Coping with the Rain:

Coping with the Rain:

“Staying Focused on Christ in times of Crisis”

Introduction:

Many scholars believe that Job was a contemporary of Abraham and lived around 2000 B.C. at this time around the world we see other events happening and it is important to understand just like today the events in scripture did not happen in a vacuum:  

·        Stonehenge is believed to have been completed;

·        Farmers and herders traveled south from Ethiopia and settle in Kenya;

·        Horses were tamed and used for transport;

·        Bronze Age began in north Ancient China.

Our example today from scripture is a Great man of God by the name of Job. The book of Job is an autobiography of this awesome man’s life.  He is similar to many of us today; he had a great family, a good income, a wonderful relationship with God, and a desire to serve.

·        Crisis is defined as …. “A dramatic emotional or circumstantial upheaval in a person's life.” (in Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013)

·        John F. Kennedy stated …. When written in Chinese, the word 'crisis' is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.

·        It is important to understand that a crisis can be either a Fact (something that is proven true) or Perception (something that is a belief without evidence to support it) … However, in the individuals mind the CRISIS IS STILL REAL for either FACT OR PRECEPTION and has to be addressed and dealt with.

      I.            Crisis comes when you least expect it!

1)     Job did not expect the Sabean raiders to come and take his ox (Job 1: 15)

2)     Job did not expect the Fire of God to kill his sheep (Job 1:16)

3)     Job did not expect the Chaldeans to come kill his servants and take his camels (Job 1:17)

4)     Job did not expect the storm to come and take his family (Job 1:18-19)

5)     Job did not expect the physical suffering of boils (Job 2:7-8)

Job didn’t expect his life to be turned upside down, within a matter of hours!

·        What has been your crisis?

·        What has turned your life upside down?

·        The loss of a family member?

·        A financial crisis?

·        A relationship gone bad or on the verge of going bad?

·        Destruction of property?

·        Recent Crisis we have observed …

·        The Boston Bombing

·        The Waco factory explosion

·        The sudden and unforeseen death of loved ones here in our own community.

·        As with an crisis we often see Grief!

·        Denial … Rejection that it has actually happen

·        Anger … Often at loved ones or even God

·        Bargaining … If I do this …

·        Depression … Life is not worth living

·        Acceptance … Moving On

   II.            Crisis comes despite your relationship with Christ! (Job 3:20 … Yet Trouble Came!!!

1)     Job was called blameless and upright before God (Job 1:1)

2)     Job worshipped God regularly

3)     Job was accused by Satan (attacked)…

·        Does Satan have anything to accuse you of?

·        However, remember …. Not every crisis is an attack of Satan!!!!

4)     His friends attempted to help! His wife had an opinion!

·        Don’t attempt to psycho analyze what is happening to others.

ü   The greatest help that you give to most people in crisis is …

·        Sit quietly and listen

·        Don’t give the devil more credit than he deserves.

III.            Crises are overcome (dealt with) by addressing the issue at hand!

(Not ignoring what is happening in your life)

1)     I’m not saying you won’t go through Crisis, but you can overcome the devastation through your relationship with Christ.

·  Spending time in prayer daily

o   Maybe the Pastor/Preacher Reinhold Niebuhr had it right when he prayed (and is now often misquoted or used out of context)

o   The Serenity Prayer (The first part is often quoted by it self)

v God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen.

·  Spending time in the word daily

·  Spending time sharing with others

o   Seeking Wise Counsel/Processing your thinking

v Woodrow Wilson wrote … At every crisis in one's life, it is absolute salvation to have some sympathetic friend to whom you can think aloud without restraint or misgiving.

·  Spending time forgiving

o   Forgiving those that hurt you.

o   Including forgiving God, for your perception that he hurt you.

·  Spending time seeking HIM (Christ)

·  Spending time moving forward

o   Too often we stay in the same place, with the same thinking, focusing on the same heartache, it is time to move.

o   Time to move with Christ, to the next great big adventure.

Job was looking for a Messiah (Christ) to take care of his hurts … He would have loved Romans 8:28

John 19: 25 – 27

“The Affection of Christ from the Cross”

·         We see his humanity

·         We see his loyalty to family

·         We see his provision as the first born

I have a question …

“Where are HIS ½ brothers, we know that Jesus had at least two (James and Jude), who would eventually become followers Christianity.

·         He fulfilled his role as the 1^st born son! He took care of business!

o   Jewish custom said it was his responsibility to take care of her and if he couldn’t, he would appoint someone to do it.

o   Women (Mother) behold your son …

§  There is no disrespect in his words by the use of the term Women; it was common greeting back then, unlike today.

o   Son behold your mother

§  He entrusted her to his closest friend, the disciple who Jesus loved.

·         He fulfilled his role as Savior:

o   Even as the Messiah’s Mother (Mary) still fell into that category of ALL HAVE SINNED!

Revealing God's Love for Mankind!

Revealing God’s Love for Mankind!

John 13: 34-35

God loves each of us as if there were only one of us --- Augustine

It is one of the severest tests of friendship to tell your friend his faults. So to love a man that you cannot bear to see a stain upon him, and to speak painful truth through loving words, that is friendship. --- Henry Ward Beecher

Introduction: Love is clearly the central theme of the Apostle John.

 From the time he spent with Christ, to his discussion with the disciples, and the passion (love) he shares with the saints as he writes the gospel of John and the 4 other books.

A suggestion:

The Apostle John spent time with Christ, had many discussions with his fellow disciples, shared his passion (love) with the saints, and wrote the gospel of John and four other books to declare God’s love to all mankind.

        I.          John reveals God’s love is Real

a.      In our struggles

II.                  John reveals God’s love is unique for us

a.      Teaching us to love him

b.      Teaching us to love ourselves

c.       Teaching us to love others (one another)

III.                John reveals God’s love contains the tools we use

a.      To encourage one another

b.      To edify one another

c.       When we entertain one another

IV.                John reveals that God’s greatest love was manifested at Calvary

a.      Christ’s love was without reservation

b.      Christ’s love was for anyone that believes

c.       Christ’s love was for eternity.

“Are we presenting HIM a Glorious Church?”

Ephesians 5: 24-28

Introduction: God is looking for a church that is going to stand and be able to minister to the Body of Christ and the community effectively.

        I.            Compassion for the Loss!

A.     Christ had compassion for the thief

B.     Philip had compassion for the Ethiopian Eunuch

C.     Our Missionaries world wide

D.     What is our compassion for our Community?

      II.            Clear understanding of HIS word!

A.     Reading it daily

B.     We need to understand what we believe, the foundational truths are called “Doctrines”

C.     Studying it with confidences (Sunday School provides this)

    III.            Concern for te Needy!

A.     Christ feed the hungry

B.     Nehemiah helped rebuild a city

C.     Who have we been encouraged to help?

   IV.            Continual communication (prayer)!

A.     Christ showed it importance in the Garden!

B.     James gives us a to how we pray …

·  James 5:15-18

C.     The apostle asked to learn (the Lord’s Prayer)

"Men's at the Cross with Christ" # 1

“The Men at the Cross with Christ”

Sessions # 1

The Romans Soldiers & Barabbas

Introduction:

The following men remind me of many of the men and women in our community today that our un-churched, that don’t see the Christ as someone to worship, only mock.

        I.            The Soldiers:

     A.      They had no desire  or need to know  HIM (Christ)

     B.      They thought of HIM as just another person claiming to be God

      1)They would have been taught about Roman and Greek Mythology, they believed in Polytheism (the worship of many Gods).

   1.    Similar religions today would include  Hinduism, Buddhism, or Shintoism,

     2)    As Christians we believe in a Monotheism (the Worship of One God)

   1.      Similar religions today would be Judaism and Islam

   C.      They simply looked this as job to do.

    1)     Just another person to crucify under orders from the Roman Government.

    D.     They fulfilled prophecy of the Old Testament (and didn’t realize it) Psalms 22:18

    1)  They Gambled for his robe (Matthew 27:18)

    2)  They hung him with two thief’s

      II.            Barabbas (Matthew 2:7)

   A.      Was a thief and murder (out for self) …

   B.      Was charged with Treason

   1)            Was trying to over throw the Roman government in Judah

  C.      He saw Jesus take his place

  D.     Matthew refers to Barabbas only as a "notorious prisoner

  E.      A Passover custom was to pardon (release) one prisoner, during this time.

   1)   There is no indication in scripture or history that Barabbas made a decision for Christ.

    III.            Comparison to us today!

A.      Many are not seeking a relationship with Christ.

B.      Many are worshipping many God’s

1)  Some today worship Gods such as Hinduism

2)  Some today worship God (objects) such as homes, cars, sports, and even our family.

Statement of the Roman Centurion after the Crucifixion found in Luke 23:47

Even those not seeking Christ, can recognize HIS awesome!

Questions for tonight!

What or who is your God?

How do you see Christ right now?

What would it take to get you look at Christ differently?

"Men at the Cross with Christ" 2

“The Men at the Cross with Christ”

Session # 2

The Religious Leaders of the Day!

Introduction:

The religious leaders at the cross remind me of many of our Christian leaders today, they know who Jesus, is but have never developed a personal relationship with him, or accepted him as Messiah.

        I.            The Chief Priest

     A.      He had his teaching and dogma.

     B.      He had read the books, but didn’t believe it’s entirely true.

     C.      He was appointed by the authorities, but had no vested interested in the people.

     D.     He was influenced by his father-in-law (Annas the former High Priest).

      II.            The Pharisees

    A.      They felt the teaching of the Law was more important than the relationship with the Savior.

1)   They focused on the commandments given by Moses,

    B.      They believed in Oral Law and traditions.

1)   They focused on the unwritten, or oral traditions that were passed down.

   C.      They believed the Resurrection of the dead.

   D.     They believed and prepared for a coming Messiah, but they just could not or would not except Jesus as the Messiah.

    III.            The Sadducees

  A.      They strictly held to the written Word.

1)   They held to the scripture and scripture alone

  B.      They didn’t believe in the Afterlife.

  C.      They held to the Rituals associated with the temple.

  D.     They Would have been strongly established in Liberal theology.

   IV.            Comparison to us today

  A.      They all had a religious foundation, with a blind view of the truth.

  B.      They all held to the belief that they were right, and others were wrong.

  C.      They all missed an opportunity to get to know the Savior, because he did not meet their personal definition of what HE should be like.