Enjoy the WELL Life in Christ - Pastor Chris Teien

The calendar says we are scheduled to have a day to gather and be full of thanksgiving but the medical experts want us to keep to ourselves. In many ways this year has been full of disappointment and while we may not feel thankful, we can find hope and encouragement through the Scriptures. Listen to Pastor Chris’ message this Sunday from Psalm 116 to hear how God can help you walk with the Lord even when you are faced with sickness and death. #RiverRockChurchMN

 There is so much discouragement these days. Fear of sickness, job insecurity, political chaos, relationship troubles, social isolation, boredom, disappointment, ungodliness and so many other things can make us feel discouraged. With God’s help, when we turn our focus from our own trials and look toward the people and priorities God cares about we will often feel encouraged and become encouragers. This week Pastor Chris Teien from River Rock Church shares insight on how to experience victory over discouragement. There is a special parable dramatization story at the end about parachutes you won’t want to miss.  #RiverRockChurchMN

Who I am in Christ resource mentioned https://ficm.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Truth-Statements1.pdf

Our Church in Action  (Eph 2:11-22)

Have we reached our destination? Do we have a culture of peace now? 

#1 Our Church: the Community of the LOST. (vv 11-12)

Paul reminds us of our PAST. 

We were LOST apart from Christ.

 #2 Our Church: the Community of the REDEEMED and the RECONCILED. (vv 13-18)

Our peace was purchased by the BLOOD of Christ.

For Christians in conflict, the blood of Christ brings peace with GOD  and with OTHER BELIEVERS

The basis or ground for reconciliation with other believers is the presence of the
 HOLY SPIRIT in all Christians.

 Does God want you to pray about assisting the Peacemaking Team?

 #3 Our Church: a dwelling place for God? (vv 19-22)

 We can be confident because the FOUNDATION of the church is built on the solid foundation of Christ. 

 The Lord is making our church into a dwelling where GOD  lives by his SPIRIT

 Conclusion:  We have a great calling as Christians – to be peacemakers because of the peace we have in Christ. To be reconcilers because we’ve been reconciled. To be a people where God chooses to live by his Spirit.

Challenge: Can we be a dwelling place for God? It sounds like too much for us but Eph 3:20-21 gives us confidence and hope in the God who does unthinkable things through his church.

Originally shared at  River Rock Church     Nov 8th, 2009       Pastor Chris Teien     
Message adapted using purchased sermon material from Peacemaker Ministries

Some people never fail at anything because they avoid trying everything. Experiencing failure can help train you to be more successful. When we learn from our mistakes it can give us wisdom and confidence to succeed in the future. Sometimes our failures are inconvenient or embarrassing and other times our failures can destroy relationships and affect our careers. Jesus can help us find forgiveness and healing from past failures. God’s Word can give us inspiration and guidance to experience victory and success. Listen as Pastor Chris Teien from River Rock Church shares insights on experiencing victory over failure so you can enjoy the life God desires you to have. #RiverRockChurchMN 11.08.20

The Awesome Dynamic of Forgiveness

Introduction: We’re lost … because we’ve LEFT GOD

#1 We all view God as an EMPLOYER.

#2 The Story of the Younger Son (vv. 12-24)

The Request

To ask for his inheritance means the son wants his father to DIE!

Sin is wishing GOD were dead.

The younger son returns not as a son, but rather as an EMPLOYEE.

The Father’s Response

Instead of CONDEMNING his son, the father runs to greet him and seals his FORGIVENESS with a lavish celebration. 

#3 The Elder Son (vv. 12-24)

The Rejection

The elder son surrendered his soul to his PRIDE and self-SUFFICIENCY.

When others have done wrong, we want JUSTICE,  not MERCY.

The Father’s Response 

And yet the father’s love wasUNQUENCHABLE.

#4 The Third Son

Jesus has PAID for all our sins and thereby OPENED the way for all of us to return to our Father’s loving arms. 

Because of Jesus, the Father is waiting for you to RETURN— so that he  may bless you, forgive you, accept you, and CELEBRATE over you with the whole host of heaven.

Conclusion: The foundational “G” for all peacemaking is the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ.

Challenge: Think of someone you know who is “lost” and in need of Jesus’ forgiveness 
and love.  Then, find a way to point this person to the loving arms of the welcoming Father.

   
Originally shared at  River Rock Church    Nov 1st, 2009       Pastor Chris Teien
Message adapted using purchased sermon material from Peacemaker Ministries

Every moment of every day we make choices that can affect our future and our satisfaction with life. Sometimes the temptation comes from our own self will and sometimes our evil adversary the devil tempts us to sin. The good news is that those who are in Christ Jesus will never face a temptation they can’t escape, and that God is pleased with us when we pass the test and make the right choices. Listen as Pastor Chris Teien from River Rock Church shares insights on overcoming temptations so you can enjoy life without regrets and be prepared for God to use you to accomplish His plans. Message also includes a short communion time. #RiverRockChurchMN

Putting Discipline in Discipleship

Matthew 18:12-22

Excellence requires discipline.

#1 Discipline is all aboutLOVE (Heb. 12:6; Ps. 94:12; Rev. 3:19).

#2 Ninety-nine percent of church life involves FORMATIVE discipline 
              (Acts 2:42-47; 1 Thess. 2:11; Heb. 10:24-25; 12:10; Titus 1:8).

#3 Occasionally we need corrective or restorative discipline (Matt. 18:12-22). 

Note the “BOOKENDS of LOVE” (Matt. 18:12-14; 21-22).
 

Step 1 – What should you do when someone does something wrong?

The world says, “Mind your own business,” “Live and let live,” or “Be tolerant.”

God says, “If your brother sins against you, GO and SHOW him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over” (Matt. 18:15; cf. Lev. 19:17; Prov. 9:8; 19:18; Gal. 6:1-2; James 5:19-20; cf. Prov. 19:11; 1 Pet. 4:8).

“Nothing is more cruel than the tenderness that consigns another to his sin. Nothing is more compassionate than the severe rebuke that calls a brother back from the path of sin.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together)
 

Step 2 -- But what if others don’t listen to you? What if they keep on doing something you think is wrong?

The world says, “Tell anyone and everyone about it.” 

God says, “If he will not listen to you, TAKE one or two others ALONG so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (Matt. 18:16; Heb. 12:11). 

Step 3 -- But what if others get involved and the person still won’t change?

The world says, “we’ve done all we can, so let’s just drop it.”

What does God say? “If he refuses to listen to them, TELL it to the 
 
 CHURCH” (Matt. 18:17; Acts 15:1-2, 6).

Step 4 -- But what if the person still won’t repent, even after others in the church 
                 do all they can to persuade him to repent?

The world says, “Judge not lest ye be judged.”… “Don’t force your values on me.”

What does God say? “If he refuses to listen even to the church,TREAT him as you would a pagan or a tax collector” (Matt. 18:17b; cf. Matt. 18:18-20; 1 Cor. 5:9-13; Titus 3:10). 

Step 5 -- What if a person repents of his sin and wants to be reconciled?

The world says, “Forgive you? Never! Not after all you’ve done.” 

What does God say? “FORGIVE your brother from your heart … 
 seventy-seven times” (Matt. 18:21-22; 2 Cor. 2:7).

Conclusion: Discipline is God’s GIFT and BLESSING  to the church! 

Challenge:  The next time you are faced with disciplining someone (a child, 
                    subordinate, etc.) challenge yourself to discipline as God disciplines: out 
                    of love for that person, not retribution.

     The Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in (Prov. 3:12).

 Originally shared at  River Rock Church     Oct 25th, 2009       Pastor Chris Teien
Message adapted using purchased sermon material from Peacemaker Ministries

Can you really find victory over fear on your own? How often do you try to convince yourself to face your fears and rise, only to still feel the terror in your life? People are afraid of getting sick, going broke, living under bad leaders, being harmed, missing out and so much more. The Bible is full of encouraging promises to help us through these scary times. Listen to Pastor Chris Teien share ways to transform your fear into faith and experience peace instead of panic.

 “Learning to Listen to Criticism”

Proverbs 9:9, 12:15, 13:10, 15:32, 17:10

#1 Pride can be exceedingly expensive.

Criticism is when another person judges you by declaring that you  have FALLEN SHORT of a particular standard.

A key step is to recognize the idol of SELF
 

#2 Criticism is a kindness, an honor, and a blessing if we have the 
 
HUMILITY to listen to whatever may be TRUE  in it  (Prov. 12:15; 13:10; 17:10; 13:13; 9:9; 15:32; Ps. 141:5).

We will never be able to welcome criticism as a kindness until we  under stand both God’s CRITICISM and his  JUSTIFICATION of  us through CHRISTS CROSS
 

#3 In Christ's Cross, I affirm God'sJUDGMENT of me   (Gal. 2:20; Rom. 3:9-11; Gal. 3:10; James 2:10).

To claim to be a Christian is to claim to be someone who has  understood  CRTICISM

A Christian is someone who has stood under the greatest criticism  – God’s criticism —and AGREED with it!
 

#4 In Christ's Cross, I affirm God's JUSTIFICATION of me  (Phil. 3:9; Rom. 4:5; 3:20-26).

If the whole world criticizes you, you can reply, “If GOD has  justified  me, who can CONDEMN me?”  

#5 The implications for our response to criticism:

We can face any criticism with confidence.

We can find comfort by seeing God’s hand in criticism (2 Sam. 16:5-7, 11-12).

We can respond to criticism with a spirit of thanksgiving (Ps. 141:5).

We can respond with humility and a willingness to learn. 

We can respond with a spirit of surrender (Rom. 8:33-34).

We can respond with a spirit of submission (Heb. 12:5-6).

Conclusion: “How can I best give accurate, fair, and balanced criticism with much mercy and affirmation?” (Proverbs 9:9; 12:15; 13:10, 13; 15:32; 17:10; and Psalm 141:5)

Challenge:  Ask yourself, “Do people feel comfortable offering me correction, or do I have a habit of responding with defensiveness and self-justification?”  If you aren’t sure of the answer, ask someone who cares about you.
 
Originally shared at  River Rock Church    Oct 18th, 2009       Pastor Chris Teien   
Message adapted using purchased sermon material from Peacemaker Ministries

Jesus, in Matthew chapter 7, makes a rather sobering statement about people who appeared to be doing wonderful things in His name, but when it comes time for judgment He says they will never enter the kingdom of heaven, because He never “knew them.”  Watch and learn how we can be known by Jesus and share eternity with Him, how we can truly be known by God. Pastor Dan Jetto  River Rock Church Belle Plaine, MN