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From a simple car commercial, the guy’s conversation quickly flows to… boasting. What does the Bible say about boasting? What does it do to others?  What does it do to us?  Listen along as Lowell and Billy dive into the realm of “boasting.”

Some practical definitions…

Coveting- Wanting what someone else has.

Envy- Wanting what someone else has, which causes negative feelings in your heart.

Boasting- Cause someone else to want what I have, in an inappropriate way.

Proverbs 27:2 “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.”

I Corinthians 13:4-5 “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.

It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful”

Boasting roasts other people

I. Boasting causes others to envy.

a. It causes others to question their contentment

i. Social Media is a prime arena for

b. We are called to think of other people

i. Matthew 22:39 “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”

II. Boasting causes others to question the Goodness of God.

a. James 1:16-17a “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights”

b. Boasting can pull people away from God-focus onto material-focus

We are called to live in a way as to point people to God…not draw people away from God.

Something as simple as the movie “Toy Story” can produce a line to make you think deeper.  The character Woody calls out, “If you don’t have a moving buddy…. Get one!” The guys use that line as a springboard for their continued discussion on marriage.

Check out the notes below!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!”

The Marriage Triangle

We are to be yoked together through the bond of Christ.

II Corinthians 6:14 “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? “

How to “fight?” fair in a marriage conflict.

Understanding yourself and your spouse, in order to graciously grow together.

Two types of people in a conflict.

* Sharks– Those that tend to attack and press forward.

* Turtles– Those that tend to pull back and hide.

James 1:19 “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger…”

• The Shark needs to be quick to listen, and slow to speak…

• The Turtle needs to speak…

• Both need to be slow to anger.

When you get married, the two become “one”, but the “one” is NOT you.

The recent passing of Barbara Bush caused the guys to take a pause and analyze how does a marriage last.  President Bush and Barbara were married over 75 years!  Factually, over half of adults 18+ are married in the United States, so this is a topic which impacts our lives.  Check out what the guys were talking about… 

Why marriage?

I. To be fruitful and multiply

a. Genesis 1:28 “ And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it…”

b. To establish families!

II. Companionship

a. Genesis 2:18 “And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

b. To be a help for each other!

III. For our good and for His Glory!

What are some things to help in your marriage?

I. Leave and cleave

a. Genesis 2:24 “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”

II. Understand when a CONFLICT happens.

a. Conflict- Two types of people in a conflict.

i. Sharks– Tend to attack and press forward.

ii. Turtles– Tend to pull back and hide.

b. Ephesians 4:26 “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger…”

i. SHARK– watch your attack!

ii. TURTLE– You need to come out of your shell!

iii. ALL WITH THE LOVE FIRST- “do not sin.”

In marriage, you are called to your spouse, to become one, to hold fast and not destroy.

Build one another up in the Lord.

Verses for further meditation…

✞ Romans 14:19 “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”

✞ Hebrews 3:13 “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

✞ Jude 1:20 “But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit…”

Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” 

With a guest Matt Miller, the topic continues to be around sports in Scripture.  God calls us to live for God in all that we do.  Chances are readily available to live for Him in context of sports.  As the guys spoke about sports in Scripture specifically, they now turn their minds to Biblical opportunities to live for Christ in the arena of sports.

I Timothy 4:7b-8 “Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

Below are some areas where Godly living demonstrates itself in the arena of sports.

❖ Discipline & Focus on the goal

➢ Philippians 3:14 “ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

➢ I Corinthians 9:24-26a “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

❖ Do not give up!!

➢ II Timothy 4:7  “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

➢ Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.”

❖ Obedience to Authority

➢ Romans 13:1 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 

 

❖ In Practice

➢ Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

❖ Putting Team first

➢ Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

❖ Losses/failure-

➢ Romans 7:15 “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”

❖ Growth in weakness

➢ II Corinthians 4:16-17 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison

Whether in sports or participating in the game of life, believers are called to do to everything for God’s glory.  

I Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink,

or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

In this episode, the guys have a guest speaker on the show by the name of Matt Miller.  As a radio sportscaster, Matt jumps in the conversation of sports in the Bible.  Why were sports referenced in Scripture?  Listen in and find out! 

Sports does one of two things… It either reveals character or it develops character.

Running and boxing are two of multiple sports found in Scripture.

Paul uses the physical activity of sports to illustrate spiritual pursuits which we are called.

I Corinthians 9:24-26a “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly;”  I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

II Timothy 4:7  “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.”

It is amazing how family members inevitably share the same traits, even down to mannerisms and inflection.  Lowell noticed that when speaking with his brother recently.

Family can have a huge impact on how we view the world.  We are called to love our family. But what does it look like? The guys want you to live toward this…

Open your heart to adding more family members & being that Agape family member to others.

I. Jesus had a physical family.

a. And it was a blended family with a step-dad and half brothers and sisters!

II. Jesus cared for his physical family.

a. John 19:26-27, “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.”

III. Jesus cared for his Spiritual family

a. God writes through Paul of a spiritual family/household…

i. Galatians 6:10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

b. Jesus is willing to open His heart to adding more people to his spiritual family!

i. Matthew 12:46-50 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

ii. If blood is thicker then water, the Spirit is thicker then blood!!

IIII. What is the difference between physical and spiritual family?

a. Phileo versus Agape…

i. “Phileo” is a Greek word for brotherly love.

ii. “Agape” is a Greek word for Christ’s love.

b. We are NOT called to have physical “phileo” love toward someone, but God calls us more so to spiritual “Agape” love with other believers.

i. The big difference is it is a committed relationship.

ii. I Corinthians 13 is calling us ALL to an “Agape” love relationship in the church!!

I Corinthians 13:4-7,13

4 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails… 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Ever heard the cell phone commercial about the “Friends and Family” plan? The guys transition from cell phone commercials to the look at friends and family in Scripture.

Below are some highlights of their broadcast.

• Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow (friend). But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

• Proverbs 18:24 (ESV) “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

• Proverbs 27:17  “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

I. How do I find a good friend?

a. In Luke 10, the parable of the Good Samaritan give us an example of how we ask a question.

i. The Samaritan asked the question, “Who is my neighbor?”

ii. Jesus Calls him to “Be a good neighbor”

b. Instead of what looking for the right friends, examine “what kind of friend am I called to be?”

i. Proverbs 18:24 (KJV) “A man who has friends must himself be friendly…”

II. What about me!? That is a lot of work and is draining!?

a. The Lord fills us up, as we pour ourselves out.

i. John 10:10b “ I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

b. As you display friendliness, God will prod and draw others to you.

Until then, we all seek to focus on being the friend God has called us to be…

More verses to meditate on…

• 1 Thessalonians 5:11  “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

• 1 Corinthians 15:33  “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

• Proverbs 27:9b  “…and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.”

• Proverbs 27:6  “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”

• John 15:12-14  “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.”

• Romans 1:12  “That is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”

In the world of acting, few are better then the great… LOWELL MCDONALD!  Lowell took part in a play where he was the “Chief Pharisee”.  After chatting about the experience, the guys begin to discuss hypocrisy, what it is, and how to fight against it…

Pharisee description- The religious and prominent Jewish leaders of the New Testament are. Leaders against Jesus.

Hypocrisy definition- The practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one’s own behavior does not conform. Acting.

The Bible speaks of hypocrisy

 Matthew 23:23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.”

I. Jesus calls out religious leaders for their hypocrisy.

II. The Pharisee’s were focused on small details, rather then their overall obedience to God.

III. Jesus calls for obedience in everything, not for in only portion of your life.

**Many claim the church is full of hypocrites and give that reason for not coming to church. True… but there is hypocrisy EVERYWHERE. The church is more apt to see it and combat it…

Anecdote for hypocrisy 

I. How the world combats or counteracts

a. Man develops transparency but does nothing to change.

b. Admittance gives the freedom to do the act.

c. Phrases like “It is just how I am”, or “God made me this way.” 

II. How God’s Word combats or counteracts

a. God calls us to transparence, then to repentance.

b. Repentance definition- To actively turn 180o from your sin to God.

c. It would sound like, “God forgive me and change me!” I John 1:9

 I John 1:8-9 “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Matthew 23:27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.

Closing thoughts…

Ending hypocrisy in our lives is not a call for more mercy/ more faithfulness. That is our effort and leans to moralism.  Only God can change us from the inside out.  

Call out to Him to change you from the inside out.

The guys start off by discussing how they communicated with their wives before they were married.  Whether by phone, letter, or face to face, genuine interaction/time was spent with their significant other.  No matter how the communication took place, the most important issue is that it was genuine in seeking relationship.  How do we talk to God? It is known as prayer.  The guys continue their discussion on prayer with their guest, Chris Dozier.

More questions about prayer…

My prayer wasn’t answered.  Doesn’t God hear me? Doesn’t care?  

• God DOES CARE for you.  He cares for everyone of his creatures. II Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

• We ask with the wrong motives.  James 4:3 “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”

• God may have chosen not to answer your prayer the way you wanted.

Should I pray when bad stuff happens?… or ONLY when bad stuff happens?

• It is fine to pray when bad things happen. In Matthew 6:5-13, Jesus wants us to pray for “deliverance from evil.”

• Yes, we should pray to God, but NOT ONLY when bad things happen!

o Example- If we only spoke to our spouse when bad things happen or when we need something, it would not be a healthy relationship.

• Jesus wants us to speak to God, asking for our daily bread. (Matthew 6:11)

• I Thessalonians 5:17 calls us to “Pray without ceasing.”

• It is an attitude of constantly approaching God, whether in a deep conversation or in short chats.

God already knows what’s going to happen, so why pray?

• Although God knows everything, He wants to hear from us.

• By praying to God, it allows us an opportunity to hear back from God.

• It is NOT an opportunity for us to tell God what to do, but it IS an opportunity for God to do a work in our hearts.

• Scripture calls us to pray, and we want to be obedient to all of Scripture.

Who do I pray to? Father? Son? Holy Spirit?

• Technically, being a triune God, He is Three in One. Therefore, when we pray to One we pray to All.

• Jesus did pray to the Father. (Matthew 6:9)

• We can come boldly to God. Hebrews 4: 16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

• We pray to the Father through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Listen in here.