March 08, 2020

John Lloyd - Transformation: Becoming More Like Jesus

March 08, 2020/ Dolores Park Church

Strengthen Your Core Series

Transformation: Becoming More Like Jesus

March 8, 2020

Pastor John Lloyd

2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Memory Verse: John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Key Question: How do we get a belief from the head to the heart?

Key Idea: Jesus transforms us as we yield and remain vitally connected to Him. Inside belief produces outside fruit and service.

I. Embrace the revelation by faith that you _____________ to God.

2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

2 Peter 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

“Faith is a reasoning trust, a trust which reckons thoughtfully and confidently upon the trustworthiness of God.” John Stott

I belong to God! I want to live and become more like Jesus.

II. Active faith produces beautiful ________________.

2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. Galatians 4:19, 2 Peter 3:18

Read the following questions and ask God to show you one to work on during this season.

1. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I sacrificially and unconditionally loved and forgave others? (Love)

2. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I had inner contentment and purpose in spite of my circumstances? (Joy)

3. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I was free from anxiety because things are right with God, others, and myself? (Peace)

4. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I took a long time to overheat and endured patiently under life’s pressures? (Patience)

5. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I chose to do the right things in my relationships with others? (Kindness)

6. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I established a good name with God and others, based on my long-term loyalty in those relationships? (Faithfulness)

7. How would my life improve and my relationships relationships be strengthened if I was thoughtful, calm, and considerate in my dealings with others? (Gentleness)

8. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I had the power through Christ to control myself? (Self-Control)

9. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I coped with the hardships of life and faced with courage the prospect of death through the hope I have in Jesus Christ? (Hope)

10. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I chose to esteem others above myself? (Humility) Frazee, Randy.

Inside belief produces outside fruit!

III. Active faith produces _____________ and _________________.

2 Peter 1:8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.

John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

· Transformation continues by staying connected to Jesus.

John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

· Transformation grows us and impacts others.

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

· Transformation grows exponentially by serving.

2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When an entire community of believers is unified and takes on this mind-set of Christ, not only is an ideal place created where we belong, but a revolution is also created, drawing others to long to belong as well. The individual revolution of becoming creates the communal revolution of belonging within the church. Your personal Think, Act, Be Revolution begins when you “long” to “be” like Jesus, because you belong to Jesus. Frazee, Randy. Think, Act, Be Like Jesus.

Belong, Grow and Serve! Think, Act and Be like Jesus!

Inside belief produces outside fruit and service.

Spiritual Growth Questions for March 8, 2020

(take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)

A. Read through the following statements and ask God to show you one that he wants you to focus on? Share your choice and why?

1. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I sacrificially and unconditionally loved and forgave others? (Love)

2. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I had inner contentment and purpose in spite of my circumstances? (Joy)

3. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I was free from anxiety because things are right with God, others, and myself? (Peace)

4. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I took a long time to overheat and endured patiently under life’s pressures? (Patience)

5. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I chose to do the right things in my relationships with others? (Kindness/Goodness)

6. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I established a good name with God and others, based on my long-term loyalty in those relationships? (Faithfulness)

7. How would my life improve and my relationships relationships be strengthened if I was thoughtful, calm, and considerate in my dealings with others? (Gentleness)

8. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I had the power through Christ to control myself? (Self-Control)

9. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I coped with the hardships of life and faced with courage the prospect of death through the hope I have in Jesus Christ? (Hope)

10. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I chose to esteem others above myself? (Humility)

Frazee, Randy. Think, Act, Be Like Jesus (p. 243). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

B. Read 2 Peter 1:3-11 two times. Go verse by verse and write down truths from each verse. What stands out to you.

C. Read John 15:1-17 two times. Go verse by verse and write down truths from each verse. What stands out to you.

D. Read Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18. Think of these three truths: Belonging to a community of believers, Growing in our walk with God and others and Serving within that community and outside of it. Discuss together how these three aspects truly bring transformation to our lives and build up the body of Christ.

Memory Verse: John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

March 01, 2020

John Lloyd - Humility: What does it mean to value others before myself?

March 01, 2020/ Dolores Park Church

Strengthen Your Core Series

Humility: What does it mean to value others before myself?

March 1, 2020

Pastor John Lloyd

Virtues covered so far: Love, joy, peace, self-control, hope, patience, goodness/kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and today humility.

Philippians 2:1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Memory Verses: Philippians 2:2 Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Key Question: What does it mean to value others before myself?

Key Idea: I choose to esteem others above myself.

More than any other single way the grace of humility is worked into our lives through the discipline of service. Humility, as we all know, is one of those virtues that is never gained by seeking it. The more we pursue it the more distant it becomes. To think we have it is sure evidence that we don’t. Therefore, most of us assume there is nothing we can do to gain this prized Christian virtue so we do nothing. Of all the classic spiritual disciplines, service is the most conducive to the growth of humility. Richard Foster

I. Humility begins by surrendering to the greatest ________________.

Philippians 2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

As our world becomes more self-absorbed, humility will not only be one of the most attractive and refreshing virtues to a searching and hurting world, but also a great blessing to our own lives in offering our hearts daily to the Lord, as we exalt him and him alone. Randy Frazee

Philippians 2:7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Matthew 20:28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 18:3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Hebrews 9:14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Humbly calling on Jesus births true humility in our soul.

II. Humility sees and serves _____________.

I Samuel 12:24 Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. Ps.100:2

A proud man is always looking down on things and people, and as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you. Lewis

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others

John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Jesus desires to make his followers servants.

III. Humility is our greatest protection against the virus of ____________.

Philippians 2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ

Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

“Nothing sets a Christian out of the devil’s reach like humility” Jonathan Edwards

I Peter 5:5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you. (I Pet. 5:8)

Think of humility as the modesty of the heart. For the Christian, humility means life is not “all about me” but rather all about God and others. Randy Frazee

· Humility brings a secure knowledge of identity in Christ.

· Humility brings a freedom to elevate and to esteem others.

· Humility redirects our relationships to be about the well-being of others.

· Humility brings a deep sense of caring for the people in our circles.

· Humility brings a desire to reflect Christ in all things.

Philippians 2:9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The ultimate humility is when we place our heart in the constant position of putting God’s glory first and seeking first his kingdom and his righteousness.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

One of the most amazing pieces of evidence that we are becoming more and more like Jesus is the virtue of humility. Believers do not lift others up because they think lowly of themselves. No, they are able to esteem others above themselves because they have accepted the high esteem they have found through faith in Christ. Because we are freed from the struggle to prove we are somebody special, we can humble ourselves and look instead to build up others. When we do, it signals God’s presence within us. Look to the supreme example of Jesus. Randy Frazee

Walking in humility adds value and life to everything it touches!

Spiritual Growth Questions for March 1, 2020

(take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)

Use a scale of 1 – 6 to rate how fully your life demonstrates the statements below: (1 = does not demonstrate at all, 6 = demonstrates fully).

____ As a child of God, I do not think too highly or too lowly of myself.

____ I am not known as a person who brags.

____ I am willing to make any of my faults known to Christians who care for

me.

____ I am not upset when my achievements are not recognized.

1. Read Matthew 5:1-12 two times. What verse stands out to you? What is the difference between what Jesus calls “blessed” and what the world refers to as “success?”

2. Read Luke 9:46-48 & Mark 10:35-45. In the kingdom of God, Jesus said the last shall be first and the first shall be last. What does this mean for people who desire positions of power and influence in the community of faith? In what ways does Christlike humility set us apart from the world? Why is it so appealing in our self-absorbed world?

3. Read John 13:1-17. Servant leadership is what Jesus modeled while on earth. What stands out to you from this passage? What is the difference from serving and identifying as a servant of God? What other ways can we demonstrate this principle besides washing someone’s feet?

4. Read Micah 6:6-8. Micah tells us that God requires us to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with him. How are these actions related?

5. Read I Peter 5:1-6. How does humility grow us? How can it grow a church? How can it impact a community?

Work on your testimony: In one minute or less, tell about your life before you came to Christ. Share your circumstances, the struggles, and the questions you had. What path were you on before Jesus?

In one minute or less, tell how you came to faith in Christ. Who shared with you? What circumstances surrounded the decision? How did you know this was the right choice?

In one minute or less, tell how Christ has changed you. What differences has he made? How has life changed after crossing the line of faith?

Memory Verses: Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others

February 23, 2020

John Lloyd - Sharing My Faith

February 23, 2020/ Dolores Park Church

Strengthen Your Core Series

Sharing My Faith

February 23, 2020

Pastor John Lloyd

Our physical bodies are made up of several core muscles. If kept in shape through exercise, they will function properly. God’s goal for followers is to make us more like Jesus. This happens when we think like Jesus, CORE beliefs, act like Jesus, CORE practices, and be like Jesus, CORE virtues. We need to exercise our CORE in order to glorify God. The journey of becoming like Jesus begins by thinking like Jesus. When we start thinking like Jesus, we are well on our way to becoming like Jesus. Last week we spoke about the reality of eternity. As it did Jesus, the truth of eternity moves us to share our faith with others. Most people received salvation because someone took the bold step to share the good news of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. The impact of sharing is exponential!

Practices covered so far: Worship, Prayer, Bible study, Single-Mindedness, Total Surrender, Biblical Community, Spiritual Gifts,Offering my Time& Giving.

2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Memory Verses: Ephesians 6: 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Key Question: How do I share my faith with those who don’t know God?

Key Idea: I share my faith with others to fulfill God’s purposes.

Year in and year out, decade after decade, statistics about how people come to faith in Jesus show a clear majority enter through a person who cares enough to share the gospel story. Relationships have always been, and still are, God’s primary path for bringing people into his kingdom. God has one plan for saving the world: his people — us. Randy Frazee

I. _______ and ____________ what God has done for you through Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Romans 10:9 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Romans 10:13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” John 10:10, John 17:3

Jesus desires for every person to receive his gift of eternal life.

II. Know that God has us here to _____________________ others.

2 Corinthians 5:18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

After we receive Christ, we may each have different careers to make a living, but we all have the same job description.

Begin with prayer.

Listen with empathy.

Eat together.

Serve sacrificially.

Share our story.

Who has God put in your life to BLESS? How is it going?

III. Believe your salvation story is powerful when you _____________ it!

2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Romans 10:14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Colossians 4:5-6, Acts 1:8

Your Story/Faith/Testimony: John 9:25 One thing I know, I was blind and now I see.

1. In one minute or less, tell about your life before you came to Christ. Share your circumstances, struggles and questions you had. What path were you on before Jesus?

2. In one minute or less, tell how you came to faith in Christ. Who shared with you? What circumstances surrounded the decision? How did you know this was the right choice?

3. In one minute or less, tell how Christ has changed you. What differences has he made? How has life changed after crossing the line of faith?

Assignment: Write out your testimony/faith/story and pray about who you can share it with this week or in the near future.

Ephesians 6: 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Acts 20:24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

All believers are called to share their faith with others. We have been given the “ministry of reconciliation”; we are God’s “ambassadors” in the world. We are called to share our faith through the way we live our lives. We are to be “salt and light” to the people God has placed in our sphere of influence. The mere beauty of how Christians treat each other is an aroma that draws outsiders to want to know God and be in a relationship with him. We are also called to share our faith through our words. He desires for all people to come into a saving relationship with him. Therefore, we will share our faith with our enemies, people of different races or religions or sometimes even people in our own family. Let’s pray, like Paul, that we “may declare it fearlessly.”

We have been blessed so much! We must share with others!

Spiritual Growth Questions for February 23, 2020

(take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)

Use a scale of 1 – 6. Rate how well you are living out the statements below (1 = not living out at all, 6 = living out completely).

_____I frequently share my faith with people who are not Christians.

____ I try to live so that others will see Christ in my life.

____ I know how to share my faith with non-Christians.

____I pray for non-Christians to trust Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

1. Read Genesis 12:1-4 two times. What stands out to you about this passage? In what ways do you see the world being blessed through God’s people? In other words, how is the church positively affecting the world around it?

2. Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 two times. What stands out to you from this passage? Paul says we have been given a ministry of reconciliation. In your opinion, what does that mean?

3. Read Colossians 4:5-6. As ambassadors of Christ, we (the church) represent his character and desires to the world around us. In what ways are we representing him well? In what areas must we improve?

4. Read Psalm 40 once together and once silently. What stands out to you? What was David’s testimony? How did it motivate him to share his story? How could this be helpful for us with our stories?

5. Read Ephesians 6:18-20, Acts 1:8. What stands out to you from Paul’s prayer? What is impeding your ability to openly share your faith in Christ? How can you overcome this obstacle?

Write out your Story/Faith/Testimony: John 9:25 One thing I know, I was blind and now I see.

1. In one minute or less, tell about your life before you came to Christ. Share your circumstances, struggles and questions you had. What path were you on before Jesus? 2. In one minute or less, tell how you came to faith in Christ. Who shared with you? What circumstances surrounded the decision? How did you know this was the right choice? 3. In one minute or less, tell how Christ has changed you. What differences has he made? How has life changed after crossing the line of faith?

February 16, 2020

John Lloyd - Eternity: What's Going to Happen in the Future?

February 16, 2020/ Dolores Park Church

Strengthen Your Core Series

Eternity: What’s going to happen in the future?

February 16, 2020

Pastor John Lloyd

Our physical bodies are made up of several core muscles. If kept in shape through exercise, they will function properly. God’s goal for followers is to make us more like Jesus. This happens when we think like Jesus, CORE beliefs, act like Jesus, CORE practices, and be like Jesus, CORE virtues. We need to exercise our CORE in order to glorify God. The journey of becoming like Jesus begins by thinking like Jesus. When we start thinking like Jesus, we are well on our way to becoming like Jesus. In light of Christ’s forgiveness of us and his provision of all his resources and qualities to us in the present, what should we then believe about the days to come. Today we will focus on eternity and the belief that every person will live somewhere after death. This belief of eternity truly fuels all the other beliefs we have covered.

Beliefs covered so far: God, Personal God, Salvation, The Bible, Identity in Christ, Church, Humanity, Compassion and Stewardship

Key Question: What is going to happen in the future?

Memory Verses: John 14:1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?”

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Key Idea: There is a heaven and a hell. Jesus will return to judge all people and establish his eternal kingdom.

Eternity- A duration of time that cannot be measured. It is a belief that we live on beyond this life.

I. God is ________________.

Isaiah 40:28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is

the everlasting God. the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. (Genesis 21:33, Rev.1:8)

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

There have been times when I think we do not desire heaven, but more often I find myself wondering whether in our heart of hearts, we have ever desired anything else.… It is the secret signature of each soul, the incommunicable and unappeasable want, the thing we desired before we met our wives or made our friends or chose our work, and which we shall still desire on our deathbeds when the mind no longer knows wife or friend or work[1] C.S. Lewis

Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism all believe in some form of afterlife.

Why do we die? Death is not a punishment. It is the final outcome of living in a fallen world. Wayne Grudem

Genesis 3:4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.

Romans 5:12. Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

Death means separation. (Isaiah 59:2)

Every person was made to live forever. Every person matters to God.

II. ______________ and __________ are the only two options for eternity.

Hell is mentioned almost 3 times as much as heaven in the Bible.

Luke 16:23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’

(for further study: Daniel 12:2-3, weeping-Mt. 8:12, wailing, Mt.13:42, 13:50 gnashing of teeth, darkness Mt. 25:30, everlasting punishment 25:46

All these verses make clear that there are two elements to the punishment of unbelievers. It is a punishment without end, eternal. It is severe.

Ezekiel 33:11 Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel? 2 Peter 3:9, Ezekiel 18:23

God’s heart is grieved and broken for those who die without Him.

III. Jesus is preparing a place for those who _____________ Him for eternal life.

John 14:1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God] believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:23

2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Philippians 1:23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. (Hebrews 12:23, Luke 23:43, Rev.6:10)

If we truly believe God has prepared an eternal home for us-a house with many rooms, as Jesus explained in John 14—then we can and will.

· Live with hope every day, regardless of the circumstances around us; life may or may not get better here, but we can know God’s home awaits us.

· Love people with freedom and boldness because our future is secure in him.

· Lead more people into a relationship with Christ, because we want to share this great hope with others.

I ask you to prayerfully take a moment to do an inventory of your relationships. How many non- Christians are currently in your circle of influence? And of these non-Christians in your circle, how many are you actively sharing God’s love with? On the lines below, write their names.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

BLESS Principle: Begin with prayer, Listen with empathy, Eat together, Serve sacrificially, Share your story.

When we die our bodies go into the ground and our spirits go to be with the Lord as we await the return of Christ. When he comes to establish the new heaven and the new earth, our spirits will receive the tent of a new, imperishable, resurrected body just as Jesus did. In these bodies we will live forever in the new garden with God and all those who believed in Jesus. And it is with this exciting reality that we conclude our journey through the ten key beliefs of the Christian life. As followers of God we are invited to ponder and understand these profound concepts in our minds. Yet, to really think like Jesus and experience the full life Christ has given us, we must embrace these beliefs in our hearts — where real decisions are made. Frazee, Randy

May God break our hearts with the things that break His heart!

Spiritual Growth Questions for February 16, 2020

(take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)

Use a scale of 1-6 to rate how strongly you believe the statements listed below: (1 = no belief , 6 = complete confidence)

___ I believe it is important to share the gospel with my neighbor because

Christ has commanded me to do so.

___ I believe that who deliberately reject Jesus Christ will not inherit eternal

life.

___ I believe that every person is subject to the judgment of God.

___ I I believe all people who place their trust in Jesus Christ will spend

eternity in heaven.

1. Read Luke 16:19-31. Write down as many truths as you can from this passage. Which truth stands out to you? What applications could you make in your own life from these truths?

2. Read I Corinthians 15:1-11. What stands out to you from this passage? Why do you think Paul is sharing it with the Corinthians?

Consider Jesus words in Luke 16:30 if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent. Read Luke 16:31 again and discuss.

3. Read I Corinthians 15:12-19 two times. What stands out to you from this passage? Why did he share it with the Corinthians? How can we apply it to our own lives?

4. Read I Corinthians 15:20-28 two times. What stands out to you from this passage? What words are important? Why did he share it with the Corinthians? How is it helpful to us?

5. Read I Corinthians 15:35-58. How will our resurrected bodies be different from our earthly bodies? How does what the Bible says compare with some of our culture’s popular notions of what we’ll be like in heaven?

6. What if anything hinders you from believing in the afterlife?

7. Describe the moment you became aware of your mortality and pondered what would happen after your death.

8. Read and memorize John 14:1-2. Write down what is helpful in this passage for you to remember.

Memory Verses: John 14:1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God] believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

February 09, 2020

John Lloyd - Gentleness: Responding God's Way

February 09, 2020/ Dolores Park Church

Strengthen Your Core Series

Gentleness: Responding God’s Way

February 9, 2020

Pastor John Lloyd

Our physical bodies are made up of several core muscles. If kept in shape through exercise, they will function properly. God’s goal for followers is to make us more like Jesus. This happens when we think like Jesus, CORE beliefs, act like Jesus, CORE practices, and be like Jesus, CORE virtues. We need to exercise our CORE in order to glorify God. The journey of becoming like Jesus begins by thinking like Jesus. When we start thinking like Jesus, we are well on our way to becoming like Jesus. Today, we will consider the virtue of gentleness. We pray for love, purity and self-control. Let us also consider praying for the fruit of gentleness. The apostle Paul told Timothy to pursue gentleness, I Timothy 6:11. May God bring this virtue to fruition in every follower of Jesus.

Virtues covered so far: Love, joy, peace, self-control, hope, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and today gentleness.

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Memory Verse: Philippians 4:5. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Key Question: How do I demonstrate thoughtfulness and considerateness toward others?

What is it about this particular virtue that gives us fits? As a society, and even in the church, why are we so uptight? Tense? Stressed out? Why is gentleness such a stranger to so many? A greater question to ask is this: If Christ is present in our lives, why aren’t Christians markedly gentler than those who do not follow the gentle Healer? As we open the Bible, we find insight into how we can become more like Jesus for the sake of those God has placed in our lives. Frazee, Randy. Think, Act, Be Like Jesus

Key Idea: I am thoughtful, considerate and calm in my dealings with others. I am responsible for my response.

I. Living on earth is rough; ___________________ is needed.

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (John 16:33)

I Timothy 6:11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

Psalm 130:3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?

Colossians 2:14 By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. Ephesians 2:16. Killing the hostility between us and God

I Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 12:20, Acts 4:12

Jesus, our Messiah is gentle to all who come to Him. We turn to Jesus and confess our absolute need for salvation from Him.

Nothing kills a family, a friendship, a neighborhood or even a church like pride, arrogance, anger, closed ears and raised voices. Since God is all about community, he calls his followers to be gentle. The New Testament word for “gentleness” comes from a medical word and is associated with a mild medication. Essentially, we might say a gentle person is someone who is easy on our stomachs. The person who lacks gentleness causes our stomach to double up in knots. God wants us to be healing agents in the lives of those around us. So how do we learn how to demonstrate thoughtfulness and consideration to others? Frazee, Randy.

I am thoughtful, considerate and calm in my dealings with others.

I am responsible for my response.

II. Gentleness is a fruit of remaining ___________________ to Jesus.

Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Gentleness developers: Prayer, Bible study, meditating and memorizing scripture, small group fellowship and accountability.

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (See Ephesians 4:1-3 4:26, 27 and 29)

For the follower of Jesus: Jesus lives in you and He is gentle!

III. Displaying gentleness will strengthen my ________________ in my relationships.

Matthew 11:30 “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

I Corinthians 4:21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit? 2 Cor. 10:1

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (Gentleness comes from valuing others better than ourselves by looking up not down)

James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

(Real wisdom is considerate of others. It is gentle and sown in peace)

2 Timothy 2:24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 And they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. Galatians 6:1

(Correction done with gentleness is powerful medicine to those who err)

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (I am responsible for my response)

Philippians 4:5. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

I Peter 3:15 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,

I Thessalonians 2:7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.

Gentleness is rooted in our belief in humanity. When we see people the way God sees them, we are compelled to treat them well. A gentle person, according to God’s vision, is thoughtful. They think before they talk or act. A gentle person is considerate. They consistently put themselves in other people’s shoes and act accordingly. A gentle person is calm. They are known for their even temper and positive energy. Jesus modeled this for us in so many of his relationships in the Scriptures, John 4 woman at the well, John 8, 9 blind man, 21 with Peter. Frazee, Randy.

I am thoughtful, considerate and calm in my dealings with others.

Spiritual Growth Questions for February 9, 2020

(take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)

Use a scale of 1-6 to rate how your life fully demonstrates the statements listed below: (1 = does not demonstrate at all, 6 = demonstrates fully)

___ I consider my own shortcomings when faced with the failures of others.

___ I am known as a person who is sensitive to the needs of others.

___ I am known for not raising my voice.

___ I allow people to make mistakes.

1. Read Isaiah 40:9-15. What stands out to you about the greatness of God? What verses also speak on the gentleness of our Savior? Why were these words a comfort to the people in Isaiah’s time?

2. Read Matthew 7:1-5, Romans 2:1-4. How does judgment cloud our ability to be calm, considerate and thoughtful? How can it be helpful to recognize our own shortcomings when dealing with the shortcomings of others?

3. Read I Timothy 3:1-4, Psalm 18:35. Why do you think the Bible instructs authority figures to be gentle with those under their care? What was David referring to when he said, “God’s gentleness made him great?”

4. Read Philippians 4:1-5. What does Paul tell Euodia and Syntyche to do? Meditate on our memory verse Philippians 4:5. Read it 3 times.

How could gentleness and reasonableness be known to everyone? What type of witness could this be to those around us?

5. Read James 3:13-18. If judgment leads to anger and quarreling, what does gentleness produce? What type of harvest could come to those who sow peace and gentleness in their relationships?

6. Read Galatians 6:1, 2 Timothy 2:24-25. What takeaways can we learn about confronting others? When, or when not, should we confront? How should we confront?

Personal reflection: Are there certain circumstances in your life that make gentle conduct nearly impossible? How could your relationship with God empower you to alter your reaction to this situation?

In what ways can Jesus’ life be a guiding example of gentleness as we face difficulties of our own?

Memory Verse: Philippians 4:5. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

February 02, 2020

Michael Porter - The Greatness of Jesus, your High Priest

February 02, 2020/ Dolores Park Church

"The Greatness of Jesus, your High Priest"  

A Sermon on Hebrews 4:14-16 

Pastor Michael Porter 

Hebrews 4:14-16 

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

 The Book of Hebrews in a nutshell:  Jesus is BETTER. 

 How is Jesus is BETTER according to Hebrews? 

1. Heb. 1:1-4 states that Jesus is better because He is God’s ultimate Word of revelation. 

2. Heb. 1:5-2:18 states that Jesus is better than the Angels. 

3. Heb. 3:1-4:13 states that Jesus is better than Moses. 

4. Heb. 4:14-10:39 states that Jesus is a better High Priest. 

Why do the original readers (and ourselves!) need to hear so exhaustively that Jesus is better? 

Why? Because knowledge of the supremacy of Jesus is the one thing that is going to help these wavering believers persevere in the faith. 

The Big Idea of Hebrews 4:14-16:  

"Persevere in the faith knowing the greatness of Jesus your High Priest."

  Sermon Outline: 

"Persevere in the faith knowing the greatness of Jesus your High Priest" because:  

1. Jesus our Great High Priest is Exalted 

2. Jesus our Great High Priest is Lowly 

Point #1 - Jesus our Great High Priest is Exalted (v. 14)  

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  

Point #2 - Jesus our Great High Priest is Lowly (vv. 15-16)  

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

 Persevere in the Faith Knowing the Greatness of Jesus your High Priest.

January 26, 2020

John Lloyd - Giving My Resources: All for Jesus

January 26, 2020/ Dolores Park Church

Strengthen Your Core Series

Giving My Resources: All for Jesus

January 26, 2020

Pastor John Lloyd

Our physical bodies are made up of several core muscles. If kept in shape through exercise, they will function properly. God’s goal for followers is to make us more like Jesus. This happens when we think like Jesus, CORE beliefs, act like Jesus, CORE practices, and be like Jesus, CORE virtues. We need to exercise our CORE in order to glorify God. The journey of becoming like Jesus begins by thinking like Jesus. When we start thinking like Jesus, we are well on our way to becoming like Jesus. Today, we will consider the spiritual practice of giving our resources to God. Jesus has been extremely generous to all who call on Him. As an act of worship and thanksgiving, we recognize everything is a gift from our heavenly father to generously give back to God and His purposes.

Practices covered so far: Worship, Prayer, Bible study, Single-Mindedness, Total Surrender, Biblical Community, Spiritual Gifts, Offering my Time and Giving my Resources.

I Timothy 1:12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

Key Question: How do I best use my resources to serve God and others?

Key Idea: I give my resources to fulfill God’s purposes as an act of worship.

I. Our God has generously poured out his ____________ and ____________ upon all who call upon Jesus.

Thank- a constant attitude of gratefulness

Given me strength- Nothing Paul is doing is being done in his own strength. He is constantly being infused with strength from God.

Faithful- faithful to the trust God has given to him.

But I received mercy- I was literally an object of God’s mercy. (Titus 3:5)

I Timothy 1:14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

Takeaway: God has been extremely generous to us!

I “get to” be a vessel for the generosity of God to flow through.

Of the thirty-eight parables of Jesus in the Bible, sixteen of them deal with how to handle possessions; all told, 288 verses in the Gospels- one out of every ten-refer to money. Over two thousand Bible verses talk about our personal resources, compared with approximately five hundred on prayer and fewer than five hundred on faith. We can’t conclude from these statistics that Jesus’ heart was focused on money, but rather that he knew ours would be. His teaching continually directs us toward using all we have-including our money and our possessions-to love him and others. Randy Frazee Think, Act and Be Like Jesus

II. Giving my resources generously allows me to be a ______________ for God’s purposes and breaks the hold of a materialistic culture.

2 Corinthians 8:1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. I Cor.16:1-2

Proverbs 22:7b the borrower is the slave of the lender. I Timothy 6:9-10

Homework: Walk through your spending for the past month: What patterns do I see? What priorities are evident in spending? Where am I pleased in my money management? Where am I disappointed with my findings? What changes should I consider making? Pray about it!

Help me to be more generous towards your kingdom work!

I get to be a vessel for the generosity of God to flow through.

III. God multiplies and blesses ______________________ resources.

2 Corinthians 8:7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Three kinds of giving: Grudge giving, duty giving and thanksgiving.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

2 Corinthians 9:10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

Acts 20:35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Many people see giving as an obligation, but it is really an act of worship from someone who has embraced in their heart the key beliefs of the Christian faith. The one true God is good and has provided the way to eternal salvation. When we accept this gift of life we are given a new identity and called to a new purpose to fulfill God’s mission on earth until he returns. We give away our resources with that motivation and purpose in mind. The people of the Old Testament gave the first ten percent to God as a declaration of their allegiance to him. But they gave beyond the tithe out of willing heart because of God’s great love for them. The words of the wisdom writers and the lives of the wise men who visited the baby Jesus illustrate the importance and benefits of being content and generous with our resources. Jesus reminds us that we should strive to think bigger than our earthly lives and use our resources to strengthen God’s kingdom. God is more concerned about the reasons we give than about the size of the gift. Randy Frazee

All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him,

In his presence daily live. I surrender all, I surrender all.

All to thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

All to Jesus, I surrender, Lord I give myself to Thee;

Fill me with thy love and power, Let thy blessing fall on me.

God multiplies blessings to his generous followers!

I get to be a vessel for the generosity of God to flow through.

Spiritual Growth Questions for January 26, 2020

(take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)

Use a scale of 1-6 to rate how well you are living out the statements below: (1 = not living out at all, 6 living out completely).

___ I give away 10 percent or more of my income to God’s work.

___ I regularly give money to serve and help others.

___ My first priority in spending is to support God’s work.

___ My spending habits do not keep me from giving what I feel I should give

to God.

1. Read Proverbs 3:9-10, 11:24-25, 28 and Ecclesiastes 5:10-20. What truths can be found in the Scripture you just read together? Solomon was one of the wealthiest men to ever walk the earth. In what ways, if any, are you surprised by his comments on wealth and money?

2. Read Genesis 28:10-22. In the ancient world giving a tribute or tax of a tenth (tithe) to the king was customary. This offering demonstrated allegiance to the monarch’s kingdom. When we give the first tenth of our income to God’s purposes, we declare our allegiance to God and his kingdom. What did God promise Jacob and his followers? What was Jacob’s response?

3. Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 two times. What stands out to you from this passage? What principles about giving is Paul teaching the Corinthian church? How could they apply to us?

4. Read Matthew 6:19-24 Luke 12:13-21 together and one time alone. Jesus said more about money than the topics of heaven and hell combined. What stands out to you from each passage?

5. Read Luke 6:32-36. What is Jesus teaching in this passage? If someone asked you to summarize what Jesus taught about money and giving, what would you say?

6. Read 2 Corinthians 8:7-9 & 9:6-10. Work on the memory verse together. What example does Jesus give us for grace giving? What promises does Paul make to the Corinthian church about their generosity to God’s purposes?

7. What is impeding your ability to incorporate this practice into your lifestyle? How can you overcome this obstacle?

Personal Exercise: Walk through your spending for the past month: What patterns do I see? What priorities are evident in spending? Where am I pleased in my money management? Where am I disappointed with my findings? What changes should I consider making? Pray about it!

Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

January 19, 2020

John Lloyd - Stewardship: All for Jesus

January 19, 2020/ Dolores Park Church

Strengthen Your Core Series

Stewardship: All for Jesus

January 19, 2020

Pastor John Lloyd

Our physical bodies are made up of several core muscles. If kept in shape through exercise, they will function properly. God’s goal for followers is to make us more like Jesus. This happens when we think like Jesus, CORE beliefs, act like Jesus, CORE practices, and be like Jesus, CORE virtues. We need to exercise our CORE in order to glorify God. The journey of becoming like Jesus begins by thinking like Jesus. When we start thinking like Jesus, we are well on our way to becoming like Jesus. Today, we will consider the spiritual belief of stewardship. Jesus gave his all for us. He asks us to give Him our undivided attention and recognize that everything we have is a gift from Him. We are managers not owners.

Beliefs covered so far: God, Personal God, Salvation, The Bible, Identity in Christ, Church, Humanity, Compassion and today Stewardship.

John 21:15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Memory Verses: Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, 2 for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

Key Question: How much does God want of me? Do you love Jesus more than these?Key Idea: I believe everything I am and everything I own belong to God.

I. God has given His _________ to us.

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

John 1:3 All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Rom 5:8

Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

I Corinthians 4:7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, 2 for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

Everything that I am and have is a gift from God! It’s all a gift!

II. Undivided love demands ___________________ love.

Matthew 22:37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Matt. 10:37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

“Nothing satisfies a heart that loves except love.” J. Oswald Smith

Reflective questions: How much does God want of me?

Does God hold supreme place in my life?

Action: I deed over to God ownership of all things external and internal. Lord, I love you more than my these!

III. I ______________ but I do not own.

2 Corinthians 9:7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

I Corinthians 4:1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

Stewardship isn't a subcategory of the Christian life. Stewardship is the Christian life. After all, what is stewardship except that God has entrusted to us life, time, talents, money, possessions, family, and his grace? In each case, he evaluates how we regard what he has entrusted to us and what we do with it. Randy Alcorn

2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ (Steward of my thoughts)

I Peter 4:9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. (Steward of my home.)

I Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (Steward of my body)

I Peter 4:10 Use your God given gifts to serve one another. (spiritual gifts)

Philippians 3:13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

(Steward of my past, present and future)

Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, 2 for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

Stewardship can make a major difference in our lives when we move from simply understanding it in our heads to fully embracing it in our hearts. God is the owner of everything we have and everything we are. When we come to faith in Christ, we turn over the “deed” of everything—our children, our money, our homes, our bodies, our very breath—to him. God then turns to us and invites us to manage all these things according to his purposes. When we do, we are freed from the hassles of ownership and enter a life of reward and blessing. Randy Frazee

The world asks what does a man own, God asks how does he use it?

I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.”
Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

And when before the throne I stand in him complete
Jesus died my soul to save. My lips shall still repeat

Have I deeded my life to God and then accepted stewardship of all he has given me? Am I 100 percent His?

Spiritual Growth Questions for January 19, 2020

(take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)

Use a scale of 1-6 to rate how strongly you believe the statements below: (1 = no belief at all, 6 complete confidence).

___ I believe that everything I am or own comes from God and belongs to

God.

___ I believe that a Christian should live a sacrificial life, not driven by pursuit

of material things.

___ I believe that Christians should give at least 10 percent of their income to

God’s work.

___ I believe God will bless Christians now and in the life to come for their

good works.

1. Read Luke 16:1-15. What stood out to you from this passage? Contrast the lifestyle of someone who loves money with that of someone who loves God. What lessons can these verses teach us about stewardship?

2. Read I Corinthians 6:12-20. What is Paul teaching in regards of stewardship of our bodies? What would be the motivation that Paul presents for sexual purity?

3. Read Deuteronomy 12:5-7 & Malachi 3:6-12. In several places in the OT law, the Israelites were instructed to bring the first portion of the resources and other offerings that God provided back to him. If they did, they would be blessed. What are the key identifiers of “good stewardship”? How does God reward good stewardship of his resources?

4. Romans 12:13, Hebrews 13:2, I Peter 4:9, 3 John 7-8. Why are we encouraged to practice hospitality? Why is hospitality so important to God?

5. Read Mark 12:41-44. What seems to be the most important to God when it comes to the act of giving? Can the poor widow’s example be emulated by a person of wealth? If so, how?

Who in your life has the poor widow’s mentality toward their possessions?

6. What, if anything, hinders you from practicing good stewardship? What is something you can do this week to demonstrate this belief?

7. List some of the things God has entrusted you to manage. How are you doing in each of these areas? How can you improve your stewardship of them?

Memory Verses: Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, 2 for he has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.

January 12, 2020

John Lloyd - Fathfulness to God and Others

January 12, 2020/ Dolores Park Church

Strengthen Your Core Series

Faithfulness to God and Others

January 12, 2020

Pastor John Lloyd

Our physical bodies are made up of several core muscles. If kept in shape through exercise, they will function properly. God’s goal for followers is to make us more like Jesus. This happens when we think like Jesus, CORE beliefs, act like Jesus, CORE practices, and be like Jesus, CORE virtues. We need to exercise our CORE in order to glorify God. The journey of becoming like Jesus begins by thinking like Jesus. When we start thinking like Jesus, we are well on our way to becoming like Jesus. Today, we will consider the spiritual virtue of faithfulness. God is faithful! Through His faithfulness, we can be loyal and faithful to Him and in our relationships. We pray that we can grow in the virtue of faithfulness.

2 Timothy 2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.

Memory Verses: Proverbs 3:3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

Key Question: Why is it important to be loyal and committed to others?

Key Idea: I have established a good name with God and others based on my loyalty to those relationships.

I. Remember the powerful __________ of God’s faithfulness!

2 Timothy 2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel.

Remember- remember and keep on remembering….

I Corinthians 15:1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

Psalm 36:5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

Psalm 89:1 I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.

I remember your great faithfulness to me.

I remember your death, burial and resurrection!

II. Our faithfulness to God and others will face difficult ________________.

2 Timothy 2:9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (see 2 Timothy 4:16-17, Philippians 1:12-14)

God’s work and word cannot be bound or stopped. Kenneth Wuest

Endure- Paul endures precisely because of a certainty that through his ministry God will save some. ESV Study Bible. “Hold your ground”

“God has not promised skies always blue, flower strewn pathways all of our lives through; God has not promised sun without rain, joy without sorrow, and peace without pain. But God has promised strength for the day, rest for the labor, light for the way, grace for trials, help from above, unfailing sympathy and undying love.” Annie Johnson Flint

Proverbs 3:3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Psalm 119:90

Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. (Matthew 6:33, Hebrews 12:2)

“Let your heart be wholly devoted to the Lord our God.” I Kings 8:61

Remember to be faithful in your relationship with God. I John 4:19

God will see it even if no one else does. Genesis 31:50 NLT

Greatly value each person in your life. Philippians 2:3

Ask God to help you share in their trials. Ezekiel 3:15

Reflective questions: What can I do to develop a better willingness to be loyal and maintain a commitment to people? What blocks loyalty from working and being exhibited in me. How can I make loyalty function better, stronger and faster even in times of uncertainty?

Remember the great power of the Word of God cannot be stopped!

I choose to be loyal to God and others.

Psalm 36:5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

Psalm 89:1 I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.

I remember your great faithfulness to me.

I remember your death, burial and resurrection!

II. Our faithfulness to God and others will face difficult ________________.

God’s work and word cannot be bound or stopped. Kenneth Wuest

Endure- Paul endures precisely because of a certainty that through his ministry God will save some. ESV Study Bible. “Hold your ground”

Proverbs 3:3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Psalm 119:90

Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. (Matthew 6:33, Hebrews 12:2)

“Let your heart be wholly devoted to the Lord our God.” I Kings 8:61

Remember to be faithful in your relationship with God. I John 4:19

God will see it even if no one else does. Genesis 31:50 NLT

Greatly value each person in your life. Philippians 2:3

Ask God to help you share in their trials. Ezekiel 3:15

Remember the great power of the Word of God cannot be stopped!

I choose to be loyal to God and others.

III. I can be faithful to God and others because of His great _________________ to me.

2 Timothy 2:11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.

I can hold my ground during the most difficult times because Christ held his ground for me.

Those who endure will be his co-reigning viceroys and confidants. If we lapse into unfaithfulness, he remains faithful, as Jesus did during the temporary denial by Peter, (cf. John 21:15-19). Kent Hughes

God is faithful even when his children are not. Max Lucado

Proverbs 3:3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. (See Proverbs 3:5-6)

I Thessalonians 5:24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

Lamentations 3:22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

It is important to understand that being faithful to God is never about meeting a requirement to keep our relationship with him, but rather it’s about responding to God out of love and devotion for what Christ has done for us. We choose to remain in him, not out of obligation, but out of desire. Faithfulness must be a priority, no matter who is watching us. When we are alone or in a crowd, we’re faithful; in good times or bad, we’re faithful; when confident or in doubt, we’re faithful. If we truly want to influence people for Christ, then being faithful has to be more than a desirable quality; it must become a lifestyle. Randy Frazee

Think, Act, Be Like Jesus

I choose to be faithful in my relationship with God.

I choose to be faithful in my relationships with others.

Spiritual Growth Questions for January 12, 2020

(take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)

Use a scale of 1-6 to rate how fully your life is demonstrating the statements below: (1= does not demonstrate at all, 6 demonstrates fully)

___ I take unpopular stands when my faith dictates.

___ I discipline my thoughts based on my faith in Jesus Christ.

___ I will follow Christ even when it involves suffering.

___ I will follow through on commitments I have made to God.

1. What do you think is the root or cause of unfaithfulness toward God and others?

2. Read Deuteronomy 32:1-4, Psalm 36:5-9, Lamentations 3:19-24. Read once with the group and once on your own. What stands out to you about the faithfulness of God and man’s unfaithfulness?

3. Read Proverbs 3:1-6, 20:6, 28:20. Why is a faithful person richly blessed and one who is eager, to be rich punished?

4. Read II Timothy 2:1-13. Paul is writing from prison to Timothy his young disciple. What illustrations does Paul use to encourage faithfulness? What stands out to you as something that would help Timothy remain faithful to God and his calling during trials?

5. Read Psalm 98:1-3. How has God made known to you His faithfulness? Share with the group, or a friend how, he has been faithful to you this past year?

6. In a world filled with unfaithfulness, how can we find inspirational examples of faithfulness? In your opinion what motivates genuine faithfulness to God? Write a prayer for your life and faithfulness to God and to those relationships God has brought into your life. Share with a friend.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father! There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not; Thy compassions, they fail not: As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me. Thomas Chisholm

Memory Verses: Proverbs 3:3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

January 05, 2020

John Lloyd - Offering My Time to God

January 05, 2020/ Dolores Park Church

Strengthen Your Core Series

Offering My Time to God

January 5, 2020

Pastor John Lloyd

Psalm 39:4 “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! 5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah 6 Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!

7 “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.

Memory Verse: Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God through Him.

Key Question: How do I best use my time to serve God and others?

Jesus’ new life in us should change our priorities in how we view the gift of time. Simply put, our calendars should be redeemed not long after our souls are redeemed. It’s not our time but God’s. His great love now motivates us to devote our schedule to serving his priorities. Randy Frazee. Think, Act, and Be Like Jesus.

Key Idea: I offer my time to fulfill God’s purposes.

I. The gift of time, when offered, is a __________ back to God.

Ecclesiastes 3:1. For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.

Psalm 89:47 Remember how short my time is! For what vanity you have created all the children of man!

We master our minutes or we become slaves to them, we use time or time uses us. William Ward

At birth we are given two teachers. One is called Life and the other is called time. Life teaches us the value of time, while time teaches us the productive purpose of life. Paul Adefarasin

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Time is a gift given to me by God.

I want to offer my time for God’s purposes.

II. Look for small blocks of time to ______________.

Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Oh, how precious is time, and how it pains me to see it slide away, while I do so little to any good purpose. David Brainerd.

We must recognize how the evil one is working in this world and take a firm stance against him. It means we take careful thought concerning what we put in our minds- what we listen to, what we watch, and how we use our time. Chip Ingram

Ephesians 5:16 Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Does my schedule reflect how God wants me to use my time?

What adjustments should I make?

Where am I allowing room for temptation or sin?

Is there an activity God is calling me to stop or delay?

Is there an activity God is calling me to add to my schedule?

Where can I make more room for the use of my spiritual gift?

Colossians 4:5. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

· Plan lunch hour to serve others.

· Use travel/commute time to contact those in need.

· Ask God to multiply your time.

· Carve out time for reading the Scriptures.

· Make prayer a habit in undefined spaces.

Prayer: Father, my time is yours. Show me, lead me, speak to me about what you want me to do, about how to use this precious gift wisely. And then you listened, trusted and obeyed.

Proverbs 9:11 Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.

Time surrendered to Jesus is made to count for all eternity.

III. Remember the _________________ of offering our time.

Haggai 1:5 Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.

Time spent in prayer is never wasted. Francois Fenelon

Matthew 10:42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

Those who lose their lives will find them. And, at the end, we have the remarkable chain reaction of those who serve their fellow human beings out of love for Jesus. Give a cup of cold water to one of Jesus’ least significant followers, and you’re giving it to Jesus himself; whatever you do for Jesus, you do, not just for Jesus, but for God (‘the one who sent me’). NT Wright

Matthew 25:21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He used what God gave him for His Master’s intentions.

Matthew 25:40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God through Him.

Consider the key practice of offering my time to God.

In 2020, in addition to prayer and Scripture reading, endeavor to implement some ways to volunteer and serve others as a gift to God.

Believe is an action verb. Whatever we believe in our hearts will be expressed in the way we live. Beliefs such as the church, compassion and stewardship naturally lead to the practice of offering our time to God to accomplish his purposes. Every time we act on this key spiritual practice, even if our hearts are not totally committed, it helps to drive these beliefs from our heads to our hearts. So we act out our beliefs in faith. Randy Frazee

Spiritual Growth Questions for January 5, 2020

(take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)

Use a scale of 1-6 to rate how strongly you are living out the statements below (1= not living out at all, 6 living out completely)

___ I invest my time in others by praying for them.

___ I spend a great deal of time helping others with physical, emotional and

other kind of needs.

___ I give my time to serve and help others in my community.

___ I regularly volunteer at my church.

Read Memory Verse two times: Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God through Him.

1. Make a diverse list of how time could be used for God’s purposes.

2. Read Psalm 39:4-7, Psalm 90:12 two times. What lesson/s about time can we learn from the psalmist?

3. Read Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 5:16-17, I Corinthians 6:19. What applications could be made about time from these verses?

4. Read Matthew 25:31-46. Based on what you read, what activities seem to be the most important to Jesus? What do you think Jesus’ main point is in this passage?

5. Read Colossians 3:17 and 3:23-24. What stands out to you from these verses? How could you apply them to your daily life?

6. What challenges make it hard for you to invest your time in God’s purposes? As a group, or with a friend, discuss ways to overcome them.

7. In most churches a small group of people do a majority of the work. Discuss different needs and opportunities in our congregation where you or your group could volunteer and help.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Consider the key practice of offering my time to God.

In 2020, in addition to prayer and Scripture reading, endeavor to implement some ways to volunteer and serve others as a gift to God.

December 29, 2019

Michael Porter - The Principle and Practice of New Life in Christ

December 29, 2019/ Dolores Park Church

December 22, 2019

John Lloyd - God's Compassion Makes a Difference

December 22, 2019/ Dolores Park Church

Strengthen Your Core Series

God’s Compassion makes a difference

December 22, 2019

Pastor John Lloyd

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Hebrews 4:14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Memory Verses: Psalm 82:3 Defend the weak and the fatherless, uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. 4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

Key Question: What is my responsibility to other people?

Key Idea: I believe God calls all Christians to show compassion to

people in need.

I. Christmas is about the great compassion of God for all people.

II. Christmas is a great opportunity to show compassion.

III. Christ changes us to be a people of compassion.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Jesus made our mission abundantly clear in meeting the needs of the forgotten, unlovely, and unpopular — “the least of these.” His declaration that to serve them is to serve him is both counter cultural and life-changing." Frazee, Randy. Think, Act, Be Like Jesus

I. Christmas is about the great compassion of God __________.

Luke 1:76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Philippians 2:7-8)

When I was sinking down… Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.

Romans 5:8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Receive in your soul the great compassion God has expressed to you through His Son Jesus Christ. His compassion makes a difference!

II. Christmas is a ______ __ __________ to show compassion.

Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 12:20 a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory;

· Keep your standards high and your grace deep.

Matthew 5:28, Romans 3:23, Psalm 130:3

· Accept behavior without approving of behavior

John 8:7, 10, 11 NLT

· Never let your tone become contentious. Prov. 15:18, Col. 4:6

· Lead people to truth by identifying with their struggle. I Peter 1:14

· Paint a picture of what it looks like to come home. Luke 15

· Look for opportunities to build bridges and care for people every chance you get. Showing Compassion makes a difference!

III. Let Jesus _________________ into a person of compassion.

Conformation- spiritual process of molding the believer into the image of Jesus.

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name.

“Man may dismiss compassion from the heart but God never will.” Cowper

Luke 7:12 As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” (Luke 19:41)

John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

“To keep the golden rule we must put ourselves in other people’s places, but to do that consists in and depends upon picturing ourselves in their places.”

Colossians 3:12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

Lamentations 3:22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Psalm 82:3-4 Defend the weak and the fatherless, uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

No matter how low down you are; no matter what your disposition has been; you may be low in your thoughts, words, and actions; you may be selfish; your heart may be overflowing with corruption and wickedness; yet Jesus will have compassion upon you. He will speak comforting words to you; not treat you coldly or spurn you, as perhaps those of earth would, but will speak tender words, and words of love and affection and kindness. Just come at once. He is a faithful

Spiritual Growth Questions for December 22, 2019

(take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)

Use a scale of 1-6 to rate how strongly you believe the statements below (1= no belief at all, 6 complete confidence)

___ I believe that God calls me to be involved in the lives of the poor and

suffering.

___ I believe I am responsible before God to show compassion to the sick

and imprisoned.

___ I believe I should stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

___ I believe that Christians should not purchase everything they can afford,

so that discretionary money might be available to help those in need.

1. In what ways have you experienced compassion from a family member, friend or stranger?

2. What is the difference between trying to “fix” poverty and injustice and “suffering with” someone who is experiencing it?

3. Read Luke 7:13,47-48 and Hebrews 4:14-16. How does Jesus model compassion in the Luke passages? What makes Jesus a more compassionate high priest? How is this helpful to us?

4. Read Deuteronomy 24:10-15, 17-22. (Israel: Called to Compassion). Pick a specific situation (widow, orphan, refugee, homeless person, addict) and discuss what it would look like to “suffer with” the individual in need.

5. Read Psalm 82:3-4. List some reasons why many people choose to ignore the needy and oppressed. Then discuss what it would take to break free from the status quo and be a defender of the weak and oppressed.

6. Read Matthew 25:31-46. In your own words, describe how love for God and love for others is related.

7. Read James 1:19-2:13. What are the attitudes that James advocates? How can you adopt these same attitudes?

8. In addition to a financial gesture, what other compassionate ways are there to comfort someone in need?

Memory Verses: Psalm 82:3-4 Defend the weak and the fatherless, uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

December 15, 2019

John Lloyd - God's Kindness and Goodness: The Most Powerful Testimony

December 15, 2019/ Dolores Park Church

Strengthen Your Core Series

God’s Kindness and Goodness: The Most Powerful Testimony

December 15, 2019

Pastor John Lloyd

Our physical bodies are made up of several core muscles. If kept in shape through exercise, they will function properly. God’s goal for followers is to make us more like Jesus. This happens when we think like Jesus, CORE beliefs, act like Jesus, CORE practices and be like Jesus, CORE virtues. We need to exercise our CORE in order to glorify God. We are now at the halfway point in our study of the key beliefs, practices and virtues. When one makes the courageous decision to step across the line of faith and accept God’s offer of salvation of grace and mercy through Jesus Christ, he changes our disposition to think outside of ourselves (kindness) and to put those thoughts into action (goodness) to those God has place in our lives.

Titus 3:1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Memory Verse: I Thessalonians 5:15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Key Question: What does it mean to do the right thing in my relationships?

Key Idea: I choose to be kind and good in my relationships with others.

Kindness is a sincere desire for the happiness of others, goodness is the activity calculated to advance that happiness. Kindness is the inner disposition, created by the Holy Spirit, that causes us to be sensitive to the needs of others (whether physical, emotional or spiritual). Goodness is kindness in action—words and deeds. Jerry Bridges

I. Reflect on the _______________ expressed to us through Jesus Christ.

Titus 3:4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:1-3)

Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Titus 3:6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Philippians 2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

Jesus is the greatest expression of goodness and kindness the world has ever seen. May we celebrate Him this Christmas season!

II. God’s kindness transforms my ____________.

Ephesians 2:7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

God works positively for good all things even in unfavorable circumstances.

Acts 2:23 This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble;
he knows those who take refuge in him.

Titus 2:7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.

Kindness received from God overflows to kindness expressed to others. I choose to be kind and good in my relationships with others.

III. Expressing kindness may be the most powerful _____________ to the world.

Romans 12:19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

“Kindness makes a person attractive. If you would win the world, melt it do not hammer it.” Alexander MacLaren

Romans 2:4b “Not knowing God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.”

Luke 6:27 Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.

Kindness – thinking outside of myself (my inner disposition)

Goodness is kindness in action-words and deeds.

2 Thessalonians 1:11 We constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.

I Thessalonians 5:15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

“The greatest thing a man can do for his Heavenly Father is to be kind to some of His other children.” Henry Drummond

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will

reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to

everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.(Ps.135:3)

Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Every morning, we ask God to give us opportunities to take the good he is depositing in our hearts and give it away to others. We approach every day on the lookout to encourage others. In every conversation and encounter, we try to do something or say something kind, because it builds people up. Kindness involves doing something deemed positive by the recipient. Goodness however, entails tough love for the benefit of another because it will genuinely help them. Randy Frazee

Spiritual Growth Questions for December 15, 2019

(Take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)

Kindness/Goodness, use a scale of 1-6 to rate how fully your life demonstrates the statements below: (1=does not demonstrate at all, 6 demonstrates fully)

___ I would never keep money that didn’t belong to me.

___ I am known as a person who speaks words of kindness to those in need

of encouragement.

___ I give to others expecting nothing in return.

___ I help those who are in trouble or who cannot help themselves.

Key Idea: I choose to be kind and good in my relationships with others.

1. Read the key idea together. How could this virtue express itself in your life? What is impeding your ability to embrace this virtue? How can you overcome this obstacle?

2. Read I Samuel 20:13-16 and 2 Samuel 9:1-13. David’s predecessor King Saul was downright evil to him for thirteen years. In what ways would it be tempting for David to use his newly acquired power to exact revenge on Saul and his family? Note specifically how David exhibited kindness and goodness to Jonathan’s family, in keeping with his promise to Jonathan. Why was this considered a radical decision?

3. David doesn’t appear to have any bitterness or hatred toward Saul’s family. After all the hardship Saul caused him, how is this possible? What can we learn from David’s example?

4. Read Philemon 1:1-25. What stands out to you about Paul’s request for kindness to Philemon? Would you have honored Paul’s request? Why or why not?

5. Read Titus 3:14, Romans 12:19-21. In the midst of a corrupt government in Rome, what do you notice about Paul’s exhortation to the Romans and to Titus? Why might this be a powerful witness?

6. Read Galatians 6:1, Ephesians 4:15, Proverbs 27:6. Read two times. Let the Scripture speak to your soul. What stands out to you? What do these passages teach us about a friend who is clearly taking the wrong path?

December 08, 2019

John Lloyd - Spiritual Gifts: Fulfilling God's Purpose in my Life

December 08, 2019/ Dolores Park Church

Strengthen Your Core Series

Spiritual Gifts: Fulfilling God’s Purpose in my Life

December 8, 2019

Pastor John Lloyd

Our physical bodies are made up of several core muscles. If kept in shape through exercise, they will function properly. God’s goal for followers is to make us more like Jesus. This happens when we think like Jesus, CORE beliefs, act like Jesus, CORE practices and be like Jesus, CORE virtues. We need to exercise our CORE in order to glorify God. We are now at the halfway point in our study of the key beliefs, practices and virtues. When one makes the courageous decision to step across the line of faith and accept God’s offer of salvation of grace and mercy through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit deposits spiritual gifts in us. Today, we will focus on the practice of discovering and using our gifts and skills to build up the body of Christ and serve others. It is a great privilege to be part of God’s kingdom work.

Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Memory Verse: I Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Key Question: What gifts and skills has God given me to serve others?

Key Idea: I know my spiritual gifts and use them to fulfill God’s purposes.

“We seek to serve, using our gifts to glorify God and help others. We value and respect the gifts of others as together we serve God’s purposes. We come to see that using our gifts for God gives us a purpose bigger than our selves.”

Frazee, Randy. Think, Act, Be Like Jesus .

I. Daily ___________________ our gifts and talents to God.

“The apostle Paul is looking for transformation at the deepest level that is infinitely more significant than the conformity to the world’s pattern that is distinctive in so many lives.” Doug Moo

John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:26 (Rom. 7:6 walk in newness)

Surrendering my life to God brings renewal from God!

II. Remember that spiritual gifts are all about ______________.

Romans 12:3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

Grace- undeserved favor. Utterly undeserved (I Tim. 1:13, Eph.3:7-8)

Think- it connotes not so much the act of thinking in itself but the direction of one’s thinking, the way in which a person views something.” Eph.4:7-8

I Corinthians 4:7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? (Ephesians 2:8-9, Colossians 2:6)

Every talent and skill I possess is given purely by the grace of God.

“God has given you a spiritual gift, and it is not the same as a natural ability. That natural talent, rightly sanctified for God’s use, often points toward the identity of your spiritual gift. But you should find out the special gift God has given you while you’re serving as diligently as you can without that definite information. In fact, in addition to the study of Scripture, the best way to discover and confirm which spiritual gift is yours is through serving.” Donald Whitney

III. Spiritual gifts are discovered and developed in community.

Romans 12:4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ( I Cor. 12:19, 12:27, I Tim 4:14-16)

“Paul’s goal at this point is to encourage each Christian to use his or her gifts energetically and properly and not to worry about the gifts others may have, or the way in which they may be using them.” D.A. Carson.

I Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Reflective questions: Do I know my spiritual gifts? Am I developing them?

The greatest gift I can give to God is developing the gifts He gave to me.

IV. Use our spiritual gift to _______________ the body of Christ in love.

Romans 12:6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

“Paul is describing the way in which God, in his grace, has distributed different gifts to his people as means of building unity of the body.” Doug Moo

“If the church is not active in this way, she is failing.” Lloyd Jones

Ephesians 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:11-12

In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit only indwelled select individuals for a period of time to accomplish God’s purposes. The Spirit instilled gifts in artisans, architects, builders, priests and prophets. In the New Testament, Jesus promised the indwelling of the Holy Spirit for all believers. That promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. The Spirit deposits gifts in every believer for the express purpose of building God’s kingdom on earth. We do not all have the same gift. In unity we are to celebrate the giftedness of others and work together to accomplish God’s will in our lives and in the world. Randy Frazee

By serving God and His people with the gifts He’s given to me through the Holy Spirit, I am living for something bigger than myself. I am part of what God is doing around the world. I know my spiritual gifts and will use them to fulfill God’s purposes.

Spiritual Growth Questions for December 8, 2019

(Take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)

Based on your understanding of spiritual gifts, use a scale of 1-6 to rate how well you are living out the statements below (1=not living at all, 6=living out completely).

___ I know my spiritual gifts.

___ I regularly use my spiritual gift(s) in ministry to accomplish God’s

purposes.

___ I value the spiritual gifts of others to accomplish God’s purposes.

___ Others recognize and affirm my gifts and support my use of them.

1. Take a moment to affirm the specific ways you see members of your group using their spiritual gifts. (Thank them for blessing your life)

2. If people were unsure of their roles in the body of Christ, how would you advise them to discover their spiritual giftedness?

3. Some gifts get more attention than others, which can cause pride and jealousy within the body of Christ. How can we safeguard from these destructive attitudes?

4. Read Exodus 35:30- 36:1. How were spiritual gifts and skills used to build the tabernacle? How is the picture of building the body of Christ?

5. Read I Corinthians 12:4-31. Read two times. Let the Scripture speak to your soul. What stands out to you from this passage?

6. From I Corinthians 12. What role does your spiritual gift play in the redemption of broken people and a broken world? Discuss parts of the human body that are not visible but are incredibly important. Similarly, which gifts within the body of Christ are rarely recognized yet vital to the success of the mission?

7. Read I Peter 4:7-11. Why is it imperative for us to use our gifts with an attitude of love? What does it mean to be a good steward of our gifts.

8. Read Romans 12:3-8, Ephesians 4:16. Reflect on how Paul teaches spiritual gifts used humbly build the body. How does using your gifts grow us as believers? How could you use your gifts or skills to serve others?

December 01, 2019

John Lloyd - Humanity: How God Sees Us

December 01, 2019/ Dolores Park Church

Strengthen Your Core Series

Humanity: Seeing People as God Does

December 1, 2019

Pastor John Lloyd

Our physical bodies are made up of several core muscles. If kept in shape through exercise, they will function properly. God’s goal for followers is to make us more like Jesus. This happens when we think like Jesus, CORE beliefs, act like Jesus, CORE practices and be like Jesus, CORE virtues. We need to exercise our CORE in order to glorify God. We are now at the halfway point in our study of the key beliefs, practices and virtues. God created everything, but the pinnacle of creation was the mankind of human beings—creatures crated in the image of God. Humanity is special, and the Bibles is the record of the love story between Creator and created, between God and humans. Form the very beginning of time to the era of the modern-day church, God has loved and pursued his people in order to restore his image within and among them. Today, we will focus on the origins, the devastating human condition, God’s love to all and whoever, and seeing people as God sees them. God, please help us to see others as you do.

Key Question: How does God see us?

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again” (John 3:16 – 18 MSG).

Memory Verse: John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Key Idea: I believe all people are loved by God and need Jesus Christ as their Savior.

We value all human life.

We see and treat all people the way God sees and treats them.

We are compelled to tell all people about Jesus.

I. Examine how God has made us __________________.

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

“From womb to tomb, we place a high value on human life.” Randy Frazee

Genesis 1:31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

II. Develop a clear definition of __________.

Romans 3:10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;”

Matthew 22:37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment.”

“The essence of sin, in other words, is that we do not live entirely to the glory of God. Of course by committing particular sins we aggravate our guilt before God, but you can be innocent of all gross sins and yet be guilty of these terrible things, of being satisfied with your life, of having pride in your achievements and looking down on others and feeling that you are better than others.” D. Martyn Lloyd Jones

Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Everyone needs Jesus. I am born blind of this truth.

I could never be good enough on my own to earn salvation from God.

III. Humbly receive Jesus Christ and the gift of right ______________________ with God.

Romans 3:24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

“To be loved by God is the highest relationship, the highest achievement, and the highest position in life.” Henry Blackaby

I John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. II Peter 3:9

Everyone I see is on God’s heart to receive this gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. God grip me with the great truth of your gospel!

IV. Express God’s immense ______________ to those He brings into our lives.

Romans 3:28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

“Authentic behavior flows from a heart of genuine belief in human value.” Frazee

Luke 14:12 He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” Romans 10:14-15

“As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you.” C.S Lewis Mere Christianity

I Peter 3:15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

I Timothy 1:15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

Reflective Questions: How would life change if we started to see people as God sees them? How would the world change if we truly believed the only way for people to enter heaven is through Christ?

Do you believe God loves all people? Do you see all people the way God sees them? Do you believe God has made salvation through Christ available for all people? If you do, you will be compelled to show respect to all people and love them enough to tell them about Jesus. If we refuse to show respect and love, we must face the hard fact that we don’t see people the way God sees them. For me, I know I have more pondering to do about the depth of my belief. How about you? Randy Frazee. Think, Act and Be Like Jesus

I believe all people are loved by God and need Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Spiritual Growth Questions for December 1, 2019

(Take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)

Humanity, use a scale of 1-6 to rate how strongly you believe the statements below (1 = no belief at all, 6 = complete confidence)

___ I believe that each person possesses a sinful nature and is in need of

God’s forgiveness.

___ I believe we are created in the image of God and therefore have equal

value, regardless of race, religion, or gender.

___ I believe all people are loved by God; therefore, I too should love them.

___ I believe the Holy Spirit is God and dwells in Christians to empower them

to live the Christian life.

1. Read Hosea 1:1-3, 3:1-3, Hosea 11:1-11. How does the book of Hosea show God’s discipline and punishment as well as his compassion and redemption? How do you see God’s discipline and punishment fitting in with your concept of God as a God of love?

2. Read Romans 1:18-32 and Romans 3:10-23. What do these passages reveal about humanity and the human condition? What stands out to you as you read them? What does falling short of the glory of God look like for you?

3. Luke 6:27-36. How does loving your enemies show the world that we are children of God?

4. Read I Timothy 1:15-16 two times. Using these verses, how does Paul respond to someone who doesn’t think they are good enough to be a Christian. What stands out to you from this passage?

5. Read I John 1:9-2:2, I John 3:20. Using this passage, how would you help someone who is struggling with forgiving themselves from some past sin or failure?

6. Read Acts 10:15. Discuss this quote: “You and I must never look at any sin in our past life in any way except that which leads us to praise God and to magnify His grace in Christ Jesus. It is a sin to allow the past, which God has dealt with, to rob us of our joy and usefulness in the present and in the future.”

7. What, if anything, hinders you from fully loving people the way God loves them?

8. What is something you can do this week to demonstrate this belief?

Memory Verse: John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

November 24, 2019

Sean Degerness and Michael Porter - Patience

November 24, 2019/ Dolores Park Church

Strengthen Your Core Series

Patience

November 24, 2019

Sean Degerness &

Pastor Michael Porter

Sermon Series Introduction: Our physical bodies are made up of several core muscles. If kept in shape through exercise, they will function properly. God’s goal for followers is to make us more like Jesus. This happens when we think like Jesus, CORE beliefs, act like Jesus, CORE practices and be like Jesus, CORE virtues. We need to exercise our CORE in order to glorify God. The journey of becoming like Jesus begins by thinking like Jesus. When we start thinking like Jesus, we are well on our way to becoming like Jesus.

Today, we will consider the core virtue of patience.

Romans 5:1-5, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

James 5:7-9, “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.”

Memory Verse: Proverbs 14:29 Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

Part 1: Sean Degerness

Key Question: How does God provide the help I need to deal with stress?

Romans 5:1: Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Hebrews 10:35: Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

God is ______________ when we are not.

Key Idea: I am slow to anger and endure patiently under the unavoidable pressures of life.

Ephesians 4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Macrothymia - long anger

Hypomone - to remain under

Patience is ______________, not ignorance.

Hebrews 10:35: Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

Key Application: What difference does this make in the way I live?

“Enduring in patience and trusting help us see whatever God unfolds will be better than what we force to happen. At the root of impatience is mistrust.” - Randy Frazee

2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Patience requires ______________ in God’s plan.

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Ecclesiastes 7:8

Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Part 2: Pastor Michael Porter

Sermon Text: James 5:7-9

Issue this Text Addresses: How can we be patient amid suffering?

Message of the Text: Patience amid Suffering in the Present is Fueled by the Hope of the Lord’s Return in the Future.

Sermon Outline:

I. What is the Theological Basis for Patience Amid Suffering? (James 5:7a, 8)

7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

II. What is the Practical Application of Patience Amid Suffering? (James 5:7b, 9)

7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

Spiritual Growth Questions for November 24, 2019

Reflect on the following questions and use a scale of 1-6 to rate how fully your life demonstrates the statements below: (1 does not demonstrate at all,

6 demonstrates fully)

____ I do not get angry with God when I have to endure suffering.

____ I am known to maintain honesty and integrity when under pressure.

____ I always put matters into God’s hands when I am under pressure.

____ I keep my composure even when people or circumstances irritate me.

1. As you read Proverbs 14:29; 15:18; 16:32; 19:11 and 25:15, ponder these two questions: How does patience defuse a conflict? How do impatience and rashness escalate it?

2. Read John 5:1-15 and 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Can you discern why God healed the lame man and not Paul? How does trusting in God’s goodness give us the strength to live patiently with our suffering?

3. Read Numbers 14, what are some examples of patience that see in this chapter? What do we can we learn from these examples?

4. Do you struggle more with being patient with other people or dealing with unavoidable pressures in your life? What is one thing you learned from these two sermons that might help you?

5. What is impeding your ability to respond patiently to life’s unexpected pressures? How can you overcome this obstacle?

What action step can you take this week to grow in the area of patience.

Key Verse for reflection: Proverbs 14:29 Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

November 17, 2019

John Lloyd - Church: Biblical Community: Building Healthy Relationships

November 17, 2019/ Dolores Park Church

Strengthen Your Core Series

Biblical Community: Building Healthy Relationships

November 17, 2019

Pastor John Lloyd

Our physical bodies are made up of several core muscles. If kept in shape through exercise, they will function properly. God’s goal for followers is to make us more like Jesus. This happens when we think like Jesus, CORE beliefs, act like Jesus, CORE practices and be like Jesus, CORE virtues. We need to exercise our CORE in order to glorify God. We are now at the halfway point in our study of the key beliefs, practices and virtues. We have looked at the practices that deepen our relationship with God: worship, prayer, Bible study, single-mindedness and total surrender. Now we shift to those practices that bless our relationships with the people around us. The first of these is Biblical Community. All who put their trust in Jesus receive a new identity and come together to form a new community, the church. It is through this community we fulfill the purposes of God for our lives.

Key Question: How do I develop healthy relationships with others?

Memory Verses: Acts 2:46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Three big ideas: Created for Community, the presence of God and the marks of Biblical Community (what does it look like).

Key Idea: I fellowship with Christians to accomplish God’s purposes in my life, in the life of others and in the world.

I. Healthy _________________ begin with a relationship with God.

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Genesis 2:18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

II Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. (John 3:16) Fellowship broken… fellowship restored!

Revelation 4:11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

The greatest community in all of creation awaits those who call on Jesus. God made us to be in community with Him.

II. In the center of healthy relationships is the ________________ of God.

I Timothy 2:4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Ephesians 2:17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. (Ephesians 1:19-23)

2 Corinthians 5:19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation

Hebrews 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Jesus can save and transform anyone.

Jesus’ presence in us makes Biblical Community possible now!

III. Healthy relationships __________ in biblical community. God accomplishes His purposes through communities of Christ followers.

Philippians 2:1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. (Romans 13:8, I Thessalonians 5:11). Biblical community fulfills the deep desire of God.

Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Romans 15:14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

Hebrews 13:15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

We fellowship with other believers to keep our relationship with God strong.

We fellowship with other believers to keep our relationship with others strong.

We fellowship with other believers to accomplish God’s will on earth.

Acts 2:46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Reflective questions: What is impeding your ability to experience biblical community? How can you overcome this obstacle? What is one action step can you take this week to develop biblical community?

Biblical community is the glue holding us together, through which we have opportunity to grow in favor with God and to keep our relationships right with others. Are you struggling in your relationship with God? Do you find yourself simply wanting to love him more than you do? Are you finding yourself in continual dysfunction with those around you? Or do you desire to strengthen your relationships to a greater degree? Connecting to, submitting with, and walking alongside brothers and sisters in Christ can get you on the right track, while also keeping you on the path to God’s truth and his will. Randy Frazee

God’s purposes are accomplished through Biblical Communities.

Spiritual Growth Questions for November 17, 2019

(Take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)

Based on your understanding of Biblical Community, use a scale of 1- 6 to rate how well you are living out the statements below: (1=not living out at all, 6= living out completely).

____ I have a close relationship with other Christians who have influence on

my life’s direction.

____ I participate in a group of Christians who really know me and support

me.

____ I allow other Christians to hold me accountable for my actions.

____ I daily pray for and support other Christians.

Key Idea: I fellowship with Christians to accomplish God’s purposes in my life, in the life of others and in the world.

1. Read Acts 18:1-3, 18:18-19, 18:24-26, Romans 16:3-4. Describe the impact of the biblical community you see demonstrated by Priscilla and Aquila. What did they do? Why was it so impactful?

2. Read I John 1:1-7 two times. What is the apostle John teaching about Christian fellowship? How can this fellowship purify us and help us fulfill God’s purposes in our lives?

3. Read Hebrews 10:19-25 two times. What is the writer trying to convince the Hebrew believers to believe? What is he teaching them about biblical community and its importance to them?

4. Read Romans 15:5-7, 15:14 and Galatians 5:13, 6:2. What does each passage teach us about biblical community? Who could you apply this to in your life right now? Ask God for his help.

5. Read Hebrews 13:1-3, 13:15-16 two times. What is the writer exhorting us to do? How would it build biblical community? Where could you make application of these verses?

6. How would the practice of biblical community express itself in your life? In a world where people are becoming more isolated and self-centered, what can be done to nurture a vibrant others-focused community?

7. What is impeding your ability to experience biblical community? How can you overcome this obstacle?

8. What is one action step can you take this week to develop biblical community?

November 10, 2019

John Lloyd - Church: God's plan to reach the world

November 10, 2019/ Dolores Park Church

Strengthen Your Core Series

Church: God’s plan to reach the world

November 10, 2019

Pastor John Lloyd

Key Question: How does God accomplish his purposes today?

Ephesians 4: 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherd and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

Memory Verses: Ephesians 4:15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Key Idea: I believe the church is God’s primary way to accomplish His purposes on earth.

The church is the primary but not exclusive means to be used in accomplishing God’s purposes on into eternity. Randy Frazee

The church is the community of all true believers for all time. Wayne Grudem

I. Focus on how God views the ______________.

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

Ephesians 5:28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 Because we are members of his body. “31 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

Church as a vine- John 15:5

Church as an olive tree- Romans 11:17-24

Church as a field of crops- I Corinthians 3:6-9

Church as a building- I Corinthians 3:9

Church as a new temple/spiritual house- I Peter 2:5

Jesus as the cornerstone of the church- I Peter 2:7

Church as the body of Christ- I Corinthians 12:12-27

Matthew 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Jesus is building His Church. The Church is very special to God.

II. Consider how God thinks about ________.

Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Romans 5:6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

God cares about you! His love is unconditional and powerful.

Jesus is building His church with imperfect people.

III. God will accomplish His purposes through His __________:The church.

Matthew 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock[ I will build my church, and the gates of hell[shall not prevail against it.

Ephesians 4: 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherd and teachers,

A. Worship

Matthew 22:37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God

be glorified in the Son. (Ephesians 5:16-19)

B. Nurture

Ephesians 4:12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, (Colossians 1:28)

C. Evangelism and Mercy

Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Acts 1:8, Acts 8:1)

Acts 11:29 So the disciples determined, everyone according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 2 Cor. 8:4, James 1:27

Jesus is building His Church!

IV. We are made to be ____________________________ not independent.

Ephesians 4:15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Eccl.4:9-10)

In the body of Christ, you will grow faster in your walk with God.

Acts 13:46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” Acts 17:6

In the Body of Christ, you will become part of movement that is larger than yourself.

God used both Israel and the church to accomplish his grand plan to redeem and restore us to a right relationship with him. God’s plan for Israel was to bring us Jesus, who would provide the only way back to God. It took a little more than 2000 years for this divine plan to be fulfilled. After Jesus resurrection and ascension back to the Father, God created the church. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the church has existed for approximately 2000 years. God’s primary plan for the church is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to all nations until Jesus comes again. Today there are an estimated 2.2 billion Christians in the world. If you have received and accepted the grace of Christ, then you are a member of the body of Christ. And remember you are an integral part of his plan—God wants you to be fully vested in his church to accomplish his great and wonderful purposes. Randy Frazee

Jesus is building His church!

Spiritual Growth Questions for November 10, 2019

(Take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)

Based on your understanding of the church, use a scale of 1-6 to rate how strongly you believe the statements below (1=no belief at all, 6= complete confidence).

____ I believe God gives spiritual gifts to every Christian for service to the

church and the community.

____ I believe the community of true believers is Christ’s body one earth.

____ I believe the purpose of the church is to share the gospel and nurture

Christians in maturity in Christ.

Key Idea: I believe the church is God’s primary way to accomplish His purposes on earth.

1. Read Ephesians 4:11-16 two times. Observe as many things you can from this text as to how God builds his church. What are the blessings that come from being a part of His Body?

2. Read Matthew 16:13-18 two times. How does Jesus say He will build His church? Combined with Ephesians 4:11-16: How does Paul say God will build his church?

3. Read Acts 11:19-26 and Acts 13:46-47 two times. Make a list of observations as to what Paul and Barnabas were doing to grow the church at Antioch. What stands out to you?

4. Read Ephesians 5:25-32 two times. What did you learn about how God views the church? How should this impact our view of the church and how we speak about the church?

5. Read John 14:11-13, Revelation 5:9-10. What might the greater work be that Jesus mentions in John 14? How is it played out in Revelation 5? How does being a part of a church become a work of God that is greater than we are?

6. How would you counsel someone who feels they do not need a church or has been hurt by a church?

7. What if anything, hinders you from fully offering your time and abilities to the mission of the church?

8. What is something you can do this week to demonstrate your belief in the church as God’s primary way to accomplish his purposes on earth?

Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

November 03, 2019

John Lloyd - Hope

November 03, 2019/ Dolores Park Church

Strengthen Your Core Series

Hope: How do I deal with the hardships and struggles of life?

November 3, 2019

Pastor John Lloyd

Isaiah 40: 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (NIV)

Memory Verses: Hebrews 6:19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. (ESV)

Key Question: How do I deal with the hardships and struggles of life?

If faith begins the journey, then hope ends the journey. Hope is absolutely knowing where the road of faith will end; it is being confident of where the story concludes. Hope gives us the ability to endure the hardships and difficulties along the road of faith. We walk on in the hope of where the road leads. Frazee, Randy. Think, Act, Be Like Jesus

Key Idea: I can cope with the hardships of life because of the hope I have in Jesus Christ.

I. Beware of ____________ hopes which constantly allure us.

Psalm 52:7 Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!”

Psalm 52:9 And I will hope in your name for your name is good.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

Job 6:11 What strength do I have, that I should still hope?

Job 7:6 My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and they come to an end without hope.

I Timothy 6:17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

If our hope of our current circumstances they will either improve, or at least stay the same—this is a bad idea. We do not have such a guarantee. We can’t sustain this type of hope. Putting our hope in this life leads to colossal disappointments. Randy Frazee

Psalm 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. (Isaiah 31:1 & 3)

Trusting in false hopes deactivates our faith!

II. Hope is only as good as the power and character of the ________ who guarantees it.

Psalm 42:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation.

Romans 8:24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.

Psalm 33:20 Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

Christ offers something more! He provides what is true and viable which is the hope of eternal life.

III. We anchor our hope to our ____________________ and His promises.

I Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. (Romans 12:12)

Hope is the confident expression that God will do what He has promised.

Colossians 1:27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Hebrews 6:19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Psalm 62:5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.

“Outside of the cross of Jesus Christ, there is no hope in this world. That cross and resurrection at the core of the Gospel is the only hope for humanity. Wherever you go, ask God for wisdom on how to get that Gospel in, even in the toughest situations of life.” -Ravi Zacharias

I Peter 1:13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Grace and hope are given through the revelation of the resurrected Christ!

IV. Hope __________________ us and keeps us going through difficult times.

I John 3:3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

“The best we can hope for in this life is a knothole peek at the shining realities ahead. Yet a glimpse is enough. It’s enough to convince our hearts that whatever sufferings and sorrows currently assail us aren’t worthy of comparison to that which waits over the horizon.” -Joni Eareckson Tada

Isaiah 40: 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (NIV). (Titus 2:13)

Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.”

Hope activates faith, faith deepens hope.

Unfortunately, too often humans put their hope in things that overpromise and underdeliver — riches, people, idols, government. The only true source of hope is found in Jesus Christ. Christ and his promises become an anchor for our souls and the reason we can persevere. Of all the promises Jesus has made to us, the promise of eternal life with God is the most significant. No matter what we may be going through today, we know what happens in this life is not how our story ends. Our story ends, or really only begins, in the presence of God in his eternal kingdom. Frazee, Randy. NIV, Believe, eBook (p. 406).

Hope is a virtue that God uses to carry us through the most difficult times.

Spiritual Growth Questions for November 3, 2019

(Take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)

Hope. Use a scale of 1-6 to rate how fully your life demonstrates the statements below (1- does not demonstrate at all, 6 demonstrates fully).

_____ I think a great deal about heaven and what God is preparing for me as

a Christian.

_____ I am confident that God is working everything out for my good,

regardless of the circumstances today.

_____ My hope in God increases through my daily pursuit to live like Christ.

_____ My hope for the future is not found in my health or wealth because both

are so uncertain, but in God.

1. In the Scriptures there are several false hopes (riches, people, idols, human government) that are constantly alluring us. Think about which one you are most susceptible to. What made you pick the one you did?

2. Read Hebrews 11-12:1-3. Faith and hope seem to be the common underlying characteristics of all biblical heroes. In what ways do these characteristics work together? In your opinion, which character’s faith exhibited the most hope in God’s promises?

3. It’s easy to “grow weary and lose heart” in the broken world we live in. What does the writer of this passage encourage us to do in order to combat hopelessness? (See Hebrews 12:1-3)

4. Read Luke 2:25-35. What effect did God’s promise to Simeon, that he would see the first arrival of Christ, have on his life? What effect should God’s promise that we will see the second arrival of Christ, have on our lives?

5. Read Isaiah 40:25-31. Isaiah was writing to the people of Judah who would go through 70 years of difficulty as captives to the Babylonians. What was the significance of this passage to them? How can it help you in your times of difficulty?

6. Read several times Psalm 33:20-22 and I John 3:3. Ask the Lord to speak to you about a situation in your life. How can hope purify your faith as you walk through this time?

7. What experiences with God have increased your ability to trust him and his promises?

October 27, 2019

John Lloyd - Total Surrender

October 27, 2019/ Dolores Park Church

Strengthen Your Core Series

Total Surrender

October 27, 2019

Pastor John Lloyd

Luke 9:57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Memory Verse: Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Key Question: How do I cultivate a life of sacrificial service?

The purpose of these practices is freedom. It is the ability to lay down the terrible burden of always needing to get our way. Richard Foster

Key Idea: I dedicate my life to God’s purposes. Total surrender to God brings freedom!

I. Total Surrender is possible through the example of __________.

Matthew 26:39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

John 8:29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”

“The enemy knows that without surrender, we will never experience the freedom that God offers us. Without surrender, we will remain spiritually malnourished, ill and confused. Without surrender, our foxholes become prisons of the enemy's making. Our lack of full surrender limits God's ability to both work in our lives and through our lives. God's call to surrender is not an intimidating, angry bark heard from the other side of a battlefield. God's invitation to surrender is expressed through the example of his Son, Jesus, as described in Philippians 2:5-11.” Katherine J Walden

Jesus surrendered through his life, death and resurrection so we could experience His life in our lives.

II. Surrender is not ________________ nor easy.

The cultural norm will always be to fulfill our own desires as much as possible-which is the opposite of our key idea. It goes against the grain of the self-centered human nature. But note our key idea has a goal and purpose-to dedicate our lives to God’s purposes. Frazee

God is continually calling me to surrender to Him. Total Surrender brings freedom!

III. We daily open our hands and _________________ all we have to God.

“As God wills, what God wills, when He wills is my prayer.” Kempis

John 12:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

“If with courage and joy we pour ourselves out for Him and for others for His sake, it is not possible to lose, in any final sense, anything worth keeping. We will lose ourselves and our selfishness. We will gain everything worth having.”
― Elisabeth Elliot, The Path of Loneliness: Finding Your Way to God

John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

Total Surrender to God brings freedom!

IV. Offer every moment, thought and activity of our life as a _________________ to God.

Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (Daniel 3:16-18)

Surrender to God, to His Word, to your loved ones, to your neighbors and people you will meet in the course of the day, to your believing community, to the broken and despised, and finally to our world. Richard Foster

The decision to dedicate our lives to God’s purposes is a daily practice. Jesus instructed his disciples to take up their cross daily and follow Him. God expects this kind of dedication from us as well. Part of this dedication includes being a ‘living sacrifice,” which requires a daily decision to crawl up on the altar. We can find comfort from the life of Peter, who denied Jesus three times in some of the most critical moments of Jesus’ life. Because of the unconditional love he had for him, Jesus restored Peter. And he will do the same for us! Frazee

Total Surrender to God brings freedom!

Total Surrender: Use a scale of 1-6 to rate how well you are living out the statements below. (1 = not living out at all, 6 = living out completely)

_____ I am living out God’s purposes for my life.

_____ I give up what I need to meet the needs of others.

_____ I give away things I possess when I am so led by God.

_____ I serve God through my daily work.

Spiritual Growth Questions for October 27, 2019

(Take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)

Total Surrender: Use a scale of 1-6 to rate how well you are living out the statements below. (1 = not living out at all, 6 = living out completely)

_____ I am living out God’s purposes for my life.

_____ I give up what I need to meet the needs of others.

_____ I give away things I possess when I am so led by God.

_____ I serve God through my daily work.

1. Read Exodus 20:1-7. The first three of the ten commandments govern our relationship with God. Why do you think it is important to get in right relationship with God in order to keep the rest of God’s commandments?

2. Read Daniel 3:1-28. How can you relate to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego? What qualities do you see in them that you would like to possess? What verse/s stood out to you?

3. Read Acts 21:4-14. What verse/s stood out to you? How does Paul model total surrender?

4. Philippians 1:12-21. Even though Paul is in prison, how does total surrender bring freedom to his soul in time of great uncertainty?

5. Read Acts 7:51-60. What stands out about the total surrender modeled by Stephen?

6. Which one of the above passages (questions 2-5) inspires you and helps you in your current situation?

7. We have read about people making bold decisions to fulfill God’s purposes. Where does boldness come from? Is it a personality trait? Is it generated through willpower? Is it given by God? Or is it developed over time?

8. Not everyone is called to vocational ministry. What does total surrender look like for a school teacher, plumber, artist, business owner or you?

9. What does it take (mentally, spiritually and emotionally) to be a person who is completely surrendered to God’s purposes?

Memory Verse: Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

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