Be Fruitful and Multiply

Creation Story

God created everything - Gen 1:1-3

Man and Woman are to be fruitful and multiply - Gen 1:24-31

Man has the breath of life - Gen 2:4-7

It is not good for the man to be alone - Gen 2:15-25

Your life group doesn't have to be perfect - just available.

Remember - the apostles had issues of their own.

Gospel Age

God has regenerated us

God still wants us to be fruitful and multiply

Make disciples - Mat 28:18-20;

Preach the good news to all creation - Mark 16:14-20

Preach repentance and forgiveness to all nations - Luke 24:45-53

Those who have faith in Jesus will do what he did - John 14:5-14

As the Father sent me I am sending you - John 20:19-23

God wants to use you in 2006

He wants to use you inside the body (i.e. the local congregation)

He wants to use you outside the body (i.e. evangelism and discipleship)

You can't multiply by yourself

Take stock of 2005

Did you expand the Kingdom in 2005?

If not, what will you do differently in 2006?

Following Jesus

The Son is in charge - Psalm 2; Acts 4:23-30; Acts 13:29-37

Why do the nations rage? - Acts 4:23-30

You are my Son, today I have become your Father - Acts 13:29-37; Heb 1:5; Heb 5:5

Kiss the Son

Jesus launches his ministry

Baptism - Mat 3:13-17

This is my Son, whom I love . . .

Temptation - Mat 4:1 - 11; Heb 2:18; Heb 4:15

Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life - Gen 3:1-8; 1John 2:15-17

Jesus used scripture

Jesus and worship

Worship the Lord your God and serve him only - Mat 4:10; Deut 6:13

Jesus accepted worship

Magi - Mat 2:2,11

Man born blind - John 9:38

Women at the tomb - Mat 28:9

Disciples - Mat 28:17

The Father has entrusted everything to the Son - John 5:16-47; John 6:44-47

By calling God his Father Jesus acknowledged his equality with God

Honor the Son as you honor the Father

Trying to go around the Son dishonors the Father

Recruits Disciples - Mat 4:17-22

Jesus knew that he needed to extend himself through others

Who are you extending yourself through?

We have benefitted from those who extended themselves through us

Coutney McBath and Michael Harrison came alongside me to support me.

Karen Cummings helped to move me into ministry.

Ed Johnson, Purcell Dorsey, Pastor Andy, Chris Hill

Meets Needs - Mat 4:23-25

Jesus addressed the people's perceived needs.

Whose needs are you addressing?

Light of the world - Mat 5:14-16

Don't hide your light under a bowl

"Salt" from salt marshes could lose its saltiness.

Expose yourself to the unbelieving world

Cell ministry is an excellent way to do this

Light the world around you so that people can see it as it really is

Don't shine a spotlight in people's eyes to blind them

Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets - Mat 5:17-20

Do not murder / Do not be angry - Mat 5:21-26

The Law explicitly refers to external behaviors

Jesus identified the law's true intention and direction

Anger is a root issue that can take various forms

blatant: murder, violence, rage

verbal: cursing, yelling, sarcasm, cynicism

internal: bitterness, resentment, depression

Anger is a dangerous emotion

In your anger do not sin - Psalm 4:4, Eph 4:26

Don't let the sun go down on your anger - Eph 4:26

acts of the flesh can keep you out of the Kingdom - Gal 5:16-21

Examples

Columbine

The time I hit Amelia in 6th grade

urban violence

The World's way

Anger is often feared

Anger is often celebrated

in movies, on television and in other media

especially where young men are concerned

in some movements

social: Black nationalism, environmentalism, feminism

religious: Islamic fundamentalism

Christian: persecution of gays; bombing abortion clinics

Anger has various causes

behavior of others - threats, abuse, abandonment, rejection

impersonal events

ourselves - failures, inadequacies, our personal attributes

Resentments and quarrels - James 3:13 - 4:12

Trade in old fantasies for fresh vision from the Lord

Anger has a solution

Don't use the world as your model

Do not love the world - 1John 2:15-17

Don't gain the world and lose yourself - Luke 9:23-25

Don't conform to the world's pattern - Rom 12:1-2

Give it to God

Give your burdens to Jesus - Mat 11:28

Do not be anxious about anything - Isa 26:3; Phil 4:6-7

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood - Eph 6:12

If you're not praying you are defenseless against anger

Discipline yourself

You must master sin - Gen 4:1-12; Rom 6:12-13; Rom 8:5-6

Your actions

Your words

Watch what you say - James 3:2-12

Complaining

Israel complained - Num 11:1; Num 14:27

Don't complain - Phil 2:14

Your associations

Avoid "brothers" or "sisters" who slander - 1Cor 5:11

Seek deliverance

Jesus cast out demons and expected his disciples to do the same

Initial commissioning - Mat 10:1; Mat 10:8; Luke 10:19

greater works - John 14:12

If repeated attempts at discipline fail, you may need deliverance

Deliverance is not a panacea

it often changes the fight from impossible to difficult

it is not a substitute for walking in the Spirit

it is not a substitute for discipline

Practice a lifestyle of reconciliation

Be reconciled to God - 2Cor 5:14-20

A brother/sister who is angry with you is in spiritual danger - vs 24

Anger

The day the lawnmower died

Doing Something With God's Word

Your natural hearing is delicate. So is your ability to hear from God.

Use your ears to hear what God is saying.

God told the Israelites how to treat his Word - Deut 6:4-9; Deut 11:19

These commandments are to be upon your hearts

Impress them on your children

Talk about them when you sit at home,

when you walk along the road,

when you lie down,

when you get up

Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads

Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates

How will we obey this word?

We must structure ourselves to obey

Most churches don't structure themselves to do this

Our life group meetings are structured for obedience in this area

"Welcome" - reconnect with one another

"Worship" - reconnect with God

"Word" - talk about:

What God is showing you about yourself

What God wants to say to others through you

"Works" - plan Kingdom work

If you're not committed to this are you committed to the Lord?

It's all about Jesus

Jesus and the Glory Of God

The LORD doesn't share his glory with another - Isa 42:8

Jesus had glory with the Father before the world began - John 17:5

Defining Spirituality

The world values vague spirituality

celebration of the word "faith" without an object

celebration of "faith-based" efforts

celebration of diversity

The church must make it clear to others who it is that we worship

Jesus is the object of our faith

Surrender to God's Control

Life Church retreat

Our initial lack of enthusiasm about our agenda

We needed God to take control

The Holy Spirit moved in the revising of our vision and mission

The Holy Spirit moved in the reworking of our agenda

Covenant Faithfulness - Mat 5:27-37

Adultery

Marriage

Marriage is a covenant to provide companionship

Marriage authorizes sexual relations but is not created by them

Marriage is not dissolved by adultery

Divorce dissolves a marriage

Introduction of Eva as a tempting "other woman"

"I've been in situations where I've trying to do God's will and a beautiful woman . . ."

Eva enters in a provocative outfit

Dangerous thinking errors

Minimization - "It's no big deal"; "One time won't hurt."

Rationalization - "I'm just being friendly"

Denial - "I'm not really being unfaithful - I'm a good husband."

Relabeling - telling it like it wasn't

Justification - "I couldn't help it"

Spiritual rationalization - "God must be OK with it."

Distorted Thinking -

"It will turn out OK - I won't get caught."

"No one will get hurt."

"They weren't really upset with me."

"They will get over it."

"Nothing harmful will come of this."

Entitlement

"I'm entitled to a little fun."

"I deserve it."

"I deserve a break today."

"No one appreciates me."

"I've been so good."

"I'm not as bad as most husbands are."

"I've done so much for God."

"My wife really doesn't like sex much."

"I've led such a sheltered life."

"I've been pure all these years."

"I need something to lift my spirits."

"God intended that we enjoy life."

Fantasy

Divorce

OT Reference - Deut 24:1-4

God hates divorce (among other things) - Mal 2:16

God divorced Israel - Jer 3:8

God forgives us if we repent

If you're divorced

Acknowledge your contribution, if any and apologize

Don't break up a new marriage to renew an old one

If reconciliation is possible pray and seek pastoral counsel about your situation

Oaths / Swearing - Just be truthful

Following Jesus (continued) - Mat 5 - 6

The Foolishness Of The Cross

1Cor 1:10 - 2:16

Covenant Faithfulness (continued) - Mat 5:27-37

Oaths / Swearing - Just be truthful

Don't manipulate

Dealing with bad people - Mat 5:38-48

"Eye for eye" is not revenge - Ex 21:18-27; Lev 24:17-21; Lev 19:18; Deut 19:21

Turn the other cheek

Love your enemies

Love the unlovely

Promiscuous, Homosexuals, Addicts, Thugs, Corny People

Greeting only your brothers is not acceptable

Going against the grain gets people's attention

Powerful people don't need to show off their power

Story from "The Speeder's Guide To Avoiding Tickets"

Hypocrisy - Mat 6:1-18

Don't do righteous acts for show

Don't pray for show

Your Kingdom come - ask for the needs of the ministry

What resources would enable you to serve more effectively?

What obstacles hinder you from serving more effectively?

Give us our daily bread - Ask for your needs

Get the "morning manna" - Ex 16:14-31

Give God your best time

Prayer - Morning sacrifice and Evening sacrifice

No plan no prayer; not prayer no progress

Greed - Mat 6:19-24

Store up treasure in heaven, not on earth

"eyes are good (single)" - be generous

You can't serve two masters

Use worldly wealth to gain heavenly friends - Luke 16:1-13

Don't give God "hand me downs". - Ex 23:19

God wants to bless you - will you let him? - Luke 6:38

Religion vs. Kingdom Life

Old Covenant - God demands what's external to get what's internal

New Covenant - God demands what's internal and the external follows

Are we doing the work of the Kingdom?

Are we just being religious?

Rules taught by men - Isa 29:13; Mat 15:1-9

Religion focuses on familiar and comforting rituals

comforting rituals often mask our weaknesses

Religion offers status and the approval of other people whether God is pleased or not

Kingdom life focuses on hearing from God and obeying

If you love me you will obey what I command - John 14:15

Maturity

How mature are you really? Maturity means taking responsibility

How strong are you really? - Inside Out - core/functional training

Comforting rituals are not allowed to mask your weaknesses

Until 1983 I ritually took the T because I couldn't drive

Religion - Don't be addicted to things that make you feel good. Put in the work to "be good".

Confronting People

If your brother has something against you confront him - Mat 18:15-22

Other ideas

Be God's "help desk" or "customer support" staff

Which areas of your life are off limits to God? Your marriage?

Practice forgetting about yourself and focusing on others - Phil 2:3-4

Which life group member will I be a blessing to this week?

Who is the next person that I will connect to the Kingdom?

Why don't we obey?

We don't want to

We don't know how

We think that we don't have the resources

We think that we're not capable

We tell ourselves: "I'm not ready yet"

You need help to live this way

You need the Holy Spirit

You need your brothers and sisters

Emphasize LOVE rather than INTIMACY

Give people permission to tell you when you're "tripping"

What if I risk opening myself to real friendship?

Seize windows of opportunity for discipleship

Emphasize befriending new believers rather than follow-up

God is waiting on us!!!

Works Activities For This Week's Life Group Meetings

Keep sharing your testimonies

List the people in your oikos on a 3 x 5 card (one person per card)

Following Jesus (Part 6)

Pastor Rocklyn E. Clarke - Sunday February 19, 2006