Unity - Part 5

Unity - Part 5

Paul and Barnabas over John Mark

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Acts 13:2

But then we read only 2 chapters later

35But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others also, the word of the Lord.36After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. 38But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

13After setting sail from Paphos, Paul and his companions came to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. Acts 13:13

Unity - Part 4

Unity

What a wonderful commodity in the community of believers.

What a powerful concept

What an enabling principle – what we can do as a united body of believers.

Jesus and Judas

I kept all but one

While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. John 17:12

Jesus said:

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. John 6:38

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10

Thanksgiving Encouragement

Thanksgiving

It is easy to be thankful because.

But thankfulness – gratitude – appreciation for the Christian goes way beyond thankful because – to thankful regardless.

Paul was thankful for relationships

3 Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again. 5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 2 Timothy 1:3-5 (NLT)

James was thankful for trials and tests

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)

 David was thankful

 9 I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. Psalm 57:9 (NLT)

From Jesus we see an incredible example of gratitude

 Food:

35 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. 37 They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. Matthew 15:35-37 (NIV)

 Answered prayer:

40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” John 11:40-42 (NIV)

He gave thanks going to the cross:

 14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. Luke 22:14-20 (NIV)

Thankful regardless.

Unity - Part 3

Abraham and Lot

Mutual benefit when working together but still disunity and separation occurred.

Three Causes of Disunity:

1.   Self promotion - Genesis 13:9-11

 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” 10 Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company:

2.   Disunity in Staff – Genesis 13:7

3.   Success - Genesis 13:1-6

But success must be managed well. 

Proverbs 30:7-9

7 Two things I ask of You—

do not refuse me before I die:

8 Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me.

Give me neither poverty nor riches;

feed me with the bread that is my portion.

9 Otherwise, I may have too much

and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’

Or I may become poor and steal,

profaning the name of my God.

Unity - part 2

Unity - part 2

1.  Moses and Aaron

Exodus 4:22-23

22 Then say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son 23 and I told you, "Let my son go, so he may worship me." But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.' "

Let my people go to worship me.

Vision Gives Direction and makes unity possible

Aaron’s response resulted in three things happening.

 Misdirected Actions

Exodus 32:1 (NIV) 1 When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”

Misdirected Faith

Exodus 32:4 (NIV)
4He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”

Misdirected Values

Exodus 32:5 (NIV)
5When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the Lord.”

Unity

Unity

What a wonderful commodity in the community of believers.

What a powerful concept

What an enabling principle – what we can do as a united body of believers.

Unity is a priority.

Genesis 11:4-6 says this

4Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth." 

5But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. 

6The Lord said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.

Unity is a major theme in the New Testament.

2I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Phil 4:2-3 (NIV)

2I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready, 3for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly?

Maturity is proven in relationship.

Maturity is proven in not quarreling

Maturity is not acting in jealousy toward another

Unity is the focus and action of mature believers.

Testing of Abraham - part 5

Testing of Abraham - Impossibility

 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:3

 1.  Change

2.  Uncertainty

3.  Delay

4.  Perceived impossibility.

5.  Unfair Situations 

 "By faith, Abraham when God tested him..."  Hebrews 11:17

It is a test. 

 v. 19 "Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead and figuratively speaking he did raise Isaac back from the dead."

Testing of Abraham - part 4

Testing of Abraham - part 4 Impossibility

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:3

1.  Change

2.  Uncertainty

3.  Delay

4.  Today I want to discuss the test of perceived impossibility.

Luke 18:27 But He said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”

Luke 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God.

Jeremiah 32:27 “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?”

Hebrews 6:18 "so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.

With that as our foundation – look at Hebrews 11:11

11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren-was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.  Hebrews 11:11

7 The Lord appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the Lord , who had appeared to him.  Gen 12:7

More Specific in Gen 18:

10 Then the Lord said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son." Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 

11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren-was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.  Hebrews 11:11

Testing of Abraham - part 3

Testing of Abraham - Part 3

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3

 3.  DELAY.  This test causes us to ask "When?" – why hasn’t it happened yet?  "By faith he made his home in the Promised Land like a stranger in a foreign country.  He lived in tents as did Isaac and Jacob who were heirs of him of the same promise."  Hebrews 11:9

 Nehemiah

Elijah

Jesus

Testing of Abraham -part 2

Testing of Abraham - part 2

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:3

2.  Uncertainty.  Hebrews 11:8 8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

It is clearly stated in this verse that even though he did not know where he was going.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight

Testing - Abraham

Testing Abraham

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:3

1.   CHANGE.  Hebrews 11:8 8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

Test of Influence

Test of Influence

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:3

 Last week - Test of Self Leadership – Exodus 2:11

 13 The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, "Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?" 14 The man said, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and thought, "What I did must have become known."

Today:

1.   Test of Influence – Exodus 2:13-14

13 The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, "Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?" 14 The man said, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and thought, "What I did must have become known."

2.   Test of Confidence – Exodus 2:14-15

14 The man said, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and thought, "What I did must have become known." 15 When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well.

23 During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God.  Ex 2:23

Moses reply:

3:11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

4:1 Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The Lord did not appear to you'?"

Test of Self Leadership

Test of Self Leadership

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:3

1.  Test of Self Leadership – Exodus 2:11

11 One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. 12 Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

Leading In Changing Times - Part 2

Leading in changing times - part 2

8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Cor 4:8-9

Romans 12:9-11

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.  11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

1.  Never quit caring about people.

2.  Realize that there are things that will kill your passion and your effectiveness.  Do go there.  Stay out of those situations.

3.  Don’t just avoid the wrong – actively do what is right.

Today let me give you two more thoughts:

4.  Make certain your leadership is kind.

10  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

5.  Remember you will not effectively lead – alone.

10  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Leading In Changing Times

Leading In Changing Times

Romans 12:9-11

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.  11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 2 Tim 1:6 NIV

1.  Never quit caring about people.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. John 9:4 NIV

2.  Realize that there are things that will kill your passion and your effectiveness.  Do go there.  Stay out of those situations.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Genesis 39:9 9No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?"

3.  Don’t just avoid the wrong – actively do what is right.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Functional Humility - Part 2

Functional Humility - Part 2

2.  Functional Humility is seen in the ability to work hard – even in challenging and uncertain times

2  While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."  Acts 13:2

5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 2 Tim 4:5

3.  Functional humility demands the ability to bounce back in disappointment.

Mark 14: 32-36

32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 

33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 

34 "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." 

35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 

36 "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

Functional Humility - Part 1

Functional Humility

Humility is a big deal in God's economy – for God's leaders – for God's people.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."  James 4:6

1.  Humility starts with questions. 

• ·        Questions that cause you to doubt that must be dealt with.

Moses asked – Who am I?

Exodus 3:

11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

Pharaoh asked – Who is God?

Exodus 5:

2 Pharaoh said, "Who is the Lord , that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go."

•   Questions asked that test your listening skills.

Exodus 4:

2 Then the Lord said to him, "What is that in your hand?" "A staff," he replied. 

•   Questions that equip you

Jethro asked What are you doing?

14 When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?"

• Questions that are not questions but rather accusations

The Israelites asked questions at the Red Sea in Exodus 14

10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. 

11 They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 

12 Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!"

Moses ignores the accusation and address the issue.  Look at his response that denotes humility – not anger in this situation.

13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.

Leading Through Crisis - Part 5

Leading Through Crisis - Part 5

Let me remind you of what we have discussed so far in this study on leading in crisis.

I.  Check your attitude – so that it too does not end up out of control

II.      Reinforce your spiritual disciples.

III.    Don’t forget you are setting an example. 

IV.    In Crisis – prayer is where you gain your edge.

V.    Be selective who you are listening to.

VI.    Develop and carry out a strategy according to Godly Principles.

Let me draw my final thoughts on this topic of leading in crisis from 2 Chronicles 20

VII.  Make certain you have the right people in leadership positions

 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the Lord , for his love endures forever." 

22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

VIII. Don’t forget to be thankful.

Crisis and thanksgiving are a theme in scripture.

Leading Through Crisis - Part 4

Leading Through Crisis - Part 4

2 Chronicles 20

I.            Check your attitude – so that it too does not end up out of control.

Verses 1-3

After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat.  2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi).  3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 

II.          Reinforce your spiritual disciples.

Verses 3-4

3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord , and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 

4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord ; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. 

 III.        Don’t forget you are setting an example.

 5 Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard

Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. Colossians 4:6 NLT

IV.        In Crisis – prayer is where you gain your edge.

6 and said: "O Lord , God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.

V.           Be selective who you are listening to.

14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah…

15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. 

16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 

17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.' " 

 VI.        Develop and carry out a strategy according to Godly Principles.

16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 

17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.' " 

18 Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. 

19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with very loud voice.

You see your priorities and principles must be clear – to you and to those who are following you.

Crisis demands clarity.

20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful."

Principles and Priorities - They must be lived out.

21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the Lord , for his love endures forever." 

22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

Leading Through Crisis - Part 3

Leading Through Crisis - Part 3

V.           Be selective who you are listening to.

14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah…

15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. 

16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 

17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.' "