Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:13-4:11 1. Take the simple steps first! Verses 13-16
a. Repent of sins and believe in Jesus! b. Be Baptized! c. God will affirm your life of faith! 2. Know who you are in Jesus! Verse 17 a. You are son/daughter! b. You are loved! c. You are pleasing to God! (Obedient Family Relationship) 3. Know your enemy! Verse 1 a. God has a purpose in allowing your testing! b. The “devil” is an accuser by nature! 4. Your identity is the key to your victory! Verses 4, 6 a. Test #1 - God’s child depends upon God’s spiritual provision in His Word! b. Test #2 - God’s child doesn’t dare demand a miraculous experience in order to test God! c. Test #3 - God’s child declines the worship of material wealth to serve and worship God! 5. Use the Bible, it is vital to your survival! a. The devil knows it & will try to use it against you! b. You can know it well enough to survive the test! c. Memorize it! 6. Hunger, Experiences, and Money/material possessions are common areas of weakness! a. Be guarded in these areas. b. Use them as God intends and allows. 7. Service and Worship of God will build our strength. 8. Accept God’s help to get out of your trial!
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But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,” Ecc. 3:1-2 1. Renew Now! a. Today is your only sure time! Ecc 3:1-2 b. Today there is time for your salvation! 2 Cor 6:2 c. Today you have less time than ever before! Rom 13:11 If not now, then when? 2. Renew with Reason! Joshua 24:14-15 a. Know who you know! FEAR the LORD b. Serve whom you know! SERVE Him with all faithfulness c. Remove your reasons for stumbling! Throw away what is false! If not God, then who? 3. Renew and Remember! a. You are not alone in your renewal! Joshua 24:22 b. You are accountable for your commitment! Joshua 24:27 c. You are to signify your commitment with Baptism! Mark 1:9-13 d. Commitment brings Conflict! Mark 1:12 If not this, then what/how? Conclusion
A. Matthew 2:1
1. God incarnate 2. Some wise men noticed his presence i. Proverbs 2:6 - For the Lord grants WISDOM! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. B. Matthew 2:2 1. They saw the star rising and knew that Jesus was born KING! 2. They came prepared to worship C. Matthew 3:3-8 1. The presence of God calls for a response: something that is done as a reaction to something else. i. King Herod , disturbed ii. And all of Jerusalem D. Matthew 2:9 1. God guided them by a star! i. They saw the star in verse 2 and went to Jerusalem for human advise, to no avail ii. They once again sought God and He led them by the star. E. Matthew 2:10 1. When they arrived under the star they were filled with joy i. Matthew 2:11 - On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Conclusion
Matthew 1:23; Luke 2:1-20 1. God is with us!
a. With us in flesh to be like we are! Matthew 1:23 b. With us to save us from sins’ penalty. Matthew 1:21 c. With us to redeem us from sins’ power. Romans 8:23 d. With us to sustain us in sins’ lingering presence. Romans 8:26 e. With us to sanctify us into the image of Jesus. Romans 8:28-29 f. With us until we are with Him face to face! Romans 8:30 2. Do we notice? a. Most people do not see God’s true presence! i. Caesar Augustus did not notice! Luke 2:1 ii. Quirinius did not notice! Luke 2:2 iii. Nazareth did not notice! Luke 2:4 iv. Bethlehem did not notice! Luke 2:4 v. The innkeeper did not notice! Luke 2:7 b. Look to see that God is with you! i. Zechariah heard from Gabriel but did not believe. Luke 1:13-18 ii. Elizabeth responded to the Holy Spirits prompting and blessed Mary! Luke 1:39-45 iii. Simeon obeyed the Holy Spirit and believed God’s sovereign promise! Luke 2:27-31 3. Anna continually worshipped God: Luke 2:36-38 a. In His temple, b. fasting, praying, giving thanks, c. looking forward to the redemption of Israel 4. Shepherds: Luke 2:8-20 a. Go and see this thing for ourselves b. Find Jesus c. Tell others what you found d. Glorify and Praise God SO WHAT?
Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:17-25 1. Purity in their Relationship! Matthew 1:18-19, 25
a. Sexual purity: No sins against self or one another: 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 b. Spiritual purity: No sin against God: Psalm 51:4 2. Sensitivity to God Voice! Matthew 1:20-25 a. His words are heard. 2 Peter 1:19 b. His will is understood and obeyed. c. Received the Angelic command, Remembered the Ancient Prophecy, Rejected the Attitude of Fear and Selfishness 3. Unity in God’s Will! Ephesians 5:21-33 a. Concern for God’s work in the other person’s life b. Clear understanding of God’s work in their relationship c. Certainty in moving forward together 4. Community with God’s Church: Luke 1:45, 56 a. Elizabeth b. Shepherds c. Magi d. Simeon and Anna SO WHAT?
Scripture Reading: Romans 8:22-30 Sermon Notes:
1. Life is full of circumstances of disappointment. Verse 22-23a a. The Fall of Man brought death into the world. b. The World groans! All men and all the created world! c. We/Christians groan! d. Groaning is caused by circumstances that remind us of our broken condition 2. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness to patiently wait with hope! Verse 23b-27 a. Hope of our Salvation i. Redeemed bodies ii. Adopted Sons/Daughters of God b. The Hope? i. Can’t be seen. Must be believed! ii. Can’t be rushed. Must be waited on! c. The Spirit helps as we wait: verse 27 i. Intercedes for us! ii. Brings us into oneness with the Father’s will! 3. The Work of God turns disappointment into Christlikeness! Romans 8:28-29 a. God works for our good in all things: love Him/called according to His purpose b. Conforming us to the image of His son/Jesus! c. Predestined-Called-Justified-Glorified 4. The Word of God turns the impossible into the possible! Luke 1:37-38 a. Everything God speaks, God does! REVIEW: 1. Life is full of circumstances of disappointment. Verse 22-23a 2. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness to patiently wait with hope! Verse 23b-27 3. The Work of God turns disappointment into Christlikeness! Romans 8:28-29 4. The Word of God turns the impossible into the possible! Luke 1:37-38 Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:13-16 Sermon Notes:
Jesus puts His Light in the darkness of this world! 1. You are the light of Christ in this dark world! Matthew 5:13-16 a. Shine among men! b. Shine through good deeds! c. Let it Shine! The Light shines from another source! Undeniable, unquenchable, Unashamed! 2. You must avoid the Light Quenchers! Verse 15 a. Moral Perversion: Isa 5:20 b. Spiritual Perversion: John 3:19 3. You must receive the Light in order to be light! Verse 16 a. Jesus came to bring light to all people in darkness! i. Prophecy Fulfilled: Isa 9:2; Matt 4:16 ii. People Liberated: Isa 42:7, 16 iii. Proclamation of Jesus’ Gospel: Isa 61:1 b. Jesus provides light to you that will change your life: i. You will never walk in darkness: John 8:12; John 12:46 ii. You will proclaim His message to others: Act 26:17-18 4. You must do good deeds: Verse 16 a. Put off deeds of darkness! Rom 13:12; Ephesians 5:11 b. Put away your partnership with unbelievers! 2 Cor 6:14 c. Put on the light of God! Eph 5:8 d. Prepare for Jesus’ Return! 1 Thess 5:4 e. Praise Him who called you into the light! 1 Peter 2:9 Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-8 1. Time: verses 1-2, 6b
A. Prayer Time: 1) Many Prayers: petition, prayer, intercession, thanksgiving 2) Many People: all people, Kings, those in authority 3) Specific Purpose: We may live in peace and quiet B. Proper Time 2. Temperature: The heat of life needs to be turned down! Verse 2b A. Peaceful and quiet lives B. Godliness and holiness 3. Taste: Season to taste! Verse 3 A. Good!!! 4. Truthful Ingredients: verses 4-8 Corn bread cake? A. Jesus is the only way to be right with God! B. God wants all men to be saved! C. Jesus died for all men! D. God sends word to all men! E. All men should get right with God and one another! F. Pleases God our Savior Scripture Reading: The Parable of the Two Sons - Matthew 21:28-31 (NIV) You come to know God by experience as you obey Him and He accomplishes His work through you.
1. God has invited you to work in His vineyard. A. The right of sonship comes through salvation! B. The right of sonship brings with it the privilege of ministry! C. All sons are servants! All sons are invited to serve! D. Have you accepted His invitation? What has been your response? 2. The sons’ responses are partial, not permanent! A. Your “no” does not need to be final! B. Your “yes” by itself is not sufficient! 3. The obedient son is blessed! A. Knows the Father B. Loves the Father C. Hears the Father D. Walks/works according to the Father’s Word E .The Father accomplishes His Kingdom work through him! F. The Son experiences the Father in a new and deeper way! Summary: 1. God has invited you to work in His vineyard. 2. The sons’ responses are partial, not permanent! 3. The obedient son is blessed! Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:3-17 You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing.
1. Avoid the path of pride that makes your think you don’t need God. verses 3-9 a. You have sinned because all have sinned. b. The wages of sin is death. You have earned punishment. c. Our “best” is like garbage compared to God’s “best.” d. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus! God offers you salvation! 2. Ask God to show you a godly role model: Find a person like Paul! a. They model salvation by grace b. They model humility c. They model recognition of sin and repentance d. They model sacrifice for God e. They model priorities surrendered to Jesus 3. Aim for The Mark precisely: verses10-11 a. Know Jesus b. The power of resurrection c. The fellowship of suffering d. The eternal promise 4. Adjust your path continually: verses 12-13 a. Not there yet b. I am reaching c. This is the main thing 5. Apprehend your prize enthusiastically: verses 14-16 a. Focus on Jesus! b. Forget the past! c. Forge Ahead! d. Find Maturity! Review: 1. Avoid the path of pride that makes your think you don’t need God. verses 3-9 2. Ask God to show you a godly role model: Find a person like Paul! 3. Aim for The Mark precisely: verses 10-11 4. Adjust your path continually: verses 12-13 5. Apprehend your prize enthusiastically: verses 14-16 Scripture reading: 1 Samuel 17
SO WHAT?
Scripture reading: John 1:1-18 (NIV) 1. No one can reveal God, except Jesus, His Son! Verse 18
a) Jesus explains what He himself is and what He has seen! b) Jesus is the Word and has been from the beginning! Verse 1 c) The Word is Creator! Verse 3 d) The Word is life giver and sustainer! Verse 4 e) The Word is revelator! Verse 9 2. Jesus Speaks for God by putting His Word into living flesh and blood among men! Verse 14 Jesus shows us: a) God’s Glory b) God’s Grace: verse 16 c) God’s Truth: verse 17 3. Jesus Speaks to Jews and Gentiles in words that allow all who believe in Him to become children of God! Verses 10-13 a) Everyone does not hear Jesus’ words as the word of God the creator! b) Each person must accept or reject what Jesus says to them. c) All who believe are born of the will of God into His family! 4. All other means of revelation are simply an extension of Jesus’ revelation! a) Holy Spirit! The real and invisible presence of Christ in every believer today! b) Pray for a “word” from God! Rhema: The personal utterance of God to believers through the Holy Spirit c) Bible! Graphe: written Word of God! d) Church e) Circumstances Summary: 1. No one can reveal God except Jesus, His Son! Verse 18 2. Jesus Speaks for God by putting His Word into living flesh and blood among men! Verse 14 3. Jesus Speaks to Jews and Gentiles in words that allow all who believe in Him to become children of God! Verses 10-13 4. All other means of revelation are simply an extension of Jesus’ revelation! So What? > Accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord! > Turn your ears to the Son to know the heart of the Father! > Read the Bible and listen for God to speak to you! Scripture Reading: Exodus 3:1-14 1. God invites you to know Him as Savior and Lord!
2. God invites you to join Him in His work in the world! 3. God invites you to serve Him with the talents He gave you! 4. God invites you to worship Him as Creator and King! SO WHAT? ü Accept Jesus as your personal savior and Lord! ü Pray for the sensitivity to see what God is doing! ü Share your faith with those God brings into your life! ü Invest your talents in the work you see God doing! ü Worship God with your whole life! Scripture Reading: 1 John 3:16 (NIV) 1. Remember, a Real Relationship of Love was Lost through sin and rebellion: Genesis 3:6-13 2. Learn what a Love Relationship Requires: Deut. 6:4-5; Mark 12:30 3. Live in love with the God who loves you and died for you: John 3:16; 1 John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10 4. Lasting Love! Romans 8:35, 37, 39; Mathew 6:31-33
Scripture Reading: Habakkuk 1:1-4 (NLT) |
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