Even When...

…we face trials and painful days, God is there. Do you ever feel in the dark? Do you struggle to understand why and how certain things in life happen? I’m with you. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been preaching through Romans 8. Many theologians call Romans 8 the greatest chapter in the Bible. Others have said it is the “Mount Everest” of the Bible. It captures the power of the gospel within this broken world and that God is working His purposes for the good of His children.

Even when life seems difficult, God is working to show His grace and and power!
Even when we can’t see the road ahead, God is honing our character.
Even when we face the diagnosis, God is with us.
Even when we have more questions than answers, God gives us wisdom.
Even when we don’t know what to pray, God’s Spirit intercedes for us!

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

God took the worst thing that has ever happened, the death of His own perfect Son, to make a way for us to be saved. God is always at work for our good in the storms of life. My encouragement to you today is that you will trust His heart knowing He is a perfect Father that is working all things for good.

Enduring Temptation

This past Sunday, I preached a message from the book of James on how to endure temptation.

Here’s the big idea: To overcome temptation, we need to remember God’s promises, recognize the pattern of sin and live by God’s Word.

“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 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.”

— 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

• Temptations are desirable opportunities sent by Satan to bring out our worst.
• The real issue with temptation is TRUST. At the root of every temptation is the question: Can God be trusted?

HOW DO WE ENDURE TEMPTATION?

1. Take RESPONSIBILITY

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. ”

— James 1:13

“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” ”

— Genesis 3:8-13

2. Avoid the DECEPTION

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. ”

— Psalm 119:11

The four stages of temptation:

• Desire

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire... James 1:14

• Deception

…when he is lured and enticed. James 1:14

• Disobedience

Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin.... James 1:15

• Death

…And sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. James 1:15

3. HUMBLY DRAW near to God

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

— James 1:16-18

“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. ”

— Hebrews 4:15

“If you love me, you will obey what I command. ”

— John 14:15

Takeaway: Who can you run to in your life for accountability?

Beyond Sunday | 1.6.19

Happy New Year!

On Sunday, we talked about the power of defining moments in our lives. We have all experienced those moments that mark and shape us. I remember my wedding day when Cassidy and I exchanged vows and she said “yes!” to marrying me! She has encouraged me more than I can even explain. She is an amazing wife, mother, friend and leader for Christ. I remember the moment when I asked Jesus into my life. That moment forever changed me! I remember when we began the process of starting the North Campus in 2016. As I look back, God has been incredibly faithful!

Since Chets Creek North launched on January 29, 2017:

- 77 people baptized
- 270-300 people attend on average during the Fall/Winter
- Started 7 Adult Life Groups/Bible Studies
- We exceeded our budget in 2018 because of people’s generosity!
- 70+ people volunteer on serve teams weekly

All glory to God for how He is working! And now as we turn the page to 2019, I believe the best is yet to come!

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

— Ephesians 3:20

In Isaiah 6, we see a defining moment in the life of Isaiah.

HOW TO EXPERIENCE TRANSFORMATION IN 2019:

1. God does not waste our pain

It was in the year King Uzziah died… Isaiah 6:1

The year that King Uzziah died was a defining moment. As Uzziah’s reign came to an end, many wondered what the future would hold. They were experiencing a time of peace and prosperity.  Like Isaiah felt after Uzziah died, your situation might seem difficult and painful. Every struggle we face in this life, know that Jesus hasn’t left His throne. God will not waste your pain or struggle!

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. ”

— Romans 8:28

“God does not waste an ounce of our pain or a drop of our tears; suffering doesn’t come our way for no reason, and He seems efficient at using what we endure to mold character. If we are malleable, He takes our bumps and bruises and shapes them into something beautiful.”

— Frank Peretti

2. See God for who He is

Isaiah is dealing with the loss of His friend and now he is ushered into a vision of seeing God in the throne room of Heaven:

“…that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. 2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” 4 Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.”

— Isaiah 6:1-4

God is holy. He is beyond the beyond. He’s above the above! We can’t compartmentalize or control Him. Isaiah was faced with the power and perfection of God. He saw Himself in comparison and it led him to change..

3. See your need and receive transformation

Notice how Isaiah responds the vision of God seated on His heavenly throne:

Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” Isaiah 6:5-7

Real change can only happen when we stop comparing ourselves to others and instead look to Jesus!

4. Be fully available

“Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, Here I am. Send me.”

— Isaiah 6:8

It was only after forgiveness that Isaiah was ready to hear the voice of God and respond. Isaiah didn’t hear a job description with detailed plans, He just said, “I volunteer, I’ll go!”

This is God’s calling for us…

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 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.”

— Matthew 28:19-20

 Never underestimate what Jesus can do with willing people! God is doing something in you so that He can do something through you.

How available are you? Are you fully available to God?