Videos

Does Your Response Really Matter?

Posted on by Rob Collins in Blog, Messages, Videos

Response slide

“Does Your Response Really Matter?” I think most of us would agree that the answer to that question is YES! I am personally learning it’s not so much what others do, or how I feel about what they’ve done; what matters is, how I respond. One of the many things I have learned from this teaching is: “your response to me doesn’t affect me, unless I allow it to.” However it does affect you in regards to your future and your peace. Sometimes your response is more important than the offense that has happened to you. That’s because you can’t change the offense, but you can change your future by how you respond. Your level of maturity is seen in your response, not your retaliation.

Here are some notes from the teaching regarding Joseph being thrown in the pit and how he responded:

Joseph:

  • He responded in a Godly manner.
  • He saw the bigger picture.
  • He understood God was involved.
  • He blessed those who cursed him.

Joseph’s response to his “not so fortunate” circumstances promoted him while releasing God’s favor for him and also for those who created his unfortunate circumstances. A Godly response will release the favor of God in your life and in the lives of others.

Joseph’s response to the Pit, Potiphar’s wife and the Prison promoted him to the Palace. The Palace was a place that allowed him the opportunity to bless others. His response to those unfortunate situations promoted him to an opportunity of great fortune that empowered him to bless others.

It’s easier to respond in the proper way:

  • When you realize God has a plan.
  • When you know He is faithful.
  • When you believe His word is true.

Your response matters and it will release your future!

The Greatest of These…

Posted on by Rob Collins in 2 Minute Take Away, Blog, Messages, Videos

Click Text for Short Video Clip: the greatest is love

When you say nothing at all…

Do you ever feel like your words are not being heard? Have you ever felt like what you say isn’t making a difference? Whether you speak or whether you are silent; both must be done in love. We should all have a desire to speak the truth, but even the truth has to be spoken in love! However when we are silent most of the time it is done for manipulation through pouting. In Luke 19 Zacchaeus climbs a tree to see Jesus. When Jesus looks up and sees him He tells him to come down because He needs to go to his house today.

Zacchaeus was a crooked tax collector who cheated people out of money. Jesus knew it and Zacchaeus knew it, but nothing was ever spoken. And without one word “spoken” he repents and the fruit is restitution. He not only says he was wrong he tells Jesus he will give back with interests what he has stolen from the people.

Jesus never said a word about what Zacchaeus should or shouldn’t do or for that matter what he had  or hadn’t done. Zacchaeus repented without Jesus saying a word!  Moved by the audacity of Jesus’ undeserved love and acceptance, Zacchaeus publicly repented of his acts of corruption and vowed to make restitution for them, and held a feast at his house. I want you to know love is a two way street. Jesus received Zacchaeus just the way he was but Zacchaeus received Jesus into his home. Love has to be given, but it also must be received.

There is a lot of talk about law and love, grace and truth, love and grace. I want you to note Jesus never said anything about Zacchaeus’ wrongdoings but Jesus also never tried too justify what he had done as being ok. Jesus never said, “Thats o.k. Zacchaeus you don’t have to give back what you have taken.” No. He allowed him freedom but He also allowed him the opportunity to repent and be changed. It’s both! Love and grace, law and love, grace and truth.

Sometimes love speaks, sometimes love is silent, sometimes love presents the truth, but no matter how our actions are displayed it should always be done in love! If your words or silence are not done in love they will sound like a “*clanging cymbal” to the person who is receiving them. (*I Corinthians 13)

The way to know your speaking more “truth” than “love”:

1. When you want to prove your point more than resolve the issue.

2. When you want to be heard more than you want to hear.

3. When you want to be right more than you want a resolve.

4. When your ego is more important than the person’s need.

5. When you listen but don’t hear.

6. When your wrong but don’t recognize it.

7. When you are in the wrong but don’t admit it.

8. When you say the wrong thing at the wrong time in the wrong way.

9. When you talk so much people don’t value what you do say when you say something worth hearing.

10. When you consider how you feel more than how others feel.

Many of us speak the truth, but not in love. We speak more truth than love. Speak the truth, but do so in love. Say what you mean and mean what you say, but don’t be mean!

2 Minute Take Away – “A Father’s Love”

Posted on by Rob Collins in 2 Minute Take Away, Videos

The prodigal son is a familiar story to most of us. Luke calls him a lost son with a “prodigal” (wasteful) lifestyle. It is the story of two sons and a Father. The one son appears to be logical, sensible, obedient and faithful while the other son appears to be foolish and rebellious. The one son stays and faithfully works for his Father whereas the other son asks for his inheritance, leaves home spending every last penny of what was rightfully his on a rebelliously lavish lifestyle. The prodigal returned home, falling into the arms of a Father that ran to him. The Father ran toward his son, kissed him on the neck, receiving him back as his son. I preached this familiar story on Father’s day entitling the message: “A Father’s Love.” This video clip is the last sixty seconds of that message. Here are a few things that became revelation as I shared the message:

1. The story tells us the son “came to his senses” and desired to return home. It reveals there was a famine in the land and the lost son was in want. No one gave him anything. My feelings are if the boy wasn’t in want and there wasn’t a famine that had come on the land he might not have came to his senses and desired to return home. If there would have been plenty or someone would have provided for him he might have stayed in the current state of mind that he had been in; but instead he came to his senses and returned home. Lesson: Don’t despise the things that God might use. There are times when things could turn bad so one would seek what’s better and return home. He said, “My Father’s servants have it better than I do.”

2. One translation says, “He began thinking clearly again.” When he did, He said, “I will get up and go to my Father’ house. I will say, “I have sinned against heaven and I have sinned against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son, make me one of your servants.” The most amazing thing about what he had rehearsed out loud to say to his father was, he never got to finish what he was going to say. He said, “I have sinned against heaven and earth and I have sinned against you.” He also said, “I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But before he could get the last words out of his mouth, which would have been, “make me one of your servants.” The Father said, “Quick, bring the robe and put it on him!” “Put the ring on his finger and the sandals on his feet, my son has returned home!” Lesson: Sin doesn’t change God it changes us. Before the son could ever get the words out of his mouth, ” make one of your servants” the Father called him son. God has made us worthy through the works of Christ. The works of God’s grace redeems us. The love of God in us produces “good works” that glorify Him and edifies one another. Grace is not a “free ticket” to do what we please, it is an empowering work that enables us to do what pleases the Father. Note: It says the servant “put” the robe, the ring and the sandals “on” the son. In order for that to happen the son had to lift his foot, extend his arms and open his hand. You can’t stand in rebellion with stiff arms and a closed hand and receive the provisions of grace. God in Christ has made us worthy.

3. The Ring, The Robe, The Sandals and The “Fatted Calf”. The passage says. “bring the “best” robe, and put it on him.” A robe would have brought warmth and comfort. It would have been a new covering. The ring would have represented family and identity, it would have probably been a family heirloom and might have even had a family crest engraved on it. The sandals would have represented sure footing and walking in the new things which were ahead of him; walking into the promises of God and out of the mess of man. The “fatted” calf would have spoken of the “abundance” of God’s provision. Lesson: God in Christ clothes us in His righteousness, gives us His identity, and empowers us to walk in His love and grace while receiving the provision of His promises all along the way.

The Father’s love never changed. He loved His son who stayed, and He loved His son who returned Home. The son who had been faithful didn’t rejoice in his brother’s return home. The passage says the Father tells the angry son that what He was doing was the right thing to do. God is righteous. Sometimes what we view as not being fair might be a “matter of the heart” and an overflow of our attitude. You might need to learn to extend grace. Not because you agree or understand, but because you might need it extended in your time of need as well. The Father says, “my son was lost but now he is found, he was dead and now he is alive again!” Anyone who has experienced the “Father’s Love” can say, “I once was lost but now I’m found, I was blind, but now I see!”