Roblin Wesleyan Church

2 Kings 3:2 He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, but not as his father and mother had done. He got rid of the sacred stone of Baal that his father had made. 3 Nevertheless he clung to the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them.

2 Kings 3:7 He also sent this message to Jehoshaphat king of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?” “I will go with you,” he replied. “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”

V9b … After a roundabout march of seven days

2 Kings 3:11 - Jehoshaphat asks, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD through him?”

Psa. 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

2 Kings 3:16 “Make this valley full of ditches"

2 Kings 3:18 "This is an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD; he will also hand Moab over to you.”

God supplied a prophet THEY had to look for him

God sent water THEY had to dig trenches to catch the water

God birthed the plan to confuse the enemy THEY had to to rise up and fight the

Gal. 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Prov. 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Jesus Made Prayer the Center of His Life and Ministry.

Luke 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Mark 1:35  Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Luke 3:21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened

Luke 23:46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

Luke 6:12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

1Th. 5:16 -18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

John 4:31 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”

John 4:34   “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.

Phil. 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

What area of your life have you been leaning on your own understanding and not on God?

How Shall We Start the New Year?

Jeremiah 29:5-7 “ Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” Jeremiah 29:5-7

What do you hope for this year?

Some guidelines:

Hope in something God promised, that you can wait on him for.

Hope in things that you can accomplish with him.

How was 2021?

What was the DREAM? What was a THEME? What HURT?

Be ready for change, but not reliant on it.

How do you worship God?

Who has God given you?

What does God want you to do?

Michael Hyatt's SMARTER Goals:

SMARTER Goals: Specific

SMARTER Goals: Measurable

SMARTER Goals: Actionable

SMARTER Goals: Risky

SMARTER Goals: Time Bound

SMARTER Goals: Exciting

SMARTER Goals: Relevant

What is God calling you to this year?

Spiritually? Relationally? Vocationally

Two Last Practices to Have a good 2022

1. Find 2-3 people to invite into your hopes for 2022

2. Review your goals daily. Ask what step can you take.

Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Questions for Mary - Max Lucado

2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 1:34   “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

Luke 1:38   “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Luke 1:40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 2:7 she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:28-32 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

Luke 2:33-35   The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Luke 2:51-52   Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

John 2:25 He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.

John 19:25a   Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

“Weary Christmas” Matt. 11:28

Ex. 3:7  And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

Psa. 63:1 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Psalms 23 "The Lord is my shepherd … He restores my soul.”

Is. 40:28-31 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Matt. 11:28   “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

We Can’t Understand Christmas without understanding that Christmas was a rescue mission

Five Facts (Revelations) that Precede our understanding of God’s Rescue Plan.

1. We Cannot Find God Unless He Shows Himself to Us

John 6:44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.

Matt 11:25 “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

2. Jesus is and has the full authority of God.

Matt 11:27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, And no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

Heb. 1:3b The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

3. Only the Father fully understands Jesus.

Matt 11:27b … No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

4. Only Jesus fully understands the Father.

Matt 11:27b … No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

5. Jesus alone Reveals the Father to Us

Matt. 1:23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” — which means, “God with us.”

Phil 2:6a Who, being in very nature God … 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Matt. 11:28-30   “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today.

God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” -Heb. 4:6-7

Heb. 4:8-11 Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.

Luke 4:16-21  He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: (He reads from Is 61:1)

Luke 4:18-21 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

We Can’t Really Understand Christmas without understanding that Christmas was a rescue mission

Luke 2:1-3 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register.

Matt. 23:25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

John 3:16   “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Isaiah’s Prophesy Matt 4:16 "the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

John 11:33-34   When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.

“Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

Jesus wept.

Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Five Meanings of Brokenness in the Bible

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Is. 61:3 To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.

Rom. 8:28  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Heb. 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin.

Luke 9:58  Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

Is 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Advent: coming or waiting for someone coming.

Shepherds: The right place, right time, unprepared, but willing

Wisemen: Wrong blood. Wrong place. But fully committed

Gold - a kingly gift

Frankincense - incense for worship

Myrrh - used in embalming the dead

In his presence, we come alive. Where do you meet with God?

Hebrew: QAV - rope

QAVAH - lit. tension. Fig. Wait or Hope.

Acts 2:42 they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, to breaking bread, & prayer.

Let’s grow in our hope this Christmas - is your bag packed?

James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

If we are to fulfill God’s purposes in life We have to increase our capacity to face difficulties

X. They Faced the Deep Distress and Disruption of Discrimination.

Acts 7:59-60 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them. ”When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts 8:1-3 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

Acts 8:4-5 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there.

Acts 7:57-58  At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Acts 8:1 …On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.Acts 8:3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison

Eph. 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

1Pet. 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.

John 16:33 …In this world you will have trouble.

Jn 15:19-21 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace In this world you will have trouble. BUT take heart! I have overcome the world.”

In Every Adversity

Gen 5:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Rom 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Acts 8:1 … On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there.6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said.7-8 With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed.So there was great joy in that city.

1John 4:4 …greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

If we are to fulfill God’s purposes in life we have to increase our capacity to face difficulties

“God, I don’t love hard times but I love that you are increasing my capacity to face hard times.”

I. They Faced the difficult Stress of Vital Decisions

II. They Faced the harsh Disappointment of Misunderstanding

III. They Faced the Huge Responsibility that Comes from Successful Outcomes

IV. They Faced the extreme Messiness of Human Suffering

V. They Faced the Harsh Pressure of Surprising Opposition

VI. They Faced the Sobering consequences of Insincerity

VII. They Faced the illogical injustice of Jealous intentions

VIII. They faced the inevitable Challenges to meet demands that accompany growth

Acts 6:1-6 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

Acts 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Acts 2:47b …And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 5:14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.

Acts 2: 44-45 All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

Acts 4:32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.

Acts 6:2 Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.

Col. 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,

Acts 6:7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Complained - Greek root (goggysmos)

John 7:12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering (goggysmos) about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.”

Phil. 2:14 Do everything without complaining (goggysmos) or arguing

1Pet. 4:9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (goggysmos)

John 13:35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

The Challenges of today are preparation for the challenges tomorrow.

We increase our capacity to face challenges by working through issues and avoiding bitterness and defensiveness.

In every uncertainty comes an opportunity to grow and improve.

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

If we are to fulfill God’s purposes in life We have to increase our capacity to face hardships

God uses hardship today to increase our capacity to face hardship tomorrow.

“God, I don’t love hard times but I love that you are increasing my capacity to face hard times.”

I. They Faced the difficult Stress of Vital Decisions

II. They Faced the harsh Disappointment of Misunderstanding

III. They Faced the Huge Responsibility that Comes from Successful Outcomes

IV. They Faced the extreme Messiness of Human Suffering

V. They Faced the Harsh Pressure of Surprising Opposition. They turned Opposition into an opportunity to Share Truth

VI. They Faced the Sobering consequences of Insincerity

Acts 5:2-9 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”   Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?

Acts 4:37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

Insincere Defined: the quality of not expressing genuine feelings

1 Cor. 11:31-32 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

Reveal your pain

Face any lie you have believed from that experience

VII. They Faced the illogical injustice of Jealous intentions

Acts 5:12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade.

Acts 5:17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.

18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

Jealousy Defined: resentment of someone enjoying success or advantage fear of losing something you feel is yours (rightly or wrongly) to someone else

Gal. 5:19-21 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

other focused - comparison

Self focused

James 3:16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 

kept a kingdom perspective

They focused on gratitude not their injury

1 Pet 3:17 It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

1 Peter 2:20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

1. Turn from our focus on self & self ambition

2. Be willing to confront our actions and bring them in alignment with God’s design.

3. Look to God for affirmation.

4. Rejoice in the success of others (When God’s Kingdom wins, we all win).