Terry Scheuffele

Advent is a time to consider how the coming of our Savior will change your life. The most important BIRTHDAY in the history of humanity is the birthday of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The key to experiencing the overflowing, exuberant joy of Christmas depends on the time, energy, and effort that we expend in preparing for this day.

As we prepare for Christmas, we are wise to create room for the greatest gift of Christmas to be delivered. We are wise to make sure we don’t say, “Jesus, I don’t have room for you.” Because, if we fill our mind, our actions and our hearts with other things, we will have a big sign on our hearts that shines “no vacancy.”

This means, we have to slow down, and clear out some internal junk to make room for Jesus. We must open the doors of our soul and say, “Yes, Lord, we have room.” We must look him in the eyes and say, “Let us roll out the red carpet – the VIP treatment – for you Lord!” We must say, “You are the preferred guest in my heart.”

Making room for Jesus means we:

– Pray and ask Jesus to make himself apparent in our hearts.

– Acknowledge to God that we are prone to stray.

– Keep our eyes focused on the word of the Lord.

– Meditate on the story of Christmas and the gift called Jesus

– Repent of any idols we are putting before the Lord.

– Let go of worries, anxieties and busyness to find Christ.

– Find joy in the grace and glory that Christ brings.

Prepare your heart. Make room for the King. He is coming.

(Part of this article is from Kelly Balarie “A Cheerleader of Faith”)

How to Build a Life:
Will Yours Pass Inspection?

Does Everything Work?

1. What about Your Relationships?
   Spouse? Coworkers? Others?  Are you bitter? Resentful?
2. What about Your Relationship with God?
   Prayer Life? Personal Bible Study? Worship? Taking up Your Cross?
3. How do you feel? Do you have Joy?  Are you Content? Successfully Living the Christian Life?  Do you have Purpose?

Is Everything Up to Code?

1. Do I put God First?
2. Am I Becoming Like Christ?
3. Am I Giving God the Respect Due Him?
4. Is Worship a Priority?
5. Do I Respect Others?
6. Do I Enrich Life?
7. Is My Marriage Sacred?
8. Am I Honest?
9. Do I Tell the Truth?
10. Are My Desires in Check?

Every Building Must Pass Inspection,
So Must Every Life

Choose Life
Deuteronomy 30:11-20

If We Will…Then He Will

A 50 State Prayer Project

Feeling a growing unsettledness? Concerned that our culture seems in moral freefall? Fearing an impending “seismic shift” in our world as we know it?

I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before Me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. Ezekiel 22:30

Will you answer the call to “stand in the gap”?

If We Will…Then He Will is a grassroots prayer project calling intercessors from all 50 states to pray for 50 days over our nation. It was birthed from a desire to bring repentance and revival to the hearts of His people and our nation.

This is not motivated by politics or church affiliation. It is simply a call to His people to turn from our wicked ways and implore Him to heal our land.

BATTLE PLAN

December 1-31, 2022 – 31 Days of Preparation
New Year’s Day, 2023 – Time of Prayer and Fasting
January 2 – February 20, 2023 – 50 Days of Prayer

Join us in interceding for historic change in this historic moment, for His glory.

Download a digital copy of the devotional guide at https://www.ifwewill.com/ or you can pick up a printed copy for yourself in the back of the auditorium on the old communion table.

We have invited our community to participate with us.

How to Build a Life: Be Content

Commandment #10: Be Content (Exodus 20:17)

Coveting…

1. Is “Enthusiastic Desire”.
2. Is a Morally Neutral Term.
3. Refers to Inappropriate Desires.
4. Refers to Legitimate Desires that Lead to Wrong Actions.

Coveting is the Source of All Other Sin

1. David Coveted Bathsheba (#10).
2. He Stole Another Man’s Wife (#8).
3. He Committed Adultery (#7).
4. He Lied About his Affair (#9).
5. He Profaned the Lord’s Name (#3).
6. He Murdered Uriah, the Hittite (#6).
7. He Put Himself, not God First (#1).

The Cause of Coveting: Resentment

1. Resentment toward God (Cain)
2. Resentment toward Life’s Unfairness (Older Brother)
3. Resentment toward Others (Saul)

The Consequences of Coveting: Estrangement

1. Coveting Comes Between Us and Others (James 4:1-3).
2. Coveting Comes Between Us and God (Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:1-2).

The Cure for Coveting: Contentment

1. Detecting of the Disease
2. What Do You Think About All the Time? (Colossians 3:1-2)
3. How Good I am at Rejoicing with Others? (Romans 12:15)
4. Defeating the Disease—We Must…
5. Learn to be Content (1 Timothy 6:6-8; Philippians 4:11-13).
6. Learn the Difference Between Wants and Needs.
7. Learn the Difference Between Temporal and Eternal (Luke 12:13-15; 2 Corinthians 4:18).

Where are Your Eyes?

How to Build a Life:
Always Tell the Truth
(Exodus 20:16)

Lying is…

1. Intentional Deception.
2. NOT Being Mistaken.
3. Misrepresenting the Facts
4. NOT Withholding Facts (Except in Legal Contexts)

Commandment #9: Always Tell the Truth (Exodus 20:16)

1. Primarily Regards False Testimony about Someone
2. Also Applies to Careless Testimony

The Lord Hates a Lying Tongue (Proverbs 6:16-19)

Lying Reveals a Heart Problem (Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 12:35-37)

We Must Guard Our Hearts (Proverbs 4:23-24)

Lying is Condemned

1. Lying about Others — Perjury, Gossip, Slander
2. Lying to Others — Personal Gain, Avoid Trouble, Flattery
3. Lying to God — Promises, Deals
4. Lying to Yourself

Becoming People of Truth

1. Perform a Daily Checkup
2. Refuse to Gossip or Listen to Gossip
3. Encourage Others with Your Words (Ephesians 4:29)
4. Be an Image Bearer (God Does Not Lie; He is Always Faithful)

Are You a Truth Teller?

We were always taught, “Honesty is the best policy.”  Our lesson text would agree.  God has provided the Ten Commandments as principles for building godly and successful lives. Sunday, we will examine the ninth command, Always Tell the Truth or as the text reads…

Exodus 20:16  You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

God’s word is clear about him hating a “lying tongue” (Proverbs 6:16-19).  A lying tongue comes from a “deceitful heart” (Jeremiah 17:9).  Jesus warned that we will be judged by what we say,

Matthew 12:35-37  The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.  ³⁶ But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.  ³⁷ For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

This is why the Bible teaches we should “guard” our hearts (Proverbs 4:23-24).

I’ll say more in my lesson.

Joey

How to Build a Life:
Keep “Things” in Perspective

(Exodus 20:16)

Keep “Things” in Perspective

1. This is the Principle Behind the Eighth Command.
2. Sometimes our Things Own Us.
3. Why do People Steal?
4. A Sense of Entitlement — I Deserve it

THREE CASE STUDIES…
I. Ahab & Naboth (1 Kings 21:1-7)

1. God has Established the Right of Personal Ownership.
2. This is Why it is Wrong to Steal.
3. It was Equally Right for Ahab to Offer to Buy the Land for a Fair Price and for Naboth to Refuse.
4. Ahab had a Sense of Entitlement—I am King; I Deserve it!

II.  Jesus & the Disgruntled Brother (Luke 12:13-21)

1. The Man was Pursuing a “Me” Agenda.
2. Life is More than Possessions.
3. The Rich Man Had a Selfish Sense of Entitlement (Rich Toward Self, not God)
4. Did he Steal? (cf., James 5:1-6; also, Malachi 3:8-10).

III.  Israel and Tithing (Malachi 3:8-10)

CONCLUSIONS FROM OUR THREE STORIES…

1. We Steal when we Take things from Others.
2. We “Steal” when we See our Blessings as only Belonging to Us.
3. We “Steal” When we Don’t Give God his Due Share.
4. All of this Expresses a Sense of Entitlement.

Three Practices to Keep Things in Perspective

1. Give Thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
2. Share with Others (Ephesians 4:28)
3. Trust God (Matthew 6:25-33).

Have You Kept “Things” in Perspective?

We skipped a week in our series for “Friends and Family Day.” Sunday, we will get back on track.  We will examine the eighth command, Keep Keep “Things” in Perspective or as the text reads…

Exodus 20:15  You shall not steal.

The prohibition of stealing underscores that God has established the right of personal ownership and we should respect what belongs to others.  However, it also prohibits the selfish sense of entitlement that motivates theft.  This same entitlement is condemned across the board when we see it expressed in our own materialism.  It leads to ingratitude, unwillingness to share, and even defrauding God of his due (giving, tithing, etc.).  Unfortunately, sometimes our “things” own us.  I’ll say more in my lesson.

Joey

Welcome Friends & Family!

Thank you for being a part of our Friends & Family Day. Throughout the year we have special days to invite those closest to us to come be a part of our worship and enjoy a meal together. We are so glad are with us today!

This year is a special year for us in that we are celebrating 65 years in this community. Though we have met in in various locations for over 80 years, we moved into what was to become this neighborhood in August of 1957. We are located near the very center of the Winstead Park community. We want to renew our commitment to you to be your neighborhood church!

Today, my lesson, is entitled, God’s Friends and Family. That’s how we see ourselves and we want to invite you into that relationship.

We all know how important friendships are in our lives. The Bible speaks to the enduring and supporting nature of these relationships.

Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

How wonderful is it to know that God wants to be our friend!

John 15:12-17 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit– fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

God has invited us into a relationship with him and his family that will last for all eternity! Can you imagine the All Powerful, Creator, of the Universe wanting to be your friend? It is beyond our comprehension.

Romans 8:31-32 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all– how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Through his death on the cross Jesus demonstrated the greatest love a friend could give by laying down his life so we could have this relationship with him.

The Bible also describes our relationship in terms of family. We are God’s children by creation—he made us, we are his. However, we also are God’s children in a very special sense. He has invited us to be like him and call him, Father.

1 John 3:1-2 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

I’ll say more in my lesson!

Joey

How to Build a Life: Keep Marriage Sacred

When in Doubt, Follow the Instructions.

God’s Commands are Blueprints for Building Our Lives.

Commandment #1: Put God First (Exodus 20:1-3)

Commandment #2: Accept No Substitutes (Exodus 20:4-6)

Commandment #3: Give God the Respect Due Him (Exodus 20:7)

Commandment #4: Take Time to be Holy (Exodus 20:8-11)

Commandment #5: Give Honor to Whom Honor is Due (Exodus 20:12)

Commandment #6: Respect Life (Exodus 20:13)

Commandment #7: Keep Marriage Sacred (Exodus 20:14)

Adultery in the OT

1. Occurred When a Man had Sex with a Married
2. Was NOT Reckoned as Adultery When a Married Man had Sex with an Unmarried or Unbetrothed Woman.
3. Adultery was a Property

Adultery in the NT

1. Jesus Expands Adultery to Include Husbands.
2. The Husband and Wife Belong to Each Other.
3. Adultery Shifts from Property Crime to Anything that Violates the Marital

Marriage Should be Honored

1. Marriage is Sacred and Vital to the Community (Hebrews 13:4).
2. Marriage is a “’Til Death do We Part” Covenant (Malachi 2:14-15).
3. The Marital Sexual Relationship is Very Good (1 Corinthians 7:2-5).

What Does it Mean to “Break Covenant”?

1. Physical Adultery (Sexual Infidelity)
2. Adultery of the Heart (Lust).
3. Legalized Adultery (Divorce).
4. Other Covenant Breaking Acts (Abandonment, Abuse, Neglect, Non-Support, Etc.; Exodus 21:10-11; 1 Corinthians 7:13-15).

Don’t Flirt with Sexual Immorality.

Work to Enrich Your Marriage.

Put Your Spouse First Emotionally & Sexually.

Remember God will Forgive Any Sin including Sexual Sin or Breaking Covenant with Your Spouse.

Last week we discussed the sixth commandment on the sanctity of life.  This Sunday we will examine the seventh, Keep Marriage Sacred.

Exodus 20:14  You shall not commit adultery.

The Ten Commandments provide a moral blueprint for how to build successful lives. Marital infidelity ranks high on the list of things that can destroy your life.  However, the commandment is about more than sexual behavior, it is about covenant.

Many are surprised regarding how adultery is treated in the OT. Fundamentally, it is about keeping a covenant that is at the heart of society. In the OT the command reflected a concern that affected property rights, legitimacy of heirs, and the inheritance of land. These are all legal issues related to covenant.

However, the teaching of the NT centers more on the relational and theological elements of covenant. Not only does this elevate women from the legal status of property to partner, it restores God’s original intent for the covenant of Marriage (Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:18, Genesis 2:21-25; Matthew 19:3-9).

There is so much to say.  I’ll pick up this thought and others in the lesson.  Join us for this message!

Joey

How to Build a Life: Respect Life

When in Doubt, Follow the Instructions.

God’s Commands are Blueprints for Building Our Lives.

Commandment #1: Put God First (Exodus 20:1-3)

Commandment #2: Accept No Substitutes (Exodus 20:4-6)

Commandment #3: Give God the Respect Due Him (Exodus 20:7)

Commandment #4: Take Time to be Holy (Exodus 20:8-11)

Commandment #5: Give Honor to Whom Honor is Due (Exodus 20:12)

Respect in Society begins at Home.

Commandment #6: Respect Life (Exodus 20:13)

Reasons We are Not to Take Life

1. It Usurps God’s Authority (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:7).
2. Human Life is Sacred (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:7).
3. Human Life is Precious above all Other Life (Genesis 9:3-6)

Types of Killing in the Bible

1. Premeditated & Crimes of Passion (Numbers 35:20-21)
2. Accidental (Numbers 35:22-24)
3. Justifiable (Exodus 22:2)
4. Warfare & Peacekeeping (Romans 13:1-4)
5. Capital Punishment (Romans 13:4)

Applications

1. Murder is Prohibited.
2. Abortion is Prohibited.
3. Hatred and Bitterness is Prohibited (Matthew 5:20-21).
4. Failure to Respect Life is Prohibited (Ephesians 4:32).
5. Failure to Love is Prohibited (1 John 4:8, 11).

Are You Harboring Hate & Bitterness in Your Heart?

Are You Kind and Compassionate to All?

Do You Practice Grace (Active Good Will) Toward All?

Remember God will Forgive Any Sin.

Thus far in our series we have discussed five of the Ten Commandments: Put God First, Accept No Substitutes, Give God the Respect Due Him, Take Time to be Holy, and Give Honor to Whom Honor is Due.  This Sunday we will examine the sixth, Respect Life.

Exodus 20:13   You shall not murder.

The Ten Commandments provide a moral blueprint for how to build successful lives. The prohibition of murder should be a given.

I am sure none of us have even contemplated murder; however, Jesus suggests this command is not just about killing.

Matthew 5:21-22  You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’  ²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca, ‘is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell

Matthew 5:43-45  You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  ⁴⁴ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Jesus addresses the heart of the matter – anger and hatred. Since murder begins in the heart, Jesus commands us to guard our hearts against the source of all violence – anger.  He addresses character assassination and the killing of the spirit through name calling and insults. He says we should replace hatred with love, even for our enemies.  In so doing we will be true children of God.

The sixth commandment teaches us to respect all life, to “play nice” and be kind to others. This lesson will discuss the reasons we are not to take life and distinguishes between the types of killing described in the Bible and the real meaning of this prohibition. I’ll conclude with some practical applications.  Join us for this message!

Joey

How to Build a Life:
Give Honor to Whom Honor is Due

When in Doubt, Follow the Instructions.

God’s Commands are Blueprints for Building Our Lives.

Commandment #1: Put God First (Exodus 20:1-3)

Commandment #2: Accept No Substitutes (Exodus 20:4-6)

Commandment #3: Give God the Respect Due Him (Exodus 20:7)

Commandment #4: Take Time to be Holy (Exodus 20:8-11)

An Affirmation of work, rest, social justice, & worship

Commandment #5:
Give Honor to Whom Honor is Due (Exodus 20:12)

A Crisis of Disrespect in our Culture

1. Disrespect for our Country.
2. Disrespect for the Rule of Law.
3. Disrespect for Law Enforcement.
4. Disrespect for our
5. Disrespect for Each Other

Chaos Happens when we Fail to Respect Others

Honor is Giving Respect Not Only for Merit, but also for Rank (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-2)

What Does it Mean to Honor Father & Mother?

1. Obey Your Father and Your Mother (Ephesians 6:1-3).
2. Respect Your Father and Your Mother (Proverbs 30:17).
3. Take Care of Your Father and Your Mother (Mark 7:10-12).

Do You Respect Authority?

Children, Are You Obeying Your Parents?

Are You Helping Your Aged Parents Meet Their Needs?

The Ten Commandments provide a moral blueprint for how to build successful lives.  The first four can be summarized as Put God First, Accept No Substitutes, Give God the Respect Due Him, and Take Time to be Holy.  This Sunday we will examine the fifth: Give Honor to Whom Honor is Due.

Exodus 20:12   Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Our culture is facing a crisis of disrespect.  We have become so morally, socially, and politically polarized that people are not civil with each other anymore.  Shouting, name-calling, intolerance, “cancelling,” doxing, and violence have replaced civil conversation and dialog.  There is widespread disrespect for our country, the rule of law, law enforcement, our elected leaders, and for others.

The fifth commandment teaches us respect and that respect begins at home. If respect is not found there, chaos will eventually spill out into all of society. I say more in my lesson.

Joey

How to Build a Life: Take Time to be Holy

When in Doubt, Follow the Instructions.

God’s Commands are Blueprints for Building Our Lives.

Commandment #1: Put God First (Exodus 20:1-3)

Commandment #2: Accept No Substitutes (Exodus 20:4-6)

Commandment #3: Give God the Respect Due Him (Exodus 20:7)

Condemns Profane Oaths, Language, Lives

Commandment #4: Take Time to be Holy (Exodus 20:8-11)

Must Christians Keep the Sabbath?

1. Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:22-28).
2. Jesus has Abolished Sabbath Observance (Colossians 2:13-17).
3. Jesus is the Fulfillment of the Sabbath (Colossians 2:16-17; Hebrews 4:1-16).

Christians Worship God on Sunday!

1. Sunday is the Day Jesus Came out of the Grave (Mark 16:1-7).
2. Sunday is Called “The Lord’s Day” (Revelation 1:10).
3. Sunday is the Day the Early Church Worshiped  (1 Corinthians 16:1; Acts 20:7).

Why then, this Study?

1. We are Studying the Moral Principles Behind the Ten Commandments.
2. The Ceremonial Law Surrounding the Commandments was for Israel’s Observance.
3. While the Ceremonial Application is NOT binding, the Moral Principles ARE binding

This Command Affirms Four Moral Principles

1. It is an Affirmation of Work.
2. It is an Affirmation of Rest.
3. It is an Affirmation of Social Justice.
4. It is an Affirmation of Worship.

Jesus is the Fulfillment of the Sabbath (Hebrews 4:9-10)

What is Your Work Ethic?

What is Your Rest Ethic?

How do You Treat Your Employees?

Do You Take Time to be Holy?

God’s commands provide a blueprint for how to build successful lives.  We have examined the first three of the Ten Commandments: Put God First, Accept No Substitutes, and Give God the Respect Due Him.  Sunday we will examine the fourth, Take Time to be Holy.

Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.  ¹¹ For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Many see this commandment as not applicable to Christians today.  It is true that this was a part of Israel’s ceremonial law that is not binding on Christians.  However, aside from the ceremonial, there are moral principles that are universally binding.

I will discuss these principles in my lesson.

Joey