June 15, 2014- The Holy Spirit: Filled

The second week after Pentecost.  We are continuing our series on the Holy Spirit.  This week we are discussing what it means to be "Filled."  One thing that came out to me clearly is that we do not need more of the Holy Spirit in our lives, instead we need to give more of ourselves over the the Holy Spirit.  

Scripture: 

Ephesians 5:8-20

New International Version (NIV)

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruitof the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,
    rise from the dead,
    and Christ will shine on you.”

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Recording: 
http://fbcbicknell.sermon.net/main/main/20110373

Outline: 


1. Being Filled is an issue of control

2. Being Filled is not an option

3. Being Filled is a process

4. Being Filled cannot be completed by me

5. Being Filled comes with learning the Word.

June 8, 2014 - The Holy Spirit

This was Pentecost Sunday.  The Sunday where we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit.  This is the first sermon in a series of 4 sermons on the Holy Spirit.  We will be looking at passages that will help us understand the Holy Spirit.  Today we looked at what Jesus said to his disciples about the Holy Spirit in John 14. 

Scripture: 

John 14:15-17

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him,because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you.

Recording: 
http://fbcbicknell.sermon.net/main/main/20101632

Outline: 

Let’s talk about what Jesus Said about the Holy Spirit:

1.        The Holy Spirit is Promised

2.       The Holy Spirit is a Counselor

3.       The Holy Spirit is forever

4.       The Holy Spirit is truth

5.       The Holy Spirit will be rejected by the world

6.       The Holy Spirit lives in the believer

Envy

This weeks sermon was about Envy.  Envy is a dangerous and sneaks up on us.   Before we know it we are trapped in a spiral of self-focus and materialism.  Enjoy! 

Scripture:

James 3:13-4:12

New International Version (NIV)

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heavenbut is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Submit Yourselves to God

4 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive,because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

4 You adulterous people,[a] don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God?Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us[b]? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[c]

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

11 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister[d]or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it,but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Recording: 

http://fbcbicknell.sermon.net/main/main/20095193

Outline: 

      Envy demonstrates  a lack of wisdom (14-15)

     Envy Cripples our ability to examine ourselves

          Envy destroys our generosity

          Envy undermines our respect for others (4:1-2)

          Envy ruins enjoyment

           Envy prevents spiritual growth (4:4)

Breaking Free::

 Seek out God’s desires for your life.

 Choose people of positions

 Enjoy what God has given you

 Give first, acquire second. 

Breaking Free from Pride

This week's sermon is about Pride.  As we dove into this sermon, one of the things that stood out to me was point number three: Humble does not equal weak.  Instead humble equals the absence of Pride.  We do what we are called and gifted to do not for praise, position or prosperity, but for the glory of God.  We do not have to, nor is God requiring us to, walk around defeated.  Instead he wants us to "Stand Firm" (1 Peter 5:9) and do the work of the kingdom.  Pride has us to do the work for us, humility has us do the work for him.  The question here is what is your motivation? 

Scripture:

1 Peter 5:5-11

5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[a]

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Recording: 
http://fbcbicknell.sermoncampus.info/20091084

Outline: 

Beating Pride:

1.        Adopt a correct view of God (v6)

2.       Revise your false beliefs (v5)

3.       Humble does not equal weak (v9)

4.       The root of pride is fear (v7)

5.       Allow Christ to make you strong (v10)

*Some of the content from this sermon came from Rick Warren material.

Breaking Free: Anger

Sunday was the fifth sermon in this series.  I was out of the pulpit for the last two weeks while recovering from surgery.  Two weeks ago my good friend John Stidham talked about Breaking Free from Temptation and last week my wife Lauren shared about Breaking Free from the lies in our heads.  Both of those sermons are available on  our sermon page at fbcbicknell.sermon.net. 

This sermon was particularity hard for me as it deals with a topic that I have struggled with for a very long time, especially over the last few years.   That topic is ANGER.  That's right people, I have an anger problem, but I am thankful that God has been working on me,  transforming me, convicting me to do better. One area that I have struggled with the most is ANGER towards my children.  I wish this was not the case.  I wish I did not get so angry at them and instead I could handled them in a more grace filled way.  I am thankful that God has given me more patience over that last few months and empowered me to overcome some of my anger issues.  I have a long way to go, but he is doing great things in this part of my life.  

The most profound thing for me in this sermon is point number two.  Our Anger can be a warning light.  I had never thought about this before.  I really had always assumed that anger was wrong and sinful.  I am amazed that anger could also be the prompting of the Holy Spirit and a call to action.  Does that connect with you? 

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26-32

26 “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Recording: 
http://fbcbicknell.sermon.net/main/main/20082526

Outline: 

1. 1.     Anger is Normal
2. 2.     Anger is a Warring light
3. 3.     Anger must be Resolved
4. 4.     Unresolved anger is an Invitation to the Devil
5. 5.     Anger is Deadly when turned into Words

Breaking Free from Anger:

1. 1.      Examine the Anger
2. 2.     Replace the Anger with Action.
3. 3.     Choose Forgiveness and Grace

*Some of the content from this sermon came from Rick Warren material. 

How God Heals our Hidden Wounds

Scripture:
Psalm 147:3: He heals the brokenhearted
    and binds up their wounds.

Recording: 
http://fbcbicknell.sermon.net/main/main/20064229

Outline: 
intro:
We all have scars.  Most of our scars are not on the outside, but on the inside.

What do we do with our “Hidden Wounds?”  We let God heal them. 

Healing is part of what God does in our lives

The Paradox: God does the healing, but we have to let him. 

-          That requires hard work on our part.

-          This is not easy, but it is worthwhile

Main Points:

1.       Admit Your Hurts

2.       Release those who hurt

3.       Find Support

4.       Change the monologue in your head

5.       Turn the hurt into help

*Some of the content from this sermon came from Rick Warren material. 

When Death is Yesterday's News

This was Easter Sunday and the start of a new series
Scripture:

1 Corinthians 15:55-58.  

“Where, O death, is your victory?

    Where, O death, is your sting?

Recording: 

http://fbcbicknell.sermon.net/main/main/20064229

Outline: 

What can we Learn about Death in light of Jesus?

1.      Death is a Result of Sin

             But Jesus took the Sting of Death

2.     Death is Powerful

             But Jesus took the Authority of Death

3.     Death is Defeating

             But   Jesus took Victory over Death

And it is a Simple Equation:

             Confess+ Believe = You will Be Saved