Clarity

Clint Ware: Clarity  

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Clarity ~ the state or quality of being clear or transparent to the eye
             ~ clearness or lucidity as to perception or understanding freedom from indistinctness or ambiguity
            ~ to fully see an issue, to the point that you are filled with an irresistible sense of urgency

Urgency ~ pressing importance requiring speedy action
            ~ the state of being urgent; an earnest and insistent necessity 
            ~ a deep and compelling sense that an action must be taken

CLARITY /  URGENCY /  ACTION

1.  Kingdom Clarity - clarity in its truest form is a gift given by God
            ~ This clarity is a result of God revealing his heart to our heart
            ~ through this he gives us:
                        - focus > helps us see what is really important in life
                        - understanding  > helps us to see how he can use us in His plan

2.  The Kingdom Clarity Test:
            1. Do you have clarity when it comes to sin?
                        - sin is an unavoidable issue but is not unavoidable
                        - scripture makes it clear, there are consequences for sin
                                     (Rom 6:23)
                                                . Relational - with God and man (Isaiah 59:2)
                                                . Circumstantial - you will reap what you sow (Gal 6:8-9)
                                                . Spiritual - (Rom 6:21)
                        - What is sin to you, friend or foe?
        ”Fear nothing but God, Hate nothing but sin”
                                    (John Wesley)

            2. Do you have clarity about the church?
                        - you make this church what it is
                        - membership has its privileges or responsibilities?

            3. Do you have clarity when it comes to loving God?
                        - all your heart…soul…mind…and strength

            4. Do you have clarity when it comes to loving your neighbor?
                        - not limited to next door (how did Jesus define neighbor?)

Kingdom Clarity will bring Kingdom Urgency will bring Kingdom Action.

Why God Hates Umbrellas

Clint Ware: Why God Hates Umbrellas

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Why God Hates Umbrellas                                    

I. His Grace Is Much Like Rain (and he wants us to get soaked and stay soaked

A. Constantly poured out on all (I Tim 2:1-4)

1 st - Prevenient grace gives us a taste of what we were meant for

      2nd - Justifying grace washes away the filth of original sin when we trust Jesus

3rd - Sanctifying grace refreshes and renews believers as we grow

              ~ this is the active presence of God in our lives

              ~ God Renews All Christians Everyday 

             

B. The ``Means of Grace`` 

           ~ the ways God has revealed for us to get soaked

~ Works of Piety (everyday expressions of our love for God) 

Prayer, Searching the Scriptures, Holy Communion, Fasting, Christian Fellowship, 

Healthy Living, Christian reading

~Works of Mercy (everyday expressions of our love for God) 

             Doing Good, Visiting the Sick, Visiting the Imprisoned, 

Feeding & Clothing those in need, Earning + Saving + Giving all one can, 

Seeking Justice for all, Opposition to Oppression of the poor and outcast 

II. Those Things That Block the Rain (Isaiah 59:l-2)

           A. Isa 59:l - He is more than willing and able to:

                       ~ forgive and save us

                       ~ listen and hear our prayers 

           B. Isa 59:2 - Our sin creates a block or separation

                       ~ he hides his face and withdraws His presence

                       ~ he will not or does not or chooses not to hear

           C. Why would he do that? LOVE

                       ~ he knows sin is bad + sin hurts + not what is best

                       ~ he draws back to help us understand that we are headed the wrong way

III. A Closer Look at the Umbrella

A. Sins of Commission  ~ the stuff we do that we know he told us not to do

B. Sins of Omission ~ the stuff we don`t do when we know we should (James 4:l7)

IV.  How to Throw an Umbrella Away

A.      Decide that if God says it's bad . . . it is, and if God says its good . . . it is. 

                         ``Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,`` (Isaiah 5:20)

B. Ask to borrow his eyes (``help me to see the sin my life``)

C. Ask to borrow his heart (``help to hate my sin the way you do``)

~ GOD HATES SIN SO MUCH BECAUSE HE LOVES US SO MUCH

D. Now take a good honest look at your heart and life.

E. Trust that what God says about you is truer than what anyone else has ever said.

~ if he says you can be free from that sin then you can be (John 8:34-36)

F. Resist the devil, throw that umbrella away, and enjoy the rain every day. 

Whats In Your...Heart?

Clint Ware: What's In Your Heart?

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I.   I Can't Believe I Said That

A. Have you ever had one of those moments when you lost control of your mouth?

    ~Afterward you say to yourself, "Where did that come from?"  

    ~(I usually would not say things like that)

 B. Jesus taught  that when you speak, you reveal what is in your heart (Matt 15:18-20)

 

II.  How to Check Your Heart Condition:

 A Five  Point  Check

Remember To T H i N K

 

1. Is What I Say Timely  (Eph 5:15-16)

  A.  Take a minute and think

        - WHAT needs to be said that would be the right thing to say?

        - HOW can I say this best so that it will be received?

        - WHEN would be the best time to bring this up?

                ~ when others aren't around maybe?

2. Is What I Say True?   Eph 4:25  

  A. If you aren't sure - just don't say it

        - how much damage is done by people talking about stuff they don't really know about

        - when you say the words "I THINK..." be sure that you have, otherwise you aren't being honest

  B. Two things we should say more often:

        - "To be honest I have not given it much thought"

        - "I DON"T KNOW"

3. Is What I Say Helpful?    Eph 4:29

  A. Tearing down others is threefold folly

        1. You hurt the one spoken about without giving them opportunity to explain or defend        

2. You fill the one listening with negative feelings, thoughts, and emotions 

3. You relive and refresh the wrong or misunderstanding, giving it more life and power (In reality you end up looking the worst)                           

(No one like to be around someone who tears down others all the time)

4. Is What I Say Necessary  (Eph 4:15)   (Luke 17:3-4)    (Proverbs 27:5-6)

   A. Truth - Love =Hurt          

        - Even if you are right, if you say it without love, you are wrong

  B. Love - Truth =Sin continues (Hurt)  

        - Many times remaining silent is not loving (it is most often the easy way out)

5. Is What I Say Kind?  Thes 5:14-15

  A. Seems childish but this is a really important part of your heart check.

        - unkind words (often spoken in haste) do damage

        - not based on what others have done to us

        - not justifing meaness using the circumstances of the moment

        - we do what is right just because it is right

 

Remember To T H i N K

 

Would Jesus Say That?

Clint Ware: Would Jesus Really Say That?

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MATT 13:47  "Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a  net  that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.  48  When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.  49  This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous  50  and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
  Matt 25:31  "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.  32  All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  33  He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left 34  "Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world....................

41  "Then he will say to those on his left, ` Depart  from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels..