DOUBTERS ANONYMOUS

 I DOUBT GOD WILL DO IT FOR ME

A GUY WHO "SORT OF" BELIEVED

A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Mark 9:17

brought: krateo (krat-eh'-o); use strength, to carry, seize or retain.

Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not." "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you" Mark 9:18-19a

Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered.  "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." Mark 9:21-22

WHY DO MANY OF US DOUBT?

• GOD DOESN'T DO WHAT WE WOULD DO.

• WE'VE TRIED THINGS THAT DIDN'T WORK.

• MANY PEOPLE AROUND US EXPRESS DOUBTS.

DILUTED, POLLUTED, PARTIAL, FALTERING FAITH

But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." "'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."  Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Mark 9:22b-24

exclaimed: krazo (krad'-zo); to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, to call aloud, to shriek.

unbelief: apistos (ap'-is-tos); actively disbelieving, a passively untrusting person.

1)      BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR FAITH STRUGGLES.

"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Mark 9:24

2)      ACT ON THE FAITH YOU HAVE.

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:26

REAL, COMMITTED, DEEP, SINCERE FAITH

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.

Daniel 3:17

But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

Daniel 3:18

DOUBTERS ANONYMOUS

Part 2 - DOUBTING GODS GOODNESS

Ecclesiastes 8:14

Mark 10:17-18

SUFFERING, TRIALS, AND PAIN WILL EITHER
SHAKE YOUR FAITH. 
PROVE YOUR FAITH.                 
1 Peter 1:6-7
 
KEEPING THE FAITH IN THE FIRE 
EMBRACE GODS PURPOSE IN YOUR PAIN.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18
John 9:1-3
EMBRACE GODS PEACE IN YOUR PAIN.

Philippians 4:6-7
 

eirene (i-ray'-nay); peace, quietness, rest.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,                                         
 
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

GOD IS NOT FAIR

(God) does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities???as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.  Psalm 103:10-12

A BOUT WITH DOUBT 
 
Luke 24:1-4 and Matthew 28:5-6

egeiro (eg-i'-ro); to waken, to rouse from the dead.   

    WHAT DOES THE EGEIRO MEAN TO US?

1 Corinthians 15:17

1 Peter 1:3

 THREE KINDS OF BELIEVERS
? CASUAL                  
? CONVENIENT       
? COMMITTED         

 THE ROAD TO COMMITTED BELIEF
 
?DOUBTS.    
John 20:25
 
? DISCOVERIES.
John 20:26-27
 
?BELIEF
. John 20:28

? Thomas' belief was committed enough to die for Jesus.
? Is your belief committed enough to live for Jesus?

John 20:29

?YOU ARE CALLED TO MAKE DISCIPLES.
 Matthew 28:19-20

go: poreuomai (por-yoo'-om-ahee): to travel, depart, go, take a journey. It could be translated "as you go."
 

Disciple?learner, pupil, follower, adherent.

TWO MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT DISCIPLING
 
?I AM NOT READY TO DISCIPLE ANYONE.
 
?I DON'T NEED SOMEONE TO DISCIPLE ME.
 
YOU CAN MAKE DISICPLES
 
?BY YOUR EXAMPLE.
 

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
Philippians 3:17

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1
 
follow: mimetes (mim-ay-tace'); to follow or imitate.
 
?WITH YOUR WORDS.

But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see."
Deuteronomy 3:28

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Matthew 16:24

January 8, 2011

Called to Generosity
This week, Pastor Mike will be addressing another issue that requires our attention, especially when we consider lifestyle changes and New Year's Resolutions.  Three Different Attitudes
What's yours is mine, and I'm going to take it.

Luke 12:15
What'smine is mine, and I'm going to keep it.

Philippians 2:3-4
What's mine is yours, and I'm going to give it.

Psalm 112:5
Proverbs 11:25
Acts 20:35

What Will I Do?
1. Do what I should do.

Malachi 3:9-10

2. Do what I could do.

2 Corinthians 8:3-4

3. Do what I would do.

2 Corinthians 9:10-11

January 1, 2011

CALLED TO CARE

What does "Kaleo" mean?
Kaleo is a Greek word translated:
1.  to call
a.  to call aloud, utter in a loud voice
b.  to invite

?YOU ARE CALLED TO CARE.

I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. Phil 2:20-21 NLT

?TO SAY YOU CARE BUT NOT ACT IS TO NOT CARE AT ALL.
TRUE COMPASSION DEMANDS ACTION
Compassion: splagchnizomai (splangkh-nid'-zom-ahee); to have the bowels yearn, feel deep sympathy, to be moved to action.
... healed their sick.
Matt 14:14

Jesus... touched their eyes. Matt 20:34
Mark 6:33-34
THE STORY OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN

...he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Luke 10:29
Luke 10:30-32
YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE AN EXCUSE TO JUSTIFY NOT GETTING INVOLVED
COMPASSION
INCONVENIENCES
Luke 10:33-34

Luke 10:35

CHANGES LIVES
Luke 10:36-37