God brings opposites together - rigid and let it go types
Because God is trying to work off the rough edges
If we are to grow through trials, we must learn to view them correctly
First comes hurt, then can come anger or try to ignore it
Other turn to "grin and bear it" or "this too must past" - blocks us from growth
Garden of Gethsemance - Jesus expressed and dealt with emotional pain with prayer - Hebrews 5:7-10
If Jesus had to suffer, how much will we need to be perfected - Colossians 1:24
Trial both mature us and attract others at the same time
Rejoice in the sufferings - 1 Peter 4:13
Must have heaven's perspective in every situation
Even when can not figure out what God is doing - requires a child-like response
Jesus sought out quiet time
"Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest" - Mark 6:31b
"Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" - Luke 5:16
Occasional devotions are OK but should never replace our private time with God
Jesus found a quite place
"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father" - Matthew 6:6
If you have no quite place - your relationship will be shallow and limited
Jesus urged alertness
Jesus pleaded with them to be awake and alert in prayer - Mark 14:37-42
Be "clear minded and self-controller" so that we can pray - 1 Peter 4:7
How long? until a sense of peace and closeness with God
How much time in prayer and study? mix it up; our relationship should not become stale
"Remain in me, and I will remain in you" - John 15:4-8
God's glory = the expression of his goodness and all his other eternal qualities
Through history, God has revealed his glory
God's glory is best seen in Jesus Christ
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God - Romans 3:23
I have created them to bring me glory - Isaiah 43:7
Jesus brought glory to God by doing everthing he was told to do by God - John 17:4
We bring God glory by worshiping him - Use your body to the glory of God - Romans 6:13
We bring God glory by loving other believers - Accept others as Christ accepted you - Romans 15:7
We bring God glory by becoming like Christ - We become more and more like him, reflect his glory even more - 2 Corthinians 3:18
We bring God glory by serving others our gifts - Do it all with all that God has given you - 1 Peter 4:10-11
We bring God glory by telling others about him - Bringing people to Christ through his grace, God receives more and more glory - 2 Corinthians 4:14
Giving glory to God will require us to change our priorities, schedule, relationships, and everything else
God's glory = the expression of his goodness and all his other eternal qualities
Through history, God has revealed his glory
God's glory is best seen in Jesus Christ
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God - Romans 3:23
I have created them to bring me glory - Isaiah 43:7
Jesus brought glory to God by doing everthing he was told to do by God - John 17:4
We bring God glory by worshiping him - Use your body to the glory of God - Romans 6:13
We bring God glory by loving other believers - Accept others as Christ accepted you - Romans 15:7
We bring God glory by becoming like Christ - We become more and more like him, reflect his glory even more - 2 Corthinians 3:18
We bring God glory by serving others our gifts - Do it all with all that God has given you - 1 Peter 4:10-11
We bring God glory by telling others about him - Bringing people to Christ through his grace, God receives more and more glory - 2 Corinthians 4:14
Giving glory to God will require us to change our priorities, schedule, relationships, and everything else
Silent when someone sins - not loving thing to do
Means caring enough to lovingly confront - Proverbs 24:26
A group will remain superficial because they are afraid to conflict
It is where gossip thrives
Corinth church was allowing sexual immorality because no one had the courage to say anything.
...Humility
Pride builds walls between; humility builds bridges
Being prideful is living in opposition to God - 1 Peter 5:5
Develop humility by: admitting weakness, being patient with other's weakness, being open to correction, pointing the spotlight on others
...Courtesy
Nothing to do with compatibility
Basis of our fellowship is our relationship to God - We are family
...Confidentiality
Does not mean keeping silent about sin
Means - stays within the group - Proverbs 16:28
...Frequency
You need to spend time - make it a habit - Hebrew 10:25
Community is not built on convenience - "Let's get together sometime"
It is full-time position
A "non-serving Christian" is a contradiction in terms
You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God - 1 Peter 2:9
You are commanded to serve God
For Christians, service is not an option
Spiritual maturity is never an end in itself
Maturity is for service, we grow up in order to give out
Impression with expression cause depression
Study without service leas to spiritual stagnation
Galilee lake full of life - takes in water but also gives out
Dead sea - takes in but the is no outflow
Not who is going to meet my needs -> Whose needs should I meet?
God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well - Romans 12:6
Can not say, "I don't have any abilities to offer"
Average person possesses from 500 to 700 different skills and abilities
Brain can store 100 trillion facts
Can handle 15,000 decisions a second
Every ability can be used for God's glory
Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God - 1 Corinthians 10:31
Remember the Lord your God; he give the ability to produce wealth - Deuteronomy 8:18
What I am able to do, God wants me to do
God equips you will you need for doing well - Hebrews 13:21
Seriously examine what you are good at doing and do it
God will never ask to something you have no talent for
Abilities are not just to make a living, but also for service for him
Be sure to use our abilities to help each other - 1 Peter 4:10
Whatever you do, do it with all your heart - Colossians 3:23
You are never too [fill in the blank] to be a servant
Jesus specialized in menial tasks:
washing feet
helping children
fixing breakfast
servng lepers
Small taks often show a big heart
Little things determine big things
Race to be a leaders is crowded but the field is wide open for those willing to be servants
Real servants are faithful to their ministry
Servants finish tasks, fullfill their responsibilities, and complete their commitments
Can you be counted on by others?
We want to God to say, "Well gone, good and faithful servant" - Matthew 25:23
Real Servants maintain a low profile
Put on the apron of humility, to serve one another - 1 Peter 5:5
Not about show - If we are trying to please men (including ourselves) we can not be a servant of Christ - Galatians 1:10
Servants are content with quietly serving in the shadows
Wouldn't find many true servants in any Halls of Fame or Who's who books
Be confident that nothing you do for God is a waste of time or effort - 1 Corinthians 15:58
We can feel pain because God feels pain
By his wounds you have been healed - 1 Peter 2:24
Questions:
Have you loved someone wholeheartedly and they stopped loving you?
Has someone take advantage of you?
Have you ever been neglected, forgotten, or rejected?
Amazing grace cost amazing pain
Don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? - James 4:4-5
How does God feel about:
Lack of trust?
Sexual sin?
Lack of care?
Being pushed aside because of school or business?
The greater capacity to love, the greater the capacity to feel pain
Imagine that you can home from work and you found a dog that just kill your child
We killed Jesus with our sin, how should we be treated?
How do you feel about sin? Do you hate it?
Do you allow sin to stay around?
Your hatred toward sin is in proportion to your love for the one who died for you
Resist the devil and he will flee; Come near to God and he will near to you - James 4:7-10
Jesus didn't expect life to be fair
He expected God to be fair
He accepted everything from God without question (in the end)
Judas only received kindness from Jesus
Taught forgiving your brother should be limitless - Luke 17:1-5
Feeling the pain
Jesus was totally honest with his feeling both God and man
Greatest test was at the garden of Gethsemane
Freeing his heart
He trusted his Father and focused on him rather than on his own pain
He yielded to God's sense of justice in the most unjust situation
1 Peter 2:23
He made no treats
He did not retaliate
We must follow Jesus example:
He honest and call sin, sin
Allow ourselves to feel the pain - fear or anger
Surrender to God or be bitter, resent, or even apathy
World often assumes humily with being quite, soft, weak, a loner, apathetic and without convictions
Does this sound like Jesus to you?
Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on the cross - Philippians 2:8
Death on the cross was considered a curse - Deuteronomy 21:22-23
He allowed himself to be cursed
He put his trust in him who judges justly - 1 Peter 2:23
With humility, you give up yourself, but in the process you find God and yourself
Questions and answers about humility:
Where does God dwell? with the humble and concrite - Isaiah 57:15
Who does God esteem? he who is humble, concrite, and trembles at his word - Isaiah 66:2-3
Who receives God's grace? not the proud but the humble - James 4:6
Who does God lift up? those who humble themselves under God's mighty hand - 1 Peter 5:5-6
World often assumes humily with being quite, soft, weak, a loner, apathetic and without convictions
Does this sound like Jesus to you?
Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on the cross - Philippians 2:8
Death on the cross was considered a curse - Deuteronomy 21:22-23
He allowed himself to be cursed
He put his trust in him who judges justly - 1 Peter 2:23
With humility, you give up yourself, but in the process you find God and yourself
Questions and answers about humility:
Where does God dwell? with the humble and concrite - Isaiah 57:15
Who does God esteem? he who is humble, concrite, and trembles at his word - Isaiah 66:2-3
Who receives God's grace? not the proud but the humble - James 4:6
Who does God lift up? those who humble themselves under God's mighty hand - 1 Peter 5:5-6
World often assumes humily with being quite, soft, weak, a loner, apathetic and without convictions
Does this sound like Jesus to you?
Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on the cross - Philippians 2:8
Death on the cross was considered a curse - Deuteronomy 21:22-23
He allowed himself to be cursed
He put his trust in him who judges justly - 1 Peter 2:23
With humility, you give up yourself, but in the process you find God and yourself
Questions and answers about humility:
Where does God dwell? with the humble and concrite - Isaiah 57:15
Who does God esteem? he who is humble, concrite, and trembles at his word - Isaiah 66:2-3
Who receives God's grace? not the proud but the humble - James 4:6
Who does God lift up? those who humble themselves under God's mighty hand - 1 Peter 5:5-6
We never see a hint of retaliation, bitterness, or self-pity
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate - 1 Peter 2:22-23
On the cross: heaped insults (Matthew 27:44) and he is asked God to forgive them - Luke 23:34
How did he get through the cruel and vicious attacks with such grace?
He entrusted himself to him who judges - 1 Peter 2:23
Kept his focus on the joy that would be his - Hebrews 12:2
We never see a hint of retaliation, bitterness, or self-pity
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate - 1 Peter 2:22-23
On the cross: heaped insults (Matthew 27:44) and he is asked God to forgive them - Luke 23:34
How did he get through the cruel and vicious attacks with such grace?
He entrusted himself to him who judges - 1 Peter 2:23
Kept his focus on the joy that would be his - Hebrews 12:2
We never see a hint of retaliation, bitterness, or self-pity
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate - 1 Peter 2:22-23
On the cross: heaped insults (Matthew 27:44) and he is asked God to forgive them - Luke 23:34
How did he get through the cruel and vicious attacks with such grace?
He entrusted himself to him who judges - 1 Peter 2:23
Kept his focus on the joy that would be his - Hebrews 12:2
Joy set before him endured the cross - Hebrews 12:2-3
Jesus was a joyful person; even at the cross - at the cross it seemed that everything was going wrong
Yet joy joy was still in the heart of Jesus:
He knew God was in control
He didn't agrue with God
He didn't need explaination
He didn't need to justify himself
He entrusted himself to the one who judges - 1 Peter 2:23
When we try to take over God's role - there is no joy
Jesus prayed for his disciples to have the full measure of his joy - John 17:13
Even the violent scene of the cross brought about joy and hope
What will you allow to steal your joy?
Powerful and enduring leaders are those without pretension
Paul said he was the chief of sinners
Apologize bluntly
Apologize quickly
Ask "Is everything all right? Is anything else bothering you?"
Wallowing in guilt or losing self-confidence over your mistakes is not true humility - it is selfishness and lack of faith
People in our family should feel free to come to us and tell us whatever is on their mind
Our responsibility is to create a feeling of freedom and openness in our households
If we do not, we are headed for a day of bitter reckoning
Raising Awesome Kids - LoveLove is of first importance. All else is secondary.
Above all we should have love - 1 Peter 4:8
Lack of love, we are nothing - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
We may lavish upon our children the finest things but if we do not make them feel loved, it is all to no avail
If there is closeness and love between us and our kids, we have a place to stand and start for the battle of their hearts
Build our families on love and our kids will be strong
Kids are born with the capacity to love, but not all learn how
If you have a positive, loving attitudes about the church, your kids will too
If we love God's people, more likely to love to be at the church activiities
If you notice that things were not done excellently - pitch in and help make it better
Teach your kids to respect their Bible class teachers
If a conflict with a leader or classmate, solve it quickly
If you have problem with someone - don't speak inappropriately in front of your kids
You will undermine your children's love for God's kingdom
God wants to forgive
God has spent all of his time since man's fall working out our forgiveness - it cost him dearly
God's nature is to forgive
If God kept a record of sins, who could stand? - Psalms 130:3-4
Psalms 103:
v3 - He forgives all
v13-14 - He is compassionate and gracious
v8 - He is slow to anger
v9 - He doesn't hang on to his anger forever
v10 - He does not treat us as our sins deserve
God doesn't need forgiveness
He commited no sin - 1 Peter 2:22
We are the ones who sinned - Romans 3:23
The most foolish thing in the world is to have this attitude toward God
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness - 1 Peter 5:8
Satan is seen leading "the whole world astray" - Revelation 12:9
He is the Ling of Kings and the Lord of Lords - Revelation 12:9-11
The devil will eventually be thrown into the lake of fire - Revelation 20:1-10
Promises of God - Work That Is Worth ItAn old criticism of Christians: Too heavenly minded that they are no good on earth
Seem to spend so much dreaming of heaven and not working on solving the earth's problems
This was never God's idea
Prepare your minds for action - 1 Peter 1:13
Setting our minds on the amazing blessings is a powerful encouragement for us to work hard and give our best effort now
Is it worth saying "No" to sin? Just consider heaven!
Worth it to giving to the poor? Just consider heaven!
Worth staying in the race when it gets difficult? Just consider heaven!
Worth blood, sweat, tears to help other to know God? Just consider heaven!
Your labor in the Lord is not in vain - 1 Corinthians 15:58
I send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss - 1 Corinthians 16:20
Greet one another with a holy kiss - 2 Corinthians 13:12
Greet one another with a kiss of love - 1 Peter 5:14
Although somewhat strange to kiss in the US (prefer a hand shake or hug), the emphasis is the heart behind it
Need to show each other they are welcomed, loved and accepted - not just saying "I accept you" roboticly
Challenge for all of us is to really communicate the heart of love and acceptance
Identify 2 or 3 people that you have a hard time "accepting"
Will you be comfortable saying "God judge me just as I judge them"?
You cannot fight a battle that you don’t think exists
Satan prowls around like a roaring lion - 1 Peter 5:8-9
Assume you are under spiritual attack
When you ignore the enemy, he wins
He simply loves to put everything on us
Get us to feel hurt, misunderstood, suspicious and resentful
Before an effective military strike, must take our the lines of communication
Marriage is a living example – Satan loves to divide and conquer
Sends a message – you are blowing it – “I thought you were disappointed with me”
They did not send this message
Most of all the Enemy tries to jam communication with Headquarters
Commit yourself to prayer every morning for two weeks and just watch what happens
Satan tries to make our mind wonder and cause interferences
You cannot fight a battle that you don’t think exists
Satan prowls around like a roaring lion - 1 Peter 5:8-9
Assume you are under spiritual attack
When you ignore the enemy, he wins
He simply loves to put everything on us
Get us to feel hurt, misunderstood, suspicious and resentful
Before an effective military strike, must take our the lines of communication
Marriage is a living example – Satan loves to divide and conquer
Sends a message – you are blowing it – “I thought you were disappointed with me”
They did not send this message
Most of all the Enemy tries to jam communication with Headquarters
Commit yourself to prayer every morning for two weeks and just watch what happens
Satan tries to make our mind wonder and cause interferences
Repentance - Transfigure Our Minds (part 1)We each have a worldview or mindset that functions as a life lens
World has been squeezing us into its mold – more than we realize
Peter’s mind
Thought of Jesus as a Messianic Champion
Thought Jesus would reveal himself in a fierce battle
“You are the Christ!”
All the right data
Witness the transfiguration – built shelters for Moses, Jesus, and Elijah – Jesus said Peter didn’t know what he was saying
Night of the betrayal – Peter said bring it on, he held on hope that 12 leagues of angels would come; drawn his sword to the guard
Peter joined the other disciples in Jerusalem – with “one mind” in prayer and purpose
The World around us persists in its big squeeze on us
Prepare your minds for action – 1 Peter 1:13-14
Space shuttle takes 2,250,000 pounds of fuel to escape the earth’s gravity
Only few pounds to remain in orbit – Christians are called more than just to orbit
Most trials produce greater faith – hospitalized child, illness, death, ministry turmoil, financial pressures
Ways to fight – devote time to prayer, read scripture, explore ways to encourage wife, get advice from elders, spend special time with the kids
Ways to not to – laziness, frustrate wife, neglect kids, feeling overwhelmed and under underappreciated, escape to the TV
Repentance - Transfigure Our Minds (part 1)We each have a worldview or mindset that functions as a life lens
World has been squeezing us into its mold – more than we realize
Peter’s mind
Thought of Jesus as a Messianic Champion
Thought Jesus would reveal himself in a fierce battle
“You are the Christ!”
All the right data
Witness the transfiguration – built shelters for Moses, Jesus, and Elijah – Jesus said Peter didn’t know what he was saying
Night of the betrayal – Peter said bring it on, he held on hope that 12 leagues of angels would come; drawn his sword to the guard
Peter joined the other disciples in Jerusalem – with “one mind” in prayer and purpose
The World around us persists in its big squeeze on us
Prepare your minds for action – 1 Peter 1:13-14
Space shuttle takes 2,250,000 pounds of fuel to escape the earth’s gravity
Only few pounds to remain in orbit – Christians are called more than just to orbit
Most trials produce greater faith – hospitalized child, illness, death, ministry turmoil, financial pressures
Ways to fight – devote time to prayer, read scripture, explore ways to encourage wife, get advice from elders, spend special time with the kids
Ways to not to – laziness, frustrate wife, neglect kids, feeling overwhelmed and under underappreciated, escape to the TV
Testing refines our faith and proves it to be genuine - 1 Peter 1:6-7
Faith, by definition, is all weather
2. Reward in Heaven
Because of Christ blood, he keeps no records of wrong
He is keeping a record of rights
He will not forget your work and the love you have shown him - Hebrews 6:10
3. Prophets before you
Persecution and suffering means pain but also means glory
Glory - Comes from in realizing we walk in the company of the glorious
They endured the exact same things
We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses - Hebrews 12
Testing refines our faith and proves it to be genuine - 1 Peter 1:6-7
Faith, by definition, is all weather
2. Reward in Heaven
Because of Christ blood, he keeps no records of wrong
He is keeping a record of rights
He will not forget your work and the love you have shown him - Hebrews 6:10
3. Prophets before you
Persecution and suffering means pain but also means glory
Glory - Comes from in realizing we walk in the company of the glorious
They endured the exact same things
We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses - Hebrews 12
Forgiveness is the ultimate 'one another' trump card
Love, which always forgives, can cover a multitude of sins - 1 Peter 4:8
Forgiveness must come from a grateful heart
If forgiveness comes from anything other than a grateful heart, we lack the purity of heart
Rid yourself of all bitterness, rage, and anger - forgiving each other as Christ forgave you - Ephesians 4:31-32
We must help one another forgive
When a person is not forgiving, they grow bitter
The sin of lack of forgiveness of someone may be greater than the actual offense
See that no one misses the grace of God and no bitter root grows - Hebrews 12:14-15
Pain and anger are not resolved in a moment, but let us never doubt where we must end up
Context of the passage is to continue evangelism in time of oppostion
There are many fears:
hydrophobia - fear of water
acrophobia - fear of heights
ochlophobia - fear of crowds
xenophobia - fear of foreigners
Don't fear; God is with you - Pslams 27 and John 14
Passages assure us that there is no need to fear
When Christ is dwelling in our hearts by faith we overcome fear and the need to fear
Desire's Journey - Hopeless without DesirePeter tell us to be ready to give the reason for the hope that everyone one is asking us about - 1 Peter 3:15
When was the last time someone stopped you to ask about your hope?
Is there nothing about our lives that is worth asking about?
Our hopes are deeply tied to our real desires
Killing desire has meant a hopeless life for too many
People aren't exactly ripping the roofs of churches to get inside
The enemies ploy:
Drain life and beauty away from the church
Bury Christians in duty
Nobody will want to take a closer look
Wrong conclusion: Desire gets me into trouble and I must avoid it at all costs
Danger is not desire but disowning desire
In this world, you will have trouble
But take heart! I have overcome the world - John 16:33
Why aren't we encouraged by this?
We are still committed to arranging our life
We are disappointed that there is not a "7 secrets to a great life"
Desire can not live without hope. Hope in what?
Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed - 1 Peter 1:13
for most Christians, heaven is a backup plan
We try to create heaven here
In our heart we say, "I really could be happy here without God"
God must take away the heaven we create or it will become our hell
Bad day? Being at your worse, need someone at their best
What is your reaction to these people?
Romans 5:6-8
Ephesians 2:1-5
God was at His best
John 13:1-38- Apostles betraying
Matthew 26:36-46- Apostles sleeping
Luke 22:47-53 - His own turned against him
Mark 14:53-65 - False witnesses, no answer
Luke 22:54-62 - Peter not standing up for Jesus
Luke 23:26-43 - Killing him, our savation
1 Peter 2:18-25 - Are you have been hurt more than Jesus?
Desire's Journey - Keeping Heart (part 2)The NT scriptures do not differ from the old testament about forgetfulness
Bread and the cup was give to us in rememberence of him
Paul was shock that the Galatians were turning away so soon from God - Galatians 1:6
He sent Timothy to the Corinthians to remind them to share the eternal life he gives through Christ - 1 Corinthians 4:17
Peter, who knew firsthand the grief that comes with forgetting writes to keep firm the grip on faith - 1 Peter 5:10
Life is a journey of the heart that requires the mind
The heart is the center of life
Desire is always where the action is
We must bring the truth into our hearts to guard and to guide our desires - this is the other half of the mission
Popular phrases that do not work: Follow your heart, Trust your soul
We must cling to the truth for dear life - both heart and mind together
There is much trouble apart from God - people need to understand their lostness
Christ died so we have relationship restored - 1 Peter 3:18
A common response is to go back and think about it for a while
Other times God has prepared their hearts through someone else
We need to give them this freedom
Every person is either in the darkness or the light. This study will show us that outside of Jesus we are all in the darkness.
Isaiah 59:1-2
What is the consequence of sin? Sin hurts others, hurts ourselves, but ultimately sin hurts and separates us from God.
God is light. As long as the wall of sin remains, we are in the darkness.
In order to have a relationship with God, the barrier of sin must come down.
Romans 3:21-24
We will come back to other ideas in this text later, but focus on v23. Who has sinned?
Use illustrations to show that some are better than others, but all sin and fall short.
Examples: Swimming to Hawaii, graph showing piles of sin.
Who is more lost? There is no “good person” who is without sin.
Mark 7:14-23
Sin is not simply wrong actions, but a problem of the heart.
Who is responsible for our sin? Despite genetics, parenting, peer pressure and socio-economic conditions, we are responsible for our own sin, which comes from our own hearts and makes us unclean.
What is the consequence of being unclean before God?
Every person is either in the darkness or the light. This study will show us that outside of Jesus we are all in the darkness.
Isaiah 59:1-2
What is the consequence of sin? Sin hurts others, hurts ourselves, but ultimately sin hurts and separates us from God.
God is light. As long as the wall of sin remains, we are in the darkness.
In order to have a relationship with God, the barrier of sin must come down.
Romans 3:21-24
We will come back to other ideas in this text later, but focus on v23. Who has sinned?
Use illustrations to show that some are better than others, but all sin and fall short.
Examples: Swimming to Hawaii, graph showing piles of sin.
Who is more lost? There is no “good person” who is without sin.
Mark 7:14-23
Sin is not simply wrong actions, but a problem of the heart.
Who is responsible for our sin? Despite genetics, parenting, peer pressure and socio-economic conditions, we are responsible for our own sin, which comes from our own hearts and makes us unclean.
What is the consequence of being unclean before God?
Written about 700 years before Jesus, this chapter predicted what the Messiah would do at the cross and why. (Note: In Luke 22:37, Jesus quotes from Isaiah 53 and says it was about him.) Read entire chapter. Points of emphasis:
Verses 1-3 – despised and rejected
Verses 4-6 – pierced for our transgressions; crushed for our iniquities; by his wounds we are healed. Suggestion: read this passage again putting in your own name.
Verses 7-9 – like a lamb to the slaughter; for the transgressions of my people he was stricken. You may want to remind the person of the sins he/she described in earlier study.
Verses 10-12 – he is a guilt offering; but after the suffering of his soul, satisfaction (resurrection)
1 Peter 2:21-25
Why did Jesus die on the cross for us? So that we might die to sin and live for righteousness.
Written about 700 years before Jesus, this chapter predicted what the Messiah would do at the cross and why. (Note: In Luke 22:37, Jesus quotes from Isaiah 53 and says it was about him.) Read entire chapter. Points of emphasis:
Verses 1-3 – despised and rejected
Verses 4-6 – pierced for our transgressions; crushed for our iniquities; by his wounds we are healed. Suggestion: read this passage again putting in your own name.
Verses 7-9 – like a lamb to the slaughter; for the transgressions of my people he was stricken. You may want to remind the person of the sins he/she described in earlier study.
Verses 10-12 – he is a guilt offering; but after the suffering of his soul, satisfaction (resurrection)
1 Peter 2:21-25
Why did Jesus die on the cross for us? So that we might die to sin and live for righteousness.
Written about 700 years before Jesus, this chapter predicted what the Messiah would do at the cross and why. (Note: In Luke 22:37, Jesus quotes from Isaiah 53 and says it was about him.) Read entire chapter. Points of emphasis:
Verses 1-3 – despised and rejected
Verses 4-6 – pierced for our transgressions; crushed for our iniquities; by his wounds we are healed. Suggestion: read this passage again putting in your own name.
Verses 7-9 – like a lamb to the slaughter; for the transgressions of my people he was stricken. You may want to remind the person of the sins he/she described in earlier study.
Verses 10-12 – he is a guilt offering; but after the suffering of his soul, satisfaction (resurrection)
1 Peter 2:21-25
Why did Jesus die on the cross for us? So that we might die to sin and live for righteousness.
Written about 700 years before Jesus, this chapter predicted what the Messiah would do at the cross and why. (Note: In Luke 22:37, Jesus quotes from Isaiah 53 and says it was about him.) Read entire chapter. Points of emphasis:
Verses 1-3 – despised and rejected
Verses 4-6 – pierced for our transgressions; crushed for our iniquities; by his wounds we are healed. Suggestion: read this passage again putting in your own name.
Verses 7-9 – like a lamb to the slaughter; for the transgressions of my people he was stricken. You may want to remind the person of the sins he/she described in earlier study.
Verses 10-12 – he is a guilt offering; but after the suffering of his soul, satisfaction (resurrection)
1 Peter 2:21-25
Why did Jesus die on the cross for us? So that we might die to sin and live for righteousness.
Written about 700 years before Jesus, this chapter predicted what the Messiah would do at the cross and why. (Note: In Luke 22:37, Jesus quotes from Isaiah 53 and says it was about him.) Read entire chapter. Points of emphasis:
Verses 1-3 – despised and rejected
Verses 4-6 – pierced for our transgressions; crushed for our iniquities; by his wounds we are healed. Suggestion: read this passage again putting in your own name.
Verses 7-9 – like a lamb to the slaughter; for the transgressions of my people he was stricken. You may want to remind the person of the sins he/she described in earlier study.
Verses 10-12 – he is a guilt offering; but after the suffering of his soul, satisfaction (resurrection)
1 Peter 2:21-25
Why did Jesus die on the cross for us? So that we might die to sin and live for righteousness.
Fearing God is the most exalted endevors in our life
The highest reaches of becoming holy are realized only in the fear of God
Fearing God does not stop in the New Testament:
1 Peter 2:17 - Fear God
Acts 9:31 - Live in the fear of the Lord
2 Corinthians 7:1 - Cleanse ourselves in the fear of the God
Colossians 3:22 - Work should be done while fearing the Lord
The Spirit of God rested on the Messiah with the fear of the Lord and he delighted in it - Isaiah 11:1-3
If we would be like the Lord Jesus, we should delight in fearing the God
Fearing God - Respect for His DisciplineDo not be afraid, God has come to test you, so that the fear of the God will be with you - Exodus 20:20
Moses draws a contrast between being afraid of God and fearing God
Being afraid of God will lead to distrust and disobedience
Fearing God will keep us from sinning
Live as strangers here in reverent fear - 1 Peter 1:17
Reverent fear meaning a deterrent to disobedience; a motivator for our conduct
In a family situation - children have a healthy respect for their father's discipline but are not afraid to ask for things or play with him
They do not live in dread either physical or emotional abuse
God disciplines those He loves - Hebrews 12:6
God's discipline comes to those he love when they become unrepentant not from failures in a sincere struggle with sin
A servant does not consider his work of serving as a humiliation. Not ashamed of being thought as inferior. It is his place and work to serve others.
B. He voluntarily humbles himself before others.
Philippians 2:6-8 - Humbled himself and became obedient to death
Reason we often do not bless others by serving them is that we wish to address them as their superiors in grace or gifts or at least their equals.
Matthew 3:14 - John tried to deter his humility
Micah 6:8 - LORD require us to walk humbly with our God
1 Peter 5:5 - Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another
Followup: Humility I (part I)Humility is essential in beginning and maintaining a relationship with God. Pride, the opposite of humility, is often difficult to see in yourself and difficult to define in one’s character. It can be described as stubbornness toward God and his Word as well as others, or as independence from God and/or others.
Let’s look at a few examples of what humility is NOT.
Stubborn: Pharaoh was stubborn towards the Lord’s will - Exodus 13:15
Pride: It’s hard to see your own pride but others can easily - Psalms 73:6
Arrogance: God hates arrogance - Proverbs 8:13
Let’s look at what examples of humility truly looks like.
Proverbs 15:33 - fear of God brings about wisdom and humility
Proverbs 16:3 - put God first and you will be successful
Philippians 2:3 - putting others before yourself
Colossians 3:12 - we are to put on humility daily
1 Peter 5:5 - respect others and clothe yourself with humility
We must love each other the way Jesus loves us (unconditionally).
How did Jesus love his disciples unconditionally (Peter, Judas, John, etc…)?
1 Peter 1:22-23
Love each other deeply from the heart (not surface love)
Share our insecurities (to not let Satan get a foot hold)
Acts 2:44-47 - Met each others needs (physically, emotionally and spiritually)
Colossians 1:28-29 - They discipled (trained) each other to be better disciples of Jesus.
Ephesians 4:29 - Built each other up (no gossip but encouragement)
Ephesians 5:21 - Submit to each other (husband, wife, leaders, etc…) because of Christ.
Remember we all have challenges from our past (personal, spiritual and family) but we are all born again into the family of God. God is the head of the family and we are all brothers and sisters.
We must love each other the way Jesus loves us (unconditionally).
How did Jesus love his disciples unconditionally (Peter, Judas, John, etc…)?
1 Peter 1:22-23
Love each other deeply from the heart (not surface love)
Share our insecurities (to not let Satan get a foot hold)
Acts 2:44-47 - Met each others needs (physically, emotionally and spiritually)
Colossians 1:28-29 - They discipled (trained) each other to be better disciples of Jesus.
Ephesians 4:29 - Built each other up (no gossip but encouragement)
Ephesians 5:21 - Submit to each other (husband, wife, leaders, etc…) because of Christ.
Remember we all have challenges from our past (personal, spiritual and family) but we are all born again into the family of God. God is the head of the family and we are all brothers and sisters.
With it, you cannot lose. You can have it in all circumstances.
Luke 14:11 - Who humbles himself will be exalted
James 4:6 - He gives grace to the humble
1 Peter 5:5 - Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another
Prayer of the Righeous - Arms Wide Open (part III)The older son a problem with his brother's return and his father's warm welcome
The father pleaded with him - Luke 15:28
He refused to call him brother but instead "this son of yours" - Luke 15:30
It is difficult to pray when you are angry with God and you feel like he owes you something
May feel God has not brought justice but Jesus promises to bring it but we need to persevere - Luke 18:7-8
Justice will come but not on our timetable
When God's arms are wide open to us, we should not fold ours
We can draw close to God with bitterness in our heart
Reconcile with our brother BEFORE offering gifts to God - Matthew 5:23-24
Husbands treat your wives with respect so nothing will hinder your prayers - 1 Peter 3:7
If we can not throw our arms wide open for others around us, we are not being like God
If we do not forgive, he can not forgive us - Matthew 6:15
The New Testament vision of the essential work can be captured: to witness or to manifest what is going on in heaven
So you may declare the praise of him who called you out of darkness - 1 Peter 2:9
Wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities - Ephesians 3:10-11
Even if it must speak as a lone voice to a disobedient people - Isaiah 65:2
People usually form associations to deal with a single challenge
It also well known that associations tend to stray from their founding purposes
Second and third generation leaders often do not share the orginal vision, their work becomes a job rather than a mission
Officers are tempted to place their own interests above the orginal mission
Those interest tend toward unrelated purposes and many times are political in nature creating division among the group, at this point the mission is hijaked