11/22/09 - Family Recipes PT3 - Pastor Tony Ashmore

Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "Family Recipes" with part 3 in this Sunday service.

Family Recipes Part 3
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, November 22, 2009

www.churchatmirrorlake.com


Sermon Notes:

Philippians 4:10 (Message) “I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess…I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am…”

Main Point: Sometimes it is our families, those who are supposed to be closer to us than others, that trigger our most destructive and undesirable behaviors. We look at some of the worst things that happened in the Bible and often it was among family members—Cain and Abel, Isaac and Esau, Joseph and his brothers, David and Absalom. We can also find the ingredients for great family, and thriving instead of just surviving family gatherings.

Family Recipes
1. Focus on Celebrating life rather than issues—(don’t compromise your boundaries, but look for ways to release righteousness, peace and joy while others think they’re just sharing a meal) Romans 14:13, 17-19

2. Words that Count—John 14:30 & John 8:26 (words used for Heaven’s purposes or hell’s distractions? Known more for what you are against or what you are for?)
a. Matthew 7:6 Pearls before swine (Do you want people to know how great you are or how great He is?)

3. The Better Thing—Luke 10:38-42 and John 11
2 Different Targets with 2 Different Results
Martha’s target—a memorable meal
Mary’s target—a memorable encounter

Note—we never know what the meal was or how it turned out.

Results are found in John 11:
o Martha is worried about details and can list the reason why things shouldn’t happen
o Mary’s “wasted life” results in those around her being changed—A transformed human will always result in transformed humanity. John 11:45

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home

40But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving (AMP)

38-39She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. (MESSAGE)

42 One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it's the main course, and won't be taken from her." (MESSAGE)

40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner (NLT)

42 Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her." (CEV)

John 11:2 This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair

John 11:45 Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen.

Final Word:
What’s your recipe for making your family time, your gatherings, your time with others, a time when Heaven touches your earth and changes your world?
- Welcome Him
- Lavish your life on Him
- Watch Heaven change your world and those you love!