Anchored or Drifting?

Anchored or Drifting?

Dave Riddle - 11/05/2023

Key Passage: Hebrews 2:1-4

Jesus is greater than the angels… for this reason we must pay even greater attention…

- Hebrews 2:1

- Chapter 1 was doctrine.

- Chapter 2 calls for a response.

- “Pay attention”: prosechō - to turn the mind to, attend to be attentive. to apply one's self to, attach one's self to, hold or cleave to a person or a thing

- 1 Timothy 4:13

- “All the more”: perissoterōs - more superabundantly. Much more, more in a greater degree. More exceedingly.

…to what we have heard

- Hebrews 2:1

- Philippians 4:9

- We don’t lack information. We lack transformation.

…so that we will not drift away

- Hebrews 2:1

- “Drift away”: pararreō - to glide by: lest we be carried by, pass by

- prosechō: also used to refer to anchoring a ship.

- pararreō: also a nautical term that means to carelessly slip past the harbor.

- Unless we anchor ourselves to the truth of God’s word we will drift.

- 2 Peter 1:5-8 - the cure for ineffectiveness and a lack of productivity.

Am I giving superabundant attention to the truth? Or am I neglecting it?

- Am I anchored? Or am I drifting?

Jesus Prays for Us

Message begins around 26:30

Jesus Prays for Us

Dave Riddle • 07/10/2022

Key Passage: John 17:20-26

Jesus Prays for Our Unity

• John 17:20-21

  • Not just organizational unity, but a deep, abiding, spiritual unity.

• Philippians 4:2

• Growth and maturity cannot exist in isolation from one another.

• Perfectly united just as God is perfectly united.

  • John 17:22-23

• Our unity is a priority to Jesus.

  • 4 times in this prayer

Why?

• So the world will know that Jesus was sent by God (v.23)

  • ginosko: to know in a deeply experiential way.

We have to care about each other.

• We have to show concern

• We have to be affected

• Our hearts have to break for each other

We have to be involved 

• we have to have relationships

• We have to be present

We have to accept one another

• We have to accept our brothers and sisters in Christ despite our differences.

• Unity in diversity

We have to contribute

• Our faith is not a quest for individual blessings and happiness.

• We belong together in the church of God.

• “The Bible knows nothing of an individual religion” - John Wesley

Ask yourself: “Am I an agent of unity in the body of Christ?”

Upside Down View of Ourselves

Message begins around 33 minutes

Upside Down View of Ourselves

03/13/2021 - Dave Riddle 

Key Passage: Psalm 37:5

Ralph Waldo Emerson - “trust thyself”

• Proverbs 3:5 - don’t do that…

  • Self-reliance limits our spiritual growth

  • Psalm 37:5 - “Depend on the Lord. Trust in him, and he will help you.”

  • Jeremiah 9:23 - Don’t boast about yourself

  • Philippians 4:11-13 - it’s not about our strength or ability.

Spiritual growth is not about personal willpower, it’s about surrender.

What do we trust in?

His Forgiveness

• Luke 18:9-14

  • …everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

• Romans 3:11-12

  • Our own goodness will never be enough.

• Philippians 3:9

  • Our righteousness comes from him!

• It all goes back to what God has done for us.

His Empowerment

• 1 Chronicles 16:11

  • Seek God

• Acts 1:8a

  • Empowered by the Holy Spirit.

  • dynamos (δύναμαι)= able. to be able, have power whether by virtue of one's own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law

• The same power that raised Christ from the dead empowers you today!

His Wisdom

• 1 Corinthians 3:19

  • The wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.

• James 3:17

  • The wisdom from above is pure, peace loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy, unwavering, without pretense…

His Provision

• Psalm 34:19 - “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues from them all.”

• 1 Peter 5:7 - cast all your anxieties on God..

• 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

  • We even despaired off life itself!

  • …so that we would not trust ourselves.

• His provision is better than our attempts at self preservation

His Kingship

• Psalm 18:2

• Psalm 113:4-6

• John 6:68 - where else would we go? Only you have the words of eternal life.

The Impact of Peace

The Impact of Peace

12/26/2021 - Dave Riddle 

Jesus is…

Isaiah 9:6 - Prince of Peace

• Peace = shalowm (Hebrew: שָׁלוֹם) - a very broad term that means health, security, tranquility, good condition, success, comfort, and more.

  • it has layers of meaning related to peace.

  • Widely used in the Hebrew Bible, shalowm clearly depicts a satisfied condition, an unconcerned state of peacefulness.

Luke 2:13 – 14 - Peace on Earth

• Peace = eirēnē (Greek: εἰρήνη) - a state of tranquility, harmony, and safety. In a Christian context: the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation.

(Re)Connection

• Peace with God Himself

  • Romans 5:1

Confidence

• John 16:33

  • Peaceful confidence provides escape from anger, worry…

Rest

• Matthew 11:28

  • Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest….

A Gift

• John 14:27

  • Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you…

    • Something only Jesus can give.

    • An invitation, a gift.

• Philippians 4:7

  • A peace He gives to us, not something we develop

  • A peace that is so great we can’t understand it!

A Spiritual Orientation

• Galatians 5:22 - fruit of the Spirit.

  • You are peaceful now live in peace.

    • A reality and a challenge

A Calling

• Colossians 3:15

  • Let peace of Christ rule in your heart.

• Romans 12:16

  • As much as it depends on you…

• Hebrews 12:14

  • Strive for peace with everyone.

Surrender your will to the will of the Father

Pray and ask for the peace of Christ to rule our hearts

A Struggle

• Matthew 10:34

  • Jesus becomes the dividing line

  • There is no peace without him.

Blessing

• Matthew 5:9

  • Blessed are the peacemakers.

Reflect, Encourage, Share Peace

The Impact of Joy

The Impact of Joy

12/19/2021 - Dave Riddle 

Luke 2:10 - Good news of great joy! 

Joy is Not the Same Thing as Personal Happiness

• Happiness is circumstantial

  • Joy is different

• 1 Peter 1:8 - …inexpressible and glorious joy

  • “Joy unspeakable and full of glory“

  • Joy = chara (χαρά) a calm delight

• Pipe dream or attainable reality?

Joy is Commanded

• Philippians 4:4 - Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again rejoice.

  • An imperative.

Joy Requires Intentionality & Commitment

• Colossians 3:2 - set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.

  • Set your mind = phroneō (φρονέω) To direct one's mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for

Joy Can Become Our Orientation

• Galatians 5:22 - The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…

How Do We “Set Our Minds…”?

Remember How Loved You Are

• The love we experience on Earth pales in comparison to the love the Heavenly Father has for us.

Remember Who(se) You Are

• 1 John 3:1, 1 Peter 2:9-10 - This is our identity! This is who we are!

Remember What You Have

• 1 Peter 1:3-7 - …an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading…

John 15:11 -  “I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.”

• Complete, full, overflowing = plēroō (πληρόω) - to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim

Peace - God in Our Midst

Peace - God in Our Midst
12/27/20 - Dave Riddle
Key Passage: Isaiah 9:6

Prince of Peace

• Shalom: a very broad term that means health, security, tranquility, good condition, success, comfort and more. An unconcerned state of peacefulness.

  • Matthew 10:34-39 - do not suppose that I have come to bring peace...

    • Jesus is our number one priority, and that will lead to division.

• eirene: a national state of tranquility, harmony, and safety. In a Christian context: the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation

Confidence

• John 16:33 - you are going to have suffering, but you can have confidence because Jesus has conquered the world!

Rest

• Matthew 11:29 - Take up my yoke and you will find rest.

(Re)Connection

• Romans 5:1 - since we have been justified we have peace with God through Jesus.

Invitation (A Gift)

• John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.

• Philippians 4:7 - peace that surpasses all understanding.

Challenge (A Calling)

• Colossians 3:15 - let the peace of Christ rule in your heart, as members of one body you were called to peace.

• Romans 12:18 - as much as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

• Hebrews 12:14 - pursue peace with everyone.

Orientation (A Fruit) 

• Galatians 5:22-23 - peace is a fruit of the Spirit, not something we can create or attain on our own.

Peace be with you!

Joy - God in Our Midst

Joy - God in Our Midst
12/20/20 - Dave Riddle
Key Passage: Luke 2:10

Joy is Not the Same as Happiness

• Happiness and unhappiness are circumstantial.

• Joy is a deep-rooted state of ongoing delight inspired by God himself.

  • 1 Peter 1:8

Joy is Commanded

• An imperative, an exultation, a command.

  • Philippians 4:4

  • We always have a reason to have joy, even when we’re unhappy or disillusioned.

Joy Takes Some Commitment

• Colossians 3:2

  • Is your primary focus on the here and now, or on things above?

Joy Can Become An Orientation

• Galatians 5:22

  • Joy manifests as we walk in the Spirit.

Living Joyfully

• Remember how you’re loved

  • God loves you with an everlasting love!

• Remember who you are and whose you are.

  • 1 John 3:1

  • Remember your identity. Nothing can change your identity in Christ

  • 1 Peter 2:9-10

• Remember what you have

  • 1 Peter 1:3-6

    • New birth ( you are a new creation)

    • Living hope

    • An Inheritance

John 15:11 - I have told you this so that my joy may be in you.

The joy of the Lord is our strength.

Hello My Name is... Prince of Peace

Hello my name is: Prince of Peace

Dave Riddle - 12/22/19

Key Passage: Isaiah 9:6

sar (Hebrew: שַׂר) - a captain, master, chief, ruler, commander, leader, or prince. A person of nobility or rank. 

• used over 380x in the Hebrew Bible, to refer to various types of government or religious officials, rulers of cities, etc.

  • see also: czar, tsar, caesar

• Not just a prince over us, but a prince with us.

shalowm (Hebrew: שָׁלוֹם) - a very broad term that means health, security, tranquility, good condition, success, comfort, and more. 

• it has layers of meaning related to peace.

• Widely used in the Hebrew Bible, shalowm clearly depicts a satisfied condition, an unconcerned state of peacefulness. 

Peace Brings Confidence

• John 16:33

  • You will have suffering in this world, but be courageous because Jesus has conquered the world!

Peace Brings Rest

• Matthew 11:29

  • ...you will find rest for your souls.

Peace Brings Reconciliation

• Romans 5:1

  • Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God.

Peace is a Gift

• John 14:27 (HCSB): Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.

  • Unending

  • Complete

  • Above & Beyond

    • Philippians 4:7 - (ICB) And God’s peace will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The peace that God gives is so great that we cannot understand it.

Colossians 3:15

• Is He the master of your heart?

• Is He your sar of shalowm?

Spiritual Formation Pt. 2

Vitals - Spiritual Formation Pt. 2
Dave Riddle - 07/14/19
Key Verses: Philippians 3:10, Galatians 4:19

ginōskō (Greek: γινώσκω) - to know by experience, in contract to an intellectual or intuitive type of knowledge.

• it’s one thing to know what sunburn is, it’s another thing completely to ‘experience’ sunburn.

symmorphizō (Greek: συμμορφίζω) - to receive the same form as; to be conformed to.

• Luke 6:40 - ...everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.

• We are being transformed, not by our own power, but by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual Practices & Rhythms

• Not obligations, but invitations!

Study

• Philippians 4:8 - “...dwell on these things”

• Repetition, conversation, reflection

Meditation

• Psalm 63:6 HCSB): When I think of You as I lie on my bed, I meditate on You during the night watches

• On scripture, on the works of God, on the things we see happening around us.

Prayer

• “Prayer catapults us onto the frontier of the spiritual life. Of all the spiritual disciplines, prayer is the most central because it ushers us into perpetual communion with the father.” -R. Foster ‘Celebration of Discipline’

Fasting

• Luke 4:1-2 - Jesus fasted.

• “More than any other discipline fasting reveals the things that control us.” - R. Foster ‘Celebration of Discipline’

• Matthew 6:16 - not a requirement, but it does appear to be an expectation. “when you fast”

Solitude

• Mark 1:35

• Solitude =/= loneliness

• Let him who cannot be alone beware of community... Let him who is not in community beware of being alone... Each by itself has profound perils and pitfalls. One who wants fellowship without solitude plunges into the void of words and feelings, and the one who seeks solitude without fellowship perishes in the abyss of vanity, self-infatuation and despair.” - Bonhoeffer ‘Life Together’

Simplicity 

• “The central point for the discipline of simplicity is to seek the kingdom of God and righteousness of his kingdom first and then everything necessary will come in it’s proper order.” - R. Foster ‘Celebration of Discipline’

Submission

• To God, to the cross, to scripture, to our family, our neighbors, to the needs of others, to the body of Christ.

Service

• John 13:15 - "For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you. "