02/24/10 - Building Healthy Tendencies PT3 - Pastor Tony Ashmore

Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the "Building Healthy Tendencies" series in this Wednesday evening service.

Building Healthy Tendencies Part 3
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, February 24, 2010

www.churchatmirrorlake.com


Sermon Notes:

Different goals + Same habits/tendencies = Same results + more disillusionment.

Changing our tendencies: Ephesians 2:1-10
* Recognize the propitiation work of Jesus (Colossians 1:21-22)
- We no longer live.
- We have God’s peace: At peace with Him and at peace about our life and eternity. (Isaiah 26:3)
* Access the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; 2 Timothy 1:7)
- Confession lines up with believing (Psalm 27:2) (1 Corinthians 8:12)
- Walk the talk (Ephesians 4:17 & 23)
* As a man thinks… (Proverbs 23:17)
- Seek Godly wisdom (Luke 21:15; Romans 12:2)
- Think on these things (Philippians 4:8—meditation)
- What actions would bring those about? (Romans 7:27)
* Out of the mouth…(Proverbs 18:21; Proverbs 21:23; Matthew 12:34)
- Life-giving words (Romans 15:6; Proverbs 15:4)
- Words full of truth (Matthew 4:4)
- Actions full of grace (Proverbs 22:11)
* Surrounded by a cloud of witnesses to life of faith (Hebrews 12:1)
- Heavenly witnesses (Deuteronomy 30:19; Romans 8:16)
- Who do you study? (Philippians 3:19-20)
- Who are your heroes? (Colossians 3:2)
- Which of those heavenly heroes are your models?
- Earthly witnesses (Matthew 18:16—mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses establishes words)
- Who are your mentors? (Proverbs 19:20)
- Who are your best friends? (Proverbs 12:26; Proverbs 27:17—real friends make each other stronger)
- Who is watching you? (Acts 4:13)

02/21/10 - Bulletproofing Your Marriage PT2 - Pastor Tony Ashmore

Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "Bulletproofing Your Marriage" with part 2 in this Sunday service.

Bulletproofing Your Marriage PT2
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, February 21, 2010

www.churchatmirrorlake.com


Sermon Notes:

Bulletproofing Your Marriage

1 Peter 5:8 “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

The “Bullets” Aimed at Marriage:
1. Unrealistic Expectations
a. “Perfect” as defined by who?
b. Conflicting definitions
i. With God
ii. With each other
2. Forgetting Who You Married:
a. Me, or us, first instead of God first
b. Selfishness
c. Kids ahead of spouse
3. External Stressors
a. Financial Pressure
b. Addictions: alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography, sex
c. Infidelity
d. Success and Failure
4. Average (accepting anything less than God’s best for your marriage)
5. Divorce

Malachi 2:16 (MESSAGE) “God, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that's what. So guard the spirit of marriage within you.”

1. Make Jesus the center of your marriage.
a. 4 things every couple should do together to strengthen their marriage: Worship, Pray, Read the Word, and Give. These 4 things will build greater intimacy and trust.

Mark 10: 7"For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8and the two shall become one flesh; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."

Ephesians 5:32This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.

Psalm 55: 14Those long hours of leisure as we walked arm in arm, God a third party to our conversation.

1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

2. 2 words that make great marriages.
a. Respect and Love (Ephesians 5: 33 )
b. About respect:
a. It’s a gift. Respect is given, not earned.
b. It makes a place for humility, which disarms hiding and power struggles.
c. About love:
a. It’s not an emotion; it is an expression of the nature of God. It is a verb.
b. It covers a multitude of sin, which disarms blame-shifting and disconnection.
d. A marriage filled with respect and love will be a safe place for both husband and wife.

Ephesians 5: 28So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

Ephesians 5:(AMP) 33However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly].

1 Corinthians 13: 4Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. 6It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 8Love will last forever…

3. You’re my best friend.
a. Share good times together. Don’t spend all your good times with other people, leaving only the stressful times for your spouse.
b. Laugh more. Lighten up! Don’t take yourselves so seriously.
c. Find some common hobbies and interests.
d. Don’t allow anyone to belittle or disrespect your mate or your marriage!
e. Develop a shared life-vision with common goals.

Amos 3: 3Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?

Proverbs 18: 22Find a good spouse, you find a good life--and even more: the favor of GOD!

Ecclesiastes 9: 9Relish life with the spouse you love.

02/17/10 - Building Healthy Tendencies PT2 - Pastor Tony Ashmore

Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the "Building Healthy Tendencies" series in this Wednesday evening service.

Building Healthy Tendencies Part 2
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, February 17, 2010

www.churchatmirrorlake.com


Sermon Notes:

Different goals + Same habits/tendencies = Same results + more disillusionment.

Changing our tendencies: Ephesians 2:1-10
* Recognize the propitiation work of Jesus (Colossians 1:21-22)
- We no longer live.
- We have God’s peace: At peace with Him and at peace about our life and eternity. (Isaiah 26:3)
* Access the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; 2 Timothy 1:7)
- Confession lines up with believing (Psalm 27:2) (1 Corinthians 8:12)
- Walk the talk (Ephesians 4:17 & 23)
* As a man thinks… (Proverbs 23:17)
- Seek Godly wisdom (Luke 21:15; Romans 12:2)
- Think on these things (Philippians 4:8—meditation)
- What actions would bring those about? (Romans 7:27)
* Out of the mouth…(Proverbs 18:21; Proverbs 21:23; Matthew 12:34)
- Life-giving words (Romans 15:6; Proverbs 15:4)
- Words full of truth (Matthew 4:4)
- Actions full of grace (Proverbs 22:11)
* Surrounded by a cloud of witnesses to life of faith (Hebrews 12:1)
- Heavenly witnesses (Deuteronomy 30:19; Romans 8:16)
- Who do you study? (Philippians 3:19-20)
- Who are your heroes? (Colossians 3:2)
- Which of those heavenly heroes are your models?
- Earthly witnesses (Matthew 18:16—mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses establishes words)
- Who are your mentors? (Proverbs 19:20)
- Who are your best friends? (Proverbs 12:26; Proverbs 27:17—real friends make each other stronger)
- Who is watching you? (Acts 4:13)

02/14/10 - Divorce Proofing Your Marriage PT1 - Pastor Tony Ashmore

Pastor Tony Ashmore begins a new series entitled "Divorce Proofing Your Marriage" in this Sunday service.

Divorce Proofing Your Marriage PT1
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, February 7, 2010

www.churchatmirrorlake.com


Sermon Notes:

Keys to Divorce-Proofing Your Marriage
Malachi 2:16 (MESSAGE) “God, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that's what. So guard the spirit of marriage within you.”

1. Start Strong:
a. Remember the 2 Greatest Commandments:
a. Learn to love God with every part of you. Then you won’t be looking for someone else to satisfy the missing things. The soul-mate myth.
b. Learn to love yourself as God loves you-not “self-love” as taught by the popular culture. If you are not healthy, you will end up with someone unhealthy and you will exploit each other’s weaknesses.
b. Don’t play the “Dating Game”—stop practicing divorce
a. Don’t date til you’re ready to mate.
b. Sex changes everything. Never alone, never in the dark. Biblically speaking, until you are married that person is your sibling.
c. Find a partner not a project.

2 Corinthians 6:14 “Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?”

2. Make Jesus the center of your marriage.
a. 4 things every couple should do together to strengthen their marriage:
Worship, Pray, Read the Word, and Give. These 4 things will build greater intimacy and trust.

Mark 10: 7"For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8and the two shall become one flesh; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."

Ephesians 5:32This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.

Psalm 55: 14Those long hours of leisure as we walked arm in arm, God a third party to our conversation.

1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.


COMING UP IN THE SERIES...
3. 2 words that make great marriages.
4. You’re my best friend.

5. What we have here is an opportunity to communicate.

6. Sizzlin’ Sex.

7. Watch your mouth.

8. We’re so different.

9. We’ve fallen and we can get up.

02/10/10 - Building Healthy Tendencies - Pastor Tony Ashmore

Pastor Tony Ashmore teaches on "Building Healthy Tendencies" in this Wednesday evening service.

Building Healthy Tendencies
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, February 10, 2010

www.churchatmirrorlake.com

02/07/10 - Gossip Message 2010 - Pastor Tony Ashmore

Pastor Tony Ashmore teaches on "Gossip" in this Sunday service.

Gossip Message 2010
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, February 7, 2010

www.churchatmirrorlake.com


Sermon Notes:

Song of Solomon 2:15 “Catch us the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vineyards are in bloom.”

James 3:2 “…if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.”

The Book of James teaches us that, like the rudder of a ship, our tongue determines our direction. James asks how blessing and cursing can flow from the same mouth. How can we praise God and then turn around and curse God’s supreme creation? Our words can either bring life to others, or release death; our words can be set on fire in hell, or fueled by the passion of Heaven. We can never expect to live in charge if our tongues are not under God’s control. We were created by God, FOR God. Until we understand that and incorporate it into our lives, we will never find fulfillment or satisfaction. We are made in His image, created in His likeness, and given dominion over His works: We are to express His personality, exhibit His power and extend His Kingdom. Any part of our lives not placed under His control is robbing us of our destiny and fulfillment, and shortchanging Him on His investment in us. His most powerful tool is His Word. Satan perverts this as the Prince of the Power of the Air. Our words can either be a life-giving tool in the hand of a mighty God, or a destructive force unleashed by hell itself. (2 ministries in Heaven—Intercession and Accusation) (Story from movie Doubt about feather pillow)

Today, I want to talk about being a church that is as innocent as doves and as wise as serpents. I want to talk about being a No-Tolerance Zone for Gossip.

The Bible teaches that there are two things on earth God treasures more dearly than all others: people and the Church.

These 2 are the biggest targets of gossip. Nothing will stop a church in its tracks faster than gossip. Nothing will destroy people, even nations, faster than gossip. That’s why the Bible treats gossip on a different scale when it defines church discipline. For all other matters--adultery, fornication, greed, etc.-- the Bible defines a 4 step process. (Matthew 18:15-17). For gossip and slander it is a 2 step process. (Titus 3:10)

You can’t play around with something this explosive and life-threatening. It is like an insidious virus that will quickly infect all those who come into contact with it. The Bible tells us in at least 4 places to treat it like an infectious disease: Stay away from it and anybody who has it!

A Kingdom View of Gossip:

1. The Kingdom of God is “…first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:17-18. The Holy Spirit in our lives produces “…this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23. Obviously, nothing is more contrary to the Kingdom than gossip. Lucifer used it to deceive angels into leaving their posts in Heaven and following him. Then he used it to deceive Adam and Eve into leaving their place in Eden to follow him. Paul tells us in Romans 1:30 that those who gossip and backstab are “haters of God.” Jesus died to give us the Kingdom, and gossip lives to steal it from us!

2. Gossip is a major weapon in the arsenal of hell. God has given us the victory over hell, and in fact we are to prevail against it as His church, never vice-versa. It is important that we have a clear understanding of this satanic tactic so we never fall prey to it.
* Gossip: a whispering; secret slandering; of the magical murmuring of a charmer of snakes; speech injurious to another's good name; speak against; speak evil of; backbiting; to defame or to belittle (use Bullhorn to illustrate.)
John 18:20 “Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing.”
Mark 4:22 “For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.”
* (use garbage can ears to illustrate) The Bible also defines gossip as not only those who say it, but those who listen to it. Proverbs 17:4 “…the ears of liars itch for dirty gossip…”. A great example of why God is so down on gossip is found in 1 Samuel 24:9 “…why did you listen…”. Saul, as God’s anointed king, is listening to gossip about David. The end result is the destruction of Saul. God was warning Saul about the dangers of gossip because it was robbing Saul of his God-given destiny!

3. The Source of Gossip:
* Hell James 3:5-7 (set on fire by hell itself)
* Jealousy and Hatred, Desire for Position: Psalm 38:12; Acts 5:17-18; Nehemiah 4:4 “for they have demoralized the builders”
* Laziness and Stupidity, Easier to Tear Down than Rise Up: 1 Timothy 5:13; Proverbs 10:18
* Ignorant--Just don’t know any better: 1 Corinthians 6:19

4. Some Different Types of Gossips:
* Mean Spirit:
“I know its wrong and I either don’t care who I hurt, or I intend on hurting them.” They will spread the poison with anyone, anywhere. It is a lifestyle. It is sometimes deemed “justifiable” usually because of a previous circumstance or incident that inflicted injury, but it is usually because the gossip is just downright mean or plain ignorant. Hurting people hurt people. These people need to allow Jesus to heal the hurts that are making them mean.
* Illusion of Innocence:
This gossip is skilled at making gossip seem harmless. It just blends in to the landscape. These are the “secret agents” or the “booby traps” of gossip. “Bless their hearts”, “a prayer concern”, “Did you hear about poor Jack”, etc.
Then there is the Jezebel spirit: the questioning spirit: “What did you think about today’s message?,” or “ I was just wondering…”. A question that calls for a negative response. Another Jezebel tactic is the “we vs. they”. “I had a great idea, but they squashed it.”
Watch out for the “sway of they”—Note that Moses put more stock in what “they” (Pharaoh, Egypt, Israel) said than what God said. That attitude had to be overcome before Israel could be set free. Remember, Jezebel can’t be successful unless there is an Ahab: a man-pleasing, coveting, jealous spirit. The folks who fall in this category of gossip need to recognize they are accepted in the beloved and ask Jesus to deliver them from the need to be approved or popular.
* Social or Recreational Gossip:
I only gossip in certain locations, circumstances or around certain people. These are like your terrorist cells. Groups of normally innocent people who suddenly become dangerous when they interact with other members of the cell or in certain locations where gossip is deemed acceptable. These folks need to “be sober and vigilant,” guarding their hearts. They need to set their desires on the things of Heaven rather than being drawn to earthly pursuits.
* Passive or Enabler:
Constantly find themselves in a position of hearing gossip. The majority of gossip would be stopped if these folks would just position themselves better. Example: Joyce Meyers heads off negative comments at the pass. Romans 16:17: “mark them which cause divisions…and avoid them.” Proverbs 20:19 “A gossip tells secrets, so don't hang around with someone who talks too much.” These folks need to get a backbone and some boldness. “righteous are bold as a lion.”
* Whiner and Complainer:
These folks either expect the worst, or are never satisfied. They are “glass half-empty” folks and complaining has become a habit. They may not even be unhappy, they just complain automatically. Sarcasm is one of their tools. They are gossip-attractors because misery loves company. The malicious gossip is looking for an opening and complaints are a great one. Check out the end result of complaining in John 6:61-67. The desertion of disciples began with complaining. Those people were committed (disciples) but abandoned their mission and calling after beginning to complain. They missed out on history’s greatest hour because of it. The folks in this category need to re-fill daily with the Holy Spirit and joy (Acts 13:52) and change their word habits.

All gossips are like Suicide Bombers. Not only are they hurting others, they are destroying themselves.

Deuteronomy 27:24 “Cursed is anyone who attacks a neighbor in secret.”
Proverbs 18:21 “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.”

Keys to being a No-Tolerance Zone for Gossip:

1. Treat gossip as life-threatening. Leviticus 19:16 Message "Don't spread gossip and rumors. Don't just stand by when your neighbor's life is in danger. I am GOD.”
2. Replace jealousy with rejoicing with others. 1 Corinthians 12:26 “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.”
3. Live your life as if there are no secrets. Romans 6:15 Message “…But thank God you've started listening to a new master, one whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom!”
4. If you don’t know it firsthand, you don’t know it. 2 Corinthians 13:5 “Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay…”
5. Handle true things with love and scripturally. Ephesians 4:15 “speak truth in love”
6. Be bold and proactive. Proverbs 10:10 “People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace.” “We don’t do that here.”

The Benefits:
* Acts 10:24-44 “…Cornelius was waiting for him and had called together his relatives and close friends to meet Peter…as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who had heard the message…”
- Positive impact on circle of influence
- A great harvest of souls
* Psalm 34:12-14 “Do any of you want to live a life that is long and good? Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Work hard at living in peace with others.”
- Long and good life
* Isaiah 58:9 "Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness”
- Powerful prayer life
* Proverbs 26:20 “Fire goes out for lack of fuel, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.”
- A Peaceful Life
* Acts 9:31 “The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it grew in strength and numbers. The believers were walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.”
- Grew in strength
- Grew in numbers
- Healthy relationship with God
- Fellowship of the Holy Spirit

We as a church, and as individuals, must use the words we speak to help each other toward our destiny just as Jesus did with the woman caught in the act of adultery when He refused to condemn and instead challenged her to go for glory. Our words can aid in the further destruction of lives ravaged by sin, or they can remind us, and those around us, of whose image we reflect, of whom we are made and to whom we belong! (Saul)

02/03/10 - Ways to Change Your Habits to Reach Your Goals

Pastor Tony Ashmore teaches on "Ways to Change Your Habits to Reach Your Goals" in this Wednesday evening service.

Ways to Change Your Habits to Reach Your Goals
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, February 3, 2010

www.churchatmirrorlake.com

01/31/10 - Communion - Sharing His Abundance

Pastor Tony Ashmore teaches on Communion: Sharing His Abundance" in this Sunday service.

Communion: Sharing His Abundance
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, January 31, 2010

www.churchatmirrorlake.com


Sermon Notes:

Communion: Sharing His Abundance
John 1:16 “From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.”

John 10:10 (Message) “…I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”
(NKJV) “…have it more abundantly.”

John 2:1-9 The wedding at Cana. Turned water into wine—the most expensive tasting wine!

Matthew 14:14-21 Jesus feeds 5000 families.
vs. 20 “They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers.”

Matthew 15:32-37 Jesus feeds 4000 families.
vs. 37: “They all ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food.”

Luke 19:1-8 Jesus eats with Zaccheus and salvation comes to his house. One result: abundance.
vs. 8 “…if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”

Acts 10:42-48 All of Cornelius household is saved.

Communion should produce similarity. 2 Corinthians 3:18 “…And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” Promises for Goal-Setting
2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”

Ephesians 3:20 “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

Daniel 9:18 “Listen, my God, and hear…For we are not presenting our petitions before You based on our righteous acts, but based on Your abundant compassion.”