Month: June 2018

Episode 62

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Disciple Up #62
Life Lessons From Jeremiah
Part One: Endure with No Excuses
By Louie Marsh, 6-27-2018

 

Pastor’s Conference
Dilli, East Timor
3-6-7-2012

PART ONE: ENDURE WITH NO EXCUSES:

1: 1-3: His family and town, near Jerusalem, center of power, might have known many famous people, etc.

The words of Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, to whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, and until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the captivity of Jerusalem in the fifth month. Jeremiah 1:1-3 (ESV)

The exact meaning of Jeremiah is not certain: it may mean “the LORD exalts”; it may mean “the LORD hurls.” What is certain is that “the LORD,” the personal name of God, is in his name.

Jeremiah Endured Because…

 Last Sunday’s Sermon – Count the Cost – http://christschurchontheriver.com/sermons/count-the-cost/

 Jeremiah as almost all the prophets, saw  themselves as people being acted upon by God. This is God’s call, God’s will, God’s plan, NOT his! If we are to endure the hardships of ministry we must understand that this is all about God and what HE wants, not about us.

Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:4-5 (ESV)

We have a similar call:

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)

6  Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” 7  But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8  Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD.” 9  Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. 10  See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:6-10 (ESV)

“We are practiced in pleading inadequacy in order to avoid living at the best that God calls us to. How tired the excuses sound! I am only a youth; I am only a housewife; I am only a layman; I am only a poor preacher; I only have an eighth-grade education; I don’t have enough time; I don’t have enough training; I don’t have enough confidence; or, with biblical precedence, “Master, please, I don’t talk well” (Ex 4:10). Too much is being asked of us. We cannot cope. We cannot manage.” –  Eugene H. Peterson. Run with the Horses: The Quest for Life at Its Best (Kindle Locations 429-432). Kindle Edition.

Moses’ Excuses:

 6  Again, the LORD said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7  Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8  “If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. 9  If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.” 10  But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11  Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12  Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”

 13  But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.”

14  Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15  You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16  He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17  And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.” Exodus 4:6-17 (ESV)

Our Call From Jesus:

 18  And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)

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Episode 61

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Disciple Up #61
Thinking Biblically, Seek Not See God’s Face
By Louie Marsh, 6-20-2018


Intro – My second shot at this due to operator error and a COMMENT rolled in!  Thanks to Caressa, won’t mention her last name for privacy.

The articles:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/face-god-eye-beholder-researchers-say-n882491

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0198745

Why would any Christian go along with this charade?

 Is our understanding of the Bible so weak that people don’t know or understand something this basic about our faith?

What Probably Happened

 People tend to go along with authority figures

What The Bible Says About God’s Face (hands, feet, etc.)

10  and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. Exodus 24:10 (ESV)

18  And he gave to Moses, when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God. Exodus 31:18 (ESV)

11  Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent. Exodus 33:11 (ESV)

———————-

4  He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4 (ESV)

1  “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. John 15:1 (ESV)

7  So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. John 10:7 (ESV)

35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. John 6:35 (KJV)

29  for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29 (ESV)

16  In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. Revelation 1:16 (ESV)

24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24 (ESV)

God is Invisible:

15  “Therefore watch yourselves very carefully. Since you saw no form on the day that the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, Deuteronomy 4:15 (ESV)

17  To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17 (ESV)

20  For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Romans 1:20 (ESV)

Quotes On Being Made In the Image of God:

Quotes on God’s Image and Purpose for Humanity

“The most distinctive feature of the biblical understanding of man is the teaching that man has been created in the image of God.” – Anthony Hoekema

“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit.” – C. S. Lewis

“To live was to enjoy – when every faculty was in its perfection, amidst abundance of objects which infinite wisdom had purposely suited to it… when he was at full liberty to enjoy either the Creator or the creation – to indulge in rivers of pleasure, ever new, ever pure, from any mixture of pain.” – John Wesley

“Leave the works in one class. Consider one as good as another. Fear God, and be just, as has been said. And then do whatever comes before you. This way all will be well done even though it is no more than loading manure or driving a mule.” – Martin Luther

“This sense of being made in God’s image calls us all constantly to look for it in others and to do what we can to help them acknowledge it and to realize it by joining in worship. We thereby carry to others the answer to their inmost longing, a yearning for union with the Trinity, a thirst to respond with adoration to the God who made them.” – Marva Dawn

The only thing that counts:

14  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (ESV)

13  For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14  But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15  For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Galatians 6:13-15 (ESV)

Sermon link:

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Episode 60

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Disciple Up # 60
Fruit of the Spirit #4 – Patience
By Louie Marsh, 6-13-2018

Welcome to the Disciple Empowering Podcast!

Quotes On Patience:

“There is nothing which so certifies the genuineness of a man’s faith as his patience and his patient endurance, his keeping on steadily in spite of everything.” – Martyn Lloyd-Jones

“A blessed spirit is a mould ever more and more patient of the bright metal poured into it, a body ever more completely uncovered to the meridian blaze of the spiritual sun.” -C.S. Lewis

“If I have made any improvement in the sciences, it is owing more to patient attention than to anything beside.” – Isaac Newton

“There is no love of God without patience, and no patience without lowliness and sweetness of spirit.” – John Wesley

“Patience is the companion of wisdom.” – Augustine

1) When I lose my peace then I need PATIENCE

22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, …Galatians 5:22 (ESV)

  • From two words μακρός, LONG   & θυμός, SOUL

 Old versions translate it “Longsuffering is that quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish; it is the opposite of anger,

  • I can be patient when I rely on GOD’S MERCY.

6  The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, Exodus 34:6 (ESV)

20  because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 1 Peter 3:20 (ESV)

2) This fruit keeps me from QUITTING MY MINISTRY.

  • Without patience I will FAIL TO ENDURE to the end.

 3  remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (ESV)

22  and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 10:22 (ESV)

  • Patience is necessity if I am to fulfill my MINISTRY

14  And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (ESV)

The Disciple Up Low Down on the Importance of Patience

3) How should I HANDLE my anger?

25  Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26  Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27  and give no opportunity to the devil. Ephesians 4:25-27 (ESV)

  • Speak the truth lovingly without regard to the CONSEQUENCES

15  but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ; Ephesians 4:15 (ASV)

Don’t be afraid of people getting angry with you – don’t give into the fear of men.

14  But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 1 Peter 3:14 (ESV)

  • RECOGNIZE the power of anger.

5  And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. Mark 3:5 (ESV)

  • UNDERSTAND it’s not always sinful to be angry.

14  In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15  And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16  And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” 17  His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” John 2:14-17 (ESV)

  • Deal with my anger quickly.

17  Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19 (ESV)

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Episode 59

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Disciple Up # 59
Discernment & A 54 Million Dollar Jet
By Louie Marsh, 6-6-2018

D- Day Anniversary, 74 years ago today the invasion of France by the Allies began

1  Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 1 Timothy 4:1 (ESV)

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/05/29/louisiana-televangelist-seeks-donations-for-54m-private-jet-report.html

$54 Million Jet

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jan/5/kenneth-copeland-jesse-duplantis-defend-private-je/

Discernment Scriptures

1  Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2  By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3  and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. 1 John 4:1-3 (ESV)

3  But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4  For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 (ESV)

How do you discern?

Amazing how we draw a straight line from discernment to how we FEEL about something. There is no basis in Scripture for this jump.

Not that it won’t show up in your feelings, just that it normally should have more than that.

This is the Primary Way To Discern:

19  Do not quench the Spirit. 20  Do not despise prophecies, 21  but test everything; hold fast what is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 (ESV)

16  As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17  She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” 18  And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour. 19  But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 20  And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. 21  They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” Acts 16:16-21 (ESV)

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