https://youtu.be/ZdK6JPuFPwU

Outbreak 2020 – Sermon One – We Flattened the Curve, and That’s Not a Good Thing.

Introduction - flatten

Acts 2:46-47 ESV  And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,  (47)  praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 5:14 ESV And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 

Acts 6:7 ESV And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. 

Acts 9:31 ESV So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. 

Acts 11:21 ESV And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 

Acts 11:24 ESV for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 

Acts 16:5 ESV So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. 

The churches increased in number daily…Can you imagine what would happen if CWO grew in numbers daily? How long until this beautiful building wouldn’t be big enough? A couple weeks? A month?And not just CWO, but what if every Bible believing Gospel teaching church grew in numbers daily? How long until the everyone in the world had a chance to hear and receive the Gospel?This is what happened directly after the ascension of Christ.The helper came, the Holy Spirit, came and there was a major outbreak of Christianity.There was a GLOBAL outbreak, it was spreading and spreading fast!Now the question the modern church should be asking itself is this: if the churches of God where adding to their numbers daily and the gospel was spreading quickly and globally… and this all started some 2000 years ago… then why isn’t the whole of earth saved by now?!Why is sin just as present and prevalent now as it was back then?Why are there still unreached tribes and people groups?WHAT HAPPENED?I will tell you what happened… the Enemy “flattened the curve”.That’s right, I will say it again… there was a global outbreak of faith across the world, and the devil didn’t want it to happen, the world didn’t want it to happen, our flesh didn’t want it to happen… so they flattened the curve.How? Well all the enemy had to do was convince the church to follow some very simple guidelines in the name of “Loving your neighbor”. Maybe these guidelines sound familiar…

Cover your mouth!Social Distance!Self-Quarantine!And whatever you do, don’t travel, especially not internationally!Do these talking points sound familiar to y’all? This is, at least according to the world, how you stop the spread of a global outbreak.This year the theme of the youth conference is Outbreak 2020, and it is my goal to make this youth as contagious as possible, amen?!I want them to spread the gospel faster than Menards sold out to the left!I want them to spread the gospel more often then Dr. Fauci changes his medical advice.I want them to spread the gospel more effectively then the media spreads fear and anger.I want these youth to be the ones that change society so much that the world has to prepare itself for a “new-normal”.A normal where abortion clinics are bankrupt.A normal where youth group means waring for Christ not just playing games and meeting girls.A normal where high school cafeterias look more like a church gathering than an eating ...

https://youtu.be/6JICsTWjQQo

How to Not Be a Selfie Church

Excessive self-love is defined in several fields of study as narcissism. It is a generalized personality trait characterized by egotism, vanity, conceit, or selfishness. It is having an excessive self-focus in interpersonal exchanges or being excessively selfishness and self-absorbed. It is one who has a grandiose sense of self-importance, requires excessive admiration, and has a very strong sense of entitlement. The word comes from the Greek myth of Narcissus, a handsome Greek youth who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water and would spend hour after hour gazing into the pool at himself.

This is the opposite of the Christ-like nature within a true disciple who demonstrates their love for others by their faithful attendance, serving, giving, and sharing of their life. Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends John 15:13.” Some count their life too dear unto themselves, too valuable, too precious to lay it down for others. This is unlike the Apostle Paul’s example and messages to the church. Paul’s letter to Colosse had three purposes: to combat false teaching, to make clear the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and to stress the true nature of life in Christ and its fruit in the believer.

Colossians 3:5-15 New King James Version (NKJV)

5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

I want to talk about “self”. Self is the mark of the lukewarm church.

Another word for lukewarm would be complacent- showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements. Synonyms include- smug, self-satisfied, self-approving, self-regarding, triumphant, proud, pleased, content, careless, lazy, slack

Seven churches are mentioned in Revelation. The number 7 being the number of completion these were 7 churches all about 30-40 miles away from each other in the Asian province. They not only represented the whole churches at that time, but also are representatives of the entire church throughout the church age. There were many other churches at this time in history, but these represented the spectrum of churches that existed in the first century, but also the spectrum of churches that exist now. There were more well known churches- such as the church of Colosse, but the Lord chose these seven because they represented conditions that have prevailed throughout church history. In other words, there are 7 basic types of churches that exist in any time period of church history.

https://youtu.be/svifye7HEpY

Barzillai the generous 2 sam 19:31-19Here we find barzillai the Gileadite who comes to escort david across the Jordan. He was 80, rich and was the one who provided for David in Mahanaim (he was rich lol) The king says that if he comes with him to jerusalem david will take care of him. But Barzillai declines. He says, man, Im so old I’d be a burden. I’ll come with you a little way, but I want to die in the city Im from. But I will give you my Chimham. He’ll serve you. David says- If you ever need any thing- You can count on me. He kisses him and sends him home

What you do for the kingdom matters v32

In the beginning of this story- we see Barzillai coming to David and he is willing to help him cross the Jordan to get to Jerusalem. Barzillai has proved that he is willing to help DavidV 32Now Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. And he had provided the king with supplies while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very rich man2 sam 17:27-29 Outlines when David is retreating from Absalom and Barzillai provides him with food and beds and such to help him while he was in need. Divine provision through BarzillaiHere’s a point- Barzillai didn’t fight with or for David but he provided what he had- and what he had was material support and it mattered. You have to help when and where you canProverbs 16:3  Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.I believe that Barzillai helped david because he loved God and believed in Israel and DavidWhy else would he have helped? Its clear he didn’t want anything but to help-And this loving man- his contribution to the Kingdom of David helped David greatlyIt must be why david wanted to bring him to Jerusalem and kissed and blessed himHebrews 6:10  For God is not unjust to forget your work and [a]labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.The kindness of Barzillai mattered greatly and David didn’t forget.What does it mean to youWhatever you are doing for the Lord matters and has an impact on the kingdom of God

If you serve, give, love, if you help. The things that you do for the kingdom matterYou read a story like this and it should encourage you- God is watching and God knows.Matthew 10:42  And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”That’s a huge promise! Jesus was talking about his disciples- but its for anything.Col 3:23-24  And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.If what you are doing is for Jesus- you can know that you are going to be rewarded eventuallyGal 6:9  And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. DON’T LOSE HEART- If you’re losing heart its because you lost perspective1 Corinthians 15:58 8 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.Listen- I’ve been dumped on more times than I can count- Its not about me- but discouragement happens- it really does- and I have to constantly remind myself who its forEphesians 2:10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.1 Kings 2:7“But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother.David didn’t forget what kindness he gave at mahanaimBarzillai is brought up to Solomon by David at his death- remembered in ezra 2:61 and Neh 7:63

https://youtu.be/yT4ofXH7klA

Col 3:1-4 READ Saved-Seek-Set-See

Make sure you’re saved

V 1 If then you were raised with Christ, IF THEN- IF IF IFWere you raised with Christ? Were you saved? This is a constant theme- its not because I want the saved questioning their salvation- its because I want the unsaved- to be saved-2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;These are not the times for going back! They are the times for going forward- we need to know that we know down in our know-know who we are and whose we are-Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;Its not about walking around in fear- its about getting so close to Jesus that when things are rotten all around you- you can rest assured in your salvation-People say that- rest assured- but REST- ASSURED- you stop striving- you stop wondering

I know I’m saved- I know I’m going- I know Jesus and he knows me- we love each otherHebrews 4:11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.Some people say that any sort of striving is works based salvation- I don’t gather that at all- I just don’t want to miss out on the things of God- I don’t want to take it for grantedWhat relationship flourishes when you take it for granted? We say we have a relationship with Jesus- but then we want to have a double standard and say it doesn’t require what a relationship requires- time, investment, vulnerability, honesty. Relationships are RELATINGFriend MF- Didn’t talk since 6th grade- hunted him down- didn’t reciprocate- over- Not friendsAre you saved? Have you made your calling and election sure?Matthew 7:13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.I’m not sure what the broad gate is- but that’s not the one I want- I want the narrow gate!Romans 6:4b says “ we also should walk in newness of life.” Are you walking that way?2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new- Have the old things of your life passed away?Colossians 3:10 0 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, THE NEW MAN DOESN’T DO WHAT THE OLD MAN DOESEphesians 4:22-24 READIF you’ve been raised with Christ- Do it- Working to get Cintas job- and then not showing up?

IF you are saved- THEN Seek the things of GOD

V2 seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.What are the things that you seek? What are the things that work for?Are you working for the accolades of the world and their possessions or the things of God?I’ve been pastoring long enough to see the ones who seek after the things that are aboveCan tell you the story lines of the latest shows, but no stories of the bible. Can tell you the stock price but not the scripture address. Work hard to get money but not work hard to gain righteousness. They aren’t seeking after God- They are seeking- but not after GodI don’t have hobbies- When church is shut down- I’m lost- because I love the things of the LordNothing against hobbies- unless you know and work on that perfection more than ChristPhil 3:12 12 Not that I have already attained,[c] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.I’m pressing on! I want to more of Jesus- I want to experience more of his grace and mercyRomans 8:6 For to be [a]carnally min...

https://youtu.be/-p2HoQ2MQCA

Let him take it all 2 Sam 19:24-30

That mephibosheth didn’t care for himself shows that he was truly mourning the loss of the king- Says a lot- The king asks, since he was so supportive, why didn’t he go with him? Mephibosheth says that he was deceived- someone tricked him- and left him behind. The dude was Ziba. So now- Mephibosheth honors the king- Says you didn’t kill all my fathers house (Jonathan) so what can I say? You were kind to me- So David says- you and Ziba divide the land- and Mephibosheth basically says- that fact that you are back as my king is back- that’s enough for me- Ziba can have it all. It means nothing to me- because I have what I need- My kingIt’s a great heart- A heart that says- I’ve got my king- you take everything else30 Then Mephibosheth said to the king, “Rather, let him take it all, inasmuch as my lord the king has come back in peace to his own house.”Mephibosheth just wanted his king Nothing else- Needed nothing elseThere’s an song that says Just give me Jesus- Nothing else-needed or desiredBut for many people they want Jesus plus something- or someone- It aint enoughOur hearts should be “let him take it all” but that Him- Is King Jesus- and he can have it all

Jesus can Take my Desires

Mephibosheth was a man- He was the son of Jonathan- he probably wanted stuff- land- influence etc. He was lame- but he was still a man. But in that moment- He didn’t want itLand meant wealth. It meant influence. It meant prestige. He gave it up- Let Ziba have it-I have my king- I need nothing else.Now David wasn’t God but the parallel I’m drawing here should be clear- Our desire should be for our king more than any earthly posessionPsalm 37:4-5 Delight yourself also in the Lord,And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.Most people struggle with this- They want Jesus plus something- Jesus is not enoughPsalm 73:25  Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. Is that your heart? Is Jesus enough? Or do you have a list of what it will take?Mephibosheth didn’t desire the possession of land- or what Ziba had- he had been in mourning- not cutting hair-caring for feet- I don’t care about myself- I want my king! Let him have it ALLIsaiah 26:9  With my soul I have desired You in the night, Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early; For when Your judgments are in the earth, The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.What does it mean to you?Is that where your heart is at? Jesus you can have it all? You’re my king? Or is it more?

Because if there is something you value more than him in your heart- he’ll ask you to lay it down before him before you can pick it up again- he wants your full allegiance.Paul said this- Philippians 1:21  For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.To paul- death was a gain- to die was counted as a win- the ultimate gain- to dieWe get upset if we don’t get invited to a bbq and end friendships over itSo completely emotionally fragile to the point of personal destruction and relationship painBecause we don’t want Jesus more than anything- we’re ruled by our desires of our flesh!Philippians 3:8  Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain ChristHave you counted it all loss? Your relationships, jobs, stuff, houses, cars, toys etc. Its ok to have that stuff- you just can have the stuff have you- count it as LOSS compared to ChristSay “Lord- even if never, I’ll still serve you” Even if I get treated poorly- have you said to Jesus “Let him take it all” including your desires- to only ha...

https://youtu.be/Y8tmEYocRCg

Why are you doing that? *Verses in New Living Translation*

Read Colossians 2:18-23

#1. Why are you insisting on pious self-denial?

- Col. 2:18-19, Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, 19 and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.

- The real issue here is pride and false humility. The motives for their actions have become disconnected for Jesus Christ, and from their brothers and sisters in Christ.

- EXAMPLE: Marine corps grooming standards: Being the best means looking the best, daily haircuts, shaving twice a day, “inspection ready” uniforms, ironing at lunch, no seatbelts, etc…

- Started as “attention to detail” and “discipline”, but turned into a competition between us, each trying to “humbly” report for formation, secretly desiring to be seen as the best Marine.

- We had lost sight of the intent of the standards, and used it to honor ourselves instead of honoring the Corps. To create separation rather than unity.

- Pride and false humility are symptoms of a legalistic mind set:

- A legalist behaves as if they can earn God’s forgiveness through personal performance.

- C.J. Mahaney put it like this: “Legalism is seeking to achieve forgiveness from God and acceptance by God through obedience to God.”

- The subtle implication is that the death of Jesus on the cross wasn’t enough, and more is needed or required for salvation and to merit God’s grace.

- Thomas Schreiner writes: “Legalism has its origin in self-worship. If people are justified through their obedience to the law, then they merit praise, honor, and glory. Legalism, in other words, means the glory goes to people rather than God.”

- No Christian would ever openly say that the cross wasn’t enough, but living a legalistic life secretly shifts our focus away from the cross, and over to what we can accomplish on our own strength.

*Are you the type of Christian who puts God first and asks, “How can I fulfill His desires?” Or the type of Christian that puts yourself first and asks, “How can He fulfill my desires?”

- This is a question that will expose exactly how you view this Christian life, and God’s saving grace.

- Gal. 2:21,I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

#2. Why are you following the rules of this world?

- Col. 2:20-22,You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, 21 “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? 22 Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them.

- “So don’t let anyone condemn you…” …because Christ is all sufficient:

- 1 Peter 1:3-4,By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and ...

https://youtu.be/toJ9BUYZohQ

3 hearts 2 sam 19:18-23

Coming out of the return of the King- Shimei comes before David and begs for forgiveness and greets him. He realizes what he has done and what he did wrong. Abishai steps in and wants to kill him. David gives him grace.

Who will you be in this story?

Heart to Repent

Shimei says “know I have sinned” he comes to the realization that he was a contributor to the demise of the kingdom and of David- This is the guy who came along David in 2 sam 16

2 sam 16:5-8 This dude was tossing stones, cussing, yelling at David-

His heart has changed quite drastically- hasn’t it?

2 Sam 19:19-20 “Do not let my lord impute iniquity to me, or remember what wrong your servant did

What a heart change! It was God that did it- Not David You’ll remember that David didn’t engage with Shimei- He left him to himself and let God handle his heart- and he repented!

God bless Shimei and his heart change- Praise God- This is the heart of repentance! He realized that he had done wrong- and that he needed the forgiveness of David

Proverbs 28:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

Shimei is walking this out- He was in a sea of people from Israel- he didn’t have to come forward and repent to David- but he wanted to- he wanted to make it right! Repent

David was a man of repentance as well Psalm 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

This is the heart of someone who loves God- they want to turn from their sins- they want to make it right with God and with others- admit their sins and re-establish the relationship

There truly can be no reunion of the relationship without repentance- Sorrow, admittance, turning away- Shimei didn’t keep tossing stones and cussing asking for forgiveness- he changed

Matthew 3:8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,

And that’s for us as well- if we’ve truly repented- it will show in our words and actions-

What does it mean to you?

What relationships do you have in your life that are strained because you have not repented?

If you’re not a Christian- the most important repent is from sin towards Christ-

But even professing Christians can get caught up in selfish pride and be ruining relationships because they refuse to repent to those whom they have hurt

Repentance is “I know what I did, please forgive me, I wont do it again”

2 Cor7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Shimei didn’t go back to his old ways- he went forward away from his sins- towards David

Acts 3:19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

If you find that your relationships are strained with God or others, you may not be living a life of repentance- there is a one time- but there is a continual living in repentance-

Realising wrong, admitting it, asking for forgiveness and moving forward away from the sin

https://youtu.be/_EsDJwNABC8

Spiritual, not physical *Verses in New Living Translation*

Read Colossians 2:11-17

#1. Your spiritual flesh being cut away, not physical.

- Col. 2:11, When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.

- “Sinful nature” Literally: “cutting away of the body of the flesh”, believers have metaphorical flesh cut away.

- This was the symbol of the covenant that God made with Abraham in Genesis chapter 17, to make him father of many nations. All boys from then on would wear this symbol. This symbolizes removing the old identity, and now being identified as one of God’s children.

- But even for then, this physical act was not intended to be all God required.

- Deuteronomy 10:12-16, 12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. 13 And you must always obey the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good. 14 “Look, the highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the Lord your God. 15 Yet the Lord chose your ancestors as the objects of his love. And he chose you, their descendants, above all other nations, as is evident today. 16 Therefore, change your hearts[c] and stop being stubborn.

- Literally: “Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.”

- Even from the beginning, this ritual was not about the ritual; it’s about what it represents.

- Romans 2:25-29,The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. 26 And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? 27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it. 28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. 29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praisefrom God, not from people.

- You must “cut out” all of the old flesh, giving it no chance to grow back:

- EXAMPLE: YouTube, Dr. Pimple Popper, you have to remove the whole cyst sack or it will return, and fill up with puss again.

- Romans 6:2, Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?

- When you are “saved”, it means you are New, and your life should change. You resist sin, and fight against the old sick and sinful flesh!

- 2 Corinthians 5:17, This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

#2. Spiritual death and burial, not physical.

- Col. 2:12-15, For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. 13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by n...

https://youtu.be/jRJx-6CSBGw

Welcome the King 2 sam 19:8-19

People are arguing about David v Absalom. David was good, but Absalom was good too they say. David talks to his priests and ask them to talk to the elders and ask- why aren’t you supporting me? Remind Amasa that we’re family. David gets into their hearts- and they say “Return” So he returns. Judah comes to escort, 1000 men from Benjamin, David comes across the Jordan into Jerusalem.The king was gone- but now he’s been welcomed back.Like many OT stories and scriptures, you can gain a lot from looking at these stories Christologically- That is- to see the stories of Christ in them and to apply them to your lifeThe people of Israel knew David was their king, but they were the ones who installed Absalom and followed him instead of David and pushed David out. They chose their own king-Not DavidMuch like many people today.. Jesus is the rightful king in their lives, but they choose their own king- their “Absalom” the one who they think they can manipulate and control- not submitIts rebellion- Its literally American politics- I’ll vote this person in so they can do what I want- usually so they don’t have to submit to the Lord- regardless of political party. Self- ruleMany people can’t receive King Jesus in the same way these couldn’t receive David

1.They were fighting

9 Now all the people were in a dispute throughout all the tribes of Israel,What were they arguing about? David v Absalom. Who was the better king. Who served us better- AND- should we let David back? He didn’t kill Absalom- He failed us. Do we want himThis isn’t good- Israel shouldn’t be in this type of discussion or in this type of fight.David- Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! BUT THEY AREN’T DWELLING IN UNITY- They are created STRIFE- DIVISIONPr 17:14 The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.I’m always surprised at what the Bible doesn’t say- where’s the guy calling for unity?I’ll tell you where- in the back not speaking up for unity- Just joining in.Here’s where the fighting came from- and it always comes from- Selfish desiresJames 4:1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?Ancient Israel is no different than modern day America- people are deeply selfishIsrael wanted their king their way- It will be the same heart that will crucify JesusThis isn’t what God desired- never desired Absalom to reign- only David but PEOPLE

What does it mean to youConstant fighting will always keep you from experiencing God’s best for you in your lifeWhether its fighting God or others- Strife, quarreling, division, will never bring Peace1 Th 5:9 God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,You’re fighting God- God did not create you to be argumentative, divisive and contentious.Gal 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!That’s the end result of fighting- It happened to Israel when Judah split and same for us-God doesn’t approve of it- and we need to resist it and keep it from infiltrating our lives.When I was in the military- we never had long standing fights- they always got squashed that day- What was truthful was told, you sucked it up and drove on-Why? The mission- What you cared about was insignificant- Field- Driving- SSG to SGTWe don’t do it that way here- but the heart is there- this is a mission for God1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;It all comes back to selfish desires- you can never get along when you put yourself first and you can never wel...

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Marching Together Colossians 2:8-10

Small Group Questions

What traditions have you put before God? What traditions has your family put before God? Do you have someone that will correct you if your values become "off".

How are you guarding yourself from the "nonsense" of man? Must you do things YOUR way? Are you fighting your battles alone? Are you willing to March Together even when you disagree or it's weird? Are you willing to March together on social media?

Is your walk with Christ part of a philosophy or is it a lifestyle? Give an example of Christ being a philosophy or a lifestyle in your life.

Additional Homework: Talk to someone this week not from church or your family and ask them what they see when they look at the way you live.

Read AMPC

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Paul is telling the Colossian church not to be deceived – Deceived by Philosophy and deceits according to the tradition of menThese deceits or misrepresentation of the truth were aimed at corrupting the core believe of ChristianityTo erode the Truth and replace it with the basic principles of the world and not according to Christ -– fill in the gap –That no one carries you off as spoils – Diminish or destroy the value- your valuePlain nonsense – that are man madeFollowing the elementary teaching of the worldWe have to be careful that we do not put our traditions before God. We are Christians firstMatthew 15:2 -Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?There is nothing wrong with Philosophy – the issue comes in when we are not truly planted in Christ that we end up swaying in any direction that the wind blows.Philosophies outside of Christ, leads you to slaveryDon’t let anyone capture you with empty Philosophy and high-sounding nonsense that comes from human thinkingSimple Gospel – don’t complicate it – Jesus crucified and His blood set us free

I Timothy 6:20 - O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledgePaul in writing to Timothy and though he trusts him, he is challenging Timothy to distinguish between what comes from God and that which is from manWhat are some of the basic principles of the world were they being warned about?God was a pure spirit and could not come close to human beings, they promoted the use of mediumsBelieved that the story of creation found in the Bible was a lie and that God wasn't actually the one responsible for the creation of our world, at least not directly - Possession of knowledge was the way of SalvationBody of Christ was material and not Spiritual. They ignored the responsibilities done by the body- leading to immoral lifeUnfortunately, we can see most of this, if not all in our current culturePeople have become lovers of themselves -giving ear to new doctrines that are of the worldLooking at the next Church experienceNeglected the command of God and holding on to the tradition on manMark 7:7-10 – We wash the cup on the outside but refuse the power of Christ to transform us on the insideWhat does the world see and what do you see? What does the World seek and what do you seek?Is your walk with Christ part of a philosophy or is it a lifestyle?Vs 2-3 – Understand the mysterious plan, which is Christ himself,