Real Dudes,
Below is the link to the message I had the opportunity to preach last Sunday. Also, below are the notes if you'd rather read through some of it. Don't feel obligated to watch or read, just something available to each of you. Was thankful for what God spoke to me and would love to share that with each of you as well. Hope y'all are doing amazing...miss ya! Nate Link to message: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_ZxHBRf8b4&list=PLapnQlqbrLuJhPsDYnDxpr89ly2c27aAX&t=6s Message Notes: John 8:2-20 (CSB) An Adulteress Forgiven 2 At dawn he went to the temple again, and all the people were coming to him. He sat down and began to teach them. 3 Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, making her stand in the center. 4 “Teacher,” they said to him, “this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery. 5 In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 They asked this to trap him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse him. Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with his finger. 7 When they persisted in questioning him, he stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Then he stooped down again and continued writing on the ground. 9 When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only he was left, with the woman in the center. 10 When Jesus stood up, he said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” The Light of the World 12 Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” 13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are testifying about yourself. Your testimony is not valid.” 14 “Even if I testify about myself,” Jesus replied, “my testimony is true, because I know where I came from and where I’m going. But you don’t know where I come from or where I’m going. 15 You judge by human standards. I judge no one. 16 And if I do judge, my judgment is true, because it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 17 Even in your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am the one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.” 19 Then they asked him, “Where is your Father?” “You know neither me nor my Father,” Jesus answered. “If you knew me, you would also know my Father.” 20 He spoke these words by the treasury, while teaching in the temple. But no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come. The Light of the World
The First Truth about what The Light is capable of exposing…is Himself through The Word. The Light Exposes/Reveals Himself through The Word
The Second Truth about what The Light is capable of exposing…is one’s Flaws. The Light Exposes/Reveals one’s Flaws
6 They asked this to trap him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse him. Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with his finger. 7 When they persisted in questioning him, he stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Then he stooped down again and continued writing on the ground. 9 When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only he was left, with the woman in the center. Two objects in Scripture that are used as examples to expose one’s flaws are…
and may you forgive, act, and give to everyone according to all their ways, since you know each heart, for you alone know every human heart,
The Third Truth about what The Light is capable of exposing…is His Mercy!!! The Light Exposes/Reveals His Mercy and Forgiveness.
14 “Even if I testify about myself,” Jesus replied, “my testimony is true, because I know where I came from and where I’m going. But you don’t know where I come from or where I’m going. 15 You judge by human standards. I judge no one. 16 And if I do judge, my judgment is true, because it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me.
Take Aways…
If you’re here today and you want to follow Jesus but are unsure of what that looks like, then again, please see me or reach out to me. Excited to see how God is going to work through this I AM series and in your life.
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Real Dudes,
The following passages have a two-fold instructional purpose to them. First, for those who chose to invest in others and teach them from God’s word…be trustworthy, take it seriously, teach truth, and don’t teach about yourself / don’t make it about you. Secondly, for those who are learning…search for truth in God’s word, test the spirits / be discerning about what you’re being taught…if truths, then continue in them / remain faithful with them and then teach them to others also. These truths aren’t meant to scare us from wanting to teach or learn, rather they’re meant to show us our responsibility in all of it and to take our approach as seriously as possible. Remember, it's a sacred trust to speak and teach on His behalf. Keep leaning into God and remain sensitive to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit. Be in His word and have a desire to share what you’ve learned with others. Luke 12:12 (NLT) reminds us of something very important, “for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.” Praying for each of us!!! Nate Acts 17:11 (NLT) And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. 1 John 4:1 (NLT) Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. 2 Timothy 3:14 (NLT) But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. James 3:1 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 Corinthians 4:5 (NLT) You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. Real Dudes,
Our communities have protective services in place. We have adult and child protective services available in order to keep individuals safe. There are a number of agencies to contact who can assist when intervention is needed. In Philippians chapter 4, the Apostle Paul reminds us of a protective service that can only come from God. When we feel as though our hearts and minds are under attack and need protection, God tells us to call on Him in prayer and He’ll provide for us a peace that will protect and keep us thinking right. Will you call on Him today? He won't put you on hold...you'll have direct and immediate access, so please don't hesitate. Practicing His Presence, Nate Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Real Dudes,
I believe I’ve sent one out similar to this in the past, but God laid it on my heart once again. When considering a home to purchase, a realtor will remind you of three key things…Location, Location, Location. I would like to remind each of us how important location is in our spiritual walk as well. Below are a few passages to really mull over and ask the Lord what your next steps need to be. Is there some darkness that you need help escaping from in your life? Is there something in your life that’s causing you to feel distant from Him? If you feel stuck, then please reach out…I’d love to help walk you through this chapter in your life. There is VICTORY in Him!!! Practicing His Presence, Nate John 12:35-36, 46 (NLT) 35 Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. 36 Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.” After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them. 46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. James 4:8 (NLT) Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Joshua 7:1-25 CEV
The LORD had said that everything in Jericho belonged to him. But Achan from the Judah tribe took some of the things from Jericho for himself. And so the LORD was angry with the Israelites, because one of them had disobeyed him. While Israel was still camped near Jericho, Joshua sent some spies with these instructions: “Go to the town of Ai and find out whatever you can about the region around the town.” The spies left and went to Ai, which is east of Bethel and near Beth-Aven. They went back to Joshua and reported, “You don't need to send the whole army to attack Ai—2,000 or 3,000 troops will be enough. Why bother the whole army for a town that small?” Joshua sent about 3,000 soldiers to attack Ai. But the men of Ai fought back and chased the Israelite soldiers away from the town gate and down the hill to the stone quarries. Thirty-six Israelite soldiers were killed, and the Israelite army felt discouraged. Joshua and the leaders of Israel tore their clothes and put dirt on their heads to show their sorrow. They lay facedown on the ground in front of the sacred chest until sunset. Then Joshua said: Our LORD, did you bring us across the Jordan River just so the Amorites could destroy us? This wouldn't have happened if we had agreed to stay on the other side of the Jordan. I don't even know what to say to you, since Israel's army has turned and run from the enemy. Everyone will think you weren't strong enough to protect your people. Now the Canaanites and everyone else who lives in the land will surround us and wipe us out. The LORD answered: Stop lying there on the ground! Get up! I said everything in Jericho belonged to me and had to be destroyed. But the Israelites have kept some of the things for themselves. They stole from me and hid what they took. Then they lied about it. What they stole was supposed to be destroyed, and now Israel itself must be destroyed. I cannot help you anymore until you do exactly what I have said. That's why Israel turns and runs from its enemies instead of standing up to them. Tell the people of Israel, “Tomorrow you will meet with the LORD your God, so make yourselves acceptable to worship him. The LORD says that you have taken things that should have been destroyed. You won't be able to stand up to your enemies until you get rid of those things. “Tomorrow morning everyone must gather near the place of worship. You will come forward tribe by tribe, and the LORD will show which tribe is guilty. Next, the clans in that tribe must come forward, and the LORD will show which clan is guilty. The families in that clan must come, and the LORD will point out the guilty family. Finally, the men in that family must come, and the LORD will show who stole what should have been destroyed. That man must be put to death, his body burned, and his possessions thrown into the fire. He has done a terrible thing by breaking the sacred agreement that the LORD made with Israel.” Joshua got up early the next morning and brought each tribe to the place of worship, where the LORD showed that the Judah tribe was guilty. Then Joshua brought the clans of Judah to the LORD, and the LORD showed that the Zerah clan was guilty. One by one he brought the leader of each family in the Zerah clan to the LORD, and the LORD showed that Zabdi's family was guilty. Finally, Joshua brought each man in Zabdi's family to the LORD, and the LORD showed that Achan was the guilty one. “Achan,” Joshua said, “the LORD God of Israel has decided that you are guilty. So tell me what you did, and don't try to hide anything.” “It's true,” Achan answered. “I sinned and disobeyed the LORD God of Israel. While we were in Jericho, I saw a beautiful Babylonian robe, 200 pieces of silver, and a gold bar that weighed the same as 50 pieces of gold. I wanted them for myself, so I took them. I dug a hole under my tent and hid the silver, the gold, and the robe.” Joshua told some people to run to Achan's tent, where they found the silver, the gold, and the robe. They brought them back and put them in front of the sacred chest, so Joshua and the rest of the Israelites could see them. Then everyone took Achan and the things he had stolen to Trouble Valley. They also took along his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys, and sheep, his tent, and everything else that belonged to him. Joshua said, “Achan, you caused us a lot of trouble. Now the LORD is paying you back with the same kind of trouble.” The people of Israel then stoned to death Achan and his family. They made a fire and burned the bodies, together with what Achan had stolen, and all his possessions. Real Dudes, Maybe it’s a guilty conscience, but the times when I know I’m involved in sin seems like my family is attacked by Satan the most. Those are times I feel like I’m the "Achan" in our home. It’s like I allowed this evil to be present and it’s infecting all parts. Even if I try to hide it, I’m beginning to see some of the damage taking place that I’ve caused because of my selfish choices. Self-reflection…am I more like Achan than I realized? What is God bringing to surface in my life that needs to be addressed immediately? Praise God for how He works in our hearts and lives today…Just keep 1 John 1:9 in mind (see below) - bring your sin before Him, He’s not going to wipe you and your family out…He’s waiting with open arms to show you that you’re forgiven if you’d just confess. Men, get right before Him early and often…do whatever you can to keep the sinful influences out of your home and family’s lives. Keep current before Him, and pray over your family as often as you can. Practicing His Presence, Nate 1 John 1:9 (ESV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Ephesians 4:27 (NIV) and do not give the devil a foothold. |
AuthorNate Smith is a husband, a father of 6 girls, grandpa to 3 granddaughters and one grandson, a police and fire chaplain, a pastor, and has a passion to see men grow in Christ. #girldad including granddaughter
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