Resurrection

God Tests Abraham - Gen 22:1-19; Heb 11:17-19

Takes place after Hagar and Ishmael have been sent away

The test comes from God both in timing and content.

The test requires total irrevocable sacrifice

Abraham got up early to obey

Abraham sees the goal on the third day

three days to wonder what the outcome was going to be

Final leg of the journey

Leaves servants and the donkey behind

There is a point past which only you and your sacrifice can go.

Faith Statements:

We will worship and then we will come back to you.

God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.

Isaac carries the wood.

Jesus had to carry the cross.

Abraham carries the fire and the knife.

Abraham prepares to sacrifice

builds an altar

arranges the wood

binds Isaac and places him on the wood

Jesus was bound to the cross.

takes the knife

God intervenes.

commends Abraham

provides a ram in place of Isaac

promises future fruitfulness

Lesson

Every gift/dream must be offered back to God at a time of his choosing.

Aaron's Staff - Num 17:1-11

Lesson

Resurrection happens in God's presence.

Resurrection demonstrates God's choice.

Job

Initial State - Job 1:1-5

Death Blow - Job 1:6 - 2:10

God's Statement - Job 38-41

Death of the Dream - Job 42:1-6

Final State - Job 42:10-17

Lesson

Your trial has unseen participants. - Eph 3:7-11; 1Pet 1:10-12

God can do whatever he wants to do!

Moses

Dreamt of liberating his people - Ex 2:11-12; Acts 7:23-25

Moses has to give up his dream - Ex 2:13 - 3:1

Moses' dream is reborn - Ex 3:1 - 4:20; Acts 7:35

Samuel

Called by God

Judges Israel

Rejected by Israel

Observes failure of Saul

Anoints David

David

Anointed by Samuel to be Israel's next King

Embraced by Saul

Pursued by Saul who wants to kill him

Becomes king

Elijah

Victory on Mt. Carmel

Disillusionment after Jezebel's threats.

God renews his mission

Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead - John 11

Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus

Lazarus gets sick

His sisters send word to Jesus

Jesus takes no immediate action

Lazarus dies

Martha and Mary confront Jesus

Jesus responds by reminding them of who he is

Jesus weeps.

Jesus orders the stone removed

Jesus calls Lazarus

Lesson

Resurrection is for God's glory.

Resurrection has to wait until Jesus shows up.

You have to remove the stone.

Jesus' resurrection

Jesus in Gethsemane - Mat 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46

Jesus tortured, tried, sentenced, tortured, sentenced, crucified

Jesus buried

Jesus raised from the dead

Lesson

God doesn't ask us to do anything that he isn't willing to do himself.

When you're facing "death" pray so that you can handle it well.

It takes resurrection

The carnal mind cannot please God - Rom 8:1-14

The cross is God's judgment on our flesh. - Rom 8:3

The best human intentions can't fulfill God's purposes. - Rom 8:5-8; Gal 5:16-26

Our will must be completely surrendered. - Rom 12:1-2; Heb 10:1-10

We must obey to the point of complete vulnerability

Though he slay me . .. - Job 13:15

There is no umpire who can "call a foul" on God. - Job 9:32-35; Isa 40:13; Rom 11:34

We must be willing to let him deceive us if that were possible

Resurrection results in fruitfulness

Abraham ----> Isaac ----> Jacob . . .

Job was given twice as much as he had lost

Moses miraculously led Israel out of Egypt

Samuel anointed David

David lead Israel to victory

Jesus redeemed mankind

The centrality of the resurrection

If the dead are not raised . . . - 1Cor 15

Apostolic preaching - Acts 2:31; Acts 4:33

Declaration of Jesus' sonship - Rom 1:4

We will be united with Jesus in his resurrection - Rom 6:1-18; Philip 3:10-11

We are a resurrected people

We have a relationship with the Father

We don't use the Bible as a collection of magic verses.

Relying on magic verse proofs moves us away from relating to God.

The Bible preps us for our relationship with the Father

We pray

Reticulated python strangling an elephant.

Worship keeps the prayer channel open.

Resurrection - see Jesus with new eyes.

We have supernatural expectations - faith vs. hope

Faith is being sure of what we hope for . . . - Heb 11:1

Put your hands on her and she will live - Mat 9:18

If I just touch the hem of his garment I will be healed - Mat 9:21

We love our enemies. - Mat 5:43-48

We have resurrected wallets / pocketbooks.

We establish resurrected communities.

We're not content to follow God by ourselves.

We love God's children - Heb 10:24-25; 1John 3:11-20; 1John 4:19-21; 1John 5:1

We finish the Father's work

My food is to do the will of him who sent me and finish his work. - John 4:34

It's not enough to have spiritual conversations with people - we need to get them saved. - 2Cor 5:16 - 6:10

Research

Glory

Opinion, reputation, Wow!

Faithful - (pistos)

Believers, Believing, Faithful, Reliable, Trusted, Trustworthy

Obedience comes from faith - Rom 1:5

An Outline of Romans 1-8

Introduction

Rom 1:1-17 - Paul's purpose, the Gospel, and it's power

The Sins Problem and God's Solution

Rom 1:18 - 2:29 - Our sinful behavior, guilt, and God's wrath

Rom 1:18-32 - against the Gentiles

Rom 2:1-16 - against those who judge others

Rom 2:17-29 - against the Jews

Rom 3:1-20 - the real purpose of Judaism

Guardians of the law

The law condemns: we are God's enemies

The law highlights sin

Rom 3:21 - 4:25 - God's solution: Righteousness by Faith

Rom 3:21- 26 - Bad News / Good News

Rom 3:27-31 - Justification by faith supercedes the law

Rom 4:1-25 - Justification by faith illustrated within the law

Rom 5:1-11 - Experiencing God's solution: enemies no more

The Sin Problem and God's Solution

Rom 5:12-14 - Our sin nature and death sentence

Rom 5:15-21 - God's solution: The Cross and The Resurrection

Explain connection between sin and grace

Rom 6:1-23 - Man's proper response to God's gift

Rom 7:1-25 - The inadequacy of the law

Rom 8:1-16 - Experiencing God's solution: Life by the Spirit

Rom 8:17-39 - Our Destiny

Responding to God's Gift - Rom 6:1-23 (a "How Come?" passage)

Your lifestyle has to change - Rom 6:1-2

What Jesus' death and resurrection accomplished for us - Rom 6:3-10

Explain how identification with Jesus' death ends our bondage

Israelites were slaves in Egypt

The sea wiped out Pharaoh's army

We must master sin - Rom 6:11-14

Don't even play with sin - Rom 6:15-23

Israel's experiences are examples for us - 1Cor 10:1-13

Conquer the land - No Prisoners, no treaties - Ex 34:10-16

Canaan represents those areas of our lives that we must put to death.

Israel's initial wilderness experience was preparation for conquest.

Their rebellion in Paran is a warning to us - take the land!

Don't die in the wilderness.

The Bible and Sanctification

How come passages vs. How to passages

Sanctification: Living By The Spirit

How Come? - Rom 6:1-14; Rom 8:1-4; Gal 5:16-18

How To - Rom 8:5-17; Gal 5:16-26

What's on your mind? - Rom 8:5-6; Rom 12:1-2; Rom 13:14

The things of the flesh - Gal 5:19-21

Examples:

“I’m depressed - what would make me happy right now?”

The things of the Spirit - Gal 5:22-23; Philip 4:8

Sanctification: The Fight

Second Chance: No Prisoners, no treaties - Deut 7:1-8

God to Israel: No fight, no victory! - Josh 17:11 - 18:3; Judges 2:1-5

You have to fight!

People who are not willing to change can't serve God in the long term

Second Chance: No Prisoners, no treaties - Deut 7:1-8

God to Israel: No fight, no victory! - Josh 17:11 - 18:3; Judges 2:1-5

Conquer sin - 1John 3:1-10; 1John 5:18

What you must fight

"Me" centered life

Acts of the sinful nature (works of the flesh)

Sexual Immorality (Gk porneia)

Impurity (Gk akaqartos) - unclean (e.g. unclean spirit)

Debauchery (Gk aselgeia) - license, lack of restraint

Idolatry (Gk idwlolatria) - worshipping idols

Witchcraft (Gk farmakei÷a) - magic including drugs and spells

Lev 19:31; Deut 18:9-14

Hatred (Gk ecqra)

Discord (Gk eris)

Jealousy (Gk zhlos)

Fits of rage (Gk qumos)

Selfish ambition (Gk eriqeia) - base self seeking

Dissensions (Gk dicostasia) -

Factions (Gk airesis) - creating independent groups within the church

Envy (Gk fqonos) -

Drunkenness (Gk meqjjh) - applies to any intoxication

Orgies (Gk kwmos) - drinking parties with unrestrained indulgence

How to fight

Advice from Ephesians - Eph 4 - 5

Cultivate time in God's presence

Alone with God - personal worship and devotional time

Keep coming back

Moses and the fading of God's glory - Ex 34:28-35; 2Cor 3:1-18;

Be continually filled with the Spirit (because we leak) - Eph 5:18

Cultivate time with other believers

Be transparent

Confess your sins - James 5:13-18

Submit to one another - Eph 5:21

Preparation

Main Passage

NIV

Hebrew Study Bible

KJV

The Message

NASB

RSV

Exegetical Idea

Subject

Tools: How, Who, What, When, Where, Why

Complement

Developmental Questions

Explain It: What does this mean?

Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?

Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?

Homiletical Idea

Purpose of the Sermon

Make it plain

Use accessible language and modern parables

Make sure people do something with the word God gives you for them.

Resurrection (continued)

Eph 4 - 6

Live a life worthy of the calling you've received - Eph 4:1-3

One Spirit, different manifestations of grace - Eph 4:4-7; 1Cor 12:27-31

Grace - The Gimli Glider

The pilots had to take full advantage of the plane's aerodynamic nature

We are designed to operate by grace

God's gifts to the Church - Eph 4:7-16

Office gifts

Coaches - preparing the saints for service

It is not our responsibility to do the entire ministry job

Our responsibility is to "set it off"

The Goal - a united, mature, stable body

Supporting ligaments - each part does its work

Cultivate time with other believers (continued)

Pursue trust - deliberately establish and build trusting relationships

Informal gatherings

Life group - accountability and disclosure

It's more than a 90 minute weekly meeting - it's a lifestyle!

Without the Church you have no ministry - Phil 2:3-4

Some people have isolated themselves from the body

Others have isolated themselves from pastoral leadership

The Church is the body with pastoral leadership - Our Lord never envisioned his Church any other way.

You should either be part of a congregation that has a pastor or you should be looking for one to join. Otherwise you're deceiving yourself.

Change your lifestyle - Eph 4:17 - 6:9

Stop imitating the gentiles - Eph 4:17-20

Start reflecting God's transformation of your life - Eph 4:21-24

Renew your mind - Rom 12:1

Change your inputs

Fearlessly examine your "coping mechanisms" in the light of scripture

Abandon "victimizing behaviors" - Eph 4:25-32

speak the truth

Overcome anger

Stop stealing

Speak wholesome words

Abandon ungodly "victimless behaviors" - Eph 5:1-4

sexual immorality, impurity, greed

ungodly conversation

These things will keep you out of the Kingdom - Eph 5:5-7

Stop thinking about the things of the flesh - Rom 8:5-6; Rom 13:14

Put them off until later (e.g. delay that first drink/hit/sexual encounter)

Stay away from problem situations

e.g. young couple who wouldn't take advice and got pregnant

Base your decisions on God's Word rather than on personal pain relief

Spiritual: "What does the Father want me to do today?"

Carnal: "What will make me feel good today?"

Be a conduit for God's light - Eph 5:8-21

Expose deeds of darkness - Eph 5:8-14

Find out what the Spirit wants - Eph 5:8-10

Pray

Read your Bible

Set your mind on what the Spirit wants - Rom 8:5-6

Choose to focus your thoughts on these things

Live a life that shines light on darkness - Eph 5:15-21

Overcome temptation

Recognize that God is helping you - 1Cor 10:13; Heb 2:18

Faithfully hide God's Word in your heart - Psalm 119:9-11

Fight - Heb 12:3

Submit to spiritual authority - Heb 13:7; Heb 13:17

be accountable

be transparent

Guidelines for key roles we play

Wives

Husbands

Children

Masters (bosses)

Slaves (employees)

Rely on God's power - Eph 6:10-20

Your fight is not just for yourself!

Bring resurrection power to your brothers and sisters!

Help your brothers and sisters - Rom 15:14; Col 3:16; Heb 3:13; Heb 10:24-25

Your are your brother's / sister's keeper - Gal 6:1-2; James 5:19-20

Pray for your brothers and sisters

If, when you pray for someone, all you can pray is for God to bless him/her then you’re not maximizing your effectiveness. You must learn enough about the people you pray for to make your prayers for them effective.

Believe that you receive. Change the way you view (visualize) the people you pray for. Leaders must lead in prayer first!

Admonish and encourage your brothers and sisters

Don't leave this to the pastors!

We will always have new spiritually immature people coming church.

Some people develop defenses against the Bible because it's been used as a weapon against them in the past.

What to do when your brother fails

If your brother sins against you . . . - Mat 18:15-22

Restore your brother gently - Gal 6:1-5; 1John 5:1-18

Don't leave this burden to your pastors or life group leaders.

We are a fathering ministry.

Everyone must do 2Tim 2:2

Teach sanctification for disciple makers.

We focus on leaders!

The faithful must do more than just hold on;

They need to multiply themselves.

They must identify faithful people who they can mentor - 2Tim 2:2

You should either be mentoring someone, or praying for God to show you someone to mentor.

Doug Hall's "Chaos Code" ministry model

Steps

Observation

Positive Regard (fall in love with the people)

Relevant Communication

Meet Perceived Needs

Meet Basic Needs

Multiplication

This has many applications:

Breaking into new cultures / sub-cultures

Breaking into new groups within your own culture / sub-culture

Ministering to your brothers and sisters

The fruit of your victory

Not because of your righteousness - Deut 9:1-8

Only the faithful / believing will enter God's rest - Heb 4:1-11

Don't miss God's grace - Heb 12:1-29

Sanctification: Becoming like the Father

Hang out with God like Enoch. - Gen 5:21-24; Heb 11:5

Resurrection and Faith

Faith is essential to pleasing God - Heb 11:6

Supernatural expectations - Heb 11:1 and rest of chapter

Glider pilot

Sources of lift: thermals, ridge lift, mountain wave, convergence

Glide ratios: 30:1; 50:1; 70:1

A very special glider: The Gimli Glider

Reflect on Eph 4:1-16

What works of service are you being prepared for?

What works of service would you like to be prepared for?

How can Life Church help to prepare you for your ministry?

Who has been a supporting ligament in your life?

For whom have you been a supporting ligament?

Reflect on Eph 4:17-32

Are you honest in what you say to other believers?

How well do you think you deal with anger in your life? How well do others think you deal with anger? Take this opportunity to get feedback from your life group members.

Is your speech normally wholesome or unwholesome? Would others agree with your assessment of yourself in this area?

Do you have any problems with stealing, bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, or malice?

Reflect on Eph 5:1-21

What strategies have you found helpful in dealing with any of the issues mentioned in this passage (e.g. sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscenity, etc.)?

Have you ever struggled with drunkenness or other forms of intoxication?

Describe a recent occasion when you came to a new understanding of what pleases the Lord.

Describe a situation in which you submitted to another brother or sister.

Reflect on Rom 15:14; Col 3:16; Heb 3:13; Heb 10:24-25

Describe a situation in which you instructed another brother or sister.

Describe a situation in which you allowed another brother or sister to instruct you.

Describe the last time that you encouraged one of your brothers or sisters.

Reflect on Gal 6:1-2; James 5:19-20

Have you ever faced a situation in which another brother or sister was caught in a sin? What did you do to help him/her?

Describe an occasion in which you carried a burden for another believer.

Reflect on Lev 19:31; Deut 18:9-14 (repeated from last week)

Have you ever been curious about any of the occult practices listed here?

Have you ever consulted a medium, spiritist, psychic, or "roots worker"?

Have you ever consulted your horoscope or astrological chart?

Have you ever experienced any spiritual difficulty as a result of occult activity?

Reflect on James 5:13-18; Eph 5:21 (repeated from last week)

Have you ever confessed any of your sins to another believer?

Have you established trusting relationships with other believers? Why or why not? How about with the believers in your life group? Why or why not?

What can the other members of your life group do to enhance your openness and transparency with them? What can you do?

Resurrection (Part 6)

Pastor Rocklyn E. Clarke - Sunday December 17, 2006