Aug 4: Sermon: pastor Mike
1 Corinthians 12:20-22 : As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
- Belong: We are one body in God and God open his arm to all of us.
- Bond: People are dependent, we are dependent people. (Olympic athletes example: they are most independent people but they depend on each other)
- Burden: Life is hard. We need each other. We need God and God is in control. Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Aug 11: Sermon: Jim H. biblical therapist , God words are challenging and encouraging
World is not where it should be; I am not where I want to be. God is the solution
Hebrews 12:1-13: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,”[b] so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
Pain, purpose, peace of sanctification
Win the race with perseverance: it makes difference. (Fisher 10k race example)
- Pain: Pruning John 15:2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. Gold refined by fire 1 Peter 1:6-7
- Discipline: Father discipline son. some are ready but the tricky one is God’s way vs my way. What is my pride to prune?
- Fix eyes on Jesus: look away from your pain, your past etc.
- Jesus vs Christian from asking street people: answers about Jesus: Great (love and all the spiritual fruits); about Christian: “Hypocritical, Judgmental, Intolerant, Self-righteous, Dogmatic, Fanatical, Exclusive, Bigoted, Outdated, Close-minded” (added more ) We want to be like Jesus.
- Hope: God won the victory and God reigns