Sunday Morning Series - Having Faith in Your Prayers - Faith or Foolishness

Text:  I Samuel 15:1-35

Assumption - conclusions based on nothing.

Presumption - conclusions based on what happened for others.

InI Samuel 15: 1-4, Saul is given an assignment from God. It is time to perform and what has Saul practiced? What training has he put himself through?

1.  Prepared people perform. People who study for a test are ready to take it. Athletes who train are ready to perform at game time.

2.  Unprepared people explain. They explain why they cannot do something.

Proverbs 10:8 - The wise receive commands. The Lord gives wisdom - Proverbs 2:9.

Everything God says is wise. Jesus said that whatever he saw the Father do, He did. Whatever the Father said, He said.

I Samuel 15:5-10 - Did Saul carry out his assignment? He partially obeyed, but God considered that disobedience.

Partial Obedience is caused by:

1.  Ignorance - I don't know.
2.  Neglect - I don't care.
3.  Fear - I can't do that.
4.  Distrust - I'm not so sure this is the right thing to do.

Trust is not a lack of fear and uncertainty but the presence of obedience and steadfastness. It is build through the little things, so we are ready for the big things.

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

If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service. Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA. We look forward to meeting you!

Quotable Quote

"Anything less than a conscious commitment to the important is an unconscious commitment to the unimportant." - Stephen R Covey

This Week at Zoe

MIDWEEK SERVICE - Wednesday, 4/25/18, at 7:30 PM. Pastor Steve is back from vacation!

WORSHIP TEAM PRACTICE - Thursday, 4/26/18, at 7:00 PM. 

30-Hour Famine Begins - What is this famine all about? Our Youth Group will spend 30 hours fasting to raise money ($3,000) for missions. During that time, there will be games and all sorts of fun with Pastor Connie and her assistant leading the way. If the Youth reach their goal, Pastor Connie has agreed to dye her hair pink, purple, or some other color.

SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE - Sunday, 4/29/18, at 10:00 AM.
Super Church for kids will also begin at 10:00 AM.

Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA  Come out for a time of praise, worship, and the Word. We'd love to meet you!

Having Faith in Your Prayers - How Could This Be Presumption?

Text:  2 Samuel 12:1-25

Samuel confronted David by telling him a story about a man with one ewe lamb. Someone takes the lamb, kills it, and eats it. David is enraged and declares all manner of things should be done to the one performing such a deed. The prophet looks at him and declares, "You are the man."

David acknowledges and repents of his sin. He committed adultery with Uriah the Hittite's wife, Bathsheba. When she notified him she was with child, he tried to arrange a homecoming for the soldier, but it didn't work out. Finally, David ordered Uriah be put on the frontlines of battle where he was killed. He then took Bathsheba as his wife.

God warns David that his sin has opened a door in his life. The child Bathsheba was carrying would die, and others would take his wives and publicly humiliate him. Please note that the Israelites had the viewpoint that if God didn't stop something, He did it. The fact is David's sin gave the enemy opportunity to harm him and his family.

In spite of God's declaration that the child would die, he pleads and fasts for its life. If God's Word doesn't give us assurance, we are wrong to get our hopes high.

Presumptive Approaches

1.  God loves and has forgiven me. I'll get what I need.

2.  God loves the child and won't hold him accountable.

3.  God is greater than my sin.

4.  God has promised me blessings, not cursings.

How Do We Stay Out of Presumption?

1.  Don't hope for something the Word does not promise you. The Word God gave Abraham and Sarah about a baby was for them. You cannot claim it for yourself.

2.  Two ways God will build faith:  Show you in the Word, Speak to you a word.

3.  A word is for you alone. It is not the world, which is given for all.

4.  If you act inline with what God revealed to another without it becoming revelation to you, you have set yourself up to walk in presumption.

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

Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA. We invite you to our Sunday Morning Service, at 10:00 AM, for a time of praise, worship, and the Word.

Quotable Quote

"Prayer is not conquering god's reluctance, but taking hold of God's willingness." - Phillips Brooks

This Week at Zoe

MIDWEEK SERVICE - Wednesday, 4/18/18, at 7:30 PM. Ethel Waters will be speaking in Pastor Steve's absence.

WORSHIP TEAM PRACTICE - Thursday, 4/19/18, at 7:00 PM.

SUNDAY MORNINGS SERVICE - Sunday, 4/22/18, at 10:00 AM.

Super Church for Kids - 10:00 AM.

Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA. We hope you'll join us for a time of praise, worship, and the Word!

Sunday Morning Message - Guest Speaker, Pastor Alan Hecht

Text: Nehemiah 13:22 and Various

In this text, the Israelites were rebuked for intermarrying with those of foreign lands. Their language and the worship of God was being lost as a result. Our language is a strong indicator of our character. Does it reflect God's language or the language of the world?

1.  Cursing - the word, "profanity," in Latin means, "not sacred."

     One definition says, "packing emotions we wish we didn't feel into words we wish we didn't speak."  Matt. 12:34 - Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

     Cursing takes bodily functions, intimacies, and names and references used for God and makes them ugly. How do we overcome this area of ungodly language? It's a good idea to let the emotion of the situation simmer down before putting it in words.

2.  Gossiping - Sharing information with someone who is not part of the problem or part of the situation. Ephesians 4:29.

     If you have a problem with someone, go to that person.

3.  Complaining - venting - Attempting to make a situation better by telling someone else how truly horrible it is. Numbers 11:1-2 - Complaining displeases the Lord. We will always find something to complain about.

     If you dissect a complaint, there's a request. Go to the person and make a request in humility.

4.  Critical Judgment - All judgment isn't bad. You use judgment every day when deciding if your car will fit in a parking space and a number of other situations. Critical judgment is attempting to increase your stature by belittling other people.

Jesus brought about change in people such as the woman with the issue of blood by contributing to their development. When we see others as Christ sees them, we will do the same thing.

Are we more fluent in the language of God or the world? Let's not get de-sensitized to what comes out of our mouths.

Administrator's Note: Thanks to Pastor Alan Hecht for a compelling message. We look forward to him visiting again in the future.

Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA. We hope you'll visit and share in worship, praise, and the Word.

Quotable Quote

"Rising to the occasion is a myth. We operate at the level of our preparation." - Willie George

This Week at Zoe

NO MIDWEEK SERVICE.

WORSHIP TEAM PRACTICE - Thursday, 4/12/18, at 7:00 PM.

SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE - Sunday, 4/1/18, at 10:00 AM
Guest Speaker - Alan Hecht
Super Church for Kids - 10:00 AM

Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA.

Sunday Morning Series - Having Faith in Your Prayers - Presumption

Text:  Galatians 6:7 and Various

When we believe something will happen that was not promised to us, we operate in the realm of presumption instead of faith.

1.  You will reap what you sow. People often think only of money when it comes to this principle. However, God considers money as a simple thing. If we can't handle the simple, how can He entrust the more important issues of sowing and reaping to us?

Praying against the harvest you sowed is against God's Word.

2.  Don't copy others. Just because something worked for another believer doesn't mean it will work for you. That person had a revelation from God. You need to seek God for what He wants you to do.

Five Reasons We Make Presumptions

1.  I want it to happen.

2.  I think it should happen.

3.  God loves me, so He's going to do this for me.

4.  I've worked hard and deserve this.

5.  I've misunderstood what God says.

The Word tells us to sow good seed.

I Peter 3:10 - Those who would love life and see good days:

    Refrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

    Don't say everything that comes into your head. Seek peace and pursue it.

I Peter 3:12 - The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their prayers. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

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.

Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA. If you're looking for a family church with solid Biblical teaching, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 AM. Super Church for Kids starts at the same time. We look forward to meeting you!