Pleasant Garden Baptist Church Podcast (Sermons‪)‬ Pleasant Garden Baptist Church

1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” - Acts 13:1-3 (ESV)







Healthy Church = Healthy Mission

1. A healthy church thrives under shared leadership (13:1).

2. A healthy church pursues God’s guidance seriously (13:2).

3. A healthy church keeps the gospel central (13:2).




But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.  - Acts 1:8 (ESV)







4. A healthy church develops and deploys leaders (13:2).




If you are interested in finding out more about our Fall Leadership Training, drop me an email: 

robert.hefner@pgbc.com

1 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: 2 a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil. 3 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life's good things, and he also has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4 For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered. 5 Moreover, it has not seen the sun or known anything, yet it finds rest rather than he. 6 Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy no good—do not all go to the one place? 7 All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied. 8 For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living? 9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind. 10 Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he. 11 The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man? 12 For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?- Ecclesiastes 6:1-12 (ESV)







Theme: if you are looking for ultimate good anywhere but God, you’ll come up empty.




Looking for “ultimate good” in the wrong places: 







1. Wealth without enjoyment (6:1-2).

2. Children without honor (6:3).

3. Long life without peace (6:6).

4. Appetite without satisfaction (6:7-9). 




Chasing “ultimate good” from Ecclesiastes 6:







1. Be sure you identify your kryptonite.

2. Remember that God gives joy and satisfaction when we live in His ways.

3. Seek the great wisdom that lies with those who recognize God’s good rule.

10 “Go west and look in the land of Cyprus; go east and search through the land of Kedar. Has anyone ever heard of anything as strange as this? 11 Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones, even though they are not gods at all? Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols!  12 The heavens are shocked at such a thing and shrink back in horror and dismay,” says the Lord. 13 “For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me, the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns  that can hold no water at all!  Jeremiah 2:10-13 (NLT)




 We will choose daily the placement of our worship









1. Worship of our glorious God – v.11 


2. Worship of worthless idols – v.11

3. The Fountain of Living Water – v.13

4. The empty well of false hope – v.13




Jonah 2:8 (NIV84) - "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs."

 

Jonah would ask:  Why would we ever cling to the empty promises of broken cisterns, when God promises to constantly refresh us with living water – Himself!

 

John 4:4-14

4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.  9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” 10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” 11 “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” 13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

 

1. Sin will always fail to satisfy. (John 4:13)




2. Jesus will forever provide what our souls crave. (John 4:14)


3. The flow within us is purposed to spill over from our lives. (John 4:14, 28-30, 39-42)

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”   Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)*




3 Important Parental Characteristics of God 







1. God is a life-giving God. 

2. God is a sending God.




3. God is a multiplying God. 







3 Important Implications for Us









1. We are parents-to-be! 

2. Parenting isn’t always easy.

3. Many celebrations await.









3 Applications









1. Let’s be intentional with the gospel. 

2. Let’s commit to multiplying. 

3. Let’s commit to gospel driven prayer.  

24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”  28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, - Matthew 7:24-28 (NLT)




46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? 47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” - Luke 6:46-49 (NLT)




1.  Listen to God's Word




Listen personally


Let me hear of Your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting You.  Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You. - Psalm 143:8*




Listen publicly 


Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.  Hebrews 10:23-25*




Listen purposefully


All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17*




Listen passionately


O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.  - Psalm 63:1







As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you,  O God.  - Psalm 42:1







2.  Do what it says


“But don’t just listen to God’s Word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”  - James 1:22







If you love me, obey my commandments.   - John 14:15







And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.  And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. -  Deut. 6:5-6







Do it with the right heart







Proverbs 3:5-6

-Motivated by love

-Carried out with joy




Do it in the right mind


-Surrounded by peace

-Driven with patience







Do it in His name


-Completed with kindness, gentleness and self-control







“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. - Matthew 5:14-16*







3.    Here’s why…

The Foundation matters!

8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields. 10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.   11 When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes?12 Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep. 13 There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, 14 and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. 15 As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. 16 This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind? 17 Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger.  18 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. 19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.  - Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 (ESV)







The Preacher Teaches 6 Important Lessons about Wealth:







1. Injustice, financial or otherwise, will be met by God’s justice (5:8).







8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them.  - Ecclesiastes 5:8 (ESV)




2. Do not expect to be satisfied with more wealth (5:10-11).







10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. 11 When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? - Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 (ESV)




3. Wealth can destroy (5:13-17).







13 There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, 14 and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand.  15 As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came,  and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. 16 This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind? 17 Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger. - Ecclesiastes 5:15-19 (ESV)




4. Wealth can be fleeting (5:14).







14 and those riches were lost in a bad venture. - Ecclesiastes 5:14 (ESV)




5. Wealth is granted to be enjoyed (5:18-20).







18 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. 19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.  -Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (ESV)




6. Wield wealth to produce rather than to simply keep (5:9).







9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.  - Ecclesiastes 5:9 (ESV)