Scripture: Psalm 33:12, John 8:31-32, Galatians 5:1

Sermon:

Let’s suppose that sometime this week you turned on the News and heard these 3 Announcements:

#1 “The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has just issued this statement: ‘Divine Providence (that’s God) has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty ... of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.’” (This was a portion of a Letter to John Murray, October 12, 1816)

#2 “Inquiries by our reporters reveal that almost every state legislature has now passed a law requiring all elected officials to take this oath: ‘I do profess faith in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ His only Son... and I do acknowledge the holy scriptures of the Old & New Testaments to be given by divine inspiration.’”

#3“Legislation was passed today in Congress to affirm that, ‘The Congress of the United States approves of and recommends...the Holy Bible for use in the schools.’”

FREEDOM FOR ALL

RESPONSES TO ONE'S FREEDOM

-The First Amendment to the United States Constitution:

What does the law say there? Freedom of religion, in other words, Freedom of FAITH.

Scripture: Proverbs 4:20-27, Jeremiah 17:9-10, 17:5-8, Matthew 11:28-30

Main Points:

• The HEALTH of my heart determines my future.
• A BAD heart believes in human strength.
• Jesus can TEACH my heart to rest in Him.

Notes:

How do I examine my heart?

1. What do I think about the most?
2. What do I worry about the most?
3. What is my first thought about how to fix a problem?
4. How bad do things have to get before I involve God?
5. Where is the bulk of my time and money being spent?

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 103:8-14, Hebrews 12:5-11, Luke 11:11-13 NLT

MAIN POINTS:

The CHARACTER of a good father gives life to his children.

• restrained
• compassionate
• forgiving
• yielding
• merciful
• patient
• careful
• steadfast
• loving
• understanding
• forgetful

The DISCIPLINE of a good father gives life to his children.

The GUIDANCE of a good father gives life to his children.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Main Points:

• Giving to God is a MINISTRY to reach the lost and provide for the poor.
• Generosity leads to abundance and a DELIGHT in sharing with those in need.

Notes:

Generosity Falsehoods

• You can’t afford to give
• The church is greedy
• God understands you need your money
• Giving is legalistic and Old Testament
• You will give when things are better
• Giving your time is enough

God’s Generosity Pathway (Old Testament)

• Honor God with your wealth, and your blessings will overflow
  • (Proverbs 3:9-10)
• Generosity = Prosperity
  • (Proverbs 11:24-25)
• Your money doesn’t last because you don’t honor God
  • (Haggai 1:5-6)
• Stop cheating God and watch him bless you. Test him!
  • (Malachi 3:8-10)

God’s Generosity Pathway (New Testament)

• Treasures impact your heart’s desires. God will provide!
  • (Matthew 6:19-21 & 31-33)
• Generosity to the poor matters
  • (Matthew 19:21)
• Tithing is just the beginning of honoring God
  • (Matthew 23:23)
• Generosity = Prosperity for sharing with others
  • (2 Corinthians 9:6-12)

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 11:25-29, Exodus 20:8-11, 31:12-17, Mark 2:27

Main Points:

• Why does a pastor need to take a Sabbatical?
• Make Time to rest.
• Generational Stress.

Notes:

What is a Sabbatical?

• NOT a vacation or a break from the work of ministry.
• NOT a reward for time served in ministry.
• An investment into the future of ministry.
• A chance to heal from the emotional and spiritual strain that accompanies ministry.
• A time, through healing, to reconnect with God in the quiet.
• A time for safety from surprise traumas or events

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality-Pastor Peter Scazzero

Sabbath is a 24-hour block of time in which we stop work, enjoy rest, practice delight, and contemplate God.”

• Stop – God is in control, not me
• Rest – Intentional recovery for the soul
• Delight – Enjoy God’s gifts/creation
• Contemplate – Focus your life on God

The Science of Stress

• Stress releases adrenaline and cortisol
• Increased BP, Heart Attack & Stroke
• Decreased immune function
• Hormonal imbalances
• Digestive disorders and ulcers
• Muscle tension, headaches & body pain
• Alters memory, mood & emotions
• Shortens DNA protective caps, telomeres
• Anxiety, Depression, & sleep disruption

Scripture: Luke 6:12-19, Exodus 17:8-11, Mark 5:21-34

Main Points:

• Find time for Prayer.
• Find your People.
• Love the One in front of you.

Prayer in the BIBLE:

• 1 Thessalonians 5:17 = pray without ceasing
• Matthew 6:5-13 = it doesn’t have to be fancy
• Romans 12:12 = pray constantly
• Colossians 4:2 = continue steadfastly in prayer
• Luke 18:1 = always pray, don’t lose heart
• Philippians 4:6-7 = rid of anxiety and gives peace
• Mark 6:5-13 = Reminds of who God is, puts him in his rightful place
• Psalm 4:1 =gives relief
• Mark 11:24 = gives us what we ask for
• James 5:14-15 = brings healing and forgiveness
• Mark 11:25 = brings forgiveness for you as well as for others
• Psalm 34:17 = deliverance from troubles

Scriptures: 1 Peter 1:13-16, Leviticus 20:7-8, John 14:15-17, 16:7-14, 20:19-22, Galatians 5:16-26

Main Points:

• Righteous Response
• 3 days later
• Living with God

Holy Living for Jesus

• Rom. 12:1-2 – Live as Holy Sacrifices
• Eph. 4:1 – Walk worthy of your calling
• Ti. 2:11-12 – Renounce ungodliness
• 2. Cor. 5:14-16 – God’s love controls us
• Gal. 5:16-25 – Life in the Spirit (Fruit)
• Phil. 2:12-13 – Work out salvation in fear & trembling
• Heb. 12:14 – Without holiness, no one will see God
• 1 John 3:2-3 – Hope compels us to purify ourselves

Scriptures: Romans 4:18-24, Romans 4:25-5:2, John 8:31-36

Main Points:

Impossible Promises

The Hope of Glory

The Hope of Family

Resurrection Outcomes

Is. 53:5 & 1 Pet. 2:24 – Paid the penalty for our sins

Rom 3:25 & 1 John 2:2 – Satisfied the justice of God

2 Cor 5:18-19 & Rom. 5:10 – Reconciled us to God

Eph 1:7 & 1 John 1:9 – Forgave our sins

Rom. 6:6-7 & Col. 1:14-14 – Defeated the power of sin

Col. 2:15 & Heb 2:14-15 – Defeated Satan/Devil

1 Cor. 15:2—22 & Rev. 1:18 – Defeated death

John 11:25-26 & 1 Pet. 1:3-4 – Gave us eternal life