Category: Sunday Message

A Psalm About Being in God’s Presence

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Alan brought a lovely teaching from Psalm 84 for about being in God’s presence. 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 to read Scriptures Alan references. Enjoy!

A Psalm About Being in God’s Presence

Introduction: Three Ways God is Present

  1. His omnipresence (Psalm 139)
  2. His positional presence – the temple, the tabernacle, where believers are gathered (Matthew 18:19-20)
  3. His indwelling presence (John 17:20-23)

Psalm 84

  1. Three Results of Being in God’s Presence (Psalm 84:1-2)
    • Where God is present, there is beauty.
      • It’s a beautiful thing to see God’s presence in His people.
      • Keith Green “Stained Glass” (click to listen on YouTube; scroll a bit to read the lyrics in the comments)
    • God’s presence creates a hunger for more of Him.
      • Sometimes we aren’t hungry for God because we are satiated with everything else.
      • We don’t know we are to hunger for Him.
      • Psalm 63:1
    • God’s presence brings a substantive joy to the whole of our person.
  2. Contentment in God’s Presence (Psalm 84:3-4)
    • God’s presence lets you know you are valuable.
      • The Psalmist says something about two birds which Jesus mentions in the New Testament:
        • Sparrows
          • was considered a worthless bird, but God values it and gives it a home (Matthew 10:29)
          • God gives a home to birds, how much more does He value us?
        • Swallows
    • God’s presence can be a remedy to restlessness.
      • A swallow is always darting about, but even it has a nest.
      • Matthew 11:28-29
      • When we sacrifice those things that make our spirit restless on the altar of God, we can find peace in Him.
    • God’s presence is an inexhaustible personal resource.
      • He is to David the “Lord of Hosts” and “My King.”
      • God is not so exhausted in taking care of the multitudes that He wouldn’t have enough time for you individually.
  3. God’s Presence in Our Hearts (Psalm 84:5-11)
    • God in our heart is a source of daily strength in life’s trials, if we really want it.
      • To want it, we have to keep our heart highway open to God (Philippians 4:13)
      • “I can’t; He can. He never said I could; He always said He would. And He always will.” -Major Ian Thomas
    • God in our heart can turn sorrow in our lives into a spring in others’.
    • God in our heart is our shield and our anointing.
      • He sets our hearts apart to Him.
    • God in our heart should be seen as better than everything else.
      • Is it?
      • Better is one day in Your courts!
    • The evidence of God’s presence in our heart is how much we really trust Him.

The Call

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Terry spoke a few Sundays ago on “The Call” and the people who answer God’s call. To hear this message, simply click play on the audio player below. *The recorder was turned on a bit late, so the introductory part of the message is missing. Also included are some notes and links to Scriptures he references in this message.

The Call

God’s ways are not our ways! (Isaiah 55:8-9)

2 Peter 3:9 – God doesn’t want anyone to perish.

The Holy Spirit draws us to God (John 6:44).

1 Corinthians 1:26-29

  • God doesn’t always (or even usually) call the qualified (1 Corinthians 1:26)
  • 5 Types of People that Answer God’s Call (1 Corinthians 1:27-28) *the recorder was turned on at this point
    1. foolish things of the world: how the world views us
    2. weak things: those that need help/don’t have it all together
    3. base things: lowly, ignoble, without family (unimportant to the world)
    4. despised things: those the world has turned its back on
    5. the things that are not: those counted as nothing in this world
  • Why? So we won’t glory in ourselves, but in God. (1 Corinthians 1:29)
    • What causes a Christian to be successful is not who we are on our own, but how much God can work through us.
    • Humble thyself so He can lift you up (1 Peter 5:6)
    • Philippians 3:3-14 – Paul’s testimony
      • let go of ourselves
      • take hold of Christ
    • Isaiah 42 – the Suffering Servant
      • God specializes in using damaged people (Isaiah 42:3)

Living the Great Commandment, pt. 4

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Loving God with Our Soul was Alan’s fourth part of his continuing series on Living the Great Commandment. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. Also included are Alan’s outline and links to Bible Gateway for the Scriptures he references. Enjoy!

Living the Great Commandment (Part 4)

Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:36-40; Luke 10:25-28; Mark 12:28-34

Loving God with Our Soul

  1. Defining the Soul:
    • The word translated soul is the Hebrew word Nephesh, meaning “breath of life” (Genesis 2:7).
      • The idea is our life as it is connected to the creator God. The concept of the soul as something separate from the body is more of a Greek philosophical concept and would have been foreign to the Hebrew mindset.
      • When the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) is translated, in the majority of English translations, as “love God with all your soul,” it is saying love God with the whole of your being, as it is connected to your Creator. He is the breath of life in your throat and lungs, so love Him completely.
  2. Soul Satisfaction (Psalm 42:1-2; Psalm 23:3)
    • What we look to for satisfaction in our lives exhibits where our love allegiance lies. The soul is always seeking satisfaction.
    • “God is most satisfied in us when we are satisfied in Him.” -John Piper
    • If we say we love God, our lives must be shown to be satisfied in God.
  3. A Soul Story (Luke 7:31-48)
    • This story is a great picture of love allegiance defined by what a person treasures.
    • What do you really treasure?
  4. The Soul and Emotions
  5. The Soul and Eternal Life
  6. Conclusion
    • Our lives have an eternal dynamic. If our lives demonstrate a love for God and others, that is evidence we are in right relation to God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. To be in relation to God the Father and His Son through the Spirit is to have eternal life.

Living the Great Commandment, pt. 3

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Alan continued his series on Living the Great Commandment by teaching us about “The Mind and Loving God and Our Neighbor.”

Living the Great Commandment, pt. 3

Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Matthew 22:36-40

The Mind of God and Loving God and Your Neighbor

  1. Big Starting Point
    • Our love for God is based on His first loving us. His love has flowed to us to flow out of us. Our love for God involves seeing His mercy and lovingkindness to us (Psalm 51:1, John 17:26). God demonstrates His love in giving His Son (John 3:16).
  2. How do we use our mind for loving God?
    • Have a mindset that thinks upon God & the things of God and see life from a Christ-minded perspective.
    • You become what you think (Matthew 12:34).
    • What you should think upon (Philippians 4:1-9)
    • Two kinds of mindsets (Romans 8:5-11; Galatians 5:13-26)
      • A mind that is set on the flesh has 4 characteristics:
        • The end is death (meaning the absence of the Spirit)
        • Hostile to God
        • Doesn’t submit to God
        • Cannot please God
      • A mind that is set on the Spirit has 2 main characteristics:
        • Life alive in Christ
        • Life lived in peace
    • A mindset on Christ looks after others, not just one’s own needs (Philippians 2:1-11)
  3. Conclusion: The only life that was ever lived as God intended mankind to live was lived by Christ. Our obedience is found in being Christ-like. We bring Him glory by loving Him and loving others.

The Praise of Wise and Godly Women

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Last Sunday, Alan gave his last message on the book of Proverbs by taking us through Proverbs 31. 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 verses her references. Enjoy!

The Praise of Wise and Godly Women

Proverbs 31

Big Theme: Wisdom is personified as a woman in Proverbs. Three significant passages in Proverbs give the full picture of Lady Wisdom (1:8-33; 8:1-36; 9:1-12). Lady Wisdom was even present at Creation (Proverbs 8:22). When you look at creation, you can see the wisdom of God.

Proverbs closes with an exhortation to praise wise and godly women, specifically wives. So the overall thrust is to give godly women the respect and authority they are due. This would involve respecting their gifts, wisdom, and voices. This is the overarching theme of scripture in relation to women. One of the things Jesus obviously stood against was the oppression of women by the male-dominated religious structures of the day.

  1. An Old Testament and New Testament Review of Women in Ministry
    • Old Testament
      • Two books named after (and centered around) women:
        • Ruth
        • Esther (who saved her nation)
      • Three Prophetesses
        • Miriam (Moses’ sister)
        • Deborah (one of Israel’s judges)
        • Huldah (2 Kings 22)
      • Women were privy to angelic visitations
      • Women could take a Nazarite vow & offer the appropriate sacrifices for it (Numbers 6:1-21)
      • Women could minister at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting
      • Women could participate in music and processionals
      • The prophet Joel envisioned a time when God’s Spirit would pour out on all people, irrespective of gender and class (Joel 2:28-29).
    • New Testament
      • Acts 2 – correlates Joel’s vision with the coming of the Holy Spirit
      • Women who were followers of Jesus were engaged in both serving and speaking
        • In the book of Acts:
          • Dorcas
          • Lydia
          • Priscilla
          • Philip’s four daughters
        • Luke gives attention to several women who were important in Jesus’ ministry, including:
          • Mary, the mother of Jesus
          • Anna, the prophetess
          • A circle of women who served alongside and supported Jesus and the twelve
          • Mary, the sister of Martha
        • Paul notes a number of women who had roles in the work and ministry of the Apostle Paul:
          • Lydia and Priscilla (Acts)
          • Phoebe & Junia (Romans)
          • Chloe (Corinthians)
          • Euodia & Syntyche (Philippians)
          • Nympha (Colossians)
          • Lois & Eunice (Timothy)
          • Apphia (Philemon)
          • And others…
  2. Attributes (not all) of Godly Women/Wives
    • Her Value (Proverbs 31:10-12)
      • The scarcity of competent strength (valor, noble character), trust, and seeking others’ good makes them valuable.
      • It’s a unique thing to find an excellent, godly woman.
      • A husband finds his reward in a godly wife.
    • Her Activities (Proverbs 31:13-20)
      • The picture of an industrious woman who makes things happen (v. 13-14)
      • She can be a lioness of provision and protection (v. 15)
      • She plans and executes her plan (v. 16-17)
      • She saves accordingly so as not to run out of necessities (v. 18)
      • She is philanthropic with her revenue (v. 19-20)
    • Her Achievements (Proverbs 31:21-27)
      • She is successful – richly supplies her household (v. 21-22, 24-25)
      • She is a driving force behind her husbands success (v. 23)
      • She speaks wisdom coupled with love and is continually diligent (v. 26-27)
    • Her Praiseworthiness (Proverbs 31:28-31)
      • She earns her family’s praise for her competent strength [hayil in Hebrew] (v. 28-29)
      • She has earned and deserves the praise of all because she knows the principle characteristic of wisdom (v. 30-31)
  3. Practical Application to Decide Upon
    • How can a community of faith show the honor and respect that is due women is an important question to answer, not only in theory but in actual practice of the church.
    • The right for women to teach, to vote, to serve communion, what about women pastors? Are our views on these questions in line with Jesus’ treatment and respect of women?
      • The Woman at the Well (John 4:1-26)
      • The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:2-11)
      • Jesus recognized the dignity of women
    • Or are our views based on misinterpretations of a very few Pauline scriptures and our own cultural biases?
      • Women are to be silent (1 Corinthians 14:34-35)
        • Paul wrote this to a specific church, at a specific time, for a specific reason – those women were causing dissension in their church. Paul didn’t write that admonition because they were women, but because they were causing problems in their sin.
    • It is a question worth thinking upon and answering.

Giving

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Good afternoon! A few weeks ago, Terry stepped in when Alan wasn’t feeling well to teach about Christian giving. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included some notes with links to Bible Gateway for verses he referenced. Enjoy and be blessed!

Giving

  • Everything we have belongs to the Lord.
  • In the OT, 10% of the peoples’ increase was to go to the Lord (Deuteronomy 14:22-23)
  • Psalm 24:1
  • Proverbs 11:24-25 explains what God says about giving
    • When we step out in obedience, something supernatural happens.
    • disperse (by the guidance of the Holy Spirit) to/for God & we will have increase
    • withhold from God & live in want
  • We can’t out-give the Lord, but we must remember to give wisely.
  • God wants us to be a conduit – He will bless us, so that we can turn around and bless others
  • Proverbs 19:17 – the economy of how God works is opposite of the way the world works
  • Luke 21:1-4 – giving from the heart
  • Matthew 6:1-4 – be more concerned with helping than with how much you’re giving
  • Malachi 3:8-10 – only time God tells Israel to test Him (in regards to giving to the Lord and being blessed in return)
  • Exodus 16:14-20 – manna was not to be stored, only for meeting the needs of the day
  • 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – no longer are we under the 10% tithe (that was the Old Covenant)
    • v. 6 – reap what you sow
    • v. 7 – give from your heart (not grudgingly)

What Next?

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Memorial Day weekend found Terry teaching about what’s next, based ultimately on 1 Corinthians 15. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included notes and links to BibleGateway for the verses he references. May it bless you richly!

What Next?

  • Genesis 3 – man fell into sin & generally made a mess of everything
  • God, in His love and mercy, made a way for fallen, sinful man to be reconciled unto Him – the blood of Jesus Christ
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:23 – created in the image of God means that we are three parts (spirit, soul, body), just as He is three parts (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
  • Ephesians 1:13-14 – the Holy Spirit brings salvation (comes to indwell those who believe), seals/marks us as the property of God (a down payment/earnest money for eternal life)
    • God bought us out of sin & death at a tremendous cost to Jesus
    • We are a purchased possession of God
  • Spirit and Soul are made alive at the moment of salvation, but we are still looking forward to the redemption of the Body (which is dying every moment of every day)
    • It takes the grace of God to nurture this bag of bones over the finish line!
    • Romans 8:28 – our bodies breaking down is part of the humbling that we need to realize our need for the salvation that is found only in Christ.
    • The full, eternal, everlasting inheritance that we have in God includes redeemed bodies.
    • Our already redeemed spirit and soul are for us to be the salt and light for those who are still in darkness
    • Lamentations 3:22-23 – He will give us what we need to fulfill His purpose
  • Two Resurrections:
    • John 11:25-26 – He that believes in Jesus will live forever.
    • John 5:28-29 – All that are in the grave (a temporary holding place) will be raised
    • 1st Resurrection – for God & His people (believers)
    • 2nd Resurrection – for judgment of those who reject Christ
  • Philippians 3:20-21 – our citizenship is in heaven!
    • v. 20 – we eagerly wait for Jesus to return (fix our eyes on Him) – two ways to meet Him:
    • v. 21 – will change our lowly bodies to be like His glorious resurrected body
  • 1 Corinthians 15:25-26 – the last enemy is death
  • 1 Corinthians 15:50-52
    • flesh and blood cannot enter God’s presence (our earthly bodies are corrupted with sin)
    • we won’t all die (some of us will rise in the Rapture – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
    • Being with Jesus Christ is the hope of the believer.
  • What’s next? Salvation now, but a new body to house that life that God has imparted unto us. Until then, be busy doing the Lord’s will.

Proverbs on Relationships

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Hello again. Last Sunday, Alan taught on Proverbs 27:1-22 regarding relationships. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. Also included are Alan’s outline with some notes and links to Bible Gateway for the verses he references in the message. Enjoy!

Proverbs 27:1-22

Big Idea: These Proverbs teach on the relationships of friends, neighbors, marriage, and parenting.

  1. The Need for Praise (Proverbs 27:1-2)
    • v.1 – don’t make boastful assumptions about how things are going to happen
    • v.2 – be careful about self-praise & self-promotion (especially above your own level of competence)
      • “Praise that has a degree of merit is that which comes from unbiased sources.”
  2. Three Types of People to Avoid (Proverbs 27:3-4)
    • Fools (the emotionally irrational) – avoid the vexation (frustration, annoyance, or worry) of a fool
    • Hotheads (the angry) – are cruel & destructive, like a torrent or raging river
    • Jealous people (the envious) – an angry person is bad enough to deal with, but a jealous person is on a whole other level (think of Saul’s jealousy of David)
  3. Proverbs on Friendship (Proverbs 27:5-10)
    • v.5-6 – the benefit of a caring rebuke
    • v.7-8 – two things to guard against in marriage
      • those who are so satiated by wrong things that despise healthy things are sick
      • wandering leaves you vulnerable & exposed to sin
    • v.9-10 – two marks of good friends
      • good friends give needed counsel & are there for you in times of need
  4. Parenting Advice & Negative Warnings (Proverbs 27:11-16)
    • v.11-12 – father/son dynamic
      • a father should parent his son in such a way that the son’s life validates/honors his father
    • v.13-16 – three more people NOT to get involved with
      • shrewd business people
      • overly flattering people
      • contentious/nagging wives
  5. Final Words on Friendship (Proverbs 27:17-22)
    • v.17 – a good friend helps you be more purposeful and effective
    • v.18 – a good friend makes life sweeter & easier
    • v.19 – a good friend helps you with self-evaluation
    • v.20 – a good friend has boundaries & respects yours (unlike the leech – Proverbs 30:15)
    • v.21 – a good friend knows what merits praise and what doesn’t
    • v.22 – a good friend is wise and doesn’t persist in foolish behaviors that bring the inevitable consequence of grinding discipline

Conclusion: The Proverbs are a trusty roadmap for navigating through the different relationships we are involved in.

Contact – Dr. Alan Brock: albrock.ab@gmail.com

Seven Perverted Types of Humanity in Proverbs

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Hi all! Alan started the month of May with a message about some of the sevens of Proverbs, going in a bit more depth about the seven perverted types of humanity that are described in chapters 25 & 26. 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 referenced Scriptures at Bible Gateway. God bless!

Seven Perverted Types of Humanity

Proverbs 25:28-26:28

Big Truth: There are all types of wickedness and perversions that God hates. Proverbs looks at their destructive force.

The Number Seven in Proverbs

  1. Seven Deadly Sins – no actual list in the Bible, but found throughout the book of Proverbs
    • Pride
    • Greed
    • Envy
    • Wrath
    • Sloth
    • Gluttony
    • Lust
  2. Seven Things God Hates (Proverbs 6:16-19)
    • Haughty Eyes
      • haughty = high or lofty; high-handed; acting in rebellion to God
      • pride
      • arrogance
    • Lying Tongue
      • intent on doing harm toward others
    • Hands that Shed Innocent Blood
      • not talking about warfare or the death penalty
    • A Heart that Plans Malevolent Action
      • In the center of the list, because all things flow from the heart.
      • wishes to do evil to others
    • Feet that Run to Evil
      • looking to do evil
    • A Lying Witness
      • perjury against another person so they can be harmed
    • One Who Unleashes Conflict
      • spreads conflict/discord, especially among family members

Seven Types of Perverted Humanity

  1. The Undisciplined Person (Proverbs 25:28)
    • Lack of self-control
    • Lets their guard down; become vulnerable to attack
  2. The Fool (Proverbs 26:1-12)
    • Psalm 14:1
    • doesn’t receive wisdom or instruction
    • let pride rule themselves
    • Don’t honor the fool!
      • If a person/country continues to honor fools, rot will set in.
  3. The Sluggard (Slothful) (Proverbs 26:13-16)
    • There is a progression they follow:
      • can’t/won’t leave the house
      • can’t/won’t get out of bed
      • can’t/won’t even bother to eat
    • It’s just too much work to bother with.
  4. The Busybody (Proverbs 26:17)
    • Always involving themselves in others’ affairs
    • It will come back to bite them
  5. The Mischief-Maker (Proverbs 26:18-19)
    • one who does/says something harmful, but then claims they were only joking
    • damage happens whether it was a joke or not
  6. The Slanderer (Proverbs 26:20-22)
    • always looking for/passing along that tasty bit of gossip
    • kindles strife
  7. The Enemy Who Hates the Wise (Proverbs 26:23-28)
    • their key characteristic = deception
    • evil hates good

Conclusion: We need to be aware of the constant pervasiveness of the deadly deception that surrounds us and be careful who we trust.

Proverbs on the Use of Speech and Money

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

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
  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.