Presented by Dr. Marty Baker | James 1:15-17 | May 2, 2010
Good morning and welcome to Stevens Creek Church. I would like to welcome all of those in our Grovetown Campus and those watching by television. Today, we are conlcuding our series called Margin. Last week, we talked about financial margin. Today, we are going to talk about a kind of margin that you may not have thought of called moral margin.
Let me ask you a question: How many of you know someone whose life has been wrecked by a moral mistake? You know the kind ... lying, cheating, stealing and don’t forget the those sexual sins … pre-marital or maybe extra-marital sex, maybe pornography?
When most couples walk down an aisle and get married, they have this thought: In the next five years, I want to have an affair. I don't know anyone who says, "You know what? I plan on one day getting addicted to pornography, so that these images on a screen or on a page can consume me and totally pollute my mind".
I've never met anyone who said, "My one thing this year is STDs! I want to get STDs this year." I don't know anyone who says, "If I play my cards right, I can fall into some kind of a sexual deal and maybe it will cost me my job, or better yet my marriage, or I can lose the respect of my kids". I don't know anyone who thinks like that; and yet, it happens all of the time, doesn't it?
Here’s what I know. The greatest temptation that we face is to believe that situations like the one in this morning’s drama will never come our way. We have a tendency to be overconfident in our abilities to withstand the pressures of evil desires. There is a tendency to ignore the warning signs; to flirt with danger; and ultimately put our lives and families at risk.
Yes, most people who fall into this trap end up saying, "I never thought it would happen to me! The common thread that folks like this have is at some point in their life, they lacked what I would call Moral Margin.
You may be saying, "Well, what do you mean by moral margin?" In this series, we have learned that
Margin is the amount available beyond what is necessary. In other words, it is the difference between what you have and what you need.
In today’s talk, I define moral margin as this: Moral margin is putting distance between you and temptation. Putting distance, a buffer, some margin between you and temptation. If you have your Bibles, turn to James 1 in the New Testament, near the end of the book.
James 1:13-15
13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Notice what it says: He is dragged away and enticed. The original word hear means to entrap, to allure, to entice, or very literally it means to hook; it's a fishing term used to catch with bait.
Your spiritual enemy is trying to hook you into something that would cause sin to be born. When sin is full grown, it leads to death. Enticed, lured, baited, hooked; and I never thought it would happen to me.
What's interesting, in the early years of ministry, I worked specifically with students. It seemed like there was a common question that so many of them wanted to know. They would ask: "If I'm dating somebody, how far can I go? How far is too far?"
In other words, what is the line? It’s like they were saying, I want to know the line so that I can get right up to it. "How far is too far?
This is interesting because I don't think of very many areas in your life where you say, "How close can I get to something that would actually hurt me, without actually getting hurt?"
For example, I don't know many people who put three bullets in a gun, and then spin it and say, "I wonder how many times I can click it and be okay?" They don't do that, do they? I don't know of very many people who want to swim with paranas. A couple of weeks ago, we watched this guy on swim in a river with beds of paranas. But normal-thinking people don't jump in parana infested rivers and then say, "How many times do you think I can jump in before one bites?" Normal people do go there!
Here in the South, we have our share of poisonous snakes. I know that I have never walked up to a water moccasin or a rattle snake and put my hand out and said, "I wonder how close I can get to this snake before I get bitten?" Normal people don’t do that. But for some reason, when it comes to sexual temptation, people are like, "How close can I get to the edge without getting bitten?"
1 Corinthians 6:18-20.
18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.
19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Notice it says, "Flee from sexual immorality." The Bible does not say flirt; it does not say, get close to; but it says, “flee.”
The word flee here means to run away; it means to shun; it means to escape; it means to distance oneself. When you flee sexual immorality, it means that you put some distance between you and the temptation. You put some margin between you and temptation.
The Bible doesn't say flee from overeating. It doesn't say flee from gossips. But, it does say, “Flee from sexual immorality. Run!” Don't ask yourself, "How close can I get?" The wise person is going to put significant margin, significant distance between themselves and sexual temptation.
Some of you may wonder why the Bible focuses on sexual temptation when there are a lot of other sins. Could it be that sexual temptation is one of the most dangerous and most devastating? This seems to be the sin that seems to be taking so many people out. The Bible is clear.
Ephesians 5:3
3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.
This is so different from what we hear at school or on the job. Most people would say; "Ah, it’s not that big of a deal.” But, God has a different set of standards. He says that there must not even be a hint of sexual immorality..."
If that is truly the standard of God; if He is so Holy and wants so much good for us that He would say, "There must not even be a hint among God's people," ask yourself this, if someone dresses inappropriately in a seductive way, causing someone to go "Wow!" Do you think that in God's economy that would be a hint of sexual immorality?
What if we are dating somebody and we are not going all the way, but doing everything...but? Would that be a hint of sexual immorality?
Do you think that reading a Cosmos magazine that says Five Ways to Drive Your Boyfriend Wild in Bed, do you think that to God that would be a hint? But in our world, that is considered normal! Put it out on the grocery store isle, so your five year old kids can see it! Normal! No big deal!
Do you know what else is normal when it comes to sex? What else is normal is pain and regret, and guilt, and shame, and insecurity, and fear, and lust, and divorce. That's exactly what is normal.
Let me say that what’s going on in the normal world today is not working. Normal is just not working at all.
Here’s how it works. We think: "Is it wrong to enjoy being with someone? You know, talking to someone of the opposite sex?" Well, no because the line of adultery is way, way over there, so just talking to somebody, that is not really wrong. The line is way over there. We are not going to cross the line, but then we move the line just a little bit.
We ask ourselves: “Is it wrong to share personal stories with somebody? You know, talk about my wife, my husband, is that wrong?” Well, of course not. Why? Because the line of sexual affairs, that is way, way, way over there; so this isn't wrong.
We ask: “Is it wrong to anticipate time with this person? I can't wait to be with them and spend time with them? That's not really wrong, is it?” Because adultery, that line is way, way, way, way over there, so that's not wrong at all.
Is it wrong to flirt with someone that is not my spouse? You know, maybe. You know, little notes, little gifts, is that wrong to have an emotional connection?
You probably shouldn't, but when you compare it to where the line is of adultery, it's way, way, way over there; it's not even close. I mean, that's not that big of a deal.
Is it wrong to start talking about my feelings? You know, I know I shouldn't be attracted to you, but I kind of am, that's what my heart says. I mean is that wrong? Well, no, you've got to be true to your heart, right?
Then it happens. You wake up and say, "I never thought it would happen to me!" No moral margin.
How do we put distance between us and temptation?
Where do we draw the line? Over the next few minutes, some of you will think that these suggestions are out-of-date, they are not normal. Remember, normal is not working. These are suggestions.
Suggestions to help create Moral Margin
1. Dress for spiritual success.
When you dress, dress in such a way to bring glory to God. Be modest. Guys, you can tell that I don’t hang out at the gym, but Kevin told me to tell you, put some clothes on. You've got big muscles. You are showing them off. Have some courtesy and be modest.
Ladies, don’t allow your clothes to be a distraction. Dress for spiritual success. I know you've paid a lot of money for them, but some of the clothes should be kept for your husband. We don't need to see them.
2. When dating, keep four feet on the floor.
It's amazing what happens, and how safe you can be when you keep four feet on the floor when you are dating. Do not get on the bed to do your Bible study together and wrap your legs around each other, just keep four feet on the floor.
If you are watching a movie, keep four feet on the floor, it's pretty extreme, but it's safe.
When you don't, what happens is, guys sitting there, girl takes her nice smooth-shaved legs and throws them up against his hairy legs. Hairy legs meets shaved legs, clothes start flying, it just happens. I mean it just happens. Next thing you know, someone's singing, "Pants on the ground, pants on the ground, looking like a fool with their pants on the ground!" Keep four feet on the floor, baby!
3. No sleep-overs or playing house
I realize that this is very normal. It gets late you know, you are dating somebody you know, you can use my toothbrush, you can wear my t-shirt, don't go home; we are just going to cuddle! That doesn't sound right! I don't know, I'm sorry! Let's just move on! Golly! Pants on the ground, pants on the ground!
4. Avoid Dangerous Places
You will have to decide what a dangerous place is for you. It could be going to the bars with people after work, or going to the clubs. Or, for you it could be going to the chat rooms. For you, it could be going to the gym. Whatever is dangerous for you, I would recommend that you avoid.
5. Monitor your internet activity.
When I was a kid, it was harder to find pornographic material. In today's world, there’s an app for that. Yes, you can get porn on your phone or on your computer. It is all right there, one click away. Be careful. There are programs to help you stay accountable, like Covenant Eyes, that will monitor your sights without slowing down your computer.
6. Avoid time alone with the wrong people.
Whoever the wrong people would be for you, stay away from intimate situations. Avoid even intimate conversations or inappropriate conversations with people that you are with. Avoid time alone with the wrong people.
7. Guard your eyes, your mind, and your heart, with everything in you.
Guard them, guard them. What does that mean? Be careful little eyes what you read. If you are reading some romance novels, or reading magazines that maybe aren't really bad, but they arouse something in you that is not holy and honor.
Watch what you watch; television, movies, the kind of conversations you are in. Think about your mind, what you are fantasizing about, the memories, take those thoughts captive, make them obedient to Christ. Do what Job did.
Job 31:1
1 “I made a covenant with my eyes
not to look with lust at a young woman.
Guard your eyes, your mind, and your heart. You may say, "This is so extreme." Yes! It is! Flee sexual immorality, don't flirt, flee! I've never known a single person who said, "My life fell apart when I created a moral margin." But, I know a lot of people who have said, "I never thought it would happen to me."
But, it has happened to you. You are that husband and father who respected at home and work and even at church, but you have another life. You are deeply engrossed in pornography. Sometimes you visit adult bookstores. When you are out of town on business, you go to a lonely motel room at 11:00 or 12:00 or 1:00 in the morning watching movies. You are ashamed. You are unable to stop. You are alone.
Could it be that you are a middle-aged woman who has found that the stress in her life just kind of magically disappears if you can a couple of drinks before everybody gets home. You hope that nobody notices. You hope that someday this need will go away, but it doesn't seem to be going away so far. You are alone.
Maybe you are that business person that has found it easy to cut some corners, cheat on some deals and pad an expense account, so you can bring in some more money.
It has become a habit now. You depend on it. You try not to think about it. You try not to call it stealing. You wonder what will happen if you get caught. You are so alone.
Maybe you are that couple who is highly thought of in your neighborhood and by your friends and relatives. But if the truth is known, you gave up on your marriage a long time ago. Now, there is a wall between you and your spouse. You are filled with bitterness and you rarely speak. You cannot remember the last time that you were physically intimate with each other. You are still together but it is like two divorced people living under the same roof.
You are struggling with sin and feel alone. Your ultimate goal is to keep it a secret. You are hiding. You have been hiding for as long as you can remember. The greatest fear in your life is that someday you may get caught.
I want to say to you as clearly as I can, that is not the worst thing that can happen to you. The worst thing that can happen to you is that you never get caught and you make it all the way through your life hiding from everybody around you, but your soul is destroyed by sin and you go to your grave a respectable fraud.
The worst thing that can happen to you is not getting caught. The worst thing that can happen to you is never getting caught and having your life and soul and heart destroyed.
You will not be able to overcome deeply ingrained patterns of behavior on your own. You are going to have to find a trustworthy person and bring your life into the light.
If you don't, here's what will happen. Your guilt and your shame will drive you into greater loneliness, and you will try to relieve the pain of your loneliness by the very habit or behavior that is already destroying you. It'll just get worse and worse and worse.
It’s time to come clean. I know that some of your are saying, “Marty, it’s too late. You have just described my life.”
I have good news. You can change. You don’t have to continue living with the guilt and the shame. You can be forgiven. You can be free. You need to take a step. You need to come clean. You’ve got to come out of hiding.
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
You can be forgiven. You can be healed. You can be set free. In a few minutes, I am going to pray for you. During this prayer, God is going to change your life.
5.02.2010
4.18.2010
Making the Most out of your Day
Dr. Marty Baker / Ephesians 5:15-17 / April 18, 2010
Good morning and welcome to Stevens Creek Church! I would like to welcome all of those who are in our Grovetown Campus and those watching on television and online. Today, we are continuing our series called Margin.
How has your week been? Did you get everything done that you wanted to do? Probably not. What would you do if you had some extra time? How would you spend it?
Would you spend it with God? Would you spend it with your family? Would you catch up on your rest? Or maybe spend it improving that golf swing?
Today, I am going to talk about Making the Most out of your Day.
Several years ago, I sincerely asked the Lord to expand my ability to lead. At the time, I did not know what I was praying for. Have you ever prayed for something and then you realized that you honestly did not know what you were asking for?
Well, the answer to my prayer came in a way that I never expected. I wanted God to wave his magic wand and make me into a different person. Instead, God put me in the middle of a storm … a perfect type of scenario.
Maybe you have been there. A perfect storm is when … a person with an expanded never dreamed that For me it was a perfect storm type of scenario. A "perfect storm" is an expression that describes an event where a rare combination of circumstances will aggravate a situation drastically.
Several months after I prayed for God to make be a better leader, I was given three projects to manage and each one of these project were much bigger than I was.
I believe that this perfect storm was a time test. God knew that for me to be a better leader, I had to learn how to manage my time. You cannot be a great leader if you cannot manage your schedule. You cannot be a great Mom or Dad if you cannot manage your time. You cannot be a great employee if you cannot manage your time.
God allowed me to be placed in a situation where I had to manage three projects in addition to my regular duties and all the while maintaining my family life. What were they? I was responsible, along with Jerry Ashmore, for managing the construction of our new facility. Along with that came the responsibility of raising over a million dollars to off-set some of the cost of the project and a side note I was involved in managing what I thought would be a 90 day software development project off-shore. It turned out to be a year- long project working with four programmers in India.
How do you do that? You invest three to four hours a day on Indian Standard Time which means you work on their schedule. I would log on at 10 PM to get them started on the day’s work and then I would go to sleep and wake up at 5:00 AM and review their progress until 8:00 AM. It was a scheduling night-mare.
But, through it all, I learned how to manage my life. I trimmed away a lot of time wasters. I learned how to lead people. I learned the importance of balance, structure, systems and sanity. Today, I can talk to you because even though I have a full schedule, I have margin.
So as we go through this talk, I want you to open to taking an honest look at your life and an honest look at your schedule. Be willing to trim some areas and at the same time expand some areas. Be passionate about creating space between your load and your limits.
We are talking about margin. Last week we learned that…
Margin is the amount available beyond what is necessary. In other words, it is the difference between what you have and what you need.
In our scheduling lives, margin would be having more than enough time. It would be having extra time. It would be having time to help someone who is in need.
Margin would be having time to listen to our children and not working in our minds. Margin would be having time to be interrupted and be glad about it, "I'm so glad I could be here to help you."
Margin would be having time to rest, to relax, to reflect. Margin is having enough time to be with the people that we love. Margin is having quality time with God.
Our scripture today comes from Ephesians 5:15-17.
Ephesians 5:15-17
15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
Notice it says, “Be very careful how you live”. The Apostle Paul wrote this because he understood that there is a great temptation to exceed our limitations and be overloaded. Typically when this happens, we have veered away from the most important things of life and focused on lesser things of this world.
He is saying to be careful then how you live, how you plan, what you say yes to, what you say no to.
The verse goes on to say, "..making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." Last week I said: “If Satan can’t make you BAD, he will try to make you REALLY busy.” He will try to pull you off center…make you veer off the road.
Ephesians 5:16-17
16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
We have to watch our schedule because the culture will drag you away from the things that you say matter most in life. So, how do you know what to do and what not to do? How do you know where to go and where not to go?
Let’s talk about it. If I said to you, "Hey, can you do such and such next Saturday?" Chances are, most of you would kind of look at your calendar and say, "Are we free? Well, if we are free, then we can do it."
So, you ask, "Are we free?" It's not a bad question, but it’s not the best question. Or, you might say, "Well, is this right, or is this wrong? Well, since it's not wrong, it must be right, so we will do it."
But, a better question to ask when it comes to our scheduling is not is it right, or is it wrong, or is it free? But, a better question to ask would be this, "Is it wise?"
SLIDE: What is the wise thing to do?
Before you make a decision about your schedule, consider what is really important in your life and say, “Is adding this thing, this event wise?" It may be fun, but is it wise.
In light of our current family situation, it could be in light of the fact that our marriage is not where God wants it to be, is it wise to take on something else?
Or, in light of the fact that we have two children in diapers right now, is it wise to do this?
Or for you it could be, "In light of the fact that we have a 17-year-old, who only has one year left under the care of our home, is it wise to be taken out of the home for this?
In light of the fact that our days are numbered that we are not promised tomorrow, is it wise. The half brother of Jesus wrote these words in the Bible.
James 4:14
…What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
In light of the fact that life is precious and short and that every day is a gift from God, in light of that fact, is it wise that we invest our time in this? Is it wise?
Not is it right, not is it wrong, not can we do it; but, is it wise?
Ephesians 5:15-17
15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
What are we going to do? How do you schedule wisely? There is a whole lot of people that fall into the trap of scheduling foolishly, rather than wisely. If you are going to schedule wisely, then you have to have the courage and faith to say "no" to many good things, so that we can say "yes" to the best things.
Help me out, what are we going to say no to? We are going to say no to many good things, so that we can say yes to the best things!
Life is too short to continue being overwhelmed, being overworked, frenzied, stressed, being miserable, being busy and yet being empty!
How often do you see a friend and ask, “How’s it going?” Then you get this response: "Everything is great. I am busy.” "What's going on right now?" "Really busy!"
Busy doing what? There are so many people busy doing useless things. Busyness does not equal importance. Busyness does not equal meaning. People are being robbed of a life of meaning, not because they are not committed, but because they are overcommitted.
That's why I want to challenge you, I want to dare you, I want to beg you, to have the courage and the faith to say "no" to what so many others say "yes" to; so that you can say "yes" to the very best things.
You may need to take some drastic measures. You may have to un-plug, log-out, or turn off some technology toys in order to re-connect with something or someone better. This past week I heard that the average American spends 35 hours a week watching television. You may have to miss a show or two.
If this past week, you said, “I wish I had more time for this ______! I don't have time for what's important to me!" Look at your schedule and make the right choice.
"Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." You choose, you choose.
When planning your schedule…
1. Everyone needs God time.
daily basis. We need to realign daily with God, because by nature our hearts are out of alignment. We need a daily adjustment.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Put God first in your life. Put Him first in your family. Put God first in your career. Put God first in your finances. God will bless you. It's like the tithe, you put aside the first and He blesses the rest. You seek Him first and the rest of your day is aligned to the heartbeat of God.
I have said it before: Give God the first part of the week, the first part of the day, and the first part of your pay.
Putting God first is important. This week I want to encourage you to take an action step.
Spend five minutes just being in the presence of God. Open up God's Word this week daily, first thing, and just take it in. We are doing this as a congregation. Get on a reading plan.
You can go to YouVersion.com and choose the one year reading plan. Put your start day January 1st and you will be with the rest of us. If that’s too complicated, stop by the table in the atrium and pick up a paper copy and put it in your Bible. Start reading God’s word.
2. Everyone needs personal time.
We all need time to let the dust settle, to evaluate how life is going, to plan for the future. When was the last time that you heard from yourself? The most productive thing that you can do this week is to schedule a time of solitude.
3. Every needs family time.
You need to connect with your spouse and with each of your kids. You need one-on-one time to develop those relationships.
4. Everyone needs sharing time.
When you are making your schedule, you need to plan time with your friends. It seems like we have scheduled our friends right out of the picture.
Psalm 39:4-5
4 “LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.”
We only have a short time on this earth and we need to use that time wisely.
Several years ago, Reba McEntire recorded a song to honor the seven members of her band that died in a plane crash in March 1991. This song has been used countless times at memorials and funerals to remind people to cherish the time that we have with each other.
Listen to the words as April Sturgell sings: If I Had Only Known.
Song: If I Had Only Known
I want you to join with me in prayer. We are going to ask God to help us do three things:
Ask God to help you…
1. Turn when into now.
We are going to ask God to take our “whens” into now. Through the years, I’ve talked to so many people that have “when, then” scenarios going on. It could be the single person that says, “One day when I get married, then I’ll finally be happy.”
We say to ourselves, “When such and such happens, then life will really matter.” One day when everything is just the way I want it to be, then I can fully engage and do what God is calling me to do.
It could be the person that says, “One day when we get the right home, then we will host a Life Group.” One day when we finally get out of debt, then we will start to tithe. One day when my career is established and we are strong financially then I will re-engage with the family. One day when the kids are grown, we will start investing in our marriage again. The problem is the “then” rarely comes. When … then. Now is the time.
Secondly, we are going to ask God to ….
2. Turn intentions into actions.
God, turn our intentions into actions. If you are like most people I know, you have some good intentions about life, but like most people you have not gotten around to doing it.
In our world, we are going to ask God to close the gap between good intentions and right and godly actions. Close the gap between good intentions and actions. Never let the good go undone. Do it now. Do it today. Do it before the sun goes down.
Proverbs 3:27-28
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"— when you now have it with you.
God turn when into now. Turn intentions into actions and finally, God …
3. Turn my whole heart toward Jesus.
We are going to turn our whole heart toward Jesus.
Life is brief. We are not promised tomorrow. Life is brief. A hand width. We are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. That’s why … right now ….there is nothing better than you could do than in this moment to say,
“Jesus, I don’t want to be away from you. I don’t want to do my own thing. I don’t want to live with this sin that is destroying me. I want to know you, your truth, your power, your love, your grace. Jesus, I want to turn my whole heart to you, not just a little bit, but all of me.
Closing Prayer
Good morning and welcome to Stevens Creek Church! I would like to welcome all of those who are in our Grovetown Campus and those watching on television and online. Today, we are continuing our series called Margin.
How has your week been? Did you get everything done that you wanted to do? Probably not. What would you do if you had some extra time? How would you spend it?
Would you spend it with God? Would you spend it with your family? Would you catch up on your rest? Or maybe spend it improving that golf swing?
Today, I am going to talk about Making the Most out of your Day.
Several years ago, I sincerely asked the Lord to expand my ability to lead. At the time, I did not know what I was praying for. Have you ever prayed for something and then you realized that you honestly did not know what you were asking for?
Well, the answer to my prayer came in a way that I never expected. I wanted God to wave his magic wand and make me into a different person. Instead, God put me in the middle of a storm … a perfect type of scenario.
Maybe you have been there. A perfect storm is when … a person with an expanded never dreamed that For me it was a perfect storm type of scenario. A "perfect storm" is an expression that describes an event where a rare combination of circumstances will aggravate a situation drastically.
Several months after I prayed for God to make be a better leader, I was given three projects to manage and each one of these project were much bigger than I was.
I believe that this perfect storm was a time test. God knew that for me to be a better leader, I had to learn how to manage my time. You cannot be a great leader if you cannot manage your schedule. You cannot be a great Mom or Dad if you cannot manage your time. You cannot be a great employee if you cannot manage your time.
God allowed me to be placed in a situation where I had to manage three projects in addition to my regular duties and all the while maintaining my family life. What were they? I was responsible, along with Jerry Ashmore, for managing the construction of our new facility. Along with that came the responsibility of raising over a million dollars to off-set some of the cost of the project and a side note I was involved in managing what I thought would be a 90 day software development project off-shore. It turned out to be a year- long project working with four programmers in India.
How do you do that? You invest three to four hours a day on Indian Standard Time which means you work on their schedule. I would log on at 10 PM to get them started on the day’s work and then I would go to sleep and wake up at 5:00 AM and review their progress until 8:00 AM. It was a scheduling night-mare.
But, through it all, I learned how to manage my life. I trimmed away a lot of time wasters. I learned how to lead people. I learned the importance of balance, structure, systems and sanity. Today, I can talk to you because even though I have a full schedule, I have margin.
So as we go through this talk, I want you to open to taking an honest look at your life and an honest look at your schedule. Be willing to trim some areas and at the same time expand some areas. Be passionate about creating space between your load and your limits.
We are talking about margin. Last week we learned that…
Margin is the amount available beyond what is necessary. In other words, it is the difference between what you have and what you need.
In our scheduling lives, margin would be having more than enough time. It would be having extra time. It would be having time to help someone who is in need.
Margin would be having time to listen to our children and not working in our minds. Margin would be having time to be interrupted and be glad about it, "I'm so glad I could be here to help you."
Margin would be having time to rest, to relax, to reflect. Margin is having enough time to be with the people that we love. Margin is having quality time with God.
Our scripture today comes from Ephesians 5:15-17.
Ephesians 5:15-17
15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
Notice it says, “Be very careful how you live”. The Apostle Paul wrote this because he understood that there is a great temptation to exceed our limitations and be overloaded. Typically when this happens, we have veered away from the most important things of life and focused on lesser things of this world.
He is saying to be careful then how you live, how you plan, what you say yes to, what you say no to.
The verse goes on to say, "..making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." Last week I said: “If Satan can’t make you BAD, he will try to make you REALLY busy.” He will try to pull you off center…make you veer off the road.
Ephesians 5:16-17
16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
We have to watch our schedule because the culture will drag you away from the things that you say matter most in life. So, how do you know what to do and what not to do? How do you know where to go and where not to go?
Let’s talk about it. If I said to you, "Hey, can you do such and such next Saturday?" Chances are, most of you would kind of look at your calendar and say, "Are we free? Well, if we are free, then we can do it."
So, you ask, "Are we free?" It's not a bad question, but it’s not the best question. Or, you might say, "Well, is this right, or is this wrong? Well, since it's not wrong, it must be right, so we will do it."
But, a better question to ask when it comes to our scheduling is not is it right, or is it wrong, or is it free? But, a better question to ask would be this, "Is it wise?"
SLIDE: What is the wise thing to do?
Before you make a decision about your schedule, consider what is really important in your life and say, “Is adding this thing, this event wise?" It may be fun, but is it wise.
In light of our current family situation, it could be in light of the fact that our marriage is not where God wants it to be, is it wise to take on something else?
Or, in light of the fact that we have two children in diapers right now, is it wise to do this?
Or for you it could be, "In light of the fact that we have a 17-year-old, who only has one year left under the care of our home, is it wise to be taken out of the home for this?
In light of the fact that our days are numbered that we are not promised tomorrow, is it wise. The half brother of Jesus wrote these words in the Bible.
James 4:14
…What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
In light of the fact that life is precious and short and that every day is a gift from God, in light of that fact, is it wise that we invest our time in this? Is it wise?
Not is it right, not is it wrong, not can we do it; but, is it wise?
Ephesians 5:15-17
15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
What are we going to do? How do you schedule wisely? There is a whole lot of people that fall into the trap of scheduling foolishly, rather than wisely. If you are going to schedule wisely, then you have to have the courage and faith to say "no" to many good things, so that we can say "yes" to the best things.
Help me out, what are we going to say no to? We are going to say no to many good things, so that we can say yes to the best things!
Life is too short to continue being overwhelmed, being overworked, frenzied, stressed, being miserable, being busy and yet being empty!
How often do you see a friend and ask, “How’s it going?” Then you get this response: "Everything is great. I am busy.” "What's going on right now?" "Really busy!"
Busy doing what? There are so many people busy doing useless things. Busyness does not equal importance. Busyness does not equal meaning. People are being robbed of a life of meaning, not because they are not committed, but because they are overcommitted.
That's why I want to challenge you, I want to dare you, I want to beg you, to have the courage and the faith to say "no" to what so many others say "yes" to; so that you can say "yes" to the very best things.
You may need to take some drastic measures. You may have to un-plug, log-out, or turn off some technology toys in order to re-connect with something or someone better. This past week I heard that the average American spends 35 hours a week watching television. You may have to miss a show or two.
If this past week, you said, “I wish I had more time for this ______! I don't have time for what's important to me!" Look at your schedule and make the right choice.
"Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." You choose, you choose.
When planning your schedule…
1. Everyone needs God time.
daily basis. We need to realign daily with God, because by nature our hearts are out of alignment. We need a daily adjustment.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Put God first in your life. Put Him first in your family. Put God first in your career. Put God first in your finances. God will bless you. It's like the tithe, you put aside the first and He blesses the rest. You seek Him first and the rest of your day is aligned to the heartbeat of God.
I have said it before: Give God the first part of the week, the first part of the day, and the first part of your pay.
Putting God first is important. This week I want to encourage you to take an action step.
Spend five minutes just being in the presence of God. Open up God's Word this week daily, first thing, and just take it in. We are doing this as a congregation. Get on a reading plan.
You can go to YouVersion.com and choose the one year reading plan. Put your start day January 1st and you will be with the rest of us. If that’s too complicated, stop by the table in the atrium and pick up a paper copy and put it in your Bible. Start reading God’s word.
2. Everyone needs personal time.
We all need time to let the dust settle, to evaluate how life is going, to plan for the future. When was the last time that you heard from yourself? The most productive thing that you can do this week is to schedule a time of solitude.
3. Every needs family time.
You need to connect with your spouse and with each of your kids. You need one-on-one time to develop those relationships.
4. Everyone needs sharing time.
When you are making your schedule, you need to plan time with your friends. It seems like we have scheduled our friends right out of the picture.
Psalm 39:4-5
4 “LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.”
We only have a short time on this earth and we need to use that time wisely.
Several years ago, Reba McEntire recorded a song to honor the seven members of her band that died in a plane crash in March 1991. This song has been used countless times at memorials and funerals to remind people to cherish the time that we have with each other.
Listen to the words as April Sturgell sings: If I Had Only Known.
Song: If I Had Only Known
I want you to join with me in prayer. We are going to ask God to help us do three things:
Ask God to help you…
1. Turn when into now.
We are going to ask God to take our “whens” into now. Through the years, I’ve talked to so many people that have “when, then” scenarios going on. It could be the single person that says, “One day when I get married, then I’ll finally be happy.”
We say to ourselves, “When such and such happens, then life will really matter.” One day when everything is just the way I want it to be, then I can fully engage and do what God is calling me to do.
It could be the person that says, “One day when we get the right home, then we will host a Life Group.” One day when we finally get out of debt, then we will start to tithe. One day when my career is established and we are strong financially then I will re-engage with the family. One day when the kids are grown, we will start investing in our marriage again. The problem is the “then” rarely comes. When … then. Now is the time.
Secondly, we are going to ask God to ….
2. Turn intentions into actions.
God, turn our intentions into actions. If you are like most people I know, you have some good intentions about life, but like most people you have not gotten around to doing it.
In our world, we are going to ask God to close the gap between good intentions and right and godly actions. Close the gap between good intentions and actions. Never let the good go undone. Do it now. Do it today. Do it before the sun goes down.
Proverbs 3:27-28
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"— when you now have it with you.
God turn when into now. Turn intentions into actions and finally, God …
3. Turn my whole heart toward Jesus.
We are going to turn our whole heart toward Jesus.
Life is brief. We are not promised tomorrow. Life is brief. A hand width. We are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. That’s why … right now ….there is nothing better than you could do than in this moment to say,
“Jesus, I don’t want to be away from you. I don’t want to do my own thing. I don’t want to live with this sin that is destroying me. I want to know you, your truth, your power, your love, your grace. Jesus, I want to turn my whole heart to you, not just a little bit, but all of me.
Closing Prayer
3.07.2010
What Can I Do?
Dr. Marty Baker | March 7, 2010 | Matthew 28:18-20
Good morning and welcome to Stevens Creek Church! I would like to welcome those watching by television and all the incredible folks in our Grovetown Campus! We are glad that you are here.
Today we are beginning a brand new series called, Do Something! Have you ever had an opportunity that was staring you right in the face, one that was crying out for your attention, one that was calling your name? Yes, all of us have, but what do with do with it?
So many times, opportunity knocks and we act as if no one is at home. Or maybe opportunity calls and no one answers the phone. On occasion at our house, the phone will ring and everyone in family assumes that someone else is taking the call and no one does.
A couple of weeks ago, I was working on an antique bed upstairs. The phone rang and rang and no one answered. I went out and leaned over the upstairs banister and said, “Did you not hear the phone?”
Then, I walked back into the bedroom and noticed a telephone on the night stand right beside me. It was like, “Did you not see that phone?” I was right beside it and was so focused on what I was doing that I failed to see it.
I believe that God is calling you and me. Yes, He has your number. But, some of us are so focused on what we are doing that we can’t see his activity. We don’t hear His call. Or maybe we hear it, but we fail to do anything about it.
Over the next few weeks, I am going to challenge you to do something, to take action … to take your next step to make your life, your church and this world a better place.
We are going answer the call. We are going to Do Something.
Today’s talk comes from the closing days of Jesus’ ministry on this earth. He gathered his disciples together and told them what to do.
Matthew 28:18-20
18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
This section of scripture is known as The Great Commission. It’s the Magna Carta of the church or simply put …it’s marching orders or our purpose. This is what we are to do.
I grew up in a church that was very good at telling me what to do. It was inspiring and encouraging, but often times it was not very practical. I gained a lot of information, but at times I just did not know what to do with it.
Over the next few minutes I not only want to tell you what you can do, but how to do it.
You see I believe that most of us want to be part of something that’s bigger than we are. We want to be a part of a winning team. A few weeks ago when South Carolina beat Kentucky, I made the statement that with that win we just made the NIT, I knew that this was a rebuilding year so in a weird way, I was pleased the consolation prize.
Recently we have played our way out of the NIT…losing to last place Georgia, losing to Alabama, Mississippi State and so forth. It’s so frustrating to be a part of a losing team. Some of you, like me, have been there.
What’s worse is when you feel like you are on a losing team in the game of life. You feel as though everything you touch comes up short. You feel like the best that you can expect is the consolation prize.
It’s time to do something about that. It’s time to make a change; it’s time to get on the right team.
In Matthew 28, Jesus was talking to his disciples in the closing moments of his ministry on this earth. You need to remember that these guys were not always on the winning team. In fact, some of these guys that Jesus was leading had bad reputations and had lived less than stellar lives. They had made some bad choices, but not all of them were bad people; some of them were good people but their lives were empty, their hearts were hard.
Jesus called them to a better way. He called them to follow Him and live like He did. When they responded to his call, their lives were changed. The eyes were opened up and they discovered their purpose.
Have you ever discovered your purpose? Do you know why you have been placed on this earth?
You see, the purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment. It's far greater than your own happiness, even your own peace of mind. You were made by God and you were made for God and you were put here for His purposes. Until you understand that, life is not going to make sense.
Today, I want to challenge you to do something with your life. Give your life to God and then get involved in what God is doing in the world.
For three years, Jesus had poured his life into twelve men. When he left this earth, he told these guys to take his message to their friends and families, to their communities and ultimately across their world. He wanted them to do something. He wanted them to make a difference.
For years when I read his words, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,” I thought that’s good, but that is not for me. I am not going anywhere. I am a home boy. I was raised in a small town about an hour from here. I used to play rec league football. One of the cheers that they use to use went like this: Born in Abbeville; Raised in Abbeville; and when I die I will be Abbeville dead, so hooray for Abbeville, hooray for Abbeville, hooray for Abbeville.
We were focused on the home-team, but in high school verses like today’s passage challenged me. I read the words, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” At that point, I thought, “Well I don’t think that I will do that, so maybe I will just give some money so other people could go.” As a high school senior, I sent twenty dollars a month to Church of God World Missions. This eased my conscience and made me feel like I was part of a bigger vision.
I still believe in world missions, but what I have learned through the years is that our mission does not begin in a distant land, but our mission begins here at home.
Acts 1:8
8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Jesus told his disciples to start at home. He wants you to start where you are. Jesus wants you to bloom where you are planted. He wants you to let your light shine into the darkness.
Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” He simple said, “Take what you have been given and give it to other people.” It’s not rocket science. Freely you have received so freely give.
Jesus was very clear in what he wanted us to do, but honestly I simply did not know how to do it. I knew the what but I did not know the how.
Then in 1992 I was at a conference and my eyes were opened to the how. For the first time in my life, I got it. I understood how I could be involved in God’s plan to change the world.
Over the next few minutes, I am going to share with you some simple steps. If you do these steps, then you will change your world. If you do these steps, you will make a difference and you leave a legacy. When I tell you how to do it, you are going to laugh and say, “That’s too easy. There’s got to be more.” Don’t discount what I am saying. Just try it. In fact, over the next ninety days, just do it.
Here’s what I want you to do:
1. Include an unchurched person in your life.
Build a relationship with someone outside the faith. You may not realize this but lost people really matter to God and if they matter to God, then they ought to matter to me and you.
Relationships begin by simply being nice to people. If you do not walk away with anything else today, please remember to be nice to people that you meet.
You just may be the only Christ-follower that this person knows, so treat this relationship with integrity. Our most effective means of reaching our community is to develop relationships with the people that God brings our way. God will use these relationships to spark questions which may lead to spiritual conversations which may open the door of faith. This is our calling. This is our purpose.
Too many of us have convinced ourselves that everyone in America is a Christian. This is not the case. Yes, in the South, most people are tied to a church through their parents or maybe their grandparents. But just because someone has a little church in the past does not mean that they are experiencing a life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ.
We have thousands of un-churched people who are headed for a Christ-less eternity living within driving distance of this auditorium. We have thousands of un-churched people who are headed for a Christ-less eternity living within driving distance of our Grovetown auditorium.
These folks live in America, but they are insulated from Christianity. You see, your un-churched friends do not listen to Christian radio; they do not watch Christian television; their lives are not touched by bill board and bumper-sticker evangelism.
We are their connection to Christ. It is important for us, as Christ followers, to be nice to people outside the faith. Not only that, but we need to develop friendships with unchurched people. How do we do it? Let’s be practical. Ask yourself some basic questions.
Where do you shop?
All of us buy groceries, go to restaurants, dry cleaners, clothing stores, and other places for the necessities of life. With just a little forethought, those mundane errands can become opportunities for you to speak life and encouragement into people. Make it a point to be nice to the check-out clerk at Kroger. Get to know your server at the restaurant. Your smile, your words of encouragement, your tip may help someone open their minds to faith.
What do you do for fun?
Think about your recreational activities: You may play golf; be a part of a bowling league, Dixie Youth or Little League Baseball league or be a member of a hunting club or a fishing club. Use these as avenues to create friendships. I believe that you can be a light in your community.
When our kids were younger, I coached basketball and baseball in the Columbia County Recreation Department for ten years. I've had some good years and bad ones. Here’s the point, there are several families that have come to Christ and to The Creek as a result of that connection. That’s step one: Be nice to people. Here’s step two.
2. Be willing to talk to your friends about spiritual issues when they ask.
I realize that people tell you to never talk about religion or politics, but would you consider listening to someone? I believe that your new friend will eventually have some spiritual questions. They are going to open the door and allow you to walk into a spiritual conversation. I know that overall church attendance is down in America but there is a keen interest in spiritual matters. People have questions.
When they ask … and they will…don’t tell them how they should live. Instead, tell them your story. Tell them how following Christ has changed your life. Make it personal and make it short. Don’t be weird. Don’t be overly-mystical. Don’t use insider language … talk normal.
This is the time that God is going to give you the words to say. This is the message of Matthew 10:20.
Matthew 10:20
For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
God has a heart for people who have lost their way and He wants you to be open to their spiritual questions. He is going to give you the words to say. Just tell them what happened to you.
Remember Acts 1:8: “You will be my witnesses…” A witness just tells them what they have seen. In a minute or so, tell them what has happened in your life. Plant a seed into their lives. Over time, that seed may germinate and their spiritual lives will grow.
Look at the people God brings your way. You never know when that seed that you planted in someone’s life will begin to grow.
Let’s be real honest. I realize that some of you get real nervous when it comes to talking about spiritual matters. So, how about this? Let’s work together on this. Here’s the point:
3. Invite your friend to Stevens Creek Church.
Take the risk. Ask them to come with you. I will do my best to answer their questions in a way that they can understand it. Here’s the bottom line: I need you do what I can’t do and I will do what you can’t do.
I can’t invite your friends to church, but I can explain the message of Christ in a way that they can understand it. If you will get them here, I will do my best to communicate God’s Word in a way that captures their heart.
Here at The Creek, we value your lost friends. We respect them. We pray for them. We plan for them. We want them to experience life in the power of God’s Spirit.
Through the years, we have been mis-understood in some church circles because of our deep passion to reach people far from God. Some folks don’t understand why we will do a Relationslips series or a Satan’s Sex Ed Series. Some folks don’t’ understand why we may not always give you the Greek word for this or the Hebrew translation for that.
Here’s what we know: when someone is drowning they don’t need the Greek word for lifesaver; they just need one.
If you will invite your unchurched friends, I will work hard to communicate the message of Christ in a way that they understand.
If you will invite your unchurched friends, Todd will work hard to create memorable services that will make them say: “WOW, I did not know that church could be like that.”
We need to partner together. I need you to do what I cannot do and I will do what you cannot do. Together we will touch this community for Jesus Christ.
This is our responsibility. The Bible encourages us to go and compel people to come to God’s house.
Luke 14:23
"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.
We all have been commissioned by God to invite our friends to church. If the members of your congregation don’t share the Good News, who will? We must do something.
God loves lost people. Parents, have you ever mis-placed a child? No, seriously, have you ever been to a department store and turn-around and realize that your elementary-aged child is not where you thought they were. You have this nervous feeling come over you, but then there comes a moment when you realize that they are lost that the nervous feelings turns into a desperate feeling. God is desperately looking for his lost children. He wants us to join the search team.
He wants us to go into the roads and country lanes and make them to come in. This week … take a risk. Make the ask. Invite your friends to church. Easter is only weeks away. This is a great time to encourage your friends to come to church.
Start praying for them. Put their names on these walls and let’s join together in prayer.
Over the last several months, you have responded to the challenge. You have invited your friends and your friends have come to faith. A few days ago, we had baptism service where thirty-five people went public with their faith.
Take a look at this.
Video: Baptism February 2010
Closing Thoughts
"Is anybody going to be in Heaven because of you?"
Closing Prayer
Good morning and welcome to Stevens Creek Church! I would like to welcome those watching by television and all the incredible folks in our Grovetown Campus! We are glad that you are here.
Today we are beginning a brand new series called, Do Something! Have you ever had an opportunity that was staring you right in the face, one that was crying out for your attention, one that was calling your name? Yes, all of us have, but what do with do with it?
So many times, opportunity knocks and we act as if no one is at home. Or maybe opportunity calls and no one answers the phone. On occasion at our house, the phone will ring and everyone in family assumes that someone else is taking the call and no one does.
A couple of weeks ago, I was working on an antique bed upstairs. The phone rang and rang and no one answered. I went out and leaned over the upstairs banister and said, “Did you not hear the phone?”
Then, I walked back into the bedroom and noticed a telephone on the night stand right beside me. It was like, “Did you not see that phone?” I was right beside it and was so focused on what I was doing that I failed to see it.
I believe that God is calling you and me. Yes, He has your number. But, some of us are so focused on what we are doing that we can’t see his activity. We don’t hear His call. Or maybe we hear it, but we fail to do anything about it.
Over the next few weeks, I am going to challenge you to do something, to take action … to take your next step to make your life, your church and this world a better place.
We are going answer the call. We are going to Do Something.
Today’s talk comes from the closing days of Jesus’ ministry on this earth. He gathered his disciples together and told them what to do.
Matthew 28:18-20
18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
This section of scripture is known as The Great Commission. It’s the Magna Carta of the church or simply put …it’s marching orders or our purpose. This is what we are to do.
I grew up in a church that was very good at telling me what to do. It was inspiring and encouraging, but often times it was not very practical. I gained a lot of information, but at times I just did not know what to do with it.
Over the next few minutes I not only want to tell you what you can do, but how to do it.
You see I believe that most of us want to be part of something that’s bigger than we are. We want to be a part of a winning team. A few weeks ago when South Carolina beat Kentucky, I made the statement that with that win we just made the NIT, I knew that this was a rebuilding year so in a weird way, I was pleased the consolation prize.
Recently we have played our way out of the NIT…losing to last place Georgia, losing to Alabama, Mississippi State and so forth. It’s so frustrating to be a part of a losing team. Some of you, like me, have been there.
What’s worse is when you feel like you are on a losing team in the game of life. You feel as though everything you touch comes up short. You feel like the best that you can expect is the consolation prize.
It’s time to do something about that. It’s time to make a change; it’s time to get on the right team.
In Matthew 28, Jesus was talking to his disciples in the closing moments of his ministry on this earth. You need to remember that these guys were not always on the winning team. In fact, some of these guys that Jesus was leading had bad reputations and had lived less than stellar lives. They had made some bad choices, but not all of them were bad people; some of them were good people but their lives were empty, their hearts were hard.
Jesus called them to a better way. He called them to follow Him and live like He did. When they responded to his call, their lives were changed. The eyes were opened up and they discovered their purpose.
Have you ever discovered your purpose? Do you know why you have been placed on this earth?
You see, the purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment. It's far greater than your own happiness, even your own peace of mind. You were made by God and you were made for God and you were put here for His purposes. Until you understand that, life is not going to make sense.
Today, I want to challenge you to do something with your life. Give your life to God and then get involved in what God is doing in the world.
For three years, Jesus had poured his life into twelve men. When he left this earth, he told these guys to take his message to their friends and families, to their communities and ultimately across their world. He wanted them to do something. He wanted them to make a difference.
For years when I read his words, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,” I thought that’s good, but that is not for me. I am not going anywhere. I am a home boy. I was raised in a small town about an hour from here. I used to play rec league football. One of the cheers that they use to use went like this: Born in Abbeville; Raised in Abbeville; and when I die I will be Abbeville dead, so hooray for Abbeville, hooray for Abbeville, hooray for Abbeville.
We were focused on the home-team, but in high school verses like today’s passage challenged me. I read the words, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” At that point, I thought, “Well I don’t think that I will do that, so maybe I will just give some money so other people could go.” As a high school senior, I sent twenty dollars a month to Church of God World Missions. This eased my conscience and made me feel like I was part of a bigger vision.
I still believe in world missions, but what I have learned through the years is that our mission does not begin in a distant land, but our mission begins here at home.
Acts 1:8
8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Jesus told his disciples to start at home. He wants you to start where you are. Jesus wants you to bloom where you are planted. He wants you to let your light shine into the darkness.
Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” He simple said, “Take what you have been given and give it to other people.” It’s not rocket science. Freely you have received so freely give.
Jesus was very clear in what he wanted us to do, but honestly I simply did not know how to do it. I knew the what but I did not know the how.
Then in 1992 I was at a conference and my eyes were opened to the how. For the first time in my life, I got it. I understood how I could be involved in God’s plan to change the world.
Over the next few minutes, I am going to share with you some simple steps. If you do these steps, then you will change your world. If you do these steps, you will make a difference and you leave a legacy. When I tell you how to do it, you are going to laugh and say, “That’s too easy. There’s got to be more.” Don’t discount what I am saying. Just try it. In fact, over the next ninety days, just do it.
Here’s what I want you to do:
1. Include an unchurched person in your life.
Build a relationship with someone outside the faith. You may not realize this but lost people really matter to God and if they matter to God, then they ought to matter to me and you.
Relationships begin by simply being nice to people. If you do not walk away with anything else today, please remember to be nice to people that you meet.
You just may be the only Christ-follower that this person knows, so treat this relationship with integrity. Our most effective means of reaching our community is to develop relationships with the people that God brings our way. God will use these relationships to spark questions which may lead to spiritual conversations which may open the door of faith. This is our calling. This is our purpose.
Too many of us have convinced ourselves that everyone in America is a Christian. This is not the case. Yes, in the South, most people are tied to a church through their parents or maybe their grandparents. But just because someone has a little church in the past does not mean that they are experiencing a life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ.
We have thousands of un-churched people who are headed for a Christ-less eternity living within driving distance of this auditorium. We have thousands of un-churched people who are headed for a Christ-less eternity living within driving distance of our Grovetown auditorium.
These folks live in America, but they are insulated from Christianity. You see, your un-churched friends do not listen to Christian radio; they do not watch Christian television; their lives are not touched by bill board and bumper-sticker evangelism.
We are their connection to Christ. It is important for us, as Christ followers, to be nice to people outside the faith. Not only that, but we need to develop friendships with unchurched people. How do we do it? Let’s be practical. Ask yourself some basic questions.
Where do you shop?
All of us buy groceries, go to restaurants, dry cleaners, clothing stores, and other places for the necessities of life. With just a little forethought, those mundane errands can become opportunities for you to speak life and encouragement into people. Make it a point to be nice to the check-out clerk at Kroger. Get to know your server at the restaurant. Your smile, your words of encouragement, your tip may help someone open their minds to faith.
What do you do for fun?
Think about your recreational activities: You may play golf; be a part of a bowling league, Dixie Youth or Little League Baseball league or be a member of a hunting club or a fishing club. Use these as avenues to create friendships. I believe that you can be a light in your community.
When our kids were younger, I coached basketball and baseball in the Columbia County Recreation Department for ten years. I've had some good years and bad ones. Here’s the point, there are several families that have come to Christ and to The Creek as a result of that connection. That’s step one: Be nice to people. Here’s step two.
2. Be willing to talk to your friends about spiritual issues when they ask.
I realize that people tell you to never talk about religion or politics, but would you consider listening to someone? I believe that your new friend will eventually have some spiritual questions. They are going to open the door and allow you to walk into a spiritual conversation. I know that overall church attendance is down in America but there is a keen interest in spiritual matters. People have questions.
When they ask … and they will…don’t tell them how they should live. Instead, tell them your story. Tell them how following Christ has changed your life. Make it personal and make it short. Don’t be weird. Don’t be overly-mystical. Don’t use insider language … talk normal.
This is the time that God is going to give you the words to say. This is the message of Matthew 10:20.
Matthew 10:20
For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
God has a heart for people who have lost their way and He wants you to be open to their spiritual questions. He is going to give you the words to say. Just tell them what happened to you.
Remember Acts 1:8: “You will be my witnesses…” A witness just tells them what they have seen. In a minute or so, tell them what has happened in your life. Plant a seed into their lives. Over time, that seed may germinate and their spiritual lives will grow.
Look at the people God brings your way. You never know when that seed that you planted in someone’s life will begin to grow.
Let’s be real honest. I realize that some of you get real nervous when it comes to talking about spiritual matters. So, how about this? Let’s work together on this. Here’s the point:
3. Invite your friend to Stevens Creek Church.
Take the risk. Ask them to come with you. I will do my best to answer their questions in a way that they can understand it. Here’s the bottom line: I need you do what I can’t do and I will do what you can’t do.
I can’t invite your friends to church, but I can explain the message of Christ in a way that they can understand it. If you will get them here, I will do my best to communicate God’s Word in a way that captures their heart.
Here at The Creek, we value your lost friends. We respect them. We pray for them. We plan for them. We want them to experience life in the power of God’s Spirit.
Through the years, we have been mis-understood in some church circles because of our deep passion to reach people far from God. Some folks don’t understand why we will do a Relationslips series or a Satan’s Sex Ed Series. Some folks don’t’ understand why we may not always give you the Greek word for this or the Hebrew translation for that.
Here’s what we know: when someone is drowning they don’t need the Greek word for lifesaver; they just need one.
If you will invite your unchurched friends, I will work hard to communicate the message of Christ in a way that they understand.
If you will invite your unchurched friends, Todd will work hard to create memorable services that will make them say: “WOW, I did not know that church could be like that.”
We need to partner together. I need you to do what I cannot do and I will do what you cannot do. Together we will touch this community for Jesus Christ.
This is our responsibility. The Bible encourages us to go and compel people to come to God’s house.
Luke 14:23
"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.
We all have been commissioned by God to invite our friends to church. If the members of your congregation don’t share the Good News, who will? We must do something.
God loves lost people. Parents, have you ever mis-placed a child? No, seriously, have you ever been to a department store and turn-around and realize that your elementary-aged child is not where you thought they were. You have this nervous feeling come over you, but then there comes a moment when you realize that they are lost that the nervous feelings turns into a desperate feeling. God is desperately looking for his lost children. He wants us to join the search team.
He wants us to go into the roads and country lanes and make them to come in. This week … take a risk. Make the ask. Invite your friends to church. Easter is only weeks away. This is a great time to encourage your friends to come to church.
Start praying for them. Put their names on these walls and let’s join together in prayer.
Over the last several months, you have responded to the challenge. You have invited your friends and your friends have come to faith. A few days ago, we had baptism service where thirty-five people went public with their faith.
Take a look at this.
Video: Baptism February 2010
Closing Thoughts
"Is anybody going to be in Heaven because of you?"
Closing Prayer
2.21.2010
Parentnoid
Dr. Marty and Patty Baker | Deuteronomy 6:5-7, 9 | February 21, 2010
Good morning and welcome to Stevens Creek Church. We are so glad that you are here today. I would like to welcome all those in our Grovetown Campus.
If you are visiting today, you are here on a special day … it’s not often that I am joined on stage with my wife Patty. She is here today as the color commentator. You sports junkies know that a color analyst will assist the play-by-play announcer by filling in any time when play is not in progress. So Patty you can jump in most any time.
Patty: Well, how about now?
Marty: It’s a little early in the game. I think that I have it under control.
Well today we are continuing our series called Relationslips. We are calling that because we know that our relational world can be quite slippery at times.
Last week Dave taught on marriage and today’s talk is on parenting. Patty and I have three kids…one in high school, one in college and one just entered in the workforce (Praise the Lord). We have seen the challenges of parenthood change with each season of our lives.
We are not experts in parenting and we are not perfect parents. I would probably feel more comfortable doing this talk in about ten years. We still have the normal conversations like: what time are you getting home, whose house are you staying at, who will be there, where are you going on spring break and my favorite one: who’s going to pay for this?
Patty:
We know the struggles of late nights and early mornings. We know the challenges of trying to get three kids to their basketball games that just happened to be played at the same time at different gyms. I know the hassles of getting three kids ready for church on a Sunday morning. Marty does not know that challenge because he has to be here early or maybe I should say, “Gets to be here early.”
I have a deep appreciation for the single parents here. I know that it’s hard to raise children with a spouse; I can’t imagine what you go through alone. Thanks for encouraging faith in your children.
Marty:
Today we are going to make it real and we are going to deal with issues that all of us parents face or one day we will face. We are going to use four drama sketches to help us in our conversation. The first on involves a step-mom and her 13 year old daughter. See if this has ever happened to you.
Entitlement Written by Margaret Hogan, © 2009 Willow Creek Community Church
A step-mom (Lori) and her 13 year old step-daughter (Hannah) sit together on a couch. Lights come up mid-conversation.
Hannah: (excitedly) Cell phone!
Lori: No!
Hannah: Pleeeeeease.
Lori: No.
Hannah: But Allie has one.
Lori: She is 16. She got it when she got her license. For emergencies.
Hannah: Right. Because the only time she ever uses her phone is for emergencies.
Lori: Allie has a job.
Hannah: So?
Lori: So. So she pays for part of her bill each month. Do you have a job?
Hannah: This is so unfair. I bet my real mom would buy me a phone.
Lori: Watch it, Hannah! We’re not playing that game. And to tell you the truth, I don’t think she would.
Hannah: I just can’t believe you won’t get me a cell phone. All of my friends have one.
Lori: Well maybe their parents will buy you one. As of now, I don’t think you need a phone. I think you can survive with our house phone, email, and your little … ‘myface’ thing-y.
Hannah: Oh, my gosh, Lori. It’s MySpace and Facebook. Not MyFace. You are so lame. Pleeeeeease. Don’t you care about my life? I will be the only one without a phone. I’ll be such a loser. I’ll miss out on things. I can’t believe you don’t care at all.
Lori: I care. I care a lot. But you are not getting your own cell phone.
Hannah: WHY?! It’s not like you can’t afford it!
Lori: That’s right. Your father and I can afford it. But we don’t want to. We feel like when you are old enough to have a job, be responsible and pay part of the bill, you can get a phone.
Hannah: So you’re telling me that I can’t have a phone right now.
Mom: That is what I am saying.
Hannah: And that even when I do, I have to pay for part of it.
Mom: Correct.
Hannah: Unbelievable. I can’t believe this. You are the worst parents ever.
Lights out. [applause]
Marty:
Wow…the worst parents ever! Okay Patty, we know that this conversation is really not about a cell phone, but it has to do with fitting in which is huge in middle school. It has to do with being socially accepted. Not wanting to walk around school with the big loser ‘L’ on your forehead.
Patty:
In seventh grade, that’s a big deal. And it feels like a big deal to a seventh grader looking for a cell phone. Wanting to belong is not a ridiculous desire…for middle schoolers or adults. But, what we see in this drama is not only a desire to fit in, but a sense of entitlement.
Now, before we talk about this, let me say that I work in our student ministries and we have perfect kids here at Stevens Creek so I am not talking about them.
But if you look outside, you might be surprised just how widespread this entitlement phenomenon is.
Marty
Actually, I think the most fascinating research on this comes in a book called Generation Me. It is all about how pervasive the entitlement mindset is on this upcoming generation, and kind of how it came about, how it happened.
Most adults in this room probably grew up hearing things like: Nothing’s free; everything comes at a cost. You have to earn things to deserve things.
And at the same time, it’s the adults in this room who have raised a whole generation that simply believes they deserve things.
Now, there are obviously exceptions to every general trend, but most of our kids are growing up at a time where you get smiley face stickers simply for turning in your assignment. We know that teachers should not use red ink because that damages your self-esteem. Instead use purple ink.
How many of you have had kids play in the Columbia County Recreation League? All of our kids did. In fact, I was a coach for nine years. Here’s what happens: every child gets a trophy at the end of the season. It does not matter if you had a winning record or not. Our closets are full of trophies that we paid for.
What we see in this practice is that affirmation and praise is not necessarily linked to performance.
Patty
A lot of you folks grew up in a time when kids were meant to be ‘seen and not heard.’ But the pendulum has swung too far, and now kids have a big tantrum when they’re walking out of the grocery store and they want that piece of candy. So, really good, really loving, well-intending parents give in…like Marty.
Kids are really smart. They learn the lesson: I get things because I demand things. Then we act surprised when a middle school student feels like, I deserve a cell phone because I want a cell phone.
Or a high school student feels like, you owe me a car because I’m capable of driving.
Now, we really shouldn’t blame the students; this is the way that they’ve been taught to see reality.
Marty
Let me ask a question: How many of you have ever seen American Idol? If you been here at The Creek long enough, you know that Patty and I are huge Idol fans.
Some of you, if you were really honest, would say that you actually like to watch the beginning of the season because you enjoy the world’s worst singers more than you enjoy the world’s best.
What’s really fascinating is that when a panel of judges tells the young William Hungs of the world that they simply cannot sing, these young contestants respond as though they are shocked. Then, they become defiant and they feel like they deserve to win, even if they cannot sing a single note of music. Then, Simon tells them to hit the road and they walk outside there will be a loving mom or dad there who’ll put their arms around them and say, “You did great.”
You see, these young contestants have grown up hearing: “You can be anything you want to be. You’re awesome. You’re special. Don’t let anyone tell you any different.”
Somebody needs to speak truth in them, but instead, we have taught our kids that they deserve it. In the worst cases, some even feel like you owe it to them. I am all about building up a child’s self-esteem, but we need to be truthful. Here’s the question: Have they earned the right to be on the stage? Love might be unconditional, but most things in life have to be earned.
We have the responsibility to teach our kids that in the real world, things must be earned. You don’t get smiley faces just for showing up. It’s our job, as parents, to prepare them for the real world. Patty, how do you do that?
Patty:
One of the things that I believe is a cure for this kind of entitlement is simple gratitude. Teach them to say, “Thank you.” Make sure that they learn to appreciate the blessings that they have been given.
In addition to that, kids need to be taught responsibility. In a family, everyone needs to contribute. Everyone needs to share the responsibility. This means that kids need regular responsibilities around the house.
Through the years, I have been better at this than Marty. In fact, sometimes I feel that Marty is working against me. I tell my kids that your room is 80% clean when you make up the bed.
Recently, I’ve noticed that Samuel’s bed has been made-up almost every day, but I don’t think that Samuel is very involved in the process. I think that Marty is doing it for him.
(Pointing to Marty) Now, if you keep this up, when he is thirty, he is going to be coming to you wanting you to cut his grass. Kids need responsibilities. They need chores.
Marty
A couple of weeks ago, Sarah, our soon to be college-graduate, called and told us about her job as a part-time nanny. She was surprised when she told one of the kids to clean up her room and the response was simple: that’s the maid’s job. There’s danger ahead.
Parents have to teach responsibility. It’s important for us to help our children stand on their own two feet and learn to be responsible. Work and responsibilities have a way of easing the entitlement battles.
Patty owns her own business and all three of our kids work for her. They have to turn in a time-sheets. If they need extra money, then she tells them to work more hours. A few weeks ago, I asked Stuart if he wanted a raise. I told him that if he would go in an hour earlier every day, he would make more money. He is a quick learner. The next day, he was at the office an hour earlier.
SLIDE:
If we are going to prepare our kids for the real world, then we need to teach them how to be responsible and how to make wise choices.
One of the great teachers of wisdom is consequences. So often we as parents want to shield our kids from consequences. Take a look at this.
The Problem of Rescue Written by Margaret Hogan, © 2009 Willow Creek Community Church
Set: Living Room & Door
Two parents have just entered their home. Dad has collapsed in a chair and Mom remains at the door. They are distressed. They are at odds with each other.
Mom: Well?
Dad: Well.
Mom: That’s it. Why aren’t you angry, Mark? This is a big deal. You didn’t say anything the
whole ride home.
Dad: I think it was a stupid mistake.
Mom: A stupid mistake? A stupid mistake is forgetting your homework at home. This was
clearly planned, thought through, and done very much on purpose.
Dad: He shouldn’t have done it.
Mom: Mark, he may be convicted! This will go on his record. Forget college. Forget jobs. He’s closing doors and he doesn’t even know it. I don’t think he even cares. (switches into action mode) So what are we going to do? Maybe we need to call a lawyer in the morning.
Dad: Laura …
Mom: (annoyed) What?!
Dad: (calmly) I told you at the station. WE are not going to do anything. At least not yet.
Mom: (frantically) What does that mean? He’s our son. It’s our job to protect him. People are
going to judge him and they are going to judge us and … (regaining some composure) You don’t think it’s our responsibility to help him out?
Dad: I think we can help him. But not help him out. Not out of the situation. Not out of the
consequences.
Mom: (desperate) But … but …
Dad: He’s very smart. This was his idea. His unfortunately illegal idea. He’s not a victim. Laura, he hasn’t even told us he’s sorry. He hasn’t asked us for help; he expects it.
Mom: What?
Dad: Because we’ve shown him that it’s easier on us if we bail him out. Let me ask you: Did he ever pay us back when we had to buy him a new laptop? And we look the other way when he drinks.
Mom: So, all this is our fault?
Dad: No. That’s not what I’m saying. But if we don’t help him learn how to handle the
consequences of bad choices, we aren’t really helping him to grow up.
Mom: So what are we supposed to do?
Dad: I think … I think we just tell him the truth.
Mom: Which is?
Dad: Which is we’re not bailing him out. We’re disappointed. We wish he had put his energy
towards something on the up and up.
Mom: We still love him.
Dad: Of course we do, even if we’re very angry. And tell him we’re sorry that we didn’t have the guts to hold him accountable in the past.
(Pause)
Mom: And that’s just … it?
Dad: Yeah, that’s it.
Lights out. [applause]
Marty:
Yeah, this is a tough one. Most of us have a tendency to bail our kids out of the problems that come up. At times you need to bail them out, extend grace to them, but at other times, you need to allow them to shoulder the responsibilities of their actions.
Patty:
I remember when our oldest was in high school and got is driver’s license. He was in a hurry one day and failed to look in his rear view mirror before he backed out of the driveway.
It just so happened that my cousin and her husband were visiting us and he backed into their van. We could have turned the accident into our insurance company, but instead we wanted this to be a lesson to be learned. He had to pay to have their car repaired… $1200.00. It was a tough lesson and it took some time, but now seven years later, it has not happened again.
Marty:
Our actions have consequences. And when you’re a kid, you start to realize that the consequences are shifting. The consequences are shifting from your parents’ responsibility to your own responsibility. And as time goes on, it’s a parent’s job to discern what consequences to let a kid feel.
If you have a 2-year-old kid running around with a butcher knife, you don’t look at him and go, “Well, you need to be careful or you will get cut.” You, instead, grab the knife and help him out.
But, again, as kids get older, you have to figure out how to adjust. When your 10-year-old forgets his homework for the tenth time this year and you run it over to the school to bail him out, what’s going on there? What’s happening? You are bailing them out of their consequences and thus holding them back from growing up.
SLIDE: Allow your kids to feel the consequences of their actions and in doing so, you will help them grow.
We as parents have to push our kids towards wisdom.
How do we do that? Through discipline. Listen to Proverbs 22:15.
Proverbs 22:15
15 A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.
Marty:
Parents have to discipline the foolishness out of their kids. They have to push them toward wisdom. They need to help their kids become wise and one way is to let them feel the sting of consequences.
Let’s look at the next scene. I think that you will relate to this one.
The Problem of Busyness Written by Margaret Hogan, © 2009 Willow Creek Community Church
Set: Living Room
(A mom is rushing through sorting laundry. She pulls a candy wrapper out from the pocket of a pair of pants.)
Mom: How on earth did this get here?
Emily (age 10) comes into the room.
Emily: Mom! Guess what!
Mom: Em, sweetie, fifteen minutes until we have to walk out the door for basketball. Go get dressed.
Emily: I thought I had violin tonight.
Mom: It’s Tuesday. Basketball. And you’re still wearing your school clothes. Let’s move it!
Emily: But aren’t you going to Erik’s parent night tonight?
Mom: Dad’s going.
(SFX: Cell phone rings)
Mom: (referring to cell phone) I don’t have time to talk to you. (speaking back to Emily) And then Dad’ll swing by and pick you up on the way home, and I’ll get Lucy from work.
Emily: (Emily starts walking towards the kitchen) But I’m so hungry. When do we get dinner?
Mom: Drive thru on the way. Your choice. Oh, that reminds me. Your basketball clothes are on your bed. (picks up cell phone to make a notation to herself) Cookie dough. PTO. Tomorrow.
Emily: Okay. (starts to leave to go get dressed) Oh! But I was going to tell you something!
Mom: Can it wait? Fourteen minutes.
Emily: But it’s exciting!
Mom: Okay, but make it fast. We’re going to be late.
Emily: Well, I can’t really tell you in a hurry, cuz it’s something I wanted to talk about, not just tell you.
Mom: Em, what is it?
Emily: Maybe after we get home from everything, you can have time to hear the whole thing.
Mom: Okay.
Emily: I’m gonna go get dressed now. (exits)
Mom: Okay.
Lights out. [applause]
Marty:
This scene happens every day across our community. Most of us live very busy lives. If you talk to family experts, they’ll tell you one of the top dynamics that wrecks a family is
velocity, speed.
Speed Kills. Speed kills family devotions – who has time for them? Speed kills family prayers – oh, come on, we don’t have time to pray. Can somebody please hurry and say the blessing?
Speed kills the sensitive conversations that need to be had – we’re moving too fast. This is eventually wreck your family.
Patty
We must make time for conversations to happen.
Through the years we have created blocks of time for those conversations to happen on our back porch, during family vacations, church events, or in the simple traditions of eating at a certain restaurant.
If you were at our house on a random Friday night and someone said, “Let’s have pizza.” We could get in different cars and end up in the same place ... Athens Pizza. Of course, it’s no longer in business, but we made some memories there. One reason is that they had round tables and when we sat around those tables we could look into the eyes of people we love.
Marty
Yes, that’s true. Today, it’s not Athens Pizza, but we frequent the Pizza Joint or Pablanos … somewhere that allows us time to connect. We all live busy lives. We need to schedule in time to have conversations with our kids. Not just surface conversations, but times that we can go a little deeper. I believe that conversations can go deeper if we create an atmosphere where people are verified, loved, and accepted.
We parents are responsible for creating environments that allow these kinds of conversation.
Proverbs 20:5
5 Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.
In families we need the time to be able to draw this out of each other. A kid is a deep well that needs to be drawn out.
SLIDE:
Create Opportunities for your kids to talk and then listen with all of your heart.
Patty
It’s important to take the time to listen. It may be hard at first but eventually you will draw conversations out of them.
We have one more brief scene. I think you’ll remember it a long time.
The Problem with Escalation Written by Margaret
Set: Dining Room
A dad (mid 40’s) sits at a kitchen table. He taps his fingers. Ethan, his high school aged son,
enters the kitchen.
Ethan: Hey, dad. (sits) Sorry, I’m a little nervous.
Dad: Me, too. So …?
Ethan: So … I want to talk to you about something.
Dad: All right.
Ethan: About … the way we’ve been arguing so much.
Dad: Oh, wow. Okay.
Ethan: (pushing through with his statement) Because you’re my dad. And I want us to figure out
a better way to get to the other side of these … um … conflicts.
Dad: Okay.
Ethan: Oh, man. Are you mad?
Dad: No. I’m just … I’m surprised.
Ethan: Actually, my counselor suggested that it might work better if we talked about the way we
argue when we’re not actually in the middle of arguing. And that might help us to make
progress.
Dad: Okay. That makes sense.
Ethan: Okay. Um … when … um … we’re disagreeing about something, it seems like you get
defensive. And then I’m not sure what to do.
Dad: I don’t get defensive!
Ethan: Dad! Sometimes, if I challenge you on something, or think differently, it feels like you
make fun of me. Like maybe you aren’t taking my ideas seriously.
Dad: When do I ever do that?
Ethan: When we were fighting last week about college visits, it felt like you were getting
frustrated with me because I didn’t just agree with the plan you came up with.
Dad: (growing in intensity) You weren’t listening to what I was saying, Ethan. You’ve never gone through this process before. It’s harder than you think.
Ethan: (starting to yell) Dad, you don’t know everything about it. You went to college like a million years ago! It’s not the same thing.
Dad: (topping him, very sarcastically) Well, excuse me. I’m so sorry. I thought I was being helpful. Maybe you should just figure out college yourself.
Ethan: That’s not what I was trying to …
Dad: And if you don’t need me, then you probably don’t need my support either, right? I’m tired
of you disrespecting me.
Ethan: (quietly) But respect isn’t the issue.
Dad: It’s NOT?
Ethan: Dad, disagreeing doesn’t mean disrespecting. You didn’t even let me finish.
Dad: (still tense) Well, by all means then … finish.
Ethan: (near tears) Geez. I respect you, okay? But I get to have an opinion, too, right? Isn’t that
the point? Learning what I think about things and how to make decisions. Last week I tried to
explain to you what my advisor at school said about keeping my options open, but you just made
fun of me. (sighs, recognizing they got sucked in again)
Dad: I was just joking around.
Ethan: Well, it hurt my feelings.
Dad: You’re being way too sensitive!
Ethan: This is what I’m talking about!
(Dad stands)
Dad: Tell your counselor, “great advice.” (storms out and slams door)
(Lights out) [applause]
Marty:
This scene started with promise. Would you agree?
Patty:
Yes, for sure. The kid actually initiates an attempt to make things better.
Marty:
Where did it go wrong?
Patty:
It started to spiral downward when the dad loudly said, “I don’t get defensive.”
Anytime you have to yell, “I don’t get defensive,” you’re probably feeling a little bit defensive at that
point.
And it’s not just all one-sided. When the kid says to the parent, “You went to college, like, a million years ago” – when does exaggeration ever help?
Raising your voice and using words like “always,” “never,” or “everybody” means that the conversation is not going in the right direction. Yelling matches seldom have winners.
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
Marty:
The cringe moment for me was when the Dad got up, ended the conversation and slammed the door. That always makes great Hollywood drama, but it’s terrible for a family.
Every time someone is trying to resolve something and someone bails, makes a dramatic exit—that’s a family headed for trouble. We can’t do that. We can’t just storm out of the room and run from our problems.
Be patient. Listen. Talk in a way people can receive it. We can’t just say, “I’ve had enough. This is too uncomfortable, and walk out.”
We must keep the conversation going and work toward resolving our differences. When we do this God will honored and our family will learn to love in deeper ways.
As we close, I want to pray for families here at the Creek. But, I want to begin by praying for families that are led by single parents. I cannot imagine the pain that you have experienced and the struggle that you have had to endure, but I do know that God understands your situation. He wants to encourage you today. Listen to the words of Psalm 68.
Psalm 68:5-6
5 (God is a ...) Father to the fatherless, defender of widows -- this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
6 God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.
Some of you feel all alone, but you are not. God is here and he is a very present help in times of trouble. Please put your trust in him.
To those who are struggling with sibling rivalry and family conflict, it is my prayer that God will give you peace and provide you with an opportunity to make things right.
To those who have children at home, it is my prayer that God will give you the strength to carry on and train them up in the way that they should go and when they are old, they will not depart.
I also want to encourage the parents who have children who have stepped away from the faith, not to give up. Continue to pray. Continue to love and continue to believe that God will complete what He has started in their lives.
Closing Prayer
Good morning and welcome to Stevens Creek Church. We are so glad that you are here today. I would like to welcome all those in our Grovetown Campus.
If you are visiting today, you are here on a special day … it’s not often that I am joined on stage with my wife Patty. She is here today as the color commentator. You sports junkies know that a color analyst will assist the play-by-play announcer by filling in any time when play is not in progress. So Patty you can jump in most any time.
Patty: Well, how about now?
Marty: It’s a little early in the game. I think that I have it under control.
Well today we are continuing our series called Relationslips. We are calling that because we know that our relational world can be quite slippery at times.
Last week Dave taught on marriage and today’s talk is on parenting. Patty and I have three kids…one in high school, one in college and one just entered in the workforce (Praise the Lord). We have seen the challenges of parenthood change with each season of our lives.
We are not experts in parenting and we are not perfect parents. I would probably feel more comfortable doing this talk in about ten years. We still have the normal conversations like: what time are you getting home, whose house are you staying at, who will be there, where are you going on spring break and my favorite one: who’s going to pay for this?
Patty:
We know the struggles of late nights and early mornings. We know the challenges of trying to get three kids to their basketball games that just happened to be played at the same time at different gyms. I know the hassles of getting three kids ready for church on a Sunday morning. Marty does not know that challenge because he has to be here early or maybe I should say, “Gets to be here early.”
I have a deep appreciation for the single parents here. I know that it’s hard to raise children with a spouse; I can’t imagine what you go through alone. Thanks for encouraging faith in your children.
Marty:
Today we are going to make it real and we are going to deal with issues that all of us parents face or one day we will face. We are going to use four drama sketches to help us in our conversation. The first on involves a step-mom and her 13 year old daughter. See if this has ever happened to you.
Entitlement Written by Margaret Hogan, © 2009 Willow Creek Community Church
A step-mom (Lori) and her 13 year old step-daughter (Hannah) sit together on a couch. Lights come up mid-conversation.
Hannah: (excitedly) Cell phone!
Lori: No!
Hannah: Pleeeeeease.
Lori: No.
Hannah: But Allie has one.
Lori: She is 16. She got it when she got her license. For emergencies.
Hannah: Right. Because the only time she ever uses her phone is for emergencies.
Lori: Allie has a job.
Hannah: So?
Lori: So. So she pays for part of her bill each month. Do you have a job?
Hannah: This is so unfair. I bet my real mom would buy me a phone.
Lori: Watch it, Hannah! We’re not playing that game. And to tell you the truth, I don’t think she would.
Hannah: I just can’t believe you won’t get me a cell phone. All of my friends have one.
Lori: Well maybe their parents will buy you one. As of now, I don’t think you need a phone. I think you can survive with our house phone, email, and your little … ‘myface’ thing-y.
Hannah: Oh, my gosh, Lori. It’s MySpace and Facebook. Not MyFace. You are so lame. Pleeeeeease. Don’t you care about my life? I will be the only one without a phone. I’ll be such a loser. I’ll miss out on things. I can’t believe you don’t care at all.
Lori: I care. I care a lot. But you are not getting your own cell phone.
Hannah: WHY?! It’s not like you can’t afford it!
Lori: That’s right. Your father and I can afford it. But we don’t want to. We feel like when you are old enough to have a job, be responsible and pay part of the bill, you can get a phone.
Hannah: So you’re telling me that I can’t have a phone right now.
Mom: That is what I am saying.
Hannah: And that even when I do, I have to pay for part of it.
Mom: Correct.
Hannah: Unbelievable. I can’t believe this. You are the worst parents ever.
Lights out. [applause]
Marty:
Wow…the worst parents ever! Okay Patty, we know that this conversation is really not about a cell phone, but it has to do with fitting in which is huge in middle school. It has to do with being socially accepted. Not wanting to walk around school with the big loser ‘L’ on your forehead.
Patty:
In seventh grade, that’s a big deal. And it feels like a big deal to a seventh grader looking for a cell phone. Wanting to belong is not a ridiculous desire…for middle schoolers or adults. But, what we see in this drama is not only a desire to fit in, but a sense of entitlement.
Now, before we talk about this, let me say that I work in our student ministries and we have perfect kids here at Stevens Creek so I am not talking about them.
But if you look outside, you might be surprised just how widespread this entitlement phenomenon is.
Marty
Actually, I think the most fascinating research on this comes in a book called Generation Me. It is all about how pervasive the entitlement mindset is on this upcoming generation, and kind of how it came about, how it happened.
Most adults in this room probably grew up hearing things like: Nothing’s free; everything comes at a cost. You have to earn things to deserve things.
And at the same time, it’s the adults in this room who have raised a whole generation that simply believes they deserve things.
Now, there are obviously exceptions to every general trend, but most of our kids are growing up at a time where you get smiley face stickers simply for turning in your assignment. We know that teachers should not use red ink because that damages your self-esteem. Instead use purple ink.
How many of you have had kids play in the Columbia County Recreation League? All of our kids did. In fact, I was a coach for nine years. Here’s what happens: every child gets a trophy at the end of the season. It does not matter if you had a winning record or not. Our closets are full of trophies that we paid for.
What we see in this practice is that affirmation and praise is not necessarily linked to performance.
Patty
A lot of you folks grew up in a time when kids were meant to be ‘seen and not heard.’ But the pendulum has swung too far, and now kids have a big tantrum when they’re walking out of the grocery store and they want that piece of candy. So, really good, really loving, well-intending parents give in…like Marty.
Kids are really smart. They learn the lesson: I get things because I demand things. Then we act surprised when a middle school student feels like, I deserve a cell phone because I want a cell phone.
Or a high school student feels like, you owe me a car because I’m capable of driving.
Now, we really shouldn’t blame the students; this is the way that they’ve been taught to see reality.
Marty
Let me ask a question: How many of you have ever seen American Idol? If you been here at The Creek long enough, you know that Patty and I are huge Idol fans.
Some of you, if you were really honest, would say that you actually like to watch the beginning of the season because you enjoy the world’s worst singers more than you enjoy the world’s best.
What’s really fascinating is that when a panel of judges tells the young William Hungs of the world that they simply cannot sing, these young contestants respond as though they are shocked. Then, they become defiant and they feel like they deserve to win, even if they cannot sing a single note of music. Then, Simon tells them to hit the road and they walk outside there will be a loving mom or dad there who’ll put their arms around them and say, “You did great.”
You see, these young contestants have grown up hearing: “You can be anything you want to be. You’re awesome. You’re special. Don’t let anyone tell you any different.”
Somebody needs to speak truth in them, but instead, we have taught our kids that they deserve it. In the worst cases, some even feel like you owe it to them. I am all about building up a child’s self-esteem, but we need to be truthful. Here’s the question: Have they earned the right to be on the stage? Love might be unconditional, but most things in life have to be earned.
We have the responsibility to teach our kids that in the real world, things must be earned. You don’t get smiley faces just for showing up. It’s our job, as parents, to prepare them for the real world. Patty, how do you do that?
Patty:
One of the things that I believe is a cure for this kind of entitlement is simple gratitude. Teach them to say, “Thank you.” Make sure that they learn to appreciate the blessings that they have been given.
In addition to that, kids need to be taught responsibility. In a family, everyone needs to contribute. Everyone needs to share the responsibility. This means that kids need regular responsibilities around the house.
Through the years, I have been better at this than Marty. In fact, sometimes I feel that Marty is working against me. I tell my kids that your room is 80% clean when you make up the bed.
Recently, I’ve noticed that Samuel’s bed has been made-up almost every day, but I don’t think that Samuel is very involved in the process. I think that Marty is doing it for him.
(Pointing to Marty) Now, if you keep this up, when he is thirty, he is going to be coming to you wanting you to cut his grass. Kids need responsibilities. They need chores.
Marty
A couple of weeks ago, Sarah, our soon to be college-graduate, called and told us about her job as a part-time nanny. She was surprised when she told one of the kids to clean up her room and the response was simple: that’s the maid’s job. There’s danger ahead.
Parents have to teach responsibility. It’s important for us to help our children stand on their own two feet and learn to be responsible. Work and responsibilities have a way of easing the entitlement battles.
Patty owns her own business and all three of our kids work for her. They have to turn in a time-sheets. If they need extra money, then she tells them to work more hours. A few weeks ago, I asked Stuart if he wanted a raise. I told him that if he would go in an hour earlier every day, he would make more money. He is a quick learner. The next day, he was at the office an hour earlier.
SLIDE:
If we are going to prepare our kids for the real world, then we need to teach them how to be responsible and how to make wise choices.
One of the great teachers of wisdom is consequences. So often we as parents want to shield our kids from consequences. Take a look at this.
The Problem of Rescue Written by Margaret Hogan, © 2009 Willow Creek Community Church
Set: Living Room & Door
Two parents have just entered their home. Dad has collapsed in a chair and Mom remains at the door. They are distressed. They are at odds with each other.
Mom: Well?
Dad: Well.
Mom: That’s it. Why aren’t you angry, Mark? This is a big deal. You didn’t say anything the
whole ride home.
Dad: I think it was a stupid mistake.
Mom: A stupid mistake? A stupid mistake is forgetting your homework at home. This was
clearly planned, thought through, and done very much on purpose.
Dad: He shouldn’t have done it.
Mom: Mark, he may be convicted! This will go on his record. Forget college. Forget jobs. He’s closing doors and he doesn’t even know it. I don’t think he even cares. (switches into action mode) So what are we going to do? Maybe we need to call a lawyer in the morning.
Dad: Laura …
Mom: (annoyed) What?!
Dad: (calmly) I told you at the station. WE are not going to do anything. At least not yet.
Mom: (frantically) What does that mean? He’s our son. It’s our job to protect him. People are
going to judge him and they are going to judge us and … (regaining some composure) You don’t think it’s our responsibility to help him out?
Dad: I think we can help him. But not help him out. Not out of the situation. Not out of the
consequences.
Mom: (desperate) But … but …
Dad: He’s very smart. This was his idea. His unfortunately illegal idea. He’s not a victim. Laura, he hasn’t even told us he’s sorry. He hasn’t asked us for help; he expects it.
Mom: What?
Dad: Because we’ve shown him that it’s easier on us if we bail him out. Let me ask you: Did he ever pay us back when we had to buy him a new laptop? And we look the other way when he drinks.
Mom: So, all this is our fault?
Dad: No. That’s not what I’m saying. But if we don’t help him learn how to handle the
consequences of bad choices, we aren’t really helping him to grow up.
Mom: So what are we supposed to do?
Dad: I think … I think we just tell him the truth.
Mom: Which is?
Dad: Which is we’re not bailing him out. We’re disappointed. We wish he had put his energy
towards something on the up and up.
Mom: We still love him.
Dad: Of course we do, even if we’re very angry. And tell him we’re sorry that we didn’t have the guts to hold him accountable in the past.
(Pause)
Mom: And that’s just … it?
Dad: Yeah, that’s it.
Lights out. [applause]
Marty:
Yeah, this is a tough one. Most of us have a tendency to bail our kids out of the problems that come up. At times you need to bail them out, extend grace to them, but at other times, you need to allow them to shoulder the responsibilities of their actions.
Patty:
I remember when our oldest was in high school and got is driver’s license. He was in a hurry one day and failed to look in his rear view mirror before he backed out of the driveway.
It just so happened that my cousin and her husband were visiting us and he backed into their van. We could have turned the accident into our insurance company, but instead we wanted this to be a lesson to be learned. He had to pay to have their car repaired… $1200.00. It was a tough lesson and it took some time, but now seven years later, it has not happened again.
Marty:
Our actions have consequences. And when you’re a kid, you start to realize that the consequences are shifting. The consequences are shifting from your parents’ responsibility to your own responsibility. And as time goes on, it’s a parent’s job to discern what consequences to let a kid feel.
If you have a 2-year-old kid running around with a butcher knife, you don’t look at him and go, “Well, you need to be careful or you will get cut.” You, instead, grab the knife and help him out.
But, again, as kids get older, you have to figure out how to adjust. When your 10-year-old forgets his homework for the tenth time this year and you run it over to the school to bail him out, what’s going on there? What’s happening? You are bailing them out of their consequences and thus holding them back from growing up.
SLIDE: Allow your kids to feel the consequences of their actions and in doing so, you will help them grow.
We as parents have to push our kids towards wisdom.
How do we do that? Through discipline. Listen to Proverbs 22:15.
Proverbs 22:15
15 A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.
Marty:
Parents have to discipline the foolishness out of their kids. They have to push them toward wisdom. They need to help their kids become wise and one way is to let them feel the sting of consequences.
Let’s look at the next scene. I think that you will relate to this one.
The Problem of Busyness Written by Margaret Hogan, © 2009 Willow Creek Community Church
Set: Living Room
(A mom is rushing through sorting laundry. She pulls a candy wrapper out from the pocket of a pair of pants.)
Mom: How on earth did this get here?
Emily (age 10) comes into the room.
Emily: Mom! Guess what!
Mom: Em, sweetie, fifteen minutes until we have to walk out the door for basketball. Go get dressed.
Emily: I thought I had violin tonight.
Mom: It’s Tuesday. Basketball. And you’re still wearing your school clothes. Let’s move it!
Emily: But aren’t you going to Erik’s parent night tonight?
Mom: Dad’s going.
(SFX: Cell phone rings)
Mom: (referring to cell phone) I don’t have time to talk to you. (speaking back to Emily) And then Dad’ll swing by and pick you up on the way home, and I’ll get Lucy from work.
Emily: (Emily starts walking towards the kitchen) But I’m so hungry. When do we get dinner?
Mom: Drive thru on the way. Your choice. Oh, that reminds me. Your basketball clothes are on your bed. (picks up cell phone to make a notation to herself) Cookie dough. PTO. Tomorrow.
Emily: Okay. (starts to leave to go get dressed) Oh! But I was going to tell you something!
Mom: Can it wait? Fourteen minutes.
Emily: But it’s exciting!
Mom: Okay, but make it fast. We’re going to be late.
Emily: Well, I can’t really tell you in a hurry, cuz it’s something I wanted to talk about, not just tell you.
Mom: Em, what is it?
Emily: Maybe after we get home from everything, you can have time to hear the whole thing.
Mom: Okay.
Emily: I’m gonna go get dressed now. (exits)
Mom: Okay.
Lights out. [applause]
Marty:
This scene happens every day across our community. Most of us live very busy lives. If you talk to family experts, they’ll tell you one of the top dynamics that wrecks a family is
velocity, speed.
Speed Kills. Speed kills family devotions – who has time for them? Speed kills family prayers – oh, come on, we don’t have time to pray. Can somebody please hurry and say the blessing?
Speed kills the sensitive conversations that need to be had – we’re moving too fast. This is eventually wreck your family.
Patty
We must make time for conversations to happen.
Through the years we have created blocks of time for those conversations to happen on our back porch, during family vacations, church events, or in the simple traditions of eating at a certain restaurant.
If you were at our house on a random Friday night and someone said, “Let’s have pizza.” We could get in different cars and end up in the same place ... Athens Pizza. Of course, it’s no longer in business, but we made some memories there. One reason is that they had round tables and when we sat around those tables we could look into the eyes of people we love.
Marty
Yes, that’s true. Today, it’s not Athens Pizza, but we frequent the Pizza Joint or Pablanos … somewhere that allows us time to connect. We all live busy lives. We need to schedule in time to have conversations with our kids. Not just surface conversations, but times that we can go a little deeper. I believe that conversations can go deeper if we create an atmosphere where people are verified, loved, and accepted.
We parents are responsible for creating environments that allow these kinds of conversation.
Proverbs 20:5
5 Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.
In families we need the time to be able to draw this out of each other. A kid is a deep well that needs to be drawn out.
SLIDE:
Create Opportunities for your kids to talk and then listen with all of your heart.
Patty
It’s important to take the time to listen. It may be hard at first but eventually you will draw conversations out of them.
We have one more brief scene. I think you’ll remember it a long time.
The Problem with Escalation Written by Margaret
Set: Dining Room
A dad (mid 40’s) sits at a kitchen table. He taps his fingers. Ethan, his high school aged son,
enters the kitchen.
Ethan: Hey, dad. (sits) Sorry, I’m a little nervous.
Dad: Me, too. So …?
Ethan: So … I want to talk to you about something.
Dad: All right.
Ethan: About … the way we’ve been arguing so much.
Dad: Oh, wow. Okay.
Ethan: (pushing through with his statement) Because you’re my dad. And I want us to figure out
a better way to get to the other side of these … um … conflicts.
Dad: Okay.
Ethan: Oh, man. Are you mad?
Dad: No. I’m just … I’m surprised.
Ethan: Actually, my counselor suggested that it might work better if we talked about the way we
argue when we’re not actually in the middle of arguing. And that might help us to make
progress.
Dad: Okay. That makes sense.
Ethan: Okay. Um … when … um … we’re disagreeing about something, it seems like you get
defensive. And then I’m not sure what to do.
Dad: I don’t get defensive!
Ethan: Dad! Sometimes, if I challenge you on something, or think differently, it feels like you
make fun of me. Like maybe you aren’t taking my ideas seriously.
Dad: When do I ever do that?
Ethan: When we were fighting last week about college visits, it felt like you were getting
frustrated with me because I didn’t just agree with the plan you came up with.
Dad: (growing in intensity) You weren’t listening to what I was saying, Ethan. You’ve never gone through this process before. It’s harder than you think.
Ethan: (starting to yell) Dad, you don’t know everything about it. You went to college like a million years ago! It’s not the same thing.
Dad: (topping him, very sarcastically) Well, excuse me. I’m so sorry. I thought I was being helpful. Maybe you should just figure out college yourself.
Ethan: That’s not what I was trying to …
Dad: And if you don’t need me, then you probably don’t need my support either, right? I’m tired
of you disrespecting me.
Ethan: (quietly) But respect isn’t the issue.
Dad: It’s NOT?
Ethan: Dad, disagreeing doesn’t mean disrespecting. You didn’t even let me finish.
Dad: (still tense) Well, by all means then … finish.
Ethan: (near tears) Geez. I respect you, okay? But I get to have an opinion, too, right? Isn’t that
the point? Learning what I think about things and how to make decisions. Last week I tried to
explain to you what my advisor at school said about keeping my options open, but you just made
fun of me. (sighs, recognizing they got sucked in again)
Dad: I was just joking around.
Ethan: Well, it hurt my feelings.
Dad: You’re being way too sensitive!
Ethan: This is what I’m talking about!
(Dad stands)
Dad: Tell your counselor, “great advice.” (storms out and slams door)
(Lights out) [applause]
Marty:
This scene started with promise. Would you agree?
Patty:
Yes, for sure. The kid actually initiates an attempt to make things better.
Marty:
Where did it go wrong?
Patty:
It started to spiral downward when the dad loudly said, “I don’t get defensive.”
Anytime you have to yell, “I don’t get defensive,” you’re probably feeling a little bit defensive at that
point.
And it’s not just all one-sided. When the kid says to the parent, “You went to college, like, a million years ago” – when does exaggeration ever help?
Raising your voice and using words like “always,” “never,” or “everybody” means that the conversation is not going in the right direction. Yelling matches seldom have winners.
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
Marty:
The cringe moment for me was when the Dad got up, ended the conversation and slammed the door. That always makes great Hollywood drama, but it’s terrible for a family.
Every time someone is trying to resolve something and someone bails, makes a dramatic exit—that’s a family headed for trouble. We can’t do that. We can’t just storm out of the room and run from our problems.
Be patient. Listen. Talk in a way people can receive it. We can’t just say, “I’ve had enough. This is too uncomfortable, and walk out.”
We must keep the conversation going and work toward resolving our differences. When we do this God will honored and our family will learn to love in deeper ways.
As we close, I want to pray for families here at the Creek. But, I want to begin by praying for families that are led by single parents. I cannot imagine the pain that you have experienced and the struggle that you have had to endure, but I do know that God understands your situation. He wants to encourage you today. Listen to the words of Psalm 68.
Psalm 68:5-6
5 (God is a ...) Father to the fatherless, defender of widows -- this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
6 God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.
Some of you feel all alone, but you are not. God is here and he is a very present help in times of trouble. Please put your trust in him.
To those who are struggling with sibling rivalry and family conflict, it is my prayer that God will give you peace and provide you with an opportunity to make things right.
To those who have children at home, it is my prayer that God will give you the strength to carry on and train them up in the way that they should go and when they are old, they will not depart.
I also want to encourage the parents who have children who have stepped away from the faith, not to give up. Continue to pray. Continue to love and continue to believe that God will complete what He has started in their lives.
Closing Prayer
1.24.2010
Plan
Joshua 6 / Dr. Marty Baker / January 24, 2010
Good morning and welcome to Stevens Creek Church. I hope that you have had a great weekend. I am glad to see you today. I want to welcome all those in our Grovetown Campus.
I would also like to welcome those watching on television, specifically those from the Upstate of South Carolina. Last week, the Abbeville newspaper printed a tribute that I had written about the passing of one of my mentors, Sandy Scott. My mother sent me a copy of the local newspaper, The Press and Banner. When my son, Samuel saw it he said, “Dad, are you famous there?” I laughed and thought only in the eyes of my mother.
I also want to welcome those watching online. Last month, we have had nearly 5,000 people watch our services from places as far away as Australia and Japan.
Today we are continuing our series, My Big Amazing Renovation Story. How many of you have ever been involved in a renovation project? I love renovation projects. There’s nothing more satisfying that seeing something old become new.
Over the last twenty years, I have had my share of building projects. If you have ever been involved in renovating a house or a church, you know that you need to be prepared for some challenges along the way.
Over the last couple of weeks, we have been talking about an Old Testament character named Joshua. He was the assistant to Moses for around forty years. When Moses died, Joshua stepped up and became the leader of the Children of Israel. God had given him the responsibility to lead this group of former slaves into a new land of freedom, the Promised Land.
In the midst of this great time of success came one of the biggest challenges of his life. There were seven larger and stronger nations already there. If he was going to fulfill God’s call on his life, he would have to overcome these obstacles first. He was only five miles into this new land when he met his first challenge … the city of Jericho.
Video
Few stories in the Bible are better known than the story of Joshua and the battle for Jericho. I, like many of you, have heard the story told many times. In fact, sometimes my find myself singing the song that I learned as a child: Joshua fit the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho; Joshua fit the battle of Jericho and the walls came tumbling down.
I wonder what it was like to be near Jericho in those days. Jericho was one of those cities that caught your attention. It was too large and too strong to ignore. It was built on a slope which made it virtually impenetrable. If you lived in Jericho in those days, you felt safe.
You were safe because you were protected by a massive system of walls that surrounded the city. You see, Jericho hadf two massive stone walls. The outer wall was 6 ft. thick and about 20 ft. high. The inner wall was about 12 ft. thick and was 30 ft. high. Between the walls was a guarded walkway.
These walls provided the citizens of Jericho with a level of security that few people in their day had ever seen. We pick up the story in Joshua 6.
Joshua 6:1-5
1 Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.
2 Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in."
Video Ends
Today I believe that God wants to use this story to help you face some of the challenges that have come your way. Let’s take a closer look at this story. There are very practical lessons lodged in these verses. Specifically, I am going to give you four action steps that will help you work through some challenges this week.
When faced with a crisis, a challenge or a setback, the first step to solving the problem is to assess the situation.
1. Assess the Situation
What’s going on here? You have to take an honest look at the situation before you can adequately provide a solution to the problem. What’s reality?
When Joshua assessed the situation at Jericho and here’s what his discovered: Jericho had massive walls and it was totally impossible to bring down those walls. It was totally, absolutely, completely and utterly impossible. Jericho was a seemingly impossible obstacle that stood between them and all that God had promised.
What is standing between you and all that God has promised you? Assess the situation. What is the barrier between you and your Promised Land? What’s holding you back? What is totally, absolutely, completely and utterly impossible in your life?
In Joshua’s day, a smart man would look at the Walls of Jericho and say, “There’s no way. It cannot be done.” Yet we know the story. God’s people won a great victory that day. How did it happen?
Hebrews 11:30
30By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
Notice the words: “By faith.” The Children of Israel believed that if God had enough power to deliver them from slavery, split the Red Sea, provide for them in the wilderness and stop the waters of the Jordan River, then God had enough power to cause the walls of Jericho to fall. They assessed the situation and then they put their confidence in God. They trusted Him.
Where’s your faith? Don’t look at the size of your problem, look at the size of your God.
I talk about faith a lot here at The Creek. I believe that with faith we can work through any problem that comes our way. When you put your faith in God, nothing is impossible. But, having said that, if you look at this passage again you may see that there is more to this story than assessing the situation and having faith.
When you read the story, you will see that Joshua had a plan. He had a strategy in mind. If you are going to overcome your challenges, then you need a plan. Nothing happens until you develop a plan.
2. Develop a Plan
It can be funny to watch how different people develop their plans. Some will draw a plan out on a napkin; some people will type them out on a computer while others will develop it in their mind.
One of the funniest phone calls that I have ever received, came to me in January 2008. We were in the middle of expanding this facility, but we had not designed the entry way…the pedestrian walk, parking lot access and so forth. Jerry Ashmore, one of our Elders, called me up and said, “Marty, I’ve got it. The Lord woke me up at 4:00 AM with the design for the front of the church.” I said, “Okay, that’s great.” He said, “I want you to meet me at the church right now.” I said, “Jerry, it’s my Dad’s birthday and we are headed out of town.” We talked a little bit longer and I asked, “When do you envision getting started on it?” He said, “I’ve got my men headed over there right now.” It was 8:30AM. This design was only four hours. Here’s the point. When you know what to do and know when you are suppose to do it, there’s no need to wait.
Joshua had a plan. In Joshua 6, God instructed the Jews to do a number of unusual things before the miracle actually took place.
Joshua 6:3, March around the town once a day for six days.
Joshua 6:4, March with the Ark of the Covenant.
Joshua 6:4, Put seven priests in front of the Ark.
Joshua 6:5, On the seventh day march around Jericho seven times.
Joshua 6:5, Have the priests blow rams’ horns as they marched.
Joshua 6:5, On the seventh time around on the seventh day, have the people shout.
Joshua 6:5, When the people shout, the walls will come down. When the walls come down, enter the city and conquer it.
God gave Joshua a plan, a strategy that got the Children of Israel involved in the process. Here’s the point. God told them that the walls would fall down, but they still had to do the marching.
God wanted them involved in the process. God could have spoken and the walls of Jericho would have fallen, but that’s not how it works. It is God’s desire to involve you in what He is doing.
Too many people look at faith as a mindless exercise that you do while you wait on your circumstances to change. That’s not how it works. Faith is something you do.
James 2:17
17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Let’s bring it closer to home. What are you doing for your situation to change? What’s your plan? What’s your next step? Faith is not only someone you believe in; it is something you do.
For six days they marched around the city once and then returned to their camp. On the seventh day, they marched around the city of Jericho seven times. They did something. They marched.
Don’t sit there waiting for your ship to come in when you have never sent one out. You have to do something.
Ecclesiastes 11:1 (NLT)
Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you.
If you don’t send anything out, then nothing will come back. You must plant a seed in order to get a harvest. You must do something.
The Israelites marched around the city once for six days and on the seventh day, they marched around Jericho seven times. They did something.
Not only did they do something, but they were consistent in their approach. They were faithful to follow their plan every day until the challenge was conquered.
3. Be Consistent and follow through.
If you are going to conquer the challenges that life brings your way, then you have to be consistent. I meet too many people that are not consistent. They are wishy-washy. One day they are focused; the next day they are scattered. They are committed one day and compromised the next day.
You cannot overcome your obstacles when you are constantly changing your mind. Make a decision and stick to it. Be faithful. Be consistent.
You will never build a successful marriage if you are inconsistent in the way your treat one another. You made a decision that you loved your wife and after you made that decision you made a covenant before God. Now, it’s time to live it out. Do what you said that you were going to do…for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part.
What part of that vow do you not understand? You are to love your husband. You are to love your wife.
How are you demonstrating your love and commitment to your spouse? By staying out late, by spending too much money, by staying on the computer until you know that the other one is asleep.
If you are going to build a strong family that overcomes the challenges of life, then you must develop a consistent life.
Develop a plan; work the plan. That’s what Joshua did, but there is one thing that we need to make note of. You may have missed this.
Joshua 6:3-4
3March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark.
Last week we learned that the Ark of the Covenant represents the presence of God. What we see here is that God was in the middle of the battle plan. Remember that the Ark contained the Ten Commandments, the golden pot of manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded. The lid of the Ark was the golden Mercy Seat where the high priest would offer a sacrifice in the Holy of Holies, once a year, on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16).
The ark was not just another piece of religious furniture, like a table or a lampstand. The ark represented the very presence of God with his people. Putting the ark out front was like God saying, “God, I want you to lead this parade.”
I want you to be in charge.
Assess the situation, Develop a plan; Be consistent and follow through and finally…allow God to be God.
4. Allow God to be God
One person and God will make up a majority. When the Children of Israel put God first in this challenge, the battle was won. At that point, spears and armor did not matter.
Joshua 6:20-21
20 When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city. 21 They devoted the city to the LORD…
It’s God who made all the difference at Jericho. Those high walls were no match for the Almighty. The people of Jericho did not know it, but they were defeated before the walls ever fell. They lost the battle when God got involved.
1) God said he was going to give them the city.
This is what God said to Joshua before he gave him the plan: “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men” (Joshua 6:2). Note the past tense: “I have delivered.” Not “I will deliver.” God speaks of Jericho as having already been defeated. That’s a key point. God is saying, “It’s a done deal. Those walls are coming down. It’s just a matter of time.” Now that shouldn’t surprise anyone who believes in God. He can do things like that. He speaks and it is done.
In a real sense, the battle was over before it was started. God promised to deliver the city, and in due course he made good on his promise.
In the same way, God has victory in store for you.
When you make a decision to become a Christ follower, God opens the door to a new land of freedom for you. However, you need to realize that being a Christian is not easy. There are enemies that you have to face, but the good news is that Jesus has already won the battle.
Did you know that the name Joshua means “God saves” in Hebrew. In Greek it was shortened to “Jesus” or “Savior”.
Hebrews 11:30
30By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
But how will we face and conquer impossible challenges of our lives? Where do we find the faith?
Hebrews 12:2
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
He starts it and he finishes it. He’s the Captain of our salvation. Just keep your eyes on him.
Good morning and welcome to Stevens Creek Church. I hope that you have had a great weekend. I am glad to see you today. I want to welcome all those in our Grovetown Campus.
I would also like to welcome those watching on television, specifically those from the Upstate of South Carolina. Last week, the Abbeville newspaper printed a tribute that I had written about the passing of one of my mentors, Sandy Scott. My mother sent me a copy of the local newspaper, The Press and Banner. When my son, Samuel saw it he said, “Dad, are you famous there?” I laughed and thought only in the eyes of my mother.
I also want to welcome those watching online. Last month, we have had nearly 5,000 people watch our services from places as far away as Australia and Japan.
Today we are continuing our series, My Big Amazing Renovation Story. How many of you have ever been involved in a renovation project? I love renovation projects. There’s nothing more satisfying that seeing something old become new.
Over the last twenty years, I have had my share of building projects. If you have ever been involved in renovating a house or a church, you know that you need to be prepared for some challenges along the way.
Over the last couple of weeks, we have been talking about an Old Testament character named Joshua. He was the assistant to Moses for around forty years. When Moses died, Joshua stepped up and became the leader of the Children of Israel. God had given him the responsibility to lead this group of former slaves into a new land of freedom, the Promised Land.
In the midst of this great time of success came one of the biggest challenges of his life. There were seven larger and stronger nations already there. If he was going to fulfill God’s call on his life, he would have to overcome these obstacles first. He was only five miles into this new land when he met his first challenge … the city of Jericho.
Video
Few stories in the Bible are better known than the story of Joshua and the battle for Jericho. I, like many of you, have heard the story told many times. In fact, sometimes my find myself singing the song that I learned as a child: Joshua fit the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho; Joshua fit the battle of Jericho and the walls came tumbling down.
I wonder what it was like to be near Jericho in those days. Jericho was one of those cities that caught your attention. It was too large and too strong to ignore. It was built on a slope which made it virtually impenetrable. If you lived in Jericho in those days, you felt safe.
You were safe because you were protected by a massive system of walls that surrounded the city. You see, Jericho hadf two massive stone walls. The outer wall was 6 ft. thick and about 20 ft. high. The inner wall was about 12 ft. thick and was 30 ft. high. Between the walls was a guarded walkway.
These walls provided the citizens of Jericho with a level of security that few people in their day had ever seen. We pick up the story in Joshua 6.
Joshua 6:1-5
1 Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.
2 Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in."
Video Ends
Today I believe that God wants to use this story to help you face some of the challenges that have come your way. Let’s take a closer look at this story. There are very practical lessons lodged in these verses. Specifically, I am going to give you four action steps that will help you work through some challenges this week.
When faced with a crisis, a challenge or a setback, the first step to solving the problem is to assess the situation.
1. Assess the Situation
What’s going on here? You have to take an honest look at the situation before you can adequately provide a solution to the problem. What’s reality?
When Joshua assessed the situation at Jericho and here’s what his discovered: Jericho had massive walls and it was totally impossible to bring down those walls. It was totally, absolutely, completely and utterly impossible. Jericho was a seemingly impossible obstacle that stood between them and all that God had promised.
What is standing between you and all that God has promised you? Assess the situation. What is the barrier between you and your Promised Land? What’s holding you back? What is totally, absolutely, completely and utterly impossible in your life?
In Joshua’s day, a smart man would look at the Walls of Jericho and say, “There’s no way. It cannot be done.” Yet we know the story. God’s people won a great victory that day. How did it happen?
Hebrews 11:30
30By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
Notice the words: “By faith.” The Children of Israel believed that if God had enough power to deliver them from slavery, split the Red Sea, provide for them in the wilderness and stop the waters of the Jordan River, then God had enough power to cause the walls of Jericho to fall. They assessed the situation and then they put their confidence in God. They trusted Him.
Where’s your faith? Don’t look at the size of your problem, look at the size of your God.
I talk about faith a lot here at The Creek. I believe that with faith we can work through any problem that comes our way. When you put your faith in God, nothing is impossible. But, having said that, if you look at this passage again you may see that there is more to this story than assessing the situation and having faith.
When you read the story, you will see that Joshua had a plan. He had a strategy in mind. If you are going to overcome your challenges, then you need a plan. Nothing happens until you develop a plan.
2. Develop a Plan
It can be funny to watch how different people develop their plans. Some will draw a plan out on a napkin; some people will type them out on a computer while others will develop it in their mind.
One of the funniest phone calls that I have ever received, came to me in January 2008. We were in the middle of expanding this facility, but we had not designed the entry way…the pedestrian walk, parking lot access and so forth. Jerry Ashmore, one of our Elders, called me up and said, “Marty, I’ve got it. The Lord woke me up at 4:00 AM with the design for the front of the church.” I said, “Okay, that’s great.” He said, “I want you to meet me at the church right now.” I said, “Jerry, it’s my Dad’s birthday and we are headed out of town.” We talked a little bit longer and I asked, “When do you envision getting started on it?” He said, “I’ve got my men headed over there right now.” It was 8:30AM. This design was only four hours. Here’s the point. When you know what to do and know when you are suppose to do it, there’s no need to wait.
Joshua had a plan. In Joshua 6, God instructed the Jews to do a number of unusual things before the miracle actually took place.
Joshua 6:3, March around the town once a day for six days.
Joshua 6:4, March with the Ark of the Covenant.
Joshua 6:4, Put seven priests in front of the Ark.
Joshua 6:5, On the seventh day march around Jericho seven times.
Joshua 6:5, Have the priests blow rams’ horns as they marched.
Joshua 6:5, On the seventh time around on the seventh day, have the people shout.
Joshua 6:5, When the people shout, the walls will come down. When the walls come down, enter the city and conquer it.
God gave Joshua a plan, a strategy that got the Children of Israel involved in the process. Here’s the point. God told them that the walls would fall down, but they still had to do the marching.
God wanted them involved in the process. God could have spoken and the walls of Jericho would have fallen, but that’s not how it works. It is God’s desire to involve you in what He is doing.
Too many people look at faith as a mindless exercise that you do while you wait on your circumstances to change. That’s not how it works. Faith is something you do.
James 2:17
17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Let’s bring it closer to home. What are you doing for your situation to change? What’s your plan? What’s your next step? Faith is not only someone you believe in; it is something you do.
For six days they marched around the city once and then returned to their camp. On the seventh day, they marched around the city of Jericho seven times. They did something. They marched.
Don’t sit there waiting for your ship to come in when you have never sent one out. You have to do something.
Ecclesiastes 11:1 (NLT)
Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you.
If you don’t send anything out, then nothing will come back. You must plant a seed in order to get a harvest. You must do something.
The Israelites marched around the city once for six days and on the seventh day, they marched around Jericho seven times. They did something.
Not only did they do something, but they were consistent in their approach. They were faithful to follow their plan every day until the challenge was conquered.
3. Be Consistent and follow through.
If you are going to conquer the challenges that life brings your way, then you have to be consistent. I meet too many people that are not consistent. They are wishy-washy. One day they are focused; the next day they are scattered. They are committed one day and compromised the next day.
You cannot overcome your obstacles when you are constantly changing your mind. Make a decision and stick to it. Be faithful. Be consistent.
You will never build a successful marriage if you are inconsistent in the way your treat one another. You made a decision that you loved your wife and after you made that decision you made a covenant before God. Now, it’s time to live it out. Do what you said that you were going to do…for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part.
What part of that vow do you not understand? You are to love your husband. You are to love your wife.
How are you demonstrating your love and commitment to your spouse? By staying out late, by spending too much money, by staying on the computer until you know that the other one is asleep.
If you are going to build a strong family that overcomes the challenges of life, then you must develop a consistent life.
Develop a plan; work the plan. That’s what Joshua did, but there is one thing that we need to make note of. You may have missed this.
Joshua 6:3-4
3March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark.
Last week we learned that the Ark of the Covenant represents the presence of God. What we see here is that God was in the middle of the battle plan. Remember that the Ark contained the Ten Commandments, the golden pot of manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded. The lid of the Ark was the golden Mercy Seat where the high priest would offer a sacrifice in the Holy of Holies, once a year, on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16).
The ark was not just another piece of religious furniture, like a table or a lampstand. The ark represented the very presence of God with his people. Putting the ark out front was like God saying, “God, I want you to lead this parade.”
I want you to be in charge.
Assess the situation, Develop a plan; Be consistent and follow through and finally…allow God to be God.
4. Allow God to be God
One person and God will make up a majority. When the Children of Israel put God first in this challenge, the battle was won. At that point, spears and armor did not matter.
Joshua 6:20-21
20 When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city. 21 They devoted the city to the LORD…
It’s God who made all the difference at Jericho. Those high walls were no match for the Almighty. The people of Jericho did not know it, but they were defeated before the walls ever fell. They lost the battle when God got involved.
1) God said he was going to give them the city.
This is what God said to Joshua before he gave him the plan: “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men” (Joshua 6:2). Note the past tense: “I have delivered.” Not “I will deliver.” God speaks of Jericho as having already been defeated. That’s a key point. God is saying, “It’s a done deal. Those walls are coming down. It’s just a matter of time.” Now that shouldn’t surprise anyone who believes in God. He can do things like that. He speaks and it is done.
In a real sense, the battle was over before it was started. God promised to deliver the city, and in due course he made good on his promise.
In the same way, God has victory in store for you.
When you make a decision to become a Christ follower, God opens the door to a new land of freedom for you. However, you need to realize that being a Christian is not easy. There are enemies that you have to face, but the good news is that Jesus has already won the battle.
Did you know that the name Joshua means “God saves” in Hebrew. In Greek it was shortened to “Jesus” or “Savior”.
Hebrews 11:30
30By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
But how will we face and conquer impossible challenges of our lives? Where do we find the faith?
Hebrews 12:2
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
He starts it and he finishes it. He’s the Captain of our salvation. Just keep your eyes on him.
1.17.2010
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Dr. Marty Baker | Joshua 3:1-9 | January 17, 2010
Good morning and welcome to Stevens Creek Church. I want to say hello to those in our Grovetown campus. I am so proud of Stevens Creek Grovetown. During the Christmas holidays, you responded to the needs of your community with a heart of generosity. We are proud of what God is doing in and through you.
I would like to welcome those of you watching on television. Make it a point to visit The Creek either here on Stevens Creek Road in Augusta or at Grovetown High School. You will be glad you did.
Today, we are in the second week of our series, My Big Amazing Renovation Story. Patty and I love watching the television shows that feature home makeovers. They typically end with a “move-that-bus” type of reveal. At that point, the families go crazy. So many times they are either jumping up and down or some of them have tears streaming down their faces or they have a look of disbelief. They have seen it happen to others, but they never dreamed that it would happen to them.
This past summer many of you followed me through my garage makeover. I worked hard to clean out the clutter and get my garage back in order. If you were to go to my house today, you may think that I have fallen off the wagon. My car is out in the cold and the rain because the garage is filled with stuff. It’s good though. Stuart graduated and moved back to town so our garage is the transitional storage unit. In a few weeks, we will be back were we need to be.
Some of you have wandered into the auditorium today because you want to get back to where you need to be. You want a life-makeover. Your world is broken. You are guilt-ridden, lonely and filled with shame. You need a renovation of your heart. You need to be changed.
Today, I have good news. I believe that you can find help in the pages of the Bible. I want to help you take a step in the right direction. I want to see your life get better. So, let’s get started.
We are in the series, My Big Amazing Renovation. Every major renovation project begins with a decision. You make a decision that it’s time for things to change. You say, “I am not going to continue to live like I have been living. I want and I need to change.”
This series is based on the Old Testament book of Joshua. It’s there that we read the story of a group of people called the Children of Israel. At one point they were slaves in a foreign land and while there they cried out to God for help. They said, “God, we don’t want to continue living like we have been living. Please send us a deliverer that will set us free.”
God heard their prayer and called Moses to lead them to a new life and a new land. Moses led them to the edge of this new land and there he passed the baton to his assistant Joshua.
Now, Joshua had the responsibility to prepare the Children of Israel for their next step. He had to get them ready to receive what God had promised to give them.
Today, I want you to open your mind to the possibility that God can change your life. You have seen other people change but you are not convinced that it could happen to you. What’s it going to take? Will you listen to me today with an open mind and a receptive heart? Will you leave room for God to move in your life?
God wants you to have purpose, meaning, and contentment in your life. He has promised to give you a full life. I am here to help you receive what God has for you.
In today’s scripture passage, Joshua and the Children of Israel are almost where they need to be. They are on the edge of the Jordan River and their Promised Land is just in sight. That’s where some of you are. You are the verge. You are almost there. I want you to take you next step. Let’s pick up the story in Joshua 3.
Joshua 3:1-3
1 Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over.
2 After three days the officers went throughout the camp,
3 giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.
In verse three we are introduced to the Ark of the Covenant. Now many of you have probably heard of the Ark of the Covenant from the Harrison Ford Movie, Raiders of the Last Ark or possibly from shows like Olly Steed’s Solving History on the Discovery Channel.
The Bible tells us that this vessel that contained the Tablets of Stone on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed, along with Aaron's rod and manna. But that’s not all. This vessel contained more than just these artifacts; It housed the presence of the Lord.
As a result, unexplained miracles are associated with the Ark. The Ark of the Covenant was present when the waters of the Jordan River parted; it was present when the walls of Jericho fell. The Ark was treated with great respect and as it was transported by the priests, the people had to keep a 2000 cubit distance, which is about a half a mile.
Side note. The Ark of the Covenant was the vessel that housed the presence of the Lord…that’s was the Old Testament. In the New Testament, Jesus came and reconciled us back to God. Now, we are the Temple of God. The Spirit of God lives in us.
Joshua 3:3
3 … “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.
1. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone.
God is wants you to step out of your comfort zone and follow Him. You have been where you are long enough. It’s time to move. You feel unsettled. God is using this to prepare you to take your next step.
God speaks to us in many ways and one of the most common ways He speaks to me is through discomfort. I have a tendency to get comfortable and settled and once that happens I am less likely act.
A few nights ago, I was getting settled on the couch. Patty came in and said that The Creek Basketball team is playing and she wanted to watch them play. It was 8:00 PM. I appreciate the wonderful basketball talent of Stuart, Samuel, Todd, Adam, Craig and the rest of the guys, but I was comfortable on the couch. She went without me. When she got home, I was in the same place that I was when she left me.
Sometimes I am like that with God. He wants me to get off the couch and do something. I respond by saying something like this: “Leave me alone, I’m watching television. Get somebody else to do that. God, you know Kevin Lloyd over at the church needs something else to do…go talk to him.”
Then God knocks on the door again. I am a little un-nerved, then I become a little unsettled and wonder, “Why is he knocking so much?” I am uncomfortable with this. Typically, my discomfort increases until I am willing to move.
Some of you are in an uncomfortable place. Things have not been the way that you thought they should be. In fact, they are steadily getting worse. Could it be that God is speaking to you through the pain and discomfort that you are feeling? Could it be that God is trying to get you to move out of your comfort zone into a new land that He has prepared for you?
For forty years, the Children of Israel wandered in the wilderness. If they had surrendered to God completely, their forty year journey could have been accomplished in a matter of months. Now, we see them standing at the Jordan River without a bridge without a boat and the Promised Land is in site. But, they don’t know what to do?
Have you ever been there? You made the decision to move, but now what? Which way do you go? You have two options, one leads this way and the other road leads that way. How do you determine which way to go? How do you know God’s will for your life? You are sitting here wondering … Should I get married? And if I should, should I marry Sally or Jane or Susie or Bill or Joe or Bob?
Should I go to college? And if I should, should I go to ASU, Lee, Georgia, Carolina or Clemson? You’re thinking, “I've been offered a new job. It's a good job. But I've got a good job. Should I take the new job? Or should I hold onto what I have?”
We've got four children. We're thinking about having a fifth. Should we have another one? Is God calling me to the mission field? How can I be sure?
Chances are that many of us here today are facing some huge, potentially life altering decisions in the coming weeks -- decisions about college or graduate school, decisions about relationships or finances.
When standing at the crossroads, where do you go for input to help you make a wise decision? Ask God for wisdom and direction. Allow Him to lead you and guide you. Be willing to go where He prompts you to go. Joshua said,
Joshua 3:3-4
3 … “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.
4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it.”
This is where faith kicks in. This is where they had to trust that God was going to be with them through it all. I love that phrase in this verse …then you will know … since you have never been here before.”
Many of you have taken time this month to map out your year. You have your goals, your dreams, and your plans. You need to realize that God may have another plan for you.
Isaiah 55:8-9
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Are you willing for God to re-arrange your plans so that you can be in the center of His will? God wants to lead you. He wants to guide you, but you must be willing to surrender to His plan for your life?
Sometimes I miss the promptings of God, not because I am unwilling, but because I unable to hear His voice. God’s voice is crowded out by all of the other things that I have allowed in my life. When this happens, I need to renovate my schedule so that I can set aside time to focus on the Lord.
When Joshua was standing at the Jordan River looking over into the Promised Land, he knew that it was going to take a move of God to get these people from where they were to where they needed to be.
How do you prepare yourselves for a move of God? Look at what Joshua did.
Joshua 3:5
5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”
They needed a miracle to cross the Jordan River and begin the process of possessing the land. Joshua knew that their only hope was God. They could not do what they were called to do on their own. They needed His power. They did not need anything hindering them…from without or within. Joshua knew that before they faced the enemies in the land they had to deal with the enemy within. Joshua called them to get spiritually prepared. So for three days, the people consecrated themselves.
The word, consecrate, means to dedicate for a specific purpose, to purify, to sanctify, to set-apart. The people went through several steps to get the junk out of their lives.
We all want God to do miracles in our lives. We want God to move in us, but are we willing to remove barriers in our lives that keep God from doing what He wants to do? Here’s the point. We need to …
2. Consciously remove the barriers that keep you from being the person that you were created to be.
What is that one thing that is keeping you from being the person that God wants you to be? What is that activity that is more important to you than your relationship with God?
It’s time to come clean. Get the junk out. Remove the barriers that are keeping you from living your best life.
What are some of the barriers?
a. Un-confessed Sin.
When we willfully continue to live out of bounds, live in sin, then our actions become a barrier that keeps God at a distance. We need to sanctify our lives. We need to make decisions that honor the Lord.
b. Bad Habits
There are some things that we do that may or may not be out of bounds, but these activities become barriers to God’s best for us. This repeated behavior becomes more important to us than anything else. This is very dangerous. I am going to let you and the Lord fill in the blank.
What activity captivates your attention to the point that it is an unhealthy obsession?
c. Crowded Calendar
One barrier that keeps me from experiencing God’s best is a crowded calendar. If I am not careful, I will schedule a lot of good things and before I know it, these good things crowd out my time with God. This happens to all of us at times, but when we fail to correct it, then it becomes a barrier.
Joshua set aside time for the Children of Israel to reconnect with God. He knew that they needed to spend an extended period of time to get spiritually prepared for their next step.
This month we are doing the same thing. Last Sunday, I asked that you to commit to reading the Bible through this year. We pointed you to our website: www.stevenscreekchurch.com where you will find information on a reading plan. We want to do this together. We want to read and pray.
Speaking of prayer, last Sunday, I challenged you to join me in 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. We do this twice a year…January and August. This is our time to connect with God. I want you to pray new prayers. We are going to join together in faith.
This past week, Matthew 18:19 was in our One Year Bible reading. Listen to the words of this verse:
Matthew 18:19-20
19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Let’s agree together in prayer. One person praying is powerful but this verse tells us that when we join with others our prayers are intensified.
Over the last several years, we have joined together as a church family in pray. To help remind us to keep praying, we have encouraged you to write the names of your friends and family members that need God on these glass walls. The names have been cleared because we are here to pray new prayers for the New Year. We may be praying for the same person, but we are praying new prayers.
To those of you in our Grovetown campus, there is a prayer box on the stage that you can place written needs in. Most of us consider prayer as a means of talking to God, but that’s only one part of it. The second part is listening. We join in prayer to listen to the words that the Lord has for us.
In verse six, we see that Joshua spoke to the Priests, then in verse nine, he turned his attention to the people. Look at what he said.
Joshua 3:9
9 Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.
3. Listen closely to the words of the Lord. Be attentive to what He has to say.
Today, hear his voice. He is speaking to you. He is calling you to open your life to Him. It’s time to make Jesus the Lord of your life. It’s time to surrender to him; it’s time to submit. Submission is simply and invitation for someone to lead. I want you to submit your life to Jesus Christ.
Some of you are wrestling with God now. You are trying to figure out if you are ready to make this move. You are holding to what you consider a good life when God has something better for you.
There are others here that have already made a decision to follow Jesus, but you made it with your mouth and not your heart. Today is your day to go “all in”. Give your life completely to Him; not half-heartedly, but completely follow him.
It’s time to empty yourself so that you can be filled a new.
Good morning and welcome to Stevens Creek Church. I want to say hello to those in our Grovetown campus. I am so proud of Stevens Creek Grovetown. During the Christmas holidays, you responded to the needs of your community with a heart of generosity. We are proud of what God is doing in and through you.
I would like to welcome those of you watching on television. Make it a point to visit The Creek either here on Stevens Creek Road in Augusta or at Grovetown High School. You will be glad you did.
Today, we are in the second week of our series, My Big Amazing Renovation Story. Patty and I love watching the television shows that feature home makeovers. They typically end with a “move-that-bus” type of reveal. At that point, the families go crazy. So many times they are either jumping up and down or some of them have tears streaming down their faces or they have a look of disbelief. They have seen it happen to others, but they never dreamed that it would happen to them.
This past summer many of you followed me through my garage makeover. I worked hard to clean out the clutter and get my garage back in order. If you were to go to my house today, you may think that I have fallen off the wagon. My car is out in the cold and the rain because the garage is filled with stuff. It’s good though. Stuart graduated and moved back to town so our garage is the transitional storage unit. In a few weeks, we will be back were we need to be.
Some of you have wandered into the auditorium today because you want to get back to where you need to be. You want a life-makeover. Your world is broken. You are guilt-ridden, lonely and filled with shame. You need a renovation of your heart. You need to be changed.
Today, I have good news. I believe that you can find help in the pages of the Bible. I want to help you take a step in the right direction. I want to see your life get better. So, let’s get started.
We are in the series, My Big Amazing Renovation. Every major renovation project begins with a decision. You make a decision that it’s time for things to change. You say, “I am not going to continue to live like I have been living. I want and I need to change.”
This series is based on the Old Testament book of Joshua. It’s there that we read the story of a group of people called the Children of Israel. At one point they were slaves in a foreign land and while there they cried out to God for help. They said, “God, we don’t want to continue living like we have been living. Please send us a deliverer that will set us free.”
God heard their prayer and called Moses to lead them to a new life and a new land. Moses led them to the edge of this new land and there he passed the baton to his assistant Joshua.
Now, Joshua had the responsibility to prepare the Children of Israel for their next step. He had to get them ready to receive what God had promised to give them.
Today, I want you to open your mind to the possibility that God can change your life. You have seen other people change but you are not convinced that it could happen to you. What’s it going to take? Will you listen to me today with an open mind and a receptive heart? Will you leave room for God to move in your life?
God wants you to have purpose, meaning, and contentment in your life. He has promised to give you a full life. I am here to help you receive what God has for you.
In today’s scripture passage, Joshua and the Children of Israel are almost where they need to be. They are on the edge of the Jordan River and their Promised Land is just in sight. That’s where some of you are. You are the verge. You are almost there. I want you to take you next step. Let’s pick up the story in Joshua 3.
Joshua 3:1-3
1 Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over.
2 After three days the officers went throughout the camp,
3 giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.
In verse three we are introduced to the Ark of the Covenant. Now many of you have probably heard of the Ark of the Covenant from the Harrison Ford Movie, Raiders of the Last Ark or possibly from shows like Olly Steed’s Solving History on the Discovery Channel.
The Bible tells us that this vessel that contained the Tablets of Stone on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed, along with Aaron's rod and manna. But that’s not all. This vessel contained more than just these artifacts; It housed the presence of the Lord.
As a result, unexplained miracles are associated with the Ark. The Ark of the Covenant was present when the waters of the Jordan River parted; it was present when the walls of Jericho fell. The Ark was treated with great respect and as it was transported by the priests, the people had to keep a 2000 cubit distance, which is about a half a mile.
Side note. The Ark of the Covenant was the vessel that housed the presence of the Lord…that’s was the Old Testament. In the New Testament, Jesus came and reconciled us back to God. Now, we are the Temple of God. The Spirit of God lives in us.
Joshua 3:3
3 … “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.
1. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone.
God is wants you to step out of your comfort zone and follow Him. You have been where you are long enough. It’s time to move. You feel unsettled. God is using this to prepare you to take your next step.
God speaks to us in many ways and one of the most common ways He speaks to me is through discomfort. I have a tendency to get comfortable and settled and once that happens I am less likely act.
A few nights ago, I was getting settled on the couch. Patty came in and said that The Creek Basketball team is playing and she wanted to watch them play. It was 8:00 PM. I appreciate the wonderful basketball talent of Stuart, Samuel, Todd, Adam, Craig and the rest of the guys, but I was comfortable on the couch. She went without me. When she got home, I was in the same place that I was when she left me.
Sometimes I am like that with God. He wants me to get off the couch and do something. I respond by saying something like this: “Leave me alone, I’m watching television. Get somebody else to do that. God, you know Kevin Lloyd over at the church needs something else to do…go talk to him.”
Then God knocks on the door again. I am a little un-nerved, then I become a little unsettled and wonder, “Why is he knocking so much?” I am uncomfortable with this. Typically, my discomfort increases until I am willing to move.
Some of you are in an uncomfortable place. Things have not been the way that you thought they should be. In fact, they are steadily getting worse. Could it be that God is speaking to you through the pain and discomfort that you are feeling? Could it be that God is trying to get you to move out of your comfort zone into a new land that He has prepared for you?
For forty years, the Children of Israel wandered in the wilderness. If they had surrendered to God completely, their forty year journey could have been accomplished in a matter of months. Now, we see them standing at the Jordan River without a bridge without a boat and the Promised Land is in site. But, they don’t know what to do?
Have you ever been there? You made the decision to move, but now what? Which way do you go? You have two options, one leads this way and the other road leads that way. How do you determine which way to go? How do you know God’s will for your life? You are sitting here wondering … Should I get married? And if I should, should I marry Sally or Jane or Susie or Bill or Joe or Bob?
Should I go to college? And if I should, should I go to ASU, Lee, Georgia, Carolina or Clemson? You’re thinking, “I've been offered a new job. It's a good job. But I've got a good job. Should I take the new job? Or should I hold onto what I have?”
We've got four children. We're thinking about having a fifth. Should we have another one? Is God calling me to the mission field? How can I be sure?
Chances are that many of us here today are facing some huge, potentially life altering decisions in the coming weeks -- decisions about college or graduate school, decisions about relationships or finances.
When standing at the crossroads, where do you go for input to help you make a wise decision? Ask God for wisdom and direction. Allow Him to lead you and guide you. Be willing to go where He prompts you to go. Joshua said,
Joshua 3:3-4
3 … “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.
4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it.”
This is where faith kicks in. This is where they had to trust that God was going to be with them through it all. I love that phrase in this verse …then you will know … since you have never been here before.”
Many of you have taken time this month to map out your year. You have your goals, your dreams, and your plans. You need to realize that God may have another plan for you.
Isaiah 55:8-9
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Are you willing for God to re-arrange your plans so that you can be in the center of His will? God wants to lead you. He wants to guide you, but you must be willing to surrender to His plan for your life?
Sometimes I miss the promptings of God, not because I am unwilling, but because I unable to hear His voice. God’s voice is crowded out by all of the other things that I have allowed in my life. When this happens, I need to renovate my schedule so that I can set aside time to focus on the Lord.
When Joshua was standing at the Jordan River looking over into the Promised Land, he knew that it was going to take a move of God to get these people from where they were to where they needed to be.
How do you prepare yourselves for a move of God? Look at what Joshua did.
Joshua 3:5
5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”
They needed a miracle to cross the Jordan River and begin the process of possessing the land. Joshua knew that their only hope was God. They could not do what they were called to do on their own. They needed His power. They did not need anything hindering them…from without or within. Joshua knew that before they faced the enemies in the land they had to deal with the enemy within. Joshua called them to get spiritually prepared. So for three days, the people consecrated themselves.
The word, consecrate, means to dedicate for a specific purpose, to purify, to sanctify, to set-apart. The people went through several steps to get the junk out of their lives.
We all want God to do miracles in our lives. We want God to move in us, but are we willing to remove barriers in our lives that keep God from doing what He wants to do? Here’s the point. We need to …
2. Consciously remove the barriers that keep you from being the person that you were created to be.
What is that one thing that is keeping you from being the person that God wants you to be? What is that activity that is more important to you than your relationship with God?
It’s time to come clean. Get the junk out. Remove the barriers that are keeping you from living your best life.
What are some of the barriers?
a. Un-confessed Sin.
When we willfully continue to live out of bounds, live in sin, then our actions become a barrier that keeps God at a distance. We need to sanctify our lives. We need to make decisions that honor the Lord.
b. Bad Habits
There are some things that we do that may or may not be out of bounds, but these activities become barriers to God’s best for us. This repeated behavior becomes more important to us than anything else. This is very dangerous. I am going to let you and the Lord fill in the blank.
What activity captivates your attention to the point that it is an unhealthy obsession?
c. Crowded Calendar
One barrier that keeps me from experiencing God’s best is a crowded calendar. If I am not careful, I will schedule a lot of good things and before I know it, these good things crowd out my time with God. This happens to all of us at times, but when we fail to correct it, then it becomes a barrier.
Joshua set aside time for the Children of Israel to reconnect with God. He knew that they needed to spend an extended period of time to get spiritually prepared for their next step.
This month we are doing the same thing. Last Sunday, I asked that you to commit to reading the Bible through this year. We pointed you to our website: www.stevenscreekchurch.com where you will find information on a reading plan. We want to do this together. We want to read and pray.
Speaking of prayer, last Sunday, I challenged you to join me in 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. We do this twice a year…January and August. This is our time to connect with God. I want you to pray new prayers. We are going to join together in faith.
This past week, Matthew 18:19 was in our One Year Bible reading. Listen to the words of this verse:
Matthew 18:19-20
19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Let’s agree together in prayer. One person praying is powerful but this verse tells us that when we join with others our prayers are intensified.
Over the last several years, we have joined together as a church family in pray. To help remind us to keep praying, we have encouraged you to write the names of your friends and family members that need God on these glass walls. The names have been cleared because we are here to pray new prayers for the New Year. We may be praying for the same person, but we are praying new prayers.
To those of you in our Grovetown campus, there is a prayer box on the stage that you can place written needs in. Most of us consider prayer as a means of talking to God, but that’s only one part of it. The second part is listening. We join in prayer to listen to the words that the Lord has for us.
In verse six, we see that Joshua spoke to the Priests, then in verse nine, he turned his attention to the people. Look at what he said.
Joshua 3:9
9 Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.
3. Listen closely to the words of the Lord. Be attentive to what He has to say.
Today, hear his voice. He is speaking to you. He is calling you to open your life to Him. It’s time to make Jesus the Lord of your life. It’s time to surrender to him; it’s time to submit. Submission is simply and invitation for someone to lead. I want you to submit your life to Jesus Christ.
Some of you are wrestling with God now. You are trying to figure out if you are ready to make this move. You are holding to what you consider a good life when God has something better for you.
There are others here that have already made a decision to follow Jesus, but you made it with your mouth and not your heart. Today is your day to go “all in”. Give your life completely to Him; not half-heartedly, but completely follow him.
It’s time to empty yourself so that you can be filled a new.
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