Significant Small ThingsAugust 28, 2011Please turn in your Bibles to Luke 16:1-18.Vs. 1-18 Stewardship: (Webster) the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's careThe earth is the LORD’S, and everything in it,the world, and all who live in it…Psalm 24:1App: Everything we have belongs to God; we are His stewards.App: How am I doing with God’s stuff? (ref. 2Corinthians 5:10)Vs. 8 Shrewd (wisdom): Since he couldn’t change his past, he prepared for his future.3 Admonitions of Christ1.Use opportunities well—make friends for Jesus. (Vs. 9)2.Use material wealth well. (Vs. 10-12)3.Choose your master. (Vs. 13)App: We can’t do anything to change our past, but we can prepare for His future.Vs. 8b Lessons from the world: use what you have to make friends (ref. 2Corinthians 5:17-19 GNMM) 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins . Matthew 6:14-15App: God wants to empower those who trust Him to become instruments of His grace.Vs. 14-18 Confronted by Truth.App: What’s your attitude in approaching Truth: To justify yourself or to become all that God would have you to be as Christ has full rule? (ref. Romans 3:20-24)Vs. 16b “Forcing”: to agonize.the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone strives violently to go in (or is trying to force their way rather than come by God's way)What is His Spirit saying to you this morning?

Prodigal WhoAugust 21, 2011Please turn in your Bibles to Luke 15.Vs. 1-2: Notice two groups of people.•Those coming to find life: tax collectors and sinners (ref. Luke 19:8-9)•Those coming to find fault: the religious elite (morally upright) Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 1Timothy 1:15App: Have you come to Christ for life?App: What keeps us from associating with people who need Christ? Vs. 3-10: Lost people matter to God. Vs. 11-32: If they matter to God, shouldn’t they matter to us? Property (gr. bios): life, livelihood, means of sustenanceProdigal: recklessly extravagantVs. 17-20: Coming to our senses (awakening): even a fool’s story can end when there’s a turning point. Notice the son merely turns; it’s the father who runs the distance.Vs. 21: The father never hears all the words the son had rehearsed. He doesn’t need to. His words were rooted in a need to fix things himself. All that was required was coming home.Vs. 22-24: Fully restored by God’s recklessly extravagant grace. •His recklessly extravagant grace covers any sin you have committed.•His recklessly extravagant grace isn’t dependent on one’s sense of worthiness, but rather one’s sense of unworthiness.•His recklessly extravagant grace simply calls to all who will hear, “Come Home!” •God’s recklessly extravagant grace will cause Him to run the distant to you though you are still a long way off.Vs. 25-32: Mutterers cannot share the Father’s joy because they’re out of touch with the Spirit of the Kingdom. In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus confronts a religious spirit that says, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them” in a derogatory sense when it is really the glory of the gospel!APP: Jesus will receive you.APP: What’s your attitude toward the lost: compassion or condemnation? What is His Spirit saying to you this morning?

RVSPAugust 14, 2011Please turn in your Bibles to Luke 14:15-35.Vs. 15-17: RSVP…invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. Luke 14:13App: RSVP to the wedding supper of the LambThe Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17Vs. 18-20: ExcusesApp: Are you avoiding God’s final call?Vs. 21-24: The table will be full.The Host = GodThe first invited = the JewsThe poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame = you and meVs. 23: Make them = compel We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2Corinthians 5:20App: How do we give life to others? Vs 25-33: Counting the cost of a Christ-followerMy command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12Term “Christian” used 3 times in entire Bible.Term “Disciple” used 264 times in just Gospels and Acts.Marks of a Disciple:1.(Vs. 26) loves Christ more than anything: essentially more than his own life. 2.(Vs. 27) has identified with the suffering and death of Christ.App: Count the cost.3. (Vs 34) is salty.App: Will you be a disciple? What is His Spirit saying to you this morning?

The Humble ServantAugust 7, 2011Please turn in your Bibles to Luke 14:1-14Vs.1-6: Sabbath RulesApp: We must learn to enjoy Sabbath rest.…come down immediately. I must stay at your house today. Luke 19:5 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20App: Have you invited Jesus into your spiritual house?App: What keeps you from loving others the way Jesus does? App: What area of your life do you need Jesus to touch?Vs. 7-14: HumilityHumility: from the Latin word humilitas: "low" or "from the earth". Root (humus): any organic matter that has reached a point of stability where it will break down no further.Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1Samuel 16:7God opposes the proudbut gives grace to the humble. James 4:6 App: Only in brokenness before our Heavenly Father will we ever reach the place of great stability.Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:6Who, being in very nature God,did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,7but made himself nothing,taking the very nature of a servant,being made in human likeness.8And being found in appearance as a man,he humbled himselfand became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2: 5-8 App: Why do we do some of the things that we do? What is His Spirit saying to you this morning?

Losing Your ReligionJuly 31, 2011Please turn in your Bibles to Luke 13:10-35.2 major themes today (ref. John 8:32, 36)1) God cares passionately about people being set free. 2) God wants to loose people from religious oppression.Vs. 10-17 Liberty (ref. 1John 4:4; Psalm 3:1-4)F.E.A.R. (Zig Zigler): False-Evidence-Appears-Real. Fear magnifies problem; minimizing God.Faith magnifies God; minimizes problem.APP: Greater than any disabling spirit, we have a delivering Savior. APP: It’s never wrong to do the right thing. When in doubt, take action.Vs. 18-21 Beware of corruption in the Church Vs. 19, 21 Birds (yeast) represent corruption in the church. (ref. Luke 8:5, 11, 12)APP: All Eyes on Jesus. (See 1John 4:20-21.)Vs. 22-27 The Narrow Way: the door is narrow because it’s Jesus.I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. John 10:9aAPP: Do you know Him? Does He know you? Make this your chief pursuit.Why folks put off coming to faith (Vs. 24-27)1.Salvation isn’t easy. (vs. 24)2. A false sense of security. (vs. 25-26)3. Personal pride. (vs. 30)…those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last. Luke 13:304. Dependence on religion.What did God say to you today? What did God say to you today?

The Turn AroundJuly 24, 2011Please turn in your Bibles to Luke 13:1-9.Vs. 1-3: Is each case of suffering tied to some specific sin?APP: Instead of condemning others, each of us must be concerned about our own walk with God. (ref. Job 4:7-8, 42:8b, 3:23, 3:12c, 6:23; Hebrews 9:27; John 3:16, 11:25)Vs 1-5: RepentWhat repentance is not•Not simply sorrow and sadness over some wrong thing we’ve done•Not penance: voluntarily suffering or action to make up for our wrong•Not in and of itself reformation What repentance is•Metanoeo: to change one’s mind or direction•It’s coming home APP: Is there an area in your life where you are going your own independent way, calling your own shots? Turn around! Come home. Vs. 6-9: God’s plan of fruitful living for you (ref. Leviticus 19:23-25)App: We must learn the lesson of the fig tree. (ref. Jeremiah 17:7-8, Psalm 1)God’s plan for caring for you1.He’s going to give us some time. (2Peter 3:9)2.He’s going to dig around our roots. (Hosea 10:12)3.He’s going to give the nutrients we need (fertilizer): Word of God. (Deuteronomy 8:3)4.He’s going to water us: Holy Spirit. (John 15:1-16)“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” 39By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. John 7:37-39App: All Eyes on Jesus!What did God say to you today?