Looking For Jesus
 
Pastor Cliff Bowman
December 19, 2010

Conrad

Not everyone meets Jesus at Christmas.

People who missed Jesus the first Christmas:

1.   The ________________

Luke 2:6-7 (NIV)
⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

People miss meeting Jesus because they’re too ___________ with their own priorites.

Are you too busy to see Jesus?

2.   The religious ____________ of Israel.

Matthew 2:1-6

Jesus didn’t fit into the theological (and personal) box they had put around the Messiah and God.

Have you put Jesus in a box in your mind?

People who met Jesus the first Christmas:

1.   The ______________________

Luke 2:8-20

·      Their hearts were open (no boxes).

·      Meeting Jesus was their priority.

2.   The ______________

Matthew 2:9-11

·    They went out of their way find Jesus!

How can I find Jesus this Christmas?

1.   ___________ _____ Him.

Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT)
 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

He has reached out to us:

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

 We need to respond:

Revelation 3:20 (NIV)
 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

2.   Remember that He is here in the __________ _________ ____.

Matthew 25:31-40

Someone around me that Jesus wants me to see Him in and love:  ____________________________

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Blue Christmas
 
Pastor Cliff Bowman
December 12, 2010

James 1:2-8

The Two Sides Of Christmas

James 1:2

Most appropriate response to troubles this Christmas: Rejoice

Why?

James 1:3-4

Rejoice because your troubles have meaning, they can serve a purpose.

Fact: There is no such thing as meaningless useless trouble for the Christian.

What purpose?  God wants to “perfecting” us.

(v.5) “…that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  

Two ideas here:

1.     God wants to refine us.

2.     God wants to strengthen us.

If He loves us, why doesn’t He do it another way?

There isn’t any other way.

Mother Theresa -

“You will never really know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.”

What should we do in our trouble?

James 1:5

Wisdom:  Seeing things from God’s point of view.

Ask the Lord to enable you to see your situation from His point of view and to act appropriately.

Serenity Prayer:

“Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things  I cannot change,
     courage to change the things I can,
       and wisdom to know the difference.”

Possible immediate results:

1.     Clear sense of direction – so do it.

2.     Unclear, no hurry, so wait on the Lord.

3.   Unclear, but must act now, so step forward with what seems best
and ask God to correct you if you’re wrong.

Warning:  James 1:6-8

James isn’t talking about emotions here, he’s talking about our will.

Make a whole-hearted choice to live for Jesus, to trust and obey Him.

Prescription for people having a Blue Christmas

1.     Totally give yourself (and your Christmas) to Jesus.

2.     Ask God for wisdom to see things the way He does and respond the way He wants you to.

3.     Rejoice and thank God for what He’s going to do in your life.

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God's Dwelling Places
 
Pastor Elvin Miranda, Jr.
December 5, 2010

The Lord has revealed himself in three ways throughout history:

1.   In creation

2.   In special revelation; Adam, Moses, David, Paul

3.   In the Holy Bible

The Lord, since the beginning of time has dwelled with man, his creation in several dwellings:

1.    The pillar of the cloud

2.    The pillar fire

3.    The Tabernacle

4.    The Temple

5.    The body of Jesus Christ

6.    The Holy Spirit

Since the Lord now dwells within all Christians, What is your worship like?

The Lord Jesus Christ told the Samaritan woman and tells us in

John 4:24
A time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth!

So in the light of God's spoken word to us, what can we do to worship God in spirit and in truth? I see four areas of application we must incorporate into our own lives:

Point # 1: We must possess the full revelation of_______________

The Samaritans could not worship in truth because their scriptures didn't have the full revelation of God, so their worship was not in truth.
The Jews had the full revelation of God through Jesus, but they rejected the truth, so their worship was meaningless

Point # 2: Our worship must originate _______________

Our worship of God can't originate outwardly, because our worship must not be in line with external conformity to religious rituals and outward places.

Remember, the pillar of fire and clouds are gone, the Tabernacle is gone, the Temple is gone, Jesus is at the right hand of the Father. Our worship can't be about a place, a mountain or anything else but worshipping the Lord in spirit and in truth,

Point # 3: We must worship God consistent with his _______________   _______________

Romans 12:1:
 urge you in light of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual act of worship.

We are not dead animals!

We are not lifeless beings!

We are not decomposing carcasses!

John 14:21
Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me

Let's not mix up two words: can't and won't

We can't worship God in our own power-impossible

We at times willfully won't worship or obey him-dangerous

Point # 4: We must nurture our relationship with _______________

Revelation 3:20
Here I am, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me

In context, this verse applies to Christians, not to non-believers. So it's possible to have a superficial relationship with Jesus. Let's not fool ourselves! Let Jesus have total access to every compartment of our lives.

Are there any rooms in your spiritual home, Christ's home that need an early spring cleaning? Are we hiding evil and sin in one of those rooms?

It's time to assess the condition of every room and ask the Lord to help us see the trash, garbage, evil and sin that needs to be removed

Sometimes the grass we are standing on is brown, dry and dead because we are not taking care of it. Often the grass looks greener and more nurtured because we are putting more time on someone else's grass!

What actions cause our relationship with God to flourish, so we may worship him in spirit and in truth, so we may clean up those rooms, called "My heart Christ's Home"?

1.      Water it: Soak up God's Word

Joshua 1:8
Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it, then you will be prosperous and successful!

1.      Fertilize it: Feed the relationship with purity

John 3:2
But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we will see him as he is, because everyone who has this hope purifies himself, just as he is pure!

1.      Care for it: Prune and trim out sin and evil as needed

Timothy 2:2
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart!

1.      Spend the time: Use your time wisely for God there are no shortcuts

I Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God, if anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised!

Do you want the grass you are on with Jesus Christ to be greener, fuller and nurtured? We must:

3.    Water the grass: Soak up God's Word

3.    Fertilize the grass: Feed it with purity of heart

3.    Care for the grass: Prune and trim out the sin and evil

3.    Spend time on your own grass: Use our time wisely, there are no short-cuts

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Forgiving Yourself
 
Pastor Cliff Bowman
November 28, 2010

1 John 3:19-20 (NIV) 
    This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence [20] whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

Five Steps Toward Forgiving and Accepting Yourself:

1.         Face up to your guilt and anger.

Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT) 
        Search me, O God, and know my heart;
            test me and know my thoughts.
        [24] Point out anything in me that offends you,
            and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

1 John 1:9 (NLT) 
    But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.

2.     Acknowledge Jesus’ payment on the cross.

Col. 2:13b-14 (NLT) 
    He forgave all our sins. [14] He canceled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ's cross.

Has Jesus paid for all your sin on the cross?  ___________

Does that include the wrongs you have a hard time forgiving yourself for? _______________

3.   Acknowledge God’s ownership of you. Thus you have no right to condemn yourself when God forgives.

Romans 14:7-8 (NLT) 
    For we are not our own masters when we live or when we die. [8] While we live, we live to please the Lord. And when we die, we go to be with the Lord. So in life and in death, we belong to the Lord.

1 Cor. 4:2-4 (NLT) 
    Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful. [3] What about me? Have I been faithful? Well, it matters very little what you or anyone else thinks. I don't even trust my own judgment on this point. [4] My conscience is clear, but that isn't what matters. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.

Since we don’t belong to ourselves, we have no right to condemn ourselves, to refuse to forgive ourselves, when God, our owner, has declared us forgiven.

1 John 1:9 (NLT) 
    But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.

4.     Choose to forgive yourself and accept yourself by faith.

Lord, because You have forgiven me and washed away my guilt, in the name of Jesus, I forgive myself for ___________ and I choose to accept myself as a forgiven child of God whose life is worthwhile.

What if I don’t feel very forgiving?

Forgiveness is not based on feelings, but on trust and obedience.

Why is it so important to accept myself?

Because Jesus does.  Because I have no right to reject anyone that he forgives and accepts, including myself.

But remember: forgiveness is not just a choice, it’s also a process.

5.     Do good.

2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV) 
    And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Why is doing good a step in forgiving ourselves?

This is not in order to be forgiven.

The only basis of forgiveness is the Jesus work on the cross.

The only solid basis for accepting ourselves is the fact that God does.

Two reasons doing good is a helpful step in forgiving and accepting ourselves:

1)      Because doing good helps us face forward rather than back.

Ephesians 2:10 (CEV) 
    God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That's why he sent Christ to make us what we are.

2)      Because ... doing God’s work helps us accept ourselves.

When I trust and obey and get involved in serving God, I experience a life that’s worthwhile.

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Forgiving In The Real World
 
Pastor Cliff Bowman
November 21, 2010

John 14:26 (NLT) 
    But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative—and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you.

Three Issues:

#1:  What if the person who wronged me hasn’t changed?

Am I still  supposed to forgive them?

Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT) 
    Then Peter came to him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?"
    [22] "No!" Jesus replied, "seventy times seven!

Does the Lord still want me to forgive them?    YES

What if that person who wronged me isn’t even sorry? What if they still have malice toward me?

Jesus response from the cross:

Luke 23:34a (NLT) 
    Jesus said, "Father, forgive these people, because they don't know what they are doing."

Why?

For Jesus sake:  In obedience to Him.

For our own sake.

“Jesus didn't teach us to love our enemies for their good. It is for our own good--to keep from becoming the enemy.”
                                                                     Anonymous

Does this mean I’m supposed to just open myself up to being stomped on again and again?

Answer:  NO

Proverbs 20:19 (MsgB) 
        Gossips can't keep secrets,
            so never confide in blabbermouths.

God to the prophet Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 12:6 (MsgB) 
        Those closest to you, your own brothers and cousins,
            are working against you.
        They're out to get you. They'll stop at nothing.
            Don't trust them, especially when they're smiling.

It’s foolish to trust someone who isn’t trustworthy.

Forgiveness means that we don’t condemn them anymore. It means the slate is wiped clean in terms of the debt of guilt. It means that the person now can earn our trust again. But it must be earned.

#2:  What about forgetting? People talk about “forgiving and forgetting”. Are we supposed to forget? How do you do it?

God doesn’t give us some kind of selective amnesia.

Psalm 79:8a (NASB) 
 Do not remember the iniquities of our forefathers against us;

Psalm 79:8 (NIV) 
    Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers;

The “forgetting” that God does and calls on us to do is to

 refuse to hold the wrong against the wrongdoer.

#3: Does this mean we have to be buddies?

On the one hand – No. Forgiveness & Love are not the same as building or rebuilding a close relationship.

On the other hand – It depends on three factors:

Factor #1:  The person in question.

God’s Word tells us to avoid close relationships with some kinds of people:

Proverbs 20:19 (NIV)
19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.

Proverbs 22:24 (NLT)
    Keep away from angry, short-tempered people,

1 Corinthians 5:9-11 (NLT)
    When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. [10] But I wasn't talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or who are greedy or are swindlers or idol worshipers. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. [11] What I meant was that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a Christian yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or a drunkard, or a swindler. Don't even eat with such people.

Factor #2:  Your relationship with the person.

God’s view of divorce:

Malachi 2:16 (MsgB) 
    "I hate divorce," says the God of Israel. God-of-the-Angel-Armies says, "I hate the violent dismembering of the 'one flesh' of marriage." So watch yourselves. Don't let your guard down. Don't cheat.

Even when necessary, divorce is like amputation

Don’t ever do it lightly!

Other relationships not to end lightly:  family, both by blood & in the Lord.

Colossians 3:12-13 (NIV) 
    Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Factor #3:  Allow the Lord to direct you.

We need more than principles. We need to listen to the Holy Spirit when choosing our response.

Isaiah 30:20-21 (MsgB) 
    Just as the Master kept you alive during the hard times, he'll keep your teacher alive and present among you. Your teacher will be right there, local and on the job, [21] urging you on whenever you wander left or right: "This is the right road. Walk down this road."

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Devotion
 
Brian Bowman
November 14, 2010

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Hard Truth - Tender Heart
 
Pastor Cliff Bowman
November 7, 2010

Hebrews 4:12-16

Is God

a)    an uncompromising stickler for truth and justice who calls us to account for our attitudes and actions?

OR

b)    a loving and merciful God who forgives us and encourages us?

Answer: BOTH

Hebrews 4:12-13 (NLT) 
    For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. [13] Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done.

1)     The Lord sees it all.

2)     He holds us accountable.

Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV) 
    Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. [16] Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

3)     The Lord is someone who sympathizes with our weakness.

4)     The Lord is merciful.

Romans 8:33-34 (NLT) 
    Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? Will God? No! He is the one who has given us right standing with himself. [34] Who then will condemn us? Will Christ Jesus? No, for he is the one who died for us and was raised to life for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us.

What about us?

Many Christians tend to lean one way or the other.

“Prophets” have a passion for the truth, a zeal for holiness.

­­­­“Mercy Givers” have a compassionate heart for hurting people.

Are we called

a)     to stand for the truth and call people to repentance?

                           OR

b)     to comfort and encourage?

Answer: BOTH

Ephes. 4:15 (MsgB) 
    God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do.

To grow up in the Lord means to become like Christ, someone who stands for the hard truth with a tender heart.

To grow up in the Lord, both Prophet and Mercy-Giver need each other.

Galatians 6:1-2 (NLT) 
    Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. [2] Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Five Characteristics:

1.     The truth is held to uncompromisingly.

2.     People caught in a web of evil are confronted by people who are right with God.

3.     The goal is restoration.

4.     The attitude of the church is to be gentle and humble.

5.     We not only call the captive to change course, we sacrificially help them.

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How To Forgive
 
Pastor Cliff Bowman
October 31, 2010

Matthew 6:12 (NIV)
    Forgive us our debts,
        as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Matthew 6:14-15

Matthew 18:35

Four Steps to Forgiving

1.      Face your bitterness.

Two problems with denying bitterness:

1)    It’s still there.

2)  You can’t seek healing for what you don’t face.

1 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) 
    Stop fooling yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world's standards, you will have to become a fool so you can become wise by God's standards.

2.  Respond to God by choosing to forgive.

Ephesians 4:32 (NLT) 
    Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

For the Lord to forgive us:

Colossians 2:13b-14
 He forgave all our sins. [14] He canceled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ's cross.

3.  Begin the battle of the mind.

“…tenderhearted, forgiving one another…”

2 Cor. 10:4-5 (NIV) 
    The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. [5] We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Bitterness is a stronghold of the enemy in our mind.

Two other strongholds that often accompany bitterness:

1)  Self- righteousness

The truth: 

I’m a sinner who needs forgiveness too.

2)  Seeing my offender as the devil.

The truth:

The real enemy is Satan and his demons.

Ephes. 6:12 (NLT) 
    For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.

Jesus from the cross:

Luke 23:34a (NLT) 
    Jesus said, "Father, forgive these people, because they don't know what they are doing."

4.  Treat your offender with kindness.

Ephes. 4:32 (NLT) 
    Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

The Greek word for  “kindess” here means being kind to someone even though they don’t deserve it.

Luke 6:27-28 (NIV) 
    "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Objection:  Isn’t that being phony?

It isn’t fake to do what’s right even when we don’t feel like it.

Our feelings are not our moral compass, Jesus is.

Objection:  Isn’t it inappropriate to be kind to someone who wrongs you?

Romans 12:17-21 (NLT) 
    Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. [18] Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.
    [19] Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written,
        "I will take vengeance;
            I will repay those who deserve it,"
            says the Lord.
 [20] Instead, do what the Scriptures say:
        "If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
        If they are thirsty, give them something to drink,
  and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you."
 [21] Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.

To take vengeance is to be conquered by evil.

To act in kindess is to “conquer evil by doing good.”

It may lead to a positive change in our wrong-doer.

It will (guaranteed) lead to a positive is someone else:  us

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Forgiveness: Getting It, Giving It
 
Pastor Cliff Bowman
October 24, 2010

Matthew 6:12 (NIV) 
    Forgive us our debts,
        as we also have forgiven our debtors

The Problem:  Guilt

Matthew 18:23-25

When we sin,

     the Holy Spirit brings conviction

     the enemy brings condemnation.

Result:

Ezra 9:6b (NIV) 
  "O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens.

The Plea: 

Matthew 18:26

‘The servant: “Be patient with me, I will pay back everything”

Lord’s Prayer:  “Forgive us our debts”

Which do you choose as your plea?

Matthew 18:27

The Provision:

How can God justly forgive our debt? Answer:

Col. 2:14 (NLT) 
    He canceled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ's cross.

The Prerequisite

Matthew 6:12 (NIV) 
    Forgive us our debts,
        as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Matthew 18:28-35

How dare we do anything but for forgive those who wrong us?

Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV) 
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

What if I can’t forgive?

Philippians 4:13 (NLT) 
    For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.

Forgiveness starts with a choice

The choice to cancel the debt.

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Beyond The Call of Duty
 
Associate Pastor Elvin Miranda
October 17, 2010

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Where’s My Daily Bread?
 
Pastor Cliff Bowman
October 10, 2010

Matthew 6:11 (NIV)
 Give us today our daily bread.

What should we do when we pray for what we need (our daily bread) and no bread has yet come today?

Matthew 7:7-11

We can rule out the lie that God doesn’t care.

Matthew 7:9-11 (NIV)
⁹ "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Then why hasn’t he answered my prayer for what I need yet?

·         One possible reason:  unrepented sin in my life.

Psalm 66:18 (NIV)
 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;

He is our loving Father, not an enabler. He won’t treat us like we’re fine when we aren’t trusting and obeying Him.

1 John 1:9

·         Another possible reason:  spiritual warfare

Ex. – Mark 9:28-29

What should I do when I haven’t yet received my “daily bread”?

Jesus answer:

Matthew 7:7 (NASB)
 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Two things Jesus tells us to do:

1.      Keep asking, in other words, be persistent.

Matthew 7:7 (NLT)
 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

Luke 18:1-8 (NIV)
¹ Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. ² He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. ³ And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'
 ⁴ "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, ⁵ yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'"
 ⁶ And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. ⁷ And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? ⁸ I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

Don’t give up!

2.      Keep seeking.

“Seeking” in the Bible is often associated with action and effort on our part.

By all means pray! But it is often appropriate to take action too.

Ex.  Praying for a job.  But also look for it!

Matthew 7:8 (NLT)
For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

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Praying For What We Need
 
Pastor Cliff Bowman
October 3, 2010

Matthew 6:11 (NIV) 
    Give us today our daily bread.

Bread = Need

Daily we have needs, holes in our lives that need filling.

Three wrong responses to need:

1.   An attitude of self-sufficiency

A warning:  Deuteronomy 8:6-18

Deut. 8:18a (NIV) 
    But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth…

2.  Anxiety

Anxiety blocks us from solutions.

3. Ignore it

Proverbs 6:6-11

The right response to need: pray

    Give us today our daily bread.

Two things to remember when praying for our needs:

1.  Pray for your need, not your greed

Pray for what you need to live for God.

2.  We’re called to pray for our daily bread.

Exodus 16:2-4

There’s nothing wrong with praying for needs further ahead, but don’t be surprised if God doesn’t provide until it’s needed.

The Lord’s answers are never late, but seldom early.

Matthew 6:34 (NASB) 
    "Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Philip. 4:19 (NIV) 
    And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

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God’s Cruise Ship
 
Cameron Akrami
September 26, 2010

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Torn Between Two Lovers
 
Pastor Cliff Bowman
September 19, 2010

James 4:1-10

Symptom of a Deeper Problem

James 4:4 (NIV)
    You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

Marriage and our Relationship with God.

1.  They are both meant to be exclusive.

Wedding Vow:

“…and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him/her, so long as you both shall live…”

When we keep that vow we are called faithful.

Exclusive to God

2 Corinthians 11:2 (Living)
    I am anxious for you with the deep concern of God himself--anxious that your love should be for Christ alone, just as a pure maiden saves her love for one man only, for the one who will be her husband.

2 Corinthians 5:15 (NIV)
    And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Christ, alone, is to be at the center of our lives.

2.  Too many times there is a problem of unfaithfulness.

“Torn Between Two Lovers”

v.4   “…friendship with the world”

The world = “all [in the world] that is hostile, rebellious, and opposed to God.”
                                                                        Holman Bible Dictionary

Fact:  Many Christians have a tendency to flirt with the world.

3.  The reaction of those cheated on is often jealousy.

True lovers get jealous.

God gets jealous.

James 4:5 (MsgB) 
    And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "he's a fiercely jealous lover."

Exodus 34:14 (NIV)    
    Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Deut. 4:24 (NLT)    
    The Lord your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God.

God’s Call to Us:

James 4:6-10

How do we come back?

1.  Turn away from the world.

 [8b]  Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

2.  Turn back to God.

 [8a]  Come near to God and he will come near to you.

3.  Humble yourself before God.

 [9] Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. [10a]  Humble yourselves before the Lord

God’s Promise:

[10b], and he will lift you up.

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The First Three Rules Of Marriage
 
Pastor Cliff Bowman
September 12, 2010

Genesis 2:24 (NIV) 
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Rule #1:  LEAVE

“a man will leave his father and mother”

Our partner is to be our priority.

Three things that show our priorities:

Our time

Our attention

Our money

Rule #2:   BE UNITED

“and be united to his wife”

Two Meanings of Hebrew Word “dabaq”

Meaning #1: to hold tightly, refusing to let go

Meaning #2: to chase after.

“We aren’t just human beings, were human becomings!”
                                                                  - Tim Hansel

Rule #3: BECOME ONE FLESH

“and they will become one flesh.”

Meaning #1: Sexual Union

God considers sexual union between a husband and wife so important that He seeks to protect it.

Meaning #2: One-ness

1 Corinthians 6:16 (NIV) 
    Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh."

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Church In The Park
 
Pastor Cliff Bowman
September 5, 2010

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Chosen people Ministry
 
Olivier Melnick
August 29, 2010

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Youth Sunday
 
Jason Lefebvre & Youth
August 22, 2010

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God’s Word To Busy People
 
Pastor Cliff Bowman
August 15, 2010

Exodus 20:8-11

God say’s “Take a day off and get some rest.”

This is important. This is an order.

What is the Sabbath?

Sabbath = "Intermission, or time out for rest."

Why?

Mark 2:27 (NLT) 
    "The Sabbath was made to benefit people…

The Sabbath was made to prevent burn-out.

burn·out ( bûrn“out”) n. 3. a. Physical or emotional exhaustion, especially as a result of long-term stress.

When?

Colossians. 2:16-17 (NLT) 
    So don't let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new-moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. [17] For these rules were only shadows of the real thing, Christ himself.

Romans 14:5-6 (NLT) 
    In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. Each person should have a personal conviction about this matter. [6] Those who have a special day for worshiping the Lord are trying to honor him. Those who eat all kinds of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who won't eat everything also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God.

What’s important isn’t which day, but that there be a day, one day a week.

What does God want us to do on the Sabbath so that we get real rest?

“keep it holy”  holy means set apart, different.

Three ways to use the Sabbath:

1.     Use the day to rest your body.

Psalm 127:2 (Living) 
    It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, fearing you will starve to death; for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest.

2.     Use the day to recharge your emotions.

Two things that will help recharge your emotions:

(1)  Quiet.

Psalm 23:3b-4a (NIV)
“He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul.”

(2)  Fellowship.

Hebrews 10:25 (NIV) 
    Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

3. Use the day to refocus your spirit.

Psalm 95:6 (NIV) 
    Come, let us bow down in worship,
        let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;

Matthew 11:28-30 (MsgB) 
    "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. [29] Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. [30] Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

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Slip Slidin' Away
 
Pastor Cliff Bowman
August 8, 2010

Deuteronomy 8  

The Four Cs of Sliding Back

1.     Complacency

complacency  n. 1. A feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction, especially when coupled with an unawareness of danger or trouble.

Fact: There is always danger of falling back in this life. 

          Complacency is forgetting that fact.

1 Cor. 10:12 (NIV) 
    So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!

Two Situations where we have a tendency to be complacent:

1)     When we are enjoying God’s blessing.

2)     Soon after victory.

2.     Confusion

We get confused about who gets the credit for our recovery and who we are meant to live for.

v.17 You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me."

v.14  ...then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

This is an attitude of pride.

Proverbs 16:18 (MsgB) 
        First pride, then the crash—
            the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.

Famous last words: I can handle it.

3.     Compromise

Two ways:

1) “I don’t need to take all the steps.”

v.1 Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today”

2)     “I can indulge in a little of the “bad””

Galatians 5:9 (GW) 
    A little yeast spreads through the whole batch of dough.

4.     Catastrophe

This is where we reap what we’ve sown.

This is where we experience God’s discipline.

The Remedy for the Four Cs

v.2    Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way

v.11  Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God

v.13  But remember the Lord your God,

Some things that help us remember:

1)     Daily time alone with Jesus.

2)     Regularly meeting with other Christians.

3)     Communion

1 Corinthians 11:24-25 (NIV) 
    and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." [25] In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."

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I’m Yours
Matthew
Pastor Cliff Bowman
August 1, 2010

Matthew 6:10

Starting with ourselves.

Background:

What is the #1 problem of mankind?   _______________

Romans 3:9b (NLT)
   …all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin.

A good description of sin:  self- centeredness

The result of self-centeredness:

In this life: misery

Ultimately: judgment (Romans 2:8)

Jesus came here to save us from sin, from self-centeredness and its consequences. To do that, He calls us to make a choice to stop living for ourselves and live for Jesus instead:

Luke 9:23-24 (NIV)
    Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. [24] For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

Christianity is not a self-help religion. It is death to self and living for Jesus.

Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
    I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live [“My ego is no longer central.”( The Message)], but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Becoming a Christian doesn't end the battle with self-centeredness. Luke 9:46, Philippians 1:15-17

Matthew 6:10 (NIV)
    your kingdom come,
    your will be done
        on earth as it is in heaven

For ourselves, this is a prayer of personal surrender.

Surrender is going to the Lord, in prayer, and giving ourselves – all of us, all of our rights, our ambitions, our desires – all of us, to Him.

Once isn’t enough.  We need to do this daily!

Luke 9:23 (NIV)
    Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Not just day by day but issue by issue.

Not just outwardly, with our mouths, but from our heart!

1 Samuel 16:7b (NIV)
    Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Does it really make a difference whether or not I surrender?

Paul:  Philippians 1:12-21

One by-product of complete surrender over time: shalom (inner peace and fulfillment).

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Looking At The Finished Product

Assoc Pastor Elvin Miranda
July 25, 2010

We are all in the process of becoming a finished product. We are pupils, students and learners, great care must go into who our teachers are. In spiritual matters, the only teacher worthy to follow is Jesus Christ. If we follow him, we will look like him and become the finished product he desires us to be.

Luke: 6:39-40
Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

Disciple: one who is a pupil of a teacher, who desires to look like their teacher and become more and more like him.

Apostle: one who has encountered God personally and appointed to preach and build the church.

If we are to be looking more like Jesus, what does Jesus really look like:

Point #1: Jesus prefers forgiveness over _________________.

Colossians:3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against each other. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Are we forgiving each other? Look for these realities in our own lives:

a.    forgiveness means surrendering our right to get even

b.   forgiveness takes time

c.   forgiveness doesn't require forgetting

d.    forgiveness is expected

Point #2: Jesus is merciful to all who are in _________________.

True mercy means we are showing these:

Galatians: 5:22-23
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control

Judging by appearances will cause us to judge unrighteously

John:7:24
Stop judging, by mere appearances and make a righteous judgment.

Point #3: Jesus hates hypocrisy and loves __________________.

John:8:7
If any of you are without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.

Jesus chooses humility here but commands her to: Go now and leave your life of sin

Jesus accepts us the way we are but loves us too much to let us stay the way we are.

Humility: Can we remember our condition:

James:2:10
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

Point #4: Jesus __________________ all who are honest about who they are.

Romans:3:23
For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. God's wrath is being revealed to the ungodly.

Romans: 1:18
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all of the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth of their wickedness.

God is showing his wrath by:

a.  indirectly; violating natural law, disease, jail, prison, accidents

b.  directly; garden, flood, destruction, at Calvary

Point #5: Jesus __________________ all who are honest about who he is.

Who is Jesus? He is the only Son of God, the One who died for us, the Mediator between God and us, the One who forgives sin and the One who gives us eternal life.

Matthew: 16:15-16
But what about you, He asked, who do you say I am? Simon Peter answered, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Point #6: Jesus does __________________ works and lie encourages his followers to do the same. Think about this:

John:14:12
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith, in me, will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

The Holy Spirit would come to empower his people.

Acts: 1:8
But 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 is still doing amazing things in the life of the believer. Will you let him do amazing things through you?

Point #7: Jesus loves the __________________ of God.

a.  He quoted God's word

b.  He lived God's word

     c.  He accomplished God's word

Jesus loves God's word and so should we. If we love God's word we will:

a.    be obedient to God's word

b.    be meditating on God's word

c.    be memorizing God's word

d.   be seeking to look like Jesus Christ

If Jesus is our teacher and we want to look more and more like him, remember what He looks like:

#1: Apply forgiveness over condemnation

#2: Apply mercy to those in pain

#3: Apply humility not hypocrisy

#4: Be honest about who we are

#5: Be honest about who Jesus is

#6:  Jesus does the amazing and so can we

#7:  Jesus loves the Word of God and so should we

Jesus says: this is what you will look like, if you continue with me and allow me to fully train you. You will be different, you will be good, you will be both loved and hated and you will be both blessed and crucified.

ARE YOU UP FOR IT?

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Your Kingdome Come
Matthew, Pt.26
Pastor Cliff Bowman
July 18, 2010

Matthew 6:10 (NIV) 
    your kingdom come,
    your will be done
        on earth as it is in heaven.

Greek word, basilea, translated “kingdom”

It can mean a place.

But it’s primary meaning is rule, a king’s (or government’s) rule over people.

For God’s kingdom to come is for all creation to  submit to God’s rule.

your kingdom come         =        your will be done
                                                        on earth as it is in heaven.

Background:

To live in this world is to live in occupied territory.

Example:  France under Nazi occupation during WW2.

We are “occupied” by Satan and his forces:

1 John 5:19b (NIV) 
    We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

Three levels of satanic influence and control:

1.  Demons

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) 
    For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

2.  The World

Romans 12:2a (NIV) 
    Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world…

3.  Our Sinful Nature

Galatians 5:19-21 (NLT) 
    When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, [20] idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, [21] envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Jesus came here as an “invasion”, proclaiming God’s Kingdom.

Mark 1:15 (NIV) 
 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

Matthew 4:23 (NIV) 
    Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

Jesus brought change.  He set people free from Satan’s rule and brought them under the Lord’s rule.

Jesus called His followers to do the same thing.

Luke 9:1-2 (NLT) 
    One day Jesus called together his twelve apostles and gave them power and authority to cast out demons and to heal all diseases. [2] Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the coming of the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

John 20:21b (NIV) 
    "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."

So, when we pray…

1.  We pray as God’s ambassadors.

John 14:12-14 (NIV) 
    I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. [13] And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. [14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

2.  We should not settle for any less than God’s best.

James 4:2b (NIV)
 You do not have, because you do not ask God.

3.  We should stubbornly pray for God’s    

      Kingdom, His will, His best, to replace the wrongs we see.

Luke 11:5-8 (NLT)
⁵ Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ⁶ ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ ⁷ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ ⁸ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.

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What Is The "Fear Of God"?

Pastor Cliff Bowman
July 11, 2010

The foundation for a successful life:

Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)  
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 19:23 (NIV)
The fear of the Lord leads to life:
Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Two Sides of the Fear of God

1.     To fear God is to recognize that He is a God of justice.      This is fear of the consequences of sin.

Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV)
⁷ Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸ The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

People who close their eyes to God’s justice:   the wicked

Psalm 36:1 (NLT)
 Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all.

A day is coming, when even the wicked will fear God.

Revelation 6:12-17 (MSG)
I watched while he ripped off the sixth seal: a bone-jarring earthquake, sun turned black as ink, moon all bloody, ¹³stars falling out of the sky like figs shaken from a tree in a high wind, ¹⁴sky snapped shut like a book, islands and mountains sliding this way and that. ¹⁵And then pandemonium, everyone and his dog running for cover—kings, princes, generals, rich and strong, along with every commoner, slave or free. They hid in mountain caves and rocky dens, ¹⁶calling out to mountains and rocks, "Refuge! Hide us from the One Seated on the Throne and the wrath of the Lamb! ¹⁷The great Day of their wrath has come—who can stand it?"

What about the Christian?  Should we fear God in this way?

On the one hand, no.

To be a Christian is to be someone who’s life is identified with Jesus.  He has taken all our sin on Himself and paid for it.

The result:

Romans 8:1 (NLT)
So there is now no condemnation awaiting those who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 John 4:17-18 (NIV)
In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. ¹⁸There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

On the other hand, yes.

The Christian need not fear God’s judgment. But we are called to fear His discipline.

Hebrews 12:5b-11 (MSG)
Have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children?
"My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline,
but don't be crushed by it either.
⁶It's the child he loves that he disciplines;
the child he embraces, he also corrects."
⁷God is educating you; that's why you must never drop out. He's treating you as dear children. This trouble you're in isn't punishment; it's training, ⁸the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? ⁹We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God's training so we can truly live? ¹⁰While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God's holy best. ¹¹At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.

Bottom Line:

Proverbs 3:7 (NIV)
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.

2.     To fear God is to reverence Him.

reverence n. 1. A feeling of profound awe and respect and often love; veneration.

Psalm 22:23 (NIV)
You who fear the Lord, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!

Psalm 33:8 (NASB)
Let all the earth fear the Lord;
Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

Matthew 6:9 (NASB)
"Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

The Fear of God

Fear of Judgment                  Fear of Discipline                  Reverence

Our Choice

Proverbs 1:29 (NIV)
Since they hated knowledge
and did not choose to fear the Lord,

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What It Means To "Hallow"

Pastor Cliff Bowman
July 4, 2010

Matthew 6:9 (NIV) 
    "This, then, is how you should pray:
    " 'Our Father in heaven,
    hallowed be your name,

For the Christian, coming to our Father in prayer is coming to our Father in intimacy.

But

It is also coming to our God in reverence.

"hallow" = "to make holy"

In the Bible, for something to be holy means that it belongs to God, it is set aside for God's use.

When Moses met God on Mt. Horeb, God said:

Exodus 3:5 (NIV) 
    "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground."

To hallow something is to treat it as holy, to treat it reverently.

“hallowed be your name”

To Jewish people, a name wasn't just a title, it represented the person.

Psalm 7:17 (NIV) 
    I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness
        and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

Jewish people were taught to have a great reverence for God.

What's your attitude toward God and the things of God?

Remember:  He is our Father in heaven! He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!

Hebrews 12:28-29 (NIV) 
    Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our "God is a consuming fire."

Another aspect of "hallow".  Military cemeteries, especially those at a famous battlefield (Ex., Gettysburg, Normandy), are often called "hallowed".

They are places to remember the price soldiers paid for our freedom.

For the Christian, the communion table serves the same purpose. It is a place for reverent remembrance of Jesus.

"Jesus" = "Yehoshua" (Joshua) = "The Lord Saves"

The Bread

A reminder of the Lord's great love for us. He loves us so much He died for us to pay our penalty.

Romans 5:8 (NIV)
 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

The Cup

A reminder of God's graciousness toward us.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.

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“The Awesomeness of God”

Jason Lefebvre
June 27, 2010

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“The Father We Talk To”

Pastor Cliff Bowman
June 20, 2010

Matthew 6:9a (NIV) 

     'Our Father in heaven,

Jesus makes it clear that, when we pray, we are talking to a person.

So prayer is more than meditating, it’s communicating.

'Our Father in heaven,

Problem for many: their experience with an earthly father or father-figure.

'Our Father in heaven,

A picture of our Father in heaven:  Luke 15:11-24

vv.11-20a

Three things we have in common with this son:

1.  We can't make it on our own.

2.  We don’t deserve any help.

3.  We have nowhere else to go but to our Heavenly Father.

vv.20b-24

Three things this parable shows us about the Father we’re talking to:

1.  He is a father who loves us and wants to be in a close relationship with us.

2.  He is a father who is gracious to us.

3.  He is a father who has all we need.

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“The Lord's Prayer”

Pastor Cliff Bowman
June 13, 2010

Matthew 6:9-13

For Jesus, prayer was a high priority.

Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16

The Lord’s Prayer

·   This is not a prayer just for reciting,

·   This is a model for us to follow when we pray.

·   These are not magic words.

The power of prayer isn’t in the words, but in God.

The key to answered prayer is praying for what He wants and trusting  Him.

    " 'Our Father in heaven,
    hallowed be your name,                      Focus: The Lord
    [10] your kingdom come,
    your will be done
        on earth as it is in heaven.

The first priority of prayer isn’t getting what we want, it’s focusing on God and seeking what He wants.

Effective prayer begins with centering ourselves on the

Lord instead of us.

    [11] Give us today our daily bread.                Focus:
    [12] Forgive us our debts,
        as we also have forgiven our debtors.       Our
    [13] And lead us not into temptation,            needs            
    but deliver us from the evil one.'                
      for yours is the kingdom and the power       
   and the glory forever. Amen.

The most effective way of learning to pray effectively is to pray!

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“Are You For Real?”

Pastor Cliff Bowman
June 6, 2010

Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18

"Hypocrite" from Greek word for actor who wore a mask, came to be used of anyone who wasn't genuine, who's inside and outside didn't match up.

Two kinds of people often thought of as hypocrites today: politicians and "religious " people.

On the one hand, this is unfair. To some degree, all of us are hypocrites, religious or not.

On the other hand, Jesus Himself said that there are too many hypocrites among those who are looked upon as religious.

Three "religious activities" that, too often, are done with hypocrisy:

1.  Giving to the Lord or to people in need.

Matthew 6:2a (NIV)
 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men.

The goal:  a reputation for generosity.

2.  Prayer

Matthew 6:5a (NIV)
 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.

The goal:  a reputation for spirituality.

3.  Self - denial (fasting)

Matthew 6:16a (NIV)
 "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting.

Goal:  A reputation for dedication

What Jesus say's the hypoctrite will get from this:

Matthew 6:2b, 5b, & 16b
I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

They will get nothing from God because He is repelled by hypocrites.

Are you for real?

How to make sure we do the right thing for the right reason:

Matthew 6:1a (NIV)
 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them.

As applied to giving:

Matthew 6:3-4 (NIV)
 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret.

As applied to praying:

Matthew 6:6 (NIV)
 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.

As applied to self-denial:

Matthew 6:17-18a (NIV)
 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen...

The be way to make sure we are doing the right things with the right heart is to do them privately, for an audience of one, the Lord.

When was the last time you did one of these things privately? How often do you do them?

Clarification:

The bottom line, here, isn't secrecy, it's our motivation

If someone, somehow, finds out it isn't ruined.

·    It's OK to recognize people for their service.

·   It's good to pray out loud with each other

What isn't good is doing these thing so that other people will see.

The best way to make sure our heart is right is to often do things things privately, between just us and the Lord.

The Lord say's that if we will do these things genuinely for Him, He will respond to us:

Matthew 6:4b, 6b, 18b  (NIV)
...your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

What is the reward?

He doesn't say.  Will you trust Him?

  Return to Index

“The Worth Of Your Word”

Pastor Cliff Bowman
May 30, 2010

Matthew 5:33-37

Our words are like maps.

Matthew 5:33 (NASB)
    "Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.

Like bad maps, words can be worthless.

One solution:  oaths  and vows.

Oath - a commitment to honesty.

Vow - a commitment to faithfulness.

The Lord's command:

Matthew 5:34-37 (NIV)
 But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. ³⁶ And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. ³⁷ Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

This not a call to avoid all oaths and vows. The Lord, Himself, has been known to do that (ex. Heb.6:13).

What the Lord is saying here:

1.      Christian, be totally honest in your communication.

Matthew 5:37 (NIV)
   Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Obviously, this means "Don't lie"

But it also means don't say things that are technically true but deceptive.

The Lord wants us to have a reputation of honesty.

Note:  To be honest doesn't mean saying everything we   
            think is true.

Proverbs 10:19 (TLB)
  Don’t talk so much. You keep putting your foot in your mouth. Be sensible and turn off the flow!

Honesty, alone, isn't enough. We also need to be loving and gracious.  Our motive needs to be to bless and not curse.

Ephesians 4:15 (NASB)
...but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,

Colossians 4:6 (ESV)
  Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

2.  Christian, stand by your promises and vows.

Matthew 5:33-34a, 37 (NLT)
   “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ ³⁴ But I say...³⁷ Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

Measure of faithfulness:

Word is their -------------------------------------------- Word means

bond. ----------------------------------------------------- nothing.

To be faithful with a promise means

1)  Sacrificing to keep our word.

2)  Quickly seeking release if we can't keep our promise.

What would happen if we started living a life like that?

1)  We would be tusted more.

2)  Our testimony about Jesus would have more credibility.

3)  We would be more careful about making promises

4)  We would benefit in other ways.

  Return to Index

“Prayer”

Assoc Pastor Elvin Miranda
May 23, 2010

  Return to Index

Who Is Your Hero?

Assoc Pastor Elvin Miranda
May 16, 2010

Pray for all those in authority over you and I: Because all in authority of us have been given that authority by God himself.

It's alright to look up to others in admiration. We must never define our heroes by their political views, their beliefs and their talents.

God has heroes in his word, people he has showcased:

Abraham; a man of faith
Moses; the lawgiver
David; a man after God's heart
Elijah; a mighty prophet
Peter; builder of the new church
Paul; the evangelist

Luke 10:38-42

A common experience of Christians who serve the Lord by serving others:  Feeling overworked and underappreciated.

When we feel under-appreciated, there are three questions that are worth asking ourselves:

1.  Am I on target with what I'm doing?

Sometimes we aren't being appreciated because others don't want what we are working for.

Sometimes people feel unappreciated by God because they aren't doing what He wants.

That's what Martha did.

Luke 10:41-42a (NIV)
   ⁴¹ "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better...

2.  Am I looking to the right source for appreciation?

An, often, unreliable source of appreciation:  people

Note:  It is good and godly to show appreciation to people who    

           give of themselves.

A good example: Paul in Romans 1:8 & 16:19

Expressed appreciation is a good way to encourage people.

But it is not good to depend on people for appreciation. We often fall short.

The experience of Jesus:

John 16:32 (NLT)
 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me.

Appreciation from people can be like Southern California rain. It comes, but don't count on it.

Luke 10:40a (NLT)
⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing...

One dependable source:  The Lord

·   He's here:

Matthew 28:20b (NLT)
And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

·   He 's paying attention:

Luke 12:6-7 (NLT)
⁶ “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. ⁷ And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

·   He appreciates it when we trust and obey Him:

Matthew 25:34-36, 40

 3.   Am I home yet?

This world isn't our home, so the answer is ______

The will express His appreciation to us when we get home. As a matter of fact, His appreciation will far outshine any discouragement or suffering we've experience here.

Romans 8:18 (NLT)
¹⁸ Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.