Relationship Rescue: Matthew 5.1-10

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
    For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5.9-10

Q: Is there anything more difficult and tricky than relationships?
A: No!

Relationship Rules of Thumb:

1. In your relationships, be humble. (v. 5)

Think about the needs and concerns of others.

Consider how you can be a blessing to other people.

2. Be an encouragement to other people. (v. 7)

As you build up others...

You will be built up

And they will work toward building you up.

3. Always seek to make peace, with people and God. (v. 9)

Reconcile as quickly as possible.

Do not hold grudges, no matter what.

Take Away Point-
God has blessed me with many people in my life.
I will do all I can to bless others,
to be blessed by others, and

   to all God to bless my relationships.

Physical Health: 1 Corinthians 6.12-20

You were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit,

which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6.20

Too often Christians try to separate the spiritual from the physical.

In this way it is easier for us to justify our own sins and weaknesses.

But God is interested in our bodies as well as our spirits.

So...

1. Consider what you put into your body.

Be careful about types and amounts of food.

Avoid substances that will hamper your relationship with God.

Stay away from chemicals that will harm your body or spirit.

2. Consider what you do with your body.

Don't be foolish about your activities.

Develop your body to glorify God.

3. Consider what you do with the bodies of other people.

Your actions have consequences for others..

4. Consider how your body is used in worship.

We are to worship God with everything we have and everything we are.

Take Away Point-
I long to serve God with every part of me.
I want to give him my best with my whole body.

That means that I commit myself to serve God physically.   

Upside Down: Philippians 2.5-8

 He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death,

even the death of the cross. Philippians 2.8

A great pillar of the Christian faith is:

Christ humbled himself.

He did this so that we could be exalted.

Christ's humiliations...

1. He gave up his 'god-ness' (v. 6)
2. He became a man. (v. 7)
3. He became a servant of men. (v. 7)
4. He allowed himself to die. (v. 8)
5. He submitted to execution. (v. 8)
6. He submitted to crucifixion. (v. 8)

We should then humble ourselves...

1. So that Christ can be exalted.

2. So that we can be exalted.

Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,

that He may exalt you in due time. 1 Peter 5.6

Take Away Point-
We humans think a lot of ourselves. We should think more than we do of Christ.
As we exalt him, we are humbled.

When we humble ourselves he is able to lift us up.

A Simple Plan: Philippians 3.13-14

 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3.14 

Spiritual Life is less complicated than we tend to make it.

All that is required is a plan and it doesn't need to be complicated.

• Relax.

Wait on God

• Request.

Begin your time with God with a request for his blessing and presence.

• Read.

Spend some time in Bible study.

• Reflect.

Listen to what God is saying.

• Rely.

Let God lead your prayer time.

Take Away Prayer-
Stretch me, I pray, O Lord.
Help me to grow in ways that you want me to.

In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Coming Home: Philippians 1.12-26

 In every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached;

and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. Philippians 1.18

Five categories of people in relation to the church...

• The Un-churched.

These are people who have made a decision to leave the church.

• The Non-churched.

Church is a non-issue in their lives.

• The De- Churched.

Those who have left the church because of someone else.

• The Churched.

These are the followers of Jesus who are in the church.

• The Re-churched.

Those who have come back, are coming back, or need to come back.

Take Away Point-
Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them.
Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country

and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? Luke 10.4  

The Three Chairs: 2 Corinthians 5.12-21

 If anyone is in Christ,he is a new creation; old things have passed away;

behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5.17

Which Chair are you sitting in?

• The Chair of the Curious.

There is an interest in the things of God

You may have a lot of questions

• The Chair of the Convinced.

You have made a decision about what you believe

You can affirm the truth of the Gospel

• The Chair of the Committed.

You have decided to live and work for the sake of Christ

You will live or die for the gospel

Take Away Prayer-
Jesus, I need to get closer to you.
Help to move one chair closer to your will for my life.

Amen.  

Truly Converted: 1 John 4.20-5.5

 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5.3

Part One: How to know you are truly converted-

• You confess Jesus as Lord.

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God,

God abides in him, and he in God. 1 John 4.15

• You find misery in personal sin.

Whoever has been born of God does not sin, because he has been born of God. 1 John 3.9

• You enjoy fellowship with other Christians.

By this we know that we love the children of God,

when we love God and keep His commandments. 1 John 5.2

• You are obedient to Christ.

 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. 1 John 5.3

Part Two: How to be truly converted-

• Repent of your sins.
• Ask Jesus to come into and live in your heart.
• Plan to live with Jesus' priorities in the future

Take Away Prayer-
Lord, I am not what I should be. I have sinned, and I continue to sin.
I'm sorry for that. I need your help. Come into my heart. Forgive my sins.
Live in me and make me new.
Help me to live for you and to stay in your will.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Listening to Sermons/ Study

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2.15 (KJV) 

Listening to Sermons-

• Prepare yourself physically.

• Prepare yourself spiritually.

• Open yourself to what God wants to say and do.

• Pointers:
  • Bring your own Bible with you and follow along.
  • Take notes and listen for application.
  • Reflect and discuss what you hear and learn.

Study-

• Commit yourself to reading some 'good' Christian literature.

• Join, or start, a group for study, reflection and learning.
  • A Sunday School class or Bible study group would be a good start.

• Develop a plan to learn more about God and his word.

Take Away Point-
I will not take my faith for granted.
I will learn as much as I can
as often as I can

for as long as I can.

Truth: 2 John

He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 2 John 9

Introduction to 2 John-

Content is similar to 1 John

Same author

Same time period

Notes-

1. Be careful to not fall into sin. v. 6
   Sins of commission
   Sins of omission

2. Christians must show hospitality. v. 10
   We must be cautious to whom we are hospitable.
   Consider Hebrews 13.2

Take Away Point-

I am not perfect, but I can- and will- work toward perfection. Beginning today I will work on my sins and learn hospitality.

Living in Light- Compassion: Love Manifest- 1 John 5.14-21

Whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself,

and the wicked one does not touch him. 1 John 5.18

Notes

• God answers prayer. vv. 14-15

• We should prayer for those in sin. v.16

Sin leading to death...

Unpardonable sin...

Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men,

but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Matthew 12.31

• The true Christian does not stay in sin. v. 18
• Those who are not Christian are influenced by Satan. v.19

• Life in Christ keeps us from sin and false gods. vv. 20-21

Take Away Prayer-

Lord, keep me from sin. Protect me from all that comes against me. Teach me to live in your light. Lead me not into temptation. Empower me to live and love for you. Amen.

Obedience- The Mark of Love: 1 John 4.20-5.13

This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.

And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5.3

The law of God is designed...

• For our protection.

• To give us limits.

• To facilitate our growth.

• To grant us freedom.

Jesus came by water- birth, baptism (v. 6)

Jesus came by blood- sacrifice, death

Bearing witness in heaven ( v. 7)- Father, Word, Spirit

Bearing witness on earth (v. 8)- Spirit, water, word

Life comes from God.

Take Away Point-

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10.10

The Whole Deal: 1 John 3.24-4.19

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4.18

Notes

• Be encouraged when trouble comes.

He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. v.4

• Our ability to love comes from God.

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. v. 10

• Fear is the opposite of love.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear. v.18

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1.7

Take Away Point-

Oh, how I love Jesus because he first loved me. I will be encouraged by him and learn to love like him.

Living in the Light: The Love of a Child- 1 John 2.28-3.23

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us,

that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3.1

Q- Why are Bible chapters and verses divided this way?

Q- Do Christians sin?

Notes

• We are children, growing up into what God wants for us. v. 2

• When we sin, we separate ourselves from God. v. 8

• Jesus gave himself for us. v. 16

• Following Christ will cause us to grow in faith
  • To sacrifice for others
  • And to love all people

Take Away Prayer-

Lord, I want to follow you. I believe on your name and confess you as my Savior. Forgive my sins and live in my life. Teach me to follow your Word and to love all people. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today I prayed and asked Jesus to forgive my sins and to become my Lord.

__________Please be praying for me.

__________Please contact me.

Signed ___________________________________________

Discernment and Discretion: 1 John 2.1-17

He who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness,

and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 John 2.11

Discernment- Being able to distinguish between two, usually good and bad.

Discretion- Making good choices and doing it in appropriate ways.

Light- The things of God; all that is good.

Darkness- Evil; where bad things live and grow.

Notes

1-2: If you sin, it's not the end of the world.

Jesus will represent us before God.

Jesus makes amends for our sins by his sacrifice.

3-6: Those who know Christ, obey him.

Obedience to Christ is a mark of the Christian.

If you do not obey, can you say that you are a Christian?

To be perfected, is to be made complete.

7-11: There is only one commandment: Love

Hate and love cannot exist in the same person.

Sometimes we do not recognize our hatred of others.

12-14: Children, fathers and young men- different spiritual maturity levels.

It's all about growing up in faith.

15-17: Avoid things opposed to God because they are temporary.

You cannot love God and the world.

Walk in the Light: 1 John 1

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you,

that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1.5

Historical Setting: John in the late first century.

Biblical Setting: General Epistles; part of Johaninne literature.

Author: John, the beloved disciple, from Ephesus after his imprisonment.

Notes

1: The story of Jesus is true.

He was a real person. All the details can be verified by witnesses.

2: Life in Christ leads to eternal life with him.

3: Followers of Jesus are to recruit other followers.

Fellowship with Christians leads to fellowship with Christ.

4: Understanding and experiencing this life leads to joy.

5: God is all light and no darkness.

6: To be with God we must turn from darkness.

Holiness of life is expected of Christians.

7: Living in the light leads to fellowship and forgiveness of sin.

8: Everyone is a sinner, no matter what they say or think.

9: God will forgive all our sins.

He will even help us lose the desire to sin.

10: We must recognize our sin and turn to God.

Happy Birthday!: Acts 2.1-13

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues,

as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2.4

The Gifts God gives...

Romans 12

1 Corinthians 12

Ephesians 4

1 Peter 4

The Fruit God gives...

Galatians 5.22-25

All come from God, and are for our edification.

But...

1. We need to be in tune with God to receive the gift. v. 1

2. We need to be open to God to receive the gift. v. 3

3. We need to take action to receive the gift. v. 4

Take Away Prayer-

Lord, we want your gift. We want all that you have for us.

Fill us. Renew us.

Gift us. Use us.

Amen.

Good and Faithful: Matthew 25.14-30

‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things,

I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ Matthew 25.21

God is gracious and generous with us.

God has expectations of us.

He will hold us accountable for our gifts.

God will reward our faithfulness.

• Those who are faithful will be praised by God.

  • 'Well done, good and faithful servant...'

• Those who are faithful will be blessed and promoted.

  • 'I will make you ruler over many things...'

• Those who are faithful will find abundance.

  • 'Enter into the joy of your lord.'

Take Away Point-

Not only has God blessed me, he has given me a responsibility.

I will serve him with all I am and with all I have been given-

now and always.

The Worry of God: Psalm 139

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139.13-14

The Trinity is a mystery.

Holy Spirit fills, guides, gifts and empowers us.

Jesus saves, redeems and sets an example for us.

Father is... our Father.

A parent, a father, worries about his kids:

1. God knows his children. vv. 1-3

2. God protects his children. v. 5

3. God is always on our side. v. 7ff

4. God always wants the best for us. vv. 17-18

Take Away Point-

God, my Father, loves me with a love I cannot understand.

He is mine, and I am his.

I will love him forever.

The Work of God: Psalm 22

My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
Why are You so far from helping Me,
And from the words of My groaning? Psalm 22.1

There are times when God seems distant and unconcerned with us.

At other times he seems to anticipate our needs, and meet them.

But God is always close at hand.

How God works...

1. God delivers those who trust in him. v. 4.

2. God is a lifetime companion. v. 9.

3. God stays close, at all times. v. 19.

4. God provides for our salvation. vv. 16-18.

Take Away Passage-

For dogs have surrounded Me;
The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me.
They pierced My hands and My feet;
I can count all My bones.
They look and stare at Me.
They divide My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots. Psalm 22.16-18

The Will of God: Psalm 15

And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6.8

Good People and God People

Becoming God People:

1. God People live holy lives. (v. 2)

   Righteous living.

   Truth Telling.

2. God People control their tongues. (v.3)

   Do not gossip.

   Do no harm.

   Do not speak evil.

3. God People live in integrity. (v. 4)

   Despise sin.

   Honor faith.

   Keep promises.

4. God people are above reproach. (v. 5)

   They help financially.

   They cannot be bribed.

   They will not lie.

Take Away Point-

I can continue to live my life, satisfied being a good person;

or I can become the person, the God person,

that God wants me to be.