Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. 15 And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. NKJV
- Are excuses tend to impress us But God is not impressed.
Luke 7:18-23
The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, 19 calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” a 20 And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” 21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. 22 And he answered them, b “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. 23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” ESV
A) In Matt 3:13-17 John knows who Jesus is and feels unworthy to baptize Him. After baptism John saw the spirit come down on Jesus and heard the voice from Heaven declare him as God’s son, yet here we find him doubting. How is it that we find John doubting? How is it that we find Christians today that have had an encounter with God later walking away or doubting?
- John’s expectations of a messiah would have been much more political in the physical and present tense.
- Was it just the hard times he was going through? The prisons of the day weren’t very accommodating.
- Was it the combination of the two? Is it still these two things that bring doubt in people today? Is it still unmet expectations, let down and hard times that bring Doubt today?
B) Jesus answer isn’t what you would expect ether. I would have brought up the voice from heaven, his experience… I would have told him not to doubt in the dark what he saw in the light. But that wasn’t at all how Jesus responded. Jesus pointed to his fruit that had been prophesied about. He brought his expectations back to the Bible. He pointed to the signs that were prophesied about in Isaiah (See Dake’s notes Luke 7:22q for list of prophecies and there references). Jesus brought things back to his word. Feelings come feelings go, memories fade, as time grows we can begin to doubt even our own memories, but God’s word remains forever Matt 24:35. What weapon do we have against these fire darts of the devil the lair and father of lies and deception (John 8:44)? We have the shield of faith Eph 6:16. Where do we get faith? Rom 10:17 Says we get it from God’s word. 1 Cor 3:11 Tells us we can have no other foundation then Christ, Luke 6:46-49 States that to build a foundation we must first come to Him and then act on His words. Everything we have to fight the lies and doubt the devil tries to feed us lies in the Word.
- Is God’s Word in the most important place in your life? How important to be full of his word. Ps 119:9. God, Thank you for your Word.
Luke 11:21-22
21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22 But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up the spoils. NIV
- Where is your trust? You are only as strong as the thing you place your trust in. Prov 28:26; Ps 27:1; 56:4; 1 john 4:4; Prov tells us that if we trust our own heart. We are a fool, the rest of the verses communicate the idea that if we have placed our trust in the Lord we no longer have anything else to fear. The idea is carried forward in Matt 7:24-27; it presents two things 1st that you will go through storms, there is no way around all storms. 2nd Your foundation on God is built by doing what he says. Just hearing does no good James 1:22. God Help me to keep my focus on you, not on my strength or ability, Help me not only to hear your word but to do it.
Prov 22:7
7 Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. NLT
Title: Youth Takeover
Location: Sanctuary
Description: We will be taking over the sanctuary for all weekend services. Pastor Daniel will preach Sat and Sun AM. Pastor Samuel will preach Sun PM.
Start Date: 2008-12-06
End Date: 2008-12-07
Title: Youth Takeover
Location: Sanctuary
Description: We will be taking over the sanctuary at all weekend services. Pastor Daniel will be preaching Sat and Sun AM. Brent will preach Sun PM.
Start Date: 2008-10-25
End Date: 2008-10-26
Luke 7:8
8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” NKJV
- Matt 8:5-13
- Under authority. He didn’t state that he had authority; he stated he was under authority, so what he said people did. There is a law of delegated authority that he understood. Your authority only extends as far as you are under authority and while under that authority you can operate in its authority. So when God tells us to submit to him and then resist the devil (James 4:7) He is saying align yourself under my authority then you can operate in it. (1 John 5:14) Rom 13:1-2
Title: Paintball Outside
Location: Behind Res in the woods
Description: We will be playing paintball outside for the last time this year. Kentwood Community church will be joining in on the fun! Cost is $10!
Start Time: 1:00 PM
Date: 2008-11-08
Title: Clint Herrema
Location: Oneighty
Description: Clint Herrema will be our guest speaker for the AM and PM services.
He is an amazing faith builder. Come and be encouraged!
Date: 2008-11-09
Title: Kids Carnival
Location: Res Life
Description: Students 14 years old and younger can come play games, win prizes, and of course get lots of FREE CANDY!!
Start Time: 5:00 PM
Date: 2008-10-31
End Time: 8:00 PM
