March 22 2015 Overcoming Temptation Under Pressure

OVERCOMING TEMPTATION UNDER PRESSURE

1 Peter 4:1-11

TEMPTATION IS: The process that attempts to draw us away from God.

EIGHT WAYS TO OVERCOME TEMPTATION

1. Propose to what’s right.

Verse 1 – Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourself with the same attitude (or purpose).

Lesson:  The battle can be won before the battle has begun.

Three Hebrew children.

Hebrews 11: 36 – 38

2. Stop doing what’s wrong.

Verse 1 – Because He who suffered in His body is done with sin.

3. Stop running with the wrong crowd.

Verses 3 & 4 – For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do, living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it is strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation and they heap abuse on you. What the world expects: They expect us to change and be different, the reject us when we live for Christ.

4. Live for the Will of God.

Verses 2 & 6 – Live for the Will of God, but live according 

Verse 5 – But they will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

5. Live in the light of accountability.

Verse 5 – But they will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

6. Be serious and watchful in your prayers.

Verse 7 – Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Peter’s experience: Went to sleep on the job.

7. Minister to one another.

Verses 8, 9, 10 – Above all, love each other deeply, offer hospitality to one another, use whatever gift he has received to serve others.

THREE WAYS WE MINISTER TO ONE ANOTHER

1. Love.
2. Offer hospitality.
3. Use your God given gift.

8. Rely on God’s power.

Verse 11 – Do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised.

SAMSON’S FOUR STEPS TO FAILURE

1. He was fascinated with sin.
2. He flirted with sin.
3. He forgot his source of power.
4. Then he failed.

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.”

September 5 2010 Living For God To The End

Living for God to the end

(1 Peter 4:7-10 - The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.)

Verse 7 - The end of all things is near.

Signs to look for:

• Mental state of the world
• Moral state of the world
• A falling away
• Lawlessness
• Scoffers
• Our end

Truths to remember

1. Keep up a proper prayer life

(verse 7 - Therefore be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray.)

(Hebrews 4:16 - Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.)

(1 Thessalonians 5:6 - So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.)

2. Keep up the life of love

(Verse 8 - Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.)

(1 John 3:14 - We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.)

(Proverbs 10:12 - Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.)

3. Keep up the life of hospitality

(Verse 9 - Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.)

4. Keep up the life of good stewardship

(Verse 10 - Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.)