March 8 2015 Responding To Intimidation

RESPONDING TO INTIMIDATION

1 Peter 3:13-22

TWO WAYS TO RESPOND

1. Keep your mind on the will of God.

Verse 17 – It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

HOW TO DEVELOP THIS LIFESTYLE

• Be zealous for what is good.

Verse 13 – Who is going to harm you if you are eager (or zealous) to do good?

• Don’t be intimidated or troubled.

Verse 14 – Do not fear what they fear, do not be frightened.

• Keep a life style of Holiness.

Verse 15 – But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.

FOUR DESCRIPTIVE WORDS

• Admit that you are in control.
• Submit your all to God.
• Commit your will to His way.
• Transmit God’s love to others.

Verse 15 – Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

Verse 16 – Respond with gentleness and respect.

A MODEL FOR COPING

Acts 4:23-31

Verse 29 – Consider their threats.

Verse 29 – Enable your servants to speak with boldness.

Verse 30 – Stretch out your hand to heal.

Verse 31 – They were all filled with the Holy Spirit.

• Keep a clear conscience.

Verse 16 – Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

2. Keep your faith in the risen Christ.

Verses 18 & 22 – Christ also suffered.  He died once for the sins of all as guilty sinners, although He Himself was innocent of any sin at any time, that He might bring us safely home to God.  But through His body died, His Spirit lived on, and now Christ is in heaven sitting in the place of honor next to God the Father.

IDENTIFY WITH CHRIST MEANS:

• Our sins are forgiven.
• We will suffer as He did.
• He will take us home to heaven.

November 2 2014 Conquering Loneliness

Conquering Loneliness

Genesis 2:18 – It is not good for man to be alone.

2 Timothy 4:6-21

The Final Days Of Paul’s Life

I. FOUR CAUSES OF LONELINESS

1. The transitions of life. (Vs. 6-8)
…..the time has come for my departure.

2. Separation. (Vs. 9, 21)
Do your best to come to me quickly, do your best to get here before winter.

3. Opposition. (Vs. 14)
(He) did me a great deal of harm, he strongly opposed our message.

4. Rejection. (Vs. 16, 10)
….no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. Demas has deserted me.

II. HOW TO COPE WITH LONELINESS

1. UTILIZE my time. Vs. 12)
…bring my coat, and bring my books.

2. MINIMIZE my hurt. (Vs. 16)
…everyone has deserted me. May it not be held against them.

3. RECOGNIZE God’s presence. (Vs. 17a)
But the Lord stood by my side and gave me strength.

4. EMPHASIZE other’s needs. (Vs. 17b)
….so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.