Monday, January 28, 2019

Inspired to Obey - January 27, 2018



OPEN
If I did a poll, you could probably all “list” the things it takes to get healthy…
·      Soda
·      Diet – balanced
·      Veggies, fruit, lean meats
·      Stop McD and BW3 three to five X a week
·      Stop eating dessert with every meal
·      Stay active
·      Exercise 3+ X a week
·      Get up from your desk and walk around
·      Stop watching TV every night
·      Get 7-9 hrs. of sleep
Why don’t we “Obey” these rules?
·      Betting my list didn’t INSPIRE to obedience
·      Or did it?
·      Squats

RECAP
INSPIRED to dive deep into the Bible… into Philippians

Gospel Glasses
·      Identity, destiny and especially relationship
·      Should inspire us to read, pray, interact in a fresh way

Hope this has been fun/encouraging for all of you
Hope you have some new tools to interact with Bible
Hope you are loving Jesus more through your Bible study

TODAY
We are going to tackle what I feel is the biggest leap for many of us.
What does it mean for us to be Inspired to Obey what we read?
PRAYER

PHILIPPIANS 4
Has a whole list of “rules” for us to obey… have you read this thing? (Read 4:1-9 ESV)
4 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

There’s a lot there if you’re looking for something to obey! Here’s an oversimplified list of those 9 verses:
·      Stand firm (4:1)
·      Solve quarrels (2)
·      Rejoice (4)
·      Be reasonable (5)
·      Don’t worry (6)
·      Pray all the time (6)
·      Think only good thoughts (8)
·      Act like Paul all the time (9)

And that doesn’t include 4:10-23… Fourteen more verses in this one chapter!

Are you Inspired to Obey Philippians yet?
This is quite the list… but really anyone who’s been in relationship with Jesus for a year or two should know this list, right?!
·      Be nice
·      Don’t worry
·      Think good thoughts
Seems like common sense for those who follow Jesus.

So why don’t we obey these lists of rules?
We have a sign in our kitchen that says: “we do grace… hugs… 2nd chances.”

Deuteronomy – write them everywhere… doorposts… boxes on your heads

If you put up the 10 commandments, does it work?
Helpful? Sometimes
Inspiring? Not likely

How many of us have ripped off a “Do Not Remove” label?
Didn’t the words inspire you to obey?

How many have approached the Bible this way? …I know I tried

YOU KNOW WHO NEVER DID
My basketball coaches
·      Rules = yes  …Things to follow through on = yes
·      Things to learn = yes  …Plans = yes
·      Things to obey = absolutely
Here’s the thing… LISTS don’t Inspire you to Obery… RELATIONSHIP does.

My coaches didn’t write things down… they inspired through relationship
·      Hours of time together
·      Practice together
·      Meals together
·      Vision for the team (identity)
·      Things to accomplish (destiny)

LET’S LOOK AT PAUL
We’ve been given tools to use on this…
·      Friend, planter, pastor
·      In prison – real, raw words
·      His examples
·      Encouraging his friends

Imagine if your friend or sg leader asked you to work out a quarrel (4:2-3)
Imagine if your friend at church or pastor asked you to “put into practice” (4:9)

Philippians weren’t receiving a List of Do’s and Don’t’s
They were receiving a very PERSONAL Email from a friend.
His LISTS didn’t Inspire them to Obey… his RELATIONSHIP with them did.

YOU AND ME
We know that this was written TO the Philippians
We know that some is FOR us (be nice, don’t worry, think good thoughts)

As you read, pray and interact with Jesus, remember (relationship & identity):
·      He loves us
·      He wants what’s best for us
·      He cares about our worries and our lives

As you read Philippians, remember:
·      Paul believes those things about himself (loved, cared for, best)
·      His hope is in Jesus and not his circumstances (prison)

Let’s re-read just a portion of the text (Phil. 4:4-7 TPT)
    “Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let joy overflow, for you are united with the Anointed One!  Let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near.

   “Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ

Take some time and personally MODEL how I would approach my reading.
How would I approach/read this section?
Remind the audience that the LIST isn’t important.
The important part of this is my connection to Jesus… my relationship INSPIRES me.

A WAY THAT YOU CAN DO THIS?
a)    Come Holy Spirit
b)    Who are you God? (remember my relationship)
c)    Who am I God? (remember my identity)
d)    Then Read the text
e)    What can we do together? (destiny)

You all can do this!
·      But it starts with friendship with Jesus… and partnership with Holy Spirit
·      We can’t just read the book.
·      REMEMBER: LISTS don’t Inspire you to Obery… RELATIONSHIP does.
·      That’s why connection with the WORD is just as important as the written WORD.

Here are a couple of texts that even acknowledge that truth:
John 5:39-40 “You are busy analyzing the Scriptures, frantically poring over them in hopes of gaining eternal life. Everything you read points to me, yet you still refuse to come to me so I can give you the life you’re looking for—eternal life!”

John 14:21 “Those who truly love me are those who obey my commands. Whoever passionately loves me will be passionately loved by my Father. And I will passionately love you in return and will manifest my life within you.”

IMAGINE
Let me encourage you today…
·      Put into practice the steps I’ve taught you (Phil 4:9)
·      Take time to invite God into your reading
·      Be settled in truth before you approach the truth
·      Maybe start Colossians this week J



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