Share My Life and My Story

God calls each of us to share our lives and our story with one another.

Share my life...  

Mark 12:28 

• 613 laws in the old testament 
• which one is the greatest commandment? Jesus's answer: Due 6:4-5, Lev 19:18
•loving God  and our brothers/sisters is more important than any sacrifice!  
•am I loving my brother/sister the way God calls me to? Am I sharing my life with others? 

Romans 10:18

•our love for others needs to be continuous; always a remaining balance, always paying back! Romans 12:9-
.who am I looking out for others? Am I sacrificing in my love for others?

Romans 13:10

•When we love our brother/sister, we are demonstrating the love the commands of God  

Galatians 5:13-15

•we live in a world where we isolate our selfs; we don't way to be bothered with others! But God calls me to be out of myself and give to others :) 
•we are given freedom; but we can not indulge in our selfs. We are called to consume our selfs with others, showing our love for God in thus way.
    
James 2:8-13

•do i show favoritism? am I judgmental? Different backgrounds?

[] Share my story... 

John 1:38-42

.Jesus was able to share his story because he was sharing his life with others (Andrew &John went from calling Jesus teacher to calling him the Messiah! 

Acts 26:1-23

•Our testimony is what impact people's lives... Paul shared his past, his dark side (1 Tim)

Acts 22:1-2 

•Paul  shared his conversion; we too need to share the way God has blessed our lives. 
•sometimes people need to hear our story in order to help them feel inspired and feel like they too can be saved!

Do-It-Yourself

"Do-It-Yourself"

(consider the opposite of self-denial... Self 'lordship'?)

Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him in hand, protesting, "Impossible, Master! That can never be!" But Jesus didn't swerve. "Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works." Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? (Matthew 16:21-26 MSG)

This applies to us NOW as much as it applied to Peter THEN. 

Our response to life's situations must reflect our submission to Jesus. It's natural to want to protect our loved ones and the people we care about - and these important relational ties. However, we MUST submit to Jesus' plans on all levels regardless of what we may think - like he showed Peter (above).

"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary. (John 10:11 MSG)

He is only the 'Good Shepherd' for those sheep who are remaining in the flock (humorous moment).

Being faithful requires seeking faith.

The prophets who told us this was coming asked a lot of questions about this gift of life God was preparing. The Messiah's Spirit let them in on some of it-that the Messiah would experience suffering, followed by glory. They clamored to know who and when. All they were told was that they were serving you, you who by orders from heaven have now heard for yourselves-through the Holy Spirit-the Message of those prophecies fulfilled. Do you realize how fortunate you are? Angels would have given anything to be in on this! (1 Peter 1:10-12 MSG)

During that time, prophets and angels were all eager for this message - 'would have given anything.' We HAVE this opportunity!

1. Prepare your mind for action.

  If we are not planning for success and for action in ways we simply cannot PLAN for fruit.

2. Be self-controlled

  We make plans, but we don't consistently implement them. We stop short or even sabotage our plans.

3. Set our hopes on heaven - the grace of God.

  This is our necessary inspiration. Why else are we doing these things? When things become hard to do or see  this will keep our paths straight.

  ("whoever has money, never has enough") - proverb. The continued hunger for whatever motivates us.

Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy." (1 Peter 1:14-16 MSG)

4. Be holy as He is holy

  Allowing ourselves to made into holy vessels. We ARE NOT inherently holy. We seek this and pursue DAILY. Setting ourselves apart - critical Do-It-Yourself instructions.

You call out to God for help and he helps-he's a good Father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living. (1 Peter 1:17 MSG)

5. Live in fear of the Lord. 

  The literal translation presents itself as, "to turn UPSIDE-DOWN." a life of self-denial should seem very different than our former worldly self. 

*heart check* How do I view the opposite sex? Where do I draw my comforts and cravings? Consider these things...

6. Live in reverent fear

It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ's sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately-at the end of the ages-become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It's because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God. (1 Peter 1:18-21 MSG)

7. The blood of Jesus

  We have a blessing and opportunity with the blood of Jesus. We need this redeeming sacrifice.

8. Live through Him

  Jesus is with us and in us - remember this as we move through our day.

9. Check my motives.

  Am I regularly purifying myself - my motives need cleansing. We purify ourselves BY OBEYING.

  It's a shame to get so near the finish line, only to stumble over my own feet.

10. Crave pure spiritual milk

So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God's pure kindness. Then you'll grow up mature and whole in God. You've had a taste of God. (1 Peter 2:1-3 MSG)

Self-denial isn't a PHASE that we go through. It is a hallmark of our faith and a requisite to our discipleship. 

What areas of my life display my self-denial? 

What areas of my life DON'T display an appropriate level of self-denial? 

What help and DIY improvements will I seek?

*Remember that all of this brings us closer and more fully toward the joy and everlasting completeness of Christ.

Playing With A Snake

Playing With A Snake

Watch the video "Worlds Largest Dead Snake" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wEDiCHsZSg

Opening Question: What is the first thing you thought of when you saw the snake? Where you surprised when the snake struck? Why? Aren't snakes made to strike?

Read "The Boy and The Rattlesnake Story"

A little boy was walking down a path and he came across a rattlesnake. The rattlesnake was getting old. He asked, "Please little boy, can you take me to the top of the mountain? I hope to see the sunset one last time before I die." The little boy answered "No Mr. Rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you'll bite me and I'll die." The rattlesnake said, "No, I promise. I won't bite you. Just please take me up to the mountain." The little boy thought about it and finally picked up that rattlesnake and took it close to his chest and carried it up to the top of the mountain. 

They sat there and watched the sunset together. It was so beautiful. Then after the sunset the rattlesnake turned to the little boy and asked, "Can I go home now? I am tired, and I am old." The little boy picked up the rattlesnake and again took it to his chest and held it tightly and safely. He came all the way down the mountain holding the snake carefully and took it to his home to give him some food and a place to sleep. The next day the rattlesnake turned to the boy and asked, "Please little boy, will you take me back to my home now? It is time for me to leave this world, and I would like to be at my home now."

The little boy

carefully picked up the snake, took it close to his chest, and carried him back to the woods, to his home to die. Just before he laid the rattlesnake down, the rattlesnake turned and bit him in the chest. The little boy cried out and threw the snake upon the ground. "Mr. Snake, why did you do that? Now I will surely die!" The rattlesnake looked up at him and grinned, "because that's what rattlesnakes do and you knew what I was when you picked me up!" 

• If you play with a snake what is eventually going to happen? You get bit! Same with sin, yet too often we don't take our sinful nature that serious. We play with sin and temptation in this way by seeing how far we can go with out being caught or suffering a consequence.

The bible says that sin is serious! To God it's a matter of life or death!

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• Satan wants you to become comfortable with your sin. To think its really not that bad. That you can handle it. That it really does not lead to death.

• In what way does Satan use the world to deceive us into thinking that certain sins are not really that bad?

1. Sexual immorality.
2. Sex before marriage.
3. Lying and cheating (white lies...etc).
4. Abusing Alcohol.

• What sins are you playing with or maybe not taking that serious? If you viewed that sin the way God does as a matter of life and death would you still do it?

• What about allowing our selves to be put in compromising situations? In what ways can we put our selves in situations that will tempt us to sin?

1. Hanging with the wrong friends.
2. Unhealthy dating relationships.
3. What we watch on TV.
4. The music we listen to.

• What ways or things in your life do you need to change this week that are tempting or hindering you from obeying Gods word?

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way that seems right to a man, 
   but in the end it leads to death.

• How does this scripture relate to what we are talking about?

1. We can't trust our feelings.
2. We need to follow Gods way and not our own.
3. Our way will lead to destruction.
4. Gods way leads to life.

Galatians 6:7-8

 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

• How does this Scripture relate to what we are talking about?

1. Sinful nature leads to destruction.
2. We cannot play with sin and expect to not reap destruction.
3. God created his word to save us from ourselves (sinful nature).
4. If we sow to please God and not ourselves we will have eternal life!

Challenge: To stop playing with sin and to see it the way God sees it as a matter of life or death! What decisions are you going to make today to get more serious about the sin in your life?

"JESUS CAME TO STRAIGHTEN IT OUT. HOW 'BOUT YOU?"

"JESUS CAME TO STRAIGHTEN IT OUT. HOW 'BOUT YOU?"

PRETEXT:

Jesus came during an emotionally fraught religious time. Because of Israels sin and their neglect in obeying Gods word, God allowed them to be exiled by the Babylonians. Upon several hundreds of years later upon their return to Israel, the Jewish leaders of the day vowed to make sure that everyone in Israel obeyed the commands of God so that Gods wrath would not come upon them ever again. What started out as a noble conviction quickly turned into a legalistic society. For Example:

• God gave Moses 10 commandments and the Jewish leaders turned them into 613 laws.... 613! 

1. 33 related to work
2. 27 on what and how to eat
3. 23 on giving 
4. 101 on sacrifice

• Times then were intense and chaotic. The Jews had 'schools of thought,' as we do today.
  

• 9 basic sets of theology existed during that time - ultra conservative to highly liberal

1. Shumei was the ultra conservative 
2. Hillel was far more liberal

Paul was from Hillel - even though he was radical as a Jew and persecuted the Christians - he was on the liberal side of the spectrum. Hillel believed Gentiles could, at some point, be saved.

• There were 8 controversial topics during Jesus time by the Jewish leaders

1. What was greatest command
2. Divorce  
3. Washing of hands
4. Purpose of Sabbath
5. Who is my neighbor
6. Healing on the Sabbath
7. The afterlife
8. Salvation for the Gentiles

Jesus came to seek and save the lost! He also came to straighten things out! No surprise that he confronted the Jewish leaders daily and was not afraid to debate with them on these highly sensitive and controversial topics of that day. He spoke with authority and with major impact!

• Galilee was more Hillel. Jerusalem was Shumei.
  

1. In the scriptures we read that, 'the Jews from Jerusalem...' the conservatives did not play around. When Jesus went to Jerusalem the others assumed he could die - it was a BIG DEAL!

THE LESSON:

The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, "Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?" (John 8:3-5 MSG)

The question was a trap-

They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone." Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt. Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. "Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?" "No one, Master." "Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin." You're Missing God in All This (John 8:7-11 MSG)

The leaders were not attempting to be more righteous. They were trying to hurt Jesus and his teachings. They hoped to find an excuse to have the Romans execute Jesus.

Where did the law of Moses come from? From God - from Mt. Sinai

They come to question Jesus about the laws HE WROTE!! How could they possibly figure they would win?!!?

He actually had an obligation to see that she WAS stoned! However, according to the law, she needed to have witnesses and accusers and a host of other protocols - see Deuteronomy - but they were not able to produce this and, thus, she was able to keep her life. Don't forget - God hates son and sinful acts, but he is just and fair... Not a teddy bear.

We must make a difference and make Jesus known to them ... Like Jesus did.

Lots of garbage out there - repentance is not some fuzzy feeling - we don't want to offend folks - etc... 

Pray Jesus into your heart... Bogus claim. "they accepted Jesus" ... Where is that in the bible???? The practice of praying Jesus into your heart started in the 1800's... 2 thousand years later. 

I have gotten away from straightening things out... A meaningful and powerful discourse.

A 5 week series ... Using first principles. Be real and let people pick their own fate and path.

Preaching is what we were made to do. Invitations to church are nice... Not what we were meant to do. 



Make no mistake - God NEEDS AND WANTS us to preach

Jesus once again addressed them: "I am the world's Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in." The Pharisees objected, "All we have is your word on this. We need more than this to go on." Jesus replied, "You're right that you only have my word. But you can depend on it being true. I know where I've come from and where I go next. You don't know where I'm from or where I'm headed. You decide according to what you can see and touch. I don't make judgments like that. But even if I did, my judgment would be true because I wouldn't make it out of the narrowness of my experience but in the largeness of the One who sent me, the Father. (John 8:12-16MSG)

That fulfills the conditions set down in God's Law: that you can count on the testimony of two witnesses. And that is what you have: You have my word and you have the word of the Father who sent me." They said, "Where is this so-called Father of yours?" Jesus said, "You're looking right at me and you don't see me. How do you expect to see the Father? If you knew me, you would at the same time know the Father." He gave this speech in the Treasury while teaching in the Temple. No one arrested him because his time wasn't yet up. Then he went over the same ground again. "I'm leaving and you are going to look for me, but you're missing God in this and are headed for a dead end. There is no way you can come with me." The Jews said, "So, is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by 'You can't come with me'?" Jesus said, "You're tied down to the mundane; I'm in touch with what is beyond your horizons. You live in terms of what you see and touch. I'm living on other terms. I told you that you were missing God in all this. You're at a dead end. If you won't believe I am who I say I am, you're at the dead end of sins. You're missing God in your lives." (John 8:17-24 MSG)

They said to him, "Just who are you anyway?" I have so many things to say that concern you, judgments to make that affect you, but if you don't accept the trustworthiness of the One who commanded my words and acts, none of it matters. That is who you are questioning-not me but the One who sent me." They still didn't get it, didn't realize that he was referring to the Father. So Jesus tried again. "When you raise up the Son of Man, then you will know who I am-that I'm not making this up, but speaking only what the Father taught me. The One who sent me stays with me. He doesn't abandon me. He sees how much joy I take in pleasing him." When he put it in these terms, many people decided to believe. (John 8:25-30 MSG)

God forgives and God loves us 100% completely. However, the world needs us to saturate our neighborhoods with the word of God. It must be heard. We need to do this. It is not some extra, a sticky note, or something trivial... We need to do it all the time and with obvious passion.

Being Transformed

Bible Talk Lesson - Are You Being Transformed?

Opening Question: Name a memorable time/event (non-religious) in your past, and tell us how it has changed your life.

 

That time/event affected your life from then on, didn't it? It changed you. Let's look at Hebrews 1:3, which reads:

 

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

 

 

Question: Can anyone guess, at first glance, how this passage relates to being transformed? (Field a few answers, and then say:) Because the word translated as "exact representation" is the Greek word charakter. According to The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament:

 

"[Charakter] originally denoted an engraver or engraving tool. Later it meant the impression itself, ususally something engraven, cut in, or stamped, a character, letter, mark, [or] sign. This impression with its particular features was considered as the exact representation of the object whose image it bore."

 

                Jesus is referred to as the "express image" of God. He totally expressed the nature of God through his life. Let's look at II Corinthians 3:16-18, which reads:

 

"But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

 

Question: What do you see in this passage? (Field more answers. Looking for: "Veil taken away," "Transformed into His likeness," "Reflecting God's glory,"etc.)

 

Question: Are these changes on the outside only? NO! It can be so easy to look good and sound good on the outside. Let's look at II Corinthians 11:13-15:

 

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

 

 

But sometimes it can be so confusing; how can you know for sure? Here's an analogy that just might help:

 

Mr. O'Neal is the nicest teacher around. All of the students really like him, because he really cares about the students. So, you decide to take his Calculus class for the fall semester.

          The first day of class, Mr. O'Neal addresses the class:

 

"Welcome to Calculus 1301! I enjoy teaching and want to see each and every one of you succeed in my class. And I don't wish to see anyone fail.

This class will consist of lectures and the periodic pop quiz. However, your total grade will be based on your final exam; and to help you with that, I am handing out your final exams now."

 

And Mr. O'Neal proceeds to hand out the final examwith the answers. You go through the semester half-listening to the lectures, confident that you have plenty of time ("I can always look over the answers before I take the final," you think to yourself).

The night before your exam, a few of your friends ask you to come hang out. You rationalize to yourself: "I can go out with them for a few hours. I only need to look at the answers right before the exam." So, you go out with your friends.

The next morning arrives and…you've overslept! You rush to get dressed, dash out of the dorm and get to the lecture hall just in time to start your final.

Needless to say you fail your final. But you're angry. "Mr. O'Neal said he wanted everyone to succeed. He didn't want anyone to fail!"

Should you have failed?

 

John 12:47-48 says:

 

As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.

 

Have you come into contact with Jesus? Has your character changed? Do you look good on the outside but still need to make some changes on the inside? Are you not sure exactly where you stand? (Hold up the Bible) This is your final exam. All of the answers are right here. I ask that everyone get with the person that invited them and study the Bible to know for sure. Don't wait until it's time for the final exam and you've overslept.

 

True or False

Bible Talk Lesson - Pop Quiz and a Warning

Opening Question: Have you acted or made a decision thinking you had all the correct information, when in fact you didn't? How did you feel when you found you were missing information?

 

Ice Breaker:  Let's start today's Bible Talk with a little pop quiz:

1)            Do they have a 4^th of July in England? Yes, right after July 3^rd

2)            How many birth days does the average man have? 1. When he's born

3)            Some months have 31 days, how many have 28? All of them

4)            In baseball, how many outs are there in an inning? 6. Three for each team

5)            In Texas, can a man legally marry his widow's sister? No, if she's his widow, he's dead

6)            Divide 30 by ½ and add 10. What is the answer? 70. If you divide 30 by ½, you get 60.

7)            If there are 3 apples and you take away 2, how many do you have? 2. You took away 2

8)            Your doctor gives you three pills and tells you to take one every half hour. How many minutes will the pills last? 60. Example: You take one pill at 6:00, one pill at 6:30 and the last at 7:30.

9)            A farmer has 9 sheep standing in a field and all but 8 drop down and die. How many are left standing? 8. All but 8 drop

10)        A clerk in the butcher shop is 5'10" tall. What does he weigh? Meat

11)     How many two-cent stamps are in a dozen? Twelve

 

How did you do? Here's a second chance to redeem yourself:

 

1)            What fruit did Adam and Eve eat in the Garden of Eden? The Bible does not say.

2)            How many of each animal was Noah to bring into the ark? Seven of each unclean, two of each clean. (Gen. 7:2)

3)            How many spies did Joshua send into the land of Canaan before entering? Two(Jos. 2:1)

4)            How many times did the Israelites march around Jericho? Thirteen (Jos. 6:3-4)

5)            Who were the five women mentioned in Jesus' genealogy?  Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary(Matt. 1:1-16)

6)            True or False – Money is the root of all kinds of evil. False. The LOVE of money(I Tim. 6:10)

7)            What Biblical incident does this symbol (see below) represent? Israelites attacked by snakes in the desert (Jn. 3:14, Nm. 21:8-9)

8)            True or False – The woman who poured perfume on Jesus' feet was related to Lazarus. True, his sister.(Jn. 11:2)

 

So, how did you do this time?  Most of these questions we probably heard growing up and just assumed we knew them. In fact, if we came across these passages in the Bible, we may have even just skimmed over them. But for most of us, this quiz is a reminder that we can't rely on the things we've heard from TV, our parents, our pastors or anyone else. Let's look at II Timothy 2:15, which says:

 

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

 

The Greek word that is translated "do your best" is spoudazo which means to do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavor, labor, study.  I like the King James Version of this passage, which says:

 

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

            I prefer the KJV's use of spoudazo. The NIV's version of this passage seems to me a little vague; whereas, the KJV's version is written a bit more practically. If I want to present myself to God as one approved, how should I go about it? Study the Word.

            Before we end, let's look at Hebrews 2:1-3, which says:

 

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

 

As we end tonight, I would like to invite you all to get with the person who invited and take the time to study the Bible.

Who Do You Love

Bible Talk Lesson - Who do you Love?

Opening Question:  Have you ever done something… anything just to be part of a group? (Allow group to share)

 

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world – the cravings of the sinful man, the lust of the eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

I John 2:15-17

 

Question: What does John mean by "world"? (Allow group to share)

1.      The inhabited earth, human beings (John 3:16)

2.      Age or time period with a beginning or an end (Matthew 13:22)

 

Question: What does John mean by "Love"? (Allow group to share)

He is referring to a fondness and affection for an object because of it value, an appetite, a desire, something that you take pleasure in, something that you set your heart upon; what you are emotionally, physically, spiritually invested in; where you get your comfort, hope, and security. We're not talking about things in and of themselves but our attitude toward things. What is the ruling principle, in other words, of your life? What drives you from the deepest part of your heart? Those of you who are familiar with the Lord of the Rings movies remember that dangerous little word when anyone was tempted by the ring? Precious. What do you find precious? What drives us in what direction?

 

To love the world is to seek our life and IDENTITY in the world – to still believe that there's something out there that is going to give us our meaning, purpose, identity and life.

 

Obviously, John isn't speaking of enjoying the earth and the beauty of God's creation. He isn't speaking against music and art that can be enjoyed and reflected upon. In verse 16, he clarifies what he is warning us about: "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life."

 

Question: Why do we lust? (Allow group to share)

A lustful person is usually not convinced that what God is giving is truly enough.

 

The lust of the flesh. What are your appetites? How are you directing them? It's the one small taste that leads to being controlled by this lust, that leads to an idol, making an idol out of it, that leads to even ordinary pleasures being destroyed, that leads to an willingness to betray even my closest friends and family for this idol, whatever it happens to be. And we can go on and on about "misdirected appetites" or "appetites gone wrong" – drugs, alcohol, sex, money, power – you can fill in the blanks yourself. Appetites gone wrong – John is saying you can't live like that and be a Christian. You can't live like that and claim to love the Father. Some people are being controlled by desires, by appetites, by what they see as precious and these things will eventually destroy them. Here's something to think about: What does what you have an appetite for reveal about who you are and what you love?

 

The lust of the eyes. The lust of the eyes, what a persons sees – lusts that are triggered by sight, triggered by what a person sees, the seductive lure of things. We are taken in by what C.S. Lewis called "the sweet poison of the false infinite." It looks so good but it'll kill you. It looks eternal; it looks as though it will last…It will end; it will pass away. Leading to the "needing-things-I-don't-need" syndrome.

            And the saddest manifestation of this lust is our response to the material wellbeing of our closest friends and relatives. What's our first response? "Why them? Why not me?" Typically, often, that is our first response. We can go on and on. Ultimate examples of this we see in the media. Surfing through TV channels and not stopping when we should. Pornography, those lusts, those characteristics of the world that are triggered by sight that are always, always fundamentally deceptive and they can never produce what they offer. And yet we see everywhere people abusing, finding security in them. Again, let me ask you: What does what you look at and how you look at it reveal about who you are and what you love?

 

The pride of life. The pride of life – outward show, outward display as my security. I take my security in my name – what I own, my power, my gifts, my talents and how I look to others. It's a desire to be well thought of by others. Again, this means that some caught up in the Pride of Life are not trusting that they are already empowered and "famous" with God, so they seek these things elsewhere. What does what you find security in reveal about who you are and what you love?

 

So, before we leave tonight, I just want to ask you a few more questions:

What is really important? What do you have an appetite for? What do you desire? What do you look at? How do you look at it? Where do you find your security? Do you love things that are hurting you? Do you have an appetite for things that are destroying you? Do you love the world? "This world is passing away. The one who does the will of God abides forever." If you don't realize that now and learn to get your security from above…you may be literally "Dying to fit in."

 

If you want to learn how to have a secure relationship with God, I invite you to get with the person who invited you tonight and ask them to study the Bible with you.