Preschool
Thoughts from Pastor Stan: September 2009

Saturday, September 26, 2009

September 27, 2009 (Bonding: When we fail)

Sermon Notes

Bonding II

September 27, 2009


PASSING OF THE PEACE

SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times, and family are born to share in adversity.

QUESTION: Is it easy or difficult to make new friends?


SUMMARY OF PREVIOUS WEEKS

PURPOSE OF LIFE: Relationships

A. with God

      1. with others
      2. with self

RELATIONSHIPS REQUIRE:

      1. GRACE
      2. TRUTH
      3. TIME


INTRO

The Bible was written to be obeyed and not simply studied.

That's like being deserted on a desert island with a book on how to build a boat and reading it over and over and knowing it backward and forwarding and even knowing the contradictions, but never failing to lift a hammer to begin the building process.


INTRO TO SCRIPTURE

Paul is informing the followers of Christ, that since they are no longer captive to sin (represented through baptism), have been raised into new life. The old life, dulls the thinking process and caused them to be held captive to their former behavior; but now, in christ, they are new creatures. Discarding the old self and putting on the new self.












SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:17 - 24

Now this I affirm and insist on in the Lord: you must no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds.


NOTE: the christian is not to imitate the life of the non-christian.

WHY?


18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart.


NOTE: Plato’s Cave

Christians think differently. Have different values

Becoming a christian is to experience a transformation.

A change of perspective, a change of relationship,

Don't believe me? TEST IT

Attend lots of funerals

Observe. One will begin to pick-up on how to live life

One may begin to experience what is important

What really matters: RELATIONSHIPS

      1. Relationships with God
      2. Relationships with members within the church

and outside of the church

POINT: There is a big difference between those who believe in God

and those who don't


AUGUSTINE REVISITED

Augustine reminds us that we are created with a need or a shape within us that is empty and can only be filled by God. When it is not filled by God, we attempt to fill it with other things. (THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT, RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD)


It is also the same with our need for others, especially the others that can only be experienced within the church (fellowship) the 2nd Greatest commandment (RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS and the New Commandment)


19 They have lost all sensitivity and have abandoned themselves to licentiousness, greedy to the practice every kind of impurity. 20 That is not the way you learned Christ! 21 For surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus. 22 You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, 23 and to be renewed in the spirt of your minds, 24 and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.


POINT

When we become a disciple, (Last Week)

    1. a commitment to certain beliefs (doctrine);
    2. a commitment to a way of life (ethics);
    3. a commitment to a relationship to God/others (transformation)


US

When we fail to bond with others there can be three stages:

1. PROTEST (our lack of relationships: there is an awareness that "Houston we have a problem" if this continues

2. DESPAIR and depression (our hope begins to evaporate/wilt/ebb for possible relationships)

3. DETACHMENT - "I am a Rock" Simon and Garfunkel


SYMPTOMS OF FAILURE TO BOND

Sometimes when people don’t bond, they can experience:

    1. Depression
    2. Feelings of Meaninglessness
    3. Feelings of Badness and Guilt
    4. Addiction
    5. Distorted Thinking
    6. Emptiness
    7. Sadness
    8. Fear of Intimacy
    9. Feelings of Unreality
    10. Panic
    11. Rage
    12. Excessive Care taking
    13. Fantasy


BARRIERS TO BONDING

A. Past Injury (“I am an Island”)

    1. Distorted Thinking

i. Our View of Ourselves

ii. Our View of Others

iii. Our View of Go


INGREDIENTS TO BOND (FRIENDSHIP) (“What are the ingredients?”)

    1. Realize the Need
    2. Move Toward Others (fish where the fish are)
    3. Be Vulnerable
    4. Challenge Distorted Thinking
    5. Take Risks
    6. Pray and Meditate
    7. Be Empathic
    8. Rely on the Holy Sprit
    9. Say Yes to Life


EXAMPLE: (David & Jonathan)


INTRO TO I SAMUEL 17

Remember that Sunday School lesson about David and Goliath (I Samuel 17)?

The story continues with David being brought before King Saul (I Samuel 18)

King Saul was so pleased with David, that he made him part of his “family.”

The son of King Saul, his name is Jonathan.

Jonathan bonds with David through a covenant

and they establish one of the great friendships of the stories in the Bible.


SCRIPTURE: I SAMUEL 18

1 When David had finished speaking to Saul the soul of Jonathan was bond to the sol of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.


NOTE: This is the exact phrase found in Genesis 44:30 regarding Jacob and Benjamin where it shows the intimate connection between father and son; here it is between friends (Bonding).


2 Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house.


3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.


4 Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing, and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.


NOTE: This transfer of clothing is symbolic of the transfer or the relinquishing Jonathan’s right to the throne.


POINT: When we bond with another, we give something to the other that we don’t give to any other(s) that represents the CONNECTION we have with the other.


SCRIPTURE: John 15: 13

Jesus said, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”


POINT

The greatest act, or the greatest thing we can give to our friend is our own life.


POINT

David and Jonathan provide us with an example of friendship. Theirs was a relationship of loyalty, trust and support.


QUESTION

this story may lead us to ask the question: What kind of friend am I?

OBSERVATION

A true friend is one who, during our darkest hours, offers hope, encourage and support. Our emotional stability is predicated on wether or not we have someone who is willing to stand with us (GRACE) and sometimes behind us to push (TRUTH) over the hUmp of despair.


CHALLENGE

This is the kind of friend we alL ought to strive to be.

posted by Pastor Stan at 6:36 PM 0 Comments

Saturday, September 19, 2009

September 20, 2009 - BONDING

INTRO

We’ve been talking about Grace and Truth. Grace is unconditional love. This is accepting the other no mater what they have done. Truth is the “advice” that friends give. Grace and Truth in friends is the kind of relationship that one has with someone, who will tell you the truth, but accepts you. They know all about you and still call you friend. You can tell them anything and they won’t think you are a nut.


QUESTION: How many friends do you have?


SUMMARY OF THE PREVIOUS WEEKS:

Some focus on Grace. Others focus on Truth. Perhaps a weaving of Grace and Truth is the way we we can live our lives in response to God. All of this requires Time.


SCRIPTURE TO PONDER: JOHN 15:9

As the Father has loved me, so i have loved you; abide in my love.


INTRO

This week we are talking about: BONDING (there is probably a better word for this, think it from your own perspective).


SITUATION

The purpose of life is RELATIONSHIP.

RELATIONSHIPS require growth, the more we grow with the other, the more we bond. Some folks "bond" better to others; than other folks who seem to refrain from "bonding." Bonding requires GRACE, TRUTH and TIME.


PROBLEM

When we fail to BOND (next week) it makes it difficult to grow and to have a healthy relationship with others.


LAST WEEK: LUKE 13: 6 - 9 (the non bearing Fig Tree)

Jesus told a parable:

“A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, “See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none.


RESPONSE to FRUITFULNESS (from owner)

Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil? (purpose of tree: bear fruit)

RESPONSE to OWNER (from gardener)

Leave it alone for one more year, until i dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”


QUESTIONS

  1. What is the purpose of a tree?
    1. To grow
    2. To bear fruit (the goal of the tree? from the owner’s perspective)


US (QUESTIONS)

  1. If we are the tree,
    • What then is the fruit (goal/purpose)?
      1. Super Man/Woman? Do it all? (leap tall buildings; lots of friends, meaningful relationships, success financial and etc.) (goal? purpose?)
    • What then is fruitlessness (or bad fruit)?
      1. depression, anxiety, frustration
  1. What is our response to fruitlessness (or bad fruit)
      1. cut it down!

Have you ever “cut yourself down” (I should be able to do it all)

Do others “cut you down” (You should be able to do it all, what’s wrong with you?)

    • What then is Fertilizer? (Krispy Kreme Doughnuts)
      1. That’s what we are going to talk about today?

INTRO TO SCRIPTURE

This week another vineyard story. In this story, Jesus is looking at his followers who will remain after his departure (death, resurrection and ascension). He is speaking to his closet followers. These words are guidelines for discipleship.


  1. What is DISCIPLESHIP?

QUESTION: Is discipleship a commitment to beliefs (doctrine)

Is it a way of life? (ethics)

Is it relationship (that transforms)

ANSWER: Yes

  1. In this passage the emphasis is RELATIONSHIP


SCRIPTURE: John 15 (Jesus The True Vine)

1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.


NOTE

There is a relationship between Jesus and The Father (God).


GARDENER/VINE DRESSER

Trim branches so that they will produce more fruit as well as cut away

the dead branches that bear no fruit.


2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.


REMEMBER LAST WEEK: No fruit, cut it down! (truth)


3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.


QUESTION: Why clean? Word

How to remain clean?

4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you.


No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.


QUESTION: What must we do? Remain in Jesus (Jazz Service)

5"I am the vine; you are the branches.


NOTE: The vineyard typically represents Israel. Typically the vines are rooted in the soil (land - Abrahamic Covenant); but not in this metaphor, they are “branches” “rooted” in Jesus.


NOTE: Discipleship is not merely believing Jesus, it is having a relationship with Jesus (bonding).


5b If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.


IMPLICATION: The only evidence of a relationship with God is fruit.


7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.


NOTE: The relationship: Bonding


8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.


NOTE: Disciples “bear much fruit”


9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.


10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.


11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.


12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.


13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.


16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.


17 This is my command: Love each other.


QUESTION: Is there a similar relationship between us and Jesus (the vine)?


POINT

God calls us into a relationship with God. As we bond with God, and grow in that relationship we will bear fruit.


IMPLICATION

Being a Christian is not merely believing the right things (though that is important); nor is it merely living a Christ-like life (though that is important too); But, it is also a RELATIONSHIP with God through Jesus. As this relationship grows, it will bear fruit. That fruit is LOVE (15:12).

posted by Pastor Stan at 12:56 PM 0 Comments

Friday, September 11, 2009

September 13, 2009 -

Sermon Notes

September 13, 2009

Changes That Heal

Time



INTRO

What is needed for healing?

“Time heals all wounds”


SCRIPTURE # 1: LUKE 13: 6 - 9 (the non bearing Fig Tree)

Then Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none.


QUESTION: How many years should one wait for fruit?


RESPONSE to FRUITFULNESS (from owner)

Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?


note: the owner, of the tree, considers the purpose of the tree to bear fruit


RESPONSE to OWNER (from gardener)

He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until i dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”


NOTE: one more year


QUESTIONS

  1. What is the purpose of a tree?
    1. To grow
    2. To bear fruit (the goal of the tree? from the owner’s perspective)


SCRIPTURE: Psalm 1: 1 - 3

1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked

or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is LIKE A TREE planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.


US (QUESTIONS)

  1. If we are the tree,
    1. What then is the fruit (goal/purpose)?
      1. Super Man/Woman? Do it all? (leap tall buildings; lots of friends, meaningful relationships, success financial and etc.) (goal? purpose?)
    2. What then is fruitlessness (or bad fruit)?
      1. depression, anxiety, frustration
  1. What is our response to fruitlessness (or bad fruit)
      1. cut it down!

Have you ever “cut yourself down” (I should be able to do it all)

Do others “cut you down” (You should be able to do it all, what’s wrong with you?)

    1. What then is Fertilizer? (Krispy Kreme Doughnuts)
      1. That’s what we are going to talk about today?


LAST WEEK

GRACE - is unmerited favor of God toward his people. Grace is something we have not earned and do not deserve. Grace is unconditional love and acceptance.

GRACE is needed for a healthy relationship with God and others (& self)


TRUTH - Is direction. It helps to avoid the pitfalls in life. It speaks about actions and consequences. This is the knowledge of the difference between what is right and what is wrong. What will bring life down and what will life life up. It describes things how they truly are.


GRACE & TRUTH - needed for a healthy relationship with God, others & self

GRACE without TRUTH is license (anything goes, do it if it’s what you feel)

TRUTH without GRACE is JUDGEMENT (walking on egg shells)

GRACE and TRUTH is Justice (allowing both grace and truth to exist)


FRUITLESSNESS REVISITED

GRACE without TURTH: (sounds like excuses)

“It doesn’t matter”

“I can’t help it (fill in blank)...”

“I couldn’t help myself”

POINT: no change of behavior required

TRUTH without GRACE:

Is when we beat ourselves up over our fruitlessness

SOMETIMES we do BOTH (cut it down, it doesn’t matter)


TENSION

Sometimes we either ignore our failure or we condemn ourselves


SOLUTION

BOTH (“dig” and “fertilize”) (truth and grace) and TIME (model for counseling)


SCRIPTURE # 2: Ecclesiastes 3: 2 - 8

For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, a time to die:

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill, a time to heal:

a time t beak down, a time to build up;

a time to weep, a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, a time to dance;

a time to throw away stones, a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to seek, a time to lose;

a time to keep, a time to throw away;

a time to tear, a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

a time to love,; a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace.


POINT: Everything happens in its own time

Relationships with God, others and self require time


CLOSING

So, what do we do with Grace, Truth and Time?

That’s next week when we talk about bonding with others.




posted by Pastor Stan at 2:13 PM 0 Comments