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- Jonah 1 - We Got A Runner
Listen along as we begin our sermon series in the book of Jonah.
Notes/Quotes
Text: Jonah Chapter One - Jack
Title: We Got A Runner“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”
Hebrews 1:1-2“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Romans 12:19“Should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?
Jonah 4:11“It displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!”
Jonah 4:1-3“Mighty and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory. And it will rise over all its channels and go over all its banks, and it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass on, reaching even to the neck…”
Isaiah 8:7-8“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”
Psalm 139:7-9“There is extreme irony here: a “heathen sea captain” pleaded with a Hebrew prophet to pray to his God. It is sobering to see one who might be termed an “unbeliever” pleading for spiritual action on the part of a “believer.” The “unbeliever” saw the gravity of the situation while the prophet slept. It is a sad commentary when those who are committed to the truth of God’s word have to be prodded by a lost world into spiritual activity.”
NIV Commentary44 min - 2 Chronicles 7:14 - Did God Really Say?
Listen along as we finish up our series, Did God Really Say?.
Notes/Quotes
2 Chronicles 7:14- Faith
“The key to understanding any verse of Scripture is context. There is the immediate context—the verses before and after it, as well as the larger context of Scripture—how the verse fits into the overall story. There is also the historical and cultural context—how the verse was understood by its original audience in light of their history and culture. Because context is so important, a verse whose meaning and application seem straightforward when quoted in isolation may mean something significantly different when it is taken in context.”
Got Questions MinistriesBlack and white photo from the Twilight Zone“…if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”2 Chronicles 7:14Meme Calling for prayer for America
“The verse is riveted with great spiritual truths – the need for humility, prayer, the pursuit of God, and repentance. Furthermore, it promises God’s listening ear, forgiveness, and healing. On the surface, it seems to be an ideal verse to claim for believers who long to see righteousness, truth and blessings fall upon their country. But is it legitimate to use?”Eric J. Bargerhuff““When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and acknowledge your name and turn from their sin, when you afflict them, then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk, and grant rain upon your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance.2 Chronicles 6:26-27“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.2 Chronicles 7:13-15
“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 29:7Does our situation in America more resemble Israel of Solomon’s day, or Babylon of Daniel’s day?Two negative consequences of the misuse of 2 Chronicles 7:141. It imposes an unnecessary burden, and can lead to false guilt
2. It omits a necessary responsibility, and oversimplifies our call
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”Matthew 5:16“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”1 Timothy 2:1-235 min - 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 - Did God Really Say?
Listen along as we continue our sermon series, Did God Really Say?.
Notes/Quotes
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 - Beth
“8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death…”
2 Cor. 1:8-9a
“It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
1 Kings 19:4"I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.
My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes."Psalm 6:6-7
“7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat.”
1 Samuel 1:7”24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."
1 Cor. 9:24-27
“10 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.”
1 Cor. 10:1-5
"The Greek word which we translate temptation means far more a test. It is something designed, not to make us fall, but to test us, so that we emerge from it stronger than ever.” - William Barclay
“Temptations discover what we are.” - Thomas à Kempis
"8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers,[b] of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead."
2 Cor. 1:8-9
“Temptations are a file which rub off much of the rust of our self-confidence.” - François Fenelon
"14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Hebrews 4:14-16
38 min - Jeremiah 29:11-13 - Did God Really Say?
Listen along as we continue our series, Did God Really Say?.
Notes/Quotes
Jeremiah 29:11-13
1) Psalm 53:1The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good.2) Eric J. Bargerhuff Quote“Now, this does not negate the fact that God might choose to bless us with a great paying job, a beautiful family, and a healthy life on account of his grace. But the bottom line is we should never expect those things to happen or seek to appeal to the promise of Jeremiah 29:11–13 in order to substantiate our expectations. We have no right to hold God hostage to a promise that we have misunderstood.”39 min - John 14:12-14 - Did God Really Say?
Listen along as we continue our series, Did God Really Say?.
Notes/Quotes
John 14:12-14
“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.” (James 5:17)
“It was a notable event for God to put heaven in some sense under the control of Elijah’s prayers, to be obedient to his requests. From Elijah we may see the miraculous power of prayer.”
- John Calvin“Notice that Calvin is being careful here, he’s saying in “some sense.” He doesn’t believe that somehow (in our prayer) we may grab control of the universe out of God’s hands, but he’s still saying that the power of prayer is that God in His goodness makes the world susceptible to our prayers. That’s power!”
- Tim Keller“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4:3)
“35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:35&36)
“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them…”
(2 Corinthians 5:19)“We can be sure our prayers are answered precisely in the way we would want them to be answered if we knew everything God knows.”
- Tim KellerFix your heart where true joy is found and then ask for everything. - Augustine
36 min - Philippians 4:13 - Did God Really Say?
Listen in as we continue our series, Did God Really Say?
Notes/Quotes
Philippians 4:13
“10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
(Philippians 4:10-13)“7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died.”
(Romans 7:7-9)17 “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
(Exodus 20:17)“Thou shall love God enough to be content in all circumstances.” — Timothy Keller
“The root of discontentment is not really about those things we wish we had, or the circumstances we wish we could change. Ultimately, contentment is a byproduct of what we believe about God.”
—Ashley LinderQuestions:
In what trench is God inviting you to learn contentment?What upsets your inner equilibrium?
Can you have a lot or a little and do it well?
When my body won't hold me anymore
And it finally lets me freeWill I be ready?When my feet won't walk another mileAnd my lips give their last kiss goodbyeWill my hands be steady when I lay down my fears, my hopes, and my doubts?The rings on my fingers, and the keys to my houseWith no hard feelingsUnder the curving sky
I'm finally learning whyIt matters for me and youTo say it and mean it tooFor life and its lovelinessAnd all of its uglinessGood as it's been to meI have no enemiesI have no enemiesI have no enemies- The Avett Brothers35 min - Matthew 7:1-2 - Did God Really Say?
Listen along as we continue our series, Did God Really Say?
Notes / Quotes
Matthew 7:1-2 - Jami
“It is a phrase that has been used countless times during contentious conversations or in defensive moments when someone is confronted about their behavior. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” These famous words from Jesus are recited by many but are profoundly misunderstood. One could easily argue that Matthew 7:1 is by far the most frequently misapplied verse in the entire Bible, used and abused by both Christians and non-Christians alike.”
Eric BargerhuffRoad map for todayThe primary interpretive questionThe result of the misinterpretationThe cost of the misinterpretationThe benefits of the proper interpretation“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.”Matthew 7:3-5“(Some) reading this piece, however, might hear Jesus’s warning about the log in our own eyes and not actually deal with their brother’s speck. You were kind of hoping Jesus would say, “Take the log out of your own eye, sit down, shut up, and leave your brother alone.” But no. He says to remove your log so that you can see clearly enough to handle the speck. Love means offering helpful, risky correction, not letting our sibling remain in error.Usually, when “judge not” is used to shut down moral conversation, it’s asserting that we don’t have the right to correct each other’s views on whatever topic is at hand. But contrary to that interpretation, we need to be deeply concerned with one another, that our view of sin and righteousness aligns with Jesus Christ’s.”Rachel Gilson“He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”Luke 18:9-14““Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.”Luke 6:26“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. “Galatians 6:1“It’s not wrong to lovingly help our brother remove a harmful speck from his eye. It’s wrong to self-righteously point out a speck in our brother’s eye when we ignore, as no big deal, the ridiculous log protruding from our own.”Jon Bloom33 min - Proverbs 22:6 - Did God Really Say?
Listen along as we continue our series, Did God Really Say?
Notes/Quotes:
Proverbs 22:6 - Anthony
(a) the moral view
The first view is that ‘his way’ refers to the path of morality, righteousness and wisdom. Usually, however, when the word ‘way’ is used in this manner it has a qualifier or adjective: i.e. the way of life (6:23), the way of understanding (9:6), the good way (2:20), the way of righteousness (16:31), or the evil way (2:12), the way of the wicked (4:19). Since there is no qualifier in our verse, this view is unlikely.(b) the vocational view
The second view is that ‘his way’ refers to the child’s vocation. This is unlikely because in the ancient Near East children were normally trained to follow the father’s foot- steps. Choosing a career or vocation is a modern concept.(c) the personal aptitude view
The third view is that ‘his way’ refers to the child’s developing capacities, interests, and inclinations. Some preachers say that since the word ‘way’ comes from a verb which can be used for bending a bow, that we should understand here the idea of a child’s ‘bent’. This is bad linguistic methodology. Some scholars like Bruce Waltke, however, do use appropriate linguistic methodology and argue that the initiation has to fit the mental and physical abilities of the child. This view is incorrect, however, because it is based on understanding na ̔ar as a child. It also does not fit well with the notion of ‘initiation’ rather than ‘train’ as the meaning of the verb.(d) the status view
The meaning of “the way” must be determined by the noun to which the pronoun his refers. If na ̔ar is understood as a squire (an adolescent on the cusp of maturity), then it may be suggested that “according to his way” means according to the office or role that he will occupy.“Becoming a parent? Someone said it's an invisible tidal wave that hits you with such force that you lose your breath and never quite get it back.”
- Fredrick Backman“I have to have a pattern of discipline in my life that enables me to steadily feed and nourish my soul and my body with the things that will enable me to be God's person where I am.”
- Dallas Willard36 min - Genesis 3:1-5 - Did God Really Say?
Listen along as we begin our new series, Did God Really Say.
Notes/Quotes
Reader: Genesis 3:1-5 - Linda B
Title: Did God Really Say?“My feelings as a Christian point me to my Lord and Savior as a fighter. It points me to the man who once in loneliness, surrounded only by a few followers, recognized these Jews for what they were and summoned men to fight against them.... In boundless love as a Christian and as a man I read through the passage which tells us how the Lord at last rose in His might and seized the scourge to drive out of the Temple the brood of vipers and of adders. How terrific was His fight for the world against the Jewish poison!”
- Adolf Hitler“Satan is subtle. He does not directly deny God’s word, but introduces the assumption that God’s word is subject to judgement.”
- Derek Kidner“If the inner psychological life of the individual is sovereign, then identity becomes as potentially unlimited as the human imagination.”
- Carl Truman“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37–40)
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34)
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. (John 15:9)
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
(Revelation 3:20)Food for thought:
BiasBlindspots& Swords39 min - 2 Peter 3:14-18 - How To Wait Well
2 Peter 3:14-18 - Jorgen/Larry
“The proper perspective is to regard anything that looks to us like ‘delay’ as an indication not that we have to be patient with God, but that God is having to be patient with us….God’s patience is our opportunity” NT Wright
“You can safely assume you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.” - Anne Lamott -
Luke 6:43-45The Greeks learned in order to comprehend.
The Hebrews learned in order to revere.The modern man learns in order to use...Abraham Joshua Heschel“Grace is God acting in our life to do what we cannot do on our own. Grace is what we live by and the human system won’t work without it. The saint uses grace like a 747 jet burns gas on takeoff!” - Dallas Willard
34 min
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Sermons and content from Union Church in Prescott, Arizona.