WE BELIEVE
I Love My Church Week – 2
October 19, 2014
7 Core Beliefs of Tennessee Valley…
1. The Bible
What we believe determines how we behave.
You don’t even have to be a Christian to agree with that statement. Because, belief impacts behavior. If we really believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, it must make a difference in how we live. It was God-breathed and when read and followed, it “straightens us out and helps us do what is right.”
The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16 (TLB)
What we don’t know WILL hurt us. That’s why memorizing Scripture is so vital for every believer. God’s Word keeps us in God’s will and out of trouble!
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
Additional Study: Matthew 6:1-18 reveals three “righteous acts” that are to be done in a particular way and each has a promise that you need to know! THIS IS WORTH YOUR TIME!
2. God The Father
Did you notice I didn’t say, “God.” Most everyone says they believe in “a” god but that doesn’t’ mean they believe in the One True God; God the Father! Why? Because “God” can mean anything, especially these days. Jesus taught us that it’s not about religious activities and that God the Father is a personal God who is approachable in a relationship with us who love Him and call upon His name.
Did you notice I didn’t say, “God.” Most everyone says they believe in “a” god but that doesn’t’ mean they believe in the One True God; God the Father! Why? Because “God” can mean anything, especially these days. Jesus taught us that it’s not about religious activities and that God the Father is a personal God who is approachable in a relationship with us who love Him and call upon His name.
Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
Matthew 6:9 (NLT)
A mark of a caring parent is that they are approachable and it’s okay to ask for what you need. God is infinitely more so! He desires deeply for His children to come to Him and ask!
So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
Matthew 7:11 (NLT)
3. God The Son – Jesus Christ
Although we are all aware of others who have greatly impacted our world, no one has ever impacted our world like the Lord Jesus. He came to reveal to us what God was like and to pay the debt we all owe because we have all sinned against a Holy & Just God. Christ truth will set us free! (See John 8:31-32)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 (ESV)
If you’ve ever wondered whether or not God loves you, all you need to do is to look at Jesus Christ. If you’re tired of walking in darkness and misery and addiction and you want to move from a dark, just-existing-life into a life of light and meaning and purpose, then Jesus Christ is the Man for you.
The message is clear – if you want to stay out of dark, scary, messy places, walk in the light! Might I add…we need to follow closely!
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
John 8:12 (NKJV)
4. God The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God! And He doesn’t cause you to lose control of yourself and do weird stuff. He actually does takes control of you… for the edification of, the making known of the Lord Jesus, and thus bringing glory to God the Father. The Bible is very clear here as it describes the work of the Holy Spirit. Look at what happens in the life of every follower of Christ when you receive Christ as Lord:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (ESV)
You…receive power…become witnesses…and it doesn’t stop! And that happens as God the Holy Spirit supplies you with strength, direction, and guidance in all you do. It is a daily, as you are going, command that we live out loud for Him!
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
Romans 8:9 (ESV)
Secondly, and this is a very, very important thing the Holy Spirit does for every true believer: He seals you in Christ (compare with the “pitch” which sealed Noah’s Ark.
When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13 (HCSB)
Three things that the Holy Spirit does in a very practical way in the life of every Christ follower:
Direction – The Holy Spirit of God takes the Word of God and turns the light on for you! He illuminates a path and directs our steps on that path. That’s why you must read the Bible, know the Bible, learn and live what the Bible teaches.
Attention – The Holy Spirit will always direct your attention in two ways:
Have you ever been driving down the road and all of a sudden, you get the impression you need to pray for someone or call someone? You haven’t even been thinking about them at all but nonetheless, the impression is strong. Then when you are obedient to the Holy Spirit, He will confirm your faithfulness in your spirit as well.
- On Jesus
- Serving Others
Have you ever been driving down the road and all of a sudden, you get the impression you need to pray for someone or call someone? You haven’t even been thinking about them at all but nonetheless, the impression is strong. Then when you are obedient to the Holy Spirit, He will confirm your faithfulness in your spirit as well.
Peace – The Holy Spirit is our promised peace (See John 14:25-27). Jesus never said, “I’m going to keep you from the storms. He did promise, however, that He would “never leave us or forsake us” (See John 14:16; Deut. 31:8) and would actually guide us through the storms. That means we can face anything the world throws our way and come out standing strong.
5. The Crucifixion
Were any of you ever Washington Redskins fans, back in the day of Joe Theismann? I was a huge Redskins fan at the time. It was week 11 of the 1985 season and they were playing the NY Giants and the Giants had a blitz on. Anyone remember who the famous lineman was who sacked Joe? Yep, LT – Lawrence Taylor. When he tackled him, LT came down on the mid-point of Joe’s left lower leg and it literally broke his leg half in two. It was gruesome to say the least. It was horrible…(click here to watch it…NO, NO, I wouldn’t do that to you.) It’s not pretty and once you’ve seen it, you don’t want to see it again. That’s the way it was in the first few hundred years of the church. They’d seen crucifixions and they didn’t want it in art or displayed on their walls; once was enough.
Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified. Matthew 27:26 (ESV)
But here’s the thing about the crucifixion; the church has made the crucifixion pretty. While the crosses we wear are beautiful, their beauty must be seen as the reminder of the high price that was paid for our salvation.
6. The Resurrection
Because we have the empty tomb we have no empty promises in Christ. And because the tomb is empty, we have hope! I believe in the promises of God because a man rose from the dead, proving He was God and because He kept His promise and returned from the dead, He’ll keep every other promise too! Everything we do hinges on the resurrection!
I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NLT)
I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NLT)
The question Jesus asked of Martha, Lazarus’ sister, is the same question He asked of us today: Do you believe this?
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26 (ESV)
John 11:25-26 (ESV)
7. Jesus is Coming Back!
I don’t know when…
You don’t either…
For as the lightning flashes across the sky from east to west, so shall my coming be, when I, the Messiah, return. Matthew 24:27 (TLB)
The key is simply this – BE READY! HE IS COMING AGAIN!
People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. Matthew 24:39 (NLT)
It’s all about the GOSPEL! (See above, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
That’s why we’re passionate about taking the gospel to the world. Jesus didn’t die on that so that we could build a monument; Christ died on that Cross so that He could start a movement. That movement would sweep across the world and people would be totally absorbed in Him. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the hope of the world through the local church and that’s why this church, not that we planted but that God planted, will ever be faithful to the gospel of Christ because Christ is the hope of the world.
Next Steps to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ:
1. Memorize one of the verses from the sermon “We Believe”. As you are faithful, according to the Scripture, God will reward your faithfulness. (Suggestion if you want one: 2 Timothy 3:16 is a great verse to memorize. Use your favorite version that you read each day.)
3. How can you shine “your light” into a dark world this week? Spend time with your children, teaching them to be a good influence in the lives of their friends as well?
4. Who do you know that needs to hear the gospel? Begin praying now for an opportunity to invite them to TVCC or better yet, tell them your story and the difference Christ has made in your life. Or better still…both!
2. Take
some time today and this week to get alone with God the Father and ask Him for
what you need. Some possible areas to
pray for would be:
- Yourself
- Family
- Friends
- TVCC Leadership
- Tennessee Valley Church - All ministries, leaders, and outreach
- Home and World Missions - especially our Haiti Mission Team and November trip
- Local and National Leaders
3. How can you shine “your light” into a dark world this week? Spend time with your children, teaching them to be a good influence in the lives of their friends as well?
4. Who do you know that needs to hear the gospel? Begin praying now for an opportunity to invite them to TVCC or better yet, tell them your story and the difference Christ has made in your life. Or better still…both!
Remember, next weekend is “wear your favorite team logo sportswear.” It’s gonna be a great day!
Also, be talking to your friends who are far from God and need to connect or reconnect to Him. You want them here in two weeks as we talk about…
THE BEST WEEKEND EVER!
Love you guys! Let me know if this summation is helpful. If it is, I might start a weekly Message Action Plan for those of you who would like to dig deeper in personal growth based upon that week’s message. It would be much less info than this week’s but because of covering so much information Sunday. If you're interested in the Action Plan and other occasional blog posts, simply sign up with your email at the top of this page and it will be sent to your inbox each time I post something.
Have a great week!
Pastor Steve
