Teaching Outline Week 1

November 5, 2013November 12, 2013mikej2013 3 Comments

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

Jesus’ Superiority and His Role as

Savior and High Priest/King

Hebrews 1:1–14

Outline

Vs. 1-4 Introduction:

Possible problem in the church regarding angels

Jesus is Superior

Vs. 5-13 How is Jesus Superior?

Vs 5 (Psalm 2:7) (2 Samuel 7:14)

Jesus is the Son of God in a way that no angel ever was or is…

Vs 6 (Deuteronomy 32:43)

Jesus is not an angel; He is worshipped by angels…

Vs 7-9 (Psalm 104:4) (Psalm 45:6-7)

Jesus is not an angel, He is God… (Trinity)

Vs 10-12 (Psalm 102:25-27)

Jesus is not an angel; He is the Eternal Creator of all things…

Vs 13 (Psalm 110:1)

Jesus is not an angel; He is a Reigning, Victorious King!

Vs. 14 So what are angels?

They worship Jesus and do His bidding. (vs 6)
They serve God’s people and help us reach salvation. (vs 14)

LIFE APPLICATION:

So what does this have to do with my joy?

You worship Eternal, Victorious Perfection.

The universe is filled with helpers.

Save the Date

October 30, 2013mikej2013 1 Comment

New Bible Study

Beginning Wednesday, November 6th

11:45 am and 6:00 pm

THE JOY IN RESPONSIBILITY

An in-depth study of the book of HEBREWS

Plan to join us! If you attend the 11:45 am study bring your lunch; the 6:00 pm study bring your dinner. Feel free to kill two birds with one stone…. Have you ever felt like the amount of responsibility in life is a heavy burden? Ever wondered how the Bible can ask you to be “joyful in everything”? Lets explore this life changing principle together!

Please call or email and let us know which study you will attend. Call Mike at (602) 321-6695 or email m.jones@patriarchproject.com .

Also: If you can’t join us in person, we will be broadcasting the study via “GoToMeeting”. You can sign in on your pc or mac or call on the phone and listen in…even participate! Call or email for details.

PATRIARCH PROJECT

138 S HAMILTON PLACE, GILBERT, AZ 85233

Directions: Located in Elliot Commerce Park, on Elliot Road between Arizona Ave. and McQueen.

The Man Behind the Curtain

October 15, 2013mikej2013 Leave a comment

“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain”

Children of all ages quaked as they watched Dorothy; clinging to her friends, tremble down that massive hallway toward the booming voice of a glowing wizard. We feared we may never breathe again until Toto revealed the secret. The great and powerful OZ didn’t look so great once we had a peek behind the curtain.

That little man was working like crazy to support the false image of greatness. He frantically pushed buttons and turned wheels to make the sights and sounds that impressed his audience.

The smoke and mirrors and the bold and bombing commands of the wizard did Dorothy and her friends little good. Those things sent them on a frightening journey for a witch’s broom when their only goal was to find their way home.

Now, you would think that the moral of this story is: “Just be yourself.” In fact, Dorothy was told that she possessed the power to get home all along. Click your heels three times, and make a wish and back home again!

It is always a good idea to avoid pretending you’re something that you’re not. However, it’s not a good idea to just be you. After all, if the wizard thought being true to self was a good idea he wouldn’t have been found behind the curtain in the first place.

The Bible says pretending and being oneself are not acceptable to the life of a believer. Consider the words of the prophet Isaiah.

Say to those who have an anxious heart,

“Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance,

with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.

Isaiah 35:4-6 (ESV)

Dorothy was trying to get home. In a wondrous land over the rainbow, Dorothy realized the truth. Home was the place where she is loved. Home was the placed where she serves. Home was the place that gives her purpose. In other words, Dorothy was trying to find joy.

Dorothy knew her joy would be complete once she found her way home.

Unlike the movie, the Bible teaches that joy can be found only in the God of the Bible.

Dorothy was responsible for all her friends. At times she was called upon to give wisdom to the scarecrow and a heart of courage to the tin man and lion. That’s a heavy load to bear. That’s real responsibility.

As a leader, you are responsible for others. It’s in that responsibility that a profound joy is found but only if you experience it through the truth of the Bible.

Our journey begins Wednesday, November 6^th. We will meet at 11:45 am and 6:00 pm. Bring your lunch or dinner. Join with others as we learn to navigate God’s plan for our lives.

We are here for you Monday through Friday 8am – 5pm. Schedule a time on any of those days, at any hour, to study God’s Word. Create your own small group. Business leaders, bring your employees. Parents, bring your family and your neighbors. We will be happy to customize a time and a study to meet your needs.

You can come to us or we can come to you (via the internet). If you are one of our out-of-state friends or just can’t get everyone to Gilbert at one time, we will be happy to schedule a goToMeeting conference using your pc or mac.

Contact Pastor Mike at (602) 321-6695 or m.jones@patriarchproject.com.

My Card

September 23, 2013mikej2013 2 Comments

A very wise mentor once said, “Only ask advice from those who have your best interest in mind.” Now your first reaction to this statement might be, “Duh, that’s not profound, everyone does that already! I never ask advice from my enemies.”

Before you write off this statement allow me to point out some of its deeper meaning. The key lies in knowing who has your best interest in mind.

I’ll make my point with this example:

A high school graduate stands at a crossroads decision. “Where will I go to college?” He seeks and receives advice from two trusted sources. His parents are very successful doctors from one of the country’s finest medical schools. Desiring that their son follow in their footsteps, they strongly encourage their alma mater.

The graduate’s two best friends in the world are going to a sleepy little college nestled in the Appalachian mountains. Being a respectable school with a regional reputation, the two friends encourage the graduate to keep the tradition going…the three musketeers conquering the world together.

Two trusted sources encouraging two opposing paths. Both the parents and the friends love the graduate. All desire a successful future for him. However, both futures are biased, based on the personal desires of the advisors.

We are faced with these types of decisions throughout life. Especially those ordained to lead. Think of how often a business owner is faced with making major decisions. Is it time to hire and expand? It is time to cut back and downsize? Should I buy that business? Should I sell my business? The list is endless.

It is always a good idea to talk over life changing decisions with your spouse and close family members. It is even a good idea to talk with your peers. However, one must realize that these people always begin the advice with their own biased desires.

That’s why you need a pastor. That’s why business owners need a pastor even if you don’t consider yourself a particularly “religious” person. You need a point of view from someone who seeks your best interest from a Biblical perspective without personal bias.

There is nothing wrong with making an appointment to discuss specific issues and seek answers. But the best answers are the ones found while studying the Bible together. I can’t tell you the number of times a business leader has said they discovered the answer to a perplexing problem right in the middle of the Bible study. I wasn’t even aware that there had been a question. The Bible has answers, period. It is trustworthy. It is truth.

I pray that you’ll join my study in the Word of God starting in November. We will begin with the topic “The Joy in Responsibility”.

Oh, by the way, my card…

Blessings,

Pastor Mike

New Home

September 19, 2013mikej2013 4 Comments

138 S Hamilton Place, Gilbert, AZ 85233

Welcome to the new home of Patriarch Project. We are just beginning to move in. The Lord has provided a great location to hang our hat and get to the business of ministry. We are located in the Elliot Commerce Park, a prime business location at the crossroads of Arizona Ave. and Elliot.

Our space includes two offices, a kitchenette, restrooms, and a great meeting hall that will be home to Bible studies and Worship services. Our new space will comfortably seat 100.

Front Door

I am often asked the question, “Wait a minute… are you a church or a business?” The answer is YES! With the Lord’s help we hope to touch the lives of the estimated 2,000 folks that settle into their daily routines of earning a living on the four corners that surround us.

As a church we will focus on the Word of God. Our goal is to have regularly scheduled Bible studies during the week that fit the schedules of the business owners and their employees. We envision beginning our studies with a Wednesday evening Bible study. As we begin to network with those around us and better understand their schedules and needs, times of studies, prayer and counseling will be organized during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm).

As a business we will focus on the Word of God. (Did you pickup on the focus on the Word of God part?) We will be busy earning a living just like those we serve. The world’s best business management manual is the Bible. We will use it as our guide and teach its principles to others. Patriarch Project is about leadership and legacy…God’s way.

We pray that those who are seeking the truth in life and business will find our front door open and inviting.

Patriarch Project isn’t just for our neighbors at the business park; all are invited to join us. Many of our wonderful friends from ministry past will be faithfully attending and serving along side us. Our goal is to stream our studies live on this website to enable our out-of-state friends and associates to participate.

We hope to begin our first Bible study in November! Until then, there’s a lot of work to do. We will keep you posted, so stay tuned…

Hey, what’s this cost?

July 6, 2013mikej2013 2 Comments

Have you ever made fun of Jesus’ disciples? Have you ever found yourself studying the Gospel passages, or worse, teaching the same, and declare in your thoughts… “Will you look at these guys, they are nearly clueless; what knuckle-heads.”

If you, like me, have found yourself dwelling with the Pharisees in “self-righteous town” ponder this…

…and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. –Matthew 4:22

Now face a second question, “have you ever done that? Left everything you’ve spent most of your adult life building; wife, kids, home, career …”

The best part of life is time spent in the center of God’s will. I can attest to the joy experienced when the call is heard and obeyed. However, I can’t think of a single time of following the call that didn’t take me out of my comfort zone.

In a very small way, I taste what it’s like to leave the ones you love behind each time I head to the airport. There is a profound sense of loss each time I watch the Phoenix valley grow small looking out the airplane window.

I have a cell phone and an iPad. I visit with my wife and family often while away from home. Although it’s nothing like being there, electronic gatherings numb the pain of separation. The disciples didn’t have this luxury.

I can’t think of a group of men who experienced a greater sense of joy as they sat at the feet of Jesus and later built the church and lived the Gospel life. And I can’t think of a group of men who experienced a greater sense of loss as they left everything to do so.

They lived life on this swinging pendulum. It must have been exhausting. No wonder they couldn’t stay awake in Gethsemane.

I now look at the disciples with a profound sense of awe, not in the disciples, but in a Savior that could sustain a group of men like them, like me.

New Logo!

June 22, 2013mikej2013 3 Comments

Our new logo depicts our ministry and passion to raise up Godly leaders! Networking, Mentoring, and Missions! It’s “Grandfather, Father, Son” image reflects our efforts to build a “legacy” for the Kingdom of God.

Week nineteen (What happened?)

May 26, 2013mikej2013 1 Comment

Week nineteen? What happened to weeks 10 through 18? I’m asking myself that same question. Weeks are flying by! Much has happened.

Ok, here’s the scoop… I am still in West Virginia helping manage my brother’s company and learning the fire safety industry. It’s had challenges, but for the most part I’ve had great fun. It’s been many years since I held down an eight-to-five job. Members of the church congregation would often tease me about only working one hour a week as pastor. I speak with first hand authority when I say that working a steady 50 hour work week is a piece of cake compared to being a pastor of a church.

Since we last spoke I attended a trade show in Atlantic City where I met a number of manufacturer’s reps for the first time and had the privilege of networking with other fire safety distributors. I had the opportunity of speaking with a business owner that travels all over the world consulting and installing specialty fire suppression equipment. It opened my eyes to international networking. That was exciting!

In addition, I traveled to beautiful Marinette, Wisconsin (where?) to attend one of the world’s premier fire schools. Spending a week blowing stuff up, setting things on fire, and then putting them out with some really great fire suppression equipment is every little boy’s dream vacation. I learned more at one week of fire school than all other weeks combined. There is no substitute for hands-on training. I had the opportunity to fight every kind of fire imaginable. From basic spill fires to an entire factory section engulfed in flames…it was challenging and great fun.

With everything going on and the amount of travel I’ve been doing (including a couple of trips back to AZ to see the family), I decided to take a break from blogging. Some of the routine weeks would make for really boring blogs anyway.

Now that I have fire school under my belt, I had the opportunity last week to assist in holding a fire safety training session for one of our ‘Oil and Gas Energy Field’ customers. It was a reminder of how passionate I am about teaching. I deeply miss teaching the Gospel. I look forward to the time when I’ll be teaching on a regular basis again.

Faithfulness

May 25, 2013May 26, 2013mikej2013 Leave a comment

The accounts of the greatest businessmen throughout history aren’t found in the classrooms or libraries of prestigious business schools or on the shelves at Barnes and Noble. I submit that they are found in the Bible.

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah managed Babylon as skillfully as the best Wall Street has to offer today.

After a hostile takeover of their country, these four refugees were enrolled in the Babylonian school of management. (Daniel 1:1-6) God’s hand of favor rested upon them, not because of what they could do but because of who they were. (Daniel 1:8-9)

For three years they studied. God gave them exemplary skills in all literature, languages, and wisdom. (Daniel 1:17) Finally it was time for their job interview. The boss found them intellectually head and shoulders above their peers. (Daniel 1:20)

Daniel and his three colleagues outperformed all others as they climbed the corporate ladder. (Daniel 2:48-49) The employees hated taking a back seat to these Judean outcasts. They schemed for any damaging evidence against Daniel’s exemplary record. But they found no legitimate charge. So the disgruntled employees made a very interesting statement that initiated one of the most famous scenes in the Bible…

Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for compliant against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for compliant or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for compliant against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”

(Daniel 6:4-5, ESV)

The employees tricked Daniel’s boss into making a bogus rule that conflicted with Daniel’s faithfulness to pray three times each day. (Daniel 6:6-7) Daniel would never stop praying therefore he was cast into the mailroom aka the Lion’s Den. In this pit, we find the only act of faithfulness greater than Daniel’s, that being, the faithfulness of Daniel’s God. (Daniel 6:16-23)

The boss witnessed the power of God to save his faithful servant Daniel. He also saw the deceit and wickedness of his employees. They were immediately discharged along with their families. (Daniel 6:24)

The dramatic image of Daniel surrounded by fierce lions was not the main point of this text. The strongest and most feared force was, and still is, FAITHFULNESS.

It was the faithful relationship Daniel had with his God that secured Daniel’s position in the Babylonian empire. This relationship would remain strong as long as Daniel lived. This truth enraged the employees. The fear of knowing they could never rise above this godly manager was the cause of their murderous scheme.

As Daniel spent time with God in prayer, his trust and faith grew. That faithfulness spilled out to all aspects of his life, including his management position in the kingdom. Daniel’s office walls most likely were covered with Employee of the Year plagues.

I imagine Daniel turned away from those accolades and on bended knees looked out the eastern window while he prayed to his God. God’s faithfulness to Daniel, and to us, is a power beyond understanding. Like Daniel, our faithfulness can only grow as we encounter God in prayer and His Word.

It’s not about what we can do. It’s about who we are. Be faithful to the Gospel and see faith shut the mouths of lions, aka our enemies.

Week nine (smorgasbord)

March 15, 2013mikej2013 3 Comments

Americans make a host of choices every day. Our lives are a smorgasbord. When its time to re-stock the pantry, we can shop at any of a dozen grocery stores. Once the grocer is selected we have hundreds of items and brands from which to choose. Not many Americans like the thought of having only one choice. If one brand doesn’t meet our expectations we simply move on to the next. It’s the American way. From gasoline to cell phones, we demand the right to choose.

There is at least one time in America when having choices cause anxiety. For a Christian, being in the center of God’s will is the ultimate goal. One of the most asked questions I experience as a pastor is, “How do I know what God’s will is?” When faced with more than one path, the Christian gets anxious. Two or three job offers often sends the Christian into a tail spin. After discussing all the options and talking over the details, more often than not I will hear, “I just wish God would tell me what to do. He could just write the answer on my bathroom mirror. Why doesn’t he?”

First, I don’t know any theological reason why God would write on anyone’s mirror. Second, think about how lazy that statement sounds. What a Christian is really saying when demanding God give a quick, easy to follow answer by writing it on their bathroom mirror is this… “God I don’t have time to dig deep into your Word. I don’t have the strength to cry out and wait. I AM HOPELESSLY OUT OF SHAPE SPIRITUALLY. I’m not like the psalmist who loves to meditate on the things of You day and night. I am a lazy American Christian…I want what I want…now please!”

Week nine has presented a host of options to pray through and consider. How will I know the Lord’s will? Prayer and the Word…fasting…spiritual disciplines…and, like the psalmist, crying out to a holy and just God. It’s hard work. But it’s a labor of love.

By the way, did I mention trust? Listen to this story that tells of a time in Abraham’s life when he had to make a choice and did so knowing God’s word and resting in the fact that he could trust God….

Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. ²And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, ³that I may make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, ⁴but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” ⁵The servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” ⁶Abraham said to him, “See to it that you do not take my son back there. ⁷The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. ⁸But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there.” ⁹So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.

(Genesis 24:1-9, ESV)

Here are some facts regarding this passage… Based on Abraham’s knowledge of God’s Word, he knew Isaac needed a wife; she couldn’t be a Canaanite; Isaac couldn’t leave the promised land; his wife would come from Abraham’s family in Macedonia. (All of this knowledge came from Abraham loving to talk with God…my point, if you don’t love to talk to God day by day, you won’t be ready to make a choice tomorrow.)

Now Abraham takes this knowledge and makes a decision. “I’ll send my servant.” (vs 4) The servant agrees to go but asks, “But what if she won’t come?” (vs 5) Abraham says, “Don’t worry, the Lord will send His angel before you! But, if I’m wrong you are no longer obligated.” (vs 8-9)

Abraham was not absolutely certain of his decision; but, based on his history with God and the knowledge of His Word, he was very, very confident. So he said to his servant, “listen, my dear servant, I am as confident about this decision as anything I have ever done. So you go. And take heart: the Lord will send his angel before you.”

This is a beautiful pattern for us to follow…

Know God so well that you can understand the facts of life as God sees them.
Align your plans with those facts.
Take bold steps knowing God is with you!

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