2 Timothy 2:8-15
Paul stressed to Timothy and us we need to take the license to serve Him just as seriously as we do in obtaining any other license
2 Timothy 2:8
The importance of endurance
2 Timothy 8:14
Rightly explaining the word of truth
Judges 7:8-25
300 with God is much better than 32,000 without Him!
Encouragement in tough times
Judges 7:10,11
Judges 7:13,14
Joshua 1:9
Victory depends not on strength or numbers but on obedience and commitment to Him
The turning point for Gideon and us is to listen and follow the Lord’s leading
Soak in the encouragement from others as well as give it
Judges 7:1-7
Is less than 1% enough?
People can never be too small for God to use, but they can be too big in their own minds
God wants us to depend completely on Him
Are you trying to do it all alone?
Are you leaving God out of the equation in terms of the battles you’re facing?
Are you rallying troops around you to assure you of victory but not inviting the most important person in the battle-our Lord Jesus?
Matthew 25:31-40
Isaiah 58:7
How can I be more like Jesus to the “least of these” in Matthew 25?
Matthew 25:41-46
Which group will you be a part of-the sheep or the goats? Heaven or hell?
Keep Christ at the forefront of our lives
uke16:19-31
How are you treating your neighbor?
Luke 6:35-36
Who is it that God is wanting you to help?
There will be a time of judgment
Psalm 4:1
The physical “closing in” is not all that happens to people. Many people feel crowded emotionally and spiritually
Ways to keep from having that claustrophobic feeling from Psalm 4:
-We call out to God in prayer (v. 1),
-Trust God will answer (v. 5),
-At the end of the day we "lie down and sleep in peace" (v. 8)
Psalm 4:7a
We need to choose His way as our way!
1 Samuel 24:1-7
David gave an example of patience
1 Samuel 24:4
David chose to wait for God’s timing
1 Samuel 26:8-11
Attributes that allowed David to wait for the Lord’s timing:
-David had strong faith and believed that God would gain victory in the right time and with the right method
-David had the correct values: Killing a king would violate his conscience
-Discernment helped David realize that assassination would mean stepping out of God’s will
-Strength played a role in the decision
Isaiah 40:31
Jeremiah 18:1-6
Jeremiah’s lesson-1st the clay
Jeremiah’s lesson-2nd the wheel
Jeremiah’s lesson- 3rd the potter
Romans 9:20b-21
When the Lord is reshaping you, there will be what we call “growing pains.”
“God don’t make junk!”
Jeremiah 18:11-12
Romans 13:8-14
Romans 13:8a: "Owe no one anything"
Romans 13:8
Why is love for others called a debt in this scripture?
Colossians 3:14
Romans 13:12
Isaiah 6:1-4
Isaiah 6:1a: "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord."
2 Chronicles 26:1-5
2 Chronicles 26:12,13
2 Chronicles 26:16-21
Wherever pride is, the Lord is not
Proverbs 16:18: "Pride goes before disaster, and arrogance before a fall."
My Uzziah's got to die!!!
Let GO and Let God have every part of you!
type “stumbling block” in search and look up different versions to see where those words are used in different places in the Bible
Matthew 16:22
Matthew 16:23
Matthew 16:24
Matthew 16:25
Matthew 16:23b: Jesus’ words to Peter: “for you are setting your mind not on divine things, but on human things.”
What is your stumbling block?
1 Corinthians 8:13
“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you”
Matthew 7:12
Romans 14:13
Romans 12:19-21
“If you devote your life to seeking revenge, dig two graves.”Confucius
Let God handle the judgement and consequences, not us!
The challenge is to care for our enemies, instead of repaying with evil and taking revenge on them
Jesus, calls His disciples to lean into the hard work of redemption through suffering love.
Matthew 5:44
"Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" is found in Exodus 34:6; Psalm 86:15; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2
We are not to dish out to offenders what they deserve
Romans 12:21
Romans 12:14-18
Matthew 5:38-42
John Wesley: “We should not do to others as we would not want them to do to us.”
Romans 12:14-18
The world’s way of living is totally opposite of His Word in Romans 12
Romans 12:2
Characteristics we should not possess
1 Thessalonians 5:15
Lifestyle traits we should have
Living opposite of the world’s acceptance may cost us in some ways, but is worth it in so many more!
Romans 12:9-13
Matthew 22:37,39: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind" and to "love your neighbor as yourself."
Romans 12:9 describes the attitude - displaying genuine love, hating evil, loving good. Verse 10 demands the action - to "outdo one another in showing honor."
Romans 12:9
Romans 12:10
Romans 12:10: "Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle." (The Message Bible)
Romans 12:12
It’s all about love!
Hebrews 5:11-6:2
Moving beyond the basics Hebrews 6:1 (NRSV): “go on towards perfection,” (NIV): “go on to maturity.”
Micah 6:6-8
The nation of Judah wanted to get back to being great again
How do we get back on track?
Micah 6:8
How do we measure goodness?
It all starts with humility of saying in our prayers, “God I need You and desire more of You each day.”
Romans 14: 19-25
Psalm 19:14: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."
Galatians 5:1-14
John 8:31-32
Galatians 5:1-14
Don’t let others lead you astray
Adding requirements to the finished work of Christ can make people uncertain and insecure about their spiritual standing
When Jesus cried out on the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30), that’s exactly what He meant!
Reasons why Jesus came that gives us the freedom we have:
He came to seek and save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)
He came that we might have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10);
He came to set the captives free (Luke 4:18).
He paid in full for your salvation and promises to complete the good work He began in you (Philippians 1:6).
He set you free indeed! Live it, embrace it, and receive it!
Mark 4:35-41
The night the disciples won't forget
Mark 4:38b
Mark 4:40
So how do we place our full trust in Jesus?
John 20:29
Why believe in Him? Why trust Him?
Psalm 19:14: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."
John 16:12-15
It’s Hard to Be Humble
John 16:13a
The Trinity illustrates humility by being a community
1 John 5:7: “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.”
James 1:19-20
God the Trinity helps us to become humbler by showing love and generosity
John 16:14,15
1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
The apostle Paul was an authentic witness for the Lord!
No one really wants to fake it through life
Live a life that is real and not false, so that at the end of the day you have a good conscience
Blameless is the opposite of faking it
• Fathers do not lie to their children; they live honestly.
• Fathers do not neglect their children; they protect and provide for them.
• Fathers do not abandon their children; they care for them & shelter them in times of storm.
• Fathers model the behavior they expect from their children.
• Fathers do not say, “Do as I say, not as I do.”
• Fathers pull their children toward them rather than turning them away.
• Fathers inspire confidence and trust, not loathing and suspicion.
• Fathers discipline with love and compassion. What does it mean for you to live a life that is worthy of God?