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GOD’S PERFECT STORMS
The Gospel Delivered
Pastor Tom
11-01-09

Introduction: Only Christ could look beyond the storm of His cross and see a bright cloudless morning. – Hebrews 12:2

I. The cup – Luke 22:40-46

• Held the guilt of man
• The pressure of holiness being cursed
• The thrill of Satan

II. The cross – Luke 23:33-35

• Forgiveness offered
• Mocked and scorned
• Forsaken – Matthew 27:46

III. The cry – Matthew 27:50-54

• Darkness in the day
• Veil torn in Temple
• Earthquake, rocks split
• Graves opened, dead raised
• The Savior died

IV. The call

• Led captivity captive – Ephesians 4:8-10
• Mercy seat in heaven
• Returned alive – John 20:15-17b

Conclusion: Christ’s storm did what we could not do for ourselves – go and tell others that He is alive.

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GOD’S PERFECT STORMS
Something Smells Fishy: Jonah
Pastor Tom
10-25-09

Introduction: A common mistake among man is to believe he can avoid or outrun God’s ‘Perfect Storm’.

I. The futility of running

• Nineveh into wickedness – vv. 1:1-2
• Jonah into disobedience – v. 1:3
• God’s reach – v. 1:4

II. The wrong sacrifice

• Why did you run? – v.1:10
• Offer me – v. 1:12
• Bad fish food – v.1:17
• Prayer closet turnaround – vv. 2:1-2, 9-10

III. Judgments cure

• A smelly, bleached prophet – v. 3:4
• Nineveh’s 40 day turnaround – vv. 3:5
• God’s grace – v.3:10

IV. Grace Registered

• Jonah’s anger – vv. 4:1-2
• Care for material blessing over souls – vv.4:10-11

Conclusion: Nahum 1:14 – Nineveh’s total destruction by the Medes and Babylonians in 612 B.C. – Could America’s ‘Perfect Storm’ turn us back into the missionaries we were saved to be?

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God’s Perfect Storms
From Healing to Holiness
Jack Smith
Text Luke 17:11-17

I. Leper Lifestyle-Bitterness

• Physical Bitterness
  • Living in the past
    • All that was good is now just a memory
    • Family/Community/Purpose
  • No identity
    • Lived in a place with no name (American Passport in Congo)
    • No one wanted them-Outcasts
• Spiritual Bitterness
  • Undeserved guilt and shame
    • Believed to be punished for sins
    • Torment of not knowing what sins has caused it
  • Understanding how God uses pain
    • It’s never punitive for justice sake
    • God uses pain as an artist uses a chisel

II. The Spiritual Parallel of Leprosy

• Physical Bitterness
  • Sin robs us of all that was once good
  • We lose our feeling
• Spiritual Bitterness
  • Sin’s companions: guilt and shame
  • We live in places with no name

III. Expect the Unexpected

• An Unexpected Encounter
  • God pursues those that are not even looking for Him
  • God’s knack for appearing in peculiar places
  • Personal God
    • Infinitely Intimate
    • He doesn’t only appear in churches, synagogues or “holy” spaces
• An Unexpected Request
  • We want healing, nothing more, nothing less (junior Bible Class)
  • God wants everything, nothing more, nothing less

Conclusion: The healing God has for us is not found through the physical; it begins first with the spiritual part of life.

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God’s Perfect Storms
A Time Like This
Esther
Pastor Tom

Introduction: God arranges for us to experience life defining moments; those that choose to trust God at these critical junctions are forever changed.

I. The Approaching Storm

• Altasurerus (Xerxes) embarrassed by Queen Vashti and divorces her. – Esther 1:1, 12, 19b
• Esther (Jewish) chosen queen – Esther 2:7, 10, 17
• Mordecai spoils a takeover plot – Esther 2:21-23
• Haman’s plot against the Jews – Esther 3:5, 6
• Extermination ordered – Esther 3:13
• The Vortex – Esther 4:13-16

II. The unseen changer

• Dinner invite – Esther 5:3-4
• Haman’s Gallows – Esther 5:14
• Xerxes insomnia – Esther 6:1
• Haman’s embarrassment – Esther 6:11- 12
• The enemy identified – Esther 7:5-6
• Haman hanged on gallows- prepared for Mordecai – Esther 7:10

III. The sun breaks through

• Mordecai’s counter decree – Esther 8:11
• Their enemies destroyed – Esther 9:16
• The Feast of Purim instituted – Esther 9:22

CONCLUSION: Haman cast his lot with astrologers while Esther cast her lot with the God that created the stars. That decision defined her life for eternity. – Proverbs 3:5-6

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GOD’S PERFECT STORMS
From Famine to Inheritance
Ruth
Pastor Tom

Introduction: When those in desperation turn to Christ, He begins writing a beautiful story of redemption.

I. The Decision

• Famine – v 1:1
• Marriage and death – vv. 1:4-5
• Leaving on faith – vv. 1:16-17

II. The Servant Heart

• Gleaning for both – vv. 2:1-2
• Watchful eyes – vv. 2:8-11
• Nourishment for labor – v. 2:14

III. Submission to God’s Plan

• Naomi’s instructions – vv. 3:3-5
• Reception and protection – vv. 3:7-14
• Rest – v. 3:18

IV. The Reward

• Redemption and Seed – v. 4:5
• Complete ownership – vv. 4:8, 10
• Bearing fruit – v. 4:13

Conclusion: Inheritance – David’s grandmother – vv. 4:14-17

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GOD’S PERFECT STORMS
Gilead’s BHAG
Pastor Tom

Introduction – Without clear direction a church will stagnate. Proverbs 29:18a.

I. Giants realized. Numbers 13:29-33

• 1987 – The Audit $5.65 Million debt.
• 1988 – Bankruptcy- Chapter 11 reorganization protection
  • Bank                             1.0 million
  • Secured creditors           3.1 million
  • Unsecured creditors        1.1 million
  • Total                             5.2 million – Ouch!
• Church attendance goes from 1100 plus to 175.
• Church Repentance – Psalms 37:21
• Why Me? – I was not here when the debt was incurred. Esther 4:14b

II. Promises delivered

• By 1996 we paid the bank 1.2 million.
• Unsecured creditors were paid 1.4 million.
• Secured creditors were paid 2.6 million plus 1 million in interest.
• By 2002 the secured creditors received the final payment of $670,000.00 when we refinanced with the bank.
• How? The wall of grace – II Corinthians 8:1-5
• Church attendance increased to an average of 400 adults.
• Jericho moments – Joshua 6:20
• Owed $2.75 million to the bank (Miracle upon Miracle)

III. Remembering the vision

• Now $2.15 million owed
• Attendance 700 plus adults
• Unconquered territory – I Chronicles 4:9-10
• Caleb’s dream at 85 – Joshua 14:5-13
• Unfinished business
• $20.00 per adult for 130 weeks equal $1,820,000.00
• This is what I am doing.
• This is what you can do:
• Pray for God to enable us to dream of expanding our influence (ministry).
• Get involved (roll-up your sleeves).
• Get creative with giving.

Conclusion: What’s Your BHAG, Gilead? Freedom 2 Dream!

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GOD’S PERFECT STORMS
The Eye Opener
Luke 24:13-36
Pastor Tom

Introduction: Sometimes we experience distorted eyesight; then, when we see clearly, we realize how badly our view was affected.

I. Dazed and confused

• 7– 8 miles – vv. 13-14
• Seeking truth – vv. 15-16
• Why sad? – v. 17
• What things – v. 18-19a
• A prophet in deed and word – v. 19b
• Crucified – v. 20
• Redeemed Israel from Rome – v. 21
• Third day – vv. 21-24

II. Dull eyes and hearts

• Slow to understand the evidence – v. 25
• Necessity of Christ’s suffering – v. 26
• Christ in scriptures like Isaiah 53 – v 27

III. Opened Eyes

• Invited to stay – vv. 28-29
• Role of the Master – v. 30
• Nail prints in hands – v. 31
• Burning hearts and soles – vv. 32-33

Conclusion: vv. 34-36 – He is risen, we have seen Him – Now there is peace.

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GOD’S PERFECT STORMS
Hope for the Down and Out
Mark 5:22-43
Pastor Tom

Introduction: God arranges moments of despair so He can magnify His grace and praise those with faith. – Hebrews 11:1

I. No cure, no money –

• Twelve year old on a death bed – vv. 22-24
• Chronically, anemic woman – vv. 25-26
• Shared humility

II. Stealing a cure? –

• The secret touch – vv. 27-29
• Commending and encouraging – vv. 30-34

III. Wasting His time?

• The Doctor is too late – v. 35
• Faith is the only remedy for grief – v. 36
• Confirmation witnesses – v. 37
• Shaming the doubters –vv. 38-40
• The command to arise – vv. 41-43

Conclusion: Believe God in spite of your circumstances and He will raise you up and provide nourishment for life eternal. Ephesians 5:14

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God’s Perfect Storms
From Destruction to Deliverance
Joshua 2
Arjuna Chiguluri (Director of Vision Nationals)

http://www.visionnationals.org/

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God’s Perfect Storms
The Party Crasher
Luke 7:36-50
Pastor Tom

Introduction: A few awkward moments caused by an intruder reveals the difference between hard hearts and soft hearts.

I. The Occasion – vv. 36-38

• Pharisee likely healed from affliction
• The woman led a life of wickedness
• She was weeping, he was seething

II. Thought Provoked Story – vv. 39-43

• Two forgiven debtors
• Lost application on Simon

III. The explanation – vv. 44-46

• From Simon: no water, kiss or oil
• From woman: tears, kisses and perfume
• Represents humility, love and worship

IV. The aftermath – vv. 47-50

• Debt forgiven – moral requirement
• Peace made with God through brokenness

CONCLUSION: His actions were ceremonial; her actions came from a sincere heart. She was healed completely – he was healed partially.