CG Coaching 2 Corinthians 8:1-24

CG Coaching for Week #9 of 2 Corinthians: A Church Compelled 

Sunday, August 2nd sermon by Pastor Kyle Van Tine   

"Compelled by Generosity" - (2 Cor 8:1-24) 

Growing deeper

Money is entwined with our lives. We spend our lives thinking about money- how to get it, how to kept, how to spend it. Authentic salvation changes how we live and think; it loosens our grip on material things and strengthens our gaze upon God. Jesus’ act of giving was the pinnacle example. He, who spoke the stars into being, left His throne, His majestic riches in heaven and died alone and naked on a bloody cross for us, giving Himself to save us. When gratitude toward Jesus for what He has done to save us fills our hearts, there is no room for anything else. Gratitude motivated the poor Macedonians to beg Paul to be able to give, even beyond their ability. Like rocks displacing water in a bowl, gratitude displaces the idols of our hearts releasing our hold on temporary things and creates in us a deep joy to give. Gratitude motivated giving is a here and now process. Our faith is always being worked out in the now, in the day to day. Daily, we must be ready and willing to lay our hearts in God’s hands, trusting Him with our poverty and our riches. Spiritual maturity is linked to our giving hearts because it is linked to our gratitude and joy in Christ who gave us undeserved salvation in His giving sacrifice.

Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-24 and Luke 19:1-10. 

When we give, we demonstrate unity between believers that is a direct result of the grace we have received. Because we have received from God, we give to others and because we have been accepted by God, we accept each other.

Examine your heart. What do you do with your money?

Look at how Zacchaeus responded to Jesus. His gratitude and understanding of who Jesus was drove his extraordinary response.

How does gratitude for salvation motivate your response in giving? How does it need to change?

What are some hard things God is asking you to do with your life?

Recommended Reading: The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn 

7/26/15 "Compelled by Sorrow and Repentance" (2 Cor 7:2-16)

"Compelled by Sorrow and Repentance" 2 Corinthians 7:2-16

Pastor Kyle Van Tine at Summit View Church: Heritage Park Campus

Listen to this Sunday's sermon by following this link

CG Coaching for Week #8 of 2 Corinthians: "A Church Compelled" 

Sunday, July 26th sermon by Pastor Kyle Van Tine   

"Compelled by Sorrow & Repentance" - (2 Cor 7:2-16) 

Growing Deeper

Depression is often called the common cold of the soul. Eventually, most people catch it. Even Paul catches it. He was afflicted from within and without. Quarreling and conflict dogged him. Paul had followed God willingly into the fray of spiritual warfare and now was paying the cost of the battle. He was fearful for the church he had planted and he was exhausted with a troubled soul for the people he loved. But comfort was coming; God sent Titus. Titus’ visit is a slice of God’s comfort for Paul. His joy is doubled by the news of the repentance of the Corinthians.Paul gains strength in the well being of others and finds joy when others repent. Worldly grief weeps for our losses. Godly grief weeps for sin against God. It produces repentance.Joy and sorrow are often linked in our Christian lives. Sorrow comes when we recognize sin. Joy celebrates when repentance and spiritual prosperity are present within the church. We need to be like Paul-- other-focused and seeking the spiritual prosperity of the church body through the repentance of its members. We need to be infected by a yearning for one another’s spiritual health. To learn how to walk beside and love others to godly repentance. To support others as they join God in the battle against sin. The Christian life is a life lived before the face of God. We must strive to reflect God’s goodness in the way we grieve, mourn, comfort and repent. 

Read 2 Corinthians 7:2-16; Psalm 51, I Thessalonians 3:6-13.

Repentance means to turn around. It is a sincere decision to forsake selfish sin and to value what God desires. It isn’t self-disgust, it is sorrow.

• What are your joys and your sorrows? 
• How do you respond to a loving rebuke?
• What are the characteristics of a trusted person who can listen to another person’s deep longings and secrets with care and love?
• Is there someone you need to encourage to be strong in the battle against sin? 

Recommended reading: Side by Side by Edward Welch 

Lunch With Stephen (5 of 5)

Lunch With Stephen (4 of 5)

Dr. RC Sproul's Question & Answer Session at Ligonier Conference

Summit View Church - CG Coach Week #8 - 2 Corinthians 7:2-16

Sunday, July 26th  -  Pastor Kyle Van Tine  -  "Sorrow and Repentance"

Growing Deeper

Depression is often called the common cold of the soul. Eventually, most people catch it. Even Paul catches it. He was afflicted from within and without. Quarreling and conflict dogged him. Paul had followed God willingly into the fray of spiritual warfare and now was paying the cost of the battle. He was fearful for the church he had planted and he was exhausted with a troubled soul for the people he loved. But comfort was coming; God sent Titus. Titus’ visit is a slice of God’s comfort for Paul. His joy is doubled by the news of the repentance of the Corinthians.Paul gains strength in the well being of others and finds joy when others repent. Worldly grief weeps for our losses. Godly grief weeps for sin against God. It produces repentance.Joy and sorrow are often linked in our Christian lives. Sorrow comes when we recognize sin. Joy celebrates when repentance and spiritual prosperity are present within the church. We need to be like Paul-- other-focused and seeking the spiritual prosperity of the church body through the repentance of its members. We need to be infected by a yearning for one another’s spiritual health. To learn how to walk beside and love others to godly repentance. To support others as they join God in the battle against sin. The Christian life is a life lived before the face of God. We must strive to reflect God’s goodness in the way we grieve, mourn, comfort and repent. 

Read 2 Corinthians 7:2-16; Psalm 51, I Thessalonians 3:6-13.

Repentance means to turn around. It is a sincere decision to forsake selfish sin and to value what God desires. It isn’t self-disgust, it is sorrow.

What are your joys and your sorrows? 

How do you respond to a loving rebuke?

What are the characteristics of a trusted person who can listen to another person’s deep longings and secrets with care and love?

Is there someone you need to encourage to be strong in the battle against sin? 

Recommended reading: Side by Side by Edward Welch 

Brit Hume on Abortion, Culture and Planned Parenthood

Lunch With Stephen (3 of 5)

Lunch With Stephen (2 of 5)

Francis Chan - Fighting For Authenticity

Lunch With Stephen (1 of 5)

Jim Gaffigan - Jesus, Catholicism, Mass, Prayer, Confession, Heaven.

Leadership Coaching: Prioritizing with the 20/80 Principle

Today I share a leadership insight from John Maxwell's book "Developing the Leader Within You". Maxwell talks about the importance of a leader being able to accurately assess and prioritize their responsibilities. As leaders we all have numerous responsibilities and the question is what system will you use to prioritize what needs to get done and when. Maxwell suggests using the 20/80 principle in all areas of life to highlight those things that we do that are most profitable, helpful, effective and fruitful in our work, relationships, family and faith.  

• What system do you use to prioritize your work, relationships, family and faith?  

• What are the 20% of things you do with your spouse that lead to 80% of the results? 
• What 20% of your responsibilities at work actually lead to 80% of the results?   

• What are the 20% of things you do with your kids that lead to 80% of the results? 

Senator Lankford Speaks about the Planned Parenthood Video on the Senate...

CG Coaching for Week #7 - 2 Corinthians 6:3-7:1

CG Coaching for Week #7 - 2 Corinthians 6:3-7:1

Sunday, July 16th  -  Pastor Rob Anderson (Felida Campus) - "Compelled to Thrive with Holiness" 

Growing deeper

Battling for truth can be tiring. Paul lists a blizzard of troubles to which he responds with great endurance. Many of Paul’s detractors within the church at Corinth accused Paul of not being from God because of his great sufferings. But his sufferings, instead, prove his faith and authenticity. Because of his endurance in the faith, Paul didn’t quit or run from his preaching ministry but held strong. And he did all this, not with a grin-and-bear- it attitude, but with a Holy Spirit-endowed sweetness of purity, truth, kindness, love and power. Just like Paul, we live in a culture that opposes the Gospel. Many times people within the church want to accommodate the culture by pushing a false gospel. We must beware of yoking ourselves to those who would lead us off the narrow path of righteousness, even those who claim belief but, instead, twist biblical truth into their own truth. We must know and seek God’s Truth as revealed in the Bible and, like the Bereans, check everything. We must know God. Intimacy with a personal God keeps us standing firm as holy temples. Our endurance in trials with joy reveals the reality of Christ and declares Jesus is worth the sacrifice.  

Read 2 Corinthians 6:3- 7:1,  John 16:33, James 1: 1-4, Galatians 1: 6-9, 2 Peter 2: 1-3.

The call to follow Christ is the call to endure suffering and stand against false gospels no matter the cost. We will suffer. God hasn’t put suffering in the small print. Why is the Gospel worth it?

When part of the body suffers, the whole church body suffers. When the Church stands together united, it shines the light of the Gospel into the world. What are some practical ways you can encourage others to endure in their suffering (this may include persecution from society).

How can you stay steadfast to the truth of the Gospel?  

Leadership Coaching: Integrity

Today I share a leadership insight from Summit View Church's study in 2 Corinthians. Paul is being slandered by new leaders in the church so he writes a letter to remind the church of his integrity in the face of this new accusations intended to discredit him. Paul elevates the absolute importance of integrity in our lives, our faith and in our leadership. 

• Not perfection but honesty (When was the last time you were open about your shortcomings and failures? Integrity implies honesty not perfection) 

• How is your personal integrity? (Do people trust you, confide in you, feel you are honest?)

• Is your character consistent throughout all areas of your life? (work, home, family, etc)  

Sex-trafficking, sex-discrimination, abortion, and $500m have what in co...

Planned Parenthood Uses Partial-Birth Abortions to Sell Baby Parts

I'm horrified, crushed and furious that this would actually happen and on the tax-payers dollars as well! Unbelievable! Inexcusable! Insane! This must stop NOW! 

Sunday, July 12th "Compelled by Christ's Love" (2 Cor:5:11-6:2)

"Compelled by Christ's Love" 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2

Pastor Kyle Van Tine at Summit View Church: Heritage Park Campus

Listen to this Sunday's sermon by following this link.

CG Coaching for Week #6 - 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2

Sunday, July 12th  -  Pastor Kyle Van Tine  -  "Compelled by Christ's Love" 

Many times, we are blind to the motivations of our own heart - fame, money, power, acceptance, love, shame, guilt… the list could go on for a while. God knows. God sees our heart, piercing its depths and seeing the very attitudes and motives that drive our outward actions. Paul knows what motivates him. He is motivated by fearful awe and love for God because he has been stripped of being motivated by the things this world offers. Paul understands that he is deeply known by an infinite God. Paul knows that his sin separates him from his Creator and that his sin destines him for God’s just wrath. God is not impressed by the things people are impressed with - gifts, accomplishments, knowledge, eloquence. We cannot reconcile and make peace with God ourselves through anything we do, no matter how impressive we think they are. Instead, God did it all Himself. God fixed it. He created a way for us, sinners destined for justice from a just God, to be reconciled to Him. By our repentance and faith in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we are made free from shame and guilt. Free from alienation from God. Free from eternal condemnation. We are people who are motivated by the good news that Christ paid the cost for us so we can live in peace with God. We are freed from bondage to the worldly idols that used to motivate us and can, instead, live a deeply revolutionary life, a reconciled life, fueled by a missionary heart. We are a new creation filled with wondrous new desires. The controlling force in our lives is now Christ, who compels us to see beyond the shallow self-filled life, and who gives us rest in the joy of a God-centered life. Out of the desires of our new life, we can use our spiritual eyes to look past the external image people around us strive to maintain, to look deeply at them as souls known by God and in need of a Savior. 

Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Romans 5:10-11 and Romans 12:1-2.

The gospel is transforming; our thoughts and deeds are changing. We have been given Christ’s perfect righteousness, counted by God as belonging to us. 

What kinds of motivations have you seen that cause people to get involved in church?

How does the knowing that we will be accountable to Jesus as our Judge motivate us to live sincere and holy lives?  

Because Jesus loved us and died for us, He has given us the Holy Spirit and the ability to begin to die to our sinful self.  How have you died to yourself so that you can live for Jesus? What areas of your sinful life need to die this week and what will it look like to live for Jesus in those areas?

How does knowing you don’t need to impress God or earn His approval and affection liberate you to live for Him?

How does recognizing others as souls change how you see  people in your life, both the easy and difficult?

How will you live as an Ambassador of Jesus and His Kingdom this week? (Practically – Who will you serve? Who will you pray for? Who will you meet with?)

Recommended Reading: Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Tim Keller

Summit View Church - CG Coach Week #6 - 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2

CG Coaching for Week #6 - 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2

Sunday, July 12th  -  Pastor Kyle Van Tine  -  "Compelled by Christ's Love" 

Many times, we are blind to the motivations of our own heart - fame, money, power, acceptance, love, shame, guilt… the list could go on for a while. God knows. God sees our heart, piercing its depths and seeing the very attitudes and motives that drive our outward actions. Paul knows what motivates him. He is motivated by fearful awe and love for God because he has been stripped of being motivated by the things this world offers. Paul understands that he is deeply known by an infinite God. Paul knows that his sin separates him from his Creator and that his sin destines him for God’s just wrath. God is not impressed by the things people are impressed with - gifts, accomplishments, knowledge, eloquence. We cannot reconcile and make peace with God ourselves through anything we do, no matter how impressive we think they are. Instead, God did it all Himself. God fixed it. He created a way for us, sinners destined for justice from a just God, to be reconciled to Him. By our repentance and faith in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we are made free from shame and guilt. Free from alienation from God. Free from eternal condemnation. We are people who are motivated by the good news that Christ paid the cost for us so we can live in peace with God. We are freed from bondage to the worldly idols that used to motivate us and can, instead, live a deeply revolutionary life, a reconciled life, fueled by a missionary heart. We are a new creation filled with wondrous new desires. The controlling force in our lives is now Christ, who compels us to see beyond the shallow self-filled life, and who gives us rest in the joy of a God-centered life. Out of the desires of our new life, we can use our spiritual eyes to look past the external image people around us strive to maintain, to look deeply at them as souls known by God and in need of a Savior. 

Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Romans 5:10-11 and Romans 12:1-2.

The gospel is transforming; our thoughts and deeds are changing. We have been given Christ’s perfect righteousness, counted by God as belonging to us. 

What kinds of motivations have you seen that cause people to get involved in church?

How does the knowing that we will be accountable to Jesus as our Judge motivate us to live sincere and holy lives?  

Because Jesus loved us and died for us, He has given us the Holy Spirit and the ability to begin to die to our sinful self.  How have you died to yourself so that you can live for Jesus? What areas of your sinful life need to die this week and what will it look like to live for Jesus in those areas?

How does knowing you don’t need to impress God or earn His approval and affection liberate you to live for Him?

How does recognizing others as souls change how you see  people in your life, both the easy and difficult?

How will you live as an Ambassador of Jesus and His Kingdom this week? (Practically – Who will you serve? Who will you pray for? Who will you meet with?)

Recommended Reading: Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Tim Keller

The God Who Speaks - What Books Belong in the Bible?

The God Who Speaks (Part 3) - What Books Belong in the Bible? from The Village Church on Vimeo.

How To Read The Bible

How to read the Bible

• Engage the text regularly and studiously
• Use helpful teachers like pastors and professors
• Avoid thinking the comfortable view is always the right one
• Familiarize yourself with opposing views of scripture
• Don't ask what this means to me but what did it mean to the original audience
• Don't read the bible as rules and regulations for your self-improvement project

Real Man?: Man to Man | Mark Driscoll

Mark Driscoll blasts the growing cultural understanding of manhood.

• Being a real man isn't about what you consumer but what you produce
• Being a real man isn't about what other people say about you but what God says about you
• Being a real man isn't about who your earthly father was but who your heavenly father is

Actor Patrick Stewart Defends Christian Bakery and Freedom of Speech

Is Christianity Really Dying in America?

The End of Christianity? Poll shows Christianity is at an all time low. Dr. Russell Moore says this is good news because people don't go to heaven that go to church. He see these statistics as an indication of the mushy middle falling out of the church.

Dr. Brown Exposes the Absurdity of Oregon’s Anti-Christian Ruling

Dr. Brown discusses the case of bakers that were found guilty of sexual discrimination. The lesbian couple put together a list of 178 issues cased by this case including "mental rape" and "impaired digestion." The barkers are being fined $135,000 dollars and ordered not to discuss this case. 

God Doesn't Need You to Follow Him (Easter) - Francis Chan

I love this one. "God doesn't need you to follow him!" 

Summit View Church's Updated Bylaws July 8th 2015

Statement of Faith

Recently the elders of Summit View Church drafted a statement summarizing biblical truth regarding marriage, sex, and procreation. This statement will be presented by the elders to our congregation and added to our bylaws.

“We believe that marriage was ordained by God at creation as the sacred union of one man and one woman. All sexual relations must therefore be reserved for that union. Christian marriage is a representation of Christ’s relationship to His church. We also believe that children are a blessing from the Lord. Thus, all human life is sacred and worthy of protection from the moment of conception.”

"Unbroken's" Louis Zamperini: The Rest of the Story

Summer Preaching Series 2015 - Brian McCormack

Enjoyed listening to my old classmate Brian McCormack's sermon at the Austin Stone this Sunday. Brian is the Lead Pastor of Reach Church in Seattle Washington which is one of the fastest growing churches in the city. Hope you are blessed by his message. 

Happy 4th of July 2015 from the Van Tine Family!

Happy 4th of July from the Van Tine Family (Crystal, Ellie, Kyle and Izzy at Cannon Beach)

July 12th All Church Worship

Loveology Q&A: Can I follow Jesus and be gay?

Mr. Thompson and the Vicar Invent Children's Church