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Serving God’s purpose

By John Henson, Dibrell congregation, McMinnville TN

ACTS 13:36

I. DAVID SERVED GOD’S PURPOSE

  1. By becoming king.
  2. By writing inspired scripture.
  3. By being the one through whom the Christ would come.
  4. By prophesying the coming King — Jesus.

II. WHAT IS GOD’S PURPOSE FOR US

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:21 That we might be made the righteousness of God.
  2. Galatians 2:16 That we might be justified by an obedient faith.
  3. Hebrews 12:10 That we might be partakers of his holiness.
  4. 3 John 8 That we might be fellow helpers of the truth.

III. ARE YOU SERVING GOD’S PURPOSE?

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Gospel paradoxes

By Joe Slater, Justin, TX

  1. If you would be wise, you must become a fool (1 Cor. 1:18-27; 4:10).
  2. If you would be happy (blessed), you must mourn (Matthew 5:4)
  3. If you would be victorious, you must surrender (James 4:7; 1 Cor. 15:57; John 5:2-4)
  4. If you would live, you must die (Romans 6:2-4)
  5. If you would be free, you must become a slave (Romans 6:17, 18)
  6. If you would be rich, you must become poor (Matthew 19:21)
  7. If you would be great(est), you must become a servant/slave (Luke 22:24-27; John 13:12-15)
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The progress of faith

Matthew chapter 16 provides a scale of faith. Where are we along this scale?

  1. Unbelief, Mt 16.1-4.
  2. Little faith, Mt 16.5-12.
  3. Faith in the revelation of the Father, Mt 16.13-20.
  4. Faithfulness in following Jesus, Mt 16.21-28.

To be pleasing to God, we need to reach the last stage of faith.

—JRMatheny

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Outline of Christianity in 10 Ws

If you like alliteration, this is the outline for you. Ten — count ’em — ten Ws to form upon your lips and wave your hands over. You can supply a ton of Bible texts for each point. This is a good summary of the whole of the Faith.

  1. The Will — God willed man’s existence and salvation from eternity.
  2. The Word — God became man in the person of Jesus Christ.
  3. The Wound — Jesus was wounded for our transgressions.
  4. The Well — Life and power spring from the Holy Spirit.
  5. The Way — The Bible reveals God’s plan, purchased people, and practice of righteousness.
  6. The Work — Eternal salvation is the objective of every effort by God’s people.
  7. The War — Conflict with evil powers is at the heart of faithfulness.
  8. The World — Saints are in, but not of, and sent to, the world.
  9. The Worship — God seeks people who worship in spirit and truth.
  10. The Worth — Heaven is worth giving up life, limb, and luxury.

UPDATE: I’ve reordered a couple of these, to reflect a more logical progression. I flipped nos. 3 and 4 and nos. 9 and 10.

—JRMatheny

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A lion’s courage

The wicked flee when no one pursues,
but the righteous are bold as a lion, Prov 28.1, ESV.

As God’s righteous saints, let us be bold and courageous:

  1. When it comes to prayer, 1 Chr 17.25; Heb 4.14-16.
  2. When it comes to evangelism, Acts 9.27; 23.11; 28.31; Eph 6.19-20; Phil 1.14; 1 Thes 2.2.
  3. When it comes to the truth of the gospel, Mic 3.8; 1 Cor 16.13; Gal 2.5, 14; Phil 1.15-18.
    • About Jesus as the only Way, Jn 14.6; Acts 4.12.
    • About the Bible as God’s Word, 2 Tim 3.16-17; 2 Pet 1.20-21.
    • About eternal salvation as the church’s work, Rom 6.22-23; 1 Pet 1.9; Heb 5.9; 9.12, 15; 1 Jn 5.11.

—JRMatheny

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Mind, emotions, living

“I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path” Psalm 119.104 NIV.

Love for and obedience to God’s word is the way to

  1.  A sound mind (understanding, grasping and discerning the truth),
  2. Reliable emotions (hate),
  3. Right living (path).

Points by J.A. Motyer, “Psalms” NBC21, p. 569.

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A miracle for mother

By John Henson, Dibrell congregation, McMinnville TN

Luke 4:38-40

  1. Jesus serves others. (Luke 4:38)
  2. Jesus cared for others. (Luke 4:38-39)
  3. Jesus never rested.  (Luke 4:40. While the sun was setting, he kept on helping)
  4. Jesus must be our example. (1 Peter 2:21)
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Lessons behind Ezra’s decision

Ezra 7.10

  1. You cannot teach what you do not know and live. It must start with me. God can powerfully use one who is decided and committed. He looks for dedicated people for critical times. (All times are critical!)
  2. Lasting change comes from the word of God. The power to transform is in the Sacred Letters. After the exile, they turned to the written word. After Jesus, we turn to the New Testament.
  3. The Lord blesses those who commit themselves to his word, v. 9. (NLT on v. 10: “This was because …”) God makes it all happen. He opens the doors.
  4. Ezra’s studies and activities “reveal his commitment to purity of worship” (P.R. House, OTT) and to purity of the nation as God’s people (chap. 9). May our agenda include such purity!

 

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Christ’s suffering calls for the Christian to serve

By Ron Thomas, Highway congregation, Sullivan IL

1 Peter 4:1-11

  1. The COMMANDER of our Army (4:1)
  2. The CONVICTION with which He lived and we are to Live (4:1-2)
  3. The CORRUPTION of this World (4:2-3)
  4. The CULTURAL CONFORMITY demands Separation (4:4-5)
  5. Those who COUNTED the COST (4:6)
  6. Those who are COMMITTED to Serve (4:7-11)