Sunday Morning Series - The Wisdom of God - Obtaining Godly Counsel

Text: 2 Samuel 16:15 - 17:23

Some of us own a GPS unit for our cars. Isn't it nice that we can avoid traffic jams and get back on course if we make a wrong turn? Wisdom is like that GPS. It sees where a decision now will lead us. Possible changes in direction can help us avoid troubles in life.

In order for wise counsel to work in my life, I must:

1)  value it. 
2)  get it.
3)  recognize it.
4)  honor it.
5)  yield to it.

Wisdom also comes as correction. It's more important than diligence. We can be diligent and be going in the wrong direction.

In 2 Samuel 16:15-23, we have the story about Ahithophel giving counsel to Absalom, who usurped his father, David's, throne. An interesting fact: Ahithophel was Bathsheba's grandfather. Was his counsel to Absalom wise? Yes. Was it moral? No. It was more for the purpose of alienating father and son and then establishing Absalom as ruler.

There is a worldly wisdom that is sufficient to get the job done, but is lacking in morals. Schools teach situational ethics, which give you two possible scenarios: someone dies or it's necessary to lie, cheat, steal, etc. They do not factor in God's provision or wisdom.

Application:  I have need of correction. How I respond to it will determine my future even if it doesn't seem like much at the time.

To hear the entire message, please go to our website, and click on the Listen tab. You can listen online, download it to your MP3 player, or podcast FREE.

If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 A.M.  We're located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA.  The church phone number is (215) 343-7686.

Volunteers Needed!

We're in need of volunteers for the Greeter Team.

Description

1.  Welcome both members and visitors to our church.

2.  Give visitors welcome packet, tell them where restrooms are located, where they can get water, and direct them to the Children's Church Auditorium if they have children.

3.  Greeters need to be at the door no later than 9:45 A.M., preferably 9:30 A.M.

4.  Currently, we have two greeters and alternate months. If we had six people helping out, we could reduce that to two months per year each. That's between 8-10 Sundays a year.

5.  If you're interested and serious about the commitment, please see Susan.

Quotable Quotes

"The student who has to cram through a school or a college course, who has made himself merely a receptacle for the teacher's thoughts and ideas, is not educated; he has not gained much. He is a reservoir, not a fountain. One retains, the other gives forth. Unless his knowledge is converted into wisdom, into faculty, it will become stagnant like water." - J. E.  Dinger

This Week at Zoe

On Wednesday, 9/25/13, at 7:30 P.M., Pastor Steve will teach on Acts 5.

On  Saturday, 9/28/13, at 10:00  A.M., the Ladies' Brunch will be held in the Children's Church Auditorium. Please bring a breakfast item and invite a friend!

On Sunday, 9/29/13, at 10:00 A.M., we'll gather for our Sunday Morning Service. The Children's Church will also meet starting at 10:00 A.M.

Immediately after the service on 9/29/13, we'll have our COVERED DISH DINNER. Please bring a main dish with enough for your family and some to share and a side dish and/or dessert. We finish by about 2:30 P.M.

Sunday Morning Series - The Wisdom of God - The Value of Wisdom

Text:  Job 28:12-28 and various.

We're starting a new series today on wisdom. We'll talk about what it is, how to get it, and how to use it.

The most important thing we can ask God for other than salvation is wisdom. (Job 28:28, Psalm 111:10, Prov. 4:5-7) Wisdom dwells with God, and He promises to give it to us liberally if we ask.

The reason wisdom is not with men (people) is:

1)  Men must ask for it.
2)  From the One who has it.
3)  This involves submission, and for many, this is too high a price.

Experience is NOT the best teacher. It means you suffered. It can also teach you things apart from the Word of God. I've heard people say things at the funeral of a child that God must have needed/wanted him in heaven. There is no scriptural backing for this statement.

Understanding is the comprehension of how the knowledge we have works and/or the interpretation of how that knowledge can be applied.

Definition:  Enlightened intelligence, skill in dealing with or handling something.

Knowledge without correct understanding is virtually useless.

Wisdom - "knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action"

1)  Wisdom knows the end from the beginning.

2)  Action without understanding from God is not the wisdom of God.

Recognizing Wisdom:

1)  Wisdom is instructive. "A wise man will hear and increase in learning."

2)  "And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel."

3)  If no one or everyone can speak correction to you, you are neither wise nor a person of understanding.

To hear the entire message, please visit our website, and click on the Listen tab. You can listen online, download it to your MP3 player, or podcast FREE.

If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 A.M.  We're located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA.  The church telephone number is (215) 343-7686. We look forward to meeting you.

An Opportunity for You!

Do you enjoy meeting people and helping them feel welcome? Do you want to serve, but don't know where to plug in?

We have several openings for greeters. For more details, please see Susan on Sunday morning.

Covered Dish Dinner

Our next COVERED DISH DINNER will be on Sunday, September 29, 2013, immediately after the service. Please bring a main dish for your family with some extra to share, and side dish and/or a dessert.

We always have a great time of food, fun, and fellowship.

Quotable Quotes

"Your living will not rise above your thinking." - Paul Shepherd

This Week at Zoe

 On Wednesday, 9/18/13, at 7:30 P.M., Pastor Steve will teach on Acts 4. We hope you'll come out, and invite a friend!

The Men's Breakfast is Saturday, 9/21/13, at 8:00 a.m.  They'll meet in the Children's Church auditorium. Please bring a breakfast item and your Bible. All welcome!

On Sunday, 9/22/13, at 10:00 a.m., we'll gather for our Sunday Morning Service. Children's Services also start at 10:00 a.m.

Sunday Morning Series - The Laws of Increase - Effective Barns

Text: Luke 12:13-37 & various

What is a Barn or Storehouse? (Genesis 41:56-57)

A place where abundance is stored to satisfy an anticipated time of need or unexpected times of lack.

Psalms 144:13 - God wants your barns to be filled.

Storage places are built for what they are intended to hold. Blessings can be stored -they're abundance. Storehouses require that I:

1)  am blessed
2)  have a plan
3)  willing to sacrifice

There is a supernatural storage. Many scriptures talk about heart and soul. The heart is always mentioned first. Check out these verses: Deuteronomy 4:29, 6:5, 10:12, 11:13 & 18, 13:1-3, 26:16, Joshua 22:5. The priority is the heart (or spirit).

Wisdom - heart
Knowledge - soul

If you don't receive sound teaching, wisdom will not enter your spirit. Our relationship with God is spirit to spirit.

What satisfies? Isaiah 55:1-3. In the long run, what feeds your soul won't satisfy. What's lasting ministers to your spirit. If you want to grow, you've got to get out of the soulish realm with all its emotion and into the spirit. Emotions have their place, but they should not rule your life.

Here is one statement that indicates a person is speaking from their soul:

"I don't feel the Lord will do that." (What does the Word say about the matter?)

*Christians are making faith statements out of their soul." - Pastor Steve

It is not wrong for a church to minister to your soul; it is wrong to make it first and foremost. Making you feel better won't prepare you for the challenges ahead. What comes to your spirit is intended to empower you, not just make you feel better.

To hear the entire message, please go to our website, and click on the Listen tab. You can listen online, download it to your MP3, or podcast FREE. 

If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 a.m.  We're located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA. The church phone number is (215) 343-7686 or you can check out our website for more information and directions. We look forward to meeting you!

Save the Date!

The next COVERED DISH DINNER here at the church will be Sunday, September 29th, right after the morning service.

Please bring a main dish for you and your family with some extra to share, as well as a side dish or dessert. We hope you'll plan to stay for some great food and fellowship.

Quotable Quotes

"Some of us learn from other people's mistakes, and the rest of us have to be the other people." - Zig Ziglar

This Week at Zoe

 On Wednesday, 9/11/13, at 7:30 P.M., Pastor Steve will teach on Acts 3.

On Sunday, 9/15/13, at 10:00 A.M., we'll gather for our Sunday Morning Service. Children's Church will also begin at 10:00 A.M.

Sunday Morning Series - The Laws of Increase - A Good Steward

Text: Various

Definition:  Steward (oikonomos) The law whereby a house is administered or governed - Kenneth Wuest

Stewardship involves substance possession or things than can be owned. (I Chronicles 28:1) I am made a steward of that which I do not own by the one who is in ownership. As long as I am called a steward, my position denotes that another is in possession of what I oversee.

Stewards do not evaluate; they effectuate. In the story of Joseph and his brothers, the steward was ordered to put Joseph's cup and the young man's money into one of the grain sacks. He was then ordered to follow the brothers and examine their sacks. He followed the orders of the owner - Joseph. He got the job done.

Many people use this term in relation to handling money, but use it improperly because they don't understand what it means. God plainly says that 10% belongs to him. The rest is ours to use as we see fit. Some people do a better job than others, especially if they follow Biblical principles of sowing and reaping. We cannot be stewards of the 90% because we own it.

Here are some of the things the Bible says we are stewards over:

1.  The Word - We're supposed to make it part of us. It will yield increase. Do you seek after it? Do you consult it when making a decision? (Psalm 119:1-12, 2 Tim. 3:15, Joshua 1:8)

2.  Faith - God has given us a measure of faith. As we use it, it increases. (Romans 12:3, Luke 8:25)

3.  The gifts of the Holy Spirit - If we use what we have, more will be added. (Romans 6:4-8, I Corinth. 12:1-7, Ephesians 4:8)

4.  Calling  - God has called us. If I refuse, He'll put it on someone else. Each one of us must discover our calling. (Romans 11:29, I Corinth. 1:26 & 7:20)

5.  Love - The love of God has been poured out in our hearts. We're admonished to keep ourselves in the love of God, so there's a responsibility on our part. (Romans 5:5, Jude 1:21, I John 2:5)

6.  Joy - Nehemiah 8:10, Romans 15:13

7.  Peace of God - Let the peace of God rule your heart. (Revelation 1:4, Jude 1:2, Col.3:15)

When I have the stewardship over something, I have total jurisdiction over the operations until I found to not be carrying out the will of the owner.

To hear the entire message, please visit our website, and click on the Listen tab. You can listen online, download it to your MP3 player, or podcast FREE.

If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 A.M. We're located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA.  The church phone number is (215) 343-7686. We look forward to meeting you!

Quotable Quotes

"If God commands something of your life, it is because He is confident you can accomplish it." - John Hagee

This Week At Zoe

 On Wednesday, 9/4/13, at 7:30 P.M., Pastor Steve will teach on Acts 3.

On Sunday, 9/8/13, at 10:00 A.M., we'll gather for our Sunday Morning Service. Children's Church will also start at 10:00 A.M.

Sunday Morning Series - The Laws of Increase - Associations and Influence

Text: Genesis 12, 14, and 19

In Genesis 11:27 and Genesis 12:1-5, we see that Lot experienced increase because of his association  with Abraham. God's blessings were upon Abraham because he was obedient and would teach his children.

In Genesis 13:1-13, Abraham and Lot had so many blessings that the land couldn't support both of them. Strife developed between their herdsmen. Grieved, Abraham suggested they separate. Lot chose the fertile plain.

How many of our decisions are based on money? We need to be led by the Spirit, not the dollar.

Lot left and lost everything. Genesis 14:11-12 tells us he, his family, and all his goods were carried off by others. Abraham comes to his rescue, and he is restored. You'd think he'd want to work out the problems, so he could stay near Abraham. Instead, he chose to go back to the area that resulted in the loss.

Two angels showed up one day and said they were about to destroy the city. Lot lingered, and he and his family had to be forcibly removed from danger. He lost all his goods and ultimately his wife.

Associations and influences can result in great blessing or great loss.

In order to hear the entire message, please visit our website, and click on the Listen tab. You can listen online, download it to your MP3 player, or podcast FREE.

If you're visiting the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 A.M. We're located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA.  The church phone number is 215-343-7686. We'd love to meet you!