Faith Fight Sermon 1

From the heart and desk of Shane Coppock

Faith Fighters

week 1

Spirit VS. Body

We are all in a fight. Within each of us , according to the fashion of our created being , there forever will remain a constant struggle. The battle between Body, made of this earth, and Spirit, given by and eternally connected to God. Our Spirit longs passionately for what is right yet our body fights against it. We want to be free, healthy, spiritual, prosperous, successful, at peace. But this fight seems to be a lost cause, or is it? Is FREEDOM worth fighting for? Is my health, sanity, family, purity, success, influence, reputation, really worth fighting for? Yes! Within each of us is a FIGHTER. Listen to the words of Paul to young Timothy at the time nearing his own death,

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race and I have remained faithful.

And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness...2^nd Timothy 4.6-8 N.L.T.

Do those words not awaken the fighter in your spirit? I know they do! So, Let the journey begin!

We are ALL in a FIGHT not a WAR

Paul writes to the church in Galatia of this FIGHT in Galatians 5.16-17:

Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. N.L.T.

The enemy is Satan. We are not our own worse ENEMY, as the saying goes, but we are in a FIGHT with an OPPONENT.

The Spirit VERSUS The Body...In other words the Spirit of Man opposes the Body of Man.

We must KNOW our opponent. How can we tell if the Spirit or the Body is winning this fight? The bible makes it clear. From Galatians chapter five we will see exactly how clear we can understand and determine who is winning this fight in our own lives.

It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: MSG Gal. 5

The Body is representative of SELF:

SELF wants what it wants, when it wants, how it wants, or SELF is not HAPPY.

SELF is fighting SPIRIT

SPIRIT is fighting SELF, & one is WINNING! (read Gal. 5 MSG.)

16 Specific Tactics of the Body's Attack on the Spirit.

These tactics show us how to determine who is winning...

1. Repetitive (always doing the same thing never challenges us we will always lose)
2. Loveless, cheap sex (Any type of sexual activity outside of marriage is immoral to the Christ follower)
3. A stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage (The enemy wants to crowd your mind & make you more emotional than spiritual)
4. Frenzied and Joyless grabs for Happiness; (Happiness again an emotion that is temporary is found in temporary “things”)
5. Trinket gods; (trusting in little things for hope answers and help.)
6. Magic-Show Religion (Smoke and mirrors demonstrations that only occur in certain settings)
7. Paranoid Loneliness; ( If you cannot stand to be alone, you are losing a great battle.)
8. Cutthroat Competition ( Doing “Anything” to be better than others )
9. All-consuming-yet-never-satisfied Wants; (From want to want you live)
10. A brutal temper; (Your anger is also an emotion an enemy of the spirit it is temporary but its results can be eternal)
11. An impotence to love or be loved; (mistrust, and unhealed hurt causes you to build walls of protection to avoid more pain )
12. Divided homes and divided lives; (The family is one way the bible teaches about the church. Divide the home, divide the church. Divide the life divide the influence )
13. Small-minded and lopsided pursuits; ( a journey to no-where will always keep you away from a journey to somewhere)
14. The vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; (Viewing everyone elses weaknesses but our own)
15. Uncontrolled and Uncontrollable Addictions; (Doing the wrong thing takes away the time it takes to do the right thing)
16. Ugly Parodies of Community. (laughing and joking of the one thing that God has created within his church)
    And I Could Go On..........

But what happens when we live God's way? Galatians 5. MSG

How I can FIGHT SELF?

We Train to Fight Self (Planning Preparation)

1. involved in loyal commitments,
2. not needing to force our way in life,
3. able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Training (preparation & planning) to FIGHT self by daily practicing discipline, self-control, and delayed gratification.

Three areas we Strengthen By Fighting Self.

1. a willingness to stick with things,
2. a sense of compassion in the heart,
3. and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people.
   Endurance is achieved through loyalty, passion, and personal experience.

Three Prizes we achieve By Fighting Self.

1. affection for others,
2. exuberance about life
3. serenity
   We win when our concern for others becomes as great as that of ourselves, we love our life, and we are at peace each night we lie down.

Closing Scripture:

 23-24Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.

 25-26Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

* The winner of this fight determines where our soul will reside. 

Food! Yum!

So, time is always an issue. I really do not at all like going out to eat, paying more money for food than it is worth, and then getting sloppy service. But, what is a man to do when he has little time, his daughter has a busy schedule, and he and his wife are in a hurry to get back to the office? So, we go to the closest best place for everything we needed. One stop shop right?
So, It is January 26th 2011, and the next day my daughter will be 18. We cannot do the regular tradition. Did I just use that word? Well, some traditions are good. Even in my other profession. Let's get back to the point, I have lots to do. I always check out my kids on their birthday and take them somewhere nice to eat, then a little shopping, and back home to brag to their siblings. Of course, the next day they feel special because their friends want to know why they checked out which gives them an opportunity to share their adventure. One of my daughters still brags to her friends about a time that her boyfriend broke up with her and we went and celebrated at a nice restaurant. She never leaves out the part of the story that involves me canceling my schedule just so I could take her. I rearranged a speaking engagement to speak to over one-hundred people that night just to take her. Point proven, I can speak to people anytime, but to make a moment of magic with my 15 year old daughter, once. So, memories are worth making. I heard her brag to a friend of that story the other day. She will always remember that. Those 100 people wouldn't have been able to tell you what I said that night. Someone else working with me spoke and did just as good of a job as I would have anyways. Back to the matter at hand.
       My oldest daughters birthday was supposed to be a big celebration. However the Alabama weather blessed us with snow and ice that caused schedules to be rearranged. I will never forget the day they called and re-scheduled the pageant she was in to, yes you guessed it, her birthday.
    She never has been much on pageants. Nor am I. She was in one as a little girl. You know the story, everyone is gonna be in it so, we need to put her in it. Can you say "Total Disaster?" So, she decides to be in this pageant, commits to it, and the weather causes it to end up on her 18th birthday. Normally she would have bailed. But, another piece of the story. Her friend who won the pageant last year who probably would have won again this year lost her life during her senior year. They had talked about the pageant, and she was trying to talk my daughter into doing it since it was her senior year and she had just relocated. I guess it is an in honor and in memory commitment for her. She has looked forward to it, and she feels a connection through this with her friend she lost. I will share more of that story later. That young lady was amazing.
     ALRIGHT, finally...All of that brings us to FOOD!
Only in these circumstances would I go to a "chain" restaurant for a special occasion. "Life is too short to eat bad food." Especially when you have to pay a lot for it. So, here is the deal. We ended up @ Logans.
     Might I say, I like salad. Ok, it is not the best I have eaten (read my other posts!) But it is definitely not the worse. And I like really good blue cheese dressing. Theirs, again, not the best, but not the worse either. While we were there they have a 2 for 19.99 deal. And let me tell you DEAL it is.
     2 for 19.99? Yes, you can choose and appetizer to share, a dessert to share, and you each get a steak with two sides! That is a deal. Is it the best? No, but hey, for 20.00 I don't have to cook and I get a full meal.
Mom was with us. She ordered from the health nut menu and had a good meal. But hey, we had Onion Petals. They gave us like a peanut bucket full. I had a salad as one side, the blue cheese 6 oz. sirloin with a baked sweet potato. My daughter had the Sirloin with a baked potato mac & cheese. But...
They have a new menu Item, SWEET POTATO FRIES!
     These things are amazing! They are the best I have eaten and the only thing that would make them the absolute bomb would be a good consistent seasoning on them. I do these at home, but not like theirs. They are small enough cut that they get crispy not like most sweet fries. They were crispy on the outside and creamy in the middle. These little things put my Baked Sweet Potato in second seat. I found myself eating all of them and leaving it to last. So, I just had to share two things.
1. Make Memories with your kids.
2. Go to Logans with your wife or kid and get the 2 for 19,99 Steak deal. It is a DEAL.
Tomorrow night we have Adult night out at our church. We are possibly going to Logans. If we do, I will eat the Blue cheese Sirloin with a salad and Sweet Potato Fries! And guess what, I will ask them if I can get them as my Appetizer as well!
Be blessed! And remember, "Life is too short to eat bad food, and especially to eat alone."

FOOD!

So, my hobbies include spending time with my wife and kids, fishing, cars, and cooking. So, as an aspiring chef and author, I have always wanted to share a few "hot spots" with my friends. Let the journey begin.
     Firebirds.
Food is something that should be enjoyed. Time with someone special should feel special. On a weekday I asked my wife to go out with me. I was excited that she said yes until I realized she was leading our church youth group in a fast. She was doing without fried foods. We were to her surprise to do what we have only talked about for years. We were to do a progressive meal. Appetizers at one place, salads and soup at another, main course another, then on to dessert. We would have been to four different places in one evening and had a wonderful experience. However, her favorite appetizer is fried. So, I opted to try Firebirds again.
     We were first introduced by some friends to this place. Living close to Birmingham in Alabama makes a great opportunity to be introduced to a lot of new eateries. The first time I remembered was really nice, but the food I remembered even nicer.
     Our second trip, just last evening, was no disappointment. The food was wonderful. I will break it down for you. If you want a great appetizer, they have them. Crab Cakes, Seared Ahi Tuna, Ranch Battered Onion Rings, and might I add I love the tuna. This particular evening we just went to the main entrees with one exception. If you love salad, you will more than love theirs. I have eaten two salads from this place and both times it has been memorable. Mixed Greens, Tomatoes, Pecans, and their very own dressing lightly dressed as should be, makes a very memorable experience. Let's just say this, "If you love salad, the first time you eat one from Firebirds, no other salad will be the same." So far, the best two salads I have "EVER" eaten were from there. So, add the 4.50 to your entree, or just pay the 7 menu price, but if you like salad, you have to try one while you are there.
     Steaks. Well, they have several fish options which I will definitely try the next time. Rachel took the ribeye and I opted for the Top Sirloin. Their steaks are never the best "we" have eaten, but even after a re-fire on th eribeye we were not disappointed. I must say however, I am not certain hers was a ribeye. She orders medium and when arrivin to the table was rare. Let me say this however, if your waiter/waitress foes not wait at the table while you cut into your steak to make sure you are happy, I will be surprised. The potato side was good enough Rachel was asking me how they cook theirs. So, yes, the Baked Potato option which to me is just too normal, is even abnormal here.
     "The ribeye is a great option. A ribeye has great marbling with fat content which adds to the juiciness and flavor. The top sirloin is very lean, no fat, but very thick at almost two inches and looks like a overgrown fillet. At medium, it is wonderful, especially the well seasoned sides all around the steak which I save for last. The baked Potato is wonderfully creamy, cooked slow and dusted in coarse salt, loaded, or any other way you prefer. The port mushrooms are wonderful with a creamy, tangy, almost like brown gravy, port wine sauce covering button mushrooms and they give you a casserole dish overflowing with them. Mixed green salad, well, words cannot describe it. (See above) The salad is almost perfect, I am waiting to eat that one, but this one so far is the bar-raiser. It has a mix of FRESH greens, tomatoes, pecans, jicama, and the most wonderful dressing that when combined is just simply amazing as a combination. It screams FRESH. Let's just say it is so far, the best. The mixture of it all is a masterpiece." 
     You can check out their menu on their website and I just say to you, if you are at the Galleria in Birmingham, you are close by to some of the most amazing places to eat in Alabama. 
Be blessed, and when it comes to food and service, Expect the best. 
Shane Coppock

God has GREAT plans for you!

God has GREAT plans for you.

Jeremiah 29.11 Message

I know what I'm doing.

I have it all planned out—

plans to take care of you,

not abandon you,

plans to give you

the future you hope for.

God's plans for you are GREATER than your own.

? How can I determine what his plans are?

Three ways you cannot determine God's plan...

1. Your FRIENDS
2. Your FAMILY.
3. Your OWN MIND
   “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55.8&9

Only God knows HIS plan for YOUR life.

When you begin to search for & live in the plan of God, even your FUTURE HOPES will change.

TWO things we must know about God before we can begin to Search and Live in his designed plan.

1. The LOVE of God

The AGAPE love of God is spiritual not emotional. It is UNCONDITIONAL.

The PHILEO love is emotional. Anyone can feel or experience it. It is CONDITIONAL

Ephesians 3.19 I want you to know all about Christ's love, although it is too wonderful to be measured.

Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.

2. The KNOWLEDGE of God

God knows more about US than we will ever know about OURSELVES.

God knows ME better than anyone else and yet he still LOVES me.

Psalms 139.17&18 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!

A DAILY COMMITMENT TO SEEK AND LIVE IN HIS PLAN The fact that God knows me better than I know myself and yet he loves me unconditionally proves it is worth it to search out and live in his plan for my life rather than my own. I will daily commit time with God alone and daily read his planbook, the bible. I will begin to better understand the plans he has for me. He knows me. He loves me. He is planning great and wonderful things just for me. 

How I lost 25 lbs in 3 months, twice.

     The past two years I have longed to publish a book titled "How I lost twenty-five pounds in three months, twice." Now, two years later it will be titled "How I lost 25LBS in 90 DAYS 3 times."

     So, everyone would expect a minister to write a book with a lot of spiritual content. Let's face it. Have you read the bible lately? Jesus taught people about his spiritual kingdom using topics like wine. Of course, that was after they called him an alcoholic and friend of sinner people. How dare he? But let's face it, he did. Wine, farming, herding sheep, he used earthly, common, everyday,  household items to teach a earthly, common, everyday, people.

     So, are you ready to lose weight? Are you ready to get debt free? Are you ready to stop living a lifestyle of addiction? Are you ready to be healthy? I mean really, seriously, ready to be healthy, not broke, and at ease in your mind and conscience? Then let's take a short trip. 

     I was truly kidding. It is not to be a short trip. Did you catch the three times part? I am still learning. Well, I am still learning how I need more self control and discipline. I am still learning the areas of my life that cause me to experience pain and a continual cycle of negative results. 

    This my dear friends is the intro. Next week in my office I will begin writing and sharing in this blog my seven chapters, all defining a kingdom principle, that will help you reach your goal. 

     

   DO YOU WANT TO BE HEALTHY? Of course you do. My daughter asked me today "Dad, can you really teach me how to lose weight? So, I began to share with her what I have learned. I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I have. 

#1 Define your target. 

Target for me. 25 lbs. 

LBS is my target. 

#2 Take Aim and Accept Blame

How did I get this target? 

LBS are added to my body when I take in more calories than I burn in physical activities. (sounds better than excercise)

It is MY fault because I put in MY mouth more food that MY body produced activities for and it produced LBS. (sounds better than fat.)

#3 Outline a strategy. 

If I need to target 25 LBS. How will I do this? 

Two ways, 1) cut calories (esp fat cals) 2) increase physical activity (yep, excercise)

#4 Understand My Strategy

If I gained 25 LBS in 9 months by taking in more than I burned I will not lose it by eating right one time & going to the gym one morning. 

#5 Develop a plan & Start Working it.

My plan. 

1. Cut Daily Calorie Intake

2. Increase Physical Activity

If I do each of these consistently and continuously I will lose LBS... 

SO, 

Forget everything that is up there. 

Want to lose 25 LBS in 90 Days? 

1. Cut Calories

2. Increase Physical Activity. 

PERIOD.

Want to be debt free?
1. Cut Spending
2. Increase Income
PERIOD.

Many ways you can go about both of these, but this is the simple part of it. Because this world was created with great order, and we are out of order most of the time. 2011, get your life in order. 

Actions speak loud...

     Frustration. Aggravation. Disgust. These are a few words that would describe how I have felt many times after leaving a training session, conference, or business meeting. Actually, I remember feeling this way after leaving basketball practice. However, probably not for the reason you are thinking right now.
     I couldn't tell you the number of times I have set under a C.E.O., a Hired Professional adviser, A Coach, A mentor, or those I call " Pioneers", and listened to people in the crowd with great disrespect respond with a "whatever". This is what made me feel frustrated, aggravated, and disgusted. Especially with those times I heard a "this won't work where I am" from a peer when we were being addressed by a Pioneer.
     A pioneer. This is one of my personal phrases. I will explain. Let's say you want to learn how to bake and decorate a cake or rebuild the motor in a car. Vastly different, but I like large audiences and hate to leave anyone out. If I have never at all decorated a cake or built a engine I have a couple of choices. I can pay someone to do it or learn to do it myself. If I am not paying someone, I must find someone who has successfully and personally done it who is also willing to teach me. This is a pioneer. A person who is successfully experienced in a particular area of interest and is willing and able to teach and train others to do the same.
     So, back to the heart of the matter. The number one reason for my frustration, aggravation, and disgust is simply this. How many times do we gain and gather valuable information only to allow it to go no farther than our small closed minds or the top of our scattered desks? The most valuable source of growth and success we have is the ability to learn however if we do not do what we know we become regressive.
     The bible plainly states my feelings. A person who knows what to do and does not do it,  IT is sin. It is sinful to "Know" and not "Do".
     Whatever limits you from doing. Whether it is personal, social, financial, or maybe even spiritual. Is it worth you continuing to do nothing with what you know? The bible again plainly states if you KNOW a person is cold, naked, and hungry, and just say be blessed have you done anything? No, you have not.
     My challenge to you, when you gather and gain valuable information it is never worth any more than the paper it is written on if it never gets any further. Actions speak louder than words.

Buying a ticket, Going on Stage, & Picking up the cups...

1. Preparation & Planning
2. Performing & Following Through
3. Cleaning up & Taking Notes

     Unless you have possessed a backstage pass, sat on the sidelines, or arrived several hours early to a family gathering you will at first have no idea where I am coming from with this. But, I mean, come on, have we not all at some point realized "Wow, a lot more went into this than I thought?"
     I remember after my first daughter's birthday party having a new respect for all host of any party I had ever attended. I remember thinking, WOW, some people came, ate, left, and I am still here picking up the paper and washing dishes...Well, Rachel was washing dishes. I was probably taking a nap. But, in all reality, I do remember thinking of a newfound respect for all hosts of any party I had ever attended.
     I remember the first really large event we directed at church. The first large party we hosted. The first time we thought inviting all our friends over for the holidays would be. Well, I remember my first large sales event at the busiest season. Most of all, I remember saying, " I WILL NEVER, NEVER, EVER, do "THAT" again." Only to arrive later at a place of again, following step 1.
     True learned fact. Everybody, I mean, Everybody, wants to do well and succeed. The problem is some people never go beyond purchasing a ticket. And I guess that is ok. Not everyone can be on the sidelines, backstage, or, in your "inner circle".
     Some will never attempt to the trouble of going backstage. Some have no desire. And most all will never be willing to stay late and pick up cups. But, my dear friends and family. It takes all three.
     I love to cook. When I have time. Let me give you this thought. The meal is not truly finished until the dishes are washed and put away. And, in a family of six, it is not long before you are planning your next meal adventure.
     I attend church. However, there are many different factors involved to pull off a really good worship service. And until the lights are off and the buildin secure, it is not over. And, one of my favorite qoutes of this year, Sunday Morning comes around with great regularity.
     I have to simplify things. This three part component of 1,2,3 will be utilized and taught to our "circle" this year. Call me crazy, but even a vacation can be better enjoyed if these steps are taken, and you will remember if on a double decker bus in the middle of Mexico to duck due to low power lines if, and only if, you took good notes. And remember, until your luggage is emptied and put away, and you know where you are going next time, your vacation is not truly "Finished"
"I have fought a GOOD fight, I have KEPT the FAITH," Paul