Love is a choice---unfortunately many individuals choose to love themselves rather than their spouse. This always leads to problems in a marriage. When you say "I do" you are saying that from all of the men/women out there you are choosing your spouse as the only one for you. Fortunately for me in 15+ years of marriage 99% of the time this has been a very easy choice for me, but there have been days where I have to remind myself that I vowed to continually choose Heidi until death do us part. It is at that point that I choose to put her above even myself, but because she does this also both of our needs are met. The only way we can do this, however, is because we strive to keep Jesus at the center of our marriage.
In our marriage seminar, Building a Healthy Marriage (BAHM), we share that if you keep Christ at the center the following will be true of your marriage:
- You will be a student of your spouse seeking to understand how they are wired.
- As you understand them you should do the following:
- Strive to meet their needs before they ask or at a minimum help the with their burdens (e.g. my
wife is a list maker and has a hard time relaxing until her list is checked off. I have a choice I can
watch her run around or I can load the dishwasher, start it and take that off of her list)
- Grant them understanding and acceptance. My wife does a great job of this when she asks me to
do something, but gives me the freedom to figure out when I do it. No nagging she knows that it
will get done even if it is not exactly as fast as she might want. In the end she grants me
understanding that I have reasons for prioritizing things the way I do.
- You strive to understand what they are saying from their perspective not yours. Just because they
say that the sky is blue does not mean that they are talking about the same shade of blue that you
are. Work at figuring out what they are saying rather than assuming you know.
- You will die to self and live to the other. If you do this both of your needs will be met. This takes work and sometimes you have to do this even when the other isn't reciprocating. Christ serves as our example...didn't he love us while we were yet sinners/enemies? Your spouse isn't your enemy. Note: This does not mean let your spouse walk all over you, abuse you or try to force you to do something that would lead you to sin.
- Utilizing my Preventative Enhancement Program (PREP) training you will strive to deal with "issues" rather than "events." Arguments are "events" and typically are a reflection of deeper unresolved issues. Often we have the same arguments over and over. This is because there is something beneath the surface that isn't being dealt with. Dig deeper and ask "what is behind this?" To do this we need to learn to do a better job of communicating.
So love is a choice---are you choosing to love your spouse today?
Blessings,
T
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Sermon Notes Rev 11:1-13
Intro discussion questions:
- Are you and earthling or an alien?
- How would someone know by observing you?
So often in looking at Scripture we tend to isolate out verses or chapters without considering the connection to what came before it or the context in which it was first delivered. Again, Rev was a message to a church suffering or about to suffer persecution. Throughout the book one of the key messages is persevere and this passage is another reminder of God's protection even in the midst of suffering, which re-enforces the last several chapters.
Rev. 11:1-2 is a reminder of God's protection (Sweet), but there will be suffering (Bitter) for a time. Here is the break down for that:
Temple = the church/God's people (2 Cor 6:16, Eph 2:19-22, Heb 3:6, 1 Peter 2:5)
Measured = Protected (Ez. 40-42, Zech 2:1-5)
Outside court tramples = suffering for a time (Jesus is our example, Mark 9:31)
Rev 11:3-13 is both a literal (in the last days 2 witnesses will show up) and symbolic illustration or acting out of 11:1-2 & previous sweet/bitter message.
Note that the 2 witnesses are:
- not hiding but proclaiming..
- protected w/ fire (e.g. Zech 2:1-5, 2 Kings 1)
- resurrected or vindicated (Ezek 37) just like the saints who ask "How long Lord?" in earlier chapters are promised they will be
- What was the purpose of prophecy (their message)?
- One last chance
- Judgment
- much like John the Baptist call and the OT prophets
- note that here in some do turn to God
Application:
- What is the most valuable thing in your life?
- Challenge from Matt 10: 34-39
- Are you living as an alien in this world?
- Are you and earthling or an alien?
- How would someone know by observing you?
So often in looking at Scripture we tend to isolate out verses or chapters without considering the connection to what came before it or the context in which it was first delivered. Again, Rev was a message to a church suffering or about to suffer persecution. Throughout the book one of the key messages is persevere and this passage is another reminder of God's protection even in the midst of suffering, which re-enforces the last several chapters.
Rev. 11:1-2 is a reminder of God's protection (Sweet), but there will be suffering (Bitter) for a time. Here is the break down for that:
Temple = the church/God's people (2 Cor 6:16, Eph 2:19-22, Heb 3:6, 1 Peter 2:5)
Measured = Protected (Ez. 40-42, Zech 2:1-5)
Outside court tramples = suffering for a time (Jesus is our example, Mark 9:31)
Rev 11:3-13 is both a literal (in the last days 2 witnesses will show up) and symbolic illustration or acting out of 11:1-2 & previous sweet/bitter message.
Note that the 2 witnesses are:
- not hiding but proclaiming..
- protected w/ fire (e.g. Zech 2:1-5, 2 Kings 1)
- resurrected or vindicated (Ezek 37) just like the saints who ask "How long Lord?" in earlier chapters are promised they will be
- What was the purpose of prophecy (their message)?
- One last chance
- Judgment
- much like John the Baptist call and the OT prophets
- note that here in some do turn to God
Application:
- What is the most valuable thing in your life?
- Challenge from Matt 10: 34-39
- Are you living as an alien in this world?
Thursday, August 23, 2012
What if?
What if intense persecution broke out in the USA today? How would the church handle it? Would we still meet at the building? Rely on programs? What would change? How would we maintain our vertical relationship w/ God, our relationship with other believers and continue to witness to those outside the faith?
I would argue that Life Transformation Groups (LTGs) or groups of 2-3 individuals meeting for accountability, scripture study and prayer would be the answer. When they hit 4 individuals they are divided into two groups of 2. They are easy to do covertly (if that is what is necessary), but keep an element of witness/outreach at the forefront.
Now lets ask "What if revival broke out and 3,000 people showed up at your church on Sunday? Most churches wouldn't meet in the building or have programs that could sustain that kind of influx, so what would have to happen or change? Here I argue that the natural solution would be a cell church model with LTGs being a key component to disciplining that many individuals.
These two scenarios provide some of the reason why we at Faith Baptist Church have started moving in this direction. LTGs are up and running and this fall Community Groups (CGs) or cell groups will launch. I can also add that if neither of these two scenarios happen I believe that this model is what will eventually produce reproducing disciples. If we continue to rely on programs all we will continue to produce is faithful attenders/consumers and quite honestly I do not have time for that.
Blessings,
PT
I would argue that Life Transformation Groups (LTGs) or groups of 2-3 individuals meeting for accountability, scripture study and prayer would be the answer. When they hit 4 individuals they are divided into two groups of 2. They are easy to do covertly (if that is what is necessary), but keep an element of witness/outreach at the forefront.
Now lets ask "What if revival broke out and 3,000 people showed up at your church on Sunday? Most churches wouldn't meet in the building or have programs that could sustain that kind of influx, so what would have to happen or change? Here I argue that the natural solution would be a cell church model with LTGs being a key component to disciplining that many individuals.
These two scenarios provide some of the reason why we at Faith Baptist Church have started moving in this direction. LTGs are up and running and this fall Community Groups (CGs) or cell groups will launch. I can also add that if neither of these two scenarios happen I believe that this model is what will eventually produce reproducing disciples. If we continue to rely on programs all we will continue to produce is faithful attenders/consumers and quite honestly I do not have time for that.
Blessings,
PT
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Sermon Notes from Aug 19, 2012 on Rev 10:
Intro Questions: Do you enjoy waiting? Are you patient? Content?
If we are honest most of us have to say "no" to those questions. Society/advertising pushes us to not be and yet God's word tells us we can and should be content in him...even in the midst of suffering/persecution.
Symbolism of Rev 10 and the messages behind it:
Angel: Reminds us that God is sovereign and in control
- Feet on land and water = All of creation is under God's control
- Seal up all of the details = The saints do not need to know everything...just that God is in control
Scroll: God's word/a copy of the scroll that is in Jesus hand from chapter 5...similar to God's call to Ezekiel in Ez. 2-3
- Eat God's word = take its message to heart...internalize the prophecy and put it to work in one's life (Psalm 119:103, Jer. 15:16)
- Sweet = God's sovereign will is always beneficial
- The saints will be rewarded & vindicated for the sacrifices/investments they make. Eternal life is a sure
thing in Jesus, so even in the midst of persecution trust in him
- God is in control & nothing happens without his knowledge
- The end is near. The scroll is the prophecy/judgments that will set things right.
- Bitter = the end is near, but it will involve great suffering and martyrdom
So what? Application?
In light of God's sovereignty what do you do with suffering?
- 1 Peter 4:12-19 (Purpose) God allows trials to test/strengthen our faith...Satan tries to use them to get
us to curse/abandon God
- 1 Thes. 5:18 (Response)
What role does God's word play in your life?
- Encouraging?
- Refining?
- Sweet?
- Bitter?
- Who is the person you have the most difficulty with? Have you extended them grace? Give them the
Grace Card (see the movie of the same name)
- FBC is to be a no triangulation zone. Triangulation occurs when you have a problem with person A, but
go to person B and complain hoping that they will side with you and never go to person A. That is not in
line with Matt. 18. Try to work things out with person A and if not take a witness and if not then go to
the elders...
Are you willing to be content in letting God be in control?
Are you willing to be a witness no matter the cost?
- If intense persecution broke out today how would we continue to maintain our "up" (relationship w/
God) and the "in" (relationship w/ other believers) and the "out" (our witness to those outside of a
relationship w/ Jesus)? Life Transformation Groups provide a key to all of this.
Intro Questions: Do you enjoy waiting? Are you patient? Content?
If we are honest most of us have to say "no" to those questions. Society/advertising pushes us to not be and yet God's word tells us we can and should be content in him...even in the midst of suffering/persecution.
Symbolism of Rev 10 and the messages behind it:
Angel: Reminds us that God is sovereign and in control
- Feet on land and water = All of creation is under God's control
- Seal up all of the details = The saints do not need to know everything...just that God is in control
Scroll: God's word/a copy of the scroll that is in Jesus hand from chapter 5...similar to God's call to Ezekiel in Ez. 2-3
- Eat God's word = take its message to heart...internalize the prophecy and put it to work in one's life (Psalm 119:103, Jer. 15:16)
- Sweet = God's sovereign will is always beneficial
- The saints will be rewarded & vindicated for the sacrifices/investments they make. Eternal life is a sure
thing in Jesus, so even in the midst of persecution trust in him
- God is in control & nothing happens without his knowledge
- The end is near. The scroll is the prophecy/judgments that will set things right.
- Bitter = the end is near, but it will involve great suffering and martyrdom
So what? Application?
In light of God's sovereignty what do you do with suffering?
- 1 Peter 4:12-19 (Purpose) God allows trials to test/strengthen our faith...Satan tries to use them to get
us to curse/abandon God
- 1 Thes. 5:18 (Response)
What role does God's word play in your life?
- Encouraging?
- Refining?
- Sweet?
- Bitter?
- Who is the person you have the most difficulty with? Have you extended them grace? Give them the
Grace Card (see the movie of the same name)
- FBC is to be a no triangulation zone. Triangulation occurs when you have a problem with person A, but
go to person B and complain hoping that they will side with you and never go to person A. That is not in
line with Matt. 18. Try to work things out with person A and if not take a witness and if not then go to
the elders...
Are you willing to be content in letting God be in control?
Are you willing to be a witness no matter the cost?
- If intense persecution broke out today how would we continue to maintain our "up" (relationship w/
God) and the "in" (relationship w/ other believers) and the "out" (our witness to those outside of a
relationship w/ Jesus)? Life Transformation Groups provide a key to all of this.
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