Out of Bethlehem Micah 5:2

Out of Bethlehem Micah 5:2

Introduction: Bethlehem, it congers up pictures of a sleepy
little town in rolling hills. Peace and tranquil
with shepherds on grassy hillsides and Mary and Joseph in a little 12

x 12 manger filled with hay.
But Bethlehem was more than that.
It was more than a 1000 years old when Jesus was born. It was important and historic in the life of
Israel.

1.
The history of Bethlehem

A.
Rachel was buried just outside of Bethlehem Gen
35:19

B.
Home to Ruth

C.
Home to David 1 Samuel 16:1

D.
The place where David hides from Saul

E.
Battle ground between the Philistines and Israel

F.
In the disputed west bank area of Palestine

G.
A place of turmoil and war.

2.
Peace on earth

A.
150 -200 mile trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem

B.
Caves used as stables

C.
A busy town that night when no room was found at
the inn

D.
There Jesus was born

E.
There the shepherds found Jesus in a manger

F.
There in Bethlehem the wise men visit and find
Jesus

G.
Bethlehem is where Jesus entered the world.

3.
Our Bethlehem

A.
Our world is filled with turmoil and struggles

B.
Our lives are filled with upsets and
disappointments

C.
In the midst of it is our Bethlehem, the places
where Jesus comes to us

D.
Not because of peace, but to bring peace

E.
Jesus does not transform your world He
transforms you

F.
Bethlehem is where you discover Jesus, where He
comes into your life

Conclusion: Where is your Bethlehem? Have you discovered a savior born into the
turmoil of your life to bring you peace, forgiveness, love? If not make a place in your heart today. Invite Jesus into your life and find Your
Bethlehem.

2 Samuel 24:18-25 “that which cost me nothing”

2 Samuel 24:18-25 “that which cost me nothing”

Introduction: The
average of what people spend on Christmas 2001 = $10056.00 2011 =
$689.00 this passage is about giving and
it is a message about advent. This
passage has some difficult things to understand. Samuel is dead and gad has
become the prophet that David looks to for help. The bible says that the lord incited David to
take a census of the fighting men of Israel. Here is a strange case where 2^nd
Samuel says the lord incited David and 1
chronicles 21:1 says that it is Satan who rose up against Israel. Like
job, Israel will become the object of a war unseen. Why god causes Satan to incite David to take
the census we do not know. David was
given advice from Joab not to do the census but David persisted in taking
one. Gods’ anger is not against David
but Israel and no reason is given. When
the three days of plague come upon them David cries out for God to intervene. Gad
is sent with the information on how to stop the plague.

1. DAVID AND THE SACRIFICE

A. DAVID SEES THE PEOPLE DYING FROM THE PLAGUE AND CRIES OUT

B. GAD TELLS DAVID TO BUY THE THRESHING FLOOR AND SACRIFICE THERE

C. ARAUNAH OFFERS TO GIVE IT AND ALL THE THINGS NEEDED

D. DAVID REFUSED SAYING

A. “I WILL NOT SACRIFICE TO THE LORD MY GOD THAT WHICH COST ME NOTHING.”

E. THE SACRIFICE BRINGS HEALING

F. DAVID’S ACT PREFIGURES JESUS

2. JESUS THE SACRIFICE

A. BEFORE GOD EVEN CREATED US HE KNEW THE COST

A. TO CREATE A TRULY FREE CREATURE THERE WOULD BE SIN

B. THE ONLY CURE FOR SIN WAS SACRIFICE

C. “I WILL NOT SACRIFICE THAT WHICH COST ME NOTHING.”

D. JESUS PAID THE PRICE

3. OUR SACRIFICE

A. A PLAGUE OF UNBELIEF AND GUILT HAS COME UPON PEOPLE ALL AROUND US.

A. THEY TRUST IN THEIR MONEY, LAND, POWER, YOUTH, FAMILY, AND KNOWLEDGE.

B. THEY DON’T KNOW ABOUT JESUS

C. THOUSANDS GO EVERY DAY INTO ETERNITY WITH NO HOPE OF SALVATION.

D. WHAT WOULD WE SACRIFICE TO SEE ONE OF THE THOUSANDS

E. WHAT WOULD WE SACRIFICE TO SEE OUR CHURCH GROW AND BE MORE EFFECTIVE IN MINISTRY

F. OUR CHURCH PURPOSEFULLY POSITIONED ITS SELF TO REACH THOSE LOST IN THE WORLD.

B. OUR SACRIFICE WILL BE COSTLY

A. OUR SACRIFICE TO GOD COULD BE OUR LIFE STYLE

B. IT COULD BE BEING NEAR OUR FAMILY

C. IT COULD BE OUR TIME AND WORK, AND IT CAN BE OUR MONEY.

D. YOUR SACRIFICE COULD BE SELFISH AMBITION, ATTITUDES

E. COMFORT, YOUR RETIREMENT LEISURE, EVEN YOUR LIFE.

F. I AM SURE THAT DEEP IN YOUR HEART IF YOU LISTEN YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR SACRIFICE MUST BE

G. YOU KNOW IN YOUR HEART WHAT IT COST.

H. “I WILL NOT SACRIFICE TO THE LORD MY GOD THAT WHICH COST ME NOTHING.”

Conclusion: All around us are people who are dying physically and spiritually. All around us are people who are going to hell for eternity. God has given you a part to play a sacrifice to make, to save them. Do not look to the person beside you or across the room to pay it for you. The sacrifice that is needed is
yours and yours alone. Search your heart, you know its there. Then give as David did. “I will not sacrifice to the lord my god that which cost me nothing.”

2 Samuel 12:1-7 “Confronted by God”

INTRODUCTION: GOD SENDS Nathan to confront David the
King. Today we live in a world of judgment. The occupy movement judging greed and
inequality. The wealthy judging them as ungrateful malcontents. People judging their mayors, congress people,
and recalling elected officials. There
are even talk news shows where you can call, text, or tweet your judgment of
people and event in the news. And when
someone has stated an opinion the ones who say we should not judge become the
harshest judges of all. So what does the
Bible say about Judging.

1. Nathan confronts David

A. Nathan uses a story to proclaim the standard

B. David is called to evaluate and judge himself

C. You are the man

D. Prophetic judgment

2. New testament passages on judging

A. Matthew 7:1-5 “Do not Judge”

B. Matthew 5:17-19 “setting aside the law”

C. Romans 1:18-32 “Paul’s large list of evil
actions”

D. 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 “Paul calls on the people
to judge the man”

E. 1 Corinthians 5:11 “Do not even eat with such
people”

F. Rev 2:1-6 and 14-29 Jesus confronts churches who
tolerate sin

G. 1 Corinthians 6:7 Paul ask “is there no one wise
enough to judge?”

3. Three types of judgment

A. Judgment to condemn people

B. Judgment to protect ourselves and other from
being drawn into sin

C. Judgment for the purpose of restoration

4. What should we do

A. Uphold the Biblical standards. “This is what the
Bible says”

B. Challenge ourselves to live to that standard

C. Extend mercy and forgiveness when we and others fail

D. Allow the Holy Spirit to confront People

Evaluate, God sets the standard, Proclaiming Gods standards, Judge, Confront, Restore, Uphold, Restore, Rebuke, Correct, Mercy, Grace

2 Samuel 5:1-5 “the long awaited promise”

2 Samuel 5:1-5 “the long awaited promise”

Introduction: how long do wait for something? We tolerate about 30 seconds on our computer,
if it reaches a minute we start shopping for a new one. Three turns on the car engine, two pulls on
the lawn mower, and they better be running. We tap our fingers waiting at McDonalds, get frustrated by the checkout line, and let’s not even mention the Crivitz train. The j. g. Wentworth commercial sums it all up “it’s my money and I want it now.” So we can imagine David’s feelings being anointed at 10 or 15 as the new king of Israel and then waiting 15 to 20 years for it to happen. At times things seem to take so long while at other times change happens to fast.

1. DAVID’S 15 YEAR WAIT TO BE KING

A. ANOINTED BY SAMUEL AS A BOY

B. SERVING IN THE KINGS COURT

C. SERVING IN THE ARMY

D. ON THE RUN FROM SAUL

E. ON THE RUN FROM HIS OWN SON

F. RULES A DIVIDED KINGDOM FOR 7 YEARS

G. FINALLY KING OF ISRAEL

2. THE PROMISED MESSIAH

A. PREDICTED BY ISAIAH IN 700BC

B. NUMEROUS PROPHETS FORETOLD JESUS’ BIRTH, LIFE
AND MINISTRY

C. JOSEPH AND MARY’S SURPRISE MATTHEW 1:18-25

D. 700 YEARS OF WAITING

3. THE LORD IS NOT SLOW 2PETER 3:9

A. JOHN 14:1-3 "Behold I go to Prepare a place for You."

B. ACTS 1:1-11

C. 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18

D. REVELATION 21:1-4

Conclusion: while we wait, we serve him. While time passes we help others to come to
believe in Jesus. until Jesus comes or we die let us run the race before us
knowing that like David our time will come, like Israel our messiah will show
up, and Jesus will take us home.

1 Samuel 30:21-25 “The Unearned Prize”

1 Samuel 30:21-25 “The
Unearned Prize”

In countries the world over there are protest going on. Protest against greed. Protest against wealthy banks, corporations,and investment firms. If you thought we were in dark times, it is going to get even darker. For our world is becoming ripe for one leader who will solve its problems at the cost of its soul.

Back to the sin of greed. We do not talk about greed a lot because it hits home with so many, and in many forms. Greed of those who have everything, and greed of those who want everything. David
faces the sin of greed in Israel.

1. EQUAL SHARES
A. THE YEARLY BATTLE

B. THOSE WHO FOUGHT THE BATTLE

C. THOSE WHO HAD TO STAY BEHIND

a. TO EXHAUSTED TO KEEP UP

b. STAYED WITH THE SUPPLIES

D. ALL GET AN EQUAL SHARE

2. WE ALL GET THE SAME SALVATION

A. MATTHEW 20:1-16 ALL GET THE SAME PAY

B. WE ALL GET THE SAME SALVATION

a. NO HALF SAVED OR LOWER KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

C. MARK 9:33-35 SERVANT OF ALL

D. MATTHEW 19:27-30 WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME

E. OUR RELATIONSHIP IS OUR REWARD

3. WHERE ARE YOU

A. EVALUATE YOUR SELF

B. LUKE 13:23-30 NARROW IS THE DOOR

C. LUKE 13:6-9 ONE MORE YEAR TO BEAR FRUIT

D. 2 PETER 3:9 THAT NONE SHOULD PERISH

CONCLUSION: Have you been holding back on your life. Have you been giving less than your whole
self, using your gifts and the things God has given you? The time has been set for the fig tree and
God is looking for fruit. Has God blessed you with good things for you to share with those around you. God has blessed you that you might become the servant of all.

1 Samuel 17:32-40

Five smooth
stones 1 Samuel 17:32-40

Introduction: David and goliath, we all have heard the story
and know it well, but what does it have to do with us? Our goliath doesn't carry sword or shield; he
swings blades of unemployment, abandonment, bigotry, greed. He throws spears of sexual abuse, child
abuse, insecurity or depression. Your giant doesn't parade up and down the
hills insulting your god and you; he prances through your office, your bedroom,
your classroom. He brings bills you can't pay, expectations you cannot reach,
people you can't please, whiskey you can't resist, pornography you can't
refuse, a career you can't escape, a past you can't shake, and a future you
can't face. You know your goliath well. What is our fear, our battle?

1.
WHO WAS DAVID

A.
DAVID A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART ACTS 13:22

B.
THE WROTE SONGS ABOUT HIS VICTORIES

C.
YET HE SPENT YEARS ON THE RUN FROM SAUL

D.
HE WROTE PSALMS, SANG AND DANCED BEFORE THE LORD

E.
BUT HE
COMMITTED ADULTERY WITH BATHSHEBA

F.
HE WON VICTORIES OVER AMMONITES, AND PHILISTINES

G.
THEN MURDERED URIAH

H.
YET DAVID FAILED AS MUCH AS HE SUCCEEDED.

I.
HE WAS ON THE RUN AS OFTEN AS HE STOOD TO
FIGHT.

J.
DAVID LOST AS MUCH AS HE WON. A LOT LIKE US.

2.
THE WEAPONS HE USED

A.
SOMEONE ELSE’S WEAPONS 17:38

B.
FIVE SMOOTH STONES FROM THE BROOK

C.
EPH 6:10-18 THE ARMOR OF GOD

D.
A STONE OF FAITH,

E.
A STONE OF GOD’S WORD,

F.
A STONE OF FORGIVENESS,

G.
A STONE OF GOD’S LOVE FOR YOU,

H.
A STONE OF GOD’S PROMISE,

I.
A STONE OF PRAYER

J.
WHAT ARE THESE COMPARED TO YOUR GIANTS WEAPONS.

K.
PEOPLE AROUND US POKE FUN AT OUR WEAPONS OF
FAITH

3.
EMPOWERED BY GOD

A.
JUST FIVE SMOOTH STONES FROM THE BROOK, SMALL,
THEY FIT IN A SHOULDER BAG.

B.
SMOOTH STONES WORN OVER BY TIME, OLD.

C.
IN THE BROOK, COMMON, OVER LOOKED YET AVAILABLE
TO ALL

D.
WHY DIDN’T ANYONE ELSE PICK THEM UP?

E.
FIVE SMOOTH STONES, YET EMPOWERED BY GOD THEY
BRING DOWN A GIANT.

F.
“YOU HAVE YOUR SWORD, SPEAR AND JAVELIN” “I HAVE THE NAME OF THE LORD”

G.
GIDEON 6:37- 7:7 TOLD HE HAD TO MANY MEN FOR THE BATTLE

H.
ELISHA 2 KINGS 6:13-17 HAD AN INVISIBLE ARMY

I.
ROMANS 8:26-39
IF GOD BE FOR US WHO CAN STAND AGAINST US

Conclusion: many poke
fun at our faith. Our giants scream and
yell like a banshee from hell. Yet it is
god who empowers your weapons, even if they seem small and insignificant. David
a man like us took only 5 smooth stones from the brook, empowered by god and brought
down goliath. The weapons god has given
you, and empowered will defeat your goliath as well.

1 Samuel 9:1-6

Text 1 Samuel 9:1-6 “Not What You Expected”

The Hand of Faith Gold Nugget:

This gold nugget actually carries two distinctions: "the largest gold
nugget found by a metal detector" and "the largest gold nugget
currently in existence". It was discovered on September 26, 1980 somewhere
near the small town of Kingower in Victoria, Australia.

The nugget's discoverer, Kevin Hillier, was aided by a metal detector in this
precious find. Hillier found the nugget in a vertical position just a foot
below the surface. Hillier tried his
metal detector out the door of his trailer.
He thought the metal detector was broken but dug down and found one of
the largest gold nuggets ever found.

in

1866, and another later
weighing 45 ounces. A little girl named Clotilde Gilbert was crossing a ford of
the stream when she found in the sand a nugget about the size of a pigeon's
egg. "My father sent me on Sunday morning for a horse in the field to go
to church; when crossing the stream I saw something shining along-side the water and took it up to show my father.

Like these people Saul went
looking for something but got something unexpected.

1.LOOKING FOR SOMETHING

A. WENT TO THE PROPHET LOOKING FOR DONKEYS

B. HE IS ANOINTED KING

C.
10:6 CHANGED BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD

2. OTHER WHO FOUND SOMETHING
UNEXPECTED

A. Acts
9:1-12 Another Saul sought to persecute Jesus’ followers and became one of
their greatest leaders

B. John
20:1-18 Mary came to a tomb looking for a dead friend and found a living God

C.
Jesus asked the people who came to see John the Baptist LK 7:24-28

3. WHAT DID YOU COME LOOKING
FOR?

A. AS WE SIT QUIT FOR A LITTLE BIT ASK THAT QUESTION OF
YOUR SELF TODAY AND TELL GOD ABOUT IT “GOD THIS IS WHY I AM HERE TODAY.”

Jer 29:11 What plans might God
have for you?

Zech 4:6 whatever that plan
is the key is God’s power and not yours, so what limits are there for the plans
God could have for you have for you?

What holds us back?

Father God we lift up to you
our heart and our lives for you to do as you wish. Give us vision by the Holy Spirit and direct
us on your path for our life.

Numbers 20:1-13

Numbers 20:1-13

Numbers 11-20 tells us of some very interesting events of
the Exodus. The People complain and fire
from God consumed the parts of the camp.
The people complain about the manna and get poison quail and the
complainers die. Moses sister Miriam and
His brother Aaron try to take his place and Miriam becomes leprous. The explores where sent out and even with a
good report of the bounty of the land, they let their lack of trust in God keep
them from entering the land. God judges
them and none of them will be allowed to enter.
Korah and his group all want to be priest and choose who can serve God
as priest, the ground opens up and swallows them. So by the time we get to our passage we can
understand Moses frustration. Yet Moses
frustration leads to actions of disrespect to God and Moses will pay the price.

1.
DID NOT TRUST GOD ENOUGH TO HONOR GOD

A.
PEOPLE WANT WATER

B.
MOSES IS TOLD TO SPEAK TO THE ROCK

C.
MOSES GIVES THEM THE WHAT FOR

D.
MOSES STRIKES THE ROCK AND WATER COMES OUT

E.
GOD CONFRONTS MOSES

2.
MOSES DOES NOT FOLLOW GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS

A.
MOSES SPEAK TO THE ROCK, DON’T HIT THE ROCK
MOSES

B.
THE FAMOUS GOLFER WHO LOST THE MATCH

C.
THE DANGER OF GOING OUR WAY

D.
SORT OF KIND OF FOLLOWING GOD

E.
MATTHEW 7:21-23

F.
2 TIM 3:2-5
IN THE END TIMES

3.
MOSES TAKES THE CREDIT BEFORE HE STRIKES THE
ROCK

A.
“MUST WE BRING WATER FROM THIS ROCK”

B.
IT IS NOT OUR POWER, EFFORT, OR KNOWLEDGE.

C.
Zec 4:6 “NOT BY MIGHT NOR BY POWER, BUT BY MY
SPIRIT,

CONCLUSION: Do we trust God enough to follow His
instructions, even when we do not understand the reasons? Do we honor God with our speech, our actions,
our lives?

Over and over we see in these chapters the danger of
disrespect toward God. Let us resolve to
respect God, trust God and His Word. Ask
God to search your heart today and show you any place that in your life that is
not right with Him. Let us be sure that
we not only leave Egypt but that we also enter the land.

Numbers 22:21-31

Numbers 22:21-31
Saved From Ourselves

Chapters 21-30 of Numbers is filled with battles, rebellion
and more directions from God about worship.
Though Israel will face many foes in their trip Moab is one of the
greatest. When Moab cannot fight an
enemy they send out their woman to seduce them.
Moses even has a Moabite wife. In
the middle of all of this is Balaam and his donkey. Balaam is a diviner of spirits. The King calls on Balaam to curse the
Israelites because “who you bless are blessed and who you curse are
cursed.” The King of Moab thinks that
Balaam has the power to bless or curse whom he wills. Balaam is not a Prophet of God. Balaam is well known because of his brave ,
loyal, and yes, talking donkey. Even
more interesting is that Balaam talks back to the donkey. Here in this passage we can learn some
things about our world.

1.
THINGS ARE BIGGER THAN WE THINK OR SEE

A.
THE NARSASISTIC VIEW OF THE WORLD

B.
THE BIGGER PICTURE

a.
ISRAEL

b.
THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE

c.
“WE BATTLE NOT AGIANST FLEASH AND BLOOD” EPH 6:12

d.
JESUS’ DEATH ON THE CROSS

e.
THE END TIMES. THIS IS HORRIBLE NO THIS IS GOOD?

2.
PERCEPTION AND REALITY ARE NOT ALWAYS THE SAME

A.
COINSIDENCE

B.
SPIRITUAL BATTLES

C.
MISSED PLANES, TRAINS, AND BOATS

D.
CAR OUT OF GAS

E.
LONG LINE AT THE CHECKOUT

F.
THE SOLDURE IN A FOX HOLE

3.
GOD SAVES US FROM OURSELVES

A.
OUR OWN DESIRES

B.
OUR OWN DIRECTIONS

C.
EVEN OUR OWN ACTIONS

4.
GOD SAVES US FOR A PURPOSE

A.
A PURPOSE WE MAY ONLY SEE LATER

B.
A PURPOSE WE MAY NEVER UNDERSTAND

C.
SOMETIMES WE ARE NEVER TO KNOW

CONCLUSION: Today
the world is much bigger than you think.
What happing in the world is not always what it seems. God is in control and we can trust Him. Look beyond ourselves and see the world as
God sees it.

Deuteronomy 12:1-7

Deuteronomy 12 1-7

One place to worship

1.
REMOVE ALL THE PLACES OF WORSHIP

A.
HIGH PLACES

B.
UNDER TREES

C.
ALTERS

D.
SACRED STONES

E.
ASHERAH POLES

a.
May poles and Christmas trees

F.
THE EASE AT WHICH THE ISRAELITES INCOPIRATED
OTHER GODS

G.
“I WORSHIP GOD IN NATURE”

H.
WORSHIPING NATURE AND NOT GOD WHO CREATED IT

I.
COL 2:8
ANGEL WORSHIP

2.
ONE PLACE TO WORSHIP ONE GOD

A.
ONE PLACE OF WORSHIP

B.
JOHN 4:19-24

C.
ROMANS 21:1

3.
IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH

A.
IN SPIRIT

a.
NOT IN PLACES OT THINGS

b.
BEING CONTROLED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

c.
INTENDED PURPOSE

B.
IN TRUTH

a.
NOT A SHOW

b.
NOT A ONE HOUR COMITMENT

c.
TRULY GIVING YOU LIFE OVER TO GOD

CONCLUSION: Is there a place of false worship in your
life? Something that takes your focus
from God. If there is then we must break it down. Remove it from it’s high place. And once again worship God in Spirit and
Truth.