18 April 2010

Romans 5:1-11

1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!11Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Joy - Dr. Timothy Keller

2nd Sermon in Series - The Real Signs of the Spirit

• The Morally Restrained Heart vs. the Supernaturally changed heart.
• Rejoice in hope, suffering, and God
• We rejoice in God's grace and this causes us to live our lives in a certain way.
• Superficial joy is transient which leads to detachment-Buddhism.
• Christian joy is unique because its not just based on favorable circumstances like money or relationships.
• Christian joy is unique because it is now, but also not yet.

We know things will get better for us because of what Jesus did; prayer is also the fore taste of what's to come.

• By knowing we are sinners and unworthy, we know we deserve wrath -- this allows us to know the size of our debt and how thankful we should be for the size of Jesus's sacrifice and pain.
• John 16

21A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

• Jesus relates to a woman giving birth - pain leads to joy from the new baby--women died in childbirth often--related to Jesus's death and sacrifice.

11 April 2010

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Love and the Fruit of the Spirit - Dr. Timothy Keller

1st Sermon in the Series - The Real Signs of the Spirit

• A changed heart meets love as a power and a person
• Galatians 5:19-26

19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

• Life of service doesn't always mean a changed heart.
• Helping people to get God's approval means you are doing it only for you.
• Fear and pride enhances a person's self-centeredness.
• Real love happens through receiving God's love not through doing a bunch of good stuff.
• Real love is a power that picks you up and changes you.
• Loves suffers long and infinitely---which is the definition of Jesus' sacrifice.

Prayer if Confession based on 1 Corinthians 13

Love is patient.

Am I willing to endure trying people?

Love is kind.

Am I thinking or acting unkindly towards anyone?

Love is not possessive.

Am I manipulative? Do I use people?

Love is not boastful or proud.

Do I love to be the center of attention?

Love is courteous.

Am I considerate, thoughtful, warm?

Love is not selfish.

Am I always insistent on my needs and rights?

Love is not irritable or bitter.

Am I forgiving? Do I keep a record of wrongs?

Love delights in truth and righteousness.

Do I put obedience to God first in my life?

4 April 2010 - Easter Sunday

Luke 24:15-27

15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him.

17He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

19"What things?" he asked.

"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."

25He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Christ[a] have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

He Walked Along With Them - Dr. Timothy Keller

• In Verse 18 Cleopas is named which serves as a living witness since the text is based on an oral tradition.
• Women were used as witnesses to the resurrection of Christ which suggests its truth since women weren't typically used as reliable witnesses.
• Start at the resurrection and other answers will come.

What it means for Jesus to be in our lives:

1. Exposed and Totally accountable when God and Jesus is "walking" with you, which is a moment by moment awareness of Him watching you; He is always with us, so we should act the same when in public or private.

2. Befriended and Loved by Jesus.
3. Gradual day in and day out fellowship with God.

For God to walk with us, He became human, poor and exposed to us.