If
If my people...
May 29, 2016 • Toby Henson
1. God's Invitation (7:14a) If we are looking for revival, we are to look no further than the church--the Body of Christ. God issued the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14 specifically for "his people, who are called by (his) name." The invitation is for the church. 2. God's Expectations (7:14b) A. God works through humble people. B. God works through people who pray. C. God works through people who seek his face. D. God works through people who turn from their wicked ways. 3. God's Restoration (7:14c) When we accept God's invitation and surrender to his expectations, we will experience his restoration--revival. In restoration, God promises to hear, forgive, and heal.
Lord, If It's You...
May 22, 2016 • Toby Henson
1. He brought me here. The storm came because the disciples were in the will of God and not out of the will of God. Did Jesus know the storm was coming? Certainly! Did he deliberately direct them into the storm? Yes! They were safer in the storm in God's will than on the land out of God's will. 2. He is praying for me. This entire scene--the disciples caught in the storm on the Sea of Galilee--is a dramatic picture of the church and the Lord today. God's people are on the sea, in the midst of a storm. Yet Jesus Christ is in heaven praying for us. 3. He will come to me. Often we feel like Jesus has deserted us when we are going through the hard times of life. Jesus may not come when we think he should come, but his timing is always perfect. Jesus always comes to us in the storms of life. 4. He will help me grow. This was the whole purpose of the storm, to help the disciples grow in their faith. The storms of life are not easy, but they are necessary. They teach us to trust Jesus alone and to obey his Word no matter what the circumstances may be. 5. He will see me through. If Jesus says, "Come," then that word is going to accomplish its intended purpose. Since he is the "author and finisher of our faith" (Heb. 12:2, KJV), whatever he starts, he completes. We may fail along the way, but in the end, God will succeed.
If We Walk in the Light...
April 17, 2016 • Toby Henson
1. God is Light (1:5) The message John declared is that "God is light" and "there is no darkness" in him at all (1:5). Light is a picture of truth, knowledge, and righteousness, while darkness is a picture of falsehood, ignorance, and sin. In a number of places, Jesus referred to himself as light. John 8:12 gives us his most direct statement: "I am the light of the world." 2. Light Lessons (1:6-10) False Claim: Fellowship with God is possible while walking in darkness. Truth: Fellowship with God is only possible if we walk in the light. False Claim: I am without sin. Truth: I am a sinner. 3. Walk in the Light (2:1-2) John makes it quite clear that God's grace and forgiveness are not a license to sin. But if we do sin, fellowship with God is restored because of the work of Jesus Christ. Jesus sacrificed his life in our place. He paid the penalty for our sin with his death. Therefore, we are to commit to walk in the light.
If God Is For Us...
April 10, 2016 • Toby Henson
Paul gives us 3 evidences supporting the truth that God is for us. 1. Christ Died for Us (8:32) God gave his most treasured possession--his only Son--to secure salvation for sinners. Since God did not spare his own Son but delivered him over to death for us all, will he not along with this gracious gift lavish upon us everything else he has to give? 2. Christ Doesn't Condemn Us (8:33-34) It is God himself who pronounces his people righteous. We may accuse ourselves, others may accuse us, and Satan would like to accuse us, but we stand righteous in Jesus Christ. Christ is right now at the right hand of God, interceding on our behalf. He is our divine advocate who continually defends us before the throne of God. 3. Christ Forever Loves Us (8:35-39) Christians are victors who have found from experience that God is ever present in our trials and that the love of Christ will empower us to overcome all the obstacles of life. There is absolutely nothing that can ever drive a wedge between the children of God and their Heavenly Father.
If You Seek Him...
April 3, 2016 • Toby Henson
"If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever." -1 Chronicles 28:9 1. Acknowledge Him (1 Chronicles 28:9a) The Hebrew word translated "acknowledge" means "to know or to make known." First an foremost, David challenged Solomon to seek to know God personally. But not only are we to know God, we are to make Him known. 2. Serve Him (1 Chronicles 28:9b) First, David instructs Solomon to serve God "with a wholehearted devotion" (28:9). The Hebrew word translated "wholehearted" could be translated "an uncut heart" or "an undivided heart." Second, David instructs Solomon to serve God "with a willing mind" (28:9). God wants us to serve Him and honor Him because it pleases us. 3. Surrender to Him (1 Chronicles 28:10) The building of the temple was David's dream, but he was not permitted to build it. God's will for David was to dream the dream. And David surrendered to God's will. It was God's will that Solomon build the temple.