Sunday Morning Series - Walking in the Authority of Jesus - All is Not As It Seems

Text:  2 Samuel 16:1-4, 2 Samuel 16:5-13

Mephibosheth is the son of Jonathan and a descendant of Saul. His servant, Ziba, goes to King David and falsely presents a bad picture of Mephibosheth to David.

David has treated Jonathan's son with kindness and had him eat at his table. He's upset and accepts what Ziba says without verifying it with one or two witnesses. He pronounces judgment based on emotion and not evidence.

Mephibosheth presents his story with evidence to back it up. David has returned to Jerusalem unscathed, and the man's attitude is exemplary. Even though David gave his goods to Ziba, Mephibosheth tells the king it's fine. Ziba can have everything. He's just happy that David is safe.

Shimei is also from the family and house of Saul. He curses David in the presence of the mighty men. His statement in Verses 7 and 8 is inaccurate. He calls the king a bloodthirsty man. David was anointed by God to be a warrior and protect Israel from her enemies. Shimei also declares that the Lord has delivered the kingdom to  Absalom, David's son. God did not anoint Absalom to be king.

People can and wil misunderstand what you do for the kingdom of God. You have to be confident that what you're doing is born of the call of God.

Abishai reacts and wants to kill Shimei, but David won't allow it. However, when Solomon is about to take the throne, David tells him to handle the matter and not allow Shimei to go to the grave via natural causes. Solomon tells Shimei he will not kill him as long as he doesn't set foot outside of Jerusalem. He wants to see if Shimei will submit and obey his order. After a number of days, Shimei left Jerusalem and forfeits his life.

Our submission is not evidenced by our words but by our actions. David showed mercy and gave people a chance to repent. Shimei's lack of loyalty was evidenced by his actions and eventually he paid the price.

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

Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA. We invite you to our Sunday Morning Service, which begins at 10:00 AM. Children's Services also begin at 10:00 AM. We look forward to meeting you!

Quotable Quote

"Love that reaches up is adoration. Love that reaches across is affection. Love that reaches down is grace." - Donald Grey Barnhouse

This Week at Zoe

Thanksgiving Service - Wednesday, 11/25/15, at 7:30 PM.

On Sunday, 11/29/15, at 10:00 AM, we'll gather for our Sunday Morning Service. Children's Services will also begin at 10:00 AM.

Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA. We look forward to seeing you!

Sunday Morning Series - Walking in the Authority of Jesus - Bad Attitude Proofing

Text:  Various

Four ways a bad attitude comes to us:

1.  We lose what we thought was ours.
2.  We don't get what we think we should.
3.  We get what we don't want.
4.  Someone else gets what we wanted.

These include (but are not limited to):

1.  Stuff
2.  Promotion
3.  Money
4.  Recognition
5.  Hardship

To keep a bad attitude away, we must be on guard against the way in which it comes.

Haman

In Esther 3:1-6, Haman is angry with Mordecai because he didn't get the recognition he wanted.

To make matters worse, the king tells him to honor Mordecai. Most people who have bad attitudes expect things to be done for them. (Esther 6:1-14)

Cain

Cain's offering was rejected by God, and he got a bad attitude. Since his brother's offering was received, he directed his wrath at him and killed him.

The bad attitude developed because he wanted to do things his way and not God's way.

Moses

In Exodus 2:10-15, Moses didn't get what he thought he should and did get what he didn't want. Somewhere along the line, he discovered the Jews were his people and felt called to rescue them. He took matters into his own hands and killed an Egyptian. When he intervened in a fight between two Hebrews, they turned on him. He ended up running from Pharoah.

Thankfully, he got his attitude straight eventually and fulfilled his destiny.

Saul

I Samuel 18:6-9 - Saul became enraged when people honored David above him. Even though David was loyal to him, he chased him all over the countryside, trying to kill him. His bad attitude cost him the throne.

Maintaining a good attitude in any suffering will sustain your submission and preserve your promotions.

Quotable Quotes

"Be like God, in that you are fully assured that what you say will happen, and will come to pass." - Marcus Ashford

This Week at Zoe

On Wednesday, 11/18/15, at 7:30 PM, Pastor Steve will teach on 2 Kings 8:7-15 - "Death of Ben-Hadad."

 Worship Team Practice - Thursday, 11/19/15, at 7:00 PM.

On Saturday, 11/21/15, at 8:00 AM, the men will gather for breakfast, fellowship, and the Word. Please bring a breakfast item and your Bible.

On Sunday, 11/22/15, at 10:00 AM, we'll gather for our Sunday Morning Service. Children's Church will also begin at 10:00 AM.

Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA. We look forward to meeting you!

Quotable Quotes

"Some things have to be believed to be seen." - Ralph Hodgson

This Week at Zoe

 On Wednesday, 11/11/15, at 7:30 PM, Pastor Steve wil teach on 2 Kings 8:1-6 - The 7-Year Famine.

On Thursday, 11/12/15, the Worship Team will meet for practice.

On Saturday, 11/14/15, at 10:00 AM, the Ladies will meet in the Children's Church Auditorium for Brunch and a fun time assembling wreaths, centerpieces, and holiday table settings. The cost for each craft will be announced. The items can be used for your own holiday decorating or as gifts.

On Sunday, 11/15/15, at 10:00 AM, we'll gather for our Sunday Morning Service. Children's Services will also begin at 10:00 AM.

Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Rte. 611), in Warrington, PA. We look forward to meeting you!

Sunday Morning Series - Walking in the Authority of Jesus - A Better Attitude in Ministry

Text:  Acts 13:1-13

Where you rise in ministry doesn't depend on who you're under or who you're around. It's up to you.

John Mark - Acts 12:12 & 25 - His mother was active in ministry, and he's related to Barnabas. No doubt, he probably assisted with the tasks needed when believers gathered. Barnabas takes him along on a missionary journey with Paul. After the incident with the sorcerer, he runs home to Mama because he gets scared. John Mark didn't have the right attitude. We'll get back to him later.

Three Types of Ministry

1.  Those who can develop a person's attitude. How good is your attitude? The main way to determine your own condition is how long to you persevere when you are waiting for God to answer you? Are you willing to wait until the answer comes? Faith works through love and patience.

2.  Those that need one more seasoned. Acts 6:1-4 - Many feel qualified for this level of ministry, but until people around you in ministry feel you are, you're not. Ministry has no room for those who are self-qualified.

3.  And those that need absolute trust and confidence. Philip moved from waiting on tables into the office of the evangelist. Stephen moved on into other ministry as well (Acts 6:8). John was trusted with so much, including the revelation of the tribulation times. Peter became the most prominent leader of the early church.

Back to John Mark. He didn't just leave the mission field, he prepared. He went on that journey when he wasn't ready. Later, we see him visiting Paul in prison. Paul assigned tasks to him. John Mark got his attitude fixed.

It can be a hard thing to trust those over you to have your best interest in mind. Attitude in ministry is more important than talent, training, and even results.

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

If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA. Our Sunday Morning Service begins at 10 AM. Children's Services also start at 10:00 AM. We look forward to meeting you!

This Week at Zoe

 On Wednesday, 11/4/15, at 7:30 PM, Pastor Steve will teach on 2 Kings 8:1-6 - The 7-Year Famine.

On Thursday, 11/5/15, at 7:00 PM, the Worship Team will practice.

On  Sunday, 11/8/15, at 10:00 AM, we'll gather for our Sunday Morning Service. Children's Church will also start at 10:00 AM.

Quotable Quotes

"Faith talks in the language of God. Doubt talks in the language of man." - E. W. Kenyon