Authentic

Me and Emma with a "authentic" cannon from the civil war.........

Hey Guys....if there is one thing that is lacking in our life today, it would be authenticity. There are no authentic people anymore. So many of us live lies. So many believers live lies. This problem makes Christians look shallow and ignorant. We need authentic people. In Ephesians we truly see a picture of an Authentic Believer.

Characteristics of an Authentic Believer
Ephesians 5.3-8a
I. Purity of Life (vs3-4)

Eph 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

In chapter five we see Paul making a move into the practical life of the believer. He tells the reader how to live. But as he goes through the chapter we see now some characteristics of a True Believer. The first characteristic is the Believers purity. We are called to live pure lives, not to impress others or even to make others feel uncomfortable. God gives us directions and boundaries for us. These directions found in His word help us to live, to have joy, and peace. Paul calls the Christian to have physical purity. He begins talking about sexual immorality and how it can affect our life. To be all that God wants us to be, we must seek purity. This is for our own good. Even secular studies have indicated that sexual immorality causes deep and emotional stress in people’s lives. Not only does Paul mention physical purity, he also talks about mental and speech purity. These issues that rise up in this text are no doubt problems we all are facing or are going to face. The cure is simple….flee. We are to flee impurity at what ever the cost. (Why do you think purity is such a big issue in the Christian’s life? Do you find it hard to think and talk about the “right” things? What are some ways that impurity can hurt us?)
II. Assured of Faith (5-8a)

Eph 5:5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord

(Why do you think God wants us to be sure of our salvation? Would it be hard to live for Christ if we doubted our salvation all the time? What are some ways we be sure that we won’t be deceived by false religions? Have you ever had a relationship that caused you to stumble in your Walk for Christ?)
Characteristics of a True Believer
Ephesians 5.3-8a
I. Purity of Life
a. Physical-
b. Mental-
c. Speech-
II. Assured of Faith
a. Salvation
b. Believe
c. Fellowship

Happy Easter!!

here is Emma with here lab puppy, mocha....(this picture has nothing to do with the currnet post, I just thought it was cute!!)

Our hope our joy is found in Christ. The resurrection is the reason for this. But do we truly understand this Resurrection? Have we come to understand the basics? During this resurrection season I encourage you to embrace and understand the resurrection. The resurrection is what makes our faith. Many people are like Peter and the other disciple were when they saw the empty tomb…..
John 20:1) Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2) So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." 3) So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4) Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5) And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6) Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7) and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8) Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9) for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. John 20-1-9 ESV, Good News Publishing 2001.

You see these disciples had no clue as to what was going to happen. Their problem was this….they did not understand who Christ truly is. The people most close to Christ whom they had lived, ate, and resided with, had no clue who he truly was. My question to you during this Easter holiday, when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord is; Do you Understand Christ’s Power? Or are we like those disciples?
The writer of Hebrews was dealing with the same subject. These people were having a problem with putting angels and prophets in the same category with Christ. In the first chapter of Hebrews we see the writer of Hebrews make a case for the Supremacy of Christ. And if we are to fully understand the resurrection, we must first understand the Christ.

I invite you to look with me at some elements of the Supremacy of Christ.

I. Appointed by God (vs1-2)
a. Speaker/Seeker 2a
b. Keeper 2b
c. Creator 2c ( There is not one square inch on planet earth on which the Risen Christ doesn’t say…..”MINE and I RULE IT”)
II. Glory of God (the visible manifestation of everything that God is) (vs3a)
a. Nature---every characteristic, portrait of God, all powerful, all knowing, all seeing. Suppling sustaining, sovereign LORD of LORD and KING of KINGS
b. Divinity--- perfection, holiness, his righteousness, justice, love
i. Love Reaches to the heavens, faithfulness stretches to the skies, righteousness is like mighty mountains, justice is constant like the ocean’s tides, his goodness is overwhelming
c. Imprint of God-he is God
III. Power of God (vs3b)
a. Upholds the Universe
b. Purged-Purified our sins
c. Defeat death, and the Devil, despair, depression, darkness

Here Is what God Says about Christ

Declares his Sonship
Demands Worship
Determined his Throne
Destroys his Enemies

Satisfied?

here is me and emma after hiking in, at old cataloochee...we look unsatisfied, but we are realy just tired...

Are you satisfied?

Why are so many people disapointed with their life?

What is the secret to life....What brings you joy?

"God is most Glorified in me when I am most satisfied in him".......John Piper .......

..Here is were satifaction it begins

Keys to satisfaction Ephesians 5.1-2

I. Mimic God (vs1)

Eph 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

In this first verse we see Paul bringing all of what he has written in Ephesians to a close. He tells us how to practically live this Christian life, and ultimately be satisfied. Paul begins by telling us to be imitators or followers of God. This literally means that we should mimic God. We do this through following, knowing and experiencing Christ. He also calls us to resemble God. We are his kids and there should be a family resemblance. Then obedience comes in. (How are we to mimic God? What are some ways we should “resemble God”? Should people be able to tell we are one of God’s? What makes obedience so hard?)

II. Live in Love (vs2)

Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Paul now tells us to walk, or live in Love. This literally means God’s Love, and His Life. Paul give an example in Christ. Christ is our ultimate example in life. We see his life in the scriptures and we are to live as he did. Jesus first of all was a servant. He did not want to rise to popularity or prestige he just wanted to do what God had called him to be. He served. He also was an offering. He offered his perfect life up in the place of ours. This also made him a sacrifice. Not only did he sacrifice his life but also his wants, needs, desires. He gave it all up on the cross. (What about us how do we live day in and day out, does it resemble Christ’s Example? What do we hav eto present to God? Are we an worthy offering? How can we be the sacrifice that God wants us to be?)

What 's Up

Well its spring and I have wanted to get back into this blogging thing again. So we are going to give it one more try...........

THis is the latest study we have been doing on Wed. Nights. I have begain the study with a basic outline, the following you will find my notes on the text.


Keys to Putting away the Lies
Ephesians 4.25-32
I. Speech Control (vs25&29)
a. Truth
b. Encourage
c. Grace
II. Self Control (vs26-28)
a. Anger
b. Habits
c. Example
III. Spirit Controlled (vs30-32)
a. Follow
b. True
c. fruit
I. Speech Control (vs25&29)
Eph 4:25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another………………………………………(29) Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
In this section of scripture we find the first key to putting off the lies we live, Its speech control. Our Speech is usually the first sign of who we truly are in Christ. We must understand that what comes out of our mouths is most of the time a good picture of what is in our hearts. Paul tell his readers that we must speak truth. Lies kill. We also must seek to speak encouraging words to one another. Our speech should be purposed TO build each other up instead of knocking each other down.
(why do you think that our speech is a good picture of who we truly are? What are some ways our words can hurt people? How can we build each other up?)
II. Self Control (vs26-28)
Eph 4:26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, (27) and give no opportunity to the devil. (28) Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
In this section of scripture we see the key of self control. Its amazing to see how many of us have no self control. Man is addicted to so many things that are sins and those that have become sin. Paul warns that without self control the devil has an opportunity to destroy our lives. Paul mentions anger first. Then he gets specific in his descriptions, talking about thieves. (Why is it important to have self control? What are some ways anger hurts the Christian? How can we be an example to believers and non believers around us?)
III. Spirit Controlled (vs30-32)
Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (31) Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (32) Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
The last part of chapter 4 deals with the key of being spirit controlled. Paul says that we should not grieve the Holy Spirit. He is referring to not following the Spirit. Now its important to remember that the Holy Spirit is God and when we grieve Him we grieve God. So we must follow the Spirit. The question is how do you know it’s the Holy Spirit? To know the Spirit, is to know truth. God is going to lead you in the Truth, and he does this though the Holy Spirit. A life that is Spirit controlled is a life that will have fruit. When we are being lead by God will we refrain from the bad and cling to the good. Our lives will produce fruit like, kindness, forgiveness, and fellowship. ( How can we be Spirit Controlled? Why is it important to be Spirit Controlled? What are some fruits you have seen in other’s lives?)