Making the Most of the Time We’re Given

Making the Most of the Time We’re Given

Dave Riddle - 1/15/2023

Key Passage:  Ephesians 5:15-17

Look (Ephesians 5:15)

  • Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk.

    • Literally “look carefully”

    • blepo (Greek: βλέπω) literally: to see. Metaphorically: to see with the mind’s eye. To turn the thoughts or direct the mind to a thing; to look at; to weigh carefully; to examine, consider and/or contemplate.

    • How you walk = peripateo (Greek: περιπατέω) literally: to tread all around, walk at large. Figuratively: to live, to make one’s way, to regulate one’s life, to conduct oneself

  • How? (v. 15)

    • Not as unwise people but as wise

    • sophos (Greek: σοφῷ) - Wise. To have skill or expertise. To best form plans and use the best means for their actual execution. 

  • Proverbs 1:1-7

    • If we don’t pay careful attention to the way we live our lives, then we are living as fools!

Seize (Ephesians 5:16)

  • chronos vs kairos

    • Greek: καιρός: No direct English equivalent 

      • The right time

      • The critical time

      • The opportune moment

    • Implies, not the convenience of the season, but the necessity of the time at hand.

    • “Kairos is when eternity steps into time”

  • To make wise and sacred use of every opportunity for doing good.

Know (Ephesians 5:17) 

  • So don’t be foolish, but understand.

    • syniemi: to put together (mentally) to comprehend, to set or join together in the mind. To understand and act piously. Having the knowledge of those thing which pertain to salvation.

  • How do we know the will of God? 

    • Romans 12:2 

    • Francis Chan: “What is God’s well for my life for the next five minutes?”

    • Jim Elliot: “Wherever you are, be all there; live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.”

    • MLK Jr. “It does not matter how long you live, but how well you do it.“ & “We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always right to do right”

Expect the Unexpected this New Year

Expect The Unexpected

Paul Trulock- 1/8/2023

Key Passage: Genesis 22

We Know Two Things Abraham Didn’t Know

  1. This is a test

    • Genesis 22:1

  2. The purpose of the test

    • Do you love the gift more than the giver? (Genesis 22:2)

      • The first time love is mentioned in the Bible. The love of a father for his so

Abraham was listening for God’s Voice

  • Genesis 22:1 - He didn’t need to be called for twice

He Didn’t Delay

  • Genesis 22:3 - He got up early

He Was Steadfast

  • Genesis 22:4 - “on the third day“

    • This wasn’t quick, it was a long and excruciating process.

We Will Worship… and Return

  • Genesis 22:5 - WE will worship. WE will return.

    • He trusted that God would spare or resurrect Isaac someway somehow… despite the fact that no one had yet been resurrected.

He Trusted in God’s Provision

  • Genesis 22:7-8 - Abraham trusted that God will provide.

  • Genesis 22:9 - so did Isaac.

“Now I Know”

  • Genesis 22:12 - Good is omniscient. He knew the result, but now he experienced it. 

    • Good always has a purpose for his tests.

  • Abraham also knew and experienced.

Abraham Looked Up

  • Genesis 22:13 - …and the Lord provided.

The Lord Will Provide 

  • Genesis 22:14

  • Matthew 6:26-34

A New Year With God 

A New Year With God 

Phil Woodman- 1/1/2023

Key Passage: Matthew 5:3-6

Hungry For God 

  • Matthew 5:3-6

    • Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, for they will be filled. 

Deeply Rooted in Faith

  • 2 Timothy 1:5

    • Who has poured into you. Who are you pouring into?

  • Spend time in God’s word.

    • cbcjoy.org/bible

  • Psalm 42:9-11

    • David puts his hope and trust in God, even when he feels discouraged and distant.

Hungry for the Presence of God 

  • Psalm 27:4

    • David asks and desires for one thing above all else… to be with God and to dwell in his presence.

  • Exodus 33:18

    • Moses has seen God and met with him on multiple occasions and yet his request to God is still, “Please show me your glory”

  • Ruth 1:16-17

    • Ruth’s willingness to leave everything behind.

  • Philippians 3:7-8

    • Paul considered all of his accomplishments as meaningless compared with knowing God.

Are You Hungry to Experience the Presence of God?

  • When was a time when God felt near? A time when you felt the presence of God?

Joseph - Time to Get Uncomfortable

Time to Get Uncomfortable - Joseph

Dave Riddle - 12/18/2022

Key Passage: Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph was a Righteous Man

  • dikaios (Greek: δίκαιοςa) pertaining to being in accordance with what God requires—‘righteous, just.’ 

Joseph Didn’t Want to Disgrace Mary

  • deigmatisai (Greek: δειγματίζω) to cause someone to suffer public disgrace or shame—‘to disgrace in public, to put to shame.’

Joseph’s Angelic Encounter

  • Matthew 1:20-21

Joseph’s Response

  • Matthew 1:24-25

    • He chose to believe

    • He chose to obey

Repentance

  • Believe and Obey 

  • He turned from the direction he wanted to go and went God’s way instead.

    • Yielding your will to God’s will.

Mary - Time to Get Uncomfortable

Time to Get Uncomfortable - Mary

Dave Riddle - 12/11/2022

Key Passage: Luke 1:26-38

Mary Was Deeply Troubled

  • diatarassō (διαταράσσομαι) - to disturb wholly, agitate, with alarm. Troubled, perplexed.

  • “What kind of greeting is that!?”

Mary’s Kairos moment

  • Somewhere between a speed bump and a brick wall.

  • καιρός: No direct English equivalent 

    • The right time. The critical time. The opportune moment. Implies, not the convenience of the season, but the necessity of the time at hand.

    • “Kairos is when eternity steps into time”

  • Luke 1:34 - “How can this be!?”

God’s Supernatural, Outlandish, Very Divine Answer

  • Luke 1:35

    • You don’t need to know a man like that to have a kid like this.

Mary’s Incredible Response

  • I am the Lord’s servant, may it be done to me according to your word.

    • Luke 1:37-38

    • “Perfect submission, all is at rest.”

  • Mary moved from deeply troubled to perfect submission.

Time to Get Uncomfortable - Zechariah & Elizabeth 

Time to Get Uncomfortable - Zechariah & Elizabeth 

Dave Riddle - 12/4/2022

Key Passage: Luke 1:5-25, 57-80

Zechariah’s Uncomfortable Encounter

  • Luke 1:11-12 - an Angel appeared and Zechariah was overcome with fear!

John’s Uncomfortable Future

  • Luke 1:15-17 - A Nazarite, a forerunner, a role that will ultimately cost John his life.

Gabriel’s Uncomfortable Message and Zechariah’s Uncomfortable Doubt

  • Luke 1:18 - “How can this be!?”

Unbelief’s Uncomfortable Consequences

  • Luke 1:20 - “…because you did not believe my words”

Zechariah’s Uncomfortable Silence

  • Luke 1:21-22

How Do WE Respond To God’s Uncomfortable Incursions In Our Lives?

Organic Outreach

House Rules - Organic Outreach

Dave Riddle - 11/27/2022

Key Passage: Matthew 9:35-38

Outreach = Sharing and showing the good news of Jesus in everyday life.

He Went

  • Matthew 9:35

    • While he was out and about he was purposeful.

…Teaching

  • Matthew 9:35

    • Teaching = didaskō (Greek: διδάσκω) - teaching with the purpose of transformation.

…Proclaiming the Good News

  • Matthew 9:35

    • kēryssō euaggelion basileia (Greek: κηρύσσω ευαγγελιον βασιλεα) - preaching the good news of the Kingdom.

Healing

  • Matthew 9:35

    • Jesus understood that people needed healing and he provided it.

He Noticed

  • Matthew 9:36 - “when he saw the crowds...”

    • He didn’t overlook them or look past them. He saw them.

Jesus Felt

  • Compassion

    • Matthew 9:36

    • splagchnizomai (Greek: σπλαγχνίζομαι) - to be moved as to one's bowels, hence to be moved with compassion, have compassion (for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity)

He Explained

  • Matthew 9:37-38

    • The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few

We Embody

  • Luke 6:40

    • We should do what Jesus did.

    • Our ministry should be incarnational.

We Testify

  • Acts 1:7-8

    • We are being sent out to share and show the good news of Jesus!

  • Ephesians 1:7

    • Good news!

Joyful Generosity 

House Rules - Joyful Generosity 

Dave Riddle - 11/20/2022

Key Passage: Mark 12:41-44

Joyful Generosity 

Recognizing that all we have is a gift from God and learning to share what we have.

God Gave

  • God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son. John 3:16

    • Jesus is the embodiment of generosity.

Generous: A readiness to give more of something that what is expected 

Jesus Gave Willingly

  • John 10:18

Jesus Gave Joyfully

  • Hebrews 12:2

Jesus Gave Purposefully

  • 1 Peter 3:18

Jesus Gave Sacrificially

  • Philippians 2:6-8

Our Generosity Should Be a Reflection of God

  • John 13:34

Generosity is An Attack On a Would-Be “King”

  • Matthew 6:24

    • Money = mamōnas (μαμωνᾶς) - Mammon - everything we pursue in life. Riches, treasures, dreams, feelings, idols. Everything that isn’t God.

    • Consumerism vs Generosity

Five Resources to be Generous With 

  • Physical Capital

  • Intellectual Capital

  • Relational Capital

  • Spiritual Capital

  • Financial Capital

An Example of Generosity 

  • 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

  • 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Humble Service

House Rules - Service

Dave Riddle - 11/13/2022

doulos (Greek: δοῦλος): a slave, bondman, man of servile condition

It’s What Jesus Did

  • Matthew 20:28

  • Acts 10:38

  • Philippians 2:7

We’re (re)created for it and called to it

  • 1 Peter 2:21

  • Philippians 2:3-5

  • Ephesians 2:10

  • Galatians 6:10

  • Matthew 20:26-27

It Demonstrates Love

  • Galatians 5:13-14

  • Romans 12:9-10

  • Romans 13:8

It Strengthens the Household

  • 1 Corinthians 14:12

  • Ephesians 4:11-13

  • 2 Peter 1:5-8

  • James 2:15-16

  • 1 Peter 4:8-11

It’s Pleasing to, and Rewarded by, God

  • Matthew 25:21 & 23, 34-36


Created For Community

House Rules - Community

Paul Trulock - 11/06/2022

Key Passage: Mark 2:1-12

They chose to be friends

  • This wasn’t a simple job

    • Mark 2:3-4

Jesus saw their faith…

  • Jesus saw the faith of selfless friends.

    • Mark 2:5

“Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

  • Who is this guy? Mark 2:6-7

  • …Which is easier? Mark 2:9-10

The impact of true community

  • The paralyzed man was healed

    • Mark 2:12

  • All were astounded and gave glory to God.

    • Mark 2:12

We are…

  • Created for Community

  • Redeemed for Community

  • Transformed in Community

Prioritize Community

Wholehearted Worship

House Rules - Worship

Dave Riddle - 10/30/2022

Key Passage: Psalm 95

Wholehearted Worship

  • …developing lips, hearts, and lives that acknowledge and celebrate the glory and goodness of God

  • Worship = proskyneo (Greek: προσκυνέω) - to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence

  • latreia (Greek: λατρεία): to serve in a sacrificial manner. Used in reference to religious practices and rituals. Divine priestly service.

  • leitourgeo (Greek: λειτουργία): to do public service, (by analogy) to preform religious or charitable functions. Worship, obey, minister.

Singular

  • Psalm 95:1 - Shout joyfully to the Lord the rock of our salvation

  • Psalm 63:1a - You are my God I worship you

    • 1st Commandment

Personal

  • Psalm 63:1-2 - You are MY God.

Collective

  • Psalm 95:1, 6 - “Come let us…”

Truth 

  • Psalm 95:3-5 - We sing truth.

  • Our worship is a response to the truth of who God is and the truth of the transformation He is working in our lives.

Joyful Celebration

  • Psalm 95:1-2 - Shout joyfully to the Lord. Shout triumphantly…

  • rānan (Hebrew: רָנַן): to cry out, shout for joy

  • rûaʿ (Hebrew: רוּעַ): to shout, cry out, give a blast

    • Joshua 6:20 (Jericho)

    • 1 Samuel 4:5 (shouts that shake the ground)

Intimacy

  • Psalm 95:6

  • 1 John 3:1

  • Psalm 63:3-5

Obedience

  • Psalm 95:7b-9

  • Roman 12:1 - present your bodies as a living sacrifice

Passionate Prayer

House Rules - Prayer

Dave Riddle - 10/23/2022

Key Passage: Ephesians 3:14-21

Passionate Prayer

  • growing in our desire and commitment to seek God (individually and with others) and yield to His will for our lives.

Key Concept: Surrender!

  • Prayer is acknowledging that we don’t have complete control

Posture of Humility

  • Ephesians 3:14

  • Philippians 2:10

  • Pray = proseuchomai (Greek: προσεύχομαι) to pray to God, supplicate, worship.

  • Worship = proskyneo (Greek: προσκυνέω) - to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence

Phenomenal God

  • Ephesians 3:14b-16a

  • Ephesians 3:20

    • dynamis (Greek: δύναμις) strength, ability of power, especially inherent power, residing in something (or someone) by virtue of its (or their) nature.

Passionate Request

  • Ephesians 3:16

    • Praying for spiritual maturity

  • Ephesians 3:17

    • Praying for a strong foundation

  • Ephesians 3:18-19

    • Comprehend, know, filled with the fulness of God

      • Know = ginōskō: to know in a deeply experiential way.

Point of it All

  • Ephesians 3:21

Life in the Spirit

House Rules - Holy Spirit

Dave Riddle - 10/16/2022

Key Passage:  John 14:16-17

Life in the Spirit

  • walking in the power and leadership of the Holy Spirit, while bearing spiritual fruit and utilizing spiritual gifts.

A Promise Fulfilled

  • John 14:16-17

    • We need help!

  • John 16:7

    • Jesus was leaving, but He didn’t leave us without help!

    • Helper = paraklētos - summoned, called to one's side, esp. called to one's aid. One who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate. One who pleads another's cause with one, an intercessor. In the widest sense, a helper, aider, assistant

Friendship

  • Holy Spirit “…is the loving, self-communicating, out-fanning and out-pouring presence of the eternal divine life of the triune God. By the Spirit, God draws near to the creature and mediates a knowledge of divinity in a hundred thousand ways.” - Jürgen Moltmann

Conviction

  • John 16:8-9

    • We are completely dependent on the Holy Spirit bearing fruit in our gospel work and in our lives.

New Life

  • Acts 2:37-38

  • John 3:5-6

  • John 6:63a

Empowered Life

  • Acts 1:8

  • 2 Timothy 1:7

    • Power = dynamis (Greek: δύναμις) strength, ability of power, especially inherent power, residing in something (or someone) by virtue of its (or their) nature.

  • Galatians 5:16

Changed (Fruitful) Life

  • Galatians 5:22-23

  • Galatians 5:25 - If we live by the spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit

    • Keep in step = stoicheo (Greek: στοιχέω) -literally, to march in military rank; to proceed in a row as the march of a soldier. Figuratively, to conform (in virtue, piety)

Gifted Life

  • 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

    • We are strengthened by each other’s gifts.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:12

Directed Life

  • John 16:3

  • 1 Corinthians 2:14

Eternal Life

  • Ephesians 1:13-14

  • Ephesians 4:30

United Life

  • 1 Corinthians 12:13

  • koinōnia (Greek: κοινωνία) - fellowship, association, community, intimacy, joint participation (the share which one has in anything), communion.

Missions Emphasis Week - A Love for Jesus

Missions Emphasis Week - A Love for Jesus

10/9/2022 - Micah Williams

Key Passage: John 14:23-24

A love for Jesus looks like a love for the marginalized

  • Matthew 25:31-40

    • Hungry, thirsty, naked, imprisoned, strangers

    • Do we see those who are on the margins?

    • What if it was Jesus in need?

A love for Jesus looks like a love for the lost

  • Matthew 28:19-20

  • Mark 16:15-16

    • The gospel is good news.

      • Not everybody knows the good news.

      • The vast majority of people we brush shoulders with do not know Jesus.

A love for Jesus looks like a commitment to living missionally  

  • Romans 10:13-17

    • We have to tell others.

    • They won’t hear unless somebody says something.

    • How do you spend your time and your money?

Set your sights on eternity 

  • Revelation 19:6-7

Missions Emphasis Week - The Glory of Going

Missions Emphasis Week - The Glory of Going

10/2/2022 - Victor Nuwamanya

Key Passage: Isaiah 6:1-9

“In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord…” Isaiah 6:1

Who was King Uzziah?

  • He was faithful to the Lord and God used him, until…

    • 2 Chronicles 26:16, 21

  • “Fame is like perfume. When you spray it, it smells good. When you drink it, it is poison”

Who is your Uzziah?

  • They didn’t see the Lord until he was dead and gone.

  • Who is your Uzziah? Work, idols, hobbies, your belongings, a politician.

  • “Uzziah will die, but God reigns from eternity to eternity”

God’s Glory Compels us to Go

  • We have to…

See the Glory of God

  • Isaiah 6:3

    • Holy holy holy, the earth is filled with God’s glory.

      • What does the word “holy” make you think of?

  • Holy = qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ) - sacred and set apart.

    • “You cannot experience the holiness of God and not be changed”

    • “Show me a prideful person, and I will show a person that has not encountered the holiness of God”

Show the World the Glory of God

  • Isaiah 6:6-7 - Isaiah experiences the glory of God

  • Isaiah 6:8-9 - Isaiah is compelled to go!

  • The glory of God compels to sing hymns in prison, walk on water, take the gospel to your neighborhood, out of the pews and onto the streets.

Here I am. Send me.

  • Isaiah 6:8-9

  • Matthew 5:14-16

The Bible - Know it. Love it. Live it.

House Rules - Bible

Dave Riddle - 9/25/2022

Key Passage: 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Bible Engagement

  • Learning to know, love, and follow the teaching of scripture.

Originates with God Himself

  • All scripture is inspired by God

    • 2 Timothy 3:16

    • “All scripture is God-breathed”

  • 2 Peter 1:20-21

God’s Word and Truth

  • John 17:17

    • God’s Word = Truth

The Design For Our Lives

  • Hebrews 4:12

    • God’s Word = Living, effective, able to judge our thoughts and intentions.

  • Psalm 119:7, 9, 33, 36-37, 104-105, 160

    • The impact of God’s Word on our lives.

The Way of Salvation

  • 2 Timothy 3:15

    • Scripture reveals the way of salvation.

Equips God’s People

  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17

    • …So that the righteous person may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

Know it so you can Share it

  • Matthew 28:19-20

  • Acts 17:11-12 - The Bereans

    • Eagerness

    • Examination

Know it. Love it. Live it.

  • James 1:22-25

    • Not just hearers, but doers.

House Rules

House Rules

Dave Riddle - 9/18/2022

Key Passage: Ephesians 2:19

We are a family!

  • Ephesians 2:19

    • …members of God’s household

    • oikos (Greek: οἶκος) - an inhabited house, a physical dwelling place. Also, the inhabitants of a house, all the persons forming one family - a household.

  • Galatians 6:10

    • …do good to everyone, but especially to the family of God.

  • 1 Timothy 3:15

    • God’s household=the church

  • 1 Peter 2:4-5

    • A spiritual house

  • Hebrews 10:19-21

    • Jesus is the head of our family

Gospel of Jesus – Priority 1!

  • Romans 1:16

    • The gospel is the power of God that brings salvation!

  • 1 Corinthians 9:16

    • Sharing the gospel is a necessity.

    • …Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.

God’s Greatest Commands

  • Mark 12:29-31

    • Love God

    • Love People

God’s Great Commission

  • Matthew 28:19-20

    • Make disciples, baptize, teach.

Genuine Discipleship

  • Luke 9:23 - Follow me

    • Be on the same road

  • Galatians 2:20 - crucified with Christ

    • We no longer live, but Christ lives in us!

Targeted Spiritual Development

  • Luke 6:40

    • We should become more like Jesus

  • 1 Timothy 1:5

    • The goal of our instruction is love.

The Word of God- Our Way of Life

  • 2 Timothy 3:15-17

    • The Word changes us and equips us.

What’s Your Next Step?

What’s your next step?

Phil Woodman - 9/11/22

Key Passage: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

The Shema Prayer

  • Deuteronomy 6:4-9

    • Hear/Listen!

  • A fresh start

Where is your focus/commitment? 

  • Joshua 24:14-15

    • How will you live?

    • Who will you serve?

What’s your next step?

Bible Reading

  • Romans 12:2

    • Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

  • Set manageable goals

  • Pick a plan and finish it

  • Share it with someone

Find Connection

  • Hebrews 10:24

    • We weren’t made to walk alone

  • Join an ABF or Bible Study

  • Find a smaller group that will encourage and challenge.

Find a Place to Serve

  • 1 Peter 4:10

    • Use the gifts you’ve been given to serve others!

  • Serve the church body

  • Serve our community

  • Discover your gift and use it

Share Your Faith

  • 1 Corinthians 11:1

  • 1 Peter 3:15

    • Do people know you’re a believer?

    • Share your story.

    • Ask Questions.

Therefore… Don’t worry

Message Begins around 34:00

Therefore… Don’t worry

Dave Riddle - 9/4/22

Key Passage: Matthew 6:25-34

Don’t Worry

  • Matthew 6:25

  • Worry = merimnaō (μεριμνάω) - to be anxious; to be troubled with cares.

    • Mary and Martha

      • Luke 10:41

      • Troubled = thorybazō (θορυβάζω) - troubled, disquieted, turbid.

  • Look at the birds

    • Matthew 6:26

What benefit does worrying provide?

  • Matthew 6:27

    • Can you add a second to your life or an inch to your height by worrying?

    • When, after worrying, do you feel better about your life?

  • Look at the wild flowers

    • Matthew 6:28-30

The Challenge

  • Are we willing to trust Him with our lives?

    • Matthew 6:30

    • Look at how much God loves us.

      • “…you of little faith”

  • Don’t worry

    • Matthew 6:31-32

    • Paul reiterates this in Philippians 4:6

  • Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

    • Mathew 6:33

    • Luke 10:41-42 (Mary and Martha)

      • There is only one thing that matters!

  • Why? Because tomorrow will have its own worries, and today has enough trouble of its own.

    • Trouble = kakia (κακία) - badness, malice, wickedness, evil