August 14 2016 Prevailing To The Coming Of Christ

PREVAILING TO THE COMING OF CHRIST

1 Thessalonians

Timothy’s Report
• They were loyal in the persecution.
• They were Doctrinally pure.
• They were concerned.

Five views of Christ’s Second Coming

1. The view of the new Christian.

Chapter 1

Three things about the Church from verse 3

• Their work produced by faith.
• Their labor prompted by love.
• Their enduring hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Three things they did in light of His coming

Verse 9 They turned to God from idols.

Question:
• Does the coming of Christ’s second coming change your lifestyle?
• If He were to come today would it change your lifestyle at this very moment?

Verse 9 Began to serve the living God.

Question:
• Does the coming of Christ motivate us to begin to find a Ministry that we can do for Him?
• If Jesus were to come today, would He find us doing something profitable for His Kingdom?

Verse 10 They are to wait for God’s Son.

Question:
• Are we at peace with ourselves in the midst of the storm that is around us?
• Are we holding steady?

2. The view of the worker in the Church.
Chapter 2

Verse 20 – Indeed you are our glory and joy.

Question:
When Jesus comes back, am I going to have any crowns?

3. The view of the Brother.

Chapter 3

Verse 12 – May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as it does for you.

Two aspects of love

• We are to increase in love.
• We are to overflow in love to others.

1 John 4:20 – If anyone says, I love God, yet hates his brother, he is a liar.

Question:
• Are your relationships all cleared up?

4. The view of the one who is suffering.

Chapter 4

Verse 14 – We believe Jesus died and rose again and so believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.

5. How the Christian is to conduct himself.

Chapter 5

Verse 1 Exact time not important.

Verse 2 Coming will be a surprise.

Verse 3 No escape from the event.
   
Verse 4 & 5 Don’t be surprised.

Verse 6-8 Be alert, sober, prepared.

Verse 9 Be our final salvation.

Verse 10 No Christian left behind.

Verse 11 Encourage one another.

Verse 12 & 13 Respect the Spiritual leaders.

Verse 14 Meet the needs of the body.

Final Instruction

August 10 2014 Love - The Highest Quality Of The Church And Life

Love: The Highest Quality Of The Church And Life 

Matthew 22:36-39 - “Which is the most important command?” Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 'This is the first and greatest commandment. The second most important is similar: 'Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.”

THREE QUALITIES OF LOVE

I. THE BEST USE OF LIFE IS LOVE.

FOUR REASONS WHY

1 John 4:8 - “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

1. Love validates my faith.

1 John 4:20 - “If we say we love God, but hate others, we are liars. For we cannot love God, whom we have not seen, if we do not love others, whom we have seen.”

2. Love integrates my life.

Colossians 3:14 - “Love is more important than anything else, it is what ties everything completely together.”

3. Love shows the set of our heart.

1 Peter 4:8 - “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”

4. Love reverberates forever.

1 Corinthians 13:13 - “And now these three remain, faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love.”

2 Corinthians 13:3 - “No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.”

II. THE BEST EXPRESSION OF LOVE IS TIME.

1 John 3:18 - “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.”

Galatians 5:6 - “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”

Ephesians 5:2 - “Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins.”

III. THE BEST TIME TO LOVE IS NOW.

Galatians 6:10 – “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Ephesians 5:16 - “Making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.”

Proverbs 3:27 -28 - “Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. Never tell you neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.”

1 Corinthians 14:1 - “Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire love. Make it your aim, your great quest.”

November 11 2012 The Choice Of Peace

THE CHOICE OF PEACE

Matthew 5:9 - Happy are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God.

Misconception:
1. Peace making is not avoiding.
2. Peace making is not appeasement.
3. It’s actively seeking to resolve the conflict.

I. Why should I be a peacemaker?

1. Unresolved conflicts block my fellowship with God.
1 John 4:20 - If anyone says I love God yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

2. It can prevent answered prayers.
1 Peter 3:7 - Husbands in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
Matthew 5:23 - Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and then remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, first go and be reconciled to your brother.

3. It hinders my happiness.
Job 18:4 - You are only hurting yourself with your anger.

II. How can we be a peacemaker?

1. You need to plan a peace conference.
Matthew 5:23-24 - If you remember your brother has something against you, go at once to make peace.

2. You need to empathize with their feelings.
Philippians 2:4 - None of you should think only of his own affairs, but consider other people’s interests also.

3. You attack the problem, not the person.
Proverbs 15:1 - A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.
Ephesians 4:29 - Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed.

4. Cooperate as much as possible.
Romans 12:18 - Do everything possible on your part to live at peace with all men.
Romans 16:17 - I urge your, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way, keep away from them.
James 3:17 - Peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.

5. You emphasize reconciliation, not resolution.
2 Corinthians. 5:18 - God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gives us the ministry of reconciliation.

Where To Start:
Colossians 3:15 - Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.

November 6 2011 Love As A Lifestyle

Love As A Lifestyle

Gal. 5:22 – The Fruit of the Spirit is Love.
Without love, nothing else matters. (I Cor. 13:1-2)
Love shows we really know God. (I John 4:7-21)
To love is our #1 responsibility. (Matthew 22:36-40)
I Cor. 13:5 -Love is not rude, love does not demand it’s own way, love is not irritable and love keeps no record of when it has be wronged. 

I. How to develop a loving lifestyle or mindset.

1. Accept others unconditionally.
Romans 15:7 – Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Romans 12:18 – If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

2. Commit yourself personally.
Romans 12:10 – Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
Romans 12:5 – In Christ, we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 

3. Encourage others continually.
I Thess. 5:11 – Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up just as in fact, you are doing.
I Cor. 13:7 – If you love someone, you always believe in him and always expect the best of him.

4. Serve people cheerfully.
I Peter 4:10 – Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
Romans 12:13 – Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

5. Forgive others freely.
Col 3:13 – Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

6. Decide to expand the Kingdom.
Matthew 28:19 - Go and make disciples of all nations.
II Cor. 5:14 - For Christ’s love compels us.

II. The practical application for dealing with draining people.

1. Difficult people: I must be tactful, not just truthful.
I Cor. 13:5 - Love is not rude.
Prov. 16:21 A wise mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words the more persuasive he is.

2. Demanding people: I must be understand and not be demanding.
I Cor. 13:5 -Love does not demand it’s own way.
Titus 3:2 -Believers shouldn’t curse anyone or be quarrelsome, but they should be gentle and show courtesy to everyone.

3. Disappointing people: I must be gentle not judgmental.
I Cor. 13:5 -Love is not irritable.
Prov. 15:4 - Gentle words bring life and health.

4. Destructive people: Don’t repeat it, just delete it.
I Cor. 13:5 - And love keeps no record of when it has been wronged.
Prov. 19:11 - When someone wrongs you it is a great virtue to ignore it.

CONCLUSION: Eph. 3:17-18 – I pray that Christ will be more at home in your heart, living within you as you trust Him. May your roots go deep into the soil of God's Marvelous love, and may you be able to feel and understand how long, wide, deep and high His love really is, and experience this love for yourselves.

May 22 2011 Grace And Mercy

GRACE & MERCY

1. Definitions of Grace and Mercy.

Mercy is not getting what we deserve.

What are some definitions of Grace:
G.R.A.C.E. God’s riches at Christ’s expense.
Unmerited favor.
Grace is getting what we do not deserve.

Ephesians 2:1-8
Acts 9:13
Acts 9:15

It is God’s Grace that saved Paul and it’s God’s grace that
saves us.

2. God’s Grace gives us the power to minister.

Acts 9:20–21
I John 3:15
I John 4:20
I Cor. 15:9-10

3. God’s grace gives us the ability to live an obedient life.

God’s Grace is the power of salvation, it is the power to be a minister of Christ and thirdly it is the power to live an obedient life.

How can God’s Grace be the power to lean an obedient life?

1. God’s Grace is amazing.
2. Develops a sense of gratitude, of thankfulness and a thorough understanding that a favor has been granted to them.
3. The Christian who operates under GRACE knows he is given the power to give God’s GRACE away.

Acts 16:25

When we give God’s Grace away souls are saved.

Acts 16:28
Acts 16:30

ISN’T GRACE AMAZING?