- UNCONDITIONAL FORGIVENESS - KEY TO PERSONAL PEACE
- LUKE 23:34
- One of the highest forms of love is forgiving someone who has hurt
you, especially when they do it intentionally. To tell one who hurt you that you forgive
them may shock them into apologizing to you for their misdeeds. Unconditional forgiveness
is one of the highest characteristics of true Christianity which can be manifested by a
believer. It is with this trait that you may win many to Christ. So we must learn how to
deal with those memories.
-
- Consequences of an unforgiving spirit:
- 1. Emotional problems
- 2. A gradual increase in bitterness
- 3. Physical ailments
- 4. A gradual withdrawal from spiritual things
- 5. Satan will build a stronghold of hatred into your life, thus
isolating you from others.
-
- Once you have forgiven that person:
- 1. Determine at that moment you will not raise that issue with the
person who hurt you.
- 2. Ask the Lord immediately for strength to squelch the desire for
revenge.
- 3. Keep in mind those whom you have hurt in the past and how they
have forgiven you.
- 4. As soon as you have forgiven that person, seek immediately to
rebuild the relationship.
- 5. Pray for the one who hurt you on a daily basis. It is hard to seek
revenge or hate them when you are praying for them.
- 6. Remember the cross, God's ultimate forgiveness
-
- If you keep these 6 principles of forgiveness in mind, you will gain
victory over a revengeful mindset and you will maintain stable relationships with all
believers. True forgiveness is possible.
- _____________________________________________________________________
- CHANGED BY THE WORD OF GOD
- Text: Psalm 119 - Selected verses
- Some general principles concerning the Word of God:
- 1. God's thoughts are not ours - Isaiah 55:8
- 2. God's word will accomplish His will - Isaiah 55:11
- 3. God's warnings are absolute - Galatians 6:7
- 4. God's promises are absolute - -2 Corinthians 1:20
- To be spiritually prosperous we must align our thinking with
God - Psalm 119:26
-
- How God's Word Changes Us - 8 Ways
- Vs 7 - IT TEACHES US TRUE PRINCIPLES OF PRAISE. Some are:
- A. It dispels fear of situation - 2 Chronicles 20:22
- B. It is a declaration of God's workings - Psalm 9:11
- C. Praise is evangelism - Acts 2:47
-
- Vs 19 - IT DRIVES HOME OUR EARTHLY STATUS - IT MAKES THE
DECISION OF OUR FOCUS BY DETERMINING OUR LIFE'S PHILOSOPHY.
- A. None abides forever - 1 Chronicles 29:15 (David's prayer
of Praise)
- B. We seek a country - Hebrews 11:13-16
- C. It brings reality into focus about planting roots.
-
- Vs 45 - IT REMOVES RELIGIOUS RUBBISH FROM OUR LIVES -
Liberty literally means "a wide space."
- A. The truth makes us free - John 8:32
- B. We are free in the Spirit of the Lord but not free to
sin. - 2 Corinthians 3:17
- C. Free from the law of sin and death - Romans 8:2
- D. Free from the law of ritual - Galatians 2:4
-
- Vs 50 - THEY COMFORT US IN THE VALLEY OF AFFLICTION
- A. You may have to live physically according to your
circumstances but you can live spiritually above them.
- B. God gave us real people in the Bible so we may identify
with them:
- 1. Joseph as an example
- 2. God ruled in their situation.
- 3. God determined a purpose for their
affliction.
- 4. God was glorified in their affliction.
- 5. God used these folks to teach us trust
and consequences of mistrust like Saul.
-
- Vs 59 - IT TEACHES US INWARD INSPECTION
- A. Is there anything you do which causes uneasy feelings?
- B. Am I trying to make God's way my way or my way His way?
- C. It helps us to examine two vital elements of the
Christian walk:
- 1. Motive
- 2. method
- D. It causes us to ask if I am saved
-
- Vs 67 - IT HELPS US PREVENT DRIFTING
- A. It cuts off wrong desire at the point of thought - 2
Corinthians 10:5
- B. It reaches into the depths of our spirit
- C. It reveals the outward consequences of our actions.
- D. It prevents Doctrinal drifting.
-
- Vs 89 - GOD'S WORD IS UNMOVEABLE - James 1:17
- A. It builds stability into our walk
- B. It builds integrity into our walk (a soundness)
- C. It maintains a clear mind and proper situational
perspective
-
- Vss 99-100 - TRUE UNDERSTANDING
- A. It allows you to see what others cannot (even Christians)
with deeper spiritual insights.
- B. True insight results in Godly Wisdom
- C. Godly Wisdom results in purer walk
- D. A purer walk results in a changed Christian
- THEREFORE, WE ARE CHANGED BY THE WORD OF GOD.
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- NO MORE TOMB LIVING: The Cornerstone not the Headstone
- Text: Mark 5:1-6, 15-20 (Parallel Text - Luke 8:26-39)
- Verse 1-5 represents life without Christ:
-
- Vs. 1 Gadarenes - from Gadara means walls:
- A. Adam & Eve's sin built a wall
- B. Our sins build a wall
- C. Jesus came to confront those walls
-
- Vs 2 As a result of sin, we live in a tomb:
- A. Death is our constant companion
- B. Cemeteries remind us of death (Church steeples remind us
of life)
- C. "But" John 10:10 - I am come...abundant life
-
- Vs 3-4 No man could bind him:
- A. The world contains all kinds of laws and programs to
control people
- B. Man cannot restrain sin, therefore it must be punished,
Hell. (Man can't control man)
- C. Sin indicates an independence from God:
- 1. I will do my own thing
- 2. Adam & Eve did their own thing -
consequences of that decision
-
- Vs 5 Inwardly man cries out for help: (Psalm 142:4)
- A. Outward rebellion manifests a cry for help
- B. Satan gives deceitful help:
- 1. For love he gives perversion
- 2. For peace he gives religion (Mars Hill
- Acts 17)
- 3. For self-worth he gives crime (opulent
lifestyle of criminals)
- 4. For life he gives death
-
- RESULTS OF MEETING CHRIST
- Vs 6 The demon caused the man to kneel and worship Christ:
- A. Every knee
- B. What ever binds us will be loosed when Jesus comes on the
scene (Daniel 3:25)
- C. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
-
- Vs 15 SITTING - Figurative=rest, remain, beside
- A. Peace - Isaiah 57:21
- B. Security - Amos 8:12
- C. Contentment - Isaiah 30:15
- CLOTHING - (Perfect tense = completed action) (passive voice
= Christ clothed him)
- (This word used only here and in Luke 8 in reference to the
demoniac)
- A. Naked means "still in sins" - Revelation 3:17
- B. Calvary's finished work - Revelation 7:9
- RIGHT MIND - Sound mind, sane
- God's gift is a sound mind - 2 Timothy 1:7
-
- A sound mind is:
- 1. A spiritual mind - emphasis on spiritual values
- 2. A rational mind - making right choices
- 3. An active mind - Analytical - not allowing others to do
your thinking for you (TV, media, etc.)
- 4. Dedicated mind - Orville Redenbacher said, "Do one
thing and do it well."
-
- Vs 19 He now had purpose where before he had only
subsistence. The man now had direction and that direction was Christ.
- Vs 20 He knew his purpose and he acted.
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- Becoming Mighty in the Lord
- Text: 2 Chronicles 27 (Key Verse 6)
- 2 Kings 15:32-33
- Jotham means "Perfection of the Lord"
- Jerushah means "He that possesses the inheritance"
-
- A. Jotham was a co-regent with his father Uzziah from about 750 BC.
He ascended to the throne about 740 BC and ruled till about 725-724 BC.
-
- B. During this time Jotham learned to trust the Lord
-
- C. He learned from his father: (2 Chronicles 26)
- 1. To seek the Lord early in his reign (Vs 5)
- 2. God's enemies are his enemies (Vs 7)
- 3. To prepare his people for the battle (Vss 9-15)
- 4. You do not disobey the Lord (Vs 16, 21)
-
- D. IF I AM TO BECOME MIGHTY IN THE LORD, THEN I MUST HAVE A FOCUSED:
- 1. Prayer life - Psalm 5:3 (Exodus 33:11)
- 2. Praise Life - Psalm 135:1-3
- 3. Priority - Matthew 8:18-22
- 4. Philosophy - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
- 5. Profession - Galatians 6:14
- 6. Passion - Philippians 3:7-14 (emphasis vs. 10)
- 7. Patience - 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10 (emphasis vs. 7)
- 8. Pilgrimage - 1 Peter 2:11-12 (Ephesians 2:10)
- _____________________________________________________________________
- PRINCIPLES OF LIVING A SACRIFICIAL LIFE
- INITIAL TEXT: Romans 12:1 - The command
- Sacrificial Mindset - 2 Cor. 12:15
- Spend - actually means "will spend"
- Be Spent - actually means "will be utterly spent"
-
- Principles of Sacrifice - Leviticus 1:1-9
- Vs 1 - "Out of the tabernacle" We learn the
principles of sacrifice in the church & Bible. The world says look out for #1.
-
- Vs 2 - A sacrificial life is spent among believers. There is
no such thing as a Christian hermit. A sacrificial life is spent furthering the cause of
Christ.
-
- Vs 3 - "Without Blemish"=entire, integrity,
completed. A sacrificial life means a mature life. 1 Tim. 3:6 - No novice "Of his own
voluntary will" - Living a sacrificial life is voluntary. "Voluntary"=to be
pleased with, as if to pay a debt.
- Romans 1:14-15 - Debtor=One who is obligated
-
- Vs 4 - A person living the sacrificial life allows
themselves to be touched by others as Jesus was.
- God recognizes the sacrificial life of His children only. -
Proverbs 21:27
-
- Vs 5 - The sacrifice is killed which means dead to self. It
is killed before it becomes a sacrifice or else it will squirm to become free. The
mortification of sin - Romans 8:13
-
- Vs 6 - A sacrifice is groomed for the purpose. Everything is
open, Achan in Joshua 7 & Hebrews 4:13
-
- Vss 8-9 - A sacrifice is totally burned which means total
commitment - No turning back - We are only stewards we withhold nothing. Aaron placed the
pieces of the sacrifice and Christ will place you.
-
- Vs 9 - A sacrifice is made unto God, not man. This means
sincerity or else it is a blemished sacrifice and unacceptable (Vs 3)
-
- Vs 9 - A sacrificial life is pleasing to the Lord
- "Sweet savor" - Soothing fragrance - Philippians
4:18
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- A COMMITTED CHRISTIAN
- Text: 2 Corinthians 11:22-33
- A Committed Christian is one who entrusts their entire being
to the Lord Jesus Christ regardless of situation or result.
- 1. Lack of commitment pervades the church (won't be a faith
partner but will tithe to car dealer for new car - future )
- 2. Commitment crumbles at the first sign of trouble.
- 3. Commitment is based on self-fulfillment
- 4. Commitment is a lost art.
-
- Five principles why a committed Christian is a conquering
Christian
-
- A Committed Christian:
- 1. Views hindrances as opportunities - 1 Corinthians 16:8-9
- A. Paul viewed the adversaries as a mission field - Romans
1:14-16
- B. He viewed Ephesus as a wide door
- C. He also viewed it as a place of effective service Acts
19:20 shows how Paul invaded Satan's territory
-
- 2. Lives a sacrificial life - 2 Corinthians 12:15
- A. Willing to give themselves to others
- B. Sacrificial people are motivated by love
- C. "Less"=inferior or worse.- "I be
loved" - Paul was not receiving love from the Corinthians. Because you love does not
mean you will
- be loved.
-
- 3. Accepts the position God places them in:
- A. They learn to work from and within the context of their
weakness.
- B. It gives a distinction between human effort & God's
strength.
- C. "He might buffet" in Verse 7 is in the present
tense which means it is not single act but a consistent daily buffeting. Every believer
has a thorn in the flesh, The thorn is not a sickness but it is symbolic for the
unbelievers that daily attack. Judges 2:3; Numbers 33:55; Joshua 23:13; Psalm 118:22;
Matthew 13:22
-
- 4. Is a Separated Christian - 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
- A. Separated in Mind - 1 Corinthians 2:16
- B. Separated in Deed - Business, church, dating, marriage
- C. Separated in Word - Mark 16:17-18
- D. An unseparated Christian relinquishes both the power and
authority given to us by God (not loss of salvation but loss of effectiveness)
-
- 5. Is a spiritual Warrior - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
- A. They see beyond the flesh - Vs 4 (pulling down=Overthrow)
1 Samuel 17:26; Matthew 16:21-23
- B. They know their spiritual arsenal is through Christ -
Philippians 4:13
- C. They project victory - dispels man's reasonings
- "The church is a workshop, not a dormitory; and every
Christian man and woman is bound to help in the common cause."
-
-Alexander MacLaren
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- THE CHARACTERISTICS OF LOVE
- Text: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
- CHARITY SUFFERETH LONG - Long Suffering - Colossians 1:11
- AND IS KIND - A verb which denotes action - Acts 9:39
- CHARITY ENVIETH NOT - Not jealous - Galatians 5:26
- CHARITY VAUNTETH NOT ITSELF - Does not boast - Daniel 4:30
- IS NOT PUFFED UP - Humility - Genesis 18:27
- DOTH NOT BEHAVE UNSEEMLY - Proper Conduct - 2 Thessalonians 3:7
- SEEKETH NOT HER OWN - Self-sacrificing - Matthew 16:25
- IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED - Maintains a calm temper - 2 Peter 1:6
- THINKETH NO EVIL - No evil desires - Philippians 2:5
- REJOICETH NOT IN INIQUITY - Rebukes evil - James 4;7
- BUT REJOICETH IN THE TRUTH - John 14:6
- BEARETH ALL THINGS - (Beareth=Sustains against attacks) - Isaiah 53:7
- BELIEVETH ALL THINGS - Exercises faith - Galatians 5:6
- HOPETH ALL THINGS - Firm hope in God - Romans 4:18
- ENDURETH ALL THINGS - The strength of endurance - James 5:11
-
- Commentary on "All Things"
- In 1 Cor. 3:20-23, Paul is exhorting these brethren not to glory in
man. Especially in clinging to the teachings of one teacher as we see in the early parts
of 1 Corinthians. In Vss. 21 & 22, Paul concludes that all things are ours. This
refers to the glorious inheritance we have as Christians. Our relationship to Christ
grants us spiritual intercourse with every believer in the world. In other words, every
Christian belongs to every other Christian. Our relationship to Christ also grants us all
the spiritual benefits of heaven, in the present and the future, (Eph. 1:3; 2:7). In 1
Cor. 13. Paul is affirming that true Christian love is a powerful enough force to rule in
every situation, thus giving us the meaning of "all things."
- ____________________________________________________________
- JESUS CHRIST - OUR SOURCE
- Text: Colossians 3 - Selected Verses
- What is your source when:
- A. The bottom falls out
- B. You lose your job
- C. Basically when things go awry
-
- What is your source of:
- A. Strength
- B. Comfort - Understands my situation
- Christ is the foundation or undergirding power and strength
in a believer's life.
- Christ is our source in good times as in bad times - Job's
famous declaration in Job 2:10
-
- CHRIST IS THE SOURCE OF:
-
- Vs 1 - Our resurrection
- There are 2 resurrections:
- A. First resurrection - Col. 2:13 - Spiritual - Hath he
quickened "made us alive together"
- B. Second Resurrection - John 6:40 - Physical - Bodily
resurrection
-
- Vs 1 - Our power for living - "Right hand of God) Luke
22:69>Eph. 1:20
- Vs 3 - Our power for dying - Romans 8:13>Romans 6:6
- Vs 4 - Our Life - Both physical and spiritual - (sustains
spiritual life)
-
- Vs 10 - Our New Image - 'Image from 'Icona' (we get word
"Icon" from it)
- A. Old image in harmony with old nature
- B. New image must be void of old nature habits - Eph. 4:22
- C. New image must be of Christ and His traits - Eph 4:24
- D. New image must be in concert of who we are - Rev. 1:6 (we
put on>Col. 3:12)
-
- Vs 13 - Our Forgiveness
- A. Every sin removed because of Calvary - Hebrews 8:12 &
10:17 (Col. 2:13 &14 "all")
- B. Soul made as white as snow - Isaiah 1:18
-
- Vs 13 - Our Ability to Forgive Others
- A. We have been forgiven much - we must forgive others
- B. Forgiveness is the chief Christian characteristic
- C. To hold a grudge is of Satan - parable of wicked servant
(Matt. 18:21-35 note vss 34 &35)
-
- Vs 15 - Our Peace
- A. He alone reconciles us to God - Romans 5:1
- B. He reconciles us to each other "one
body"="soma"
-
- Vs 17 - Our Discernment in Questionable Things
- A. When in doubt, do nothing - don't make an unsure move
- B. Does it coincide with biblical truth?
- C. How about your conscience?
- D. What other questions in your life must be answered.
-
- Vs 23 - Our Motivation
- A. His life motivates our life
- B. Working for Christ comes from deep in our soul - heartily
"ek psuchos" = out of the soul
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- THE FAITH OF THE WISEMEN
- First Text: 2 Corinthians 9:15
- Primary Text: Matthew 2:1-12
- The Wisemen who journeyed to see Christ give us a good
picture of faith and how it should work in our lives.
-
- 1. Vs 2 - They Believed The Sign God gave Them
- A. Their Sign - The Star (Astera)
- 1. A natural view - very bright and easily star - personal
star - not a major star like Polaris nor alignment of planets which occurred in
- 6 or 7 BC
- 2. A spiritual view - Luke 1:78 - 'Dayspring" same
Greek word as "Star"
-
- B. Before Christ was 2 years old, He was already doing 3
things:
- 1. Drawing people to Himself
- 2. Showing the world He is the light - Malachi 4:2
- 3. Showing He was worthy of worship
-
- C. Our Sign
- The resurrection of Christ. - Matthew 12:38-40
-
- 2. Vss 3-8 - They were informed by the Scriptures
- A. They went to Jerusalem which was the seat of the Jewish
religion
- 1. Jerusalem is pictured as House of God - Jerusalem means
"city or possession of peace"
- 2. Our direction comes at the house of God - Psalm 73:16-17
-
- B. Vs 5 - They learned Christ's location from the Scriptures
- 1. I wonder what the wisemen thought that no inquiry was
made by the ruling monarch in Jerusalem for 2 years. It was spiritual apathy - They were
not looking for the coming of Christ in their generation as ours is not looking.
- 2. Vs 6 - He was born in Judah - Bethlehem
- Hebrews 7:14 - No priest came from Judah - represents a
complete change and departure from the Mosaic system. Christmas was the start of the
unveiling of the mystery of the church and grace - God's salvation plan was now being
unfolded.
-
- 3. Vss 9-11 - They Worshipped Jesus
- A. They probably prostrated themselves
- B. They presented their gifts, which were of prophetic
nature:
- 1. Gold - Represented His Kingship
- 2. Frankincense - A bitter plant - represented His sorrows
- 3. Myrrh - Represented His death - It was used for
embalming.
- C. The gifts were probably used to fund their flight into
Egypt to escape Herod's edict (vs 13)
-
- 4. Vs 12 - They followed God's direction to avoid Herod and
to return to their own country.
- The faith of the wisemen should inspire us to believe and
follow Christ.
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- THE DEBT OF LOVE I OWE
- Text: Romans 1:14-16
-
- The 1933 Chicago World's Fair had a model city of the
future. There were no churches. The reason given is there was no need for churches.
-
- There was a city in California called Century City. There
are no churches in it.
- Rudyard Kipling stated, "The human soul is a very
lonely thing. We are born alone, we die alone, and in the depths of our souls we live
alone."
-
- Psalm 142:4 gives us a picture of the loneliness of man. He
cries, 'no one cares for me."
- How true is this statement?
-
- 2 Timothy 3:1 - Perilous Times
- A. For only the unbeliever?
- B. Also for the church, because I believe we are prey to the
list of self-serving sins:
-
- 1. Unthankful
- 2. High minded - Puffed Up (Knowledge Puffeth Up)
- 3. A form of godliness - Form = Take shape of godliness -
piety
- 4. Covetous - Do we befriend people based on what they can
do for us?
- If mind-sets like this pervade the church, is it any wonder
why so many are lonely. We are the light and Jesus said we cannot hide the true light.
- How do we fan the flame which would once again burn bright
as the noon day sun?
-
- Romans 1:14-16 - The Roman Trilogy
- Vs 14 - Debtor - A Debtor is: [Responsibility]
- 1. One who is held to an obligation or duty - great
commission
- 2. One who owes someone - Christ
- 3. One who must satisfy their obligations before themselves
- deny ourselves
- 4. Servant to the lender - Proverbs 22:7
-
- Vs 15 - Ready - A Ready person is: (Willing, Eager)
[Reliability]
- 1. A ready person seeks opportunities to minister - they
don't wait for it. - John 4:35
- 2. A ready person is a battle prepared person - Eph. 6:13-17
- 3. A ready person knows their purpose and acts - Mark
5:19-20
-
- Vs 16 - Not Ashamed [Reliance on the Gospel]
- First century thought about the cross was abhorrence, yet it
remained the central teaching.
- Why Paul was not ashamed:
- 1. He walked close to Christ - far from Christ creates
coldness and fear. Mark 7 - Church traditions not based on scripture creates
- distance from Christ and truth.
- 2. Vs 16 - The power of God - confuses the world - Biblical
absolutes not opinionated Christianity
- 3. Vs 16 - Focus on the power - Salvation
- 4. Vs 16 - The condition - Believing
-
- Are you still believing? Not only in reference to your
salvation but to your Christian walk? Is the power of God still evident in your life? Has
the gospel become dormant or just a routine? Is it your life or is your life like it used
to be?
- Romans 13:1-12 - Our debt of love can only be paid if we are
willing to go forth in the power of God, fulfilling our divine responsibility and
believing Christ every step of the way!
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- LOOKING FOR OUR REDEMPTION
- TEXT: 2 Peter 3:10-18
- Vss 10-11
- A. Earth and Universe is dissolved
- B. Simultaneous with Judgment Day - Rev. 20:11/Rev. 21:1
- C. Knowing this - what is our responsibility as believers
- 1. Holy conduct - Conduct which becomes a Christian
- 2. Godliness 'Eusebeia" - Christian attitude and
conduct which is the heart of the faith - (attitude determines conduct)
- 3 elements of 'eusebeia"
- 1. A general attitude of devotion toward God
- 2. A respect for fellow man (created in God's image)
- 3. A high regard for the truth of the gospel (without
fanfare)
-
- Vss 12-14
- God adds a new dimension to our Christian walk and attitude
- We are to look for the second coming
- Look (prodoskao) = wait for, anticipate, look for, expect
(waiting for someone you love, like going on a date)
- Luke 1:21 -----"Waited" for Zacharias
- Luke 3:15 -----"Were in expectation"
- Luke 7:19-20 -"LOOK we FOR"
- Prodoskao used above in an intense looking for something
-
- Vs 12 - Hasting (speudo) = Desire earnestly, to hurry,
strive (for)
- Vs 13 - According to the promises of God - Isaiah 65:17; 2
Cor. 1:20 (Yea & Amen)
- Vs 14 - Peace - Ephesians 2:14
- Without spot - Leviticus 13:2 (leprosy - 3 chapters on
leprosy 13-15)
- Blameless - Phil. 2:15 - Someone who can't be blamed - God
justifies His people - Romans 8:33
- IN OTHER WORDS, WE MUST EXAMINE OURSELVES TO INSURE WE ARE
SAVED AND THEN LIVE LIKE IT!
-
- Vs 17 - WE KNOW BEFORE - Error of the Wicked - 1 Thess. 5:3
& 6 (Apathy and Sleep)
- Daniel 12:2-4, 11 - Wise will understand (the believers)
- Amos 1:1 - 2 years before the earthquake
- Where we are according to Scripture:
- These are the last days: (eschatos - 60 times - 13
inflections)
- Acts 2:17; 1 Cor. 10:11; Heb. 1:1-2; Heb. 9:26; 1 Pet. 4:7
-
- What warnings do we see in Scripture concerning impending
judgments?
- 1. Noah - Noah's flood - Genesis 7:4 - 7 Days
- 2. Destruction of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, & Zeboim
(Deut. 29:23) Abraham was given a warning before their estruction - Genesis
- 18:16-18
- 3. Nineveh was given a 40 day notice through Jonah - they
repented but Nahum records their destruction 125 yrs. later,
- God is now warning us that the time is
short - the culmination of the ages is upon us and the Desire of all Nations is at the
door.
-
- 3 exhortations to a watchful life
- 1. Vs 11 - Be holy (in all phases of life
- 2. Vs 17 Be steadfast (firmly fixed or established
- 3. Vs 18 Keep growing
- A. As you grow in grace - sinful desires
will recede
- B. As you grow in knowledge your walk
will stabilize - will prevent Amos 8:11-12 & Dan. 12:4
- What will you now do with this
information?
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- REGAINING OUR EVANGELISTIC FERVOR
- Text: 1 Corinthians 9:16
- Preach = Euangelizomai = Evangelize
-
- 1. Threefold purpose of Christian existence:
- A. Evangelism - Great Commission is a command for every
Christian
- B. Discipleship - (Parenting) Discipling young believers
- C. Spiritual Growth - After the milk comes the meat
-
- 2. True Christianity has been sidetracked:
- A. Social Gospel
- B. Gospel mixed with worldly sciences (psychology, et al)
- C. Word of God not preached as authoritative because many do
not believe it is God's Word.
- Resulting in:
- 1. No spiritual content - Ephesians 4:14
- 2. No spiritual concerns
- 3. No spiritual commitment
- 3. Regaining our Evangelistic Fervor
-
- The Need
- 1. A. Fresh awareness of Hell - Mark 9:44, 46, 48
- 2. A fresh awareness of our responsibility - Mark 16:15
- 3. To overcome our shame of being a Christian - Romans 1:16
-
- The Method
- 1. Be a pupil of Scripture - Not man's works - Rom. 10:17
- 2. Be a focused prayer warrior - Acts 12:5 (not just Lord
bless, bless, bless)
- 3. Plan a strategy - start small - Goals in steps - Creation
was in 6 days, not 1
- 4. Proceed with what you know - Never will have all the
answers - The unbeliever knows less about Christ and Christianity than you
- do.
- Summary of Method - PUPIL > PRAY > PLAN > PROCEED
-
- The Nevers
- 1. Never concern yourself with the possibility of satanic
hindrance. Satan has no authority over the believer. He cannot Prevent anyone's salvation.
He was defeated at the cross.
- A. Peter preached and 3000 saved
- B. Remove from your evangelism vocabulary, "What
if" in a negative context.
- 2. Never allow your profession to dictate your usefulness
for Christ. Gideon was a wheat thresher and Amos was a Herdsman.
- 3. Never allow financial support to replace your personal
involvement in ministry. If giving is all you can do, then do it.
-
- Direct and Indirect evangelism has the same effect.
- Direct - Handing out tracts, speaking one on one, preaching,
etc.
- Indirect - Giving money, sending tracts by mail, supporting
missionaries.
-
- The Dependence
- Leave the results with God - Don't be anxious over what you
cannot control. God is in control of salvation. You just bring the Word. One plants, one
waters, and God gives the increase.
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- THE PROMISES THAT FOLLOW SALVATION
- Text: Isaiah 40:1-11
-
- Vs 2 - WARFARE IS DONE
- A. Romans 5:1 - Peace with God
- B. Sins are forgiven and forgotten - Hebrews 8:12 & 10:17
- C. Comforted by God's Mercy, not His judgment
-
- Vs 4 - SPIRITUAL LIFE IS SATISFIED
- A. "Valley Exalted" = No more seeking philosophies of life
- B. "Mountains and Hills" = Kingdoms we sought (Psalm 121:1)
- C. "Crooked" = The dark paths we trod
- D. 'Rough Places" = God with us in adversity
- E. "Plain" = A wide level valley between mountains
(leveling of our Christian life)
-
- Vs 8 - GOD'S WORD IS UNCHANGEABLE
- A. 2 Tim. 1:12 - Paul knew whom he believed
- B. Heb. 13:8 - Writer says Christ is same yesterday, today and
tomorrow
- C. Zephaniah 3:17 - He said God in the midst is mighty
- D. Nahum 1:7 - Nahum said the Lord is a stronghold in the day of
trouble
- E. Micah 7:19 - Micah said he is compassionate
-
- Vs 11 - HE FEEDS AS A SHEPHERD - Safe in the Arms of Jesus
- A. A shepherd protects
- B. A shepherd corrects wrong behavior in the sheep
- C. "Gather the lambs" = A shepherd guards against future
danger
- D. A shepherd leads the flock
- E. The true shepherd does not abandon the flock
- _____________________________________________________________________
- CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PLAN OF GOD FOR YOUR LIFE
- JEREMIAH 29:11: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,
saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
-
- God's Plan is:
- 1. Always Good - Genesis 50:20
- 2. Personal - Psalm 32:8
- 3. Detailed - Psalm 37:23
- 4. Joyful - Psalm 89:15
- 5. Replete with wisdom - Psalm 143:8
- 6. Continuous - Isaiah 58:11
- 7. Profitable - Jeremiah 17:7-8
- 8. Specific and Definite - Jonah 1:1-2; 3:1
- 9. Eternal - Ephesians 2:7
- 10. An Assurance - 1 John 5:13
-
- Why we have trouble identifying God's plan
- 1. We hold on to pet sins - sin blinds
- 2. The things of the world crowd it out
- 3. We look in the wrong places for advice
- 4. We are really afraid to relinquish control of our lives to God
- _____________________________________________________________________
- CORRUPTING THE WORD OF GOD
- Text: 2 Corinthians 2:17 - Corrupt=dealing deceitfully with
- 1. Adding or Subtracting Words - Eve (Gen. 3:2-3)
- A. She did not know her enemy
- B. She should have sought the Lord (James 1:5)
-
- 2. Adding or Subtracting Words - Sadducees - (Acts 23:8)
- A. No resurrection, angel, or spirit
- B. They had all the OT Scriptures
- 1. Abraham's Visitation
- 2. Lot's Visitation
- 3. Manoah's Visitation
- 4. Moses's Visitation
- C. The Tradition of the Elders (Mark 7)
- D. New Bible translations which chop up the word of God
-
- 3. Rationalizing it - Scoffers (2 Peter 3:3-4)
- A. Mistaking the silence of God for no God
- B. Since there is no God, they take liberty with the
Scriptures
- C. Their philosophy is chosen over the teachings of
Scripture
-
- 4. Personal Gain
- A. Ezekiel 22:27 - Like today's TV preachers and false
teachers
- B. Bishop Tetzel sold indulgences in the early 16th century.
This practice caused Luther to write his 95 theses.
-
- 5. Doubting Parts - Wolves in the Pulpit
- A. Sarah - Doubted she would have a baby
- B. Zacharias - Doubted he would have a son (John the
Baptist)
- C. Today's neo-evangelicals who question parts of the Bible
-
- 6. Neglecting Parts of It - Saul
- A. Saves the Amalekite King, Agag, and the best sheep, was
to kill all. (1 Sam. 15)
- B. sacrifices a burnt offering in violation of God's word (1
Sam. 13)
- C. He seeks the witch of Endor (1 Sam 28)
-
- 7. Not Appropriating the Teaching - Corinthian Church
- A. Preacher Worship (1 Cor. 3-4)
- B. Lack of Church Discipline (1 Cor. 5)
- C. Idolatrous element (1 Cor. 8)
-
- 8. Reject its teachings - Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 36)
- A. He cut it up (Vs 23)
- B. No fear of rejection (Vs 24)
- C. Our rejection has no effect upon the truth (Vs 29)
- ADULTERATING THE WORD OF GOD DOES NOT NEGATE THE TRUTH OF
WHAT GOD HAS DECLARED. IF EVERY BIBLE WAS DESTROYED IN THIS WORLD, JUDGMENT DAY WOULD
STILL COME.
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- DEALING WITH THE SIN OF ASSUMPTION
- Preliminary texts: Lev. 9:16; Psalm 50:20; Proverbs 11:13;
Proverbs 20:19; Ezekiel 22:9
- The sin of assumption carries the identical credentials as
gossip.
-
- 1. All Assumption is not sin:
- Assumption of:
- A. Dangerous situations
- B. Routine situations
- C. Partial Assumptions with facts in evidence (not
conclusive)
-
- 2. Sinful Assumption:
- A. Dogmatic conclusions without facts in evidence - Prov.
19:13
- B. Random/fragments assumption - Prov. 19:13
- C. Prideful assumption - Prov. 19:9
- D. Assumption based on predilection of character
- E. Assumption of outcome without seriously seeking the Lord
-
- 3. Three Principles of Sinful Assumption
- A. Sinful assumption sets a person up as a god (omniscience)
- B. Sinful assumption exalts the big 'I" by comparison
with others "projected" faults.
- C. Sinful assumption is akin to prognostication. If we can't
read a person's palm, how can we read their mind.
-
- 4. How To Break Free from Sinful Assumption
- 1. Realize it is Sin:
- A. Confess it
- B. Repent of it
- C. Deal with it when it attempts to
surface - After it surfaces, it is too late
- 2. Deal with reality through God's word. Filter each
situation through the eyes and thought of God, not your projections
- 3. Understand our minds are sin-tainted and unable and
incapable of sinless thinking, just like the one we are pointing our finger at.
- 4. Renew your mind through God's word daily:
- A. The helmet of salvation - Eph. 6:17
- B. Learn to recognize the seeds of gossip
cropping up in your mind and deal with them at the moment they appear.
- 5. Realize that other people have not yet been perfected
like you and God is still working in them (Romans 7)
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- FEAR OF LIVING AN INSIGNIFICANT CHRISTIAN LIFE
- Webster's dictionary definition of insignificant:
meaningless, having no weight or effect, unimportant, trivial
- Romans 8:15-16 "Insignificance Complex" >
"Fear Again - The Bondage of"
-
- How we build the "insignificance complex" into our
thinking:
- 1. We compare ourselves with others concerning their jobs,
position or ministries which leads to-
- 2. Wrong personal assessment which leads to-
- 3. Attaching insignificance to our thinking which leads to-
- 4. An attitude of insignificance which leads to:
- A. Shyness of personality
- B. Withdrawal
- C. Reclusive life - leads to pew warming
and non-involvement
-
- HOW TO BUILD BIBLICAL SIGNIFICANCE INTO YOUR LIFE
- BIBLICAL SIGNIFICANCE FLOWS FROM UNDERSTANDING OUR
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND HOW THAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED.
-
- Significance in false religions is based on what I do.
Significance in Christianity is based on what Christ has done. The believer is passive
concerning salvation which means we do nothing to gain salvation only receive it,
therefore, we draw our significance from Christ. This means every true Christian has
significance regardless of social or medical standing.
-
- HOW DO I RECOGNIZE MY SIGNIFICANCE - 1 Corinthians 2:12
- Realize unsaved man's standing before God:
- Psalm 5:5-7
- Psalm 58:3-5
-
- 1. Redemption - 1 Peter 1:18-21 (Rev. 5:9-10)
- A. Condescension of Christ - Vss 18-19
- B. Crucifixion of Christ - Vs 20]
- C. Completion of Salvation Plan - Vs 21
-
- 2. Resurrection of our souls (The first resurrection) - Rev.
20:5-6
- 1. Eph 2:1-6
- 2. Col. 2:13-14
- 3. Col. 3:1
- 4. The essence is we were once spiritually dead but God has
made us spiritually alive. We received our resurrected souls, now we
- are alive unto God and dead to the world
-
- 3. Relocation - Romans 8:15
- 1. 2 Cor. 6:18
- 2. Gal. 3:26
- 3. Gal. 4:5-7
-
- 4. Restoration - Psalm 23:3
- YOUR SIGNIFICANCE WAS ALWAYS THERE BUT YOU NEEDED TO
RECOGNIZE IT! OPEN THY MOUTH WIDE AND I WILL FILL IT - Psalm 81:10-11
- How wide will you open to God so he may fill you?
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- MARY'S PRAISE OF GOD
- Text: Luke 1:46-56
- Vs 46 - Soul magnifies=praise, extols or exalts. Soul is the depth of
our being
- Vs 47 - "hath rejoiced" - literally "jumped for
joy" - "God my Saviour" - shows the deity of Christ
- Vs 48 - Hath regarded - look upon or have respect to Low estate -
humiliation from recognizing her sinfulness
-
handmaiden - doulos -
doulos - servant
-
"shall call
me blessed" - James 5:11
- Happiness or blessedness results from the endurance - Luke 2:34-35
- Vs 49 - Great things - Grand, Magnificent - 1 Timothy 2:5
-
Holy - she
realizes this is a holy event tied to prophecy
-
(No doubt she
heard devout Jews everywhere praying for the Messiah to come)
- Vs 50 - A picture of the gospel going forth - Genesis 17:7
- Vs 51 - Shown strength - Psalm 17:7; Psalm 20:6
-
God rejects the
proud - James 4:6
-
Imagination
- thoughts - Romans 12:3
- Vs 52 - Puts down mighty rulers - Raises and puts down kings
-
Low degree
- the downcast, lowly - Matthew 23:12
- Vs 53 - The hungry
-
Matthew 5:6 -
Hungry for righteousness
-
The Rich -
Proverbs 13:7; Luke 6:24
- Vs 54 - The promises in the OT of the coming of Messiah
- Vs 55 - Galatians 3:29