Establishing Peace, Ducks In A Row (Part 1)

Editor's Notes

• #2 God is our Creator – Gen 1 35 times in 34 verses – God Created -- He knows us best / He has authority / He knowledge surpasses us – A. Gen 1:27 -- We are in His Image 1. Romans 1:20 Creator – we understand things that are made 2. Eph 2:10 – Workmanship – God appeared beforehand – we should walk in them 3. Psalms 139:14 – Fearfully and wonderfully Made! So I will fear Him! B. Order He expects – 1. Matthew 22:37 – Love God all Heart, Soul, Mind, (Luke adds) Strength / A. First – Him, Not the World: First John 2:15 – Love the World, Things in the Word -- 1Jo 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1. No man can serve two masters (Mt 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.) 2. Love God or Love the World – a. Lust (sinful or wrongful desire) of Flesh – List of sins include Fornication, Adultery, Homosexuality, Sodomy – can’t inherit the Kingdom Ps 51: David understood it – “Against you, You only, have I sinned” vr 4 -- Against God, He and Bathsheba were made in God’s Image – Defiled God’s Institution – He failed to honor God’s creation of life (orchestrated Uriah’s death). b. Lust of EYE – Covetous -- c. Pride of LIFE – Our desire to think higher of ourself than others and even more then God! Remember – this happens as we love the World more / God less. The first example of the temptation of the pride of life occurs in the Garden of Eden, where Eve was tempted by the serpent to disobey God and eat the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eve perceived that the fruit was “good for food,” “pleasing to the eye,” and “desirable for gaining wisdom” (Genesis 3:6). Eve somehow perceived that the fruit would make her wise, giving her a wisdom beyond her own. Part of Satan’s lie was that eating the fruit would make her “like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). Second Example: Satan tried these same three temptations on Christ during His 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). He tempted Jesus with the lust of the flesh, bread for His hunger (vv. 2-3), the lust of the eyes, “all the kingdoms of the world with their splendor” (vv. 8-9), and the pride of life, daring Him to cast Himself from the roof of the Temple in order to prove that He was the Messiah by an ostentatious display of power that was not in the will of God or His plan for the redemption of mankind (vv. 5-6). B. LOVE GOD MOST -– not even Second – God is too grand for second! Second (order) First and Greatest – Second is not simply a high ranking – Clearly Below First! -- Love neighbor as Yourself / Don’t Love others too MUCH! Under these two hang all the law and the prophets (order) I Cor 12 --- Spiritual gifts were used w/o Love – Love chapter 13 I Cor 8 – Right to eat meat – won’t if it causes his brother to stumble Matthew 10:34 -- Us to Sacrifice all for our Relationship for Him! (quickly say – I’d die for my wife, children, husband – would you die for the Lord?) a. Faithful Love brings PEACE in Relationship with God – All other relationships peace or confusion exist under at Peace with God / Pain Free living can’t be our standard. 1. APP: It hurts to hurt, but it isn’t necessarily a bad thing to hurt. b. Vr 34 Sword, not peace – God’s Word and Will will carve away the impurities from a life, will sharply divide us from sinners, cause us to boldly speak against sin the world has accepted and expects us to accept -- These moments will not feel peaceful – because outwardly – There is no peace. Rom 13:1-8 Civil Authority are given a sword by God to execute evil / Word of God is sword for us (Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12) – You ever been cut by the sword? (Prov 28:14 -- Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.) Ephesians 4:18-19 speaks of someone who has “blindness of the heart”; in other words, a heart that has been calloused and feels nothing. Verse 19 says these people are “past feeling”. At one time, they had feeling when the Holy Spirit would stir them. Some of these are Christians who had a close relationship with God. They prayed; they read and studied the Bible, they truly cared. But that is the past. Something happened along the way where Satan got a foot in the door. Perhaps they got their feelings hurt by another Christian, or are just closed off. Now, the spark is gone from their eye and they have no desire to serve the Lord. Some of these people have given up. Israel’s hardening as a nation represents a special set of circumstances. The Psalms speak of their calloused hearts. Read the scriptures below and write what each verse is saying about a calloused heart. b. Vr 35-- The lines between Christ and family members can often cut deeply (like a sword) – man against father / daughter against mother / daughter-in-law against mother-in-law – Enemies (may not feel like enemies in all ways – but if they have the potential to pull your soul from God – The most deadly enemy you face!) – 1. Rom 12:18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 2. II Tim 2:24 We don’t stir fights EXPECTATIONS: Don’t follow the Spouse --- First follow the Lord! 1. I Cor 7:12-16 Married to Unbeliever, don’t leave them --- vr 14 the unbeliever may be sanctified by the believer / vr 15 – “but God has called us in Peace” – Seems to tie not only to the last phrase, but all under discussion: A couple is exposed to Christ – One is converted – the other is not. One case the unbeliever says, “You’ve changed –I’m not staying with you.” Another Situation – Unbeliver says, “You’ve changed, I like it, I’m staying.” Either way your goal is to 1. be faithful to God, 2. Be an influence to the unbeliever and children, 3. Remember you were called in Peace – People who are at peace with God, suffer long and are kind – turn the other cheek, go the second mile and forgive. 2. I Peter 3:1-2 Wives married to an unbeliever – 3. Ananias and Sapphira – She didn’t have to die! 3. 3. Yet PAUL – knew Peace w/ GOD – His Life inwardly was Orderly – Decent – Peaceful --- while outwardly – persecuted, misunderstood and often unappreciated Listen to this Man in Phil 3 and 4 and II Tim 1, 4 4. Willing to Suffer (endure Chaos) in all ways to NOT SUFFER in Relationship with God! -- Psalm 73: (all Psalm for Homework) – Prosperity of the Wicked seems so much easier! Look down on have nots – Flaunt their godless lives – wallow in wealth and Luxuries – -- ½ parables are about stewardship – What do we do with all God gives us? Out of order when we think all God gives us to use up on our family! vr 3 Envious (distracted and persuaded by world) Even Reorder or Redefined success (Prosperity of the Wicked – as if earthly riches was success or earthly accalades are real praise) Believe Lies – vr 4 – No pain in their death – “grass is always greener” / Satan is the Father of Lies vr 10 -- People return to the Evil – The World is attractive - I John 2:15 / The World can’t fullfill us – The world Drains us! Vr 10 (HUGE VERSE) (ps 23 – “my cup runs over”) / some translations say only that the imitators of the wicked wealthy drink up their worldly ways with abundance – (Eph 4:20 “Uncleanness with Greed”) vr 11 – strong wicked Irreverence “How does God know?” – the delusional ones ask the Supreme Leader and Creator of the Universe “does He know anything?” vr 17 – ENTERED THE SANCTUARY – then I understood their END -- Going to Worship w/ other Godly People --- Helped me See the End of our Time -- Eternity (this is only understood through Gen 1-2 --- God is the Creator – Breathed a Breath of life – (II Cor 5:1 – tent…) vr 18 – Wicked are on Slippery Places – Vr 25 God is the Only One for ME! -- Heaven and Earth – God strengthens my heart – God is my Portion vr 26 – flesh and heart will fail – even die – God’s fellowship isn’t hindered by death! vr 28 Draw NEAR / Trust GOD / Speak of how God’s works in Your life has made all the difference! ( Psalm 119:70 Their heart is as fat as grease, But I delight in Your law. 71 ¶ It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. 72 ¶ The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver. 73 ¶ YOD. Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. 74 ¶ Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your word.
• #3 Chaos -- cha·os ˈkāˌäs/ noun noun: chaos; plural noun: chaoses 1. complete disorder and confusion. "snow caused chaos in the region" synonyms:disorder, disarray, disorganization, confusion, mayhem, bedlam, pandemonium, havoc, turmoil, tumult, commotion, disruption, upheaval, uproar, maelstrom; Moremuddle, mess, shambles, free-for-all; anarchy, lawlessness, entropy; informalhullabaloo, hoopla, train wreck, "police were called in to quell the chaos" antonyms:order Physics behavior so unpredictable as to appear random, owing to great sensitivity to small changes in conditions. the formless matter supposed to have existed before the creation of the universe. Greek Mythology the first created being, from which came the primeval deities Gaia, Tartarus, Erebus, and Nyx. noun: Chaos
• #4 When a man just needs a little piece and quiet!
• #9 Perhaps many of you have had a house to burn or flood or someother devastation. The year following is hard work – putting your life together after such chaos is challenging. Adultery spawns tornadoes – destruction is deadly and can continue to spawn off additional problems all along the way. brings destructive Chaos Pornography is a flood that is continually rising – will you drown before you stop? brings chaos Jealousy and Competitive envy are deadly lightening storms. brings disruption Raging Tempers and Temptatrums are deadly winds that can blow down you house. bring disorder Cutting, Name calling a violent intruders who come in slashing a spouse or children to shreds Lying is a theif who quietly steals peace and trust Drugs, Alcohol, gambling, other vices – are the family’s cancer, aids and stroke – if not turned from – they disable the family’s ability to function appropriately Domestic violence – is terrorism brought home. One of our own turning on us that makes life so hard. tsunami to the family Worldliness blows in like a drought that slowly saps your home of the ability to have fresh, lively purpose and passion – leaves you saying – it isn’t worth it – need to look somewhere else Inability to humbly forgive builds a dust storm to think to see through – we lose sight of each other and only cling to past faults Failure to nurture is a blizzard that blows into your home knocking out the power and heat – leaving your family bitterly cold Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Order / vs / Chaos Marriages – Confusion of Priorities, Roles, Love, Righteousness, Temporal/Eternal, Vices, Infidelity,     http://www.coolgeography.co.uk/GCSE/AQA/Restless%20Earth/Tsunamis/Tsunamis.htm   Tsunamis are also called seismic sea waves.  Whereas most waves that we experience day to day are created by both the gravitational pull of the moon on the sea and wind acting upon the sea, tsunamis have other causes.  They can be created by landslides, underwater volcanoes and more commonly underwater earthquakes.  The Boxing Day tsunami of 2004 in the Indian Ocean was created by an underwater earthquake. The Tsunami of December 26th 2004 killed over 220,000 people. This was an enormous disaster of which most people were completely oblivious to on that Boxing Day morning.     Why the Tsunami happened Just after dawn on the Sundra trench a massive earthquake occurred on the ocean floor. Here 2 plates driven by convecting heat in the Earth’s interior are grinding past one another. When the stresses that build up are released a massive earthquake occurs. The Indo-Australian plate is being subducted under the Eurasian plate at the Sundra Trench, and has been doing this for 20million years. This zone has stick slip frictional properties, which means that it drags the upper plate down with it, deforming the upper plate. Eventually the stress becomes too much and the upper plate snaps back – causing the earthquake. This section was just near to Aceh province and is 1200km long, from western Sumatra up to the Nicobar and Andaman Islands. The motion generated was 20m of the continental plate over the oceanic plate. Most of this was horizontal but some was vertical, most of the movement was West or East. Seismographs in California showed how the earthquake lasted over 4 minutes and measured 9.0 or the logarithmic Magnitude scale. The energy goes up by 30 every level you go up on this scale. When an earthquake occurs under the ocean its seismic energy can dissipate through the Earth's crust or as shockwaves through the ocean water. The earthquake occurred close to the surface, only 30km deep, and caused tsunami initiation. The movement of the sea bed upwards displaces billions of tonnes of water above it, some sea floor falls and water rushes in to replace it. The uplifted water collapses and rushes out radially outwards at a thousand km per hour.   A timeline of destruction 20 minutes before the water arrives Banda Aceh feels the force of the earthquake and buildings collapse. Across in the Pacific, at the Hawaii Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre pick up the seismic signals just one minute after the quake. Any earthquake above magnitude six results in a pager being sent to the scientists of the centre. The scientists used data from numerous sensors (including water level gauges), but they are only in the Pacific Ocean and have been used to help people for the past 50 years. A system such as this did not exist in the Indian Ocean. The scientists warned of a tsunami and issued a tsunami bulletin. 10 minutes after the earthquake in Sumatra (Aceh province) the wave is approaching at 600miles an hour, in the open ocean boats were hardly affected. As the wave neared land the wave grew by a process of amplification. The front of the wave slows down as it approaches the shore, but the back of the wave is still going its original speed, so the wave builds in size. Before it hits land, the approaching wave sucks water in from its leading edge exposing the sea bed at the coast for up to a mile; this led many people to their deaths in the disaster. Tsunamis rush in as a surge rather than as a classic curved wave, and they have incredible wave lengths of hundreds of kilometres meaning that they keep coming in for 5 minutes or more. The mass caused huge damage –one cubic meter of water has a mass of one ton, every 1.5m of coastline was exposed to 1000tons of water. The water was also not clean; it had rocks, cars, and other debris which caused damage. 15minutes after the quake Northern Sumatra becomes the first place to be hit. It caused utter devastation. Banda Aceh was completely destroyed, with barely any buildings left standing. The height of the wave here was colossal, higher than the coconut trees. Ships were thrown up onto the land, and the cement works were destroyed. ¾ of the tsunamis victims died in Sumatra. 30 minutes after the quake, 7000 people are killed in the Nicobar Islands 45 minutes after the earthquake the scientists in Hawaii are still unaware of the tsunami. They issue an upgraded tsunami warning. 1 hour after the earthquake in Thailand, people still do not know that people have died in Indonesia. People climbed upon the tops of hotels to survive. The Geomorphology (shape and orientation) of the coastline determined death tolls along the coast of Thailand, and this was shown along the West coast of the Island of Phuket. The exposed bays which faced the wave bore the brunt of the wave, whereas bays which faced away got of relatively lightly. Surin Bay and Beach had a steep beach and protecting headland, and was relatively untouched. The water was only 30cm deep there, but in Kamala beach the bay faced the wave, had a very shallow gradient allowing the wave to build up and had low land behind the bay. Kamala was devastated. Buildings and decking were ripped up. Phuket was hit by a second wave 15 minutes later, which was even bigger than the first wave. Multiple waves in Tsunamis are normal. The second wave rolled around the whole of Kamala bay. As the water retreats back out to sea it pulled cars, debris, fishing boats and people back out with it. 2 hours after the earthquake, the wave reaches Sri Lanka. A train was running along the coast from Colombo to Galle. The train was hit by the wave of water, and split the train up. The second wave arrived soon after, killing most of the people who had survived the first wave on the train. 1500 people died on the train, 45,000 people died in India and Sri Lanka. 3 ½ hours after the earthquake the Hawaii Tsunami centre are shocked by the devastation, and upgraded their estimate of the size of the quake to 8.9. There were no contacts that the team could call, so they tried everyone they could who were ahead of the wave. 3 ¾ hours after the quake, the Maldives are only slightly effected. 7 hours after the quake, East Africa is next affected. News is finally getting to communities and in Kenya there was only one fatality as people were warned. The wave dissipates throughout the whole ocean across the globe. Tsunamis are not new to Asia, Krakatau’s explosion in 1883 generated massive tsunamis. NASA showed that the tsunami called the Earth to wobble by 2 ½ cm and slightly shortened the day. The area affected has concerned scientists for years, and a network of deep ocean sensors could have saved thousands of people. There were no water level sensors, no warning systems and no disaster plans. This all contributed to the high death toll.   Overall effects; By the end of the day of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, it had already killed 150,000 people. The final death toll was 283,000. The Indian Ocean tsunami travelled as far as 3,000 miles to Africa and still arrived with sufficient force to kill people and destroy property. Many people in Indonesian reported that they saw animals fleeing for high ground minutes before the tsunami arrived – very few animal bodies were found afterward. The risk of famine and epidemic diseases was extremely high immediately following the tsunami – bodies rotting in the tropical heat contaminated food and water sources. 1.7 million people were displaced    The Greatest Destruction and Chaos today are happening in hurting relationships.
• #10 An AFSCME Guide chair How to a meeting. Before these words are said, there may be multple conversations scattered all throughout the room. Some standing while others may be just entering the door. But once the Room is Called to Order. One expects there to be one voice in the room --- The Chairman of the meeting or whomever he / she recognizes to speak. Expect all others to be seated. Expect business to be conducted. Healthy discussion to take place. Expect Voting and in a word “Progress” or another word, “productivity” People walk out – “Was that a good session?” “Did you have a good meeting?” How different would the time be if the Chairman called for “order” and no one stopped their individual conversations. Others continued to stand in the door – while some went in and out. The setting was much more like a busy foyer of a church building or coridor of an airport or the stands of a ballfield. Imagine coming out of a meeting with such a setting --- “Was that a good session?” I didn’t even know we met – did we? “Good meeting?” No, I never heard the chairman --- tried the whole time. Leave with business undone (might have been very important – much money – affect lives – souls) No Progress. Why? Can’t make progress in the midst of Chaos. 2. ILL: Listen to an orchastor warming up – blasting, protruding noise – if it were a relationship – dysfunctional. Then the Director of the Orchastor steps up – All is silent – listen to his commands. Accept His song selection (not name your request), Follow his tempo as he counts off, Begin on his command – Constantly watch for His lead, guidance – wisdom that he brings from years of musical experience. Each of the strings, horns, woodwinds, the percussionist are following him – What follows is beautiufl – Masterful – Orderly --- Completely different from the Chaos before the Master brought Order
• #11 What can we do? Where do we start? Do we try to build storm shelters? Install tornado or Hurricane or Tsunami sirens Do we hire more professionals to help clean up the messes? Ask for more volunteers to send relief aid? Do we simply learn how to persevere in storms and pray that God will help us develop into people who can live in the midst of chaos? Xxxxxxx Adultery spawns tornadoes – destruction is deadly and can continue to spawn off additional problems all along the way. brings destructive Chaos Pornography is a flood that is continually rising – will you drown before you stop? brings chaos Jealousy and Competitive envy are deadly lightening storms. brings disruption Raging Tempers and Temptatrums are deadly winds that can blow down you house. bring disorder Cutting, Name calling a violent intruders who come in slashing a spouse or children to shreds Lying is a theif who quietly steals peace and trust Drugs, Alcohol, gambling, other vices – are the family’s cancer, aids and stroke – if not turned from – they disable the family’s ability to function appropriately Domestic violence – is terrorism brought home. One of our own turning on us that makes life so hard. tsunami to the family Worldliness blows in like a drought that slowly saps your home of the ability to have fresh, lively purpose and passion – leaves you saying – it isn’t worth it – need to look somewhere else Inability to humbly forgive builds a dust storm to think to see through – we lose sight of each other and only cling to past faults Failure to nurture is a blizzard that blows into your home knocking out the power and heat – leaving your family bitterly cold Xxx? OR what if we had the capabilities to quiet the storms? What if we could stop the next tsunami before it ever happens? What if your actions and decisions disarmed the violent intruder and the thief? What if we could avoid adultery all together – even controlling lust of our heart to never allow the destructive rotations to even begin What if we protected our eyes and heart to not allow the flood of pornography to even start – much less drown those we love. what if you could calm the winds of a temper through patience? What if you What if we could love and esteem others greater which destroys envy, leaving a wake a celebration of others What if patients and self control was the peaceful, refreshing breeze you brought into your home instead of raging straightline winds creating a temper tatrum What if you decided to only speak words of edification, not allowing the intruder of Name calling to enter your home even once. What if you tried to live truth in every action and word --- not allowing lying to ever violate trust so that peace is built – not stolen What if you lived HOLY in all your conduct – to never invite any moral cancers into any of your relationships – instead Health What if self control, tenderness and gentleness controlled your life so that your home never new terror from within! What if godliness defines our steps helping us walk daily with purpose, calling higher than ourselves, seeing God’s beauty of creation – including our family and marriages! What if we were not only forgiving – but quick to forgive – creating a culture of perfect climate – where relationships thrive and grow What if a beautiful soft snow of nurturing filled the winter days and sunshine and soft rains of kind words and deep concern for the other filled hours – we would have beautiful, caring, cherishing relationships through every season of life.
• #12 Great NEWs! You two are the only ones who get to decide what kind of marriage you want! Not even God will make you have better and God wan’t allow Satan to “make you” have a worse marriage! It is up to you! You want a marriage that yells and screams at each other – your choice – Atmosphere of broken trust – lies, deciet, etc. Your choice You want a relationship from from Vices? You don’t want a marriage with Addictions? Your choice – you decide. No one can make you try porn --- continue looking at it. No one can make you “not get help.” You want kind words, forgiving climate? You want to trust each other completely – you are the only ones who can build it or destroy it You want the word “divorce” to never be mentioned in your marriage – you get to decide it. Note: You can’t do it alone You have to decide if you will follow the order God laid out in the very beginning.
• #13 Genesis – Means “Origin” or “source” or “beginning” w/o Form - tohuw, to'-hoo -- from an unused root meaning to lie waste; a desolation (of surface), i.e. desert; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain:--confusion, empty place, without form, nothing, (thing of) nought, vain, vanity, waste, wilderness. Verse 2: "And the earth was waste and void ..." This refers to the state of the earth in the first phase of its creation, and it is also an apt description of the other planets as they are observed to continue in our solar system to the present time. Mars, Venus, Mercury, etc. are still waste and void. It is not necessary to postulate billions of years between Gen. 1:1 and Gen. 1:2 in order to help God find the time to do all that He did for our earth. God spoke – Fiat – command and order – and order was being established over the first 7 days. Gen 1: day 1: Light – (Jn 1:4 – life giving) (2Cor 4:6 – truth giving) (1Jn 1:5-7– pure) (pre and post the sun – Rev 22:5) / Always end in Chaos if we ignore God’s Commands day 2: Firmament and divide waters vr 7 – sky and sea / Boundaries -- order demands boundaries day 3: dry land vr 9 / herb and grass after it’s kind vr 12 / Boundaries and law of sowing and reaping mentioned for the first time! Causes can consistently have the same effect! This eternal law of God regarding life yielding seed "after their kind" has never been repealed. day 4: Sun, moon and stars – vr 14 – Time and Seasons are Consistent (Gen 8:22) divide day and night; signs and seasons, day and night. act of Day 4 was the positioning of our solar system by Divine fiat in such a manner as to provide the environment for humanity. Who could know how God did such a thing? That He did indeed do it is evident in the results. Where else in the billions of galaxies all around us in space is there another planet of suitable size, placed at suitable distance from its mother star, inclined at exactly the proper angle upon the plane of its orbit, possessing precisely the kind of satellite needed, as in the case of our moon, possessing the necessary water supply, the proper atmosphere with its delicately-balanced percentages of the component elements, performing continually the diurnal revolutions upon its own axis to give succession of day and night, and constantly moving in the annual revolutions around the sun in the plane of its own orbit, providing the seasons and marking the years? If this exceedingly complex and precise placement of the earth was not a special act of God, why is it, as far as can be determined, absolutely unique? Significantly, such things as signs, day and night, seasons, and years are categorically mentioned as the result of creation on Day 4. Therefore, we identify the placement that made all such things possible as the creative accomplishment of this day. / App: You pass through once – Ps 90:12 day 5 and 6: creatures of water and air -- (day 6) – creatures of Land -- Each according to his kind -- vr 26 – Mankind have dominion (reign, make to rule, take or prevail against) over animals – Made in God’s Image: Gen 1:26; 2:7 breathed into nostrils the breath of life – living soul. Animals don’t have that soul Gen 1:26 Make man in “our” image / Godhead was in relationship --- made man to share in relationship--- the story of the Bible is God’s seeking relationship with man! Relational words: “Let us” / 2:18 “alone” “helper comparable (almost every time it is used in N.T. it is referring to an aid or helper sent from God – divine aid) / 2:24 man leave (relationship implied), joined, one flesh
• #14 Confusion: instability, i.e. disorder:--commotion, confusion, tumult. Jas 3:13 ¶ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (NKJV) PEACE: eirhnh eirene, i-ray'-nay probably from a primary verb eiro (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity:--one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Decently -- euschemonos, yoo-skhay-mon'-ose --adverb from 2158; decorously:--decently, honestly. 1. Example to All – especially those outside 1Th 4:9 ¶ But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly (honetly) toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing. 2. Ro 13:11 ¶ And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, (honestly) as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. ORDER -- taxis, tax'-is; regular arrangement, i.e. (in time) fixed succession (of rank or character), official dignity:--order. Example: Col 2:5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
• #15 Decently -- euschemonos, yoo-skhay-mon'-ose --adverb from 2158; decorously:--decently, honestly. 1. Example to All – especially those outside 1Th 4:9 ¶ But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly (honetly) toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing. 2. Ro 13:11 ¶ And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, (honestly) as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. ORDER -- taxis, tax'-is; regular arrangement, i.e. (in time) fixed succession (of rank or character), official dignity:--order. Example: Col 2:5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
• #17 JOKE: Man was in desperate need of a brain transplant Surgeon says, “Good news! We have not only found one, but two brains that will be a match for you.” “1 is $50,000 and the other is $5,000 -- choice is yours” Patient – “But I don’t understand such a difference in price – can you explain why?” Surgeon “sure – woman’s brain is used.” Marsha, missionary – life Chaotic Prayer: Let no One or Anything come between you and GOD Don’t punish spouse – leave it up to God (Heb 12) and their godly conscience
• #18 Paul said in verse 11: I have learned to be content! Pause – think about things that you just didn’t know how to do it --- but someone taught you. You read and studied hard. You exercised it until you grasped it. Or you did it unitl you have muscle memory. This week I have thought a little about some things my dad taught me: I’m not a great mechanic or machine operator – but I am so thankful I learned to work with my hands a bit. I’m thankful I learned how to read. You know it wasn’t as easy for me as some kids. I wish I had learned how to spell. I’m thankful I learned how to be a husband. I didn’t know much when I first was married – but I can’t working and continue to. I’m thankful I learned to be a father. I’m thankful I learned how to write sermons and how to preach – I still have more to learn. I’m thankful I learned to drive. Learned to type. Learned my multiplications. … read…. Public speaking… leader (4th grade). Contentment is another thing my parents, my Heavenly Father have really tried to teach me. I’m trying to learn it. 2. Most of us approach life, each day, taught at Childhood – Conditioned, Approach life and days with an attitude of WANT or LACK Everything we have – just isn’t enough We are so overcome by it – that some think it is one of the few and best ways to show love -- by buying things and giving The World Breeds Discontentment: Our society has a strange approach now (hasn’t always been this way to this degree) – everything is geared to make you happy. Your job needs to be fun, wardrobe, car, house, wife, community you live, whatever ---- the continual question is – does it make you happy? 3. Advertising world is to breed discontentment. Make you miserable with what you have and want what they sell. -- Think about this – “CAN YOU BUY CONTENTMENT? Sounds kinda contradictive – doesn’t it? Just one more purchase will make me arrive to the point of contentment! Not Just Materialism: Relationships 1. How about your marriage? You content and constantly dreaming of changing your husband or wife? Or even dreaming of being single? 2. If you are single… Are you content or curse the days of being alone? Convinced yourself you will not be content until you are married. What about YOU: Your body 1. Majority of women complain about something about their body. Men can easily be found guilty too. 2. When is the last time you praised God in prayer – because you believe with all you heart you are fearfully and wonderfully made? 3. Getting Older? You content with your age or feel the need to try to convince the world you are a decade younger? What about Your JOB? 1. Is your salary an area of discontent? 2. Is your boss or environment? Person who has never left their village, yet is content, Aren’t hey happier and more blessed than the world travelor who is discontent with their present vacation! Person who lives a two room house with two changes of clothes and food for a few days and Sincerely thanks God for His many blessings and for His daily food is better off than person living in one of their two homes, who hasn’t even seen the food in the back of the cabinet for months – complains for a larger refrigerator so as to not have to shuffle food around to make it fit and drops off a bag of last years clothes while deeply complaining while shopping that things just don’t fit the way they should! Christian Song out now entitled “Enough” “All of you is More than Enough” is the first lines
• #19 Paul said in verse 11: I have learned to be content! Pause – think about things that you just didn’t know how to do it --- but someone taught you. You read and studied hard. You exercised it until you grasped it. Or you did it unitl you have muscle memory. This week I have thought a little about some things my dad taught me: I’m not a great mechanic or machine operator – but I am so thankful I learned to work with my hands a bit. I’m thankful I learned how to read. You know it wasn’t as easy for me as some kids. I wish I had learned how to spell. I’m thankful I learned how to be a husband. I didn’t know much when I first was married – but I can’t working and continue to. I’m thankful I learned to be a father. I’m thankful I learned how to write sermons and how to preach – I still have more to learn. I’m thankful I learned to drive. Learned to type. Learned my multiplications. … read…. Public speaking… leader (4th grade). Contentment is another thing my parents, my Heavenly Father have really tried to teach me. I’m trying to learn it. 2. Most of us approach life, each day, taught at Childhood – Conditioned, Approach life and days with an attitude of WANT or LACK Everything we have – just isn’t enough We are so overcome by it – that some think it is one of the few and best ways to show love -- by buying things and giving The World Breeds Discontentment: Our society has a strange approach now (hasn’t always been this way to this degree) – everything is geared to make you happy. Your job needs to be fun, wardrobe, car, house, wife, community you live, whatever ---- the continual question is – does it make you happy? 3. Advertising world is to breed discontentment. Make you miserable with what you have and want what they sell. -- Think about this – “CAN YOU BUY CONTENTMENT? Sounds kinda contradictive – doesn’t it? Just one more purchase will make me arrive to the point of contentment! Not Just Materialism: Relationships 1. How about your marriage? You content and constantly dreaming of changing your husband or wife? Or even dreaming of being single? 2. If you are single… Are you content or curse the days of being alone? Convinced yourself you will not be content until you are married. What about YOU: Your body 1. Majority of women complain about something about their body. Men can easily be found guilty too. 2. When is the last time you praised God in prayer – because you believe with all you heart you are fearfully and wonderfully made? 3. Getting Older? You content with your age or feel the need to try to convince the world you are a decade younger? What about Your JOB? 1. Is your salary an area of discontent? 2. Is your boss or environment? Person who has never left their village, yet is content, Aren’t hey happier and more blessed than the world travelor who is discontent with their present vacation! Person who lives a two room house with two changes of clothes and food for a few days and Sincerely thanks God for His many blessings and for His daily food is better off than person living in one of their two homes, who hasn’t even seen the food in the back of the cabinet for months – complains for a larger refrigerator so as to not have to shuffle food around to make it fit and drops off a bag of last years clothes while deeply complaining while shopping that things just don’t fit the way they should! Christian Song out now entitled “Enough” “All of you is More than Enough” is the first lines
• #20 Paul said in verse 11: I have learned to be content! Pause – think about things that you just didn’t know how to do it --- but someone taught you. You read and studied hard. You exercised it until you grasped it. Or you did it unitl you have muscle memory. This week I have thought a little about some things my dad taught me: I’m not a great mechanic or machine operator – but I am so thankful I learned to work with my hands a bit. I’m thankful I learned how to read. You know it wasn’t as easy for me as some kids. I wish I had learned how to spell. I’m thankful I learned how to be a husband. I didn’t know much when I first was married – but I can’t working and continue to. I’m thankful I learned to be a father. I’m thankful I learned how to write sermons and how to preach – I still have more to learn. I’m thankful I learned to drive. Learned to type. Learned my multiplications. … read…. Public speaking… leader (4th grade). Contentment is another thing my parents, my Heavenly Father have really tried to teach me. I’m trying to learn it. 2. Most of us approach life, each day, taught at Childhood – Conditioned, Approach life and days with an attitude of WANT or LACK Everything we have – just isn’t enough We are so overcome by it – that some think it is one of the few and best ways to show love -- by buying things and giving The World Breeds Discontentment: Our society has a strange approach now (hasn’t always been this way to this degree) – everything is geared to make you happy. Your job needs to be fun, wardrobe, car, house, wife, community you live, whatever ---- the continual question is – does it make you happy? 3. Advertising world is to breed discontentment. Make you miserable with what you have and want what they sell. -- Think about this – “CAN YOU BUY CONTENTMENT? Sounds kinda contradictive – doesn’t it? Just one more purchase will make me arrive to the point of contentment! Not Just Materialism: Relationships 1. How about your marriage? You content and constantly dreaming of changing your husband or wife? Or even dreaming of being single? 2. If you are single… Are you content or curse the days of being alone? Convinced yourself you will not be content until you are married. What about YOU: Your body 1. Majority of women complain about something about their body. Men can easily be found guilty too. 2. When is the last time you praised God in prayer – because you believe with all you heart you are fearfully and wonderfully made? 3. Getting Older? You content with your age or feel the need to try to convince the world you are a decade younger? What about Your JOB? 1. Is your salary an area of discontent? 2. Is your boss or environment? Person who has never left their village, yet is content, Aren’t hey happier and more blessed than the world travelor who is discontent with their present vacation! Person who lives a two room house with two changes of clothes and food for a few days and Sincerely thanks God for His many blessings and for His daily food is better off than person living in one of their two homes, who hasn’t even seen the food in the back of the cabinet for months – complains for a larger refrigerator so as to not have to shuffle food around to make it fit and drops off a bag of last years clothes while deeply complaining while shopping that things just don’t fit the way they should! Christian Song out now entitled “Enough” “All of you is More than Enough” is the first lines
• #21 A W Tozer said, “The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One.” A Puritan sat down to his meal & found that he had only a little bread & some water. His response was to exclaim, “What? All this & Jesus Christ too!” The truth is that when you come to the point where you realize that all you have left is Jesus, then you come to know that JESUS is all you NEED! (See 2Co12:9,10-note)
• #22 A W Tozer said, “The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One.” A Puritan sat down to his meal & found that he had only a little bread & some water. His response was to exclaim, “What? All this & Jesus Christ too!” The truth is that when you come to the point where you realize that all you have left is Jesus, then you come to know that JESUS is all you NEED! (See 2Co12:9,10-note)