It's all about Jesus

Jn 1:1-14
1. v1-3 the Word - Jesus, the full expression of God with flesh on. Jesus is God, he existed before anything else existed, he created all things. Col 1:15-17.
2. Jesus came to save us from our sins. v4-5. Our darkness comes from our sins. Jn 3:16-21; 8:3-12
3. Jesus must be experienced personally. v9-12
4. Jesus wins in the end. v5. Ps 27:1, Rev 22:5

Waiting Well Lk 2:22-32

Lk 2:22-32
1. We must learn to wait well. Waiting is tough. Lk 2:25-26 Simeon had to wait for a long time before the promise to see the Messiah was fulfilled, but he was righteous and devout while waiting. Waiting becomes easier when we are leaning into the promises of God. We have to know the promises of God, they need to be written on our hearts. Rom 8:28, Mt 6:23, seek God first. Wait expectantly every day for God.
2. We must learn to be led by the Holy Spirit. Lk 2:27, Simeon was moved by the Holy Spirit. Eph 1:23-14, Jn 14:26, Eph 5:18, continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit, over and over again.
3. We must learn to be fully satisfied in Christ and not our circumstances. Lk 2:27-32. Phil 4:11. We can be complete and full of joy knowing we have salvation. All of the fullness of joy started with the birth of Jesus.

The Christmas Story Lk 2:1-21

Lk 2:1-21
Caeser Augustus was vain and was only interested in money and himself. He didn't care that his census was inconvenient for people.
Micah 5:2 Out of Bethlehem would come the true King.
Lk 2:5 Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem to register. The were engaged and Mary was 9 months pregnant by the Holy Spirit (Lk 1:26-38, Mt 1:18-25).
Lk 2:6-7 Jesus was born in a stinky stable, probably a cave and was placed in a feeding trough.
Lk 2:8-14 God came to the shepherds (probably the outcasts of society).
Lk 2:15-20 The shepherds went to find and see Jesus. That meeting was probably awkward but amazing centered on God's miracles.

-God's plans are way different and way cooler than mine.
-God is always in control, even when it looks like he is not in control.
-God specializes in using those who are considered unusable.
-Jesus came to bring peace.
-This whole story is astonishing. We should tell others.
-Dance like no one is looking!

What's your story? Mt 1:1-21

Mt 1:1-21
Ron ”If these are the people in Jesus' family tree... then surely there is hope for you and me!”

Some of the people in Jesus' family tree:
Abraham- lied about Sarah being his wife, "helped” God by having a child with Hagar, laughed at God.
Jacob- stole the family birthright and blessing from his brother Esau.
Judah and Tamar- he slept with his daughter in law without knowing it, and she became pregnant, he wanted to kill her, but she proved that Judah had gotten her pregnant. That's just messed up!
Rahab- prostitute, but helped the Jews, and she believed
David- had an affair with Bathsheba, tried to cover it up, killed her husband, took her as his wife.
Ahaz- 2 Kings 16:1-4
Manasseh- 2 Kings 21:1-6, 16

1. We don't have to be afraid to tell our story.
2. God uses imperfect people to accomplish his perfect plan.
3. Matthew knew a little bit about grace and forgiveness. Mt 9:9-12
4. God is in control now, just as he was in control then.
5. We are a part of Jesus' family tree.

Transformed: Rom 12:14-21

1. Proper purpose and perspective motivate us to bless our enemies. Blessing- seeking the well being of the persecutor. v14

2. Proper purpose and perspective motivate us to sympathize with our enemies. v15-16

3. Proper purpose and perspective motivate us to seek peace with our enemies. 1 Pet 2:12, 3:9

4. Proper purpose and perspective motivate us to release our enemies (back to God).

Transformed: Rom 12:3-8

Rom 12:3-8
1. Be humble. v3. Do not think more highly of yourself than you ought.
2. Be honest. v3. Think of yourself with sober judgement. Assess yourself in view of your God-given faith. Realize that all our strength is from God.
3. We need each other. v4-5. We are all part of one body. 1 Cor
4. Use your gift. v6-8. 1 Pet 4:10. Prophesy, serving, teaching, encourage, giving, leadership, mercy. Jump in and use your gift. Be aware: The place where Satan will attack you the most is the area where God had gifted you.

Transformed: Grow closer to God

Rom 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is -his good, pleasing and perfect will.
We are either being conformed or transformed.
Thoughts>beliefs>actions>outcomes.
The mind's meditation determines the heart's motivation. Prov 4:23 The more you focus on something, the more it becomes what you believe.
Stop conforming to the world. 1 Jn 5:19. Be in the world, but not of the world.

-Why do our minds even need to be renewed? They are sinful and selfish.
-How do we renew our minds?
1. Get saved. 2 Cor 3:18
2. Slow down. Be still and know that he is God. Ps 46:10
3. Dig into God's Word. Read it, Study it. 2 Tim 2:15; Mt 6:33
4. Pay attention. Become increasingly aware of who or what you allow into your lives.  Prov 13:20. Consciously change your habits.
5. Go. Put your faith in action.

Don't get discouraged or set unrealistic expectations. However, God is a God of miracles!

As you are transformed, you will know God's good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Transformed: Worship

Rom 12:1
Many Christians have fallen in love with Savior Jesus, but not as much with Lord Jesus.
We are called to a life of worship. v1
1. The meaning of worship. Worship - the adoration of a deity. Mt 4:10 "Worship the Lord your God and serve him only." Worship: A heart that is intentionally focused on God, which then naturally overflows into every area of our lives for the sake of Christ. "I urge you" is a phrase that is used to talk with soldiers that are about to go into battle.
2. The motivation of worship. Think about all that Jesus did for us. "The cup" that he wanted to avoid wasn't the physical part of going to the cross, it was the wrath of God. God hates evil because it separates us from him.
3. The manner of worship. v1 "Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice to God." Give your everyday life to God as an offering. Trust him that he had the perfect plan for my life. Jn 3:30 He must become greater and I must become less. Mt 5:16 Let your light shine.

UNDONE by a question

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Isaiah 6:8
How do we get to the point of saying, "send me"? - go through the process that Isaiah did.
1. Be aware of our complacency. Isa 6:1
2. Spend some time with God. Isa 6:2-4 Be in awe of God's Holiness.
3. Be honest about our sinfulness. Isa 6:5
4. A fresh understanding of God's grace. Isa 6:7 Every sin is forgiven through God's grace. We are made clean through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The only logical response to all of this is, "Here am I, send me!"
This decision to be sent by God is not a one time decision, it is a decision we need to make daily. Gal 5:16-17, 24; Lk 9:23; Gal 2:20
This is not easy. Isa 6:9-13.
This is not a search for information, but an amazing invitation to you and I from God. Acts 17:25
2 reasons we don't answer the call:
1. Selfishness and self centeredness.
2. Fear.

UNDONE by Grace

Isa 6:1-8
1. Your sin is atoned for. v6-7. Atoned - the work that Christ did in life and death to earn our salvation. Isa 53:4-6, Rom 3:21-26 there is a righteousness apart from the law, God loves us, He is just, He wants to save us from our sin. Jesus was the sacrifice of atonement for us. 1 Jn 4:9-10, 2 Cor 5:21, Col 2:13-14. We are dead in our sins, spiritually bankrupt. Jesus paid the price for our sin, and wiped our record clean.
2. Our guilt was taken away. v7 There's good guilt (from God) and bad guilt (worldly). 2 Cor 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance. False guilt is from Satan. 1 Pet 5:8. Rom 8:1 no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. God is always ready and willing to extend forgiveness for our sin.

Tibor Miklos

God + disable = God is able!

We are in a comfort zone, we leave the comfort zone, we are in a tunnel, we come out of the tunnel and arrive someplace new, and then we are in a comfort zone again.

What if we are stuck in a tunnel for the rest of our lives (disease, blindness, etc)? Isa 50:10-11, Rom 11:29. Phil 4:11 - learn to be content. Phil 4:6 God is close to us. 1 Jn 4:9.

Pray for Tibor, he wants to be healed, but knows God had called him to be blind and to use his disability for His Kingdom.

UNDONE by my sin

Isa 6:1-8
v5 "Woe" We need to come to the point of being undone and broken before God.
We need to see our own sinfulness, and then realize that the Holy, holy, holy, God still loves us.
Sin - a failure to conform to God's Word, in action, lack of action, attitudes, by nature. To miss God's mark. Choice to do wrong, choice to leave good undone.
Consequences - spiritual death Rom 6:23, Eph 4:30 we can grieve the Holy Spirit, Prov 3:11-12 sin strains our relationship with God.
Origin of sin - Gen 2:16-17, 3:6-7, Ps 58:3. We were all born with a sinful nature. No one had to teach us how to sin.
Personal sin - Rom 7:18
Repentance - a heartfelt sorrow for sin, a renouncing of it,  and a sincere commitment to forsake our sin and walk in obedience.
Oh God forgive us!

UNDONE by God's Holiness

Isa 6:1-8
Our view of God (what we truly believe) affects every area of our lives.
v1 "I saw the Lord" the ruler, the one in charge. If I saw God, everything would change. "Seated on the throne" God was sitting, completely in control. No worries, God is on the throne. "The train of his robe filled the temple" the length of the train is a symbol of the majesty, power and importance of the person. God does what he wants, he's the boss. Isa 46:10.
v2 Seraphim - burning ones. Ministering to God himself, covering faces and feet is a sign of the holiness of God and the place. Ex 3:3-5 Holy ground.
v3 "Holy, holy, holy" repetition is a marker of importance. Isa 40:25 there is no one like God. You can't measure God on man's chart at all. "The whole earth is full of his glory." God's glory is all around us. Rev 4:8-11. "Holy, holy, holy" will be the cry of heaven.
v4 "the doorposts and thresholds shook" Heaven's worship is going to be loud sometimes. "The temple is filled with smoke" as if God said you can't handle any more.
v5 "WOE" calamity has fallen.

UNDONE by my complacency

Isa 6:1-8
Complacency: a feeling of contentment and self satisfaction, especially when coupled with unawareness of danger.
Revival: renewed interest after a period of indifference or decline. Opposite of complacency.
*Move from complacency to revival.
v1 In the year that King Uzziah died... 2 Chron 26:1-5, 16-21.
1. We are not exempt from complacency. I am not exempt from complacency. We naturally drift away from God.
2. It is very possible to look religious and still be complacent. Isa 1:10-15. The form of their worship was correct, the heart of worship was not. Mt 15:7-9.
3. Our culture is bent toward spiritual complacency. 2 Chron 26:16 Uzziah's pride led to his downfall. Complacency is a deadly for of spiritual growth.
4. At some point, God will shake us from our complacency. God loves me enough to not let me stay in this place of complacency. 2 Chron 26:23. The message on Uzziah's tombstone: He had leprosy. Wow. That is haunting. That is NOT what I want my life to be like!

What do I do? Be saved. Admit my complacency. Cry out to God for help.

Jas 5:7-12

Jas 5:7-12 Patience
- Be patient. v7-8. Be long-fused. Mt 5:10-11, following Jesus is hard. 2 Tim 3:12.
- Be patient, God is accomplishing something in you. v7, the farmer plants the seed, trusts God, and waits for rain. We are in control of absolutely nothing, God is in control. We must do what we need to do, and then trust God.  It's a process. Don't give up, God will reap a harvest in your life. Gal 6:9.
- Be patient with each other. Don't grumble against one another, v9, 12. No drama, just say yes or no. Ps 15:4.
- Be patient even when our circumstances are unfair or unjust. v10, remember the prophets and their suffering.
- Be patient because He loves you more than you can possibly understand. v11, remember Job's perseverance and what the Lord finally brought about. Job 1:21, 13:15. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, and He loves us unconditionally.
- Be patient. Jesus is coming back! v8. 2 Tim 4:8; Rom 8:18; 2 Cor 4:17; Rev 21:4.

Jas 5:1-6

Jas 5:1-6
Materialism - putting material possessions and our comfort ahead of spiritual growth.
God blesses His people. Prov 10:22. How are we using His blessings?
v1-3 We are "you rich people." We shouldn't chase after or celebrate our wealth and possessions, because they will be gone. Mt 6:19-20
v4 Don't treat people wrong in order to gain success.
v5 Don't live in luxury and self-indulgence.
v6 Living for material possessions can cost us eternity.

How do we fight materialism?
1. Give to God. Giving is for us, to remind us that everything we have is from God. Mal 3:8-10
2. Care deeply for others.
3. Learn to be content. 1 Tim 6:6-10, 17

Jas 4:13-17

Jas 4:13-17
-Life is uncertain. v13-14. Prov 21:5, 15:22 It's good to plan, but God needs to be the center of your planning.
-Life is brief. v4:14. We are not as significant as we think we are in the big picture of life. Life passes really fast. Why would we make plans and not consult God about it?
-Live with a God conciousness. v15. Realize that everything in our lives is "Lord willing." I need to live my life with a constant desire to please God. Don't compartmentalize Jesus. Our relationship with Jesus affects everything.
-Do what you are supposed to do. v16-17. Boasting and planning without God is sin. Not following His direction is evil.

How do we do this?
1. Be saved.
2. Know Him.
3. Do His will. Jn 4:34; 1 Jn 2:17; Ps 32:8a
4. Live with a God conciousness. 1 Cor 10:31. Do everything for the glory of God.
5. Remember His Grace. We can celebrate His forgiveness when we do sin.

Jas 4:7-12

Jas 4:7-12
Prov 18:3 God hates pride. Phil 2:6-8 Jesus made himself nothing in complete humility. Humility is the heart of Christ-likeness. Humility is necessary to living a life that brings glory to God and ultimate joy. Jn 15:8, Mt 5:16.
1. Humility starts with a realistic evaluation of our condition as human beings. Jer 4:14 our hearts are deceitfully wicked. Eph 2:8-10. Nothing in us cries out to God on our own. v7 - submit to God first, and then resist the devil.
2. Humility requires intentionality. v8-10. Daily humble ourselves and rid ourselves of sin.
3. Humility leads to spiritual growth. Prov 11:2. God cannot fill us if we are full of ourselves.
4. Humility practiced, changes everything! v11-12. Phil 2:3-5. Brings joy, peace and fulfilment.
God, where am I stealing your glory?

Jas 4:1-6

Jas 4:1-6
-The war within. v1-3. Rom 7:14-25
-Friends and Enemies. v4. We should be different than those in the world.
-Divine Jealousy. v5. God is jealous for us, he wants us to be His and be in Him. Put God first.
-More Grace. v6. James didn't believe in Jesus at first. Mk 3:20-21.

1. Recognize when we are the problem.
2. Fight the war within. Crucify our flesh.
3. Make a Kingdom decision everyday.
4. Pursue humility before God and others.
5. Become addicted to God's grace. ♡

Jas 3:13-18

Jas 3:13-18
2 types of wisdom
Earthly - puts me at the center of everything. Jas 3:14-16, earthly, unspiritual, demonic. Pays no attention to the fact that our time here is just a blip. It says go after everything you want, it's all about you. Lk 12:16-21. Evidence of earthly wisdom: bitter envy, selfish ambition, boasting, denying the truth, disorder, sin.
Spiritual/Heavenly - puts God at the center of everything. Jas 3:17-18. Pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Releases us from being centered on ourselves, so we can just serve God. The result of following God's wisdom is a harvest of righteousness.

How do we have heavenly wisdom?
1. Fear God. Prov 9:10. Respect his authority and power, and adjust our lives accordingly.
2. Abide in God. Prov 1:7.
3. Abide in God's Son. Col 2:1-3.
4. Ask for God's wisdom. Jas 1:5.

Jas 2:14-26

Jas 2:14-26
Works will not get us into heaven. Eph 2:8-9, Rom 6:23.
Faith, hope, and trust in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is what gets us into heaven.

Dead faith:
1. There is a faith that does not save. v17, without Jesus Christ. Heb 11:1

Deceiving faith:
2. Faith without works is dead faith, because the lack of works reveals an unchanged life or a spiritually dead heart. v18-19, Mt 7:22-23.

Dynamic faith:
3. We do not impress the world by our profession of faith, but by our practice of faith. v20
4. The empty vessels make the greatest sound. v21 Abraham proved his faith through his actions.
5.
6. How we live reveals what we believe. v21-22, Mt 5:16. We live to glorify God. Do my actions glorify God?
7. There is a maturing relationship between faith and works. Eph 2:10
8. Each step of obedience in our long lives strengthens our faith, and deepens our relationship with God. God's desires that intimate relationship with us. v25 Rahab was considered righteous similarly to Abraham because of her works of faith. Josh 2:8-9
9.Real faith, dynamic faith, is the only faith that produces eternal life and lasting change. v26

Jas 2:1-13

1. Favoritism slights the glory of God. v1.
2. Favoritism stems from selfish motives. v2-3.
3. Favoritism sides with a worldly point of view. v5-7.
4. Favoritism speaks loudly against the love of God. v 8-11. Our treatment of others reflects and affects our love of God. All sins are equally serious in that they break our relationship with God, and cause our need for a Savior.
5. Favoritism shrinks in the presence of mercy. v 12-13. Mercy - kindness or good will toward the miserable and afflicted. We are called to show mercy and give love and forgiveness.

Who do I favor and who do I look down upon? Who do I think I'm better than?

The easy thing to do is judge, the hard thing to do is show mercy. We ALL need Jesus Christ.

Jas 1:13-18

Temptation
1. The source of temptation is not God. Jas 1:13, 1 Jn 1:5, Isa 6:3. Don't blame God for your temptation. Gen 3:8-13. Temptation comes from our own evil desires v14. We are enticed, lured.

2. The process of temptation. Desire, deception, then disobedience. v15. 2 Sam 11:1, Prov 7:21-23.

3. How do we fight against temptation?
- Pray. Mt 26:41
- Guard your heart. Prov 4:23, Phil 4:8-9 Temptations are very dependant upon the things you do.
- Hide God's Word in your heart. Ps 119:9-11
- If all else fails, turn and run! 2 Tim 2:22, Gen 39:6-12
- Don't give up. God loves us in spite of our failures. 1 Cor 10:13, Gal 6:7-9

4. God offers something better. Jas 1:16-18

James 1:1-12

1. Trials are part of the Christian experience. Jas 1:2
2. Trials are used to develop maturity. Jas 1:3-4 (trials are a pathway to maturity)
3. Trials make us more aware of our need for God. Jas 1:5. We need to be careful that we don't become self sufficient. We need to ask God for wisdom. Jas 1:6-8. We need to believe and not doubt. John the Baptist doubted, Mt 11:2-3; Mk 9:21-24. Double mindedness is not being honest about our feelings and our doubts or questions, it's acting like enduring is okay when it's not or putting our faith in ourselves.
4. Trials visit every zip code. Jas 1:9-11. It's very easy to look at other's lives and think everything is good for them, but trials come to everyone. Don't compare your life to others' lives.
5. Trials lead to great victory. Jas 1:12. Love God, pass the test, receive the crown.

When God doesn't make sense: When God doesn't show up

John the Baptist preached against Herod marrying his sister in law. Herod put John in prison. Mk 6:17-28, Mt 11:2-6, 11. John's circumstances made him question who Jesus was, and why Jesus wasn't saving him. You will be blessed by God if you do not stumble when God doesn't do the things we want Him to do. 

Let the cross define your view of God, not your circumstances.

1. It's common for those in crisis to feel great frustration with God.

2. We can trust Satan to show up in our time of crisis. Jn 8:44, 1 Pet 5:8

3. We lack the capacity to grasp God's infinite mind or the way He intervenes in our lives. We cannot fully understand God. Ecc 11:5, Isa 55:8, 1 Cor 13:12

4. God is infinitely loving and kind. Ps 95:7, Jn 3:16, Rom 8:37-39

5. When it seems God hasn't shown up, it doesn't mean He's absent.

When God doesn't make sense: Restored Faith

1 Kings 19:1-18
1. When you find yourself in a valley, don't forget your mountaintop experiences. v1-5 Sometimes circumstances put us in the valley, sometimes we put ourselves in the valley.
2. God is always ready and willing to gently restore us. v5-9 We can't live a Godly life on sheer emotion. We need rest, and God speaks to us then.
3. After a spiritual encounter with God, do not forget: Satan WILL show up. v10 Elijah bought into the lie: "I am the only one left."
4. God's often comes in the quiet, do not miss it. v11-14 Elijah recognized the whisper,  but failed to recognize the blessing in the middle of it. God changes us most with a still small voice.

What now??
v15-18
1. Remember who God really is.
2. Remember who you really are in Christ. (Listen to the voice of Christ)
-I am a child of God. Jn 1:12
-I am fellow heir with Christ Rom 8:17
-I am Redeemed Eph 1:7
-I am victorious. 1 Cor 15:57
-I am dearly loved. Col 3:12
-I will never be forsaken or forgotten. Heb 13:5
3. Allow him to restore your soul and faith. Ps 62:6
Give thanks!
4. Trust His plan and go!

When God doesn't make sense: Even if...

Daniel 3:1-30 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace.
1. When God doesn't make sense, remember who He is! They believed in God and His ability to do miracles.
2. When God doesn't make sense, say "Even if !" Don't doubt God no matter your circumstances. Their obedience was not continent on God delivering them or acting the way they thought He should act. Worship God in the fire. Sometimes God takes us home to heaven, and that's even better. v25 Jesus was right there in the fire with them. Isa 43:1-3
3. God uses fire for our good and His glory. v27-28 They came out of the fire unbound.
4. "Even if" faith is powerful. v29-30

When God is Late

John 11:1-45 The death and resurrection of Lazarus. We need to believe in Jesus even when he doesn't move when we want him to or do what we want him to do.
God is powerful enough to fix anything we are going through, but sometimes he waits.
1. You can love the Lord and still have a problem.
2. It's not over. Sometimes God waits so long in a situation that it stinks. God will walk right into the middle of a stinky situation to help us.
3. God is never late!
4. Keep on believing.

When God says "No"

2 Cor 12:7-10
v7 Paul was given a thorn in the flesh to keep him from becoming conceited or prideful, thinking he could do it on his own without God. 
v8 pleaded three times with the Lord to take it away.
v9 God said "no." There are some things we can learn only during seasons of suffering. "My grace is sufficient" - daily grace given by the Lord, to keep us going, to take the next step, to keep it together. Jesus is our grace, lean into Him. Perfect means brought to completion, not yet finished, but in progress. God wants to show His power in our weakness.
v10 be content in seasons of hardship and suffering. Understand God will give you grace and strength to make it through, and use it greatly to teach us and bring glory to God.
1. You have the right to ask God to remove your thorn.
2. God has the right to say no.
3. Our weaknesses showcase God's strength.
4. Weakness prevents pride.
5. Weakness causes us to value others.
6. Weakness encourages those around us. It brings us together.
7. Your greatest ministry will come out of your weakness.
8. We must have an eternal perspective.

Easter

Phil 3:10-14
v12 "not that I have already obtained all this" - Paul wanted to live Christ
v12-14 "I press on toward the goal"
1. We must passionately pursue Jesus. v12-14, v8 anything that keeps us from knowing Christ is garbage.
2. We must experience Christ's power in our lives daily. v10
3. We must suffer well. v10
4. Because He arose, we will rise with Him again someday!!

I Choose Generosity

1. God does not need your money. Ps 50:9-12; Acts 17:24-25
2. Giving is for us. Lk 12:13-21, 30-34 parable of the rich fool. Where my treasure is, that's what my heart is. Where is my heart?? Would God call me a fool?
3. Giving is cheerful, generous, sacrificial, proportional, on purpose. 2 Cor 9:6-11, 8:1-4, Mal 3:8-12, 1 Cor 16:2
Ex 36:6-7, Lk 21:2-4, John 3:16

I Choose Suffering

I choose to suffer well because of who Jesus is and what he's done in my life.
Rom 8:17-28
v17 we should not be surprised by suffering, we should expect it. But we will also share in His glory.
v20 creation was subjected to frustration. Gen 3 - the fall of man and the consequences of pain, disharmony, and frustration. We live in a broken world.
v18 KJV "I reckon" our present sufferings aren't worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us.
v19 creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
v21 creation will be liberated
v20 "in hope" it's going to happen, a sure thing
v22 creation groaning in pain and brokenness, knowing it will be worth every second of pain, because something awesome is going to happen
v23 we will be sons and daughters of the King
v26-27 the Spirit helps us and intercedes for us
v28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
In suffering, lean in to Jesus, and know that our suffering will pale in comparison to eternity with Jesus.

I Choose Rest

We are all tired and busy. Biblically, it's not as hard to rest as we would think. Do less stuff. Busy is not ok.
Mt 11:28-30 "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Rest for your soul.
1. Rest begins with knowing Jesus. "Come to me" Jesus wants me to know him, intimately. Take time to bask in the Lord and his glory. Ps 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God." Lk 10:38-42 Mary and Martha
2. Rest involves trusting Jesus. "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Ps 39:6-7
3. Rest involves sabbath. Mt 12:8 Spend time and do things to get to know God. Stop doing, and just BE. Unplug from technology.
4. Rest involves rest. Mk 6:30-31 Physical rest is important.

I Choose Prayer

Prayer - personal communication with God. We need to be people of prayer.
Mt 6:5-15
1. Talk to God, not to other people. v5, Lk 18:9-14.
2. Get alone. v6, if I don't ever pray alone to God, it's not okay. I need to have intimate conversation with God. v7 don't just keep babbling, slow down, take time to listen. 1 Kings 18:36-37. v8 Why should I pray? God is sovereign, and knows what we need. Prayer is not about getting God on our agenda, but about getting us on God's agenda.
3. Start with God. v9 Our Father in heaven... (Abba, Daddy) Mk 15:38 The curtain in the temple was torn in two. Hebrews: we can come boldly to God. Hallowed be thy name... revere, respect and awe of God.
4. Pray God's will. v10 If we have started with Abba, and have worshiped Him, we will be able to truly trust His will, and pray according to His will.  Jas 3:4
5. Now you. v11-13.
6. Prayer is powerful!  Jas 5:16

I Choose Obedience

1. Obedience is important. Mt 28:19-20; Jn 14:15, 21, 23; Jn 15:14; Mt 7:24-25; Jas 1:22
2. Obedience grows out of relationship. It all comes back to the relationship we have with Jesus.
3. Obedience involves an understanding of God's Word. Ps 119:105 God's Word gives us direction. (Rightnow media through 2Rivers).
4. Disobedience has consequences. Direction determines destination. If we continue to make poor choices, we will end up in a bad place. Prov 7, 3:5-6; The momentary thrill of sin is not worth the pain of obedience.
5. Obedience is hard. Ps 73

I Choose God

Josh 24:1-15 you must choose whom you will serve. "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
We will only choose to serve God if we are head over heels in love with God.
Jer 2:1-13. God's charge against Israel (and us): They turned away from God, and turned to other things to satisfy themselves. We get to this point by taking our eyes off of God as our greatest treasure.
We will only be satisfied if God is our greatest treasure. We are sinners and prone to turn away from God.
1. The ultimate essence of evil is choosing, desiring and treasuring anything or anyone more than God.
2. The cross was to bring us to God. 1 Pet 3:18a
3. Nobody is like this on their own. Only God can do this in us and for us.

Called by Grace

There, but for the grace of God, go I.
None of us deserve grace.
1. By God's grace, we are called to salvation. Accounts of Paul's conversion: Acts 9, 22, 26. Paul was not trying to hide his past. Paul never forgot what Jesus did in his life, and wanted others to know what God had done. Rom 1:16, 1 Tim 1:12-15. In grace, God is the initiator, he pursues us. Acts 26:12-14. We should not be ashamed of the gospel, always be thankful, allow God to use us and our life as an example to others.
2. By God's grace, we are called to service. Acts 22:6-10. "What shall I do, Lord?" Eph 2:8-10. We are called to service by the same God as Paul. Faithfully live out the role God has given us.
3. By God's grace, we are called to suffer. Acts 9:15-16. We should not try to avoid suffering. Paul's life became harder when he became a Christian. Rom 5:1-5. We should be on guard that our suffering is for Christ, not for doing wrong. Be aware and pray for those who are being persecuted and suffering around the world today.

Optimistic Love

Eros love - physically charged love, conditional love
Agape love - unconditional, sacrificial, God's love for us
Our starting place: living in the overflow of God's love.  1 Cor 13:7
1. Optimistic Love: is action shown to another. 1 Jn 3:18, 1 Cor 13:1-3
2. Optimistic Love: covers the worst for another.
3. Optimistic Love: believes the best about another. Mistrust, cynicism, and suspicion are at odds with Godly love.
4. Optimistic Love: places confidence in the future of another.
5. Optimistic Love: endures in the face of difficulty with another.
Jn 13:35 "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

An Invitation Lk 9:23-26

I want to be intense in my walk with Jesus.
Lk 9:23-26
- It is an invitation to follow Him.  v23 "whoever" this invitation to follow Jesus is open to everyone. 
- It is an invitation to know Him. Jn 3:16. Passionately pursue Jesus.
- It is an invitation to deny yourself. v23
He calls us to spend our lives obeying Him, giving our all for Him.
- It is an invitation to suffer. v23 Take up your cross - die to ourselves. Come to the end of yourself, that's when we truly are open to being all in for Jesus. 1 Pet 4:14.
- The invitation is given daily. v23 Preach the gospel to yourself daily. Lk 9:57-62 We are great at having excuses for not following Jesus.