We had another great Sunday at @GFchuch. We had the privilege of having Gina Cooper with us again this past Sunday. She has an amazing heart for authentic worship and it is always a joy to have her lead us.
Our Children's Ministry Team, The Yard, has been working on some new ideas and how we will be implementing those things over the next few months. We are excited about our Promotion Sunday coming up in August, as well as some other "family oriented" events. Stay tuned for more information about what is happening in "The Yard"
Our Students will be meeting this evening, Tuesday June 29th for a cook-out @The Browns (yes, my house). I love spending time with students and hearing about what God is doing in them, to them, and through them. We will be looking at a few new things for our Student Ministry and how we can implement those into the life of our church.
On Sunday mornings, we have been walking through the 5th Chapter of Matthew. We are in the middle of a series over The Beatitudes and we looked at verse 4 this week. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted". Here are my notes and a portion of my research for the sermon this past Sunday.
The Beatitudes part3
Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
1When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.
2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5"Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
12"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Mournfulness is not being:
* perpetually gloomy
* downtrodden
* downhearted
* boring
* depressing Christians that trip over their faces!
* It is not being full of self-pity and weeping continually.
There are nine words within the New Testament used for the word 'mourning'. But the word that is used in verse 4 is the strongest and most descriptive word that you can use. It's found in Genesis 37 verse 34. it describes Jacob's sorrow and mournfulness over his son Joseph who had died. The story tells us about how his brothers took him and they cast him into a pit, and they took his beloved coat of many colors and they splattered it with blood, brought it back to his father and said: 'Your beloved son, he's dead now'.
The scriptures say that he mourned - and the word that is used here is the most descriptive word.
It's the word that's used in Mark chapter 16 and verse 10, where the women who had been to the tomb after the Lord Jesus had rose from the dead, they came back to the disciples and they told that He was risen - and they found them mourning and weeping
This is not simply cheerlessness, this is not simply difficulties in life, this is not only bereavement - because bereavement is a natural sorrow. This type of mourning that we can have at times are unnatural- it is spiritual sorrow.
When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”— and you forgave the guilt of my sin. ~ Psalm 32:3-5
Spurgeon said: 'The best of men are men at best, and apart from the work of the Holy Spirit and the power of divine grace, hell itself does not contain greater monsters than you and I might become'!
Do we see the sorrow of our sin?
Do you know some of the reasons why we don't see it?
* our love for sin.
* despair.
* conceit.
* presumption.
* procrastination.
Psalm 10:4 "The wicked are to proud to seek God; God is in none of their thoughts."
Romans 7:24 "What a wretched man I am!"
Look at Paul's words:
Romans 7:7-24
7What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet."[b] 8But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead. 9Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.
11For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. 12So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. 13Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
When you look to the cross you shall be comforted.
If you mourn for your sin, you will be comforted
......what that comfort means, is forgiveness.
look at the story of the lost son (prodigal son) in Luke 15
specifically verses :: 17-20
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ So he got up and went to his father.
.....the mourning of Christians referred to in this beatitude is not because of financial loss, terminal sickness, the death of loved ones, loneliness, a divorce, or some rejection being experienced. Christians mourn because they realize that they have sinned against a holy God and have brought dishonor to his name
10For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
~2 Corinthians 7:10
Godly sorrow causes us to loathe, despise, and refuse or reject having to do with sin, and this leads the believer to sincerely repent of those sins. Those who experience Godly sorrow truly forsake sin and turn to Jesus
The person that mourns is the one who recognizes that he is a sinner before God. Such a person mourns over his various sins because he recognizes that not only do his sins greatly hurt our heavenly Father. This miserable, but repentant sinner, realizes that only through the grace of God does he have forgiveness and salvation.
Jesus says such a person is blessed, and there is no greater blessing than to receive such divine approval. Those who are blessed in this way by God will see God and dwell with him forever.
If you missed the service this past Sunday, you can watch it here on GatewayTV
Mark Your Calendars::
~July 16-17, 2010 Father/Son Retreat
~August 20-21, 2010 Women of Faith Conf.
ConnectGroup Schedule::
TuesNite @ 7pm @ The Snow's
WedNite @ 7pm @ The Brown's
SunMorn @ 915am @ GFchurch
Places To Sign Up::
Father/ Son Weekend July 16-17, 2010 @ Mathews Retreat Center in Lone Oak, TX. (All guys welcome to attend)
I love our church
I love our people
I love what He is doing in us
I love what He is doing to us
I love what He is doing through us
I love that He is not done with us
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Another Great Quote From J.C. Ryle
A true Christian will strive to do his duty in whatever station or position he finds himself, and to do it well. Whether statesman, or merchant, or banker, or lawyer, or doctor, or tradesman, or farmer, he will try to do his work so that no one can find occasion for fault in him. But he will not allow it to get between him and Christ. If he finds his business beginning to eat up his Sundays, his Bible-reading, his private prayer time, and to bring clouds between him and heaven, he will say, “Stand back! There is a limit. This is as far as you can go, and no further. I cannot sell my soul for position, fame, or gold.” Like Daniel, he will make time for communion with God, whatever the cost may be. He will deny himself anything rather than lose his Bible-reading and his prayers. In all this he will find he stands almost alone. Many will laugh at him, and tell him they get along just fine without being so strict and particular. He will not listen. He will resolutely hold the world at arms length, whatever present loss or sacrifice it may seem to entail. He will choose rather to be less rich and prosperous in this world, than not to prosper about his soul. To stand alone in this way, to run counter to the ways of others, requires immense self-denial. But this is genuine Scriptural separation.
~ J.C. Ryle
Reading this leads to ask the questions::
....What is it that I am allowing to strip me of time with the Father?
....Have I made the appropriate time to commune with Him?
....Are there times where I "sell my soul" for position, fame and gold?
We must run counter to the ways of this world
~ J.C. Ryle
Reading this leads to ask the questions::
....What is it that I am allowing to strip me of time with the Father?
....Have I made the appropriate time to commune with Him?
....Are there times where I "sell my soul" for position, fame and gold?
We must run counter to the ways of this world
Mid Week Reflections
This week at GFchurch we looked at part2 of a new series over The Beatitudes. Gina Cooper and her worship team did a great job leading us in worship and our "Yard Team" were on top of their game~ as always. I love our people and their willingness to serve. We will be walking through the Beatitudes over the next few weeks/months. We are reading through the 5th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. Here are my notes from Sunday's sermon.
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
What does the words "poor" or "poverty" mean?
* In verse 3 the word that is used in the original New Testament Greek is a word that means 'poverty, to cower, to cringe like a beggar'. In classical Greek usage it was used the same way, of someone who crouches, who bends, who is ashamed, who wretchedly begs for money or for worth.
* It means to live beggarly, it simply describes someone who cannot survive of themselves, someone who cannot be self-sufficient - but someone who does not simply ask, does not work, but begs outside of himself for worth, for money, for wealth. That is what the New Testament word means - it could be literally translated 'beggarly poor',
You could translate it like this: 'Blessed are those who are so desperately poor in their spiritual resources that they realize that they must have help from outside sources, theirs is the kingdom of heaven'.
What does it mean to be "poor in spirit"
* bankruptcy within your soul. Cleaned out
* those who are blessed, those who are approved in the eyes and the sight of God, are those who are bankrupt in their very spirit
* it is a recognition of personal, moral and spiritual unworthiness. Spiritually, morally, personally, socially, in every single realm that you can think of of the human life, that you're showing that you are in need of God.
Being "poor" in spirit means brokenness
Charles G. Finney said this::
“It means people who have come to realize their spiritual state. In this it is implied that we understand our own guilt and helplessness, and realize as a practical fact our own utter emptiness by nature of every thing good, and of any tendency to that which is good. It is one thing to hold this in theory, and another thing to be heartily sensible of the humbling fact. Most professing Christians admit in words that they are in themselves wholly helpless and destitute, but to know and feel as an abiding practical conviction that this is their true spiritual condition how few are able!
Being poor in spirit implies that we see in its true light the tendency in us to every thing evil–that we understand that the habits of our minds, that our appetites and propensities, that nearly the whole power of the sensibility continually tends to selfishness.
A deep and abiding sense of the absolute need we are in of a Savior from our utter wickedness, helpless and just condemnation. Not only a sense of this dependence upon Christ, and helplessness out of him is implied, but a willingness to have it so–a willingness to cleave to Christ in all his offices and relations, a setting aside self, a self-loathing, a self renunciation in all respects, a casting away all hope in ourselves, all dependence upon ourselves, all trust in our own wisdom or righteousness, or our efforts at sanctification, and every thing else which is our own. It is a correct view of our utterly helpless state, a realizing sense of that fact, and a disposition of soul corresponding to such views.”
John Wesley describes it like this: ‘He’, or she,
‘who has a deep sense of the loathsome leprosy of sin, which he brought from his mothers womb, which overspreads his whole soul and totally corrupts every power and faculty thereof’
Someone who realizes, in the sight of God and biblically speaking, what they are, and what they are more importantly in the sight of God. It is simply this: it is a recognition of personal, moral and spiritual unworthiness. Spiritually, morally, personally, socially, in every single realm that you can think of of the human life, that you’re showing that you are in need of God. An excellent rendering of this verse is this: ‘Blessed are those who realize that they have nothing within themselves to commend them to God, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven‘.
In 2 Corinthians 1:8 Paul talks about hardships and troubles he was going through that were so severe that he says:
* We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.
Paul, the great hero of the faith got so discouraged and depressed that he was feeling like giving up on life? But then he says:
We saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us, for he can even raise the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:9 (Living Bible)
* “We saw how powerless we were to help ourselves”
* “but that was good”
* “for then we put everything into the hands of God”
* “who alone can save us, for he can raise the dead.”
The Message paraphrases the first Beatitude::
You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul says, "When I am weak, then I am strong". What does this mean?
A Thorn in the Flesh
7Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself!
8Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.
9And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
* When broken people, miserably failing people, continue to belong to, believe in and worship Jesus, God is happy.
If you missed the service yesterday, you can watch it here on GatewayTV
Mark Your Calendars::
~June 29 - July 2, 2010 Student Camp @Pineywoods
~July 16-17, 2010 Father/Son Retreat
~July 25-28, 2010 Pre-Teen Camp @ Pineywoods
ConnectGroup Schedule::
TuesNite @ 7pm @ The Snow's
WedNite @ 7pm @ The Brown's
SunMorn @ 915am @ GFchurch
Places To Sign Up::
Youth Camp June 28-July 2, 2010 @ Pineywoods Baptist Encampment
Father/ Son Weekend July 16-17, 2010 @ Mathews Retreat Center in Lone Oak, TX. (All guys welcome to attend)
Pre-Teen Camp July 25-28, 2010 @ Pineywoods Baptist Encampment
I love our church
I love our people
I love what He is doing in us
I love what He is doing to us
I love what He is doing through us
I love that He is not done with us
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
What does the words "poor" or "poverty" mean?
* In verse 3 the word that is used in the original New Testament Greek is a word that means 'poverty, to cower, to cringe like a beggar'. In classical Greek usage it was used the same way, of someone who crouches, who bends, who is ashamed, who wretchedly begs for money or for worth.
* It means to live beggarly, it simply describes someone who cannot survive of themselves, someone who cannot be self-sufficient - but someone who does not simply ask, does not work, but begs outside of himself for worth, for money, for wealth. That is what the New Testament word means - it could be literally translated 'beggarly poor',
You could translate it like this: 'Blessed are those who are so desperately poor in their spiritual resources that they realize that they must have help from outside sources, theirs is the kingdom of heaven'.
What does it mean to be "poor in spirit"
* bankruptcy within your soul. Cleaned out
* those who are blessed, those who are approved in the eyes and the sight of God, are those who are bankrupt in their very spirit
* it is a recognition of personal, moral and spiritual unworthiness. Spiritually, morally, personally, socially, in every single realm that you can think of of the human life, that you're showing that you are in need of God.
Being "poor" in spirit means brokenness
Charles G. Finney said this::
“It means people who have come to realize their spiritual state. In this it is implied that we understand our own guilt and helplessness, and realize as a practical fact our own utter emptiness by nature of every thing good, and of any tendency to that which is good. It is one thing to hold this in theory, and another thing to be heartily sensible of the humbling fact. Most professing Christians admit in words that they are in themselves wholly helpless and destitute, but to know and feel as an abiding practical conviction that this is their true spiritual condition how few are able!
Being poor in spirit implies that we see in its true light the tendency in us to every thing evil–that we understand that the habits of our minds, that our appetites and propensities, that nearly the whole power of the sensibility continually tends to selfishness.
A deep and abiding sense of the absolute need we are in of a Savior from our utter wickedness, helpless and just condemnation. Not only a sense of this dependence upon Christ, and helplessness out of him is implied, but a willingness to have it so–a willingness to cleave to Christ in all his offices and relations, a setting aside self, a self-loathing, a self renunciation in all respects, a casting away all hope in ourselves, all dependence upon ourselves, all trust in our own wisdom or righteousness, or our efforts at sanctification, and every thing else which is our own. It is a correct view of our utterly helpless state, a realizing sense of that fact, and a disposition of soul corresponding to such views.”
John Wesley describes it like this: ‘He’, or she,
‘who has a deep sense of the loathsome leprosy of sin, which he brought from his mothers womb, which overspreads his whole soul and totally corrupts every power and faculty thereof’
Someone who realizes, in the sight of God and biblically speaking, what they are, and what they are more importantly in the sight of God. It is simply this: it is a recognition of personal, moral and spiritual unworthiness. Spiritually, morally, personally, socially, in every single realm that you can think of of the human life, that you’re showing that you are in need of God. An excellent rendering of this verse is this: ‘Blessed are those who realize that they have nothing within themselves to commend them to God, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven‘.
In 2 Corinthians 1:8 Paul talks about hardships and troubles he was going through that were so severe that he says:
* We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.
Paul, the great hero of the faith got so discouraged and depressed that he was feeling like giving up on life? But then he says:
We saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us, for he can even raise the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:9 (Living Bible)
* “We saw how powerless we were to help ourselves”
* “but that was good”
* “for then we put everything into the hands of God”
* “who alone can save us, for he can raise the dead.”
The Message paraphrases the first Beatitude::
You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul says, "When I am weak, then I am strong". What does this mean?
A Thorn in the Flesh
7Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself!
8Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.
9And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
* When broken people, miserably failing people, continue to belong to, believe in and worship Jesus, God is happy.
If you missed the service yesterday, you can watch it here on GatewayTV
Mark Your Calendars::
~June 29 - July 2, 2010 Student Camp @Pineywoods
~July 16-17, 2010 Father/Son Retreat
~July 25-28, 2010 Pre-Teen Camp @ Pineywoods
ConnectGroup Schedule::
TuesNite @ 7pm @ The Snow's
WedNite @ 7pm @ The Brown's
SunMorn @ 915am @ GFchurch
Places To Sign Up::
Youth Camp June 28-July 2, 2010 @ Pineywoods Baptist Encampment
Father/ Son Weekend July 16-17, 2010 @ Mathews Retreat Center in Lone Oak, TX. (All guys welcome to attend)
Pre-Teen Camp July 25-28, 2010 @ Pineywoods Baptist Encampment
I love our church
I love our people
I love what He is doing in us
I love what He is doing to us
I love what He is doing through us
I love that He is not done with us
Friday, June 18, 2010
Great quote from J.C. Ryle
We must not conceal from ourselves that true Christianity brings with it a daily cross in this life, while it offers us a crown of glory in the life to come. The flesh must be daily crucified. The devil must be daily resisted. The world must be daily overcome. There is a warfare to be waged, and a battle to be fought. All this is the inseparable accompaniment of true religion. Heaven is not to be won without it. Never was there a truer word than the old saying, “No cross, no crown!” If we never found this out by experience, our souls are in a poor condition.
~ J.C. Ryle
I love how this is so plainly stated.
"The flesh must be daily crucified. The devil must be daily resisted. The world must be daily overcome. There is a warfare to be waged, and a battle to be fought."
.... to be a true disciple, we must practice daily discipline
~ J.C. Ryle
I love how this is so plainly stated.
"The flesh must be daily crucified. The devil must be daily resisted. The world must be daily overcome. There is a warfare to be waged, and a battle to be fought."
.... to be a true disciple, we must practice daily discipline
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Mid Week Reflections
This week at GFchurch we started a new series over The Beatitudes. Scott Finch did a great job leading us in worship and our "Yard Team" were on top of their game~ as always. I love our people and their willingness to serve. We will be walking through the Beatitudes over the next few weeks/months. We are reading through the 5th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. Here are my notes from Sunday's sermon.
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
* what is happiness? (how do we define it?)
....many try to find happiness in marriage, divorce, drugs, alcohol, wealth, eating..
....many say happiness is what life is all about
....many say happiness is all that matters
....we live with the mindset of "whatever we want, we must have" (selfish)
* look at what Solomon said::
Solomon engaged in every sin possible. He was an administrator, a politician, a military commander, a leader, and the wealthiest king that ever lived. He owned 1400 chariots, 12,000 horses, 700 wives and 300 concubines
*
* Ecclesiastes 2
*
The Futility of Pleasure and Possessions
1 I said to myself, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself." And behold, it too was futility. 2 I said of laughter, "It is madness," and of pleasure, "What does it accomplish?" 3 I explored with my mind how to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was guiding me wisely, and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for the sons of men to do under heaven the few years of their lives. 4 I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself; 5 I made gardens and parks for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; 6 I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves and I had homeborn slaves Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. 8 Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces I provided for myself male and female singers and the pleasures of men--many concubines. 9 Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me. 10 All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor.11 Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.
Thomas Watson::: "The things of this world will no more keep out trouble of spirit than a piece of paper will stop a bullet. Worldly delights are winged, they have wings and they are here for a time and for a moment, and they fly away", he goes on to say, "To look for blessing in things external is to seek the living among the dead.
Luke 12:15 (New American Standard Bible)
15Then He said to them, "(A)Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."
* what is blessedness?
*'Beatitudes' is a Latin word, it simply means 'joy', 'blessedness'
* The Greek word for 'blessedness' in this passage, and throughout the whole passage, is the word 'makarios,..... unaffected by change, the circumstances you are in, or what happens to you daily
....not something affected by how you feel
....not howe you feel, but who you are in Christ"
....as belivers in Christ we are "blessed" or approved by God
* to be blessed is the "approval of God"
*
Psalm 32
Blessedness of Forgiveness and of Trust in God.
A Psalm of David. A Maskil[a].
1(A)How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered!
*
Psalm 1
The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted.
BOOK 1
1How blessed is the man who (A)does not walk in the (B)counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the (C)path of sinners,
Nor (D)sit in the seat of scoffers!
2But his (E)delight is (F)in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates (G)day and (H)night.
*
* The basic message is simply this::
~happiness, God's approval, God's blessedness can never be found in externals
If you missed the service yesterday, you can watch it here on GatewayTV
Mark Your Calendars::
~June 29 - July 2, 2010 Student Camp @Pineywoods
~July 16-17, 2010 Father/Son Retreat
~July 25-28, 2010 Pre-Teen Camp @ Pineywoods
ConnectGroup Schedule::
TuesNite @ 7pm @ The Snow's
WedNite @ 7pm @ The Brown's
SunMorn @ 915am @ GFchurch
Places To Sign Up::
Youth Camp June 28-July 2, 2010 @ Pineywoods Baptist Encampment
Father/ Son Weekend July 16-17, 2010 @ Mathews Retreat Center in Lone Oak, TX. (All guys welcome to attend)
Pre-Teen Camp July 25-28, 2010 @ Pineywoods Baptist Encampment
I love our church
I love our people
I love what He is doing in us
I love what He is doing to us
I love what He is doing through us
I love that He is not done with us
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
* what is happiness? (how do we define it?)
....many try to find happiness in marriage, divorce, drugs, alcohol, wealth, eating..
....many say happiness is what life is all about
....many say happiness is all that matters
....we live with the mindset of "whatever we want, we must have" (selfish)
* look at what Solomon said::
Solomon engaged in every sin possible. He was an administrator, a politician, a military commander, a leader, and the wealthiest king that ever lived. He owned 1400 chariots, 12,000 horses, 700 wives and 300 concubines
*
* Ecclesiastes 2
*
The Futility of Pleasure and Possessions
1 I said to myself, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself." And behold, it too was futility. 2 I said of laughter, "It is madness," and of pleasure, "What does it accomplish?" 3 I explored with my mind how to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was guiding me wisely, and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for the sons of men to do under heaven the few years of their lives. 4 I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself; 5 I made gardens and parks for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; 6 I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves and I had homeborn slaves Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. 8 Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces I provided for myself male and female singers and the pleasures of men--many concubines. 9 Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me. 10 All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor.11 Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.
Thomas Watson::: "The things of this world will no more keep out trouble of spirit than a piece of paper will stop a bullet. Worldly delights are winged, they have wings and they are here for a time and for a moment, and they fly away", he goes on to say, "To look for blessing in things external is to seek the living among the dead.
Luke 12:15 (New American Standard Bible)
15Then He said to them, "(A)Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."
* what is blessedness?
*'Beatitudes' is a Latin word, it simply means 'joy', 'blessedness'
* The Greek word for 'blessedness' in this passage, and throughout the whole passage, is the word 'makarios,..... unaffected by change, the circumstances you are in, or what happens to you daily
....not something affected by how you feel
....not howe you feel, but who you are in Christ"
....as belivers in Christ we are "blessed" or approved by God
* to be blessed is the "approval of God"
*
Psalm 32
Blessedness of Forgiveness and of Trust in God.
A Psalm of David. A Maskil[a].
1(A)How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered!
*
Psalm 1
The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted.
BOOK 1
1How blessed is the man who (A)does not walk in the (B)counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the (C)path of sinners,
Nor (D)sit in the seat of scoffers!
2But his (E)delight is (F)in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates (G)day and (H)night.
*
* The basic message is simply this::
~happiness, God's approval, God's blessedness can never be found in externals
If you missed the service yesterday, you can watch it here on GatewayTV
Mark Your Calendars::
~June 29 - July 2, 2010 Student Camp @Pineywoods
~July 16-17, 2010 Father/Son Retreat
~July 25-28, 2010 Pre-Teen Camp @ Pineywoods
ConnectGroup Schedule::
TuesNite @ 7pm @ The Snow's
WedNite @ 7pm @ The Brown's
SunMorn @ 915am @ GFchurch
Places To Sign Up::
Youth Camp June 28-July 2, 2010 @ Pineywoods Baptist Encampment
Father/ Son Weekend July 16-17, 2010 @ Mathews Retreat Center in Lone Oak, TX. (All guys welcome to attend)
Pre-Teen Camp July 25-28, 2010 @ Pineywoods Baptist Encampment
I love our church
I love our people
I love what He is doing in us
I love what He is doing to us
I love what He is doing through us
I love that He is not done with us
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Reflections from Sunday
This week we covered part5 of our series on The Lord's Prayer as found in Matthew 6: 9-13
9"Pray, then, in this way:
'Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10'Your kingdom come
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11'Give us this day our daily bread.
12'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]'
We looked at verse 13 where it states, "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil". This portion of this prayer has 2 parts. The first part is "do not lead us into temptation" and the second is "deliver us from evil". The Greek word "pirasmos" means temptation or trial. As we look at this verse that teaches us how we should pray, we must be reminded that God does not tempt us (James 1:13). We also need to be mindful to pray that we would not give into the power of temptation and be drawn into sin (James 1:14). We need to pray that God would deliver us from evil. We need to be praying that HE would deliver us from the power and practice of sin in our lives (sanctification) until the day when we are freed from the presence of sin (glorification). We also need to pray that we are making progress in these things::
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
~Titus 2:11-14
If you missed the service yesterday, you can watch it here on GatewayTV
Mark Your Calendars::
~June 29 - July 2, 2010 Student Camp @Pineywoods
~July 16-17, 2010 Father/Son Retreat
~July 25-28, 2010 Pre-Teen Camp @ Pineywoods
ConnectGroup Schedule::
TuesNite @ 7pm @ The Snow's
WedNite @ 7pm @ The Brown's
SunMorn @ 915am @ GFchurch
Places To Sign Up::
Youth Camp June 28-July 2, 2010 @ Pineywoods Baptist Encampment
Father/ Son Weekend July 16-17, 2010 @ Mathews Retreat Center in Lone Oak, TX. (All guys welcome to attend)
Pre-Teen Camp July 25-28, 2010 @ Pineywoods Baptist Encampment
I love our church
I love our people
I love what He is doing in us
I love what He is doing to us
I love what He is doing through us
I love that He is not done with us
9"Pray, then, in this way:
'Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10'Your kingdom come
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11'Give us this day our daily bread.
12'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]'
We looked at verse 13 where it states, "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil". This portion of this prayer has 2 parts. The first part is "do not lead us into temptation" and the second is "deliver us from evil". The Greek word "pirasmos" means temptation or trial. As we look at this verse that teaches us how we should pray, we must be reminded that God does not tempt us (James 1:13). We also need to be mindful to pray that we would not give into the power of temptation and be drawn into sin (James 1:14). We need to pray that God would deliver us from evil. We need to be praying that HE would deliver us from the power and practice of sin in our lives (sanctification) until the day when we are freed from the presence of sin (glorification). We also need to pray that we are making progress in these things::
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
~Titus 2:11-14
If you missed the service yesterday, you can watch it here on GatewayTV
Mark Your Calendars::
~June 29 - July 2, 2010 Student Camp @Pineywoods
~July 16-17, 2010 Father/Son Retreat
~July 25-28, 2010 Pre-Teen Camp @ Pineywoods
ConnectGroup Schedule::
TuesNite @ 7pm @ The Snow's
WedNite @ 7pm @ The Brown's
SunMorn @ 915am @ GFchurch
Places To Sign Up::
Youth Camp June 28-July 2, 2010 @ Pineywoods Baptist Encampment
Father/ Son Weekend July 16-17, 2010 @ Mathews Retreat Center in Lone Oak, TX. (All guys welcome to attend)
Pre-Teen Camp July 25-28, 2010 @ Pineywoods Baptist Encampment
I love our church
I love our people
I love what He is doing in us
I love what He is doing to us
I love what He is doing through us
I love that He is not done with us
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