Potter's Hand Sermons

The Invisible War: Being Faithful in a Faithless World

Pastor Steve — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:48:44 GMT

Luke 18:7

I. Six tests of faithfulness.

A. God uses little things to test your integrity.

B. God uses my talents to test my unselfishness.

C. God uses tough times to teach me persistence.

D. God uses shortages to test my generosity.

1. Faithful people a generous when they don't have to give.

2. The acid test of your faith in your life is your finances.

3. Five principles for blessing:

a. God gives to generous people.

(1) You cannot out give God.

b. Obeying God's vision will bring God's provision.

(1) What He has given you the vision for He will give you the provision for.

c. When I do all that God tells me to do, he does what I can't do.

(1) When I give what little I've got, God multiplies it and he makes up for it.

d. When I have a need I sow a seed.

(1) Whatever you need more of, give it away.

e. There"s always a delay between sowing and reaping.

E. Faithful people bring friends to Jesus.

1. You have friends that are paralyzed and can't get to Jesus.

2. When God looks out and he sees people bringing people to hime he not only heals those people, he blesses the person who brought them.

F. Faithful people build the faith of others.

1. It's wise to learn from experience; it's wiser to learn from the experience and mistakes of others.

2. God loves to use losers.

The Invisible War: Being Faithful in a Faithless World

Pastor Steve — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:47:44 GMT

The Invisible War

Being Faithful in a Faithless World

Luke 18

I. Three important things about the importance of faith.

A. God is looking for faithful people.

B. Faithful people are hard to find.

C. Faithfulness is the key to blessing, to victory.

II. Six tests of faithfulness.

A. God uses little things to test your integrity.

1. If you are not faithful with somebody lses job who's going to give you yours?

2. Principle: I don"t have to own it to enjoy it, but I can take care of it even though it is not mine.

3. I don't have to own stuff.

B. God uses my talents to test my unselfishness.

1. FAithful people don't live for themselves.

2. God shaped you to serve Him.

3. If you don't use your talent because of fear or laziness, God will take it away and give it to someboy else.

C. God uses tough times to teach me persistence.

1. God is more interested in who you are than what you do.

The Invisible War: Being Faithful in a Faithless World

Pastor Steve — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:47:24 GMT

Luke 18

I. Three important things about the importance of faith.

A. God is looking for faithful people.

B. Faithful people are hard to find.

C. Faithfulness is the key to blessing, to victory.

II. Six tests of faithfulness.

A. God uses little things to test your integrity.

1. If you are not faithful with somebody lses job who's going to give you yours?

2. Principle: I don"t have to own it to enjoy it, but I can take care of it even though it is not mine.

3. I don't have to own stuff.

B. God uses my talents to test my unselfishness.

1. FAithful people don't live for themselves.

2. God shaped you to serve Him.

3. If you don't use your talent because of fear or laziness, God will take it away and give it to someboy else.

C. God uses tough times to teach me persistence.

1. God is more interested in who you are than what you do.

The Invisible War: Why is life so hard?

Pastor Steve — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 17:06:55 GMT

Jan, me, potterschurch

The Invisible War

Why Is Life in This World So Hard?

I. The cause:

A. Rebellion against God broke everything.

1. Anytime God tells you to do something and you don't do it, you are actually in a war with God.

B. Three kinds of rebellion.

1. Sin: To miss the mark.

2. Transgression: You go too far.

3. Iniquity: Intention to hurt.

II. The Damage.

A. Sin has damaged everything.

B. Six dimensions of life that are damaged on our broken planet.

1. Natural disasters and deformities.

2. Physical decay and death.

a. The Second Law of Thermodynamics: everything in the universe is irreversibly decaying into disorder.

Prayer, Share & Dare!

Pastor Steve — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:53:49 GMT

Making the Changes In Me

Pastor Steve — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 02:29:24 GMT

Making the Changes In Me
Ephesians 4:21-27

I.    Change requires learning the truth.

II.   Change requires making choices.

III. Change requires new thinking.

IV. Change requires the Holy Spirit.

IV. Change requires honest Community.
    A. In small groups, we need gut level authenticity.
    B. You cannot become until you belong

V.    Change requires overcoming temptation.

Herod Totally Missed It!

Pastor Steve — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 16:47:07 GMT

Herod Totally Missed It!

Matthew 2:1-8

Why did he miss it?

I. He was consumed by self interests.

A. What is in it for me?

B. The mood of American people runs counter to the thrust of Christian belief and theology.

C. The churches that are solid in this century are those whose where the commitment of people deepen.

II. He missed it because of conscience.

A. Moral chickens always come home to roost.

III. He missed it because of career.

The Bait of Satan: The Sure Foundation

Pastor Steve — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:07:57 GMT

The Invisible War: Making the Hard Changes In Me

Pastor Steve — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:50:21 GMT

Ephesians 4:21-27

I. Six requirements to change:

A. Change requires learning the Truth.

B. Change requires.

1. There is no change without loss.

2. Genetics explains my inclinations, but they don't excuse my sins.

3. Be afraid that you"ll miss God's best.

4. While you are doing the work out, God is working in you.

C. Change requires new thinking.

1. You aren't what you think you are, but what you think, you are.

2. The Greek word for repent is metanoia, which means to change your mind.

3. The only people that posers impress are other posers.

The Invisible War: Making the Hard Changes In Me

Pastor Steve — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 16:53:06 GMT

The Invisible War

Making the Hard Changes In Me

Two terms: unavoidable defects, and zero defect mentality.

The truth is we're all defective.

Why is it so hard to change the stuff in me that I don't like?

1. Because I have had them so long.

2. I have a hard time with my defects because I identify with them.

a. You are not your defects.

3. My defects have a payoff.

a. There is a reward to everything you do.

4. Satan discourages me.

I. Six requirements to change:

1. Change requires learning the truth.

a. The proof of personal change is found in the truth.

b. Every time you get yourself in a problem it's because you have believed a lie.

c. The Bible was given to us for at least four things:

(1) Doctrine: Shows us the path to get on.

(2) Proof: When we get off the path.

(3) Instruction: How to get back on the path.

(4) Righteousness: How to stay on the path.

Symbol of Self Examination

Pastor Steve — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:59:30 GMT

I John 1:9

1. The bread and cup of Thanksgiving.

2. Let a man examine himself.

3. Reminder:

a. Are you perplexed?

b. Are you troubled?

c. Do you feel guilty?

d. Are you burdened?

e. Are you bored?

4. The Lord's Table is a reminder of our salvation.

******Your faith can make His presence real to you or your unfaith can make His presence null and void!

The Invisible War: Set Free From Me (Conclusion)

Pastor Steve — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 01:11:56 GMT

The Invisible War Set Free From Me

Pastor Steve — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 17:10:42 GMT

The Invisible War

Set Free From Me

Romans 8

I. 7 habits needed to help apply the truths of Romans 8:

1. I must remind myself daily what Jesus did for me.

2. I ask the Holy Spirit to give me better thoughts.

a. There's the mindset of your old nature, and there's the mindset of the Holy Spirit.

b. You choose what you dwell on.

c. Satan gives you ideas, that's called temptation.

d. The Holy Spirit gives you ideas, that's called inspiration.

3. I have a new ability to say no.

a. I don't have any obligation to listen to my old nature.

4. I need to turn my thoughts to God whenever I'm afraid.

a. Stop focusing on your fear, start focusing on your Father.

b. Remember whose family you're in.

The Bait of Satan: How Spiritual Vagabonds are Born

Pastor Steve — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 14:58:26 GMT

The Bait of Satan

How Spiritual Vagabonds are Born

I Samuel 24:6-7

It is righteous for God to avenge His servants.

It is unrighteous for God's servants to avenge themselves.

God tests His servants with obedience.

A. How can God use corrupt leaders?

1. Children do not correct fathers. but it is the duty of fathers to train and correct the children.

B. Churches aren't cafeterias.

1. If you're in the place where God wants you, the devil will try to offend you to get you out.

C The critical deception.

1. Offended people react to the situation and do things that appear right even though they are not inspired by God.

a. We are not called to react but to act.

D. The planted flourish.

1. Those who flourish are planted in the house of the Lord.

2. A believer who chooses to delight in the Word of God in the midst of adversity will avoid being offended.

3. Once you leave the place God has chosen for you, your root system begins to dwarf.

4. You become a spiritual vagabond, wandering around from place to place, suspicious and afraid that others will mistreat you.

5. Offended christians also cut off their ability to produce fruit.

6. Offnded people believe everyone is out to get them.

7. God never created us to live separately and independently of each other.

8. An isolated person seeks only his own desire, not God's.

The Invisible War: Set Free From Me

Pastor Steve — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 16:49:01 GMT

Romans 8

Three enemies that are trying to mess up your life:

1. The world.

2. The flesh.

3. The devil.

Your biggest enemy is not Satan, its not the world, but it is you.

Best intentions are not good enough.

The cures for weapons of self-destruction.

1. The first weapon is shame.

2. Uncontrolled thoughts.

3. Compulsions.

4. Fear.

5. Hopelessness.

6. Bitterness.

7. Insecurity.

Seven Habits in being set free:

1. I must remind myself daily what Jesus did for me.

a. A lot of Christians are still simply relying on willpower to change.

b. No self-help programs can change your heart.

c. The way we act is determined by the way we feel, and the way we feel is determined by the way we think.

2. I ask the Holy Spirit to give me better thoughts.

a. There's the mind-set of your old nature, and there's the mindset of the Holy Spirit.

b. You choose what you dwell on:

(1) Satan gives you ideas, that's called temptation.

(2) The Holy Spirit gives you ideas, that's called inspiration.

3. I realize I have a new ability to say no.

a. I don't have any obligation anymore to listen to my old nature.

The Invisible War: Winning The War Inside Me Part 2

Pastor Steve — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:49:25 GMT

Romans 7:15-25

Our three mortal enemies are the world, the flesh, and the devil.

I am my biggest problem.

When you try to please God or to change things in your life under your own strength, you are going to be frustrated and you are going to fail.

Six emotional consequences:

1. Confusion.

2. Guilt and shame.

A. A good friend walks in when everybody else walks out.

3. Compulsions and addictions.

A. We like to sin.

B. If you have your kicks you're going to have your kickbacks.

4. Self-condemnation.

5. Frustration.

A. When I try to do the right thing simply by willpower, I am just flapping my wings.

6. Discouragement and despair.

The Cause: I have two natures!

God's Battle Plan For My Victory.

1. I must deepen my understanding of God.

2. I must detect and disarm the lie that I'm believing.

a. Behind every self-defeating ac is a lie I have believed.

b. To stop defeating myself I must stop deceiving myself.

3. I must declare my struggle to another.

The Invisible War: Winning The War Inside Me

Pastor Steve — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 23:08:06 GMT

The Invisible War

Winning The War Inside Me

Romans 7:15-25

Our three mortal enemies are the world, the flesh, and the devil.

I am my biggest problem.

When you try to please God or to change things in your life under your own strength, you are going to be frustratedand you are going to fail.

Six emotional consequences:

1. Confusion.

2. Guilt and shame.

A. A good friend walks in when everybody else walks out.

3. Compulsions and addictions.

A. We like to sin.

B. If you have your kicks you're going to have your kickbacks.

4. Self-condemnation.

5. Frustration.

A. When I try to do the right thing simply by willpower, I am just flapping my wings.

6. Discouragement and despair

The Invisible War: When You Feel Like Giving Up Part 2

Pastor Steve — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 23:02:53 GMT

The Invisible War

When You Feel Like Giving Up

Hebrews 12:1-2

What do I do when I feel like giving up?

A. Remember that heaven is watching me.

B. I must eliminate what doesn' matter.

C. Run Gods race for me, not other people's race for me.

1. Your SHAPE determines the race you run.

D. I must focus on Jesus, not my circumstance.

E. Minimize the pain and maximize the profit.

1. Play it down and pray it up.

2. There is always a waiting period between when you plant the seed and when you eat the fruit.

F. You remember, you think about what Jesus did for me.

What have you started that you need to finish?

The Invisible War: When You Feel Like Giving Up

Pastor Steve — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 16:12:44 GMT

Hebrews 11

Why is life so tough?

There are forces out to destroy your soul.

The first battle is inside you, and is called the world of flesh and the devil.

There's the battle around you. That's the world.

Then there's the battle against you and that is Satan.

Learning to live by faith involves pain.

Three profound truths:

1. Faith doesn't spare us from pain!

2. Some of God's promises will fulfilled in eternity.

3. The people who have gone before us can't receive the prize.

What do I do when I feel like giving up?

A. Remember that heaven is watching me.

B. I must eliminate what doesn't matter.

1. Weights are not something that's wrong.

2. Sin is knowing what to do and not doing it.

How Big Is Your God? Part 2

Pastor Steve — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 16:00:20 GMT

How Big Is Your God?
Matthew 14:33

I. How big is Jesus?

II. Why does God insist on worship?

III. We reflect on what God has done.

A. When I stop to reflect on what God has done, I seek to soften the hardness of my heart.

B. God is way too big for the wonder-killers.

C. Sometimes we miss these because we are overwhelmed.

IV. We respond in worship.

A. Boredom in worship is often a response of spending too much time in the boat.

B. When we encounter God, the Lord over mountains and storms, we tremble.

C. Fear of God involves reverence and awe a healthy recognition of who God is.

D. Worship reminds us of that the day will come when our fallenness will be utterly healed.

E. The first task of a leader is to define reality.

F. In worship, at its heart, we magnify God.

G. Worship closes the loop on the whole story.

H. When human beings get out of the boat, they are never quite the same.

I. God isn't finished with us yet.