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4 HABITS EVERY MAN NEEDS TO PRACTICE

Genesis 3:1-7, 16-19

February 3, 2008

Pastor John Fanous

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

“And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.'” Genesis 2:16-17

“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” Genesis 3:6

WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?

“RISE UP TO THE CHALLENGE!“

HABIT #1: LOVE YOUR WIFE

We were created to partner with and care for our wives.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.'” Genesis 1:26-27

Because of sin, we tend to dominate our wives.

“To the woman he said, ‘…Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.'” Genesis 3:16b

Jesus’ example:

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Ephesians 5:25

HABIT #2: WORK FOR A GREATER CAUSE.

We were created to enjoy our work.

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Genesis 2:15

Because of sin, work has become a burden.

“[The ground] will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Genesis 3:18-19

Jesus’ example:

“Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, ‘Stand up in front of everyone.'” Mark 3:1-3

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men” Ephesians 6:7

HABIT #3: LEAD YOUR CHILDREN SPIRITUALLY.

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4

Children spell “LOVE” — “T-I-M-E”

HABIT #4: LISTEN FOR GOD’S VOICE.

“The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.'” Judges 6:11-12

GETTING A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE
from the book of Jonah

January 6, 2008

Pastor John Fanous

4 MYTHS

1. WHEN I TURNED MY BACK ON GOD, HE __________________

“But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord.”   Jonah 1:3a (NLT)

“…I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.” Jonah 1:9 (NIV)

“So Jesus used this illustration: ‘If you had a hundred sheep and one of them strayed away and was lost in the wilderness, wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine others to go and search for the lost one until you found it?'” Luke 15:4 (The Living Bible)

TRUTH: REALIZE GOD IS ______________________________
1——–2——–3——–4——–5——–6——–7——–8——–9——–10

Running                                                                                                    Realizing

2. BEFORE I RETURN TO GOD, I MUST __________________________

“When I had lost all hope, I turned my thoughts once more to the Lord. And my earnest prayer went to you in your holy Temple.” Jonah 2:7 (The Living Bible)

“And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.'” Mark 1:17 (ESV)

TRUTH: RE-FOCUS ON GOD ___________________________________

1——–2——–3——–4——–5——–6——–7——–8——–9——–10

Relying on self                                                                           Relying on God

3. THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE ARE __________________________

“Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time: ‘Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.'” Jonah 3:1-2 (NLT)

“But it is just as the Scriptures say, ‘What God has planned for people who love him is more than eyes have seen or ears have heard. It has never even entered our minds!'” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (CEV)

TRUTH: RECEIVE GOD’S _______________________

1——–2——–3——–4——–5——–6——–7——–8——–9——–10

Cynical                                                                                                          Hopeful

4. I CAN NEVER BE AT PEACE WITH THOSE WHO HAVE ________________

“And the Lord said, ‘…Then shouldn’t I show concern for the great city Nineveh?'” Jonah 4:10-11a (NCV)

“Real love isn’t our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven. Dear friends, since God loved us this much, we must love each other.”  1 John 4:10-11 (CEV)

TRUTH: SHARE GOD’S LOVE __________________________________

1——–2——–3——–4——–5——–6——–7——–8——–9——–10

Blaming                                                                                                            Forgiving

PREPARING YOUR FAMILY FOR A MEANINGFUL CHRISTMAS

TAKE THE ________________!

1. READ ABOUT ________________

JESUS CAME TO _______________________________________________

“‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’-which means, ‘God with us.'” Matthew 1:23

 “Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.'” John 14:9a

SHARE WHAT YOU ARE ______________________

“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your heart.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7

2. CARE FOR THE __________________ TOGETHER

JESUS CAME TO __________________________________________

“Then Jesus said to his host, ‘When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.  Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.'” Luke 14:12-14

                              

Resources:

• Loaves and Fishes (Pittsburg/Antioch), 837-8758, www.loavesandfishesofcontracosta.org
• Community Outreach Center (Antioch), 778-1893
• Food bank donation (all Safeway, Lucky, and Save Mart stores), www.foodbankccs.org

3. TAKE THE NEXT STEP ON YOUR ______________________________________

 JESUS CAME TO _________________________

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son.”

John 3:16a (The Message)