- (Acts 19:26) Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at
Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much
people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:
-
- 3. OUR DIVINE COMMISSION
- John 20:21 - As God sent Jesus, Now He sends us, How:
- 1. Matthew 7:29 - Jesus taught with authority
- (Mat 7:29) For he taught them as one having authority, and
not as the scribes.
- 2. Mark 13:34 - Jesus delegated Authority
- (Mark 13:34) For the Son of man is as a man taking a far
journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his
work, and commanded the porter to watch.
- 3. Titus 2:15 - We must speak with authority and without
reservation.
- (Titus 2:15)
These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
-
- 4. OUR DIVINE POSSESSION - The Holy Spirit
- A. John 14:26 - He will teach you and bring to remembrance
what you studied.
- B. John 16:8 - He does the reproving of the unbeliever and
sinning brother.
- C. John 16:13 - He guides us into all truth.
-
- 5. OUR DIVINE INVESTMENT - The Cross
- A. Ezekiel 22:26 - We are holy and clean, the world is not
(Lev. 10:9-11)
- B. Ezekiel 44:23 - We must teach the difference between the
holy & profane
- C. Colossians 2:13-14
- (Col 2:13-14) And you, being dead in your sins and the
uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all
trespasses; {14} Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was
contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
-
- 1. We were dead (nekrous) - profane - unclean
- 2. He made us spiritually alive
- 3. Forgiven us all trespasses
- 4. Blotting out - Forgot all our sins - Heb. 8:12 &
10:17
- 5. His instrument of forgiveness - His cross
- 6. Our instrument of evangelism - Our cross - death to self
- 6. OUR DIVINE ARSENAL
-
- The Word of God - Romans 10:17 "dia" "through"
the Word of God
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- GIVING: A DYNAMIC OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
- Context: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
-
- Text: Vss 6-8 >>>>> Three Principles of
Godly Giving
-
- Vs 6 - PRINCIPLE OF SOWING
- A. Not health, wealth, name it and claim it.
- B. Bountiful giving
- C. Deut. 16:17 - According to what one has
- (Deu 16:17) Every man shall give as he is able, according to
the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.
- D. Proverbs 11:24 - Scatter - Disperse abroad -
"Where needed"
- (Prov 11:24) There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth;
and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
- E. Ecclesiastes 11:1 - "Cast" - Piel Verb -
Intense or intentional action
- (Eccl 11:1) Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt
find it after many days.
- F. Matthew 6:3 - Secret Giving
- (Mat 6:3) But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand
know what thy right hand doeth:
- G. 1 Corinthians 16:2 - Regular Giving - "First of
the Sabbaths" mian sabbatwn
- (1 Cor 16:2) Upon the first day of the week let every one of
you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I
come.
-
- Vs 7 - PRINCIPLE OF ATTITUDE - Cheerful
- A. Not grudgingly (sorrow, sadness, pain of mind or body)
- B. How much do I trust God?
- C. Purposeth - Middle Voice Verb - "Decide" -
Go either way
- D. 2 Cor. 8:12 - A willing mind
- (2 Cor 8:12) For if there be first a willing mind, it is
accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
- E. 1 Cor. 4:1-3 - Stewardship requirement
- F. Gift of Giving - Romans 12:8 - Lives to give
- G. The unjust steward - Luke 16:9-11 - Faithful in least
-
- Vs 8 - PRINCIPLE OF RETURN
- A. R.G. Letourneau
- B. Psalm 81:10-11 - How wide will we open?
- C. Prov. 11:25-26 Generous Soul Blessed
- (Prov 11:25-26) The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he
that watereth shall be watered also himself. {26} He that withholdeth corn, the people
shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
- D. Proverbs 19:17 - Will be repaid
- (Prov 19:17) He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto
the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
- E. Proverbs 22:9 - Blessings
- (Prov 22:9) He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed;
for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
- F. Isaiah 32:8 - Liberal Soul=Generous - (will be treated
generously)
- (Isa 32:8) But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by
liberal things shall he stand.
- G. Malachi 3:10 - The size of the windows are
proportionate
- (Mal 3:10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that
there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I
will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not
be room enough to receive it.
- H. Luke 6:38 - The way you give is the way you will
receive
- (Luke 6:38) Give, and it shall be given unto you; good
measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your
bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
- I. Galatians 6:7 - We will reap what we sow
- (Gal 6:7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever
a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
-
- Six basic dynamics giving builds into our lives:
- 1. It teaches us to look beyond ourselves.
- 2. It teaches us we are stewards and not owners.
- 3. It arrests greed and self-centerdness.
- 4. It opens the door for a sacrificial life
- 5. It teaches us that we can trust God with money which
opens the door to trust Him with other things.
- 6. It is obedience.
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- THE JOYS OF BEING BORN AGAIN
- Text: 1 Peter 1:17-23
-
- 4 principles which undergird the Christian life.
- 1. Saved - Deliverance, Preservation
- 2. Transferred - Adopted into the family of God - Plundering
Satan's house - Rom. 8:15
- 3. Secured - We are sealed and the seal can't be broken -
Ephesians 4:30
- 4. Rest - Hebrews 4:9 - "Sabbatismos" - Sabbatismos - We no
longer work for ourselves but pay heed to the work God has done on our behalf.
-
- FIVE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS IN OUR LIFE WHICH ALSO BECOME
BORN AGAIN
- 1. OUR TODAYS - Lamentations 3:22-23
- A. Each new day is a gift from God
- B. Each new day is an adventure with God.
- C. Each new day can be faced with confidence -
"can" vs. "may," can is a word of ability not permission
-
- 2. OUR YESTERDAYS - Romans 6:3-4
- A. Past sins need not be feared.
- B. God has buried our sins
- 1. "We are buried" should be "we were
buried" (Indicative mood/aorist tense/passive voice) the dead person does not lower
their own casket, others do. God takes our sins and buries them. Passive voice is the
subject receiving the action.
- 2. Baptism - Acts 2:38 - Baptism in the Holy Spirit at time
of salvation.
- 3. Lazarus in the grave stunk - 4 days - So do our sins if
we try to dig them up.
-
- 3. OUR FUTURE - Deuteronomy 31:8
- A. Before thee - Divine Lookout
- B. Be with thee - Divine Guidance
- C. Not fail thee - Divine assurance
- D. Neither forsake - Divine possession
-
- 4. HABITS - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
- A. God promises freedom from worldly habits
- B. Worldy dependence is now heavenly dependence - Matthew
6:33
- C. Deadly habits turned to God-ward habits - 1 Thess. 1:9
- D. Let our banner cry be "Remember Jericho" -
Joshua 6
-
- 5. HOPES - Psalm 38:15
- A. In Thee O Lord - My hope has a focus
- B. Thou wilt hear - My hope has confidence
- C. O Lord My God - My hope is living
- When we become born again, all the elements of our life are
born again. Some areas need to be refocused and redeveloped from existing thought
patterns, nevertheless, we are fit for heaven.
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- COURAGEOUS CHARACTERS WHO RALLIED TO THE CALL
- Is there a calling on your life? Does God want you to do
something and you have neglected His call?
-
- 1. CALEB - Joshua 14:9-12 - BELIEF
- A. Caleb claimed the promise - Vs 9
- B. Age was no hindrance - Vs 10
- C. He was going to drive out the enemy
- D. His key - Verse 14 - "He wholly followed the
Lord"
-
- 2. JONATHAN - 1 Samuel 14:6 - WISDOM
- A. He used wise tactics to infiltrate the enemy
- B. He faced the Philistines with confidence
- C. Jonathan knew his God and His abilities (last part of vs.
6) (restraint = hindrance)
- Do you know your God? Is there something you want to
accomplish?
-
- 3. DAVID - 1 Samuel 17:32 - FAITH
- A. No enemy was bigger than God
- B. Right perspective on:
- 1. God
- 2. Situation - Vs 47 (armies of living
God, not just Israel)
- 3. Himself - a Child of God
-
- 4. NEHEMIAH - Nehemiah 6:10-12 - WORKS
- A. He would not be diverted - Have you been diverted?
- B. He refused to live in fear (slay thee/and I said)
- C. His eye was fixed on the goal (Zechariah 4:6-7)
-
- 5. DANIEL - Daniel 6:10 - PRAYER
- A. Nothing would deter Daniel from Prayer
- B. God's law was higher than man's (Key word is knew)
- C. Daniel's prayer life bore fruit - (Vss. 25-26)
-
- 6. JESUS - John 19:10-11 CHALLENGE
- A. Pilate represented Rome in all its power
- B. Jesus looked beyond the physical and knew who was really
in charge.
-
- 1. Caleb rallied to the call of BELIEF.
- 2. Jonathan rallied to the call of WISDOM.
- 3. David rallied to the call of FAITH.
- 4. Nehemiah rallied to the call of WORKS.
- 5. Daniel rallied to the call of PRAYER.
- 6. Jesus rallied to the call of THE CHALLENGE.
- TOTAL VICTORY ON ALL COUNTS
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- THE INCUBUS OF INDECISION
- Text: John 7:24
-
- WHY WE DO NOT WANT TO MAKE DECISIONS
- 1. Fear of Outcome - Pre-Programmed Fear of failure
- 2. Wait for someone else - Husband for wife, wife for
husband - We possess a pre-programmed belief that we are incapable of making decisions.
- 3. Irresponsibility - 1 Corinthians 6:2-3
- 4. We hold a wrong concept of God - (i.e., He will punish us
if we are wrong)
- 5. We are comfortable where we are - (The comfort zone
Christian) Acts 1:8 Vs. 8:1
- 6. We don't trust God for the results - Naaman in 2 Kings
5:11-12 >We can't see past the horizon so we think God can't
-
- HOW TO MAKE A WISE DECISION
- 1. Heavy Prayer Focus - Neh. 1:4 - Seek God for hidden areas
you are not aware of.
- 2. Gather all necessary data:
- A. Count the cost - Luke 14:28-30
- B. Do research - Nehemiah 2:12-16
- 3. Seek Godly counsel - Proverbs 15:22
- 4. Never rush a major decision - 1 Samuel 13:5-6, 8-10, 13
(Proverbs 15:28)
- 5. Never make a decision when emotions run high - Numbers
14:39-45
- 6. Will it hinder my Christian walk?
- 7. How will it affect the rest of my life? My family? Those
around me?
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- WHAT? ME AN EVANGELIST?
-
- Principles of Evangelism from Philip the Evangelist
- Text: Acts 8:26-40
- 1. Vs 26 - The Evangelist desires to "go toward."
- 2. Vs 26 - The Evangelist desires to preach in spiritual
deserts.
- 3. Vs 27 - The Evangelist puts the plan into action.
- 4. Vs 30 - The Evangelist does not waste time after
receiving marching orders.
- 5. Vs 30 - The Evangelist is ready to challenge.
- 6. Vs 35 - The Evangelist starts from the point where people
are at.
- 7. Vs 35 - The Evangelist has only one message.
- 8 .Vs 37 - The Evangelist expounds the Scriptures for
understanding by their hearers.
- 9. Vs 40 - The Evangelist seeks to proclaim Christ wherever
they are.
-
- Were all God's Servants Eager to Obey?
- 1. Moses argued on the basis of speech - Exodus 4:10
- God's answer - Exodus 4:11-12
- 2. Gideon argued on the basis of Inadequacy - Judges 6;15
- God's answer - Judges 6:16
- 3. Isaiah argued on the basis of his sinful nature - Isaiah
6:5
- God's answer - Isaiah 6:6-7
- 4. Jeremiah argued on the basis of youth - Jeremiah 1:5
- God's answer - Jeremiah 1:7
- 5. Ananias argued on the basis of rumor - Acts 9:13-14
- God's answer - Acts 9:15
-
- OUR RELUCTANCE TO SERVE IS PREDICATED ON OUR
SELF-ASSESSMENT!
-
- OUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE IS PREDICATED ON OUR
GOD-ASSESSMENT.
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- PROJECTING POWERFUL PRAYER or HOW TO PRAY FOR OTHERS!!
- Text Colossians 1:9-12
-
- OUR METHOD
- Vs 9a - Do Not Cease
- Importunate in Prayer - Luke 18 - Unjust Judge
- A. Abraham - Genesis 18:32 - (Outcome 50, 40, 30, 20, 10)
- B. Jacob - Genesis 32:26 - Blessing (wrestled)
- C. Moses - Deuteronomy 9:18 - (Intercessor 40 days on behalf
of Israel)
-
- OUR FOCUS
- Vs 9b - Know God's Will (Purpose or Desire) Why?
- A. To know God's place for them (where)
- B. To know God's plan for them (what)
- C. To know God's path (how)
-
- Wisdom and Spiritual Understanding
- A. To see things from God's point of view - Habakkuk 1:6,
12-13
- B. To see beyond the physical - Job - "Shall we accept
good and not evil..."
- C. Proverbs 4:7 - Getting=substance or wealth
-
- Vs 10
- Walk Worthy
- A. Romans 6:4 - Newness of life (denotes complete change
from old life to new)
- B. Romans 16:12 - (As becometh)
- C. Colossians 2:6 - Received Christ by Faith/Walk by Faith
(Pleasing to God)
-
- Fruitful - The Tree - Jeremiah 17:7-8
- A. It pushes its roots down
- B. It drinks all the water it can.
- C. It spreads out its roots
-
- Grow in the Knowledge of God
- A. Past experiences with God - 2 Chronicles 20:7 -
Jehoshaphat
- B. Present level
- C. Perspective for growth - Works, Faith, and Study
-
-
- Vs 11- Strengthened by Might (dunamis) Dunamis
- Ephesians 3:16 - Might - Kratos (Great Power in the Spirit)
Why?
- 1. Patience - Endurance - Romans 12:12
- 2. Longsuffering - Perseverance (The long haul)
-
- Vs 12 - They may give Thanksgiving from within when they
come through adversity.
- The seven desires of every believer.
- 1. To know God's will
- 2. Possess Wisdom and Spiritual Understanding
- 3. They will walk worthy
- 4. Fruitful
- 5. To grow in knowledge of God
- 6. Strengthened by might
- 7. To give thanks
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- ETERNAL 911
- Text: Romans 3:10-19
-
- THE PROBLEM
- Vs 10 - No one righteous (indwelt sin)
- Vs 11 - No one understands (sin darkens our eyes)
- Vs 11 - No one seeks after God ( John 3:19 - Man loves
darkness)
- Vs 12 - Everyone gone out of the way - Man believes their
way is right (Proverbs 14:12)
- Vs 12 - All unprofitable (useless or worthless) - Because of
sin which is compounded by sins [sic]
- Vs 13 - Throat is an open grave (lies, deceit - God likens
us to poisonous snakes Psalm 58:3-4)
- Vs 14 - We speak with cursing and bitterness - Directed or
focused anger, hatred or jealousy.
- Vs 15 - Murder comes easy (murder by tongue also) - First
recorded sin after man's fall was murder
- Vs 16 - Man's wickedness leads only to misery and
destruction - Deuteronomy 28:67
- Vs 17 - No peace in their lives - Isaiah 48: 22 & Isaiah
57:21 - Because of separation from God whom the unbeliever is at war with - Romans 5:1
speaks of having "peace" with God because of cessation of hostilities.
- Vs 18 - No fear of God - Swear His Holy Name - God will hold
people guilty of this (God bless you is also a vain or profane [Common] use of God's name.
- Vs 19 - All the world is guilty before God - They will be
judged
-
- THE SOLUTION - JESUS CHRIST
- John 3:15 - Those in Christ will not perish
- 3:17 - Salvation through Christ
- 3:18 - Those in Christ are not condemned
- 3:21 - Those in Christ will be the light of the world
- 3:36 - Those in Christ receive everlasting life - (Contrast
Revelation 14:10-11)
-
- 2 Judgment days - Calvary or Great White Throne
- Believer's judged by God through Calvary and found not
guilty - Justified In Christ or eternity in Hell
- Salvation is completely of God - John 1:12-13
- Christ must become your Savior
- Christ must become your Lord
- The believer's rejoicing is found in Romans 8:1
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- GOING FORWARD
- Text: Genesis 12:6-8; 13:1-4; Philippians 3:13-14 &
selected verses for body of sermon from Philippians.
-
- Why go Back to Bethel
- A. For spiritual refreshment
- B. To do spiritual recollection
- C. To clean house
- 5 times in Matthew 5 in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus
states, "Ye have heard it said by them of old time."
- Old=Original derived from a word which means order, rank, or
place.
- Jesus then proceeds to say, 'But I say unto you."
- He was changing their normal pattern of thinking.
- In Philippians 3:13-14 - Paul is also changing our normal
thinking patterns. In verse 13 he is exhorting us to forget and reach forth.
- We must learn a major principle, "NEVER USE TODAY'S
DEFEAT AS A SEED FOR TOMORROW'S FAILURES."
- Philippians: WE MUST GO FORWARD:
-
- 1. In Faith (1:6)
- A. Our entire being is in Christ's hand
- B. Our faith - His faithfulness - Perfect Together
- C. "Will" perform not 'maybe"
-
- 2. In Boldness (1:28)
- A. We are on the winning side
- B. We are equipped for the battle (never concern ourselves
with what Satan may do)
- C. God's promises are always valid (2 Cor. 1:20)
-
- 3. In Likemindedness (2:2)
- A. Learn to combine church resources
- B. Shun the island mindset
- C. Resolve differences immediately
-
- 4. As a Servant (2:7)
- A. Seek an area of service.
- B. Seek the back seat
- C. Lower is higher in God's plan
-
- 5. In Acceptance (2:14-15)
- A. Jonah
- B. Learn to accept where God has placed you
- C. Our testimony is on trial
-
- 6. In the Knowledge of Christ (3:10)
- A. read and study Scripture more.
- B. Experience the strength of Christ through Trials
- C. become a living sacrifice - "unto his death"
-
- 7. In Healed Relationships (4:2)
- A. Look at the other person's point of view (Archie Bunker
said you should always show two sides of the story so you can show the other guy where he
is wrong!)
- B. Look at the other person from Christ's perspective
- C. Release them in your mind if you cannot come to agreement
with them.
-
- 8. In Peace (4:7)
- A. "Passes all understanding" - Keeps us peaceful
in an unpeaceful world
- B. Heart - God's peace will protect your emotions
- C. Mind - God's peace will protect your thoughts
-
- 9. In Life (4:13)
- A. Seek a ministry you can do - not what you cannot do ( we
tend to focus on what we cannot do rather than on what we can do.
- B. Take the step this year you feared to take last year.
- C. Realize the source of your strength
-
- 10. In The Confidence of God (4:19)
- A. God's supply is equal to your need.
- B. God's supply is your arsenal.
- C. God's supply is yours.
-
- WE MUST GO FORWARD IN:
- 1. Faith
- 2. Boldness
- 3. Likemindedness
- 4. Servanthood
- 5. Situational Acceptance
- 6. The Knowledge of Christ
- 7. Healed Relationships
- 8. Peace
- 9. Life
- 10. The Confidence of God
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- BECOMING A CHILD IN GOD
- Preliminary texts:
- Matthew 18:1-6 - 'Be converted and become as little
children" - Vs 3
- 'Humble Himself" - Vs 4
- Mark 9:35-37 - 'Last of all and servant of all" - Vs 35
- Mark 10:13-16 - "As a little child" - Vs 15
- Luke 9:46-48 - "Least among you" - Vs 48
- Luke 18:15-17 - 'As a Little child" - Vs 17
- The thread which runs through these verses is the
unadulterated purity of a child before he/she is molded by the world. They still have a
fertile mind.
-
- Characteristics of the childlike mind the believer needs to
adopt:
- 1. Implicit trust
- 2. Teachable
- 3. No pre-programmed attitudes
- 4. Willing to pattern themselves after their superiors
- 5. Willing to be submissive
- 6. They feel safe in the family when facing adverse
conditions
- 7. They are loyal
- 8. They befriend other children
- 9. They are inquisitive
- 10. They have the ability of unquestionable love
- This is why Christ, in Matthew 18:3 says, "Unless ye be
converted..." The word "converted" is the Greek word "straphete"
which comes from a root word "strepho" which is a common word in the New
Testament which means "turn, change, or return. Straphete in this context means a
full turning back. This is the only place in the New Testament this word is used.
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- THE GODS OF DESTRUCTION
- Opening Text: Acts 17:16-23
- Are we any different from Athens?
- Halloween>Occult
- Thanksgiving>Food and Spirits
- Christmas>Santa Claus
- Easter>Bunnies
-
- WHEN A NATION TURNS ITS BACK ON THE GOD OF THE BIBLE, WHAT
IS THE RESULT?
- Does the United States fit this description?
- Text: Deuteronomy 28:15>
- 1. Vs 16 - Cities have become crime havens - can't walk at
night or fear to visit them
- 2. Vs 16 - Cursed in the field - Much of western land is
burned up
- 3. Vs 27 - Pestilence - Aids - Instead of abstinence we push
condoms
- 4. Vs 28 - More people today in counselor's offices -
counselors are being set up as mini-gods
- 5. Vs 29 - Grope (search) - No way out of our predicaments -
It seems hard times and oppression are a way of life
- 6. Vs 30 - Divorce, remarriage, and adultery on the rise -
property foreclosures on the rise
- 7. Vs 31 - Ox and Ass were instruments of work for farming -
Unemployment is on the rise as more companies leave America
- 8. Vs 32 - Our children have been sacrificed on the altar of
public education, shopping malls, and video games
- 9. Vs 43 - Waves of immigrants (legal and illegal) are
coming here and opening businesses and receiving the good jobs, while Americans stand in
the unemployment line
-
- WHEN A NATION TURNS ITS BACK ON THE GOD OF THE BIBLE, THIS
IS THE RESULT
- Can this trend be reversed?
- I believe the degeneration of a nation is closely linked to
the salt effect of the believing church. We have a nation of neutralized Christians who
will not rock the boat.
- Richard Baxter stated in his book "The Reformed
Pastor," penned in 1656:
- "God will be honored when His church is manifestly seen
to be different from that of the world."
- Jeremiah 18:6-10 says impending judgment can be stayed. Key
word in Vs 8 is "Turn."
-
- Turn from What?
- 1. Personal philosophies designed to allow me to keep a good
hold in this world - The deceit of sin is that it makes you think you are
- walking with God when you are walking
opposite him.
- 2. The following of Theologians and Preachers instead of the
Bible.
- 3. The refusal to submit to biblical authority - My will not
Thine. Shopping and eating out on Sunday is wrong. We may read and give
- heed to the Scriptures but when it is
convenient we will rationalize so we may fulfill our desires.
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- PRAISE YE THE LORD - AFFECT AND EFFECT
- Text: Acts 16:22-39
- Psalms 146-150 begin with "Praise Ye The Lord"
- Psalm 146 - The Soul
- Psalm 147 - Good, pleasant, comely (beautiful or suitable)
- Psalm 148 - From the Heavens and in the heights
- Psalm 149 - A new song in the congregation of saints
- Psalm 150 - In the sanctuary & firmament of his power
(expanse of His strength)
-
- Vss 22-24 - The spiritual praise test (beaten with rods)
- Vs 25 - Praise during the darkest hour transforms our
outlook on our present situation
- A. True praise (TP) is based on our
relationship with Christ - Psalm 16:8-9
- B. TP is based on walking in the spirit -
Romans 8:1, 5
- C. TP emanates outward in contrast to
feelings which flow inward
- D. TP gives evidence you are living above
your circumstance - Paul and Silas could have been bitter (Acts 5:40-42)
- E. TP is a thank offering to the Lord for
the position you are in:
-
1. The tougher the
position, the more God has entrusted to you.
-
2. Did God trust Paul
with much? 1 Thess. 2:4 2 Tim. 2:2
- F. TP refocuses your mind - Self to
Christ/Sorrow to Joy/Independence to Dependence
- G. TP affects others around you - What do
you think the other prisoners were thinking?
- H. TP testifies to the reality of the
living God.
- I. TP testifies to your belief in Christ
& your relationship with Him
- Vs 26 - Praise frees you from whatever binds you -
fear/insincerity/anger/doubt/fragmented beliefs
- Vs 27-28 - Praise frees you in the situation you are in
- Vs 30-31 - Praise is a form of evangelism (a high goal of
praise)
- Vs 34 - Praise reveals something you have that others are
searching for
-
- The essence of praise:
- Vss 22-23 - They were the victims
- Vss 37-39 - They were the victors
-
- The situation which began in pain, ended in praise.
- ____________________________________________________________________________________
- ADVERSITY: BANE OR GAIN
- How do I view Adversity?
- 1. Man's Eyes - Fleshly
- 2. God's Eyes - Spiritually
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- Why does God send Adversity?
- 1. To purify our ways - Malachi 3:2-3
- 2. Walking by faith or sight? - Romans 1:17
- 3. To reveal areas of disobedience - 2 Corinthians 2:9
- 4. Walking in my strength or His - Philippians 4:13
- 5. Measures our true spiritual condition - Hebrews 3:12-13
- 6. Because of our faithfulness to Him in our walk - 1 Kings
22:8
- 7. To be a testimony to others - Genesis 39:5
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- Five Assurances to the Believer going through Adversity!
- 1. God's Protection ----Isaiah 43:2
- 2. God's Provision -----Jeremiah 52:31-34
- 3. God's Profit -----------Hebrews 12:10
- 4. God's Preservation -1 Peter 1:3-5
- 5. God's Promises -----2 Peter 1:1-4
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- Adversity's Desired Effect!
- 1. God will reclaim His rightful place on the throne of our
hearts - Isaiah 42:8
- 2. Trust in God will be increased - Jeremiah 17:7
- 3. We will order our lives according to God's wisdom - 1
Corinthians 2:6
- 4. To mature us in our walk - Hebrews 13:20-21
- 5. Christ becomes our life - Colossians 3:4
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- COMMITTED OR CONTENTED
- How would you describe your Christian Walk?
- Committed - Daniel 3:16-18
- Contented - 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
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- COMMITTED CONTENTED
- Christ is my Life OR Christ is part of my life
- Desires obedience OR Fragmented obedience
- Giving generously OR Giving cheaply
- Active Christian OR Life Apathetic
- A thirst for God OR Happy with one fact about God
- Home Bible study OR Daily devotional guide
- Teach the Bible OR Learn the Bible
- Fruit Bearer OR Fruit Picker
- Change Agent for Christ OR Agent of Status Quo
- Doctrinal Absolutes OR Doctrine of the Day
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- If you are contented, then examine yourself to see if you
are in the faith. Christianity cannot be a convenient part of a person's life, it must be
their life.
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- SEVEN ELEMENTS OF GOD'S PEACE OR THE PEACE THAT PASSES
UNDERSTANDING
- Philippians 4:7
- Passeth - uperecw (huperecho) = Superior, Surpass, Excel
- Peace - eirhnh (eirene) - Peace, Cessation of hostilities
- Inward peace is the sole characteristic which sets us apart
from the world.
- We can negate peace with graduated mental scenarios (assumed
fears).
- Shall - Not a wavering promise
- Keep - As a watchman or sentinel
- Hearts - Physical or spiritual
- Mind - Emotions (emotion/spiritual reign/submission)
Emotions or Spiritual will reign or submit.
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- 1. Initial Peace - Romans 5:1
- A. God the initiator - When? - Ephesians 1:4
- B. God the performer - Colossians 1:20
- C. God the reconciler - Colossians 1:20
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- 2. Guiding Peace - Luke 1:79 (ultimately it is salvation)
- A. Decisions made according to Scripture yield peace - Psalm
119:101
- B. God guides till we reach heaven - Psalm 73:24
- C. God's guidance is by faith - Isaiah 42:16
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- 3. Sustaining Peace - John 14:27; 16:33
- A. God's peace is distinct - 14:27
- B. God's peace sustains in troubles and fear - 14:27
- C. God's peace is only in Christ (Authoritative peace) 16:33
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- 4. Social Peace - Mark 9:50 & Hebrews 12:14
- A. Peace with others is a command - 12:14
- B. 12:14 "follow"="pursue, follow after"
translated in 1 Timothy 3:12 "shall suffer persecution"
- C. 9:50 - Salt preserves and so does peace
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- 5. Perfect Peace - Isaiah 26:3
- A. Perfect = Complete (covers any and all situations)
- B. The condition "stayed" (to lean upon or take
hold of)
- C. A perfectly stayed mind results in trust in God.
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- 6. Ruling Peace - Colossians 3:15
- A. Let rule - brabeuw - Brabeuoo - To arbitrate - (only place in NT this word is used)
Peace should be the third party which hears the situation, God's peace should govern and
rule our actions
- B. "ye are called" Peace is a foundational
characteristic in which we are to filter our live's actions.
- C. Thankfulness is the peaceful acceptance of god's working
in our life.
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- 7. State of Peace - Romans 8:6
- A. The spiritual mind brings life and peace - David (Psalm
4:8)
- B. The spiritual mind is both sponge and filter.
- C. The spiritual mind is the normal mind of the Christian.
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- "FEAR" - THE CHRISTIAN'S STOPLIGHT - PART 1
- Text: Psalm 56 & 1 John 4:18
- There are about 40 words in the original language for fear.
- Their meanings range from timidity to reverence to terror.
- 1. Fear is a prison - It holds us captive.
- 2. Fear is sin - It causes us to think God is incapable of taking
care of us.
- 3. Fear also causes our minds to become:
- A. Polluted with satanic doubts
- B. Confused - clarity of thought is gone - all
thoughts come with the roadblock "What if."
- 4. Fear robs us of joy.
- 5. Everything we do is filtered through a mindset of fear.
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- Some reasons we fear:
- 1. Repeat of previous incident.
- 2. Anticipation gone awry - Don't have whole picture - Moses debated
with God at the bush about his speech
- problem.
- 3. Feelings of Inadequacy - Self-protection.
- 4. Feeling of unworthiness - Ephesians 1:6 - Accepted
- 5. Lack of parental and/or peer encouragement
- 6. We let God in at the end (crisis point) of a situation instead of
at the beginning.
- When God delays an answer, immediately we have
feelings of abandonment - Psalm 13:1-2
- 7. We trust in ourselves - limitations - Nebuchadnezzar Daniel
4:29-30
- 8. We have been trained to look to the world for solutions - for
example, churches borrow which results in years
- of fear the budget will not be met.
- 9. We are impatient - Especially if God delays answer to prayer.
- 10. We do not forgive ourselves for past sins or actions (1 Kings
17:18)
- 11. We live religiously not understanding the full impact of Christ's
atonement - We are still trying to please God
- and not realizing it -
Colossians 2:13 - All trespasses - It is finished
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- "FEAR" THE CHRISTIAN'S SPOTLIGHT - PART 2
- Text: Psalm 56 & 1 John 4:18
- The big question: How do I reverse fearful living?
- How do I turn fear into "forward?"
- 1. Realize your position in Christ - Ephesians 1
- 2. Realize your position in Christ is secure - 2 Peter 3:9 > John
6:39
- 3. Waiting on the Lord - there are about 40 verses in the Bible which
exhort and command us to wait on the
- Lord.
- Waiting on God is an investment of:
- A. Time
- B. Trust
- C. Training
- 4. Realize we are freed from spiritual penalty of our past - Romans
8:1 - Calvary was judgment day for
- Christians resulting in Hebrews 8:12 & 10:17
- 5. Realize that bad things will happen to us while on earth - 1 Peter
4:12
- 6. View problems as a trial from God - Eph. 1:19 - Resurrection Power
- 7. Focus on the past deliverances of God - 2 Chronicles 20:7
- 8. Stop living totally on feelings.
- 9. Pray and do - fear is a lifestyle which can be reversed by action,
not only prayer. Fear feeds itself on
- inactivity.
- 10. Scriptures which build our confidence against fear:
- Psalm 3:6
- Psalm 27:1
- Psalm 34:4
- Psalm 49:16
- Psalm 56:3
- Psalm 56:11
- Psalm 91:5
- Psalm 112:7
- Psalm 112:8
- Proverbs 3:24-26
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- THE METHODS OF SATAN
- Text: Ephesians 6:11
- Wiles = Methodeia = strategy, scheming, or planned deceitful
procedure
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- 1. CONTRADICTS GOD'S WORD - Genesis 3:4
- Modern theories and philosophies
- A. Humanism
- B. Free thinkers
- C. No-consequence morality
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- 2. COUNTERFEITS GOD'S WORD - Genesis 3:5
- Satan's counterfeit is:
- A. "God doth know" - putting words into
God's mouth
- B. "shall" used twice - denoting
dogmatism
- C. False teachers - God told me
- D. Commentaries - mix up with God's word
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- 3. PERSUADES OR ENTICES - 1 Chronicles 21:1
- A. Provoked = enticed
- B. Buy now - pay later
- C. Always against God's word
- D. Temptation always seems harmless - (70,000 died
because of David's sin)
- E. Jonadab - 2 Samuel 13:1-5, 11-15
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- 4. HE DIVERTS OUR OBJECTIVES - Matthew 16:22-24
- A. We look at the immediate not the big picture
- B. Diversion from God brings it back to a human
perspective
- C. Vs 24 - Human perspective normally is void of
"self-denial"
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- 5. HE BUILDS A BITTERNESS BASE IN OUR LIVES - 2 Corinthians 2:10-11
- A. Non-forgiveness does not represent the
forgiveness given to Christians
- B. Hebrews 12:15 - Bitterness has a ripple effect
- C. He Expands the base: Hate, lust, wrong desires,
bad habits, good habits,
- 2 Corinthians 10:4 -
Stronghold=dungeon, prison, or fortress
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- 6. CONSTANT REBUKING BY UNBELIEVERS - 2 Corinthians 12:7
- A. Judges 2:3; Joshua 23:13; Numbers 33:55 - The
Canaanites were constant "thorns in the side to Israel,"
- as all unbelievers
will be to us.
- B. The world will always oppose true Christianity,
will agree with Ecumenicism.
- C. If we are living the Christian walk, we will be
rebuked - 2 Timothy 3:12
- D. If we do not understand our position in Christ,
we will retreat.
- These are not all the
methods Satan uses but they give us enough understanding as to his methods.