Sunday's Sermon Notes

SERMON THREE: I BELIEVE IN GOD, BUT I TRUST IN MONEY

PRACTICAL ATHEIST: SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES IN GOD BUT LIVES AS IF HE DOESN’T EXIST.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34

WE ASK MONEY TO PROVIDE WHAT IT WAS NEVER MEANT TO:

#1 HAPPINESS : You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures. Psa 16:11

#2 SECURITY : God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Php 4:19

ONE OF THE #1 COMPETITORS FOR OUR HEARTS IS MONEY.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. 1Tim 6:10

No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money Luke 16:13

TWO DIFFERENT RICH MEN ENCOUNTER JESUS

Jesus said to him, "go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." When the young man heard that command, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions. Mat 19:21-22

Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, I'll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord! And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I'll pay back four times as much!" Luk 19:8

WHEN YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH JESUS AT LEAST TWO THINGS HAPPEN

#1 YOU BECOME STRANGELY CONTENT.

Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the age to come, so that they may take hold of life that is real. 1Ti 6:17-19

#2 YOU BECOME IRRATIONALLY GENEROUS.

"Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me!" You ask: "How do we rob You?" "By not making the payments of 10 percent and the contributions. Mal 3:8

…No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing. 2 Samuel 24:24

Discussion Questions

Do you trust money to provide happiness and/or security.? Why?

When you grow closer to Christ, you become strangely content with what you have. As you drift from Christ, you become less content. Are you more or less content today than last year? What does this say about your relationship with Christ?

Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive. Describe a time you gave sacrificially and how it blessed you as the giver. How can you give even more sacrificially?

Sunday's Sermon Notes

We continued to week two of our series Practical Atheist. Here are the notes if you missed them.

PRACTICAL ATHEIST: SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES IN GOD, BUT LIVES AS IF HE DOESN’T EXIST.

SERMON #2 I BELIEVE IN GOD BUT DON’T WANT TO GO OVERBOARD

WE MUST MOVE PAST CULTURAL CHRISTIANITY

The Lord said: Because these people approach Me with their mouths to honor Me with lip-service--yet their hearts are far from Me, and their worship consists of man-made rules learned by rote-- Isa 29:13

THE RIGHT REPONSE TO GOD IS TO GIVE UP EVERYTHING TO HIM

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field. (45) "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. (46) When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had, and bought it. Mat 13:44-46

LUKEWARM CHRISTIANS MAKE JESUS WANT TO VOMIT AND RUIN A GOOD MANURE PILE

Every one of you who does not say good-bye to everything cannot be My disciple.(34)"Now, salt is good, but if salt should lose its taste, how will it be made salty? (35) It isn't fit for the soil or for the manure pile; they throw it out. Anyone who has ears to hear should listen!" Luk 14:33-35

A LUKEWARM CHRISTIAN MAY OR MAY NOT EVEN BE A CHRISTIAN

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. Test yourselves. If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is among you, it means you have failed the test. 2Co 13:5

1) Crave acceptance from people more than acceptance from God.
2) Rarely share their faith in Christ.
3) Do whatever it takes to alleviate their guilt.
4) Think more about life on earth than eternity in heaven.
5) Gauge their morality by comparing to others.
6) Want to be saved from the penalty of sin without changing their lives.
7) Only turn to God when they are in a bind.
8) Give whenever it doesn’t hinder their standard of living.
9) Are not much different from the rest of the world.
10) Want the benefits of what Christ did without conforming to who He is.

11) Don’t know they are lukewarm

¹⁷ You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked… ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Rev. 3:17, 20

Questions For Later Reflection

1) Have you lost the joy of your salvation? Why or why not?

2) Review the 10 qualities of lukewarm Christians. What is the biggest one (if any) that applies to you?

3) What are you going to do about your answer to question 2?

4) Are you sure if you were to die your would spend eternity in heaven with God?

Lukewarm Christians

I am working on Sunday Morning's sermon and we will be continuing in our practical atheist series. Remember we said a PRACTICAL ATHEIST WAS SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES IN GOD, BUT LIVES AS IF HE DOESN’T EXIST. This week we will be looking at "I believe in God, but I just don't want to take things too far!" I will be looking at 10 traits of a lukewarm Christian AKA a practical atheist. These 1o traits come from Francis Chan's book Crazy Love. Read over these and think about them, if the shoe fits wear it, then repent and seek the grace from God to change.

LUKEWARM CHRISTIANS

1) Crave acceptance from people more than acceptance from God.
2) Rarely share their faith in Christ.
3) Do whatever it takes to alleviate their guilt.
4) Think more about life on earth than eternity in heaven.
5) Gauge their morality by comparing to others.
6) Want to be saved from the penalty of sin without changing their lives.
7) Only turn to God when they are in a bind.
8) Give whenever it doesn’t hinder their standard of living.
9) Are not much different from the rest of the world.
10) Want the benefits of what Christ did without conforming to who He is.

Why not go ahead and read the Church at Laocidea as well.

Revelation 3:14-22 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

The Letter to Laodicea

14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:"The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God's creation says: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, 'I'm rich; I have become wealthy, and need nothing,' and you don't know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, and white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent. 20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me. 21 The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches."

Got to get back to work! Pastor Phillip

Preparing Yourself For Sunday Morning

Here is some food for thought in preparation for this Sunday's sermon. I found this here. I will be going in a different direction, but is too interesting and too good for someone not to be able to get something out of it.
Parallels in Genesis 1-3 and Revelation 20-22

Genesis	Revelation
In the beginning (1:1)	I am. . .the Beginning and the End (21:6)
God created the heavens and the earth (1:1)	I saw a new heaven and a new earth (21:1)
Let there be light (1:3)	God gives it light (21:23)
The darkness He called “night” (1:5)	There will be no night there (21:25)
The gathered waters He called “seas” (1:10)	There was no longer any sea (21:1)
God made the two great lights (1:16)	Does not need the sun/moon (21:23)
He also made the stars (1:16)	The Morning Star (22:16)
Subdue [the earth]. Rule over (1:28)	And they will reign forever (22:5)
God blessed the 7th day (2:2-3)	7 angels, 7 bowls, 7 last plagues (21:9)
[God] made it holy (2:3)	The Holy City (21:2, 10; 22:19)
Tree of Life (2:9) He must not take from the Tree of Life (3:22-23)	Tree of Life (22:2) God will take away His share in the Tree of Life (22:19)
A river watering the garden (2:10)	River of the Water of Life (22:1) The free gift of the Water of Life (22:17)
There is gold (the gold of that land is good) (2:11-12)	A measuring rod of gold (21:15) The city was. . .pure gold (21:18) The street. . .was pure gold (21:21)
The bdellium stone (pearls) (2:12)	Pearls, each gate made of a single pearl (21:21)
Onyx (2:12)	Sardonyx (21:20)
You will surely die (2:17) Or you will die (3:3)	No more death (21:4)
A man will. . .be united to his wife (2:23-25)	The bride of the wife of the Lamb (21:9-10)
The serpent. . .was crafty (3:1)	The Devil, who deceived them (20:10)
Shown a garden into which sin entered (3:6-7)	Shown a city into which sin will never enter (21:27)
The Lord God. . .was walking in the garden (3:8)	Nations will walk by His light (21:24)
Walk of God with man interrupted (3:8-10)	Walk of God with man resumed (21:3)
I was ashamed [naked] (3:10)	Anyone who does what is shameful (21:27)
Initial triumph of the Serpent (3:13)	Ultimate triumph of the Lamb (20:10; 22:3)
Cursed. . .cursed (3:14, 17)	No longer. . .any curse (22:3)
Eve’s offspring (3:15)	The Offspring of David (22:16)
I will greatly multiply your pain (3:16-17)	No more. . .pain (21:4)
The Lord God made garments of skins and clothed them (3:21)	Blessed are those who wash their robes (22:14)
God banished him (3:23)	They will see His face (22:4)
He drove the man out of the garden (3:24)	I saw the Holy City (21:2)
Cherubim. . .to guard the way (3:24)	With 12 angels at the gates (21:12)
A flaming sword (3:24)	Fiery lake of burning sulfur (21:8)

The Significance of the Parallels in Genesis 1-3 and Revelation 20-22

1. Immutability: While we are prone to change, God does not change (Mal 3:6a). Even when we are faithless, He remains forever faithful (2 Tim 2:12). In His first dealings with mankind, He provided the sacrifice to meet the needs of the fallen Adam and Eve (i.e., animal skins, see Gen 3:21). In later events, He provided the sacrifice for the needs of His people (i.e., the Lamb, see 1 Pet 1:18-19).

2. Restoration: The world as we now know it is not what God intended. Rather, our world is a result of man’s fall (Gen 3:1-24; Rom 5:12-21). Yet, Revelation 20-22 promises us that God’s original plan for mankind will one day be fulfilled.

3. Progress: The new heavens and the new earth are actually an improvement over the garden of Eden in that there is no sea, no night, no sun, or moon, etc. (Rev 21:1, 23-27).

4. Triumph: God’s purposes are never thwarted by anyone or anything (Rom 9:6-29). Although things may have looked bleak in Genesis 3, Revelation 20-22 proves that God ultimately and forcefully triumphs over the Serpent. Eventually, the big three (sin, suffering, and death) will be forever dealt with. This is one of the reasons the book of Revelation is so crucial. Without it, we would be left hanging. But fortunately, God relieves our apprehension and shares with us His glorious future.

5. Beginning and End: In Revelation 21:6, God says, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.” Any comparison of these two passages corroborates that He is the controller of all things from eternity to eternity. As Jesus said, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last” (Rev 1:17). We can relax in our great God’s sovereignty.

6. Unity of God’s Plan: Genesis 3:15 points out the plan that God has to defeat Satan through the offspring of the woman. Revelation points to the consummation of that plan in the finished work of the Lamb (5:6-14). Thus, if God has a plan from the beginning and is able to actually carry it out at the end of history, then He must be in control of human history. And He must be who He claims to be!

7. Unity of Scripture: By these extensive parallels (both similar and contrasting), we see that there is very close literary connection between two biblical books, written centuries apart, by different human authors, who were recording the words of a greater, overseeing author, God. Only God Himself could have orchestrated this unity of the Scriptures.

Pastor Phillip

Gender Confused?

In studying Genesis 2:4-24 this morning, I was using a great resource by the name of "Recovering Biblical Manhood & Womanhood." It is very broad and solidly Biblical in its scope. You can check it out for free online here. Another wonderful website to check out if you are interested in knowing Biblical roles and understanding of men, women, and the family is Evangelical Feminism and Biblical Truth. The website sounds boring, but this answers 100 of the top questions concerning gender in the church and home. I hope you are excited about the book of Genesis and being praying for an awesome Sunday morning at Antioch Baptist Church!

Got A Stack Of Genesis Commentaries Three Feet High To Study Before Sunday, Pastor Phillip

Getting Ready For Genesis: Anthropic Principal

I am getting excited about Sunday. I will be be preaching Genesis 1. In preparation I have been studying some very interesting, but slightly controversial material concerning the age of the earth, the week of creation, and how God did what He did in Genesis 1. Christians hold to wide range of divergent views and we must maintain a humility and realize that we are not God, we are finite probing the infinite, we are weak and frail probing the omnipotent, we sinful probing the holy. But, I think we can learn a lot from Genesis 1 and I am excited about that.

Here are some interesting facts from science that are referred to as the Anthropic Principal. This the notion that our world is amazingly finely tuned and the exactness and precession of seems to leave out blind chance and at least calls for a cosmic mind or deity to have out it into motion.
(Warning some serious science content is below, Sunday Morning's sermon will be more fun that this I promise. These come from Dr. Norman Geisler)

1. Oxygen comprises 21 percent of the atmosphere. If it were 25 percent, fires would erupt, if 15 percent, human beings would suffocate.

2. If the gravitational force were altered by 1 part in 1040 (that’s 10 followed by forty zeroes), the sun would not exist, and the moon would crash into the earth or sheer off into space.² Even a slight increase in the force of gravity would result in all the stars being much more massive than our sun, with the effect that the sun would burn too rapidly and erratically to sustain life.

3. If the centrifugal force of planetary movements did not precisely balance the gravitational forces, nothing could be held in orbit around the sun.

4. If the universe was expanding at a rate one millionth more slowly than it is, the temperature on earth would be 10,000 degrees C.³

5. The average distance between stars in our galaxy of 100 billion stars is 30 trillion miles. If that distance was altered slightly, orbits would become erratic, and there would be extreme temperature variations on earth. (Traveling at space shuttle speed, seventeen thousand miles an hour or five miles a second, it would take 201,450 years to travel 30 trillion miles.)

6. Any of the laws of physics can be described as a function of the velocity of light (now defined to be 299,792.458 miles a second). Even a slight variation in the speed of light would alter the other constants and preclude the possibility of life on earth.⁴

7. If Jupiter was not in its current orbit, we would be bombarded with space material. Jupiter’s gravitational field acts as a cosmic vacuum cleaner, attracting asteroids and comets that would otherwise strike earth.⁵

8. If the thickness of the earth’s crust was greater, too much oxygen would be transferred to the crust to support life. If it were thinner, volcanic and tectonic activity would make life untenable.⁶

9. If the rotation of the earth took longer than 24 hours, temperature differences would be too great between night and day. If the rotation period was shorter, atmospheric wind velocities would be too great.

10. Surface temperature differences would be too great if the axial tilt of the earth were altered slightly.

11. If the atmospheric discharge (lightning) rate were greater, there would be too much fire destruction; if it were less, there would be too little nitrogen fixing in the soil.

12. If there were more seismic activity, much life would be lost. If there was less, nutrients on the ocean floors and in river runoff would not be cycled back to the continents through tectonic uplift. Even earthquakes are necessary to sustain life as we know it.

As we study this week let us remember the wisdom of Psalm 19:-1-8

1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky proclaims the work of His hands.

2 Day after day they pour out speech;
night after night they communicate knowledge.

3 There is no speech; there are no words;
their voice is not heard.

4 Their message has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the inhabited world.
In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun.

5 It is like a groom coming from the bridal chamber;
it rejoices like an athlete running a course.

6 It rises from one end of the heavens
and circles to their other end;
nothing is hidden from its heat.

7 The instruction of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy,
making the inexperienced wise.

8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
making the heart glad;
the commandment of the LORD is radiant,
making the eyes light up.

Thinking hard and enjoying every minute, Pastor Phillip