Sunday Service

A good morning. It's nice to see The Sun Shines. It is a bit chilly though, isn't it? Well, praise the Lord for all of that few announcements before we get started. The KU Bible studies, the men's bible study on Tuesday at 10, at the Baptist Church courage you to join us. If you can and then on Tuesday at 10 also will be the ladies Bible study and it will be at Sophia's Sophia's House.

If you don't know how to get there. Sophia she'll she'll tell you remember, the Men's breakfast is on Saturday of the 11th of February at 8 in the morning. So courage, you all, come and join us. It's a good time of fellowship with the guys and then there's two, Jesus Ines left in the back. If you want it, a purchase it today because they're going to be taken somewhere else after today. So it's up to you if you if you just wanted to just grab it but there is a donation possibility if you want to do with that. All right. Well, that start with a word of Prayer. Our Father in heaven. We thank you again for just the ability to gather together with other believers and celebrate who you are in our lives to rejoice, and you to encourage one another, and to just grow in the spirit, may you bless us richly in this time in Jesus name, amen.

Let's words to worship God by singing. How Great Thou Art.

The world.

Power Ranger games.

Guarantee.

Power Rangers.

To come forward for the offering please. Let's pray, our Grace's Father in Heaven. Again, we come before you with Thanksgiving in our hearts, for the blessings. You've graciously poured out upon our lives and now is we have an opportunity to return to you of portion. May you bless us richly in this as well? In Jesus name, amen.

Thank you notes.

Thanks Gabe.

Hello reading. This morning is taken from Galatians chapter 5 verses 22 226. We're starting a new series today in the series is called building Godly character, and it's got to be looking at the 7th chapter of Matthew. And there are some challenging things for each of Our Lives as we go through this. But it's one of those things that you and I are as Believers ought to be doing is building that Godly character in our lives, and it begins with the recognition that we need to be growing in those areas where the spirit desires us to grow. So we think of that as we read through this, But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance or patience. Kindness goodness faithfulness, gentleness and self-control against such things. There is no those who belong to Christ. Have been crucified, have crucified, the flesh with its passions and desires, since we live by the spirit, let us keep in step with the spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

So that's something to look forward to, as we continue on several prayer. Request, I send out a message to be praying for my brother Ray. We've mentioned it last that he went in for a nice replacement surgery and an infection took place this last week of cellulitis infection and so he's been battling that. I talked to him yesterday and he's much improved. The swelling has gone down quite a bit and he's still on antibiotics but I pray that he continues to heal.

We need to be in prayer for a young boy named break Edwards. He was he's from Coos Bay Area and he was involved in a wrestling incident where he broke his humorous, some of you've seen the pictures and the universe is actually split entirely and from each other, the two ends of the bones and has drawn through the skin. A really difficult one. So we need to be in prayer for that young, man, and also remember to pray for Rosita, she's improving, but she's pretty well confined to a wheelchair at present, so I pray that God continues, that healing process. Let's pray.

Precious father. Again, we love you. We come before you with Thanksgiving in our hearts, for the blessings that we received a by day, but also we have the desires for your Mighty hand to touch the lives of different people, we pray for and seek and we thank you that you hear, and you do answer, father. Our greatest prayer is for those who are lost, who do not know you and we have the opportunity to minister to their lives and we have an opportunity to show them the truth that is found in the gospels. The message of Jesus Christ that is for salvation. We pray that you would give us courage and boldness in doing so. Lord. We also want to remember the request that it were mentioned and we pray that you would be with my brother Ray. As he continues to heal from this infection. And also recovery from the knee replacement surgery, he had We do think of a break Edwards that young man who went through this surgery to heal our restore that broken humerus. We pray that you would be with him to bring about healing in his life. Thank you, that it seemed the surgery went well and pray that it would continue to go. Well, we pray for Rosita father, may you continue to lift her up and strengthen her that healing would be there after these several Falls. And she would strengthen Russell as he cares for her. Father, we also want to remember that each of us has requested. We don't bring before you openly and yet they are are necessary. I things that are on our minds whether they're relational problems or or financial struggles or any other issues. Father, we pray that you would be with each life that they would know that you are there with them going through each of these circumstances.

We do pray for your blessing upon Our Lives, as we continue to worship, you and music in prayer, and it word. May, you bless us in Jesus name, amen?

Alright, we're here with a fun. Some other song that I feel like getting up and moving, you'll feel it, feel free. But then we have a new song that we like to share with you and hopefully something that I'll be as meaningful to you as it has been for us. All right.

You are my way, Jesus.

Jacob reading.

Step, I take, I take in you.

May your struggles, keep you that you need to make your bed.

May your bad day that God is good in your whole life prove that God is good.

May your troubles show that way they should. may your prove that God is good. and may your God is good.

Yeah, that's a good one. Haha, I think it's super church time.

Let's start with the word of Prayer.

Our gracious Father in Heaven. Once again we come to the Mikey. Mikey one who is the guide and director of our paths.

We thank you that you love us dearly and you want us to know you and to grow in you day by day. And part of that is what we look for today. We pray that your spirit would be active in each of our hearts for each and every one of us need to be drawn near you. And your spirit is the one who guides our paths in that direction. And father, may your spirit be powerful in me that has I speak. I would speak your words and your words alone for they are the words that will change Hearts toward the kingdom bless us in this time. Oh mighty God In The Name of Jesus Christ. Our Mighty savior. Amen. Well, once again we're starting a new series and I hope this is a one that can touch each of our hearts and help us understand the whole process of growing in God. Because that is what we are supposed to be doing our lives. Need to be drawn to him and that's what we're going to find in Matthew chapter 7 as we go through the process. The first one we're going to look at it's called judging and that's going to shake everybody up a little bit, you know? And but essentially Jesus says don't judge but it has to do with where we are in our search in life. You know, as we go through life, what are we longing for, what draws us, The goodness of God in our lives. And I believe that the most important thing here is relationships. Relationships because that's the difference in our lives as we move forward. And it's a difference in others lives that we have an opportunity to influence as we move forward. And as matter fact, as I said in Sunday school, I believe that relationships are the most important thing for us because your relationship to God. Allows you to have a relationship that leads you to Heavenly Glory. At the end and your relationship with others gives you an influence on their lives that they too may join you in heaven forever cuz you don't get to take anything else, right? I mean, there's nothing else you take to heaven, but yourself and the influence you have and other people's lives that lead them to Jesus Christ. It begins first with God and building that relationship and that's what we read. First in that chapter from Galatians, that that love joy, peace, patience, patience. And all of those other things that the spirit wants to build in your life, draws you into a greater and closer relationship with God and allows you then to use those characteristics that God is building into your life to influence the lives of those around you.

Now, what's that have to do with judging, huh? Well for the most part, Jesus says you shouldn't judge but there are times in our lives when we do need to actually judge and that deals with how you build your own life and what that leads you to and your judgmental situations. So, let's get a go ahead with this and we'll start by reading the standard that Jesus gives us, which is a very powerful standard. Matthew chapter 7, verses 1 to 5. It says, do not judge or you too will be judged for in the same way. You judge others, you will be judged. And with the measure you use, it will be measured to you very sobering statement. Isn't it? Why do you look at the speck of sawdust, in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother? Let me take the speck out of your. I went all the time. There's a plank in your own eye. You hypocrite first, take the plank out of your own eye and then you will be able to see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. that leads us through the whole flight of of judgment and in our terms of judging and how we go about things, it is saying really that you shouldn't judge but if you do you need to be Wise, very wise, and how you take those steps and it begins with once, again, going to those relational relationships that God desires you to have. And that first relationship is your relationship to God himself. That is the most important relationship you have. And if you are building that relationship, then you're taking on that character, he wants to put into your life. So that when you have a struggle in other relationships that are Earthly relationships, you can deal with them wisely. And it goes on to say both those things in God's command to us, we find the Jesus is asked what's the greatest commandment to us and he gives these words as the greatest Commandment found in Mark, chapter 12 verses 30 in One, it's the beginning point for your life and my life. The most important point for our lives. love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength, The second is like this, love your neighbor as yourself, there is no commandment greater than these, okay? So the goal for our lives is first of all to have a relationship with God, that is powerful and mighty Here's a question for you. How are you doing in building that relationship day-by-day? Are you active in it? Or are you just letting it pass until next Sunday when you come to his house and decide to work on that God wants you to have an active building experience with him. He wants you to know him deeply so that you can build in your lives. The likeness that he has, remember, there's that. Christian term called sanctification. Okay, sometimes you hear that term? You going to want in the world and sank of a ticket, sanctification scuse me is this. It is really becoming. Like, God. In other words, the goal of perfection perfection in our lives.

Now, we may never achieve that, but that doesn't mean it's not the goal. We have to have certain things that we strive for in one of those think. The most important thing is that relationship with God that our hearts, our minds are our soul and our strength are given to God. And once we have that relationship built and are building that relationship, then we have the ability to interact wisely and import like with other people to affect their lives, to make a difference for them as well as ourselves. You see, we're all on this journey you and I are at different places in that Journey, but that journey is that christ-like character. If you believe in Jesus Christ, as your lord and savior, you've been placed on that Journey Okay? And you're involved in that some of us are farther along in that journey and some of us are not as far along in that Journey, but God wants us to be unified in our effort, to get to that goal. And what that means is that we are to be working together. You are in this body of Christ, to help each other, along towards that goal that must meet. That means, there's got to be some interaction between us and developing that right? I mean you can't come in here and sit and say oh yeah, great sermon and go out and do your own thing for six days. Before you come back in here, again, it means that you need to be interacting with one another and helping each other be involved in that growth process in your lives.

Jesus gives us the guide to begin John 14:21. He says, Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. Well, do you know, Jesus Christ as your lord and savior? You said, yes. So you love God. Then your desire would be to keep his commands and start growing in him. Right. The one who loves me Will Be Loved by my father and I too will love them and show myself to them. How do we go about this? What is the process that we go through to build those relationships? And this is where judging comes in the process? Is found in Colossians 3:12 very important verse for us to remember because the foundation of this verse is the love of God. Let's read it. Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved clothe yourselves. These are interaction things compassion. Kindness humility, gentleness, and patience. So when you're thinking about, well, this person is doing something wrong and somehow they need to change. Well if you are involved in that interaction of change in their lives, these are the standards you live by. Okay? These are those things I need to do have compassion for them because mind be humble. These are the things that God wants us to be involved in when we deal with the lives of others so that they too might be growing in that experience of Godly character that we're all called to.

So let's talk about a few other things that might draw a sin or draws away and cause problems in our lives, in terms of the whole idea of judgment. If we're called to be involved in that sort of thing. In the first thing that that we need to look at it as those gray areas of Our Lives. You and I have some things that we think ought to be done in our lives of but aren't necessarily something that God says. Well, do you know you have to absolutely do this. Let me give you an example when I was growing up, my parents said that when I go to church, I need to go with a coat and tie. Okay. Will you noticed? I'm not that way now. But back then, wherever I went I had to have a coat and tie. Even when I went to the airport, to see somebody arriving, I had to dress up in a coat and tie. And when Mary first met me and I went to church at 17 years old, I was in a coat and tie because that's the way mom. And dad said we got to dress to go to church. Okay, well that isn't that it's not a Biblical standards, it's a human standard. And there are many examples of that that are in our lives that that we can say, well, this is something you've got to do. Well, is it scriptural? Examine it closely? Is it really a scriptural thing? Or not.

In the episode that Paul looks at in the book of Rome Romans chapter 14. He's talking with them about eating meat. That is sacrificed to Idols, okay? And some of the people were saying you can't eat meat sacrificed to an idol. You're on during that high idle and others would say is this meat that idle means nothing. So I can eat it. And sometimes the issue went into a struggle on both sides of the issue. And, you know, if, if somebody is struggling with that issue, what do you supposed to do? Why you don't eat meat sacrificed to Idols around those people? And if somebody doesn't care, you can go to their house and you might eat me to sacrifice your Isles. They wouldn't know, they don't care, okay, but don't make it an issue and here's what Paul said except the one whose faith is weak without quarreling over disputable matters. Okay. Those are matters that didn't disrupt them. These talked about a little bit and as he goes on to say, don't use those things to disrupt the ministry of the Gospel. Another idea was that one of the things I did was when I was younger, was I rode a motorcycle? And I was Going to a youth conference center away from us and rode my motorcycle to go to the conference and that I was there and the guy got up to speak and he was kind of a judgmental guy and he was going through these issues and most of the issues he was presenting, we're just beautiful issues and saying you can't do this and you can't do that with one of the things you couldn't do with ride a motorcycle and I thought, well, that one's over.

You know, so we have to be careful. It will what he was doing is was causing dissension between those who might be involved, indisputable matters in one way and the other way and that causes dissension. And so we have to be alert and remember that we don't bring dissension into the body of Christ and those are those gray area issues that that we can struggle with. He concludes the matter with these, this verse Romans 14:13, therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another instead. Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block, or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. I wish that Pastor had read that verse before he did what he did. But you know, we need to remember, God doesn't want us to put stumbling blocks in the way of disputable matters that are in our lives. If we find ourselves need to bring judgement in a particular area, we need to be very careful on how we do that. And Jesus gives us another example of this found in Matthew chapter 18 and he talks about these issues. Starting in verse 15. He says, if your brother or sister sins, Okay, Sam's. In other words, a recognized send, not a disputable matter, if, you know that, that brother or sister is sending. Okay, if your brother or sister sends go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you've won them over. Okay, so what's the goal in going to somebody and talking about their sin? I hope that it is in your mind that you want to restore that person back to Jesus Christ. Not walking to sin but restore their relationship with Christ. That's the goal. It is not to bring condemnation to them that to bring guidance back to Christ in the first step that you have in a situation like that, is that you go to the Lord and you about it. God this is what I think I see help me to understand this and then you go to the person with that compassion, that kindness, that you militie. That gentleness and patience that you're supposed to have, okay? That has to be in the category. If you're just going there and pointing your finger and say stop doing that, you're doing it wrong and you shouldn't be involved in it, you need to do it properly, you need to do it the right way.

It's of the work of restoration while it continues on, okay? So you go to her them and you talk to them about the situation and they blow you off and they say too bad. I do you know I don't think it's a sin. I want to keep doing what I'm doing. Well, the next step is that you go and you find another brother or sister in Christ and you talk about what you've seen see if they recognized it as well. You pray together about it and then after you feel the Lord's guidance in, its you go both of you go to that person and you explain to them what you're saying and why they need to change. But you do it again, with a whole sense of the desire to unify them back with a body of Christ. Okay, there's one last step. The final step is that if they choose to refuse to follow your example, you are to take them to the church. You take them to the elders or the leadership of the church and you present them and the church is responsible at that point to place judgment and they are the ones that are supposed to bring that back to Restoration. But if it doesn't happen, you are just dismissed that person from the body of Christ. I've seen it happened in my Ministry, but it's a sad thing. If it ever happens that far, but that's the way you're supposed to take it. If you see up a problem to do it with the compassion and kindness, and humility that we are supposed to have, we see an example of that in Scripture. Paul actually gives the example of a person in Corinth, in 1st Corinthians 5. He talks about the person who person is living with his father's wife, okay? And it's a matter that is really bad, and Paul in chapter 5 of 1st Corinthians, he judges the man and he says you need to kick him out of the church, okay? And so that's what they do. They take the guy and they kick him out of the church. And then he is East repentant of his sins and he goes back to the church and he says, okay I've got my life together. I've taken care of the problems and I really am repenting of what I did. And I'd like to get back in the church and the leadership said, sorry, you blew it and that's the end of it. Well is that restoration know it's not restoration Paul and writes back to them in 2nd and 2nd Corinthians. 2:4 70 says now, instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. You see this guy with his sin but the desire was restoration and that's what Paul is trying to help the Corinthians understand. Yeah, you kick him out if he's refusing to do was ride but you leave the door open to bring him back in and restore him to a healthy relationship with the body of Christ, because he's going in the same direction. You are? He just faltered and fell down a little bit and we need to remember that people do that. and we shouldn't sit over in judgment but in a desire to bring restoration and repentance, Well, what about judging? You know at that's first verse is a very good one but it's once again given to us in Mark, Mark 4:24, it says consider carefully. What you hear? He continued with the measure you use, it will be measured to you and even more. In other words, if you choose to bring judgment on somebody without truly seeking God's guidance and wisdom and how to prevent it, and how to go before him, if you haven't made, sure that you are walking in the ways that God wants you to, you're not ready to bring judgment on anybody else. In fact, God says, well, if you choose to go ahead with this, when you haven't taken care of your problems, then greater judgment is going to come upon you. Wow. That's pretty tough minded. But we need to think through and that is hopefully and encouragement. For each of us to seek to draw nearer and nearer to God in our lives. And what we do.

Then we get to that that second part of it, ever 6, and that's an interesting verse that he gives. He says, do not give dogs. What is the sacred? Do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces. And other words, God is saying here. I want you to judge whether what you're doing is right and continuing to progress through these issues of presenting the word of God to people. In other words, you and I have an obligation As Believers in Christ, prices building with you the character of Christ so that you can display that character among other people, particularly people in, in, in the body of Christ. But even outside the body of Christ, we are to be Ministers of the gospel, because we are responsible for giving the word to others, so that they might be able to make a decision for Christ. Not one of you can save another person but you can help them understand the truth. And know another person. That's why you, as a parent trying to help your children, know, Jesus Christ. That's why you take them to church. And that's why you take them to Sunday school so that they can learn to know Jesus Christ as their lord and savior, but they have to make the choice, right?

But our job is to be Ministers of the Gospel to help people know that choice. Right. But there's some times when you minister And people don't receive it and you keep wanting to go ahead and Minister and Minister. Paul went through that. In the second Minister Journey, ministerial Journey, he was going from one place to another Neva, say, well, spirit. Is this, the place I go in the spirit? Said no. Okay, so I'm not supposed to minister. They're essentially, they would be dogs. They wouldn't hear the message. So, we go, somewhere else. Is this a place? God says, no not there, and it continued on. And finally, he gets gets to them. The edge of turkey and he doesn't know where to go and he's praying to God and God comes to him in a dream and says, I know where you need to go, I want you to take it into Europe and so he goes to the town of Phillipi where he has a tremendous Ministry. Okay, he wasn't serving in other areas. That's the idea you go where God wants you to minister. And if it doesn't work where you've gone, then that's not where you want to continue to minister. Okay. Another scene found in Acts chapter 13, Paul has gone to the city of pisidian Antioch, he and Barnabas and they've been ministering in the synagogue. Remember as Paul goes around everywhere. He goes, he first goes to the synagogue and then he begins ministering otherwise because he wants his the people of Israel to understand The truth. And so that's his number one desire but he's been called to the Gentiles as well but he's been ministering in the synagogue. And finally, the synagogue says now we don't want to hear any of it. And here's what he says then Paul and Barnabas answered them acts 13, 46, then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly. We had to speak the word of God to you first since you rejected and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life. We now turn to the Gentiles. You go where God wants you to minister and you Minister there. Now don't always the change is going to occur, but you do go where God has called you to go and Minister because there are some who are going to receive it. And there's some who will not Because God calls those who refuse to listen to the truth. Fully foolish. We see that in 1st Corinthians 1:18 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. You say you carry around you, the power of the Living God, did you ever think about that? I have God's power in my life because I have the ability to minister the truth of God to the lost that can actually change life. You know, you can do a lot of things to people. But it doesn't really change their eternity. The only thing that does is the power of God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And you have the ability to minister that because you believe you believe and so you can Minister that way. Don't let fools hinder your ministry. If it doesn't work, go to somebody, where it will work, because God still is in the business of saving people and he wants to save people through the ministry of his people and you are his people. It's a personal thing. And as we look at life and how we operate in that, it's a relationship, it's the relationships once again, it's a personal relationship. First, we have with the Living God. We want to seek to have that relationship as blessed and as good as possible, we want to be continually headed toward that character that God wants in our lives.

But then it also is the relationship we have with others. 1st Peter 4:17 says 40 is time for judgment to begin with God's household and that judgment is when we're close to God. We know that the spirit of God is going to be ministering to our heart and he's going to be talking to each of us and saying Hey listen up Don. You are faltering in this area and need to change. In other words, what God is doing is allowing you to be a judge of your own self in an area where God thinks you need to work. He'll let you know the spirit will guide you. He lives in you, he's got to be doing something, right? And part of that is to help you understand and know him. The second part is, and if it begin with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

In other words, we need to be giving that gospel so that they will have an opportunity to make a choice. To make a choice.

The goal relationship. First of all, to have a relationship with God, that is powerful, and mighty and life-changing.

and only then, can you really have a Ministry with others? That is bold and powerful and life-changing? But it begins building that character of God into our lives. You know, and if we're all going in the same direction, there's no judgment that has to be there. The only judgment that comes about is if we see somebody going astray and then the judgement must be With the compassion in the mercy of God in our lives, to turn them to him.

So what's the challenge? Should I hope that you've been challenged enough today to realize that that relationship with God is the most powerful thing that we have? And if you're not involved, in building that relationship with God day by day, Then there's a struggle. This matter fact, you don't know, I don't know where you are in that aspect, but if you sense, if there's a judgment being passed down about that, it's God, that is judging your heart right now.

Are you involved in getting to know him and grow in him? That's the first step. Is your not a good minister of the gospel of Christ, and let know the Christ. Thoroughly.

So, it begins there. And if you feel confident that if you feel, you're doing the things that are right, it opens up Avenues of Ministry for you to take part in, in leading others to know. Jesus Christ. As Lord and savior. But it begins with our relationship with the Living, God. How's your day? How are you, doing? You answer that for yourself, but I hope it it challenges you to take steps towards him. Let's pray. Gracious. Father in Heaven, how we thank you that we have a relationship with you at least for those who have claimed Jesus Christ as Lord. And Savior, I thank you that we have an opportunity to grow in you. Father, there are some here who don't have that relationship who needed desperately? And my prayer is that they would respond to that, need find that relationship that changes their eternity. but for us who know you father, May that relationship be growing day by day, so that we truly become the people. You've called us to be people that are walking in the power and strength of the spirit of the Living God and have a Ministry that is vital to those around us whether to courage growth in The Believer or encourage understanding. Among the unsaved. May you guide and bless us. Oh Lord. In Jesus name. We ask. Amen. So we standing and we're going to try that new song. One More Time. See if we can't get it stuck,

The way they should and may your bad. God is good.

May we see your bad days. Prove that God is good. Video. God is good.

Our Father in Heaven, you are good your gracious and kind and your mercy extends beyond our knowing. So the prayer is that you will go with us throughout the week. May we have that heart that yearns for your guidance and presents in all that we do for you or the mighty one, the changes, our lives and the lives of those around us. As we honor you with all that we are blessed us in this. Oh mighty king. Oh gracious. Father, in Jesus's name, we ask these. Amen.