Why the Cross?

Memory Verse: Galatians 6:14 I. Introduction: The cross represents the most important message this world will ever hear. In Galatians 6:14, the apostle Paul said, May it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. In other words, Pauls position, riches, influence, reputation, and physical comfort lost their meaning when weighed against the redemption that was his through Jesus sacrifice. A Symbol of Shame, Suffering, and Death A. Barbarians had invented crucifixion long before the time of Christ. This painful, prolonged method of execution was handed down to the Greeks and then to the Romans, who considered it so atrocious that Roman citizens were almost never crucified. B. The Jews also abhorred this method of execution, in part because those who hung on a tree (or piece of wood) were considered accursed (Deut. 21:22-23). Yet when Pilate asked the Jewish mob what he should do with Jesus, they were so angry with Christ they cried out, Crucify Him! (Matt. 27:22). III. A Symbol of Salvation and Eternal Life A. It may be surprising that the cross became the foremost symbol of Christianity, given its original association with shame, suffering, and death. Paul acknowledged, The word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God (1 Cor. 1:18). B. The Gospels record that the crucifixion did not take Jesus by surprise. He knew His purpose was to die for the sake of the world (Matt. 20:28). He told Nicodemus He would be lifted up, even as Moses had lifted up a brass serpent (John 3:14). In Mark 8, Jesus said that He was going to suffer, be killed, and rise again in three days (v. 31). He knew God would allow sinful men to execute Him--the plan of redemption had been ordained even before the world began (Acts 2:23; 1 Peter 1:20). C. Why was the cross so important? Everyone has sinned (Rom. 3:23), and the consequence of sin is deathboth physical and spiritual (Rom. 6:23). Through the crucifixion, God was able to be the righteous Judge of all mankind as well as the one offering payment for our sin (Rom. 3:26). Because Christ became our substitute, bearing all the guilt of mankind and suffering separation from the Father(Mark 15:34), we can ask God to forgive our wrongdoing and rebellion against Him.

II.

D. Unfortunately, many believers lack assurance about their salvation. Usually, this is because they have sinned after receiving Jesus as Savior and believe that, consequently, they have lost their new life in Christ. But Titus 2:14 says, Christ gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed (emphasis added). That means He died for all our sinswhich include past, present and future wrongdoing. However, when we do sin, you and I should turn to the Father quickly in confession and repentance to maintain an intimate relationship with Him.

E. How should you respond to the cross of Jesus Christ if you have never placed your faith in Him? 1. Ask the Lord to forgive you of all sin based on His substitutionary atoning death and His resurrection. 2. Receive Jesus as your personal Savior and Master, and surrender your life to Him. The moment you do, you are born again (John 3:3); the Holy Spirit will come into your life and enable you to live righteously. 3. Once you are a follower of Jesus, serve Him with your time, talents, energy, and resources. 4. Be sure to tell others the life-changing message of the cross.

IV. Conclusion: In the days of the early church, the cross was a symbol of death, suffering, and disgrace. Today, it is still misunderstood. But for those who are aware of its significance, the cross is a powerful reminder of the beautiful sacrifice Jesus made: He laid down His life so we might have freedom from sin. It is not merely the most commonly recognized symbol of Christianity. The cross is the very means by which you and I can experience new life here and nowand the promise of eternal life in the future.

Where to Turn in Time of Need?

Memory Verse: Hebrews 4:12-16 I. What do you do when you feel anxious and alone? Hebrews 4:16 says, Let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. When we approach the Lord with our burdens, we can be assured that He will meet our innermost needs and show us how to handle every circumstance in life.

II. Jesus knows all our needs. A. Reading the Bible reveals to us our real thoughts, secret attitudes, and personal hurts--as well as Gods perspective on them (Heb. 4:12 ). B. The Lord is intimately acquainted with all our ways (Ps. 139:1-4) and sees everything (Heb. 4:13). Because our loving, omniscient God knows what we need before we even ask (Matt. 6:8), we can have confidence that He will respond to our cries for help.

III. Jesus is our High Priest before the throne of God. A. Under the terms of the Old Covenant, the Jewish people did not have access to the Holy of Holies, the dwelling place of the Lords presence. Only the high priest could enter it, and even he was allowed to do so just once a year (Heb. 9:1-7). When Jesus died on the cross as the ultimate offering for sin, He made a way for humanity to have a personal relationship with God. Today, He is our High Priest (Heb. 4:14). B. The Bible teaches that all humans are sinful (Rom. 3:23) and separated from God. The only way to the Father is by grace offered through Christ (John 14:6; Eph. 2:8-9). C. Those who reject Jesus do not have the privilege of approaching the Father with their needs. They may occasionally experience what seems like answered prayer, but the Lord never promises to respond to the petitions of those who reject His gift of salvation. IV. Jesus sympathizes with all our needs. A. Our Savior knows what it is like to be human and experience temptation (Heb. 4:15). Because He himself was tempted . . . He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted (Heb. 2:18). From the biblical accounts, we know He experienced sorrow, rejection, loneliness, physical suffering, and the weight of our guilt, among other things. B. Whatever your hurt, pain, suffering, sorrow, or temptation, Jesus knows exactly how you feel.

V. Jesus is ready, willing, and able to help us with our needs. A. As our all-knowing God, Jesus is aware of all we lack. B. As our all-powerful God, He is uniquely qualified to supply what we need. C. We can approach the throne of God with confidence (Heb. 4:16). Rather than wondering if the Lord cares about our needs, we can ask with confidence for His help. As children of God, we can be secure that He will hear our petitions.

VI. Jesus promises to meet our needs in mercy and grace. A. We can approach Gods throne confidently only if we have accepted His gifts of grace and mercy. In mercy, the Lord does not give us what we deserve. In other words, He withholds the punishment due us for our sins. Through grace, He gives us what we did not earn: eternal life and the opportunity to have an intimate relationship with Him. B. Being able to approach God with confidence doesnt mean that we have permission to be irreverent. We should come in an attitude of humility and submission. One way to demonstrate that is to kneel before Him if we are physically able.

VII. Conclusion: Perhaps you have always been a self-sufficient person, needing little help from others. Maybe you have brought that self-reliance into your relationship with God. But the Lord gives the full measure of His blessing only to those who are willing to depend on Him in every area of life. His invitation to each believer is: Come boldly and confidently to the throne of grace. Im waiting here to help you. I pray you will accept Gods marvelous invitation today and find the help that you need. In His way and in His timing, every single one of your needs will be met.

Through Times of Trial

Scripture: Genesis 37-50 I. Summary: The story of Joseph can teach us how to walk with God in the midst of lifes challenges. Because this young man kept his eyes on the Lord, God placed him in a position to deliver his family from famine. Our heavenly Father still uses people who walk faithfully with Him in the midst of hardship. II. Joseph built on the spiritual heritage of his father and grandfather. 1. His grandfather Abraham, a devout man, heard the voice of the Lord and received several promises from Him. 2. God spoke to Josephs father Jacob through dreams and in person. He also gave Jacob a new nameIsraeland vowed that all peoples would be blessed through his numerous descendants (Gen. 28:14, 32:28). III. Joseph walked in step with God throughout a number of trials. He was . . . 1. Hated by his brothers. Jacob favored Joseph, and as a result, his siblings despised him (Gen. 37:3-4). When Joseph shared about the dream in which his entire family bowed down to him, they detested him even more. 2. Plotted against. When Joseph came to Shechem where his brothers were tending the flocks, the men saw a chance to kill him. Reuben, the oldest, persuaded them to merely throw him into a pithis plan was to rescue Joseph later. 3. Sold to the Midianites. Judah suggested that they sell Joseph to a caravan of travelers on their way to Egypt. 4. Sold as a slave to the kings bodyguard. Despite his unfair circumstances and humble position as a servant, the Hebrew youth didnt become bitter or vengeful. Potiphar soon began to notice that the young man was a skillful manager and eventually placed his entire household under Josephs care (Gen. 39:3-6). 5. Falsely accused by his masters wife. When Joseph resisted her attempt to seduce him, Potiphars wife accused him of trying to rape her (Gen. 39:7-9). As a result, her husband sent Joseph to jail. 6. Imprisoned. His success in prison demonstrates that he kept his focus on God rather than give in to resentment. In a short time, Joseph had won the favor of the chief jailer and was placed in charge of the other prisoners (Gen. 39:21-23). 7. Forgotten by the cupbearer. While Joseph was in jail, he interpreted the dreams of the royal cupbearer and the baker (Gen. 40:8-16). He asked the cupbearer to remind Pharaoh that Joseph had been unfairly imprisoned. Unfortunately, the man forgot about him (Gen. 40:23). 8. Brought before Pharaoh. When he was asked to interpret the rulers dreams, Joseph acknowledged the one true God and admitted his own inability to understand dreams without the Lords help (Gen. 41:16). After Joseph recommended storing the harvest for the seven bountiful years, Pharaoh placed him in charge of the program and made him second in command over all of Egypt (Gen. 41:39-40).

9. I. Reunited with his brothers. At age 30, Joseph finally saw the fulfillment of the dream he first had as a 17-year-old: all his brothers bowed down to him (Gen. 50:18). In spite of how they treated him,

he didnt seek revenge or retribution. Joseph recognized the hand of the Lord in his being brought to Egypt (Gen. 45:4-5). IV. Conclusion: Joseph kept his eyes on God, no matter what his circumstances were. That is the secret to walking victoriously with the Lord. As believers, we have something the patriarch didnt havethe indwelling Holy Spirit. He is with us in the midst of trouble and helps us make righteous choices. When adversity comes, turn your attention to the Lord, and let Him keep you in the center of His will.

Together in the Christian Life

Memory Verse: Hebrews 10:19-25 I. Introduction: Hebrews 10:24-25 says, Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another (emphasis added). Its true that some people cant attend church due to physical limitations and others have no Bible-believing congregations in their area. But aside from those exceptions, everyone who wants to maintain a vital, growing relationship with Jesus Christ needs to be involved in a local body of believers. II. Who originated the concept of church? A. Scripture clearly teaches that the church was established by our Savior Himself (Matt. 16:16). Hes the Savior of the world, humanitys only hope. This truth is the foundation upon which Jesus established the church, and no evil force can prevail against it. B. Throughout history, all kinds of movements have come and gone. In contrast, the churchalso called the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27)has thrived for centuries and in our generation is growing quickly all over the world. C. Why has the church survived despite changing times? Because it belongs to God, not to men and women. Jesus is the originator and sustainer of the church. Today He ministers to both believers and unbelievers through His body. III. When Christians claim they dont need church, what does that imply? A. If we can walk closely with God without the fellowship of other believers, then assembling on Sunday morning is a waste of time. Those who believe this would say we dont need other Christians for support, encouragement, or prayer. B. If believers can maintain an intimate relationship with God apart from church involvement, then Jesus made a big mistake. After all, the church was His idea. C. Of course, our Lord didnt make a mistake when He established His church. You and I need other believers, whom God commands us to love as ourselvesa mandate second only to loving Him wholeheartedly (Matt. 22:37-39). It is in the context of community that we exercise our spiritual gifts, find encouragement to follow Gods will, and learn how to properly interpret Scripture. IV. Why should believers assemble together as a church? A. To worship: Worshipping Him lifts our spirits and strengthens our souls. Many of the songs are full of theological truths that educate us about the blessings we have in Him. B. To learn the Word of God: In church, we often have the opportunity to learn from those with special biblical training or deep spiritual maturity. Be ready to check any teaching against the whole counsel of Scripture, since pulling verses out of context can lead to doctrinal errors. C. To fulfill the Great Commission: As the body of Christ, we can send missionaries to far-off places. We support them through our prayers, letters or e-mails, and financial support. Together we fulfill the command to share the good news with the nations (Matt. 28:18-20). D. To protect themselves: When someone stops attending church, it is almost inevitable that he or she will begin to drift away from God. Hearing scriptural truth each week helps in holding believers accountable to high moral, ethical, and spiritual standards.

E. To exercise spiritual gifts: These supernatural blessings, such as administration, organization, and mercy, are to be used for the common good in the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:7). F. To develop an atmosphere of support: The New Testament is full of advice on how to relate in love to one another. G. To strengthen and broaden the Christian impact on the world: When believers are committed to a local fellowship, the influence of that church is greatly multiplied. God works powerfully through churches where each person sees himself or herself as making a valuable contribution to the ministrys work. V. Conclusion: Commitment to a local body of believers is the way to participate in fulfilling Gods purposes. There, you can receive solid instruction in the Word of God, participate in corporate worship, and find opportunities to exercise your spiritual gifts. Find a Bible-believing church in your area, and make an effort to get involved. Your life will never be the same.

When Others Fail Us

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:9-18 I. Introduction: Friendship brings us some of the greatest joys in lifebut also can cause immense pain. If you havent experienced rejection or betrayal yet, you probably will someday. The apostle Paul learned to forgive others for their failures and reconcile with them when appropriate. Lets discover how he dealt with betrayal and abandonment by trusted friends. II. Friends Sometimes Fail Us A. Despite Pauls faithfulness to the Lord, his friends failed him.They werent reliable when he desperately needed them (2 Tim. 1:15, 4:14-16). B. What are some reasons why friends might desert you in times of trouble? They . . . 1. Feel inadequate and/or unsure of how to help. 2. Dont want to be identified with you in a conflict, for fear they could end up on the losing side. 3. Are jealous and hope to see you fail. 4. Selfishly dont want to sacrifice their time to support you. 5. Judge you and thus excuse themselves from the responsibility to help you. III. Forgiveness Must Prevail A. Paul responded to betrayal and abandonment with forgiveness:At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them (2 Tim. 4:16, emphasis added). Both Jesus and Stephen said something similar in the final moments of their lives (Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60). B. Paul practiced what he preachedthe importance of forgiving.Dont be a fair-weather friend, interested only in what you can get from another person. Be willing to help even those who mistreated you in the past. Waiting for a chance to get them backto let them down as they did to youindicates that you have an unforgiving spirit. IV. The Presence of the Lord Sustains Us A. Paul was able to forgive because he knew that God would never leave him: The Lord stood with me (2 Tim. 4:17). Although Pauls friends all left, he knew that the Lord Himself was with him. Christ promises all believers, I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you (Heb. 13:5). B. The apostle was able to forgive because he trusted God to empower him: The Lord . . . strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear (2 Tim. 4:17). Paul could rely on the presence of God to accomplish his calling taking the gospel to the world (Phil. 2:13). Chances are, people will persecute you, and some of your friends will abandon you in tough times. But God has promised that all adversity will eventually come to an end (1 Peter 5:10). C. He was able to forgive because he was confident that God would deliver him: The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom (2 Tim. 4:18). The Father may deliver us from hardship or through it (Isaiah 43:1-4). He also rescues us by bringing us home to be with Him. God delivered Paul by allowing Nero to execute him. Four years later, the ruler committed suicide. No one can violate the principles of God and avoid His judgment.

V. Conclusion: What kind of friend are you? Are you dedicated to those you love? Or do you often disappoint them? Perhaps you are faithful, but your friends consistently fail you when trouble comes. I urge you not to hold it against them. Hurt and rejection are painful but unavoidable parts of life. Healing is always available if you are willing to forgive. And you and I can take comfort in knowing that the most faithful Friendthe Lord Jesusnever leaves our side, even if everyone else deserts us.

A Heart for God

Scripture: Acts 13:16-23 I. Introduction: How would you like to be remembered? Saints such as Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, and Paul have inspired believers throughout the ages. Each of them, although imperfect, is an amazing example of what the Lord can do through hearts that are truly committed to Him. Do you want to be like thema person who honors God wholeheartedly? II. We have an excellent example to follow. The Bible says that King David followed God with all his heart (Acts 13:22-23). At the core of everything he did was a desire to exalt the Lord. The Father wants our paths to be governed by His plans, our interests to be defined by His purposes, and our love to motivate us to obey Him without reservation. When we pursue Gods heart, we find life at its best and a legacy worth leaving to those who come after us. III. How can we know if we are following God with all our heart? A. The priority of our life is our personal relationship with the Lord. A person after Gods heart makes his or her relationship with Him a top priority.David had an overwhelming love and respect for Scripture because it taught him how to draw closer to the Father (Ps. 119:15-16, 105). He often sought God in prayer for strength, wisdom, and the Fathers wonderful presence (Ps. 5:3, 63:6-8). B. We place our trust in the Lord when facing trials and difficulties. David trusted in God no matter what hardship he faced. While the rest of Israels warriors cowered before Goliaths terrifying nine-foot frame, David was outraged by how the Philistine dishonored Gods name (1 Sam. 17:45-46). Throughout his life, he endured extraordinary challenges with great confidence that the Lord would help him. Because of Davids faith and leadership, Israel prospered in a manner unsurpassed to this day. C. We have a strong, passionate desire to obey God. As a man after Gods heart, David delighted in accomplishing the Lords will. His obedience wasnt motivated by the fear of sins consequences. Rather, it was Davids trust and love for God that led him to submit wholly to the Lord. On two occasions, David had the opportunity to kill Saul and take the throne of Israel. Yet he preferred to be obedient to God than to be the king (1 Sam. 24:6). D. We demonstrate a spirit of humility. This future king also shows us that a person with a heart for God is humble. David had many reasons to be proudhe was a handsome man, a skilled musician, the Lords anointed ruler, a triumphant warrior, and a national hero. Yet in 2 Samuel 7:18, David said, Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? E. We demonstrate the spirit of a servant. When he was young, David accepted his fathers authority and obediently tended sheep. As a worker in Sauls household, David offered his very best to the king, including his musical talents and skills as a military leader. Finally, David served the people of Israel wholeheartedly as their king. In each instance, he was a dedicated, faithful servant of God. IV. Conclusion: Do you desire to mirror Gods heart and to influence those around you for good? You would be wise to follow Davids example. Make your relationship with the Lord a top priority, and trust and obey Him in everything. When you succeed, remember that all you are and have is a gift from God. Then you will show the world that your heart belongs exclusively to Him.

When Your Fire Goes Out I. Introduction: Has your excitement about the Lord grown with time? Or has your enthusiasm faded over the years? Maturing in Christ should cause the flame of your faith to grow stronger, not weaker. II. Message: A. Caution: The flame of your devotion to Christ can die out. 1. Even Timothy became discouraged. When the young pastor faced difficult circumstances, Paul encouraged him to fan the flame of his devotion for God (2 Tim. 1:1-11). 2. Cooling off spiritually happens two ways. A Christian's faith can be doused suddenly by devastating circumstances, or it can dwindle gradually through a loss of interest in spiritual things. B. What is evidence of a cooling flame? 1. You neglect the Word of God. What wood is to a fire, the Word of God is to your Christian life. As a follower of Christ, you can't live effectively without it. 2. Your prayer life changes. You begin to feel that God isn't listening. 3. Your church attendance becomes sporadic. You start making excuses not to go. 4. You give less consistently. You begin to feel that you can't afford to sacrifice much to God. 5. You become defensive about your lifestyle. You rationalize making compromises. 6. You begin to lose your joy. Serving the Lord becomes a duty instead of a passion. Worry and fear replace your joy. 7. You begin to doubt God. 8. You stop paying attention to the Holy Spirit's promptings. C. How do you recover your fire? 1. Recognize your condition. Ask yourself, Has my fire gone out? 2. Recall a season of life when you were passionate about God.What was it like? How did you spend your time? 3. Repent. Losing devotion to Jesus is usually a direct result of sin. 4. Refocus your attention on the Lord. 5. Read the Word of God. Start with a short book of the New Testament, and ask the Lord to speak through it as you read. 6. Seek God daily in prayer. Go beyond praying for what you need or want. Seek an intimate relationship with Him. 7. Get involved in someone else's life. Your problems will consume you if you let them. Take the focus off yourself, and meet another person's needs. 8. Rely on the Holy Spirit to enable you. III. Closing: Has your fire for God dwindled to cold ashes? If it has, begin to stir up the embers of your faith. Allow the Lord to make your life a bright flame for His glory.

The Precious Blood of Jesus

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-21 I. Introduction: Apart from the blood of Christ, you and I could not have a relationship with our heavenly Father. Jesus sacrificial death made it possible for sinful man to approach holy God. Because of His blood, believers are redeemed, forgiven, justified, and sanctified, and they have access to their Creator. No wonder we call it the preciousblood of Jesus. II. The blood of Jesus is precious because of who He is. Christ was not just a man, but the Son of God, born of a virgin. Because Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, there was no sin transferred to Him through an earthly father. In the Old Testament, any animal offered as a sacrifice had to be perfect, without spot or defect. That perfection represented holiness. Scripture tells us that the sacrifices described in the Old Testament were a foreshadowing of Christs death. In order for Jesus to take the punishment for the sins of the world, He had to be morally perfectwithout a sin nature. III. The blood of Jesus is precious because of why He came. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible has one main themethe Fathers redeeming love for mankind. Christ came as the Son of God with the purpose of dying for the sins of humanity. The blood of Jesus Christ is absolutely essential to our relationship with God. Those who refuse it will spend eternity in the lake of fire, forever separated from the Father (Rev. 20:15). IV. The blood of Jesus is precious because of what it provides. A. Redemption To redeem means to buy back (1 Peter 1:18-19). No matter how moral we are before accepting the gift of salvation, our nature is sinful (Ezek. 18:20; Rom. 3:23). Jesus went to the cross for the primary purpose of purchasing us from a life of slavery to sin. B. Forgiveness You and I can be forgiven, not simply because God is merciful, but because Christ went to the cross and shed His blood for me and for you (Eph. 1:7). Salvation is not something we earn through good deeds or bargain for in exchange for promising to improve. C. Justification God is holy and must punish sin. Because Christ shed His blood in our place, the Father not only forgives our sin but also declares us righteous (Rom. 5:17). We call this process justification. Romans 5:9 says, Having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. Even though you and I may not always act like it, we are declared holy in Gods eyes. D. Reconciliation When a married couple separates, they occasionally reunite. We call that process reconciliation. This human example provides a good picture of one part of salvation. Scripture says, It was the Fathers good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Christ, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself,

having made peace through the blood of His cross (Col. 1:19-20). This happens only in response to Gods callno one is saved by his or her own initiative. E. Sanctification Sanctification, the process of being set apart for Gods purposes and being made holy, is possible only because of the blood of Christ (Heb. 13:12). It is both a one-time event that happens at salvation and a life-long process. God continues to prune us so that we become more and more fruitful for His kingdom. You and I should never stop growing in holiness and purity. F. Access to God The Old Testament explains that God chose to make the Holy of Holies His earthly dwelling place (1 Kings 8:27-30). This area of the temple was so sacred that just one priest was allowed inand only once per year. He had to prepare himself carefully by performing sacred rituals. One of the requirements was that he be sprinkled with the blood of a sacrificed animal. Today, the only reason Christians can approach God is because, spiritually speaking, we are covered in the blood of Jesus (Heb. 10:19). The Father listens to and answers our prayers because we are allowed to draw near to Him through the righteousness of Christ. G. Daily Forgiveness After salvation, believers will still do some things that are unacceptable to God. But if we confess our sins to the Lord with a sincere heart, He faithfully forgives us over and over (1 John 1:7, 9). The basis for that forgiveness is the blood Christ shed when He died in our place (1 John 2:1-2). V. Conclusion: Why is the blood of Jesus precious? Through it, we have redemption, justification, reconciliation, sanctification, access to God, and daily forgiveness. Nothing else in life has the power to do these things. Apart from the blood of Christ, you and I would be destined to an eternity separated from almighty God.

Anger and Forgiveness

Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:30-32 I. Introduction: There is awesome power in forgiveness. It is Gods solution for bitterness, resentment, and hostility. You and I need the freedom found only through sincerely and completely forgiving others. II. A Few Definitions A. Anger is a strong feeling of intense displeasure, hostility, or indignation as a result of a real or imagined threat, insult, frustration, or injustice toward yourself or others important to you. B. Forgiveness is giving up resentment against someone else, along with your right to get even, no matter what has been done to you. C. Unforgiveness is the deliberate, willful refusal to give up ones resentment and right to get even, based on the attitude that someone must pay for the wrong done. III. Obstacles to Forgiveness A. Lack of desire: You dont want to forgive. B. Rehearsing what happened: Some people continue to dwell on the hurtful experience. C. Pride: We may believe the other person should initiate reconciliation. D. Fear: Some resist forgiving to avoid looking weak, being misunderstood, or feeling rejected. E. Negative advice: Well-meaning friends dont always offer godly counsel. F. Partial forgiveness: People try to pick and choose which offenses can be pardoned. G. Relying on emotions: Dont make the mistake of waiting until you feel like forgiving. H. Expecting quick results: Forgiveness can take time. I. Justifying the other persons actions: Some people will rationalize what happened so that they dont have to forgive. IV. Scriptural Teaching A. Our fellowship with God suffers when we refuse to release others from their sins against us (Matt. 6:14-15). B. We should forgive over and over. In Matthew 18:22, Jesus tells Peter that he must forgive his brother seventy times seven times. C. You and I must be willing to extend mercy towards those who sin against us, because God has forgiven each of us of so much (Matt. 18:23-35). D. We must deliberately turn away from anger and malice (Eph. 4:31-32). V. Important Reminders

A. As a believer, you have the responsibility to take the initiative in dealing with unforgiveness. B. Forgiveness will not always be easy or quick. But you cant allow it to take root in your life and turn into bitterness. C. Forgiving is difficult because it is unselfish. It involves laying down strong feelings and rights while releasing the other person from his or her obligation to repay you. D. You may never forgive if you wait until you feel like it. E. Remember, forgiveness doesnt always have to include going to the other person and confessing your resentment. Approach that individual only if the Lord directs you to do so. VI. Steps to Dealing with Anger A. Acknowledge that you have been totally forgiven. God saved you by gracenot because you deserved it. He has freely offered His forgiveness your entire life. B. Confess your anger to the Lord. Recognize that your attitude has not been right. Be specific in describing your hostility and resentment. C. Recognize that unforgiveness is sin. Honestly admit that it is a violation of biblical principles. D. Ask God to forgive you. You may also need to admit to the other person that your attitude toward him or her was wrong. E. Lay down the anger. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and by an act of your will, choose to let it go. VII. Helpful Guidance A. God will reveal whether or not you need to confess your unforgiveness to the one who offended you. When that is the case, make sure you simply request forgiveness for your attitude without going into why he or she angered you. B. If meeting in person is not possible, set two chairs facing each other. Sit in one and imagine the other individual sitting across from you. Then, confess your resentment. You can also use this technique to practice confessing a wrong attitude before attempting it in person. VIII. How to Know You Have Forgiven A. The harsh emotions youve had towards others will be replaced by compassion. B. Youll be able to accept others without feeling bitter, even if they never change. You will try to understand why they acted as they did. C. You will feel thankful that God allowed the difficult experience to teach you more about the riches of His grace. IX. Conclusion: You and I dont have to hold onto unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment. We can escape the chains of self-destruction that entangle those who refuse to show mercy. When the Holy Spirit reminds you of the people to forgive, I hope you wont ignore His voice. It is my prayer that you bravely and wisely choose to deal with those feelings. My friend, allow God to set you freeyou will never regret it.

The Key to Answered Prayer

Matthew 7:7-11 I. Introduction: How should you and I respond when God doesnt seem to be answering our prayers? Maybe you have been asking Him to meet a pressing need or grant a particular desire, yet nothing seems to be happening. In situations like these, most believers are tempted to give up. But in Matthew 7:7-8, Jesus promised, Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Within this passage is the key to answered prayer: God responds when His children seek His face with perseverance and confidence. II. If we want the Lord to answer our prayers, we must . . .

Pray with perseverance.

What did Jesus mean when He said seek and knock in Matthew 7:7-8? He was inviting believers to approach the Father freely with our petitions, fully expecting Him to provide all we need. The verbs in this passage are best translated as seek, and keep on seeking and knock, and keep on knocking. In other words, some of the gifts God has for us come only after long seasons of waiting and praying. The Father always responds to our prayersbut those answers can take one of three forms.
o

He sometimes says yes immediately or within a short period of time. By responding to our prayers quickly, God opens our eyes to how faithful Hell be with other needs brought before Him. Another answer is wait. When you sense that the Lord is saying wait, ask Him to reveal any wrong motives or incorrect perspectives which might be contributing to the delay (James 4:3). Persevering in prayer gives the Father the opportunity to work within us and our circumstances. A third way God responds is with I have something better. The Father knows your needs and desires, and He truly wants to meet them. However, He will sometimes withhold what we want if it is not His best for our lives. Nevertheless, we should keep prayingat the right time, the Lord will meet our desires in the most satisfying way possible.

Pray with confidence.

Confidence in prayer is belief in the trustworthiness of God. Our Heavenly Father can be trusted to give us gifts that are beneficial in every way (Matt. 7:9-11). Its always best to wait on Gods perfect timing. Think about how Mary and Martha waited while Lazarus was dying. At first, Jesus delay did not seem good to the sisters, but what was the end result? The Savior did something better than heal Lazarus; He raised him from the dead. (John 11:1-44). To this day, we are talking about this miracle that proved Jesus power over death.

There have been a number of occasions when the Lord asked me to wait for no apparent reason. One involved postponing buying a new automobile after a collision. Eventually, a church member gave me a check for a far nicer car than I would have bought on my own. Another time, He wanted me to wait on buying a house. Feeling pressure to settle on a property, I entered into a contract anyway. In His mercy, the basement of the house flooded that very night, giving me a legitimate reason for getting out of the contract. Of course, the Lord doesnt always provide a second chance for us to obey Him. Thats why its always best to submit to His will the first time around.

III. Conclusion: Is there something youve been asking God for but have yet to receive? If so, do not be discouraged. Persist in prayer, confident that He is preparing something special for you. Let Him work in your heart and circumstances. Perhaps Hell soon provide exactly what you are requesting, or maybe you will be surprised with a far better gift. Your Heavenly Father enjoys giving to you because He loves you and wants you to experience intimacy with Himthe best gift anyone will ever have.

A Mothers Greatest Gift

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-7 A. Introduction: Mothers are givers by nature, so throughout life, they offer their sons and daughters all kinds of blessings. But the most important thing a godly mom can give her children is the motivation to believe in God and know Him intimately (Deut. 6:1-3, 5-7). B. Conflict affected the first Christians. 1. Principles: If you want your children to survive the secular society in which we live, teach them biblical principles. Most important is, Obey God, and leave all the consequences to Him. Teach children the truth, and they will recognize lies. 2. Pattern: Children must see you consistently live out your faith, or they will think you are a hypocrite. Children often follow in their parents footsteps (e.g., Eve and Cain, Rebekah and Jacob, and Jochebed and Moses). 3. Persistence: Even if kids dont get it the first time, keep teaching, disciplining, and exemplifying trust and obedience. When your family faces hard times, use adversity as an opportunity to demonstrate faith by praying together. Its through difficulties that kids learn how to live out Christianity. 4. Participation: Get involved in your kids daily lives by doing the things you want them to do. (e.g., Dr. Stanleys friends parents didnt go to church with their children, which sent a message that it wasnt important.) 5. Praise: Encouragement is more effective than condemnation. (e.g., Dr. Stanleys mother never shamed him for bad grades if he had done his best.) 6. Prayer: Children need to hear you pray for them, call their names before God, and make specific requests for them. Nothing you do for your children is more powerful than prayer. Also, be sure to pray withthem. 7. Planning: If you want to pass your faith on to the next generation, you must set aside time to read the Bible as a family and talk about spiritual truths. C. Closing: Parents, its your responsibility to raise godly children. Thankfully, you are not alone. The Father sends the Holy Spirit to enable, strengthen, and encourage believers.

The Key to Continued Peace

Scripture: John 14:1 I. Introduction: Life is unpredictable. Wealth disappears, jobs end, relationships fail. Even health is not guaranteed. The good news is that we can experience inner peace that is not threatened by lifes challenges. The secret to this tranquility is surrender to the heavenly Father. Peace with God is the fruit of oneness with God (Life Principle #12). We experience calmness beyond human comprehension when we submit to His will and trust Him to provide for our needs. II. Gods Supernatural Peace A. Jesus told His disciples about the type of peace that depends on His unchanging character (John 14:1, 27). Place your trust in Christ, and allow Him to bring you the security and comfort you need. B. The secret to finding tranquility lies in releasing our burdens to the Lord (Phil. 4:6-7). This kind of peace is unchangingit doesnt come and go depending on lifes triumphs and challenges. III. Peace with God A. Peace with God refers to the nature of our relationship with Him. Until a person receives Jesus Christ as personal Savior, he or she will have no genuine peace. The individual may experience happiness, but not the kind of deep inner stillness that endures. B. What if you long for genuine peace but are not yet a child of God? You must begin by dealing with the problem of sin in your life. Accept Christs forgiveness. Receive the Lord Jesus as your Savior, and you will become a child of God (Rom. 8:14-15). You will be reconciled to God (Rom. 5:1)then you can start to learn how to walk in His peace. IV. The Peace of God A. Regardless of the situation, any believer can find inner calm.Jesus told His disciples, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful (John 14:27). Our culture looks to possessions, human relationships, or accomplishments to bring them security. But because each one is subject to change, attempting to find peace through them is futile. B. The peace of God depends not on circumstances but on a personal relationship with Jesus. He said, In Me you may have peace (John 16:33). Transcendent peace rests on our agreement with God. When you submit your daily choices to the Lord, you are in harmony with His Spirit, and you will experience peace. C. Remember that if you are a born-again believer, the Holy Spirit lives within you to make a godly life possible. The Helper produces all kinds of good fruit within believers, including peace (Gal. 5:22). As you cooperate with the Spirit, He will also enable you to have joy, love, and kindness. Through His power, you and I can have contentment in the midst of suffering and misfortune. D. The Father doesnt promise us a trouble-free life. But if we cultivate an intimate relationship with Him, we can possess a quietness that gives us strength to withstand adversity. V. Our Responsibility

A. When we face situations that could cause turmoil, we must hold on to our identity: children of God. His Spirit, who lives within us, will bring us quietness, contentment, security, and courage. B. We must stop dwelling on negative circumstances and renew our focus on the Father. Since we are His beloved sons and daughters, God will cause all things to work together for our good (Rom. 8:28). Get your eyes off the source of disappointment and onto Him, and you will know supernatural peace. VI. Conclusion: Perhaps life has you frustrated right now. Your circumstances might be out of control, or maybe you are simply a little disillusioned. You may think that more money, a better job, or a certain relationship could make all the difference in how you feel. But there is only one source of peacethe God who holds the universe together. Surrender to Him and you can face every day with an awesome sense of indescribable peace.

The Message of the Manger

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-7 I. Introduction: Christmas is becoming increasingly secular and less spiritual. We underestimate the importance of knowing why we celebrate the holiday. Galatians 4:4-5 says, "When the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons." This is the reason for Christmasthat God provided for our redemption and made us part of His family. II. The Preparation A. The Beginning: Understanding the significance of Christmas starts in the Garden of Eden, when humankind fell and sin entered the world (Gen. 3). It was here that the Lord began to reveal His plan for our salvation (Gen. 3:15). B. The Story of Israel: 1. God chose to establish His plan through a faithful man named Abraham and his family (Gen. 12). 2. Through Moses, He provided the written Law so the people could lead holy lives that were pleasing to Him (Ex. 20). 3. Unfortunately, Israel refused to listen. Though they had periods of obedience, their history was fraught with wars caused by their unfaithfulness to God (Judges 21:25). Eventually, the nation split in two, with the northern tribes keeping the name Israel and the southern tribes taking the name Judah. Though the prophets tirelessly warned of God's increasing judgment upon their disobedience, the people persisted in idolatry. 4. Eventually, both Israel and Judah were defeated by their enemies and scattered among the nations. The Assyrians attacked and destroyed the northern tribes in 722 B.C., and the Babylonians overthrew Jerusalem around 585 B.C. 5. For 70 years, the people of Judah endured captivity, but their time in Babylon was not a waste. The Jews renewed their commitment to God, and the people were no longer tempted to commit idolatry. Because they were so far from the holy temple, they formed study centers known as synagogues wherever a Jewish community existed. Also, the Hebrew Biblewhich we refer to as the Old Testamentwas established and preserved. In time, the Persians defeated the Babylonians and sent the Jews back to Jerusalem. 6. The rise of the Greek and Roman empires facilitated spreading the gospel. Alexander the Great conscripted soldiers from the nations he conqueredthey learned his dialect and culture, and Greek was soon the language of commerce, medicine, and philosophy in the known world. During this time period, a team of 70 Jewish scholars completed a work known as the Septuagint,which the Hebrew canon translated into koine, or common Greek. Later, the Romans swept through the Greek empire, establishing a general peace and paving the roads, making travel easier than it had ever been before. III. The Divine Mission A. The Setting of Our Lord's Birth: When Jesus was born in "the fullness of time" (Gal. 4:4), there was a common language, an international network of paved roads, and synagogues from which evangelists could preach the good news throughout the known world. It all related to this single, awesome event

the birth of the Savior. Our omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God worked through all of the events of history to fulfill His promise of salvation. B. The Gift of the Messiah: Christ is both fully God and fully man (Phil. 2:5-11). Since Jesus was born of a virgin, He didn't inherit humanity's sin nature, which comes through the father. And by keeping the whole of the Law given on Mount Sinai, the Lord proved Himself to be perfectly sinless (Rom. 5). 1. Jesus came to redeem us by dying on the cross to pay for our sin. Through His sacrifice, we have been made holy and blameless before God (Eph. 1:3-8). 2. Jesus came to adopt us into His family and show us that we are loved and accepted; Through Christ, we have relationship with the Father and the eternal inheritance of heaven (Rom. 8:12-17;John 14:2-3). IV. Conclusion: Christmas represents the spiritual turning point of history. It begins the most important series of events the world has ever knownthe incarnation of God Himself, Jesus' death on the cross, and His resurrection. It also reminds believers of their future hope: the Lord's second coming.

A Thankful Heart
Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5 I. Introduction: In the Bible, the heart is regarded as the seat of our emotions, passions, attitudes, and moral choices. Its condition is vitally important to our spiritual and emotional well-being. Do you have a thankful heart? II. Message: A. What motivates us to be thankful? 1. We serve the one true and sovereign God. He loves us unconditionally and forgives our sin. 2. The Lord has sealed us with the Holy Spirit and adopted us as His children. 3. God equips us with spiritual gifts to fulfill the specific plans He has for our lives. 4. Our heavenly Father is merciful, loving, and good. 5. We have the privilege of developing close relationships with others. 6. Jesus went to heaven to prepare a place for us, and He intercedes on our behalf. 7. We have the Word of God. 8. The Lord created our amazing bodies. B. In what areas of our lives should we have a thankful heart? 1. Worship (Ps. 100:4) 2. Prayer (Phil. 4:6) 3. Giving (2 Cor. 9:12) 4. Friendships (Phil. 1:1-3) 5. Spiritual battles (1 Cor. 15:55-57) 6. Daily living (Col. 2:6-7) 7. Everything (1 Thess. 5:18; Eph. 5:20) C. What is the impact of a thankful heart? 1. Godliness, because we are aware of His presence 2. Motivation to look for His purpose in our circumstances 3. Submission to His will, even when we dont understand 4. A reminder of our dependence on Him 5. A stronger witness 6. Attractiveness to others 7. Joy and contentment instead of fear and anxiety 8. Focus on God in difficult times 9. Transformation of our attitude toward others 10. Supernatural energy III. Closing: Cultivating a thankful heart will transform your life. But youll never be genuinely happy or fulfilled until you know Jesus as Savior. Once you are a believer, the Holy Spirit can enable you to be grateful in all circumstances.

The Birth of Jesus--A Revealing Response

Memory Verse: Matthew 2:1-12

I. Introduction: Matthew 2:1-12 tells about the magis visit to the Christ child. In this passage, we can find various responses to Christs advent. Today, people still react essentially in three ways to the person and claims of Jesus: with indifference, hostility, or worship. II. Who were the magi? A. They were from the east (Matt. 12:1). These men were probably from Persia, where the Jews were exiled many years before. Probably because of Daniels influence, these men were familiar with the Scriptures predictions about a great leader who would be born in Bethlehem. B. Although the Bible mentions only three gifts, there were probably more than three men. They were well educated and wealthy, so they most likely came with an entourage to serve and protect them on their long journey. III. How did people react to Christs advent? A. With indifference: 1. The Jewish authorities represent how most people feel about Christs birthneutral. Although these leaders knew that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matt. 2:4-5), they made no effort to find out more information from the magi or worship Jesus themselves. 2. Many people ignore the true significance of Jesus birth. They dont feel antagonistic towards Jesus, but their focus is on other things at Christmas. B. With hostility: 1. King Herod demonstrated hatred toward Jesus. Herod the Great was a shrewd and cruel Roman king. He ruled as a tyrant, killing several of his sons, his wife, and anyone else who threatened his power. When the magi didnt report to him after visiting the Messiah, he ordered the slaughter of all male children up to two years of age in Bethlehem and the surrounding area (Matt. 2:16). 2. Today, people still react with hostility toward Jesus Christ. They fight legal battles to prevent manger scenes at Christmastime and to silence all mention of Jesus in the workplace, schools, or other public settings. But you and I know that in countries without freedom of worship, no one is truly happy, safe, or free. Thats why followers of Jesus should take steps to preserve our freedom. C. With worship: 1. The magi represent a third group of peoplethose who choose to honor Jesus. Matthew 2:11 says, After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. 2. They brought Him gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matt. 2:11). a. Gold was the most valuable metal of the time, a gift fit for a king. b. Frankincense, used in temple worship, symbolizes that Jesus came not to be served but to serve (Matt. 20:28). c. Myrrh, a burial spice (John 19:39-40), foreshadows Jesus divine mission of giving His life to bring salvation to humankind. IV. How should we worship? A. True worship is primarily an attitude of the heart, rather than outward actions. Genuine worship requires:

1) A pure heart: Before worshiping, confess and repent of any known sin. 2) A spirit of humility: There is no place for pride in a relationship with almighty God. 3) A spirit of submission: We must surrender to His will. 4) A spirit of abandonment: Put everything else aside, and focus on your fellowship with Him. 5) A spirit of obedience: You cannot worship God and leave self on the throne of your life. B. Watch for opportunities to worship the Lord for His goodness displayed in the lives of others. For example, a young woman received a gift from Operation Christmas Child many years ago. The present included a pair of shoes in her sizethe one thing she wanted for Christmas that year. IV. Conclusion: Many people are ambivalent about the true meaning of Christmas. Others are hostile toward the spiritual significance of this season. Only a small percentage of people will actually take time to worship Jesus. I pray that you set aside all the busyness of the season and devote yourself to worshiping Him with your life and words. Let the beautiful story of Christs birth motivate you to exalt the One who died so that you might have eternal life.

The Consequences of Anger

I. Summary: Many people dont realize the cost of holding on to bitterness. They may imagine that if their grudge is justified, they have a right to nurture it. Harboring anger is an understandable reaction to

lifes hurts and offenses, but resentment takes a horrible toll on our relationships, health, and fellowship with God. No wonder the Bible instructs us to deal quickly with this potentially destructive emotion. II. Anger Defined: A strong feeling of intense displeasure, hostility, or indignation as a result of a real or imagined threat, insult, frustration, or injustice toward yourself or others important to you. There are three types of anger: 1) rage is usually an explosive expression of anger; 2) resentment is repressed or suppressed anger; and 3) indignation is righteous anger over an unjust situation or a wrong someone else has suffered. III. A Threefold Warning in Ephesians 4:26-27

First, we are to be angry, and sin not. In other words, dont give in to rage and resentment towards another person. Second, Do not let the sun go down on your anger. God does not want us to go to sleep at night without dealing with the hostility we felt that day. Third, Do not give the devil an opportunity. Tragically, you and I sometimes become upset unnecessarily because we misunderstood another persons comment.

IV. The Consequences of Anger

To ourselves:

Anger breaks our fellowship with God. We cant be at peace with the Lord while we are angry with another individual (Matt. 5:23-24). Your relationships with other people will suffer. For example, a marriage will not thrive if one or both spouses become angry and refuse to address the problem. You will develop a critical spirit. Bitter people often become judgmental in an effort to justify their negative feelings. You will lack peace. Hostility makes you restless and robs you of joy. Anger leads to emotional isolation. When people are wounded, they often try to protect themselves from further hurt by pushing others away. Anger results in frustration and anxiety. You may expect betrayal or constantly question the motives of those who are kind to you. It leaves you feeling empty. When we cut ourselves off from friendships in order to prevent further hurt, God allows us to feel lonely. It can also cause you to become narrow in mind and heart. You begin to criticize and belittle othersperhaps through jokingbut the barbs are real. Anger sometimes manifests itself through chronic tardiness. By being late, people seek to demonstrate that no one can tell them what to do. Hostility can make you disagreeable. If you have unresolved anger, it can make you argumentative with everyone, not just the person who offended you. Anger can make you sloppy on the job. You may begin to justify failing to look your best, do your best, and be your best at work. Anger can cause you to lose your enthusiasm. You may withdraw from social activities or lose your excitement for hobbies and passions.

Hostility, if left unchecked, results in procrastination. It diminishes your ability to concentrate, so you are less likely to complete tasks. Anger can contribute to obesity, because people try to comfort themselves through food. It also prevents genuine sexual intimacy in marriage.

To our health:

Unresolved, unrighteous anger increases your adrenalin level, heart rate, and blood pressure. Your mouth becomes dry, and your hands get moist. Your stomach tenses and interrupts digestion, and blood rushes to supply your muscles with extra energy. Chronic rage or resentment, over the long term, contributes to ulcers, hypertension, heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke. It results in crippling arthritis and severe depression. In short, every system of your body is affected. Initially, you may not feel these devastating effects of anger, but over time, they can ruin your health.

To other people:

Anger hurts those around us. Resentment separates close friendships and other relationships. Its often a factor in divorce. Rage can cause damage to the belongings of others. Sometimes it even results in physical harm or loss of innocent life.

To God:

Anger grieves the Lord. Hostility does not fit who we are as children of God. It hinders His work. Those who harbor resentment are often not willing to obey His voice. The Father will not pour out His full blessing on an angry person.

V. Conclusion: I encourage you to think about how anger will affect you, your relationships with others, and your fellowship with God. If you are willing to forgive instead, you will experience healing. Forgiveness might save your job, your marriage, or other relationships. One thing is certain: Letting go of anger will keep you from self-destruction. Why not give it a try today?

Discipline Determines Destiny

Scripture:1 Corinthians 9:23-27

I. Introduction: As followers of Jesus Christ, its only right that you and I want to fulfill His purpose for our lives. But without discipline, the distractions of life interfere with our God-given destiny. Like athletes in training, we must exercise self-control and restraintliving with a specific goal in mind (1 Cor. 9:23-27). Simply wanting to fulfill Gods will for our lives is not enough. It is discipline, not just desire, which determines your destiny and mine. II. Clarifying Terms 1. Self-discipline is personal training that develops self-control and character, resulting in an orderly and efficient life. You and I must practice self-discipline in the power of the Holy Spirit. 2. Divine discipline is Gods correction when we step out of His will or disobey Him (Heb. 12:5). III. Why is Self-Discipline Necessary? 1. Self-discipline is essential to godliness (1 Pet. 1:15; Tim. 4:7-8). 2. Unless we submit our natural desires to the control of the Spirit, they will dominate our lives. Food, rest, companionship, and sexual intimacy are good things, but they must be surrendered to the Lordship of Christ. IV. What can we expect when we fail to practice self-control? And undisciplined life causes us to . . . 1. Indulge our fleshly, carnal desires. Usually, we will find ourselves stepping out of Gods will if we fail to practice self-discipline. 2. Become defensive about our sinful lifestyles. 3. Hinder our health. 4. Harm our finances and get into debt. Credit card companies thrive on undisciplined people. 5. Perform poorly on the job. In extreme forms, a lack of discipline can result in job loss. 6. Be overlooked for promotion. In contrast, discipline often prepares you for the next opportunity. 7. Develop slothful habits. 8. Speak recklessly. 9. Arrive late. 10. Waste time and energy. Live by a schedule, setting your priorities for each day and following through with them. 11. Have a poor testimony. An undisciplined life compromises a believers witness (1 Cor. 9:27). V. What is required for a disciplined life? 1. Have a definite purpose. Goals clarify what disciplines are needed for achievement. 2. Detach from things that draw you away from your goals. 3. Pursue your objectives with diligence. Reflecting on the worthiness of your goals will help keep you on course.

4. Be consistent. The full benefits of a self-controlled life can be found only through regular practice. 5. Practice self-control. Even if you fail sometimes, continue to work on self-discipline. 6. Say no in the strength of the Holy Spirit. Remember, the indwelling presence of the Spirit is available to empower you. VI. Rewards of Discipline 1. A more orderly and less stressful life. Self-discipline can increase your peace, joy, and confidence. 2. Improved self-esteem. Setting and achieving goals will give you a sense of accomplishment. 3. Increased productivity. A well-planned day is generally more fruitful. 4. Better health. By eating right, exercising, avoiding drug and alcohol abuse, and getting proper rest, many illnesses can be avoided. 5. Positive impact on others. When we live disciplined lives, we often inspire others to do the same. To this day, the foundation my mother laid in my life helps motivate me to work with excellence at whatever I do. In turn, I taught my son and daughter to be disciplined, which has helped them succeed as adults. 6. Eternal reward. The most significant benefit of discipline will come from Jesus the day we stand before Him. VII. How to Begin a Life of Discipline 1. Spend time each day reading Gods Word. 2. Make time for prayer. Wake up earlier or limit other activities in order to give God priority in your life. 3. Tithe your income. By being disciplined and obedient with finances, we give the Lord the opportunity to build our faith. 4. Attend worship every Sunday. Meeting with fellow believers to fellowship and study His Word deepens our relationships with Him. VIII. Conclusion The Lord designed you for a special purpose, one that will satisfy you like no other. Dont allow your natural desires to hinder your ability to reach His purpose for you. The sacrifices of a well-disciplined life are nothing in comparison to the rewards of fulfilling your God-given destiny. Its a prize well worth the training.

The Cost of Following Christ

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11 Today, I want to talk about something that's really a life message for me. It's something that I come back to over and over and over in my Christian life: salvation is free, but following Christ costs me something.

God wants to control our whole lives. Example: the story of the lady who didn't like Pastor Stanley's church. News flash: God doesn't have to wait for us to surrender something to Him before He can take it from us. The older you get, the greater the stakes for surrendering everything to God. Jesus asks Peter for the use of his boat. Then, He asks Peter to go fishing (Luke 5: 1-5). Like Peter, we try to give God information when He asks us to do something we don't want to do. Example: Pastor Stanley asks a volunteer for valuable things The Bible is a testimony of all the good things God has done when people surrender to Him. The issue is not the value of what I'm holding. The issue is "Who is asking me to open my hand?" The Bible is also a history of people who thought the value of what was in their hand was more important than their relationship with God. Like Peter, we wrestle with God but eventually say, "Because you say so" (Luke 5:6-7). After Peter saw the miracle, he suddenly recognized he was in the presence of the Christ (Luke 5:8). Don't miss what God has for you because you're unwilling to surrender something to Him. Jesus tells the fishermen to follow Him, so that now, they will be fishers of men (Luke 5:9-11). God wants to increase our confidence and faith in Him. You have no idea what God wants to do through you. Dr. Stanley's plaque: "God takes full responsibility for the life that is totally yielded to Him."

Conclusion Surrendering to God isn't about fish, rings, dollar bills, businesses, jobs, or relationships. It's about having peaceknowing you are right where God wants you and doing what He wants you to do. Following Christ will cost you something, but refusing to follow Him will cost you a whole lot more.

Fight Your Battles on Your Knees

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-40 I. Introduction: Some struggles are externalsuch as your finances or job. Others take place within you. Internal enemies like anger, unforgiveness, or insecurity can hinder your walk with God. How can you find victory? Fight your battles on your knees, and you will win every time. II. What does it mean to fight our battles on our knees? Simply thisthat you and I lay our petitions before the Lord. We must spend time in His presence, listening for His answer. I first learned this lesson as an associate minister at First Baptist. The church was considering me for head pastor, but many people were opposed to the idea. Only by giving the problem to God in prayer was I able to experience victory in that difficult situation. III. Why should we fight our battles on our knees? A. It is the biblical pattern. Throughout Scripture, we see God's servants falling on their faces before the Lord. B. When we turn to the Lord, we are no longer battling on our own.No one can help you more than the Sovereign of the universe (Ps. 103:19). He acts on behalf of those who trust in Him (Isa. 40:31). C. Prayer connects us with the Holy Spirit and His power. If you have trusted Christ as your personal Savior, the Holy Spirit dwells within you. We can accomplish nothing for God apart from the Spirit's power. IV. What can you expect if you fight your battles on your knees? A. Comfort and assurance B. Encouragement C. A new focus: The Enemy wants us to dwell on our problemshow we can defend ourselves or get revenge. Victory, however, is found in turning our eyes to God. He operates on behalf of those who are willing to trust and obey Him (Isa. 40:31). D. Supernatural peace: Believers who turn their struggles over to the Lord have peace even when circumstances don't change (Phil. 4:6-7). V. How can you fight your battles on your knees? A. Set aside time to be alone with God. Find a quiet place and devote yourself to the One most capable of helping you. B. Listen quietly. The Lord desires to have an intimate relationship with each one of His children. But you will never know Him better unless you take the time to listen for His voice. C. Expect Him to bring up other issues in your life. He may want you to deal with rebellion, unforgiveness, or bitterness in your heart. Until you repent and surrender to the Lord, sin will keep you from experiencing God's best and enjoying a close relationship with Him.

D. Remember that in a battle, there can only be one general. Freely express your desires, but don't expect God to take orders from you. As you surrender to His guidance, He will engage His supernatural power on your behalf. E. Know that battles are God's tools. Some put their trust in themselves and pursue relationships, accomplishments, or possessions instead of a relationship with the Father. 1. The Lord has taught me to see all adversity as allowed by Him. This truth will protect you from bitterness towards those who wrong you. Romans 8:28 says, "We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (emphasis added). 2. In a battle, you and I may lose money, pride, or control over a situation. But if the struggle brings us to the point of total surrender to the Lord, we will always win spiritually. VI. Conclusion: What are you battling today? Does it seem as if God doesn't see your pain or understand your heartache? Let me assure you He knows exactly what you are going through. Sit in the Lord's presence today, and offer this prayer: "Lord, I don't want anything in my life that displeases You. Take my bitterness, resentment, and anger. I give You this battle, and trust that You will turn it for my good in Your way and in Your timing." Release your problems to almighty God, and you will find victory.

The Final Exam

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:5-15 1. Introduction: Students often feel a sense of relief when their finals are over at the end of a term. But did you know that all of us have one more test to face? This ultimate exam will evaluate the quality of the work weve done for the Lord. 2. Gods Plan is to reward His followers.

a. Old Testament examples: Abraham is promised a great reward (Gen. 15:1). And the psalmist speaks of the benefits reaped by keeping Gods commands (Ps. 19:7-8, 11). b. New Testament examples: Persecution will earn us a great reward (Matt. 5:10-12). Jesus warned that if we do our works to be praised by men, we will have no reward from God the Father. Because of wrong motivation, the honor we get on earth is our full reward (Matt. 6:1-4). 3. Gods plan is to reward us individually.

. Paul knew that although he and Apollos had worked towards the same goal, each man would be rewarded according to the work he had done. a. God will not recognize the work of churches as a whole but rather will honor the members individually. Every time we perform a righteous deed with a godly motive, we earn heavenly rewards (1 Cor. 4:5). Rewards for ministry are not reserved for those in full-time Christian service. 4. Gods plan is for us to build a life worthy of reward.

. The foundation of our life is salvation in Christ (1 Cor. 3:11). Examples: the steel piles of a high rise; a strong theological foundation for ministry. a. The structure is built with our deeds.

b. The building materials can vary in quality (Heb. 9:27). Worthy deeds are like gold, silver, and precious stones. These are actions that are part of a godly Christian life. Worthless deeds are like wood, hay, and stubble. These include sinful choices, missed opportunities to be kind, and acts done with an impure motive. 5. Gods plan is to test our works (Rev. 1:12-17, 2:18-23).

. Our salvation is secure, but our deeds will be evaluated (1 Cor. 3:13-15). We will stand before the Lord and give an account of our lives. a. Jesus will judge us in light of three things:

How much truth did we know? How much opportunity did we have? What did we do with what God gave us?

b. The purpose for divine fire is to destroy our worthless deeds. Then God will wipe the tears from our eyes and reward us for good works. 6. Closing: Most people know the importance of planning for the future. Unfortunately, many fail to store up the heavenly treasures that godly living would produce. Dont wait until its too late. Ask God to direct your thoughts and actions on a daily basis. Seek to honor Him in all you do. Then, on the day of that ultimate exam, you will pass the test and receive eternal rewards.

Our God of Grace

Scripture: Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-11 I. Introduction: Many believers don't have an accurate perception of the Lord. He's not a distant, unloving judge, but a God of grace. II. Message: A. All About Grace 1. Grace can be defined as God's undeserved, unearned favor, goodness, kindness, and love toward us. 2. Grace is a free gift that cannot be earned (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 11:6). 3. God's grace is mentioned 150 times in the New Testament. Paul opened and closed his letters by mentioning it. This means the Lord's unearned favor is at the heart of Christianity. 4. G-R-A-C-E is "God's Riches At Christ's Expense." Our sin-debt was paid in full through Jesus' death on the cross. We have the privilege of coming to His throne with all our requests. 5. Mercy is "not getting what we deserve"namely, punishment for our sins. Grace is "getting what we don't deserve"that is, favor from God. B. Because of God's grace . . . 1. He has chosen and predestined us (Eph. 1:3-6). 2. He has justified us (Rom. 3:23-26). Apart from grace, we would experience eternal death (Ezek. 18: 4, 20) 3. He has given us an eternal position in heaven (Eph. 2:1-8). We are living examples of God's grace. 4. We can not only endure suffering but also profit from it (2 Cor. 12:8-9). His grace makes us able to face trials. 5. We are called to serve Him (Gal. 1:1-6, 15-16). 6. We have been given spiritual gifts (Rom. 12:6-8; 2 Cor. 9:6-8). 7. He provides for all our needs (2 Cor. 9:8). III. Closing: God's grace is a gift offered to all humanity. However, each person must be willing to receive the gift before he or she can enjoy its benefits. This week, let God empower you to help someone come to know Jesus.

The Inspiring Message of the Resurrection

Scripture: Luke 24:1-9 I. Introduction: Our Lord rose from the dead. That amazing fact should directly impact our daily lives. Instead of living for ourselves, we should focus on Jesus and passionately tell others about the gift of eternal life. II. Message: Why should the resurrection inspire us? 1. Jesus is alive. a. He is seated at the right hand of God the Father. Christianity is unlike any other faith because He rose from the dead. b. His Spirit lives inside each believer. He guides, strengthens, heals and cares for us; He provides for us, and listens to our prayers. 2. We are forgiven and eternally secure. . Only Christ's death on the cross can pay for humanity's sin. Our faith differs from other religions because salvation rests on what Jesus did for us, not our good works or self-denial. a. The moment we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, we become children of Godforever. We confess our sins, not to maintain our salvation, but to stay in fellowship with Him (1 John 1:9). 3. We will live forever. . Believers will enjoy everlasting life in the kingdom of God. While people who don't know Christ will also exist forever, they will be eternally tormented in hell. a. For the believer, physical death is simply a door into eternal life. That's why memorial services for believers can be joyous occasions. 4. For Christians, there is a resurrection unto life. . Our bodies will be changed from perishable to imperishable (1 Cor. 15:50-54; Phil. 3:20-21; 1 John 3:1-2). a. In substance, our bodies will be like the Jesus' resurrected bodynot limited by time, space, or matter. 5. Heaven will be our eternal home. . The earth will be completely transformed into part of God's heavenly kingdom. a. We will serve the Lord forever, ruling with Him. b. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us (John 14:1-2). c. At the rapture, believers who are still living will be caught up in the air with Christians who have died (1 Thess. 4:13-17). We will live in heaven with our saved loved ones. d. We can't truly understand how wonderful heaven will be. It's beyond our earthly comprehension. 6. We can face tomorrow because Jesus has risen from the grave. . Jesus said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Heb. 13:5). Because Christ is with us, we can face trials with confidence. a. We have the assurance that our high priest sympathizes with our weaknesses (Heb. 4:15-16). III. Closing: As believers, we have the responsibility to share the gospel. Stop focusing on yourself and your needs, and trust God to provide for you. Share the inspiring message of the resurrection.

Our Intimacy with God

Scripture: Psalm 63:1-8 I. Introduction: Do you have an intimate connection with God? The Father designed us with the emotional and spiritual capacity to have a loving, personal relationship with Him. King David knew how to have an intimate relationship with the Lord. Although he was far from perfect, David had learned that only the Father's love could satisfy his heart's deepest longings (Ps. 63:3). The king passionately sought God through prayer, repentance, and obedience. From his example, you and I can learn how to enjoy closeness with the Father. II. Man's Relationship with God A. Direct. The Lord is the ultimate authority over each and every person's lifeeven those who refuse to acknowledge His sovereignty. B. Distinct. If you have trusted in Jesus' death on the cross to pay for your sin-debt, you've become one of God's children and have a unique relationship with Him. C. Distant. Sometimes God's children allow their relationship with Him to suffer. They may attend church, but might not read their Bibles faithfully or know how to relate to the Lord in prayer. As a result, they excuse sin in their lives and don't have a sense of oneness with Him. D. Developing. Some believers passionately pursue relationship with the Father on a continual, daily basisregardless of life's circumstances. III. Requirements for an Intimate Relationship with God A. A Spiritual Focus. For most people, the word "intimacy" is associated primarily with sexuality. But genuine fellowship with God involves relating to Him on an emotional and spiritual level rather than a physical one. B. Personal Involvement. The Lord created humans in His image so that all people could relate to Him on an individual basis. The Holy Spirit lives within every believer, giving each one the ability to develop a personal friendship with Christ. C. Trust. Intimacy cannot exist without trust. If you and I refuse to surrender to and obey God, we can't expect to have an intimate relationship with Him. D. Love. Oneness with God must be motivated out of love, not duty. Remember that God forgave you on the basis of Christ's death on the cross. You don't have to earn His affection. Let that fact motivate you to freely and genuinely devote yourself to knowing Him better. E. Openness and Transparency. Confess specific sins and shortcomings to the Lord. Be honest with Him, and intimacy will grow. F. Two-way Communication. Ask the Father to show you how to hear His guidance for your life, and set aside time to listen to Him. G. Time and Effort. You must devote yourself to knowing the Lord if you want to experience the fullness of friendship with Him.

IV. Benefits of Intimacy with the Father A. Stability. In the midst of life's storms, a solid relationship with God is your anchor. B. Security. You can have the assurance that He is always with you, ready to help in any situation or circumstance. C. Serenity. Intimacy gives you quietness and peace in your spirit, no matter what happens. You can trust that the Lord will guide you through difficulty. D. Sensitivity. God will give you greater spiritual understanding and increased awareness to the needs of others. . V. Barriers to Intimacy A. Pride. Some put their trust in themselves and pursue relationships, accomplishments, or possessions instead of a relationship with the Father. B. Rebellion. When we deliberately disobey the Lord, we cannot have intimacy with Him. C. Hurry. Some people never find intimacy with God because they are always impatient. VI. Conclusion: I pray your relationship with God is characterized by unity, surrender, and joy. But if you aren't experiencing intimacy with the Lord, He desires to reveal Himself in a personal way to you. Let go of pride, confess your sin and rebellion, and devote yourself to a relationship with Him. David wrote, "In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever" (Ps. 16:11). Only God can satisfy the deepest longings of your heart. Take time to discover the awesome depth of the Father's love through an intimate relationship with Him.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Taylor, G. (2005). Sermons of Truth and Reason: Volume I: Capsule Sermons: Short outlines intended to serve as starters for development into full sermons. Tallahassee: Centerville Road Church of Christ.

Taylor, G. (2005). Sermons of Truth and Reason: Volume II: Sermon Outlines: Outlines That You Can Preach. Tallahassee: Centerville Road Church of Christ. Taylor, G. (2005). Sermons of Truth and Reason: Volume III: Sermon Outlines: Outlines That You Can Preach. Tallahassee: Centerville Road Church of Christ. Taylor, G. (2006). Bible Greats: Volume I: A Series of Sermons on Great Bible Wonders. Tallahassee: Centerville Road Church of Christ. Taylor, G. (2006). Bible Greats: Volume II: A Series of Sermons on Great Bible Examples. Tallahassee: Centerville Road Church of Christ. Taylor, G. (1995). Because Jesus Died for Me: A five lesson series of sermons emphasizing how our lives are to honor Christ. Tallahassee: Centerville Road Church of Christ. Taylor, G. (2000). Jesus: The Miracle Worker: A series of sermons on the Miracles of Jesus. Tallahassee: Centerville Road Church of Christ. Taylor, G. (2005). More Than Conquerors: A series of five sermons on the victories God granted to His people. Tallahassee: Centerville Road Church of Christ. Taylor, G. (1997). Preaching on Prayer: A series of lessons to help he Christian pray more effectively. Tallahassee: Centerville Road Church of Christ.

Padfield, D. (1998). Wedding and Funeral Sermons. Illinois: Church of Christ in Zion. Padfield, D., Asher, J. (1999). Adorning the Word: Volume 5: Gospel Sermons. Illinois: Church of Christ in Zion.

Padfield, D. (2010). The Beatitudes: The path to a new life. Illinois: Church of Christ in Zion. Padfield, D. (1997). Gods Shepherds. Illinois: Church of Christ in Zion. Asher, J. Sermon Outline Books by Jeff Asher. Expository Sermon Outlines. 2011. 7 Oct. 2011. < http://www.expositorysermonoutlines.com/books/books-asher.html>.

Stanley, Charles. Sermon Outlines. In Touch Ministries, Inc. 2011. 7 Oct. 2011 < http://www.intouch.org/resources/sermon-outlines>.

Submitted by:

Bethel Bible College of Assemblies of God

Valenzuela City, Philippines