`Rest in
Our Scripture for this series - Isa. 40:29-31:
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope (rest) in the Lord will renew their strength. They soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
God from the beginning of time mandated/demonstrated that we all must rest in Him. We have to connect with Him to get energized! We also have to learn to rest in the future – placing our lives into the hands of the Lord.
Sermon: Rest in the Future
Opening Scripture Texts:
Jeremiah 29:11-13: 11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.
Proverbs 23:18-19: 18There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. 19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.
Introduction:
News Flash:
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Hoping to forget the heart-breaks and hard memories of 2013, people lined up in New York's Times Square on Saturday to discard physical reminders of unpleasant experiences with the help of industrial shredding machines. The annual Good Riddance Day event, held three days before New Year's Eve, allows people to symbolically purge bad memories by putting photos, documents or written reminders through a massive paper shredder in hopes of clearing a path to a brighter future…(From http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-newyork-memories-20131228,0,7613767.story).
The big question for today is “How do you rest in the future and let go of the past?” Does the future make you nervous or apprehensive? Is the past holding you down?
We can be wondering what will happen to our economy – health care – taxes deficits – my job? We may be even thinking how did our country get into such a mess? Yes, history tells us that good times don’t last forever. We know trials and tribulations are a part of life. We know countries and economies go through cycles and seasons. We know what goes up always comes back down. We know from history that countries can come and go. We know from recent news reports there are more natural disasters and crazy weather patterns. We hear of wars and more rumors of wars. We deal with terrorism and mass shooting even of kids. We watch Tv and ask what ever happened to morality?
The outlook for the future can look very gloomy!
So here we are at the end of this year 2013 and looking into the future at 2014 – we are pondering what is on the horizon? What is ahead good or bad? What will this year bring?
I too wonder and ponder about the future. But I do believe we can still hear Jesus speaking to us today at the end of 2013 and on the horizon of 2014. He assures us that we don’t need to fear, we don’t need to believe all the news reports and disturbing studies. We don’t need to panic or move somewhere else. The truth is jobs can and will be lost, homes can and will be lost, and money will and can be lost- but the love of Him and from Him will never be lost. I believe if we stay rooted and grounded in His spiritual realm we can come to the end of 2014 and say “Wow” what an amazing year. I believe If we see things through His eyes and hear things through His ears we will be amazed this year. I believe If we allow Him and the Holy Spirit to lead us and to direct our lives this new year it will be a good and fulfilling year.
We need to understand He is with us if we allow Him to be! The world is changing but He is not changing! His Plan and His mission is moving forward. We just need to lay back and rest in His promises for the New Year and experience another year of miracles.
T.S. - So let’s learn how to rest in the arms of the Lord this year!
Please Note: The following outline and thoughts were taken from the book “Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World’ by Dr. David Jeremiah.
T.S. – The first thing we need to do is “Stay Calm!” – Don’t panic – don’t quit – don’t give up!
I. Stay calm!
a. To be calm means the opposite of a hurricane in weather jargon.
i. As I was researching the subject of calm – I discovered a website called calm.com. On this website you could do a 2 – 5 – 10 - 15 to 20 minute calming meditation session.
1. They even have an app for I-phones too!
a. So you can relax on the go! Sounds relaxing doesn’t it?
2. The website is all about being and learning to calm down in the midst of a hectic or stressful day.
3. I tried figuring out who was behind the site but found no attachment to any one – it’s just a site to find peace, calmness and a place to relax.
a. I was a bit anxious about this whole idea of a calming website!
ii. As I explored this website I kept asking myself what is the catch – the site is free – is it a promotion for Buddhism or Eastern Mysticism?
1. The session on being calmed reminded me of a class I had in College on meditation which focused on learning how to manage stress in your life.
2. I was still a bit anxious about this so called calming website!
iii. I have learned that Meditation was big among certain Christian groups – especially during the time of Martin Luther. It was used as a means of getting close to God by relaxing, focusing on Him and connecting with Him.
1. I did this calming session on the internet Thursday morning for a few minutes and there was calming music – the music played softly – the music also featured sounds of nature and even one song was a mellow version of “Oh Holy night!” The picture scenes moving across the screen were of nature and highlighted a lot of running water.
a. I must admit it was soothing but I kept thinking – there has to be an angle to this thing?
i. So I keep thinking?
b. I wondered does the person or persons who designed this website have a ulterior motive?
i. I search and searched on site and found nothing about the designers!
ii. The only thing I could find was the message you need to remain calm – slow down relax. You need to meditate and quiet your soul. Relax your body! Relax your mind? I kept thinking yeah right – what is your angle – what are you promoting?
1. It has to be misleading right – I discovered the guy who started it is Greek. Uhm?
a. He loves nature – He loves the sound of running water because they bring calmness to His life.
b. So as I was researching and listening he then had a long scene of it raining! It was really calming and even relaxing!
c. In the middle of my research on calmness I had a pastor friend text me frantic for some help.
i. I must admit I thought to myself I am trying to relax here and get in the sermon zone. Leave me alone!
ii. I was going to text him back and say go to calm.com and relax!
c. As I left calm.com I ran into another thought on calmness: It stated, “Do you consider yourself to be a calm person or someone who is always caught up with a sense of urgency, a need to be busy all the time and a desire to be at the heart of all things loud and dramatic? What does being calm mean to you?”
i. I thought that is a good question – maybe I need to relax!
1. Over the last few days my house has been full of people and running kids, yelling buys, sword fighting boys, 5 year old conversations and playing wrestling.
2. The family played crazy games which had them doing silly things.
a. I hear Peter say – “I will not wear a dress!”
b. Vernon sang the song “Rawhide:
c. Christa played the game sitting on her hands while her mother fed her.
d. I was in the living room thinking – I don’t want to play that game!
3. It was funny to observe, I enjoyed all the family home and at times it could be stressful with a crowded home. But the goal in these types of situations is to remain calm – just relax!
iv. As I pondered what it means to be calm I looked up the definition of calm from Bing Dictionary. It stated:
1. Not anxious: without anxiety or strong emotion.
2. Not stormy: smooth and without any large waves.
3. Not windy: without wind or storms.
a. Calmness to me means being able to relax in the hectic –chaotic world of the unknown! Being able to relax with business and loudness all around you. It’s really a good habit to cultivate!
b. I thought of Jesus – man He mastered calm! In all my years of study He did the best job at this staying calm thing. Everything I read about Him points to a person who had that inner quality of remaining calm in the midst of stress and crisis. He is the one who even tells us “Relax – stay calm and do not let your heart be troubled!”
i. Listen to His words from John 14:1-6:
1. 1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
ii. Dr. David Jeremiah on page 3 of his book had these observations about Jesus and His ability to remain calm:
1. Jesus faced stress and pressure but He rested in the presence of God the Father
a. We are told that - He wept, He was distressed when he met Mary and saw her grief over the loss of her brother Lazarus (John 11:33).
b. We are told - As he contemplated and faced the reality of the cross – he felt genuine anxiety (John 12:27).
c. We are told - As he awaited his betrayal by Judas he was distressed (John 13:21).
d. We are told - Jesus understands our weaknesses and our stress, apprehensions, and sympathize with them according to (Hebrew 4:15).
i. But He always stayed calm with busyness all around, pressing crowds, overwhelming needs, demanding people, sinister people, criticism, complaints and severe health conditions!
iii. When Jesus nears His death He tells the disciples He will be leaving them in John 13:36 and Peter gets upset and wants to know where He is going!
1. Peter is angry because He left His fishing business to follow Jesus and now Jesus is leaving – Peter not calm says – wait a minute!
a. If you read about Peter he was not a calm person at this point in his life!
2. If you think about the disciples and what they have experienced for 3 years you can see why they became upset – even fearful of the future because Jesus was leaving them and He had taken care of them for 3 years.
a. This is why Jesus says, “Let not your heart be troubled!” (John 14:1)
c. There is a spiritual lesson in this scenario from the Bible.
i. We need to learn to rest in the spiritual truth that Jesus can keep you calm about what lies ahead in the future.
ii. You may be thinking “How do we receive comfort and the ability to rest in the future and in the unknown?”
iii. I read of four things that Jesus asks us to embrace to help us rest in Him and be calm in the storms of life: (From Dr. David Jeremiah)
1. Jesus asks us to believe in a person!
a. “Let not you heart be troubled, You believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1)
i. We are told to have faith – to trust in Jesus – He promises to never leave us or forsake us and also to take care of us!
2. Jesus asks us to believe in a place!
a. “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)
i. The scriptures paint Heaven as a marvelous place, beautiful and wonderful beyond imagination.
ii. There is special house for us in the future prepared by Jesus.
1. Like my grandma’s house in Carnegie!
2. I always loved going to their house – it was peaceful place and a calming place.
iii. Heaven is a paradise we can all look forward too if we are in right relationship with Jesus.
iv. I don’t know about you but this helps me to stay calm for the future! I can rest in this truth spoken of by Jesus.
v. There is a special place for me in Heaven.
1. Jesus has prepared it just for me!
2. It will be a place of peace-rest and my eternal home.
3. Jesus asks us to believe in a promise!
a. The Bible is filled with thousands of Promises.
b. When God makes a promise you can be sure it will be fulfilled.
i. The Lord never breaks His promises!
c. John 14:3 “3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
d. Quote: “How much different would our lives be if we could only begin to embrace the truth that the God of Heaven desires to spend eternity with us (Jeremiah, page 12)
4. Jesus asks us to believe in the plan!
a. John 14:5-6: 4You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
i. The plan to Heaven is through Jesus – He leads us to our eternal destination if we let Him.
b. You can believe and see it – just ask him to reveal the plan to you so you can rest!
d. Back to the Future – What questions should we ask ourselves about this New Year:
i. Am I gazing above at the New Year or am I glazed over in fear of the future?
1. We hear of natural catastrophes everywhere but does this need to cause us stress and fear?
2. We hear of financial meltdowns does this need to cause us to stress out?
3. We hear of terrorists does this reality of terror need to cripple me with fear and anxiety?
4. We hear of school shootings does this need to cause me to lose sleep at night?
5. We hear of unrest and war across the globe – for Christa it struck home as you read and see what is happening in Sudan?
ii. What am I going to focus on this year fear or faith?
1. Fear or faith?
a. The fear factor
i. Quote: “Feed your fears and your faith will starve. Feed your faith, and your fears will.” ― Max Lucado, Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear
ii. 1 John 4:16-18: God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
2. Stress or rest?
a. What causes you anxiety - worry?
i. Meier states, ‘God doesn’t want us to suffer anxiety. In fact, he commands us to “be anxious for nothing” This not a suggestion or a request. It is an order from God. In Matthew 6:25-34, Christ used the word worry six times, and half of those times he used it as part of an order. Do not worry about food, about clothes, about tomorrow, about your life. He told His disciples. To overcome anxiety and eliminate guilt we need to obey God in two important ways. First, we need to call a halt to the internal tug of war that exists between our conscience and our flesh. Tension is eliminated when we make the right choice. Second, we need to make a conscious decision to follow God’s explicit order not to worry. To continue to fret is a direct denial of a commandment from God” (117,118).
iii. We need to learn to rest in our personal God given vision of the future!
1. For us at CHC we rest in our – 7 core values
a. The 7:
i. We are prayer focused.
ii. We are Spirit empowered.
iii. We are worship driven.
iv. We are Biblically relevant.
v. We are a multi-ethnic community.
vi. We are mission minded.
vii. We are Experiencing God daily.
b. Do these core values rest on my performance or the Holy Spirit? NO!
i. John14: 11-21: 11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
15“If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
20On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”
2. Have you immersed yourself in the new way of living – do you see and hear the Holy Spirit more today than yesterday?
a. How has it impacted your life?
i. How has it affected your view of the future?
T.S. – We need to stay calm and rest in God’s promises and in our faith in the Lord and through the process we also have to stay compassionate with others.
II. Stay Compassionate!
a. The essence of compassion in a world which lacks compassion for others is an essential tool to lead people to Jesus!
i. Quote by Dr. David Jeremiah on page 27:
1. “The world is cold and cruel in the best of times; on tough days, things only get worse. In this present crisis, we expect a new age of cynicism and the hardening of hearts. While cutting our own budgets back, or even worrying about the loss of a career, the temptation is to shut out the problems of those who have it worse than we do. Yet this is the very time when the world needs us most of all.”
2. How is your compassion barometer?
a. Do you care about others? Do you empathize with them? Do you reach out to others?
ii. In 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18: We have Paul telling the church there that “Satan hindered us”.
1. Many churches and most Christians are being hindered by the Devil. This is far more common than people think. The enemy of the Gospel will present obstacles to God’s work and try to discourage the people of God doing His work. He will try to steal their joy and their compassion for others so they become self-absorbed.
a. This is why we need to have compassion for one another!
i. The definition of compassion is a sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
ii. Paul showed this character trait toward the churches he pastored and led!
iii. He also in several of his letters reminded the suffering Christians to have compassion for each other.
1. Colossians 3:12: “…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness…”
2. Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another…”
2. The church in Thessalonica was suffering from persecution for their love for Jesus. They were all struggling just to get by.
a. Some lost their homes others business for their faith in Jesus!
b. Times were hard not so much different than our current crisis of hard times.
c. Paul has compassion on them and writes this letter to encourage them.
d. His goal in the letter is to give them hope in the future – to say believe Jesus is going to return to this earth!
e. He wants to encourage them not to fall into self-pity but go deeper in God.
f. He wants them to pray through the difficulty.
g. Paul then in his letter asks God to teach the Thessalonians to be more loving and compassionate toward one another. Encourage one another build each other up. (I Thess. 5:11).
b. We need to have the right expression of compassion. Here is what it should look like.
i. The Gospels always presented to us how compassionate Jesus was when seeing the crowds.
1. Matthew 9:36-38: 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
2. Mark 8:1-3: 1During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2“I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”
a. Jesus saw the needs of other people and wanted to do something about it!
ii. Compassion and how it is expressed is rooted in love for others and for God.
1. 1 John 4:19-21: 19We love because he first loved us. 20If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
a. Love and compassion go hand in hand!
b. Love for God should drive us to be loving and compassionate with others.
iii. Paul showed love and compassion to the church in Thessalonica by the following ways in 1 Thessalonians:
1. He thanked God for them 1:2a
2. He preached the good news to them 1:2b
3. He was gentle with them, kind to them, and considerate with them 1:7-8
4. He sacrificed for them 1:9
5. He gave them Hope in Jesus return chapter 4
c. What is the effect of compassion on others?
i. With your family?
1. If you love and have compassion on them the effect will be creating holy and blameless hearts in them.
2. You can encourage your family or tear down your family – it’s all up to you!
3. It’s important to show your Kids love and compassion because it will help in their spiritual development.
ii. With your church friends and workers.
1. Compassion will build them up and encourage them!
iii. With your neighbor.
1. Have you reached out to your neighbor?
2. Do you care about them?
3. It could change their life!
iv. With your co-worker or classmate.
1. Yes, even they need compassion in a world that lacks it.
v. With others:
1. Dr. Jeremiah states, “Some people believe they can become Christ-like by reciting numerous Scripture verses. Some believe they can do it by mastering the spiritual lingo and delivering the most impressive spoken prayers. Some of those things are good, some are worthless; none make us like Jesus. And how did Jesus live? He loved people everywhere He went.” (Page 39).
a. How are you doing this in your life – How will you do it 2014?
d. The exercise of compassion does have therapeutic value not just on others but on ourselves as well.
i. Dr. Jeremiah stated, “Allan Luks was the executive director of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters charity for eighteen years leading up to his retirement. In his book “The healing Power of Doing Good”, he describes a study of three thousand volunteers of all ages throughout the country. The results of the computerized questionnaire demonstrated a clear cause-and-effect relationship between helping others and good health. He concluded that helping contributes to the maintenance of good health, even diminishing the effect of diseases and disorders; serious and minor, psychological and physical. Doing good for others does good for us” (Page 40).
ii. So let’s make a decision this year to stay compassionate and go reach out to others because in the end it’s good for our health!
T.S. - We need to stay compassionate this year and encourage others and the best way to do this is by connecting with newer people this year.
III. Stay Connected – or Get Connected!
a. Some of you immediately thought about social media when I said “Stay connected.”
i. Some of you are die hard face-bookers or tweeters!
1. You update your status hourly or daily!
2. You post picture upon picture, thought upon thought.
3. You like this and not that.
4. You friend people and on a rare occasion de-friend someone.
ii. Just the other day I looked at our Christian Hills Facebook page and noticed that 398 people like us – I immediately thought I wonder if I said something in service we could break the “400” friends number?
1. Hint!
iii. I like the idea of Facebook and Twitter and the importance of connecting with others.
1. While Christa was in Africa it was our lifeline with her!
2. It was great to hear the updates and see the pictures of the things she was doing!
3. Connecting with others is extremely important!
b. There was a study done on social connections and happiness which showed their emotional and physical benefits: (The following taken from http://www.pbs.org/thisemotionallife/topic/connecting/connection-happiness).
i. Listen to what they say: Why are close, loving relationships so crucial to our well-being and happiness? Relationships create psychological space and safety so that we can explore and learn. When we feel safe and supported, we don’t have to narrow in on survival tasks like responding to danger or finding our next meal. We are able to explore our world, which builds resources for times of stress and adversity.
1. Characteristics of close relationships:
a. The ability to love and be loved
b. Mutual understanding
c. Caring
d. A source of direct help in times of trouble
e. Celebration of good times
f. Validation of self-worth
g. Security
h. A diversity of ideas and influences to help us grow and learn
i. Fun
2. Belonging to a group or community gives us a sense of identity. It helps us understand who we are and feel part of something larger than ourselves. Researchers also find that people with strong social connections have less stress-related health problems, lower risk of mental illness, and faster recovery from trauma or illness. Friends and family can also encourage and support us in healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercise and moderation.
3. Researchers have found that people are happier when they are with other people than when they are alone—and the “boost” is the same for introverts and extroverts. They also are finding that happy people are more pleasant, helpful, and sociable. So being around people makes us feel happier, and when we are happier we are more fun to be around, creating an “upward spiral” of happiness.
4. Happiness may be surprisingly contagious. Psychologist James H. Fowler studied the data of 5,000 people over 20 years and found that happiness benefits other people through three degrees of connection, and that the effects last for a year. He says: “We found a statistical relationship not just between your happiness and your friends' happiness, but between your happiness and your friends’ friends’ friends’ happiness.”
5. The positive effects from connecting with others are lasting. Scientists have observed what they call “hedonic adaption”: our tendency to quickly adapt to our changing circumstances. This is why people who win the lottery, for instance, usually find themselves at the same level of happiness they had before they won. Close relationships, however, may be an exception. In contrast to material goods, we are more likely to continue to want our close relationships, even after we attain them, and to continue to derive positive emotions from them.
a. Sources:
i. Happiness, by Ed Diener and Robert Biswas-Diener
ii. Happiness Is Contagious Positivity, by Barbara L. Fredrickson
iii. The How of Happiness, by Sonja Lyubormirsky
c. How do you “Get Connected?”
i. Quote: “People can improve their social skills and social networks. Even if your temperament is to be more introverted, you can take steps to increase your connections with others. Once you do, you’re likely to feel happier, which in turn makes it easier to make more friends, and then you’re experiencing the “upward spiral” of positive emotions and increased happiness. Whether you’ve moved to a new town, or have just gone through a major life transition, or are simply quiet and shy, these suggestions can help you increase your circle of friends:
1. Connect every day.
a. Find a way to connect with someone else every day. Make it a priority to have a relaxed phone conversation, take a short walk together, share a meal, or exchange letters or emails with someone you enjoy.
2. Act “as if.”
a. Even if you’re not a very outgoing person, act as if you are when you are around other people. Researchers find that if you push yourself to be more outgoing when you are with other people, you’ll feel more positive emotions from the social interaction.
3. Cultivate compassion.
a. People who cultivate loving concern and kindness for others enjoy their interactions with people more and feel more positive emotions. You can do this through a contemplative practice such as meditation or prayer.
4. Communicate.
a. It seems obvious that friends communicate; but some people find self-disclosure difficult. Choose a few friends you trust; go slowly; be a good listener when friends share about themselves; and reciprocate with a similar level of self-disclosure.
d. Practical things you can do to increase your social network:
i. Work out; join a class through a local gym or community center; or start a lunchtime group walk at work, start a home Bible Study.
ii. Walk your dog; people who have a dog and walk it have an easy way to interact with others, especially other dog owners.
iii. Go outside; walk the neighborhood, sit out front, or stop to greet people who go by as you do yard work.
iv. Do lunch; invite someone out for lunch or coffee.
v. Volunteer; volunteering gives you an instant connection with other people who share an interest in the same cause.
vi. Take a class; if you’ve always wanted to start or finish a degree, one benefit is that you’re almost sure to find friends at school; or take a community college, extension, or parks and recreation course in a subject or hobby that interests you.
vii. Join a faith community; researchers believe that people who are religious are happier in part because they have a strong social connection in their faith community
1. Sources: Positivity, by Barbara L. Fredrickson, Ph. D. Mayo Clinic - Friendships Time - "The New Science of Happiness”
e. Tips for building higher-quality connections
i. Build higher-quality connections with the people in your life with these suggestions:
1. Make time. Research has shown that happy couples spend at least five hours a week together talking.
2. Engage with people. Be present, attentive, and affirming.
3. Be supportive. Find out what the other person’s goals and challenges are. Be encouraging, and do what you can to help him or her succeed.
4. Share your admiration and gratitude. Remember what you first liked so much about a friend or partner? It’s easy to start taking that for granted. Make a point to give compliments.
5. Trust. Put your faith in others, and let it show that you believe they will not let you down.
6. Celebrate. Research has shown that a difference between good and poor relationships is how partners respond to each other’s good news. People who are close respond with enthusiasm and joy, rather than indifference, envy, or anxiety.
7. Play. Make time for fun, laughter, and goofing off, with nothing else on the agenda.
a. Sources: Positivity, by Barbara L. Fredrickson, Ph. D. The How of Happiness, by Sonja Lyubormirsky
f. Connecting is essential with others and also with God!
i. Dr. Jeremiah notes in his book “Living With Confidence in A Chaotic World” this about how the atheist are out to disconnect people with God.
1. He notes, “Atheism has taken over the buses, in New York, they’re chugging past the Empire State Building bearing twelve-foot long signs announcing: You Don’t have to believe in God. Thousands of people in Chicago are getting on and off buses emblazoned with a similar message: In the beginning man created God. In Indiana, the bus banners say: You can be good without God. In other America cities, the buses are wrapped in this message: Why believe in god? Just be good for goodness sake! Another slogan gives this but of atheistic reassurance: Don’t believe in God” You’re not alone” (Page 43).
2. He adds, “Riders in Genoa. Italy. Are bouncing around in vehicles that declare: The bad news is that God does not exist. The good news is that you do not need Him…And then there’s the slogan of the original atheistic bus campaign in London. It said: There‘s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy life! (Page 43)
3. He goes on to rephrase their message:
a. There’s Probably No God. So Life Has No Ultimate Meaning.
b. There’s Probably No God. So You Came From Sludge and Are Returning to Dust.
c. There’s Probably NO God: So You Can Never Be Forgiven of Your Sins.
d. There’s Probably No God: So Good Luck Dealing with Your Problems.
e. There’s Probably No God: You’ll Never See Your Loved Ones in Heaven.
f. There’s Probably No God: So Live for Fun and Die in Despair.
g. There’s Probably No God: So There’s No Hope, No Life, No Grace, No Heaven.
i. He notes, “I don’t know who’d want to believe that message, let alone advertise it.”
ii. But the bottom is line their goal is for people to disconnect from God!
4. The Bible tells us not to disconnect but to connect with God!
a. Hebrews 10:22-25: 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
b. God wants us to connect with Him and that is why he sent Jesus to re-establish that point of connection between us! So do it in 2014 – Connect!
Conclusion:
We started off in Sept. talking about “Immersing” ourselves in a new way of Living. This whole series was designed to help us all grow spiritually over the last few months.
I pray that in this New Year you have learned how to hear and see with the eyes and the ears of the Lord. I pray that you can see into the spiritual realm of Life!
I also pray that you have:
1. [Sep] Series 1: Dive In “Dove in” – We were challenged as a church to dive in deeper into the spiritual dimension of our life. We needed to go deeper in our relationship with Jesus. We need to go deeper in our commitment level for the Kingdom of Heaven. We learned that we live in a world which has two views or two perspectives. One is spiritual the other is fleshly. One is a Biblical world view and the other a secular world view. So our point with the theme “Diving In” is to compel you to leave this one dimensional world and dive into another world which is rooted in the spiritual dimension of life. Yes, it’s there and it surrounds you everyday - you just may not see it because you are not looking for it- but if you choose to dive in – to immerse yourself in it just like divers do in the ocean then it will appear.
a. Sermon 1: Dedicate - We talked here about what it means to dedicate something to the Lord? It means to give something to God for His use and for His purpose. It is committing this item to God! We asked you to dedicate yourself to the Lord! Did you do this?
b. Sermon 2: Follow – In this message we talked about how everyone is following something or someone! Many would disagree with this statement today in our society. But the question is who or what is it! Is this thing you are following trustworthy and leading you down a path to life or death? Is it leading you to freedom or bondage? Is it leading you closer and more intimate with Jesus or away from Him? Is it leading you to a life of peace or a life of turmoil? Is it leading you to “Dive In” which takes “commitment and dedication” and then the act of “Following Him”? Or is it telling you to do your own thing? We challenged you to always follow the Lord! Are you following Him?
c. Sermon 3: Emulate – Which we defined as: to try to be like (someone or something you admire). We need to imitate God - copy His character traits – be like Him – the Bible tells us to watch what He does and then model that in our own lives. As you watch God you see that He lives up to the apostle Johns view of Him – God is love! Are you imitating God through a life of love? Have you experienced that love life? Did you emulate the Lord Jesus in your life?
d. Sermon 4: Disciple! – We learned from this message that Jesus style of discipleship focuses on obeying and applying His teachings and commands to our lives. This also includes being willing to pick up our own cross for the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus also made it clear that we are responsible as His disciples to go develop more disciples for the Kingdom of Heaven. How are you doing at making disciples for the Kingdom of Heaven? Who are you investing into for Jesus?
2. [Oct] Series 2: Stay In – We learned how we must to stay in this spiritual world we have been exploring over the last 4 weeks – we cannot quit because just around the corner is another miracle to see or wonder to behold. We have to persevere in this underwater spiritual world to behold the beauty of the Lord and to see what He is doing in this spiritual world. We need to “Stay In” like heroes of the faith did!
a. Sermon 1: Like Moses
b. Sermon 2: Like David
c. Sermon 3: Like Timothy
d. Sermon 4: Like Barnabas
i. We learned the following lessons from our 4 heroes of the faith:
1. Life is not always fair but God is faithful.
2. Over-comers in life say, “I will never quit!
3. God uses imperfect people to do His perfect will.
4. These real life stories will teach us, what to do. These real life stories will teach us, what not to do.
5. Life is about servant-hood not about attaining fame and fortune.
3. [Nov] Series 3: Press In - We need to learn from the OT heroes of the faith. We need to learn what to do and what not to do. W e need to learn to press in or push through like Tri-athletes do through the grueling race. To press in means we strive to grow spiritually and to be in tune and in alignment with God and His agenda for our life. It means we don’t quit of give up but press for the breakthrough! Philippians 3:13-14:13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. To press in for the Christian means we strive to grow spiritually and to be in tune with God and His agenda for our life. It means we don’t quit or give up but press for a spiritual breakthrough! It means we never–never–never give up!
a. Sermon 1: Like Esther
b. Sermon 2: Like Deborah
c. Sermon 3: Like Priscilla
d. Sermon 4: Like Ruth
i. We learned from these ladies of the faith that God is no respecter of persons and He desires to use all of us to impact people for the Kingdom of God and to lead within His kingdom. We learned that we may have to confront the enemies of God, but that God and the forces of good, will ultimately triumph over those of evil because God is at work in the background of History. We learned that we have to have courage in the face of danger and adversity. We also learned "not to be silent" in the presence of evil but confront it in God's guidance so as to eliminate it. We learned that while oppressors may come and go, God's promise and covenant with His people is everlasting.
4. [Dec] Series 4: Rest - Our Scripture for this series addresses this spiritual phenomena of rest in the Lord - Isa. 40:29-31:"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope (rest) in the Lord will renew their strength. They soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." God from the beginning of time mandated/demonstrated that we all must rest and honor Him each day and week. When we do we will get re-energized!
a. Sermon 1: In the 7th Day - “To honor the Sabbath and to keep it holy means to rest and worship the Lord. It is designed by God to re-energize you each week by Worship, His presence, His Words and His power.”
b. Sermon 2: In God’s Will - To know God’s will for your life comes from you knowing God personally, having an encounter with God like Jacob, Moses and Nehemiah did and then taking step one of your faith journey. When we know God’s will for our life then we can truly rest in Him.
c. Sermon 3: In God’s Presence - To immerse ourselves in a new way of living requires us to rest in the presence of God. This rest will energize us, help us grow spiritually and keep us focused on truth in a world filled with lies. It’s an essential discipline that we must cultivate in our Christian walk.
d. Sermon 4: In God’s Plan - God’s plan for us and this world is a plan rooted and grounded in love (John 3:16). When we learn to rest in God’s grand plan and allow ourselves to be involved in His plan we find rest and receive the spiritual reward of inner peace. This time of the year we often hear about this promise of peace on earth and the importance of praying for it. Peace on earth and in our life comes from resting in God’s Grand Plan!
e. Sermon 5: In the Manger - I pray you saw the live Nativity of Jesus – that you saw Jesus in the manger – you see Him fulfilling the Grand Plan of God. I also pray that you came to know and experience God’s presence so that you too can have peace in a chaotic world and find His perfect rest at Christmas.
f. Sermon 6: In the Future - I hope you saw and learned today that you can be calm about the future knowing who is in charge the Lord. I hope you will decide to stay compassionate this year to others to see them and your life changed. I hope you have decided to stay connected to each other and God this year and not allow the enemy to separate you from God.
So as I conclude - How has your new way living impacted your future outlook on life for 2014? What do you see? What do you hear? What are you expecting in this New Year in the spiritual realm of your life?
