March 26 2017 Faith And The Deeper Life

FAITH AND THE DEEPER LIFE

Mark 11:11-25

Verse 22 - Have Faith in God.

1. Life in the deeper life involves character.

Verse 11 - He looked around at everything.

Verse 15 - Jesus entered the Temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling.

I Peter 2:5 - You also, like living stones, are being built into a Spiritual house.

2. Life in the deeper life shows concern.

Verse 13-14 - Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had fruit. When he reached it, however, he found nothing but leaves because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, may no one ever eat fruit from you again.

Verse 15 - Jesus began driving out those who were buying and selling there.

Jude 1:12 - They are clouds without rain.

I Thess. 2:8 - We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the Gospel of God, but our lives as well.

3. Life in the deeper life eliminates confusion.

Verse 22 - Therefore I tell you whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it will be yours.

Verse 26 - And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him so that your Father in heaven my forgive you your sins.

4. Life in the deeper life includes accountability.

Verse 13 - Seeing the fig tree in the distance, he went to find out if it had any fruit.

The Psalmist said: Where can I go from His presence?

January 8 2017 Getting A Grip On Faith

GETTING A GRIP ON FAITH

Matthew 9:29 – According to your faith will it be done to you.

Hebrews 11:6 – Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Luke 17:5 – The apostles said, Lord, increase our faith.

I. How does God strengthen my faith? By testing it.

James 1:3 – The testing of your faith develops perseverance so that you may be mature and complete.

Job 7:17-18 – What is man that you make so much of him, and that you give him so much attention that you examine him every morning and test him every moment.

II. How does God test our faith?

1. God tests our faith through difficulties.

1 Peter 1:6-7 – For a little while you have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Isaiah 48:10 – I have refined you, though not as silver, I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

James 1:2-3 – Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

LESSON: To live by faith, I learn to: To live by faith.

2. God tests our faith through demands.

Exodus 16:4 – The people are to go out each day and gather enough manna for that day. In that way I will test them and see whether they will follow instructions.

Hebrews 11:8 – By faith Abraham obeyed and went.

Hebrews 11:7 – By faith Noah built an ark.

LESSON: To live by faith I must learn to: Obey God quickly.

3. God tests our faith through delays.

Deuteronomy 8:2 – God led you all the way in the desert these 40 years to test you in order to know what was in your heart.

Isaiah 64:4 – God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

LESSON: To live by faith, I must learn to: Wait patiently.

November 27 2016 The Story Of Mary

THE STORY OF MARY

Luke 1:26-38

Memory Verse: “ For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37

God uses our impossible circumstances to shows us His incredible LOVE

TO RECEIVE GOD’S GIFT OF THE IMPOSSIBLE THIS CHRISTMAS I...

1. RECEIVE THE GIFT through faith.

“Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.’ And then the angel left her.” - Luke 1:38

Often I’m disappointed with God’s plan because...

1. It is not what I expected.

2. It seems ordinary.

3. It sometimes causes more problems at first.

“She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.” - Luke 2:7

2. RECOGNIZE THE GIFT with others .

“A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed.” - Luke 1:39-42

“When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.” - Romans 1:12

3. REFLECT ON THE GIFT every day,.

“...but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.” - Luke 2:19

“How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them.” - Psalm 111:2

“God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.” - 1 John 4:9

November 6 2016 I am the Light of the World

I am the Light of the World

John 14:6 I am the way, the truth and the life, no one can come to the Father, except through me.

John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

John 10:14 "I am the good shepherd. I know my own sheep, and they know me."

MEMORY VERSE: Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a stand that gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

HOW TO BE LIGHT IN MY WORLD

1. Ask God to use me.

Isaiah 6: 8 "Then, I heard the Lord asking, whom should I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go for us? And I said, Lord, I'll go. Send me."

Acts 20:24 "Life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus. The work of telling others the good news about God's mighty kindness and love."

2. Boldly speak up about my faith.

Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of this good news about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes, Jew first, and also Gentiles."

1 Peter 3:15, 16. "If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way."

Philippians 1:27 (MSG) "Live in such a way that you are a credit, to the message of Christ."

3) Care enough to invite my friends during the holidays to church

Ephesians 3:8. "Just think! "Though I did nothing to deserve it, and though I am the least deserving Christian there is, I was chosen for this special joy of telling others about the endless treasures available to them.

Mathew 5:14 (MSG) You're here to be light, bringing out the God colors in the world."

October 23 2016 How Can I Know My Destiny

HOW CAN I KNOW MY DESTINY?

BOOK OF ESTHER

1. I must recognize the gifts God has given to me.

Esther 2:8-9- Esther pleased Hegai and won his favor.  Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food.  He assigned to her seven maids selected from the king’s palace and moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem.

Esther 2:15b – Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her.

Esther 2:17 – She then won the king’s favor and approval more than any of the other virgins.  So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen.

1 Peter 4:10 – Each of us, as a good manager of God’s different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift we have received from God.

What Has God Given Me To Use For Good?

2. I must identify the needs that stir my heart.

Isaiah 58:6-11 – Remove the chains of oppression and yoke of injustice and let the oppressed go free.  Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor.  Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives.  Then my favor will shine on you like the morning sun, and your wounds will be quickly healed.  I will always be with you to save you and my presence will protect you on every side.  When you pray, I will answer you.  When you call to me I will respond.  If you put an end to oppression, to every gesture of contempt, and to every evil work; if you give food to the hungry and satisfy those who are in need, then the darkness around you will turn to the brightness of noon.  And I will always guide you and satisfy you with good things.  I will keep you strong and well.

What Needs Do I See Around Me That Disturb Me?

3. Take time to hear God’s call on your life.

Esther 4:13-14 – Mordecai sent this word to Esther; ‘Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all Jews will escape.  For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish.  Besides who know but that you have come to this position for such a time as this?

Esther 4:15-16a – Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai; ‘Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me.  Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day.  I and my maids will fast as you do.  When this is done, I will go to the king.’

4. You must make a faith commitment.

Esther 4:16 – When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law.  And if I perish, I perish.

Matthew 9:29 – Jesus said, ‘According to your faith will it be done to you!’