Terry Scheuffele

How To Build A Life – Give God the Respect Due Him

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)

Prohibits  Falsely Worshiping the True God

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

Names are Important

1. You Protect Your Name.
2. Bible Names Often have Special Significance beyond the Personal.
3. God Makes it Clear that His Name is to be Kept Holy (Psalm 111:9; Matthew 6:9).

There are Many Designations for God, but his Name is YAHWEH (Exodus 3:14-15)

What Does it Mean to Misuse God’s Name?

1. Failing to Perform an Oath Made in His Name (Leviticus 19:12)
2. Using Profanity – “Common” use of Holy Words (Jude 1:9-10)
   Beautiful Holy Words: God, Jesus, Christ
   Scary Holy Words: Hell, Damn
3. Professing to be Christian, but Living in a Worldly or Profane Manner (Hebrews 6:4-6)

Do You Make Oaths in God’s Name to Support Your Credibility?

Do You Profane His Name in Exclamations?

Are You Living in a Way that Brings Glory or Shame to the Name of Christ?

If we are concerned with How to Build a Life, we need look no further than God’s word!  God’s commands provide a blueprint for how to build successful lives.  Thus far we have examined the first two of the Ten Commandments: Put God First and Accept No Substitutes.  Sunday we will examine the third, Give God the Respect Due Him.

Exodus 20:7   You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

There are many designations for God: Elohim, El Shaddai, El Elyon, Adonai, Jesus, and Emmanuel (to name a few), but God’s name is YAHWEH (YHWH).  Israel took this prohibition so seriously, that from the third century BC on, they would not pronounce it at all – substituting Adonai (Lord) when they encountered YAHWEH in the text.

What does it mean to “misuse” God’s name? I’ll say more in my lesson.  Join us for this series.

Joey

How to Build a Life: Accept No Substitutes

When in Doubt, Follow the Instructions.

God’s Commands are Blueprints for Building Our Lives.

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

Recalibration of our Consciences where God is our Reference Point

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

1. A Prohibition of Making and Worshiping Idols
2. A Prohibition of Falsely Worshiping the True God

Human Beings Have Always Tried to Create God in Their Image.  What is Wrong with This?

1. We are Finite; We Cannot Picture the Infinite God.
2. Any Image Would be Inadequate.
3. Any Image would be Incomplete, at Best, and at Worst, a Perversion of who God is.

Some Inadequate Mental Images:

1. God as Uncle Sam
2. God as a Kindly Grandfather
3. God as an Angry Monster
4. God as Santa Claus
5. God as a Vending Machine
6. God as Monte Hall/Wayne Brady (Let’s Make a Deal)

Why Do We Make Mental Images?

1. Convenience (Laziness)
2. Self-Interest
3. To Establish Limits
4. Manipulation

The Image God Chose: Jesus
(John 1:1-3, 14, 18; 2 Corinthians 3:18)

What Image of God Dominates Your Life?

Are you Willing to Replace that with the Image of Christ Alone?

Will You Allow Him to Transform You Into the Image of his Son?

We continue our lesson series on the Ten Commandments entitled, How to Build a Life. God’s commands provide a blueprint for how to build successful lives.  In this lesson we will examine the second command.

Exodus 20:4-6  You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.  ⁵ You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God….

I’ll say more in my lesson.  Join us for this series.

Joey

When in Doubt, Follow the Instructions.

God’s Commands are Blueprints for Building Our Lives.

The Ten Commandments are Cliffs Notes on the Old Testament.

Three Observations from Last Week:

1. God’s Goodness Always Precedes His Commands (Exodus 19:4; Exodus 20:1; Romans 5; Ephesians 2)
2. God’s Commands Always Proceed from his Character (Exodus 20:1).
3. God’s Laws Always Provide for a Well–Constructed Life (Exodus 19:5-6; Exodus 20:1 ff).

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

Recalibration of our Consciences where
God is our Reference Point

What Does it Mean to Put God First?

F  – We Must Put God First in our  Focus

I  –  We Must Put God First in our  Income

R  – We Must Put God First in our Relationships

S  –  We Must Put God First in our Security

T  – We Must Put God First in our Time

Do You Put God First?

Will You Allow Him to be the Reference Point by which You Recalibrate all of your life?

Last week, we began a series of lessons on the Ten Commandments entitled, How to Build a Life. The Ten Commandments are a summarized version of how God expects us to construct our lives.  God’s word is a blueprint for how to build happy and successful lives.  Our introductory lesson came from Exodus 19 where we learned the context of God giving the Ten Commandments.  We observed that 1) God’s goodness always precedes his commands; 2) God’s commands always proceed from his character; and 3) God’s laws always provide for a well-constructed life.

This week, we will examine the first commandment: Put God First.  This is how God said it,

Exodus 20:1-3  And God spoke all these words:  ² “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.  ³ “You shall have no other gods before me.

I’ll say more in my lesson.  Join us for this series.

Joey

When in Doubt, Follow the Instructions.

God’s Commands are Blueprints for Building Our Lives.

The Ten Commandments are Cliffs Notes on the Old Testament.

Context of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19:1 – 20:1):

1. God has Delivered Israel our of Egyptian Bondage
2. God is Establishing a Covenant with Israel… and Israel Accepts.
3. God is Coming Down for a Visit.
4. God’s Presence is Terrifying.

Three Observations:

1. God’s Goodness Always Precedes His Commands (Exodus 19:4; Exodus 20:1; Romans 5; Ephesians 2).
2. God’s Commands Always Proceed from his Character (Exodus 20:1).
3. God’s Laws Always Provide for a Well–Constructed Life (Exodus 19:5-6; Exodus 20:1 ff).

God Loves you More than you can Imagine

Are you in a Covenant Relationship with Him?

Are you a Faithful Image Bearer?

Are you Mediating his Grace to Others?

The table’s construction looked so simple. It was one of those chair side tables – barely large enough to set a cup of coffee and a book.  There were less than ten parts and a handful of screws.  You would think there was only one way to assemble it, but you would be wrong and so was I.  I assembled, disassembled, and reassembled it twice, before I gave up and read the instructions. I would have saved my self so much time and trouble if I only read the instructions first!

This is the way life is.  We assume we know what to do.  We do things our way.  We make so many mistakes.  Had we only read the instructions – God’s instructions, how much different our lives would be!

Sunday, we begin a series of lessons on the Ten Commandments; it is entitled, How to Build a Life. The Ten Commandments are a summarized version of how God expects us to construct our lives.  I’ll say more in my lesson.  Join us for this series.

Joey

Dear Boise Church of Christ,

What is it like to be the Director of The Biblical Studies Center?  It’s like running a law firm out of a convenience store. That was my response to this recent inquiry. How so? Well, we maintain connections with several different groups (or “clients”) for different purposes. Our primary emphasis is, of course, college students, and the BSC exists to reach and disciple them through the Word of God. But we also open our classes to high school students and community members, and we’ve even helped adults complete their degrees by transferring credits to other universities. We connect with university faculty, athletic coaches, and support staff. Perhaps our most important ministry connection is with other campus ministers, as we partner together to reach and build up students with the gospel.

We are also members of the Consortium of Christian Study Centers, within which we participate in a network of prayer and support with a few dozen other similar institutions around the country. We are exploring a potential partnership bridge with Haus Nazareth in Berlin, Germany. We are also tasked with maintaining regular communication with numerous donors, churches and charitable foundations, who provide the financial backing to continue ministering. Additionally, we advertise and teach classes, and prepare and host multiple meetings daily, serve lunch to between fifty and a hundred students (or more) each week.

Pair this to-do list with a daily dose of student and minister “drop-ins”, who come for a snack, a conversation, a meeting, some study time, counselling, or even a nap, and perhaps you can understand the law firm/convenience store analogy. By the way, we must also constantly work to keep the place clean! It is a hectic, at times overwhelming set of responsibilities, but it is also a tremendous blessing and privilege because of its strategic importance to God’s kingdom.

Students arrive at college ready to reevaluate their beliefs, and the modern university system is intentionally designed to serve up only secular humanist, relativist answers. God’s truth, standards and gospel are implicitly marginalized, if not openly mocked, and the freshly available lifestyle choices thrive without a solid Christian moral compass. The Biblical Studies Center provides a place with the fragrant aroma of not only lunch, but agape love and biblical truth. Most people know the phrase, “The truth shall set you free,” but few have any idea who said it. Our job is to help  students walk confidently with the one who did. Thanks for doing your part in helping this ministry thrive for his sake!

In His Service,
Dr. Bill Pubols
Director
The Biblical Studies Center

Giving Yourself *

Introduction

• Life Groups are a Vital Part of our Church’s Ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12).
• Giving of Yourself is an Important Part of our Life Groups.
• You Have a Calling to Give Yourself to Others (Acts 20:35; John 4:14; John 7:38).
• In 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Paul is Giving a Defense of his Ministry at Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-10).
• Paul Gave More than his Ministry, Paul Gave Himself (1 Thessalonians 2:8).
• Seven Ways Paul Gave Himself:

I .  Paul Took a Risk (1 Thessalonians 2:2).

II.  Paul Did not Mislead or Exploit Them (1 Thessalonians 2:3).

III. Paul Did not Try to Please Men, but God (1 Thessalonians 2:4).

IV.  Paul Did not Flatter & was not Covetous (1 Thessalonians 2:5).

V.   Paul was Gentle and Shared His own Soul (1 Thessalonians 2:6-8).

VI.  Paul was Holy, Righteous, and Blameless (1 Thessalonians 2:10).

VII. Paul Encouraged them Like a Father (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

Conclusion

• We Need to Give Ourselves in the Same Way (1 Thessalonians 2:8).
• You Have Something to Give: Christ (Romans 8:10), the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), the Word of God (1 Corinthians 2:13), Spiritual Gifts (1 Peter 4:10), you are a New Creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), you are a fountain (John 4:14; John 7:38).
• “It is More Blessed to Give than to Receive” (Acts 20:35).
• Will you be Involved in Our Life Groups?

* I am indebted to John Piper for the main ideas in this lesson.

It is almost time to kick off our Fall Life Groups again.  Our goal is 100% membership participation because this is such an important part of our ministry here at the Boise Church.  We already have a number of groups and great participation.  There are many reasons you may choose not to participate – usually time and an already busy schedule are chief among them, but if you experienced the benefits for yourself, I believe you would make the time to participate.

This lesson is a little different that most of the lessons I preach on groups.  I usually relate the benefits you can receive from participation –new relationships, friendships, fellowship, spiritual growth, help in life, etc.  However, this lesson is about what you can give.

When I served a church in South Alabama, we made a great effort to get members involved in our groups.  We were met with varying degrees of success.  There was one woman who attended my group who was an introvert and kind of bristled at the thought of emotional and even physical intimacy (brotherly and sisterly hugs).  However, she participated and shared in our group as actively as any of the others.  I once asked her about it and she said,

“Joey, I’m kind of odd in that I don’t feel a real need for small groups.  I have enough interaction with others through my work and family, but I attend groups, not because I personally need it, but because of what I can give to others.”

Her words really impressed me and I have told her story whenever I could – especially for those who don’t feel a strong need for sharing and interpersonal relationships through groups.

Sunday, we will be examining Paul’s description of his ministry at Thessalonica.  The key verse is 1 Thessalonians 2:8,

We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.

True ministry requires a willingness to share our lives with others.

I’ll say more in the lesson.

Joey

Tying up Loose Ends: Mission

Introduction

• Definition: “tie up loose ends” – (idiomatic) Tidy up, finish, or complete.
• It can be Easy to Start Something, but difficult to finish.
• God encourages us to complete the work we began in Christ (Revelation 3:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:10).
• Today, we’ll discuss the Loose End of Misson.

I.   Jesus Calls us to Mission (John 20:21-22).

II.  Mission Includes Evangelism (Matthew 28:19-20).

III. Mission is More than Evangelism (Ephesians 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:10).

IV.  Jesus Requires a Life-Long Commitment to Mission (Isaiah 6:1-8).

Conclusion

• What is Our Mission? The Same as that of Jesus (Ephesians 5:1-2).
  • His Message and Life Embodied the Kingdom of God.
  • He Fulfilled His Mission through Love & Self-Sacrifice.
  • He Saved us That we Might Serve.
  • He Commissioned us to Make More Disciples.
• What is My Mission at Boise Church of Christ? Suggestions:
  • Discipleship, Administration, Leadership
  • Special Church Projects
  • Foreign & Local Mission Works
  • Biblical Studies Center
  • Camp Ivydale
  • Love, INC
  • Boise Classical Academy
  • Trail Life & American Heritage Girls

Today we conclude the current sermon series we’ve entitled, Tying Up Loose Ends. When we fail to complete the things God intends for us to do, our eternal destiny is in the balance.  This morning we will be talking about our mission.

Mission refers to “a vocation or calling.” Christian mission refers to that particular vocation to which Christ has called the church (generally) and us (specifically). Jesus often spoke of this vocation.

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”  ²² And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:21-22).

We often think of mission and read evangelism as in the Great Commission.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19, 20).

Certainly, mission would include evangelism. However, it is much larger than that.  If we are to be about the same mission as Jesus, then we must do what Jesus did. Paul gives us a hint as to how this is accomplished.

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children  ² and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:1-2).

Jesus lived a life of love and self-sacrifice. This almost seems incongruous to his message, “The kingdom of God is at hand!” God’s people waited for the time when God would establish his righteous rule on the earth and destroy all his (and their) enemies. They were correct in principle as to God’s purpose, but they were confused in regard to method.  Jesus did so with love and self-sacrifice.

Our mission is to spread the message and live out the values of the coming kingdom of God in a spirit of love and self-sacrifice.

Joey

Tying up Loose Ends: Stewardship

Introduction

• Definition: “tie up loose ends” – (idiomatic) Tidy up, finish, or complete.
• It can be Easy to Start Something, but difficult to finish.
• God encourages us to complete the work we began in Christ (2 Corinthians 8:5-12).
• Today, we’ll discuss the Loose End of Stewardship.

I.   The Purpose of a Steward is be Found Faithful to His/Her Task (1 Corinthians 4:2; Luke 12:42-46; Deuteronomy 8:11, 17-18).

All We Have Belongs to God – He Has Entrusted us with It.

II.  Stewardship is More than what we Give.

      Areas of Stewardship:

• Stewardship of the Body
• Stewardship of our Talents / Gifts
• Stewardship of our Possessions
• Stewardship of the Earth
• Stewardship of our Money

III. Stewardship Does Require that we Give

• We Must Give to Support those in Need (Galatians 6:9-10; 2 Corinthians 9:7-12).
• We Must Give to Support those Who Preach the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:7-14).
• We Must Give to Support the Maintenance of the Congregation.

Conclusion: How Much Does God Expect me to Give?

• In Keeping with Your Income (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)
• According to Your Means (2 Corinthians 8:11)
• As Much as you Have Pre-Purposed (Decided) in your Heart (2 Corinthians 9:7)
• As Much as You Want to be Blessed (2 Corinthians 9:6)
• Generously (2 Corinthians 9:6)
• What about the Tithe? (2 Corinthians 8:1-5)

Our sermon series is entitled, Tying Up Loose Ends. There are things that we know we need to do, but we put off.  This may have little consequence in some areas of our lives, but with spiritual matters, your eternal destiny is in the balance.  This morning we will be talking about our financial stewardship.

A steward is one who is entrusted with the possessions of another. The primary purpose of a steward is to faithfully carry out the business of the one who gave him that trust.

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2).

The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time?  ⁴³ It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.  ⁴⁴ I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.  ⁴⁵ But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk.  ⁴⁶ The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers (Luke 12:42-46).

The Bible teaches that our money and possessions are not ours, but only entrusted to us by God to care for our needs, to be used in harmony with his will, and to accomplish his work on earth.

Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day.  …You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.”  ¹⁸ But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today (Deuteronomy 8:11, 17-18).

The Bible says a lot about stewardship; I’ll say more in my lesson.

Joey

Tying up Loose Ends: Membership

Introduction

• Definition: “tie up loose ends” – (idiomatic) Tidy up, finish, or complete.
• It can be Easy to Start Something, but difficult to finish.
• God encourages us to complete the work we began in Christ
  (Revelation 3:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:10).
• Today, we’ll discuss the Loose End of Membership.

I.   Early Christians Unified Locally for Strength and Support (Acts 2:41-47; Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 9:26-27)

II. Dangers of being a Member at Large

• No Accountability – Protection
• No Responsibility – Purpose
• No Commitment – Promises

III. Five Commitments of Membership

• Relationships
• Worship
• Discipleship
• Stewardship
• Fellowship/Partnership

Conclusion: How do You Become a Member at Boise C/C?

1. Are You a Christian?
2. Are You Willing to Commit Yourself, Your Talents, and Your Resources to this Congregation?
3. Are You Willing to Submit Yourself to this Congregation and its Leadership for Your Discipleship?
4. Then, Let Us See Brochure.

Our sermon series is entitled, Tying Up Loose Ends. There are things that we know we need to do, but we put off.  This may have little consequence in some areas of our lives, but with spiritual matters, your eternal destiny is in the balance.  This morning we will be talking about church membership.

Church membership is more of a modern phrase than a biblical one, but the concept of being an active part of a church fellowship is very biblical.  In Acts, new believers banded together for strength and growth.

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.  ⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common.  ⁴⁵ Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,  ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:41-47).

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  ²⁵ Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another– and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25).

In no uncertain terms, the NT presupposes the active participation of Christians in the life of the local church. Today, however, with so many churches, it is easy for believers to develop a “member at large” attitude visiting many different congregations, but belonging to none. Not that there are not benefits to visiting churches until you find a church home, but eventually you really need to belong somewhere.

In my lesson today, we will talk about this need, why it is important and what you need to do to truly belong.

I’ll say more in my lesson.       Joey

Tying up Loose Ends: Baptism

Introduction

• Definition: “tie up loose ends” – (idiomatic) Tidy up, finish, or complete.
• It can be Easy to Start Something, but difficult to finish.
• God encourages us to complete the work we began in Christ (Revelation 3:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 8:10-11; Acts 20:24; 2 Timothy 4:7).
• Today, we’ll discuss the Loose End of Baptism.

I.   The Need for Salvation

• Deliverance from Sin (Acts 2:38)
• Deliverance from Sin’s Consequences (Romans 6:23)
• Deliverance from Death (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)
• Deliverance from Futility (Ephesians 2:10)

II.  The Requisites of Salvation

• Faith (John 8:24; Romans 1:16; Romans 10:8-9; Acts 16:31)
• Repentance (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38)
• Baptism (Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:41; Acts 16:30-33)

III. The Reasons People Postpone Baptism.

• They Think it is Not Necessary.
• It is not Convenient.
• They are Afraid.
• They Don’t want to Offend.
• They Procrastinate.
• They are “Too Young.”

Conclusion/Applications

• Do You Need to be Saved?
• Have you Responded to Jesus?
• What are You Waiting On?! (Acts 22:16)

Sunday, I am beginning a new sermon series entitled, Tying Up Loose Ends. There are things that we know we need to do, but we put off.  This may have little consequence when we are talking about taking the laundry to the cleaners or raking the leaves in the yard. However, when it involves spiritual matters, your eternal destiny is in the balance.  No decision is more important than your decision to follow Jesus.  This is really more than just a “loose end,” but you need to “tie it up” nonetheless!

Giving your life to Jesus begins with trust in him as He explained.

I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins“   (John 8:24).

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:16).

Many make faith commitments to Jesus, but they never get around to baptism.  In many cases this is because some churches delay the baptism of new believers until there can be a special service and they never get around to it.  In a few cases, the importance of baptism is actually minimized.  This was not the case in the New Testament.  They were baptized the same day they believed – some, the same hour!

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  …Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day (Acts 2:38, 41).

He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  ³¹ They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved– you and your household.”  ³² Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.  ³³ At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized (Acts 16:30-33).

I’ll say more in my lesson.   Joey