Margins in Morals
3 Things We Know:
-Everyone has moral limits whether they are self-imposed, spiritually-imposed, or legally-imposed
-Everybody agrees they exist. Where is the limit?
-We're wired to want to know where the limit is, and we're tempted to live at that limit
Culture Sends 2 Messages:
-Go as far as you can go
-If you cross a line, you're in trouble
***Fear takes over, and it makes you think you need to reach the limit
For Christ Followers:
1 Corinthians 6:18, “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins people commit are outside their bodies, but those who sin sexually sin against their own bodies.”
-Run away from sexual temptations; don't flirt with the limits
-Sexual sin is worse and more serious than any other sin because you're sinning against your own body
-John 15-abide in Jesus – not in sin
Sexual Sin
-Living on the edge = moral disaster
-Sexual sin's consequences are deeper and longer lasting than other scars
-Consequences and scars can/will ruin your life
-Come back from the edge
-Emotional and mental health are linked with moral limits
-Relationships suffer when scars take over
What do we do?
-Pre-describe your moral limits NOW
***Culture and fear will hurt you! Ignore them
-The deeper you are in moral sin, the more extreme your measures will have to be
-Find the healthy margins
-What is the furthest limit you want your future spouse to reach? Don't go further than that!
-PROTECTION-Protect the one you are in a relationship with (even if it's not your future spouse). Protect them from sexual immorality for their future spouse.
-Obedience opens the door for you to be able to share the gospel.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Margins in Finances
-Fight Fears and “What if's”
-The Lie: if I only I could make more money then __________
-The Truth: If I could only spend less money then __________
-More money will not solve problems!
-If you don't have financial margins, you rob God and yourself of peace, relationships, and stability
-Psalm 67:1-2
-Malachi 3:7-12
What to Do:
-Determine available income
-Set your margin goals: Percent you give, save, and live on
-Develop a plan to reach goals – BUDGET
-Test God in your budget
Take your paycheck:
1st-10% goes to God
2nd-10% goes to savings
3rd-Mandatory bills
4th-Other expenses
-The Lie: if I only I could make more money then __________
-The Truth: If I could only spend less money then __________
-More money will not solve problems!
-If you don't have financial margins, you rob God and yourself of peace, relationships, and stability
-Psalm 67:1-2
-Malachi 3:7-12
What to Do:
-Determine available income
-Set your margin goals: Percent you give, save, and live on
-Develop a plan to reach goals – BUDGET
-Test God in your budget
Take your paycheck:
1st-10% goes to God
2nd-10% goes to savings
3rd-Mandatory bills
4th-Other expenses
Margins in Time
1. Realizing that Your Days are numbered by God
-Psalm 90:12
-We have limits!!
-Listen to what God is telling you. Tune out fear!
-Ephesians 5:15-16, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.”
-Priority determines capacity-don't reverse it
-Just because your calendar has a space doesn't mean you have to fill it
-Fear says, “What if?” - -Don't listen!
3. Make spending time alone with God a priority
-Matthew 6:33, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
-Be moldable in God's hands
-Be able to say “no” to unnecessary things
-There is peace and productivity in margins
-God's a very productive God! :)
-You have limits but God does not!
-Fear: Fear says, “I'll never make it.” It is an idol-define your idol. Fear is NOT from God!
4. Pray for:
-Recognizing that your days are numbered
-Prioritizing
-Spending time alone with God
-No fear!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
New Years Conference-Prayer
Seminar: Prayer
-Christians are ordered to pray: Psalm 50:15, “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."
-Prayer is communicating with God
3 Things that Keep Us From Praying:
1: Lack of Time: Spend your time wisely
2: Ignorance: Pray humbly like a child
3: Culture: be selfish when you pray! It’s ok to admit it!
ACTS Prayer:
Aderation
Confession
Thanksgiving
Supplication
-say what’s on your heart; admit it when you are angry or busy
-interact with God’s word:
-set a date and appointment and keep it; reschedule it if you have to
-fuel for prayer: helplessness, not discipline
-don’t be a control freak
-don’t make prayer a simple routine
-Christians are ordered to pray: Psalm 50:15, “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."
-Prayer is communicating with God
3 Things that Keep Us From Praying:
1: Lack of Time: Spend your time wisely
2: Ignorance: Pray humbly like a child
3: Culture: be selfish when you pray! It’s ok to admit it!
ACTS Prayer:
Aderation
Confession
Thanksgiving
Supplication
-say what’s on your heart; admit it when you are angry or busy
-interact with God’s word:
-set a date and appointment and keep it; reschedule it if you have to
-fuel for prayer: helplessness, not discipline
-don’t be a control freak
-don’t make prayer a simple routine
Monday, January 4, 2010
New Years Conference 2009 Rally #5
Rally #5
Speaker: Carol Pope
Surrender Your Life to Christ
1. I can’t depend on my emotions
1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
**Write down all of your sins; ask for forgiveness; and God will forgive you
***When you feel depressed, what are you believing about God that is a lie? Put it out of your head and heart. For example: “God doesn’t love me anymore”
Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
*God will never leave you; even if you try to leave Him
Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
*He is working through you and with you; even if you don’t feel it
2. Jesus is the only one who can meet your deepest needs
Psalm 73:25, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.”
*RUN to Jesus!
**People will always let you down, but God will never let you down!
***A boyfriend or a girlfriend will not solve your problems
****Ruth Graham (Billy Graham’s wife) said, “I pity the married couple who expect too much from one another.”
Psalm 90:14, “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”
*Only God can satisfy you
** Albert Einstein “Women marry men hoping they will change. Men marry women hoping they will not. So each is inevitably disappointed.”
3. Be Content With What God Gave You
***Read all of Psalm 139
*****1 Timothy 6:15, “which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords.”
2 Truths:
1. God is in Control
*you are not an accident
**He is in control so don’t freak out when you feel out of control
***If God is sovereign, there is no such thing as Plan B
2. God cares; He loves you more than anything (sometimes we doubt Him)
*Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42… “Don’t you care?”
**When Jesus calmed the storm in Mark 4:35-40… “Don’t you care?”
Go through the alphabet and put an adjective describing God with each letter, and pray to Him. For example: “Lord, you are Awesome, you are Beautiful, you are Caring, etc.”
Q: What do you do if you heart feels hard toward God?
A: Read God’s word; it’s His love letter to you! Trust Him even if you don’t feel Him; Confide in friends; Read Psalms 13 and 139; Be prepared for hard times
Q: What is advice for college students?
A: Use your time wisely; make time for God; become a better person; learn something outside of the classroom
Q: What is good accountability?
A: Memorize scripture so you can back you reasoning up; ask questions with love and compassion; be real and not perfect (nobody likes perfect people); Give permission to others to hold you accountable
Q: I don’t see how God can forgive me for the things I’ve done. What can I do?
A: You don’t take Him by surprise; He knows your every thought and action so you can’t fool Him; Nail your sins to the cross (Give them over to God); God WILL forgive you; Don’t be ashamed to ask for help! God can forgive everything, and He is holy. So why can’t we forgive?
Speaker: Carol Pope
Surrender Your Life to Christ
1. I can’t depend on my emotions
1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
**Write down all of your sins; ask for forgiveness; and God will forgive you
***When you feel depressed, what are you believing about God that is a lie? Put it out of your head and heart. For example: “God doesn’t love me anymore”
Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
*God will never leave you; even if you try to leave Him
Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
*He is working through you and with you; even if you don’t feel it
2. Jesus is the only one who can meet your deepest needs
Psalm 73:25, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.”
*RUN to Jesus!
**People will always let you down, but God will never let you down!
***A boyfriend or a girlfriend will not solve your problems
****Ruth Graham (Billy Graham’s wife) said, “I pity the married couple who expect too much from one another.”
Psalm 90:14, “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”
*Only God can satisfy you
** Albert Einstein “Women marry men hoping they will change. Men marry women hoping they will not. So each is inevitably disappointed.”
3. Be Content With What God Gave You
***Read all of Psalm 139
*****1 Timothy 6:15, “which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords.”
2 Truths:
1. God is in Control
*you are not an accident
**He is in control so don’t freak out when you feel out of control
***If God is sovereign, there is no such thing as Plan B
2. God cares; He loves you more than anything (sometimes we doubt Him)
*Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42… “Don’t you care?”
**When Jesus calmed the storm in Mark 4:35-40… “Don’t you care?”
Go through the alphabet and put an adjective describing God with each letter, and pray to Him. For example: “Lord, you are Awesome, you are Beautiful, you are Caring, etc.”
Q: What do you do if you heart feels hard toward God?
A: Read God’s word; it’s His love letter to you! Trust Him even if you don’t feel Him; Confide in friends; Read Psalms 13 and 139; Be prepared for hard times
Q: What is advice for college students?
A: Use your time wisely; make time for God; become a better person; learn something outside of the classroom
Q: What is good accountability?
A: Memorize scripture so you can back you reasoning up; ask questions with love and compassion; be real and not perfect (nobody likes perfect people); Give permission to others to hold you accountable
Q: I don’t see how God can forgive me for the things I’ve done. What can I do?
A: You don’t take Him by surprise; He knows your every thought and action so you can’t fool Him; Nail your sins to the cross (Give them over to God); God WILL forgive you; Don’t be ashamed to ask for help! God can forgive everything, and He is holy. So why can’t we forgive?
New Years Conference 2009 Rally #3
Rally #5
Speaker: Randy Pope
Romans 6:1-13, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.”
2 Kinds of People: Natural and Spiritual
1. Natural-has one nature
***In Adam = Like Adam
2. Spiritual-has 2 natures
***In Christ = Like Christ
****Indwelled in the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 1:13, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”
Ephesians 5:18, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:16, “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
How do you walk in the Spirit?
*Look at Romans 6:1-13 again
**Know (vs 3, 6, 9)
***Consider (vs 11)
****Present (vs 13)
***Give yourself to God
**He can do what you can’t
*Give him your heart because you have passion for someone else
*Give him your eyes so you will not look on anything unholy
Speaker: Randy Pope
Romans 6:1-13, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.”
2 Kinds of People: Natural and Spiritual
1. Natural-has one nature
***In Adam = Like Adam
2. Spiritual-has 2 natures
***In Christ = Like Christ
****Indwelled in the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 1:13, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”
Ephesians 5:18, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:16, “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
How do you walk in the Spirit?
*Look at Romans 6:1-13 again
**Know (vs 3, 6, 9)
***Consider (vs 11)
****Present (vs 13)
***Give yourself to God
**He can do what you can’t
*Give him your heart because you have passion for someone else
*Give him your eyes so you will not look on anything unholy
New Years Conference-Practical Discipleship
Seminar 2: Practical Discipleship
What did Jesus mean by “Go and Make Disciples”?? (Matthew 28:18)
*Go and do what Jesus did for us
*Pour your heart into a few people in order to reach many people
Think Big:
Why are you here? God chose for us to exist
Christ as Logos- Logos = Logic of God = Word of God = Jesus
John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
Start Small:
Look into Paul’s Discipleship and Multiplication
**2 Thessalonians 2:7-12, “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”
**2 Timothy 2:1-2, “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
The Core of Practical Discipleship
*Sharing of the Gospel
**Relationships
***Hard work
****Modeling
*****Teaching and Training
******Helping them reproduce
Go Deep:
1. Keep Sharing your faith-It’s not just your job; it’s your life
2. Pray for people your can disciple
** Matthew 9:37: Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Personal Application: Have a plan!
1. Where is this person going? What do I desire to see happen in his life?
2. Where is he now? Spend time with him; journal, and pray
3. What’s the next step? Show them the plan. Commit to each other.
What did Jesus mean by “Go and Make Disciples”?? (Matthew 28:18)
*Go and do what Jesus did for us
*Pour your heart into a few people in order to reach many people
Think Big:
Why are you here? God chose for us to exist
Christ as Logos- Logos = Logic of God = Word of God = Jesus
John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
Start Small:
Look into Paul’s Discipleship and Multiplication
**2 Thessalonians 2:7-12, “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”
**2 Timothy 2:1-2, “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
The Core of Practical Discipleship
*Sharing of the Gospel
**Relationships
***Hard work
****Modeling
*****Teaching and Training
******Helping them reproduce
Go Deep:
1. Keep Sharing your faith-It’s not just your job; it’s your life
2. Pray for people your can disciple
** Matthew 9:37: Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Personal Application: Have a plan!
1. Where is this person going? What do I desire to see happen in his life?
2. Where is he now? Spend time with him; journal, and pray
3. What’s the next step? Show them the plan. Commit to each other.
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