Graves ABF

Fruitful Faith

2009-01-25T21:35:00.000-08:00

During our 4th week studying the Book of Mark we discussed Fruitful Faith. In Mark chapter 4 Jesus describes the laws of sowing and reaping in a parable about a farmer. A farmer goes out to sow seed...just as we are to go out and sow the Word of God. The "seed" we sow can be received in many different ways.

Mark 4:14-20
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. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, 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. 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. 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."

We need to ask ourselves what type of soil we are right now. Are we bearing fruit, living for Christ? Are we tilling our soil? Are we removing thorns? Are we continually aware of the fact that 24/7 we are sowing some type of seed?

In order to sow the type of seed that will bear fruit, we need to know and share the Word, serve others in the name of Jesus Christ and cultivate relationships that give us the opportunity to sow over time.

The Book of Mark

2009-01-06T21:37:00.000-08:00

We began our new series on Sunday entitled, Living Authentic Discipleship. Over the next five months we will journey through the book of Mark.

Though the author of the book of Mark is anonymous, it is assumed that it was written by John Mark, an apostle of Peter, around the early to mid 60's for Christians in and near Rome. At the time is was ascribed, Rome was ruled by Emperor Nero. Nero was known for his severe persecution of Christians after the fire that ravaged Rome in 64 A.D. It is believed that Mark escaped from Rome with written stories of Jesus' life, and with his knowledge of the culture, compiled the stories partly to simply preserve them.

After reading the entire first chapter we focused on Mark 1:14-22. Jesus calls to Simon and Andrew who are in their boat casting nets. He calls to them, "'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' At once they left their nets and followed him." His request is significant because he appealed to their trade and said they would go after a much bigger, more important catch. In Mark 1:19-20, Jesus calls out to James and John who choose to leave their father with hired servants to run the family business and follow him. Sometimes to be an authentic disciple we may have to leave everything we think is important behind.

As we continue through this study, remember the five points of Authentic Discipleship...Put Jesus First, Follow His Teachings, Be Fruitful, Love Other Disciples, and Make Disciples of Others.

The ultimate goal of living as an authentic disciple is to become like Christ in every area of life.

UFC: Staying Alert in the Last Days

2008-12-09T18:38:00.000-08:00

According to Scripture we will all face death and judgment. 2 Corinthians 5:10, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." It is not just enough to be saved. Unbelievers will be punished based on their works, just as believers will be rewarded for theirs. The great white throne judgment (Rev 20:11) will take place at the end of time and the beginning of eternity future. Only those who are not written in the Book of Life will appear before the Great White Throne. They will not be found written in the Book of Life because, in their lifetimes, they failed to believe God. The clear message of Revelation 20:12-13 is that all unbelievers will be resurrected, all will face the condemnation of God because of their unbelief, and all will be judged based on their works. The basis upon which each resurrected person, whether resurrected from the sea or the ground will be judged will be by what he has done (works).

We threw around the idea of what standing in judgment before God may look like. Mr. Clifton described it as driving on the Tollway with a Tolltag...you can speed on through the booth, but you are still accountable for your actions. My mom is a Bible teacher and when she described meeting God for the first time, she told me to imagine standing naked before His throne, all of the works I had accomplished on earth that glorified His name were represented by jewels around His feet. As He began to run through my life, mentioning my self-serving nature, lies I had told, blasphemy, the floor began to grow thicker as He threw hay and stubble at His feet...all of the things I had done on earth to glorify myself. And then...in an instant He reminded me that my sins had been forgiven when He sent His son to die on the cross. A great fire arose, torching the grass around me to reveal the beautiful gems designated for my crown.

As believers, we will enter into our eternal home because of our faith, but will be judged and rewarded based on our works. Folks, there is plenty of work to be done.

Live expectantly with the hope He will return, live differently, live evangelistically.

UFC: Improving Your Home

2008-11-23T18:02:00.000-08:00

Improving Your Home was the final lesson in our series, Ultimate Faith Challenge.

From the very beginning of the Bible in Genesis 2:18, God tells us, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." He created the union of marriage as a sacred bond, leaving our parents and cleaving to one another. One key point stressed is that a Christian marriage demonstrates the relationship between Christ and the church. We are one flesh, willing to give up our rights for the other, unified through the Holy Spirit.

It is then our duty as followers of Christ to show our children the devotion the Lord has to our church played out in our marriages. Psalm 127 states, "Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him." Children are a gift from God and we must teach them the Bible (Deut 32:46), discipline them properly (Prov 22:13), and show them to love, obey and hold fast to the Lord (Deut 30:19-20). Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

God ordained marriage, between a man (as the loving authority) and a woman (as the submissive compliment), which produces the blessing of children.

UFC: Becoming Holy

2008-11-05T10:30:00.000-08:00

What does it take to live a holy, set apart life in an unholy world?

Becoming Holy was the topic of our discussion this Sunday. 1 Peter 1:13-16 tells us that we are to prepare our minds for action, be self-controlled, not conform, to set our hope fully on the grace of Christ. As God's people we should strive for moral purity. Romans 12:1-2 shows that we should live transformed lives. We who are partakers of this glory are gradually being transformed into the likeness of Christ. We are in the process of sanctification.

But truly living holy takes obedience. We should present ourselves as slaves to righteousness, conforming to God's standard of right and wrong. Wow...what a picture. Fortunately, God gives us the confidence we need to follow Him through 1 Peter 2:9. We are chosen, a royal priesthood, a holy nation...we belong to God. He called us out of darkness into his wonderful light. Thank you Lord for not leaving us in the darkness...for choosing us to do your will.

I challenge you this week to live out the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.

UFC: Mastering the Message

2008-10-27T13:04:00.000-07:00

And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
(Mark 16:15, KJV)

As we proceed in our series, Ultimate Faith Challenge, Mastering the Message was the topic of Sunday's study.

The Gospel gives us an optimistic message of hope and good news. As 1 Corinthians 15 lays out the "good news", we must believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, rose on the third day, and was seen by many witnesses. We are saved! He died for our sins...He conquered DEATH.

The goal for every believer should be to become more like Christ. And because we are saved, we will suffer, we will be persecuted, but we MUST persevere through this spiritual journey so that one day we will be glorified.

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

God providentially works all things in our lives towards the ultimate intended good of our conformity to Christ. We must trust that God will bring His work in us to completion...He has declared us righteous (justified), He has set us apart and made us holy (sanctified), and He will bring us to complete maturity (glorified).

So...what is the message? Grace. God's grace toward sinful mankind.

UFC: Accepting by Faith Alone

2008-10-20T21:13:00.000-07:00

Accepting by Faith Alone was our topic of discussion in ABF this week. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." But exactly what are grace and faith? Grace is simply God's unmerited favor shown to mankind. Faith is abandoning all trust in our own resources and casting oneself on the mercy of God. How do grace and faith work together in salvation and where do works come in to play? Salvation is a gift of God's love, grace and mercy. The definition of salvation is the act of delivering from sin or saving from evil. We can only be delivered through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. John 3:16 clearly demonstrates that salvation is through faith alone.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

Though the basis of salvation is not works, the goal of salvation is good works (Eph 2:10). We were not saved by works, we were saved for works. Once we have been saved, we are re-created into a “masterpiece” of God’s grace in order to do the good works that God had designed for us to do.

UFC: Identifying with the Humanity of Jesus

2008-10-14T20:31:00.000-07:00

As we returned to our study entitled, Ultimate Faith Challenge, we discussed Identifying with the Humanity of Jesus. God has bestowed His grace on us by taking on our suffering. Romans 1:5 states that we receive God's grace only through Jesus Christ. God came to earth as a man and was mocked, beaten and crucified in human form so that we could relate better with our creator. But, the incarnation is about more than a moment in history when God became man. It is also about the daily call for men and women to become like Christ by humbling ourselves and laying down our lives to serve a spouse, a child, a grandchild, a parent, and a world that desperately needs to see Jesus "in flesh and blood."

I could never myself believe in God if it were not for the cross. In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it? I turn to that lonely, twisted, tortured figure on the cross, nails through hands and feet, back lacerated, limbs wrenched, brow bleeding from thorn-pricks, mouth dry and intolerably thirsty, plunged in God-forsaken darkness.

That is the God for me. He set aside his immunity to pain. He entered our world of flesh and blood, tears and death.

John R. W. Stott, The Cross of Christ

UFC: Relying on God's Word

2008-09-18T12:42:00.001-07:00

Recap by Justin Graves

This past week's lesson was on "Relying on God's Word". The lesson included some statistics about "Bible Knowledge" and "Bible Statistics" (see below), but the question I ask myself is "Do I know how to "rely" on God and His Word?" Don't we tend to find ways to take care of all our problems and stresses. Do we turn to scripture for answers in everyday life? Do we pray when we're at work having a crappy day? Do we pray when we get mad at our spouses? If we don't....the question to ask ourselves is why? Ask yourself this question this week. Share your answers with your spouse. Read 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, and Luke 1:1-4. I don't think knowing statistics and facts about the Bible make us better Christians. The challenge is...are we really "relying" on God's word in our daily lives.

UFC: Comprehending Creation

2008-09-08T19:24:00.000-07:00

There are several views on creation...literal creation, the gap theory, evolution, progressive creation. But what does scripture tell us about the beginning? We know from Genesis 1:1 that, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Clearly it states that before this there was nothing. This is the BEGINNING. Genesis continues showing us that God created light from darkness, sea from sky, land from sea, day and night, every living creature and even female from male.

Acts 17:24-25
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.

It is amazing to believe in a God that does not need to be validated by science and can be accepted through faith. Hebrews 11:3 states, "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."

Since God made us in His own image, we are to celebrate our significance, our value as a moral, eternal being. Celebrate our purpose to reign with God in creation, and celebrate our responsibility to worship.

Does it take more faith to believe that God created everything, or that it all happened by accident?

UFC: Three in One

2008-09-01T19:56:00.000-07:00

Have you ever made the attempt to describe the Trinity using the analogy that H2O can be water, ice or steam? Or that an egg is 3 parts...shell, yolk and white...yet it is still ONE egg? If so, you have probably also realized that there is nothing that can fully explain the doctrine of the Trinity. In the end we have to believe by faith because God has revealed it in His Word.

Though the word Trinity is never used in the Bible, it is implied throughout scripture. John 6:27 shows us "God the Father", Hebrews 1:8 proves to us that God is the Son, and Acts 5:3-4 reveals that the God is also the Holy Spirit. But remember, even though God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Father is NOT the Son, the Son is NOT the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is NOT the Father.

There is but one God...AND the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, all three, are God. We are to worship God the Father, who chose to love us, worship God the Son who redeemed us by grace, and worship God the Holy Spirit who sealed us into fellowship with the Godhead and the church.

UFC: Believing in God

2008-08-28T12:56:00.000-07:00

In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis offers one philosophical explanation for the existence of God:

In the very act of trying to prove that God did not exist—in other words, that the whole of reality was senseless—I found I was forced to assume that one part of reality—namely my idea of justice—was full of sense. Consequently atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning: just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never know it was dark. Dark would be without meaning.

Genesis 1:1 tell us that "God created the heavens and earth." He was in existence before ANYTHING else.

Psalm 19:1 then gives us proof of His existence.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

John 1:1 reminds us that in the beginning was the Word, meaning that the Word (Jesus) existed before time, space or universe began. And the Word was God...Jesus and God are one. John was emphatic. Everything that had been made had been created through the Word. The Bible consistently tied together God’s eternal preexistence and the creation of all things by Him at the beginning of time. There was, is, and will be Someone “out there” who is greater than His creation.

Without God, (the source of good) would we know the difference between right and wrong?

God is Real
In the following categories list how God is real (evident) to you.

Nature/Creation, In Others, In Your Life

Suppose you were talking to a non-believer who questioned the existence of God, write how/what you would share with this person.

UFC: Contending for the Faith

2008-08-17T18:55:00.000-07:00

A new series has begun!!

As we began our new series today entitled, "Ultimate Faith Challenge" we discussed Contending for the Faith. We defined the word contend (debate, contest, compete, grapple) and how it relates to our faith. Do you know what and why you believe? Can you hold your own in a debate about your beliefs?

Jude vs. 3-5 informs us that there are "godless men" among us and we must be aware of those who have "secretly slipped in." We live in a world where it is more acceptable to be passive about our beliefs than it is to stand up and represent Christ. We can not allow ourselves to be distracted by our work, family, or friends. We have been called by Christ to "go and make disciples of all nations." To do this we must be prepared...we must hide His word in our hearts and ask Him to go before us in all we say and all we do.

Do not allow yourself to become so comfortable with your Christianity that you live as if God does not exist.

Jesus: Bridegroom

2008-08-11T13:14:00.000-07:00

After 11 weeks in our series entitled, "It's In The Name", we concluded with Bridegroom. In Matthew 25 we discussed the parable of the ten virgins and how five of them were wise and brought their lamps and oil to await the bridegroom. The other five were foolish and brought their lamps but did not take oil. When the bridegroom arrived, the wise virgins were able to follow him into the banquet hall, but the foolish virgins, who were not prepared for his arrival, had gone out to purchase more oil and they returned to a shut door. When they requested to enter the banquet hall they were told, "I do not know you." The Bridegroom in this story represents Christ and the 10 virgins represent the church. There are many, many people around us every Sunday (yes, even at Lake Pointe) who are considered the "foolish virgins". They have access to the light...they have the ability and resources to ignite the fire within themselves and become Christ followers, but they choose not to prepare for His coming. It is our responsibility, as His bride, to prepare for Christ's return. Prepare by reading His Word, repenting of your sins, communing with Him through daily prayer, and share your light with others so that they too may anxiously await His arrival.

Revelation 19:7-8 "...For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean was given to her to wear."

Desire to be dressed in pure white...live the way you want Him to find you when He returns.

Jesus: The Door

2008-08-03T19:43:00.000-07:00

During our hour together today, we discussed Jesus: The Door. We took a birds-eye view of the Tabernacle's layout and how each instrument within its walls points directly to Christ and was placed specifically by God. Just as the Tabernacle has only one gate, we see that it says in John 10:9, Jesus Christ is the door and "If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved..." Once we pass through this door of salvation, there are pieces of the puzzle that we must find and complete. As the Brazen Altar reminds us that we must be in repentance of our sins, the Laver is there to cleanse us, through the washing by the Word. We are to witness to the lost and are commanded in Matthew 5 to "let your light shine before men..." God desires fellowship with us so much that He was willing to come to earth as our "bread of life". We are to be in daily prayer and remember that as those prayers are "wafting up to heaven" like a sweet perfume (Psalm 141), they smell of a fragrance so pleasing to God, He does not want it shared with the world. What better depiction of God being revealed to us in the Holy of Holies than when the Veil tore from the top down during Christ's crucifixion so that we now have direct access to the Father through His son!

Our Father has painted a beautiful picture for us in His divine design of the Most Holy Place. Our puzzle will not be complete until we are standing before the throne of the Almighty, but it is up to us to create a portrait on Earth that is pleasing to Him.

Take the time this week to review your "Tabernacle" and see if there is a door that you need to walk through to deepen your relationship with Him.

Jesus: Cornerstone

2008-07-27T19:29:00.001-07:00

As we cruise into the last few weeks of our series entitled "It's In The Name" we discussed Cornerstone today. One of the interesting things pointed out today was that different versions of the Bible state that Christ is either the cornerstone or capstone. We looked at Matthew 21 and how Christ is seen as an authoritative figure, like a king, how He makes his presence known. He doesn't calmly ask the people making money in the temple to leave...he overturns the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves and states, "My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a 'den of robbers'". Can you imagine the power behind his voice?! Those clowns probably jumped right out of their sandals!

Jesus Christ should be what we use as a basis for every situation in our lives. Defined as the capstone (large stone used to anchor and align the corner of a wall), He is ruler over us. The Hebrew word for "corner" is sometimes used as a metaphor for leader or ruler. Isn't it amazing how there are no coincidences in the Bible!

Because Christ loves us and died for us, we know that His authority and ruling are to protect us from harm, steer us from evil, and will never lead us even into temptation.

This week do a self-evaluation. Make sure He is the Cornerstone you base all of your decisions upon.

Jesus: Good Shepherd

2008-07-20T18:54:00.000-07:00

As we continue our study of "It's In the Name" today we discussed Good Shepherd. We talked about the different characteristics of sheep...helpless, followers who are dumb (and fluffy) and why it is necessary for a shepherd to watch the flock. A shepherd has a vested interest in his sheep. He loves them and wants to keep them out of harm's way. He sleeps across the gate at night to keep his sheep from wandering and to guard them from predators. Visualizing Christ as our Shepherd in Psalm 23 is very powerful. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me." He provides us nourishment, guidance, comfort and courage - even in death. He is always there to watch over us. In John 10, Jesus states, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep."

We are his little lambs that are led astray by the temptations of this world. Isn't it comforting to know that He loves us and cares for us enough that he will leave the entire herd to round us up and bring us back to His side? Thank you, Good Shepherd.

Jesus: Living Water

2008-07-06T19:03:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the human body can go weeks without food, but can only survive days without water?

In ABF this week we discussed how Jesus Christ is our Living Water. The Lord provided life-sustaining water for the Israelites at the beginning and end of their wandering. He showed them that it is He who gives them life and he used Moses' faith to reveal Himself to the people. Jesus offered the Samaritan woman at the well a water that would "become a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The expression welling up is used as a vigorous expression, with a meaning like leaping up. Jesus was speaking of vigorous, abundant life.

Things of earth – money, power, pleasures, government, job, health, family, ministry – cannot refresh you forever. They all dry up eventually. Don’t look in these places for significance, satisfaction, or security. Only through Jesus Christ will our spiritual thirst be quenched once and for all.

Can you think of something in your life that is being temporarily satisfied?

Jesus: Bread of Life

2008-06-29T20:56:00.000-07:00

"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever." John 6:35

Bread of Life was our topic of discussion in ABF on Sunday. Just like the Israelites in the Old Testament, so many people in the world today need "signs" as proof of significance. They are in desperate need of real relationships and are searching for the the one thing that will "make them". If we put our faith in Jesus Christ, He is all we need...no sign is necessary for proof that we will live for eternity. Unfortunately, some of us who believe could have manna raining down from heaven and would still question His sovereignty.

Remember this week...we all need food to survive. God uses bread throughout the Bible as a reminder that it is He who sustains life...manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4), the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12), and Jesus feeding 5,000 (John 6:14-15). Only He can provide the Bread of Life to such a hungry world. Will you share your bread with those that are starving?

Jesus Our Healer

2008-06-22T19:19:00.000-07:00

Today we discussed Jesus Our Healer...Jehovah-rapha. We talked about how He not only can heal us of our physical sicknesses, but can heal our spiritual ailments as well. We were able to picture how the prophet Isaiah portrayed the Suffering Servant as an example of what was to come when Christ walked the earth...how he took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses. Then we see Isaiah's prophecy fulfilled in Christ's death (Matt 8:16-17), by whose stripes WE are healed.

We also discussed that some suffering is a direct result of sin in our lives while other suffering may be a way for God's glory to be revealed (John 9:1-3).

If there is anything that you or someone you know needs healing from, remember to pray to the Lord who Heals...Jehovah-rapha. It is such a specific and personal way of talking to the Father. Remember to explore whether sin is possibly a root of the problem and always believe that you will be healed...if not now...then in eternity (Rev 21:4-5).

Jesus Our Rock

2008-06-15T19:18:00.000-07:00

In ABF we discussed "Jesus, Our Rock." We talked about several of the most famous rock formations in the world...Stonehenge, Mount Rushmore, the Pyramids...and how they are all man-made and were built as objects that display power. But, it is fleeting power. Jesus Christ is our solid rock, our firm foundation. He represents life, security and stability.

Unfortunately, even though we are Christian's, some of us live in the dark. We don't take advantage of the abundant life that has been provided through Jesus Christ our ROCK. I looked up the definition of rock (believe me, I've got the time)...a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter. No matter how a human shapes it, its characteristics never change. Isaiah 51:1 says, "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord; Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn." If Jesus is our Savior, we were cut from THE Rock and were hewn from HIS quarry. Try and get your mind around that!

Jesus Our Deliverer/Redeemer

2008-06-08T19:17:00.000-07:00

Today during the continuation of our study, "It's in the Name," we discussed "Jesus our Deliverer/Redeemer." We talked about how we are in bondage to sin and separated from God and why He had to send His son Jesus to deliver us from this bondage. We also discussed the need for Israel to have a deliverer as described in Deuteronomy 28 & 30 and how this cyclical need for deliverance is played out in our lives...Blessing, Cursing, Scattering, Restoration.

Thought for the week...Is there something in your life that you need deliverance from that is separating you from God?

It's In The Name: Jesus

2008-06-01T19:15:00.000-07:00

We started our new series entitled "It's in the Name." What better name to begin with than Jesus (salvation of Yahweh). We discussed what we think of when we hear His name and the meaning and power behind it and also discussed how others (unbelievers) view him...maybe as a liar (Matt. 26:63-66), or even a lunatic (Mark 3:21)?

On my way home from church I began thinking about what we discussed in class and questioned, "What comes to His mind when He hears MY name?" Is He proud of me? Am I becoming the follower He desires me to be? Guess that should give us all something to think about this week!