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Hi again! A few weeks ago, Alan taught on Proverbs 10:1-16 all about the use of speech and money matters. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included Alan’s outline with some notes and links to Bible Gateway for the Scripture references. Enjoy!

*Note: we didn’t get the first bit of this message recorded, so it starts in the midst of part two. Sorry!

Proverbs on the Use of Speech and Money

Proverbs 10:1-16

Big Point: How one conducts oneself in the matter of speech and money can be a matter of life and death. James 3:1-6

1. Parents have the responsibility of teaching wisdom in relation to the use of money and speech. (Proverbs 10:1)
   • The child’s responsibility is to listen and to “honor your father & mother” (Deuteronomy 5:16)
   • Wisdom (or lack thereof) affects both community and generations
2. There is a vital connection between wealth, righteousness, and eternal life. (Proverbs 10:2-5)
   • v. 2
     • Four things this verse doesn’t say –
       • If you live righteously, you’ll live a long life.
       • The wicked will live a shorter life.
       • A person can’t accumulate great wealth through wicked means.
       • If you live righteously, you will never experience want.
     • What this verse does say –
       • Your treasures can’t protect you from death/eternal judgment.
       • Luke 12:13-21 (this is where the recording begins)
   • v. 3 – the righteous do not get their satisfaction from their treasure (Matthew 5:6)
     • “You will never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul.” -Chuck Swindoll
   • v. 4 – the one who is always/continuously lazy/slothful will be poor
   • v. 5 – time is the most important commodity – you can never get it back
     • John 4:31-36
3. Words have powerful effects on ourselves and others. (Proverbs 10:6-14)
   • Big truth: Harmful words have a boomerang effect.
   • v. 6 – the wicked hide their true motives, but it will come back to haunt them.
   • v. 7 – the words of the righteous will bring them honor, but the words of the wicked will rot (decay, make it stink) their reputation
   • v. 8 – the wise person is teachable, but know-it-alls come to ruin.
   • v. 9 – the more you lie, the better your memory needs to be! The schemer will be found out.
     • Some people have a long enough tongue to cut their own throat.
   • v. 10 – the “wink, wink guy” or people who use prayer requests as an excuse to gossip, etc. – they are troublemakers, they divide people & will come to ruin
   • v. 11 – the speech of the righteous is refreshing – it brings eternal life; wickedness/deception is draining/soul-sucking
   • v. 13 – those whose ears are closed to the truth sometimes need the rod, nothing else will get through to them
   • v. 12 – two ways to respond to others’ words against us:
     • in like kind (with hatred, baiting)
     • in love (which covers all transgressions)
   • v. 14 – need to have a knowledge base to deal with people we encounter
4. Final words on wealth. (Proverbs 10:15-16)
   • v. 15 – A person who doesn’t have wisdom thinks their wealth will give them security.
     • It may give you some security in life, but not in eternal life.
     • 1 Timothy 6:10
   • v. 16 – Romans 6:23
   • Wealth can give a false sense of security and poverty can be a terrifying thing. The only way to get a proper perspective is to weigh things in light of eternity.
5. Conclusion: Another reason to read Proverbs is to keep a proper view on the power of words and money.

While we, unfortunately, did not get the message recorded from Easter Sunday, I am posting Alan’s outline and notes with links to the Scriptures on Bible Gateway. It was a beautiful message about what it means to be a Christian. Enjoy!

Introduction

Two Aspects of the Gospel

1. The objective aspect, which involves the actual reality of the person and works of Christ. Specifically, this week the focus is on the cross and resurrection as actual events that occurred. The objective aspect is the Truth.
2. The subjective aspect, which involves how we appropriate and benefit from the realities of the person and work of Christ. One example of this aspect is understanding and appropriating the truth that the risen Christ is alive to live in and through us. But for that to happen, we need to be aware of and act upon that truth. The subjective aspect is how you apply the truth to your life.

We will focus today on five elements of the subjective aspect. In light of the crucifixion and the resurrection:

1. We must realize our own sinfulness
   • Romans 6:23
   • 1 John 1:8
   • Ephesians 2:1-3
   • Sin = not being who God created you to be
   • Let’s be clear: we are all sinners. There is no such things as those who sin and those who don’t. It’s a matter of whether we are repentant/justified/reconciled sinners or unrepentant/unjustified/unreconciled sinners.
2. We must reject works
   • We can never merit/earn our way to being right with a Holy God.
   • Galatians 2:17-21
   • Ephesians 2:4-9
3. We must reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive in Christ
   • Galatians 2:20
   • How do you become dead to sin? Identify yourself with the cross of Christ. Say, along with Paul, “I want to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.”
   • Know that with Christ we have the capacity to not sin.
   • Philippians 3:10
4. We must resolve to live in resurrection power through active faith
   • Faith isn’t just a one-time/passing thing. We need to be “faithing” it each day.
   • Hebrews 11 – in the “Hall of Faith” it is important to note that none of them were right with God by their works, but by their faith.
   • Romans 5:9-11 – we are made right/reconciled by His death on the cross; we are continuing to be saved by His life in us.
5. We must constantly remind ourselves of who we are in Christ
   • Psalm 8: what mankind was meant to be & can be in Jesus Christ

Conclusion: Putting faith in Christ is a constant lifestyle of trusting in Him to do what you can’t do for yourself. Is Christ alive in you today?

Hi all! I am attempting to get caught up (again!), so I’ll be posting the messages we have from Alan from the last few weeks over the next days, beginning with his Palm Sunday message. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included his outline and some notes, along with links to Scripture at Bible Gateway. Praying you are blessed by this message.

Jesus’ Entry to People’s Worship

Introduction: Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, at the beginning of Passover week, is met by the praise of people. This event is commonly referred to as the Triumphal Entry and also referred to as Palm Sunday. Every gospel records this event. This event teaches us the reasons we should praise Jesus. I’ll only read one of the gospel recordings, but look at all of them, because there are unique words in each record. Palm Sunday is all about praise! We will look at praise from four aspects.

The four gospel accounts of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry:

• Matthew 21:1-14
• Mark 11:1-11
• Luke 19:28-40
• John 12:12-19

1. The Context of the People’s Praise: the feast of Passover
2. The Center of the People’s Praise: Jesus
3. The Content of the People’s Praise: Hosanna!
4. The Critics of the People’s Praise: the Pharisees

Conclusion: Praise is the answer to pity and the weapon against the enemy (Psalm 8:2).

Hello again! Terry’s final message in his series on Christian Living – taking us through the book of Ephesians – was given on March 19th. You can listen to it below. I’ve also posted the recording of his message last Sunday about The Kingdom based on Matthew 6:24-34. I pray these messages bless you!

To listen to a message, simply click play on the audio player below.

**Special Note regarding Easter Sunday: We won’t be holding Sunrise Service at the Cross this year (it’s still quite cold, and we’re expecting possible snow this week). However, we will be having a potluck breakfast at the church at 9:00 am, followed by Easter Sunday Service at 10:30 am. Praying you can join us for a blessed day of fellowship and worship!

Hi there! It’s been a while, but after a few missteps and things out of our control, I finally have a few of Terry’s messages in his continuing series on Christian Living from the book of Ephesians. There are five in this series, with one or two more to come. There will be some holes between these messages and the last few, due to my mistakes and Terry’s illness. But we have messages from the end of January and from February for you. I pray you are blessed by them!

Hello again! Pastor Alan’s second message he shared with us (from January 15th) was entitled “Wise Words to Live by in a Wicked World.” To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below.

I’ve also included Alan’s outline with links to Bible Gateway for the Scripture references. Enjoy and be blessed!

Proverbs: Wise Words to Live by in a Wicked World

1. Review
   • Proverbs says you cannot have wisdom without having a fear of God.
   • We must acknowledge the authority and control that God has in the affairs of our lives – that is a part of godly wisdom.
   • It is foolish to despise the wisdom and fear and instruction of God (in other words, trying to do it all on your own) – Proverbs 1:7.

Types of Fools in Proverbs

1. The Mocker/Scoffer (Proverbs 21:24)
   • Scoff at “ignorant, foolish Christians” who don’t understand the way the world “really” is.
   • The mocker may be “worldly or sophisticated” but they are really arrogant and have “overbearing pride.”
2. The Simple (Proverbs 14:15)
   • The simple/naive fool is marked by gullibility/easily led astray (“sheeple”) and are intellectually lazy
   • They tend to believe everything and remember nothing
3. The Obstinate (Proverbs 1:22c)
   • Most common and most dangerous type of fool in Proverbs.
   • Hates knowledge!
   • This person is highly opinionated: won’t listen to advice or correction.
   • Listening in Proverbs means acting upon advice or correction.
   • Proverbs 26:5, 26:17, 26:12, 26:16
4. The Troublemaker (Proverbs 6:12-15)
   • This person creates conflict, often through gossip (spreading lies) & fault-finding (pointing out others’ problems before examining themselves)
   • They cause real damage (both in the Church and in the world)
   • Think of the Pharisee and the tax collector praying in the Temple (Luke 18:9-14)
5. The Sluggard (Proverbs 6:6-11)
   • Lives by the motto: “Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow?”
   • They build their ultimate demise little by little: A day off here and there won’t hurt; a few more minutes on break won’t hurt anyone…

Proverbs 3:1-12 – Our Responsibilities (the odd verses) and God’s Promised Responses (the even verses)

1. Introduction (v. 1-4) – A human father’s instruction to his son
   • v. 1: Responsibility: Don’t forget the father’s teaching and keep the commandments.
   • v. 2: Response (Reward/Promise): Long life, well-being
   • v. 3: Responsibility: Continually practice mercy and truth. Mercy is described in Proverbs 3:27-30
   • v. 4: Response: You will have a better relationship with God and others.
2. Our Relating to God (v. 5-10)
   • v. 5-6a: Responsibility: Trust God fully and acknowledge Him. The opposite is to arrogantly say, “I did it my way…”
   • v. 6b: Response: He will make things easier to navigate.
   • v. 7: Responsibility: Be humble, fear God, and repent.
   • v. 8: Response: Healing and refreshing
     • Don’t be deceived – a man will reap what he sows. (Galatians 6:7)
     • We can shorten our lives by constantly disregarding God’s wisdom.
     • God will no be mocked.
   • v. 9: Responsibility: Honor God through what we do with our financial resources – bring Him our first fruits
   • v. 10: Response: God gives more to those who show responsibility with what they’ve been given (Parable of the Talents – Matthew 25:14-30)
3. A Warning (v. 11-12)
   • v. 11: Responsibility: to avoid loving discipline, do the above. If discipline comes, don’t despise it.
     • No discipline = total disaster
     • Punished to the 3rd & 4th generations
     • Blessed to the 1000th generation (about 30,000 years!)
   • v. 12: Response: God disciplines those He loves. It is proof we are His delight!

We had Pastor Alan back for a couple of weeks, and he continued his teaching in the Book of Proverbs. Here is the message from Sunday, January 8th. It’s all about knowing what is godly wisdom, and the process of applying that godly wisdom to your life.

To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included Alan’s outline with links to Bible Gateway for Scripture references. Enjoy!

Proverbs: Instruction on How to Live Life in Godly Wisdom

1. Godly wisdom involves the learned ability to discern and then apply Godly wisdom to life’s situations and decisions. (Proverbs 4:1-9; James 1:5, 2)
   • There is a difference between common sense and godly widsom
   • You can have knowledge without wisdom, but not wisdom without knowledge
   • Wisdom is applying the knowledge of the Word of God
2. Godly wisdom is always built on the foundation of the fear of the Lord. (Proverbs 1:7)
   • The fear of the Lord is to acknowledge God’s existence, power, and control
   • We can do nothing apart from Him (James 4:13-17)
3. Godly wisdom is an applied process of ongoing life decisions that bring life, rather than death, into a person’s life. (Proverbs 4:20-23)
   • This process involves at least five parts

The Five Parts

1. Godly wisdom operates within a framework of relationship: specifically, a relationship with Christ.
   • 1 Corinthians 1:22-31
   • Wisdom is found in Christ
2. Godly wisdom calls us to daily repentance (turning).
   • Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the great German pastor, theologian, martyr, and spy, was asked in 1943 how it was possible for the Church to sit back and let Hitler seize absolute power. His firm answer: “It was the teaching of cheap grace. Cheap grace is the teaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ.” We live in a time and culture that not only teaches cheap grace but praises it.
   • Proverbs is a continual call to turn from folly to wisdom. (Proverbs 1:20-33)
   • Proverbs outlines the Seven Deadly Sins to turn from:
     • envy
     • gluttony
     • greed
     • lust
     • pride
     • laziness
     • wrath
   • Proverbs drives home the painful truth that moral neutrality is not a choice!
3. Godly wisdom calls us to review everyday choices.
   • The beginning of a new year is a good time to review where you went wrong before! (Proverbs 5:21-23)
   • God sees all we do, so we need to examine ourselves & make wise changes
4. Godly wisdom calls us to resolve to live a “much more” life.
   • The “Much More” Life according to Romans.
     • We are much more than just justified. Being reconciled to God allows us to live in God (Romans 5:6-11).
     • The much more life is a life of freedom from the destruction of sin’s habitual enslavement (Romans 6:8-11, 15-23).
     • The much more life stands & operates in the grace of God (Romans 5:1-2).
     • The much more life is a life of assurance, not ruled by continual anxiety and fear (Romans 8:37-39).
     • The much more life is living the resurrected life of Christ (Romans 6:4-11).
     • Galatians 2:20
5. Godly wisdom calls for daily renewal by walking in the way of wisdom. (Proverbs 10:17)

We must relate, review, repent, resolve, & renew. It’s the wise way to go!

Hello and Happy New Year! I’m trying to get caught up after a very busy and crazy few months. Pastor Alan has been away, so Terry has been teaching. Most of his messages were recorded, but not all, so I’m posting all that I have of Terry’s “Christian Living” series from the book of Ephesians. To listen to these messages, click play on the audio player of the message you’d like to hear below. Thanks!