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.

When enough isn't

Mark 10:17-21

When is good, good enough? We are never satisfied it seems.

The this guy approaches Jesus with a great question. He seems to look for validation in his life that he was good enough. His life was driven by deeds and he looked for more deeds to validate himself.

More is better, better is more. Is that true?

Jesus tells him to go sell everything you have. Remove the things that are holding you back. Jesus was trying to free this man from the burden of his lifestyle. Jesus wanted him to free up space to truly serve God.

What do you need to subtract from your life to allow you grow closer to God?!

What does enough look like? For most of us we have an abundance of enough!

Jesus asking us to give up what we have here for something better up there!

Living in the light

Ephesians 5:8-20

What dies it mean to be a new creation? Darkness to light. The two are distinct states that are not confused or mistaken. Know one sits in darkness and thinks it is light. Same is true with light. It is never mistaken for darkness.

Light exposes and darkness hides. Where is God shedding light on areas in my life? What deeds are you keeping in darkness?

Are you asleep spiritually? God is calling me to wake up so that Christ light can shine on me. Its up to me to make the decision to wake up.

Live as children of light. Paul gives us a list of spiritual disciplines that help us to live as children of the light.

Reading and praying is important; however, worship is a powerful component that we ofter neglect in our spiritual lives. We were meant to connect through song, palms, and hymns!

Sermon on the Mount

What are you doing in secret?

Matthew 6:1-34

Matthew 5:6;6:1 paradox?

Our motivation should be to glorify God and uplift his image! Truth be told we do things a lot of times for our benefit or to look good in front of people (Matthew 6:1)!

Vs. 2, 5, 16 - Jesus assumes that you are praying, fasting, giving to the poor. Jesus is confronting the reasons why you do what you do. What is your motivation and what are you expecting in return. Praise from men or praise from God!

What does it look like to have the wrong motivation? Jesus says in Matthew 6:1, "beware". We have to stay vigilant and check our motives. How much do you do in private the things you do in public!

People that do things for image are hypocrite! Your not worshiping God to perform or check off a box!

What do you do when you get a little free time? Is your first thought to spend more time in prayer or reading? Why not? Our relationship with God should be motivated by desire and not obligation.

Vs. 4, 6, 18 - God sees, recognizes what you do and rewards you!

Three choices. Choice between two treasures, two visions, and two masters! Store up treasures in earth or heaven? The good eye or bad eye (generosity or single mindedness). Focusing on Jesus. Choosing God or money? You cannot serve both, you must choose.

Vs. 25 - "Therefore" Jesus connects these two passages. Trusting God and letting go of worry. Lets fight materialism in our lives and get focused on the Kingdom of God!

Sermon on the Mount

The sermon on the amount brought old teaching into a new perspective. Jesus taught through Old Testament law the necessity of a relationship with God from the heart. Living for God as not a set of rules but of rather living in obedience from a motivation that comes from the heart!

Matthew 7:13-14

The narrow gate is narrow not because someone has to be perfect in obedience to enter it. The gate is narrow because people would rather be a good person outwardly and ignore the matters of the heart.

Matthew 7:15-20

If your making bad fruit you don't belong to Jesus. Followers of Jesus are identified by their fruit! You can argue doctrine but you cannot argue the fruit that someone bares. What type of fruit are you bearing?

Matthew 7:21-23

Up until Jesus arrived, the more religious you were and the more legalistic you were was viewed as security in God. Jesus shocked them with this teaching that challenged their views and called them to righteousness from the heart vs a list of laws to keep!

Matthew 7:24-27

Our foundation is the law and if we live by it we will be able to withstand the troubles of this world! The law and what we build on is important. We build our life on Jesus from the deeds we do in the open to the thoughts and attitudes of our heart! We start our foundation from the heart and we build with the heart!

I Tell You The Truth

Jesus started many passages with, "I tell you the truth"!

Matthew 8:5-13

The truth statement from Jesus in this story is that faith is about lordship! The centurion, a military man understood lordship! He understood that Jesus was given the authority to grant his request! Lack of faith is a symptom of forgetting who is in charge and who has all power and authority!

Have you forgotten who is in charge?

Jesus was amazed. Jesus is use to dealing with people who doubt his authority and Lordship! Even his own disciples questioned his authority at times!

Mark 10:13-16

Divorce was the hot topic of the day. To the religious leaders of the day, this topic was a top priority and yet Jesus demonstrates his willingness to not compromise on Gods word and yet not neglect what really matters. No one is more hurt through divorce than children! Most people divorce for selfish reasons and disregard the pain and emotional trauma the children go through!

Strange living in Strange Times

Two realities can be true at the same time! Your reality is a lot of times based on your perspective. As christians we living a physical reality in the word and a spiritual reality in heaven!

1 Peter 2:11-15

We are to live as though we speak a different language, have a different culture, different values! We are to be aliens and foreigners in this present age!

1 Peter 4:7-11

Through intense persecution Jesus calls us to love deeply! He teaches us how to do this. Practice hospitality and use your God giving gifts to help and serve others.

Everything we are and everything we do should be used to glorify God!

Submission in Marriage

How does our world feel about marriage? Our world really insults marriage. How its no good, doesnt meet needs, old fashioned...etc!

Statistics and studies show that marriage has a lot of positive benefits physically and mentally. For example married men are 250% less likely to commit suicide. People who are married recover from illnesses faster. Many more examples like these.

Ephesians 5:21-33

In marriage and in christian life in general, submission to Christ is required. Humans and human authority are not worthy of submission; however, through Christ we are called to submit.

Jesus never commanded us to submit when someone is worthy. Submission starts with Jesus and he is worthy of our submission!

Submission does not mean the loss of power. Although a wife is called to submit to her husband without losing her power and does not mean that a man has more power. The roles are equal in Gods eyes. Jesus took the role of a servant with losing all power and authority!

This is a miss understood concept in the world.

God does not call women to be submissive in the work place, in government or and any other secular place. He makes this call only in the sanctity of marriage.

Men have a harder time with servant leadership and woman generally have a harder time with submission. God designed marriage this way for a reason!

Do people look at your marriage and think look at the way he loves her and look at the way she submits to him? Our marriages should point the people around us towards God. It should stand out from the world!

Fear and Faith

Matthew 8:18-22; 23-27

Following Jesus requires sacrifice and commitment. Following Jesus is not easy. The question Jesus is asking is, "will you follow Jesus whatever the cost".

When you made the decision to follow Jesus; how did you feel? Maybe you were anxious. Unsure of what would happen. Maybe you were excited and felt the rest of your life would be easier? We all have some expectation that a life with Jesus will make our lives better. True but few realize the true cost of following Jesus!

The disciples are immediately put into a boat and tested with a storm. Jesus has all power and authority to save! Storms will always come and Jesus does not avoid the storm. He addresses the storm!

Do you doubt in the midst of hardship and struggles? What does faith look like in the midst of a storm? Jesus took a nap! Jesus was sleeping through the chaos. Jesus trust God with out giving into fear!

The disciples got in the boat with Jesus. You have to stay with Jesus! The people that Jesus challenged to follow in vs 18-22 chose not to get into the boat. For many reasons that we would think were good reasons. Storms will come. Staying close to Jesus is the only way to weather the dangers of life! What we give up is nominal compared to what we receive!

Will you follow Jesus?

Where would you be today had you not followed Jesus? Where will you be tomorrow if you chose to follow him?

Be Attitudes

Matthew 5

Jesus challenged the current thoughts and beliefs of the day. He did not dance around social issues. The pharisees tried to trap Jesus with questions on social issues. Jesus talked about the law of Moses from the perspective of Gods heart. He did not treat the law as a set of rules!

Do you treat Gods word as a list of rules or do you see Gods heart surrounding the law. The pharisees loved to police sin and they especially loved to police adultery. Jesus challenged their self righteous judgements!

Jesus demonstrated the need for grace that all of us need! There is a call in the bible to look out for and watch for the sin of your brother. The motive and intention is to help your brother and call them to repentance. Not to be judge and jury! There is no call to police sin someone else.

When people police sin they always draw the line on sin just a little bit past what they are doing. God is the standard and he defines sin. With his definition we all need grace and none of us can stand on our own merit.

Jesus did not replace the law with conscience! Jesus abolished a lot of the daily non moral requirements of the Old Testament but never changed or lightened any of the moral commands in the Old Testament. He increased the standard of the moral commands! Our conscience cannot be the guide to what is right and wrong!

Jesus revealed a shocking version of the law. Through these revelations many allowed his teachings to be a stumbling block. They could not get past their own hard heartedness and distorted beliefs. Jesus picture of the kingdom of God and His plan for salvation went against their idea of God and our relationship with him.

Fear and Faith

Matthew 8:18-22; 23-27

Following Jesus requires sacrifice and commitment. Following Jesus is not easy. The question Jesus is asking is, "will you follow Jesus whatever the cost".

When you made the decision to follow Jesus; how did you feel? Maybe you were anxious. Unsure of what would happen. Maybe you were excited and felt the rest of your life would be easier? We all have some expectation that a life with Jesus will make our lives better. True but few realize the true cost of following Jesus!

The disciples are immediately put into a boat and tested with a storm. Jesus has all power and authority to save! Storms will always come and Jesus does not avoid the storm. He addresses the storm!

Do you doubt in the midst of hardship and struggles? What does faith look like in the midst of a storm? Jesus took a nap! Jesus was sleeping through the chaos. Jesus trust God with out giving into fear!

The disciples got in the boat with Jesus. You have to stay with Jesus! The people that Jesus challenged to follow in vs 18-22 chose not to get into the boat. For many reasons that we would think were good reasons. Storms will come. Staying close to Jesus is the only way to weather the dangers of life! What we give up is nominal compared to what we receive!

Will you follow Jesus?

Where would you be today had you not followed Jesus? Where will you be tomorrow if you chose to follow him?

Gods plan

Genesis 2 — God walked with us

Genesis 3 & 4 — The fall of man. The first murder.

Genesis 6 —so much wickedness in the world that God grieved that he had made mankind...Genesis 6:5-8

God creates a people unto himself and we read about a 1000 years of God trying to have a relationship with his people.

MEN HAVE ALWAYS REJECTED GOD AND CHOSEN WICKEDNESS EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!

God sends Jesus

Jesus came to save!

— samaritan woman at the well, scorned and ridiculed. He broke down racial divides and challenged Racism!

— adulterous women, hypocrisy and injustice!

— the lame, the sick, the socially outcast and forgotten.

— the poor and the needy. He broke down economic boundaries.

Jesus suffered the evils of this world!

— ridiculed and rejected

— scorned and beaten

— mocked and tortured

— abandoned!

THE CROSS WAS THE ULTIMATE DISPLAY OF INJUSTICE!

Why was it unjust! Should have been me!

Our only hope is Jesus!

1 Peter 2:21-25

Hebrews 12:2-3 Focus on Jesus! Do not loose heart!!

God's plan did not end with the cross! It started there! Matthew 28:18-20

Reponding like Jesus

John 13:1-17

Jesus response is to lower himself and serve. Jesus used his power in this way to set an example for us. Can you imaging any president doing this today? What a contrast to the way our word uses power and authority!

How can we use this example in our world today? Jesus shows us that Roman occupation, The treachery of king Herod, the political turmoil of the day is not what matters! Jesus focused on what matters; people! Serving others through love!

HWJR — "how would Jesus respond" should be the example that we follow!

John 13:12-17

Philippians 2:1-11

We need to get beyond politics and opinions and focus on what Jesus focused on!

James 1:19-20

Identiy theft!

Has your identity every been stolen? Mistaken identity? Identify matters. Satan is always going after our spiritual identity.

• Knowing your identity helps you not compare yourselves to the people around you.
• It helps you know your purpose.
• It helps you realize your true value to God!

Luke 3:21-22; Luke 4:1-13

• God confirmed Jesus identity at his baptism!
• Satan questioned Jesus identity!
• That two letter word "if" causes so much doubt and destroys faith!
• Satans tactics are on full display!
• How are you? How do you identify yourself? The world wants to classify you by its definition!
• By politics, race, age, career, sin...
• Hold on to Gods word and let go of the lies of satan! Never let satan define you by his ifs and buts!
• Vs 4 man shall not live on earthly things. Gods word was meant to sustain you!
• Vs 5 Satan has been given this world and the sin that comes with it. He wants to offer you all that the world has to offer in substitute for the glory of the kingdom of God!
• If your identity is not grounded in God then you will always for Satan's lies and deceptions! Trade the temporary for the eternal!
• Vs 9 Satan likes to misinterpret scripture. He likes to throw a little truth in his deception! Satan chose to tell this lie from Jerusalem, from the temple, from the highest point as if that meant something to Jesus!
• Satan took Jesus to church!
• Our identity has to stay in Gods word and not in a church building or a church leader.
• Satan left not giving up but to look for another opportunity!

Matthew 27:40-43

• Satan poses the same question again!
• How does satan come after you.
• How are you holding to the truth in Gods word?
• How is Gods kingdom of peace working in your life?

Jesus washes the disciples feet.

John 13:1-5

1. Jesus was aware that the hour had come. He knew the suffering he was about to endure.
2. Jesus knew that Judas was going to betray him.
3. Jesus put a towel around his waist. A King who led with a towel! Kings wear robes and jewelry! They display they display splendor!
4. Like a servant.

John 13:6-9

1. They had witnessed Jesus's power (calms the storm, raised the dead, cured diseases...). Seen his holiness. Witnessed the transfiguration and felt the presence of God!
2. Peter felt unworthy! Peters response was the only one recorded but probably a common response among the disciples.
3. Why did he want jesus not to stop at his feet? What was symbolic about his hands and head? The instruments of sin.

John 13:10-11

1. Peter was far from clean. The power of salvation through Gods grace and mercy!
2. Peter betrayed Jesus just as much as Judas!
3. I am dirty but Jesus has made me clean!

John 13:12-17

1. Do you understand what Jesus has done for you? Much more than serving!
2. We are called to remove all social status, economic status, pride, and arrogance and serve!
3. Our call to service has nothing to do with the response of the people we are serving. Jesus washed Judas feet even though Judas was far from Jesus and was looking to betray him!
4. Christ love compels us — 2 corinthians 5:14-15 — this should be our motivation to do likewise!

Living out the Gospel

Luke 8:1-3

• How did these average, uneducated jews have the influence that they on the world? The early church lived out the gospels in their lives. In doing so they changed the world around them!

Luke 8:4-8

• What is the Lords call in this parable? Those who have ears, let them hear! Hear what Jesus is saying and understand what he is calling us to do.

Luke 8:9-15

• How responsive are you to Gods word? Does it cultivate in your heart and produce something? The good soil was good because accepted Gods word and it produced a crop.
• The only variable in this parable is the soil conditions!
• What allows the good soil to be a good soil? Sometimes we have to cultivate the soil and remove the things that are not good, add things that will help the soil, and break up or sift through the soil!

Luke 8:16-17

• Gods gospel can be fully understood. God's word is the light and will bring light to every dark place.
• It is out job to let that light shine and not snuff is out. It should be on full display!

Luke 8:18-19

• Focus on how you listen. If we receive Gods word and act on it we will be given more.

Luke 8:20-21

• We are Gods family. Those that put the word into practice!

Job

Chapter 16

1. Vs 19-20 Why didn't Jobs friends come and pray with him. Why didn't they try and intercede with God for him? Through Jesus we have the power to pray and intercede with God!

Chapter 17

1. Vs 13-16 Job only had the hope of Gods faithfulness on earth. He no knowledge of Jesus and the hope that was to come!
2. We have that hope! The hope of salvation. The hope of eternity with God!
3. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" Romans‬ ‭8:35‬-39

Chapter 19

1. Vs 23-27 Through the toughest trials and struggles come some of our strongest moments of faith! If we trust God and believe in him we can overcome anything!

Chapter 20

1. Righteous people suffer, wicked people prosper, righteous people prosper, and wicked people suffer!
2. It is wrong to assume that if you prosper God is with you and if You suffer God is against you!
3. We do not know why. What we do know is that God rules over our lives and loved enough to send his one and only begotten Son! John 3:16. In what other way could God demonstrate his love to us?!

Job

Chapter 16

1. Vs 19-20 Why didn't Jobs friends come and pray with him. Why didn't they try and intercede with God for him? Through Jesus we have the power to pray and intercede with God!

Chapter 17

1. Vs 13-16 Job only had the hope of Gods faithfulness on earth. He no knowledge of Jesus and the hope that was to come!
2. We have that hope! The hope of salvation. The hope of eternity with God!
3. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" Romans‬ ‭8:35‬-39

Chapter 19

1. Vs 23-27 Through the toughest trials and struggles come some of our strongest moments of faith! If we trust God and believe in him we can overcome anything!

Chapter 20

1. Righteous people suffer, wicked people prosper, righteous people prosper, and wicked people suffer!
2. It is wrong to assume that if you prosper God is with you and if You suffer God is against you!
3. We do not know why. What we do know is that God rules over our lives and loved enough to send his one and only begotten Son! John 3:16. In what other way could God demonstrate his love to us?!

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The cross through the eyes of Job

• The book of Job — Why do bad things happen to good people?
• Will a righteous man love God regardless of blessings?
• Who defines justice? Romans 6:23
• Jobs argument with God was not that he was absolutely sinless. He believed his sin did not justify the suffering he was going through.
• Without Jesus there would be no grace or mercy and we would be left with God punishing us for the sins we commit and rewarding us for our good deeds! SCARY thought!
• Job so the need for someone who could intercede between a sinful man and a Holy God!
• Job 9:2,12,14-15,20,33;14:3-4;15:14;16:19-21; 1 Timothy 2:5-6
• Unlike Job we have the knowledge of the gospel. We have the hope of salvation and eternity with God!
• We can trust God in all situations because we know the price he was willing to pay to redeem us!
• Like Job we may not get the answer to the why questions. What we do know is that God rules over our lives and is in control of everything! He loved us enough to send his one and only begotten Son! John 3:16. In what other way could God have demonstrated his love more completely to us?!

Job

Chp 6

1. Vs 8 — Job still wants an end to his pain and suffering. Its hard to live in the moment when bad things happen. You just want an end.
2. Job desires death over life and does not understand eternity — chp 7:9-11
3. Vs 13 — Job has lost everything and yet his primary concern is success. Why is wealth and status so important?

Chp 7

1. The world is a tough place to live. In the Garden with God was paradise. Man's sin changed all of that.
2. Vs 17 — talking about God, Job wonders why God would even concern himself with mankind. We are so insignificant as beings in comparison to the universes.
3. Vs 21 — there was no forgiveness of sin in the Old Testament that did not require sacrifice. Sin required a penalty. For us Jesus was a sacrifice once for all!

Chp 8

1. God does uphold the blameless and protect the righteous!
2. Job's position was not that he was absolutely sinless. Job's argument was that he did not do anything that deserved what he was going through.

Chp 9

1. Vs 1-3 what is true? God is just! God is fare! How can man plead his case with God. Job wanted a direct relationship and conversation with God!
2. Vs 33 Job longed for a mediator. Someone who could stand between him and God. Job knew a mere man could not stand before God alone. He longed for the day that we now are blessed with! Jesus is our mediator! 1 Timothy 2:5
3. Only in Christianity do you have God reaching down to man. John 3:16
4. Only when you are stripped of everything (share about your own life) and know that you need God do you look for a savior. I cried out to God in desperation!

Chp 10

1. Vs 13-16 Is Job in sin by the way he is speaking? He has not cursed God but he is accusing God of many things. What is he accusing God of?

Job

1. Satan in Hebrew means "advisory" or "one the opposes another"
2. The debate between God and Satan is in response to why Job is so righteous. Is he selfishly obedient because he knows he receives a blessing? If this is the case then Job's goodness isn't really that good. What motivates Job to be righteous? Is solely because of his love for God or what God can give him?
3. Do we really want a God that only blesses us because of perfect behavior? What standard of perfect would we want God to use? Should God reward all good deeds and then punish all bad ones?
4. We ask the question why should righteous people suffer; satan flips the question and says why should a "righteous person" prosper?
5. Two main views to answer the question why. Moralistic view or cynical view?
6. Contrast Jesus and Job.
7. God never promised us an easy life. Jesus did promise rest for our souls! Matthew 11:28-30.
8. Gods ultimate plan is not to harm us. Jeremiah 29:11-13.

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This changes everything!

There is a common thread through out the gospels of Jesus teaching and the disciples not understanding what he was teaching John 10:6

Without the resurrection nothing made sense! It was not until after the resurrection that these men understood the reason and purpose of God!

After the resurrection these men were emboldened with zeal and fervor for God!

1 Corinthians 15:1-8; 12-22 the resurrection is the Gospel of Christ! Without the resurrection the gospel is meaningless and our faith is worthless!

Romans 4:25 the resurrection gives life meaning and was for our benefit!

Do you live in a way that seems odd to the world? How much has the resurrection changed you?

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Because of This Hope!

Because of This Hope!

How does evangelism actually work? Is it all dependent on God or do we have some part in the conversion of the lost? How much is prayer involved in converting the world?

Acts 25,26:1-32

Paul prays that everyone that hears his testimony would accept Jesus as Lord! What are some things we can learn from Paul's example in trying to convert the people he may have influence on. Paul was not intimidated in the least by status of who would hear his testimony.

Paul's testimony. Saul was passionate about persecuting the church. So much so that he would talk long trips into other countries to route out Christians and bring them to punishment. How much more devoted to the spread of the gospel after his conversion!

1.) God calls and commissions us!

Kicking against the goads. Goads were sharp prongs that were used to move cattle and live stock in a certain direction. It is useless to kick against the direction that God is sending you!

Vs 18 shows that Paul was sent to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light! Our mission is the same! We do not have the power to change anyone but we have the power to share! God does the rest!

2.) We respond obediently!

Vs 19 Paul was obedient to the commission he received from Jesus!

3.) Use your words!

Vs 26-29 Paul was bold in his words. He wanted the Kings salvation and not his favor!

1 Timothy 2:3-6

Someone you know needs Jesus! Follow Paul's example and use your words!







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Where God leads He proceeds!

Deuteronomy 31:1-8 be strong and courageous in times of uncertainty!

Frightening Future?

Moses had been there leader for many many years and they had never had another leader. Crossing the Jordon was an uncertain time for the Israelites. Although they were on the crest of the promise land there was uncertainty!

Instead of allowing fear to freeze us we need to trust in God. He will go before us!

Where God leads, He proceeds!

God is a covenant making God and a covenant meeting God! His promises are always true and never fails! When ever I follow God and walk in his steps he is with me every step of the way! God goes before us!

In the New Testament hebrews says that Jesus has gone before us as well. He has went into heaven to prepare a place for us!

Trust in presence of God!

Daniel 10:12-13; 2 Timothy 4:16-17

God is with us and God is delivering clear instructions. We together are a support for each other. God also stands by our side and gives us the strength we need!

God used the name of the God of Abraham, the God of Issac, theGod of Jacob. He always tied his name to people.

Proceed in the peace of the Lord!

What does it mean to be dismayed? Fear is a powerful emotion. We should not ignore our emotions but guide them! The bible never tries to convince us that our fears are unfounded! Moses never told them that there would never be challenges. He simply reminded them that God will be with them through the trials!

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How are we called to respond to events like Covid19?

How are we called to respond to events like Covid19? We should obviously follow CDC guidelines. We should also be called to prayer and seeping our spiritual connections with God! We are called to not be anxious or worry.

Matthew 6:25-34

Anxiety and working has everything to do with our level of faith. We have to focus on the unseen more than the seen. The "seen" for us is the current pandemic. The struggles we are all going through in the interruption of our daily lives. The "unseen" is our spiritual reality.

Do not be anxious!

Jesus says, "therefore" before saying do not be anxious. What is the "therefore"? In Christ, God is our all powerful loving father who can do anything! 1 Peter 5:7 cast all anxiety on God because he cares!

Matthew 6:26,28 how much more does God care about us and value us his children! Only through God is there true scape from anxiety.

Who is our God. Where is God? God is with us! God is there in our good days and our bad days.

Seek first the Kingdom!

Matthew 25:32 our anxieties reveal where our priorities are! When your seeking the kingdom first your hope is in the next life and we invest in our earthly home! The early Christians took these words to heart through very difficult times!

Hebrews 10:32-35

The deeds of Christians in early times when similar crisis where ongoing had a huge impact on the spread of the gospel.

Mathew 10:28





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God wants your best!

God wants your best!

God does not expect perfection. All God wants is for you to try your best! Praise God for his grace and mercy. Hopefully you are not stuck in pattern of trying to achieve perfection. Pursuing perfection is recipe for disaster and dispointment. Trying your best has some consequences as well. The danger is doing what you think is your best. Your opinion of what is your best should not be your standard.

Judges 21:25 everyone does what they think is best. When you live like this your living your life like there is no king! A Christian is someone who absolutely tries to do their best but is not a person who does what THEY think is best!

A Christian is led by the spirit, not by conscience!

James 4:17 this is the greatest value of a Christian conscience. Telling you the good you should be doing. The conscience should not be used to tell you what your doing is not bad.

John 14:16-17 so how do you tell is it the spirit or your conscience talking to you? John 14:15! Does it align with scripture! There will be no disagreement between the spirit and Gods word!

A Christian does what the bible says!

Acts 8:30-35 you cannot obey the bible without knowing what the bible says and you need someone to help teach it to you! Gods word is written in a way that anyone can read it but it was meant to be read and taught comunially!

Search the bible for answer to your questions but not to confirm decisions you have already made!

A Christian seeks the input of other Christians.advice and input should always agree with Gods word. Input is not Devine and should be measured against Gods word!Proverbs 12:15; 24:6; 28:26

Are you living as your own King?







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Dream Home. The purpose of the house.

Marriage is owned by God. Genesis 1:27 God had an intended purpose for marriage that we should display his image!

Genesis 1:26-27

Notice the enfaces on image and unity. Male and female ate made different and it is through those differences that we complete what God was trying to create!

Better together!

Proverbs 31:4; 1 Corinthians 7:34

We are a gift for each other!

GIFT

Gratitude

Intimacy

Fun

Treasure

VOWS

Amos 3:3, Numbers 30:1-2

Reflect on Gods mercy. Deuteronomy 4:31; James 3:17-18 when you reflect on how much God has had mercy on you will allow you to show mercy to your spouse!

Words have power. Do you use merciful words in your conversations? Out of the overflow of the mouth the heart speaks!

James 4:1-2

Win the battle of vulnerability instead of the battle to win an argument!

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Dream home. Needs in the home.

Marriage is both an institution and a divine spiritual union! In the union of marriage is where we get to see God more clearly! There were problems even from the first union God created through Adam and eve!

Ephesians 5:21

My wife has a need that is different than mine and if i neglect that need then i am not submitting out of reverence to christ!

What is my wife's greatest need? God has placed me as her husband to help meet those needs and sometimes you do that through submission to Christ!

Ephesians 5:22-33

This is about christ and the church. Jesus looked down from heaven and saw his church and the churches best effort was like filthy rags. From this perspective Jesus decided to give his life for the church! God has the same expectations for me as a husband for my wife!

Happiness comes and goes. Bad times are coming. But i do have some control over how long the good times or bad times will last.

Sexual faithfulness is more than just about our bodies. Our eyes, emotions and thoughts should be faithful to our wives and to God! Be faithful to the bride that God has given you!

As men we have an inane desire to lay down our lives for our families and God considers that the greatest love of all!

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Dream home. Building with the right tools.

Building with the wrong tools breaks what is not broken. Building with the wrong tools can cause a lot of pain. Building with the wrong tools can slow down progress.

Proverbs 24:3-5; 3:13-18 the wisdom that we have at our disposal is Gods word! There is a joy in fulfilling Gods word!

Ephesians 4:29-5:2 this verse is most applicable in our communications with our spouse. Grieving holy spirit when i am filled with bitterness, rage, and anger...ect!

Romans 14:1-3 we are not wrong we are just different. We are different for a good reason, so that we display the full image of God!

Without forgiveness there will be no progress in your relationship. Let things go in the spirit of canceling a debt.

Colossians 3:1-8 building with the wrong tools will destroy your home!

Colossians 3:12-14 using the right tools will allow you to build what God designed your home to be.

You have to decide which tools you are going to build with, either a righteous tool box or an unrighteous tool box.

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Dream home. Home improvement

Matthew 7:24-29

The storms are coming no matter how awesome your marriage is. You will have to weather a storm!

Proverbs 14:11; Ezekiel 33:32 We have to put the word into practice!

Galatians 5:22-25 keep in step with the spirit. The spirit does what is from God.

James 1:22-25 what do you see? Being obedient to Gods word will transform any situation and give you freedom!

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Dream home. Communion thought.

Matthew 11:28-30 we are suppose to learn from Jesus the attributes of meekness and humility!

Greeks considered their horses as meek once the trainer new that the horse had become obedient to every command. The horse never lost its power but channeled that power into accomplishing the task of his master!

Meekness and humility are not attributes that the world values. They are tossed aside as a weakness.

Jesus's ultimate example of meekness and humility was on full display in the garden of gethsemane and the days leading to the cross! Jesus full of power with 10 legions of angels at his disposal became meek to glorify God and fulfill God's will.

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The kingdom!

The kingdom!

Luke 12:35-48

Jesus parables were his way of teaching moral truths in a way that we can understand it. What is Jesus trying to teach us? Service in the kingdom! The servant must be ready to serve! Get ready to go to work doing Gods will and eagerly await the return of our master! To serve God we have to have our light ready to go in dark places, eyes wide open looking for an opportunity to serve!

Citizens of the kingdom must be serving. Being ready is not enough. We must act and get to work! Luke 12:42-44. Jesus is returning and he has expectations for us when he comes! Are you at work meeting the physical needs in your community? Are you at work meeting the emotional needs.

Reward or punishment waits! God is passionate about service! He wants his possessions taken care of. No amount of righteous doctrine can save an unserving soul!

Galatians 5:13-14 we were remade to serve!










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Gods kingdom is Victorious!

Gods kingdom is Victorious!

God is a God of victory but not the God of just victors!

Throughout the bible God helps the defeated to become victorious!

Jesus was victorious over death and through death gave us victory in life!

1 Corinthians 15:55

Titus 3:3-8

Gods plan for victory for jesus and for us is through death. We must die to ourselves so that we can live victorious!

Without God, every victory we have experienced has been temporary! With God victory is eternal!









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The kingdom!

The kingdom!

Luke 12:35-48

Jesus parables were his way of teaching moral truths in a way that we can understand it. What is Jesus trying to teach us? Service in the kingdom! The servant must be ready to serve! Get ready to go to work doing Gods will and eagerly await the return of our master! To serve God we have to have our light ready to go in dark places, eyes wide open looking for an opportunity to serve!

Citizens of the kingdom must be serving. Being ready is not enough. We must act and get to work! Luke 12:42-44. Jesus is returning and he has expectations for us when he comes! Are you at work meeting the physical needs in your community? Are you at work meeting the emotional needs.

Reward or punishment waits! God is passionate about service! He wants his possessions taken care of. No amount of righteous doctrine can save an unserving soul!

Galatians 5:13-14 we were remade to serve!










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Leadership in the Kingdom!

Leadership in the Kingdom!

Bad leadership examples, punitive leadership, self serving leadership, lack of integrity, hypocritical...etc. leadership in our world is full of bad examples! In the Kingdom leadership is defined differently!

Matthew 20:20-28

Leadership in the kingdom of God is a leadership without positional ambition. God is looking to fill a completely selfless position. Your ambition as a leader in Gods kingdom should be to please God and bring him glory!

Leadership in the kingdom is without Worley authority. Leadership in the kingdom is defined by service! It is also defined by sacrifice! Leadership in the kingdom is built on the foundation of Jesus!






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A Kingdom that will last!

A Kingdom that will last!

All generations together. God has always had a generational plan. Huge chunks of the Bible are dedicated to genealogies. Number 1:5-15. 1 Chronicles has 9 chapters dedicated to genealogies.

The jews of the old Testimate had no concept of heaven and Hell. They did not think of eternity but heirs and off spring. God made promises to them through generations. Their children's children would be successful or own some possessions...etc

Genesis 15:1-6 even Abraham wanted a legacy through genealogy. Gods plan was for Abraham to live on through his offspring.

God's Kingdom is eternal.
God's kingdom is universal.

Matthew 3:7-9 Abraham's children were not his physical lineage. Abraham's children are the children of God.

Romans 8:14-17

We can all be spiritual fathers and mothers. Our spiritual lineage is more important than our physical one! God's kingdom is made of spiritual generations.

God's kingdom is multi-generational.

Numbers 8:23-26

Titus 2:3-6

1 Timothy 4:12

Gods kingdom would collapse onto itself if we do not keep a generational mindset. Our responsibility is to teach the next generation!

Even Jesus was in a sense God's next generation carrying on God's plan of salvation!










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What is your passion?

Passion! What is your passion? What should your passions be? All of our passions should reflect Christ!

Luke 24:30-32

This is God's passion for us! Jeremiah 9:23-24

Luke 9:22 Jesus showed his passion through his suffering!


Purpose! What is your purpose? Has your purpose changed through Jesus?

Acts 17:24-27 We find our true purpose when we seek God!

Matthew 28:18-20 God's plan is for us to be used by him.

Romans 12:4-8 your purpose should also be to use the gifts that God has given us to glorify his will!

Matthew 22:36-40 Our love for God fuels our desire to for fill our purpose for God!

Philippians 1:20-24; 2 Corinthians 5:1-9


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Devoted to your first love!

Devoted to your first love!

When we turn from God is not one giant step but multiple little steps. One small decision after another that goes against what we now is right!

Judges 16:20 -- scary thought that you could be unaware that Gods has left you! Samson thought he would do what he had always done! Samson allowed sin to take him far away from God!

Same with King Saul. He started out as a king that tried to serve and honor God.

Revelations 2:1-3;4

Gradual erosion of your convictions and faith!

What is first love? That love that first brought you to God. That love you felt when you realized that Jesus blood was shed for you and God chose to forgive you regardless of what you had done!

First love is vulnerable. It needs to be protected and taken care of! Paul is a great example of someone who did not forget his first love! He continually reflected on what he had done to God and constantly consider himself unworthy to even be called an apostle!

Examples of first love! Romans 9:1-3 Exodus 32:31-32

How do you lose your first love? Matthew 24:12

With out continually feeding your first love it grows cold and malnourished! You have to be purposeful in your relationship with God!

Hebrews 2:1; 3:12-14

What convictions have changed in your life?!

How do we get our first love back?! Revelation 2:5 -- when you lose something you find it when you remember where you left it. Same for us spiritually, go back to where ever you left it. Start doing the things that you once did that created that love! It has to start with repentance!











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What is Church

What is church? 56% of Americans believe in the God of the bible and only 22% actually go to church! Why?

Church is not just Sunday but everyday! Church is give and take but unfortunately most of the people that go to church go to take what ever church has to offer and not give back!

The American church is defined by..prosperity gospel, the american culture, independence, Christianity is political and racial! Is this the church of the bible? False doctrines about church in america are all over the place. The american Christian has and individual relationship with God and rejects any communal relationship.

Acts 2:36-41

This first century church is the example of what God intended for church to be. The first century church was unadulterated by the world, culture or race. The church was a community where there was no concern for the individual but concern for the community.

The church was started with a mixture of cultures and races. People of all nations had gathered in Jerusalem. There was no care for property or individual wealth!

Look what they were devoted to: teaching, preaching, breaking bread and prayer! There is no room for self! The beauty of Gods plan for church is that as we serve and give selflessly we in return are given to and have our needs met! Everyone was giving to anyone!

Spiritual needs were more important than physical needs!

How do you have community and the church that God designed? Focus on Jesus and his example. Jesus was very rarely with someone one on one! Jesus always met with groups of two or more! Why would God say he is with us when two or more gather if it was just about us and one on one with God?

Matthew 12:46-50 Jesus consider the church his family and it mattered more to him than physical family!

Luke 19:10








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The mission of the church!

The mission of the church!

Matthew 5:14-16

Jesus creates imagery of a light shining in a dark place as a city on a hill that is a landmark for all around us. The idea of a city on a hill is about Gods church. If we are going to be a city on a hill as a church we have to be a light to the world!

1 Corinthians 1:26-27 shining is not about being excellent, the best, or most righteous. Is about being different. The church is made imperfect people that are called to be set apart from the world in the way we think, in our purpose, in the way love, and the way we deny self and give!

The church can shine and be different if we are willing to be like Jesus!

Matthew 5:38-42 some of the hardest teachings in the bible. This goes against everything in our human nature and our natural defense mechanisms!

A lite will be noticed! Matthew 5:14-16 don't hide what you are doing. Let your life be open and transparent to everyone around you!

It's not about intensity. Even a tiny light is noticeable in the darkness. Our world is a dark dark place.

The church is called to shine which by design gives glory to God! The end goal is to give glory to God! We don't shine so we can grow. Growth is a product of bringing glory to God!




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The Law of the Kingdom of God!

The Law of the Kingdom of God!

Hebrews 4:12 the word of Go, the law of God is living active. Timeless from one generation to another!

The constitution was only around a few years before we started passing amendments! It changes from generation to generation! The bible is not this way! It is relevant from one generation to another!

How can the bible not be irrelevant with the passing of time? Gods law is not based on human justice! It is based on divine love!

Genesis 2:15-17;3:4-5 why does give us law forbidding us from stuff? To protect us from harm! God's law is not his attempt to keep us from enjoying life. He is protecting us from the things that will causes harm!

Gods law is his expression of his limitless love for us!

If the law was given in Love then for filling and obeying God's law is an expression of love to God!

What is our responsibility to pushing people to follow Gods law? Jesus never demanded obedience from outsiders? To non christians Jesus loved and served them. Jesus try to persuade them to leave their lives of sin and save them from harm! John 4:23 — our responsibility to point people to God and love them!


Question about God's law from the problems of today...

1 John 4:16; Deuteronomy 15:12-15; Genesis 1:27 what about gender roles? Men and women are the complete image of God!

What about class and wealth? Proverbs 30:9 What about sexual attraction? Premarital sex? God condemned Greed and Rebellion far more than homosexuality?

Romans 3:23 mankind has falling from day one! We pick up a falling world and love them through their sin!













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The kingdom of God!

The kingdom of God!

The Kingdom is about Gods rein, his law, his power...etc! The kingdom is also about citizenship! Citizenship in Gods Kingdom!

When you're a citizen you enjoy the benefits of citizenship.

How does the bible view citizenship in Gods kingdom?

Jesus put heaven on hold to spend 40 more days on earth to teach more adequately about the Kingdom!

Matthew 28:18-20 kingdom citizenship is not exclusive and includes all nations!
1 Chronicles 16:23-24

If Gods kingdom is going to be all nations then the we have to go to all
Nations!

Luke 14:15-23 anyone from any nation, any background, any economic status, any physical disability...anyone!

The kingdom is exclusive! Luke 14:24; Matthew 28:18-20 ("them" is the disciples)

Any who does not enter the Kingdom on Gods terms cannot get in! You cannot earn citizenship with power, wealth or worthiness!! Only through grace and humility! If you do not enter on those terms you do not enter the Kingdom!

Kingdom citizenship is eternal! Citizenship comes with teaching and being taught. Who os teaching you and who ate you teaching? If not you ate not living like a citizen of the Kingdom! If your not obeying, making disciples, baptizing disciples, then you are not living like a citizen!

Matthew 25:31-34 God will separate us by the way we treat others! Just being a citizen is not enough. You have to live as a citizen of the kingdom of God!






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Gather and worship!

Gather and worship!

We are called to gather, serve, and multiply! Lets focus on worship today!

1 Chronicles 16:7-35

This proclamation was given by King David before the ark of the lord was to be brought back. This was a big moment! David wanted all Israel to worship and praise the Ark of the Lord which represents the presence and spirit of God!

They were overjoyed that God presence was going to come into their city! Think about how much more we should celebrate the fact that Jesus who is God came to us in the flesh!

Accepting Jesus as God, your lord, and savior requires a lifetime of worship and praise. Standing in awe of God that he no longer dwells in a gold chest, tent, or temple but now dwells in you!

Job 38:1-18;40:1-9;42:1-6

Not worshiping God in reverence and praise is to stand up to the Almighty in defiance. Worship and praise comes from knowing who God is and then knowing who we are!

God, as powerful and mighty as he is, as scary as he is....but he loves you! Think about that!

2 Kings 22:
Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Have you lost the law? Worship keeps your mind focused on God and his word! God is worth and deserves our praise!





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The Kingdom!

Acts 1:3

Jesus had already lived, finished his ministry, died and resurrected and yet he cam back to earth and spent 40 more days! He put heaven on hold. What was so important that he postponed being reunited with God in heaven? The Kingdom! He was helping the disciples make it to heaven by teaching about the kingdom!

Jesus came for many reason and one of them was to teach the Kingdom of God! Luke 4:43

The kingdom is what Jesus was leaving behind for is so he wanted to ensure that we understood it!

The Kingdom in the Old Testament!

God established a nation of his people and a kingdom that he ruled. Israel sought to have an earthly king 1 Samuel

8:9

1 Chronicles 17:11-14 Israel received many kings both Good and bad.

Jeremiah 23:5-6 Jesus is prophesied as a righteous King that would come and save Israel from the oppression of an earthly king. They were waiting for another earthly king.

The Kingdom in Jesus day!

Luke 1:30-33 Israel waited 500 years for this proclamation!

John 18:36 Jesus is the king of the spiritual world and the physical world as well! Physical is temporary, spiritual is eternal!

The kingdom in our day!

What does kingship in our world? Wealth, status and no reign! No authority! As Americans we are blessed in a nation where we are rarely ruled over! The idea of a king is foreign to us. The only master we serve many times is ourselves! Many people run to Jesus as the moral and righteous king only after their own rule has destroyed their lives!

Colossians 1:13-14

Are you willing to submit to Gods reign? Are you allowing him to reign in every aspect of your life? Your finances, your marriage, your career, and your sexual purity? Does God reign in your life?!

Up coming subjects: the law of the kingdom? The rights in the kingdom? The service of the kingdom? A kingdom that will last! The victorious Kingdom!

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Living by faith

Living by faith

Faith is a noun and a verb. In scripture faith is used as a verb. The followers of jesus were actively doing and practicing faith.

Galatians 3:1-3 the Galatians started trading their faith (spirit) for human efforts to obey the law. There is no need for faith in just doing something right or trying to be a good person.

Galatians 5:16-25
John 4:10-11
John 7:37-39

Are we sowing to for fill the will of the spirit?

Galatians 6:7-10

The doing can overshadow the being at times.


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Hooked!

Hooked!

On the hook. Caught! What are you hooked on? What has hooked you?

2 Chronicles 33:11

On the Hook!

2 Chronicles 33:1-11

Manasseh refused to listen the Lord! He forgot the example of his father and turned away from God! Manasseh was overly wicked and his heart was far from God! 2 kings 21:16

Sin works like a hidden hook in a pleasing little package that separates us from God and drags us far away from him! James 1:14-15

What sins are bobbing around in front of you waiting to hook you?

God wants us living off the hook!!

Isaiah 59:1-2;12;15

On God's Arm!

Our sins testify against us. We are hopelessly separated from God. God is the only one that can save!

Isaiah 53:1,5

Jesus has removed the hook of sin out of our lives!

Off the Hook!

2 Chronicles 33:12-17

Manasseh humbled himself before God and was off the hook!


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Why?

Why?

This is an important question that God wants us to ask! The answer to that question is what motivates us!

Why do we gather? Why do we serve? Why do we spread the gospel?

Genesis 11:3-9; Acts 2:1-12 Gods plan was that we build a church that speaks all languages to glorify him! The builders of the tower of Babel were self focused in their mission!

Acts 2:42-47

We are not called to build an organization! We are called to build the body of God! Our interest should be God's interests.

We are to be a community of faith that reflect him in n all that we do!

Matthew 5:43-48

Nimrodic thinking is a progression to tribalism and that is not Gods plan. God wants diversity in his kingdom! We need to love all people and even those we don't naturally agree with or give a long with!

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 our world needs a savior! Our needs to humble themselves before God through prayer!





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Endgame

Endgame

Colossians 3:1-4

Our endgame is heaven! Is heaven and after thought or something that you talk about and think about everyday!

Hebrews 11:36

How did he first century view the endgame! There home was heaven and heaven was their endgame! They willing went through all sorts of hardships for the gospel!

John 14:4-6

Jesus is the only way! Have you made someone or something your endgame? There is only one way and only endgame that leaves us victorious.

Luke 9:23-25

Hebrews 12:1-3


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The presence of God!

The presence of God!

What is the impact of Gods presence on you today? Impact physically? Impact spiritually? There are multiple examples in scripture about Gods presence! His love, his power, his faithfulness!

We need Gods presence! We need to live in his presence! God no longer dwells in a temple but has chosen to move into your body as his new temple!

Psalms 139:7;

How to experience Gods presence everyday: reading psalms, praise, peace, preaching, power,



To the political correctness of today...Jesus said he was full of grace and TRUTH! Paul said watch your LIFE and DOCTRINE! Our conviction should not waiver under pressure from the world!




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Church compensation:

Church compensation:

1 Corinthians 9:1-14

Jesus commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel!



Risk management in the church:

Daniel 6:3-5

Daniel was an exceptional administrator! There was no corruption in him!

Three standards as a board member.

1.) Biblical rights and wrongs
2.) Corporate rights and longs
3.) Philosophy which can be neither right or wrong

Board responsibilities are fiduciary and risk management.
With risk management there are two focuses to evaluate. What is the likely hood that something might happen? What are the consequences if that thing happens? Three ways to deal with risk. Avoid it, transfer it, or control it.

Three types of risk as a church. Physical risk of the members, financial losses and damages, legal and financial responsibility of board members.

Board members have personal liability. Directors and officers insurance is a good idea.

Inurement?






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The Presence in the Lord

The Presence in the Lord

Mike Talifaro

The Holy Spirit is with us!

The presence of God...

Gen 4:14

Ex 33:14-15

We need to love in God's presence

2 Chronicles 7: 1, 3

John 1:14

The presence of God dwells within us!

Acts 2

When God moves into our hearts, it's spectacular!!!

God's people have always lived in God's presence

We can't get away from God's presence

Psalm 139-7

God is with us til the end of the age!!

Luke 11:13

The presence of God

Psalms -

Praise - makes us aware of God's presence of our lives!

Peace- he shelters me; his presence brings us peace and provides for us! Jesus is the bread of life; he is enough and gives us what we need! It's about trusting God ❤️

Preaching- His presence helps us process problems with proper perspective!

Power -


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Post modern world and biblical truths!

Post modern world and biblical truths!

The greatest challenge for Gods people has always been not to conform to the surrounding culture! This is not a new issues! Ex 23:34; lev 20:22-23; debut 12:30; her 10:2; un 15:19; 17:14-16; rom 12:2; 1 for 5:9-10 jams 1:27; 1 in 2:15

Our culture is found in God.

Postmodernism? It is hard to define because it is based on multiple realities. Postmodern culture is based on individuals finding their own reality.

How we got here? 1960's era had the biggest shift in cultural philosophy. The greatest virtue of postmodernism is tolerance!

Characteristics of postmodernism: no absolute truth, moral realism, reject boundaries and authority, about the present (here and now).

Positives: reminds us to help those who are disadvantaged.

Genesis 3:1-

God is always working and his mission is to use us to reach a lost world. God will never allow culture to keep him from accomplishing his mission!

Acts 17:23; 17; 28 Paul studied and connected with the community around him!

How to reach a postmodern world? Engage in your community! Show commonality (God has championed many of the goals of the postmodern world to help the marginalized)! Jesus was a champion for diversity, woman's rights, financial inequality, the weak...etc!

1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails!




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Reignite our passion for God?!

Reignite our passion for God?!

Without Gods presence none of it matters!

Luke 24:32; Matthew 22:37-40

1 John 4:

Ways to ignite passion and zeal:

Praying, focusing on godly relationships, being obedient, making what is important to God important to us!

Luke 15:10; Matthew 5:6


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Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?!

Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?!

James 5:17 Elijah was a man like us and yet God used him to be powerful leader and prophet of Israel!

1 kings 19:13-14 Elijah had a moment of fear and insecurity! God was not done with Elijah and God is not done with us yet either!

1 Kings 19:19-21; 2 Kings 2:9

Matthew 28:16-20; Malachi 4:5-6

God has challenged us to go!

2 kings 2:6-10; 2:11-14

Elijah -- the lord is my God!
Elisha -- my God saves!


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The worlds definition of success is wrong

The worlds definition of success is different than the God's definition of success! Take marriage for example. The family unit to God is a great example of whether or not someone is managing life well or not. How a man handles the affairs of his own house says a lot about what type of man he is. You don't have to be married to manage your house well. What are you doing with the things God has entrusted to you!

Jesus is the only answer to any problem life may throw at you. Following Jesus creates a man that manages life well and becomes successful in all that he does!

Genesis 29:15-35

Jacob was the chosen seed to be blessed by God and carry on the messianic seed to the messiah! Jacob was a deceiver and a conman who had an ability to also lead. Laban saw Jacobs ability and that God was blessing Jacob in everything that he did. Laban's plot and Leah's plight in life. Laban wanted to get rich off of Jacob and marry off his older daughter that may not have gotten married and could have been a burden to him. Leah finds herself stuck in a marriage with a man that doesn't love her! She comes to the conclusion after the third son that she will praise the lord rather than seek an unfulfilling desire for Jacob!

BAD NEWS -- Sin does you! Sin creates sin. Lies beget lies...it never stops until you break the cycle and repent! Always Leah in the morning! Jacob was disappointed! When we put so much into the desires of this world we will always be disappointed! This world was not meant to satisfy us! Only God can fill and satisfy us! I am made for something beyond this world! Idolizing get only makes it worst!

GOOD NEWS -- God works with weak people! The bible is full of weak people who God used despite their flaws and short comings. The God does not condone Jacobs behavior or treatment of Leah! God did not condone Laban's actions either! The old testament is full of grace! God works through weak people! Jacob mistreated Leah and God rescued her and brought her to a place where she was able to look beyond her plight and focused on the glory of God! God also works in weak people! Leah just wanted to be loved by Jacob. She was weak emotionally and full of distress and depression! Leah despite her struggles and despite her plight in life she was chosen by God to carry on the Messianic seed and not Rachel! Was it worth it for Leah?! She was the mother of of Christ the messiah! She was apart of Gods salvation plan for the world! She was the fulfillment of Gods promise!

It's always Leah in the morning and it will only be Rachel when we get to heaven!






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Love never fails!

Love never fails!

What does the bible say about love?

1 John 4:8; Galatians 5:6; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Matthew 24:12

mark 10:6-10 God himself is the one that has joined you with your spouse! Malachi 2:16

One advantage of marriage is that it allows you to fall back into love together if you ever fall out of love temporarily! How to make a good marriage better? You remember that the measure you use is the measure that God will use on you! Matthew 7:1-5; James 2:12; Proverbs 20:10; Colossians 3:13-14


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The Resurrection!

The Resurrection!

Philippians 3:10-11

The power of the resurrection is the power of change!

Genesis 2:25-3:13

What has the knowledge of good and evil done for you? As little children we have no concept of good and evil. As adults our eyes are opened and it does nothing to help us in our lives but to show us how sinful our natures are!

We were created for so much more than just balancing good and evil! God created us and set us apart to live holy lives through the resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Luke 24:13-35

The power of the resurrection to restore your life and the power to finish your life!

Acts 2:42-47
Galatians 3:28


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Who do you say that I am?

People knew of Jesus and people knew Jesus. There were wide and different views on who he was. Jesus asked his disciples Who do you say i am? Who do you say Jesus is? Does your life demonstrate that belief? What a Interesting question for jesus to ask. Who do people say you are? Who do you say you are? Do people know the real you? Peter knew Jesus intimately and they correctly answered the question.

Who are you before God? What does God see and who does he say that you are?



Who do you say Jesus is?

1. Jesus is the son of God

Who does your life say Jesus is?

2. Jesus is revealed


3. Jesus is the way


Jesus knew what people thought of him, so why ask the question? He wanted to hear what his disciples would say

Why cesari philipi? Pagan city on the edge os israel and the gentile world. City of multiple faiths and beliefs. Mlt gods. Bail the sun god and storm god

Trans figuration

Peter didnt learn about jesus from books and teachers — you know jesus by spending time with him

Share about how god works in mspired
Me with this lesson. Share about debbie and her moment

Public consensus is not a way to find truth in you life. Who do people say that i am? Public opinion was wrong. Public opposition is useless

I am the way the truth and the light. No one comes to the father accept through me

Why is this question so how important? Share things jesus said about himself

Who is Jesus? Is he the savior or your personal savior?

People believe in Julius Caesar, alexander the great — they all left monuments physical evidence — jesus was homeless and left only the evidence of his written word and changes lives!!

Talk about — if you really believe that jesus is the son of God, that he is lord of your life and your savior, then why is it a struggle for you to control your temper, tongue, purity, open your mouth, give back, serve...ect

Why people wont acknowledge jesus for who he says he is. If jesus is who he says he is then he may ask something of you. You mayhave to give

Need three points!!!

Who do people say that i am?
Truth is never found in public opinion

Who do you say that i am?
Truth is found in a personal relationship with Jesus

Truth is not found in man but in God

Jesus never said he was a prophet. What dod jesus say about himself? Why would people concede to him being a prophet. If jesus is the sone of God then i have to listen , i have to examine my life, i have to acknowledge his power and authority

How could they miss who jesus was? Why don't we see jesus for who he is? Why do we not see him as the christ and just a prophet.

Do you see god for in your life?


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