GOOD NEWS PARTNERS

GOOD NEWS PARTNERS
Pastor Steve Trimble ~ April 18, 2010

Text: Phil 1: 1-11

1. Partners have an appreciation for one another. (3)

We need to appreciate what partnership can accomplish.

We need to appreciate the growth process. Prov 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

We need to appreciate & encourage one another. We all need it. Heb 3:13 “But encourage one another daily.”

We need appreciate & recognize one another’s uniqueness.

2. Partners pray for one another. (4)

Notice what Paul prayed for them in (9-11)

3. Partners are confident in God’s ability to work in us. (6)


4. Partners have a heart connection. (6)


Amos 3:3 “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? NLT

5. Partners share in God’s grace. (7)


6. Partners have the affection of Christ for one another. (8)


CONCLUSION: I thank God for you…for our partnership in the Gospel!

How to prepare for eternity

HOW TO PREPARE FOR ETERNAL LIFE
Pastor Steve Trimble ~ April 4, 2010


John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His Only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not Perish but have Everlasting Life.” KJV

1 Cor. 15:2 “By the gospel you are saved”

God’s … only …Son …perished… eternal… life

I. YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH GOD LOVES YOU
“God SO loved the world...”

1 John 4:9-10

1 John 3:1

Ephesians 3:18-19

II. YOU NEED TO RECOGNIZE WHAT GOD GAVE YOU
“that He GAVE His only begotten Son...”

2 Cor. 5:21

Ephesians 2:8

III. YOU NEED TO ACCEPT GOD’S FREE GIFT
“that WHOEVER BELIEVES in Him...”

Titus 2:11

Colossians 3:11

Romans 3:22


IV. YOU CAN ANTICIPATE SPENDING ETERNITY WITH GOD
“should not perish but have EVERLASTING LIFE!”

1 Peter 1:3-5

Conclusion: Are you prepared to spend eternity with God?

HOW TO RECOGNIZE WHAT GOD IS DOING

HOW TO RECOGNIZE WHAT GOD IS DOING
Pastor Steve Trimble ~ March 28, 2010

Text: Luke 19: 41-44,

1. GOD WANTS TO GIVE YOU SPIRITUAL EYES

(42-44) "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace — but now it is hidden from your eyes… you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."

A. Spiritual eyes come through repentance.

Matt 3:2 & 4:17"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Matt 21:31-32

B. Spiritual eyes come from Jesus

Mark 8:22-25

2 Kings 6:15-17


2. GOD WANTS YOU TO SEE WHAT HE IS DOING TODAY

A. God wants you to see and enter the kingdom.

John 3: 1-8

Matt 13:11-17

B. God wants you to have His PEACE.


CONCLUSION: What is the Holy Spirit revealing to you today? What is it that He wants you to see? Do you recognize God’s coming to you?

How to have a good relationship with God

HOW TO HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
Pastor Steve Trimble ~ March 21, 2010

Text: Luke 18: 9-14

I. HE KNEW HE DIDN’T HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD “the tax collector stood at a distance.” (13)

Eph 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.”

II. HE FELT ASHAMED “He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

2 Cor. 7:8-11

III. HE KNEW HE NEEDED GOD’S MERCY “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”


Eph 2:4-5

1 Peter 1:3-4

IV. HE KNEW THAT HE WAS A SINNER! “God be merciful to me a sinner.”


Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”


James 4:17 “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

V. HE KNEW WHERE TO GET MERCY. “God”

John 3:16-17

VI. HE WENT HOME WITH A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."


2 Cor 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.”

CONCLUSION: Today take an honest look at yourself and then cry out for God’s mercy.

HOW TO EXCELL AS A CHRISTIAN

HOW TO EXCEL AS A CHRISTIAN
Pastor Steve Trimble ~ March 7, 2010

Text: Phil 1:9-11 "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of God."

Eph 1:17-19, Col 1:9-10, 2 Cor 8:6-7, 1 Thess 3:12-13

I. GOD WANTS YOU TO EXCEL IN LOVE
"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more…” (9)
I Corinthians 13:1-7


II. GOD WANTS YOU TO EXCEL IN KINGDOM KNOWLEDGE - "abound more and more in knowledge" (9)

I Corinthians 3: 2-3, 2 Peter 1:3-9, Eph 1:17-19


III. GOD WANTS YOU TO EXCEL IN SPIRITUAL INSIGHT- "… depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best" (9-10)

A. Spiritual insight comes from a combination of the Word of God and a relationship with the Holy Spirit. Col.1:9-11


1. The Holy Spirit gives us discernment between good and evil. 1 Thess. 5:21-22, 1 John 4:1

2. The Holy Spirit moves people to act on truth. John 16:13

3. The Holy Spirit counsels us about making the right choices.

4. The Holy Spirit imparts wisdom about people and situations.

5. The Holy Spirit illumines us with His abiding presence, power and perspectives just when we need them.

6. The Holy Spirit keeps us headed in the right direction. Galatians 5:16, Heb 12:14


Conclusion: Like Paul, my prayer for each of you is to excel in God's love, knowledge and spiritual insight. What is the Holy Spirit saying to you today?

The Salvation Experience

THE SALVATION EXPERIENCE
Pastor Steve Trimble ~ February 28, 2010

Text: 1 Peter 1:22- 2:3

2:2-3 “Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness." NLT

I. YOU HAVE BEEN CREATED TO CRAVE GOD

A. We crave to know our Creator.


II. YOU HAVE BEEN CREATED TO TASTE THE LORD'S GOODNES (3) "…now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."

Ps 34:8 "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."

A. We taste to satisfy our craving.

1. The born again experience is the first taste.

John 3:1-7

John 6:53-58
2. God wants you to taste the REAL THING.

John 6:27 "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you."


B. God wants you to grow up in your Salvation experience.

Matt5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."



Conclusion: Have you been born again?

Devoted to Fellowship (part 2)

DEVOTED TO FELLOWSHIP (part 2)
Pastor Steve Trimble ~ February 21, 2010

Text: Acts 2: 40-47

Eph 2:10 “He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing” Msg.

1. A Church Family Helps Us Grow (41, 47)

A. A healthy Church family grows naturally.

Eph 4:16

B. A healthy Church family helps me to grow.

Heb 2:1, Prov 27:17

2. A Church Family Moves Us Out of Self-centered Isolation. (44-46)

A. The local church is the classroom for learning how to get along in God’s family. It is a lab for practicing unselfish, sympathetic love. As a participating member you learn to care about others and share the experiences of others:

1 Cor 12:26, 1 John 3:16

B. God has a unique role for every believer to play in his family. 1Cor 12:7, Heb 3:13

C. We are called and commanded to be involved in each other’s lives.

3. A Church Family Helps Us Develop Spiritual Muscle (43)

A. Apostles are birthed, and developed in the local church to impact the world.


CONCLUSION: What is the Holy Spirit saying to you about your role in the Church Family?

Devoted to Communion

DEVOTED TO COMMUNION
Pastor Steve Trimble ~ February 14, 2010

Text: Acts 2: 42-47, John 13: 1-17


1. COMMUNION REMINDS US THAT JESUS BECAME A SERVANT

A. He gave up His position in heaven to come and serve.


B. He ministered to people’s needs.


C. He led by example and washed the disciple’s feet.


D. He laid down His life on the cross for us.


2. COMMUNION REMINDS US TO BE SERVANTS LIKE JESUS

A. Serving accomplishes the Master's purpose for my life.

1 Peter 5:5 "all of you, serve each other in humility, for "God opposes the proud but favors the humble."

B. I must serve God, not out of convenience, but conviction.

C. Servants are BLESSED

(17) "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."


CONCLUSION: Jesus came to revolutionize this earth through servanthood. He has called, appointed & anointed YOU to serve Him and your generation. He has called YOU to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to your generation through acts of servanthood.

Devoted to Prayer

DEVOTED TO PRAYER
Pastor Steve Trimble ~ Feb 7, 2010
Text: Acts 2: 42-47, Nehemiah 1

1. PRAY TO GOD IN HEAVEN (5)
Nehemiah said three things about God:
1. You're great - that's God's position.
2. You're awesome - that shows God's power.
3. You keep your promises - that's God's covenant.
2. CONFESS THE SIN IN YOUR LIFE (6)
Rom 10:10 "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

James 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

1 John 1:9-10 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives."

3. CLAIM THE PROMISES OF GOD (8-10)
2 Cor 1:20 "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ."

2 Peter 1:4 "Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."

4. BE VERY SPECIFIC IN WHAT YOU ASK FOR (11)
Matt 7:7-8 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

Heb 10:19 "And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus." NLT

Eph 3:12 "Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God's presence, assured of his glad welcome." NLT

Conclusion: As we devote ourselves to pray, we can see the hand of God move in our lives, families, church, city, nation and world.

DEVOTED TO FELLOWSHIP

DEVOTED TO FELLOWSHIP
Pastor Steve Trimble ~ January 24, 2010

Text: Acts 2:42-47, 4: 32-37

The key to having Christian fellowship is GRACE. (47) “…praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.”

Acts 4:33 “and much grace was upon them all.”

True koinonia is founded upon MUCH GRACE.


I. FELLOWSHIP IS PARTICIPATION

Gal 6:2 “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Rom 12:15-16 “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another.”


II. FELLOWSHIP IS A PARTNERSHIP

Acts 2:1 “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” NKJV

Acts 2:44-46 notice how many times the word “together” is used.

Acts 4:32: “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.”

Phil 1:1-11


III. FELLOWSHIP IS PROVISION

Acts 2:44-45 “All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.”

Acts 4:32: No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.”


Conclusion: As the Grace of God fills our hearts may we have true Christian fellowship that blesses people & builds the Kingdom of Christ.

Devoted to God's Word

DEVOTED TO GOD’S WORD
Pastor Steve Trimble ~ January 17, 2010

Text: Acts 2:42-47
Albert Barnes “One evidence of conversion is a desire to be instructed in the doctrines, and a willingness to attend to the preaching of the gospel.”

The apostles were devoted to preach and teach and defined their priority to preaching the Word in Acts 6:3-4 “Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."

1. BE TEACHABLE
Ronald Reagan said, “Within the covers of one single book, the Bible, are all the answers to all the problems that face us today--if only we would read and believe.”

A. Have an ear to hear and eye to see and a right spirit/heart. Ezek 12:2, Luke 8:8

B. Have a hunger to learn. Matt 5:6, 1 Peter 2:2-3, Ex 33:13

C. Surrender to the Word, allow God to do amazing things in your life.
> It guides our life- Ps 119:105
> It teaches us truth- John 8:31-32
> It cleanses us- John 15:3
> It reveals sin and attitudes of our hearts-
> It is worth our attention and devotion- 2 Tim 4:2-4

II. BE TAUGHT
A. Put yourself in a position to learn.

B. Surround yourself with people you can learn from.

C. Take advantage of learning opportunities.

III. BE A TEACHER
Acts 11:19-21
A. Take what you learn and share it with others.

B. Don’t be afraid, share what you know. Col 3:16

C. Be an example. 1 Cor 11:1
Close: Have you ever felt like spiritually you were going up the wrong side of an escalator and weren’t getting very far. Devote yourself to this cycle of being devoted to the apostles teaching.

How to win as many as possible

HOW TO WIN AS MANY AS POSSIBLE

Pastor Steve Trimble ~ January 10, 2010

Text: I Cor. 9: 19-23, 2 Cor 6: 14-17

Matt 5:13-16 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Sitka Assembly of God is a BRIDGE whereby people can be connected to their Heavenly Father.

Here is three ways the Lord placed in my heart for us to be a Bridge.

1. We connect to people in RELEVANT ways.

Even though we are uncomfortable, & should be uncomfortable, w/many of changes in our culture, we must also understand that this is the culture we have been called to minister to.



2. We connect with people in REAL life.

People need to see real/genuine faith in action, real love, real hope & real compassion.

Phil 2:19-22 “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”



3. We connect to people through RELATIONSHIPS.



CONCLUSION: Are we, THE CHURCH, becoming all things to all men so that by all possible means we might save some?