Genesis 37:1–11

1 Peter 2:11-17

Matthew 1:26-38, 46-55

Matthew 1:18-25, 2:13-14, 19-21

Genesis 35-36

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

I John 2:15-17, Romans 8:5-17, Galatians 5:16

Romans 16:25-27

I. A Help with Prayer

II. A Response of Gratitude and Alignment

A. We Should be Grateful

B. We Should Work to Align Our Prayers to the Will of God

I. Resting in God’s Sovereignty

II. Trusting in Our Salvation

A. God Foreknew

B. God Predestined

C. God Called

D. God Justified

E. God Glorified

I. A Help with Prayer

II. A Response of Gratitude and Alignment

A. We Should be Grateful

B. We Should Work to Align Our Prayers to the Will of God

I. We Need to Bring the BIG Picture into Perspective (v. 18-23)

A. The World is Hurting

B. There is Help That is Offered

C. The Ultimate Source of Help is the Gospel that Promises Future Glory

II. We Need to Live in Light of the Hope That is to Come (v. 24-25)

I. We Have Been Adopted by Our Father (Identity) v. 14-15

II. We Have Been Given Access to Our Father (Intimacy) v. 15

III. We Will Be Glorified with Our Father (Inheritance) v. 17

I. Living in the Flesh Leads to a Sadness, Selfishness, and Suffering (vss. 5-8)

II. Living in the Spirit Leads to a Life Pleaseing to God and Eternal Presence with God (vss. 9-11)

I. Why is There No Condemnation?

II. How is There No Condemnation?

III. What is the Result of Living with No Condemnation?

I. Freedom from the Fear of Guilt and Shame

II. Freedom from the Fear of Death

III. Freedom from Being Under Destructive Powers and Authorities

1. Confidence, Assurance, and Gratitude

2. Much More in Jesus Christ

3. To Help Me Live in Christ

-Know What is Right

-Desire What is Right

-Do What is Right

I. The Power of Sin No Longer Reigns, but the Presence of Sin Still Remains.

II. The Same Law that Cannot Justify the Sinner, Cannot Sanctify the Saint

III. The Grace of God Frees Us, Not from Persistence in the Battle, but from the Consequence of the Fight.

"As a result of grace, we have been saved from sin’s penalty. One day we will be saved from sin’s presence. In the meantime, we are being saved from sin’s power." - Alistair Begg

I. The Law is a Mirror - It Reflects the Sinfulness of Sin

II. The Law is a Hammer - It Ruins the Sinner

III. The Law is a Gift - It Points Us to Our Savior

When it comes to the law...

1. Don’t be angry and frustrated.

2. Be grateful for the gift of grace.

3. See Jesus who fulfilled what we could not.

I. The Premise

II. The Analogy

III. The Promise

IV. The Application

I. Being a Slave to Sin Leads to Great Bondage.

II. Being a Servant to Righteousness Leads to Greater Blessing

We have the blessing of being...

1. Set Free from Sin

2. Set Apart Through Sanctification

3. Se Up with Eternal Life

I. If You Yield to Your Passions, Sin Will Reign

II. If You Yield to God, Grace Will Reign

To Yield to God We Must Specifically Yield To...

1. The Word of God

2. The Spirit of God

3. The People of God

I. How to Walk the New Life

II. How to Love the Old Life

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

1. Confess Sincerely - Go directly and immediately to the Lord and the one you have wronged.

2. Invite Others In - Commit to transparency in relationships with others who are seeking to do the same

3. Create Boundaries - Establish clear and achievable guidelines that assist in personal disciplines

4. Immerse Completely - Set goals for time in the Word, prayer, worship, and serving.

5. Establish Accountability - Schedule to meet personally with more than one person at a time.

I. One Trespass from the First Adam Brings Sin & Death

II. One Act of Righteousness from the Second Adam Brings Grace & Life

I. The When of Atonement

II. The Who is Atoned For

III. The What is Atonement

IV. The Result of Atonement

Taught By: Mike Fry

I. Through faith in Jesus we have received peace with God.

II. Through Jesus we receive the hope of the glory of God.

III. This hope allows us to rejoice in suffering.

I. Abraham Had Faith in God and God Alone

II. Abraham Acted on His Faith

III. Abraham Exemplified the Faith We Need

1. Pray For and Obey Those in Authority

2. Offer to Help the Sick and the Elderly

3. Sacrifice and Spend Your Money "As an Act of Love"

4. Share Good Information and Ignore Bad

5. Serve and Pray for Our Healthcare Workers

6. Feed and Watch Other People’s Kids if Schools are Closed

7. Keep your Home Filled with Scripture, Songs, and Prayer

8. Don’t Stop Trusting and Worshiping

I. The Standard - The Righteousness of God

II. The dilemma - The Unrighteousness of Man

III. The Solution - Righteousness Through Faith in Christ Jesus

A. Righteousness Revealed - v. 21

B. Righteousness Applied - vss. 22-25a

C. Righteousness Enjoyed - vss. 25b-31

II. The Dilemma - The Unrighteousness of Man

A. The Darkest of Nights - When everyone is under sin

B. The Brightest of Lights - When JESUS, the Son of God, arrives

I. The Standard - The Righteousness of God

A. God’s Righteousness is Heard Through His Word

B. God’s Righteousness is Seen Through His Faithfulness

C. God’s Righteousness is Demonstrate Through His Justice

I. With Openness - There are No Secrets in God’s Judgment

II. With Fairness - There is No Favoritism in God’s Judgment

III. With Graciousness - There is No Desire to Ruin in God’s Judgment

I. A Command to be Thankful (vss 1-2, 4)

II. A Cause for Our Thanksgiving (vss 3,5)

I. Stop Thinking You are Better Than Other People

II. Start Trusting God Knows the Truth about All People

I. Dishonorable Passions

II. Debased Minds

III. Deserving Death

IV. Hope Offered

I. Wrath of God Revealed

II. Truth of God Suppressed

III. Hearts of Mankind Darkened

IV. Creator of Everything Is Blessed Forever

Four Truths Communicated In These Verses

1. Power of God

2. Salvation

3. Revelation

4. Righteousness of God

I. Assurance IN the Gospel Brings Boldness FOR the Gospel

II. Power OF God for Salvation Brings Faith IN God to Salvation.

I. Paul’s Credentials

II. Paul’s Concern

A. To Encourage Them Personally

B. To Be Encouraged By Them

C. To Strengthen Them Spiritually

I. Paul’s Credentials

1. “A Servant”

2. “Called to be an Apostle”

3. “Set apart for the Gospel of God”

The Gospel, the Good News includes a…

Promise (v. 2)

Person (v. 3-4)

Provision (v. 5a)

Proclamation (v. 5b)

Purpose (v. 5c)

Privilege (v. 6-7)

Dan Nauta

1. We need God in our heart.

2. We replace God with our own gods.

3. God makes a way to satisfy our need.

I. The Tabernacle we Costly - Expecting Sacrifice (Exodus 25:1-9)

II. The Tabernacle was Holy - Displaying Sacredness (Exodus 25-26)

III. The Tabernacle was Lovely - Offering Salvation (Leviticus 16; Hebrews 9-10)

I. The Law Bruises

II. The Gospel Heals

I. Our Responsibility - To Seek Reconciliation (vss. 18-19)

II. Our Role - To Serve As Ambassadors (vss. 20-21)

I. The Secret is Out - "If anyone is in Christ, he/she is a new creation."

a. "a new creation" speaks of acceptance

b. "a new creation" speaks of assurance

c. "a new creation" speaks of inheritance

II. The Hope is Real - "The old has passed away, behold the new has come."

"From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passes away; behold, the new has come."

-II Corinthians 5:16-17

I. We Care About Spiritual Integrity (vs. 11)

II. We Care About Personal Humility (vss. 12-13)

III. We Care About Gospel Purity (vss. 14-15)

I. We Are Always of Good Courage (v. 6)

II. We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight (v. 7)

III. We Make it our Aim to Please Him (v. 9)

IV. We Must All Appear Before the Judgment Seat of Christ (v. 10)

Taught By: Matt McDermit

1. We know that our earthly bodies are temporal.

2. We know that our heavenly bodies are eternal.

3. We know that our groaning is normal.

4. We know that our guarantee is final.

"...this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison."

I. Remember & Reflect on our Suffering Savior

II. Remember & Reflect on our Future Promise

III. Remember & Reflect on our Present Purpose

I. Afflicted in every way but not crushed...

II. Perplexed but not driven to despair...

III. Persecuted but not forsaken...

IV. Struck down but not destroyed.

I. We Do Not Lose Heart

II. We Refuse to Tamper with the Truth

III. We Proclaim Jesus Christ

Application:

A. We Need to confess that we have covered our light with a bushel/basket of discouragement.

B. We need to proclaim with word and show with action what it means to be, “light in darkness.’

C. We need to know this is going to be hard, and it’s not a “Let go and let God” moment.

"The Christian’s motto should not be ’Let go and let God’ but ’Trust God and get going!’” -J I Packer

I. Your heart matters in maters of obedience

II. Anger is the seed from which murder grows

III. Make it right, right away

IV. Adultery starts in the heart

V. Go to great lengths to avoid lust

I. Why Should You Honor Your Father and Mother?

A. To Live in Obedience

B. To Practice the Art of Honoring

II. How Do You Honor Your Father and Mother?

(continued from last week)

III. The Lord’s Name is Holy - Treat it as Such

IV. The Lord’s Day is Holy - Treasure It as Sacred

Application

1. Preparation is Key

2. Public Worship is Necessary

3. Pitfalls of Legalism must be Avoided

I. You Should Not Replace God with an Idol

II. You Should Not Represent God with an Image

I. A Call to Obedience

II. A Reason to Tremble

III. A Need to Trust

I. Moses Accepts Wise Counsel

II. Moses Adjusts a Broken System

III. Moses Enjoys Shared Ministry

APPLICATION

1. There is great danger in trying to do too much, even if it’s good work.

2. There is nothing good that comes when one burns out in the work God has called you to.

3. There is never a good reason to work completely alone.

4. There is great effectiveness and reward in shared ministry.

I. The Sword Reveals to Us We Cannot Be Passive in the Battle

II. The Staff Refocuses Us to God’s Power and Presence in the Midst of the Fight

III. The Banner Reminds Us of God’s Promise that He Will (and has) Overcome on Our Behalf

I. People Who Are Constantly Grumbling Are Hard to Love – Yet God Still Loves

II. People Who Are Constantly Doubting Are Hard to Provide For – Yet God Still Provides

III. People Who are Constantly Sinning Are Hard to Forgive – Yet God Still Forgives

I. God’s Provision was Supernatural

II. God’s Provision was Sufficient

III. God’s Provision was Sacred

I. God Knows Your Needs – There is No Need to Grumble

II. God Promises Your Salvation – There is No Reason to Doubt

III. God Desires Your Obedience – There is No Eternal Value to Rebellion

Pastor Tim Boger, Big Woods Bible Church

Pastor Doug Packard, First Baptist of Lock Haven

Pastor Scott Garmin, Cedar Heights Brethren in Christ Church

Pastor Josh Grimes, The Common Place Church

I. He Will Be With You in the Journey

II. He Will Save You in the Journey

III. He Will Give You Grace to Endure the Journey

I. The Consequence of Sin is Death

II. The Conqueror of Sin is Jesus

6. Sixth Plague – Boils a Hurtin’

7. Seventh Plague – Hail a Fallin’

8. Eighth Plague – Locusts a Eatin’

9. Ninth Plague – Darkness a Blindin’

Exodus 8-11

1. First Plague – Turnin’ the Nile into Blood

2. Second Plague – Frogs a Jumpin’

3. Third Plague – Gnats a Crawlin’

4. Fourth Plague – Flies a Swarmin’

5. Fifth Plague – Livestock a Dyin’

APPLICATION

A. Admit we have a tendency to put other things in place of our worship of the one true God.

B. Confess to God what idols you may have in your life.

C. Ask God to guard your heart from worshiping false Gods.

D. Ask God to guard your mind and mouth from making false confessions.

Taught by: Brandon Zembower

1. God show His power through both man’s obedience and disobedience.

2. God shows His supremacy by humiliating the Egyptian gods.

3. God shows His justice by revealing the blood required to pay for sin.

APPLICATION

-We strive to live in obedience to the Word.

-We trust in the supremacy of God.

-We seek to know God more.

1. Remember God, through the Gospel, Offers Salvation

2. Remember God, through the Gospel, Offers Redemption

3. Remember God, through the Gospel, Offers Adoption

4. Remember God, through the Gospel, Offers Inheritance

1. Admit It

2. Expect It

3. Know You’re in Good Company

4. Trust that God is at Work

5. Learn from It

6. Remember the Glory that Awaits

I. We Can Learn How God, In His Grace, Protected Baby Moses.

II. We Can Learn How God, In His Grace Provided for Baby Moses.

III. We Can Learn How God, In His Grace, Has Protected and Provided for You Through Jesus.

Taught By: Matt McDermit

I. What’s an Exodus?

II. Why Exodus?

A. We Need to Know God Better than We Do.

B. We are Introduced to God’s Plan of Redemption for Mankind.

C. We Begin to Understand God’s Promises, Plan, and Purpose.

III. How Does Exodus Impact My Life Today?

A. We Have a Problem.

B. God Gives a Promise.

APPLICATION

1. We are in bondage – Sin

2. We are in need of redemption – Death

3. We have been sent a Redeemer - Jesus

I. Commit to be Truthful in Holiness

II. Commit to be Truthful in Faithfulness

Lesson #1 – Church is Bigger Than Any One Person

Lesson #2 – Christ is Bigger Than Any One Church

Lesson #3 – Nothing is Bigger than Christ

1. The Kingdom of God is God’s Redemptive Reign

2. We are Dependent on God for the Gift of Forgiveness and Salvation

-Our holiness is not enough

-Our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment – Isaiah 64:4

-Your Abilities are not enough

3. We continue to be dependent on God for our Sanctification

4. God is Always Available to Us

THE GOSPEL

I. Advances Through Persistent Prayer

II. Is Confirmed In Our Lives by Wise Conduct

III. Has a Role for All Believers

1. We are not called to have power over, but power under. (See Matthew 20:25-28)

2. Our lives are not only to be lived for others, but ultimately for the Lord.

3. When we move on in maturity past what to do and into how to live, our lives will begin making an eternal impact.

Following Jesus Means Joining His New Humanity.

1. Mind Heavenly Things

2. Understand We Died

3. Crucify the Flesh

4. Control Your Tongue

5. Tell the Truth

6. Rid Yourself of Prejudice

1. Put On Compassion

2. Put On Kindness

3. Put On Humility

4. Put On Gentleness

5. Put On Patience

6. Put On Forgiveness

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. - Psalm 139:23, 24

Drew Talbot

1. Christ’s work on the cross alone secured your position with God.

2. Christ’s work on the cross freed you from the slavery of cultural expectations.

3. Christ’s work on the cross calls you into a deep relationship with Him.

I. To Walk In Him Means to Live Like Christ

-Rooted in the person and work of Jesus Christ

-Actively Building Ourselves Up to Maturity Through…

-God’s Word

-Prayer

-Teaching & Discipleship in the Church

-Being Ultimately Changed by the Holy Spirit

II. Our Response is to be with Praise and Thanksgiving

1. The Compulsion of Paul

2. The Commission of the Proclaimers

3. The Connection of the Church

CHRIST IS SUPREME...

1. In His Character

-He Is God

2. In Creation

-Created By Him

-Created For Him

-He Was Before All

-He Upholds All Things

3. In His Church

-Built On His Resurrection

-Indwelt By God’s Fullness

Why? That He Might Have The Preeiminence!

Matt Trumbull

1. We must have complete faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ

2. We must rest our hope on heaven

APPLICATION

Read your Bible

-Consistently and constantly

-Study who God is, who you were, and who you are because of the Gospel - this should grow your love of the Gospel.

-Make not of what God has for you both now and in the future and set your mind on these things.

-Understand how he calls us to worship him with our sacrificial lives.

Pray

-Pray that God would reveal himself to you through his Word.

-Pray for brothers and sisters in the church, not just for needs in this world, but that God would reveal himself as they read and understand the Word.

-Pray that God would show and empower you to build up His church.

-Pray that you would love the Gospel more and more each day, and that you would focus in on what is eternal and stop spending effort on what is temporary.

Serve

-Join a home group.

-Work in a ministry.

-Be available for others.

-This gives you opportunity to worship God by responding to his love by loving one another.

Pastor Aaron Batdorf

1. In order not to be swayed by false teaching, the Christian must be deeply rooted in Christ.

2. Paul’s purpose for writing Colossians is that we would know the true Christ so we would never be fooled by the fakes.

3. We must be firmly rooted in Christ so that as the winds of culture blow, we are not shaken.

4. If you believe Jesus has supremacy over all things, live with your focus fixed on Jesus.

5. We have no need to fear evil because Jesus has won.

Colossians 2:6, 7

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

I. David’s Final Official Words

Like David, we too have been…

A. Raised on High (Col 3:1-2)

B. Anointed of God (Heb 1:9; I John 2:20)

C. Spoken to by God (John 10:27)

D. Given an Everlasting Covenant (Heb 13:20)

II. David’s Final Personal Words

Like Solomon, We Too Should…

A. Be Strong

B. Keep the Charge of the Lord

C. Walk in His Ways

D. Keep His Statutes, Commandments, Rules, and Testimonies

I. David Displays Anger Without Action

II. David Desires Reconciliation Without Repentance

III. David Finally Listens to Truth, Turns from His Sin, and Trusts His Savior

WHAT TO DO

1. Learn of the devastating consequences of passivity.

2. Know there is no greater responsibility than leading your children to the Lord.

3. Lead in you commitment to the Word of God and consistency in your walk with God.

I. Holiness Matters Because it Sets the Creator Apart from Creation

II. Holiness Matters Because it Sets God’s People Apart from the World

A. Holiness Leads to Obedience

B. Holiness Leads Us to be More Like Christ

I. Rejection is an Opportunity for Reliance

II. Brokenness is an Opportunity for Blessing

I. Do Not Make Rash Decisions

II. Do Not Take Justice in Your Own Hands

III. Do Not Ignore Godly Wisdom

IV. Do Not Forget God’s Promises

I. Just as David Received Grace, So Have You.

II. Just as David Extended Grace, So Must You.

A. Showing Respect

B. Speaking Truth

C. Trusting God

REMEMBER: Forgiven People, Forgive People

I. Saul Shows Insane Jealousy When Confronted with David’s Success

II. David Shows Sincere Humility While Experiencing Success

III. It’s Humility, Not Jealousy, that Leads People to the Gospel of Jesus

APPLICATION

1. Know God does not make mistakes in how He made you and where He placed you.

2. Know that both success and failure can bring God glory.

3. Strive to be more concerned about others than yourself.

4. Strive to think like Jesus thinks and serve like Jesus served.

I. There is an Enemy that is Bigger than Goliath

II. There is a Hero that is Better than David

Is David and Goliath about facing our giants

Or about the Son of David who slayed the tyrant?

Over Satan He triumphed when He suffered and bled

Our representative King was crushin’ his head.

-Timothy Brindle "Headcrusher"

I. God Has a Plan to Rescue His People

II. God’s Plan is Generally Not Like Your Plan

III. God’s Plan is That You, Like David, Are Called for His Purpose

1. Know there is a natural struggle within all of us to be more concerned about outward appearance than inward substance.

2. Stop measuring other people (and yourself) according to outward expectations and strive for inward obedience.

3. Trust just as God chose David, God has also chose you to be part of fulfilling His plan.

4. Never underestimate King Jesus as only a helpless baby and wise teacher but see Him as the true and ultimate solution to the world’s greatest problem – the Savior who conquered sin and death.

We don’t trust God because…

1. We have a heart condition

2. We are much too self-sufficient

3. We are too quick to call on others

4. We are distant and don’t really know Him

5. We have cultivated the bad habit of worrying

I. We Stay On Track By Being Self-Controlled and Praying Faithfully

II. We Stay On Track By Loving Other People and Building Relationships

III. We Stay On Track By Using Our Gifts For His Glory

1. The Way of the Righteous (vss 1-3)

-The blessing of the way of the righteous is God himself

-Blessing is not a list of things to do, but rather a

summons of what to love

-There is simply no substitute for encountering God to

increase our delight in Him.

2. The way of the wicked (vss 4-5)

-The wicked, instead of delighting in God, delight in self.

-Delighting in themselves, they turned their backs on God.

3. Two final destinations (vs 6)

-The righteous are blessed and the wicked perish.

I. We are to Give Grace

II. We are Reminded that We Have Received Grace

I. Just as the Philippians Shared in Paul’s Trouble, We are to Share in One Another’s Trouble

II. Just as the Philippians Showed Their Generosity, We are to Show Our Generosity.

III. Just as the Lord Supplied Every Need for Paul and the Philippians, the Lord Will Supply Every Need We Have.

1. Jesus Shared in Our Trouble

2. Jesus Showed His Generosity

3. Jesus Supplied Our Greatest Need

I. Rejoicing in God’s Provision Leads to Contentment.

II. Learning About God’s Plan Leads to Contentment.

III. Trusting in God’s Power Leads to Contentment.

I. Rejoicing in God’s Provision Leads to Contentment

A. Be content with who God has made you - don’t compete!

B. Be content with where God has placed you - don’t complain!

C. Be content with what God has given you - don’t compare!

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Philippians 4:8

I. Think About How a Divine Design Reveals the Glory of God and is Commendable

II. Think About How a Purposeful Plan Reveals the Glory of God and is Commendable

III. Think About How a Redemptive Reward Reveals the Glory of God and is Commendable

I. God Himself is Lovely

II. The Word of God is Lovely

III. The Kingdom of God is Lovely

IV. Those Created in the Image of God (All People) are Lovely

V. The Creation of God (All Nature) is Lovely

I. Rethink How You Think - Romans 12:1

II. Refocus What You Are Focusing On - Psalm 119:11

Life Application

1. Take Responsibility

2. Confess & Repent Sin

3. Changes Patterns of Behavior

4. Establish Accountability

I. Think About What God’s Word Says, Not What Man Says

Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth. - John 17:17

II. Live By What You Know to Be True, Not How You Feel

You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. -

John 8:32

III. Ask “Is It True?” Not “Does It Work?”

The Bereans…received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said

was true. -Acts 17:11

I. Rejoicing in the Lord

II. Not Worrying About Things in the World

III. Praying With Thanksgiving

IV. Enjoying Peace that is Beyond Understanding

I. Urging Others to Live in Unity

II. Helping Others Focus on Unity

A. By Remember Past Labors Together

B. By Reminding One Another of Future Eternal Life, Together

I. Look For Examples

II. Love Your Enemies

III. Long For Eternity

I. Concentration to Stay Focused

II. Motivation to Move Forward

III. Determination to Finish Well

A. The Word of God

B. The People of God

I. A Word of Warning

II. A Word of Testimony

III. A Word of Instruction

I. A Word of Warning

II. A Word of Testimony

III. A Word of Instruction

A. Do All Things Without Grumbling or Disputing

B. Lead With the Gospel – holding fast to the word of life

C. Learn to Rejoice Because of the Gospel – be glad and rejoice with me

I. Pay Attention to the Details- ‘work out’ does not mean ‘work for’

II. Trust God to do the Dirty Work- He sent His Son to Save you and His Spirit to sanctify you

III. Shine as Bright Lights in a Dark World- A sanctified life will always stand out

I. The Exaltation of Christ

II. The Submission of Mankind

A. The bending of our knees

B. The confession of our

tongues

I. Focus on Yourself

II. Focus on Others

III. Focus on Christ

1. The power to properly focus on ourselves and to live like we need to live for others comes only through Jesus Christ.

2. Not only does Jesus give us what we need to live the Christian life, he has demonstrated exactly how we need to live that life.

Unity and holiness will come, and will only come as the mind of the community and individuals within it are transformed to reflect the mind of the Messiah himself. -N T Wright

I. A Single Hope – Christ Will Deliver Me

II. A Single Mind – Christ Will Be My Identity

III. A Single Goal – Christ Will Be Glorified

"When everything considered valuable in life is seen to be nothing in comparison to the glory of Christ, you learn rather well that Christ alone is worth living for. Christ alone is worthy of an entire life’s affections and devotions." -Matt Chandler

I. No Matter the Circumstances of Your Life, Live for Jesus

II. Gospel Promotion is the Full Time Job of Gospel Citizens

III. Unity is Highly Important to the Spread of the Gospel in Our Community

IV. We Have Nothing to Fear Because Jesus Rose from the Grave

I. Some Preach Christ with a Wrong Motive

II. Some Preach Christ with a Right Motive

Application:

1. Know the truth of the Gospel

2. Examine your motives for proclaiming Christ

3. Commit to proclaim Christ out of a love for others, not yourself

4. Rejoice that Christ is being proclaimed and the Gospel will advance

I. Pain and Suffering Serve to Advance the Gospel

II. Pain and Suffering Can Give Us Greater Boldness in the Gospel

I. Joy in the Gospel Increased Paul’s Affection Toward Others

II. Joy in the Gospel Increases Our Affection Toward Others

"There can be no greater or more exhilarating joy than that produced by deep abiding and genuine affection for others." -John MacArthur

I. You Can Have Confidence In Christ

II. You Can Be Made Complete Through Christ

A. Hold Tight to the Truth

B. Trust Jesus to be Your Savior and Make Your Life

Complete

I. Thankful in Our Relationships

II. Faithful in Our Prayers

III. Useful in Our Work of the Gospel

Praying, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, unifies us because it helps us long for His Kingdom. It keeps us from backbiting, from jockeying for position, from longing to establish little kingdoms of our own. -John Onwuchekwa

I. Joy Is Needed

A. Because of the seeming

Futility of life

B. Because of the Constant

Friction with Others

II. Joy Is Promised

True biblical joy is…the settled conviction that God sovereignly controls all circumstances for a believer’s good and His glory.

I. How Are We to Love?

A. With Steadfast Love

B. With Sacrificial Love

II. Who Are We to Love?

1. Love God

2. Love your spouse

3. Love your children and grandchildren

4. Love your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ

5. Love your neighbor

6. Love your enemy

III. Why Are We to Love?

A. It’s a Commandment

B. It’s Our Identity

I. It is to be a Matter of Willingness…Not a Matter of Wealth

II. It is to be an Opportunity…Not an Obligation

A. An opportunity to prove your love for others

B. An opportunity to follow Christ’s example

I. Faith Must Be Grounded in the Word of the Lord

II. Faith Must Be Willing to Trust in More than the Visible

III. Faith Must Be Ready to Move Forward in Spite of Obstacles

I. Show Respect for All People

II. Give Special Attention to the Family of God

III. Listen and Obey the Lord First

IV. Strive to be a Model Citizen

Fear God with the highest reverence, duty and submission; if this be wanting, none of the other three duties can be performed as they ought. -Matthew Henry

I. Submission May Not Be Fun

II. Submission May Not Even Be Fair

III. Submission is For the Lord’s Sake...Not For Our Sake

I. The Matter is Urgent

II. The Mission is Clear

"Expose your sin and Jesus will cover it. Cover your sin and Jesus will expose it." -J. D. Greear

I. Jesus Promised - He is preparing a place for those who believe in Him

II. Jesus Promised - He is going to return to get those who believe in Him.

A. Be Encouraged

B. Be Expectant

C. Be Excited