WALKING IN WISDOM: God's Guidance For Daily Living // Sunday, May 18, 2025 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor

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Sunday, May 18, 2025

 

Walking in Wisdom

God’s Guidance for Daily Living

 

Tests and Temptations

The Bible talks about two types of testing:  peirasmos

1.              Trials (From God) –

To cause us to grow.

 

Healthy People Grow

Growing People Change

Changed People, Change People

 

Convoy of Hope

$33,200.00

 

2.              Temptations (From Satan) –

To cause us to sin.

James 1: 12 – 15 (NLT)

    God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.  13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong,  and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

 

The process of overcoming temptations:

1.              Be realistic.  

When you are being tempted… (V13)

1 Corinthians 10: 13 (NLT)  

   The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

                                                                  

 Temptation proves you are human.

Hebrews 4: 15 (ESV)

   For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  

 

2. Be responsible.

James 1: 13 (NLT)

   ...remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.                                      

3. Be ready.

James 1: 14 (NLT) 

   Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

                                                

A.              How do I prepare for temptation?

Know your enemy!

 

2 Corinthians 2: 11 (NLT)

   So that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.                                     

 

B.  How temptation works:

1)              Desires. 

   Temptation comes from our own desires… (V14)

2)              Deception.  

...which entice us and drag us away.     (V14)

a.              Drag us away — 

Snared in a trap.

b.              Drag us away —

Lured by bait.

3)              Disobedience. 

   These desires give birth to sinful actions.

 

           a.  Attention.

           b.  Attitude.

           c.  Action.

 

   4)  Death. 

   ...when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.       (V15)

3.              Be refocused. 

 

James 1: 16 & 17 (NLT)

So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

 

Philippians 4: 8 & 9 (NLT)

   And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

 

4.              Be Reborn. 

James 1: 18 (NLT)

   He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.      

 

1 Kings 18: 21 (NASB)

    Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.”

 

Matthew 6: 24 (NASB)

    No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

 

  

 

 

 

WALKING IN WISDOM pt 2 // Sunday, May 4, 2025 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor

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Sunday, May 4, 2025

 

Walking in Wisdom

God’s Guidance for Daily Living

 

Practical Application of Biblical Truth

 

How do you live a Christian life in this post-Christian culture?

 

Healthy People Grow

Growing People Change

Changed People, Change People

 

Make Up Your Mind

 

The quality of your life will be determined by the decisions you make.

 

James 1: 5 – 8 (ESV)

    If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

 

God’s process for making decisions:

The Problem

The Process

The Promise

 

1.              The problem is indecision.

Being indecisive causes us to be unstable in our…

a.              Emotions

b.              Relationships

c.              Spiritual Life

 

2.              The prescription is to get wisdom

 

Steps for acquiring wisdom from God:

a.              Admit you need wisdom.

   …if any of you lack wisdom…

 

Proverbs 11: 2 (NLT)

   Pride leads to disgrace, But with humility comes wisdom.

 

b.              Ask God for wisdom.

…he should ask God…

 

Proverbs 2: 6 (NLT)

   For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

 

c.              Anticipate God to answer you.

   But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt…

 

Hebrews 11: 6 (ESV)

   …without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

 

3.              The promise is that God will give you wisdom.

 

James 1: 5 (ESV)

   If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach,

 

 

How does God impart wisdom?

 

a.              Continually

b.              Generously

c.              Gladly

 

Two truths to remember:

 

1.              God will not make decisions for us.

2.              God’s wisdom is found in God’s Word.

 

Psalm 119: 105 (ESV)

   Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

 

Fact:

You will live by chance or by choice.

How can you get Godly wisdom if you don’t have a relationship with God?

 

WALKING IN WISDOM // Sunday, April 27, 2025 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor

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Sunday, April 27, 2025

 

Walking in Wisdom

God’s Guidance for Daily Living

 

Practical Application of Biblical Truth

 

How do you live a Christian life in this post-Christian culture?

 

Healthy People Grow

Growing People Change

Changed People, Change People

 

Philippians 3: 8 (NLT)

   Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.

 

Philippians 1: 9 – 11 (NLT)

   I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.  11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

 

Philippians 3: 12 – 14 (NLT)

    I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

 

God wants each of us to grow and mature.

 

Hebrews 6: 1 & 2 (NLT)

   So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. 2 You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

 

Maturity is not…

 

  • Age

  • Appearance

  • Achievement

  • Academics

 

Godly maturity is determined by attitude & character,

 

1 Samuael 16: 7 (NLT)

   …The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

 

James 1: 1 (NLT)

   This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings!

 

James 1: 2 - 4 (NLT)

   Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

 

What is your attitude toward life’s challenges?

 

How do you handle problems?

 

A healthy perspective to problems

 

1.              Problems are inevitable.

 

…WHEN troubles…

 

John 16: 33 (NLT)

   …Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

 

 

1 Peter 4: 12 (NLT)

   Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through,

   as if something strange were happening to you.

 

2.              Problems are unpredictable

 

…when troubles…come your way…

 

Peripipto – To fall into unexpectedly

 

3.              Problems are diverse

 

…troubles of any kind…

 

4.              Problems have a purpose

 

   …your endurance has a chance to grow…

 

Signs of God’s empowerment:

 

·       Patience:  Applies to people.

 

·       Endurance:  Applies to problems.

 

5.              Problems purify my faith.

 

Job 23: 10 (NLT)

   But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.

 

6.              Problems refine my character.

 

…you will be perfect and complete…

 

God’s goal is that we would reflect Him in this world.

 

Ephesians 4: 24 (ESV)

   … put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

 

 

How should I face problems?

 

1.              Perspective

 

   …consider it an opportunity for great joy. 

 

2.              Petition

 

James 1: 5 (NLT)

   If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

 

3.              Peace

 

James 1: 6 – 8 (NLT)

    But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

 

Do you know God?

 

TEXT   MORE

HE'S COMING AGAIN // EASTER SUNDAY, April 20, 2025 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor

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Sunday, April 20, 2025 

He’s Coming Again

 

The historical Jesus is an irrefutable fact.

Albert Schweitzer 

It must be admitted that there are few characters of antiquity about whom we possess so much indubitably historical information, of whom we have so many authentic discourses. 

Jesus did in fact die of Crucifixion

Jesus rose from the dead

 

Titus 2: 11 – 14 (NLT)

   For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

 

2 Timothy 4: 1 – 8 (NLT)

   I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom:   2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. 3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths. 5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. 6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

 

He’s Coming Again

2 Attitudes about Christ’s return 

1.              Ignore it.

2.              Eagerly anticipate it.

 

Philippians 3: 8 (NLT)

   Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.

 

Compartmentalize 

Pre-Jesus   -   Jesus   -   Heaven

          Past    -     Present   -   Future

Our Past is redeemed in Christ

Augustine 

Let us not resist His first coming

so that we may not dread His second coming.

 

1 Corinthians 5: 17 (NLT)

   …anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

 

Psalm 103: 12 (NLT)

   He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

 

Colossians 1: 3 – 5 (NLT)

   We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, 5 which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.

 

Tom Clark…

Present – Sanctification

 

Philippians 1: 9 – 11 (NLT)

   I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

 

Philippians 3: 12 – 14 (NLT)

    I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

 

Future 

The return of Christ is the culminating event of history

 

Ephesians 1: 3 (NLT)

   All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

 

Ephesians 2: 6 (NLT)

    For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.

 

Revelation 22: 12 (NLT)

   “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” 17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.

 

Text Pray

 

FAITH, HOPE, & LOVE // Sunday, April 13, 2025 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor

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Sunday, April 13, 2025

 

Faith, Hope and Love

 

The Great Commandment

(Love God & Love People)

 

Mark 12: 29 – 31 (NLT)

   “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

 

The Great Commission

 

Matthew 28: 18 – 20 (NLT)

    Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

 

1.              Bill & Melissa Chappel

 

The process of Faith, Hope & Love

The process begins with HOPE.

Hope leads to FAITH.

Faith leads to LOVE.

 

The Three Circles

 

John 20: 17

   …go to my brothers and tell them…

 

John 20: 21

   As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.

 

ROMANS ROAD GRAPHIC

 

(YELLOW)

Sin

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.                Romans 3: 23 (NASB)

 

(BLACK)

Death

For wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.                  Romans 6: 23 (NASB)

 

(RED)

Love

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners,  Christ died for us.         Romans 5: 8 (NASB)

 

(GREEN)

Life

   ...if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses resulting in salvation.                Romans 10: 9 &10 (NASB)

Romans 10: 13 – 15 (NLT)

   “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!

 

OUTREACH SUNDAYS: 

May 18th                          June 22nd

July 20th                August 17th

September 14th     October 19th

 

The Bridge Illustration

FAITH, HOPE, & LOVE // Sunday, April 6, 2025 // Jeff Hines, leader pastor

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Sunday, April 6, 2025

 

Faith, Hope and Love

 

The Great Commandment

(Love God & Love People)

 

Mark 12: 29 – 31 (NLT)

   “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

 

The Great Commission

 

Matthew 28: 18 – 20 (NLT)

    Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

 

The process of Faith, Hope & Love

 

Colossians 1: 3 - 5 (NLT)

    We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, 5 which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.

 

The process begins with HOPE.

1.              Gas Guage 

2.              Hunger 

3.              Restroom

Hope leads to FAITH.

4.              Billboard

Faith leads to LOVE.

5.              Truck Stop

The power of the Gospel

 

Colossians 1: 5 - 8 (NIV)

   …the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world — just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.  

 

·       The gospel is True.

·       The gospel is Universal.

·       The gospel is Spreading / Growing.

·       The gospel is Personal…

               It’s delivered by people!

What is the Gospel?

1.              Who made us?

To whom are we accountable?

We are accountable to God.

2.              What is our problem?

Our problem is OUR sin against Him.

3.              What is God’s solution to our problem?

Salvation through Jesus Christ.

4.              How can I be included in His solution?

We come to be included in that salvation by faith and repentance.

 

The Three Circles 

The Three Circles in Action

 

Step Out Of Your Tent pt 2 // Sunday, March 30, 2025 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor

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Sunday, March 30, 2025

 

Step Out of Your Tent II

 

Genesis 15: 5 (NLT)

   Then the LORD took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”

 

Take an honest self-assessment

 

Discerning God’s Will

 

1.              God’s will is not a feeling.

       

2.              God’s will is not a formula.

 

3.              God’s will is a friendship.

 

God’s will is a long-term process to

make us like Jesus… 

 

The right attitude is FAITH!

 

God’s will is challenging

 

2 Corinthians 11: 23 - 29 (NIV)

    …I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,  26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

 

We are concerned about our needs.

 

Matthew 6: 33 (NASB)

   …seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.

 

God’s will is for us to mature.

 

Healthy People Grow

Growing People Change

Changed People, Change People

 

Colossians 1: 9 (NIV)

   For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.  We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.

 

Knowledge:  epignōsis - 

Spiritual Intelligence

 

Wisdom:  Sophia –

God’s insight into human life

 

Understanding:  synesis -

The practical application of that wisdom

 

God’s will is that we would live a life worthy and pleasing to Him.

 

Colossians 1: 10 (NIV)

      So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: 

   bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

 

 Bearing Fruit

 

Growing in knowledge of God.

                

Ephesians 2: 20 (KJV)

   Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

 

Colossians 1: 11 (NIV)

Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience. 

 

Being strengthened with God’s power.

 

 

Signs of God’s empowerment:

 

·       Patience:  Applies to people.

 

·       Endurance:  Applies to problems.

 

Colossians 1: 12 (NIV)

 …giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 

 

STEP OUT OF YOUR TENT // Sunday, March 23, 2025 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor

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Sunday, March 23, 2025

 

Healthy People Grow

Growing People Change

Changed People, Change People

 

Step Out of Your Tent

 

Genesis 15: 5 (NLT)

   Then the LORD took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”

 

Take an honest self-assessment

 

Ephesians 1: 1 (NASB)

   Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…

 

Romans 12: 3 (NLT)

   Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

 

1 Timothy 1: 15 (NLT)

   This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners ”— and I am the worst of them all.

                                                              

Philippians 3: 17 (NLT)

   Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

 

Ephesians 5: 15 – 17 (NLT)

   …Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

 

Discerning God’s Will

 

1.              God’s will is not a feeling.

         (The mystical approach)

 

Jeremiah 17: 9 (ESV)

   The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

 

 

2.              God’s will is not a formula.

(The mechanical approach)

 

a.              Formulas often contradict one a another.

 

b.              Formulas must be followed to perfection.

 

3.              God’s will is a friendship.

 

1 Corinthians 1: 9 (ESV)

   God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Our perspective can hinder God’s will

 

1.              Don’t be fatalistic about God’s will.

 

Healthy People Grow…

 

John 7: 17 (NLT)

    Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.

 

2.              Don’t be fearful of God’s will.

 

Ephesians 2: 10 (ESV)

   …we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

 

3.              Don’t be frustrated with God’s will.

 

God’s will is a long-term process.

 

The purpose of the process is to makes us like Jesus.

 

Colossians 1: 28 (ESV)

   Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,

   that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

 

 

 

                                                                       

FAITH // Sunday, March 16, 2025 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor

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Sunday, March 16, 2025

 

Healthy People Grow

Growing People Change

Changed People, Change People

 

FAITH

 

John 3: 16 (KJV)

   For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

Matthew 7: 21 (ESV)

   Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,

   but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

 

James 2: 14 (NLT)

   What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?

 

F:  Follow Christ’s example.

 

John 13: 17 (NLT)

   Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

 

John 8: 12 (NLT)

   Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

 

Matthew 7: 24 (NLT)

   Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

 

A:  Accept God’s grace.

 

Romans 3: 22 (NLT)

   We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.

   And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

 

Romans 5: 17 (NIV)

   For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

 

Mark 10: 15 (NLT)

   I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.

 

I: Invest my life in Him.

 

Romans 6: 13 (NLT)

   Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin.  Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.

 

2 Timothy 2: 15 (NLT)

    Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

 

T:  Trust in God’s wisdom and strength.

 

Colossians 2: 6 (ESV)

   Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.

 

Philippians 4: 13 (NLT)

   For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

 

H:  Hold on to God’s promises.

 

Hebrews 6: 18 (NLT)

   … it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

 

Romans 8: 38 & 39 (NLT)

   I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,  neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.   39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below — indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

THE WORD BECAME FLESH pt 4 // Sunday, March 9, 2025 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor

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Sunday, March 9, 2025 

Healthy People Grow

Growing People Change

Changed People, Change People

  

The Word Became Flesh

 

John 1: 1 – 18 (ESV)

   In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,

   and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.  12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.  15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”)   16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

 

Incarnate –

 

Jesus was BOTH human and divine!

 

Kenosis –

 

Divinity put on Humanity – Body

Gnosticism

 

Physical is Evil             Divine is Good

Nag Hammadi codices

Divinity put on Humanity – Mind

Apollinarianism

 

Apollinaris of Laodicea

 

Jesus had a human Body and a sensitive human soul, but a Divine Mind and not a human rational Mind

 

Hebrews 4: 15 (ESV)

… we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

 

Humanity                      Divinity

  Tested                        Without Sin

Tempted

 

Divinity put on Humanity – Will

 

Matthew 26: 39 (ESV)

   …going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

 

St. Gregory in his letter to Cledonius

 

That which is not taken up (or assumed) is not healed.

 

That which is united to God, that will be saved.

 

If half of Adam fell, also half will be taken up and saved. But if all [of Adam], all of his nature will be united [to God], and all of it will be saved.

 

Why does Christology matter?

 

Romans 7: 15 – 17 (NLT)

    I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

 

Romans 8: 1 - 4 (ESV)

   There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.