How much do you talk about the Lord when you write a letter or in your conversations with others? I counted how many times Paul talked about the Lord in 2 Corinthians. I search the words God, Father, Jesus, Christ, and Spirit without counting the personal pronouns and this is what I found. Paul mentioned God 84 times, Father 5 times, Jesus 18 times, Lord 30 times, Christ 48 times, Spirit 16 times. Then I added it up and that that it equaled that Paul mentioned the name of God 201 times. Then I counted all the verses in the book and found that there are 257 verses in 2 Corinthians which means that Paul mentions the name of God every 1.3 verses (without the personal pronouns).

Here’s the challenge – spread the fragrance of Christ by putting in a good word for Jesus as your write emails and letters and in your daily coversations. It’s impossible to spread the fragrance of Christ if you never talk about him. I pray that we can become a living letter of Christ. Paul said

3:2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
That is an echo of Jeremiah 31:33 – I will make a new covenant … I will write my law on your hearts and write it on their minds – as well as Ezekiel 36:26 – I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Then Paul contrasts the old covenant with the new and he highlights the radiance of God’s glory in the face of Jesus.
Seek the face of Christ
The old covenant came with glory. In Exodus 34 Moses came down the mountain with the tablets and his face was radiant. The people were afraid of him and ran away. But Moses called them back and after he spoke God’s word he put a veil over his face. When the radiance faded he would meet God again with an unveiled face, come out to speak God’s word and put the veil back over his face until he went to speak with the Lord again.
So the old covenant came with glory but the glory of the new covenant surpasses the old for several reasons. The old covenant was external, written on tablets of stone, it brought death and condemnation. It was a fading glory. But the new covenant is internal, the indwelling Spirit writes God’s law on our heart, it brings righteousness and transformation.
12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
As we spread the fragrance of Christ and seek face of Christ we are being transformed into his likeness and three things happen.
We regain strength 4:1 Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. …
4:8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
We renounce sin 4:2a Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. We repent of four things – secret sin, shameful ways, deception, and distorting or twisting God’s word by rationalizing our sin.
We remain true to God’s word – 4:2b On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? … 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. 4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. 8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek.
If you want to know what God looks like and what the Lord wants you to be – look at Jesus.
Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being
Video – What does God look like?

Two actions – spread the fragrance of Christ and seek the face of Christ.

Prayer Time

2 Corinthians 1:1-2:11 Maintaining Healthy Relationship (Part 1)

Maintaining Healthy Relationship (Part 1)
2 Corinthians 1:1-2:11
Creating Environments that Connect Us with Jesus and People
Jeff Garrett


1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:

Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ. One major theme in this letter is Paul’s defense of his apostleship. Timothy was with him when he wrote this letter (Timothy, Titus, and Silas were the coworkers he mentions). The letter is addressed to the church of God in Corinth and all the saints throughout Achaia. At this time Greece was divided into two Roman provinces – Achaia in the south (which included Athens and the capital city Corinth) and Macedonia in the north (which included Berea, Philippi, and the capital city Thessalonica). Paul was writing from Macedonia (perhaps Philippi) hoping it would be passed around to all churches in Achaia.

I have entitled this lesson “Creating environments that connects us with Jesus and people”. First I want to explain the concept of creating environments. Environment refers to the conditions of your surroundings – we talk about hostile environments vs. friendly environments to describe the social climate. You move in and out of environments all the time at school, work, home, sporting events, AA, and even Starbucks.

Think of the environments that God created. What was the purpose of Eden? Why the Exodus? What was the purpose of the promise land? Why did he give the detailed instructions for the tabernacle? Why is Jesus preparing a place for us? Whether it’s Eden or Canaan or heaven, God creates environments for healthy relationships. When Jesus saw the environment the religious leaders had created in the temple he drove them out with whips. Twice! My Father’s house is a house of prayer but have turned it into a den of thief’s.

Different churches have different environments. Some churches are cold and make people feel unwelcome. Some churches are legalistic and make people feel condemned. Some churches are so dead they make you feel like your attending a funeral and other churches are as enthusiastic as a pep rally. Why is that? Why are they so different? Many reasons – traditions, personalities, cultural norms, and expectations that are set and maintained by the group. The people in those churches become so accustom to it that they are unaware of its effect on outsiders.
But I want you to think larger. Don’t limit it to Sunday morning at this building. Think about all the places you meet people (school, work, home, community) – you help create environments by the way you think, how you act and interact with other people.

Prior to an AA meeting I met a man at a restaurant. He said, “I am an alcoholic and I need help. What do I need to do?” I said, “In AA we just share our experience, strength and hope, so you can begin by telling me your story and then I share mine and if you want, we can go to a meeting together. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.” He shared his story and I shared mine and together, by God’s grace, we created an environment that connected us with Jesus and each other and the he wanted to go to a meeting. When we walked into the meeting it was full of people smoking and shooting pool and laughing but he begin to cry. There were people from every walk of life and social class in the room. When you walk in those rooms everybody is equal. It doesn’t matter whether you are a lawyer or a homeless man – everybody’s welcome.

He was overwhelmed. What’s going on? “It’s like a culture shock. And I had no idea that there would be so many people here.” I said, “There are millions of us being helped by this simple program of recovery.” He calmed down as I reassured him and told him what to except. Then we walked into the next room and the meeting began. The person chairing the meeting asked “Is this anyone’s first AA meeting?” He raised his hand and they welcomed him. Someone suggested we talk what it was like to attend our first AA meeting. One by one they spoke. When he cried they brought him tissues. They brought him a meeting schedule and the men signed their names and telephone numbers. He cried some more. After the meeting people came to him introduced themselves and offered their friendship. I bought him a big book and a 12 and 12. And when we left he was filled with hope and faith that God would help him.
My experience in AA reminds me of what Jesus intends for his church. God wants us to create environments that connect us with Jesus and people and I found five factors in 1 Cor 1-2:11. I want to focus on five words that come straight from the text. The first word is …

Grace

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace always precedes peace. You cannot have peace if you don’t have grace. And notice that grace and peace come from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. There are plenty gracious churches that create environments that are harsh and judgmental. But we want to be a church that preaches grace and treats people graciously. Grace appears in the first and last verses of this book. Paul begins the book with grace and people and he ends the book by saying 14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Compassion (and Comfort)

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. [and this] 6 … produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

Verse 3 begins with praise for the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. That’s where our comfort comes from. We don’t produce it – it comes from him. He comforts us in all our troubles (not some of them or most of them but all of them), so that we can comfort others with the comfort we have received from God. God comforts you so you can comfort others. The more you suffer the more God comforts. There will never be a time when your suffering exceeds his comfort and after you have recovered you can comfort others in any trouble with the comfort that God has given you. And as you share God’s comfort it connects you to Jesus and the people.

Now, in order for us to create this kind of environment we have to open up and be transparent like Paul. 8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our[a] behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
But you cannot open up and be transparent without trust.

Trust (1:12-2:4)

Paul had a trust problem. He did three things to win back trust. First, he lived a life of integrity - 1:12 Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. Second, he clearly communicated the truth. Third, he confronted the trouble makers.
Originally Paul had planned to cross by sea from Ephesus to Corinth – visit them, travel to Macedonia, come back to visit them a second time before he traveled to Judea. They were expecting two visits but it didn’t happen. Perhaps he made a brief visit that he described as “painful” and shortly after that visit he sent another letter (which we do not have) by Titus. He described it in 2:4 For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you. He explained why he did not return for the second visit in 1:23 I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. 2:1 So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you.

But they were disappointed because Paul did not visit them two times as he said he would. Paul’s opponents used that to discredit him. They made at least ten accusations against him

Not reliable (1:12-2:4)
Not recommended (3:1-2)
Not competent (3:4-6)
Not trained as a speaker (10:11)
Not impressive (10:10)
Not paid (11:7)
Not powerful - he’s weak and timid (10:1)
Not blessed (his suffering disqualifies him) (ch 12)
Not a miracle worker – why does he never talk about visions or revelations? (12:12-13)
Not qualified (11:22-23)

He’s inferior but we are Hebrews. We are Israelites. We are Abrahams descendents. We are superior, Paul is inferior. If you follow an inferior man you are going to be an inferior church. Some of the Christians in Corinth were so gullible that they believed it and were danger of rejecting Christ for a different gospel (10:1-4). Notice how Paul communicated to clear it up.
Paul said, “I changed my plans to spare you of a painful visit. I don’t need letters of recommendation – you are our letters – you are the result of our work. God has made us competent ministers of the new covenant. I may not be a trained speaker but I do have knowledge. Was it a sin to preach for free? Forgive me of this wrong! Why do you think you are inferior to other churches? You saw all the marks of an apostle in my ministry – I did miracles, signs, wonders and God gave me a vision of heaven that I’m not permitted to share. They boast in their strength but I boast in my weakness because God’s power is made perfect in weakness.”
What do I have to do to keep you from being led astray? Do I have to act like a fool and show you my resume? OK, I’ll act like fool and compare myself to them. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. But you would never know it.

Kind of like Paul Durst. Have you ever been in his office and seen all the certificates on his wall? Advanced education in medicine from three different universities, licensed to practice medicine in three states, chief pathologist of Cabell Huntington Hospital. I was so impressed! I had no idea who I have been friends with for the past three years. But then I saw a trophy on his self where he had won a reward for being “most loveable.” Isn’t that just like Paul? You know what makes him special – his humility! He was more than qualified by the standards of this world but he’s so down to earth and loveable. Just like apostle Paul. He had all the degrees but he was the most loveable and compassionate man you could ever meet.

When are you going to learn that God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called. Why do you let these false teachers exploit you – why do you believe them? They are are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. …

Paul had tough skin and a tender heart. You got to be tough with troublemakers and tender with the church. So Paul did three things to win back trust. First, he lived a life of integrity (1:12). Second, he clearly communicated the truth. Third, he confronted the trouble makers. Which of these three do you need to focus on at this time? Integrity? Communication? Confrontation?

If you confront a trouble maker and they repent you need to forgive them. That’s leads me to the final point which is …

Forgiveness

Someone in the church had been disciplined. Perhaps it was the man in 1 Corinthians 5 who was expelled from the church because he was living with his father’s wife. Listen to what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? 3 Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. 4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature[a] may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord. 9 I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."

And they did. The expelled him in order to restore him and it worked. And after he repented look at what Paul said. 6 The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. 7 Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. … 10 If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him … in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

APPLICATION

I envision all of you going about your normal routine this week with a new purpose i.e., to intentionally create environments that connects you with Jesus and people. I've seen God work in AA meetings, restaurants, city streets, homes, hospitals, and jails. God shows up everywhere if you look for him. He's made his home in me and he wants me to create safe environments everywhere I go. I do it with a smile. I engage people, smile on them, brag on them, praise them, and when the Holy Spirit opens their heart I put in a good word for Jesus. It is just that simple. No matter where you go or where you are Jesus is with you. He wants to connect, not only with you, he especially wants to make his home in the hearts of those who do not know him. So create warm safe environments in small groups, homes, coffee shops, schools, AA meetings, hospitals, jails - wherever you go love people and keep it simple, easy to understand. Just go about doing good things for people and put Jesus Christ in the center and watch the Holy Spirit work. He will connect you with Jesus and people. Just show grace, compassion, trust and for giving and see how it changes the environment. That's what Jesus wants us to do. Don't ruin the environment with a bad attitude or a critical spirit. Target pain. Pay attention to their hurt and meet their felt needs. Divorce. Depression. Anxiety. Addiction. Guilt. Grief. Find where they hurt and show them you care. Offer grace, compassion, be trustworthy and generous with forgiveness. Create the environment by being completely humble, patient, loving, and empathic - then, once they know you care and understand – asked Jesus to make the connection.

Prayer Time

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2007
Jeff Garrett

Music and drama

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

He’s the virgin born baby lying in manger.
He is Immanuel - God with us.
He’s a young boy obedient who was obedient to his parents.
He’s the carpenter from Nazareth.
He is the preacher and prophet that Moses spoke of.
He is the teacher and story teller.
He is the great physician.
He is our Advocate (1 John 2:1)He is the Almighty (Rev. 1:8; Mt. 28:18)He is the Atoning Sacrifice for our Sins (1 John 2:2)He is the Author of Life (Acts 3:15)He is the Author of Salvation (Heb. 2:10)He is the Beginning and End (Rev. 22:13)He is the First and Last (Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13)
He is the Bread of Life (John 6:35; 6:48)He is the Good Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4)He is the Christ (1 John 2:22)He is the Creator of all thing (John 1:3)He is the Firstborn From the Dead (Rev. 1:5)He is the Firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15)He is the Almighty God (John 1:1; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Rom. 9:5; 2 Pet. 1:1;1 John 5:20; etc.)He is the Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14)He is the Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23)He is the Heir of all things (Heb. 1:2)He is Holy and True (Rev. 3:7)He is the Hope of Glory (Col. 1:27)He is the Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69)He is the great I Am (John 8:58)He is the Image of God (2 Cor. 4:4)He is Immanuel (Mt. 1:23)He is the Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42)He is the King of Israel (John 1:49)He is the King of the Jews (Mt. 27:11)He is the King of kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 19:16)He is King of the Ages (Rev. 15:3)He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6)He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5)He is the Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8)He is the Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16)He is the Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 9:15)He is the Mighty God (Isa. 9:6)He is the Morning Star (Rev. 22:16)He is our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13)He is our Husband (2 Cor. 11:2)He is our Redemption (1 Cor. 1:30)He is our Righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30)He is the Power and Wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24)He is the Prophet (Acts 3:22)He is the Resurrection and Life (John 11:25)He is our Righteousness
He is the Root of David (Rev. 5:5; 22:16)He is the Ruler of Creation (Rev. 3:14)He is Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Rev. 1:5)He is the Savior (Eph. 5:23; Titus 1:4; 3:6; 2 Pet. 2:20)He is the Son of David (Lk. 18:39)He is the Son of God (John 1:49; Heb. 4:14)He is the Son of Man (Mt. 8:20)He is the Son of the Most High God (Lk. 1:32)He is the Source of Eternal Salvation for all who obey him (Heb. 5:9)He is the True Bread (John 6:32)He is the True Light (John 1:9)He is the True Vine (John 15:1)He is the Word of God (Rev. 19:13)

But the Pharisees had other names for him. They called him Beelzebub – prince of demons. Jesus said, Abraham saw day and he rejoice when he saw it. They said “You’re not 50 years old. How can you say that Abraham saw your day?” Jesus said, I tell you the truth. Before Abraham was “I Am”. I am the Good Shepherd. My sheep know my voice and they follow me. Why is my language strange to you? I’ll tell you why. You don’t belong to me and you don’t belong to my Father. You belong to your father – the devil. He is a liar and murder and you are just like him. You called me names - let me tell you what your name is. You hypocrites. You travel over land and sea to win a single convert and when you win him over you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. You blind guides! You fools! You strain out a gnat and swallow a camel. You are the son’s of Satan. You decorate the graves of the prophets and you say “If we had lived in the day of our forefathers we wouldn’t have shed the blood of the prophets. So you testify against yourself that you are descendents of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the full measure of the sin of your forefathers. You snakes! You brood of vipers. How will you escape being condemned in hell.

So they killed him. That’s why he’s called the Lamb of God (Place the name on the picture)


He is the Lamb of God (John 1:29)

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
But death could not hold him. John said I saw the Lamb, looking as if he had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. Then heaven opened and John saw him riding a white horse. His name is Faith and True. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. His eyes were blazing, his crowns were brilliant, on his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. His power was so awesome that every one of his enemies became a footstool for his feet.

He is the Alpha and Omega (Place the words on the picture)

Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:13)
Then John saw a new heaven and a new earth and a new city coming down from heaven like a bride beautifully dress for the prince now who rides in on the white house. He who was seated on the throne when he said, "I am making everything new!" "It is done! Revelation 22:12"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End and the End and everything in between!

Video – He’s My King

There’s No Place like Home (Part 10) - Go Rest High on that Mountain

There’s No Place like Home (Part 10)
Go Rest High on that Mountain
Jeff Garrett

Joy in the Box - We provided gifts for 13 needy families—25 children from ages 6 months to 17 years old. Bought them clothes, coats, shoes, toys, bicycles, video game systems, dvd players, tv’s and on and on with this church families generosity.

Matt sings – Go Rest High on that Mountain (Vince Gill)

Vince Gill began writing this song following the death of Country music superstar Keith Whitley. He didn't finish the song until a few years later following the death of his brother Bob Gill. So the song is actually a tribute song to his friend and brother, both struggled with alcoholism.

The song is about saying good bye to a loved one who had a hard life. I know your lifeOn earth was troubled, And only you could know the pain, You weren't afraid to face the devilYou were no stranger to the rain. It’s a song about grief. Oh, how we cried the day you left usWe gathered round your grave to grieve. I wish I could see the angel’s faces. When they hear your sweet voice sing. But its also a song full of hope. Go rest high on that mountain. Son, you work on earth is done. Go to heaven a shoutin’. Love for the Father and Son.
Have you ever heard someone say “heaven help us!”? That’s what I want to talk about this morning. It’s not enough to know that it’s going to be great when we get there. I want to share five ways heaven helps us now.

Heaven helps us when we suffer

1 Peter 2:19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

How do you respond when people insult you?

Fight Response – angry, verbally aggressive, resentful, bitter and we want revenge. Angry people are hard to be around. They stir up a lot of trouble. It’s contagious. A week ago I bought some groceries, paid cash and the cashier sneezed and coughed on my change – then handed it back to me. I went next door to Burger King and washed my hands. Do you realize that’s what people do when they leave you after you spew out all that venom? They have to go wash. Example – wrestling with a stick (others, self)

Flee Response – Run away, hide, avoid, and they will not trust anybody. They keep everybody at a distance. It’s like trying to feed a squirrel on campus. One wrong move and they bolt. Some of you were hurt a long time ago and the wound never healed. You didn’t retaliate, you ran away and you’ve been running ever since.

Freeze Response – In shock, immobilized by fear. Like a deer in headlights. You don’t fight or flee you just frozen.

Faith Response – Matthew 5: 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Example – wrestling with a stick (others, self)

Heaven helps us when we are sick

James 5:14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well.

This week I was talking to Debbie in the lobby. Debbie has been suffering with pain in her back for six weeks and I prayed for her. And she cried and I had tears in my eyes. My prayer didn’t heal her but it helped her and it help me. I felt close to her and I think she felt close to me. And we both felt close to God. When we are sick or in pain we pray to God and sometimes he heals us but even if he doesn’t it helps us and makes the pain bearable.

Heaven helps us repent of sin

You need to know the difference between justification and sanctification. Justification means that we are declared righteous by faith in Jesus Christ. Sanctification refers to the process of being made holy. Peter talks about two essentials for sanctification are the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 1:2) and a heavenly mindset.

2 Peter 3:3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

If you knew that Jesus was going to return tomorrow would it change the way you behave today. Live like that. Live today like you’re going to die tonight.

Heaven helps us feel secure

John 13:2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

PLEASE TURN OFF MEDIASHOUT – bring up u-tube video of Logan

This scene happened the day before he was crucified. It was his last meal before his death. All of his friends were going to forsake him. Judas was going to betray him. Satan was not only in the same room, he had already prompted Judas. Now would that make you insecure? How is it possible to feel secure when you life is threatened and your friends are going to forsake you. Notice v.3 – Jesus remembered three things: who he was, where he came from and where he was going. He was going to heaven. If you are feeling insecure that’s what you need to remember.

You’ll feel secure when you remember which mountain you are running to. There are two mountains – Mount Sinai and Mount Zion. As you are running you struggle to keep going. There’s opposition and disappointment and sometimes you fall down. It makes you feel insecure because you know you aren’t good enough. You feel guilty and weak. When that happens, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees – remember the witness, fix your eyes on Jesus, endure hardships as discipline (not condemnation) and run to the right mountain!

Hebrew 12:18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned." 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."

For years I ran toward Mount Sinai. I tried to be saved by law keeping. I began with enthusiasm but it didn’t last. I fell so many times and realized I couldn’t even touch that mountain. I was burning for fire, it was dark and gloomy and stormy. And when I heard God thunder his law from mount I said with Moses “I am trembling with fear!” I can’t go up on that mountain.

Then Jesus showed me another mountain. He told me you’re running to wrong mountain! You have not come to mount Sinai. 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

I’ve been running better ever since because I feel secure and it’s all because of Jesus. When I fall down, I confess it and he helps me back up. My home is on the mountain! Not because I run well. It’s all because of Jesus.

Heaven helps us through our sorrow (we grieve but not like people who have no hope)

I’m going to let a 12 year old little boy named Logan make this last point.

Video - Logan

Heaven helps us when we suffer
Heaven helps us when we’re sick
Heaven helps us with sanctification
Heaven helps us feel secure
Heaven helps through our sorrow.

Prayer

Song

Benediction