1. What does God know about my thoughts, words, and actions? Psalm 139:1-6
2. Where is God? Where can I go to get away from Him? Psalm 139:7-12
3. Who made me? How well did He do? How long has He known me? Psalm 139:13-16
4. What thoughts does David have about God’s thoughts? Psalm 139:17,18
5. How does David feel about the wicked? Psalm 139:19-22
6. What request does David make of God to correct and lead him? Psalm 139:23,24
7. How might God answer that prayer for David and for us? How would He reveal the wicked way He finds and lead us in the way everlasting?
8. Praise God for His great knowledge. Ask God to inspect you, find what needs to be corrected, and lead you in the right way.
To view the complete lesson outline, Session 4 .
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Leadership Prayers: The Basis of Prayer – The Nature of God, Psalm 103
1. What does the Lord do for His people? Psalm 103:1-5
2. What are the attributes of the Lord mentioned in this Psalm? Psalm 103:6-14
3. How does David contrast man and the Lord? Psalm 103:15-19
4. In view of the Lord’s greatness, what should all beings and things do? Psalm 103:20-22
5. Praise God for Who He is and what He does.
To view the complete lesson: Session 3 .
2. What are the attributes of the Lord mentioned in this Psalm? Psalm 103:6-14
3. How does David contrast man and the Lord? Psalm 103:15-19
4. In view of the Lord’s greatness, what should all beings and things do? Psalm 103:20-22
5. Praise God for Who He is and what He does.
To view the complete lesson: Session 3 .
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Leadership Prayers: How Does a Leader Pray When He Sins?
1. Why did David feel guilty? 2 Samuel 11,12
2. Since we were forgiven when we became Christians, why would we feel guilty today? Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8
3. How many times do we need to ask God to forgive us of a particular sin? Count the petitions in Psalm 51 where David confesses his sin and asks God to remove it.
4. After a child of God has sinned, how are repentance, confession, forgiveness, joy, praise, and sacrifice (obedience) connected? Psalm 51:10-19; 1 John 1:5-2:6
5. When David prayed his prayer of confession, how did God answer Him? Psalm 32
6. What are the connections between forgiveness, confession, prayer, protection, and deliverance? Psalm 32:3-7; 1 John 1:5-2:2
7. How has God promised to answer our prayers? 1 John 5:14,15
8. Pray for forgiveness and continual cleansing from a forgiving and holy God. Continue to ask as much and as often as you need. Thank God for Jesus and His blood that cleanses us and the peace, boldness, and joy that comes from the answer to that prayer.
To see the complete leadership class, go to Leadership Class 2 .
2. Since we were forgiven when we became Christians, why would we feel guilty today? Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8
3. How many times do we need to ask God to forgive us of a particular sin? Count the petitions in Psalm 51 where David confesses his sin and asks God to remove it.
4. After a child of God has sinned, how are repentance, confession, forgiveness, joy, praise, and sacrifice (obedience) connected? Psalm 51:10-19; 1 John 1:5-2:6
5. When David prayed his prayer of confession, how did God answer Him? Psalm 32
6. What are the connections between forgiveness, confession, prayer, protection, and deliverance? Psalm 32:3-7; 1 John 1:5-2:2
7. How has God promised to answer our prayers? 1 John 5:14,15
8. Pray for forgiveness and continual cleansing from a forgiving and holy God. Continue to ask as much and as often as you need. Thank God for Jesus and His blood that cleanses us and the peace, boldness, and joy that comes from the answer to that prayer.
To see the complete leadership class, go to Leadership Class 2 .
Saturday, January 12, 2008
How to Overcome a Negative Attitude
Today I received the following e-mail:
Do you have any sermons on dealing with negativity or how to overcome a negative attitude?
* * *
I thought the answer might contain a thought that would be helpful to others:
The first thing that came to mind was the series I did on Sunday nights when I arrived here: What Do You Do When God Is Late? It is a series on time. But it really isn’t about time – it’s about faith in God. Will God keep His promises? This is probably the most helpful series I have ever preached for me. At the end of the study, I concluded that God will give me all the time, money, wisdom, people, and anything else I need because he tells me: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). That is the message of the series. The rest is explanation and expansion of that theme.
I think most issues are God issues. Is God God? Will God keep His promises? Many God issues go back to previous experiences. If I have had few or no relationships (family, friend, church) where people kept their promises, it may be more difficult to understand a personality Who does that. Asaph quoted God in Psalm 50:21, “You thought that I was altogether like you.” It is good to remember that God is God and man is man. Even good men are men – not God. If I base my attitude on the performance of other people, I will be disappointed much of my life. If I understand that God and I can have a good relationship with each other regardless of the approval or disapproval of others, I will not be affected as much about what others think and do. I can grow if others choose to stagnate or decline. I can grow if others oppose. I can grow if others persecute.
It goes back to the a series on the “me-first” principle of Bible study. Someone might respond, “That’s why I’m depressed and discouraged. Everybody else is fine. It’s just me that's in a mess.” That also gets back to a God issue: did Paul mean what he said when he wrote, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19)? Can and will God really supply my need? He promises to give me that gift if I will accept it. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12,13).
Maybe there is a "mustard see" there. Let me know if I can clarify.
* * *
If these sermon outlines on time or the me-first principle of Bible study would be helpful, let me know and I will share them.
You may e-mail me for sermon outlines and tell me what would be helpful: jerrie@barberclippings.com .
Do you have any sermons on dealing with negativity or how to overcome a negative attitude?
* * *
I thought the answer might contain a thought that would be helpful to others:
The first thing that came to mind was the series I did on Sunday nights when I arrived here: What Do You Do When God Is Late? It is a series on time. But it really isn’t about time – it’s about faith in God. Will God keep His promises? This is probably the most helpful series I have ever preached for me. At the end of the study, I concluded that God will give me all the time, money, wisdom, people, and anything else I need because he tells me: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). That is the message of the series. The rest is explanation and expansion of that theme.
I think most issues are God issues. Is God God? Will God keep His promises? Many God issues go back to previous experiences. If I have had few or no relationships (family, friend, church) where people kept their promises, it may be more difficult to understand a personality Who does that. Asaph quoted God in Psalm 50:21, “You thought that I was altogether like you.” It is good to remember that God is God and man is man. Even good men are men – not God. If I base my attitude on the performance of other people, I will be disappointed much of my life. If I understand that God and I can have a good relationship with each other regardless of the approval or disapproval of others, I will not be affected as much about what others think and do. I can grow if others choose to stagnate or decline. I can grow if others oppose. I can grow if others persecute.
It goes back to the a series on the “me-first” principle of Bible study. Someone might respond, “That’s why I’m depressed and discouraged. Everybody else is fine. It’s just me that's in a mess.” That also gets back to a God issue: did Paul mean what he said when he wrote, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19)? Can and will God really supply my need? He promises to give me that gift if I will accept it. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12,13).
Maybe there is a "mustard see" there. Let me know if I can clarify.
* * *
If these sermon outlines on time or the me-first principle of Bible study would be helpful, let me know and I will share them.
You may e-mail me for sermon outlines and tell me what would be helpful: jerrie@barberclippings.com .
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Leadership Prayers: How Does a Leader Pray When He Feels Inadequate and Doesn’t Know What He is Doing?
1. How did Solomon feel about his leadership ability compared to God and his father, David? 1 Kings 3:5-7
2. How do you identify with Solomon as you compare yourself with God and with good Christian leaders you have known?
3. How did Solomon view the task he had been given? 1 Kings 3:8
4. How do you feel about your leadership opportunities and responsibilities?
5. What was Solomon’s request of God? 1 Kings 3:9
6. What would you like God to give you as you consider your ability and your responsibility?
7. How did God answer Solomon’s prayer? 1 Kings 3:10-15
8. How has God promised to answer our prayers? Ephesians 3:20,21
9. Pray for wisdom and strength from a powerful God for wisdom as you try to carry out His will in your life.
For the full class outline: http://www.barberclippings.com/resources/Lesson%2001.pdf
2. How do you identify with Solomon as you compare yourself with God and with good Christian leaders you have known?
3. How did Solomon view the task he had been given? 1 Kings 3:8
4. How do you feel about your leadership opportunities and responsibilities?
5. What was Solomon’s request of God? 1 Kings 3:9
6. What would you like God to give you as you consider your ability and your responsibility?
7. How did God answer Solomon’s prayer? 1 Kings 3:10-15
8. How has God promised to answer our prayers? Ephesians 3:20,21
9. Pray for wisdom and strength from a powerful God for wisdom as you try to carry out His will in your life.
For the full class outline: http://www.barberclippings.com/resources/Lesson%2001.pdf
Sunday, December 30, 2007
“I’ll Tell You What our Problem Is: Lack of Leadership!”
As I talk with elders, deacons, preachers, and other concerned Christians, I hear this statement often. I am also concerned about leadership in the family, in the church, and in our county.
It is my understanding that we have the leadership that we deserve, that we want, that we have prayed for, that we have asked for, and that we have trained.
When Jesus saw the multitudes without leadership and direction, He said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37, 38, NKJV).
Sometimes when a brother makes the statement about the lack of leadership, I ask, “How many leadership seeds have you been planting?”. God’s law of sowing and reaping has been in effect since creation:
We reap what we sow. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7).
We reap more than we sow. “But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” (Matthew 13:23).
We reap in proportion to how much we sow. “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).
These principles of sowing and reaping will work for plants (Genesis 1:12), evangelism (Acts 2:47; Acts 5:42; Acts 6:7), judgment and/or forgiveness (Luke 6:37, 38), giving money (2 Corinthians 9:6, 7), and training leaders (2 Timothy 2:2; Ephesians 4:11, 12).
If I don’t like the crop of leadership that I see, I need to evaluate my leadership planting. It will take many, many leadership seeds to produce that crop that we need. In the parable of the soils in Matthew 13, 75% of the seed is ultimately lost: all that falls on the wayside, stony places, and thorny ground. Only the good ground produces.
When I make the wise statement: “I’ll tell you what our problem is: lack of leadership!”, I need to evaluate my leadership farming.
How often and fervently do I pray for workers for the harvest (Matthew 9:37, 38)?
How many “leadership seeds” am I sowing by telling men, women, boys, and girls that I believe in them and that I am praying for them to become elders, deacons, Christian fathers and mothers and grandparents, Bible class teachers, and evangelists (1 Timothy 3:1-13; 1 Timothy 5:14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; 2 Timothy 4:1-5)?
How often do I express appreciation privately and publicly to present leadership (1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13)? How long has it been since the congregation has had an elders’ appreciation day and/or dinner? Several members of one congregation told me, “The reason we don’t have elder appreciation dinners is that we don’t appreciate our elders.” That says more about the people talking than it does about the elders. God’s will is to honor leaders (Romans 13:7; 1 Peter 2:17). Caesar was not a perfect elder in a local congregation but God said, “Honor the king.” Caesar will have to answer for how he responded or did not respond to the grace of God. I will have to answer as to how I honored my leaders. Elders will have to answer for their effective or ineffective leadership (Hebrews 13:17). I will have to answer as to how I honored my spiritual leaders (1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13).
How is your leadership crop this year? What are you expecting next year? Can you say in your encouragement of leadership, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6)?
God’s law of sowing and reaping works regardless of the seed!
If the problem is lack of leadership, the solution begins with me!
We are starting a leadership sowing class in Eddyville, Kentucky, Wednesday night, January 2. This same class will be offered in Albany, Georgia, March 12-15. For more information: http://www.barberclippings.com/10175.html . The brethren at Beattie Road welcome others to come to Albany that week to study and pray with us that God will send more laborers into the harvest. This class is portable – we will give tools and methods for teaching leadership principles that can be taken to other congregations and shared there. If I can answer questions, contact me: jerrie@barberclippings.com .
It is my understanding that we have the leadership that we deserve, that we want, that we have prayed for, that we have asked for, and that we have trained.
When Jesus saw the multitudes without leadership and direction, He said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37, 38, NKJV).
Sometimes when a brother makes the statement about the lack of leadership, I ask, “How many leadership seeds have you been planting?”. God’s law of sowing and reaping has been in effect since creation:
We reap what we sow. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7).
We reap more than we sow. “But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” (Matthew 13:23).
We reap in proportion to how much we sow. “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).
These principles of sowing and reaping will work for plants (Genesis 1:12), evangelism (Acts 2:47; Acts 5:42; Acts 6:7), judgment and/or forgiveness (Luke 6:37, 38), giving money (2 Corinthians 9:6, 7), and training leaders (2 Timothy 2:2; Ephesians 4:11, 12).
If I don’t like the crop of leadership that I see, I need to evaluate my leadership planting. It will take many, many leadership seeds to produce that crop that we need. In the parable of the soils in Matthew 13, 75% of the seed is ultimately lost: all that falls on the wayside, stony places, and thorny ground. Only the good ground produces.
When I make the wise statement: “I’ll tell you what our problem is: lack of leadership!”, I need to evaluate my leadership farming.
How often and fervently do I pray for workers for the harvest (Matthew 9:37, 38)?
How many “leadership seeds” am I sowing by telling men, women, boys, and girls that I believe in them and that I am praying for them to become elders, deacons, Christian fathers and mothers and grandparents, Bible class teachers, and evangelists (1 Timothy 3:1-13; 1 Timothy 5:14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; 2 Timothy 4:1-5)?
How often do I express appreciation privately and publicly to present leadership (1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13)? How long has it been since the congregation has had an elders’ appreciation day and/or dinner? Several members of one congregation told me, “The reason we don’t have elder appreciation dinners is that we don’t appreciate our elders.” That says more about the people talking than it does about the elders. God’s will is to honor leaders (Romans 13:7; 1 Peter 2:17). Caesar was not a perfect elder in a local congregation but God said, “Honor the king.” Caesar will have to answer for how he responded or did not respond to the grace of God. I will have to answer as to how I honored my leaders. Elders will have to answer for their effective or ineffective leadership (Hebrews 13:17). I will have to answer as to how I honored my spiritual leaders (1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13).
How is your leadership crop this year? What are you expecting next year? Can you say in your encouragement of leadership, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6)?
God’s law of sowing and reaping works regardless of the seed!
If the problem is lack of leadership, the solution begins with me!
We are starting a leadership sowing class in Eddyville, Kentucky, Wednesday night, January 2. This same class will be offered in Albany, Georgia, March 12-15. For more information: http://www.barberclippings.com/10175.html . The brethren at Beattie Road welcome others to come to Albany that week to study and pray with us that God will send more laborers into the harvest. This class is portable – we will give tools and methods for teaching leadership principles that can be taken to other congregations and shared there. If I can answer questions, contact me: jerrie@barberclippings.com .
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Learning to Love my Friend(s) 10
Tonight was our last night for the class. Every person has been in every class. Two couples did a make-up class when health or schedule prohibited their participation in the regular class. That is part of the agreement of being in the class.
We will recognize each person at graduation Sunday night after services. I plan to have a picture on my web site: www.barberclippings.com .
The outline for tonight's class:
* * *
How Can I Be a Friend to Jesus?
Introduction:
A. As we come to the close of this series of classes, I hope we can say with confidence what Solomon wrote. Ecclesiastes 7:8
B. In this final session, let us
1. Reflect and review.
2. Apply.
3. Evaluate.
4. Finish.
C. Jesus is my Friend; how can I be a friend to Him?
I. BY OBEYING HIM. John 15:14; James 2:21-23
II. BY BEFRIENDING HIS FRIENDS. Matthew 25:34-40
III. BY IMITATING HIS ATTRIBUTES OF FRIENDSHIP.
A. He understands me.
1. How can I understand Him?
2. How can I understand others?
3. How can I understand myself?
a. When tired?
b. When lonely?
c. When tempted?
d. When happy?
e. When sad?
B. He loves me all the time, even when I have problems.
1. How can I love Jesus all the time?
2. How can I love others all the time, even when they treat me and others wrong?
3. How can I love myself all the time, even when I make mistakes?
C. He tells me the truth.
1. How can I tell Jesus the truth and when should I tell Him the truth?
2. How can I improve my truthfulness with others?
3. How can I improve my truthfulness with myself?
D. He is willing to help and serve me.
1. How can I help and serve Jesus?
2. How can I help and serve others?
3. How can I ask and receive the help and service I need from others?
E. He brings out the best in me and challenges me to grow.
1. How can I respond to Jesus and follow Him in growing?
2. How can I help others to grow spiritually?
3. How can I encourage myself to grow? 1 Samuel 30:6
Conclusion:
A. What was helpful in this class?
B. How can this class be improved?
C. What needs to be discussed that we haven’t discussed?
D. How do you want to say, “Good-bye”?
We will recognize each person at graduation Sunday night after services. I plan to have a picture on my web site: www.barberclippings.com .
The outline for tonight's class:
* * *
How Can I Be a Friend to Jesus?
Introduction:
A. As we come to the close of this series of classes, I hope we can say with confidence what Solomon wrote. Ecclesiastes 7:8
B. In this final session, let us
1. Reflect and review.
2. Apply.
3. Evaluate.
4. Finish.
C. Jesus is my Friend; how can I be a friend to Him?
I. BY OBEYING HIM. John 15:14; James 2:21-23
II. BY BEFRIENDING HIS FRIENDS. Matthew 25:34-40
III. BY IMITATING HIS ATTRIBUTES OF FRIENDSHIP.
A. He understands me.
1. How can I understand Him?
2. How can I understand others?
3. How can I understand myself?
a. When tired?
b. When lonely?
c. When tempted?
d. When happy?
e. When sad?
B. He loves me all the time, even when I have problems.
1. How can I love Jesus all the time?
2. How can I love others all the time, even when they treat me and others wrong?
3. How can I love myself all the time, even when I make mistakes?
C. He tells me the truth.
1. How can I tell Jesus the truth and when should I tell Him the truth?
2. How can I improve my truthfulness with others?
3. How can I improve my truthfulness with myself?
D. He is willing to help and serve me.
1. How can I help and serve Jesus?
2. How can I help and serve others?
3. How can I ask and receive the help and service I need from others?
E. He brings out the best in me and challenges me to grow.
1. How can I respond to Jesus and follow Him in growing?
2. How can I help others to grow spiritually?
3. How can I encourage myself to grow? 1 Samuel 30:6
Conclusion:
A. What was helpful in this class?
B. How can this class be improved?
C. What needs to be discussed that we haven’t discussed?
D. How do you want to say, “Good-bye”?
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