Sunday sermon presented by: Audie Monday (1/29/2012)

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Sunday sermon presented by: Glenn Geeting (1/22/2012)

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GLENN’S NOTES:

Integrity

Sermon- Judas, Integrity

A store manager hear his clerk tell a customer, “No, ma’am, we haven’t had any for a while, and it doesn’t look as if we’ll be getting any soon.” 
Horrified, the manager came running over to the customer and said, “Of course we’ll have some soon. We placed an order last week.” 
Then the manager drew the clerk aside. “Never,” he snarled, “Never, never, never say we’re out of anything–say we’ve got it on order and it’s coming. Now, what was it she wanted?” 
“Rain,” said the clerk. 

Intro: Judas- popular name, from Judah, one of the 12 sons of Israel and one of the notable tribes. Other disciple Judas son of Simon, Jesus ½ brother. Judas Maccabeus (like Geo Washington). Iscariot- from Kerioth, the only non-Galilean
Not noted for his huge early sins, unlike Matthew the tax collector, Simon the Zealot, James and John the sons of thunder, or Peter with his impulsiveness. Never shown being corrected.
Jesus chose him as one of the 12- must have shown great promise. Preached and did miracles in Jesus’ name
Seemed trustworthy- entrusted with the money for the group.

Jn 12:1-8
1. God has entrusted us, and we’ve all fallen short

Famous American Fibs
- The check is in the mail.
- I’ll start my diet tomorrow.
- Give me your number and the doctor will call you right back.
- One size fits all.
- This offer limited to the first 100 people who call in.
- Leave your resume and we’ll keep it on file.
- This hurts me more than it hurts you.
- I just need five minutes of your time.
- Open wide, it won’t hurt a bit.
- Let’s have lunch sometime.
- It’s not the money, it’s the principle.

Moral relativism

Late 1980′s, Columbus, Ohio- armored car spilled $2,000,000 on the freeway. Only $400,000 recovered, the rest disappeared. Some folks were honest enough to return what wasn’t theirs: Melvin Kaiser gave back $57,000. studied human personality- if we know the people who lost the money, we’ll generally give it back. if don’t know them, 75% of the time we’ll keep the cash.

-USA Today poll- only 56% of Americans teach honesty to their children.
-Noted physician, talk show -”Lying is an important part of social life, and children who are unable to do it are children who may have developmental problems.” 
-Book The Day American Told the Truth- 91% lie routinely about trivial matters, 36% lie about important matters; 86% lie regularly to parents, 75% to friends, 73% to siblings, and 69% to spouses.
-Survey 1991- “There is no such thing as absolute truth; different people can define truth in conflicting ways and still be correct.” Only 28% expressed strong belief in “absolute truth,” only 23 percent of born-again or evangelical Christians- more than 75 percent of the followers of Christ say nothing can  be known for certain: not convinced that Jesus existed, that He is who He claimed to be, that His Word in authentic, that God created the heavens and earth, or that eternal life awaits the believer
-If there is no absolute truth, then by definition nothing can be said to be absolutely true. To the majority, apparently, it’s all relative. Nothing is certain. Might be. Might not be. Who knows for sure? Take your guess and hope for the best!

“White lies”- efficient, protect feelings, avoid conflict
Matt 5:33-37

Ex. G- easier to print stuff from work, finishing basement- contractors say not to pull a permit.

Many opportunities for us to show what we’re made of:
-taxes, cheating on tests/papers, lying about age, weight

Has God put increased responsibility in your life to test you?

Judas’ statement was probably more of a reaction against Mary’s act of inappropriate devotion, clothed in pious words

2.Sin is progressive and has devastating consequences

Thief= Gr kleptes (cleptomaniac)- one who steals, not by violence, but my stealth

When regard for truth has been broken down or even slightly weakened, all things will remain doubtful. Augustine.

Sin deceives
Addicts are by their nature liars- the first person they lie to is themselves.
This is the nature of how addictions form- hidden, laying down patterns
First solution- lots of light- exposure, a searching inventory

What if Judas confessed and repented?
Couldn’t stop the train, break the pattern of hidden sin.

Moral relativism v integrity

4 HS boys skipped morning classes- “spring fever”, reported to teacher FLAT TIRE. “Missed quiz, so get out a paper to make it up.” “First question–which tire was flat?”

3.Turn yourself in, get real

Jn 13:1-30 Footwashing- imagine it- Jesus coming down the line washing feet. Last chance to repent. Hardened heart

Why continue to torture yourself. Get open, stop pretending.
Soft place to fall.

Boston, mid-1960s- Bill Russell, star basketball center for the world-champion Celtics. Radio interview- “ever get nervous,” “Before every game, I vomit.” 
what he did if they played two games the same day. “I vomit twice.” 

1.We’ve all fallen short in integrity
2.Sin is progressive and has devastating consequences
3.Turn yourself in, get real

Sunday sermon presented by: Eddie Mayes (1/15/2012)

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The Nittany Valley Church of Christ hosts The Mountain Rock Church of Christ in State College, PA

Nittany Valley Church of Christ – http://www.NittanyValleyCOC.org

Mountain Rock Church of Christ – http://MountainRock.org

Sunday sermon presented by: Glenn Geeting (1/8/2012)

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GLENN’S NOTES:

Parable of the Sower

Intro: Little boy. big and old family Bible. something fell out of the Bible, old leaf
        ”Mom, look what I found,” “What have you got there, dear?” “I think it’s Adam’s suit!”

Luke 8:1-10
v1 Good news about the Kingdom of God.
v4 lots of people- Why would Jesus speak in parables? Be intentionally obtuse?
v8- He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Implies that many are not really hearing.
NET- “had better listen” Warning!

v9-10 People had to dig deep, to look hard, to examine the parable and themselves.
This is a parable about the kingdom. Is Jesus Lord of your life? Who is really in charge?

Challenge- We don’t really listen, we hear this with preconceptions. We automatically assume we’re the good soil, so we fail to take home the lessons. Really look at this Scripture, really examine yourself.

v11-15
1. Path- Let God’s Word penetrate
Palestinian countryside- well-worn path through a field, sow late fall or early winter (Oct-Dec) in rainy season, looking for sprouting in April or May and a June harvest
Are you really reading God’s word? Is it falling to the ground? Study the Bible.

Don’t think that evil isn’t in this world and doesn’t want to devour you.

Ex. Butch- actively pursuing God like never before, seeing incredible changes. Satan has been attacking him from all sides- temptations, past relationships. Trying to snatch God’s word. He continues to choose wisely and put God first!

So many in our society act like it doesn’t matter how we live our lives. We can do anything we want and God will just keep on forgiving. Heaven is for everyone.

Think it’s impossible to fall away from God and lose your salvation? Study the Bible! Ask the person next to you to study (Heb 10:26-31) with you. Then the question will be whether you will choose to base your faith on the Bible or opinion.

Point: What are we going to do with God’s word? Few people are the good soil, and all of us are in danger- dig deep, weed, and mature so that you can bear fruit.

2.Rocky- go deep
Palestine- limestone base lying just beneath the soil.
Appearance of depth and growth- until tested
The storms will come, testing will come. (2 Tim 3:12)
Haven’t been persecuted lately? perhaps not following Jesus. He guaranteed it.

“Faith like Job’s cannot be shaken because it is the result of having been shaken.”  Rabbi Abraham Heschel

Shallow or temporary faith.
Tests- not IF but WHEN. Will these tests cause us to grow closer to God or will they expose the shallowness of our faith? Depends on the depth of our roots.

Satisfied being “godly enough” to get to heaven or to do better than the other guys.
Care more about what people think than about what God thinks.
Content to give a section of life to Jesus rather than letting Jesus take control.
Doing the bare minimum, in order to keep from feeling guilty.

3.Weeds- pull out the stuff that’s choking your faith
We want God… and a bunch of other stuff
The soil is great, notice how well the weeds grow!
Palestinian weeds- 6ft, thorny, major root system- imagine trying to pull up one of those puppies!
Weeding: When is the best time to pick a weed? Small.
Same with life’s weeds- addictions/habits/doubts- nip it in the bud

Give as long as it doesn’t impinge on our lifestyle, as long as not uncomfortable.
Don’t want to be saved from our sin, but from the penalty of our sin- don’t really believe that the life Jesus offers is better than the life they have.

If thou art rich, thou art poor, for like a donkey whose back with ingots bows, thou bearest thy heavy riches but a journey, and death unloads thee.  Shakespeare

Ex. Tracy’s odyssey to studying the Bible. Trauma surgeon, plenty of $, heartbreak. Did her will & was shocked to see she had no one she wanted to leave her possessions to. Spending spree.

Doesn’t mature. Some have been around church for decades, yet look like seed that hasn’t sprouted, no fruit. Not imitated.

Measure wealth not by the things you have, but by the things you have for which you would not take money. 

So how do you identify the good soil?

Ex. “Merv Griffin Show,” guest body builder.
“Why do you develop those particular muscles?” flex, applause
“What do you use all those muscles for?” flex
“But what do you USE those muscles for?” bewildered.
Some of us look righteous, beautiful tree, but not bearing fruit.

4.Bears fruit- Be a Disciple- mature, bear fruit
Good heart- integrity, diligence
Retain it- NET “cling to it”- tenacity.

Are you having life-changing times with the people around you?
Deep relationships that make a difference in you and others
“I’m growing” yes, but is God producing fruit through you

Marathon: My prayer- the day you die, you lay your head back spent serving God with unshakable faith, mature, surrounded by people that you have impacted, looking forward to more and greater worship and service for eternity.

Sunday sermon presented by: Glenn Geeting (12/18/2011)

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GLENN’S NOTES:

Sermon- Joseph- Change of Plans

Intro- The U.S. standard railroad gauge (distance between rails) is four feet, eight-and-one-half inches. Why such an odd number? Because that’s the way they built them in England, and American railroads were built by British expatriates. Why did the English adopt that particular gauge? Because the people who built the pre-railroad tramways used that gauge. They in turn were locked into that gauge because the people who built tramways used the same standards and tools they had used for building wagons, which were set on a gauge of four feet, eight-and-one-half inches. “Why were wagons built to that scale? Because with any other size, the wheels did not match the old wheel ruts on the roads. “So who built these old rutted roads? “The first long-distance highways in Europe were built by Imperial Rome for the benefit of their legions. The roads have been in use ever since. The ruts were first made by Roman war chariots. Four feet, eight-and-one-half inches was the width a chariot needed to be to accommodate the rear ends of two war horses.” The width of our railroad tracks is based on the size of a horse’s backside. Maybe “that’s the way it’s always been” isn’t the great excuse some people believe it to be. 

Joseph- Heb “Jehovah increases”, “son of David”, both of Jesus’ parents- called back to his heritage as the greatest leader of Israel. Israel, and Joseph, looking for a Messiah, a savior that would kick the Romans out.
We get our plans. Joseph- Nobody from Nazareth- get married, have 2.6 kids, a goat, and a house in the suburbs, work as a contractor. Not a bad dream.

God throws curve-balls. Life is not predictable. Show’s who is really in control here. Our FAITH determines how we deal with these changes of plan.

Ex. G- getting ready to graduate from med school at USC. Applying to ENT. Match day- opened envelope, no position. God had other plans.
Everything continues in a state of rest unless it is compelled to change by forces impressed upon it. Issac Newton, First Law of Motion.
Mt 1:18-25

1. Being prepared for change takes real faith

Righteous- not going to get embroiled in mess- pregnant before marriage.
The Bible describes him as a righteous man. Would a biographer describe you so?

Marriage process 2000y ago in Judea:
-engagement- in childhood, arranged. Marriage was thought to be too serious to be left up to two hormone-laden foolish adolescents
-betrothal- one year, binding, like marriage without living together and without sex. To get out required divorce, and if death occurred, she was a widow.
-marriage- just because arranged, didn’t mean there wasn’t love. The Bible commands it.

Joseph respected the institution of marriage- America has issues. Marriage at an all-time low, 51% of people married, later in life. Divorce rate exceedingly high, most kids conceived out of wedlock. Only 5% of brides and grooms are virgins at the time they get married.

Patient- married, but waited to “come together” with his wife until after Jesus was born
Some people will change when they see the light. Others change only when they feel the heat.

2.Changes to avoid
A man from the back mountains of Tennessee found himself one day in a large city, for the first time standing outside an elevator. He watched as an old, haggard woman hobbled on, and the doors closed. A few minutes later the doors opened and a young, attractive woman marched smartly off. The father hollered to his youngest son, “Billy, go get mother.”

Some change is to be resisted- how can we identify it? God’s word, great advice.

Notice Joseph embraced godly principles even in the midst of change- righteous, compassion toward Mary, taking responsibility rather than avoiding it, saw God’s hand and obeyed.

3.Embracing change

Give name Jesus (yeshua)= God rescues, God delivers.
If there was nothing to deliver people from, the point would have been lost. That’s the problem some of us face, we think we’re just great. Stay the same. Contentment- enemy of God’s impact

Think of some of the most significant life changes, and let’s see how God acted through these in the Bible:
-prison- Joseph (the dreamer- wouldn’t get to the palace without prison first), Paul and Silas
-persecution- David, the early church
-death- Lazarus, Jesus, Ruth
-job loss- Joseph (dreamer), calling if the first disciples, Matthew tax collector, Zacchaeus
-slavery- Joseph again, many early Christians
-adultery- David, Judah (with daughter-in-law)

God’s dream for Joseph- witness miracles, overcome hardship and uncertainty, raise the Son of God with godly values to have an eternal, worldwide impact.

Chinese symbol for “crisis”= danger + opportunity

If Christianity isn’t invasive, then you don’t get it. Mary- uterus

Change-makers: Behavioral studies show that if 2% of a homogeneous group are strongly dedicated to a given cause, and that small minority can eventually move the whole.

On June 4, 1783 at the market square of a French village of Annonay, not far from Paris, a smoky bonfire on a raised platform was fed by wet straw and old wool rages. Tethered above, straining its lines, was a huge taffeta bag 33 feet in diameter. In the presence of “a respectable assembly and a great many other people,” and accompanied by great cheering, the balloon was cut from its moorings and set free to rise majestically into the noon sky. Six thousand feet into the air it went — the first public ascent of a balloon, the first step in the history of human flight. It came to earth several miles away in a field, where it was promptly attacked by pitchfork-waving peasants and torn to pieces as an instrument of evil!  

Change is coming- are we prepared to face it with faith and see God’s hand!

Sunday sermon presented by: Eddie Mayes (12/4/2011)

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Sunday sermon presented by: Eldwin Santana (12/4/2011)

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Sunday sermon presented by: Glenn Geeting (11/27/2011)

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GLENN’S NOTES:

Sermon- Every Tongue Confess

Intro: There’s a little old Christian lady living next door to an atheist. Every morning the lady comes out onto her front porch and shouts “Praise the Lord!”. The atheist yells back, “There is no God”. Every morning
Financial difficulties- trouble buying food. She goes out onto the porch and asks God for help with groceries, then says “Praise the Lord”. The next morning she goes out onto the porch and there’s the groceries she asked for, and of course, she shouts “Praise the Lord!!!”. The atheist jumps out from behind a bush and says, “Ha, I bought those groceries – there is no God”.
The lady looks at him and smiles, she shouts “Praise the Lord, not only did you provide for me Lord, you made the devil pay for it!!”

How have you been doing with this Humility Campaign that we decided together to go after?
Challenge you to finish the book. We as a church bought them for the sake of the ongoing growth that we and God value so highly.
“You reap what you sow.” “Pay me now or pay me later.”

Phil 2:1-11

1. Every Knee Will Bow

Peter T. Forsythe: “The first duty of every soul is to find not its freedom but its Master”.

Every knee should bow- in heaven, on earth, under the earth
Some interpret this that every time they hear “Jesus” they should bow their head
-makes we want to run around and say “Jesus” a lot and watch the bobble-heads
Love or trembling- you choose
This is what God desires, our love and respect, not grudging compliance
Angels bowing, yet we mortal humans refuse to bow

H and Janell- study here last night. Delivery guys setting up bed. H asks if they study the Bible- “no I’m pure evil” H had to go across street to borrow drill- left Janell alone with “pure evil” His knee clearly isn’t bowing, but it will.

2.Every Tongue Will Confess

Tired of confessing sin? Start confessing Jesus as Lord

What did it mean in that day to that audience to confess Jesus as Lord? In letter to Romans- the persecution was heating up and was soon to be lethal and humiliating. Potentially send them to the Colisseum to be publicly devoured by lions. Ready for this level of commitment?

We are surrounded by a lost world and we’re the only Jesus that people will ever see.
Somebody needs to do something about that! Me?

If someone saved your life, you’d be grateful: say thanks, send Christmas present, send birthday card. 20 years later- what do you want me to keep doing this for the rest of my life?
Jesus continues to pay for our sin, continues to take on our punishment, saves us from hell.

Still publicly declaring, or did that stop when you were baptized? Should be natural, easy. For many of us it’s easier to talk about the Steelers than about what God has done in our lives.
Dead end Christian

Is it true? Will every knee really bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord? Find out.
“There is not one square inch of the entire creation about which Jesus Christ does not cry out, ‘This is mine! This belongs to me!’” Abraham Kuyper

3.Jesus is Lord

Lord= Gr kurios, a person exercising absolute ownership rights. Owner, master.

Mt 7:21-23, (24-26?)
Draw circle- who’s on the throne? who’s on the cross?

“the cross I have to bear”
-sin?
-going to church, paying contribution, serving your brothers? Privilege
-I die.

Ex. G- first rebuke- exposed the motive behind so many activities- Self.

Simple faith, simple Christianity- J said it, I’ll do it. Jesus did it, I’ll imitate.
So many of us think what defines a Christian is what we don’t do. It’s about who is Lord, what we do.

I am part of the “Fellowship of the Unashamed.”
The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made. I am a disciple of
Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down,
back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present
makes sense, and my future is secure.
I am finished and done with low living, sight walking,
small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams,
chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.
 
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position,
promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I now live by
presence, lean by faith, love by patience,
lift by prayer, and labor by power. My pace
is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my
road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few,
my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought,
compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back,
diluted, or delayed.
 
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the
presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy,
ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander
in the maze of mediocrity.
 
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until
Heaven returns, give until I drop, preach until all know,
and work until He comes. And when He comes to get
His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.
My colors will be clear.

Sunday sermon presented by: Josh Byrd (11/20/2011)

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Sunday sermon presented by: Glenn Geeting (11/13/2011)

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GLENN’S NOTES:

Sermon- The Humility of Moses

Intro A pastor and a songleader were early before church.
The pastor beats on his chest and declares, “I am nothing! I am nothing!” Then the songleader approached the front, beat on his chest and declared, “I am nothing! I am nothing!”
The janitor was in the back cleaning and, moved, beat on his chest and declared, “I am nothing! I am nothing!”
The songleader turned furiously and hissed into the pastor’s ear, “Who does he think he is?”
1. Num 12:3 Humility when persecuted
I’m more humble than all of you…
Seems contradictory
Why the parentheses?
Humble- Heb. Anav= poor, afflicted, humble, meek
Websters- “near the ground”

v1-15
Context:
Moses’ leadership challenged by Aaron and Miriam (his bro and sis). Notice Moses isn’t fighting for his position.
Active persecution, and by his own family
Persecution should not surprise us. Good company.
If you’re going to serve God, people will criticize you. They persecuted Jesus- good company
God will guide His people. Don’t hold too tightly to a position.
God will deal with pride in is people- will humble us, will disciple sin.
Moses records his faults for all eternity
Ex. Brought down the leadership of Penn State Univ. Jerry Sandusky molestation, kept it hidden.
Ex Christians are like turtles, and most just bump shells. Pride. GET REAL, STOP POSING.

Moses’ response- take it
Do we respond that way when people give us a hard time- lash back? “I know you are but what am I”, or do we absorb it.
Ex. Complaint by peds- spurious, I was so mad
(Pr 12:16) A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Lord have mercy!
Ex. Complaint by pediatrician- can’t make him happy. Arrogant toward wife, ED staff. I don’t know how to help him.

G- not holding too tightly to the position of leading this gp. Open to God’s leading.

Notice what God talks about- Rel with Moses!
Are you seeking God’s face, speaking to Him, faithful to Him
That’s where the true security comes from- not concerned about what anybody else is doing or receiving, but enjoying your relationship with God for what it is
Struggles- when we start comparing- challenges, blessings (pride)
Security- comes from humility- rel with God

2. Ex 10:1-18 Humility is speaking the truth in love
Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less
(plague #8) One example of 10 in which Moses gets in Pharaoh’s face. Imaging the audacity- rebuking the king, the most powerful person in the world!

Most of what Moses records is “The Lord said to Moses…” and not his words.
How often is our conversation, “then I said…” When was the last time you said, “God says..”

v3 Whenever someone asks you to be humble, listen very carefully. They’re trying to help, to love
v7 notice the pharaoh’s officials are still focused on people- they see Moses as the problem

Speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15)
Jesus’ goal is not to have us lukewarm pew warmers but disciples making disciples.

Often the reason we fail to speak the truth is our pride- we’re concerned about what we’ll look like.
Often the reason we fail to speak in love is our pride- we think we’re better than the other person or think they deserve more harsh treatment

Ex- G- I want people to like me, sometimes even at the expense of the truth. One of the hardest jobs I do is offering feedback to my colleagues. KaiZen Continuous improvement.

Sometimes people are going to speak the truth to you- be grateful. It’s love.

Pharaoh continues to try to negotiate with God, tries to bend things to his advantage

Notice at the end that Moses forgives Pharaoh very quickly- Could have said NAH
moves on- “it’s not about me”
Holding resentment, failing to forgive, is often rooted in pride. Humility will naturally lead to peace. It’s hard to have a real fight when at least one member is being humble.
Ex. Our bumps- we’re usually both wrong in some way.

Humility
1.Healthy approach to spiritual leadership, as we lead and as we follow- it’s not about us, but about our collective and individual rels with God
2.Healthy approach to helping each other out- speak the truth in love