Crossroads Cadiz Podcast

Sinner, Behold The Gospel! Revelation 5

A Church Fully Alive

Pastor Kent Workman, Nov 3 2019 

 

Remember Two Things

Forgiveness. What's in it for me? - Philemon 1-7

Forgiveness. Why must your forgive? What is it that could possibly be waiting for you on the other side of releasing something you've been holding onto, against another. 

In this message, learn how Paul elegantly approaches a brother in Christ, Philemon, to warn him and remind him of his heart regarding his slave's escape and return. 

Why Must I Forgive?

Mark 11:25 - And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing. 

1) You are not the only hurting, suffering, wounded person in the world. (v.1a)

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus… 

2) We are family … we are all on the same team. (vv.1b-3)

To Philemon our dear friend and coworker, to Appia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your home. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

3) Because you can! (vv.4-5,7)

I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers, because I hear of your love for all the saints and the faith that you have in the Lord Jesus. … For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. 

 

Check Your "Ingredients" 

• Love for fellow believers 
• A growing, thriving, relationship with Christ 
• A lifestyle of encouragement

 

4) Because Jesus forgave you. 

 

 

 

Jesus… Your Best Financial Advisor - Matthew 6:19-21

Let's Dispel a Few Modern Misunderstandings and False Doctrines 

• Jesus does not advocate poverty as a means to spirituality.  Acts 2:44-45 

Acts is a book of the bible, categorized as a "___" book.

• The Bible recognizes the right to material possessions that are acquired honestly. 

…Descriptive vs. Prescriptive

• God expects us to enjoy the blessing that He give, including the material blessings. 1 Tim 6:17

• Material possessions are not, in and of themselves, evil … unless they become idols in your life. 

Matt 25:27 

Proverbs 6:6-8 > Go to the ant, you slacker!

Proverbs 14: 23 (a verse for the modern politician) 

• The Bible gives considerable counsel for __ and following good ___ . 

• It is not the government's job to __ of us. 

 

Your Finances - According to Jesus  

1) We have some problems with our man-made investment plan (v19) 

• It tends to focus upon us… upon "self" 

• It most often has material possession as the primary goal. 

• These material possessions are not permanent … they will all decay. 

• Your possessions may also be taken away from you. 

2) Jesus commands us to invest in heaven! (v20) 

• You are investing in eternal things. 

• You are investing in people. 

• Those treasures will last forever. 

• God's ___ on this investment, the __ of the ___, can never be ____ !

 

3) The location of your investments reveals the condition of your heart. (v21) 

 

Getting into God's "Market" 

1. Give in faith, and trust God to provide for all of your needs. 
2. Remember that you can never "out-give" God. 
3. Don't expect God to get involved in your finance until you become a faithful investor in His work. 

 

How Greedy Can Christians Be?

God's Economy h

Where Foul Language Fits in the Life of a Christian Eph 4:29

"Just a Slip of the Tongue"

"Garbage In, Garbage Out"

In Ephesians 4:29, Paul said

No foul language shall come from your mouth but only what is good for building up someone in need 

In Ephesians 5:4 (same letter from Paul, he said) Obscene and foolish talk or crude joking are not suitable. 

But now, put away all the followingL Anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth - Col 3:8 

 

In Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus said

I tell you that on the day of judgement, people will have to give an account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be acquitted and by your words, you will be condemned. 

 

First, abusing the ___ of God. 

How pop culture has gravitated to use the Holy name of God

 

Do not misuse the name of the LORD Your God because the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses his name.  - Exodus 20:7 

Names, as in the naming of children, used to have deep deliberateness.

God is referred to in many names:

• YHWH - The Great I Am
• El Elyon - The Most High God 
• Jehovah Jireh - The Lord will provide
• Jehovah Nissi - The Lord is my banner
• Jehovah Sabaoth - The Lord of hosts (or) … of armies

 

 

How to Train the Tongue - Boasting

What does boasting reveal about us? 

 

It exposes our selfishness and our vanity. 

It shows that we think that we are really in charge of our lives. 

It reveals the desire to claim the glory that really belongs to God. 

 

God is not a faithful "___" 

God is not a wise " ___ " 

Got is not a "motherly cleaner upper" 

 

 

 

The Heart of the Issue

The Heart of the Issue
- Jeremiah 17:5-10

Three questions:

1. Are there any areas that I am relying on my own strength and sense of direction? 
2. Do I truly believe that God can/will provide for my needs for his glory? 
3. How are my action showcasing what's on the inside? 

Have Your Heard … about Gossip? [How to Train Your Tongue Series]

[Opening: Andy Griffith clip]

Ancient Proverb: Gossip is a rumor that goes in one ear and out many mouths.

The only time when people dislike gossip is when you gossip about them.
- Will Rogers 

Gossip Defined: 

Biblical Definition: Gossip: The betrayal of confidence. (Proverbs 11:13, 20:19)

Proverbs 18:8 - A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being. 

The Lure of Gossip

1. Gossip just ___ do ___ ! (Proverbs 18:8)
2. Gossip appeals to our most fundamental, depraved human nature. 
   • Our curiosity … we are inquisitive and often-time nosy people. 
   • Our overabundance of time and technology
   • Our egos. 
   

How Does Gossiping Harm You? 

1. It allows evil to get a foothold. (image: this is what a "foothold" looks like) (Ephesians 4:27)
2. It gets you branded as being untrustworthy. (Proverbs 20:19)
3. It makes you a relationship destroyer. (Proverbs 17:19)
4. It ruins your fellowship with God. (James 1:26)

How to Shut Down Gossip 

We have to make the conscious choice to power it down. 

1. Re__ it!
2. Re__ it!
3. Redirect it (Look at the gossiper and say, "…")