Transformed Episode #058 – The Trust Test: 2

Posted on February 21, 2009 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Trusting God is a process of removing our self-dependence. When we desire to trust God more, he initiates an amazing transformation, a ‘purging process’ which Pastor Jim Cymbala describes in his book, “Break Through Prayer” …

“This purging process rids us of self-dependence so that our faith can remain solely in God. It refines us of self-indulgence so we can walk in holiness. It deepens our surrender to God’s will in preference to other more convenient options. And the experience reminds us that God’s grace is sufficient as we wait for the fulfillment of his word. We must accept that many breakthroughs are not instantaneous. Instead, they place us in the refiner’s fire. Yet the Lord’s purpose is not to diminish but to abundantly bless us in the end!”

As we complete our series ‘The Trust Test’, we will also finish understanding the ways in which we can learn how to trust God more completely from our study of Proverbs 3.  The series wraps up with a message entitled, “The Trust Test – Part 2.”

As the hearts of a nation grew increasingly fearful back in October of 2008, Pastor Matt continued to encourage the people of First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes, California to step out in faith and demonstrate their trust in God.

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Sign Seekers!

Posted on February 17, 2009 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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“Doubt is the gangrene of the soul.”

~ In His Image

We seem to be surrounded by skeptics and doubters these days! But that has always been the case. Many desire no one to give them wisdom or provide them direction in life. Their banner call is simple: “We will have no one rule over us!”

Some will put up a false front, seeking to draw us across a line. They will believe, they say, IF God will do them a favor … a private miracle! Jesus was confronted by such unbelief and leveled such nonsense with pure truth …

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here. “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.” Matthew 12:38-45 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We refuse to fall into the traps of the skeptics!

All too often we spend a great deal of time on people who are, in reality, insincere. We fall into the trap that ‘questions equal interest.’ Our task, as ‘eagle leaders’, is to complete the mission … to proclaim Jesus Christ. One of the most distracting and time wasting efforts is trying to convert a skeptic.

Jesus’ strategy was simple … give skeptics pure truth and move on when there is no interest. Reread Jesus’ words and see His clarity in this. We become eagle leaders when we, too, model the same strategy!

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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Transformed Episode #057 – The Trust Test: Part 1

Posted on February 14, 2009 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

“Fighting for your time, your place, your voice, or your importance will always hinder your effectiveness in the great house of God. If you are faithful with what belongs to somebody else, God will give you’re your own. The testing ground is when you are being a loyal steward over what belongs to someone else. These are the silent years, the needful precious, unseen years. The silent years bring a depth of devotion that cannot be found in ‘quick fixes.’ Silent years that are done well build a foundation of trust between yourself and the Lord that is not easily shaken.” As Darlene Zschech

In Part 3 of our series ‘The Trust Test’ we start understanding the ways that we can learn to trust God more completely.

Our study of Proverbs 3 continues with a message entitled, “The Trust Test – Part 1.”

As the darkness of the financial meltdown in the United States grew, Pastor Matt continued to encourage the people of First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes, California on October 19th, 2008 to deepen their trust in God, despite the torrent of bad news.

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Conflict and Accusation!

Posted on February 10, 2009 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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“To be confident is to act in faith.”

~ Bernard Bynion

If you have attempted anything in ministry, you know all about conflict! It seems like the greatest obstacle to forward movement is the possibility of change. When we try to do something for the glory of God, almost inevitably, someone steps up and assigns evil motives to our actions.

Jesus was no stranger to conflict and accusation. Fear grows in the hearts of those who are challenged by changes they neither like nor can explain. Listen as Jesus is blistered by another barrage …

Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.” And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.” So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house. “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”– because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.” Mark 3:20-30 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We confront our accusers with the foolishness of their assertions.

The attack upon Jesus – Jesus mind you – was nothing less than incredible! In the parallel passage, Jesus asks these scribes, “And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.” Matthew 12:27 (NKJV) When Jesus deals with this problem, he goes right to the heart of the issue.

Those who serve God’s plan know that major changes bring major opposition! Resolving these attacks is not always possible with those who fear our ministry. Our task is to stay focused on our mission and clarify the accusation so that all know its credibility or lack thereof.

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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Transformed Episode #056 – Trust: The Key to Successful Living

Posted on February 7, 2009 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Jerry Bridges reminds us, “Trust is not a passive state of mind. It is a vigorous act of the soul by which we choose to lay hold of the promises of God and cling to them despite the fear that at times seeks to overwhelm us.”

Continuing our 4-part series entitled ‘The Trust Test’, Dr. Matthew Lee Smith digs deeper into Proverbs 3 to discover the fact: We can trust God! 

We continue exploring God’s faithfulness from Proverbs 3 today with a message entitled, “Trust – the Key to Successful Living.”

As the waves of recession brought deepening numbers to the stock market back on October 12th, 2008, Pastor Matt encouraged the people of First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes, California to trust God, despite the desperate headlines.

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Transformed Enhanced Episode #055 – Trusting God in Turbulent Times

Posted on February 7, 2009 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

This is a special iTunes/iPod ENHANCED podcast. This podcast contains the PowerPoint slides that Pastor Matt uses during his sermons so you can follow along in iTunes or with your iPod. You can subscribe to this podcast by clicking here or you can subscribe via iTunes.

Foreclosures, bankruptcies, and dwindling retirement accounts seem to be all the news these days. Everyone seems to be hurting these days. The recession has tested the limits of many people’s faith.

Dr. Matthew Lee Smith encourages our hearts to ‘trust in the Lord with all our hearts’ in the midst of these turbulent times as we begin a 4-part series entitled ‘The Trust Test.’

Today we begin exploring God’s faithfulness from Proverbs 3 with a message entitled, “Trusting God in Turbulent Times.”

This message was first given at First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes, California on October 5th, 2008 – just as the waves of recession were sinking major financial institutions across the nation.

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Special Conference Discount for Our Pastor Friends!

Posted on February 5, 2009 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

We have an exciting offer from Moody Bible Institute’s Pastors Conference and Eagles in Leadership. As a friend of Eagles in Leadership, Tommy Lee, Special Assistant to the President has increased his original generous offer! Now …

Save $50 on conference registration!

As you know, Moody Pastors Conference will be May 18-21, 2009 in Chicago at the Institute. Tommy has offered us the following …

Special Deal for Eagles in Leadership

Save $50 on conference registration!

Early Bird Registration (Until March 1, 2009): $150! (Register by 3/1/09) Regularly $200

Regular (After March 1, 2009): $180 (Register after 3/1/09) Regularly $230

Housing and Meals: $180 Regularly $180

In order to obtain the discount, please us the following promotional code when you register:

Promo Code: EAGLES

You can register at:

http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaID=168674

Or call 888-824-8246 (Visa or MasterCard)

Remember: May 18-21, 2009 – Chicago, IL

As this event is designed for men in the pastorate, registration for the conference, housing, and meals are available only to men. Pastors’ wives may attend the general sessions (not breakout sessions) without charge or registration.

Please be sure to forward this information to anyone you think would be interested!

A Word about This Year’s Conference

This year promises to be one of the best conferences in years! I am very excited about this conference and hope you will seriously consider coming. I know you will be greatly encouraged and uplifted. Note some of the following features:

Speakers to include the following:

Michael Easley, Voddie Baucham, John Piper, Chip Ingram, John Perkins, Henry Blackaby, John MacArthur, Crawford Loritts, Andy Crouch, Elmer Towns, Mark Mittelberg, Del Tackett, T.M. Moore, Colin Smith, David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons of unChrisitian.

New breakout tracks:

There is a choice between the typical track or new, directed tracks from which you can choose: Preaching, ALPHA, Justice and Compassion, and Culture and Worldview

Special Lunches:

There will also be Special Lunches with Speakers, called ‘Lunch and Learns’.

Incredible Giveaways!

Don’t miss this: You will receive approximately 25 books at this conference!

There is a bigger exhibition hall (in the Solheim Center) with 80 organizations!

There will also be other giveaways at the exhibition hall (these are random giveaways):

Baker Baker Exegetical Commentary (x 2)

New Testament Use of the Old Testament (x 25)

Zondervan NIV Application Commentary (New and Old Testament)

The Expositors Bible Commentary

Moody Publishers John MacArthur Commentary Set

Ryrie Study Bible (x 5)

Logos Logos Silver Edition (x 2)

Thomas Nelson MacArthur Personal Size Study Bible (x 12)

Blackaby Study Bible (x 5)

Word Biblical Commentary Hardcover (x 2)

Word Biblical Commentary CD – Rom (x 8.)

Crossway ESV Study Bibles

You can learn more about the conference at: http://www.moodyconferences.com/con_conferencemain.aspx?id=9438

It is my sincere hope that I will see you at Moody Pastor’s Conference May 18-21, 2009! Please take advantage of the discount Tommy has provided us.

If you have any questions, please contact me by replying to this post. I would love to know if you are planning to attend.

Please be sure to forward this information to anyone you think would be interested!

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Leaders and Their Followers!

Posted on February 3, 2009 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Feel free to forward this to a friend!

“A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.”

~ Roselyn Carter

My friend, John Maxwell, often reminds us that if you want to test your leadership, just turn around and see who is following you. Those leaders who have no one following them are just out for a walk. As I looked at my leadership and noticed the hundreds of people who have chosen to ‘follow my leadership’ through my local ministry, my web-based leadership training and my personal prayer partners, I was humbled by God’s goodness.

Jesus’ life and ministry demonstrates how important it is to lead people. Looking at his ministry we note that there was a core of people who followed and supported Jesus …

Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities–Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance. Luke 8:1-3 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We enjoy the company of a small group of committed friends to journey with us in the completion of our mission and passion.

Jesus was surrounded by ‘the twelve’ – men who had forsaken all to follow Jesus. These men demonstrate Jesus’ quality of leadership – they followed because they believed the man and his mission were more important that their own lives and pursuits.

You will also notice that there was a core group of women who had experienced the life-changing work of Jesus’ ministry in their lives. These women ‘bought into’ the ministry in two key ways … they followed Jesus and they supported him financially.

Leadership is all about followers. Jesus shows us how to gain a following by focusing on a mission greater than the lives of those we minister to. When that mission impacts a life in a monumental manner, another follower is born!

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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Transformed Enhanced Episode #054 – Accomplishing Your Mission … No Matter What

Posted on February 1, 2009 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Welcome to our new iTunes/iPod ENHANCED podcast. This podcast contains the PowerPoint slides that Pastor Matt uses during his sermons so you can follow along in iTunes or with your iPod. If you have any questions about how this works please email us at transformedpodcast-at-gmail.com

There is a poem that reads …

“When you enter that beautiful city,

and the saved all around you appear.

What joy when someone will tell you,

it was you who invited me here.”

Accomplishing our mission of telling the world of the love of God through Jesus Christ is what this episode is all about. In “accomplishing your mission … no matter what!” Dr. Matthew Lee Smith explores the six needs every Christ-follower has in order to accomplish your God-given mission.

As you open your Bible to Acts 18, let’s join Pastor Matt as he teaches the congregation at First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes, California today …

Sponsor: Try GotoMyPC free for 30 days! For this special offer, visit www.GotoMyPC.com/podcast

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Looking for the Acts of Faith!

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Feel free to forward this to a friend!

“To disbelieve is easy; to scoff is simple; to have faith is harder.”

~ Louis L’Amour

America is filled with talkers about Jesus! We talk about our church. We talk about our faith. We go to services and attend studies. But what is the end of all this supposed to be?

Jesus ran across a marvelous specimen of religiosity one evening. Invited to dinner at the home of a very devout man, the following exchange took place …

Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” Luke 7:36-50 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We deepen our affection for Jesus through demonstrable actions, and stop looking down on those who do – despite their previous background.

When the local fornicator dropped by to express her repentant faith, the devout religious man was critical. (Usually our lack of faith can be seen in our ability to criticize another.) While the Pharisee judged the woman (and Jesus!) he truly showed how distant his heart was from God!

Faith is demonstrated by our actions! The more we love Jesus, the more we demonstrate it. Our compassion should monitor our thought processes carefully. We are looking for faith … in anyone … nothing less or else; especially in ourselves.

© 2009 B

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