Sunday Re Cap (10th August 2008)

The Hidden Secrets of the Parable of The Talents
Part I

Conviction must lead us to commitment and “right believing must lead us to right living”. The wonderful thing is that the Lord shows us through the scriptures an idea of what that commitment is. Just like the Samaritan woman did not remain in conviction but that translated into commitment. The question is, are we truly convicted of the atoning work of Jesus on the cross? Is it a revelation?


Read from Matt 25:14-30

• V15, 20, 22: It is God who gives us the provision. We work with God and His provision to bring in the harvest.
• Notice that there was none who received no talents. ALL received.
• According to his own ability. If God gives us a task, he also gives us the ability to execute it. BE FAITHFUL!
• It's a question of depending on Him, availing ourselves to Him and be willing and obedient to use the talents He has given us.
• v16,17 IMMEDIATELY, RIGHT TO WORK: Don't say when I have the time, when I am free, someday, when I have the money; the time is now!
  

Luk 10:41-42: Martha worked for acceptance but Mary worked out of acceptance!

• V21,23: As we are both good and faithful, we will enter into the joy of the LORD. Things may not seem easy on the outside (sickness, debt, work pressure), but we enter into a different kind of joy. The joy of the LORD. Not the joy and comfort of man.

Salvation does not lead us to idleness but a faithful discharge to our responsibilities; the wise use of gifts and abilities entrusted to us result in greater opportunities while their neglect results in not only loss opportunities but also that which was entrusted to us.

Sunday Re Cap (3rd August 2008)

What will be the signs?

Text: Matt 24:1-14

Intro: Why Evangelism? Jesus gives us one of the greatest motivation for evangelism.

1. Deception/False Prophets. V4, 11.

   1. Satan is known as the Father of lies. John 8:44

      1. Deception is the only thing he still has 1 Pet 5:8. He has no power. Col 2:14-15; Eph 2:13-16; Gal3:13; 14; 2 Cor 5:14-17; Rom 5:6-15; Rev 12:10-11

      2. Then why are people still sick? Why are there still wars? Why are there financial problems? Misunderstandings? Divorces? Etc.?

      3. What is the core of all deception? It is to take our eyes from the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. The further away we look the stronger the deception that we fall into.

   2. Satan will do everything in His power to blind us, distract us (sickness, financial lack, misunderstandings, etc) from the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. THATS ALL HE NEEDS TO DO.

      1. Moses and the bronze serpent. Ex 21:4-9

         1. People became discouraged; complained.

         2. They put circumstances above the promises of God.

         3. Our circumstances can be bad and we may become discouraged but God's promises still stand. We need to get that into our spirit or we will fall into deception.

   3. Satan can no longer kill us. Rom 8:1-2; 1 Cor 15:54-58

      1. Because we are dead already! Gal 2:20

      2. The only power he has is the power that anyone gives to him. Just like Eve who was the first of mankind to fall into deception I.e. Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

   4. Notice how deception leads to all the other things in Matt 24:5-14

      1. Wars and rumors of war. V6.

      2. Natural disasters & famines (Global food shortage). V7.

      3. Persecution & offenses. V9 & 10.

      4. Lawlessness, love of many will grow cold. V12.

   5. One of the most powerful way of remembering is Holy Communion, coming to church, tithing, worship. All these things are there to help us from ONE AND ONLY one thing. To not fall into DECEPTION.

   6. When Jesus said “it is finished”, Satan said “I am finished!”.

   7. What are we to do in the midst of all this? The Gospel will be preached. V14. Why? Because the gospel, the good news of the atoning work of Christ is the ONE AND ONLY antidote to DECEPTION! Setting the captives free. From what? DECEPTION. Before we can set others free, we need to be set free! How? By looking at the BRONZE SERPENT, the Atoning Work of Jesus on the cross.

READ: Luke 4:18-19