Cast into the Fire

Cast into the Fire

Subject – Overcoming Fear of What is Coming

by Rick Welborne

–Tonight I want to talk to you about what it means to be thrown into the fire and what our God can do!

Isaiah 43:1‑2 (NIV) 

1 But now, this is what the LORD says‑‑ he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  

–I want to share with you that now is not the time to fear what is coming but to understand our God can take you thru the waters or deliver you out of the fire.

–I personally believe we are entering a time of Daniel where everything we hold dear to us is going to be challenged but understand our God holds us in His hand and He will glorify His Name in the midst of great tribulation and persecution.

--Nebuchadnezzar has set up a golden image and says everyone has to bow when the call is put out to the people.  Three Hebrew young men decided not to bow. Faithful to God.

Daniel 3:13‑15 (NIV) 

13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 

14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 

15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?" 

1. If you are unwilling to conform to this world and its images the fire is waiting for you.

–Do not think that you are going to be given rite of passage thru the doors without a fight...Satan is furious because his time is short and we are storming his gates.

--Nebuchadnezzar was furious with rage...have you noticed how angry people get when they speak of the religious right...all we want to do is love God and love people.

2. If you attempt to stand against principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness get ready for the fire to be seven times hotter than usual.

Daniel 3:16‑19 (NIV) 

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 

17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 

18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." 

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual

–O King, there is no need for us to answer you.  Faith is alive in these boys. Our God is able to deliver from you and the fire.

–Faith says whether God delivers us or not we will not bow or compromise. This kind of faith causes the enemy to turn up the fire seven times.

3. If you attempt to stand against the principalities, powers, and rulers get ready for strong men to come against you. 

Daniel 3:20‑22 (NIV) 

20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 

21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 

22 The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 

–Not everyone will be thrilled that you are going against the flow - going after God! The strong Pharisees will lose control if the Holy Spirit takes over.

–They want to bind you up, shut you up, and throw you out. The fire will get them!

4. When you are cast into the fire because you have not conformed and because you have stood against ungodliness & idolatry, trust God in the fire!

Daniel 3:23 (NIV) 

23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. 

–These three fell down bound right in the middle of the fire. Humility & Trust. Humble yourself because you may be right where God wants you to be.

–You may not have chosen to be in the situation you are in... trust that God is there.

5.  If you are cast into the fire you may find yourself in a close encounter of the God kind. 

Daniel 3:24‑25 (NKJV) 

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "True, O king." 

25 "Look!" he answered, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." 

–Your unwillingness to compromise may have set you up with a visitation from God. What may have seemed like your destruction may prove to be your deliverance.

–Your trust will cause God to be glorified as others see Him deliver you.

6. If you are cast into the fire and you come out without even the smell of smoke what a great testimony you will have...

Daniel 3:26‑29 (NIV) 

26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 

27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. 

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 

–People will acknowledge that we are servants of the Most High God. People will be amazed at your deliverance and gather to see living testimonies. 

–People will see your sincerity and dedication and give God the glory. 

7. If you are cast into the fire and come out victorious you will see God glorified and His Kingdom expanded!  

Daniel 3:29‑30 (NIV) 

29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way." 

30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon. 

–God’s Name is exalted above all other names (authority). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were promoted in the Kingdom.

–Do not fear the fire because our God is a consuming fire.  He wants to baptize us in the Holy Ghost and fire.

–When this happens (like the day of Pentecost) many will be saved into the Kingdom. Jesus says, Behold I stand at the door...even in the middle of the fire!

Boundaries – 6

Boundaries – 6

Subject – Laws of Boundaries

Rick Welborne

Galatians 6:1-8 (NKJV)
¹  Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
²  Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
³  For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
⁴  But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
⁵  For each one shall bear his own load.
⁶  Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
⁷  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
⁸  For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 

--Last week we talked about the first law of boundaries and today we will look at more of those laws. Last week we looked at this law:

The Law of Sowing and Reaping

Galatians 6:5 (NKJV)
⁵  For each one shall bear his own load. 

Cloud and Townsend – Rescuing a person from the natural consequences of his behavior enables him to continue in irresponsible behavior. The Law of Sowing and Reaping has not been repealed. It is still operating. But the doer is not suffering the consequences; someone else is. 

--Today let’s look at as many of these laws as we can:

1. The Law of Responsibility

 --The law of responsibility always includes loving others. The commandment to love is the entire law for Christians. 

Galatians 5:13-14 (NKJV)
¹³  For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
¹⁴  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

--Anytime you are not loving others, you are not taking full responsibility for yourself, you have disowned your own heart. 

--Problems arise when boundaries of responsibility are confused, we are to love one another, not try to be one another. I can’t feel your feelings for you, I can’t think for you. I can’t behave for you.

--I can’t work through the disappointment that limits bring for you. In short, I can’t grow for you; only you can. Likewise, you can’t grow for me. We are mandated by scriptures to take personal responsibility.

Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)
¹²  Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
¹³  for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. 

--Don’t miss this…you are responsible for yourself. I am responsible for myself. 

--Not only are we to take personal responsibility, another theme in the Bible is to treat others the way you want to be treated. When you are down, helpless, and without hope you would want someone to intervene. 

--This is being responsible “to”. Another aspect of being responsible “to” is not only in the helping of others but also in the setting of limits on another’s destructive and irresponsible behavior. 

--Again, it is not good to rescue someone from the consequences of their sin. You will just have to do it again. You have just reinforced the pattern. Man driving drunk to his court date. 

Proverbs 19:18-19 (NIV)
¹⁸  Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.
¹⁹  A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. 

--It is the same principle spoken of in raising a child; it is hurtful to not have limits with him or her. It leads them to destruction. 

Proverbs 23:13-14 (NIV)
¹³  Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
¹⁴  Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. 

--Because there is no taking of personal responsibility and because we have bought into this non-biblical idea of no disciple…kids run wild and we wonder why.

Proverbs 29:17-18 (NLT2)
¹⁷  Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad.
¹⁸  When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. 

2. The Law of Power

--As churches adopt Twelve Step Programs, people in therapy and recovery voice a common confusion…Am I powerless over my behavior? If I am, how can I become responsible? What do I have the power to do?

--The Bible and Twelve Step programs teach us that people must admit that they have failed morally. Alcoholics admit that they are powerless over alcohol. No self-control. The Apostle Paul:

Romans 7:15, 18-19, 23 (NLT2)
¹⁵  I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.
¹⁸  And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.
¹⁹  I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.
²³  But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 

--Unless you have been there and done that, it is hard to understand how powerless you feel. When a doctor looks into your bloodshot eyes and says either quit or die, and you think, I am going to die. Powerless.

--The Word says that all of us are pretty much in that place:

1 John 1:8 (NKJV) ⁸  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

--Even though you do not have the power in and of yourself to overcome these addictions, you do have the power to do some things that can lead you to freedom.

A. You have the power to agree with the truth about your problem. 

--The Bible calls this confession. To confess means you agree with. This is a beginning place for people to be set free. They must be able to admit they have a serious problem.

B. You have the power to submit your inability to God.

--You have the power to humble yourself and to ask for help. You may not be able to make yourself well but you can call the doctor. If we confess, believe, and ask for help God will do what you cannot do. 

1 John 1:9 (NKJV)
⁹  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

C. You have the power to seek and ask God, and even others, for revelation about what your boundaries should be. 

Matthew 7:7-8 (NKJV)
⁷  "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
⁸  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

D. You have the power to turn from the evil that you find within you. 

--This is called repentance. This is turning from your sin and turning to God. This doesn’t mean you will be perfect but it shows you really want to change and set new boundaries.

E. You have the power to humble yourself and ask God and others to help you. 

--What beautiful things begin to happen in a person’s life when they humble themselves before God and people. 

--We all have wounds and scars from childhood and past relationships but humbling ourselves guarantees we are on the right path. God is just waiting on us to humbly approach His throne. 

F. You have the power to seek out those whom you may have injured and make amends. 

--Obviously this has to be done with great wisdom. If you were wild in your past it probably not a good idea to try to contact everyone you messed around with. But in the church:

Matthew 5:23-24 (NKJV)
²³  Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
²⁴  leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

--One of the greatest boundary prayers:

Serenity Prayer – God grant me the serenity to accept things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. 

Cloud and Townsend – God, clarify my boundaries! You can work on submitting yourself to the process and working with God to change you. You cannot change others. More people suffer from trying to change others than any other sickness. And it is impossible. 

--An amazing thing happens when you let go of others, you begin to get healthy. You need the wisdom to know what is you and what is not you. Pray for the wisdom to know the difference between what you have the power to change and what you do not. 

3. The Law of Respect

--We hear from people often who say…if I set boundaries or if I say no to them they will reject me. They get angry if I set limits. They will not talk to me if I tell them what boundaries are. 

--We are so afraid that others will not respect our boundaries. We focus so much on others that we lose clarity about ourselves. 

--Since I have been doing this series I have had a lady in our church (this situation proves she is a lady) come to me and share how she was dating a man who wanted to cross her boundaries as a Christian.

--Sadly many in the church are so much like the world that they do not have boundaries in this area but she said no to him. He said, if you say no I will have to go…she said go! Good for her, God has someone better. 

--One of our problems is that we have a tendency to judge other people’s boundaries. We think things like:

“How could that person not come to my meeting, my ministry, or my Tupperware party…whatever they were doing could not be more important than this. We are all sacrificing to be here.”

“How could you say no to me about loaning me money. You know I will pay it back.”

“With all I do for you, it seems like you could do this one little thing for me.”

--We judge other’s boundaries when we really do not know what they are. Maybe they have committed the night of your meeting to family or date night with their spouse. 

--Maybe one of their boundaries is not to loan money to people because money has a way of hurting family or friends. Maybe the favor you are asking for is just not possible at that time. Respect their boundaries. 

Cloud and Townsend – We need to respect the boundaries of others. We need to love the boundaries of others in order to command respect for our own. We need to treat their boundaries the way we want them to treat ours. If we love and respect people who tell us no, they will love and respect our no. Freedom begets freedom. 

Matthew 7:12 (NKJV)
¹²  Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. 

--If we are walking in the Spirit, we will give people the freedom to make their own choices. Sure, some people are lazy and some should be at your meeting, but allow God to be the judge not you. 

--It should not be that we ask, are they doing what I would do or what I want them to do but are they free to make their own choices. Never withdraw your love from others when they set boundaries. 

1 John 4:10-12 (NLT2)
¹⁰  This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
¹¹  Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.
¹²  No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. 

Boundaries – 5

Boundaries – 5

Subject – Laws of Boundaries

by Rick Welborne

Galatians 6:1-8 (NKJV)
¹  Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
²  Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
³  For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
⁴  But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
⁵  For each one shall bear his own load.
⁶  Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
⁷  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
⁸  For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 

--Last week we talked about the safe boundaries of being in covenant relationships in the body of Christ. We all need the safety of the church.

--Today we are going to look at the laws of boundaries and how important those laws are for us to obey them.

1. The Law of Sowing and Reaping

--We learned in school growing up the law that was called cause and effect. The Bible calls this law the law of sowing and reaping. You reap what you sow. 

--It is not God’s intention to punish us by this law but He is simply telling us how things are. If you smoke, there is a good chance you will get lung cancer and suffer a whole lot.

--If you overspend you will probably get lots of calls from creditors which may feel like harassment and you may have to do without lots of necessities.

--If you are a person who attempts to eat well, exercise regularly, and get enough rest…you will be generally healthier than the person who doesn’t. 

--People who do not do this can always point out the one example of someone who did all that and got really sick. My doctor introduced me to a new doctor…this is one of my really healthy patients. 

--People say they want to get in shape but their lifestyle does not indicate that they are serious about it. Crispy Crème Donuts and fried chicken are not a plan of getting in shape. Round is a shape!

--Here’s the problem…sometimes people do not reap what they have sown. Why? Someone else steps in and reaps the consequences for them. 

--If every time you overspend your parents send you money to bail you out, you will not be reaping what you have sown. 

--Your parents would be protecting you from the natural and biblical consequences of sowing and reaping. The law of sowing and reaping can be interrupted.

--You can interrupt the law of gravity by catching an item that falls off a table or counter top. One time in my dad’s shop I was looking for something and I was barefooted. What?

--Something fell, and because it was kind of dark, I did not see what it was. I made a split second decision to catch whatever it was with my foot. Bad decision. It was a paper knife. Ouch! Stuck in my big toe!

--Just like we can interrupt gravity by catching something, we can interrupt the law of sowing and reaping in our kids’ lives by bailing them out. We find ourselves rescuing irresponsible people.

Galatians 6:5 (NKJV)
⁵  For each one shall bear his own load. 

--Sadly, it is people with no boundaries who does the rescuing. 

Cloud and Townsend – Rescuing a person from the natural consequences of his behavior enables him to continue in irresponsible behavior. The Law of Sowing and Reaping has not been repealed. It is still operating. But the doer is not suffering the consequences; someone else is. 

--I have watched a retired couple on a fixed income re-finance their home that was paid off for $40,000 to bail out an irresponsible grandson who was going to jail.

--They interrupted the law of sowing and reaping to help someone who did not appreciate their help. How do you know they did not appreciate it? They went to jail anyway on other charges.

--Sadly they ended up in greater debt, struggled to pay their bills, could not bless the church or missions as much, and the brat did not learn his lesson.

--We call a person who continually rescues another person a codependent. The codependent suffers while the brat has it good. Remember…they are watering his grass while theirs is dying.

--Establishing boundaries helps codependent people stop interrupting the law of sowing and reaping in their loved one’s life. Boundaries force the person who is doing the sowing to also do the reaping. 

--Pastor, I have confronted the person. Confronting is not the same thing as allowing the law to kick in. He will only think you are nagging. Confronting him is not enough pain to make him change. 

Proverbs 9:8 (NIV)
⁸  Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. 

--Here’s the point…stop interrupting the law of sowing and reaping. Let God’s principles work and watch what He does in their lives. 

2. The Law of Responsibility

 --The law of responsibility always includes loving others. The commandment to love is the entire law for Christians. 

Galatians 5:13-14 (NKJV)
¹³  For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
¹⁴  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

--Anytime you are not loving others, you are not taking full responsibility for yourself, you have disowned your own heart. 

--Problems arise when boundaries of responsibility are confused, we are to love one another, not try to be one another. I can’t feel your feelings for you, I can’t think for you. I can’t behave for you.

--I can’t work through the disappointment that limits bring for you. In short, I can’t grow for you; only you can. Likewise, you can’t grow for me. We are mandated by scriptures to take personal responsibility.

Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)
¹²  Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
¹³  for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. 

--Don’t miss this…you are responsible for yourself. I am responsible for myself. 

--Not only are we to take personal responsibility, another theme in the Bible is to treat others the way you want to be treated. When you are down, helpless, and without hope you would want someone to intervene. 

--This is being responsible “to”. Another aspect of being responsible “to” is not only in the helping of others but also in the setting of limits on another’s destructive and irresponsible behavior. 

--Again, it is not good to rescue someone from the consequences of their sin. You will just have to do it again. You have just reinforced the pattern. Man driving drunk to his court date. 

Proverbs 19:18-19 (NIV)
¹⁸  Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.
¹⁹  A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. 

--It is the same principle spoken of in raising a child; it is hurtful to not have limits with him or her. It leads them to destruction. 

Proverbs 23:13-14 (NIV)
¹³  Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
¹⁴  Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. 

--Because there is no taking of personal responsibility and because we have bought into this non-biblical idea of no disciple…kids run wild and we wonder why.

Proverbs 29:17-18 (NLT2)
¹⁷  Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad.
¹⁸  When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. 

3. The Law of Power

--As churches adopt Twelve Step Programs, people in therapy and recovery voice a common confusion…Am I powerless over my behavior? If I am, how can I become responsible? What do I have the power to do?

--The Bible and Twelve Step programs teach us that people must admit that they have failed morally. Alcoholics admit that they are powerless over alcohol. No self-control. The Apostle Paul:

Romans 7:15, 18-19, 23 (NLT2)
¹⁵  I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.
¹⁸  And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.
¹⁹  I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.
²³  But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 

--Unless you have been there and done that, it is hard to understand how powerless you feel. When a doctor looks into your bloodshot eyes and says either quit or die, and you think, I am going to die. Powerless.

--The Word says that all of us are pretty much in that place:

1 John 1:8 (NKJV) ⁸  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

--Even though you do not have the power in and of yourself to overcome these addictions, you do have the power to do some things that can lead you to freedom.

A. You have the power to agree with the truth about your problem. 

--The Bible calls this confession. To confess means you agree with. This is a beginning place for people to be set free. They must be able to admit they have a serious problem.

B. You have the power to submit your inability to God.

--You have the power to humble yourself and to ask for help. You may not be able to make yourself well but you can call the doctor. If we confess, believe, and ask for help God will do what you cannot do. 

1 John 1:9 (NKJV)
⁹  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

C. You have the power to seek and ask God, and even others, for revelation about what your boundaries should be. 

Matthew 7:7-8 (NKJV)
⁷  "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
⁸  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

D. You have the power to turn from the evil that you find within you. 

--This is called repentance. This is turning from your sin and turning to God. This doesn’t mean you will be perfect but it shows you really want to change and set new boundaries.

E. You have the power to humble yourself and ask God and others to help you. 

--What beautiful things begin to happen in a person’s life when they humble themselves before God and people. 

--We all have wounds and scars from childhood and past relationships but humbling ourselves guarantees we are on the right path. God is just waiting on us to humbly approach His throne. 

F. You have the power to seek out those whom you may have injured and make amends. 

--Obviously this has to be done with great wisdom. If you were wild in your past it probably not a good idea to try to contact everyone you messed around with. But in the church:

Matthew 5:23-24 (NKJV)
²³  Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
²⁴  leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

--One of the greatest boundary prayers:

Serenity Prayer – God grant me the serenity to accept things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. 

Cloud and Townsend – God, clarify my boundaries! You can work on submitting yourself to the process and working with God to change you. You cannot change others. More people suffer from trying to change others than any other sickness. And it is impossible. 

--An amazing thing happens when you let go of others, you begin to get healthy. You need the wisdom to know what is you and what is not you. Pray for the wisdom to know the difference between what you have the power to change and what you do not. 

Faithful People – 4

Faithful People – 4

Subject – Faithful to the Cross

by Rick Welbore

1 Corinthians 1:17‑18 (NKJV) 

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. 

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 

–Tonight I want to talk to you about the wonderful sacrifice and the extra-ordinary power of the cross on which Jesus gave His life.

–Paul says something very interesting...this message of the cross is foolishness to the world but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Promise - Prize - Process

–Let me establish this from the very beginning:

1. Jesus went to the cross to save others not Himself!

Matthew 27:35‑43 (NKJV) 

35 Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: "They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots." 

36 Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. 

37 And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 

38 Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left. 

39 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads 

40 and saying, "You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross." 

41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, 

42 "He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. 

43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, 'I am the Son of God.' " 

–They put over His head...This is Jesus...the King of the Jews...Can I declare to you today that He is not only the King of the Jews but He is the King of kings & the Lord of lords...of all of us. 

–The chief priest, the scribes, and the elders said…If you are the Son of God come down from the cross..."He saved others; Himself He cannot save.”

–Let me state clearly to you today that He could have saved Himself if that had been His intention...He could have slipped thru the crowd like He had done so many times.

--He could have called 12 legions of angels to defend Him, and also all He had to do was speak the word...Are you Jesus...I am He...they all fell to the ground.

–The chief priest, the scribes, and the elders said, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save.” He could have saved Himself but He came not to save Himself but to save others -world.

2. Jesus went to the cross to reveal God’s secret wisdom!

1 Corinthians 2:1‑8 (NIV) 

1 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 

2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 

3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 

4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 

5 so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. 

6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 

7 No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 

8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 

–So many today have such superior wisdom because they have found a single truth in God’s Word and have made it the entirety of God’s Word...out of balance.

–Paul said let me sum up for you what I know...sum up for you my wisdom...For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. The cross!

–Paul did not come in pride and arrogance...he came in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. What a difference in what we get so much of today.

–Can I declare to you today God’s secret wisdom and His extra-ordinary sacrifice and power...It was in the cross...it was on the cross...It was Jesus crucified.

–Paul said that is enough...Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

–How authoritative was this tremendous sacrifice and extra-ordinary power...8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 

–If they had known the wonderful love through Jesus’ sacrifice and the forgiving power thru the cross they would not have nailed Him there.

–Jesus declared it on the cross...Too late boys...It is Finished it is done...I have paid the price for all those who will come to God!  Look at your neighbor...It is finished!

3. What we do with this incredible revelation of the un-selfish sacrifice and power found in the cross of Christ can change the world. 

Hebrews 12:1‑3 (NIV) 

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 

2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

–What do we do with this revelation?  We stop being entangled with this world, stop willful sinning (presuming on God’s grace), and let us run after Him with all our hearts! Let us be faithful people. 

–We fix our eyes on Jesus...why?  Who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

–Since thru the cross God has made a way of escape for us...let us take it!

Theodore the Studite (9^th Century) sermon -The Precious & Life giving Cross of Christ. He compares the tree that Jesus died on to the tree in the garden (Genesis).

Theodore - “How precious the gift of the cross, how splendid to contemplate!  In the cross there is no mingling of good and evil, as in the tree of paradise: it is wholly beautiful to behold and good to taste.  

–The fruit of this tree (the cross) is not death but life, not darkness but light.  

–This tree (the cross) does not cast us out of paradise, but opens the way for our return.”

–This was the tree on which Christ, like a king on a chariot, destroyed the devil, the lord of death, and freed the human race from His tyranny.  

–This was the tree (cross) upon which the Lord like a brave warrior wounded in hands, feet, and side, healed the wounds of sin that the evil serpent had inflicted on our nature.  

–A tree once caused our death, but now a tree brings life. Once deceived by a tree, we have now repelled the cunning serpent by a tree. What an astonishing transformation!  

–That death should become life, that decay should become immortality, that shame should become glory!  

–Well might the holy apostle exclaim: Far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  

–Though the rulers of this world did not see the significance of the cross God had been revealing it since the beginning.

1Cor. 2:8 (NIV)

8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 

Theodore points out the types and figures of the cross of Christ: “Was it not the wood of a tree that enabled Noah, at God’s command, to escape the destruction of the flood.  And surely the rod of Moses prefigured the cross when it changed water into blood, swallowed up false serpents of Pharaoh’s magicians, divided the sea at one stroke and then restored the waters to their normal course, drowning the enemy and saving God’s own people?  Aaron’s rod, which blossomed in one day in proof of his priesthood, was another figure of the cross, and did not Abraham foreshadow the cross when he bound his sound Isaac and placed him on the pile of wood?

1 Peter 1:18‑21 (NLT) 

18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. 

19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 

20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days. 

21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. 

–God knew from the beginning that He would give His Son Jesus on the cross for us.  This is extra-ordinary sacrifice personified.

4. How do I identify with Christ’s extra-ordinary sacrifice and the power of the cross?

Galatians 2:20 (NKJV) 

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 

–Before I received Christ and surrendered my life to Him...I believed in Him, I believed He died and rose again but I could not make the connection of how that could help me.

–I knew I was lost...that was obvious...I was convinced I could not live for God so why even try.

–This verse changed my life:

–I have been crucified with Christ...I died to myself and my plans.

–It is no longer I who live...Rick could not live the life.

–Christ lives in me...No longer me but Christ in me.

–The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 

Colossians 1:27 (NIV) 

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

–The glorious sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and the extra-ordinary power of the cross has introduced to me (Christ in me, the hope of glory!)

--Truly think about yourself and what little hope you have of obtaining any kind of glory in this life. If you did get it, it would only be for a short time.

--But think of the wonderful cross of Jesus and think about receiving His wonderful salvation. When you do, you have Christ in you, the hope of glory for all eternity! Shout to the Lord!

--That is plenty enough reason to be faithful people! Amen!

Boundaries – 4

Boundaries – 4 

Subject – The Safe Boundaries of Covenant Relationship

by Rick Welborne

Matthew 19:4-6 (NLT) 

4  “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’ 

5  And he said, ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ 

6  Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”

--As we continue this series on boundaries I want to share with you today one of the safest places you can be is in the Church…the Body of Christ.

--We are not talking about just showing up and being here physically but what I am talking about is being in covenant relationship with each other. Covenant members class is going on now. 

--It is absolutely true that we are stronger when we are together spiritually, physically, and emotionally and bonded together by Holy Spirit.  

--I tell new folks all the time you need to be bonded to us by Holy Spirit if this is going to be your local church home…otherwise it will miserable for you and us.

--If you just leave another church because you were not happy there and you do not resolve your issues there…you will just be unhappy here.

--The last several years in the US the church growth has only been because of transfer growth…Here at Life Church we want people to be born again.

--Jesus said He would build His church and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it…sure sounds like a safe place to me.

--How wonderful is it to have a network of people who will stand with you and encourage you as you face your individual challenges.

--Now I understand many of you probably have been hurt in churches before and maybe some of you even question whether church membership is even necessary…we will try to address those concerns.

1. Jesus speaks of being in covenant relationship and how those boundaries protect you. 

--We are to cleave to one another in the church in covenant love just like a husband and wife cleave to each other in marriage…at least, the way God intended.

Matthew 19:4-6 (NLT) 

4  “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’ 

5  And he said, ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ 

6  Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”

--Notice where it says the words joined or joined together…there is a Greek verb “Kolloah” which means being joined together in covenant relationship between a husband and wife.

--What Jesus is indicating here is that this is such a strong relationship that God has put together in covenant and that no one should ever split them apart.

--If you were wondering what our stance on biblical marriage is…we still believe marriage is between one man and one woman for a life time.

--Jesus even says woe to the person who would ever split a marriage apart and break the covenant they have made…extremely dangerous ground for you. Stay with the one you have.

--We must understand that Jesus, right before He left this earth, so wanted us to love one another and for us to be in covenant together that He said this:

John 17:20-23 (NIV)
²⁰  "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
²¹  that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
²²  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:
²³  I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 

--All of these verses show again this concept of “Kolloah” and it is so important that God wants us to be bonded together in perfect unity…why? So the world will see.

--See what? That we are committed to each other in such covenant love that nothing can break that relationship …By this all men shall know that you are my disciples…love one another.

--Please know this…you will never understand all the people who are sitting around you right now…just look at them…you don’t have to…but you must love them and be in covenant.

--If you think you can get this many people together, that all think exactly the same thing, dress the same way, drive the same car, and be 100% in agreement you are kidding yourself.

--There is a spiritual place a church can get to where we love one another and we have each other’s back.  If someone tries to talk about you in a demeaning way…we will not allow it.

--You see, if they are talking about you, they are talking about me and if they are talking about me they are talking about you…people in covenant will not allow it.

--Stop talking about the person I am one with and the person I am in covenant with because I love them and we have joined together by Christ!  Stop it!

--We are coming into a time in our country where Christians are the plague of the land and we are hated for Christ’s sake…we are the target and there will be little tolerance. Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints

--How much more do we need to have each other’s backs so we can protect each other, encourage each other, and love each other.

--Listen, I am not just telling you to be in covenant with us (the staff) where we expect you to watch over us and be dedicated to us…it works both ways, Honey. We have your back!

--When we are in boundaries together…what safety we will find…the wolves can’t get in, and if they do, there will be a gang coming against them. Remember how water buffalo protect their young.

--Covenant people love each other, they protect each other, they help each other, and they don’t let someone who is spiritual (supposedly) come from the outside to do damage to our relationship.

--I had a pastor years ago tell me (as youth pastor) that I should set myself high on a pedestal and have all the youth to work hard at getting where I was…high and lifted up.

--I said…have you lost your cotton picking mind…we all are on the same ground, we all need the same Jesus, the same forgiveness, we all need help and mercy.

--The higher you go in the Kingdom of God just means that you have become a servant to more people…At Life Church we teach servant leadership…in that is great safety.

2. This being “joined together” can also be carried over into our business relationships.

--This Greek word “Kolloah” can be used in a contract with two business people having an agreement like with the prodigal son.

Luke 15:14-15 (NKJV)
¹⁴  But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.
¹⁵  Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

--Notice the prodigal son had joined himself…he had a commitment (covenant) to work for this man.

--I believe Christians should be the most responsible people on the planet when it comes to keeping business commitments or contracts…pay your bills and pay them on time. Keep your word.

--If you struggle paying your bills maybe you should try being faithful to God in tithes and offerings and then…get rid of cable, get a basic phone plan, stop eating out, drive what you can afford. 

--Those of you who feel called into ministry join yourself to a local church and be faithful. As you are faithful God will bless you and your pastor can recommend you.

--When you are wishy washy in your commitment with God and the church, don’t be surprised when you find yourself frustrated because doors are not being opened. No pastor wants instability with staff.

James 1:5-8 (NCV)
⁵  But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to all people, so he will give you wisdom.
⁶  But when you ask God, you must believe and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like a wave in the sea, blown up and down by the wind.
⁷  Such doubters are thinking two different things at the same time, and they cannot decide about anything they do. They should not think they will receive anything from the Lord.
⁸  For not let that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.

3. We can also be in Covenant relationship with the Lord…we must be “joined together” with Him.

1 Corinthians 6:17 (NKJV)
¹⁷  But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.

--When we are in “Kolloah” with the Lord we are in the safest place we can be in. Beautiful boundaries that truly provide relationship and protection. 

--Obviously this is the beginning place for all of us. Let me say here that it may be a local church with members who are joined together that will convince someone of their need for God.

4. This concept of “being joined together” also applies to being in covenant with the local church body.

--Paul who had previously been Saul had a major conversion on the road to Damascus and God turned him every which way but loose. He saw his need to be joined to the local church.

Acts 9:26 (NKJV)
²⁶  And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.

--Paul was not allowed to join the fellowship until he had a reference from Barnabus…we have been checking some of you out.

--Paul was accepted into the local fellowship there in Jerusalem and any time after this point Paul was referred to as being ‘with them’ which meant he was in covenant with them.

--When you come to Life Church, this is not a club that you just try out for a while…I am saying that if you want to be in covenant with us that it is serious. Safe boundaries but serious.

--When you stand before our church and you make a covenant with us it is just as serious as standing before a preacher getting married…maybe when se start honoring marriage again we can start honoring church membership.

--In nothing am I saying or trying to infer that Life Church is perfect…this pastor is obviously not perfect…if you find a perfect church…do not go to it because you will mess it up.

1 Corinthians 1:9-10 (NKJV)
⁹  God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
¹⁰  Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 

--I have no problem with you coming to me and saying that you are upset or bothered by something…but since we are in covenant we should be able to work it out.

--When my son Jeremy was dating Elizabeth I am so glad that they did not come to me and tell me…we love each other and we are committed but we do not want to make a covenant. Glad they got married. 

--Here’s the problem with so many in the church…they want to date the church but they do not want to marry the church. They want to date Jesus but not be in covenant with Him.

--They want to flirt with the body of Christ but not become a perfectly joined and committed member. If I date the church, if another church comes along that is prettier, the latest greatest, then I can easily walk away. 

--But when I am in these boundaries of the covenant and I am committed to you and you to me, we will stay faithful no matter what others do…no matter the season. I am committed to this church. 

--When I decide to make a commitment to the church I am making a commitment to Christ because this is His body. I am here in the good and the bad, for better or for worse, rich or poor…I am all in!

--When you are joined to us in covenant relationship, you are in the safe boundaries of the church…the body of Christ