Selfless
Selfless in Obedience
March 25, 2018 • Pastor Allen Bonnell
Selfless in Obedience Acts 9:1-19 “And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.” Acts 8:1-3 ‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. 20 And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ Acts 22:19-21 Paul - Even in our sin and rebellion, God is pursuing us, with plans and purposes. “ Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” Acts 9:10 (ESV) Ananias – Your next step will require as much faith as your first step. His Word > Our Experiences “For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:19-21
Can you hear me now?
March 18, 2018 • Pastor Allen Bonnell
Can You Hear Me Now 1 Samuel 3:1-21 “The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.” 1 Samuel 2:6-7 “ And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with people.” 1 Samuel 2:26 I. How can I know the voice of God? 1. Study the Bible. Psalm 119:11, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 2. Develop authentic community. Authentic Community > Independent Living “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.” Proverbs 11:14 “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.” 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 3. Talk with God. II. How can I obey the voice of God? There is a huge difference between victory and retreating. It is the Spirit that enables us. “And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” Ezekiel 36:27 (ESV) “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
Selfless in Suffering
March 11, 2018 • Pastor Allen Bonnell
We learn more in pain than we do in pleasure. “And Jacob said to Pharaoh, "The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers." Genesis 47:9 “Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome." Genesis 32:28 “But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:19-20 “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” -- CS Lewis 4 truths in our pain: 1. I am God. (Genesis 46:3) 2. Do not be afraid to go where I am leading you. Your Next Step > Staying Where You Are 3. My purposes for you are there, not here. 4. I will go there with you. (Genesis 46:4)
Selfless in Serving
March 4, 2018 • Pastor Allen Bonnell
Selfless in Serving Exodus 3 & 4 “the greatest among you will be your servant.” Matthew 23:11 spiritual contributor > spiritual consumer “In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.” Acts 9:36 Luke 9:48b, “For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” Luke 9:48b Exodus 3:4 “When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” Excuse # 1 It is too big for me. (3:11) (3:12) (4:1) Excuse # 2 What if I don’t do it right? (4:2) Excuse # 3 I am not equipped. (4:10) (4:12) “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” Acts 2:17
Selfless in Sharing
February 25, 2018 • Pastor Allen Bonnell
Selfless in Sharing Psalm 40:5-9 1. God wants your life. “Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:7-8 2. The will of God is to proclaim the good news. “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15 “I would sooner bring one sinner to Jesus Christ than unpack all the mysteries of the divine Word, for salvation is the thing we are to live for.” - Charles Spurgeon His Grace > My Past
Selfless in Sacrificing
February 18, 2018 • Pastor Allen Bonnell
“All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.” Proverbs 21:26 1. God will test us to define us. “When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.” James 1:13 2. To be selfless in sacrificing you have to have great faith, not in yourself, but in God. “But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.” Genesis 22:11 Two points of application: 1. Following Jesus will cost you. Sacrificial Living > Playing it Safe 2. Selfless sacrificing is giving God our first. “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
Selfless in Sending
February 11, 2018 • Pastor Allen Bonnell
1. Calling “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8 His Calling > My Comfort Jesus said, “As the father has sent me, so I am sending you.” John 20:21 2. Courage “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 Here I am, send me to _______________________________