Dan Gould

Category: FBCH

  • Sunday AM Remix – 6.5.11

    Today we started a brand new series called Heroes! We are unpacking the proof that God can use anybody. During the series we’ll look at Old Testament examples of real people who did extraordinary things because of their faith. Today, we looked at the life of Noah!

    Heroes
    “Noah:  When You Are Caught in a Storm”
    Genesis 6:5 – 7:1

    * The story of the flood is not a nice little story about animals and a rainbow; It’s a story about sin and judgement.

    * We will only obey God in the storm to the degree we trust God before the storm comes.

    * The storm doesn’t always grow our faith, but it does reveal our faith!

    3 KINDS OF FAITH:

    ➢ FAIR WEATHER faith.

    * The idea that as long as things are going good, you and God are tight!  But when things start going bad, your out.

    * Fair Weather Faith people say, “God as long as you scratch my back I’ll scratch yours.”

    ➢ FOUL WEATHER faith.

    * Rushing to God when all else fails.

    * Praying, “God if you do this …. I will …”

    * Seeks God only in Crisis

    ➢ ALL-WEATHER faith.

    * Obeying God regardless!

    * Being faithful in easy and difficult times.

    TO OBEY GOD IN THE STORM LIKE NOAH:

    1. We must DARE TO BE DIFFERENT.

    * Noah is like a donut at a weight watchers convention!  – he stood out!

    * We live in a world that is afraid of standing out and being different.

    “This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.” Genesis 6:9 (NKJV)

    * The word perfect here does not mean sinless but blameless.  Noah was blameless when compared to others.

    “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark . . .” Matthew 24:37-38 (NKJV)

    “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” Hebrews 11:7 (NKJV)

    * The majority isn’t always right! God + 1 = a majority

    * Conformity is often the enemy of Christianity!

    – Does my life look more much different from everyone else?

    – Remember, the fear of man is a trap.

    * When everyone was walking away from God, Noah walked with God!

    2. We must TRUST GOD COMPLETELY.

    * We obey based on how much we trust God.

    * Noah was 500 miles from the Mediterranean Sea when he built the Ark by faith

    ➢ Jesus and the Ark: INSIDE is the Only SAFE Place.

    * We can see the Gospel even in the story of Noah

    – Everything IN the Ark was safe!

    – Everything is Christ will be saved!

    “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6 (NKJV)

    * We can see the Gospel even in the story of Noah

    – There was only one way into the Ark.

    – Jesus is the only way to God.

    ➢ Jesus and the Ark: Both absorbed God’s JUDGEMENT.

    * We can see the Gospel even in the story of Noah

    – The Flood was the picture of Gods Judgement & the Ark absorbed it.

    – The Cross was the picture of Gods Judgement & the Cross absorbed it.

    “Then the LORD said to Noah, ‘Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.’” Genesis 7:1 (NKJV)

    ‘Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you.’ Genesis 8:16 (NKJV)

    3. We must REFUSE TO GIVE UP.

    * It took Noah between 98-120 years to build the Ark! That’s a long time to want to give up!

    PROBLEMS → PRESSURES → PEOPLE  Will Tempt You to Give Up.

    “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV)

    4. We must BE READY FOR ANOTHER ATTACK.

    * Satan will not leave you alone because you do one thing right, or persevere through one storm.

    “And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent.”
    Genesis 9:20-21 (NKJV)

    * Satan is relentless in his attack on us.

    – We may avoid one attack, but be warned, there is another one coming.

    * Looking at the end of Noahs life we see that the last 1/3 of his life was spent coasting and doing nothing for God.

    – The challenge is to serve the Lord all the days of our life!

    – If you Coast you’re toast!

    ONE LAST THOUGHT

     We all have Ark moments; the question is will you be ready for yours?

    This is going to be another great series.  If you missed any of the talks from our Parent Trapped series, make sure you check them out here.  If you missed today, or want to just watch it again, you can do so by clicking here.

    I hope you make plans soon to join us at FBC Harvester!  If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teaching. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here we would love the privilege of helping where we can.

    Lastly, here are the songs we sang during our time together.

  • Joplin Relief Update

    Many of you have asked about Joplin and how you can get involved.  We are currently collecting supplies that are being sent as people and teams go to the area.  Feel free to pick up these supplies and drop off items in the Fellowship Hall here at FBC Harvester. Here is a list of the supplies we are collecting and sending:

    • cases of bottled water
    • socks and underwear
    • diapers and formula
    • bottled water
    • personal hygiene items
    • blankets
    • pillows
    • cots
    • work gloves and boots
    • first aid supplies
    • paper products
    • chain saw oil
    • hand sanitizer
    • manual can openers, etc.

    If you would like to make a donation please make your check payable to “FBCH” and write “Joplin Relief” on the envelope. You can donate through the offering, the church office, at the Information Center on Sunday, or by mailing.

    We are in contact with Red Cross and College Heights Christian Church in Joplin and are working on details for a volunteer trip in the next couple of weeks as volunteers become more needed.

    For the latest info, make sure to follow FBC Harvester on Twitter @fbcharvester  We will also be updating the website as we get more information. Please continue to be in prayer for those affected by the tornado and how God can use each of us to help in this great time of need.

  • Sunday AM Remix – 5.29.11

    What a great day at FBC Harvester. We honored our Veterans, wrapped up a great series on parenting, and I had the privilege to baptize my oldest son!!!! With that being said, this series has been so good for Steph and I an I know its been good for our church. I’ve laughed, I’ve thought, I’ve been encouraged, and I’ve also been convicted. It has caused me to really look at how I am parenting, and I hope it has done the same for you.

    Here are my notes from week 5 as we wrap up this series with the topic “Dealing with Discipline.”

    PARENT TRAPPED
    “Dealing with Discipline”

    * The reason kids are out of control at school is because they have too much control at home! – Wow so true!

    “Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.” Proverbs 19:18 (NLT)

    * 2 things to notice from this verse about discipline

    1. Start Early while kids are small! – you can always excuse immediate consequences, but you set your child up for failure in the future by doing so.

    2. How you discipline your child affects the quality of the rest of their life! – Discipline is like potty training, its miserable going thru it, but it marvelous when its done. Remember The end product is worth the process!!!

    Note: notice who’s at fault if your child is undisciplined.

    “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11(NIV)

    WHEN DISCIPLINING YOUR CHILD . . .

    1. FOLLOW GOD’S EXAMPLE.

    “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten . . . “ Revelation 3:19 (NKJV)

    • For IDENTIFICATION.

    “For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as his child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as He does all of His children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children at all.” Hebrews 12:6-8 (NLT)

    * When you discipline your child, you are saying that you belong to me!

    • For PREVENTION.

    “If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.”
    2 Corinthians 12:6-7 (NLT    )

    * When you discipline, you tell your child that you love them too much to put them in that situation to deal with that temptation.

    * This is preventative discipline.

    • For EDUCATION.

    “I use to wander off until You disciplined me; but now I closely follow Your Word . . . The suffering You sent was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to Your principles. . . I know, O Lord, that Your decisions are fair; You disciplined me because I needed it.”
    Psalm 119:67, 71, 75

    * Sometimes we have to be broken down because we have the tendency to run off!

    2. BELIEVE GOD’S WORD.

    ➢ God Says Discipline Will . . .

    • Lead To KNOWLEDGE & WISDOM.

    “To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.” Proverbs 12:1 (NLT)

    “A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to correction” Proverbs 13:1 (NLT)

    * If you never point out whats wrong, how will they ever get it right?

    • Save You SOME HEARTACHE.

    “To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.” Proverbs 29:15 (NLT)

    • Root Out REBELLION.

    “A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.” Proverbs 22:15 (NLT)

    “The rod and rebuke give wisdom. . .” Proverbs 29:15a (NKJV)

    * God has given a spanking spot for each child! It’s located right at the lower back and just above the legs!

    * Spanking is the last option, rebuking always comes first!

    • Steers Toward SALVATION.

    * Use Discipline to guide them to salvation and the right direction they are supposed to go!

    * They need Firm Direction!!!!

    “Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell.” Proverbs 23:13-14 (NKJV)

    * Know when to pat high (on back) and when to pat low (on butt)!

    3. DELIVER IT GOD’S WAY.

    ➢ LOVINGLY.

    “Man’s anger does not bring the righteous life God desires.” James 1:20

    * Discipline is not revenge for action, its goal is always driven by repentance.

    *Punishment focuses on the outward action, where discipline focuses on the inward attitude.

    * Discipline in calm ways!

    ➢ FIRMLY.

    ➢ SPARINGLY.

    “Fathers, don’t scold your children so much that they become discouraged and quit trying.” Colossians 3:21 (LB)

    It has been a great series.  If you missed today or any other week in this series, I highly encourage you to watch the message on-line by clicking here. Next week we start a new series so make plans now to join us next week at FBC Harvester. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here!

    I hope the Parent Trapped series has been helpful and challenged you to think about the way you parent! My prayer is that all of us would strive to raise our kids in the type of Home they really need. One that will set biblical principles and point them into a relationship with Christ!

  • Sunday AM Remix – 5.22.11

    Here is the outline from week 4 of our series called Parent Trapped.  Sadly, yet excitedly I was unable to be here for the message because my wife and I were closing on our house in Texas to finalize our move to Texas.  When things get settled here (aka boxes unpacked and honey-do-lists comp …. well thats an endless list so lets not wait on that), the both of us will sit down and watch the message together and I’ll update this post then.


    PARENT TRAPPED
    “What Children Wish Their Parents Knew”

    “The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.” Proverbs 10:1 (NLT)

    “Foolish children bring grief to their father and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.” Proverbs 17:25 (NLT)

    CHILDREN WOULD LOVE TO SAY TO THEIR PARENTS . . .

    1.  “SOMETIMES JUST LISTEN TO ME WITHOUT JUDGING ME OR TRYING TO FIX ME.”

    “. . . Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. . .” James 1:19b (NIV)

    “The first duty of love is to listen.” Paul Tillich

    • 4 Parent Traps of Communication:

    ➢ Exaggeration

    ➢ Martyr Complex

    ➢ Comparison

    ➢ Prophesy

    2. “I’M NOT YOU, SO HELP ME BE ME.”

    “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established. . .” Proverbs 24:3 (NIV)

    “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)

    “Whoever is patient has great understanding. . .” Proverbs 14:29a (NIV)

    3. “I RESPOND BETTER TO PRAISE THAN TO CRITICISM.”

    “Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Proverbs 16:24 (NLT)

    “Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.” Colossians 3:21 (NLT)

    4. WHEN YOU DISRESPECT MY FRIENDS, I HEAR YOU CRITICIZING ME.

    “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” Proverbs 13:20 (NKJV)

    ‘Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.’ 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)

    “Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.” Proverbs 28:7 (NLT)

    5. “I MAY ACT LIKE I DON’T LIKE RULES, BUT I NEED SOME LIMITS.”

    “To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.” Proverbs 10:17

    ➢ BE CLEAR.

    ➢ BE CONSISTENT.

    ➢ BE UNIFIED.

    If you missed today, I highly encourage you to watch this weeks message by clicking here and then make plans to join us next week at FBC Harvester. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here!

    We are really excited about this series and cant wait to see what God will do next as we learn to survive and thrive as Parents and raise our kids in the type of Home they really need!

  • Joplin Relief – 5.25.11

    This morning’s update for Joplin Relief effort:

    Our first team is on the ground working with the Red Cross. At this point they need supplies desperately. Food seems to be arriving okay, still needed:

    Water
    Work boots
    Clothes, esp socks & underwear
    Paper products: plates, cups, etc
    Packing boxes and tape
    Kids’ toys & stuffed animals & games
    Toiletries including diapers & feminine products

    These items can be dropped off at First Baptist Church Harvester in the Fellowship Hall back by the sound booth and we will send them down as we have space and transportation. We are also collecting money for rental equipment when they allow us to start helping with cleanup.

  • Sunday AM Remix – 5.15.11

    Another strong weekend at FBC Harvester as we continued with week 3 of our “Parent Trapped” series. In this series we are addressing Biblical Wisdom for Popular Pitfalls. If you are like me, this series has been very helpful and encouraging!!! Understanding that NOTHING impacts my kids life more than the relationship that they have with mom and dad causes me to want to be the best parent I can be. And I am sure it does the same for you. Here are my notes from todays topic: What Parents Wish Their Children Knew.

    PARENT TRAPPED
    “What Parents Wish their Children Knew”
    Selected Scriptures

    “Whatever you do gain understanding . . .” Proverbs 2:2

    WHAT PARENTS WOULD LIKE TO SAY . . .

    1. TO ALL THEIR CHILDREN.

    ➢ “I’m not an EXPERT; this is on the JOB TRAINING.”

    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

    * Parenting is by trial and error – you the kids are on trial and we the parents will make the errors.

    ➢ “When I say ‘NO’ there is usually a better ‘YES’ ahead.”

    * Parents long to say yes, but there are times that they must say no! – side note – saying no to the right things can be difficult, but our role as parents are to shape our kids in a way that protects, strengthens, and develops their character!

    * The #1 rule in Parenting: Keep the child ALIVE!

    ➢ “I’m not trying to TIE YOU DOWN; I’m trying to LAUNCH YOU OUT.”

    “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. . .” Psalm 127:4-5a (NKJV)

    * Once the warrior/archer launches the arrow, he or she cannot change it’s direction!
    * As parents, we need to be shaping and molding aiming our kids to hit the target, A personal relationship with Jesus!
    * An Arrow can go places the warrior cannot go!
    * We have an opportunity to send our kids places we can never go!

    2. TO THEIR ELEMENTARY CHILDREN.

    ➢ “You NEED Jesus!”

    “Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.”
    Mark 16:16 (NLT)

    * We don’t graduate from the Gospel … we live in it!

    “Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, ‘Let the children come to Me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.’” Luke 18:16 (NLT)

    * Many times for kids that grow up in the church, the benchmark of their faith is their baptism.

    ➢ “If you learn to OBEY NOW you can avoid some MAJOR PAIN in the future.”

    “Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord.” Colossians 3:20 (NLT)

    “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1 (NKJV)

    “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him.” Proverbs 22:15 (NKJV)

    3. TO THEIR TEENAGE CHILDREN.

    ➢ “Your PURITY is so important.”

    “Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.” Proverbs 20:11 (NLT)

    “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:9-11 (NLT)

    * 4 reasons to remain pure

    ** Sin always leaves a scar
    ** When choosing to Sin, there is no guarantee you’ll be able to stop later on in life
    ** Sin produces wasted opportunities
    ** Sin produces a Life filled with regret

    ➢ “Your ATTITUDE is as important as your ACTIONS.”

    * If you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you attitude should be different!

    “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NIV)

    4. TO THEIR ADULT CHILDREN.

    ➢ “Let’s have an ONGOING RELATIONSHIP”

    “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.” Proverbs 17:6 (NIV)

    ➢ “Be faithful TO THE LORD.”

    “I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.” 3 John 1:4 (NLT)

    If you missed today, I highly encourage you to watch this weeks message by clicking here and then make plans to join us next week at FBC Harvester. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here!

    We are really excited about this series and cant wait to see what God will do next as we learn to survive and thrive as Parents and raise our kids in the type of Home they really need!

  • Shallow Small Groups … Yikes!

  • Sunday AM Remix – 5.8.11 Mothers Day Edition

    Happy Mothers Day!!! Hope you took the time to let the Mom’s in your life know how special they are. It was another great day at First Baptist Harvester as we continued or series called “Parent Trapped … Biblical Wisdom for Popular Pitfalls” Today topic: Parenting … Extra Grace Required” Here are the notes from todays teaching by our Discipleship Pastor Chris Chapman.

    PARENT TRAPPED
    Parenting … Extra Grace Required
    Ephesians 6:1-4

    *What will my kids mimic as they look at me and follow my example?
    *Reality, our children can easily become idols of our heart!
    *They way we parent our kids affects them now &  impacts how they parent in the future.

    EVERY PARENT NEEDS EXTRA GRACE BECAUSE . . .

    1. Trap #1: We Aim At The Child’s Mind (The Ruler)

    ➢ If We Can Encourage PROPER Behavior, Then They Will Become PRODUCTIVE Children.

    *The Ruler has no flexibility because it’s all about rules.
    *It’s easy to get lost in the rules and miss the person (our kid) we are shaping.
    *The Ruler is motivated by external issues, following the rules
    *When we make rules the main thing, we miss the relational side of parenting.
    *In this we create rule followers who become experts at checking boxes.
    *The Ruler practices reactionary parenting.

    “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:7-8 (ESV)

    “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (ESV)

    *The Ruler sets rules and punishes their kids for breaking the rules. Discipline on the other hand is rooted in the word disciple.  It’s a teachable approach to parenting that is very Biblical.

    2. Trap #2: We Focus On Controlling Each Situation They Encounter. (The Over-Protector)

    ➢ If We Can ISOLATE Our Children From the World, Then We Can Keep Them INSULATED From Evil.

    *Helicopter parenting – parents who hover over their kids.
    *If we raise our kids in a bubble and protect them from everything, we are not training them to handle the attack of the Devil once they leave our bubble as parents.

    “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

    “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.” Psalm 127:3 (ESV)

    *Children are a gift from God and as a parent I am called to be a good steward of the Gifts God has given me!

    “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.” Psalm 127:4 (ESV)

    *Arrows are made for a specific purpose and shot at a specific target! As parents, are we preparing our kids to hit a specific target?

    3. Trap #3: We Are Determined To Create A Positive Self-Image (The Cheerleader)

    ➢ If We Can BOLSTER Self-Esteem, Then They Will Have A BETTER Self Image.

    “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9 (ESV)

    “As it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one . . .’” Romans 3:10 (ESV)

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

    4. Goal: We Must FULFILL Our God Given Roles, To Effectively Lead Our FAMILY Into What God Desires.

    “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:5 (ESV)

    “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. . .” Ephesians 5:25 (ESV)

    “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:22 (ESV)

    “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1 (ESV)

    “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)

    BOTTOM LINE: We need to Model Integrity for our Kids and be the Parents God has called us to be.

    *It’s caught not taught
    *We need to live what we say!

    If you missed today, I highly encourage you to watch this weeks message by clicking here and then make plans to join us next week at FBC Harvester. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here!

    We are really excited about this series and cant wait to see what God will do next as we learn to survive and thrive as Parents and raise our kids in the type of Home they really need!

  • Sunday AM Remix – 5.1.11


    Today we started and brand new series called “Parent Trapped” Looking at Biblical Wisdom for popular pitfalls.  Today we looked at “The Home Every Child Needs”  Think about that statement … Would your home meet the standard? No matter how you answer that question, there is still work to be done.  I know this is one series that I am very excited about and hope to take the things I am learning and begin to apply them so our home is the home my boys need.

    Here are my notes from today!

    PARENT TRAPPED
    “The Home Every Child Needs”
    Deuteronomy 6:1-9

    *Nothing Shapes your Child more than their relationship with their PARENTS!
    *God gave children to Mom’s and Dad’s! As Parents its our responsibility to raise them, teach them and take care of them.
    *You can’t outsource the responsibility of being a parent.
    *Many of us want ‘Honor Role’ Kids, but we are not being ‘Honor Role’ Parents!
    *Many times it’s our kids that get stuck with the leftovers. Leftover energy, Leftover creativity, Leftover time, Leftover time.
    *Something has to change, it was never supposed to be this way.

    **In the last 30 years teen pregnancy has gone up %500
    **Each day, 1,000 girls have abortions
    **7 out 10 girls will have sex before they are 14
    **4,000 teens get an STD everyday

    This should bother us.  Something must change. God gives us instructions on how we are to parent our kids lets look at what He says, it’s found in Deuteronomy 6:1-9.

    EVERY CHILD NEEDS A HOME WHERE … 

    1.  RIGHTEOUS LIVES Are Lived.

     *This is not moralistic behavior.  It’s more than being a good person

     “These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy, and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all His decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life. . .”  Deuteronomy 6:1-2 (NLT)

    *As Parents we think our kids are angels, but the reality is the longer their legs grow, the shorter their wings get.
    *We must teach our children to do right by doing right ourselves.
    *The old adage, “Do as I say not as I do” has never worked!
    *Your Kids watch you more than they listen to you.
    *Our kids are not listening to our lips as much as they are watching our life.
    *If we are not being consistent with the things we say, and the things we do, our kids will stop listening to what we say because we are showing them what really important!

    Remember:  You Are A MODEL!

    “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”  Hebrews 13:7 (NIV)

     *Your kids have to see it before they’ll do it.

    2.  THE REAL LORD Is Loved.

    “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.   And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.”  Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (NLT)

     *You can’t take anything with you to Heaven except for your family. How well are you doing preparing them for Eternity?

    “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.  Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)

    Remember:  You Are A Mirror!

    *I am to reflect for my Kids the Glory of God!
    *I am to reflect for my Kids what I am wanting them to become!

    “Bring up your children in the training and instruction of the Lord.”  Ephesians 6:4

    “Knowing God results in every other kind of understanding.”  Proverbs 9:10

     “Everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord.”  Philippians 3:8

    *What our Kids see in us is what they become!
    *As Parents we need to give them something GOOD to IMITATE!

    3.  THE RIGHT LESSONS Are Learned.

    “And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”  Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NLT)

    *Every day, Every way, show them Christ!

    Remember:  You Are A MENTOR!

    *Parents have the responsibility to raise their kids in Church
    *The popular idea “That I don’t want to force my kids to go to church, because I don’t want to turn them away from God” is bunk!

    **It’s like saying I don’t want to keep telling my kids to brush their teeth because I am afraid that might reject their toothbrush!
    **It’s like saying I don’t want to make my kids go to school because it might make them heat school!

    *Being a parent has great responsibility!
    *When you let God be an option, you are setting your kids up to not know Christ!
    *The Truth is this – If they see the real deal, that what you say and what you do match up, your kids will be more likely to be drawn to Christ because they have seen authenticity in your life!
    *Three Areas of control that we need to teach our kids:

    **Parent Control – The ability to live under the authority of our Parents.
    **Self Control – The ability to control ourselves.
    **God Control – The ability to live under the authority of Christ.

    FOUR LESSONS THAT KIDS LEARN FROM PARENTS

    1.  How To KNOW GOD.

    2.  How To HONOR THEIR PARENTS.

     ‘Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.’ Exodus 20:12 (NLT)

     3.  How To VALUE THEIR SPOUSE.

     “So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Ephesians 5:33 (NLT)

     4.  How To LOVE THEIR CHILDREN.
    BOTTOM LINE: God designed the home to be the University for life!


    If you missed today, I highly encourage you to watch this weeks message by clicking here and then make plans to join us next week at FBC Harvester. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here!

    We are really excited about this series and cant wait to see what God will do next as we learn to survive and thrive as Parents and raise our kids in the type of Home they really need!

  • Sunday AM Remix – 4.24.11 (Easter Edition)

    HE IS RISEN!!!!

    Happy Easter! What a great weekend we have had despite the rain and tornado’s.  Today was filled with celebration and contemplation at FBC Harvester as we wrapped up our Triumph series.  We celebrated the fact that Jesus has risen, and that we can find forgiveness of Sin only in Him, and contemplated the reality that one day we too will die.  Death is one of those things that we don’t like to talk much about but it is something that everyone will face.  However, as Christ Followers, we can Triumph over death because of the Cross of Christ and the Resurrection of Christ!

    Here are my notes from todays Easter Service.

    TRIUMPH
    Over Death
    Hebrews 9:27-28

    “(God) has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”  Ecclesiastes 3:11

    *The Good News of Easter is that Jesus is God, He died a brutal death on the Cross, and has resurrected Himself and now lives! That is what Easter is all about.

    “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”  Hebrews 9:27-28 (NKJV)

    TO REALLY CELEBRATE EASTER TODAY REMEMBER . . .

    1.  DEATH Is Unavoidable.

    “. . . it is appointed for men to die once . . .” Hebrews 9:27a (NKJV)

    *We live forever, our body doesn’t.
    *We have to be careful not to confuse the body with the soul.  The body will die, the soul will live forever.
    *We live in a world that is fascinated with death but terrified of it. But it’s something we need to think about.

    “A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time.”  Ecclesiastes 7:4 (NLT)

    *It takes a death to have a resurrection. In order to get a new life, the old one has to die.

    2.  JUDGMENT Is Inevitable.

     “. . . but after this the judgment. . .”  Hebrews 27b (NKJV)

    Sin        ->       Death        ->     Judgment

    *Every person faces these three problems.

    “When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race.  Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.”  Romans 5:12

     “For the wages of sin is death . . .” Romans 6:23a (NKJV)

     *We may be able to hide from others, but we cannot hide from God. He see’s everything.

    “No one can hide from God.  His eyes see everything we do.  This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done.”  Hebrews 4:13

    *One day we will face Judgement and have to give an account for everything we have done.
    *On Judgement day, we will either stand alone and defend ourself, or be defended by Jesus work on the Cross.

    3.  SALVATION Is Available.

    “. . . so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”  Hebrews 9:28 (NKJV)

    *Jesus died for our sins, he rose from the dead conquering sin, and one day He’s coming again to eliminate sin and take those who have trusted Him as Lord and Savior Home.

    “For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.”  1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NLT)

    *Christ stands as our defender against sin, death , and judgement.
    *Good people don’t go to Heaven … Forgiven people do!

    “Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:  ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting?’   For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (NLT)

    *The Question: Have you Surrendered your life to Him?

    *If you would like more info on how to become a Christian, or what it means to be a Christ Follower simply click here.

    THE RESURRECTION CHALLENGE

    *Today, we have MET the resurrected Christ, we have WORSHIPED the resurrected Christ, now the challenge is for us to REPRESENT the resurrected Christ and SHARE the resurrected Christ with others!

    This has been a great series as we learn to stand Triumphantly through the power of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.  If you missed today, or simply want to hear/watch todays teaching simply click here and it will direct you to our online teaching resources.

    We would love for you to begin serving with us by using your spiritual gift/s.  We have created an on-line resource that allows you to see the various ministries here at FBC Harvester and we encourage you to take some time to see where you can serve and then contact the place that seems like a fit for you. You can see that resource by clicking here.

    Make plans to join us next week as we start a brand new series titled, “Parent Trapped … Biblical Wisdom for Popular Pitfalls.”