Access Church

The Power of Connection

There are no perfect parents.

Have you ever:

Rolled your eyes at your children

Told a little white lie to your children, like “We’ll see!”

Lost a child at Disney World

Lost your mind at one your children’s sporting events and had to go sit in your car

Tried to teach a child a math concept, but instead threw the math book across the room and screamed “I HATE MATH! THE INTERNET CAN TEACH YOU NOW!”

There are no perfect parents, but we serve a perfect God.

John 3:16  //  For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Isaiah 11:1  //  A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

God’s plans are not thwarted by human imperfection.

John 13:34-35  //  Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.

We must remember that our children are among the "others" Jesus called us to love.

Parenting isn’t about being picture-perfect, because pictures are about US. Parenting is about being a mirror reflecting the light of Jesus to our children.

“We are mirrors whose brightness is wholly derived from the sun that shines upon us.” C.S Lewis

Great parenting isn’t found in a formula-it’s forged as we follow Jesus.

Connection

Undistracted Connection

Parents spend approximately 3-4 hours per day on their phones.

Parents spend approximately 2 hours per day with their kids.

The greatest gift you can give your children is your presence. And nothing says you're present like your face in front of theirs.

Seen Known Loved

Widen the Circle

Purpose and Direction

Brain activity from having a sense of purpose can help kids combat anxiety and stress, regulate anger, and ward off depression.

Ephesians 2:10  //  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Matthew 22:37-40  //  Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

We are a product of eternity, positioned in time and given gifts and talents to serve our generation.

Identity and Worth

Our worth or the worth of our children is not defined by our actions or achievements but by our identity in Him.

1 John 3:1  //  See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are.

Kids will rise and fall to the height of our words.

Proverbs 18:21  //  The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit

What if I’ve blown it?

What if I don’t know how to parent like this because I was not parented like this?

The ground is level at the foot of the cross.

Hurt

Boring

A Family

Unity

John 17:20-23  //  “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

The Church family thrives in unity.

Ephesians 4:1-6  //  As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Attitude of Humility

Unity is accomplished when we have humble minds

We > Me

Attitude of Gentleness

Unity is accomplished when we exhibit gentleness.

Psalm 133:1  //  How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!

 

Attitude of Patience

Unity is accomplished through patience

Proverbs 24:3  //  It takes wisdom to have a good family, and it takes understanding to make it strong.

Four Unchanging Rules for Families

Mark 10:13-16  //  People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Our families should be high touch

Mark 6:56  //  And wherever he went--into villages, towns or countryside--they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

Our families need time

Mark 10:13  //  People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands

on them, but the disciples rebuked them.

Proximity

37 seconds

How do kids spell love? T-I-M-E

Our words should give blessing and encouragement.

Mark 10:16  //  And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Mark 1:9-11  //  At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW:

High Performing Teams: 5.6 to 1

Medium Performing Teams: 1.9 to 1

Low Performing Teams: .36 to 1

Families: 10 to 1

Godly families leave an inheritance

Proverbs 13:22  //  A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children…

Financial Inheritance

Honorable Name Inheritance

Spiritual Inheritance

You’ll never be a PREFECT parent, but you can be a PRAYING parent.

Psalm 138:8 (NLT)  // The Lord will work out his plans for my life - for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever.

THE GOAL: My family will fulfill God’s will and purpose for their lives.

Proverbs 24:3  //  It takes wisdom to have a good family, and it takes understanding to make it strong.

The Jury’s Still Out

Authoritarian

Permissive

Biblical

Luke 2:52  //  And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Wisdom.

Teach them to fear God.

Proverbs 9:10  //  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Psalm 34:11  //  Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Treat the Bible as our guide

Deuteronomy 6:6-7  //  These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Guard their minds.

Psalm 101:3  //  I will set before my eyes no vile thing.

Stature.

Acts 20:24  //  However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.

Help them discover their purpose.

Pray for God’s favor on their life.

Psalm 5:12  //  Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Choose relationships carefully.

Favor with man.

Philippians 2:3  //  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Honesty.

Honor.

Respect.

Favor with God.

Make Jesus the Lord of our home.

First.

Joshua 24:15  //  Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

Show them my love for God.

Proverbs 14:26  //  Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.

1 Corinthians 11:1 NKJV  //  Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Be like Jesus in every situation.

Colossians 3:13  //  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

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Healing

Do you believe that God still heals?

Confessionist Group

Cessationist Group

Can

Will

James 5:13-16  //  Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

God still heals people.

Hebrews 13:8  //  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Isaiah 55:8-9  //  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways.

Hebrews 11:39-40  //  These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Isaiah 57:1  //  The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.

Both.

God is more concerned about my soul.

Matthew 10:28  //  Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

God wants me to grow in faith.

To us.

In us.

Why doesn’t God always heal?

Hebrews 11:6  //  And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

James 5:17-18  //  Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

1 Kings 17:1  //  Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.”

Faith begins with a Word from God.

Romans 10:17 (NKJV)  //  So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Hebrews 4:12  //  For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

1 Kings 18:43-44  //  “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked. “There is nothing there,” he said. Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea.” So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’”

Faith continues regardless of what I see.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)  //  For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Faith starts with a small beginning.

1 Kings 18:45-46  //  Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. The power of the LORD came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

Zechariah 4:10 (NLT)  //  Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin...”

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (NLT)  //  Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

The process is the point.

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The Competent & Wealthy

James 4:13-16  //  Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.

Mist – Atmos

Don’t Miss the Mist

Three Words that Describe Our Lives:

Fleeting

Forgettable

Fragile

Isaiah 2:22 //  Stop trusting in mere humans,    who have but a breath in their nostrils.    Why hold them in esteem?

Three Words that Should Characterize Our Lives:

Humility

“I got this…”

Eternity

Psalm 90:12  //  Teach us to number our days,    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

“We will have eternity to celebrate the victories, but only a few hours before sunset to win them.” - Amy Carmichael

Immediacy

“Make it such, Lord, that when it comes time in my life to die, all I have left to do is die.” - Jim Elliot

Delayed obedience is disobedience.

James 5:1-5  //  Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter

Three Things that Characterize Worldly Wealth:

Hoarding

Self-Indulgence

Sufficiently vs. Extravagantly

Spending, Saving, Giving

Injustice

Why did God give you that?

Why did God give you that? To Steward.

Three Words that Should Characterize Your Giving:

Priority

Percentage

Progressive

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The Tongue

We would use God’s wisdom to govern the words spoken from the tongue.

BIBLE

FORD

KISS

THE

Luke 6:45  //  For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Proverbs 4:23  //  Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Matthew 15:11 (NLT)  //  “It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”

4 Powers of the Tongue

The Power to Condemn

James 3:1-2  //  Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, and able to keep their whole body in check.

Matthew 12:36-37  //  But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

The tongue has condemning power

The solution: consider it an honor to teach doing it with reverence and respect.

The Power to Control

James 3:2-5  //  When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.

The tongue has controlling power.

The solution: learn to shut our mouths.

Proverbs 13:3 (NLT)  //  Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.

“even a fish wouldn't get into trouble if he kept his mouth shut.”

The Power to Corrupt

James 3:5-8  //  Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

The tongue has corrupting power

The solution: Let the Lord guard your mouth

Psalm 141:3  //  Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.

The Power to Contradict

James 3:9-12  //  With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

The tongue has contradicting power

The solution: Use my words to praise, encourage, lift, inspire, advise, guide, love, comfort, bless, and affirm.

Is it true?

Is it kind?

Is it necessary?

“Heavenly Father, today, allow me to say some worthwhile stuff. But I ask that you nudge me when I’ve said enough. Amen."

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“I’m kind of a genius.”

James 1:19-22  //  My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Most Christians are hypocrites.

“84% of non-Christians say they know a Christian personally, yet only 15% say the lifestyles of those believers are noticeably different in a good way.” - David Kinnaman

900

Which one is best?

The one you obey.

Teleios - Mature, Perfected, Complete

James 2:14-17  //  What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

The Bible knows nothing of a fruitless faith.

Faith & Works

FAITH: Belief in action

Abel brought an offering

Noah built an ark

Abraham left his home and offered up Isaac

Sarah trusted God

Jacob blessed his grandsons

Joseph instructed about his burial

Moses chose to be mistreated

Rahab welcomed the spies

WORKS: Literally deeds

3 TYPES OF FAITH:

1. Dead Faith

James 2:15-17  //  Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

2. Demon Faith

James 2:18-19  //  But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

3. Dynamic Faith

James 2:20-26  //  You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

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Grow the church.

Grow you.

Who is the author?

James

Camel Knees

Who is the audience?

Jewish Christians

What is the purpose?

Encouragement

What is the central message?

Faith in Action

Truths of Trouble

Trouble comes to everyone

Trouble can be unpredictable

Trouble hurts

Rejoice in Trouble

James 1:1-2  //  James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…

Trials are problems with a purpose

Joy is the key to facing the trials of this life.

Outlook determines outcome

Respond to the Testing

James 1:3-4  //  …because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Faith is tested through trials, not produced.

Hupomone - active endurance

Our response to the testing is critical to the outcome of the testing.

Request Truth from God

James 1:5  //  If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

“Knowledge is knowing what to say. Wisdom is knowing whether to say it or not.”

“Knowledge is the ability to take something apart. Wisdom is the ability to put it back together.”

If we request God’s help, He will come through.

Receive and Do What God Says

James 1:22  //  Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

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Philippians 2:15-16  //  …Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.

Joy is the gigantic secret of the Christian. G.K. Chesterton

Joy vs Happiness

Joy makes a follower of Jesus uncommon.

How do I Live With Uncommon Joy?

Joy’s Importance

Psalm 51:12-13  //  “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.”

John 15:11  //  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Joy is important to us because Jesus proclaimed and possessed it. It points to my salvation

It’s evidence of God’s spirit

It’ll get me through some stuff

Joy’s Improvement

My work is different

Hebrews 12:2b  //  …For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

My worship is different

Psalm 100:1-5 //  Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

My witness is different

“I would believe in their salvation if they looked a little more like people who have been saved.”

My well-being is different

Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)  //  A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 15:13 (NLT)  //  A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.

6

5:1

3-5

Joy’s Invitation

The presence of God

Psalm 16:11  //  You will make known to me the way of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand, there are pleasures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:27  //  Splendor and majesty are before Him, strength and joy are in His place.

The Word of God

Nehemiah 8:10  //  Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

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