Quiet Times Search

Assertiveness

Mark 5:35-43

• He took charge of the situation and his surrounds
• Why have we not acted as Jesus did?

Fear Sensitivity

• Jesus didn’t say a word to those who doubted
• Assertiveness without sensitivity can be offensive and counterproductive

A Simple charge

• “Don’t be afraid, just believe”
• He didn’t burden him with lots of words
• Excessive amount of teaching may cloud the main issue

Privileging

• Peter, James, and John were closest to Jesus
• Jesus narrowed his focus to help the build leaders to their full potential.

Consideration

• A little consideration can go a long ways
• Ideas: buy someone lunch, remember people’s birthdays
• Be alert to meeting other people’s needs

Timing

Mark 8:31-33

• He did not reveal things prematurely.
• There is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a man’s misery weighs heavily upon him. – Ecc 8:6

Approachability

• Peter and the other disciples knew that they could say anything to Jesus and he would continue to accept them.
• A leader must be approachable.
• Approachability is not the product of timidity.
• People won’t open up to someone they perceive as being weak and unable to help them.
• Approachability is the fruit of those who have the ability to listen completely before responding.
• Confidentiality: Public offenses demand public discipline. (What goes around comes around)

• 27x as a command
• 68x greetings of different forms in the NT

1. Greet one another with a holy kiss - Romans 16:16
   
2. I send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss - 1 Corinthians 16:20
3. Greet one another with a holy kiss - 2 Corinthians 13:12
   
4. Greet one another with a kiss of love - 1 Peter 5:14

• 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

• Many call press conferences to get there side of the story our first
• Once guilt is found, party than give a “heart-felt” apology – sorrow for getting caught
• Sin is destructive. It ruins relationships, reputation, peace of mind and personal integrity

• Some believe the abundance of tears is repentance
  • Forgiven women (forgiven)
  • Peter, Paul vs Cain (became angry)
  • Esau (wailed loudly)
  • Judas (deeply regretted)
• All three shed tear but not one repented
• Claiming to be a victim doesn’t make one a victim
• Tears can be self-affirming to one with self-pity (can become more sinful)
• Ones mostly likely to enable and least likely to help you

• Not the kind of group you would expect to win the world for the Christ.
• Represented an average cross section of the society of their day
• Some already had joined the revival movement of John the Baptist
• Jesus can use anyone who wants to be used.
• Kept the group small enough to be able to work effectively with them.
  • More special than the twelve was the three – Peter, James, John
    • Jairus’ daughter (mark 5:37, Luke 8:51)
    • Mount of Transfiguration (Mark 9:2, Matthew 17:1)
    • Waited Near the Lord when He prayed. (Mark 14:33, Matthew 26:37)
  • Choose twelve – Luke 6:13-17, Mark 3:13-19
  • Others – the 70 (Luke 10:1), Mark and Luke (gospel writers), James, His own brother (1 Cor 15:7)
• Rapidly diminishing priority given to those outside the twelve.
• Staked His whole ministry on them. Everything depended upon their faithfulness.
• Some believe that focusing on a few is favoritism
• Jesus however did not neglect the crowds.
  • Taught them
  • Healed the sick
  • Blessed the children
  • Wept for them
  • He died for them.

• Crowd aroused
  • Wanted to make him King by force - John 6:15
  • All men were clamoring for His attention - John 3:26
  • Pharisees admitted that the world has gone after Him - John 12:19
  • Frequently asked those that recipients of His healing to say nothing to prevent mass demonstrations
  • Own brothers and sisters did not understand him - John 7:2-9

• Sending of the Seventy - Luke 10:1
  • Almost the same instructions - Luke 10:2-16
  • They would be forerunners (Luke 10:1)
• Post Resurrection
  • Peter: Feed my sheep - John 21:15-17
  • I send you - John 20:21
  • Great Commission - Matthew 28:16-20
  • Repent and remission of sins - Luke 24:47-49
• Evangelism is not an option (Jesus was all about – heartbeat of why he lived)
• Tangible expression by those who are following the Savior
• He gave work assignments (made sure they carried them out)
• At first assignments started small, but grew gradually until the graduation (started the church that turned the world upside down)

• Jesus built into the disciples the structure of the church; Mustard seed - Matthew 13:32
• Jesus’ vision was for the church to be world-wide
• The church would have many trials and battles but would never be overcome - Matthew 16:18
• Peter finally realized what was going on - Matthew 16:18
• Must see the direct relation:
  • Bearing witness to Christ
  • Ultimate Victory over the world
• If the disciples did not evangelize, there would not be any Christians today.
• “Through the Word” – Others would believe in Him too. - John 17:20
• We must do what Jesus – He made disciples, we should walk as Jesus walked
• He taught His disciples to reproduce
• He had no other plan

In the midst of the discussion about unity, Paul continues by talking about having the mind of Jesus - Philippians 2:5-8

The only way to have unity is to be like Jesus

We were called to follow in his steps - 1 Peter 2:21

Jesus willingly because a servant
Greek literally says, "he emptied himself"'

• He poured out his diviniy for us
• He gave up his rights
• Jesus was not just playing a role, he was showing us the depths of this heart

Jesus came not to be served but to serve - Matthew 20:28

• Primary job is to teach the scriptures
• They need to teach the truth
• False teachers are always out there
  • OT = Jeremiah 8:7-8
  • NT = 2 Peter 2:1
• Are need to arrange biblical themes - Ecclesiastes 12:9-10
• Teacher are primary instructional while preachers are more inspirational
• Teachers must have deep convictions - allow those without is dangerous
• Teachers must be on the cutting edge - teacher not at their best -> teaching becomes effected

• Follower of Jesus - Mark 1:18
• Apostle - Mark 3:14
• Chief apostle - Matthew 16:18
• Leader of Jerusalem church - Acts 2:14
• Traveling mission evangelist - Acts 8:14
• Martyr - John 21:19

Paraphasing: Since salvation is so awesome, get you heart right! - 1 Peter 2:1-2

Are you craving pure spiritual milk?

• Daily time in Bible study and prayer
• Read the entire Bible?
• How quickly can you shake off the grogginess when you think about God and your mission?
• Do you take notes during sermons?
• Does your enthusiasm rub off on others? Non-Christians take your walk with God seriously?

Disciples are priests and ministers in function - using the righteousness of Jesus - 1 Peter 2:4-6

Preist, by definition, is holier than the common man

The clergy-laity system is flawed because of there reasons:

• It is elitiest
• Fosters a double-standard
• It is unbiblical

Consider today's denominational titles:

• Father - Jesus said to avoid this title - Matthew 23:9
• Pope - means father; Peter was suppose to the first one but he never claimed that he was
• Paster - Latin for shepard; refered only in - Ephesians 4:11
• Bishop - Greek for overseer
• Priest - corruption of the Greek presbyteros, meaning elder
• Female pasters - Roundly rejected by the NT; See 1 Timothy 3 and 1 Corinthians 14
• Monks and Nuns - created in the 2nd and 3rd centuries; Jesus said we are in the world but not of the world

1 Peter 3:1-7...

Submission, kindness is a two-way street

Wondering God is not using you more?
Why children are slow to become Christians?
Why don't feel more peace and joy in your house?

Look no further than your marriage!

Questions for wives:

• Do you resort to worldly means to win?
• Do you fight for your rights more than fighting for others?
• Do you show respect for your husband and emphasize his strengths?

Questions for husbands:

• How often you compliment your wife?
• Are you generous in the amount of housework you do?
• Do you respect your wife for her spirituality and other strengths of character?

Questions for both:

• Do you pray together regulary?
• Do your children have a fear of God?
• Are your family devotionals consistent?
• When outsiders visit your home and see your family, are they more likely to want to follow Christ?

• hydrophobia - fear of water
• acrophobia - fear of heights
• ochlophobia - fear of crowds
• xenophobia - fear of foreigners

• Christ-centered - we preach Jesus Christ as Lord - 2 Corinthians 4:5
• Well-prepared - must know what we are talking about - 2 Timothy 2:15
• Be yourself / Be real - eloquence is not a requirement - 1 Corinthians 2:12
• Be gentle and respectful - No place for self-righteousness
• Non-retaliating - We will be opposed; If we retaliate, we lose; Turn the other cheek - Matthew 5:39
• Unhypocritical - People will be eager to change when they see the good news supported by your life

Preached by John Lusk (2005-01-23)

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

• We need each other
• Many books written about relationships - None seem to completely work

Christ is the key to having true friendships

Friendship with Christ

John 15:14-15

• Amazing - God of the universe calls us a "friend"
• Much like a maturing parent/child relationship - we grow from master/slave relationship to a friendship with the almighty God
• Jesus meet many of our needs - Belonging and Security

Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus yoke is easy and he will give you rest

Hebrews 4:15-16 - Jesus understands and have been in your situation

2 Peter 1:3 - He given everything we need in life

Preached by Dan Rice (2005-06-26)

Mark 10:13 - We must have a child like heart to make it to heaven

Children Love Life
John 10:9 - Jesus says we can live life to the full

Children Want to Grow
2 Peter 3:18 - They were eager to learn

Children Change Fast - 2 Corinthians 7:8-11

Children Take Risk - Care less about what people think about them. John 12:42-43

Children are quick to trust
John 14:1-4 - Jesus has our best interest at heart
Numbers 20:12 - Moses and Aaron did not trust
Deuteronomy 1:29-35 - Israel did not trust
Psalms 20:7-8 Psalms 22:4-5 Psalms 44:16-17 Psalms 49:13-14 Proverbs 3:5

Children are Idealist - they dream; it is better than synical

Children are faithful - John 3:16 - They did not many reasons like we do.

Preached by John Lusk (2005-01-30)

How passionate are you about maturing?

• Being a new Christian, it was easiler because everything was new. Now what?
• We must have the correct motivation if we are to continue maturing in the long run.

Motivation of Maturing

1. To regain your identify

Genesis 1:26-27

• We need to realize who we are suppose to be
• Duck example
  • First thing it sees when it is born it assumes is its mother and will follow it around
  • If the baby duck follows something other than another duck, it will get frustrated because it can only do what duck do
• Human example
  • We were made to be like God
  • We see other things and try to follow the world
  • We also get frustrated because worldly persuits are not what were designed for

2. To remian in Jesus

1 John 2:3-4 - This is a expectation from God

3. To be effective and productive

2 Peter 1:4-8

• Must make every effort
• It would be sad to find out in the end we were ineffective and unproductive
• Others need you to grow!
• Your growth rate will determine how much you are effective, not where you are right now

4. Secure salvation

2 Peter 1:8-11 - We have been given a new start

Wrong motivation - Pleasing people, selfish ambition

Examples of desires used for bad then good

King David - passions got him in trouble, then gave us our book of worship

Peter - was hotheaded disciple always quick with a reply
First to acknowledge that Jesus was the Messiah and became a key apostle

Paul - extremely zealous for the traditions of his fathers, killed Christians
Jesus captured his zeal for good - he worked harder than all the other apostles - 1 Corinthians 15:10

Those who killed their passion altogether would murder the very essence that makes heros of the faith
Killing our desire is like the thinking of curing our sickness by bleeding out the bad

• Drain life and beauty away from the church
• Bury Christians in duty
• Nobody will want to take a closer look

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

Test Time

Tests are given in many of life's situations:

• driving test
• drug test
• citizen test
• emission test
• products test
• work test

Deuteronomy 8:1-2 - what is really in your heart?

Judges 2:20-FF

• Your character needs to be tested
• "I want to be molded"

• Tested in how you give
• Test in what makes you happy

1 Peter 1:3-6

• Prove to you and him that your faith genuine
• We need to stop fighting God
• We will have challenges with:
  • character
  • commitment
  • hurt
  • weakness in the church
  • close friends leaves
  • persecution
  • death
  • illness
  • finances
  • relationships
  • dating
  • family not open
  • spouse
  • happiness
  • children
  • friends

Learn from the results

1 Peter 2:13-18

• How do you handle with those who are leading you?
• God sets those in your life

1 Peter 3:1-9

• Win without words
• What do you do when you disagree with others?

• Others will test you
• ALL will be tested

Better to:

• Go to class
• Read the textbook
• Study for the test
• Go to study groups
• Talk with the teacher

1 Peter 1:13-14

• Be disciplined
• Non-studying types will not do well

1 Peter 2:1-2 - Crave spiritual milk

1 Peter 3:15 - Tested with questions

1 Peter 4:1 - Get your attitude ready

1 Peter 4:7-12 - Love others with self-control

Take the test

50% is better than 0%

Luke 8:11

• Time for testing
• We need to have grit and determination
• You are stronger than you think
• You can get answers (open book test)

Learn from the results

1 Peter 5:5-7

• Older people have taken those same tests
• Deepens our love and faith
• Help you get closer to people
• Helps with compassion toward others

Do better than on your next test

Each test is administored by God

1 Peter 5:8-9

• God wants us to improve
• Do not quit
• Admit where you are weak

Who is winning in you life? God or Satan?

Causes of Sickness:

Break Down of System

Our spiritual immune system can break down:

1. Time with God isn't exciting...less time spent
2. Dynamic prayer becomes nonexistant
3. Desire to go to Church decreases
4. Becomes critical toward the church, people, even God

• I didn't become a disciple to be here and then fall away
• Sin gives birth to death...maybe slow maybe fast.

You must be prepared:

1 Peter 4:1-11

• Because we are not prepared
• Wolves are all around us.

Ephesians 5:10-18

• Comes when we make excuses.
• Like shotting ourselves in the foot.

Will you let him?

Preached on 2003-03-16

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?

Too many of us have placed eternity somewhere out there
We seem to forget that we will get the earth back as well

I will create new heavens and a new earth - Revelation 21:1
When he says he is making all things new, he includes the earth

Won't the whole earth be destroyed?
That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat - 2 Peter 3:12

Noah's day of the Lord
By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed - 2 Peter 3:6
World was destroyed in the sense that all wickedness and corruption of mankind - Genesis 6-7
Fire is also used for cleansing throughout the Scriptures

• by sin
• by others
• by the enemy

• Peter was one of Jesus' best friends

• Went to see the Transfiguration (with James and John)
• He came along to see Christ raise Jarorus' daughter from the dead
• Jesus went to Peter in the garden of Gethsemane for strength (but failed)

• Guilt would have made it had to pray
• Made it more difficult to tell others about Jesus

• Satan incited David to take a census of Israel - 1 Chronicles 21:1
• To Peter: "Get behind me Satan" - Matthew 16:21-23

Some trying to "work through" things are simply have agreements with the Enemy
Do you really think the source of that is just you? or God?

Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry - Ephesians 4:26-27
Not just anger  - it happens through all sorts of issues

Satan uses your wounds and unresolved emotional issues to pin your heart down under a spiritual stronghold
Wounds we take are not accidential

We must be careful not to make agreements with Satan to increase his dominion

• Scripture reading becomes I have to read it to understand the gospel for others
• Talking to God suddenly takes on a new purpose - passionate pleas for friends
• Our desire to worship grows as your gratitude grows
• Helps maintain a high standard of purity

• He made us
• We matter to God
• He wants to have a relationship with us
• We rebelled against God
• Our sins separate us from Him
• Attempts to reach Him fall short - Romans 3:23
• Our sins desire death - Romans 6:23
• There is much trouble apart from God - people need to understand their lostness
• Christ died so we have relationship restored - 1 Peter 3:18

• Stepped of the boat, only to sink - Matthew 14:31
• Rebuked for his dullness - Matthew 15:15-16
• Rebuked Jesus and got the rebuke of a lifetime - Matthew 16:22-23
• Fell asleep when Jesus needed him most - Matthew 26:40
• Denied knowing Jesus three times and wept bitterly - Matthew 26:75

• Heroic acts of wisdom - Acts 2:14
• Boldness and courage
• Healings - Acts 5:15-16

• Some apostles did not like his selfish ambition - Matthew 20:24
• Some thought he was prideful describing himself as the beloved disciple of Jesus - John 21:7
• After the resurrection, Peter still seems to have attitudes towards John - John 21:21

• Selfish ambition turned to kingdom ambition
• Fits of rage changed to fits of love
• Factiousness come together into a passion of unity

• Blood of Jesus
• Word of our testimony - Revelation 12:11

• "Too young"
• "Not good speakers"
• "Claimed weakness"
• "Claimed faithlessness"

• Peter: Do I know enough?
• John: Will I be loved?

• Everyone wants to know “How can I really live?”
  
• This passage spells out two fundamental ways to answer this question. The world’s wisdom or God’s wisdom.
  
• How does man in his wisdom view God’s wisdom (the cross)?
  
• How does God view man’s wisdom? Can we have it both ways?
• If you think I am a fool and I think you are a fool, what will our relationship be like?
  
• Establish the wide gulf in the two ways of viewing and living life.
  

• Why does Paul say “Do not deceive yourselves?”
  
• There is something about the world’s wisdom that is deceiving.
  
• It is easy to convince ourselves that what we want to believe, what is comfortable, what is familiar, is right.
  

• What kind of man was Peter? Was he religious?
  
• He certainly gets a right answer here.
• According to Jesus, where does this answer come from?
  

• What does “Peter rebuked him” mean?
  
• Peter thought he was seeing things God’s way, but in reality he was still on the side of the world’s wisdom.
  
• We can know the right answers and still be living according to the wisdom of the world. What was Jesus’ response?
  
• Where does the world’s wisdom really come from? From Satan. No wonder it is the opposite of God’s wisdom.

• If you asked a person who is street smart or the person on Wall Street or just a person who watches a lot of TV, what is at the heart of the world’s wisdom about how to live?
  
  • “Look out for number one.”
    
  • “Get what you want.”
    
  • “Get the power, the pleasure, the control you want.”
    
  • “Get the money.”
    
  • “Protect yourself.”
    
  • “Guard your rights.”
    
  • “Maintain your independence.”
• And so what is at the center of man’s wisdom? Self! (See 2 Timothy 3:2)
  

• What is Jesus’ message? How is it the opposite of the world’s message?
  
  • Deny self– “disown” (Matthew 26:34). We renounce our old self, our old approach to life.
    
  • Take up the cross (instrument of death). Die to ourselves.
    
  • Follow Jesus. Make his life our model. Jesus life is a demonstration of his message.
    
• What does Jesus say will be the bottom line for those who “save their own lives”? For those who foolishly lose their lives for him?
  

• What is everything on the left side (world’s wisdom) called? Sin.
  
• What is everything on the right side (God’s wisdom) called? Love.
  
• How have you lived according the world’s wisdom?
  
• Have you ever made a decision to renounce it?
  
• Which side was Peter still on (though he was religious)?
  
• Which side are you on?

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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?
  
• Discuss the sins Jesus talks about here.

• 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)
    

• Why did Jesus die on the cross for us? So that we might die to sin and live for righteousness.
  
• This is our whole-hearted response to the cross.

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

• God’s plan to bring salvation to the world culminated in the death, burial and resurrection of his Son,Jesus Christ.
• This is the heart of the “gospel” or good news about Jesus.
• Draw picture - Through Jesus, the forgiveness of sins is now available.
• In this study we will look at the Bible’s teaching about baptism, a crucial link between Christ’s sacrifice and the forgiveness of our sins.

Acts 2:36-41

• The first proclamation of the good news of Jesus after his departure.
• What did Peter instruct those to do who believed the message about Jesus?
• When do we receive the forgiveness of sins? The Holy Spirit? (More on this later.)
• Those who accepted this message were baptized, thus they were saved.
• Let’s look at some passages that describe more fully what takes place in baptism…

Romans 6:1-4

• In baptism, we are united with Jesus in his death, burial, and resurrection.
• Through baptism, we die to sin and are raised to a new life.

Sinner’s Prayer? 1 Peter 3:21

• Some claim that a person needs only to pray a “sinner’s prayer” or “ask Jesus into his/her heart” in order to be saved.
• This is the predominant view in the evangelical Christian world. However, this is not the message that was preached in the Book of Acts.
• Everyone was called to repentance, faith and baptism, and as Peter wrote here, “baptism now saves us” by the resurrection of Christ from the dead.

Acts 22:7-16

• After encountering Jesus, repenting, praying, fasting (Acts 9:9-11), being healed, and being called by God,
  Paul remains in sin.
• What was left for him to do?
• Why the urgency - what is so pressing about the need for baptism?
• What remains for you to do or think about before you are ready to be united with Christ in baptism?

John 13:34-35

• What will disciples of Jesus will be known for? Their love.
• “As I have loved you”: What kind of love did Jesus demonstrate for us?

Matthew 28:18-20

• The Great Commission: God’s plan to save the world.
• Disciples make disciples by baptizing people from all nations in his name and teaching them to become mature, obedient
  followers of Jesus.
• Efforts to reach the world with the gospel are multiplied when every disciple embraces Jesus’ final charge.
• Are you willing to answer the call to be a disciple of Jesus?

Mark 10:28-31

• What did Peter and the others give up in order to follow Jesus? Is it possible to “outgive” God?
• What does Jesus promise to those who have committed their lives to following him?
• Being a Christian is not always easy, but it is the life we were created for.
• It is the best life now, and the best life for eternity!

1. 2 Timothy 2:15 - We will be well equipped
2. 2 Timothy 3:17 - Workman who is not ashamed
3. 1 Peter 3:15 - Equipped for evangelism; able to answer questions.
4. 1 Corinthians 2:15-16 - We will have the mind of Christ (ie. Able to handle difficult situations as Christ would handle them. )
5. Matthew 4:4-10 - We will be able to fight off temptation and Satan.

• 1 Peter 3:15-16 - Be prepared
• Matthew 7:6 - Be discerning
• Proverbs 15:1 - Not harsh
• Proverbs 17:27, 29:20 - Not hasty

• Don’t argue doctrine
• Share about how Christ has changed your life
• Solicit responses and LISTEN

1. 2 Timothy 2:15 - We will be well equipped
2. 2 Timothy 3:17 - Workman who is not ashamed
3. 1 Peter 3:15 - Equipped for evangelism; able to answer questions.
4. 1 Corinthians 2:15-16 - We will have the mind of Christ (ie. Able to handle difficult situations as Christ would handle them. )
5. Matthew 4:4-10 - We will be able to fight off temptation and Satan.

• Generously - 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 9:6-11, Luke 16:13-16
• Weekly - 1 Corinthians 16:1
• To advance the gospel - Philippians 4:14-16, Titus 3:13-14
• To meet the saints’ needs - Romans 15:25-27, Acts 2:44-45

1. Evangelism - Philippians 2:14-16, Colossians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 1:8, 1 Peter 2:9
   
2. Serving
   • Serving food - Acts 6:1-4
   • Providing clothes - Acts 9:36-39
   • Looking after its orphans and widows - 1 Timothy 5:16, James 1:27
   • Showing hospitality - 1 Corinthians 16:5-6, 3 John 5-8, Hebrews 13:!2
   • 1 John 3:16-17, James 2:15-16, Matthew 25:34-36

1. 1 Peter 4:7 - Be clear-minded and self-controlled
2. Luke 18:1-8 - Be persistent
3. James 5:16-18 - Personal righteousness
4. Matthew 21:21-22 - Believe and do not doubt
5. Psalms 5:3 - Pray daily and expect prayers to be answered

1. God can and will do the impossible through prayer
2. Prayer is vital to a dynamic walk with God.
3. God is looking for people who will devote themselves to be close to Him. - Jeremiah 30:21

1. A new command
2. Love each other as Jesus did. (Discuss how Jesus loved)
3. This is the distinguishing mark.

1. Members of One Body
2. What would happen if your finger gets cut off? (ie We need each other)
3. Must work together.

• Jesus example
• Self-sacrificial
• Radical!

• Judas had already decided in his heart and actions to betray Jesus. Then he watched for an opportunity to carry out sin.
• Share: A person's heart can be so hard that they no longer fear God - Psalms 36:1-3
• In spite of knowing that Judas was lying and plotting to have him killed, Jesus still loved him.
• The disciples had no clue who it was.
• Jesus' heart and actions never expressed any anger/resentment toward Judas

• Peter accepted the words of Jesus until it came time to apply them to his life.
• Share: Peter's prideful refusal to accept Jesus will for his life lead other down the wrong path

• Jesus felt alone because of the selfishness of his friends (choosing to sleep instead of praying for him)
• Share: Jesus prayed so intensely that his capillaries burst and mixed with his blood (I have a medical account for you)
• Question: Jesus could have stopped this but he didn't. Why do you think he was willing to sweat blood for you  (He loves you)
• Afterwards Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss (they arrested him and his words came true; the disciples all scattered)

• They spit in Jesus' face and beat him with their fist. Have you ever been spit on?
• Jesus looked straight at Peter after the 3rd denial and the rooster crowed - He was that close to Peter - Luke 22:61
• How do you think this made Jesus feel? Why do you think Jesus continued to go to the cross? (He loves you)

• Jesus suffered for you and me because he loves us that much (willing to take our pain)
• Not only did Jesus bear the physical pain but the emotional and spiritual pain as well.
• This pain and separation from God was more than he could take (lead to his overwhelming death)
• Question: How do you feel about the fact that Jesus went through all this for you? How does it make you feel toward Jesus?
• Question: Did you know that Jesus loved you this much? How does it make you feel toward Jesus?
• Question: How do you feel about your sin now that you know what Jesus went through?

• Worldly Sorrow = feel bad because you did wrong and/or got caught doing something
• Godly Sorrow = repentance, earnestness, eagerness to clear yourself, longing, concern, indignation, alarm, ready to see justice done
• Share: God wants you to respond by repenting of your sin and showing love to him because he loved you first - 1 John 4:19

• Suffered - 1 Peter 4:1
• Sweat blood - Luke 22:44
• Thirsted - John 4:7; John 19:28
• Was angered and grieved - Mark 3:5
• Was Tempted - Matthew 4:1; Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 4:15
• Was Troubled - Mark 14:33-34; John 11:33; John 12:27
• Was Weary - John 4:6
• Wept - John 11:35; Luke 19:41

• All Authority - Matthew 28:18; Colossians 2:10
• Called God by James - James 2:1
• Called God by John - 1 John 5:20; Revelation 1:18; Revelation 19:16
• Called God by Jude - Jude 25
• Called God by Paul - Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:15-17; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; Titus 2:13
• Called God by Peter - 1 Peter 3:22; 2 Peter 1:17
• Forgives sins - Mark 2:5
• Judges - John 5:22
• Knew All things - John 21:17

• Omnipotent over Disease - Matthew 8:1-4; Luke 4:39
• Omnipotent over Men - Matthew 9:9; John 17:2
• Omnipotent over Nature - Matthew 8:26
• Omnipotent over Sin - Matthew 9:1-8
• Omnipotent over Tradition - Matthew 9:10-17
• Prayed To Him (Stephen) - Acts 7:59
• Saves - John 10:28
• Sinless - 1 Peter 2:22; Hebrews 4:15
• Worshiped as God by Angels - Hebrews 1:6

Commands found in the New Testament:

• Abstain from sinful desires - 1 Peter 2:11
• Always be prepared to preach the Word - 2 Timothy 4:2
• Avoid foolish arguments about the law - Titus 3:9
• Avoid evil - 1 Thessalonians 5:22
• Avoid godless chatter - Timothy 2:15
• Avoid false and opposing ideas - 1 Timothy 6:20
• Avoid troublemakers - Romans 16:17-18
• Be able to teach - 2 Timothy 2:24

• Resist the devil - James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9
• Stand firm in the faith - 1 Corinthians 15:58; 1 Corinthians 16:13;1 Peter 5:9
• Store treasures in heaven - Matthew 6:20-21
• Submit to the governing authorities - Romans 13:1
• Submit yourself to God - James 4:7
• Submit yourself to each other - Ephesians 5:21
• Test everything - 1 Thessalonians 5:21
• Walk with the Spirit - Galatians 5:25
• Warn those who are idle - 1 Thessalonians 5:14
• Watch your life and your doctrine closely - 1 Timothy 4:16

Started reading the one another scriptures in the Bible:

• Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you - Romans 15:7
• Admonish one another - Colossians 3:16
• Be at peace with each other - Mark 9:50
• Be devoted to one another in brotherly love - Romans 12:10
• Be kind and compassionate to one another - Ephesians 4:32
• Be patient, bearing with one another in love - Ephesians 4:2
• Bear with each other - Colossians 3:13
• Build each other up - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
• Carry each other’s burdens - Galatians 6:2
• Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another - 1 Peter 5:5

• Confess your sins to each other - James 5:16
• Do not lie to each other - Colossians 3:9
• Do not slander one another - James 4:11
• Don’t grumble against each other - James 5:9
• Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others - 1 Peter 4:10
• Encourage each other - 1 Thessalonians 4:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:11
• Encourage one another - Hebrews 10:25
• Encourage one another daily - Hebrews 3:13

• Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another - Colossians 3:13
• Forgiving each other - Ephesians 4:32
• Greet one another with a holy kiss - Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20;2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Peter 5:14
• Have equal concern for each other - 1 Corinthians 12:25
• Honor one another above yourselves. - Romans 12:10

• If you keep on biting and devouring each other you will be destroyed by each other - Galatians 5:15
• In humility consider others better than yourselves - Philippians 2:3
• Instruct one another - Romans 15:14
• Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other - Galatians 5:26
• Live in harmony with one another - 1 Peter 3:8; Romans 12:16
• Love each other - 1 Thessalonians 4:9
• Love each other deeply - 1 Peter 4:8
• Love one another - 1 John 3:11; 1 John 3:23; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 4:11; 1 John 4:12; 2 John 5; Romans 13:8
• Love one another deeply, from the heart - 1 Peter 3:8