Matthew 4:18-22 (NKJV) 18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.
Jesus gave his life for us, that He might give life to us; so that He might live through us.
- Obedience
- Cultivate a Lifestyle of Prayer
- Being Empowered by the Holy Spirit
- Armed with the Sword
Obedience
(The Heartbeat of True Discipleship)
What Does Obedience Have to Do with Following Jesus?
The disciples were asked to put total and complete faith and confidence in Him. They left everything; they stepped forward in obedience.
To follow Jesus is not only to call Him Lord, but to honor Him as Lord by obeying his commands.
Luke 6:46 (NKJV) “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”
Framework of Obedience (excerpt taken from Whole Hearted – Letting God Shape Your Whole Life by author Floyd McClung
- Believing in Christ
- Forgiving Others
- Surrendering Yourself
- Denying Yourself
- Growing in Faith
- Submitting to Authority
- Enduring Hardship
- Doing Justice
- Loving the Lost
- Doing Good Works
In order to obey, you must have faith, trusting and believing in God and His promises even when you can’t see with the physical eye.
Matthew 4:20 (NKJV)
“They immediately left their nets and followed Him. The disciples had no guarantee of what their life would look.”
Cultivating a Lifestyle of Prayer
Prayer is most effective when it’s a lifestyle we cultivate daily.
We should have a dedicated place and time set aside to spend with the Lord daily.
Matthew 9:38 (NKJV) “Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
God’s plan to reach the lost is worked through those who already know and love Him.
Ephesians 6:18-19 (NKJV) 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Being Empowered by the Holy Spirit
In following Jesus, we need the Indwelling Power of the Holy Spirit.
It is through the transformative and empowering work of the Holy Spirit that believers can become effective witnesses, drawing others to Christ.
John 14:16 (NKJV) 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another[e]Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
Acts 1:8 (NKJV) “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
The Holy Spirit gives us boldness to share the good news of the Christ.
The Great Commission:
Matthew 28:19-21 (NKJV) “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Armed with the Sword
Ephesians 6:17 (NKJV)17 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”
To follow Jesus faithfully we must immerse ourselves in the word of God
Matthew 4:4 (NKJV) “Many shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”
Hebrew 4:12 (NKJV) “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
God’s Word completes the believers, equipping us for every good work by teaching, convicting, correcting and instructing us.
2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV) “Study (be diligent) to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Follow Jesus is not an invitation to be saved; it is the call of the believer to service.
Practical Steps:
- Cultivate a heart for the loss through prayer and intercession
- We must know what is written
- Practice sharing the salvation message with family, friends, co-workers
© Elder Perrilla Woodard, 2024
From Self-Pity to Worship
(Martha’s Encounter’s with Jesus)
Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
- Compassion means that you “feel sympathy for the suffering of others and you take action to ease their pain”
- Self-Pity- an amplified focus of one’s own worries or suffering
Luke 22:41-43 (NKJV)
And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw (Jesus stepped just beyond his disciples), and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.
John 11:5
“Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick he stayed where he was two more days”…
John 11:14-15
“Lazarus is dead and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
John 11:20-27
20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask. 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
John 11:33
“33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied.35 Jesus wept.
John 12:1-3
“Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lives, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining from the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”
Luke Chapter 17: 3-5 NKJV Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
Matthew Chapter 6:14-15 NIV 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Hurt turns into Anger, Anger becomes Bitterness, Bitterness becomes a Hardened Heart
The Decision to Forgive is a Choice
Step 1. Acknowledge the Hurt
Genesis 45:1-2 KJV Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Make everyone go out from me!” So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it.
Joseph forgave his brothers that he was truly set free.
Step 2. Surrender Your Right to Punish
Romans 12:17-19 NIV 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Step 3. Pray for Them
Matthew 5:43-44 NIV 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Step 4. Be Open to Reconciliation
Romans 12:18 NIV “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Forgiveness Is What I DO
Fellowship Requires Cooperation from Others
Here are the 3 Elements:
True Repentance, Change, and Respect
Titus 3:10-11 NIV Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NKJV 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Heavenly Father, today I Release the weight of unforgiveness that I have been carrying around in my heart all this time. I completely forgive (fill in the blank) in Jesus’ name and I thank you that you’re healing my wounds and setting me free. I’ve given up my right to judge and to punish (fill in the blank) and I pray that you would bless them and bring them to true repentance and salvation in Jesus’ Mighty Name AMEN
We have some links on the screen for those who want to seek professional Christian counseling.
https://bemadewholecounseling.org/
https://www.thewholechild.org/
© Jeff Hogan, 2024
John 3:16 NASB1995 [16] “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
We believe the Bible is the Inspired Word of God
2 Timothy 3:16 NASB1995 [16] All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
The Mystery. of the Gospel
John 3:1-21 ESV [1] Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. [2] This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” [3] Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
What does it mean to be born again?
- Why do born-again people so often make you wish they’d never been born the first time? Click to add your own note
- If you’re not a born-again Christian, you’re a failure as a human being. Click to add your own note
- “It’s not a born-again thing; it was a peaceful, really, really cool moment where I just felt that I was no longer the dad anymore. I actually had become a son.” Click to add your own note
“I wish to begin again on a daily basis. To be born again every day is something that I try to do”.
“You must be Born Again”
John 3:5 ”Truly, truly I say to you unless one is born of water and the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God”
The Mystery of the Gospel is “a reality imbued (permeated/ filled) with the hidden presence of God.”
John 3:8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”[a]
Ephesians 1:5-9 NASB1995 [5] He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, [6] to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. [7] In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace [8] which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight [9] He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him.
What are the ingredients of this Mystery?
1. A Supernatural Birth of Christ
John 1:1-2, 14 NASB1995 [1] 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. [14] And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
2. A Sinless Life of Love, Compassion and Sacrifice
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
3. The Sacrificial Death of an innocent Jesus.
John 10:18 (NASB1995) – No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative.
Hebrews 9;11 – How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
4. The conquering of Sin and Death Through Resurrection
Romans 8:2 (NASB1995) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
A man without Christ is spiritually dead.
How do I become born again?
Repent & Believe
John 3:14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
The answer is 2 fold
© Macho Ortega, 2024
Story Time
Introduction
The culture makes the truth sound evil.
Review
This series calls out the hurried tempo of our lives.
And it asks us to invest time with God.
Which in turn aligns our pace and priorities to match the Heavenly Father’s.
This message places a strong emphasis on slowing down so that we can prioritize our time with God.
But we had to put this all in a much broader context.
We looked at the Industrial Revolution and its impact on our fast-paced, technology-driven lives.
And the emphasis it placed on our powers of observation, our ability to determine what’s true based on
- Our five senses
- Our mind
- Our emotions
- Our free will
- Our rationality
In the end, we affirm the superiority of what we see over what God says.
And what is our proof? Technology.
The challenge is that this same technology is destroying us.
We are technologically superior to the generations that preceded us, but spiritually inferior to the generations that preceded us.
This has cost us morally, emotionally and socially.
If we look at this from a biblical perspective, the drive to excel technologically is not a scientific motivation at its core:
But is the fruit of the male ego.
I will return to the passage we looked at last week when examining the masculine influences on the drive for human progress:
Genesis 3:17–19 (ESV): 17 And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; 18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you and you shall eat the plants of the field. 19 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Last week we looked at a book by Nancy R. Pearcy titled: The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes [Also check out this informative video about her book and the research that supported it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOMOsogXJYU
She says:
“Because of testosterone, men are typically larger, stronger, and faster than women. In general, they are also more physical, more competitive and more risk-taking.”–Nancy R. Pearcy, The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes, Baker Books: Grand Rapids, 2023, p.18.
Review Briefly:
The Industrial Revolution was a “process of change” that shifted our economy from one based on agriculture and handicrafts to one based on industry and machine manufacturing. (Encyclopedia Britannica).
“Throughout human history, most people lived on family farms or in peasant villages. Productive work was done in the home or its outbuildings. Work was not a matter of the father’s job, it was the family industry. A man worked alongside his wife and children throughout the day.” (Her Emphasis)–Nancy R. Pearcy, The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes, Baker Books: Grand Rapids, 2023, p.72.
This radically changed after the Industrial Revolution:
“For the first time in American history, men were no longer working alongside their wives and children—with people they loved and had a moral bond with. Instead, they began working as individuals in competition with other men.” -Nancy R. Pearcy, The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes, Baker Books: Grand Rapids, 2023, p.88.
“Today, we are so used to fathers being out of the home that we no longer realize what a drastic change it was at the time” –Nancy R. Pearcy, The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes, Baker Books: Grand Rapids, 2023, p.89.
The Impact of the Industrial Revolution on Women
Genesis 3:16 (ESV): 16 To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.”
Genesis 1:27 (ESV): 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 2:7 (ESV): 7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
Genesis 2:21–23 (ESV): 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
1 Corinthians 11:8–12 (ESV): 8 For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.
Genesis 2:4-25 (ESV): 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
© Joshua D. Smith, Ph.D., 2024
Review: An Introduction
Last month, we introduced a new series called “Hustle.”
It calls out the hurried tempo of our lives.
And it asks us to invest time with God.
Which in turn aligns our pace and priorities to match the Heavenly Father’s.
This message places a strong emphasis on slowing down so that we can prioritize our time with God.
Review: Our Five Senses Don’t Always Give Us Sense
Last week, we discussed that one of the key drivers of our hustle is the trust we place in our powers of observation.
When we say powers of observation, we’re talking about the information we gather and the conclusions we draw through
- Our five senses
- Our mind
- Our emotions
- Our free will
- Our rationality
There’s nothing wrong with this in general. Certainly, God gave us these capacities.
We’re supposed to use our minds, our physical senses, our powers of perception, but they were never to be used independently of the light that comes from God.
Review: We See Truth When We Have Access to the Best Sources of Light
Ephesians 5:8–10 (ESV): 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
Psalm 119:105 (ESV): 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
John 16:13 (ESV): 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
John 8:12 (ESV): 12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
James 1:17 (ESV):17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Review: Why People Avoid the Light
John 3:19–20 (ESV):19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
2 Corinthians 11:14 (ESV): 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
Reason gives light, but it insufficiently illuminates.
Review: The Age of Enlightenment
The Enlightenment period is an age in which people challenged the authority and accuracy of claims made by God and the church.
The lifestyle you’ve developed in which you don’t spend much time with God is part of a cultural phenomenon that has deep roots and a long history.
Review: The Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a “process of change” that shifted our economy from one based on agriculture and handicrafts to one based on industry and machine manufacturing. (encyclopedia Britannica).
When you farm and make things with your hands, life moves at the pace of nature.
Men and Technology
Genesis 3:17–19 (ESV): 17 And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; 18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you and you shall eat the plants of the field. 19 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
I’m going to quote Nancy R. Pearcy in a book she writes, titled: The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes [Also check out this informative video about her book and the research that supported it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOMOsogXJYU]
“Because of testosterone, men are typically larger, stronger, and faster than women. In general, they are also more physical, more competitive and more risk-taking.”–Nancy R. Pearcy, The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes, Baker Books: Grand Rapids, 2023, p.18.
“Men and women are more alike than they are different. . . .In fact there is greater difference within categories of men and women than there is between men and women as groups.” (Her emphasis) –Nancy R. Pearcy, The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes, Baker Books: Grand Rapids, 2023, p.30.
“Masculine traits are not intrinsically toxic; they are good when directed to virtuous ends.” –Nancy R. Pearcy, The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes, Baker Books: Grand Rapids, 2023, p.30.
- Before the Industrial Revolution, there weren’t housewives, there were house fathers.
- “Today we talk about housewives but in the colonial ear, heads of households were sometimes called housefathers. Historian John Gillis writes, men ‘men were as comfortable in the kitchen as women, for they had the responsibility for provisioning and managing the house Cook books and domestic conduct books were directed primarily to them” (Her Emphasis)–Nancy R. Pearcy, The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes, Baker Books: Grand Rapids, 2023, p.74.
- “Throughout human history, most people lived on family farms or in peasant villages. Productive work was done in the home or its outbuildings. Work was not a matter of the father’s job, it was the family industry. A man worked alongside his wife and children throughout the day.” (Her Emphasis)–Nancy R. Pearcy, The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes, Baker Books: Grand Rapids, 2023, p.72.
- This radically changed after the Industrial Revolution:
- “For the first time in American history, men were no longer working alongside their wives and children—with people they loved and had a moral bond with. Instead, they began working as individuals in competition with other men.” -Nancy R. Pearcy, The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes, Baker Books: Grand Rapids, 2023, p.88.
- “Many sons no longer even knew what their fathers did all day. Every morning, fathers disappeared into the public sphere where they became invisible to their families. Often work was so technical and specialized that it was incomprehensible to their children.” –Nancy R. Pearcy, The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes, Baker Books: Grand Rapids, 2023, p.89.
- “Today, we are so used to fathers being out of the home that we no longer realize what a drastic change it was at the time” –Nancy R. Pearcy, The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes, Baker Books: Grand Rapids, 2023, p.89.
Personal Prayer for God’s Intervention: “I pray that my work responsibilities are such that I have the time flexibility to work on business, creative, ministry and political projects that are dear to my heart and that facilitate my transition into financial independence, that offer me the flexibility to spend quality time with family, friends and other key people in my life. I pray specifically that this includes the flexibility to focus on practicing my instruments, practicing with my band, conducting research, preparing for talks, working on speeches sermons, seminars, and workshops, and writing books, screen plays and music. I also pray for the wisdom to steward all of this. “
© Joshua D. Smith, Ph.D., 2024
Review
Last month, we introduced a new series called “Hustle.”
It calls out the hurried tempo of our lives.
And it asks us to invest time with God.
Which in turn aligns our pace and priorities to match the Heavenly Father’s.
This message places a strong emphasis on slowing down so that we can prioritize our time with God.
The Tree… Yeah That
Genesis 3:6 (ESV): 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
Genesis 3:6 (ESV): 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and [saw] that it was a delight to the eyes, and [saw] that the tree was to be desired to make one wise…
Genesis 2:19 (ESV): 19 Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.
Genesis 2:22–23 (ESV): 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. {If we follow the logic: “to see what He would name her} 23 Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
Why Darkness is Such a Big Deal
Proverbs 4:19 (ESV):19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.
2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV): 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Acts 26:16–18 (ESV): 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Colossians 1:13–14 (ESV): 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
2 Corinthians 11:14 (ESV): 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
The Age of Reason
Matthew 5:28 (ESV): 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
1 John 2:15–17 (ESV): 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
“The world is Satan’s advertising agency.”–Dr. Hart Ramsey
- Satan rebrands evil as good and death as life.
Proverbs 10:22 (ESV): 22 The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
© Joshua D. Smith, Ph.D., 2024
Review
Last month, we introduced a new series called “Hustle.”
It calls out the hurried tempo of our lives.
And it asks us to invest time with God.
Which in turn aligns our pace and priorities to match the Heavenly Father’s.
This message places a strong emphasis on slowing down so that we can prioritize our time with God.
But we had to put this all in a much broader context.
We looked at the Industrial Revolution and its impact on our fast-paced, technology-driven lives.
The Industrial Revolution was a “process of change” that shifted our economy from one based on agriculture and handicrafts to one based on industry and machine manufacturing. (Encyclopedia Britannica).
When you farm and make things with your hands, life moves at the pace of nature.
Technology is a response to the limitations of the natural world
But the challenge is this: Humanity wants to create technology to improve the natural world but without addressing the root cause of the world’s disorder.
Wounds from the past, especially from childhood, can fuel our drive toward success.
Many successful people are wounded.
Introduction
Matthew 24:42 (ESV): 42Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
Romans 13:11 (ESV): 11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
Ephesians 5:14 (ESV): 14. . .“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Isaiah 51:17 (ESV): 17 Wake yourself, wake yourself, stand up, O Jerusalem. . .
Isaiah 26:19 (ESV): 19 Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy!…
Big Daddy Cain
Genesis 4:1 (ESV): 1Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.”
Genesis 4:2 (ESV): 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground.
Genesis 4:3 (ESV): 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground,
Genesis 4:4 (ESV): 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering,
Genesis 4:5 (ESV): 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So, Cain was very angry, and his face fell.
Genesis 4:6 (ESV): 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?
Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV): 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Genesis 4:7 (ESV): 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
Genesis 4:8 (ESV): 8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
Genesis 4:9 (ESV): 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?”
Genesis 4:10 (ESV): 10 And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.
Genesis 4:11 (ESV): 11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.
Genesis 4:12 (ESV): 12 When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”
Genesis 4:13-14 (ESV): 13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”
Genesis 4:15 (ESV): 15 Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him.
Genesis 4:16 (ESV): 16 Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
Genesis 4:17 (ESV): 17 Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch.
Genesis 4:18 (ESV): 18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech.
Genesis 4:19 (ESV): 19 And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
Genesis 4:20 (ESV): 20 Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.
Genesis 4:21 (ESV): 21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe.
Genesis 4:22 (ESV): 22 Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.
Genesis 4:23-24 (ESV): 23 Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. 24 If Cain’s revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold.”
- Genesis 6:1–4 (ESV): 1 When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. 5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.
- Genesis 6:11–12 (ESV): 11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.
Genesis 4:25 (ESV): 25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.”
Genesis 4:26 (ESV): 26 To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.
© Joshua D. Smith, Ph.D., 2024
Review
Last month, we introduced a new series called “Hustle.”
It calls out the hurried tempo of our lives.
And it asks us to invest time with God.
Which in turn aligns our pace and priorities to match the Heavenly Father’s.
So, This message places a strong emphasis on slowing down so that we can prioritize our time with God.
But we had to put this all in a much broader context.
So, We looked at the Industrial Revolution and its impact on our fast-paced, technology-driven lives.
The Industrial Revolution was a “process of change” that shifted our economy from one based on agriculture and handicrafts to one based on industry and machine manufacturing. (encyclopedia Britannica).
When you farm and make things with your hands, life moves at the pace of nature.
Technology is a response to the limitations of the natural world
Humanity creates technology to improve the natural world but without addressing the root cause of the world’s disorder.
Wounds from the past, especially from childhood, can fuel our drive toward success.
Many successful people are wounded.
Two Major Judgments
2 Peter 3:1–2 (ESV): 1This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,
A Generation of Mockers
2 Peter 3:3 (ESV): 3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.
2 Peter 3:4 (ESV): 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”
You’re not your true self until you find Christ.
Don’t Forget the Meaning of the Rainbow
2 Peter 3:5-6 (ESV): 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.
2 Peter 3:7 (ESV): 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
2 Peter 3:8 (ESV): 8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
God’s Not Slow. He’s Patient.
2 Peter 3:9 (ESV): 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Luke 16:27–31 (ESV): 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”
2 Peter 3:10 (ESV): 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Matthew 24:38–39 (ESV): 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Stay Woke
Matthew 24:42–51 (ESV): 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
© Joshua D. Smith, Ph.D., 2024
Review
The Industrial Revolution was a “process of change” that shifted our economy from one based on agriculture and handicrafts to one based on industry and machine manufacturing. (Encyclopedia Britannica).
When you farm and make things with your hands, life moves at the pace of nature.
Why was nature so punitive?
- Because the ground and everything that came from it was cursed Click to add your own note
Genesis 3:17 (ESV): 17. . .cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life.
Genesis 3:19 (ESV): 19 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread. . .
2. Because of sin
3. Because of the aftermath of the flood
Genesis 6:3 (ESV): 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.”
Technology As False Savior
Technology is a response to the limitations of the natural world
- Humanity creates technology to improve the natural world without addressing the root cause of the world’s disorder.
- Mark 8:36 (ESV): 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
Modern Success as a False Positive
Last Days Culture
- Matthew 24:38–39 (ESV): 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Click to add your own note
- Matthew 24:12 (ESV): 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. Click to add your own note
- 2 Timothy 3:1–5 (ESV): 1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. Click to add your own note
Reviewing the Concept of “Grown”
Addressing the Wounds in Our Lives
- Matthew 18:7 (NKJV): 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
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- We are often tempted to sin because someone has offended us.
- Offenses are inevitable.
- Matthew 18:21–22 (ESV): 21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. Click to add your own note
- Mark 11:25 (ESV): 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Click to add your own note
- Matthew 6:12 (ESV): 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Click to add your own note
- Unforgiveness is a sin, and it leads to other kinds of sin.
- Matthew 18:21–22 (ESV): 21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
- Matthew 18:6 (ESV): 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Click to add your own note
- Ephesians 6:4 (ESV): 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Click to add your own note
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- Proverbs 4:23 (ESV): 23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
- Leviticus 5:4–6 (ESV): 4 or if anyone utters with his lips a rash oath to do evil or to do good, any sort of rash oath that people swear, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, and he realizes his guilt in any of these; 5 when he realizes his guilt in any of these and confesses the sin he has committed, 6 he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation for the sin that he has committed, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin.
© Joshua D. Smith, Ph.D., 2024