Saturday, December 25, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
12/19/10 - Vunerability - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "The Beautiful Exchange" in this Sunday service.
The Beautiful Exchange Part 3 - Vunerability
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, December 19, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
The Beautiful Exchange:
Jesus put His life in our hands so we can put ours in His.
Vulnerability:
* Dangerous—living on the edge. Without vulnerability we will never change the world. Changing the world requires us to interact, connect and be vulnerable. The world’s system is conformity. Fit in so you can be replaced. Just another cog in the machine. You will never stand out if you blend in. The world sells us the lie that rebellion is the dangerous, living on the edge life. Not true—it is the safe way, no risk, just be like everybody else. The most radical person who ever walked the face of the earth was Jesus. He challenged the status quo. It is not surprising He was rejected and crucified. It is surprising they waited as long as they did to do it.
John 12:24-25 (Message) "Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal.
Romans 12:1-2 (JBP) “With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give Him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to Him and acceptable by Him. Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all His demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.”
* Swap the lies for the Truth (lies that keep us from becoming vulnerable). Our experiences, worldview, attitudes, and insecurities have resulted in building defenses that “protect us”. But protect us from what? Those defenses are actually obstacles that wall us off from our destiny. Our destiny—God’s plans and desires for us—carries with it the promise of life beyond our wildest dreams. Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, Gideon, David, Peter, Paul. What are the lies that have become your truth? What justifies your invulnerability?
Luke 11:34-36 “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness. Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.”
Romans 1:16-17, 21-22, 25, 32 “16For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. 21Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. 32 They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.”
* Perseverance and Endurance: Jesus was born a Jew and first took His message and ministry to the Jews. Historically, the Jews continually rejected God’s advances, betraying Him and choosing other gods and ways over Him. Yet, He continues to make them a target of His love and vulnerability.
John 1:11 “He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.”
Keys to A Vulnerable Life:
* You choose to whom you will be vulnerable and how vulnerable you will be. Many times we are hurt, feel betrayed or rejected, are disappointed or disillusioned, because we gave part of ourselves that should be given only to God. We gave away something valuable and it was treated like it was ordinary. We decide we will not be taken advantage of again and shut down our ability to influence others for the Kingdom.
Matthew 7:6 “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. (CEV: Don't give to dogs what belongs to God. They will only turn and attack you.) Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.”
* Practice being unoffendable. When we “take offense” we fall prey to the bait that robs us of the life of God—we become “touchy and fretful”, our focus shifts from others to us, and we sacrifice Kingdom values and influence for our feelings. Our feelings and emotions become our standard instead of His Word. We find our insecurities again, build our own defense systems to insulate us, and end up isolated from others—trapped again by our invulnerability. If you think about the areas where you are most easily offended, it comes from a root of bitterness due to rejection. I am most easily offended when I feel you don’t think I am important. That comes from feeling like no matter what I did, it didn’t get noticed by my parents.
Matthew 11:6 (AMP) “And blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is he who takes no offense at Me and finds no cause for stumbling in or through Me and is not hindered from seeing the Truth.”
Matthew 24:10 (HCSB) “Then many will take offense, betray one another and hate one another.”
* Quit playing fair. “It’s not fair.” ‘Fair’ is the standard for an invulnerable life. Vulnerability, and the rich and satisfying life promised by Jesus, requires us to abandon the “fair” standard. Fair says “I’ll be good to you if you are good to me. But if you mess me up, I’ll get you.” That is the death of relationship and the destruction of Kingdom influence. Great relationships are not fair. When I am at my worst, I don’t need you to be fair, I need you to be better than me. Fair joins me in a downward spiral of destruction until the relationship finally is beyond repair.
Matthew 5:43-48 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
The Beautiful Exchange Part 3 - Vunerability
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, December 19, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
The Beautiful Exchange:
Jesus put His life in our hands so we can put ours in His.
Vulnerability:
* Dangerous—living on the edge. Without vulnerability we will never change the world. Changing the world requires us to interact, connect and be vulnerable. The world’s system is conformity. Fit in so you can be replaced. Just another cog in the machine. You will never stand out if you blend in. The world sells us the lie that rebellion is the dangerous, living on the edge life. Not true—it is the safe way, no risk, just be like everybody else. The most radical person who ever walked the face of the earth was Jesus. He challenged the status quo. It is not surprising He was rejected and crucified. It is surprising they waited as long as they did to do it.
John 12:24-25 (Message) "Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal.
Romans 12:1-2 (JBP) “With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give Him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to Him and acceptable by Him. Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all His demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.”
* Swap the lies for the Truth (lies that keep us from becoming vulnerable). Our experiences, worldview, attitudes, and insecurities have resulted in building defenses that “protect us”. But protect us from what? Those defenses are actually obstacles that wall us off from our destiny. Our destiny—God’s plans and desires for us—carries with it the promise of life beyond our wildest dreams. Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, Gideon, David, Peter, Paul. What are the lies that have become your truth? What justifies your invulnerability?
Luke 11:34-36 “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness. Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.”
Romans 1:16-17, 21-22, 25, 32 “16For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. 21Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. 32 They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.”
* Perseverance and Endurance: Jesus was born a Jew and first took His message and ministry to the Jews. Historically, the Jews continually rejected God’s advances, betraying Him and choosing other gods and ways over Him. Yet, He continues to make them a target of His love and vulnerability.
John 1:11 “He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.”
Keys to A Vulnerable Life:
* You choose to whom you will be vulnerable and how vulnerable you will be. Many times we are hurt, feel betrayed or rejected, are disappointed or disillusioned, because we gave part of ourselves that should be given only to God. We gave away something valuable and it was treated like it was ordinary. We decide we will not be taken advantage of again and shut down our ability to influence others for the Kingdom.
Matthew 7:6 “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. (CEV: Don't give to dogs what belongs to God. They will only turn and attack you.) Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.”
* Practice being unoffendable. When we “take offense” we fall prey to the bait that robs us of the life of God—we become “touchy and fretful”, our focus shifts from others to us, and we sacrifice Kingdom values and influence for our feelings. Our feelings and emotions become our standard instead of His Word. We find our insecurities again, build our own defense systems to insulate us, and end up isolated from others—trapped again by our invulnerability. If you think about the areas where you are most easily offended, it comes from a root of bitterness due to rejection. I am most easily offended when I feel you don’t think I am important. That comes from feeling like no matter what I did, it didn’t get noticed by my parents.
Matthew 11:6 (AMP) “And blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is he who takes no offense at Me and finds no cause for stumbling in or through Me and is not hindered from seeing the Truth.”
Matthew 24:10 (HCSB) “Then many will take offense, betray one another and hate one another.”
* Quit playing fair. “It’s not fair.” ‘Fair’ is the standard for an invulnerable life. Vulnerability, and the rich and satisfying life promised by Jesus, requires us to abandon the “fair” standard. Fair says “I’ll be good to you if you are good to me. But if you mess me up, I’ll get you.” That is the death of relationship and the destruction of Kingdom influence. Great relationships are not fair. When I am at my worst, I don’t need you to be fair, I need you to be better than me. Fair joins me in a downward spiral of destruction until the relationship finally is beyond repair.
Matthew 5:43-48 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
12/12/10 - Overshadowed - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "The Beautiful Exchange" in this Sunday service.
The Beautiful Exchange Part 2 - Overshadowed
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, December 12, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Luke 1:35 “The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”
Matt 17:4-5 “Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.”
Overshadow: to be more important or significant by comparison
Philippians 3:8 “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ”
So What?
1. Compare: make a habit of comparing, measuring, with God’s Word. It is the beginning of wisdom to “fear the Lord”—respect Him enough to ask His opinion. Proverbs 24:3-4 “A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.” (Proverbs 2:4-6 –all are granted by the Lord)
2. Use the right standard to compare: There is one plumb line—Jesus Christ. When we compare our plans, our desires, our ways to any other standard we miss the mark and fall short of all God has for us. Amos 7:7-9 (CEV) “The LORD showed me a vision of himself standing beside a wall and holding a string with a weight tied to the end of it. The string and weight had been used to measure the straightness of the wall. 8Then he asked, "Amos, what do you see?" "A measuring line," I answered. The LORD said, ""Look what I've done. I've hung a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel. Their sacred places will be destroyed…”
3. Don’t believe your own press—good or bad. (Luke 5:15-16) Seek humility and living in the shadow of the Lord will become your worldview, your way of doing life. 1 Peter 5:5 “…And all of you, serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.”
4. Pursue the “Overshadowed Way”—throw yourself into what God has for you. Don’t be hesitant to discard the old way, the old choices, just because “That’s the way I’ve always done it.” Stop making excuses and take responsibility. Quit focusing on what you “Can’t do” and start with what you “Can do.” There is no task too big when it is broken down into to small pieces. Make the Beautiful Exchange. Once you have found His way, go for it! Galatians 6:4 (MESSAGE) “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.”
Psalm 91—the promise of the “Overshadowed Life”
The Beautiful Exchange Part 2 - Overshadowed
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, December 12, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Luke 1:35 “The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”
Matt 17:4-5 “Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.”
Overshadow: to be more important or significant by comparison
Philippians 3:8 “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ”
So What?
1. Compare: make a habit of comparing, measuring, with God’s Word. It is the beginning of wisdom to “fear the Lord”—respect Him enough to ask His opinion. Proverbs 24:3-4 “A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.” (Proverbs 2:4-6 –all are granted by the Lord)
2. Use the right standard to compare: There is one plumb line—Jesus Christ. When we compare our plans, our desires, our ways to any other standard we miss the mark and fall short of all God has for us. Amos 7:7-9 (CEV) “The LORD showed me a vision of himself standing beside a wall and holding a string with a weight tied to the end of it. The string and weight had been used to measure the straightness of the wall. 8Then he asked, "Amos, what do you see?" "A measuring line," I answered. The LORD said, ""Look what I've done. I've hung a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel. Their sacred places will be destroyed…”
3. Don’t believe your own press—good or bad. (Luke 5:15-16) Seek humility and living in the shadow of the Lord will become your worldview, your way of doing life. 1 Peter 5:5 “…And all of you, serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.”
4. Pursue the “Overshadowed Way”—throw yourself into what God has for you. Don’t be hesitant to discard the old way, the old choices, just because “That’s the way I’ve always done it.” Stop making excuses and take responsibility. Quit focusing on what you “Can’t do” and start with what you “Can do.” There is no task too big when it is broken down into to small pieces. Make the Beautiful Exchange. Once you have found His way, go for it! Galatians 6:4 (MESSAGE) “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.”
Psalm 91—the promise of the “Overshadowed Life”
Saturday, December 11, 2010
12/08/10 - What's A Party Without Gifts PT12 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "What's A Party Without Gifts?" with part 12 in this Wednesday service.
What's A Party Without Gifts? Part 12
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
What's A Party Without Gifts? Part 12
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
12/05/10 - The Beautiful Exchange 1115 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore begins a new series entitled "The Beautiful Exchange" in this Vision Sunday service.
The Beautiful Exchange
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, December 5, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
The Beautiful Exchange
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, December 5, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
12/05/10 - Jesus' Christmas List - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore teaches about "Jesus' Christmas List" in this Vision Sunday service.
Jesus Christmas List
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, December 5, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Vision Sunday: December 2010
Jesus’ Christmas List—Remembering the “Wish Book”
Luke 15: 3 stories about Jesus’ Christmas List.. Religion “triggered” these stories. (Message) “I’m not religious. I have a real relationship with Jesus.” Remember: Relationship without passion is religion. These stories tell the tale of that. Are we distracted with what distracts Jesus, or are we religious?
- Lost sheep—outside the house. Those not yet in our circle of influence. These are who the church is for—those not here yet.
- Lost coin—inside the house. Those in our circle of influence. This is the ones in our own house, our church, who are backing off, playing games, living a lie.
- Lost son—those closest to us. This is the people we are with the most—our family, our best friends.
Jesus is teaching that he loves those he has found but is distracted by those still lost.
Are we distracted by the lost and the hurting? Are we throwing parties when someone finds Jesus? Do we come to the party? Are we making sure we are the party people want to come to?
Jesus wants a distracted church for Christmas.
How: Deal with the Ghosts that Distract Us
* The Ghost of Christmas Past—Put our behind in the past. The life of “regret” is distracted by what could have been. 2 Corinthians 7:10 “For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.”
* The Ghost of Christmas Present: What is distracting me now? Why does something distract us? Because it gets our attention. It keeps our attention if we develop a passion for it.
1 Corinthians 7:29-35 “But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage. Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away. I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. His interests are divided. I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.”
(Paul is using this as an example of distraction by things present, not establishing a doctrine of leaving marriage. He is encouraging an “and” lifestyle instead of an “either-or” one that the world demands. Love God first with everything in you and you will be more empowered to love others properly, including yourself.)
* The Ghost of Christmas Future: Are we living in a way that increases our Kingdom influence? Is Discipleship on our radar or are our future plans all about us? What are we giving our energy to that is temporal instead of eternal?
1 Peter 2:11 “Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.”
2 Corinthians 4:18 “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”
* Embrace the Holy Ghost:
2 Corinthians 3:18 “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”
Romans 8:9-11 (MESSAGE) “But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won't know what we're talking about. But for you who welcome him, in whom he dwells—even though you still experience all the limitations of sin—you yourself experience life on God's terms. It stands to reason, doesn't it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he'll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's!”
* Party like Heaven.
Make sure you see our church as the hope of the world. It is God’s hope. It can never be about the ones who are here. It must be about who is not here yet. Every week, be intentional in telling someone about Jesus and your church. When here, be intentional about making connections. Watch for the new face and become their friend. It is your job to make sure we stay distracted by being a party church. Luke 15:8 'Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!' Count on it—that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God."
Jesus Christmas List
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, December 5, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Vision Sunday: December 2010
Jesus’ Christmas List—Remembering the “Wish Book”
Luke 15: 3 stories about Jesus’ Christmas List.. Religion “triggered” these stories. (Message) “I’m not religious. I have a real relationship with Jesus.” Remember: Relationship without passion is religion. These stories tell the tale of that. Are we distracted with what distracts Jesus, or are we religious?
- Lost sheep—outside the house. Those not yet in our circle of influence. These are who the church is for—those not here yet.
- Lost coin—inside the house. Those in our circle of influence. This is the ones in our own house, our church, who are backing off, playing games, living a lie.
- Lost son—those closest to us. This is the people we are with the most—our family, our best friends.
Jesus is teaching that he loves those he has found but is distracted by those still lost.
Are we distracted by the lost and the hurting? Are we throwing parties when someone finds Jesus? Do we come to the party? Are we making sure we are the party people want to come to?
Jesus wants a distracted church for Christmas.
How: Deal with the Ghosts that Distract Us
* The Ghost of Christmas Past—Put our behind in the past. The life of “regret” is distracted by what could have been. 2 Corinthians 7:10 “For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.”
* The Ghost of Christmas Present: What is distracting me now? Why does something distract us? Because it gets our attention. It keeps our attention if we develop a passion for it.
1 Corinthians 7:29-35 “But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage. Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away. I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. His interests are divided. I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.”
(Paul is using this as an example of distraction by things present, not establishing a doctrine of leaving marriage. He is encouraging an “and” lifestyle instead of an “either-or” one that the world demands. Love God first with everything in you and you will be more empowered to love others properly, including yourself.)
* The Ghost of Christmas Future: Are we living in a way that increases our Kingdom influence? Is Discipleship on our radar or are our future plans all about us? What are we giving our energy to that is temporal instead of eternal?
1 Peter 2:11 “Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.”
2 Corinthians 4:18 “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”
* Embrace the Holy Ghost:
2 Corinthians 3:18 “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”
Romans 8:9-11 (MESSAGE) “But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won't know what we're talking about. But for you who welcome him, in whom he dwells—even though you still experience all the limitations of sin—you yourself experience life on God's terms. It stands to reason, doesn't it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he'll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's!”
* Party like Heaven.
Make sure you see our church as the hope of the world. It is God’s hope. It can never be about the ones who are here. It must be about who is not here yet. Every week, be intentional in telling someone about Jesus and your church. When here, be intentional about making connections. Watch for the new face and become their friend. It is your job to make sure we stay distracted by being a party church. Luke 15:8 'Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!' Count on it—that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God."
Thursday, December 2, 2010
12/1/10 - Connections - Jay Mann
Jay Mann teaches on the power of "Connections" in this Wednesday evening service.
Connections
Jay Mann
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Connections
Jay Mann
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Monday, November 29, 2010
11/28/10 - The Pain of Loss - Everett Spencer
Everett Spencer continues the series "Pain Killer" with part 3, "The Pain of Loss" in this Sunday service.
Pain Killer: The Pain of Loss
Everett Spencer
Sunday, November 28, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
The Pain of Loss
This is the third installment in the series “Pain Killers”, lessons one and two were taught by Pastor Tony “The Pain of Suffering” & “The Pain of Rejection”.
Loss is something everyone will experience at some point in their lives whether it’s the loss of a job or business, a friendship, a marriage through divorce or the most devastating the loss of a life to death. There are 2 spirits associated with loss: death and grief. They travel together and seek to circumvent the natural process of grieving and trap a person in one of the stages of grief. We all know someone who has not been able to recover from the pain of loss and that pain now defines his/her life. Anytime our life becomes defined by anything other than the Word of God, we have fallen prey to a “stronghold”. Strongholds are spiritual oppression designed to stop us from having the rich and satisfying life promised by Jesus and from fulfilling our God-given destiny. The spirit of grief has sidelined many believers, trapping them in a downward spiral of depression, despair and darkness.
There are 5 stages of grief:
Denial, bargaining, anger, depression and acceptance everyone experiencing loss will go through some or all of the stages.
Grief was dealt with at the Cross
…A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief…4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed…6And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted…
Isaiah 53:3-7
37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Matt. 26:37-38
Jesus Grieved
At the death of His friend Lazarus
Jn. 11:30-35
The tale of two father’s grief
33 Their father recognized it immediately. “Yes,” he said, “it is my son’s robe. A wild animal must have eaten him. Joseph has clearly been torn to pieces!” 34 Then Jacob tore his clothes and dressed himself in burlap. He mourned deeply for his son for a long time. 35 His family all tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “I will go to my grave mourning for my son,” he would say, and then he would weep.
Gen. 37:33-35, Rev. 2:4
…He went without food and lay all night on the bare ground. 17 The elders of his household pleaded with him to get up and eat with them, but he refused. 18 Then on the seventh day the child died. David’s advisers were afraid to tell him. “He wouldn’t listen to reason while the child was ill,” they said. “What drastic thing will he do when we tell him the child is dead?” 19 When David saw them whispering, he realized what had happened. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” 20 Then David got up from the ground, washed himself, put on lotions, and changed his clothes. He went to the Tabernacle and worshiped the LORD. After that, he returned to the palace and was served food and ate. 21 His advisers were amazed. “We don’t understand you,” they told him. “While the child was still living, you wept and refused to eat. But now that the child is dead, you have stopped your mourning and are eating again.” 22 David replied, “I fasted and wept while the child was alive, for I said, ‘Perhaps the LORD will be gracious to me and let the child live.’ 23 But why should I fast when he is dead? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him one day, but he cannot return to me.” 24 Then David comforted Bathsheba, his wife, and slept with her…
2 Sam. 12:16-24
Steps to Healing from a Spirit of Grief
1) INSTEAD OF IGNORING, I WILL FACE IT HONESTLY.
David noticed that his servants were whispering among themselves and he realized the child was dead. ‘Is the child dead?’ he asked. ‘Yes,’ they replied, ‘he is dead.’ 2 Samuel 12:19
2) INSTEAD OF BLAMING, I WILL TRUST GOD, UNDERSTANDING HE IS THE GIVER OF LIFE, NOT THE AUTHOR OF DEATH. GOD CAN HANDLE MY QUESTIONS AND MY ANGER. HE WILL NOT LEAVE ME OR FORSAKE ME.
Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. 2 Samuel 12:20
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
3) INSTEAD OF WITHDRAWING, I WILL SHARE MY PAIN. I WILL SHARE IT WITH GOD, RELYING ON THE COMFORTER MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. I WILL SHARE IT WITH FRIENDS WHO ENCOURAGE ME WITH HIS WORD.
Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba… 2 Samuel 12:24
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Scriptures that comfort
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:4
Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness Isaiah 35:10
13-14And regarding the question, friends, that has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don't want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 4:13
Here are four keys from the Bible and Christian psychology that provide help in dealing with ambiguous loss:
1. Be Resilient
Losses happen in this life—we have to accept that. And when bad things happen we can’t always answer the question “Why?” So to some extent we have to develop a level of comfort with the questions of life. Don’t try to explain everything. Don’t attempt to make everything fit neatly. Resilience enables us to experience loss and be able to bounce back. That’s the key—being resilient enough to bounce back. Being resilient is a gritty determination to survive. We may be knocked down, but a resilient attitude says that God is in charge, He controls what happens to us, and He will supply the grace we need to handle our challenges.
2. Be Engaged
To get through a loss you have to acknowledge that you have had a loss. Counselors suggest writing down your losses so you can come to grips with them. You may need the help of a professional therapist. If so, get help. Then devise a way to appropriately grieve the loss—whether the loss is a person, a relationship, an expectation—whatever. The important thing is that you determine not to stay in the grief; you have to move on. Reengage with life and people. Moving on may mean that you have to forgive and refuse to live with bitterness and resentment. The key is being engaged rather than isolated and withdrawn.
3. Be Disciplined
Ambiguous loss opens the door for fearfulness, loss of control, and pain to invade the thoughts and emotions. It takes discipline to resist being afraid, angry, and feeling helpless. Here is where the spiritual disciplines of consistent prayer, Bible study, devotion, and worship are so therapeutic. These disciplines are basic but necessary for spiritual life and recovery after loss. The writer of Hebrews (12:15) says that as believers we have a responsibility to act as a bishop over our heart. In other words, we have a positive duty to exercise control over our attitudes and actions so that evil will not spring up.
4. Be Expectant
The last strategy is perhaps the most potent: being expectant for the glory to come. Doggedly hold on to your faith in God. We can deal with the pain if we expect that Jesus will keep His promises to us. After all, He said: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5, NKJV).† He spoke through Jeremiah to encourage us: “Trust me,” He says, “I have a plan for you.” “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, . . . thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer. 29:11). His promise is that one day He will make all things new, remove all pain, wipe away every tear. We know that God is using the events of life—even the pain—to move us from loss to gain. So we are expectant; we look for God.
Pain Killer: The Pain of Loss
Everett Spencer
Sunday, November 28, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
The Pain of Loss
This is the third installment in the series “Pain Killers”, lessons one and two were taught by Pastor Tony “The Pain of Suffering” & “The Pain of Rejection”.
Loss is something everyone will experience at some point in their lives whether it’s the loss of a job or business, a friendship, a marriage through divorce or the most devastating the loss of a life to death. There are 2 spirits associated with loss: death and grief. They travel together and seek to circumvent the natural process of grieving and trap a person in one of the stages of grief. We all know someone who has not been able to recover from the pain of loss and that pain now defines his/her life. Anytime our life becomes defined by anything other than the Word of God, we have fallen prey to a “stronghold”. Strongholds are spiritual oppression designed to stop us from having the rich and satisfying life promised by Jesus and from fulfilling our God-given destiny. The spirit of grief has sidelined many believers, trapping them in a downward spiral of depression, despair and darkness.
There are 5 stages of grief:
Denial, bargaining, anger, depression and acceptance everyone experiencing loss will go through some or all of the stages.
Grief was dealt with at the Cross
…A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief…4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed…6And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted…
Isaiah 53:3-7
37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Matt. 26:37-38
Jesus Grieved
At the death of His friend Lazarus
Jn. 11:30-35
The tale of two father’s grief
33 Their father recognized it immediately. “Yes,” he said, “it is my son’s robe. A wild animal must have eaten him. Joseph has clearly been torn to pieces!” 34 Then Jacob tore his clothes and dressed himself in burlap. He mourned deeply for his son for a long time. 35 His family all tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “I will go to my grave mourning for my son,” he would say, and then he would weep.
Gen. 37:33-35, Rev. 2:4
…He went without food and lay all night on the bare ground. 17 The elders of his household pleaded with him to get up and eat with them, but he refused. 18 Then on the seventh day the child died. David’s advisers were afraid to tell him. “He wouldn’t listen to reason while the child was ill,” they said. “What drastic thing will he do when we tell him the child is dead?” 19 When David saw them whispering, he realized what had happened. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” 20 Then David got up from the ground, washed himself, put on lotions, and changed his clothes. He went to the Tabernacle and worshiped the LORD. After that, he returned to the palace and was served food and ate. 21 His advisers were amazed. “We don’t understand you,” they told him. “While the child was still living, you wept and refused to eat. But now that the child is dead, you have stopped your mourning and are eating again.” 22 David replied, “I fasted and wept while the child was alive, for I said, ‘Perhaps the LORD will be gracious to me and let the child live.’ 23 But why should I fast when he is dead? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him one day, but he cannot return to me.” 24 Then David comforted Bathsheba, his wife, and slept with her…
2 Sam. 12:16-24
Steps to Healing from a Spirit of Grief
1) INSTEAD OF IGNORING, I WILL FACE IT HONESTLY.
David noticed that his servants were whispering among themselves and he realized the child was dead. ‘Is the child dead?’ he asked. ‘Yes,’ they replied, ‘he is dead.’ 2 Samuel 12:19
2) INSTEAD OF BLAMING, I WILL TRUST GOD, UNDERSTANDING HE IS THE GIVER OF LIFE, NOT THE AUTHOR OF DEATH. GOD CAN HANDLE MY QUESTIONS AND MY ANGER. HE WILL NOT LEAVE ME OR FORSAKE ME.
Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. 2 Samuel 12:20
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
3) INSTEAD OF WITHDRAWING, I WILL SHARE MY PAIN. I WILL SHARE IT WITH GOD, RELYING ON THE COMFORTER MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. I WILL SHARE IT WITH FRIENDS WHO ENCOURAGE ME WITH HIS WORD.
Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba… 2 Samuel 12:24
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Scriptures that comfort
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:4
Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness Isaiah 35:10
13-14And regarding the question, friends, that has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don't want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 4:13
Here are four keys from the Bible and Christian psychology that provide help in dealing with ambiguous loss:
1. Be Resilient
Losses happen in this life—we have to accept that. And when bad things happen we can’t always answer the question “Why?” So to some extent we have to develop a level of comfort with the questions of life. Don’t try to explain everything. Don’t attempt to make everything fit neatly. Resilience enables us to experience loss and be able to bounce back. That’s the key—being resilient enough to bounce back. Being resilient is a gritty determination to survive. We may be knocked down, but a resilient attitude says that God is in charge, He controls what happens to us, and He will supply the grace we need to handle our challenges.
2. Be Engaged
To get through a loss you have to acknowledge that you have had a loss. Counselors suggest writing down your losses so you can come to grips with them. You may need the help of a professional therapist. If so, get help. Then devise a way to appropriately grieve the loss—whether the loss is a person, a relationship, an expectation—whatever. The important thing is that you determine not to stay in the grief; you have to move on. Reengage with life and people. Moving on may mean that you have to forgive and refuse to live with bitterness and resentment. The key is being engaged rather than isolated and withdrawn.
3. Be Disciplined
Ambiguous loss opens the door for fearfulness, loss of control, and pain to invade the thoughts and emotions. It takes discipline to resist being afraid, angry, and feeling helpless. Here is where the spiritual disciplines of consistent prayer, Bible study, devotion, and worship are so therapeutic. These disciplines are basic but necessary for spiritual life and recovery after loss. The writer of Hebrews (12:15) says that as believers we have a responsibility to act as a bishop over our heart. In other words, we have a positive duty to exercise control over our attitudes and actions so that evil will not spring up.
4. Be Expectant
The last strategy is perhaps the most potent: being expectant for the glory to come. Doggedly hold on to your faith in God. We can deal with the pain if we expect that Jesus will keep His promises to us. After all, He said: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5, NKJV).† He spoke through Jeremiah to encourage us: “Trust me,” He says, “I have a plan for you.” “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, . . . thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer. 29:11). His promise is that one day He will make all things new, remove all pain, wipe away every tear. We know that God is using the events of life—even the pain—to move us from loss to gain. So we are expectant; we look for God.
Monday, November 22, 2010
11/21/10 - The Pain of Rejection - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "Pain Killer" with part 2, "The Pain of Rejection" in this Sunday service.
Pain Killer: The Pain of Rejection
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, November 21, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Pain Killer: The Pain of Rejection
THE NATURE OF REJECTION:
* A sense of being unwanted, unacceptable, less than enough, not measuring up. Results in frustration leading to dysfunction.
* Sense of betrayal, shame, humiliation
* A hurt our brain sometimes wants to block, forget or deny due to the pain:
Proverbs 15:13 A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 18:14 The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?
Dysfunction is produced by frustration which is produced by bitterness.
The symptoms of dysfunction are twigs on the branch of frustration which is sustained by the roots of rejections and bitterness. Hebrews 12:14-16
Deal with the root and the symptoms are easy: God’s work is with the root: Matthew 3:10
THE EFFECTS OF REJECTION:
3 Responses: All produce the same result in different ways: Insecurity-Insulation-Isolation
- Passive: Give in and give up. Defines who you are—you are unwanted. Downward spiral of loneliness, self-pity, misery, depression, hopelessness, suicide or a longing for death
- Passive-Aggressive: Fights back through denial and overcompensation. Build up walls of defense. A façade of happiness—seeks to dull pain through superficial interaction. Prone to sudden mood swings and seems to be 2 different people at times. Overcompensation = Exaggerated Response = Trying to hide something (not from others but from their own recognition)
- Aggressive: Fights back through increasing dysfunction. Resentment becomes hatred, hatred becomes rebellion, rebellion = witchcraft: seeking false spiritual experiences
* A cursed lifestyle—Malachi 4:5-6
* A victim mindset
* Blind spots in relationships due to a failure to take responsibility
THE REMEDY FOR REJECTION:
Matthew 9:36 – compassion: a reaction so strong it demands a response
Isaiah 54:4-6 – rejection, shame, betrayal, humiliation
Isaiah 50:6; Isaiah 53:3; Isaiah 61:7; Hebrews 2:9-10
THE GREAT EXCHANGE: THE CROSS - THE ULTIMATE REJECTION
Matthew 27:45-51
* Abandoned by man
* Rejected by God
* Jesus cries out in Aramaic—the language he spoke as a child—indicating the severity of the pain
* Result: Ephesians 1:3-6 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. (NKJV: to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.)
APPLYING THE REMEDY:
1. Recognize rejection.
2. Follow the pattern of Jesus: Forgive (Luke 23:34)
3. Nurture good fruit, not bad. Perscripture is the Prescription. Don’t make a place for resentment, bitterness. (Philippians 4:8-think on these things)
4. Receive and believe what God has done. (1 John 4:19—I can love because He 1st loved me)
5. Accept yourself. (Ephesians 2:10—God’s masterpiece)
Pain Killer: The Pain of Rejection
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, November 21, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Pain Killer: The Pain of Rejection
THE NATURE OF REJECTION:
* A sense of being unwanted, unacceptable, less than enough, not measuring up. Results in frustration leading to dysfunction.
* Sense of betrayal, shame, humiliation
* A hurt our brain sometimes wants to block, forget or deny due to the pain:
Proverbs 15:13 A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 18:14 The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?
Dysfunction is produced by frustration which is produced by bitterness.
The symptoms of dysfunction are twigs on the branch of frustration which is sustained by the roots of rejections and bitterness. Hebrews 12:14-16
Deal with the root and the symptoms are easy: God’s work is with the root: Matthew 3:10
THE EFFECTS OF REJECTION:
3 Responses: All produce the same result in different ways: Insecurity-Insulation-Isolation
- Passive: Give in and give up. Defines who you are—you are unwanted. Downward spiral of loneliness, self-pity, misery, depression, hopelessness, suicide or a longing for death
- Passive-Aggressive: Fights back through denial and overcompensation. Build up walls of defense. A façade of happiness—seeks to dull pain through superficial interaction. Prone to sudden mood swings and seems to be 2 different people at times. Overcompensation = Exaggerated Response = Trying to hide something (not from others but from their own recognition)
- Aggressive: Fights back through increasing dysfunction. Resentment becomes hatred, hatred becomes rebellion, rebellion = witchcraft: seeking false spiritual experiences
* A cursed lifestyle—Malachi 4:5-6
* A victim mindset
* Blind spots in relationships due to a failure to take responsibility
THE REMEDY FOR REJECTION:
Matthew 9:36 – compassion: a reaction so strong it demands a response
Isaiah 54:4-6 – rejection, shame, betrayal, humiliation
Isaiah 50:6; Isaiah 53:3; Isaiah 61:7; Hebrews 2:9-10
THE GREAT EXCHANGE: THE CROSS - THE ULTIMATE REJECTION
Matthew 27:45-51
* Abandoned by man
* Rejected by God
* Jesus cries out in Aramaic—the language he spoke as a child—indicating the severity of the pain
* Result: Ephesians 1:3-6 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. (NKJV: to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.)
APPLYING THE REMEDY:
1. Recognize rejection.
2. Follow the pattern of Jesus: Forgive (Luke 23:34)
3. Nurture good fruit, not bad. Perscripture is the Prescription. Don’t make a place for resentment, bitterness. (Philippians 4:8-think on these things)
4. Receive and believe what God has done. (1 John 4:19—I can love because He 1st loved me)
5. Accept yourself. (Ephesians 2:10—God’s masterpiece)
Monday, November 15, 2010
11/14/10 - The Pain of Suffering - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore begins a new series entitled "Pain Killer" with part 1, "The Pain of Suffering" in this Sunday service.
Pain Killer: The Pain of Suffering
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, November 14, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Hebrews 2:18 (NLT) “Since Jesus himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.”
1 Peter 4:19 (MESSAGE) “So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it.”
Isaiah 54:17 (CEV) “Weapons made to attack you won't be successful; words spoken against you won't hurt at all…I, the LORD, promise to bless you with victory.”
1 John 4:4 (NIV) “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
Proverbs 4:20-22 “My child, 1pay attention to what I say. 2Listen carefully to my words. 3Don’t lose sight of them. 4Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.”
3 John 1:2 (HCSB) “Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”
Pain Killer: Stop It From Hurting!
The Pain of Suffering
John 16:33 “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Suffering is common to the human experience.
3 types of suffering:
1 Thessalonians 5:23 “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.”
- Spirit suffering—pain of being lost with an unsure eternity
- Soul suffering—pain of mental and emotional distress, no peace, broken heart
- Body suffering—pain of physical suffering from sickness, disease, injuries, torture
The pain of suffering is described throughout the Bible in 3 arenas: suffering resulting from physical or mental problems (Matthew 17:15); suffering resulting from persecution (Romans 8:18); suffering needlessly from a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).
“Suffering for Christ, or with Christ” is suffering from persecution for your faith. There is no passage which describes suffering for or with Christ as suffering resulting from sickness or disease. When the Bible, especially the New Testament, encourages us to “embrace, even rejoice, in suffering” it is talking only about being persecuted for our faith in Christ. The Bible never teaches us to embrace the suffering caused by sickness, disease, or mental distress. We should fight those like we would fight someone trying to rob our house because they have come to steal our “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
2 examples of handling the pain of suffering:
Joyce and Barbara:
Joyce had rheumatoid arthritis. Barbara did too, along with lupus. Joyce began to allow her pain to dictate her lifestyle as soon as it appeared and spent the majority of the last 20 years of her life sitting in a lift chair. When she encountered any new health challenges, she quickly succumbed to the worst possible results, adding those to the list of pains and reasons for not living life.
Barbara refused to allow the pain to dictate her lifestyle and continued living as normally as possible. She traveled, enjoyed her kids and grandkids, was active in her church and enjoyed being around her friends. She had the times when she would be hurting so bad she stayed home, but those stays were usually short-lived. When she recently encountered devastating brain surgery and extreme pain that would have killed most people, she kept on fighting and when you visit her, she is never focused on what is wrong with her. Her faith in God has grown throughout the years of horrible pain and suffering.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 “My grace is sufficient”
Paul obviously had some type of physical ailments. We are given clues a few times in his writings. But it never becomes the defining thing of his life. He will not give it that place.
Keys to Handling the Pain of Suffering:
- Prayer (James 5:13)
- Connections (1 Corinthians 12:26) Don’t suffer alone and don’t withdraw.
- Don’t quit. (Matthew 24:13) Biblical definition of “endure” is an active fight, not just “hanging in there” Romans 8:18—there is glory to be revealed! Don’t be denied.
- Respond with the Word (Job 6:10)
- Don’t let it affect your love life. Revelation 2:3-4 “You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!”
Pain Killer: The Pain of Suffering
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, November 14, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Hebrews 2:18 (NLT) “Since Jesus himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.”
1 Peter 4:19 (MESSAGE) “So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it.”
Isaiah 54:17 (CEV) “Weapons made to attack you won't be successful; words spoken against you won't hurt at all…I, the LORD, promise to bless you with victory.”
1 John 4:4 (NIV) “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
Proverbs 4:20-22 “My child, 1pay attention to what I say. 2Listen carefully to my words. 3Don’t lose sight of them. 4Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.”
3 John 1:2 (HCSB) “Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”
Pain Killer: Stop It From Hurting!
The Pain of Suffering
John 16:33 “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Suffering is common to the human experience.
3 types of suffering:
1 Thessalonians 5:23 “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.”
- Spirit suffering—pain of being lost with an unsure eternity
- Soul suffering—pain of mental and emotional distress, no peace, broken heart
- Body suffering—pain of physical suffering from sickness, disease, injuries, torture
The pain of suffering is described throughout the Bible in 3 arenas: suffering resulting from physical or mental problems (Matthew 17:15); suffering resulting from persecution (Romans 8:18); suffering needlessly from a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).
“Suffering for Christ, or with Christ” is suffering from persecution for your faith. There is no passage which describes suffering for or with Christ as suffering resulting from sickness or disease. When the Bible, especially the New Testament, encourages us to “embrace, even rejoice, in suffering” it is talking only about being persecuted for our faith in Christ. The Bible never teaches us to embrace the suffering caused by sickness, disease, or mental distress. We should fight those like we would fight someone trying to rob our house because they have come to steal our “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
2 examples of handling the pain of suffering:
Joyce and Barbara:
Joyce had rheumatoid arthritis. Barbara did too, along with lupus. Joyce began to allow her pain to dictate her lifestyle as soon as it appeared and spent the majority of the last 20 years of her life sitting in a lift chair. When she encountered any new health challenges, she quickly succumbed to the worst possible results, adding those to the list of pains and reasons for not living life.
Barbara refused to allow the pain to dictate her lifestyle and continued living as normally as possible. She traveled, enjoyed her kids and grandkids, was active in her church and enjoyed being around her friends. She had the times when she would be hurting so bad she stayed home, but those stays were usually short-lived. When she recently encountered devastating brain surgery and extreme pain that would have killed most people, she kept on fighting and when you visit her, she is never focused on what is wrong with her. Her faith in God has grown throughout the years of horrible pain and suffering.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 “My grace is sufficient”
Paul obviously had some type of physical ailments. We are given clues a few times in his writings. But it never becomes the defining thing of his life. He will not give it that place.
Keys to Handling the Pain of Suffering:
- Prayer (James 5:13)
- Connections (1 Corinthians 12:26) Don’t suffer alone and don’t withdraw.
- Don’t quit. (Matthew 24:13) Biblical definition of “endure” is an active fight, not just “hanging in there” Romans 8:18—there is glory to be revealed! Don’t be denied.
- Respond with the Word (Job 6:10)
- Don’t let it affect your love life. Revelation 2:3-4 “You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!”
Sunday, November 7, 2010
11/07/10 - Vision Sunday - The Table - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore teaches on "The Table" in this Vision Sunday service.
The Table
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, November 7, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Come to the Table
Proverbs 9:1-6 “Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns. She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.”
(MESSAGE) "Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me!...Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning."
The Table is Set
Exodus 25:29-30 “Make special containers of pure gold for the table—bowls, pans, pitchers, and jars—to be used in pouring out liquid offerings. Place the Bread of the Presence on the table to remain before me at all times.”
The Chairs at the Table:
1. The seeker: the “pre-believer”—Healthy church should always be welcoming to those “not there yet”. A safe place to ask the questions, try out the water, taste and see. A safe place to “emerge”. Romans 2:4 “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”
2. The new Christian: Healthy church should be the place not only to learn, but to fail. To reach out for the impossible, sometimes grabbing it, but landing safely when you don’t. A safe place to find out who you are in Christ. A safe place to “form”. Hebrews 5:14 “Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.” (Healthy churches are safe places for people who blow it—it is part of the training process.)
3. The mature Christian: Healthy church is filled with Christians who have discovered who they are in Christ and have found, or are finding, the place to use those Gifts, Abilities, Talents and Experiences to serve others. A safe place to step out on the water and connect with others to accomplish something amazing. Mature Christians are asking “to be fed”—they are serving at the Table. They know how to feed themselves. Their fulfillment comes in following Christ as a “servant leader”. Matthew 20:26-27 (MESSAGE) It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage."
4. The ministry leaders: The called leaders who cast vision, give direction, arrange the members for ministry. Ephesians 4:11-12 “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”
There is another chair, not at the Table, but one that wants the attention of all those at The Table: The WHY CHAIR. 2 Corinthians 12:20 “I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior.” All their questions are not questions, they are complaints disguised as a question. Instead of finding life as we do life together, they are able to find more excuses for not participating in life. They are fault-finders, blame-placers, cry-babies and “WHY-NERS”, who do not accept responsibility. They keep others from coming to the table (literally-as in the case of those who stand outside during our celebrations focusing on their problems or their ‘counsel’ instead of coming into the Table and doing life together with the Body. They draw others away from the table through attention seeking and gossip.)
If those sitting in the Leader chair turn to give attention to those in the WHY-Chair, they turn their back on the other 3 chairs and the church begins the slide into insignificance and unhealthiness. 1 Peter 5:2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. (NKJV) Shepherd the flock of God which is among you
The Church, the Table, must be a safe place where seekers can emerge, new believers can form, saints can mature, and the harvest of souls be won. The 4th law of the Harvest is you must have a safe place to store it. That is the Church.
We are the table in the wilderness.
Psalm 78:19 “They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?”
The Table
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, November 7, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Come to the Table
Proverbs 9:1-6 “Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns. She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.”
(MESSAGE) "Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me!...Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning."
The Table is Set
Exodus 25:29-30 “Make special containers of pure gold for the table—bowls, pans, pitchers, and jars—to be used in pouring out liquid offerings. Place the Bread of the Presence on the table to remain before me at all times.”
The Chairs at the Table:
1. The seeker: the “pre-believer”—Healthy church should always be welcoming to those “not there yet”. A safe place to ask the questions, try out the water, taste and see. A safe place to “emerge”. Romans 2:4 “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”
2. The new Christian: Healthy church should be the place not only to learn, but to fail. To reach out for the impossible, sometimes grabbing it, but landing safely when you don’t. A safe place to find out who you are in Christ. A safe place to “form”. Hebrews 5:14 “Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.” (Healthy churches are safe places for people who blow it—it is part of the training process.)
3. The mature Christian: Healthy church is filled with Christians who have discovered who they are in Christ and have found, or are finding, the place to use those Gifts, Abilities, Talents and Experiences to serve others. A safe place to step out on the water and connect with others to accomplish something amazing. Mature Christians are asking “to be fed”—they are serving at the Table. They know how to feed themselves. Their fulfillment comes in following Christ as a “servant leader”. Matthew 20:26-27 (MESSAGE) It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage."
4. The ministry leaders: The called leaders who cast vision, give direction, arrange the members for ministry. Ephesians 4:11-12 “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”
There is another chair, not at the Table, but one that wants the attention of all those at The Table: The WHY CHAIR. 2 Corinthians 12:20 “I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior.” All their questions are not questions, they are complaints disguised as a question. Instead of finding life as we do life together, they are able to find more excuses for not participating in life. They are fault-finders, blame-placers, cry-babies and “WHY-NERS”, who do not accept responsibility. They keep others from coming to the table (literally-as in the case of those who stand outside during our celebrations focusing on their problems or their ‘counsel’ instead of coming into the Table and doing life together with the Body. They draw others away from the table through attention seeking and gossip.)
If those sitting in the Leader chair turn to give attention to those in the WHY-Chair, they turn their back on the other 3 chairs and the church begins the slide into insignificance and unhealthiness. 1 Peter 5:2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. (NKJV) Shepherd the flock of God which is among you
The Church, the Table, must be a safe place where seekers can emerge, new believers can form, saints can mature, and the harvest of souls be won. The 4th law of the Harvest is you must have a safe place to store it. That is the Church.
We are the table in the wilderness.
Psalm 78:19 “They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?”
Sunday, October 31, 2010
10/31/10 - The Blessed Life PT4 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "The Blessed Life" with part 4 in this Sunday service.
The Blessed Life Part 4
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, October 31, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
The Blessed Life…
Generosity—our ‘Affluenza’ shot…
Romans 3:21 (Message) “Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.”
Matthew 6:24 (NKJV) “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
The Spirit of Mammon—Mammon as used in Matthew 6:24 is not properly translated when translated as “money”. Money is not evil—the love of money is. There is a spirit of mammon that seeks to control. It is a disease that is caught from thinking like unbelievers—Affluenza.
Symptoms of this disease are:
- Money becomes an answer rather than a tool which produces control issues and selfishness
- There is never enough money which produces worry and stress
- Money becomes our motivation rather than love which produces decreased influence, hurting relationships and broken hearts
- Success is measured by our bank account and our stuff rather than simply being in God’s will which produces bitterness, dissatisfaction, disillusionment and depression
- We become paranoid—thinking everyone is after our money producing cynicism and withdrawal
- Pride—the “self-made person” who needs nobody. “I started off with nothing and look what I have done.” Also (same coin different side) “I don’t need your charity.” This produces arrogance and a hard heart.
- Poverty—the “unworthy syndrome”—unable to graciously accept the blessing. “The only reason I have this car, house, shirt, watch, etc. is because I got such a good deal on it.” Also (same coin different side) “Just think about what good they could have done with that money.” This produces a false humility, coveting and a scarcity mindset.
Mammon seeks to make itself equal to God:
- “We either need a miracle from God or more money.”
- Mammon promises us those things only God can deliver: security, significance, identity, happiness, freedom, power and fulfillment.
- “If you had more money, you could help more people.” “If I can get rich, then I will give more to the church and God can help more people.” (God doesn’t need money to help people—he needs people to help people. If each Christian was just being faithful with what God has already given us the Church would have more than enough. In every city in our nation, the Church represents more influence and money than any other business or organization.)
The Antidote:
Mark 4:24 (Message) "Listen carefully to what I am saying—and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own. Giving, not getting, is the way.
Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes."
Probable Side Effects: (head of a golden retriever)
Matthew 6:31-33—priorities find their rightful place when we ask God to change the way we think (Romans 12)
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Romans 14:17—righteousness, peace and joy becomes our standard of living and we make the necessary adjustments to our lifestyle to promote those. (TITHE=tenth, invest, today, household, entertainment)
(NKJV) “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Isaiah 32:8—stability unaffected by economic circumstances. The importance of a generous lifestyle—finding ways to give instead of focusing on ways to get. (NKJV) “But a generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand.”
Philippians 4:11-13 - Paul discovered the ultimate affluenza vaccine—pursuing the will of God, living in His presence, enjoying the friendship of the Holy Spirit—Living the Blessed Life. “I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
The Blessed Life Part 4
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, October 31, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
The Blessed Life…
Generosity—our ‘Affluenza’ shot…
Romans 3:21 (Message) “Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.”
Matthew 6:24 (NKJV) “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
The Spirit of Mammon—Mammon as used in Matthew 6:24 is not properly translated when translated as “money”. Money is not evil—the love of money is. There is a spirit of mammon that seeks to control. It is a disease that is caught from thinking like unbelievers—Affluenza.
Symptoms of this disease are:
- Money becomes an answer rather than a tool which produces control issues and selfishness
- There is never enough money which produces worry and stress
- Money becomes our motivation rather than love which produces decreased influence, hurting relationships and broken hearts
- Success is measured by our bank account and our stuff rather than simply being in God’s will which produces bitterness, dissatisfaction, disillusionment and depression
- We become paranoid—thinking everyone is after our money producing cynicism and withdrawal
- Pride—the “self-made person” who needs nobody. “I started off with nothing and look what I have done.” Also (same coin different side) “I don’t need your charity.” This produces arrogance and a hard heart.
- Poverty—the “unworthy syndrome”—unable to graciously accept the blessing. “The only reason I have this car, house, shirt, watch, etc. is because I got such a good deal on it.” Also (same coin different side) “Just think about what good they could have done with that money.” This produces a false humility, coveting and a scarcity mindset.
Mammon seeks to make itself equal to God:
- “We either need a miracle from God or more money.”
- Mammon promises us those things only God can deliver: security, significance, identity, happiness, freedom, power and fulfillment.
- “If you had more money, you could help more people.” “If I can get rich, then I will give more to the church and God can help more people.” (God doesn’t need money to help people—he needs people to help people. If each Christian was just being faithful with what God has already given us the Church would have more than enough. In every city in our nation, the Church represents more influence and money than any other business or organization.)
The Antidote:
Mark 4:24 (Message) "Listen carefully to what I am saying—and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own. Giving, not getting, is the way.
Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes."
Probable Side Effects: (head of a golden retriever)
Matthew 6:31-33—priorities find their rightful place when we ask God to change the way we think (Romans 12)
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Romans 14:17—righteousness, peace and joy becomes our standard of living and we make the necessary adjustments to our lifestyle to promote those. (TITHE=tenth, invest, today, household, entertainment)
(NKJV) “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Isaiah 32:8—stability unaffected by economic circumstances. The importance of a generous lifestyle—finding ways to give instead of focusing on ways to get. (NKJV) “But a generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand.”
Philippians 4:11-13 - Paul discovered the ultimate affluenza vaccine—pursuing the will of God, living in His presence, enjoying the friendship of the Holy Spirit—Living the Blessed Life. “I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Thursday, October 28, 2010
10/27/10 - Grace - Mike Barker
Mike Barker teaches on "Grace" in this Wednesday service.
Grace
Mike Barker
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Grace
1. A a quality within something that’s beautiful or joyful. (Fragrance of a flower, the beauty of a lovely person)
2. Anything that has loveliness. (Thought, an act, a word, a person)
3. A gift or a favor that someone might extend to a friend.
4. Forgiveness that a friend gives you.
We all need Grace- Some of us need it in areas:
1. Relationships
2. Marriage
3. Children
4. Friendships
5. GOD
Testimony - Part 1:
There was a time in a particular man’s life when he treated a lot of the people who loved him like they were his enemy. The man grew up in a Christian home with parents that loved the lord. He went to church twice every Sunday and every Wednesday night. He grew up serving the lord.
As he got older he found a career that he loved and started a family. He loved his job. The man got to help and meet new people every day. He found himself spending more time at his job than at home with his family. A void began to grow inside him. He searched for things to fill the void like expensive and fast vehicles, motorcycles or anything that would give him a rush of adrenaline. He was his own worst enemy when it comes to finances. That’s another area that he needed grace. Often times he would get focused on the material things of the world and leave GOD out of his finances.
He would pray the same prayer that some of you may have: Lord if it is your will….. Just open the door for me to get this high interest loan on this new Ferrari, and if it is not your will… just close the door and I will take it as sign to second mortgage my house and buy the Corvette.
As time went on, the man kept drifting away from his family and the will of God. He felt alone in the world, even though he had people who loved and cared for him all around him. The Man never told his family what he was feeling; he just kept it to himself.
Eventually, he drifted so far apart from his family. He started living a separate life. A separate life that included another woman. After the excitement of the new relationship was over, he found his world crumbling around him.
Eventually, the affair came to the surface with my family. He needed to be forgiven, but first he needed to humble himself before God. As you might have guessed, he didn’t humble himself, instead he ran from God and his family when he left home. The man thought that the answer to problem was a divorce.
Now, not only was he acting like a jerk to everyone around him, he was fighting against what the Word teaches. He felt like he was an enemy to God.
Although we may feel like we are God’s enemy, God still has grace that extends to every horrible thing that we’ve ever done. He needed to be saved from the situation that he was in, and he needed to be saved from himself. He needed a lot of grace. God saves us from sin and he saves us from our self.
GOD:
• Eph 2:8-9
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
God’s grace is different than any other kind of grace that is available to you. God’s grace is defined by Webster’s as:
Grace: (charis) - unmerited divine assistance
God gives us help when you do not deserve it. And He wants to make sure that we understand that He is giving it to us and we did nothing to get it, all because we trust Him. He’s going to assist us when we don’t deserve it, when we don’t expect it, when we are at our lowest point in life.
There are many things that we could learn about God’s grace. It would be impossible to begin to understand all of it in an entire lifetime. But today we are going to look at 3 things we need to know about God’s grace.
3 things we need to know about God’s grace.
1. God's grace is not earned. (Eph2:8)
(It is something completely undeserved and unearned.)
Grace has been operating for you when you couldn’t see it or didn’t recognize it.
Ephesians 2:8b (NLT) And you can’t take credit for this;
It has nothing to do with us. We can’t take credit for it.
It’s like an unearned honorary degree from some University.
God’s Word says that grace is something that we can’t take credit for. Grace doesn’t bring about pain, shame, rejection, hurt or marriage trouble. These are things we do on our own.
These are things that we can take credit for. Now understand that the things I just described don’t apply for those who have been the victim of a horrible situation. That is not what I am referring to here.
- There may be things in our marriage that have earned us trouble, like arguing or silence and rejection.
- Tere may be things that we have done in our family that have earned us disrespect, anger, or distance in relationships.
- There may be things in our friendships that have brought about hurt.
All these things happen apart from grace. Those are things we earn.
UNEARNED ASSISTANCE: But God’s grace can come in and give us what we can’t take credit for . He can give us what we have not earned. He can give us what we do not deserve! He can give us hope for the future. When we have grace, that unearned assistance from God, we have the things that God is capable of doing. God showed the world grace when He sent His Son to do the impossible in our lives.
God wants us to be unable to do it our self so that we can have His grace. He wants us to realize we can’t do it on your own. We can’t earn it. We HAVE to have Him. His grace will give us the power to do things we thought were impossible.
First, God’s grace is not earned. And second…
2. God's grace is a free gift. (Eph 2:8)
Ephesians 2:8c (NLT) ; it is a gift from God.
Just like a child that is born into a rich family, who didn’t do anything to deserve the inheritance his father has for them. When we have grace, we are given a free gift that we do not deserve.
Testimony - Part 2:
Sitting in his aloneness… with a can of beanie-weenies, and they have several flavor. He realized that he was getting nowhere with the things he had earned on his own! He needed to accept what was freely given to him. It was time to stop running away from God and apply the things of His Word to his life through the free gift of His Son. It came to a point of surrender.
To have God’s free gift of grace, you have to come to a point of surrender.
Don’t do what you can do; do what God empowers you to do through His free gift.
When you do that, you have all the good things that God can do in your life…
First, God’s grace is not earned. Second, it is a free gift. Finally…
3. Salvation is only possible through God's grace. (Eph 2:9)
Ephesians 2:9 (NLT)
9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
It’s not about what we have done. It is about what God has done. If it were about what you could do, then you could boast about it. But it is nothing good that you can do or ever do to earn God’s grace. Salvation is only possible through God and what HE has done.
Some of us today think we are fine. We don’t think that we have to apply grace. We don’t think that we have to trust God.
Being a good person will not save you. Comparing yourself to someone else will not save you. You can’t have God’s favor or blessing by being a good person! You have to believe and trust in God.
- If you have a marriage that needs to be saved, it is only possible through God’s grace.
- If you have a family relationship that needs to be restored, it is only going to be possible through God’s grace.
- If there are unresolved issues between you and someone else, it is only going to be fixed through the grace and forgiveness that God gives you and works through you to someone else.
YOU:
- Things that help us apply the free gift in our life:
1. Praying
2. Reading His Word
3. Live like changed person
4. Allow God’s grace to flow in restoration with:
- Marriage
- Family
- Friends
WE:
Testimony Final Part:
You know that man I was telling you about sure could use some grace. Without his knowledge, his family was praying for him. Even though he had given up on them, they never gave up on him. Grace was working in his life when he didn’t know it.
After what seemed like years to his family, they began to start communicating. Communicating led to spending more time together. Spending more time together led to him stopping the divorce proceedings and moving back home.
He was so ashamed of what he had done and become. The man started asking for God’s forgiveness. God showed me more grace than he ever thought possible. God started changing his life. God revealed the plan that he had for him. And finally he quit running and surrendered everything to God. And his life has not been the same since.
That man is here. As a matter of fact, he is standing up right now.
Here I stand… with a call to plant a church and be a Pastor. God has me on a track that I never, ever thought was possible.
Grace has been operating for you when maybe you couldn’t see it or didn’t recognize it. Christ died for you 2,000 years ago. Grace has been operating for you for 2,000 years.
God has you here today for a reason. It’s grace that brought you here today. And grace will continue to be with you for the rest of your life as you accept Jesus and trust Him to be your Lord and your guide.
Romans 5:8-10 (NLT)
8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.
Grace
Mike Barker
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Grace
1. A a quality within something that’s beautiful or joyful. (Fragrance of a flower, the beauty of a lovely person)
2. Anything that has loveliness. (Thought, an act, a word, a person)
3. A gift or a favor that someone might extend to a friend.
4. Forgiveness that a friend gives you.
We all need Grace- Some of us need it in areas:
1. Relationships
2. Marriage
3. Children
4. Friendships
5. GOD
Testimony - Part 1:
There was a time in a particular man’s life when he treated a lot of the people who loved him like they were his enemy. The man grew up in a Christian home with parents that loved the lord. He went to church twice every Sunday and every Wednesday night. He grew up serving the lord.
As he got older he found a career that he loved and started a family. He loved his job. The man got to help and meet new people every day. He found himself spending more time at his job than at home with his family. A void began to grow inside him. He searched for things to fill the void like expensive and fast vehicles, motorcycles or anything that would give him a rush of adrenaline. He was his own worst enemy when it comes to finances. That’s another area that he needed grace. Often times he would get focused on the material things of the world and leave GOD out of his finances.
He would pray the same prayer that some of you may have: Lord if it is your will….. Just open the door for me to get this high interest loan on this new Ferrari, and if it is not your will… just close the door and I will take it as sign to second mortgage my house and buy the Corvette.
As time went on, the man kept drifting away from his family and the will of God. He felt alone in the world, even though he had people who loved and cared for him all around him. The Man never told his family what he was feeling; he just kept it to himself.
Eventually, he drifted so far apart from his family. He started living a separate life. A separate life that included another woman. After the excitement of the new relationship was over, he found his world crumbling around him.
Eventually, the affair came to the surface with my family. He needed to be forgiven, but first he needed to humble himself before God. As you might have guessed, he didn’t humble himself, instead he ran from God and his family when he left home. The man thought that the answer to problem was a divorce.
Now, not only was he acting like a jerk to everyone around him, he was fighting against what the Word teaches. He felt like he was an enemy to God.
Although we may feel like we are God’s enemy, God still has grace that extends to every horrible thing that we’ve ever done. He needed to be saved from the situation that he was in, and he needed to be saved from himself. He needed a lot of grace. God saves us from sin and he saves us from our self.
GOD:
• Eph 2:8-9
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
God’s grace is different than any other kind of grace that is available to you. God’s grace is defined by Webster’s as:
Grace: (charis) - unmerited divine assistance
God gives us help when you do not deserve it. And He wants to make sure that we understand that He is giving it to us and we did nothing to get it, all because we trust Him. He’s going to assist us when we don’t deserve it, when we don’t expect it, when we are at our lowest point in life.
There are many things that we could learn about God’s grace. It would be impossible to begin to understand all of it in an entire lifetime. But today we are going to look at 3 things we need to know about God’s grace.
3 things we need to know about God’s grace.
1. God's grace is not earned. (Eph2:8)
(It is something completely undeserved and unearned.)
Grace has been operating for you when you couldn’t see it or didn’t recognize it.
Ephesians 2:8b (NLT) And you can’t take credit for this;
It has nothing to do with us. We can’t take credit for it.
It’s like an unearned honorary degree from some University.
God’s Word says that grace is something that we can’t take credit for. Grace doesn’t bring about pain, shame, rejection, hurt or marriage trouble. These are things we do on our own.
These are things that we can take credit for. Now understand that the things I just described don’t apply for those who have been the victim of a horrible situation. That is not what I am referring to here.
- There may be things in our marriage that have earned us trouble, like arguing or silence and rejection.
- Tere may be things that we have done in our family that have earned us disrespect, anger, or distance in relationships.
- There may be things in our friendships that have brought about hurt.
All these things happen apart from grace. Those are things we earn.
UNEARNED ASSISTANCE: But God’s grace can come in and give us what we can’t take credit for . He can give us what we have not earned. He can give us what we do not deserve! He can give us hope for the future. When we have grace, that unearned assistance from God, we have the things that God is capable of doing. God showed the world grace when He sent His Son to do the impossible in our lives.
God wants us to be unable to do it our self so that we can have His grace. He wants us to realize we can’t do it on your own. We can’t earn it. We HAVE to have Him. His grace will give us the power to do things we thought were impossible.
First, God’s grace is not earned. And second…
2. God's grace is a free gift. (Eph 2:8)
Ephesians 2:8c (NLT) ; it is a gift from God.
Just like a child that is born into a rich family, who didn’t do anything to deserve the inheritance his father has for them. When we have grace, we are given a free gift that we do not deserve.
Testimony - Part 2:
Sitting in his aloneness… with a can of beanie-weenies, and they have several flavor. He realized that he was getting nowhere with the things he had earned on his own! He needed to accept what was freely given to him. It was time to stop running away from God and apply the things of His Word to his life through the free gift of His Son. It came to a point of surrender.
To have God’s free gift of grace, you have to come to a point of surrender.
Don’t do what you can do; do what God empowers you to do through His free gift.
When you do that, you have all the good things that God can do in your life…
First, God’s grace is not earned. Second, it is a free gift. Finally…
3. Salvation is only possible through God's grace. (Eph 2:9)
Ephesians 2:9 (NLT)
9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
It’s not about what we have done. It is about what God has done. If it were about what you could do, then you could boast about it. But it is nothing good that you can do or ever do to earn God’s grace. Salvation is only possible through God and what HE has done.
Some of us today think we are fine. We don’t think that we have to apply grace. We don’t think that we have to trust God.
Being a good person will not save you. Comparing yourself to someone else will not save you. You can’t have God’s favor or blessing by being a good person! You have to believe and trust in God.
- If you have a marriage that needs to be saved, it is only possible through God’s grace.
- If you have a family relationship that needs to be restored, it is only going to be possible through God’s grace.
- If there are unresolved issues between you and someone else, it is only going to be fixed through the grace and forgiveness that God gives you and works through you to someone else.
YOU:
- Things that help us apply the free gift in our life:
1. Praying
2. Reading His Word
3. Live like changed person
4. Allow God’s grace to flow in restoration with:
- Marriage
- Family
- Friends
WE:
Testimony Final Part:
You know that man I was telling you about sure could use some grace. Without his knowledge, his family was praying for him. Even though he had given up on them, they never gave up on him. Grace was working in his life when he didn’t know it.
After what seemed like years to his family, they began to start communicating. Communicating led to spending more time together. Spending more time together led to him stopping the divorce proceedings and moving back home.
He was so ashamed of what he had done and become. The man started asking for God’s forgiveness. God showed me more grace than he ever thought possible. God started changing his life. God revealed the plan that he had for him. And finally he quit running and surrendered everything to God. And his life has not been the same since.
That man is here. As a matter of fact, he is standing up right now.
Here I stand… with a call to plant a church and be a Pastor. God has me on a track that I never, ever thought was possible.
Grace has been operating for you when maybe you couldn’t see it or didn’t recognize it. Christ died for you 2,000 years ago. Grace has been operating for you for 2,000 years.
God has you here today for a reason. It’s grace that brought you here today. And grace will continue to be with you for the rest of your life as you accept Jesus and trust Him to be your Lord and your guide.
Romans 5:8-10 (NLT)
8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.
Monday, October 25, 2010
10/24/10 - The Blessed Life PT3 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "The Blessed Life" with part 3 in this Sunday service.
The Blessed Life Part 3
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, October 24, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
The Blessed Life…
Catching the Vision of Giving
Galatians 3:13-15 “But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.”
Deuteronomy 30:19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!”
Generosity: extravagant giving with no strings attached and no return expected
Abraham gave Isaac with nothing but a promise of more sons. His generosity opened the door for God to do something extraordinary…
God gave Jesus with no promise of a return.
Those focused on getting will give up during seasons of “not getting.” (example of reading the Word simply to experience Him instead of “getting something”)
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (AMP) 7Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving].” Practically everyone is a cheerful getter. God is looking for cheerful givers.
Acts 20:35 “You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” How many ‘words in red’ are in the book of Acts (the acts of the 1st church) after the ascension of Jesus?
Luke 6:30-35 “…But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High…”
2 heart responses to an act of giving portrayed in Luke 6—Mary and Judas. Generosity and selfishness. Giver and Getter. In the Kingdom for the Kingdom, in the Kingdom for what he could get out of the Kingdom (note the result when he realized the getting was about to be over—betrayal)
Generosity starts with a grateful heart.
Mary gave out of a grateful heart—this same Jesus had raised her brother from the dead. This same Jesus has raised each of us from the dead. Colossians 2:13 “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.”
How we handle our time, talent and resources reveals our heart.
The tithe is a test—one of the meanings of the number 10 is “test”: Laban changed Jacob’s wages 10 times, 10 plagues in Egypt, 10 commandments, 10 victories in the promised land, Daniel tested 10 times in the 1st chapter of Daniel, 10 virgins in the parable of the wedding in Matthew 25, 10 days of testing in Revelation 2:10…
3 Tests reveal whether I am a Giver or a Getter:
1. Need Test: trusting God to take care of us
2. Greed Test: using abundance wisely and in obedience to God’s promptings
3. See Test: sowing bountifully
The Reward of a Lifestyle of Giving:
- The Blessed Life: Acts 20:35 (more blessed).
- A life filled with His presence, consumed with His passion, driven by His presence (Givers are presence driven first, then purpose driven as a result. Their reward is His presence not the purpose. David—One thing will I seek…Psalm 119: 14, 72, 111, 127, 162—His presence is the treasure. Getters are purpose driven first, then presence driven as a result)
- A satisfied life: Psalm 63:1-4
- An abundant life: Luke 6:38
The Blessed Life Part 3
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, October 24, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
The Blessed Life…
Catching the Vision of Giving
Galatians 3:13-15 “But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.”
Deuteronomy 30:19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!”
Generosity: extravagant giving with no strings attached and no return expected
Abraham gave Isaac with nothing but a promise of more sons. His generosity opened the door for God to do something extraordinary…
God gave Jesus with no promise of a return.
Those focused on getting will give up during seasons of “not getting.” (example of reading the Word simply to experience Him instead of “getting something”)
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (AMP) 7Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving].” Practically everyone is a cheerful getter. God is looking for cheerful givers.
Acts 20:35 “You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” How many ‘words in red’ are in the book of Acts (the acts of the 1st church) after the ascension of Jesus?
Luke 6:30-35 “…But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High…”
2 heart responses to an act of giving portrayed in Luke 6—Mary and Judas. Generosity and selfishness. Giver and Getter. In the Kingdom for the Kingdom, in the Kingdom for what he could get out of the Kingdom (note the result when he realized the getting was about to be over—betrayal)
Generosity starts with a grateful heart.
Mary gave out of a grateful heart—this same Jesus had raised her brother from the dead. This same Jesus has raised each of us from the dead. Colossians 2:13 “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.”
How we handle our time, talent and resources reveals our heart.
The tithe is a test—one of the meanings of the number 10 is “test”: Laban changed Jacob’s wages 10 times, 10 plagues in Egypt, 10 commandments, 10 victories in the promised land, Daniel tested 10 times in the 1st chapter of Daniel, 10 virgins in the parable of the wedding in Matthew 25, 10 days of testing in Revelation 2:10…
3 Tests reveal whether I am a Giver or a Getter:
1. Need Test: trusting God to take care of us
2. Greed Test: using abundance wisely and in obedience to God’s promptings
3. See Test: sowing bountifully
The Reward of a Lifestyle of Giving:
- The Blessed Life: Acts 20:35 (more blessed).
- A life filled with His presence, consumed with His passion, driven by His presence (Givers are presence driven first, then purpose driven as a result. Their reward is His presence not the purpose. David—One thing will I seek…Psalm 119: 14, 72, 111, 127, 162—His presence is the treasure. Getters are purpose driven first, then presence driven as a result)
- A satisfied life: Psalm 63:1-4
- An abundant life: Luke 6:38
10/20/10 - What's A Party Without Gifts PT11 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "What's A Party Without Gifts?" with part 11 in this Wednesday service.
What's A Party Without Gifts? Part 11
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Note:
Visit www.gifttest.org to take the motivational gift survey
What's A Party Without Gifts? Part 11
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Note:
Visit www.gifttest.org to take the motivational gift survey
Sunday, October 17, 2010
10/17/10 - The Blessed Life PT2 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "The Blessed Life" with part 2 in this Sunday service.
The Blessed Life Part 2
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, October 17, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
The Blessed Life…
It’s a Heart Thing
Galatians 3:13-15 “But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.”
Deuteronomy 30:19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!”
Do we bring our time, talent and resources to the Lord as an offering or are our gifts done out of duty or legalism?
There are those who do not participate in bringing the tithe because they claim it is part of the law and they are free from the law. Murder is part of the law, adultery is part of the law, stealing is part of the law. Is it ok to abandon the teachings of the law in those instances? Of course not. (Galatians 3:24-25—the law was like a tutor for a child. Once the principles become part of the child the tutor is no longer needed. Maturity=A Heart Issue. A principle becomes part of our “worldview”—only then does it change our world.)
Tithing is an issue of the heart, not a law thing. Its power to bless flows from the condition of the heart. If it is done merely as an act of duty, or in response to law, then its power is minimalized. There are tithers who are not living the Blessed Life because they have heart issues.
When tithing becomes “life” to you, instead of “law”, then you enter the Blessed Life.
Abraham and Melchisidek: Genesis 14; Hebrews 5 & 7. Before the law—an issue of the heart.
Hebrews 7:8 “Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.” If the tithe is just a duty, just a response to obligation, then it is received by men. If it is a heart response it is received by Jesus in Heaven—Heaven invades earth = The Blessed Life!
Cain and Abel. The “Head Attack”--
Genesis 4:3-5 “When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the LORD. Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.”
Cain: obligation, duty—I produced this. My hard work. I am responsible. My gift. I’m giving God something. I am in control.
Abel: I am nothing without you. It is yours to begin with. You are my source. I am blessed because of you. I bring you what belongs to you anyway. I bring it to honor and thank you.
Note Cain’s response to the tithe: A Head Attack—jealousy, envy, strife, murder!
Jesus tells us to never separate the Heart Issues from the tithe. (Matthew 23:23—“the weightier matters”). Make it a duty and we rob this principle of its power!
1. Deal with a Selfish Heart
Deut 15:9 “Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, 'The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,' and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing, and he cry out to the LORD against you, and it become sin among you.”
Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.”
God calls selfish thoughts wicked thoughts! He says beware or guard your heart from wicked thoughts!
• Selfishness tells us we won’t have enough or God won’t or can’t be faithful. Selfishness is based on a scarcity worldview—there is not enough.
• Selfishness tries to manipulate and make deals with God to protect the return!
2. Deal with a Grieving Heart
Deut 15:10 You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand.
James 1:6-8 “a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.”
Selfish heart says we can’t give. The grieving heart says we shouldn’t have given!
• Selfishness attacks us before we give, and then grief attacks us after we give.
• You have to guard your heart before and after you give!
3. Practice a Generous Heart
Deut 15:14 “you shall supply him liberally from your flock, from your threshing floor, and from your winepress. From what the LORD has blessed you with, you shall give to him.”
Philemon 1:6 “And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.”
I was born selfish! I was born again generous. Now it’s a matter of renewing my mind!
§ Be generous: with your time, your talent, your resources. Be generous with your praise and your love.
4. Practice a Grateful Heart
Deut 15:15 “You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this thing today.”
Colossians 2:7 “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
• Never forget we were a slave and everything we have is by His grace, it will help us to be grateful and generous.
• We were lost and hell bound. He didn’t have to save us. We didn’t deserve it, but at our worst, He saved us.
• He never stops loving me, no matter how I behave. He never gives up. The grateful heart wants to bring Him praise in our time, our talent and our resources.
The Blessed Life awaits you. The principle of the tithe is a foundational principle of that life. Shaky foundation will equal shaky life. Inconsistent foundation will equal an inconsistent life. Uneven, sinking foundation will equal an unequal, sinking life. Solid, level, consistent foundation will equal a solid, level, consistent life.
2 Chronicles 31:9-10 “Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. And Azariah the chief priest, from the house of Zadok, answered him and said, “Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat and have plenty left, for the LORD has blessed His people; and what is left is this great abundance.”
Hezekiah was concerned about the people because of the amount they were giving. The response: since they started bringing their tithes and offerings as a Heart Thing, they have entered the Blessed Life and abundance has become their way of life.
The Blessed Life Part 2
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, October 17, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
The Blessed Life…
It’s a Heart Thing
Galatians 3:13-15 “But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.”
Deuteronomy 30:19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!”
Do we bring our time, talent and resources to the Lord as an offering or are our gifts done out of duty or legalism?
There are those who do not participate in bringing the tithe because they claim it is part of the law and they are free from the law. Murder is part of the law, adultery is part of the law, stealing is part of the law. Is it ok to abandon the teachings of the law in those instances? Of course not. (Galatians 3:24-25—the law was like a tutor for a child. Once the principles become part of the child the tutor is no longer needed. Maturity=A Heart Issue. A principle becomes part of our “worldview”—only then does it change our world.)
Tithing is an issue of the heart, not a law thing. Its power to bless flows from the condition of the heart. If it is done merely as an act of duty, or in response to law, then its power is minimalized. There are tithers who are not living the Blessed Life because they have heart issues.
When tithing becomes “life” to you, instead of “law”, then you enter the Blessed Life.
Abraham and Melchisidek: Genesis 14; Hebrews 5 & 7. Before the law—an issue of the heart.
Hebrews 7:8 “Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.” If the tithe is just a duty, just a response to obligation, then it is received by men. If it is a heart response it is received by Jesus in Heaven—Heaven invades earth = The Blessed Life!
Cain and Abel. The “Head Attack”--
Genesis 4:3-5 “When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the LORD. Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.”
Cain: obligation, duty—I produced this. My hard work. I am responsible. My gift. I’m giving God something. I am in control.
Abel: I am nothing without you. It is yours to begin with. You are my source. I am blessed because of you. I bring you what belongs to you anyway. I bring it to honor and thank you.
Note Cain’s response to the tithe: A Head Attack—jealousy, envy, strife, murder!
Jesus tells us to never separate the Heart Issues from the tithe. (Matthew 23:23—“the weightier matters”). Make it a duty and we rob this principle of its power!
1. Deal with a Selfish Heart
Deut 15:9 “Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, 'The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,' and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing, and he cry out to the LORD against you, and it become sin among you.”
Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.”
God calls selfish thoughts wicked thoughts! He says beware or guard your heart from wicked thoughts!
• Selfishness tells us we won’t have enough or God won’t or can’t be faithful. Selfishness is based on a scarcity worldview—there is not enough.
• Selfishness tries to manipulate and make deals with God to protect the return!
2. Deal with a Grieving Heart
Deut 15:10 You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand.
James 1:6-8 “a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.”
Selfish heart says we can’t give. The grieving heart says we shouldn’t have given!
• Selfishness attacks us before we give, and then grief attacks us after we give.
• You have to guard your heart before and after you give!
3. Practice a Generous Heart
Deut 15:14 “you shall supply him liberally from your flock, from your threshing floor, and from your winepress. From what the LORD has blessed you with, you shall give to him.”
Philemon 1:6 “And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.”
I was born selfish! I was born again generous. Now it’s a matter of renewing my mind!
§ Be generous: with your time, your talent, your resources. Be generous with your praise and your love.
4. Practice a Grateful Heart
Deut 15:15 “You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this thing today.”
Colossians 2:7 “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
• Never forget we were a slave and everything we have is by His grace, it will help us to be grateful and generous.
• We were lost and hell bound. He didn’t have to save us. We didn’t deserve it, but at our worst, He saved us.
• He never stops loving me, no matter how I behave. He never gives up. The grateful heart wants to bring Him praise in our time, our talent and our resources.
The Blessed Life awaits you. The principle of the tithe is a foundational principle of that life. Shaky foundation will equal shaky life. Inconsistent foundation will equal an inconsistent life. Uneven, sinking foundation will equal an unequal, sinking life. Solid, level, consistent foundation will equal a solid, level, consistent life.
2 Chronicles 31:9-10 “Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. And Azariah the chief priest, from the house of Zadok, answered him and said, “Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat and have plenty left, for the LORD has blessed His people; and what is left is this great abundance.”
Hezekiah was concerned about the people because of the amount they were giving. The response: since they started bringing their tithes and offerings as a Heart Thing, they have entered the Blessed Life and abundance has become their way of life.
10/13/10 - What's A Party Without Gifts PT10 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "What's A Party Without Gifts?" with part 10 in this Wednesday service.
What's A Party Without Gifts? Part 10
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
What's A Party Without Gifts? Part 10
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Monday, October 11, 2010
10/10/10 - The Blessed Life PT1 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore begins a new series entitled "The Blessed Life" with part 1 in this Sunday service.
The Blessed Life Part 1
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, October 10, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
The Blessed Life…
1st Things 1st—God must be 1st
We want to put God first in every area including our Finances! Finances relate to every area of your life. How we handle our finances tells God “Who’s first in our lives!”
Matthew 6:21 “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
You will never have a complete relationship with God until you understand and practice His principles of handling money. (Matthew 6:24—cannot be loyal to both)
There are 500 verses on prayer, less than 500 on faith, but over 2000 on money and possessions. Jesus talked about money in 16 out of 38 parables.
2 examples of Blessed Life and Cursed Life: My dad and me.
3 Principles that must be understood if we are going to Live the Blessed Life:
1. The Firstborn must be sacrificed or redeemed.
2. The Firstfruits must be offered.
3. The Tithe must be 1st.
1. The Firstborn Must Be Sacrificed or Redeemed
Ex 13:1-2 “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Dedicate to me every firstborn among the Israelites. The first offspring to be born, of both humans and animals, belongs to me.”
Ex 13:12-13 “you must present all firstborn sons and firstborn male animals to the LORD, for they belong to him. 13 A firstborn donkey may be bought back from the LORD by presenting a lamb or young goat in its place. But if you do not buy it back, you must break its neck. However, you must buy back every firstborn son.”
Every time one of your animals delivered its firstborn, you had to sacrifice it, or if it was unclean, you had to redeem it with a lamb.
• The firstborn clean had to be sacrificed
• The firstborn unclean had to be redeemed.
Do you realize what this is a picture of?
• Jesus, the Lamb, God’s firstborn Son, is clean.
• We are unclean and therefore the clean was sacrificed for the unclean, and we were redeemed. (Purchased back)
The tithe is not legalism or religious duty. It’s about putting 1st things 1st! Jesus was God’s tithe! God gave Jesus first in faith even when we were sinners. God didn’t wait to see if we would change or repent or get worthy. The tithe is about putting God first! It’s about our heart!
• Any first thing given is never lost. Any first thing not given is always lost. The First belongs to God!
Romans 11:16 (NCV) “If the first piece of bread is offered to God, then the whole loaf is made holy.”
• The first portion given redeemed the rest.
• All the rest after the first was given was redeemed.
• The first portion is the redemptive portion.
• Would you rather try to make it through life with 100% and all of it cursed, or with 90% and all of it redeemed and blessed?
Coming to Church is giving the first to the Lord.
• Some people’s week begins on Monday to make deals.
• Some people’s week begins on Friday to party.
• For believers, our week begins on Sunday! The New Testament Church met on Sunday because of the principle of firstfruits.
2. The Firstfruits Must Be Offered: We don’t give them, we bring them!
Ex 23:19 “The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God.”
Proverbs 3:9-10 “Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.”
The first portion belongs to God! Why did God say that all of the Silver and the Gold from Jericho had to be given to the Lord’s house?
• Because it was the first city in the Promised Land, firstfruits.
• You can have all of the rest, but give the first to me.
• God didn’t say, “After you’ve conquered the Promised Land, then give me 10%.” (Or 10% of Jericho)
• He said, “Give me all of the silver and gold from the first city” and that took faith!
Abraham offered Isaac, his first.
• God didn’t go to Abraham when he only had Isaac and say,
• “After you have 4 or 5 more sons,
• I’m going to come to you and ask you for one of them.”
• God asked for the first when he had one and only the promise of more.
God’s portion is devoted or consecrated to the temple, which means that it has a blessing. But if it’s not given to God, it’s cursed because it’s stolen.
Genesis 4:3-5 “And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering.”
Why did God accept Abel offering, but not Cain’s?
• Cain’s was brought “in the process of time.”
• It wasn’t first fruits but Abel’s was the firstborn!
3. The Tithe Must Be First
Leviticus 27:30 “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the LORD.”
Is it possible to give 10% and not be tithing?
The Firstborn belongs to God. The Firstfruits belong to God. And the tithe belongs to God also but it must be first!
It’s the same principle!
If I gave you 10 1-dollar bills, (1) How much is the tithe? (2) Which one is the tithe?
Let’s say that you get paid on Thursday.
• You pay all of your bills and then buy groceries. Then write the tithe check before you come to Church.
Is it really faith to give 10% after we’ve paid all of the bills first? Aren’t we establishing our priorities when we willingly pay everybody else first and then see if there’s enough leftover to give God His Portion?
The First Portion is the redemptive portion!
• There are so many blessings that go along with tithing
• But it’s the principle of putting God first
• And the principle of faith that initiates the blessings!
The first portion is the portion that redeems the rest.
• The first portion carries the blessing.
• You don’t want to give the first portion to the electric company! We fear the IRS, and GMAC, the mortgage company and the phone company more than we fear the Lord. Another way to say that is we respect them more or we put them first rather than the Lord.
Tithing says, “I’ve got a stack of bills here but I’m going to give to you first just like you gave Jesus first.”
I’m not talking about being legalistic and getting angry with your wife if she writes a check to the grocery store before you write the tithe check. I’m talking about your heart and so is God!
It’s entirely possible that you’ve been giving 10% but not tithing because the tithe must be first! It’s the principle of firstfruits and the firstborn. The bottom line is, “Is God first in your life?”
Matthew 6:31-33 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Put God 1st and everything else just finds its place. Our priorities stay where they should be.
The Blessed Life Part 1
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, October 10, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
The Blessed Life…
1st Things 1st—God must be 1st
We want to put God first in every area including our Finances! Finances relate to every area of your life. How we handle our finances tells God “Who’s first in our lives!”
Matthew 6:21 “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
You will never have a complete relationship with God until you understand and practice His principles of handling money. (Matthew 6:24—cannot be loyal to both)
There are 500 verses on prayer, less than 500 on faith, but over 2000 on money and possessions. Jesus talked about money in 16 out of 38 parables.
2 examples of Blessed Life and Cursed Life: My dad and me.
3 Principles that must be understood if we are going to Live the Blessed Life:
1. The Firstborn must be sacrificed or redeemed.
2. The Firstfruits must be offered.
3. The Tithe must be 1st.
1. The Firstborn Must Be Sacrificed or Redeemed
Ex 13:1-2 “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Dedicate to me every firstborn among the Israelites. The first offspring to be born, of both humans and animals, belongs to me.”
Ex 13:12-13 “you must present all firstborn sons and firstborn male animals to the LORD, for they belong to him. 13 A firstborn donkey may be bought back from the LORD by presenting a lamb or young goat in its place. But if you do not buy it back, you must break its neck. However, you must buy back every firstborn son.”
Every time one of your animals delivered its firstborn, you had to sacrifice it, or if it was unclean, you had to redeem it with a lamb.
• The firstborn clean had to be sacrificed
• The firstborn unclean had to be redeemed.
Do you realize what this is a picture of?
• Jesus, the Lamb, God’s firstborn Son, is clean.
• We are unclean and therefore the clean was sacrificed for the unclean, and we were redeemed. (Purchased back)
The tithe is not legalism or religious duty. It’s about putting 1st things 1st! Jesus was God’s tithe! God gave Jesus first in faith even when we were sinners. God didn’t wait to see if we would change or repent or get worthy. The tithe is about putting God first! It’s about our heart!
• Any first thing given is never lost. Any first thing not given is always lost. The First belongs to God!
Romans 11:16 (NCV) “If the first piece of bread is offered to God, then the whole loaf is made holy.”
• The first portion given redeemed the rest.
• All the rest after the first was given was redeemed.
• The first portion is the redemptive portion.
• Would you rather try to make it through life with 100% and all of it cursed, or with 90% and all of it redeemed and blessed?
Coming to Church is giving the first to the Lord.
• Some people’s week begins on Monday to make deals.
• Some people’s week begins on Friday to party.
• For believers, our week begins on Sunday! The New Testament Church met on Sunday because of the principle of firstfruits.
2. The Firstfruits Must Be Offered: We don’t give them, we bring them!
Ex 23:19 “The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God.”
Proverbs 3:9-10 “Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.”
The first portion belongs to God! Why did God say that all of the Silver and the Gold from Jericho had to be given to the Lord’s house?
• Because it was the first city in the Promised Land, firstfruits.
• You can have all of the rest, but give the first to me.
• God didn’t say, “After you’ve conquered the Promised Land, then give me 10%.” (Or 10% of Jericho)
• He said, “Give me all of the silver and gold from the first city” and that took faith!
Abraham offered Isaac, his first.
• God didn’t go to Abraham when he only had Isaac and say,
• “After you have 4 or 5 more sons,
• I’m going to come to you and ask you for one of them.”
• God asked for the first when he had one and only the promise of more.
God’s portion is devoted or consecrated to the temple, which means that it has a blessing. But if it’s not given to God, it’s cursed because it’s stolen.
Genesis 4:3-5 “And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering.”
Why did God accept Abel offering, but not Cain’s?
• Cain’s was brought “in the process of time.”
• It wasn’t first fruits but Abel’s was the firstborn!
3. The Tithe Must Be First
Leviticus 27:30 “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the LORD.”
Is it possible to give 10% and not be tithing?
The Firstborn belongs to God. The Firstfruits belong to God. And the tithe belongs to God also but it must be first!
It’s the same principle!
If I gave you 10 1-dollar bills, (1) How much is the tithe? (2) Which one is the tithe?
Let’s say that you get paid on Thursday.
• You pay all of your bills and then buy groceries. Then write the tithe check before you come to Church.
Is it really faith to give 10% after we’ve paid all of the bills first? Aren’t we establishing our priorities when we willingly pay everybody else first and then see if there’s enough leftover to give God His Portion?
The First Portion is the redemptive portion!
• There are so many blessings that go along with tithing
• But it’s the principle of putting God first
• And the principle of faith that initiates the blessings!
The first portion is the portion that redeems the rest.
• The first portion carries the blessing.
• You don’t want to give the first portion to the electric company! We fear the IRS, and GMAC, the mortgage company and the phone company more than we fear the Lord. Another way to say that is we respect them more or we put them first rather than the Lord.
Tithing says, “I’ve got a stack of bills here but I’m going to give to you first just like you gave Jesus first.”
I’m not talking about being legalistic and getting angry with your wife if she writes a check to the grocery store before you write the tithe check. I’m talking about your heart and so is God!
It’s entirely possible that you’ve been giving 10% but not tithing because the tithe must be first! It’s the principle of firstfruits and the firstborn. The bottom line is, “Is God first in your life?”
Matthew 6:31-33 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Put God 1st and everything else just finds its place. Our priorities stay where they should be.
10/06/10 - What's A Party Without Gifts PT9 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "What's A Party Without Gifts?" with part 9 in this Wednesday service.
What's A Party Without Gifts? Part 9
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
What's A Party Without Gifts? Part 9
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
10/03/10 - Vision Sunday - Pastor Michael Adams
Pastor Michael Adams recasts the vision of LifeGate Church in this Vision Sunday service.
Vision Sunday
Pastor Michael Adams
Sunday, October 3, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Vision Sunday
Pastor Michael Adams
Sunday, October 3, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
09/29/10 - What's A Party Without Gifts PT8 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "What's A Party Without Gifts?" with part 8 in this Wednesday service.
What's A Party Without Gifts? Part 8
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, September 29, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
What's A Party Without Gifts? Part 8
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, September 29, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sunday, September 26, 2010
09/26/10 - Are We There Yet PT3 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "Are We There Yet?" with part 3 in this Sunday service.
Are We There Yet? Part 3
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, September 26, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Are We There Yet?
Navigating the Parenting Journey
Proverbs 22:6 (AMP) Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.
(Message) Point your kids in the right direction—when they're old they won't be lost.
How to Mess Up Your Kid (Location 645 from Young)
Don’t do any of the following and your children will face more struggles than needed. Don’t let “I don’t want to” stop you from being a parent.
- Psalm 55:10--“the enemy ‘in-a-me’
- Galatians 5:19-22 “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
- Default condition of humanity is hell. (What about babies, small children who die? Romans 7:9 “At one time I lived without understanding the law. But when I learned the command not to covet, for instance, the power of sin came to life, and I died.”)
John 14:6 “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
There is 1 way to parent-God’s way. Jesus is not only the way to Heaven—He is The Way for great life, great marriage, great kids. Real life is found when we find the Father of Life and we will not find Him except through Jesus. The biggest key to having rich and satisfying life is understanding you will only have it in Jesus.
Model Godliness and Faith: Genesis 12:8 Abraham pitched his tent and built his altar. Model trust in God rather than trust in our culture.
1. Attitude—Yours, not the kids’.
a. Be purposeful and passionate about being a parent. Embrace it. Honor it.
b. A good teacher is a good learner. (2Timothy 3:14-15)
c. Recognize the seasons and receive the grace for that season.
d. Consistent
2. Good Times:
a. Create memories
b. Catch them doing it right
c. Laugh a lot together
3. Reverence, Respect and Obedience. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:10
a. Control the tongue
b. Priorities
c. Respect is a gift—give it away
4. Effective Boundaries—Define the playing field clearly and you get to spend more time being a cheerleader and less being a referee.
5. Adolescence—Don’t just endure it, understand it.
a. Half Child, Half Adult: the parent is identified with the “child” part they are trying to separate themselves from.
b. When you try to be like them (talking, dressing, habits) you defeat what they are trying to do—find their identity as an adult. Help them grow up with healthy boundaries and Godly wisdom.
c. Listen (example: Jose and Earnesto from Houston—gangs and guns)
6. Time: Kids need PALs not peers
a. Present: Scheduled, Spontaneous, Spectator and Special
b. Available: Be interruptible
c. Listen beyond the words
7. Kiss and Tell (1 Corinthian 13)
a. Love is an action not just words
b. Love and Acceptance, Repentance and Forgiveness
8. Intentional—not casual, not passive, not ‘whatever’
a. 3 things you should model:
i. Lifetime love affair with Jesus
ii. Lifetime love affair with spouse
iii. Lifetime love affair with kids
b. Practice the Jesus method of Training (Proverbs 22:6): Watch me do it; Do it with me; I watch you do it; You do it alone.
9. Discipline Proverbs 10:17 “People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.”
a. Discipline is the “essential positive plus the necessary negative”.
b. Ladder Method: (conversation linking all 3)
i. Boundaries
ii. Consequences
iii. Principles
c. Relationship is key: Rules without Relationship = Rebellion
i. Authoritarian: Discipline with no relationship results in angry, frustrated, confused, silent
ii. Permissive: Relationship with no discipline results in self-centered, irresponsible, manipulative
iii. Indifferent: no relationship or discipline results in demanding, aggressive and no self-control
d. Ways to Discipline:
i. Verbal: Attack the behavior, never the child. “Good choice instead of Good boy”. Reinforce what you want instead of what you don’t want.
ii. Restrictions/Grounding: Be seen as the “Giver back” instead of the “Taker away”
iii. Hands-off: Keep them safe but allow them to reap what they sow
iv. Hands-on: The “Rod Principle”—used by a shepherd to redirect sheep onto the narrow path leading to life and safety
1. Using the Rod scripturally:
a. Last resort not a quick fix
b. Controls in place (# of licks defined; defined equipment)
c. Private not public
d. Age limits: 18 mos to puberty
e. Explained before and after
f. Only for willful rebellious violation of a clearly understood rule
Are We There Yet? Part 3
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, September 26, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Are We There Yet?
Navigating the Parenting Journey
Proverbs 22:6 (AMP) Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.
(Message) Point your kids in the right direction—when they're old they won't be lost.
How to Mess Up Your Kid (Location 645 from Young)
Don’t do any of the following and your children will face more struggles than needed. Don’t let “I don’t want to” stop you from being a parent.
- Psalm 55:10--“the enemy ‘in-a-me’
- Galatians 5:19-22 “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
- Default condition of humanity is hell. (What about babies, small children who die? Romans 7:9 “At one time I lived without understanding the law. But when I learned the command not to covet, for instance, the power of sin came to life, and I died.”)
John 14:6 “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
There is 1 way to parent-God’s way. Jesus is not only the way to Heaven—He is The Way for great life, great marriage, great kids. Real life is found when we find the Father of Life and we will not find Him except through Jesus. The biggest key to having rich and satisfying life is understanding you will only have it in Jesus.
Model Godliness and Faith: Genesis 12:8 Abraham pitched his tent and built his altar. Model trust in God rather than trust in our culture.
1. Attitude—Yours, not the kids’.
a. Be purposeful and passionate about being a parent. Embrace it. Honor it.
b. A good teacher is a good learner. (2Timothy 3:14-15)
c. Recognize the seasons and receive the grace for that season.
d. Consistent
2. Good Times:
a. Create memories
b. Catch them doing it right
c. Laugh a lot together
3. Reverence, Respect and Obedience. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:10
a. Control the tongue
b. Priorities
c. Respect is a gift—give it away
4. Effective Boundaries—Define the playing field clearly and you get to spend more time being a cheerleader and less being a referee.
5. Adolescence—Don’t just endure it, understand it.
a. Half Child, Half Adult: the parent is identified with the “child” part they are trying to separate themselves from.
b. When you try to be like them (talking, dressing, habits) you defeat what they are trying to do—find their identity as an adult. Help them grow up with healthy boundaries and Godly wisdom.
c. Listen (example: Jose and Earnesto from Houston—gangs and guns)
6. Time: Kids need PALs not peers
a. Present: Scheduled, Spontaneous, Spectator and Special
b. Available: Be interruptible
c. Listen beyond the words
7. Kiss and Tell (1 Corinthian 13)
a. Love is an action not just words
b. Love and Acceptance, Repentance and Forgiveness
8. Intentional—not casual, not passive, not ‘whatever’
a. 3 things you should model:
i. Lifetime love affair with Jesus
ii. Lifetime love affair with spouse
iii. Lifetime love affair with kids
b. Practice the Jesus method of Training (Proverbs 22:6): Watch me do it; Do it with me; I watch you do it; You do it alone.
9. Discipline Proverbs 10:17 “People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.”
a. Discipline is the “essential positive plus the necessary negative”.
b. Ladder Method: (conversation linking all 3)
i. Boundaries
ii. Consequences
iii. Principles
c. Relationship is key: Rules without Relationship = Rebellion
i. Authoritarian: Discipline with no relationship results in angry, frustrated, confused, silent
ii. Permissive: Relationship with no discipline results in self-centered, irresponsible, manipulative
iii. Indifferent: no relationship or discipline results in demanding, aggressive and no self-control
d. Ways to Discipline:
i. Verbal: Attack the behavior, never the child. “Good choice instead of Good boy”. Reinforce what you want instead of what you don’t want.
ii. Restrictions/Grounding: Be seen as the “Giver back” instead of the “Taker away”
iii. Hands-off: Keep them safe but allow them to reap what they sow
iv. Hands-on: The “Rod Principle”—used by a shepherd to redirect sheep onto the narrow path leading to life and safety
1. Using the Rod scripturally:
a. Last resort not a quick fix
b. Controls in place (# of licks defined; defined equipment)
c. Private not public
d. Age limits: 18 mos to puberty
e. Explained before and after
f. Only for willful rebellious violation of a clearly understood rule
09/22/10 - Faith Like A Child - Jay Mann
Jay Mann teaches on "Faith Like A Child" in this Wednesday service.
Faith Like A Child
Jay Mann
Sunday, September 22, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Faith Like A Child
Scripture: Mark 4:35-41
Introduction: Story of Logan and his fear of storms, how he comes running to our room for comfort and protection. He feels safe just knowing that we are there in the bed with him..
1. As adults, what do we put our faith in?
a. Car will start
b. Seatbelt or airbags will work in an accident
c. Our bed will hold us when we jump into it
d. We don’t lay awake at night wondering and worrying if these things will work
2. Read Mark 4:35-41
a. Great storm (amplified bible – storm of hurricane proportion)
b. Jesus is sleeping
c. 12 Barney Fifes bailing water and patching holes
d. Teacher, do you care if we drown?
i. How many times have we said that?
e. Jesus calms the storms with four words
f. Do you STILL have no faith
i. They had seen many miracles performed by Jesus
g. Do you think he was really sleeping?
i. Maybe he was praying that they would have faith
3. Jesus never abandons those who get on the boat with him
a. He never bails out on us
b. He stays in the boat with us making sure that the storm passes
4. What do you put your faith in?
a. The boat with Jesus
b. Outside the boat drowning
Closing: Sleeping or waking Jesus loves you with a love that will not let you go. Sleeping or waking Jesus is the ruler of the winds and the waves. He WILL calm the storm in HIS time, and in HIS way.
Faith Like A Child
Jay Mann
Sunday, September 22, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Faith Like A Child
Scripture: Mark 4:35-41
Introduction: Story of Logan and his fear of storms, how he comes running to our room for comfort and protection. He feels safe just knowing that we are there in the bed with him..
1. As adults, what do we put our faith in?
a. Car will start
b. Seatbelt or airbags will work in an accident
c. Our bed will hold us when we jump into it
d. We don’t lay awake at night wondering and worrying if these things will work
2. Read Mark 4:35-41
a. Great storm (amplified bible – storm of hurricane proportion)
b. Jesus is sleeping
c. 12 Barney Fifes bailing water and patching holes
d. Teacher, do you care if we drown?
i. How many times have we said that?
e. Jesus calms the storms with four words
f. Do you STILL have no faith
i. They had seen many miracles performed by Jesus
g. Do you think he was really sleeping?
i. Maybe he was praying that they would have faith
3. Jesus never abandons those who get on the boat with him
a. He never bails out on us
b. He stays in the boat with us making sure that the storm passes
4. What do you put your faith in?
a. The boat with Jesus
b. Outside the boat drowning
Closing: Sleeping or waking Jesus loves you with a love that will not let you go. Sleeping or waking Jesus is the ruler of the winds and the waves. He WILL calm the storm in HIS time, and in HIS way.
Monday, September 20, 2010
09/19/10 - Are We There Yet PT2 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "Are We There Yet?" with part 2 in this Sunday service.
Are We There Yet? Part 2
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, September 19, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Are We There Yet?
Navigating the Parenting Journey
Proverbs 22:6 (AMP) Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.
(Message) Point your kids in the right direction—when they're old they won't be lost.
Genesis 18:19 “I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.”
This series is not just about parenting, it is about being parented. As adults, we must make sure we are allowing God to parent us. Along the way we have developed habits, world views, coping skills that may not line up with His Word and His plans for us. In this series we will hear some things that may challenge those things and we must be His children and let Him father us by bringing correction and discipline so we can then lead others.
The other big key to this series is it requires us to lead, to model these behaviors. Our children must see us leading the way. It is easier to lead than to drive and the results are much better (example of leading cows to the barn or driving them—you step in a lot of mess, you get kicked and the view is not too good).
G.P.S. (God’s Parenting System)
Luke 2:52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.
1. Wisdom=Understanding God’s Plans for Your Life (Colossians 2:2-4)
a. A solid foundation—Psalm 111
b. Tune your ears—Proverbs 2:1-2
c. The foolishness of this world’s wisdom—1 Corinthians 2:6
2. Stature=Maturing and Living Long, Growing up not just Growing old (Luke 8:14)
a. Rules, Rewards, Discipline, Responsibility (Proverbs 10:17—the key is pointing the way to “pathway to life”)
b. Innocence—1 Corinthians 14:20
c. Winning your battles—1 John 2:14
d. Independence vs. Freedom: God-dependent is freedom. Self-dependent is pride. Proverbs 3:2
3. Favor with God=The Grace Life (Galatians 1:15; 4:9-10)
a. Relationship not religion—Romans 5:11
b. God is for us—Jeremiah 29:11
c. Grace vs. works—Romans 11:6
4. Favor with People=Social Skills (Proverbs 18:24)
a. Servant leadership and making friends—Luke 22:26
b. Manners—Ephesians 5:4
c. Boundaries—Jude 1:6 (Prison interviews)
The Target of our Journey—one of the purposes of our relationships: Godly Seed
Malachi 2:15 “Didn’t the LORD make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart”
Are We There Yet? Part 2
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, September 19, 2010
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Are We There Yet?
Navigating the Parenting Journey
Proverbs 22:6 (AMP) Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.
(Message) Point your kids in the right direction—when they're old they won't be lost.
Genesis 18:19 “I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.”
This series is not just about parenting, it is about being parented. As adults, we must make sure we are allowing God to parent us. Along the way we have developed habits, world views, coping skills that may not line up with His Word and His plans for us. In this series we will hear some things that may challenge those things and we must be His children and let Him father us by bringing correction and discipline so we can then lead others.
The other big key to this series is it requires us to lead, to model these behaviors. Our children must see us leading the way. It is easier to lead than to drive and the results are much better (example of leading cows to the barn or driving them—you step in a lot of mess, you get kicked and the view is not too good).
G.P.S. (God’s Parenting System)
Luke 2:52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.
1. Wisdom=Understanding God’s Plans for Your Life (Colossians 2:2-4)
a. A solid foundation—Psalm 111
b. Tune your ears—Proverbs 2:1-2
c. The foolishness of this world’s wisdom—1 Corinthians 2:6
2. Stature=Maturing and Living Long, Growing up not just Growing old (Luke 8:14)
a. Rules, Rewards, Discipline, Responsibility (Proverbs 10:17—the key is pointing the way to “pathway to life”)
b. Innocence—1 Corinthians 14:20
c. Winning your battles—1 John 2:14
d. Independence vs. Freedom: God-dependent is freedom. Self-dependent is pride. Proverbs 3:2
3. Favor with God=The Grace Life (Galatians 1:15; 4:9-10)
a. Relationship not religion—Romans 5:11
b. God is for us—Jeremiah 29:11
c. Grace vs. works—Romans 11:6
4. Favor with People=Social Skills (Proverbs 18:24)
a. Servant leadership and making friends—Luke 22:26
b. Manners—Ephesians 5:4
c. Boundaries—Jude 1:6 (Prison interviews)
The Target of our Journey—one of the purposes of our relationships: Godly Seed
Malachi 2:15 “Didn’t the LORD make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart”
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