Trail Post 7: Be a Generous Giver (from the Trailhead Series)

We are now at our last stop in our Trailhead Series.  Our pastor has led us through 7 stops along the guided journey of the Christ follower.  Trail post 1 (Baptism), trail post 2 (the Word of God), trail post 3 (Prayer), trail post 4 (Making Disciples), trail post 5 (Love Others), trail post 6 (The Lord's Supper), and now trail post 7 (Be a Generous Giver).

The following post is based on my pastor's sermon titled Trail Post 7:  Be a Generous Giver.  You are invited to watch the entire sermon here.

Trailhead - Giving Generously - April 28, 2019 (Message) from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

 Be a Generous Giver

It is abnormal to be a Christ follower and not be a giver. 

All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. - Acts 2:44-47

The first church was making disciples.

Of all the trail post stops we've made through this series, if you are a Christ follower, you will be doing these things.

1.  You will put Jesus first.
2.  You will be banded together as Christ followers.
3.  You will want to lead others to Jesus.
4.  You will want to change the world's view to one that follows Jesus.

Image Credit:  Felix Russell Saw - Public Domain Image via Freely Photos

Let's look at number 1.  If you are a Christ follower, you will put Jesus first.  We cannot say that Christ is first in our lives unless we are completely surrendered to Him.  We cannot control our future, our health, our families, or our families.  We must give it all to the Lord.  

All we have has been given to us.  We are not self made.  Not really.  Yes, we work hard for what we have, but all we have are blessings from God; therefore we should give generously. 

I'm not saying we should be subject to a socialist environment.  I'm say we should live with the spirit of a generous giver.  The people in the book of Acts mentioned above were not forced to give of what they had.  They gave because they wanted to give.  They were filled with the Holy Spirit and they were acting on the Holy Spirit's leadership.

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.  All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. - Acts 4:31-32

 The people in Acts were unified with one heart and one soul.

Giving Principles

1.  Christ followers understand rightful ownership.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 We are not our own.  We belong to God.

2.  Christ followers are joyfully generous.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  - 2 Corinthians 9:7

3.  Christ followers band together in their giving.  

4.  Christ's church must have proper distribution.

5.  Christ followers receive great blessings when they give.  

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase. - Acts 9:31

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” - Luke 6:38

 You'll find all posts in the Trailhead series here.

Trail Post 6: Remember Me - The Lord's Supper (from the Trailhead Bible Study Series)

As we approach Easter, we start planning to observe the Lord's Supper.  The Lord's Supper is also known as Communion.  The day before Jesus was crucified, Jesus shared a meal with his disciples.  He told them to continue to observe that supper in remembrance of Him.  This is why we observe the Lord's Supper still today.  You can learn more about the Lord's Supper here.

Image Credit:  Jon Tyson - Public Domain Image via Freely Photos

The following are my notes based on my pastor's sermon during our Communion service.  You are invited to worship with us.  Please watch the entire sermon in the video below.

Trailhead - Remember Me - April 14, 2019 (Message) from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

 Remember Me - The Lord's Supper

Our scripture text for today is 1 Corinthians 11:17-26.

In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good.  In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it.  No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat,  for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in?  Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing?  What shall I say to you?  Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!
 
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.  1 Corinthians 11:17-26

The Lord's Supper is about Jesus.  If you love Jesus, you'll want to remember what He did for you.  The Lord's Supper originated in what we call the Upper Room where Jesus gathered with His disciples the day before His crucifixion.  The Lord's Supper is intended for Christ-followers to do together, not alone.

The Lord's Supper is about:

1.  the unity in Jesus' body.

We don't come to the table of the Lord's Supper with divided hearts.

2.  the sacrifice of Jesus' body.

The assurance of forgiveness of our sins is sealed by the blood of Jesus.

During the Passover, it didn't matter how many or how few sins the oldest child had committed.  It had everything to do with the blood on the doorpost.

3.  the return of Jesus' body.

He is coming back!

Don't make the Lord's Supper a ritual.

Don't come to the table resentful.

Don't come to the table deceitful.

Do come to the table worshipful.

You'll find all posts in the Trailhead series here. 

Trail Post 5: Loving Others (from the Trailhead Series)

We are stopping here at trail post 5, Loving Others.  This post is based on my pastor's sermon.  It is part of his Trailhead Series.

You are invited to watch the entire sermon here.

Trailhead - Love Others - April 7, 2019 (Message) from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

If you're just joining us, we are in the middle of a Bible study series titled Trailhead.  Our stop at Trail post 1 was about baptism.  Trail post 2 was about God's Word.  Trail post 3 was about prayer.  Trail post 4 was about disciple making.  Trail post 5 is about loving others.

Trailhead is a guided journey for Christ followers.

Image Credit:  Nina Strehl - Public Domain Image via Freely Photos

Loving Others

This week's Bible study text is 1 Corinthians 13.  I grew up calling 1 Corinthians 13 the "love chapter," but I love how BibleGateway titles it "The Excellence of Love."

Other well known Bible verses about love are:

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” - John 13:34-35

Let all that you do be done in love. - 1 Corinthians 16:14 

Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. - 1 John 3:18

 Love is not just a word or a feeling.  Love DOES.  Love ACTS.  Love WORKS.

The church is a great place to learn to love others.  We can do a lot of good things, especially in church but if we don't do it with love, all we are doing is making a lot of noise.  

Love is in the little things.

1.  Love is patient.  Love patiently puts up with "stuff," even from those who slander and hurt us.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves. - Philippians 2:3

Love puts others first.

2.  Love is kind.  Love doesn't feel generous.  Love IS generous.  Simply practice good will all the time.

Kindness is a language deaf men can hear and blind men can see.  - Mark Twain

3.  Love does not parade around.  It does not seek attention in a boastful way.  When we are building ourselves up, we are not exalting Jesus.  

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4.  Love is not rude.  Love has good manners.  Let's be sure to model good manners for our kids.  

5.  Love is not provoked.  If we look for negativity, we'll find it, but if we look for positive things, we will find those too.

6.  Love rejoices in the truth.  

Let's personalize part of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.  

(Your name) is patient.  (Your name) is kind.  (Your name) is not jealous.  (Your name) does not brag.  (Your name) is not arrogant.  (Your name) does not act unbecomingly.  (Your name) does not seek after his/her own self.  (Your name) is not provoked to anger.  (Your name) does not hold a grudge against those who have wronged him/her.  (Your name) does not rejoice in unrighteousness.  (Your name) rejoices in the truth.  (Your name) bears all things.  (Your name) believes all things.  (Your name) hopes all things.  (Your name) endures all things.  

Now, let's put Jesus' name into the verse.

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(Jesus) is patient.  (Jesus) is kind.  (Jesus) is not jealous.  (Jesus) does not brag.  (Jesus) is not arrogant.  (Jesus) does not act unbecomingly.  (Jesus) does not seek after his own self.  (Jesus) is not provoked to anger.  (Jesus) does not hold a grudge against those who have wronged him.  (Jesus) does not rejoice in unrighteousness.  (Jesus) rejoices in the truth.  (Jesus) bears all things.  (Jesus) believes all things.  (Jesus) hopes all things.  (Jesus) endures all things.  

Do you want to become more like Jesus?  Have you received God's love in your life?  Learn how to receive Jesus into your life here.

You'll find all posts in the Trailhead series here.

  PIN ME!

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Trail Post 4: Making Disciples (from the Trailhead Series)

If you've been following the Trailhead series, you've already made three stops along the path.  Trail post 1 was about baptism.  Trail post 2 was about God's Word.  Trail post 3 was about prayer.  Now, we are at trail post 4 which is about disciple making.

This post is based on my pastor's sermon.  It is part of the Trailhead Series.

You are invited to watch the entire sermon here.

 

Trailhead - Make Disciples (Discipleship Pastor Rick Hermann) - March 31, 2019 (Message) from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

A disciple is one who follows the teachings of another.  Discipleship is the act of teaching others to follow the teachings of another.  Discipleship could be described as one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.

The main text for this particular topic of disciple making is John, chapter 4.  This is the story of the woman at the well.

Making Disciples  - Image Credit:  Brad Neathery - Public Domain Image via Freely Photos

Making Disciples

Many others believed in Jesus because of the testimony of the woman at the well.  The woman believed Jesus.  Then, her purpose was to tell others about him.

When we choose to follow Jesus, things we thought were important before aren't so important to us anymore.  The woman left her water pot behind to go tell others who she had seen.  In another story, a woman who washed Jesus' feet poured valuable perfume onto His feet.  The value of the perfume is estimated to cost about a year's salary.  When you choose to follow Jesus, you will be asked to leave something behind.

Why do you suppose the woman came to the well at noon?  It is said that it was customary for the women to go to the well early in the morning before the heat of the sun became too hot, but this woman came at noon in the heat of the day.  Some believe she came at noon to avoid the other women.  Perhaps she was embarrassed by her lifestyle.  Jesus told her that she had had many husbands and the man she was currently with was not her husband.  Perhaps she was afraid of what the other women might say or what they would think of her. After she realized who Jesus was, she must have forgotten all about her fear as she ran to tell others who she had just seen.

Do you have  a fear to overcome? 

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. - 1 John 4:18

The woman overcame her fear.  What if you overcome your fear so that you can tell others your story?

From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.” - John 4:39

3 Story Tools

1.  Jesus' Story:  Tell others about Jesus.

2.  Your Story:  If you are a follower of Jesus, you have a story.  Tell it.  Do you think your story isn't exciting enough?  People with bad stories need people with good stories so tell it.

3.   Fresh Stories:  God is always doing something in your life.  Tell it.  

The woman invited people to "come and see."  What if you invite people to "come and see?"  What if you invite people to church?  

If your neighbor is starving, would you give him bread?  Tell your story (bread) so others won't starve to death.  

You have bread to give.

Find your purpose.

Give your life to Jesus.

Pray for boldness.

You'll find all posts in the Trailhead series here.

Trail Post 2: God's Word and Trail Post 3: Prayer (from the Trailhead Series)

This past Sunday, our pastor was out of town so an associate pastor delivered the sermon.  Trail Post 1 was on the topic of baptism.  Today, we covered the next two posts on the trail.  Trail Post 2 is God's Word and Trail Post 3 is Prayer.

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to worship with us here.

Trailhead - The Word & Prayer - March 17, 2019 (Message) from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

Trail Post 2:  God's Word

Getting into God's Word is a requirement.

God wants you to get into His Word. 

This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:8-9

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The presence of God in their lives is the key to God's leaders.

God wants His Word to get into you.

God wants you to immerse yourself in His Word so you can internalize it.

There is a reason God requires you to get into His World.

God wants you to get into His Word so that you will live in obedience which is to live out God's truth.

Getting into God's Word yields a result.

The result of getting into God's Word is success.  Remember that God's idea of success might be different from your idea of success.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. - Isaiah 55:8

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 We evaluate success differently than God does.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. - Matthew 6:33

Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. - Psalm 37:4

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.   In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

 Trail Post 3:  Prayer

What if your prayers seem unanswered?  When you think your prayers have gone unanswered, here are some things you can do.

1.  Look to yourself. 

Is it your manner of living?  Are you living in unconfessed sin?

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear.  But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. - Isaiah 59:1-2

2.  Look at your motives when you pray.

What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?  You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.  You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. - James 4:1-3

You might be praying for an increase in your salary, but you are not receiving it because you are not honoring God with the salary you already have.

3.  Look to your prayers. 

Are your prayers "according to God's will?" 

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. - 1 John 5:14-15

Our prayers must be in line with the Word of God.

4.  Look at your God.

Sometimes God answers our prayers differently.  Remember that His ways are not our ways.  Sometimes God answers our prayers delayed.  Sometimes God answers prayers later so that He can answer them better.

The last few minutes of the video, our pastor talks about salvation.  Do you know Jesus?  If you want to know more about how to be saved, click here.

You'll find all posts in the Trailhead series here.

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Trailhead Post 1: Baptism (A Guided Journey for All Christ-Followers)

This week, our pastor is guiding us on a new trail.  His new series is titled "Trailhead:  A Guided Journey for All Christ-Followers."  You are invited to worship along with us as we start a new series.

This post includes my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch and worship along with us here.

Trailhead - Be Baptized - March 10, 2019 (Message) from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him. - Matthew 9:9

The word follow means "to get on a path with."  If you are a Christ-follower, then you are on a journey with Jesus.  We will come to several trail post stops along this journey.

Trail Post 1:  Baptism

John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. - Mark 1:4

Baptism is an act of obedience in response to faith in Jesus Christ.

Where did baptism originate?  Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.

⁴ John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵ And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. ⁶ John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey. ⁷ And he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. ⁸ I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”  ⁹ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. - Mark 1:4-9

Why was Jesus baptized since He wasn't a sinner?  

Jesus was baptized to fulfill all righteousness, to fulfill the law, and to provide an example for us.

¹³ Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” ¹⁵ But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. ¹⁶ After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him. - Matthew 3:13-16

The last thing Jesus told us to do (in what is known as The Great Commission) before his ascension was to baptize.

¹⁶ But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. ¹⁷ When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. ¹⁸ And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:16-20

¹⁶ He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. - Mark 16:16

In the first century, they baptized immediately upon salvation.  It was a big deal to first century Christ-followers.

³⁸ Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” ⁴⁰ And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “  Be saved from this perverse generation!” ⁴¹ So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. - Acts 2:38-41

The people heard the gospel and then immediately followed the example of Jesus in baptism.

¹² But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. - Acts 8:12

³⁵ Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. ³⁶ As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” ³⁷ And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” ³⁸ And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. ³⁹ When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing. - Acts 8:35-39

⁴⁷ “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” ⁴⁸ And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days. - Acts 10:47-48

¹⁶ Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’

 Baptism is part of God's pattern for His followers.

God expects us to:

1.  hear the gospel.

2.  respond to the gospel (be saved).

3.  be baptized.

4.  tell others.

 

 Baptism: 

1.  is an expression of our faith in Christ.
2.  is a sign of a covenant.
3.  is a picture of new life.

³ Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? ⁴ Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. - Romans 6:3-4

4.  bands us together.

⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism. - Ephesians 4:4-5

Common Questions Concerning Baptism

Is baptism essential for salvation?  No

Does baptism require immersion?  Yes

I was baptized as an infant.  Do I need to be baptized again?   Yes, because babies don't know what it means to be saved and baptized.  Babies don't understand repentance.

I'm not sure about my sincerity the first time.  I am saved now.  Should I be baptized again?  Yes, because order is important.  Baptism comes after belief.

What is the right age for baptism?  People are ready for baptism when they personally understand that they are sinners against God.  They need to understand the blood sacrifice.  They need to understand their commitment to follow Jesus.  Then they are old enough to be baptized.

You'll find all posts in the Trailhead series here.

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