Biblical Faith

Faith is a fragile thing. We can easily let the cares and struggles of this world to influence our faith! Life is like a seesaw with huge swings from the good to the bad. It can have an impact on our faith and how we see God.

Mark 6:1-6

These people were familiar with Jesus. They new where he came from. They new his family and probably had memories of his life growing up. They had a history with Jesus. There familiarity with Jesus was a source of unbelief for them. Their unbelief affected Jesus ability to performed the miracles he wanted to do!

The longer and longer that i live as a christian i can live a religious life that requires very little faith! We develop spiritual routines that really require no faith because they have become so familiar to us. We need to realize that the actions we take can limit What God will do in our lives!

The amazing thing is that God will do such amazing things through us with the smallest amount of faith! Matthew 17:14

Be excited again to be a disciple! Open your eyes to what God is trying to do with your life and sometimes we need to just get out of the way. Believe that noting is impossible for God!

Sin's life cycle

"When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

‭‭James‬ ‭1:13-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

1. Have you ever blamed God for your temptations?
2. Why do people blame God when they are tempted?
1. We really blame God for the sin we commit that came out of the temptation.
2. Not wanting to take responsibility for our own actions.
3. What are we saying about God if we blame him? He is evil.
4. What is the life cycle of Sin described here?
1. Desire leads to temptation, temptation leads to sin, sin leads to death.
5. How can we shorten the life cycle?
1. What can we do about, desire?
2. What is a desire? What is it and what is it not?
1. Desire = strong feeling or want
1. Desires are changeable!
2. Galatians 5
3. Take our thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ!
4. Rebuke our worldly desires when we identify them
3. What can we do about temptation?
1. Are desires and temptations the same?
2. Enticed definition
3. Matt 6:13 proactive prayer
4. 1 Corinthians 10:13 look for a way out.
5. James 4:7 submit, resist, and flee.
6. What part of the sin life cycle do you need the most help with?
7. When is sin full grown as vs 15 talks about?
8. Desire leads to temptation which leads to sin but it doesn't stop there.
9. When you allow sin to become full grown it's really not a temptation anymore its a lifestyle.

Spiritual Growth

Mark 1:14-15

Marks starts out his book delivering the truth about the Gospel. The kingdom is here and it should change our life. Our perspective should be different. Our priorities should be different. Each day has meaning now. Our lives have meaning!

What is my life oriented around? Is it the kingdom or something else!

Romans 12:1-2

This is about truth. The world does not offer truth. Following the pattern of the world will not lead you to truth. Laying down your life in worship to God will lead you to his will and the truth in your life!

How to bring truth to your life through teaching?

1. Reading the bible.
2. Reading spiritual books.
3. Sunday teaching.
4. Spiritual podcast.
5. Having a spiritual mentor.

We have so many resources today to help learn about God. Knowledge is not enough to be like Jesus. We have change our thoughts and actions!

Matthew 7:24-29

Three practices of a true christian.

1. Practices based on the lifestyle of Jesus.
2. Practices based on the teachings of Jesus.
3. Practices based on the ministry and mission of Jesus.

Think about what you turn to when you are anxious or angry. Replace what ever you turn to with a practice of Jesus!

Sermon on the mount

Matthew 6

1. Three examples of religion for outward showing: giving , praying and fasting.
2. The kingdom attitude about material things.
3. Warning against judging.
4. Warnings against false prophets.
5. Obedience.

"When you" is used and not "if you do". There is and expectation that we will give, pray and fast. Jesus is saying when you do these things, have the right motivation and heart. Do them not to be seen but to please and honor God!

Matthew 23:23

Matthew 6:9-15

God is sovereign and can do anything he wants to do but has limited himself by asking us to pray to him and make our request. Our prayers are apart of Gods plan and design! It matters for us to ask God. God has partnered with us in this way!

Treasures in heaven/Do not worry, passage contrasts our needs from our wants. God gives us what we need and not what we want all the time.

Matthew 7

Who is God?

God is spirit. The spirit is a person. The spirit is not you or me. It is it's own being.

Isaiah 63:8-9

The spirit is not an "it". The spirit is not a thing. The spirit is a entity of its own. The sin of the people that God has chosen to be his, left the holy spirit grieving! The spirit can grieve and has feelings.

Genesis 1:1-2 the spirit went forth ahead of God!

Exodus 28:3; 31:3; proverbs 1:20-22; 1:31-33; james 3:17

The spirit is wisdom. Wisdom is found in the spirit. The spirit goes before us and creates a straight path. Proverbs 3:5-6. It matters more who is leading you than where you are going. Regardless of the path or challenge if you are lead by the spirit God goes before you!

Luke 4:15-19 the spirit went ahead of Jesus and lead him. In the book of Acts the spirit went before the church and the apostles. They were in-tune with what the spirit was doing. Acts 10

Philippians 2:13 the spirit works in us! Through the spirit we are adopted as sons in Gods family! Romans 8:15

Eating together

Sharing a meal together or eating together has a significant place in scripture. From the beginning Eve ate the fruit in the garden with a serpent. Abraham shared a meal with angels that came to him. Jacob stole a birthright with Esau over a meal. There are many more examples like this in scripture.

Shared meals becomes a big theme in his ministry. Jesus constantly breaks bread with people. He reclines at many tables and enjoys sharing food with people so much that they called him a gluten.

Jesus invites us to His table. Jesus is always at the table! Jesus begins his ministry at the table of a wedding feast and ended his ministry at the table of the Lords supper!

Luke 10:1-6 Jesus used the table to heal and teach. Over a meal his disciples healed and taught the people that were willing to invite his disciples into their homes! This is how the gospel is supposed to be shared.

Jesus used the table in many of his parables! In luke 14 Jesus is at a table telling a story about a table that represents another table! His parable is also about how to truly love! Luke 14:1-24

Jesuses table is for everyone! Luke 7:36-37 Jesus table is for sinners. Are there any exceptions? Jesus invites "all people" to his table! Even Judas and unrepentant sinner was invited to eat at Jesus table! Jesus disagreed with their sinful lives and challenged them to be different but nonetheless he still ate a meal with them.

The Final Table!

All four gospels give the account of the last super! This not the case for many other events in Jesus life. The last super was a significant event in Jesus ministry! The last super was during Passover which was meant to have meaning in the context of passover!

Mark 14:22-24

What happened at this meal mattered. What happen could not be forgotten and needed to be remembered.

Mark 14:12-15

Do we prepare for the Lords supper? Do we consider it a moment to prepare? Jesus had prepared ahead of time and it was an event that he gave priority.

Matthew 26:30

Singing a hymn was what Jesus did before he went to the garden to plead with God. Music was a powerful element in Jesus's life! Song worship is a great way to connect us emotionally and creates a heart to mind connection!

Luke 22:14-16

Jesus looked forward to the meal!

Matthew 26:23-24

Jesus statement about Judas shows he was not happy with Judas betrayal but he loved and showed grace regardless. If we believe God judges justly it is easier for us to let go of justice ourselves and surrender our anger and emotions to God.

Every time Jesus sat at a table with his followers he pointed to the kingdom of heaven. The last supper was no different.

Luke 22:24-30

World changer

Hebrews 10:11-14

Could you imaging never knowing whether you were forgiven by God? Jesus sat down because he was done. He paid the price once and for all. There is nothing left for him todo so he sat down next to God.

Hebrews 10:15-18

When something is so hard to believe you want a 2nd witness. The Holy Spirit testifies as a witness to the truth that we have been sanctified!

Hebrews 10:19-22

Not one priest in the holiest place but now all of us can go into Gods presence with full confidence! There is no more fear in approaching God.

Hebrews 10:23-25

We need each other to do good works. Meeting together allows for us to be spurred on and encouraged to stay faithful!

Hebrews 10:26-30

Gods warning for those who don't live the way God intended for us to live.

Hebrews 10:32-39

Gospel of Mark

Mark questions us on who are you really following. Will you follow Jesus?

Mark 1:1-15

John the baptist was a herald that was announcing the arrival of a new king. Mark sets out this question, "will you follow Jesus?" Jesus is a new king, a different king. He comes to disrupt the status quo! He appoints a new 12, not the standard 12 tribes. He redefines the meaning of family. He defines the law in ways that are counter to the religious leaders.

Mark 4:21-26

Are you blind and deaf spiritually or do you see and hear the message of Jesus? Mark goes on to show several examples of people that were blind or deaf and are able to see and hear clearly through Jesus! Mark 8:18

Mark 8:27-35;9:30-35

Following Jesus cost you something. Mark ask the question again, "will you follow Jesus?"

Mark 10:35-38

Jesus was leading the disciples to places they did not want to go. Following Jesus requires you to follow regardless of where Jesu is leading you.

Mark 13; 15:21-38

Will you follow Jesus even to the cross?

Mark 16:1-8 Will you follow Jesus?

Ephesians 6 — Ready for a fight!

Ephesians 6:10-20

The idea of Armor for the first century church would have conjured up real images that were relevant in their day. The sight of a roman solider! Spiritual armor for a spiritual solider! Paul says be strong in the Lord before you put the armor on. Spiritual training as you pick up and cloth yourself in each piece of armor!

Understand Satan's schemes! You study and know your adversary. You develop a battle plan. You don't go into to battle with out knowing what you will encounter. Satan try's to trick us into forgetting who the real battle is with. Our battle is not against flesh and blood. It is a spiritual battle.

The order of how you put the amor is important. There's a logical reason for the order we put on the amor. The first it truth. The second is righteousness. There is no righteousness with out truth!…etc.

Our armor is made of defensive equipment and offensive equipment. At some point you have to pick up the sword and put to death the temptation or sin. When will you pick up the sword and fight?

The sword is the only weapon we have. Gods word was meant to be used offensively and defensively.

Sermon on the mount

Matthew 5

The gospel means good news. Anytime we share about Jesus we need to make sure that is "Good news!" to those that hear us.

True repentance in God is starts with a pure heart! We must move from, "not doing" something into "doers" of something good. Repentance is not just stopping something but doing something else!

Jesus never addressed sinful culture as a way to change anything. He addressed the sinful heart in the individual!

Let the things that break God's heart break my heart!

Do the beatitudes have a significant order to them? The first one, "blessed are the poor in spirit" is a foundation that one needs to have. It is important to understand that you are poor in spirit; you are not rich in spirit without God!

Mark 1

Mark 1

Jesus led his disciples into places of worship. It is common today to want Jesus and dislike the church. Early on in Jesus ministry there was a focus on community of worship.

Questions on demons:

What kind of trouble do they cause.

Who are they?

Where do they come from?

Do demons possess people today?

Can a true christian be demon-possessed?

Examples: scripture on not letting the sun go down on your anger!less the devil get a foot hold. Jesus says to Peter get behind me Satan.

Jesus often touches the unclean when he heals. The OT law stated that the unclean made the clean unclean. Jesus changed the unclean to clean.

Mark 2

Jesus healed many times based on the faith of a person. In the story of the paralytic Jesus noticed "their" faith, referring to the paralytic's friend! Our faith has can have an impact on our love ones and the people around us!

Jesus constantly upset the religious groups of the day. In this chapter he is being accused of being a drunk and sinner because of who he ministered too. If Jesus came today to our town what would our religious groups get up set over? Would Jesus stand in contrast to us?

Dance of Grace!

God does not make a bad marriage. He is the author and perfect-or of the institute of marriage that he crated! What is the dance of grace? Fist we need to know what grace is. A gift, blessing, favor from God. Genesis 2:20-24 god showed favor to Adam by providing a suitable helper. Grace was designed to create a response of grace. Grace and gratitude are connected.

2 Peter 3:18

There is no way that you can give grace until you realize the and know the grace that God has giving you in Jesus Christ! Understanding that i am not in the place or right to pass judgement because i am a sinner and God has given me so much grace and mercy.

Signs you are missing grace. When anger and resentment creep in. When you stop being open about the sin in your own life. When you give into impure thoughts and negativity.

Ephesians 2:8; 2 Timothy 2:1

How do you become strong in grace? You have to get grateful! Developing gratitude for your spouse! Strength comes from gratitude for each other! God knew that you could not do it alone! He chose my wife for me and we were meant to be together.

Be grateful that you are not alone. Be grateful that you have someone to share life with. We have so many things to be grateful for!

The Grace Filled Church

Three graces in the dance of grace. The patron or benefactor who grants grace or a gift. The receiver shows grace though gratitude. The receiver gives back in grace to the giver! Grace puts the world in harmony.

Ephesians 5:1-20; Romans 6:23

The gift is forgiveness and redemption through Christ. A gift we do not deserve. Our response should be grace through gratitude. Our response to Gods gift of grace should produce gratitude and a gift of grace back to God!

Is the way that I live my life showing grace?

Ephesians 5:4; 5:20; 5:8-10

We also give back by sharing the gift we have been given to others. We tell about the glorious things God has done for us. We share how much God has forgiven us!

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Christ dies for me and my gift back to Jesus is to die to myself as well!

What are you looking for?

Matthew 2:1-12

What your looking for in life is what you are fixated on. The wise men did not know where they were going. They had to trust and follow. All they had was a star in the sky. They were fixated on that star!

Luke 2:17-18 when the Shepherds found out about Jesus they spread the good news everywhere.

How is it that all this was happening and Herod did not know? Why did God have to bring people from all over the world to find Jesus? The wisemen knew what they were looking for and they did what ever it took to find Jesus.

Matthew 12:11-12

Once they found Jesus they feel to the ground and worshipped Jesus and offered gifts! What gifts, talents, and resources do you have to offer Jesus.

The wisemen stopped to ask questions on their way to find Jesus. Are we still being Bareans?! We should always be Constantly seeking to find Jesus! Sometimes we have need the help from others to find him.

People are tired of religion and tired of church! Some stop looking for Jesus because of religion. No one gets tired of Jesus!

The most important thing in the life of the wisemen was to find Jesus. Are you still earnestly looking for Jesus?!

Finding Jesus in everyday things. What can i find Jesus in today in this area, or that area?

Rocks, pebbles and sand analogy. You have to fill the jar with big rocks first then, pebbles and then sand. What are the small pebbles and sand in your life that keep you from filling your life with the big import rocks?

Matthew 2:12 when the wisemen returned to their country God sent them through another way.

Who is God?

Is this still a relevant question today? Do people still care about God and who he is? Is he singular or plural? Does he care about me? Is God intimate with his creations or is he detached?

Is God singular? Is a question about Gods fundamental nature!

Genesis 1:26-27 The creation account is plural. As the jews were righting this account of creation they had no understanding the trinity or Jesus. On some level they did know that God was not singular.

Genesis 18:1-15 Gods plurality shows up as he meets with Abraham.

We are made in Gods image!

Genesis 2:17-18

We are only able to reflect the whole image of God when we are together. We were created to be plural as well!

Deuteronomy 6:4

Philippians 2:5-13

Because Jesus came in the form of a man we can relate to him. The spirit we have a hard time understanding and relating to. The spirit acts on us and compels us. Acts 2:19-21

Who is God?

We are made in God's image. God is a father. Fatherhood is ingrained in who God is and who he wants us to understand him to be! God is plural, father, son and spirit. What can we learn about who God is from what God does?

Matthew 19:1-3;13-15

Jesus is in the middle of a controversial question of the day and he is interrupted with little children! How does Jesus respond?

Jesus always was! He is present, past and future. John 1:1; Genesis 49:8-9 Jesus was/is the king that the Old Testament scriptures talk about. 2 Samuel 7:12-13; Deuteronomy 18:15; Isaiah 53:5-12

Jesus the powerful king who was victorious through becoming the suffering servant!

Jesus lived and was fully human! Jesus became hungry, experienced pain, had weakness in his human condition. Hebrews 5:7-8 Jesus learned obedience through suffering. How do we expect to learn in any other way? He suffered the loss of a father and cared for a widowed mother.

1 corinthians 15:20-25; hebrews 2:14-15

A storm with purpose!

What is the worst storm you've ever been through?

Matthew 8

Cost of following Jesus. Teacher, "I'll go with you anywhere you go...", really?

The disciples "followed him into the boat"

What are the details in this story? Who were these disciples? Majority were fisherman. How bad does a storm have to be to scare these guys?

How did the storm come? Suddenly. With no warning.

Who was the only one that could have known the storm was coming? Why would Jesus purposely take them into a storm?

Does Jesus response seem weird to you? Where is your faith? Wasn't the disciples response a natural response? What was faithless about their response?

What would true faith have looked like for them?

What storm has God brought you into?

40 days discussion questions:

How do the storms of life reveal the quality of your faith?

Where is your faith at today?

The disciples final response should be our response. Fear and Amazement. The God we pray to has the power to do anything we ask or imagine!

Ephesians 3:20

The Call to Rebuild

Nehemiah was a man of passion!

Nehemiah 1:1-11

How are my people doing? How am I doing? The report for Nehemiah was not good! Nehemiah cared enough to ask how things were! Nehemiah wept for his people! Your cry over the people your care about! Nehemiah prayed for his people. Nehemiah left the comfort of the palace for the concern of his people!

Nehemiah's response to what he heard.

Nehemiah 2:11-20

Nehemiah found like minded believers and asked them do you want to rebuild. Do you want to rebuild? Is there anything in my life that is crumbling? What needs to be rebuilt? Is there something in my life that God wants me to repair?

As a church what are we going to rebuild?

Where does passion come from?

Acts 2:1-17; 42-47

Feed your spirit! Feed it with the word of God. Feed it with prayer! Feed it through service! Feed it through fellowship! Bring the fire (passion) back in your spiritual life.

Black History is apart of God’s History

Isaiah 40:28-31

History is a subject that God loves. The Israelites record events in history and created memories to remember and never forget. The same with Jesus and his instructions to us to remember his death, burial and resurrection through observing the communion.

The passage through the Red sea was the birth of a nation. A people chosen by God to become a nation of priests. God commanded his people to remember the exodus. They walked into the sea one thing and came out something completely different. Same thing with us through baptism.

There is not a corner or group of history that God has not been using or working through! No different with black history in america. There were so many black leaders that took a stand through christianity. God used these mean to comfort, lead and to demand the change that our country needed.

Jesus is the Answer

Jesus is the Answer

Are we making a difference? Are we becoming the change that we want to see in our world? If we are not then we are just empty vessels. The coming of Jesus Christ into the world is the biggest moment in the earth's history! Why did he come? For what purpose?

Luke 19:10; Romans 15:7-12

Jesus provides us the hope that we need overcome this world. Jesus purpose and our purpose are the same. We have the gospel (good news) and we need to share that message with the world.

Habakkuk 2:14; Matthew 28:18-20

How will the earth be filled with the knowledge of the Lord if we do not open our mouths and share the gospel. This was God's plan of salvation that we should make Jesus Lord and then call the people around us to do the same.

Jesus left the mission not complete. The mission that God gave his son has now been passed onto us. What a calling! More than fame, prestige, and riches! God's plan is the best way for us to impact the world around us.