Redemption Church Plano Texas Pastor Chris Fluitt

https://youtu.be/WbUwTXJf-Vw?si=vBWLkW7ijYjhBexo









Search Engine - 1 (06/09/2024)

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Why does God hate divorce? (Malachi 2:16)  And why does God divorce Israel? (Jeremiah 3:8-10) Double standard? 

 

Malachi 2:16 (NKJV) “For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence,” Says the LORD of hosts. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.”

Jeremiah 3:8-10 (NIV) 8 I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery. 9 Because Israel’s immorality mattered so little to her, she defiled the land and committed adultery with stone and wood. 10 In spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretense,” declares the Lord.

 

Allow vs Endorse

 

In Deuteronomy 24 3-4, why can't a person who has been divorced twice remarry their first spouse? 2

 

Deut 24:1-4 (NIV) If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house, 2 and if after she leaves his house she becomes the wife of another man, 3 and her second husband dislikes her and writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house, or if he dies, 4 then her first husband, who divorced her, is not allowed to marry her again after she has been defiled. That would be detestable in the eyes of the Lord. Do not bring sin upon the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.

 

Greek question? What is the difference in Rhema (Word) and Logos (Word)? 3

 

John 1:1 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word(Logos), and the Word(Logos) was with God, and the Word(Logos) was God.

 

Ephesians 6:17 (NIV) Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word(Rhema) of God.

 

Should Christians be pacifists or is it OK to fight in wars? “Thou shall not kill.” 4

 

 

I heard someone mention righteous anger. Can you explain? 5

 

Ephesians 4:26 (NIV) “In your anger do not sin” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry

 

 

Why aren't dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures not mentioned in the Bible. What about Neanderthals, other types of hominids. Homo erectis. Homo floresiensis. Homo naledi. They all existed within the time, or just before the time of humans. 6

Prehistoric animals

Job 40:15-18 (NIV) “Look at Behemoth,

    which I made along with you

    and which feeds on grass like an ox.

16 What strength it has in its loins,

    what power in the muscles of its belly!

17 Its tail sways like a cedar;

    the sinews of its thighs are close-knit.

18 Its bones are tubes of bronze,

    its limbs like rods of iron.

 

5 OT VERSES ABOUT “LEVIATHAN”

 

One of the days of creation - or before the days of creation.

The flood?

 

Evidence that man and dinosaurs lived in the same era - Glen Rose - Dinosaur Valley.

 

Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis, Homo sapien… different skull shapes.

 

Growing evidence that Neanderthals were not dumb.

https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2022/07/02/neanderthals-where-do-they-fit-bibles-history/

 

Possibilities…

Common Descent - Evolution from a common genus

Creation and adaptation of humanity

An abnormality

Another creature altogether

Differences… but created by one God.

Malachi 2:10 (KJV) “Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his broth...

https://youtu.be/SM7zNoTp8D8?si=MXxyOgxIRblmGmZA







The Promise - 4 - Purity

WelcomeGoal – Save future & current marriages… Bless your relationships with Godly wisdom.

 

The Promise Title

Sin ruins marriages.Adultery, pornography, unforgiveness, secrets, coveting other things.

Not yet married crowd… do not wait until you are married to work on your secret sin issues.

Sin is not a foundation you want to build anything upon.

Genesis 2:24-25 (NIV) 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

SHAME: Bûwsh - to be ashamed; to become pale.

This is bad.Not the playful “oh you are so bad.”

Shame means PALE as in the blood/life force drains from your countenance.

In Genesis 2 Adam & Eve felt NO SHAME.

But the serpent came… Adam and Eve disobeyed God and the they felt… shame.

Genesis 3:7-10 (NIV) Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

Shame causes us to retreat and hide.

Kids – Did you eat a cookie? Cause a mess?  -> Hide

Adults – Did you cause a mess? -> Hide

Shame happens when we connect a bad action to our identity.

I did bad… I am bad.

We become the thing we did.

We hide because of shame.

What does it look like to hide in a marriage…



Working late again.

I am headed to bed early.

I think I am going to hang out with the boys/girls again tonight.

I don’t need to talk about it.

Don’t check my phone.

Spending habits.

I have a secret…



Secrecy is the Enemy of Intimacy

Want a deep relationship, get rid of shallow secrets. Bare all before one another…

Get Naked

Promise #4I promise to CONFIDE, not HIDE.

If secrecy is the enemy of intimacy…

I choose… Honesty, confession, righteousness, honor

I choose light over darkness.

Ephesians 5:8-10 (NIV) 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

What is the darkness in your life?

Movie theater… Darkness…

Eyes adjust to darkness…

Have your eyes adjusted to darkness?Or are you a Child of Light?

Do you say that some sins are not a big deal?

Ephesians 5:3 (NIV) 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity…

Not even a hint… redraw the line.

Hopping in bed…  LOOKS AND THOUGHTS.

Jesus redrew the line of adultery…

Matthew 5:28 (NIV) 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Redraw the lines.Confide, don’t hide.

No more…



Lusting after anyone that is not your spouse.

Fantasy – thoughts and emotions.

Secret desires.



Hebrews 13:4 (NIV) 4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

Would you ever wear dirty boots to bed?Would you go straight from the sweaty gym to bed?

NO! You don’t want to rest in filth.

Clean your bed

Do not allow anger in your bed…

Unforgiveness…

https://youtu.be/BOXh5TaWoGM?si=0ZGiuRgvszTXEnDd









The Promise - 3 - Partnership

WelcomeGoal – Save future & current marriages… Bless your relationships with Godly wisdom.

Promise #1GOD is my ONE and MY SPOUSE is my TWO

Promise #2I Promise to always PURSUE my TWO.

 

Start with the prophetic word…

I take two steps forward, I take two steps back

We come together 'cause opposites attract

And you know it ain't fiction, just a natural fact

We come together 'cause opposites attract

-Paula Abdul

 

Opposites Attract - datingOpposites Attack - marriage

 

Differences EnhanceGod uses differences to DIVERSIFY.The enemy uses differences to DIVIDE.

 

Promise #3I promise our marriage will be about WE and not ME.

 

Genesis 2:24 (NIV) That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

‘echad (ekh-awd’); united, completely joined as one.

Not me and you – We!  We not Me!

 

Sensitive about divorce… We do not judge you.Cannot change your past.Can change your future!

Jesus quotes Genesis 2:24 and reveals more truth.

Matthew 19:5-6 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

No longer 2, but 1.WE not ME.

WHAT GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER… Do we believe this?

Get Abnormal – Normal is not working.-Divorce, adultery, open marriage, Living together unmarried

MARRIAGE is a COVENANT not a CONTRACT



A Contract is based on mutual DISTRUST.



Protect me from YOUR wrongdoing…



A Covenant is based on mutual COMMITMENT.



Contract mindset leads to divorce.

“Marriage is just a piece of paper.”

“Divorce settlement – what is mine and what is yours.”

This what Jesus taught?

6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

WE not ME!

Promise #3I promise our marriage will be about WE and not ME.

 

We are different.



Personalities

Temperaments

Strengths

Minds

Experiences



But God makes us 1.

 

A verse that some have used to abuse.

Ephesians 5:22-24 (NIV)

22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.

 

Seems like a one way road.

I am the head… ME centered and not WE.

Add the previous verse.

Ephesians 5:21(NIV) Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Mutual Submission – WE.

Take advantage of your partner’s strengths. Submit to their wisdom.LISTEN TO EACHOTHER!

I submit to your choice. WE not ME.

 

What about headship?

Ephesians 5:22-24 (NIV)

22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.

 

Husband is the head… Some have used that to…



Abuse

Control

Make every decision

Win every argument



 

Husband is the head… as what?

As Christ is the Head?

Is Christ abusive or controlling?

Christ is… loving, caring, serving, and submits to our needs. Christ is the best partner.

Husbands be like Christ!

Promise #3I promise our marriage will be about WE and not ME.

Contract is about mutual distrust…Covenant is about mutual commitment.

 

SO THANKFUL FOR SARAH.-I trust her.-She does not dominate our relationship.-She is so amazing – I want her to flourish – not dominate an...

https://youtu.be/VaOS7vaYopY?si=ul57gK5GRfAbCJrj









The Promise - 2 - Pursuit

WelcomeSave Marriages from Divorce.

Current & Future marriages.

Great relationship advice.

 

Promise #1 GOD is my ONE and MY SPOUSE is my TWO

 

We PURSUE what we don’t have.

Love is a pursuit.

Work hard to gain attention and affection.

-Saw each other every day and phone calls.-Stayed up all night talking.-Look your best. Be your best.-Special gifts.-Ask the big question. 

We were pursuing one another. -hard work.

 

Can you be lazy and improve anything?

-House?-Job?-Fitness?-Relationship?

 

We cannot be lazy with our most important relationships.

 

Promise #2I Promise to always PURSUE my TWO.

This is going to be work, but it will save your marriage.

Marriages that are cold, distant, boring, lack spice & romance, bitter, angry, unhappy… STOPPED PURSUING EACH OTHER.

 

Everything is vying to be your priority.We must pursue our priority.

This is Biblical.

Genesis 2:24 (NIV) That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

 

dāḇaq - to cling, stick, stay close, cleave, keep close, stick to, stick with, follow closely, join to, overtake, catch

The word means to continually pursue with affection.

Do you dāḇaq? Continually pursue one another?

 

In Genesis 29, Jacob fell in love with Rachel. Her father, Laban, agreed to let Jacob marry Rachel if he worked 7 years.

 

Genesis 29:20 (NIV) So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.

 

Then it gets weird… Jacob goes in on his wedding night…

Gen 29:25 (NIV) When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?”

Genesis 29:26-27 Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. 27 Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.”

Out of love for Rachel, Jacob continued to pursue her.

Jacob married Rachel and then worked 7 years for her.

BIG IDEA!

He worked for what he already had.

 

Not married – You are worth pursuing.

Dump whoever takes you for granted.

Avoid the relationship of convenience.

Be pursued and pursue.

 

The “I Do” and “I Should” Gap

Good intentions… but tired and busy.

#1 WHEN YOU THINK SOMETHING GOOD, SAY IT.

Say thank you – dinner, kindness, cleaning, mowing the lawn, picking up milk.

 

Pursue her with words of affection.Non-sexual affection.“I love you because…” You honor God, self-sacrificing, best friend.

Pursue him with word of affirmation.

He is becoming what you see in him!

Don’t tell him what’s he not. Tell him who you see him becoming.

YOUR WORDS BUILD HIM UP.Spiritually – took us to church, praying, worshipping, signing us up for CG, leading us.

 

She wants to know: Do you love me today?

He wants to know: Do you believe in me today?

 

#2 WHEN YOU THINK SOMETHING SPECIAL, DO IT.

 

…Come home early - go to the park - buy tickets - help with the kids - do the dishes – CREATE A MEMORY

 

Fill the car with gas, write a note, make the bed, watch their fave movie

DO SOMETHING YOUR SPOUSE LOVES.

 

#3 WHEN YOU WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT, BE IT

Don’t gripe about what your spouse is not.

Continue to grow into who you are supposed to be.

You can’t change others.You can change yourself.

DO NOT control your spouse… pursue your spouse.

Promise #2I Promise to always PURSUE my TWO.

https://youtu.be/QQKMe-X4RvY?si=UBFRTWVk6LOX9_BY









The Promise - 1 - Priority

Welcome

 

Divorce 



1st Marriage – 50%

2nd Marriage – 67%

3rd Marriage – 73%



40% of new marriages include a partner who is remarrying.







The divorce rate is going down?

No – the marriage rate is going down.

People are giving up on marriage and raising kids.

50%

Elevator 50% death – take the stairs.

 

Marriage is important.

 -personal, culture

Marriage is possible.

Marriage is worth it.

 

Problem/Solution

Let’s save marriages.  -Current & Future

Good for all Relationships  The Promise

Marriage is a promiseAll relationships are built on trust.

4 Promises to save your marriage.

May 12 – PriorityMay 19 – PursuitMay 26 – PartnershipJune 2 – Purity

 

Priority

What does your priority list look like?

 

Spouse, kids, career, hobbies…

Phone, lifestyle, Netflix…

Friendships, Church, Work/Life balance

 

Everything is vying to be your priority.

You can only have 1 top priority.

 

All divorce = priority problem.

Who should be your priority?

Relationships need 4 thingsAcceptanceIdentitySecurityPurpose

 

How can you supply these 4 things?

You can’t.

God Can.  God should be your top priority.

 

Promise - GOD is my ONE and MY SPOUSE is my TWO

 

Mark 12:30 (NIV) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

 

God gets ALL…

Transference - projecting your feelings, based on past experiences, onto someone else in the present.

 

Relationships need 4 thingsAcceptanceIdentitySecurityPurpose

 

Only God can provide these… we transfer the need to others who can’t provide.

 

DO NOT TRANSFER YOUR GOD NEEDS ON YOUR SPOUSE.

 

Promise - GOD is my ONE and MY SPOUSE is my TWO

 

Bold claim…God as #1 means… A better you.

Loving, forgiving, disciplined, brave..

Not ego driven… selfish

 

Anything else above your marriage destroys it…God as #1 saves your marriage.

 

Everything is vying to be your priority.

 

God is your 1. Spouse is your 2.

But if we aren’t careful

…kids.…job.…phone.

 

Promise - GOD is my ONE and MY SPOUSE is my TWO

Genesis 2 Adam had God but still needed something. We need each other.

Adam sees Eve… sees who he has been missing. Adam makes God & Eve the priority.

Genesis 2:24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

 

Protect your Priorities

Children are important—Not as important as marriage.

If you want to love your kids—Invest in your marriage.

 

Children are a temporary assignment.

Marriage is a lifetime commitment.

What priorities are your kids seeing in your life?

Want your children to succeed in marriage? Model it.

 

Promise - GOD is my ONE and MY SPOUSE is my TWO

 

What/who is your priority?

Make a move 

Make God your ONE

 -pray & worship now. Ask “how.”

 -Make a plan. -read, pray, attend

Make your spouse TWO

-Forgive, new direction with God

-Make a plan -time, Intimacy, priority

TAKE IT SERIOUS – Come pray together

https://youtu.be/on8QAaLRVEs?si=HIrtfSxUIZcYYTlb





 



Break Out 5 – When You are Carrying the Weight of the World – How to Exercise Power

Welcome

 

Break Out

Jesus broke out of a tomb… So can you.

There is a plan for freedom and a better life.

Week 1 – You need hope. Week 2 – You need to believe.Week 3 – You need a turn around called repentance.Week 4 – You need more than a new start – you need a new life. (Baptism)

 

Today – When You are Carrying the Weight of the World

 

Me – burdens & responsibility – feels too much.

-Multiple children almost died in my arms.-Kid in hospital 1 year.-Debt awakening. -At the table, people I love, bad decisions.     -over 50% negative outcome     -100% wrecks my heart

We know about carrying the weight of the world.

-$$$-Time and energy-Start business or career

-Relationship – “it’s over.”-Addiction fish-hooks.

God

Wouldn’t it be great if you could find a power source?

 

When You are Carrying the Weight of the World – How to exercise Power

Hands? - I need power.

 

We want an “Easy Fix” pill.

What we really need is to grow STRONGER.

 

Not an easier life – a stronger you.

-Your spouse.

-Drugs don’t become less enticing – You become disciplined, have mastery.

-Your job doesn’t easier (demotion) – You get BETTER.

 

Most of our prayers are about the external.Most of our actual needs are the internal.

 

Do not waste your breath praying that the external gets weaker.Pray and make the effort to grow stronger.

 

Isaiah 10:27 (KJV) …burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.Seems like an external power…Isaiah 10:27 (NIV) burden will be lifted from your shoulders, their yoke from your neck; the yoke will be broken because you have grown so fat.

 

It is an internal power! Inward growth!

Outgrow the difficulty.

 

You have power.

-Time, Talent, Treasure

-Choice

 

Power in the natural…

God offers Supernatural Power

The movies… Journey to get power…External power:   -The one ring to rule them all (LOTR)   -The elder wand (HP)   -6 Infinity stones (MCU)

Because the power is external:You can gain it… you can lose it.

 

God’s supernatural power does not work like this.

 

Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us

 

A power beyond you, yet at work within you.

-Can’t buy this power.-No time, talent, treasure CAN GAIN IT.-No good deeds… scripture memory…

You can only RECEIVE this power from God.

How do you receive God’s power?

In Acts 2 – people realized they killed their only hope – Jesus.

They ask – WHAT CAN WE DO?

Acts 2:38 (NIV) Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

 

Receive the Holy Spirit!Promise – Repent, baptized, receive

 

Acts 1:8 (NIV) 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

 

Power to BE

Be my witness…Be a better dad…Be a stronger person…

Not an easy fix pill… A power to stand.A power that works internally – and changes externally.

 

Make a Move



I need power.



Choice – Time, Talent, Treasure

Pray - Decide





I need God’s power.



Repent,