"LET'S MAKE A DEAL"
Matt 4: 8-9
Intro:
Many of you will remember this show. Let’s Make A Deal daybued in May of 1963, on NBC. Ever sense then, it has been seen in some cupassity on a multiude of channels.
For those who might not know, the basic premus of the game is as follows. The host of the show will offer the contestants a cash prize, or a mystery gift, in exchange for the different items which they bring to the game.
Tonight, I want us to play a game of Let’s Make A Deal. I want to share with you the name and details of two different deals. After you have heard about these offers, I want you to make a choice. I pray that you will understand that these deals concern more than a cash prize, vacation, or a new car. The deal you make tonight concerns your emortal soul. Join me then, and allow me to show you the finer points of the deals before you.
I LET'S MAKE A DEAL
1. First, there is Satan's deal.
A. Heb 11: 25 Satan's deal is entitled, "The Passing Pleasures of Sin."
B 1Jn 2: 16 this plan concerns the lust of the flesh. (Immorality)
C. 1Jn 2: 16 this plan concerns the lust of the eye. (Materialism)
D. 1Jn 2: 16 this plan concerns the pride of life. (Self-glorification)
E. Under the conditions of this plan, there are immediate rewards, and no requirements.
2. However, god also offers a plan.
A. Rom 6: 23 God's plan is called, "The Gift Of Eternal Life."
B. God's plan is different in its rewards.
(a.) Rather than focusing upon the here an now, God's plan rewards on the eternal scale.
C. God's plan is different in its requirements.
(a.) Deut 10: 12 he requires that we commit to faithful service!
(B.) 1Co 10: 13 he requires that we resist temptation!
(c.) Jam 1: 2 he requires that we endure persecution!
II LET'S MAKE A CHOICE
1. Consider those who chose Satan's offer, and the rewards of there choice.
A. 2Sam 11: 24, 12: 18 David Chose immorality, and was rewarded with death.
B. Lk 16: 23 the rich man chose materialism, and was rewarded with death.
C. Acts 12: 21-23 Herod chose self-glorification, and was rewarded with death.
D. Rom 6: 23 notice, that choosing to make a deal with the Devil leads to death every time.
2. Consider those who chose god's plan, and their rewards.
A. Heb 11: 26 Moses chose God's plan, and obtained the reward!
B. Phil 1: 21 Paul chose god's plan, and obtained the reward!
C. Jn 3: 16 you yourself can choose God's plan, and you to will obtain the reward!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
JESUS SAYS: "COME!"
"THE INVITATIONS OF JESUS"
REVELATION 22: 17
Intro:
It's funny how good it makes us feel when someone invites us to do something. It gives us a feeling of inclusion. When we receive an invitation, we understand that we are wanted.
Today, I want to talk to you about the invitations of Jesus. He invites you to join him this very hour. The question is, will you accept his invitations?
I "COME AND SEE" (John 1: 39)
1. Here Jesus, as he begins his ministry, makes an offer to two future disciples.
A. Christ invites them to, "Come and see."
B. Matthew 8: 20 Christ is offering more than a tour of his house, because he didn't even have a place to lay his head.
C. What Jesus offered these men were the opportunity to come and get to know him.
D. This one night spent in the presents of Jesus was enough to change their lives forever.
2. Jesus offers this same invitation to all men, despite who they are or what they've done.
A. Luke 19: 1-9 even if you are a cheat and lire, he says, "come see."
B. First Timothy 1: 15 even if you are chief among all sinners, he says, "come see."
C. John 21: 15-17 even if you deny and reject him, he says, "come see."
D. Luke 23: 43 even if you are a thief hanging on a cross, he says, "Come See."
3. Christ's still says to us today, "come see."
A. Despite who you are, "come see."
B. Despite what you've done, "come see."
C. Revelation 22: 17 no matter who you are, what you've done, or anything else; Christ says, "If you long to know me, come see!"
II "COME AND I WILL MAKE YOU" (Mark 1: 17)
1. In this invitation, not only is there an implacation of what he will make us, but there is also an implacation of what he will not make us.
A. Luke 9: 23 he will not make us wealthy, because we must deny ourselves.
B. Matthew 5: 11 he will not make us popular among men, because men will eventually reject and persecute us.
C. First Corinthians 14: 33 he will not make us confused, because he is a revealer not a concealer!
2. However, the invitation also implies that which he will make us.
A. James 4: 10 he will make us humble that he might eventually lift us up!
B. Mark 1: 17 he will make us servants that we might lead others to him!
C. Philippians 4: 13 he will make us stronger that we might survive the trials of life!
REVELATION 22: 17
Intro:
It's funny how good it makes us feel when someone invites us to do something. It gives us a feeling of inclusion. When we receive an invitation, we understand that we are wanted.
Today, I want to talk to you about the invitations of Jesus. He invites you to join him this very hour. The question is, will you accept his invitations?
I "COME AND SEE" (John 1: 39)
1. Here Jesus, as he begins his ministry, makes an offer to two future disciples.
A. Christ invites them to, "Come and see."
B. Matthew 8: 20 Christ is offering more than a tour of his house, because he didn't even have a place to lay his head.
C. What Jesus offered these men were the opportunity to come and get to know him.
D. This one night spent in the presents of Jesus was enough to change their lives forever.
2. Jesus offers this same invitation to all men, despite who they are or what they've done.
A. Luke 19: 1-9 even if you are a cheat and lire, he says, "come see."
B. First Timothy 1: 15 even if you are chief among all sinners, he says, "come see."
C. John 21: 15-17 even if you deny and reject him, he says, "come see."
D. Luke 23: 43 even if you are a thief hanging on a cross, he says, "Come See."
3. Christ's still says to us today, "come see."
A. Despite who you are, "come see."
B. Despite what you've done, "come see."
C. Revelation 22: 17 no matter who you are, what you've done, or anything else; Christ says, "If you long to know me, come see!"
II "COME AND I WILL MAKE YOU" (Mark 1: 17)
1. In this invitation, not only is there an implacation of what he will make us, but there is also an implacation of what he will not make us.
A. Luke 9: 23 he will not make us wealthy, because we must deny ourselves.
B. Matthew 5: 11 he will not make us popular among men, because men will eventually reject and persecute us.
C. First Corinthians 14: 33 he will not make us confused, because he is a revealer not a concealer!
2. However, the invitation also implies that which he will make us.
A. James 4: 10 he will make us humble that he might eventually lift us up!
B. Mark 1: 17 he will make us servants that we might lead others to him!
C. Philippians 4: 13 he will make us stronger that we might survive the trials of life!
GOD SAYS: "BE THERE!"
"BE THERE"
Ex 24: 12
Intro:
At some point in your life, you've more than likely been guilty of "zoning out." Sure you have. It's that moment in life when someone is trying to tell you something, or someone is doing something and they want you to see it, but you just are not there with them. Well, in Exodus 24: 12, God commands Moses to come up to the Mountain to receive the 10 commandments. However, he says something strange to Moses. He tells him, "Come up to me on the mountain and BE THERE." What does this mean? Why would god say this?
Tonight, I want to talk to you about the relationships in your life. I want to help you to see that when we divide our attention, no one wins. Our family suffers, our brothers and sisters in Christ suffer, and even our relationship with God will be strained.
Tonight, we want to examine what it means to "BE THERE." I would like to lead you in discovering those areas in your life in which you need to be present. Not just in body, but in mind also.
I BE THERE FOR YOUR FAMILY
1. It is amazing to consider how far the family has fallen.
A. 40% of all first marriages end in divorce.
B. 60% of second marriages end in divorce.
C. 82% of couples reach their 5th year.
D. 62% reach their 10th, 52% reach their 15th, 33% reach their 25th, 20% reach their 35th, and only 5% reach their 50th.
2. However, it's not just marriage that has taken a hit, but also the safety and protection of our children that has been decimated.
A. In 1999, an estimated 3,244,000 cases of Child abuse were reported in the U.S.
B. 61% of those cases reported were related to child neglect.
C. In this country alone, we have seen a 45% increase in the number of child abuse cases over the last 10 years.
3. If we hope to change this trend, we must be there, in body and in mind.
A. Acts 18: 26 be there for the spouse working hard to make a difference!
B. Jn 19: 25 be there for the child or parent facing hard times!
C. Job 2: 11 be there for the friend who believes all hope is gone!
II BE THERE FOR YOUR BRETHREN
1. There are three ways in which we should be there for our brothers and sisters.
A. Physically
B. Emotionally
C. Spiritually
2. There is only one way that we can be there physically.
A. We must go to them in body.
B. Ro 1: 9-10 Paul longed to go to the brethren who were at Rome.
C. Jn 11: 7-11 despite the threat of imprisonment, Christ went to his friends.
3. There is also a need for emotional comfort.
A. John 11 Christ came to Martha and Mary in times of sadness.
B. Gal 6: 2 we should be there to bear the burdens of a brother or sister.
4. Most importantly however, we should be there spiritually.
A. Gal 1: 1-9 what would have happened if Paul had not gone to the Galatians?
B. 2Sa 12: 1-4 what would have happened if Nathan had not gone to David?
C. Gal 6: 1 what will happen if you don't go to a brother or sister?
III BE THERE FOR THE LORD
1. There are TWO ways in which we should be there for God.
A. We should be there with our whole heart.
B. We should be there in person.
2. We should be there with our whole heart because God sees straight to the heart of man.
A. Heb 4: 13 our thoughts, our dreams, and our hearts are naked before him!
B. 2Sa 16: 7 the first and most important way that we must be there is with our whole heart.
3. However, we cannot underestimate the importance of personal attendance.
A. Ex 24 12 God did require Moses to be there in body.
B. Heb 10: 24-25 it's not just for each other that we come together, but it's also for God.
4. The Lord also requires our full presents in doing his work.
A. Acts 2: 1-39 suppose Peter had decided not to attend the assembly at Pentecost. How many lives wouldn't have been changed?
B. Acts 14: 15 if Paul and Barnabas hadn't been paying attention, think of the bad turn the church might have taken.
C. Think of the difference that you make when you are there for the Lord in heart, body, and spirit!
Ex 24: 12
Intro:
At some point in your life, you've more than likely been guilty of "zoning out." Sure you have. It's that moment in life when someone is trying to tell you something, or someone is doing something and they want you to see it, but you just are not there with them. Well, in Exodus 24: 12, God commands Moses to come up to the Mountain to receive the 10 commandments. However, he says something strange to Moses. He tells him, "Come up to me on the mountain and BE THERE." What does this mean? Why would god say this?
Tonight, I want to talk to you about the relationships in your life. I want to help you to see that when we divide our attention, no one wins. Our family suffers, our brothers and sisters in Christ suffer, and even our relationship with God will be strained.
Tonight, we want to examine what it means to "BE THERE." I would like to lead you in discovering those areas in your life in which you need to be present. Not just in body, but in mind also.
I BE THERE FOR YOUR FAMILY
1. It is amazing to consider how far the family has fallen.
A. 40% of all first marriages end in divorce.
B. 60% of second marriages end in divorce.
C. 82% of couples reach their 5th year.
D. 62% reach their 10th, 52% reach their 15th, 33% reach their 25th, 20% reach their 35th, and only 5% reach their 50th.
2. However, it's not just marriage that has taken a hit, but also the safety and protection of our children that has been decimated.
A. In 1999, an estimated 3,244,000 cases of Child abuse were reported in the U.S.
B. 61% of those cases reported were related to child neglect.
C. In this country alone, we have seen a 45% increase in the number of child abuse cases over the last 10 years.
3. If we hope to change this trend, we must be there, in body and in mind.
A. Acts 18: 26 be there for the spouse working hard to make a difference!
B. Jn 19: 25 be there for the child or parent facing hard times!
C. Job 2: 11 be there for the friend who believes all hope is gone!
II BE THERE FOR YOUR BRETHREN
1. There are three ways in which we should be there for our brothers and sisters.
A. Physically
B. Emotionally
C. Spiritually
2. There is only one way that we can be there physically.
A. We must go to them in body.
B. Ro 1: 9-10 Paul longed to go to the brethren who were at Rome.
C. Jn 11: 7-11 despite the threat of imprisonment, Christ went to his friends.
3. There is also a need for emotional comfort.
A. John 11 Christ came to Martha and Mary in times of sadness.
B. Gal 6: 2 we should be there to bear the burdens of a brother or sister.
4. Most importantly however, we should be there spiritually.
A. Gal 1: 1-9 what would have happened if Paul had not gone to the Galatians?
B. 2Sa 12: 1-4 what would have happened if Nathan had not gone to David?
C. Gal 6: 1 what will happen if you don't go to a brother or sister?
III BE THERE FOR THE LORD
1. There are TWO ways in which we should be there for God.
A. We should be there with our whole heart.
B. We should be there in person.
2. We should be there with our whole heart because God sees straight to the heart of man.
A. Heb 4: 13 our thoughts, our dreams, and our hearts are naked before him!
B. 2Sa 16: 7 the first and most important way that we must be there is with our whole heart.
3. However, we cannot underestimate the importance of personal attendance.
A. Ex 24 12 God did require Moses to be there in body.
B. Heb 10: 24-25 it's not just for each other that we come together, but it's also for God.
4. The Lord also requires our full presents in doing his work.
A. Acts 2: 1-39 suppose Peter had decided not to attend the assembly at Pentecost. How many lives wouldn't have been changed?
B. Acts 14: 15 if Paul and Barnabas hadn't been paying attention, think of the bad turn the church might have taken.
C. Think of the difference that you make when you are there for the Lord in heart, body, and spirit!
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