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Faith
Love
Title and Outline
Scriptures: Philippians 2:1-8; Hebrews 2:6-10; John 13:1-17; Galatians 6:2-3;
Romans 12:3; I Peter 5:5-6; Romans 12:10; Ephesians 5:17-21; I Corinthians 10:24; Romans
15:1-7; Luke 14:7-11
Opening: We should humble ourselves to serve, as did Christ. Phil. 2:1-8
Point: Jesus, son of God, eternal being and heavenly citizen, left His home in glory and humbled Himself in death as a human being. He was tried and convicted of treason, executed on the cross. During this ordeal He was mocked, reviled, mistreated, spit upon and tortured. Hebrews 2:6-10
Point: The Master as servant. Jesus took the role of servant in washing the disciples feet. John 13:1-17
Point: Fullfil the law of Christ by bearing one another's burdens. Galatians 6:2-3
Point: We must not be haughty and arrogant, not thinking ourselves better than others. Romans 12:3
Point: We must be servants to one another, realizing that the hand of our powerful God makes us stand,or fall. I Peter 5:5-6
Point: In brotherly love we submit to one another, our goal--to help others succeed. Romans 12:10; Ephesians 5:17-21; I Corinthians 10:24: Romans 15:1-7
Conclusion: If a Christian, humble yourself, don't wait for God to bring you to your knees. Do not seek out the seat of honor for yourself, but let the Lord call you forth to that high place in His own good time. If not a Christian, humble yourself by becoming one and yielding your life to the will of God. Luke 14:7-11
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Scriptures: Genesis 4:1-14; I Peter 2:17; Romans 12:10; I Peter 1:22-23; I John 3:7-16; John 15:9-13; John 17:20-26; John 13:34-35; Galatians 5:13-16; Ephesians 4:31-32: Ephesians 5:1-2; Galatians 5:22-26; Hebrews 10:24.
Opening: Am I my brother's keeper? Yes! Genesis 4:1-14
Point(and Theme): We are to love the brotherhood (the church, the body of Christ). This includes a deep affection for one another, rising above the relationship of mere acquaintance. I Peter 2:17; Romans 12:10
Point: It is to be a genuine spiritual love, a love of submission. This is because we are bound by the same Spirit of God into one body in Christ Jesus. I Peter 1:22-23
Point: Born (again) of God, we are to love our brother, meeting his needs. To fail to do so puts us into the category of Cain, who hated his brother so much that he killed him. If we are born of God, we will love our brother. I John 3:7-16
Point: To be in Jesus means to obey the Father's commands--this proves our love! We are to have a depth of love that will cause us to die to save our brother in the Lord. (To be like Christ means to die for your friends, if required!) We are to be one, as Christ and God are one. If one, we will have the same love and care for our brothers that we have for ourselves. Love one another, as Christ loved us! John 15:9-13; John 17:20-26; John 13:34-35
Point: Love your neighbor as yourself. No one hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it! We are one flesh, the body of Christ. If we turn on one another, we shall destroy one another and damage the body of Christ. Galatians 5:13-16
Point: We are to be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving. This is Christ-like. To be otherwise, as stated before, is to be like Cain, a murderer. Being Christ-like precludes bitterness, hatefulness and anger. Follow God, walk in love, be like Christ. Ephesians 4:31-32; Ephesians 5:1-2
Conclusion: If Christ's, you have crucified the desires of the flesh, removing the fleshly sins from your heart and life. Instead, you produce fruits of the spirit, which include love, joy and peace. Our efforts should not be to provoke our brothers to anger, rather to love and good works! Galatians 5:22-26; Hebrews 10:24
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Rediscovering God's Word
Scriptures: II Chronicles 34:15-35:6; Nehemiah 1:1-11; Nehemiah 8:1-9:3; John 5:39; Matthew 15:7-8; Matthew 4:17; Acts 2:38; John 12:48; Mark 16:16; Psalm 1:1-2; Matthew 7:7-8; Hebrews 11:6
Opening: Sometimes the people of God drift away from Him and forget His word. When both Josiah and Nehemiah discovered that the people were in violation of God's teachings, they both reintroduced the word to the people. II Chronicles 34:15-35:6; Nehemiah 1:1-11, 8:1-9:3; John 5:39
Point: Abandoning God's word leads to sinfulness. II Chronicles 34:24-25; Nehemiah 1:6-7; Matthew 15:7-8
Point: When we realize we have left God's will, we need to repent and return. God is merciful and just. II Chronicles 34:27-28, 33; Nehemiah 1:4-6; Matthew 4:17; Acts 2:38
Point: If we don't repent and live right, God judges us. II Chronicles 34:21-25; Nehemiah 1:7-8; John 12:48; Mark 16:16
Conclusion: Failure to seek God and His righteousness results in our departure form His will and ways. We need to be familiar with the word of God, living in it daily. When we see that we, or others, have left the word of God, we need to reintroduce it into our lives. If we diligently seek God, and His righteousness, we will be blessed in this life and in eternity. Psalm 1:1-2; Matthew 7:7-8; Hebrews 11:6
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Top of PageKeeping The Word
Scriptures: Matthew 15:7-9; I Thessalonians 2:9-13; Luke 4:1-4; Luke 11:27-28; Matthew 12:46-50; Matthew 7:21-27; James 1:27-28; John 17:1-8; I John 2:1-6, 14-25
Opening: God expects His people to be familiar with His word and will, and to live their daily lives within that will. It is not enough to merely worship God, but we must learn of His ways, and His teachings, and live righteously. Matthew 15:7-9
Point: We must receive God's word for the truth that it is.I Thessalonians 2:9-13
Point: We must live by every word that proceeds from God! Luke 4:1-4
Point: After hearing God, we then need to keep His word. (Live by it.) By doing so, we are adopted into the family of God. Luke 11:27-28; Matthew 12:46-50
Point: It is not enough to call upon the Lord, but we must listen to Him, and obey Him. Matthew 7:21-27
Point: We must seek God's will, listen to His teachings, then move in obedience to His will. We must be doers of His will, keepers of His instructions and commandments, not hearers only. James 1:21-27
Conclusion: Jesus came to do the will of His Father, to do the work assigned Him. Like Jesus, we know God when we keep His commandments. Thus is His love perfected in us. If we love God, we will not love the world, and what it has to offer, but will continue to walk in the ways of the Lord!. John 17:1-8; I John 2:1-6, 14-25
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Top of PageDealing With Temptation
Scriptures: Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrews 2:9-18; Hebrews 4:15; James 4:1-5; James 1:12-16; Matthew 6:19-24; Galatians 5:16-17; Romans 6:8-13; Colossians 3:1-4; Matthew 19:16-22; Luke 12:13-15; Luke 10:38-42; I John 2:15-17
Opening: Life is full of temptations for the Christian. The world asks us to abandon godliness for a life of sin through fullfilling the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.Matthew 4:1-11
Point: Jesus, in the flesh of man, was tempted in all points common to this life. These include: the lust of the flesh, Matthew 4:3; the lust of the eyes, Matthew 4:8-9 and the pride of life, Matthew 4:6 By overcoming these lusts, He proved that we can, too. Hebrews 2:9-18; Hebrews 4:15
Point: We are not tempted by God, as some suppose, but rather by our own desires. We struggle for what our fleshly man wants without acknowledging that God gives us what we need, if we ask for the right things, for the right reason. James 1:12-16; James 4:1-5
Point: Our temptations come, because our heart is not in the right place. We must walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh. Matthew 6:19-24; Galatians 5:16-17
Point: Being dead to sin, sin should not rule our lives. We should rather yield our bodies to God's service. Our affections should be on spiritual (heavenly) things, not earthly ones.Romans 6:8-13; Colossians 3:1-4
Point: We must shift our love from things of this world, to our heavenly Father, the God of all creation.We must behave as citizens of the kingdom of God.Matthew 19:16-22; Luke 1`2:13-15; Luke 10:38-42
Conclusion: Temptations won't go away. We have to deal with them. How? By putting them into perspective. We are tempted when drawn away by our own lusts. We lust, because our heart is in this world, not in heaven. If we walk in the Spirit, with our affection on the heavenly realm, like Jesus, we will overcome sin. I John 2:15-17
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Top of PageFaithful Vs. Fearful
Scriptures: II Timothy 1:7; Matthew 8:26: Philippians 4:6-13; Revelation 21:8; I John 4:16-18; James 2:12-26; I Kings 17:1-16
Opening: Christians cannot be both fearful and faithful. The word full on the end means to be filled with. If you are full of fear, there is no room for faith. If you are full of faith, there is no room for fear. God has not given us a spirit of fear! II Timothy 1: 7
Point: Allowing fear to overcome us indicates a lack of adequate faith. Matthew 8: 26
Point: Be full of care about nothing! We are always saying, "Be careful" which means, "be full of care". That is not good advice for Christians. Phillippians 4: 6
Point: If our mind is on the things of God, it won't be on the things that make us afraid! Philippians 4: 7-8
Point: When following those things we just read, the peace of God reigns in us. We learn to be content with what we have. We can do all that we need to do in Christ Jesus (Jesus working in us).Philippians 4: 9-13
Point: The fearful are ranked with liars, the abominable, murderers and whoremongers, and are targeted for eternal destruction. Revelation 21: 8
Point: Love, perfected in us, leaves no room for fear. Fear is displaced, or cast out. It is replaced by the love God has for us, our love for Him, and our love for one another. I John 4:16-18
Conclusion:Faith is manifested by the lives we live. Faith is translated into action, and the love of God is seen by all in our attitude and service to those in need. Our lives show whether we are truly full of faith. (Further proof of this, if needed, is found in I Kings 17:1-16) James 2:12-26
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Top of PageHonesty
Scriptures: John 8: 44; Titus 1: 1-2; Hebrews 6: 17-18; II Corinthians 4: 1-2; Ephesians 4: 11-15; Romans 12: 17; II Corinthians 8: 18-21; II Corinthians 13: 7-8; I Peter 2: 11-12; I Timothy 2: 1-4; Matthew 22:15-21; Revelation 21: 27; Revelation 21: 1-8
Opening: Honesty is the best policy, because God expects, even demands , honesty! Deceit and lying sprang from the heart of Satan. John 8: 44
Point: God does not, and cannot, lie! Titus 1:1-2; Hebrews 6: 17-18
Point: We have renounced dishonesty and its products. We are to speak the truth in love, not seeking to deceive. Dishonesty and deception are destructive, truth is constructive. II Corinthians 4: 1-2; Ephesians 4: 11-15
Point: This is not just for dealing with our brothers and sisters in the church, but with all of mankind. Romans 12: 17; II Corinthians 8: 18-21
Point: If we are not honest, we are evil. We must be truthful. II Corinthians 13: 7-8
Point: Our honest lifestyle ("conversation") persuades others through the observation of our good works. I Peter 2: 11-12; I Timothy 2: 1-4
Point: We render unto God that which is His, and He demands honesty. This includes the payment of taxes to the government. We must not cheat on our taxes, as this is also dishonesty. Matthew 22: 15-21
Conclusion:We look forward to a home in heaven, where eternal life is perfect. There will be no lying there, no dishonesty and no cheating. All who lie will go into eternal torment. So, indeed, "Honesty is the best policy". It is God's policy! Revelation 21: 27; Revelation 21: 1-8
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Top of PageSpeak No Evil
Scriptures: Ephesians 4:29-5:4; Colossians 3:8-14; I Timothy 5:11-15; I Peter 2:1-3; Matthew 12:31-37; James 4:11-12; Titus 3:1-3; James Chapter 3
Opening: We need to be careful what we say about others. As Christians, our speech is to edify, or build up, not to damage and destroy. Ephesians 4: 29-5: 4
Point: Born again, we have shed the old life of sin and walk in Christ Jesus. Our speech, and our actions, must reflect this humble and serving spirit. Colossians 3: 8-14
Point: God does not tolerate tattlers and busybodies, as these are destroyers of what is good and right. I Timothy 5: 11-15
Point: All malice, guile and evil speaking are to be put from our lives. I Peter 2: 1-3
Point: If we have goodness in our hearts, we will speak good things. If we have evil in our hearts, we will speak evil things. Matthew 12: 31-37
Point: If we speak evil of others, we have designated ourselves as judges. Our role is not to judge, but rather to do God's will, and assist others in doing the same. James 4: 11-12
Point: We are to be God-fearing and law-abiding people, with evil intent toward no man, speaking evil of none. Titus 3: 1-3
Conclusion:If you haven't got the point yet, read James Chapter 3 about what damage the tongue can do, when it runs unchecked. James Chapter 3
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Top of PageMy Grace Is Sufficient
Scriptures: II Corinthians 4:1-18; II Corinthians 6:1-10; I Corinthians 4:7-13; II Corinthians 12:6-10; II Cornthians 3:5; John 15:5-6
Opening: The Christian life tends to have its share of difficulties. Yet, in the midst of persecution and trouble, we know that God is aware of our situation. Even as the outward being is destroyed, the inner being grows stronger in the Lord. When weighed in the balance, the brief trials of this life are light compared to eternal salvation to those who persevere. II Corinthians 4:1-18
Point: No matter how bad things seem to get, we always have reason to rejoice in the Lord, for we have eternal salvation ahead of us. II Corinthians 6:1-10
Point: All blessings come from the Lord. If we have much, God gave it to us. However, as Christians, we sometimes have less than we might desire. We give God the glory and the honor, regardless of the magnitude of the blessings. I Corinthians 4:7-13
Point: Jesus chose Paul personally, and used him greatly to preach the gospel. However, Paul had an infirmity, a physical difficulty--a thorn in the flesh, as it were. Like Paul, we sometimes petition God to take away our weaknesses and illnesses. Sometimes, the answer is, "My grace is sufficient for thee."II Corinthians 12:6-10
Point: We only fool ourselves when we declare ourselves to be self-sufficient. Our sufficiency comes from God. It is He who sustains us, always. II Corinthians 3:5
Conclusion:Without the Lord, we are nothing. If we do not reside in Him, living daily in Him, we will be thrown aside and destroyed. Our sufficiency is of God, and His grace is sufficient for us. We do well to remember that when life seems hard to bear.John 15:5-6
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Top of PageThe Sinner's Prayer
Scriptures: I Peter 3:8-12; James 5:13-18; John 9:24-34; Job 27:8-10; Psalm 34:11-22; Psalm 66:16-20; Proverbs 1:24-33; Isaiah 1:10-20; Jeremiah 14:10-12; Micah 3:4; Matthew 7:21-23.
Opening: Some religions teach that in order for a person's soul to be saved from past sins, all that has to be done is to pray something called "The Sinner's Prayer". However, there is no record of this prayer in the Bible, nor is there a record that such a prayer leads to the soul's salvation. In fact, prayer is a means of communication between the child of God and the heavenly Father. He listens to the righteous, not the unrighteous! I Peter 3:8-12: James 5:13-18
Point: Students of the Old Testament scriptures were well aware that God did not heed the cry of the ungodly, but rather of the righteous. John 9:24-34
Point: By examining those Old Testament scriptures, we can quickly see God's attitude toward the prayers of the ungodly. Job 27:8-10
Point: In fact, Peter was quoting from the Old Testament when he described the situation. Psalm 34:11-22
Point: It is not that God cannot hear the sinner, but rather that He has no desire to respond to the cries of the wicked. First, live righteously before God, then call upon Him, and He will listen and respond. Psalm 66:16-20
Point: God said that if we ignore Him and His instructions, then He will ignore us in our calamities! Proverbs 1:24-33
Point: God is not pleased with sacrifices and holidays, which are mere lip service, but desires and demands purity, holiness, and obedience. Isaiah 1:10-20
Conclusion: Not only does God not want to hear from the unrighteous, He will recompense their rejection of Him with destruction! It is not enough to "Call upon the name of the Lord"! This is not the path to salvation! Obedience and righteousness are first required! Jeremiah 14:10-12; Micah 3:4; Matthew 7:21-23
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