First General Baptist

Message: The gospel according to Luke

Text: Luke 13:18-21

Natural Growth

Persistent Growth

Quiet and Hidden Growth

Patient Growth

Habakkuk 3:17-18, “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor gfruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the gflock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls—yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

Henri Nouwen, "Sometimes it seems that our many words are more an expression of our doubt than of our faith.  It is as if we are not sure that God's Spirit can touch the hearts of people:  we have to help him out and, with many words, convince others of his power.  But it is precisely this wordy unbelief that quenches the fire."

Message: The gospel according to Luke

Text: Luke 13:10-17

Two healings were needed in the synagogue on this Sabbath

The church leader:

~This church leader has lost his value of a human life. Making and keeping rules has become easier than helping people. Or, people aren’t as easy as rules. We start focusing on what we can’t do and won’t do instead of…

~Something has happened to our priorities—“my ox, my donkey”

Because of her infirmity what could the woman see? Because of his infirmity what could the church leader see? Spiritual bondage makes us lose touch.

Ron Hutchcraft, "It is quite possible that the person you are praying with has never heard their name mentioned in prayer in their entire life."

Message: The gospel according to Luke

Text: Luke 13:10-17

Two healings were needed in the synagogue on this Sabbath

 The woman:

Not always possession but often oppression; afflicted; bound-could not get loose.

 Analogies: a loop; a ceiling; a pit

 There are always 3 people at work in your life: 1_____, 2_____, 3_____

2 Corinthians 12

John Maxwell, "Low self-worth forms an invisible ceiling that keeps a person from going beyond his self-imposed limitations."

Fenelon, "Satan is the one who torments us with trivialities.  And he often transforms himself into an angel of light, and bothers us with endless self-examinations and an over-sensitive conscience which allows us no peace."

Message: The gospel according to Luke

Text: Luke 13:1-9

 Sometimes bad things happen to good people, only God can see that. But surely bad things will happen to bad people, Jesus wants us all to see that.

In some destinies we have no choice, in some we do.

 “You” this message isn’t to someone else, this is to you.

 What does it mean to bear fruit?

Romans 8:29, Colossians 1:16

 Rick Warren, "Why should God give you another day if you're going to waste it?"

 Sheila Gregoire, "TV is a time-stealer that affects our attitudes and expectations.  The average American watches 4 hours of television each day; by the time he's 65, he will have wasted 11 years of his life."

Message: Trying to see ahead, what does God want for me?

Text: Romans 8:29

Have you ever noticed that when asked a question, Jesus often answers with a question? He rarely answers directly. Things haven’t changed much.

What do you need to do, what do you need to be, what do you need to change for you to be more like Jesus…what will that look like?  When you see that, you will see other things more clearly, not the other way around. Don’t concentrate on what God needs to show you, concentrate on what you need to show God.

 Examples:

~How long did Moses spend with God on Mt Sinai in order to write The Ten Commandments and other parts of the law? How long does it take you to read that law that Moses wrote?

~Donald Miller, "I am that cordless screwdriver that has to charge for twenty hours to earn ten minutes use."

Message: The gospel according to Luke

Text: Luke 12:54-59

Be ready, one eye always on eternity

The British novelist and playwright David Lodge was watching one of his own creations, a satirical revue, the evening of Nov. 22, 1963.  The theater audience chuckled as an actor in the play showed up for a job interview with a radio clutched to his ear, demonstrating his character's indifference.  The actor then set down the radio and turned to a station, lettings its news, music, or commercials play in the background while the play went on.  This night, however, a voice came on the radio with a live news bulletin:  "Today, the American President John. F. Kennedy was assassinated…"  The audience gasped and the actor immediately switched off the radio, but too late.  In one sentence, the reality of the outside world had shattered the artificial world of the theater production.  Suddenly, whatever action took place onstage seemed superficial and irrelevant.

Message: The gospel according to Luke

Text: Luke 12:49-53

“Nominal Christianity” Nominal is a mathematical term which means not enough to make a difference.

Metaphors for the Holy Spirit and you: 1) Baptism, Luke 3:16

2) A tent, 2 Corinthians 12:9

They both mean, “All in!”

Ecclesiastes, Have you ever seen a mouse running in a wheel?

Philippians 3:7-8 We are afraid of “all in” because of what we may lose out on, but in reality we are not losing but gaining.

Soren Kierkegaard, "If the New Testament is to decide what it means to be a true Christian, it would be just as impossible to be a true Christian quietly as to fire a cannon quietly."

Message: The gospel according to Luke

Text: Luke 12:41-48

Peter’s question: Experience says that when someone asks if something Jesus said applies to them, they usually hope that it does not.

Born biologically—children of God because we are created in God’s image, made by God. Psalm 139

Born spiritually—children of God because we choose to be, born again by His Spirit. John 3:3

Born twice, die once

Born once, die twice

How do you suppose God feels about those who mistreat His children

God is jealous for us, not of us

1 Peter 2:20-23

Romans 12:19

Message: The gospel according to Luke

Text: Luke 12:33-40

Perspective

Today is the 1st Sunday of February, 2019. What were you worrying about the 1st Sunday of February                     What is, is not what will be.

Be ready. That is to get ready, then stay ready…Be Ready.

 We have a fixed future. Like counting down the days of 2019 on a calendar, every day is not one more day but one less day. God sees the whole calendar, we don’t.  Be Ready

1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see thru a glass darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”

 Matthew Henry, "It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our final day."

Message: Turn Around (again)

Text: 2 Kings 20:1-11

~The shadow back 10 degrees. Look back 15 years. Turn the past around, starting today.

Restore wasted years, Joel 2:25

~Look forward 15 years. Turn the future around, starting today.

A real prayer does not start with you, it starts with God. Your prayer is not changing the story, it is part of the story. It is not changing God’s plan, it is part of God’s plan.

What looks like the end of the road may be only a bend in the road.

With God nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37). The wall fell flat (Josh. 6:20). The sun stood still (Josh. 10:13). The iron did swim (II Kings 6:6). The stone was rolled away and the grave is empty (Mark 16:4).