What is Cat and Dog Theology (April 11th, 2004)

Cat and

Dog

Theology

Generally, each message is a part of a series, that deals with applying the Bible to real-life issues.  Don't worry if you've missed part of a series.  Each Sunday will work together with the other messages, or can stand alone to help you deal with the things life brings each day.

Cat Christian vs. Dog Christian (April 18th, 2004))

Dangers of Cat Theology (April 25th, 2004)

Benefits of Dog Theology Or God's Glory  (May 2nd, 2004)

How to glorify God (May 9th, 2004)

where nobody stands alone

Cat and Dog Theology, part 1 What is Cat and Dog Theology A Dog says – “You love me, shelter me, feed me and pet me, you must be God” A Cat says – “You love me, shelter me, feed me, and pet me, I must be God” Selfish vs. Loyal Title:  Who does Jesus claim to be? John 14: 6 (NAS) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” I. We’ve got somewhere to go a. When He says He is the way, I ask where are we going? i. Like Jennifer always did on the road trips. 1. Where are we going …. When are we getting there b. Ethic (Kingdom in principle) i. We have a personal place to go 1. A lot of people miss this step … (Jude 4 – using the grace of God for a license for immorality) ii. Romans 12: 1 – 2 1. 1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 2. 1 John 5: 2 a. By this w3e know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. c. Humane (Kingdom out) i. We have a neighborly place to go ii. Matthew 22: 37 – 39 1. 37 And He said to him, " `YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' 38 "This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 "The second is like it, `YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' iii. 1 John 4: 20 – 21 1. 20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also. d. Missiological (Kingdom out) i. We have a methodical place to go (a mission to fulfill) ii. Matthew 28: 18 – 20 1. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All R1164 authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go R1165 F614 therefore and make R1166 disciples of all R1167 the nations, baptizing R1168 them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I R1169 am with you always, F615 even to the R1170 end of the age." iii. 1 Corinthians 9: 19 1. 19 For though I am free R341 from all men, I have made myself a R342 slave to all, so that I may win R343 more. II. We’ve got something to know a. As a philosopher there is one task – search for the truth. b. There is a truth / paradigm for us to realize and until we realize it this equation will not be fulfilled and neither will we. c. This church exists o be an epiphany to reveal this truth to all (people, other churches) d. Relative and Absolute truths i. Your individual truth about your ‘wiring’ can only be found through the absolute truth of your creator. ii. BUT iii. We allow our relative truth to become our personal absolutes 1. Oprahisms 2. Seinfieldisms iv. We sometimes don’t like truths b/c it exposes our true self 1. John 3: 19 21 (NAS) a. 19 "This is the judgment, that the R150 Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their R151 deeds were evil. 20 "For R152 everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 "But he who practices R153 the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God." e. There are absolute truths for us to adhere to. i. It is our task to search for these truths. f. Jesus says that He is the way to these absolute truths / complete knowledge i. Colossians 2: 9 – 10 (NAS) 1. 9 For in Him all the fullness R102 of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made R103 complete, F50 and He R104 is the head over F51 all rule R105 and authority; III. We’ve got an experience before us a. Daddy and little girl with pearls illustration i. A little girl wanted a set of pearls at a convenient store.  She did all kinds of chores to raise $2.50 to get these convenient store pearls.  She got them and wore them everywhere.  She’d even sleep in them.  Her dad each night would come in and tuck her in to sleep.  And ever since she got the pearls he would ask her “Darling will you give daddy the pearls.”  And she would say oh no daddy I love these pearls.  He would say ok, daddy loves you, good night.  After a month of this the girl did say okay daddy I love  you and want you to have them.  The dad took the pearls and opened a velvet case that he was holding and replaced the convenient store pearls with real pearls that he handed to his daughter.  Sometimes the Lord wants part of our life so that He can bless us with much more. b. Cat and Dog theology i. Our lifestyles can rob us of our abundant life ii. John 10: 10 (NAS) 1. 10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may R644 have life, and have F116 it abundantly. IV. Invitation a. Sermon equation i. Way + Truth + Life = purpose in life 1. People expect that they can live like hell and still receive gifts of heaven.  It doesn’t work that way. 2. Matthew 7: 21, 23 3. 21 "Not R237 everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. … 23  "And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; DEPART R240 FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' b. You have to live the Way of Christ, Truth of Christ, and the Life of Christ to receive the heavenly gifts that we are so familiar with. c. Anne Graham Lotz – Weekend Today Show – April 11, 2004 – “God so big.  He has made salvation possible to us.  If He can do that, I must ask myself what else can He do in my daily life.”

Cat and Dog Theology part II Illustration: Here is a story with a chance to laugh at yourself. Once upon a time, a perfect man and a perfect woman met.  After a perfect courtship, they had a perfect wedding.  Their life together was, of course, perfect. One snowy, stormy Christmas Eve, this perfect couple was driving their perfect car (a Grand Caravan) along a winding road, when they noticed someone in distress at the side of the road.  Being the perfect couple, they stopped to help.  Lo and behold, there stood Santa Claus with a huge bundle of toys.  Not wanting to disappoint any children on the eve of Christmas, the perfect couple loaded Santa and his toys into their vehicle.  Soon they were driving along delivering the toys.  Unfortunately, the driving conditions deteriorated and the perfect couple and Santa Claus had an awful accident.  Only one of them survived the accident.  WHO WAS THE SURVIVOR?  SCROLL DOWN FOR THE ANSWER.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The perfect woman survived.  She's the only one who really existed in the first place.  Everyone knows there is no Santa Claus, and there is no such thing as a perfect man. NOTE: WOMEN STOP READING HERE; THAT IS THE END OF THE JOKE. NOTE: MEN CONTINUE SCROLLING. * * * * * * * * * So, if there is no perfect man and no Santa Claus, the perfect woman must have been driving.  This explains why there was a car accident in the first place. By the way, if you're a woman and you're reading this, this illustrates another point: Women never listen. There is not a perfect Christian.  Sometimes people are not what they seem. Characterization of Christian theology: A dog says – you feed me, pet me, shelter me, love me – you must be God A cat says – you feed me, pet me, shelter me, love me – I must be God. - This book must be all about me. - They wouldn’t theologically say they are God, but would say that God’s existence is all about us. Intro: Cat will rub head up against my leg, but also against a chair leg. Cat will have door open, but will not go out. Dog vs. Cat Similarities: - They have both invited Christ in their lives - They both go to church - Quiet times - Prayer - Seek after god - They both look and act so Christian Difference: Is a heart attitude and what they believe Chrsitiantiy is all about. Motivations to get into heaven - Cats walk away from hell o They start walking backwards toward heaven and away from hell o They pray a prayer and accept jesus and say thank goodness I am not going to hell. o Their motivation is not to allow themselves to go to hell. o This is why so many Christians are so joyless. ? They bought some fire insurance as their goal. ? Their goal is not to give it all to God and live a godly life. ? Their goal is not to burn in hell. ? They have missed the point - Dogs walk toward heaven. o They give their life to this God. o They love God and who He is and want to be part of God. Illustration: Semantics are very important.  You may be going toward the same point, but it may not be the same. A man went to visit his 90 year old grandfather in a very secluded, rural area of the state. After spending the night, his grandfather prepared breakfast for him consisting of eggs and bacon. He noticed a film-like substance on his plate and he questioned his grandfather. "Are these plates clean?" His grandfather replied...."Those plates are as clean as cold water can get them so go on and finish your meal." That afternoon, while eating the hamburgers his grandfather made for lunch, he noticed tiny specks around the edge of his plate, and a substance that looked like dried egg yokes. So he asked again, "Are you sure these plates are clean?" Without looking up from his hamburger, the grandfather says, "I told you before, those dishes are as clean as cold water can get them, now don't ask me about it anymore!" Later that afternoon, as he was on his way out to get the paper, the dog started to growl and would not let him pass. "Grandfather, your dog won't let me out," he complained. Without diverting his attention from the football game, his Grandfather shouted, "Coldwater, move!" Difference:  guarantee of salvation – How do you know you’re saved? - How do they know that they are going to heaven: o Cat – prayed a prayer. ? During a revival meeting I prayed a prayer and it was done. ? How is life now?  Life is ugly ? Are you having quiet times?  No I am angry with God ? But are you a Christian?  Oh yeah prayed the prayer ? No signs of Christ in life ? Ephesians 2: 8 , 9 •  8 For by R90 grace you have been saved through R91 faith; and that F32 not of yourselves, it is the R92 gift of God; 9 not R93 as a result of works, so that no R94 one may boast. ? John 15: 5 • "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears R968 much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. o Dog ? Are you a Christian? – yes, b/c of desire ? Pray a prayer – yeah I id, but I really found him in college when I decided to live for him. Difference: obedience – Who serves sho? Cats – God to obey people   This is seen through their prayer life. John 12: 26 "If anyone serves F143 Me, he must follow Me; and where R804 I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves F143 Me, the Father will honor R805 him. Tickle Me Yahweh doll Who is the puppet and who is the puppeteer. Dogs – People to obey God God bless America is wrong it should be America bless God Difference:  Quiet time – What are you in Christianity for? Cat is thinking – me, me, me, this is how you can bless me God then I will show you how I can serve you.   I am not worried about what you want I am worried about me. Dog – is thinking – how can I have God’s glory shine more?    How can people see God in my life Purpose of a Daily Quiet Time 1. To give devotion to god a. Give to the Lord the glory due to His name.  Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness – Psalm 29: 2 2. To get direction from God a. Show me the path where I should go.  O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk.  Lead me…Psalm 25: 4 3. To gain delight in God a. Delight yourself in the Lord’ and He will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37: 4 b. Fact:  The better I get to know Christ, the more I love Him 4. To grow Daily like God a. Jesus has the power of God, by which he has given us everything we need to live and to serve God.  WE have these things because we know him… With these gifts you can share in being like God. – 2 Peter 1: 4 Difference:  Prayer Life – What do you desire? - Cat – use it to establish their own kingdom – prayer is about me and my benefits - Dogs – use prayer to build God’s kingdom – prayer is not about me, but about the kingdom o Where can God’s glory shine more? THE SIX PARTS OF PRAYER 1. PRAISE:  I BEGIN BY EXPRESSING MY LOVE TO GOD “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name …” 2. PURPOSE:  I COMMIT MYSELF TO GOD’S PURPOSE AND WILL FOR MY LIFE. “Your kingdom come, you will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…” 3. PROVISION:  I ASK GOD TO PROVIDE FOR MY NEEDS. “Give us today our daily bread …” 4. PARDON:  I ASK GOD TO FORGIVE MY SINS. “Forgive us our debts …” 5. PEOPLE:  I PRAY FOR OTHER PEOPLE. “… as we have also forgiven our debtors.” 6. PROTECTION:  I ASK FOR SPIRITUAL PROTECTION FROM GOD. “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.” Difference: Responsibilities – What do you expect? - Cats want all the perks and not the responsibilities o Bumper sticker – America bless God, not God bless America o Christ set us free from the shackles of sin for the freedom of doing His will ? Galatians 5:1 It R199 F93 was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep R200 standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke R201 of slavery. o Jude 4 – license for immorality ? For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ Dogs will take responsibilities as serving as unto the Lord.

Cat and Dog Theology, part III Title:  Dangers of Cat The(me)ology A man was being tailgated by a woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him.  He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection. The tailgating woman hit the roof, and the horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection with him.  As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up.  He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects. He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping the guy off in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. "I noticed the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the 'What Would Jesus Do" bumper sticker, the 'Follow Me to Sunday School' bumper sticker, and the chrome- plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk. Naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car." How well is your Christian life noticed by the life that you live? - Does your life point to God always? - Or to your ownself? Helping Churches Worship is ultimately about God and His wants, not ours By Paul Clark Jr. 3/17/2004  - Baptist Reflector Characterization of Christian theology: A dog says – you feed me, pet me, shelter me, love me – you must be God A cat says – you feed me, pet me, shelter me, love me – I must be God. - This book must be all about me. - They wouldn’t theologically say they are God, but would say that God’s existence is all about us. 2 Timothy 3: 1 – 5 (NAS) 1 But realize this, that in R116 the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers R117 of self, lovers R118 of money, boastful, R119 arrogant, R119 revilers, R120 disobedient R119 to parents, ungrateful, R121 unholy, R122 3 unloving, R123 irreconcilable, malicious R124 gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters R125 F22 of good, 4 treacherous, R126 reckless, R127 conceited, R128 lovers R129 of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, R130 F23 although they have denied R131 its power; Avoid R132 such men as these. Jeremiah declaring of Moab Jeremiah 48: 29 (NAS) 29 " R2333 We have heard of the pride of Moab--he {is} very proud-- Of his haughtiness, his pride, R2334 his arrogance and his F501 self-exaltation. 30 "I know his fury," R2335 declares the LORD, "But it is futile; His idle boasts have accomplished nothing. New International Commentary on the OT (Jeremiah) (v.8)  Moab a place of valleys and platesua.  All would be destroyed before the spoiler.  But the reference may be wider.  The spoliler may have been conderned with more lands than Moab, the valley may refer to the Jordan valley, that is, the region below Moab, and the plateau to the Transjordan highland from the Arnon north to Hesbon. A city of selfishness. - We’ve got a lot of selfish people in this church. Why is that B/c we have a lot of giving people Myers family – the most giving family that I have seen. Who do they attract? Selfish people We will continue to see selfish people come. Why? B/C we will continue being giving. Good people will continue to come and go, because they are selfish and don’t get their way so they will leave. Danger 1 – “Feel Good” Theolory or Meology Cats have a “feel good” filter theology – They ask one question – does this make me feel good.  If it does then they accept it as part of their theology.  Meology is a feel good theology.  They only select passages that make them feel good and they leave the others behind.  In their quite time they will choose Scriptures that are safe – Psalm 103: 11 – 14 Danger 2 – Cats always look for themselves in the Bible - When having a quiet time, they always ask, where am I in the Bible…how can I find me in the bible. - John 3: 16 o A dog focuses on God’s love, not only a love for me, but for everyone. ? Key words:  God, loved, gave… o A Cat focuses on the “usness” of the verse. ? Key words • The world, whoever, not perish … • Heaven is a place for the individuals pleasure for example a land of PS2s o God wants our focus on his glory ? BUT a cats selective listening and reading only focuses on what God is doing for them. Danger 3 – Cats Expect Life to be fair! Three Lives - Jabez – 1 Chronicles 4: 10 o Bless Me o Enlarge My Territory o May your Hand Be with Me o Keep Me from Evil o Keep Me free From Pain o God grants his request, Jabez gets everything - Young Girl – 2 Kings 5: 1, 2 o Young Jewish Girl gets taken captive in war to a foreign land o Her mistress is the wife of Naaman, the second in command of the enemy’s army o In front of Her, Naaman, or his men, probably ? Raped her mother ? Killed Her Father ? Killed Her older Borthers ? They probably raped her ? Then they took her to their home to be their slave. ? This Young Girl • Knew Forgiveness • Still had a heart for God’s glory o Through this Naaman (a gentile leader) acknowledge God. o God allowed brutal violence to allow this to happen. o HE allowed a young Jewish Girl to become a slave so a gentile could be reached. - Stephen – Acts 6: 8 o Full of God’s Grace and power o Did great wonders and miraculous signs and wonders among the people o Sanhedrin oppose him o They get others to lie against him. o Acts 7: 57 – they don’t like what he says so they rush him and stone him to death. ? He was full of God’s grace and power - Three lives o One completely blessed o One Jewish Girl living through hell in order to touch a gentile’s life o One man full of God’s power and grace and stoned to death. - Which life was God fair to? o Jabez o Young Girl o Stephen - Wrong Question: o Life was never designed to be fair. o Life was designed to glorify God o Did these lives point to God’s glory ? All three …. Yes!!! - Life is not about our glory or our safety and security. Danger 4 – Cats have selective application Cats only apply those parts of scriptures that only speak of their own benefit. Danger 5 – Cat’s have a winner’s circle mentality When cats read the bible   They relate to the one who is the key in the text that they are studying.   They always relate to the major character and never the minor character. They conclude that life is all about them.  Eventually is will be easy soft safe and victorious.  They view life in the winner’s circle.  It is always about them. Contrary to this thought … Job Consider Job 38: 1 – 42: 6 - When Job is overwhelmed by a manifestation of God, the author points to the ultimate mystery and freedom of God’s actions, but also stresses the validity of the human quest to grasp that mystery. Lesson learned:  “God may test you” I thought soft, easy, safe and comfortable? Well it was in the end for Job. Danger 6 :  Cats develop wrong priorities - Cat theology o If life is all about us, you’ve got to set your priorities in order. o “Cat theology” will first consider the benefits to us, then to God and his glory. o The #1 Priority of a Cat ? To stay alive and be healthy. No need to prioritize yourself. Seek God first and human needs will be added to you Matthew 6: 25 – 34 (NAS) 25 "For R207 this reason I say to you, do F111 not be worried R208 about your life, F112 as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 "Look R209 at the birds of the air, F113 that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 "And who of you by being worried R210 can add R211 a single hour F114 to his life? F115 28 "And why are you worried R212 about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon R213 in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 "But if God so clothes the grass R214 of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You R215 of little faith! 31 "Do not worry R216 then, saying, `What will we eat?' or `What will we drink?' or `What will we wear for clothing?' 32 "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your R217 heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 "But seek F116 first His F117 kingdom and His righteousness, and all R218 these things will be added F118 to you. 34 "So do not worry R219 about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care F119 for itself. Each F120 day has enough trouble of its own. Danger 7 - cat’s embrace humanism without realizing it o humanism – any system or way of thought or action concerned with the interests of people o Humanism says that the reason for all existene is Man’s happiness. ? This is also called hedonism. o Humanism has so permeated our culture, that it has created two types of Christian humanisms ? Liberal Christian Humanism says: • The Chief end of Christianity is the happiness of man when he is alive. • Bottom line of Christianity:  It is here to make people happy. o God’s goodness is focused on mankind • You see this all the time o Health and Wealth Theology ? Name it Claim it ? Evangelical Christian Humanism • The chief end of Christianity is the happiness of men before he dies. • It’s still about the people • Everything revolves around saving people from hell. • People are going to hell unless YOU step out on the mission field. • It’s not about them either.  It’s about God’s glory. Danger 8 – For cats, worship is a part of life. - When cats are focused on themselves or others: - Worship is found during their quiet times, church worship time or listening to worship music. o Everything is just kind of regular life. o Dog theology – Worship is Life. ? Life is to be one big worship service Invitation Matthew 23: 25 (NAS) 25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you R845 clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of F506 robbery and self-indulgence.

Cat and Dog Theology, part IV Illustration Benefits - Micheal going to Chinese place everyday produces benefits. Cats study Meology Dogs study Theology I. Dogs view life differently a. Godly dogs are consume with a passion for their Father’s Glory. i. Just like Jesus b. Dogs know that Jesus points to His Father’s Glory i. John 12: 27 – 28 1. Father – save these people from a horrible Hell 2. No 3. Father – glorify your name ii. John 12: 28b 1. You are right son it is about ME (Yahweh) c. God lives to glorify His name i. Does that sound right ii. It sounds a bit arrogant iii. We have a rule that explains this 1. A Rule that apply to the creation does not necessarily apply to the Creator. 2. Just like there are rules for parents and then there are rules for kids. 3. Kids have to eat their cereal in the kitchen. a. Mom says you have to do this be/cause you can’t handle it. i. You will make a mess of it. b. Dad can take cereal anywhere because he can handle it. c. II. Loyal Christians ask: Why would an Eternal God live for something so temporary? a. Angels:  Does God live for Angels i. More eternal than creation. ii. God lives to exalt angels? iii. Satan was an angel 1. He can give you whatever you want. 2. He is a liar. John 8:44 3. He is a destroyer of people 1 Peter 5: 8 4. Slanderer of God’s people Rev. 13: 6 5. Steal John 10: 10 6. Kill John 10: 10 7. Destroy John 10: 10 8. Self – centered Isaiah 14: 12, 13 9. Wants to take God’s place Isaiah 14: 14 10. Doesn’t repent Matt. 25: 41 iv. Would God live for that? 1. NO, so what’s next b. Humanity:  Does God live for humanity? i. What if God lives to exalt people ii. Insights on Humanity 1. Mankind Characteristics (matthew 7: 20, 21) a. Arrogance b. Evil Thoughts c. Sexual Immorality d. Theft e. Murder f. Green g. Malice h. Deceitful i. Adultery j. Lewdness k. Envy l. Slander m. Fine Print i. Man’s Heart is deceitful Jeremiah 17: 9 ii. Man’s Heart is Beyond Cure Jeremiah 17: 9 1. Who can understand it? iii. Man’s heart is Sinful at Birth 1. Psalm 51: 5 iv. Man’s Heart is full of evil 1. Ecclesiastes 19: 3 2. Are we worth living for …. NO a. God is not going to live for humanity. i. If we are so bad then why did he die for us. 1. He is full of mercy 2. He is love and loves unconditionally 3. We’re created in his image and redeeming his image. ii. God is living for Himself 1. why b/c if he upholds anything in life it will be His perfect qualities. 3. What God knows about himself a. Merciful b. Lord of Glory c. Great Physician d. Righteous One e. King of Kings f. Shelter fro the Storm g. The Architect and Builder of all Things h. Defender of the Widows i. God of Grace, Hope, Love j. Who Give Endurace k. Awesome God l. Helper of the Fatherless m. God who blots out the our trangesssions n. Alpha and Omega o. Maker of all things p. The good shepherd q. A faithful God r. Omniscient and Omnipotent s. Our very great reward t. Source of Eternal Salvation u. He holds the keys to the Gates of Hell v. Mark 10: 17 III. Why would God be any different a. He can live for himself and not sin b. The rules that apply to the creation does not apply to the creator c. Exodus 20: 5 i. Jealous God ii. A husband gets jealous when someone takes his rightful place. iii. We ask 1. Is God up there just waiting for someone to glorify Him? iv. Is He on some type of ego trip? v. He is self centered in a bad way vi. The real concern:  We wonder 1. Does god have a poor self image. 2. They basically think that there is no room for us. 3. People get worried when they start talking aobut God being jealous because they essentially feel that they are going to be left out. 4. Cain was Jealous of Abel – Murder 5. Tanya Harding was Jealous of Nacny Kerrigan – Crime vii. It seems as if there always something that negative that comes out of jealousy, but not so viii. 1 Corinthians 11: 2 1. There can be a godly jealousy. IV. God is not self seeking a. He constantly live for others.   GOD'S CAKE  Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God have to do this to me?" Here is a wonderful explanation! A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away. Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake." Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers. "Yuck" says her daughter. "How about a couple raw eggs?" "Gross, Mom!" "Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?" "Mom, those are all yucky!" To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful! God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart. If you like this, send this on to the people you really care about. I did. I hope your day is a "piece of cake!" Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance. i. But in order for God to exalt anything that is good, he must point to himself. 1. 1 Corinthians 13: 4,5 he isn’t proud, boastful, etc. ii. god says if there is any type of ethic to uphold, then it is mine. iii. Dog’s know that God is saying 1. And Because I am love a. I want to and will love uncon diontally b. I want to give sacrificially c. I will be merciful and give grace and peace to those I love d. I will do this because I am a jealous God. b. God will not live for temporary creation i. Humanity that is evil ii. Satan that is evil iii. He will live for himself because he is the only one that is Good. iv. God seeks to reveal His Glory. V. Lets “Run through the Bible” (Scriptures that show us that God is choosing to live for his own namesake.) ALL FOR GOD’S GLORY a. Chose Israel i. 2 Samuel 7: 23 b. Ten Plagues for Redemption i. Psalm 106: 7, 8 c. Choosing a King i. 1 Samuel 12: 19, 22 d. Protecting People in War i. 2 Kings 19: 34 e. Not Destroying Israel b/c of their disobedience i. Isaiah 48: 9 – 11 f. Bringing Israel back from captivity i. Ezekiel 36: 22 g. Forgiving Sin i. Psalm 25: 11 h. Psalm 31: 3 i. Our Purpose in Creation i. Isaiah 43: 6, 7 j. Our purpose i. 1 Peter 2: 9 k. Our Measuring Line is for God’s Glory i. Romans 3: 23 l. Bringing other to Christ i. 2 Corinthians 4: 15 VI. Cats have unknowingly rewritten the Lord’s Prayer a. Lord’s Prayer was written for our instruction on how to prayer i. Matthew 6: 9 – 13 1. Our father in heaven hallowed by my needs, my kingdom come, my way of serving you be done on earth as it should be done in heaven.  Give me today my wants and desires.  Forgive me my debts so that I can go to heaven.  And lead me not into temptation but deliver me from the evil one. b. Dog’s summary for life i. Romans 11: 36 1. From him, through him, to him – all things in life. 2. All of our life should exalt God. 3. Redefining all of life a. Everything needs to be recognized coming from Him, through Him and given to Him ii. God’s glory 1. Glory is any revelation or expression of His excellency in His presence, His creativity and / or His character. c. Everything in life is to point to God. i. Life’s outlook is to revolve around one topic – God’s glory. ii. Dog’s ask one question 1. WIGGS a. Where is God’s Glory Shining d. Work i. An opportunity to give god glory through the gifts and talents that he has given you. e. Marriage i. The commitment to reflect the glory of God to with and within one special person f. Parenting i. Reflecting the glory of God to children in your care and training them in the ways of his glory. g. Creation: i. Not stuff that God made 1. that has nothing to do with his glory ii. The display of God’s glory in three dimensions h. Righteousness i. A commitment to live out god’s glory, to uphold it value and see it spread to the ends of the earth. i. Sin i. Any action or thought that challenges God’s glory. j. The church i. The peole thought whome God wants to display His glory. 1. It is not a place that we go to get our needs met. k. Spiritual Gifts i. Special opportunities to reveal the glory of God through a unique talent that God has chosen to give you. l. Salvation i. Falling in Love with God’s Glory. m. Worship i. Radiating back to god his glory. n. Prayer i. Calling upon God to reveal his glory 1. Not simply to solve my problems

Cat and Dog Theology, part V Title:  How Can We Best Glorify God Psalm 3: 3 (NAS) But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. I. Delighting in God 3 But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. a. Not saying that the individual has glory because of God b. BUT c. You, being glorious, are my Lord. II. Depending on God 3 But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. a. Faith pleases God i. When Moses was leading the Israelite children out of bondage it took a great deal of faith. 1. Throughout Exodus you see that this faith pleased God. ii. There were times that God had to direct the faithful. 1. I know only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. – Martin Luther King, Jr. 2. Exodus 14: 15 – Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me?  Tell the sons of Israel to go forward” a. God had to straighten Moses focus. i. He was crying about the people, the danger, etc. 3. Before the children of Israel could leave the current problematic situation they had to journey through their Red Sea. a. On the other side of the Sea was the Promised Land. b. God doesn’t need you to serve c. To completely depend on God we must have understanding i. Illustration One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex was staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. It was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it. The seven year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the little boy, and said quietly, "Good morning, Alex." "Good morning, Pastor," replied the young man, still focused on the plaque. "Pastor, what is this?" "Well, son, it's a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service." Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque. Little Alex's voice was barely audible, trembling with fear, when he asked, "Which service, the 8:00 or the 10:00?" ii. without understanding fear sets in. iii. We need to understand who this God is and what He has created within us. III. Taking God to the Nations a. Why reaching “All Nations” magnifies the Glory of God. i. Matthew 28: 18 – 20 1. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." b. How do we take God to the Nations in Robertson County? i. Join a Connect Group 1. Connect groups have a Glocal Ministry.