Author: dgould77

5 Gauges for Health – (part 3)

The third thing I look at and evaluate as a New Year begins are my friendships and family . These things are important because they make up my SOCIAL HEALTH!

Let’s be honest … We are social creators. Some of you may not feel that way, but God created us that way! We see this in Genesis 2:18 check it out for yourself.

“The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18 (NIV)

After creating and saying everything was good and/or very good, the very first thing that God said was bad was for us to be alone. We have this inner thing going on that causes us to want to be around other people. Now that doesn’t mean that we can’t ever be alone, it simply means that we have an inner desire to be around others!

Will you take some time to think through these questions to see how socially healthy you are?

Click here to take survey

Now that you have thought through and/or thinking about your Social Health, I encourage you to take some time to write down some goals to work towards in 2012.

My Social Health Goals for 2012

1. Be more consistent in calling friends and family

2. Pray for my friends more often.

3. Spend quality time with both family and friends

January 4, 2012
Sunday AM Remix – 1.1.12

“A New Year & A Better You”
Philippians 2:12-18
January 1, 2012

* The only way you can be a better you is by making changes.

* REALITY: God doesn’t want the same old you from last year, he wants you to be different.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

* Three things we see from Philippians 4:13 about change happening

** Change Happens 1.) If I want too 2.) If God is in it 3.) If I rely on Jesus

AS A GENUINE FOLLOWER OF JESUS RESOLVE THIS YEAR TO . . .

1. WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION.

* To be resolved means to be determined, you’ve made your mind up and are ready to stand on it.

* One of our values as a church is Spiritual Transformation. It’s the process of Sanctification were we are becoming more like Christ.

* Jesus gave us 2 responsibilities

1.) To be more like Him

2.) To lead others to Him

“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; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13 (NKJV)

* NOTE: It says work out not work for.

3 THINGS WE SEE IN PHILIPPIANS 2:12-13 ABOUT CHANGE

– It’s pro-active. “. . . work out . . . it is God who works in . . .”

* Some things in your life can only be changed by God, but we have to cooperate. God won’t change us without our help.

* QUESTION – What area is God wanting to work on in your life that you may be resistant to?

– It’s personal. “. . . your own . . .”

* You have an individual assignment to meet with God.

* There is no mold to produce a cookie cutter Christian.

* QUESTION: Who has God designed you to be?

– It’s painstaking. “. . . with fear and trembling . . .”

* Not to be scared but to take it very seriously

* God gives us the Desire to Change but He also gives us the Power to Change

2. WORK ON YOUR SPEECH.

* We make a difference with what we say and how we say it.

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” Philippians 2:14-15 (NKJV)

“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” James 1:26 (NIV)

“For he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.” 1 Peter 3:10 (NKVJ)

* REALITY: Our Tongue reveals our heart!

THE BIG TWO

– Don’t complain.

* One of the ways you kill joy is by complaining

* Complaining makes you unhappy and everyone else miserable

* QUESTION: How different would your life be if you didn’t complain?

*Four Types of complainers

** ‘whiner’ complainer. These people wake up negative. They smile first thing in the morning just to get it over with. Their song is, “Rise and whine and give God no glory, glory.” They complain life’s not fair.

** ‘martyr’ complainer. Their favorite saying is, “No one appreciates me. After all I’ve done, after all I’ve given, after all I’ve gone through, still no one seems to care.” They are pro’s at throwing pity parties.

** ‘cynic’ complainer. They love to say, ‘Nothing will ever change. It’s bad. It’s always been bad; it’s always going to be bad. I guess we should just get used to it.” They smell the flowers and then look around for the coffin.

** ‘perfectionist’ complainer. Nothing is ever right or good enough for this person. Their favorite saying is, “Is that the best you can do?”

* Complaining is a serious Sin. It kept the Israelites out of the Promise Land.

* You want to help our church grow … Resolve to not be a complainer.

* If you will stop complaining, you will look like Gods child and shine like stars. You will stand out and look different.

– Don’t argue.

* Complaining is when you say, “I didn’t get my way.” Arguing is when you say, “I will get my way no matter what and I’ll fight my way to it!”

3. WORK AT YOUR SPENDING.

“…holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”
Philippians 2:16-17 (NKJV)

* The words “poured out” is one word in the Greek. It’s the word spendos. We get our English word “spend” from it.

* QUESTION: How will you spend the time, talent, and treasure God has given you?

* QUESTION: What did you spend your life on last year? Was it worth it?

GROWTH WORK

Write down an area or situation where you need to . . .

➢ Obey God: __________________________________________

➢ Stop Complaining: ___________________________________

➢ Stop Arguing: ________________________________________

➢ Work Harder: ________________________________________

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What New Year Resolutions have you made in the past? Which ones made a difference in your life?

2. What do you think God wants you to change or work on in your life this year, but it seems so difficult? Read Philippians 4:13. How does this verse speak to your situation?

3. Read Philippians 2:12-18. What does it mean to ‘work out your own salvation’? What does this look like in your life this year?

4. Read James 1:26 and 1 Peter 3:10. Did you have difficulty controlling your tongue? If yes, in what way?

5. What do you complain about most? Why do you think God wants us to do “all things” without complaining? How would you attempt to go about this?

6. Of the 4 types of complainers mentioned, which ones best describes your complaining style?

7. Where do you find yourself in the most arguments and disputes? What is the source of the problem? How can you do better this year in this area?

8. What is the result of not complaining and arguing? (Verse 14-15) Does this motivate you? Why or why not?

9. What did Paul mean that he was glad to be ‘poured out like a drink offering’?

10. How might you pour yourself out as a drink offering in 2012.

11. As you look back at 2011, what did you ‘spend’ most of your life on? What is worth it? What would you like to invest your life in more in 2012? How will you do it?

MUSICAL WORSHIP SET

How Great Thou Art

Everlasting God

You Alone can Rescue

Before the Throne

We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here. While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.

As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service on our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.

January 3, 2012
5 Gauges for Health – (part 2)

Many times when we think of New Years Resolutions it includes some aspect of getting our bodies healthy. Whether it is starting a new diet or beginning to exercise these are important when it comes to our PHYSICAL HEALTH. This is the second thing that I evaluate as I reflect on the past year and make goals for the new year.

Now I am not saying that God has created all of us to be athletes, but He has created us to be physical. Each of us has a need for some type of physical activity to remain healthy.

I don’t know about you but I have heard and seen more health club/ infomercials about working out more in the last month than any other time of the year. It’s because health clubs understand that people will make New Year’s Resolutions to lose weight or start working out! Sometimes it takes a New Year to realize we are out of shape. But understand that God has created each of us with physical needs and we need to take care of our bodies! Look what the Bible says,

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NLT)

By getting enough sleep and simply exercising at least 12 minutes a day with an increased heart rate, you will experience a Physical change. You begin to feel better, you think better thoughts about yourself, and you become healthier. Will you take some time to think through these questions to see how you are doing in this area.

Click here to take survey

Now that you have thought through and/or thinking about your Physical Health, I encourage you to take some time to write down some goals to work towards in 2012.

My Physical Health Goals for 2012

1. Get at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night

2. Develop a “Me Time” to work out and build my schedule around it

3. Start a food journal to evaluate what I eat

January 3, 2012
5 Gauges for Health – (part 1)

Over the next couple of days I am going to share with you 5 things I always look at as I head into a new year and evaluate as I look back on the past year. I hope that you will find this helpful as you take on 2012. The first gauge I look at as I begin to evaluate the past year and look forward to the new year is my own SPIRITUAL HEALTH!

Believe it or not but God has given each of us spiritual needs. We have all been hardwired by God to know the Creator of the Universe, God Himself. Now please understand that many people say that they are spiritual. However, many of them are simply trying to fill a God sized hole by religious acts or good works, and it is leaving them feeling empty instead. (I’ve been here have you?) This happens when we try to fill this void with anything other than Jesus Christ. It’s like trying to put a square peg in a round hole, we try and try and try until we give up saying it’s impossible. Jesus Christ is the only thing that can and will fill this void or God size hole that you have been created with. When we resolve to know Christ as Lord and Savior, by confessing & repenting of our sin and putting our faith in His life, death, and resurrection, The Bible says that we become new,

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

Now, like any relationship, for it to be a healthy relationship it requires quality time, strong commitment, and open and consistent communication. Your relationship with Christ is the same way.

When we understand our Spiritual Needs, we will begin to have a better understanding of all of the other needs we have as well. Why, because we are going to understand more about how and why we were created! Look what the Bible says,

“Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation.” 1 Peter 2:2 (NLT)

So, in 2012, will you resolve to be spiritually healthy? Here are some questions that will allow you to see how well you are doing in this area.

Click here to take survey

Now that you have thought through and/or thinking about your Spiritual Health, I encourage you to take some time to write down some goals to work towards in 2012.

My Spiritual Health Goals for 2012

1. Develop a Deeper Prayer Life by keeping a prayer journal

2. Work through all of the MasterLife workbooks

3. Memorize Scripture

4. Lead by being with Jesus not just doing the things of Jesus.

January 2, 2012
Happy New Year!

For me, the New Year is a time when I reflect on the past year, both the good and the bad, and make resolutions for the New Year. Yesterday I spent some time evaluating a lot the things that make my life what it is today. Maybe you’ve spent some time thinking about your own life also. Like no other time in the year, The New Year allows us to start over. When I think of starting over there are two passages of Scripture that really challenge and encourage me. Check them out,

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:12-14 (NLT)

What will you focus on or commit to in 2012? If I asked you the question, “Are you healthy?” How would you answer it? I’m not talking about making the usual New Years Resolution of losing weight or hitting the gym, I’m talking about overall health. Health produces Growth and Growth only happens when something or someone is healthy. So this year I want to encourage you to think about being healthy!

But how do we measure that? Health and growth are both hard to measure when you look at them as a whole, so over the next five days I am going to post five areas in my life I always evaluate when I begin a New Year. These five areas can serve as a gauge for us to see how healthy we really are and help us to see if we are truly growing like we think we are. So, I hope you will take some time to think about who you are, and who you are becoming. Then ask the hard question, “Does this match up to the person I really want to be?”

January 1, 2012
The Power of Your Story

Earlier this week I was asked to pray for a friend who had a student pass away Christmas Night. On the Facebook post it included a video that was made by the student just a week before he passed away. If you haven’t seen it, take a watch:

The video hit close to home for me with all the things we deal with on a regular basis with our youngest son Jackson. It reminded me just how precious every moment we have is, how short life can be and how powerful our story can be when we share them.

I have always believed in the power of a story. One of the things I love about my job is that I get to hear people’s stories on a regular basis. The Bible says,

“And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.” Revelation 12:11 (NLT)

Whether you are a Christian or not, you have a story that needs to be told. So the question isn’t whether you have a story or not, the question is will you share the story you have?

December 31, 2011
Sunday AM Remix – 12.18.11

IN HOPE

* We won’t understand a message on hope until we understand a message on humility. (click here to see a message on Humility.)

* Humility = possessing nothing but having everything.

“So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”

“You see the people crowding against you,’ his disciples answered, ‘and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”

But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.’” Mark 5:24-34 (NIV)

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

* REALITY: You can’t understand the unforced rhythms of grace when you are living in the unforced rhythms of the world.

* TRUTH: There is no such thing as following Jesus from a distance. The Gospel makes more sense to those who are close to Him.

* The Story of Christmas = God is HERE!

* In the absence of a relevant Christmas Story we look for substitutes.

* TRUTH: God never waste our pain, suffering, or hurt.

“The LORD said to Moses, ³⁸ “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. ³⁹You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. ⁴⁰ Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God. ⁴¹ I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the LORD your God.’” Number 15:37-41 (NIV)

* The woman touched the corner of Jesus robe or Prayer Shaw and was healed.

* Her only hope was found in her faith that Jesus could heal her!

“But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.” Malachi 4:2 (NIV)

* The woman responded with fear and trembling.

* Fear of the Lord = Reverent Awe

* You can’t come to God without fear and trembling.

“‘When a woman has a discharge of blood for many days at a time other than her monthly period or has a discharge that continues beyond her period, she will be unclean as long as she has the discharge, just as in the days of her period. ²⁶ Any bed she lies on while her discharge continues will be unclean, as is her bed during her monthly period, and anything she sits on will be unclean, as during her period. ²⁷ Whoever touches them will be unclean; he must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening.

²⁸ “‘When she is cleansed from her discharge, she must count off seven days, and after that she will be ceremonially clean. ²⁹ On the eighth day she must take two doves or two young pigeons and bring them to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. ³⁰ The priest is to sacrifice one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. In this way he will make atonement for her before the LORD for the uncleanness of her discharge.

³¹ “‘You must keep the Israelites separate from things that make them unclean, so they will not die in their uncleanness for defiling my dwelling place,^[a] which is among them.’” Leviticus 15:25-31 (NIV)

* The Lady was ceremonially unclean. This made her an outcast to society.

* Jesus told her that her faith had made her well!

* When all hope was gone she turned to Jesus. When all hope is gone, where do you turn?

* Jesus can make all things new!

* Peace = Shalom = completeness & wholeness.

* Jesus makes all things complete when we trust Him with everything.

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. When you think of Hope, what is the first thing that comes to mind?

2. Freddy mentioned only the humble understand grace and Americans struggles with grace because of our pride. What is your understanding of grace? Have you truly experienced the grace of God? Once you tasted grace how did it change your interaction to others.

3. In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus invites us to come to Him for rest … Do you find yourself naturally going to Jesus for REST?

4. Freddy told the story of the Israelites in slavery found in Exodus. These people found their identity in what they did, making bricks, rather than in God. Where do you find your identity? What do you truly place your hope in?

5. Freddy mentioned we are either in a season of growth, boredom, or decline. As you evaluate this past year would you say you have grown in your relationship with Jesus. If so, how? Have you begun sinking into a spiritual decline. If so, why?

6. The woman was desperate to get to Jesus. She pressed through massive crowds to intentionally touch Jesus. What has been your closest experience to this scene. Tell of a time when your really “pressed into Jesus, and were desperate for him.

7. Have you been shaped more by the difficult times or by the good times in your life? Read James 1:2-4 Romans 5:3-5, How can these verses give us hope?

8. Freddy related this story of suffering and tragedy to one of Hope. It was a compelling story and he said Christmas was a compelling story. How would you share the Christmas story? Would others find it compelling? Why or why not?

9. What we put our hope in we learn to rust in and what we trust in we learn to depend on … What/Who do you find yourself putting HOPE – TRUST – DEPENDANCE in?

MUSICAL WORSHIP SET

O Come All Ye Faithful

Hark The Harald Angels Sing

What Child Is This

Awakening – Tomlin

Jesus Paid it All – Stanfill

We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here. While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.

As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service on our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.

December 19, 2011
Jackson Update – 12.13.11

Many of you have been asking how our youngest son Jackson has been doing. I have tried to keep everyone in the know through twitter … but, 140 characters can only keep you so informed. So here is whats been happening over the last 4 months.

In March my family and I moved from Texas back to Missouri where I serve as the Community Pastor at First Baptist Church Harvester. With Jackson seizures we knew we needed a good Neurologist that could take on the care that he received in Texas. We found a great Neurologist and started to see him in June.

On August 8th, Jackson had two back-to-back seizure within an hour. This had never happened before so he was taken to the hospital via ambulance. He was released after a couple of hours with an anti-seizure prescription and appointment with our Neurologist.

When meeting with our Neuro, He recommended putting Jackson on a new medication since his currents ones were at pretty high levels. We began that process mid August and were seizure free till November as we made the transition from Depakote to Lamictal leaving his dose of Keppra the same.

On Monday, November 7th, Jackson had three seizures within an hour. On his third seizure we called the ambulance as each seizure seemed to intensify. He was given an anti-seizure medication and watched for a couple of hours. We were released with a 3 day anti-seizure prescription (a form of Valium) and instructed to call our neurologist.

The very next day, Jackson had two seizures and a third one in the ambulance outside the house. This was 6 seizures in a 24 hour period. After the third seizure had stopped, the Ambulance took Jackson to Children’s STL where our Neurologist and team of Dr. could make sure nothing else was going on. Jackson was admitted and kept on a pretty high dose of clonazepam for 24 hours and then a lower dose the next day. We were released on that Thursday after spending 2 nights there for monitoring, with instructions to increase his new medication and a 3 day prescription of clonazepam.

I wish I could say it stopped there but, it didn’t. Early the Friday morning after Thanksgiving, Jackson had a seizure while he was sleeping. Thankfully it was just one seizure this time but it was a seizure none the less. Our neurologist made a final increase to his medication to get him at the level that he wanted him to be on in hopes that Jackson would have less seizures. However, that has not been our experience with this new medication yet.

In the last week, Jackson has had 7 seizures. We believe be had one this morning while he was watching TV because of the way he is sleeping as I type this post. His Neurologist has made another adjustment and increased his medication again. From what we are told, it takes about 4 days for any changes in medication to take full effect. Jackson is on a very low dose of this new medication and has room to be increased on it quiet a bit. We are prayerful that this is just a transition in medicine that will eventually, once we have the right levels and dosage, have better long-term results and allow Jackson to not have seizures.

Please continue to pray for Jackson. We believe God has a great plan for him and us through this journey and we are trusting Him even when we have more questions right now than answers.

December 13, 2011
Sunday AM Remix – 12.11.11

“IN HUMILITY”

* We love to see humility done well in others. In fact humility is so beautiful that it is breathtaking when it is done in front of us.

* REALITY: we don’t see humility lived out as often as we should.

* We have famous people all the time living out the opposite of humility … pride.

* GREAT INSIGHT: Humility is like a diamond, its valuable because it is rare.

* TRUTH: The most humble expression shown to man came in the birth of Christ

* He became nothing so we could become something.

* The Bible says over 40 times to “humble yourselves.”

* REALITY: Humility is best and most authentic when you do it yourself.

* TRUTH: You are never more like God then when you humble yourself.

“. . . All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:5-6 (NIV)

* Greek word for humble = Tapeinos. It literally means to level a hill or mountain.

* Humility is not a badge you where but an attitude you have. It is an intentional act.

Read Philippians 2:3-11

BE WRAPPED UP IN HUMILITY THIS CHRISTMAS BY …

1. FIGHTING AGAINST YOUR PRIDE.

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. ⁴ Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJV)

* Unity requires humility.

* What defiles a man is what is on the inside . . . . All of us were born with pride.

* Pride is natural … Humility is super natural.

* Pride is one of those diseases that make everyone around you sick.

The PQ test (prideful quotient)

1. I enjoy being the center of attention. yes or no

2. I think I deserve the best. yes or no

3. Much of my conversation is filled with “I”. yes or no

4. I find it difficult to admit that I’m wrong. yes or no

5. I seldom pass a mirror without looking at myself. yes or no

6. I’m stubborn-I don’t like to be corrected or change! yes or no

7. My feelings are easily hurt. yes or no

8. I am impatient with other people’s mistakes. yes or no

9. I don’t get enough appreciation for all that I do. yes or no

10. I’m offended if I render a service and don’t receive a “thank you”. yes or no

11. I seldom ask for help, because I can do the job better myself. yes or no

12. I feel pretty good that I didn’t check “yes” to every question. yes or no

3 Big Problems With Pride:

– Pride produces CONFLICT.

* There is no problem to big to be worked out, just people to small to solve them.

“Pride leads to conflict . . .” Proverbs 13:10a (NLT)

– Pride leads TO RUIN.

* Whatever you want to ruin, just be prideful.

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)

“Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
Proverbs 11:2 (NLT)

* The only place pride doesn’t go before a fall is in the dictionary.

* Satan had a pride problem and it led to ruin. READ – Isaiah 14

* LEGIT: Satan isn’t working another scheme, he’s just presenting to you a different apple.

– Pride provokes GOD.

* In proverbs thee are 12 things God hates and pride is number 1.

“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’” James 4:6 (NKJV)

* When you are prideful you put yourself on the opposite side of God.

* If you don’t humble yourself, God will humble you!!!

2. FOLLOWING AFTER YOUR EXAMPLE.

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5-8 (NKJV)

Steps that God took to reveal humility …

Step Down #1: God came to EARTH.

* The word “Form” = the “essence of” or “character of”. Jesus is the essence of God. He was the unchangeable character of God.

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation. . .” Colossians 1:15a (NLT)

Step Down #2: God became a MAN.

* Incarnate – carne = means meat! Jesus is the physical presence of God. He is God with meat on his bone. He is God with skin on.

* Jesus is fully God, yet fully man.

Step Down #3: Jesus came to DIE.

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
Philippians 2:8 (NKJV)

* Jesus humiliated himself so that He could exonerate you and I.

* Why did He do this …

– To demonstrate Gods love

– Pay for our sins.

“. . . 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.” Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

“. . . who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV)

“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12 (NIV)

* TRUTH: On Jesus was laid my death so that on me could be laid his life.

* TRUTH: One of these days every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord

* QUOTE: We can’t get credit for kneeling when it becomes impossible to stand – C.S. Lewis

* REMEMBER: EGO = Edging God Out

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What’s the most humbling thing you do on a regular basis? Why do you do it? Who do you do it for?

2. Read 1 Peter 5:5-6. Why do you think God commands us in Scripture to ‘humble ourselves’? Why doesn’t He do it for us? What practical ways do we ‘clothe’ ourselves in humility? How might you humble yourself this week so others might be lifted up?

3. Read Philippians 2:1-4. Reading between the lines, what seems to be the problem in church at Philippi? What does it mean to consider someone ‘better than yourself’ (verse 3)?

4. On a scale of 1 to 10, what is your pride level? Read Proverbs 13:10, 16:8, 11:2, and James 4:6. What kind of problems does pride cause? How have you seen this happen in your own life?

5. How does humility differ from being a doormat?

6. Pastor Bob mentioned pride is root of all sin. Do you agree with this statement? Why are why not? Talk about the last time your pride got you in a disagreement? Why is it so difficult to battle our pride?

7. Pastor Bob mentioned that Satan appealed to Eve’s pride and she gave in and eat the apple. What is your “apple”…where do you give in to pride? What area in your life is the most difficult to hand over to God?

8. Read Philippians 2:5-11. What does it mean that Jesus is ‘in the form of God’? What do you think it was like for Jesus to leave heaven and become human?

9. In what ways did Jesus demonstrate that He was 100% human? In what ways did He demonstrate that He was 100% God?

10. Pastor Bob shared two specific reasons Jesus came to die? Do you remember what they were? Check out Romans 5:8 and 1 Peter 2:24.

11. How can Jesus’ example inspire you to think less of yourself and more about others?

12. Jesus rescued us from being a slave to pride! Do you feel that freedom or do you feel enslaved to your pride? Why or Why Not?

13. What is one specific way you can imitate Christ’s humility this coming week?

MUSICAL WORSHIP SET

Joy To The World (Unspeakable) – Tomlin

The First Noel – Wickham

He Is Exalted – Shane & Shane

Filled With Glory – Gungor

We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here. While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.

As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service on our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.

December 12, 2011
Sunday AM Remix – 12-04-11

“In Generosity”

* Just because there are things we have possession of … doesn’t necessarily make them our things.

* The Bible says that we own nothing, but are stewards of many things.

* One of the marks of a spirit filled church and spirit filled christian is Generosity. Look at these verses,

“Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.” Deuteronomy 15:10 (NLT)

“The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers.” Psalm 37:21 (NLT)

“Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.” Psalm 112:4 (NLT)

“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25 (NLT)

“Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.” Proverbs 22:9 (NLT)

“But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity.” Isaiah 32:8 (NLT)

* REMINDER: Generosity is not about stuff, it’s a reflection of your heart.

* QUESTION: When it comes to possessions and generosity, where is your heart? Does it drift toward the things of the world or the things of God?

* REALITY: Many times we don’t like to talk or think about generosity because it hurts. However, when the Lord speaks and it hurts or you don’t like it, it indicates and an area that is unhealthy and needs to be healed.

TWO THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT GENEROSITY

1. Generosity defeats MATERIALISM.

* Every time you give generously your heart grows.

“You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24b (NIV)

2. Generosity makes me MORE LIKE GOD.

* It’s part of the sanctification process. Every time we give we become more like Him.

‘For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son . . .’ John 3:16a (NLT)

* TRUTH: You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.

* When God is living on the inside of you, you think generous thoughts!

* When you realize nothing is yours, it’s easier to be generous! Ex. If its someone else’s money, it’s easier to give away.

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to You? Everything we have has come from You, and we give You only what You first gave us!” 1 Chronicles 29:14 (NLT)

“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” Psalm 24:1 (NLT)

* When we get angry and defensive about being generous we take for-granted all the things God gives us.

* What if God started to take away everything he let’s us use?

LEVELS OF GENEROSITY

Level #1: Generous people start with A TITHE.

* The Hebrew word for tenth = Ma`aser

* This is the most basic form of generosity.

‘”A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.”’ Leviticus 27:30 (NIV)

* A tithe is a tenth of everything that comes in.

* In scripture it’s the first tenth that we are supposed to give.

* You can rob someone without harm simply by withholding something from them.

* When you neglect to tithe you rob (withhold what is his) God.

‘Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, “In what way have we robbed You?” In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,’ Says the LORD of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.’ Malachi 3:8-10 (NKJV)

* Some would say that this is Old Testament and now we are under grace so it doesn’t apply. However, like one pastor said, To give less under grace than the law is a disgrace.

* God has given us a tithe to know where generosity begins. This is his way of teaching us how to be generous.

* We use the excuse that we don’t have enough to tithe … Can we really afford to rob or steal from God?

* QUESTION: Are you a tither? What are the challenges or blessings you have seen in tithing? What is one thing you would say to someone wanting to grow in this area?

* Old Testament Temple = New Testament Church

* You can designate your offering but not your tithe.

* We do this so there may be food in the house. In other words we do this so ministry can go out.

* INTERESTING STAT: If every church member in the US was put on welfare but everyone tithed off of that check, every church in the US would experience a 30% increase in income.

* God can do more with 90 percent than you can do with 100 percent! God will take care of you!

* The only place that God dares us to challenge Him is in our giving.

Level #2: Generous people give WILLINGLY.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NIV)

* The Greek word for cheerful = Hilaros. This is the attitude we should have when giving.

* Generosity is not about the amount, but the attitude.

* Sometimes we are more convicted about what we give or don’t give instead of the condition of our heart.

“In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.” 2 Corinthians 8:2-3 (NIV)

* When your attitude is right, God will make sure the amount is right.

Level #3: Generous people give SACRIFICIALLY.

* This is where we give even when and tho it hurts.

“But the king replied to Araunah, ‘No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.’” 2 Samuel 24:24 (NIV)

* Our God is a sacrificial God and He expects us to be giving sacrificially to make us like Him?

* QUESTION: When was the last time you gave and felt it?

* God is crazy to love us the way he does and when we give sacrificially it shows him how crazy we are about Him.

“Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.’” Mark 12:43-44 (NIV)

* Where are you today? What is God asking you to give?

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What’s the most generous thing anyone has ever done for you? What is the most generous thing you’ve done in the last month?

2. Read the following Scripture passages, and talk about the commands and promises concerning generosity.

Deuteronomy 15:10, “Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.”

Psalm 37:21, “The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers.”

Psalm 112:4, “Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.”

Proverbs 11:25, “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”

Proverbs 22:9, “Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.”

Isaiah 32:8, “But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity.”

3. Read Matthew 6:24. Why do you think so many people struggle with greed and materialism? What area of your life do you struggle to be generous?

4. Pastor Bob said when we struggle to be generous with what God has given us it’s a sign we are really struggling with ownership. Do you agree? Why or why not?

5. Read Leviticus 27:30 and Malachi 3:8-10. What is a tithe? Do you think tithing is for New Testament Christians today? Why or why not? Do you think God has lowered His standard of generosity from Old Testament days to the New Testament times? What does that mean for us today?

6. What are the promised blessings of tithing and consequences of not tithing? Have you experienced either of these in your life?

7. Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-11. What are some of the principles of giving that we learn in this passage? In what area do you do well? In what area do you need to improve?

8. Have you ever given sacrificially to the Lord? Do you think God ever calls us to do this? Why or why not?

9. How do generosity and financial planning fit together?

10. What is the clearest thing God is saying to you through this study?

MUSICAL WORSHIP SET

Salvation Is Here – Houston

Go Tell It – Davis

God Is Able – Morgan & Fielding

I Surrender All

We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here. While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.

As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service on our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.

December 5, 2011