Today we will be looking at the topic of the kingdom, and how the commands of the kingdom charter, the Ten Commandments, are intended to be the guidance of our actions through the transforming of our hearts.
Matthew 5:21-22 – “You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever shall murder shall be in danger of the judgment.’ But I tell you, that everyone…
Any worldly success may lead us to the delusion that we have the power to do what we want – as if I am the sole captain of my soul.
Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory,…
What can bring you to a similar situation to Elijah?
How to get out?
vs 3
Fear
'What could happen?' - Jezebel's message.
What is the 'what if?' that pushes you from the peak to the valley.
Lies, unforgiveness, the Enemy
Isaiah 41:10
Psalm 23:4 - 6
David knew that he had to go through the painful times.
As the shepherd protects and guides the sheep, so God protects and guides us.
Our environment is conducive to our relationship with God.
Romans 12:2
Environments
Where do we go when we are in pain?
Relationships
Proverbs 13:20
1 Kings 19:11 - 13
God wanted to be found in a whisper.
Elijah had to draw close.
Do we have a life where we can hear the whisper of God when fear comes?
Do we have a life that practices the presence of God?
Sesson 3
The Body of Christ
Mission ready
Matthew 28:18 - 20
1 Corinthians 12:12
1 Corinthians 12:26
We are all involved in the church.
Acts 6:1 - 7
The extent of your involvement within the Body of Christ will determine the extent of your influence in the Body of Christ.
Acts 2:43 - 45
Can we intercede on behalf of our city?
26th Sunday Morning
Matthew 11:28 - 30
Zephaniah 3:11
Genesis 2:15
Humanity's purpose, to work and watch over the creation, the Garden of Eden. Toil came after the Fall.
2 Corinthians 3:16 - 18
Being aware of his hand on the peak and in the wilderness.
Jesus is not an addition. He is our substitution.
Genesis 3:8
1 Kings 9:1
Solomon had desired to build the Temple and had acheived it.
John 14:15 - 17
What does it look like to surrender yourself to His will?
Thoughts on Today's Verse…
In our battle against evil, we use the spiritual weapons of God that enable us to know the truth and the freedom that the truth brings. The devil's greatest tools are deception and death. God's grace allow us to see through the deception and demolish its falsifying grip on the minds of men and women. God's power has broken through the barrier of death and given us victory in Jesus Christ. Our task in this victory march? To obey our Lord and help others to do the same, finding his grace and power sufficient to help us overcome all that we face that could defeat us.
The Thoughts on this verse were written by Phil Ware.
Matthew 7:15, “Be on your guard against false prophets; they come to you LOOKING LIKE SHEEP on the OUTSIDE, but on the INSIDE they are really like wild WOLVES.” (GNT)
My two favorite seasons are Winter and Fall! Winter, because I love Christmas, snow, carols, decorations and the like. And Fall, because I love the colors, Thanksgiving, the start of the scent of fireplaces, but most of all,…
“For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” —2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NLT)
“Who is the Holy Spirit?” Devotional Day 6 - “OK Holy Spirit, Let’s Do This” By Switch (Life.Church):
“Now you know that the Holy Spirit is God living inside of you, speaking into your thoughts, and leading you closer to Him. He’s always encouraging you to do not only the right thing but also the God thing. He’s there to help you make choices and take actions that will change the world.
Imagine if your entire generation began to listen closely for the Holy Spirit’s voice and then did whatever He said. What woud your school look like? How would your family be different? Remember that the Holy Spirit’s mission is to show us God’s plan—not only for us but also for the world. That means your siblings, your friends, your neighbors and that one girl in math class you can’t stand—they all need you to listen so that they can encounter God through you.
If you’re going to change the world, you first have to let the Holy Spirit change you. And that change happens a little every day as we choose to do what He shows us. So, how do you start? Great question. And we promise, it’s not difficult. Just ask two questions.
1. OK Holy Spirit, is there anything I’m trying to do without you?
Think about that for a minute. Let it sink in. Is there anything you’re trying to do without listening to the Holy Spirit? Would He change anything if you asked for His advice? Is there anything you would feel guilty letting God see?
But, we’re not just talking about just feeling guilty. Is there anything you could be more effective at with God’s help? Are there injustices around you that you could make right? Which leads us to the second question…
2. OK Holy Spirit, is there anything you’re doing without me?
Do you feel the weight of that? Just like the radio waves that bring music into your car, God is always working. He’s broadcasting His plan all over the earth. If you tune into Him, you’ll see the world around you through His eyes. Who needs encouraging? Where can you help? What can you change?
If you start every day with these two simple questions, you can change the course of your entire life. God created you on purpose, and He built you to hear His voice. Where is His small, quiet voice leading you? The Holy Spirit is blazing the trail ahead of you, daring you to follow Him into the unique and challenging life that God has planned just for you.”
It is always difficult to be Christian
Truth
Annointed
Remain/Continue/Abide
Belong
vs 21 - 24
The last days - between His ascension and when He will return.
Antichrist
- An idea, counterfeits, antibiblical opinion
- Against Christ
- Counterfeit experience of Jesus
- It is in this world
What difference does it make what you believe?
- It makes all the difference.
To deny Jesus is to deny God.
Gospel Box
Jesus is the Son of God.
The Bible is the Word of God.
All people are sinners - unable to help themselves.
The only way one can be saved is through faith in Christ.
Christ died as man's substitute on the cross, and rose again from the dead.
The Holy Spirit indwells true believers.
One day in the future Jesus will come again.
The key question:
Who is Jesus Christ?
1 John 4:2
True profession - acknowledge that His Son came in the flesh.
vs 23
John 14:6
Anoint
vs 26, 27
Set aside for a special task.
We have been annointed by the Holy Spirit
Remain/Continue/Abide
vs 24
The truth of Christ needs to be be etched into our minds and spirits.
1 John 1:9
Hold on to the Truth.
Whereever we look, we have hope.
'No matter in which direction a Christian looks, he finds a reason to obey God. If he looks back, he sees Calvary, where Christ died for him. If he looks within, he sees the Holy Spirit who lives within and teaches him the truth. If he looks around, he sees his Christian brethren whom he lovesl he also sees a world lost in sin, desperately needing his godly witness. And if he looks ahead, he sees the return of Christ!' - Warren Weisbe.
John 15:5
Belong.
A committment to each other
1 John 5:19
Fellowship - We have in common.
Truth - we need to embrace the truth of Christ.
Annointed - We are annointed with the Holy Spirit.
Remain - Remain in Christ and in Fellowship with fellow Christians.
Belong