Apr 2015
Listening for LIfe
26/04/15 16:49 Filed in: John 10
John 10:7-21 NASB
When we hear the voice of Good Shepherd speaking to us, we should hold on to everything it says
Introduction Passage:
Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock. Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them. They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every beast of the field and were scattered. My flock wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill; My flock was scattered over all the surface of the earth, and there was no one to search or seek for them. "'" (Ezekiel 34:1-6 NASB)
Because there is only one voice calling us to life, we must listen carefully
1. Listen with discernment (7-13)
- We need to be aware of the motives of the voices we hear. Are they only looking out for their own benefit or are they seeking out what is best for us?
- When we are the ones serving, we have to be ready to put others before ourself
- We need to make sure that the voice of the world isn't drowning out the voice of the Good Shepherd. Also to make sure that those around us aren't listening to the wrong voice.
2. Listen for unity (14-16)
- Unity is Godly -- Uniformity is sinful
- God's desire for us is togetherness, but that doesn't mean everyone has to be exactly like us before that can happen
- The Good Shepherd laid down His life for everyone, not just you and those like you. Everyone needs to hear that message.
3. Listen for love (17-21)
- We can see that Christ's message for us is of love by His willingness to lose His life for our sake
- Are the decisions that we make concerned with the lives of others or concerned with just our issues? Love is shown when we consider the needs of those around us
Are we listening carefully for the voice of life?
Listening with discernment?
Listening for unity?
Listening for His love? Read More...
When we hear the voice of Good Shepherd speaking to us, we should hold on to everything it says
Introduction Passage:
Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock. Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them. They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every beast of the field and were scattered. My flock wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill; My flock was scattered over all the surface of the earth, and there was no one to search or seek for them. "'" (Ezekiel 34:1-6 NASB)
Because there is only one voice calling us to life, we must listen carefully
1. Listen with discernment (7-13)
- We need to be aware of the motives of the voices we hear. Are they only looking out for their own benefit or are they seeking out what is best for us?
- When we are the ones serving, we have to be ready to put others before ourself
- We need to make sure that the voice of the world isn't drowning out the voice of the Good Shepherd. Also to make sure that those around us aren't listening to the wrong voice.
2. Listen for unity (14-16)
- Unity is Godly -- Uniformity is sinful
- God's desire for us is togetherness, but that doesn't mean everyone has to be exactly like us before that can happen
- The Good Shepherd laid down His life for everyone, not just you and those like you. Everyone needs to hear that message.
3. Listen for love (17-21)
- We can see that Christ's message for us is of love by His willingness to lose His life for our sake
- Are the decisions that we make concerned with the lives of others or concerned with just our issues? Love is shown when we consider the needs of those around us
Are we listening carefully for the voice of life?
Listening with discernment?
Listening for unity?
Listening for His love? Read More...
Courage to Hope
19/04/15 16:48 Filed in: John 16
John 16:1-4, 16-24
Jesus is with us as our resurrected redeemer always
Because of Easter, joy should fill our heart
1. Joy in trouble (1-4)
• If we seek out Jesus, He will lead us down the path He walked
2. Joy in doubt (16-22)
• The joy comes from knowing God will show us the light when we need to see the light
3. Joy in friendship (23-24)
• Nothing can or will change the relationship we have with Jesus and the Father
Joy comes from anchoring ourself in the truth of God's word. That's where the transformation we all desire comes from.
Is the truth of Easter filling your heart with joy?
Do you have joy in trouble?
Do you have joy in time of doubt?
Do you have joy knowing you are a friend with God? Read More...
Jesus is with us as our resurrected redeemer always
Because of Easter, joy should fill our heart
1. Joy in trouble (1-4)
• If we seek out Jesus, He will lead us down the path He walked
2. Joy in doubt (16-22)
• The joy comes from knowing God will show us the light when we need to see the light
3. Joy in friendship (23-24)
• Nothing can or will change the relationship we have with Jesus and the Father
Joy comes from anchoring ourself in the truth of God's word. That's where the transformation we all desire comes from.
Is the truth of Easter filling your heart with joy?
Do you have joy in trouble?
Do you have joy in time of doubt?
Do you have joy knowing you are a friend with God? Read More...
See and Believe
05/04/15 16:46 Filed in: John 20
John 20:1-18
Because we fail to see the truth, we must first believe...
1. We fail in our assessment (1-2)
- When we misunderstand the life God has put us in and the scriptures God has given us, we're going to misunderstand the reasons why God put us here
- Our broken lives is where God works best in
- We have to believe that God is for us
2. We fail in our ignorance (3-10)
- We have to start from the premise that God knows more than us
- We still need to always be learning so we can understand the scriptures how God intended for us to
3. We fail in our discouragement (11-18)
- Who are you seeking within the times of discouragement?
- Are you seeking a Jesus that desires to transform the brokenness in your story into life? Read More...
Because we fail to see the truth, we must first believe...
1. We fail in our assessment (1-2)
- When we misunderstand the life God has put us in and the scriptures God has given us, we're going to misunderstand the reasons why God put us here
- Our broken lives is where God works best in
- We have to believe that God is for us
2. We fail in our ignorance (3-10)
- We have to start from the premise that God knows more than us
- We still need to always be learning so we can understand the scriptures how God intended for us to
3. We fail in our discouragement (11-18)
- Who are you seeking within the times of discouragement?
- Are you seeking a Jesus that desires to transform the brokenness in your story into life? Read More...