In this message guest speaker Alana Becker talks about the familiar passage in Jeremiah 29:11 (For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.) and shows us it might not mean what we always though...
How to hear the Holy Spirit/God In this episode Tim and Alana discuss hearing from God and recognizing his Voice. Here are some of the questions they discuss. Do you think God speaks? And Speaks to the church today? In what ways can you “hear” from God? How do you tell if it is the...
“The accomplished Son” Luke 15: 11-32 Remember this is a parable about a father not sons. Last week we looked at the Father and his mercy and willingness to accept the wayward son back. The Father even brings embarrassment to himself in receiving the son back. This week we will look at the older brother....
The undignified love of the Father Turn in your bibles to Luke 15:11-3215 Verse 12The prodigal comes and ask the Father to divide his estate. This was basically the equivalent of saying “ I wish you were dead.” This was a completely outrages request and an insult to the father. Upon receiving such a...
The Christmas Story: Love is Born Part III (Luke 1:39-56) Verse 39 This journey would have been over 80 miles and taken 3-4 days. • No mention is made of a traveling companion but a young “single” woman would not have traveled alone. Verse 40-41 The word used here actually means to leap for Joy!...
The Christmas Story: Love is Born Part II (Luke 1:26-38) Verse 26 The story now shifts from Zechariah to Mary. • From the public setting of the Temple in Jerusalem to a private scene in a small town. • There are nine parallels between this story and the one that we just looked at with...
Rooted into Thankfulness (Col 2:6-10) Verse 7 There are four very important verbs in this verse. • Be rooted, to build, to be strengthened, and to overflow o And these verbs each build on each other. • The verb here is “to be rooted” or even “to be firmly rooted” o It’s a passive participle....
Sowing and Reaping with Authority in Partnership Matthew 28:18-20 Galatians 6:7-8 If we are co-heirs with Christ, and he has shared his authority with us, where is it, and why don’t we live with it constantly? I believe we were made to partner with Jesus to live in His full authority on this earth. But,...
Praying for Life, Praying Toward Vision Part 3 (Eph 6:18) • Eph 6:18 The emphasis here is actually on the word perseverance o NIV has always keep on • NASU be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, • Paul is calling the church to persevere in praying for itself...
Praying for Life, Praying Toward Vision Part 2 (Luke10:17; Eph 6:10) Psalm 23:5 The word “table” here has as its first meaning, a kings table, can also mean a sacred table o But the idea behind it is provision, blessings. • The Lord will not only bless us with great provision, a banquet table, He...
Praying for life, Praying toward vision Part 1.5 (Philippians 4:4-8) • Grammar definition: “The middle voice is that use of the verb which describes the subjects as participating in the results of the action.” • In the middle voice I actively participate in the results of an action that another initiates. o Peterson adds: “Two...
Praying for life, Praying Toward Vision (Mark 1:35 and John 15:14) Mark 1:35 It starts out by saying very early in the morning. • This helps avoid distractions. Jesus beat the crowds and distractions by getting up very early. • Then it says Jesus left the house. He had to find that quiet place to...
Entertaining the Presence Part 6 (Ezekiel 47 and John 7:37) Verse 1 Throughout the book of Ezekiel he has this tour guide simply identified as “the man.” o This man is leading Ezekiel through a long and complex vision. o Much of the last part of the book is related to the restoration of the...
Entertaining the Presence Part 5 • 2 Chronicles 5:11 The priests then withdrew from the Holy Place. All the priests who were there had consecrated themselves, regardless of their divisions. • Consecration was a part of the preparation they went through before the Lord sent His presence so strong. • Joshua 3:5 “Joshua told the...
Entertaining the Presence Part 3 (Acts 4) Verse 8 In Mark 13:11 Jesus told His disciple that when you are arrested don’t worry about what to say, the Holy Spirit will give you the words. I love how it says, “when you are arrested” We see that here. Verse 13 This verse should encourage all...
Baptism The word Baptize There are two basic forms of the word baptize in the NT • One, which is used less frequently means “to dip” or “to dye” We see both of those images in baptism. • The Other form which is used far more frequently refers to the Jewish cleansing practices. o If...
Entertaining the Presence Part 2 (1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 5) 1. Response: God was responding to their preparation, sacrifice, praise, worship and honor. 2. Prophetic vision of the NT era: What God will do in the next era after the Temple. • This scene happens at the inauguration of the Temple • Yet God...
Entertaining the Presence Part 1.5 (1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 5) Key verse 1 Kings 8:10 & 2 Chronicles 5:13-14 Why is it important to have this level of God’s presence? • First, it is just such a beautiful scene. I think we would all want to be there. • Second, it’s widely reported...
Entertaining the Presence (1 Kings 8: 2 Chronicles 5) Key verse 1 Kings 8:10 When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD. 11 And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple. Why did the...
Joy Complete (John 15:9-13) What are some things that attack our joy? 1. Church culture: In the church a few generations ago, there was a rise of stoics, those who thought the best practice of Christianity was to lead a stoic life. Some of this attitude remains today. 2. The enemy: Of course, satan loves...
The Full Armor of God Pt III (Eph 6:1-18) Verse 16 The shield here is a Roman shield that was four feet high, made of wood and covered in leather. • Right before a battle they would soak the shield in water to extinguish any flaming arrows. o The shield was also rimmed with metal...
The Full Armor of God Pt II (Eph 6:10-18) • Verse 14 … with the breastplate of righteousness in place, o In the Greek the verb to “to put on” is repeated in this clause, the NIV assumes that. o and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (NASB) • The breastplate was a piece...
The Full Armor of God (Eph 6:10-18) Verse 10 This statement is both a passive verb form and an imperative. • Paul is reminding us that we need to be strengthened and that we must look to the Lord for that to happen. Verse 11 Here Paul introduces the idea of needing to get dressed...
Mega Apostle or Servant (Phil 2:1-9) Verse 1 Paul is writing this letter because there was some disunity in the Philippian Church • Paul begins this section by asking some rhetorical questions. Verse 2 He is calling them to be unified in how they think. Then he goes on to call them to be unified...
Living in the Spirit: Spiritual Gifts Part II Verse 8, The word wisdom here means: wisdom, insight, intelligence, knowledge; Wisdom (of God) • The wisdom of God is really what is in view here. • The spirit gives us wisdom to help us understand the things of God. Words of knowledge The word translated as...
Living in the Spirit: Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor 12:1-7) The Difference: Spiritual gift verses a natural talent. • A spiritual gift is something that I can only do with the help of the Holy Spirit. o It’s super-natural • A natural talent is simply the way God has created me. o I am just really...
Living in the Spirit: Pentecost Sunday (Luke 24:49 & Acts 2:1) Luke 24:49 To emphasize the importance of the HS Jesus tells His disciple stay in the city until you receive the Holy Spirit, power from on high. • In this context Jesus is saying that the Great Commission is a Suicide mission without the...
Living in the Spirit: Keeping in Step with the Spirit (Gal 3:1; Gal 5-16-26) Gal 3:1 The context here is Paul is pointing out how some people had reverted back to the ways of the Law and Old Covenant thinking. Verse 2 We don’t get the Spirit by observing the Law. • If that were...
Living in the Spirit: The Ministry of the Spirit (2 Cor 3:1-18) Verse 3 This is an important ministry of the Spirit, to write on our hearts the testimony and grace of Jesus. • This is the perfect example of how things have now become internal. Verses 4-5 Paul is making the case that they...
Living in the Spirit: The Wisdom of the Spirit • John 14:25-26 Jesus says the Holy Spirit will teach us all things. • John 16:12 There was much more that Jesus wanted and needed to teach His disciples and us. • You can’t take all the wisdom of God and download it into human beings...
Living in the Spirit: Reject, Grieve, Quench (John 14:16; Eph 5:30; 1 Thes 5:19) • John 14:16-17 In the same context that Jesus promises the Spirit, He warns us that some will reject the spirit. • This makes sense since Jesus has already told His disciples that many would reject Him as the Messiah. •...
Living in the Spirit: Being Filled (Ehp 5:15 and Acts 8) Eph 5:18 The verb here in the NIV as “be filled” is a present passive imperative in the Greek. o There are three components to this grammar that we need to understand. • The first is the Greek Present tense. This basically means it...
It is only April, and I am finding myself fighting thoughts of being bored with this year. Last year was a doozie for me, and I jumped into 2018 thinking it would be another year for strides of great growth. Over the last year and a half, I made a significant move in: A Relationship...
Living in the Spirit: Who is the Spirit? First OT use: Gen 1:2 In the English it says the “Spirit of God.” • The word “Spirit” here in Hebrew is the word ruwach (roo-akh) o This word means: wind, breath, mind, spirit. Second use: Gen 2:7 The phrase here is “the breath of life” •...
Easter 2018 The Difference Easter Makes Living in the Spirit (Jer 31:31; John 14:15) • In the OT era the presence of God was confined largely to a geographic location. • When the Hebrews wandered in the wilderness for 40 years his presence was confined to the Tabernacle. • When they finally reached the promised...
Palm Sunday 2018 The Strength of Praise (Luke 19:42 & Matt 21) • During this time period the only way to atone for your sin was to make an animal sacrifice. • We see all of that imagery here in this scene. Jesus the sacrificial lamb in on His way to Jerusalem. Verse 30 Jesus’...
Preparing for Worship Preparing for Worship 2 Sam 24:18-25 • This story starts earlier in the chapter with David sinning against the Lord by taking a census of his army. o Then the Lord speaks through the prophet Gad and sends three options for judgement. • Then we see this scene of worship. What do...
Sorry for the poor audio quality Winning the War for Our Mind Part IV From Jesus’ Victory (Luke 4:4-14 Isa 61:1-3) • Luke 4:14 Jesus is saying that all these prophecies from Isaiah are now fulfilled in Him. o So, everything promised in this statement from Isa is now true in the person of Jesus....
The Cost of Following Jesus Part II (Fruitful Longevity) Luke 14 Verse 25 Large crowds are following Jesus, but He begins to instruct them in the cost of following Him. Verse 26 This of course would have been a very striking and shocking comment to His audience. • But of course, He does not mean...
The Cost of Following Jesus (The Price is Right) Luke 9 • The chapter starts with Jesus sending out the 12 disciples for the first time on their own. o In verses 1-6. Jesus has a commissioning service and gives them authority to drive out all demons. o Jesus also tells them to take nothing...
Baptism The word Baptize There are two basic forms of the word baptize in the NT • One, which is used less frequently means “to dip” or “to dye” We see both of those images in baptism. • The Other form which is used far more frequently refers to the Jewish cleansing practices. o If...
What About Him? (John 21:15-23) • Today let’s focus in on two questions in this passage. Jesus’s questions to Peter, and Peter’s question to Jesus. • Jesus asks the first question, “Do you truly love me?” (NIV) o Many translations render it “Do you love me more than these?” In the Greek the word...
The Color of the Kingdom (Rev 5:8) • At the beginning of chap 4 John is taken up into heaven in the spirit. o He then begins to describe what he sees, what heaven looks like. • At first John weeps because no one was found worthy to open the scroll. o The scroll contains...
Given to What? 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 Paul starts this chapter by talking about salvation. • He talks about the resurrection of Christ from the dead, how Jesus fulfilled the OT scriptures. • Paul also says that you must hold to these truths otherwise you have believed in vein. Verses 12-19 Paul makes the case that...
Serving As Evangelism (1 Thes 2:1-13) Verse 2 Paul reminds His readers that they had suffered and been insulted in the city of Philippi. • Yet despite the insults and strong opposition they still preached the Gospel. • Today we seem to have lost sight of the idea that preaching the Gospel is going to...
The Heart of Serving • John 13:1-17 We normally only look at this passage on Good Friday. Verse 3 This verse is so important because it shows Jesus knew His identity. • What He was about to do was a very menial task, something the lowest of the slaves or servants would do. o But...
Clothed with Power (Pentecost Sunday) Luke 24:37 & Acts 2:1 The Promise Throughout Jesus’ ministry He promised the Holy Spirit. Luke 24:37 This is the scene after Jesus’ death and resurrection when He appears to His disciples. • He appears to them when they are all in disbelief, trying to figure out what just happened...
Following More Than Words • 1Thessalonians 1:2-10 Verse 2 In these first few verses we see Paul remembering and praying for the people of Thessalonica. Verse 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, • NLT We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you...
A Life Worth Following 1 Cor 11:1 NIV Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ MEV Follow me as I follow Christ. Three key issues here: First, the quality of Paul’s life, the worthiness to be followed. Second, there is an invitation. “Follow me” Third, it is Christ we are following and...
Fasting (Matt 6:16-18) Old Testament: In the Old Testament, it was a regular part of their religious life. o The Day of Atonement was the only required fast. • The Prophet Joel called the people to a fast of repentance. Joel 2:12-13 • In 2 Chronicles King Jehoshaphat calls the whole nation to a fast...
Being People of His Presence Exodus 33:11 Moses already has an incredible relationship with God. • But for Moses even this wasn’t enough, he knew that he wanted and needed more. Verse 12 Moses recognizes that he can’t lead the people by himself, on his own. • So, he’s asking God who’s going to help...
Prayer: Don’t Pray Safe, Pray Big John 14:12-14; John 15:7-8 John 15:16 16; John 16:23-24 John14:12 12 The context here is Jesus has been telling Phillip that He and the Father are one. o Then Jesus goes on to basically say that we will be one in Him and the Father through faith. • Jesus...
Prayer: What Gets in the Way Daniel 10:10 Presumably the angel that touches Daniel here is Gabriel as mentioned earlier in Dan 9:21 Verse 12 But then he says that from the moment you began to pray your prayers were heard. • This should be very comforting for us, even when it doesn’t feel like...
Prayer: Why is it So Hard? (Matt 26:36-45) • What was Jesus asking them to do? o Verse 40 says He was asking them to pray for one hour. Is this realistic? • What was he asking them to pray? o Verse 41 He was asking them to pray against temptation. “What temptation”? • What...
My House Shall Be Called A House of Prayer. This scene comes during the Palm Sunday entry into Jerusalem. After Jesus comes riding into the city with everyone cheering and singing praises there is this little verse where Jesus goes into the Temple and looks around. Verses:12-14 He curses the fig tree and a...
Be Deliberate: Worship • John 4:23 Jesus gives the command to worship in spirit and truth. • First, we have to start with getting somewhat of a working definition of what worship is. • Matt 2:10 This is in the birth narrative of Jesus. • It says they were overjoyed. Then offered gifts, and expensive...
Be Deliberate: Community (Hebrews 10:19-25) • Community: a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. • In the NIV the word Community is used 83 times. All but one of them are in the OT • The whole Jewish nation was known as and functioned as a...
Be Deliberate: Holy Spirit Luke 11 The chapter starts with the Disciples asking Jesus, “teach us to pray.” • After teaching the Lord’s Prayer, He tells them a parable. o Jesus ends the parable in verse 8 with a powerful and even shocking statement. o The word translated here in the NIV as “boldness” means...
Be Deliberate: Prayer (Mark 1:21-39) We are Friends of God: John 15:13-17 Prayer is essentially talking to our friend Jesus. • Notice Jesus says He calls us friends because He has told us told us His father’s business. o Prayer is listening to our friend give us the wisdom we need for life. Mark 1:21-39...
Be Deliberate: One God and His Word (Deuteronomy 6) Verse 2 Moses reminds the people that if they follow God’s ways and fear Him, things will go well for them. Verse 3 Here Moses introduces another concept, a land flowing with milk and honey. o This is both a blessing and a temptation. Verse 4...
The Nature of God: Creator and Super Natural • Gen 1:1-25 The Bible starts in verse one by telling us God is creator • It’s the first thing scripture tells us about God. It tells us He is creator and He is super natural. o Notice also it keeps saying that “God said” God does...
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It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many...
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many...
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many...
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many...
We have fun and camaraderie, seeking to fulfill Jesus’ words that “all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many...
It’s easy to see that Jesus loves children and sees them as an important part of His kingdom. Here at the Vineyard we feel the same way. It is our desire to see our kids grow in their knowledge and relationship with Jesus through prayer, Bible study and worship, and by encouraging them to invite...
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many...
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many...
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many...
