Saturday, December 15, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
HOUSE PAYMENTS
HOUSE Part #6 November 25, 2007 … Rev. Doug JohnsHOUSE PAYMENTS – robbing God? Malachi 3:6-12
The Almighty Audit
Money Matters, Money Ministers
Confusion, Corruption and Caution
God says:
Vs. 6 “I the Lord do not change.” [Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever...Hebrews 13:8 ]
Vs. 7 “You have turned away from my decrees.” [for all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory…Romans 3:23 ]
Vs. 7 “Return to me and I will return to you.” [He rewards those who earnestly see Him…Hebrews 11:6 ]
Vs. 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.” [he kept back part of the money for himself and lied to God…Acts 5:2,4 ]
Vs. 10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.” [on the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income…1 Corinthians 16:2 ]
Vs. 10 “Test me in this.” [taste and see that the Lord is good…Psalm 34:8 ] [repent and be baptized and you shall receive…Acts 2:38 ] [ask – seek – knock; given – find – open … Matthew 7:7,8 ]
Vs. 10 “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing” [give and it will be given to you; pressed down, shaken together and running over – poured into your lap…Luke 6:38 ]
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
HOUSE BLUEPRINTS
Sunday Nov. 11, 2007
HOUSE part #4 House Blueprints – plenty of good rooms available
John 14:1-11
Rev. D. Johns
Some Big Themes about our ‘room reservations’:
A Promised, Prepared, Provided Place along a Prescribed Path
A Series of Big Questions:
Peter (John 13:36) “Where are you going?”
Thomas (John 14:5) “We don’t know where you are going so how can we know the way?”
Philip (John 14:8) “Show us the Father and that will be enough.”
Judas (John 14:22) “Why do you intend to show yourself to us and not the world?”
Notes:
1. verses 9-11 take us back to John 1:18 = “No one has ever seen God, but the only begotten Son, who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.”
2. Some people have trouble seeing Jesus as the Way. What was/is it for you?
… anxiety; ‘no one ever explained it to me’; a preoccupation with self; fear; …
3. Early Christians were referred to as “people of the Way” (Acts 9:2, 24:14)
4. Jesus responds to perplexity by emphasizing relationships not recipes, fellowship not formulas.
John 14:1-11 Scriptures for House Blueprints
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going."
Jesus the Way to the Father
5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
8Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
9Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.
HOUSE part #4 House Blueprints – plenty of good rooms available
John 14:1-11
Rev. D. Johns
Some Big Themes about our ‘room reservations’:
A Promised, Prepared, Provided Place along a Prescribed Path
A Series of Big Questions:
Peter (John 13:36) “Where are you going?”
Thomas (John 14:5) “We don’t know where you are going so how can we know the way?”
Philip (John 14:8) “Show us the Father and that will be enough.”
Judas (John 14:22) “Why do you intend to show yourself to us and not the world?”
Notes:
1. verses 9-11 take us back to John 1:18 = “No one has ever seen God, but the only begotten Son, who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.”
2. Some people have trouble seeing Jesus as the Way. What was/is it for you?
… anxiety; ‘no one ever explained it to me’; a preoccupation with self; fear; …
3. Early Christians were referred to as “people of the Way” (Acts 9:2, 24:14)
4. Jesus responds to perplexity by emphasizing relationships not recipes, fellowship not formulas.
John 14:1-11 Scriptures for House Blueprints
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going."
Jesus the Way to the Father
5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
8Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
9Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Part #3 HOUSE PARTY
Sunday Nov. 4, 2007 Rev. D. Johns
Luke 14:15-24
HOUSE part #3 House Party – invitation to a feast
Luke 14:15-24
HOUSE part #3 House Party – invitation to a feast
Revelation 19:6-9
These are the true words of God. “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”
Hallelujah! Let us rejoice and be glad, and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come. For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Key Thought: Luke 14:23 = “so that my house will be full”
Themes:
* the Kingdom Party is blessed (15)
* many are invited (16)
* the role of the servant is to invite (17)
* the nature of excuses (18-20)
* surprise invitations (21-23)
* don’t blow your chance! (24)
Making sense for our lives:
1. What would it take for you to RSVP a ‘YES’ to God’s banquet invitation?
* an invitation received directly from the host Himself
* adjustments to my schedule
* I need to know who else will be there
* assurance the party will be good
* I’m not really spiritually hungry, so I probably need a change of heart
2. how will you/how will our church commit to the command to ‘bring and compel’
3. why do so many say “No”?
4. how can we help people overcome their hesitation?
Scriptures for “House Party”
Luke 14:15-24 (NIV)
The Parable of the Great Banquet
15When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God."
16Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'
18"But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'
19"Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'
20"Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'
21"The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.'
22" 'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.'
23"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. 24I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.' "
Psalm 23 (NIV)
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
CORNERSTONE
HOUSE part #2 Good Foundations (ii) the cornerstone
Rev. D. Johns
Sunday October 28, 2007
1 Corinthians 3:1-11
1 Peter 2:4-7
Ephesians 2:19-21
While the parable Jesus told about building foolishly on sand or wisely on rock (Matthew 7, Luke 6) is about individuals building a life on the foundation of obedience, these Scriptures are about the Church God is building on good foundations.
The Church …
· is a spiritual house, a dwelling where God lives by His Spirit.
· is built of living stones, those who have come to Christ in trust
· is built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets
· has Jesus as its cornerstone, joining everyone together
· is a holy temple with holy priests offering acceptable spiritual sacrifices
Observations:
· the same stone that is so precious to those who believe can also be a cause of stumbling to those who reject (Ephesians 2:7,8); see 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 and 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 for similar polar opposites
· spiritual worship & spiritual sacrifice is described in Romans 12:1-2
Question:
What kind of false foundations do some churches like to build upon?
Rev. D. Johns
Sunday October 28, 2007
1 Corinthians 3:1-11
1 Peter 2:4-7
Ephesians 2:19-21
While the parable Jesus told about building foolishly on sand or wisely on rock (Matthew 7, Luke 6) is about individuals building a life on the foundation of obedience, these Scriptures are about the Church God is building on good foundations.
The Church …
· is a spiritual house, a dwelling where God lives by His Spirit.
· is built of living stones, those who have come to Christ in trust
· is built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets
· has Jesus as its cornerstone, joining everyone together
· is a holy temple with holy priests offering acceptable spiritual sacrifices
Observations:
· the same stone that is so precious to those who believe can also be a cause of stumbling to those who reject (Ephesians 2:7,8); see 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 and 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 for similar polar opposites
· spiritual worship & spiritual sacrifice is described in Romans 12:1-2
Question:
What kind of false foundations do some churches like to build upon?
Scriptures for “Cornerstone” ….. all New International Version
1 Corinthians 3 On Divisions in the Church
1Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? 4For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men?
5What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:4-7 The Living Stone and a Chosen People
4As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone.
Ephesians 2:19-22
19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
1 Corinthians 3 On Divisions in the Church
1Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? 4For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men?
5What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:4-7 The Living Stone and a Chosen People
4As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone.
Ephesians 2:19-22
19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
PART #1: SAND OR ROCK?
Rev. D. Johns
Oct. 21 2007
HOUSE PART 1 Sand or Rock? – Good Foundations part (i)
Luke 6:46-49; Psalm 18:1-7,15-18 (see also Matthew 7:24-27)
Synopsis:
To call Jesus ‘Lord’ means complete devotion and respect for His authority. ‘Hearing’ and ‘doing’ must be partners. Disobedience, then, is a foolish option. Let us choose to face the floods wisely.
Some Questions:
* It may be easier to identify the “rock” in this parable. So what do you think the sand is?
* A compromised foundation is dangerous – yet some are willing to take the risk. Why?
* What in your life needs to be ‘torn down’ in order to shore up the foundation?
* Do you need to consider moving?
* What’s the theme song around your home these days? (What kind of Fool Am I?; Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head; Rock of Ages; Will Your Anchor Hold in the Storms of Life?; Bridge Over Troubled Water;)
* What is the weather report for your location? (clear, showers, hurricane …) Are you properly prepared?
Luke 6:46-49
The Wise and Foolish Builders New International Version
46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
Luke 6:46-49 THE MESSAGE
46-47"Why are you so polite with me, always saying 'Yes, sir,' and 'That's right, sir,' but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on.
48-49"If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss."
Psalm 18:1-7, 15-18
New International Version
1 I love you, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.
4 The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
5 The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me.
6 In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.
7 The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry.
15 The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of breath from your nostrils.
16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.
17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support.
Oct. 21 2007
HOUSE PART 1 Sand or Rock? – Good Foundations part (i)
Luke 6:46-49; Psalm 18:1-7,15-18 (see also Matthew 7:24-27)
Synopsis:
To call Jesus ‘Lord’ means complete devotion and respect for His authority. ‘Hearing’ and ‘doing’ must be partners. Disobedience, then, is a foolish option. Let us choose to face the floods wisely.
Some Questions:
* It may be easier to identify the “rock” in this parable. So what do you think the sand is?
* A compromised foundation is dangerous – yet some are willing to take the risk. Why?
* What in your life needs to be ‘torn down’ in order to shore up the foundation?
* Do you need to consider moving?
* What’s the theme song around your home these days? (What kind of Fool Am I?; Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head; Rock of Ages; Will Your Anchor Hold in the Storms of Life?; Bridge Over Troubled Water;)
* What is the weather report for your location? (clear, showers, hurricane …) Are you properly prepared?
Luke 6:46-49
The Wise and Foolish Builders New International Version
46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
Luke 6:46-49 THE MESSAGE
46-47"Why are you so polite with me, always saying 'Yes, sir,' and 'That's right, sir,' but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on.
48-49"If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss."
Psalm 18:1-7, 15-18
New International Version
1 I love you, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.
4 The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
5 The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me.
6 In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.
7 The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry.
15 The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of breath from your nostrils.
16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.
17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
a series of instructions from the greatest of all carpenters - Jesus!
All services at First Presbyterian in Brockville,
10 Church St. (next to the Court House)
10:30 am (except Nov. 11th)
Part #1 October 21
House Building – Good Foundations part (i) – sand or rock? – Luke 6:46-49
Part #2 October 28 (Reformation Sunday)
House Building – Good Foundations part (ii) – the cornerstone? – Ephesians 2:19-22
Part #3 November 4 (Communion Sunday)
House Party – Invitation to a Feast – Luke 14:15-24
Part #4 November 11 (Remembrance Sunday) (worship @ 9:30 am)
House Blueprints – Plenty of Good Rooms Available – John 14:2
Part #5 November 18
House Hunting – A Place of Joy – Psalm 122:1
Part #6 November 25
House Payments – Robbing God? – Malachi 3:6-12
10 Church St. (next to the Court House)
10:30 am (except Nov. 11th)
Part #1 October 21
House Building – Good Foundations part (i) – sand or rock? – Luke 6:46-49
Part #2 October 28 (Reformation Sunday)
House Building – Good Foundations part (ii) – the cornerstone? – Ephesians 2:19-22
Part #3 November 4 (Communion Sunday)
House Party – Invitation to a Feast – Luke 14:15-24
Part #4 November 11 (Remembrance Sunday) (worship @ 9:30 am)
House Blueprints – Plenty of Good Rooms Available – John 14:2
Part #5 November 18
House Hunting – A Place of Joy – Psalm 122:1
Part #6 November 25
House Payments – Robbing God? – Malachi 3:6-12
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