What is Lent? & Continuation of the Parables from Past Weeks: March 5, 2014

What is lent?

-Takes place 46 days before Easter

-6 days are sabbath days

More liturgical churches celebrate lent to recognize this story:

Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to the desert for 40 days to be tempted by the enemy. 

     He was tempted by:

          -lust of the eyes

          -lust of the flesh

          -pride of life

What purpose did suffering (or having temptation) have in Jesus’ life?

-He learned OBEDIENCE by what he suffered

-This was to prove that even when tempted, Jesus wouldn’t sin.

What do the ashes represent?

Ashes are mixed with water or oil and smeared on the forehead. This reminds them that for the next 40 days, join with Jesus, and give up something to remind ourself that He gave up Everything.

Job 42:3-6

     -Job says he despises himself 

     -Then he repents for feeling entitled after realizing how GREAT and BIG God is

Daniel 9:3

     Why was Daniel fasting and praying?

     -For his people. He took the sins of his people

Matthew 11:21

CONTINUING FROM LAST WEEK:

These three parables have to do with the kingdom

Matthew 25: 31-46
Who are the main characters in this story?

-The Righteous

-The Un-Righteous 

-The sheep

-The goats

-The king

-The devil

-Angels on both side

What were their attitudes and activity?

The sheep

-They are selfless

-They will go out of their way to help

-Fed the hungry, and clothed the naked

-Cared for the sick and visited prisoners

-They will sacrifice to benefit others

The goats

-They are selfish

-accusing God

-Eyes were set on themselves

-unwilling to help

Final state of the sheep: Eternal life with the shepherd 

Final state of the goats: Eternal punishment

Is there any modern day equivalent to this parable?

Pastor Dan's Follow-Up Notes from February 26th

Pastor Dan’s Follow-Up Notes:

1. All the servants had abilities in themselves as seen in vs 15
2. the master entrusted them with HIS property to them vs14
3. The master did not ask more of those who had less natural abilities only what he thought they each were capable of (pretty insightful and kind!}
4. the first 2 did not dilly dally, but went immediately to invest the gift from their master "at once" vs16
5. For those that invest what is given, they are invited into the "Masters Happiness"  {parable does not say what that is} vs 21 and 23
6. The one talent servant does not invest vs 18
7. The one who does not invest tries to downplay the master by pointing out what he perceives as the masters "bad"points see vs's24-25 "you are a hard man gathering where you do not sow...."
8. Master does not deny the claim but also does not agree that he is a hard man, only that he reaps where he does not sow.....
9. Master does not waste talents, he gives them to the investor (see the one with ten talents} vs 28
10. If we do not invest our talents they are not wasted but will be picked up by another but the waster will suffer loss! vs 29-30

In essence, what we see is that all are given natural abilities and God then gives us opportunity to invest them and the gifts by which to invest them. It is not an issue of how many natural gifts you have, but rather what you do with what you have been given.

Those that are grateful for what they have been given will invest and leave the results and rewards with the Master. Those that are bitter or ungrateful (or perhaps unwilling to deal with their fears and misgivings about the master) suffer loss.

We all reap where we have not sown (we breath air we did not make, walk on ground we did not create etc ) but each have abilities that we should be grateful for and invest what ever God gives us to invest toward his glory.

Parable of the Bags of Gold: February 26, 2014:

INTRO:   “Speak Life” by TobyMac music video

“In every encounter we either speak life; or we drain it”

“If we judge a fish on how well he climbs a tree, he’s going to feel stupid the rest of his life.” 

We need to be more conscious of what measuring stick we are pulling out.

Summarizing Last Week:

-Fearing the Lord is the beginning of WISDOM (Be aware of Him in every step you take)

-Knowing the path is different than being ON the path

Everyone has different applications for learning. 

Take what you learn, start applying it, and the next step will come and so will understanding. 

All scripture is God breathed and is profitable

Matthew 25: 14-30  The Parable of the Bags of Gold

Who are the main characters in this story?

-The Master

-The man with 1 talent

-The man with 2 talents

-The man with 5 talents

What were their attitudes and activity?

-The Master

-Gave them valuables of his own 

-He only did it according to their ability

-He was expecting something in return 

What was the final outcome?

Is there any modern day equivalent to this parable?

Matthew 25: 31-46
Ask yourself the same questions for each: 

Who are the main characters in this story?

What were their attitudes and activity?

Is there any modern day equivalent to this parable?

Personal Fulfillment vs. Selfishness: February 19, 2014

 INTRO:   Sand Art Video

Matthew 25: 1-13

Who are the main characters in this story?

     -Ten virgins (5 foolish and 5 wise)

     -The bridegroom

     -The announcer

     -Doorkeeper (lord lord, sir sir)

What were their attitudes and activity?

        All the virgins:

                -Were set with oil lamps (wise brought oil and foolish didn’t bring oil)

                -They all had the same invitation

                -They all had purity

                -They all fell asleep

                -They were all waiting for the bridegroom

       -The wise were prepared

       -The wise weren’t willing to share (because they had to take care of themselves)

       -Foolish were beggars 

What was the final outcome?

     -Foolish weren’t accepted in and the wise were

Is there any modern day equivalent to this parable?

     -The ants and the grasshopper (Aesop’s Fable)

     -The Church (Some are ready and some are not)

SUMMARY:

How do we know if our decision to "take care of ourself" is selfish or self-protecting?
     -Take it before the Lord and if you can stand in awe before the Lord at the decision you have made, then               chances are you made the right decision. If it isn't the right decision, God is understanding because He knows

       that you took the time to bring it before Him and just may not have heard correctly. He is understanding!

(We didn’t get to these below, but Pastor Dan told us to do them on our own)

Matthew 25: 14-30

Who are the main characters in this story?

What were their attitudes and activity?

Is there any modern day equivalent to this parable?

Matthew 25: 31-46

Who are the main characters in this story?

What were their attitudes and activity?

Is there any modern day equivalent to this parable?

Combatting Evil: February 12, 2014

INTRO:  We recapped on our assignment of where we see God moving...

Topic: How Evil Moves and How to STOP it.....

Genesis 3:1-24

What strikes you about this reading?

-Cursed is the ground we walk on (we’re walking through sin)

-Everyone’s blaming each other

Let’s go back and examine Satan’s tactic...

-Serpent asks, “Did He really tell you that?” to raise doubt in Eve’s mind

-Serpent words the question to make God seem not personable 

-The serpent used the TRUTH for evil

How was trust broken in this story?

-Doubt raises

-Words of God are twisted by the serpent 

Also See:

--Ephesians 6:16  Evil is going to continue to fire. Use your shield of FAITH

--John 8:44 Jesus says that Satan was a murderer since the beginning. He killed our open communication with the Lord. Satan took our “free will” and used it to his advantage.

--Romans 10:17 Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Stand on the word

SUMMARY*****Protect yourself from doubt through God’s WORD

7 Ways We Hear the Voice of God: February 5, 2014

 INTRO:  “Open the Eyes of My Heart” by Christopher Duffley

Three voices we listen to:

1. Jesus, God, Holy Spirit

2. The Flesh 

3. The Enemy 

Are there other voices we may hear?

-Family

-Environment

Conversational Notes: 

-Some people don’t necessarily want to call it “hearing” God. Some people “SEE” too. We all perceive differently  (Think of different types of learning styles: visual, audible, etc.)

-Some people choose to have “selective hearing” and tune certain voices out, 

BUT GOD SAYS EVERYONE CAN HEAR FROM HIM

Hebrews 5:14  We can recognize God’s voice by “solid food” or spending time in the word

Isaiah 30:20-21 Even though you have affliction and adversity you can still hear a voice

7 Ways We Can Hear the Voice of God

1)-  (Scripture) 2Timothy 3:16-17 

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2)-  (Holy Spirit) Hebrews 8:10-11   also see John 14,15,16

This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.

3)- (Prophecy) 1Thessalonians 5:19-21 

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.

What is prophecy? Comes from God, comes to mankind, and it’s acted out.

4)- (Godly Counsel) Proverbs 11:14 

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.

5)- (Confirmation) Matthew 18:16

But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

6)- (Peace or Completion) Colossians 3:15

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

7)- (Circumstances) Acts 18:1-3

There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.

**Circumstances can line up according to God’s will

SUMMARY:

-To hear God’s voice can be a mixture of these. 

-You should have multiple ones in coordination.

THIS WEEK:  Pastor Dan challenges you to the same assignment as last week:

Notate where you see God moving, where you haven't seen him before.

And might we possibly be able to join Him in that movement?

Review Night: January 29,2014

INTRO: We started with a YouTube video about nature. 

We discussed our thoughts and reactions behind the video:

-Some commented that it's amazing to see a world, smaller than our own, functioning and fighting to survive

-Katie commented on how the music connects with the video, reminding us that everything is moving to it's own beat.

-Pastor Dan mentioned the mass amount and variety of color that God has given the "bug world" and how he is in absolute awe over the fact that God gives us the privilege to SEE color in the first place.

Then we basically just reviewed what we have discussed the past few weeks... The idea was to not only educate ourselves on God’s special revelation (scripture), but to apply it to our everyday lives. If we continue to read, and move on, read and move on, we won’t remember to apply our learnings from each week. This is why it is important to go back and review at times. 

Reviewed This Discussion:

-What name of God currently seems most significant to YOU?

Referenced Verses:

-Hebrews 12:3

-Philippians 2

We also discussed the book of Job a bit

THIS WEEK’S ASSIGNMENT:

Notate where you see God moving, where you haven’t seen him before. And might we possibly be able to join Him in that movement?

God's Natural Revelation: January 22, 2014

INTRO: Natural Revelation vs. Special Revelation

-Natural revelation is God revealing Himself through nature

-Special revelation is God revealing Himself through scripture, the bible, etc.

NATURAL REVELATION

GROUP ACTIVITY (20 mins)

Read the following scripture and answer the following questions:

-What does God tell us about nature?

-What does nature tell us about God?

GROUP 1

Psalm 65: 9-13

Psalm 147: 7-9

Psalm 104: 21-30

Nature tells us that if we give praise and worship, He will extend his hand and provide.

God tells us that he will provide for us through nature. (Fields of grain, etc.)

“Read your bible, pray everyday and you’ll grow, grow, GROW”

“Don’t read your bible, forget to pray and you’ll shrink, shrink, SHRINK”

GROUP 2

Romans 1: 18-20 -His invisible attributes are visible through nature

                          -His special revelation confirms his natural revelation

Psalm 114: 1-8 -Even the stationary creations MOVE (nature obeys God)

Matthew 5: 44-48 -Our natural characteristics causes us to WANT to sin, but through Christ, we obey.

GROUP 3

Matthew 6: 28-32 -Cycle of life and death

Matthew 10: 29-31 -God takes care of our special needs (no matter how small we are)

Proverbs 8: 22-31   -Vast areas of God’s creation haven’t even been discovered

                             -We were God’s main focus during his creation of the Earth

Our importance to God is proven through TRUST

There are cycles, and if we follow God’s pattern, He will take care of us (TRUST). 

Pastor Dan's Message: January 19, 2014

Pastor Sarita's Message: January 12, 2014

How Do We Find God's Will?---January 15, 2014

INTRO: Lizzie Velasquez Video (What defines YOU?)

EXPERIENCING GOD

How do you know what God wants you to do?

-Talk to Him

-Listen

-Don’t always listen to others

-We don’t always know, most of the time it just happens

-Decisions can be confirmed down the road

-Keep up with your daily “walk”

-Sometimes it’s a feeling

GROUP ACTIVITY

Group 1: John 14:1-7

What does God give you to find the way? ----- HIMSELF as Jesus

-Jesus is the way to the Father (the way, the truth & the light)

-Trust in Jesus because he is the path to God and heaven 

-Not all evidence of God is visual but if you trust, believe and obey, 

you will find your way

-Jesus comforts his disciples, so even though he is leaving, he will still provide comfort

Group 2: John 15:1-8

What does God give you to find the way? ----- HIMSELF as our vine (source of life)

-God is the vine, we are the branches

-Whether we are living in Christ or not, there will be trimming

-If we live WITH Him, bad things are cut away

-If we live WITHOUT Him, we are cut away from Him

-He will prune us to better us

-If the branch isn’t attached to the vine, it doesn’t get nourishment 

Group 3: John 14: 15-20 & 25-26

What does God give you to find the way? ----- Love, Holy Spirit, and His Commands

-Keep His commands

-Confirmation

-Holy Spirit

-Wants you to live in Him, as He lives in you

-If (Because) you love me, you will (want to) obey my commands

**Not said in a manipulative way

***If you love Him you will have the desire to obey

SUMMARY OF GROUP ACTIVITY

When we ask God for direction, what does He give us?

-HIMSELF

-as Jesus

-as the source of life

-as the Holy Spirit

*See the story of Abraham

-Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as Righteousness

Searching for Answers

-We complicate things by wanting all the answers

-However, there is no exact answer

-As we get to know God and His will, we will learn to walk with more confidence in Him

-The more we know Him, the more we can trust

The way He communicates with us or guides us, changes as our relationship grows.

-For some it’s silent, for some it’s a whisper, and for some it’s even physical

How do we know if our decision is “right”?

-God gives confirmation

-It should be scripturally “right”

-Scripture suggests that it shouldn’t affect or hurt your neighbor

*Remember that Jesus LEARNED obedience

HOMEWORK

-Write down one thing that stuck with you tonight?

-What practical step are you going to take to do something with what stuck with you?

FFC Service Jan 5, 2014

Getting To Know God: January 8, 2013

HOW DO WE COME TO KNOW GOD?

-Search for Him

-Remove yourself from everyday life (ex: Nature)

-Study His word

-Experience (Healing, personal touch, etc.)

-Seeing people use gifts from God

-Through His people

A lot like meeting a person...

-First you MAY hear about that person

-You do not know much about that person

-Begin to develop an interest

-Introduction to that person 

As a group we split up the following verses to summarize the roles God plays according to scripture. See the following:

Job 16:19 

-God as a WITNESS and an ADVOCATE

John 6:35

-God is the BREAD OF LIFE (provider,brings joy, provision)

Jeremiah 8:18

-God COMFORTS in sorrow (Grief comes from losing someone/something that you LOVE)

Psalms 71:5 

-God is CONFIDENCE

-Youth may be in reference to your faith

-Gives you TRUST during TRANSITIONS

Isaiah 9:6

-God is Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God

Psalms 68:5 

-God is a FATHER (hope for the lonely) and defender of the widows (fills a void)

Psalm 140:7

-God is a STRONG shield

Revelations 19:11

-God is FAITHFUL and TRUE

Isaiah 64:8

-God is our CREATOR, FATHER, SHAPER (Think of pottery)

John 15:14

-God is our FRIEND (if you obey commands).....see context

Isaiah 28:16 

-God is the CORNERSTONE (a sure foundation)

Genesis 17:1

-God is ALMIGHTY

2Corinthians 1:3

-God is COMPASSION and COMFORT

Psalm 18:47

-God is an AVENGER

Psalm 51:14

-God is SALVATION

Psalm 48:14

-God is our GUIDE forever (A good guide leads you to GOOD THINGS)

Ephesians  5:23

-God is the HEAD (He is ‘Da Man’)

Psalm 33:20

-God is our HELP and SHIELD

Psalm 32:7

-God is our PROTECTION

SUMMARY:

-What name of God currently seems most significant to YOU?

-What aspect of God would you like to EXPERIENCE MORE OF in 

the upcoming week?

CHALLENGE:

-Tell SOMEONE what name of God seems most significant to you.

-Ask someone to pray for you to experience more of what you would like to find this week.