2022 Wk 22: Lesson 5

Updates

Memorial Weekend

We hold parades to honor those who gave their lives

We remember those silent heroes with every deafening fold of our flag.

We try to heal the wounds of families here and abroad who have lost someone dear.

Today we salute our fallen heroes as we pray for their families.

PRAYER TIME FOR FAMILIES

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The Chosen season two Continues

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Finished James

kids2parks Day was great and

Hot Dog Sunday by donation.

Generosity Moment

Generosity is commonly associated with financial giving—

Such as a monthly tithe envelope or an automatic deduction from a bank account.

When we look at the generosity of the Bible, though, we see it goes deeper than just the amount of money we’re willing to donate.

Matthew 25:31 NLT

“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne.

Matthew 25:34–36 NLT

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

One characteristics of true, Bible-centered compassion: is Biblical Generosity is Tangible

Biblical generosity is tangible.

Instead of speaking about money in Matthew 25, Jesus mentions food, water, clothes, and love.

In 1 Kings 17, a widow offers the prophet Elijah her flour and oil, even though it’s all she has.

Generosity is a tangible, sustainable gift—not always a financial one.

In the same way, we can volunteer our time and resources in place of our finances.

Please remember though—God never said to Tithe your time… He said, Tithe your first fruits.

Let’s Pray!

Intro

Today, I want to wrap up this series True Love as we consider Love in Action: Touching Our World with Jesus. I know we often talk about ACTION, but like faith isn’t faith until you act on your faith. The “assurance of things hoped for.”

Hebrews 11:1 NLT

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

Likewise, Love isn’t really Love...

until we act on that Love and demonstrate that which is in our heart!

WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT: James 1.27

Pure Genuine Religion

Caring for Orphans

Caring for Widows

and keeping the corruption of this world out of our lives.

On this Memorial Day weekend— could we apply these verses with a little bit of focus?

These men and women who have died for our Freedom was no light thing. As the video mentioned these highlights...

Freedom Fighters Men and Women who exemplified...

Courage to rise with every sun

Loyalty toward their country

Discipline for every command

Cherished Freedom enough to fight for it

Fought to leave a legacy for those who would come behind them

Great sacrifice so we can say “Yes” to honor them with the lives we lead today!

Thus, filling the earth with God’s Goodness!

6 Points to fill the earth with God’s Goodness

Courage to rise with every sun

Joshua followed Moses to lead the people of Israel with courage.

Joshua 1:5–9 NLT

No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Loyalty toward their country

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were three Hebrew young men who would not disrespect their God. They stood when everyone else bowed.

Daniel 3:12–19 NLT

But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual.

Discipline for every command

Samuel had a long-life of obedience in serving God.

1 Samuel 3:1 NLT

Meanwhile, the boy Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon.

1 Samuel 3:9–10 NLT

So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went back to bed. And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

1 Samuel 15:22 NLT

But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.

Cherished Freedom enough to fight for it

David fought Goliath for freedom

1 Samuel 17:8–9 NLT

Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites. “Why are you all coming out to fight?” he called. “I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here and fight me! If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves!

1 Samuel 17:45–46 NLT

David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!

Galatians 5:1 NLT

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

Leave a Legacy for those who would come behind them

Some Old Testament Leaders Who Left Legacies

Abel - a man of faith who pleased God in his daily life; a role model (Hebrews 11:4)

Abraham - called the "father of faith" (in spite of his human failings); he always trusted God, regardless of external circumstances; a powerful example to Christian believers (Romans 4:16)

Moses and Aaron - "You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron." (Psalm 77:20)

David - "He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skilful hands he led them." (Psalm 78:70-72)

Elijah - a powerful example to Elisha, who became his disciple and desired to share in his ministry (2 Kings 2); an example of faith in action, in the face of opposition at every level (James 5:16, 17)

Josiah - he led the nation to repentance, but his legacy was short-lived (2 Kings 22)

Nehemiah - he re-built Jerusalem; his example has served generations of Christian leaders - "Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people." (Nehemiah 519)

Esther - she risked everything and saved her nation; a feast day commemorating her story (Feast of Purim) continues today

Some New Testament Leaders Who Left Legacies

Timothy

Philippians 2:19–22 NLT

If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.

Paul

Epaphroditus

and every disciple who died a martyrs death.

Great sacrifice so we can say “Yes” to honor them with the lives we lead today!

Jesus

Jesus died for you and me

Romans 3:23–24 NLT

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

So How Do We Honor Jesus with Our lives? We live to fill the earth with God’s Goodness!

Psalm 33:5 NLT

He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.

Psalm 72:19 NLT

Praise his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen!

The best way for the earth to be filled with God’s Goodness is through you and me. That the earth would be filled with men and women who would be followers of Jesus !

1. Lift up a shout

Psalm 57:5 NIV

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

You are God’s goodness

2. Be His expression of love, joy, peace, goodness

Galatians 5:16–21 NLT

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

These passages focuses on how God's Spirit gives those in Christ the power to serve others in love. We must allow the Holy Spirit to lead, however. When we don't, our selfishness will lead us into all kinds of sinful lifestyles. When we live by the Spirit, on the other hand, we gain more than just being able not to live in sin. What comes out of us are a collection of powerful, positive characteristics.

3. He created you to do good works

Ephesians 2:10 NLT

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Matthew 5:16 NLT

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

James 1:27 is not just checklist or a To Do List--

James is telling us to

get up,

quit standing around,

stop waiting for someone to approve your next move,

engage your faith and—just do it!

Live beyond the orphans and widows.

Care for yourself and let Christ rise up in you thus filling the earth with God’s Goodness!

Let’s Pray