LifePoint Church Minden

Stewardship

Stewardship - Making of a Man Pastor Fred Kingman June 9th, 2024 3 Things For Men To Do: Go on an adventure. Get in a group. Grow at a retreat Oct. 11-13. Series Question: What makes a man? Are men: Over 18? Debt-free? Able to shave? The world needs more men ….more men like Jesus. Romans 6:16 Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey—either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness? Men live to give. 1. Their presence 2. Their time 3. Their money 4. Their lives Luke 12:13-15 Someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” “Friend,” he said to him, “who appointed me a judge or arbitrator over you?” He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.” Then how do I relate to my stuff? You don’t. Luke 12:16-19 Then he told them a parable: “A rich man’s land was very productive. He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”’ Time for some of us is not a resource but a curse. Illustration: First church planted Luke 12:20-21 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’ “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” Illustration: High School boys at restaurant Genesis 29:20-22 Then Jacob made a vow: “If God will be with me and watch over me during this journey I’m making, if he provides me with food to eat and clothing to wear, and if I return safely to my father’s family, then the Lord will be my God. This stone that I have set up as a marker will be God’s house, and I will give to you a tenth of all that you give me.” Two sagas Closing: Jesus pays our tab Next Steps: 1. Use toys to get people (Go on an Adventure) 2. Use PTO to get away (Grow at Retreat Oct. 11-13) 3. Use treasure to get on mission (Tithe to LifePoint) 4. Use time to get busy (Come to Men’s Table June 22)

Collecting Dust

The Making of a Man Collecting Dust Tyler Stricklan June 2nd , 2024 Encouragement, building up the body of Christ, and Convincing and compelling people to become “Fully Engaged” at LifePoint. Inspiring devotion to God, and connection with one another. More time explaining and encouraging next steps of faith and practical good works. Helping people reflect on, pray about, and act on living and giving to a “More than us” lifestyle. June 2nd - Collecting Dust Major Scriptures: Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Corinthians 9:27 Big Question: What are you moving towards? Major Theme: Discipleship Prop or visual: Cup of dirt, gloves, hands in the jar. Next Steps: Get dirty (collect dust with someone) What Makes a Man? - Having a beard and barrel chest? - drink your coffee black and getting up at 4am - Cold plunges and crossfit - Is it manual labor or leading a company - Could it be a tech savant or gamer? - A florist with the most beautiful flowers? When does a boy become a man? -turning 18 (registering for the draft and the civic duty to vote) -Drinking their first beer? -getting their first knife or gun? - The first time they have sex? - First job, or when they get married? How do you define a disciple? LK 5:1 As the crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear God’s word, he was standing by Lake Gennesaret. 2 He saw two boats at the edge of the lake; the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the land. Then he sat down and was teaching the crowds from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing. But if you say so, I’ll let down the nets.” 6 When they did this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets began to tear. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’s knees and said, “Go away from me, because I’m a sinful man, Lord!” 9 For he and all those with him were amazed at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s partners. “Don’t be afraid,” Jesus told Simon. “From now on you will be catching people.” 11 Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed him. Jesus doesn’t call qualified people. The Qualified Dichotomy officially recognized as being trained to perform a particular job or not complete or absolute Rebuttals to Following God’s Ask Fear Doubt insecurity Disciples are Covered in Dust 1 Cor 9:26-27 So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified. Disciples Have Discipline MT 28:19-20 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Disciples make more Disciples Jesus Doesn’t call Qualified People Next Steps Get Dirty Following Jesus Say Yes to Following Jesus Say this simple Prayer “Jesus, I haven’t been following you, that changes today! I choose to accept your invitation.” Get Further with Discipline Join a Group Surround yourself with people who will push you further Get Busy Making Disciples Identify someone who you will invest in. Small Group Questions How do you define a Disciple of Jesus? -Matthew 4:19, Luke 5:4-11, Why do we have rebuttals to Jesus’ call on our lives both personal and communal. -Matthew 28:18-20 What ways do you feel disqualified or unworthy to be a disciple of Jesus? What does it look like to be covered in the dust of Jesus? -John 15:1-8 What role does or should discipline play in your every day life? -1 Cor. 9:24-27

This is the End

Dear Church, This is the end Pastor Kile Baker May 26th, 2024 Revelation 19:11-17 — The Last War Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and with justice he judges and makes war. His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on his head. He had a name written that no one knows except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. The armies that were in heaven followed him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. A sharp sword came from his mouth, so that he might strike the nations with it. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty. And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This describes the second coming of Christ and the final battle against Satan. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he called out in a loud voice, saying to all the birds flying high overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of military commanders, the flesh of the mighty, the flesh of horses and of their riders, and the flesh of everyone, both free and slave, small and great.” There are two feasts and two destinations for everyone: We will either be at the table, as the bride of Christ — salvation. Or we will be on the table, as the main course — damnation. Revelation 20 — Christ’s reign and your fate Then I saw thrones, and people seated on them who were given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and who had not accepted the mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. Premil — Jesus comes before 1,000 years of peace on earth. Postmil — Jesus comes after 1,000 years peace on earth. Amil — 1,000 years is symbolic, representing the time between the 1st and 2nd coming. 1st Death — Bodily death 1st Resurrection — Spiritual resurrection, living souls in temporary heaven (Paradise) 2nd Death — Spiritual death (Hell), comes with 2nd coming judgment. 2nd Resurrection — Bodily resurrection, eternal life, comes with 2nd coming judgment. Revelation 21-22 — All things New, not all new things Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. Then he said to me, “Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near. Let the unrighteous go on in unrighteousness; let the filthy still be filthy; let the righteous go on in righteousness; let the holy still be holy.” “Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. He who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Jesus, we pray that you return soon. You are the alpha and omega. You are the king of kings, and the Lord of Lords. You have given me new life now , and will raise me to life again when you return. I submit my life to you here and now and forever. Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with everyone. Amen.

Evil Will Not Win

Dear Church, evil will not win Pastor Kile Baker May 5th, 2024 What makes something evil? Revelation 15:1, 5-7 Then I saw another great and awe-inspiring sign in heaven: seven angels with the seven last plagues; for with them God’s wrath will be completed. After this I looked, and the heavenly temple—the tabernacle of testimony—was opened. Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues, dressed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes wrapped around their chests. One of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. What is the “wrath of God”? It is not an irrational passion, or an emotional flare-up. It is “God’s strong and settled opposition to all that is evil.” It arises out of God’s nature. God loves what is good and right and has a hatred for what is wrong and evil. Revelation 16 - Bowls of Wrath The bowls of wrath poured out on Earth are like the plagues God brought upon Egypt. God’s judgment is: Horrible - It should lead to repentance and regret. Necessary - To punish evil and injustice. Justified - The punishment fits the crime. Revelation 17 - the Beast & the Prostitute The Beast: Any kingdom opposed to God The Prostitute: Enticing Christians away from God’s Kingdom. The Beast and the Prostitute in Revelation are universal symbols. The Beast controls though Fear - passive, avoid pain at any cost for me. The Prostitute controls though Lust - active, get pleasure at any cost for me. Revelation 18 & 19 - Ending and Beginning After this I saw another angel with great authority coming down from heaven, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. He called out in a mighty voice: It has fallen, Babylon the Great has fallen! After this I heard something like the loud voice of a vast multitude in heaven, saying, Hallelujah! Salvation, glory, and power belong to our God, because his judgments are true and righteous, because he has judged the notorious prostitute who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality; and he has avenged the blood of his servants that was on her hands. A second time they said, Hallelujah! Her smoke ascends forever and ever! Then the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who is seated on the throne, saying, Amen! Hallelujah! Where evil ends, hope begins. Next Steps: Be patient with God. Be active in your faith. Resist what is evil. Next Week: Dear Church, this is the end.

Know Your Enemy (Mother's Day)

Dear Church, know your enemy Pastor Roy Conover - May 12, 2024 Key Verse: Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. Scripture: Revelation 12-14; Ephesians 6:10-18; Matthew 24:23-24; The Unholy Trinity The Dragon (Revelation 12) The Beast of the Sea (Revelation 13:1-10) The Beast from the Earth (Revelation 13:11-18) Holy deception by the master counterfeiter Mark of the Beast (Revelation 13:17) Seal of God (Revelation 7:2-3) Charagma vs. kerygma Hearing God’s voice The voices of 144,000 (Revelation 14:1-5) The voices of angels (Revelation 14:6-20) Next week: Dear Church, evil will not win Small Group questions: There are a lot of symbolic characters in Revelation. Specifically, we see reference to the dragon, woman and the birth in Revelation 12:7-13. Who do you think the woman and child represent in scripture? And what about the dragon? And how does the imagery connect to Joseph’s dream in Genesis 37:9-10? How does what Jesus prophesied about in Matthew 24 about false prophets connect to Revelation 13? How does Daniel’s prophecy in Daniel 7:1-8, 17-27 relate to Revelation 13:1-2? How is the beast a fulfillment of Daniell’s prophecy? Scripture tells believers the importance of not participating with the antichrist and to shun worshiping him. Look at I John 2:15-17 and 1 Corinthians 10:14-22. Are there any other scriptures that you think apply? In Revelation 14:2-3, we see the 144,000 singing a new song that others cannot share. We see in the Psalms (33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1) a similar idea. What do you notice in these verses? In Revelation 14:6-20, we see reference to Angels and them proclaiming a particular message. What proclamations do you see?