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Sunday, November 15, 2009 - Regional Service of Northeast & Northwest Regions
Announcements
Eph 5:1+ Jesus gave up his rights to God for us; Christ gave up everything for us
HOPE Charlotte -- collecting canned goods in November at service
Baptisms -- David Gestafson - campus; Jeremiah Gilly - singles
Board -- Wyman Wilson, Don Hall, Amber Herr and George Violante elected to Board
Next Sunday we are meeting in House Churches
Communion -- David & Shelby Raye
John 10:11-13
Shelby - this scripture was a turning point for her, Jesus willing to die for her
David -- taking ownership of the sheep, the hired hand is there for the paycheck (they don't pay me enough for wolves), Jesus laid down his life willingly for us
Ron Drabot -- "The Best of the Rest"
Life is sometimes easy, sometimes hard
full of joy vs. gutting it out
we experience pain, commotion, circumstances
train with our pain
deal with emotion through the commotion
get some advances in your circumstances
On your way to a wonderful life, something happens
You don't have to be old, you've already experienced life
some victories and some defeats
great memories and also sad ones
Certain things come our way that throw us off
You're planning to have a wonderful life and then (audience participation here):
How's life? different answers -- exciting, tough, life is unpredictable
Jer 10:23 we make plans, but God directs the steps
The Bible is the inspired word of God
we need to be in step with God
BIBLE=
B Basic
I Instruction
B Before
L Leaving
E Earth
every person is going before God - it will be determined on how you obey God's Word
1- remember
2 - reflect
3 - be right
1 -- remember
remember to listen to the word of God
Isaiah 30:19-21
God gives you the bread of adversity and water of affliction -- trouble
God tests us; Satan tempts us
God hears us immediately, listen to his voice and he'll show you the way
We're all going to die, it's just when
We suffer hardship often because of our own sin
Deuteronomy 30:20
Ecclesiastes 5:1
John 10:27
We will go through all kinds of things in life, will we listen?
The Bible is powerful
What are some tough scriptures to obey (audience participation):
Philippians 2:14
Ephesians 5:22
Do you want to sit at the head by sitting at the feet?
Romans 12:11
Ron's been a minister for 27 years. We have held him to a higher standard -- what if everyone was held to that standard? Always cheery, hugging, listening. Don't be fake, but don't be selfish.
James 1:19
Hebrews 11:6
Ephesians 4:2
Luke 10:27
When you go through hard times, do you open the Bible up and obey?
The silver bullet to fixing the world's problems -- if you can just get the elders to do this . . . if the house church leaders . . . if the staff . . .
what if someone else does this?
We do that in marriage, in our jobs, with our kids
2 -- Reflect
reflect on God's intent and not man's intent
Man is a mess
God knows we will hurt each other
God chose for Jesus to be hurt, and betrayed, and lied about
Genesis 50:20
Joseph reflected on the bigger dream - you meant it for harm, but God used it for good. We are not inspired by people who lie and quit.
3- -- Making Right Decisions
Joseph made right decisions even when the circumstances were wrong
His brothers did him in, the master's wife did him in, his cell mate forgot about him
Do you run from temptation?
Internet -- do you have blocks on it? Accountability set up, talking to brothers and sisters about internet use?
Are singles setting the standard for purity?
Are you like Joseph and run from temptation?
Ephesians 5:3
1 Timothy 5:1
Mark 9:42
you can't have a Godly relationship if you are compromising all over the place
Don't talk about legalism, grace is no license to do what you want. Grace teaches you to say no to ungodliness. Teach the whole concept.
Titus 2:12
Joseph says no and he's thrown into prison. He becomes a model prisoner. Joseph just keeps making the right decisions. In prison, financial situation not great, he's still a leader. Are you a leader because of position or because of conviction? Why do you lead? for notoriety, pay? or to inspire others
Joseph's cellmate forgot about him for 2 years. How would you feel if a brother or sister didn't hug you? remember you? He still is listening to the voice of God.
Make a right decision when life does you wrong.
Ron can't promise we won't have the challenges, but he can promise us the best of the rest because the Bible promises it.
God used Matt, he shared his faith and they were both baptized on the same day three weeks ago
Jeremiah got together with Ron, he was stuck on salvation, they worked through it. Impossible dream -- his vision was corrected enough that he could get his license at 29 years old.
Chelsea Hall baptized last week.
You can do awesome even if the leaders are horrible, which is not the case.
We can win.
Parents want to get back in the fight, but children zap their strength.
Proverbs 22:6
She or he needs an inspirational mom and dad. Not whining, critical, emotional.
Singles -- show us how to do it. Lead us, inspire us, take us to that promised land.
Young marrieds without kids -- show us how it's done.