Series: Moses - An Unlikely Choice

Sermon: Moses - An Unlikely Start

Scripture: Exodus 2:1-10

Date: April 28, 2019

And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi.  So the woman conceived and bore a son.  And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months.  But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river's bank.  And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.  Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river.  And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it.  And when she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby wept.   So she had compassion on him, and said, "This is one of the Hebrews' children."  Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?"  And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Go."  So the maiden went and called the child's mother.  Then Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages."  So the woman took the child and nursed him.  And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son.  So she called his name Moses, saying, "Because I drew him out of the water."  (Exodus 2:1-10)

Moses was an unlikely influencer.  He was someone that you would not expect God to use.

"Moses spent his first forty years thinking he was somebody.  He spent his second forty years learning he was a nobody.  He spent his third forty years discovering what God can do with a nobody."  -Dwight Moody

1 Corinthians 1:27-29, NLT

God is still looking for people who will simply believe Him enough to obey despite our weaknesses and doubts.

Let's see three reasons why he had an unlikely start and how God used him in spite of (or maybe because of) that start:

Powerful adversary

Exodus 1:16-22

Exodus 2:2

Psalm 139:13-14, NIV

Perplexing arrangement

Exodus 2:5-9, NIV

"It doesn't matter how great the pressure is; what really matters is where the pressure lies.  Whether it comes between you and God or presses you nearer His heart."  -Hudson Taylor

Providential adequacy

"We are going to have to let God move in if we are to move on."  -Christine Caine

Series: Quit Quitting

Sermon: Keep Believing

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Date: April 28, 2019

 

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.  (Hebrews 12:1-3)

What is it that you started a long time ago that you are still glad you are doing today?

What do you wish you had kept doing one year ago?  Five years ago?

What was it in January you felt God calling you to do this year?

We know we can trust God because Jesus meant what He said and said what He meant, and Jesus is faithful 100%.

Here are three aspects of faith to encourage us to keep going:

People

One definition of encouragement is persuasion to do or continue doing something.

Hebrews 12:1

The key here is that we have a faith that finishes.

"You're winning the battle - when you stay in the battle."  -Ann Voskamp

Let's keep believing and praying: pray first and pray most.

Picture

Hebrews 12:2

Since Jesus did not give up or quit on you, don't give up or quit on Him.

"Faith is a confidence that keeps believing all the pieces are going to somehow fit together, even when you don't have the big picture to work from.  It's believing that God has a purpose, even when there seems to be no reason."  -Kyle Idleman

Hebrews 11:8

If you don't give up and keep following, you will have a faith story.

Prize

Hebrews 12:2-3, NLT

Jesus really is too legit for us to quit.

Series: Unhindered

Sermon: Unhindered from the Fear of Death

Scripture: Acts 1:1-3

Date: April 21, 2019

 

He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance!  (Acts 28:31, series verse)

Jesus meant what He said and said what He meant, and Jesus is faithful 100%.

And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and tribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.  (Mark 8:31)

To whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.  (Acts 1:3)

WEEKLY CHALLENGE: When you are tempted to live hindered in some way, say this: "Jesus meant what He said and said what He meant, and Jesus is faithful 100%."

Here are 4 things we have from a resurrected Savior that will help us live unhindered from the fear of death:

A Savior who can never die again

Romans 6:9

Colossians 1:18

Jesus meant what He said and said what He meant, and Jesus is faithful 100%.

A new life

1 Peter 1:3

Jesus meant what He said and said what He meant, and Jesus is faithful 100%.

Salvation from the future wrath of God

1 Thessalonians 1:10 (The Living Bible)

Jesus meant what He said and said what He meant, and Jesus is faithful 100%.

Our resurrection from the dead

John 11:25

Why can you live unhindered?  Jesus has promised you eternal life.

Jesus meant what He said and said what He meant, and Jesus is faithful 100%.

Series: Bring the Joy

Sermon: God is Worth Rejoicing In

Scripture: Psalm 47:1-2

Date: April 14, 2019

 

Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples!  Shout to God with the voice of triumph!  For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.  (Psalm 47:1-2)

"Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things."  -Kay Warren

Jesus is the only place or person in which you can always have true joy.

Here are some reasons we can rejoice in the Lord always:

Jesus has paid for every sin

This is every sin we have or will ever commit.

Isaiah 53:5-6, The Living Bible

Colossians 2:13-14, NIV

Jesus paid it all/All to Him I owe/Sin had left a crimson stain/He washed it white as snow/Oh praise the One Who paid my debt/And raised this life up from the dead

Pardon impossible, send to Siberia >>> Pardon, impossible send to Siberia

There is absolutely no condemnation for us in Christ.

Romans 8:1 

The Holy Spirit lives in us

Romans 8:11, NCV

God has a purpose for our lives

Ephesians 2:10, NCV

Philippians 1:6, The Living Bible

You don't have to be important int he world's eyes to do important things.

What can be more joyful and meaningful than doing what you were created to do, no matter how it looks?

God will reward us for everything we do for His glory.

We have eternal life and can never lose it

Ephesians 1:13-14, NCV & The Living Bible

Series: Unhindered

Sermon: Unhindered from Self

Scripture: Acts 20:17-24

Date: April 14, 2019

 

He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance!  (Acts 28:31, series verse)

LAST WEEK'S WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Look for an opportunity to put someone's feelings or desires ahead of your own.

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.  And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.  But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.  (Acts 20:17-24)

Let's see two truths to help us allow God to unhinder us from self:

Death to self

Acts 20:24

Death to self means giving up control of our lives to Jesus.

"If, however, we are to come into this right relationship with Him, the first thing we must learn is that our wills must be broken to His will.  A 'C' is a bent 'I.'"  -Roy Hession

Here's the thing: what do I really want out of life, and who can give it to me?

Delight in the Savior

"People imagine that dying to self makes one miserable.  But it is just the opposite.  It is the refusal to die to self that makes one miserable.  The more we know of death with Him, the more we shall know of His life in us, and so the more of real peace and joy."  -Roy Hession

"I don't have a prayer life; I have a praying life."  -Jennifer Kennedy Dean

"God doesn't call you to a convenient life - He calls you to an important life.  You weren't meant for self-gratification - You were meant for soul greatness."  -Ann Voskamp

Series: Bring the Joy

Sermon: Joy Helpers

Scripture: Romans 15:13

Date: April 7, 2019

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  (Romans 15:13)

Let's see four things we can do that opens our heart to receive God's joy:

Practice

Here are 2 things we can practice to increase joy:

gratitude

Colossians 4:2, The Message

"We have a tendency to 'reject the good that God offers us because, at that moment, we expected some other good.'"  -C.S. Lewis

"When I woke up this morning you know what I saw...a gift!  Not a dread.  An opportunity to be kind and optimistic.  A day to be generous and to be impressed by someone's integrity and manners.  A day to try and live together respectfully regardless of race, color, religion, politics, or age."  -Leigh Anne Tuohy

good

Present

I am loving this moment!

Psalm 118:24

Perspective

"We have no right to ask when a sorrow comes, 'Why did this happen to me?' unless we ask the same question for every joy that comes our way."  -Philip Bernstein

Pass

Series: Unhindered

Sermon: Unhindered from Pride

Scripture: Acts 9:1-6

Date: April 7, 2019

 

He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance! (Acts 28:31, series verse)

LAST WEEK'S WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Try to make it a point to talk about something on Monday that you studied in church on Sunday.

Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.  Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"  And he said, "Who are You, Lord?"  Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.  It is hard for you to kick against the goads."  So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?"  Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."  (Acts 9:1-6)

The sin of pride is a preoccupation with self.  We become the center of our world rather than God.

A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood  (Proverbs 6:17)

"The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope."  -Timothy Keller

Here are a couple of ideas to help us allow God to unhinder us from pride:

Evidence

Leviticus 19:18

Here are a few evidences that pride is a problem:

you take everything personally

you think your feelings are the most reasonable

your desires are the most important

you always think it's the other person who needs to apologize or change

you tend to be negative and critical instead of positive and grateful

The language of arrogance and pride is criticizing and complaining; the language of humility is gratitude and encouragement.

you keep thinking of other people that need to hear this

you don't recognize much of a need for God

We tend to overestimate what we bring to the table and how much we need God.

Encounter

Here are a few helps to get unhindered from pride:

look for an opportunity to put someone ahead of yourself

how you treat people is how you are treating Jesus

apologize for your pride and selfishness

WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Look for an opportunity to put someone's feelings or desires ahead of your own.

Series: Bring the Joy

Sermon: Joy in Relationships

Scripture: Acts 13:52

Date: March 31, 2019

 

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.  (Acts 13:52)

"I'm convinced that there's just one place where there's not any laughter, and I've made arrangements to miss hell."  -Jerry Clower

"Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things."  -Kay Warren

Let's talk about some ways to build joy in our relationships:

Point out God's good gifts

1 Timothy 6:17

Deuteronomy 8:18, The Living Bible

Trust in the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

Here are a few joy assignments:

taste something delicious

look at something beautiful

listen to something really beautiful

notice a favorite smell

notice how things feel

"God intends for you to be able to weep freely and laugh uproariously, just as Jesus did."  -Kay Warren

Express affection

Romans 16:7-9, NIV

"Wowza.  Christian Twitter (is that an oxymoron?) is a train wreck this morning.  Play nicely or there will be no Orange Hi-C or butter ring cookies today.  I can tell you right now you've already lost your moon pie privileges."  -Beth Moore

"In this crazy world we live in of hashtags, algorithms, following, unfollowing, liking, retweeting, posting...I hope you still realize the importance of human interaction!  A touch, a hug, a smile...those are game changers.  Those truly make a difference!"  -Leigh Anne Tuohy

"Started off my Tuesday with two eggs for breakfast...  You are thinking... That's ok...  It was two Cadbury Caramel eggs that I got at Walgreens while grabbing toothpaste.  Hey, don't judge me...  My diet plan just said two eggs for breakfast.  They were delicious and I'm happy!"  -Leigh Anne Tuohy

1 Corinthians 13:13, The Message

It's a well-known fact that physical touch is crucial for us as human beings, not just for emotional health, but for our very survival.

See the humor

2 Chronicles 21:20, NIV

John 9:24-33, The Message

Lighten someone's load

Galatians 6:10

Series: Unhindered

Sermon: Unhindered from Unnecessary Limitations

Scripture: Acts 6:8-10

Date: March 31, 2019

 

He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance!  (Acts 28:31, series verse)

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.  Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.  And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.  (Acts 6:8-10)

Let's see 3 easy God unhinders us from unnecessary limitations:

Obedience

Do what God says in God's way, in God's power and in God's Spirit

He is not hiding behind a church job as an excuse not to obey God in carrying out the Great Commission and Great Commandment in his daily life.

WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Try to make it a point to talk about something on Monday that you studied in church on Sunday.

Acts 8:4-6

Acts 8:9-13

Acts 6:15

Opportunities

I would encourage you to pray each day for God to give you some opportunities to share His love, joy and message with someone.  Then, take the opportunities before you.

Don't complain about small opportunities and balk at big ones.

Acts 6:12-14

Acts 8:26

Take the opportunities that God gives you.  It may be:

the cutest person or the ugliest person at school

the most popular or least popular

the person you really like or dislike

your coach or teacher

your parents or sibling(s)

new parents or someone in the nursing home

Openness

Be faithful to what God has called you to do regardless.

Acts 21:8-9

Acts 7:58-60

Series: Bring the Joy

Sermon: Nurturing Joy in Others

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10

Date: March 24, 2019

 

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you - for now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.  For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?  (1 Thessalonians 3:6-10)

3 lessons they learned:

Social connections are really good for us; loneliness kills

The quality of your relationships matter more than the quantity.

Good relationships protect our brains.

He suggested 3 actions points:

Replace screen time with personal time.

Do something new with your family.

Reach out to family you've not been connected to.

Who is joyful because of you today?

"Be kind.  Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."  -Philo of Alexandria

What a great goal it would be if all of us aspired to be joy builders and not joy killers.

Here are a few ways we can bring the joy to each other:

Believe the best about each other"Don't assume nothing about nobody."  -Kay Warren

Offer non-judgmental and non-critical love

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it's me.

Appreciate each other

How can YOU bring joy to someone this week?