North Clinton Mennonite Sermons Online

“…so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.” Mark 12:30 (MSG)

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11 (NIV)

What we treasure reflects our Passion and we are passionate about what we consider our Treasure.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

“When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.”

                                                Luke 5:19 (NIV)

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.”                                                                                             Luke 16:13 (NIV)

The Goal is to be worshiping and serving God out of love, not obligation, with passion.

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”  

                                                     Psalm 42:1-2a (NIV)

1. Ask God to bless you.

 “Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me...’” 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV)

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”   1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him?” Matthew 7:11 (NIV)

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”    John 1:12 (NIV)

2.   Anticipate God to expand your influence.

“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!’” 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV)

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12 (NIV)

“When you take little steps, you don’t need God. It’s when you throw yourself into the mainstream of God’s plans; plans that are beyond our ability to accomplish–and plead with Him, Lord use me–give me more ministry for you–that you release miracles.” -- Bruce Wilkinson

3. Allow God to provide for you.

“As God’s chosen, blessed sons and daughters, we are expected to attempt something large enough that failure is guaranteed...unless God steps in.” — Bruce Wilkinson

“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel...” Let your hand be with me...”    1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV)

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

“Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.”   2 Corinthians 3:5(NIV)

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

4. Approach God to bless others.

“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel,.....’Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’”  1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV)

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:13 (NIV)

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” Philippians 2:1-2 (NIV)

1.      The fruit-bearing potential of the Word is lost immediately. The seed doesn’t even have a chance.

“Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.” Mark 4:15

Satan tries to keep the Word of God from taking root in our hearts:

·         by causing us to be inattentive.

·         by using differences among us. 

·         and through unbelief.

2.      The fruit-bearing potential of the Word is lost quickly. It withers due to hardships.

“Others, like seed sown on rocky paces, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.” Mark 4:16-17

3.      The fruit-bearing potential of the Word is lost eventually. It is choked out.

“Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.” Mark 4:18-19

The seed that falls on good soil bears fruit eternally. It’s where the seed grows and produces a bountiful, everlasting crop. 

“Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop – thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was sown.” Mark 4:20

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8

From Finish to Start

James 1:19; 3:17-18; 5:19-20

Listen.
My dear friends take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for one's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19.

Learn.

“…wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18

 “…swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:7

Lead.

“…if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” James 5:19-20

“God created human beings in His own image …male and female…and God saw that it was very good.” Genesis 1:27 & 31 NLT (PB page 2)

“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made!...I know that very well!” Psalms 139:14

“Be fruitful and increase in number.” Genesis 1:28

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28.

      One of the greatest threats to our existence is the abuse of our sexuality.

      The temptation is old but the technology is new and incredibly powerful.

1. Curiosity/opportunity
2. Self-focused/Pleasurable
3. Personal/Private
4. Dominance/Pleasure/Control
               “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Eph. 5:21
5. Money

1. Easy Access
2. Graphic Sensuality   
3. Massive promotion
4. Aggressive exploiting
               “They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:6-7
5. Cultural Lure

1. It is a 13.3+ annual business in America.
2. 12% of the internet is pornographic.
3. 25% of all searches are for porn.
4. Eleven is the average age for first exposure.
5. 12 to 17 is the largest group of viewers (male).
6. 10% of US men admit to addiction.
7. 72% of viewers are men.
8. 28% of viewers are women.
9. 47% families report struggles with porn.
10. 37% of pastors admit a current struggle.
11. 57% of pastors call pornography our most threatening problem.
12. Pornography viewing always:
    1.  “Needs more.”
    2. Is detrimental to intimacy
    3. Diminishes competency.

Overcoming the Addiction:

1. Acknowledge the problem.
               “So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with    me.” Rom 7:21
2. Become accountable.
               “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6
3. Commit to Christ and His church.

1. Seek Jesus.
2. Pray for purity.
               “Be holy in all that you do.” 1 Peter 1:15
3. Take precautions
               “Flee from sexual immorality.” 1 Corinthians 6:160
4. Share your struggle(s) appropriately.
5. Promote non-sensuous dress for all.
6. Talk openly and resourcefully with each other.
7. Consider marriage.
               “But if you cannot control yourself, you should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” 1 Corinthians 7:9
8. Know your weakness(es).
9. Identify the “triggers.” – lonely, hungry, angry or tired
10. Have classes about pornography.
11. Establish helpful boundaries.
12. Avoid secrecy…develop accountability.
13. Keep your mind and body active in good things.
14. Listen and talk to God regularly.
15. Seek the companionship and power of the Holy Spirit.
16. Have an accountability partner.
17. Small group learning and accountability.
18. Remove the access.  

“Flee the evil desires … and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”            2 Timothy 2:22