tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49704270324622489152024-02-08T11:31:37.461-04:00Sermons From My HeartThis blog will include the sermons I have preached as a lay minister with the Anglican Parish of South Queens in the Diocese of NS and PEI in the Anglican Church of Canada. Because my preaching schedule varies, the frequency of postings will vary.
I hope that these sermons will enrich your spiritual life as much as they have enriched mine.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.comBlogger325125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-78469072914360319182017-03-02T14:59:00.001-04:002017-03-02T14:59:10.404-04:00Genesis 2:15-17,3:1-7 Buyer’s Remorse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have
you ever experienced buyer’s remorse? Just before we buy something major like a
car or a house we feel the surge of excitement that comes with getting
something new. It’s the same feeling a child has when he or she gets a new toy
for their birthday or for Christmas. After we buy the item, sometimes we are
hit by a wave of remorse. We ask ourselves if we really needed the item or if
we should have spent the money.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Buyer’s
remorse is nothing new. In fact, the first instance of buyer’s remorse is in
the reading we heard from Genesis earlier in today’s service. It began with the
crafty serpent and his sales pitch. He was also the first example of a salesman
who sold “snake oil.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sin
is a mystery. It arises from within God’s “good” creation. The serpent is one
of God’s creatures. Human suspicion about God’s motivations was embedded within
human hearts from the beginning of time. It merely needed the serpent’s
encouragement to bring it out and convert it into action.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Obedience
is at the core of all that God wants for and from his children. In Eden, God
didn’t ask Adam and Eve for love or faithfulness, only for obedience to one
fundamental command: “If you want to walk with Me, do what I say.” God has set
boundaries for us. They are like painted markings on a highway. Without those
markings to give directions, there would be confusion and accidents. We are
surrounded by a world where people live by their own moral codes and defy God’s
boundaries. These people don’t have any peace or sense of security that moral
guidelines provide.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
serpent tried to make God’s command not to eat the fruit of the tree of
knowledge of good and evil sound more restrictive than it really was. The
serpent tried to get Eve to question God’s character and motives for herself.
In her reply, Eve twisted God’s prohibition. She left out the words “surely”
and “every”- “surely,” because God said so, and “every,” because of God’s
generosity. She also added to God’s prohibition, “Neither shall you touch it.”
Where did that come from? Was it an exaggeration, or was it something she
and/or Adam added to build an extra wall of protection between themselves and
the tree? There is a danger in adding to or taking away anything from God’s
Word. Any alteration changes the meaning. All we have to do is look at the
Pharisees and their 613 rules to see what happens when God’s Word is changed by
man. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Doubt
led to disobedience, and the world has suffered the consequences ever since
that fateful day. When we turn our back on God’s Word, we turn our backs on
God’s world. Evil appealed to false pride, and this false pride replaced God
with the self. The inflated sense of importance overshadowed God and others. It
made man the centre of creation. Pride is at the root of many temptations. All
of us suffer from temptation. We become victim to it, and therefore all of us
sin. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There
are two ways for us to gain experience. If we gain experience by obeying God,
we will gain wisdom. If we gain experience by disobeying God, we will become
slaves to sin. Adam and Eve gained experience by listening to the serpent
instead of listening to God. Consequently, they became slaves to sin, and
through them all of mankind became slaves to sin. The danger is that once we
have sinned we are not equipped to deal with the consequences of our sin. We
are not always equipped to deal with our new knowledge let alone being able to
control the circumstances of our lives.
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As
a result of disobeying God, Adam and Eve found out about good and evil. Their
sense of guilt made them afraid to meet God. They would go on to know and
experience every kind of sin, suffering, pain and physical and spiritual death.
When we make choices that are contrary to God’s Word, we experience the same
things and the same fears. As we try to run away and hide from God, he kindly
and graciously calls to us and seeks us out. God wants us to look for Him. He
wants us to come to Him with a repentant heart and honest words. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As
soon as Adam and Eve sinned against God by eating of the tree, the process of
death began. They became susceptible to the physical degeneration of disease
and old age, and they faced a more serious form of death: spiritual death and
eternal separation from God. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they were kicked
out of the Garden of Eden. They became homeless nomads. We are also homeless
nomads spiritually when we try to find our way back to God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
we stand before God like Adam and Eve did, we will be asked to account for our
actions on the basis of our human responsibility. It doesn’t matter what the
reason for our disobedience will be. We won’t be able to blame someone else or
something else like Adam and Eve did. There is no place for excuses in the
Christian life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By
manifesting himself in another form as a means to deceive someone into doubting
and disobeying God, Satan established himself as a force to be reckoned with.
In John 8:44, Jesus referred to Satan as a liar and a murderer from the
beginning. He was referring to the events in this passage from Genesis. Satan’s
lies promised great benefits, but Adam and Eve experienced the painful truth.
They did know good and evil, but because they were corrupted by Satan they did
not know as God knows in his personal holiness. We hurt ourselves when we
believe that we will find greater blessing and happiness in doing our own thing
instead of obeying God. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Listening
to God is not a one-time event. We must always listen to His Word or we’ll
begin to listen to the wrong voices. By listening to God, we will be prepared
for the assaults that will come our way. We were created to serve God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There
are many voices in our world that give us conflicting messages. We have the
responsibility to know what God is telling us, to listen to Him and to act on
those commands. We have to make God’s Word our guide and not deviate from it
regardless of how appealing the world’s messages might sound. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eve
did what so many people do even now: she revised and then rejected what God
said. This sin always produces the same result-separation from God and,
ultimately, death-unless sin is atoned for. Every false religion has an element
of truth, and so do false teachers. This makes their teachings believable to
those who don’t know and believe what God says in the Bible. Satan’s words
contained a partial truth- “your eyes will be opened”-a common tactic of his
when tempting humans. He appealed to Eve’s desires, just as he did with Christ
in the wilderness, and as he does with all Christians. When Adam ate of the
fruit, sin and death became earth’s realities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before
Adam and Eve sinned, they enjoyed three very special privileges:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They were in
communion with God; they walked and talked with Him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They knew God as
He is. Their minds were not clouded by falsehoods or half-truths.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They had
spiritual life. They were alive not just physically, but in every sense of the
word their souls were alive.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command and rebelled against Him, they lost all
three of their God-given privileges:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Their intimate
communion was broken. They hid from God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When they
believed Satan’s lie, their knowledge was corrupted and their understanding of
God damaged. What God had said became twisted in their minds. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps most
important, instead of knowing life as they had once known it with God, they
began to know death.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
present condition of the world reflects what Adam and Eve knew after the Fall:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">People are
alienated from God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">People are
ignorant of the truth of God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">People are
condemned to physical and spiritual death.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Everything
Adam lost in the fall is exactly what people lack today without Jesus Christ.
Thankfully, God provided a way for us to regain what Adam lost. God provided a
way for us to be restored to Him. He became flesh, human and vulnerable. In
Jesus we are reliving the broken relationship between us and God. Jesus is
God’s way of returning us to the Garden of Eden and a right relationship with
God. The way back is the way of confession and repentance. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
can’t hide from God like Adam and Eve tried to hide. God knows exactly where we
are. Instead of hiding in fear, we can say the same thing the tax collector
said in Luke 18:13- “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
are in the season of Lent. It is a season where we are invited to answer God’s
call to come into the open, face the hard truths of how we have broken trust
with God and with each other, remember how God has joined us in Christ and
listen for the invitation to take and eat the bread of life, which we will do
in a few minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> 1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah,
David: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King
James Version</i> (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013, pp. 8-9)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Briscoe, D.S. & Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 1: Genesis</i> (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson
Inc.; 1984; pp. 47/54)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur
Study Bible, New American Standard Bible</i> (Nashville, TN; Thomas Nelson
Publishers; 2006)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stanley, C.F.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Charles F.
Stanley Life Principles Bible, New King James Version</i> (Nashville, TN:
Nelson Bibles; 2005)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lucado, M.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lucado Life Lessons
Study Bible</i> (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson; 2010)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anne Graham Lotz, “God’s Boundaries.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.angelministries.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.angelministries.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Charles Stanley, “Failing to Listen to God.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.intouch.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.intouch.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Shadow of a Doubt.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Biblegateway@e,Biblegateway.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anne Graham Lotz, “God’s Boundaries.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.angelministries.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.angelministries.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Richard E. Nystrom, “Footsteps in the Garden: Truth and Grace.” Retrieved
from </span></span><a href="http://www.preaching.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.preaching.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lawrence Darmani, “Where Are You?” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.rbc.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.rbc.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Tony Evans, “A Kingdom Man Takes Responsibility.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="mailto:Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">14.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Richard Innes, “Part Faith: The Most Destructive Lie.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.actsweb.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.actsweb.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">15.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Whose Voice Are You Hearing?” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.dailydisciples.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.dailydisciples.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">16.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Poh Fang Chia, “Buyer’s Remorse.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.rbc.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.rbc.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">17.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></u></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The Right Desire.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.dailydisciples.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.dailydisciples.org</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">18.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Greg Hollifield, “Why Death?” Published in the Spring 2017 issue of
Preaching Magazine (Nashville, TN: Salem Publishing; p. 56)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">19.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The Fall.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.word-sunday.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.word-sunday.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">20.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Rev. Dr. Robert Ensign, “Eve’s Dream.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.day1.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.day1.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">21.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Rev. Martin Copenhaver, “Excuses, Excuses, Excuses.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.day1.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.day1.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">22.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dennis Olson, “Commentary on Genesis 2;15-17; 3:1-7.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.workingpreacher.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.workingpreacher.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">23.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Rev. Sheila C. Gustafson, “Snake Bite.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.day1.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.day1.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-39386403039835591072017-03-02T14:41:00.003-04:002017-03-02T14:41:45.340-04:00Romans 5:12-19 Hope for the Future<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
reading from Romans 5:12-19 reinforces the idea that those who trust Christ
have hope for the future. Let me explain.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adam’s
sin led to condemnation of the entire human race because his sinful nature was
passed on to all of his descendants. Christ overcame that condemnation. As a
result, everyone who believes in Christ has been saved and forgiven and can
look forward to spending eternity with Him in heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
doctrine of solidarity says that all humanity is under the leadership of two
men: Adam and Christ. Connection with Adam leads to death. Satan was the
original angel who violated the righteousness of God, but sin entered the world
through Adam, and death entered the world through sin. Even though there was no
law, death was universal because people were still sinful. They died because
they inherited the nature of death from Adam, not because of their sinful acts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because
of Adam’s sin, humanity was introduced to death-not physical death, because
Adam lived for many years after that fateful day in the Garden of Eden. The
type of death that was introduced was spiritual death, also known as separation
from God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Connection
with Christ leads to life. Christ in His obedience corrected the wrong Adam did
in his disobedience. He secured our eternal home and glory. He conquered the
last enemy-death. That victory has given me strength in the days since my
mother’s death. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christ
is not Adam’s successor but his Saviour. They are alike only in the sense that
both had universal significance: Adam for death, Christ for life. The key is
much more. Whatever humankind has inherited from Adam, they have much more in
Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christ’s
one act of salvation was far superior to Adam’s one act of rebellion. One
commentator noted that “That one single misdeed should be answered by judgment,
this is perfectly understandable: that the accumulated sins and guilt of all
the ages should be answered by God’s free gift, this is the miracle of
miracles.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christ’s
obedience is greater than Adam’s disobedience. Adam was in an environment that
was conducive to obedience (the Garden), but he disobeyed and brought death.
Jesus was the second Adam. He was in an environment that hindered obedience
(the fallen world), but He obeyed God and brought life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
don’t deserve God’s grace. It is his undeserved favour for us. It is a gift
that was paid for by Christ’s death and resurrection. Some people refuse to
accept this gift because of pride. If they accept it, they realize their
despair, and most people aren’t keen on doing that. Some people also think that
they can earn this gift by their own efforts and deeds. We can’t earn our way
to heaven, because as I mentioned a minute ago it is a free ticket that Christ
paid for. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So
how did He pay for this gift? He did it through two types of obedience to God.
First, he actively fulfilled all of the requirements of God’s Law. He never
failed, and he kept and fulfilled all of the Law’s requirements perfectly at
all times. He presented to God a full and complete righteousness that was
without stain or fault, just like all of the animals that were used for Old
Testament sacrifices were without stain or fault. His righteousness is the
ground on which God is willing to accept us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Second,
He used passive obedience. He allowed Himself to be taken and crucified in
order to suffer the punishment that a holy and just God requires. He became our
substitute and took our sins upon Himself. He took our sins away so that we can
believe in him and have no reason to fear God’s wrath. We can enjoy fellowship
with God forever, and that is the greatest gift of all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah,
David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy
Publishing; 2013, p.1550)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ESV Study
Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Neil
Anderson, “The Effects of the Fall.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Briscoe, D.S.
& Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s
Commentary Series, Vol. 29: Romans </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.;
1982, pp. 117-126)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MacArthur,
J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur Study Bible, New
American Standard Bible </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">T.M. Moore,
“Obedience Restored.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">noreply@ailbe.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Selwyn
Hughes, “Amazing.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Max Lucado,
“An Undeserved Gift.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Michael
Youssef, Ph.D., “The Sin Disorder.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.ltw.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.ltw.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-33409105053138727452017-02-23T14:46:00.001-04:002017-02-23T14:46:36.132-04:00Matthew 17:1-9 Mountain-Top Changes <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have
you ever had a moment when your life was changed? Perhaps it was similar to the
Transfiguration. That moment changed the lives of Peter, James, John and Jesus,
just like moments in our lives can change us. The disciples were changed from
fearful, anxious, inactive cowards to brave, confident, active champions of the
faith. We are also transformed when Jesus touches us, and we need that touch
badly. We are also encouraged to offer this touch to a world that needs it
badly. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
don’t know about you, but I would love to have been the proverbial “fly on the
wall” at the Transfiguration. Just think of the history that was being made!
Three of the most important figures in Christianity-Moses, Elijah and
Jesus-together at the same time and in the same location! No wonder Peter
wanted to build three shelters! It was a significant meeting at a significant
time in a significant location among significant participants.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Moses
and Elijah-the great lawgiver and the great prophet-were probably chosen to
join Jesus and the disciples at the Transfiguration as representatives of the
Old Covenant. Moses was the one through whom the covenant came, and Elijah was
its prominent reformer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So
what were Moses, Elijah and Jesus talking about? Matthew doesn’t tell us, but
Luke’s version tells us that they were talking about Jesus’ death. Both Moses
and Elijah foretold of Christ’s death, which was Christ’s purpose. His
sacrificial death and resurrection paid the penalty for our sins and allowed
believers to be reunited with God. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Those
present at the Transfiguration provide a picture of the coming kingdom of
Christ: Moses represents those who died in Christ; Elijah represents whose who
will be raptured someday (he had been taken to heaven without dying); the three
apostles represent redeemed Israel; and Christ is the King. Jesus’s
transfiguration was part of the ongoing story of encountering the mystery of
God. Jesus and his words had the same authority as those of Moses and Elijah. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christ
did not come to abolish the Law or the prophets. He did not say that the Law
and the prophets had no meaning or value. What he did say was that He fulfilled
the Law that we could not keep. The Law had to be kept perfectly. If people
broke one law, they broke all of them. In addition, people were not perfect,
and they aren’t perfect today. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mountain
top experiences are some of the happiest experiences in our lives, and that’s
what the disciples experienced at the Transfiguration. When we are on the top
of the mountain, we can listen to and be refreshed by God. We are pulled out of
the ordinary life and changed in faith. Only then can we have a Christian life.
Unfortunately, we can’t live on the mountain top forever. We have to face the
valleys in our lives, and these valleys are the lowest and most disappointing
times in our lives. It is at those times when we as believers can feel and see
Jesus reaching out, taking us by the hand and saying, “Arise, and do not be
afraid.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">God
interrupted Peter’s brief, awkward speech with His own announcement. Out of the
bright cloud-no doubt an appearance of the glory that in the Old Testament
signaled the presence of God Almighty-God affirmed Jesus and commanded the
disciples to hear him. Although Moses and Elijah stood with him in that moment,
all attention was focused on Jesus, God’s only Son. Jesus was superior to both
Moses and Elijah.</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jesus as God in human
form was the greatest in the kingdom. God told the disciples to listen to Jesus
so that they could understand his purpose. The disciples recognized in this
moment what every believer must acknowledge and what every tongue will someday
confess; that Christ alone is Lord, the glory of God the Father.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some
people contradict Jesus, and when they do, they contradict the truth. At the
Transfiguration, God made it clear that Jesus speaks the truth with authority,
and we should listen to what he has to say. Our love for God is shown in how we
listen to God. Our view of Jesus is shown in how we listen to him. Worship is
more than Jesus listening to what we have to say about him. It involves
listening to what Jesus has to say about us and himself. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
Transfiguration has been seen by some Biblical scholars as a glimpse of the
kingdom or a preview of the Kingdom’s power. This glimpse was secured by
Christ’s death and resurrection, and was clearly stated when Jesus told the
disciples not to say anything about the vision until after His resurrection.
The glory of the Transfiguration would then be seen by all of the disciples in
the risen Christ.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All
of us need to see God’s glory before we see hard times. We need to remember
God’s presence and purpose when we face life’s challenges. The Transfiguration
links the seasons of Epiphany and Lent. It reminds us that just like God was
with Jesus all the time (and especially in the Garden of Gethsemane on the
night before his death), God is with us all of the time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Transfiguration proved that Jesus was the Messiah and the
Son of God. The response of the disciples is the same response we have. Just as
they fell on their faces, we fall on our faces in worship. When we do, Jesus
reaches out, touches us and says, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” The
Transfiguration assures us that God has affirmed Jesus and our humanity. Jesus
recalls our humanity and affirms our nature with His divinity. The Kingdom of
God has entered the world in human form through Jesus, and we are called to
witness to that Good News.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah,
David: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King
James Version</i> (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013, pp. 1312-1313)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ESV Study
Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Augsberger,
M.S & Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s Commentary
Series, Vol. 24: Matthew </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1982; p. 18)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MacArthur,
J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur Study Bible, New
American Standard Bible </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson publishers; 2006)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stanley,
C.F.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Charles F. Stanley Life
Principles Bible, New King James Version </i>(Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lucado, M.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible </i>(Nashville,
TN: Thomas Nelson; 2010; pp. 1325-1326)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jill
Carattini, “Transformed.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.sliceofinity.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.sliceofinity.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“On the
Mountain top with Jesus.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.sermons4kids.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.sermons4kids.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Exegesis for
Matthew 17:1-9. Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.sermonwriter.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.sermonwriter.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Brian P.
Stoffregen. “Matthew 17:1-9 Transfiguration of Our Lord, Last Sunday after the
Epiphany-Year A.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.crossmarks.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.crossmarks.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: #0563c1;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
Rt. Rev. Robert Johnson, “Transfiguration.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.day1.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.day1.org</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0563c1;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">12.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black;">
</span></span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Alan Wright, “From Distraction to Hope.” Retrieved
from </span></span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Larry Patten,
“What the Usual Suspects Saw.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.larrypatten.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.larrypatten.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: #0563c1;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">14.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
Rev. Laura Brekke, “Last Epiphany: Don’t Go Chasing Mountain Tops!” Retrieved
from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">comment-reply@wordpress.com</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">15.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Greg Hollifield, “A Meeting for the Ages.” Published
in the Spring 2017 issue of Preaching Magazine (Nashville, TN: Salem
Publishing; pp. 57-58)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0563c1;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">16.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">Dr. Norman Beck, “Lectionary Scripture Notes,
Transfiguration Sunday, Cycle A.”</span> <span style="color: black;">Retrieved from </span></span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.lectionaryscripturenotes.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">www.lectionaryscripturenotes.com</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">17.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ben Helmer, “Transformation, Last Sunday after
Epiphany (A).” Retrieved from </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.episcopaldigitalnetwork.com</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></u></span></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-37853287573112682262017-02-16T15:56:00.000-04:002017-02-16T15:56:25.214-04:00Psalm 119:33-40 Learning from the Great Teacher<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have
you ever tried to obey God but at the same time you thought that you did not
have the understanding or the strength to do so? If so, you’re not alone. The
writer of the passage we heard from Psalm 119 felt the same way. The theme of
that reading is growing and walking in faith and not growing weak. This walk is
the road to spiritual maturity.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Psalm
119 is a psalm in celebrating God’s law. The psalmist asked God to teach him to
obey God’s Law. That might seem strange since laws are something we either do
or don’t do, so there’s not much thought necessary. The psalmist knew that
God’s Law is really about having our hearts changed to align with God’s will
for our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
Psalmist represents those of us who have trusted Christ as our Lord and
Saviour. The psalmist, like us, was restored to life by God’s power, and like
us he had to grow in that life. He needed God to teach him, and we also need
God to teach us. God’s Word is all we need for godly living. By grasping its
powerful message, we as God’s children can be pure. God’s Word teaches sound
doctrine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It
is one thing to be taught and another thing to understand that teaching. God,
like a good coach of a sports team or an athlete, shows us the basics and we
must start with them. God has the responsibility to give us both content and
understanding. As we ask for it, and as we obey what God shows us, our
knowledge will grow throughout our lives. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God
is happy when we obey Him wholeheartedly-that is, without hesitating or asking
questions. God doesn’t have to explain everything he asks to do. Obedience will
provide us with the explanation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If
we want to live the life God wants us to live, we have to be very choosy about
what we give our lives and attention to. God’s Word shows us the right path to
take. It calls us out when we take a detour. It teaches us how to stay on the
path God has laid out for us. Instead of seeking happiness in the things of
this world, we must seek happiness in God’s Word. We must not lose sight of
what is really important in our churches and our Christian lives. For example,
too many people think of a church as just a building, Church buildings are
important, but God’s work will go on regardless of where people meet to worship
God. When the Disciples of Christ Church in Milton was being “remodeled” and
moved, the congregation met for worship in the church office. They still did
God’s work, and I can tell you from experience preaching there that the Holy
Spirit was very much alive and home there. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many
of the things we focus on in life won’t matter very much in the end, especially
if they are worldly things. When we lie on our deathbeds, we won’t wish we had
worked harder or made more money or had a better job. We will likely wish that
we had loved God more, focused on people more, spent more time with our
families, shared our faith more, prayed more and pursued God’s purpose for our
lives.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like
the psalmist, we have to decide to give ourselves to God, but we know our own
weaknesses. No matter how much we want to please God, God must give us the
strength to do it. Only God can give us both the motivation and the energy to
follow Him. Our hearts must be renewed again and again, just like the
Israelites who were wandering in the desert couldn’t live on yesterday’s manna.
They got fresh manna from God every day. Similarly, we can’t rely on past
experiences as a substitute for a vital, daily walk with God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah,
David: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King
James Version </i>(Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013, p. 786)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ESV Study
Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Williams, D.
& Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s
Commentary Series, Vol 14: Psalms 73-150 </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson
Inc.; 1989; pp. 350-352)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lucado, M.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible </i>(Nashville,
TN: Thomas Nelson; 2010; pp. 821-822)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pastor Rick
Warren, “Obedience is an Act of Worship.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.newsletter.purposedriven.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.newsletter.purposedriven.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joel Osteen,
“When to Turn Away.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.joelosteen.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.joelosteen.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ron
Moore, “Turn My Eyes from Worthless Things.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.ronmoore.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.ronmoore.org</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gathering, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2016-2017 (Toronto, ON: Worship,
Music and Spirituality Office; Church in Mission Unit; United Church of Canada:
p. 22)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christine Hallenback Ask, “Psalm 119:33-40.” Retrieved from </span></span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">communic@luthersem.edu</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><o:p><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></u></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-20840352245432816392017-02-09T14:02:00.000-04:002017-02-09T14:02:00.409-04:002 Timothy 2:14-26 Speak the Truth, and Speak It Boldly<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
reading from Paul’s second letter to Timothy is part of the final letter Paul
wrote. He wrote this letter from his prison cell in Rome, and he knew that he
was about to be put to death. Both of his letters to Timothy contain
instructions for both ministers and Christians. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul
tells ministers to teach, preach and lead. Shallow sermons lead to shallow
saints, and mistaken preaching leads to misguided lives. It is a serious
responsibility to teach or preach the Word of God. Good, sound, biblical
teaching can build people up in their faith, while bad teaching can tear people
down. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bad doctrine or bad preaching
destroys faith and causes people to think and live wrongly. In contrast, good
doctrine or preaching that is based on a right understanding of God’s word of
truth builds and strengthens faith. This can only be done when ministers handle
God’s word with the same care and precision that a good carpenter does with his
tools and materials.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul
tells ministers to remind their congregations about how to resolve disputes,
especially those caused by untrained or false teachers. People who follow after
rumours and opinions are more than a nuisance. They are a threat to the church,
and as such they must be dealt with quickly and decisively. When people try to
understand God through worldly views instead of through the Holy Spirit’s
discernment or through studying God’s Word, they are easily fooled by Satan’s
lies. The situation is made worse by untrained ministers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
danger in using an unapproved or untrained minister is that this person
literally misses the target of God’s teaching. As a result, he or she is prone
to promoting false teachings, which can destroy the faith of other believers.
Any doctrine that is not in accord with the Bible’s teaching must be cut out
just like a surgeon cuts out an appendix or cancerous tissue. If left
untreated, it will only spread and make the body of Christ sick. The spiritual
food of God’s word keeps believers and the church healthy. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There
are four attitudes that can diffuse any controversial situation and allow
believers to end foolish arguments without destroying opponents: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A gentle, tender spirit<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A teaching spirit<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A tolerant, patient spirit<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A temperate, controlled spirit<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This
form of correction has the potential to literally awaken people so that they
may escape the enemy. The word “patient” means “bearing evil without resentment.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some
people in Paul’s time may have taken his teaching about the resurrection to the
extreme, especially his rhetorical question about needing physical resurrection
when we have been resurrected with Christ spiritually. Paul explains that the
physical resurrection of believers is necessary for sin and death to be
ultimately defeated. Christ’s own physical resurrection guarantees a
Christian’s future, physical resurrection.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
visible, professing church is pictured as a temple that has God as its
foundation. It is made up of Christians and those who merely profess to be
Christians. These servants are either honourable or dishonourable. God knows
which ones are devoted to His use. He only wants holy people doing his work,
and holy people are those who are cleansed from wrong conduct and wrong
doctrine. Paul says that any dishonourable servants can become honourable servants
if they get rid of wrong influences and earthly priorities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If
we want to be used by God, we have to purify our hearts. God uses all kinds of
people., but only if they are clean on the inside. If we want to purify
ourselves, we have to confess our sins, repent and accept Christ as our
Saviour.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul
commands us as Christians to “flee youthful passions,” and these are more than
sexual passions. They are the short-sighted cravings for personal pleasure or
gain, rather than for personal godliness. Youthful passions include any hunger
or ambition that distracts from our pursuit of true righteousness, faith,
clarity and peace. If we want to be Christians, we must live for God as Jesus
did. God’s love and grace doesn’t mean that we have permission to sin. They
give us the strength and desire to do His will. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A
well-known minister once used the example of the tools in a blacksmith’s shop
as an example of the tools God uses. The minister said that there are three
types of tools. There are tools on the junk pile: outdated, broken, rusty and
dull. There are tools on the anvil: melted down, molten hot, moldable,
changeable. There are tools that are useful: sharpened, primed, defined,
mobile. The tools in the last group are ready to be used by the master. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
are all somewhere in the blacksmith’s shop. We are on one of the three piles,
and some of us have been on all three piles in our lives. If we take the
journey from the junk heap to the fire, and if we let God pound us on His
anvil, and if we discover God’s purpose for our lives, we earn the privilege of
being called “God’s chosen instruments.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah,
David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy
Publishing; 2013, pp. 1720-1721)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ESV Study
Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Youth and
Old Age.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oneplace@crosswalkmail.vom</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Demarest, G.
& Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s
Commentary Series, Vol. 32: 1,2 Thessalonians/1,2 Timothy/Titus </i>(Nashville,
TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1984; pp. 269-275)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MacArthur,
J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur Study Bible, New
American Standard Bible </i>(Nashville, TN; Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stanley,
C.F.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Charles F. Stanley Life
Principles Bible, New King James Version </i>(Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles;
2005)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lucado, M.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible </i>(Nashville,
TN: Thomas Nelson; 2010; pp. 1677-1678)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pastor Rick
Warren, “You Don’t Have to Be Perfect, Just Pure, to Be Used by God.” Retrieved
from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">connect@newsletter.purposedriven.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anna Kuta,
“Run for Your Life.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Proper
Handling Required.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Michael
Youssef, Ph.D., “Confronting the Culture.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.ltw.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.ltw.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-63007575378009092272017-02-03T16:27:00.000-04:002017-02-03T16:27:19.578-04:002 Timothy 1:1-14 Paul’s Parting Words<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What
advice would you give to someone if you knew that you were talking to them for
the last time?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That
question was on the apostle Paul’s mind when he wrote his final letter to
Timothy. The passage we heard from 2 Timothy is part of Paul’s last letter, and
was written from his prison cell in Rome. He doesn’t focus on his circumstances
or his impending death. Instead, he focuses on the promise of life in Christ.
Any Christian’s earthly circumstances pale in comparison to the glory of
eternity. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Four
times in this passage Paul uses a form of the verb, “to remember”-remember,
being mindful, remembrance, remind. No Christian is an island. All God’s people
stand on the shoulders of those who have preceded them. Paul encourages us to
follow his example when it comes to living the Christian life. In particular,
he urges us to use the gifts God has given us. These gifts fade in strength
when they aren’t used.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For
example, the greatest gift parents and grandparents can give their children is
the heritage of genuine faith. An important question for any Christian to ask
is: If you were standing on the threshold of eternity and looking back over
your life, would you be able to see that your faith lives on in others,
especially in your family members?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A
few years ago someone wrote to Billy Graham. The writer wondered how his
grandmother, who had recently died, got a very strong faith. In his reply,
Billy Graham said the following words:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The
Bible (which is God’s Word) undoubtedly became important to her, as did prayer,
and fellowship with other believers in her church. She also grew stronger
spiritually by helping others and witnessing for Christ. The same can be true
for us.” </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fear
usually enters our lives when we focus on our situation and abilities instead
of God’s sovereignty and attributes. Following fear to its logical conclusion
will eliminate all opportunities for service. If we remember our spiritual
heritage and friendships, as well as God’s calling on our lives and the
spiritual gifts he has given us, we will be encouraged as we move forward in
faith. It will ignite a fire within us. If the fire of our faith goes out, it
can be rekindled. All we have to do is make some changes and do some
rearranging. For example, we can join or start a Bible study.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All
open doors offer two choices: to walk by faith or to be controlled by fear.
Persecution, infighting, and false teaching all threatened the Ephesian church
that Timothy shepherded. They will also threaten Christians in the last days
before Christ returns. The fearful will drop out, but those who grab hold of
the courage, compassion and self-control that God makes available will be able
to stand fast until God completes His work in them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christians
will suffer for Christ in some way in this life, but it is far better that
one’s faith be marked by suffering than by shame at Christ or those who proclaim
Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul did not want Timothy to
misunderstand his imprisonment. Paul understood who he served, and he was not
ashamed. We can expect to face suffering and persecution just like Christ did.
The glorious message of salvation is worthy of our suffering. God’s grace and
purpose bring life. Obeying God is the central purpose of Christian lives. That
obedience includes love, mercy, justice and caring for the poor. All of these
involve giving and sacrifice.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
key to successfully accomplishing these tasks is our intention and not our
performance. When our desire to love and serve Christ is strong, our
performance will be positively influenced. When our performance does not meet
our intentions, we will experience anew God’s grace and mercy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If
we have Christ in our lives, we have nothing to be afraid of when we share the
Gospel. We don’t have to be trained speakers, gifted salesmen or educated
teachers. All we need is a strong faith in Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God
will give us the strength we need to face our fears, sufferings and
persecutions. For example, some of you might have heard of the two lightning
strikes that occurred in the Liverpool area shortly before Christmas of last
year. One of those strikes hit a house just up the street from the house where
I live. When I heard the loud bank and saw the flash of light, I was scared to
death! I thought a power transformer had blown. Fortunately, my faith in God
enabled me to recover quickly from the shock. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God
saves us for the purpose of furthering the gospel, and not as a reward for our
works. Good works are a response to God’s work in the life of a believer. Paul
uses the term “has saved’ to indicate that believers have been saved already,
and the results of that salvation continue into the present. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
live in a dark world that gives us a lot to fear. As long as we live, there is
always something in our lives that is at risk. We can choose to surrender to
that fear and let it rule our lives, or we can surrender all those things we
love and fear we will lose to Christ and live a life without fear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul
was confident in his mission, and he understood the importance of carrying out
that mission. He knew that faith is not a one-time act, but something that
includes the past, present and future. Because of his faith, he found strength
instead of shame when he faced opposition and persecution.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One
thing we don’t have to fear as Christians is death, because Christ abolished
that fear on the cross. Christ’s saving work not only relieved believers of the
fear of eternal death, or separation of the soul and body from God, but it also
removed the fear of physical and spiritual death. Death can’t separate us from
God’s love any more. Jesus replaced it with life and immortality.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even
when he faced execution, Paul’s hope and joy never wavered because he knew the
power of Christ to faithfully deliver him into eternity. Paul had both a living
faith and a faith unto death.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
gospel must be guarded as a treasure. Its words are right, healthy and whole
and must not be tampered with. If anyone thinks he or she can adequately watch
over this gift, he or she needs to remember Paul’s words to Timothy, especially
his instructions to rely on the Holy Spirit’s help.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah,
David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy
Publishing; 2013, P. 1717)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ESV Study
Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Demarest, G.
& Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s
Commentary Series, Vol. 32: 1,2 Thessalonians/1,2 Timothy/Titus </i>(Nashville,
TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1984; pp. 240-256)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Macarthur,
J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur Study Bible, New
American Standard Bible </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Billy Graham,
“How Did My Grandmother Get Such Strong Faith?” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.arcamax.com/healthandspirit/religion/billygraham"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.arcamax.com/healthandspirit/religion/billygraham</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Charles R.
Swindoll, “Sincere Faith at Home.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">eministries@insightforliving.ccsend.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christine
Caine, “Landing Safely.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Biblegateway@e.biblegateway.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Overcoming
the Fear of Sharing the Gospel.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. David
Jeremiah, “The Secret to Soul-Winning.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">turningpoint@davidjeremiah.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Decision
Making.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oneplace@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Michael
Youssef, Ph.D., “Standing Up.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.ltw.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.ltw.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-68946641748267094932017-01-26T13:09:00.000-04:002017-01-26T13:09:55.512-04:00Micah 6:1-8 The Case of the People of Israel vs. God <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How
many of you have even been in court because of a lawsuit? If so, then the passage from
Micah 6:1-8 sounds very familiar. This passage resembles a lawsuit that is being
heard in court. Micah calls creation as a witness. The mountains, present
throughout all of Israel’s history, are called on as witnesses, because they
have “seen” all that the Israelites have done. God’s creation has witnessed the
relationship between God and His people, so it was well-suited to reach a just
verdict in this case.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God
questioned His people and gave them a chance to respond. God told of His
faithfulness to his people in the past and demands obedience to the covenant he
established with His people. The Israelites believed that God has wronged them.
He challenged them to provide evidence to support their claims. He directed the
events surrounding their flight from Egypt. When they remembered what He did
for them in the past, their faith was strengthened. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God
showed in this passage that he was willing to set things right. He was not
unjust to the Israelites, nor did He ask too much from them. He addressed them
tenderly and compassionately. He kept the promises He made. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On
the other hand, the Israelites did not keep their promises. Spiritual blindness
led them to offer everything except the one thing that God really wanted-a
spiritual commitment from their hearts. Right behaviour would have resulted
from this commitment. God isn’t interested in sacrifices. He is more concerned
with our attitudes. They come from the deepest part of our lives-our hearts-and
show themselves in positive actions toward God and His people.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God
displayed considerable emotion in His dispute with Israel. For the Israelites
to claim that God wearied them gave the impression that he did something to
make them impatient and disobedient. In reality, He had mightily delivered
them-from Egypt to Gilgal-in fidelity to His righteous nature and covenant
promises. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In
verses 6-8, Micah summarizes the laws of Moses into three commands. These few
things are what God truly desires of His covenant people, not innumerable
sacrifices offered without a commitment to faithful living. The word “mercy” in
the Hebrew language includes the idea of loyalty and faithfulness to God’s
promises. When we repent and walk with God, He will show us mercy. In fact, He loves
to show us mercy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There
is a connection between forgiveness and obedience. Since Israel had experienced
a gracious remission of her sin of worshipping the golden calf, what sort of
people were they to be now? The logical question for them to ask would have
been, “What does God require of us?” The logical answer would have been the
same things God provided to the Israelites when they repented: mercy, justice
and humility. These things aren’t always easy to do. They are not one-time
accomplishments to be completed and checked off a list. They will help us
understand God’s heart, and in turn our own hearts will be shaped as we put
these things into practice. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Living
in humility simply means living by faith. We are not to give in to the evil
temptations in this world. We are not to sit around and do nothing. We are to
move forward in faith. We are to live aggressively for the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today,
our society is in a situation that is similar to the situation the prophet
Micah wrote about. We have lost our ability to function in society the way God
wants us to live. He wants us to be a light to our world. People should be able
to look at us and see something wonderfully different about us-something
different that was created by our faith in Christ.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some
time ago, someone wrote to Billy Graham and ridiculed Christians who talk about
things like sin and forgiveness. The writer said, “Why don’t you wake up and
realize that we’re free to live any way we want to? We shouldn’t feel guilty
when we follow our own desires. There’s no such thing as ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ in
my view.”<!--[endif]--></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s
part of Billy Graham’s reply:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Do
you honestly believe there is no such thing as right and wrong? Frankly, I
seriously doubt it. Child abuse, poisoning the environment, hacking someone’s
bank account, cheating a neighbour, lying to your friends, murder…I can think
of a whole list of evils that you’d agree are always wrong.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“But
why are they wrong? And why are some things like helping others or taking care
of the environment always right? Is it simply because society works better if
we act this way? The real answer is deeper than this. The real answer is that
God has told us how to live---and the reason is because He loves us, and He
knows what is best for us.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
can’t expect people to embrace a Saviour they know nothing about. We can’t
expect them to surrender to God when we as His servants are fighting with each
other. We are Christ’s eyes, ears, hands and mouthpiece. We have the
responsibility to live in such a way that others can see Christ in us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
are encouraged to sacrifice our own thoughts, our own conversations with
others, and our own business of minds. We need to sacrifice what is going on
within us right now to give ourselves in worship to God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God
is the great helper. If we want to be more like Him, we will naturally grow in
our love to help people. We must not try to be like someone else. We must be
ourselves. We must think about how God has made us and how we can help others
with our unique personality and gifts. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Moving
forward in faith means spending quality, quiet time with God every day. This
involves prayer and reading His Word. Before we do this, we have to quiet
ourselves and our surroundings so we can hear what God tells us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One
of the things God will tell us is His plan for our lives. Sometimes the plan
won’t make sense to us. Sometimes it will be uncomfortable or painful. If we
really walk with God, we will find contentment in spite of the pain His plan
gives us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
have a choice. We can live in the grasp of sin and evil, or we can give our
hearts over to Jesus. He gave everything He had, including his life, to rescue
us from sin, so it’s only fair that we give Him everything we have, including
our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah,
David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy
Publishing; 2013, p.1212)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ESV Study
Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kaiser, W.C.
& Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s
Commentary Series, Vol. 23: Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai,
Zechariah, Malachi </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1992, pp. 69-71)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MacArthur,
J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur Study Bible, New
American Standard Bible </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stanley,
C.F.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Charles F. Stanley Life
Principles Bible, New King James Version </i>(Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles;
2005)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Gary
Chapman, “A Radical Idea.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oneplace@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stephanie
Davis, “A Real Chance at Happily Ever After.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christainity.com@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pastor David
McGee, “Daily Quiet Time.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.crossthebridge.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.crossthebridge.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Michael
Youssef, Ph.D., “The Will of God.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.ltw.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.ltw.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bayless
Conley, “Rejoicing in God’s Mercy.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: #0563c1;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Exegesis
for Micah 6:1-8. Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.lectionary.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.lectionary.org</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Billy Graham, “Aren’t We Free to Win Any Way We Want?”
Retrieved from </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.arcamax.com/healthandspirit/religion/billygraham/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.arcamax.com/healthandspirit/religion/billygraham/</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-86963671840812160512017-01-19T14:35:00.001-04:002017-01-19T14:35:36.858-04:00Isaiah 9:1-4 The Light of Christ<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have
you ever stumbled around in the dark-either at night or during a power outage?
It’s not a very pleasant experience, is it?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Darkness
is associated with a number of unpleasant things. When we are in the dark, we
tend to move slowly or wander aimlessly. We tend to be scared in the dark,
mainly because we can’t see the dangers that would be apparent if it were
light. There is something about darkness that makes us scared.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
can also wander around in spiritual darkness. That darkness is caused by our
lack of knowledge in or faith in Jesus. When we receive the Light of Christ, we
don’t have to be afraid of darkness or evil. Christ will be with us. When we
are faithful, we will be rewarded. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
prophet Isaiah wrote the passage we heard earlier in this morning’s service
during a time of spiritual darkness. Israel was at war with Assyria and was on
the verge of being conquered because of their disobedience to God. Throw in a
crop failure, no welfare system, an economy that relied solely on agriculture,
no technology to preserve food and no system to distribute the food and the
result is a very bleak situation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For
Isaiah, the answer to this crisis was God’s ability to intervene at a moment in
history and accomplish his purpose for his people. Isaiah emphasized peace and
the end of war-a plan that was appealing to a nation that had been eroded by
warfare and strife. Isaiah’s vision for the people was to live in a world where
God’s light would penetrate the darkness of sin. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Isaiah’s
vision happened because of his faithfulness. God showed him the revelation of
the future and the Messiah who was to be born. The Messiah would conquer death
and would be the great light of hope that would shine on all of humanity. He
will make His people more abundant, increase their joy and break the rods of
their oppressors. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In
the Bible, darkness points to both known ignorance and willful blindness.
People are either lacking knowledge about God or they reject him or both. The
seasons of Christmas and Epiphany point to the glory of God as revealed in
Jesus’ birth in that humble Bethlehem manger. His birth was the dividing line
between the age of darkness and the age of light. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our
world is full of darkness and sin. Our leaders sometimes make decisions that
don’t make sense to us as Christians. They don’t trust God. We must not allow
despair to overwhelm us. We are to live in the light of God’s presence. He is
the deliverer, the ultimate agent at work in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Isaiah
speaks of the area of Galilee in the northern kingdom of Israel experiencing
humiliation at the hands of the Assyrians. However, a time would come when a
great light of salvation through the messianic King would dispel the dark gloom
of judgment. When Jesus began his ministry in Galilee, the fulfillment of this
prophecy was set in motion. Isaiah compares this King’s victory over Israel’s
enemies to the day of Midian, when Gideon and his outnumbered Israelite army
defeated the Midianites through God’s powerful intervention. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God’s
light brings life, clarity and safety. It drives away gloom and brings hope.
The deeper the darkness, the brighter the light. If you light a match in a deep
cave, it is a torch. Those who live in darkness receive the shining light of
Christ. When sin closes in on us, God sends His light into the world. Those who
prefer flickers to flame won’t see the light. People who live in the dark yearn
for bright light, and God will give it to them.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There
will be no gloom or sorrow for those who are suffering or in bondage to sin.
Those who suffer will be saved from the yoke of their oppression. Not even the
darkest gloom of sin and despair can keep the light of God’s presence from
shining, even on those who live in the darkness known as the shadow of death.
That’s why we have “deathbed conversions.” That’s why the thief who hung on the
cross beside Jesus repented. The light of God’s presence spreads to every
corner of the earth. That light conquers death and sin. It provides comfort for
those who suffer for their faith at the hands of those who prefer to live in
the darkness of sin and evil. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah,
David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy
Publishing; 2013, pp. 890-891)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">McKenna, D.L.
& Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s
Commentary Series, Vol. 17: Isaiah 1-39 </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.;
1993; pp. 135-138)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MacArthur,
J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur Study Bible, New
American Standard Bible </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Calvin
Aardsma, “Light in Our Darkness.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.thisistoday.net/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.thisistoday.net</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: #0563c1;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Exegesis
for Isaiah 9:1-4. Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.lectionary.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.lectionary.org</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Amy Oder, “Commentary on Isaiah 9:1-4.” Retrieved from
</span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.workingpreacher.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.workingpreacher.org</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></u></span></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-51483439626573006722017-01-14T12:27:00.000-04:002017-01-14T12:27:07.763-04:00John 1:29-42 What’s In a Name<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You
have probably heard the phrase “What’s in a name?” from time to time. Names
mean different things to different people. In the reading from John
1:29-42, we read some of the names given to Jesus and given
by Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
heard the name John the Baptist gave to Jesus- “the Lamb of God who takes away
the sin of the world.” Deliverance from sin through the blood of a lamb, which
was a picture of Old Testament sacrifices, prefigured the coming of Jesus as
the Lamb of God. This lamb achieved the final salvation for God’s people
through Jesus’ death and resurrection. His death redeemed us from sin, death
and Satan. His death also satisfied God’s wrath by making up for our sins. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">John’s
Jewish audience understood the title “Lamb of God” because they had sacrificed
many lambs. This Lamb would be the final, ultimate sacrifice who would take
away the sin of the world. As the Messiah, Jesus gathered up all of the Old
Testament expectations about an anointed one who would lead and save His people.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another name that was given to Jesus is “Messiah.” People had
high expectations for a rising leader. John the Baptist thought that Jesus was
the One…the Coming One…the Lamb of God…The Son of God…The Messiah. But a year
or so later, John the Baptist had doubts when the Messiah didn’t act like John
thought Messiahs were supposed to act. From prison, John sent his disciples to
Jesus with questions: “Hey, I thought you were the Son of God. Why aren’t you
Son-of-Godding? Why aren’t you thumping our enemies? Why am I still in jail?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another name we heard was “snakes.” John the Baptist could
look into people’s souls and see who they really were. That’s why he called the
Pharisees and Sadducees “a brood of vipers.” He knew they didn’t want to repent.
He also looked at Jesus and knew that Jesus was the Lamb of God. He knew that
Jesus had the power to make things new. He knew that Jesus had power over sin
and death.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">John
used his influence to point others toward Christ, just as believers today are called
on to do. John’s message was clear: Behold! John the Baptist was the vessel
chosen by God to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah. God used
John to open truths to his people that they can’t understand on their own. Once
we have been introduced to these truths, our teachers must hand us over to
Jesus so that he can disciple us.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
also heard the name “teacher.” The role of a teacher of the Bible is to bring
people to Christ. That’s what Andrew did when he brought his brother Cephas to
Jesus. Andrew is a good example for us to follow. Fellowship with Jesus doesn’t
end when worship ends. Fellowship should encourage us to share the joy we have
with other people. Jesus called Andrew to catch men instead of fish, and that’s
the same call he has for us today.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sinners
who look to Jesus will find a great hope. They will find strength and
encouragement. One day our struggles will be over. We will see Him and praise
Him as the worth Lamb. Before we can do that, we have to remove everything in
our lives that is hurtful and sinful.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God
frequently changed people’s names to indicate their special calling. Jesus
knows our hearts thoroughly. He sees into them and changes a person into what
He wants him/her to become. For example, he changed Abram’s name to Abraham,
and he changed Jacob’s name to Israel. That’s why Jesus changed Cephas’ name to
Peter. Cephas is an Aramaic word meaning “rock”. By changing Cephas’ name to
Peter, Jesus called on him to be the rock on which the church would be built.
(In fact, the Roman Catholic Church believes that Peter was the first Pope.) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
Jesus gave Peter a new name, Peter was not yet a rock or a firm foundation. He
would later live up to his new name. Like Peter, we have two names. One is the
name we were given by our parents. The other one is one we have made, such as
“broken heart,” “running scared,” “loved one,” or “a lonely heart.” This is who
we are right now, but we can and will be someone else. Jesus looks into our
souls, see who we will be, and renames us. If we are faithful, we will be
called, “child of God.” He invites us to belong to him. Will we accept this
invitation? Will we be witnesses for Jesus like John the Baptist and Andrew</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
name Jesus gives us is “followers.” John the Baptist told even his own
disciples to follow Jesus. Jesus’ penetrating question- “What do you seek?” -is
for those who truly want to know Him. Genuine followers of Christ are willing
to submit themselves to Him. When the disciples answered Jesus’ question with
one of their own, they were not asking him where his tent was or the address of
the house he was visiting. They wanted to know about the eternal, undying
dwelling place of the Lamb of God. They were asking where they could go to be
in the very presence of God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On
our faith journey there will be times when we will have questions for Jesus. He
loves to hear our questions, but that doesn’t mean that he will always answer
them directly. He wants us to follow Him and learn from Him. He invites us into
a relationship that will change us forever. As we are changed, we will be
encouraged to do Christ’s work in our world. Jesus takes us-ordinary people
that we are-and uses us in extraordinary ways. In return, we are to take up our
cross, follow him, love him and offer his invitation to others. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In
conclusion, names mean different things to different people as I mentioned
earlier. The one thing most of the names mentioned in the passage from John
have in common is that they describe the different roles Jesus had and the
roles we as Christians have to play. Jesus fulfilled all of his roles. Have we
fulfilled all of our roles?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah,
David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy
Publishing; 2013, pp. 1442-1443)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ESV Study
Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fredrikson,
R.L. & Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s
Commentary Series, Vol. 27: John </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers;
2006)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MacArthur,
J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur Study Bible, New
American Study Bible </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Charles
Stanley, “Bringing Others to Jesus.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.intouch.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.intouch.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ed Young,
“Still Counting-Subtraction.” Retrieved form </span></span><a href="http://www.edyoung.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.edyoung.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Ralph
Wilson, “John’s Gospel.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.jesuswalk.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.jesuswalk.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: #0563c1;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black;"> </span><u>
</u></span></span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Exegesis
for John 1:29-42. Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.lectionary.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.lectionary.org</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sarah Dylan Breuer, “Second Sunday after the Epiphany,
Year A. “ Retrieved from </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.sarahlaughed.net/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.sarahlaughed.net</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Audrey West, “Commentary on John 1:29-42.” Retrieved
from </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.workingpreacher.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.workingpreacher.org</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pastor Edward
Markquart, “Two Witnesses: John the Baptist and Andrew.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.sermonsfromseattle.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-54565290117695362072016-12-09T15:39:00.001-04:002016-12-09T15:39:53.569-04:00Matthew 11:2-11 Expectations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have
you ever been in a situation where people did not live up to the hopes and
expectations you had for them? If so, you can probably understand why John the
Baptist was confused in the reading we heard from Matthew 11:2-11</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why
was he confused? There are two possible reasons. One is that his imprisonment
could have affected his thinking. Prisons in John’s day were not like they are
today. John was locked up in a dungeon in Herod’s palace. The dungeon was like a
cave-dark and depressing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A
second, more likely reason is because Jesus was not the type of Messiah John
preached about, not was he the type of Messiah the people were looking for.
Both John and the people were looking for a military-type of ruler who would
drive out the Romans and restore Israel to the glory days of King David. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Uncertain,
scary times can shake us up and cause us to have doubts about our faith. John
the Baptist is a good example. When we, like John, are moved by the Holy
Spirit, we vow to follow God. When we receive blessings, we are sure that Jesus
is our Saviour. When we face tragedies and disasters, we question our faith. We
question why these things happen. We are wrapped up in our suffering that
sometimes we can’t see, hear or feel God’s presence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">John
clearly shows us what happens to his and our narrow expectations. Christ came
for him but he came in a way that John did not expect. We will find
reconciliation and peace if we can see beyond our expectations and look for new
places where Jesus is working. Jesus came to reverse things.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
did not live up to the expectations of the people. He blessed the poor in
spirit, the meek and peacemakers. He called on his people not to judge others.
These teachings were contrary to the actions the people expected because of
John’s fire and brimstone preaching.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
did not answer John’s question directly. At that time, it was shameful and
dishonourable to publicly claim for oneself a higher status than one was born
with. In the eyes of the people, he was a carpenter’s son and not the Son of
God. He did not openly declare that He was the Messiah. Instead, He proclaimed
the kingdom of God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
expectation that was met was the expectation that society would be changed. The
prophecies of healing in the last days came true when Jesus came, and they are
coming true as the date of His Second Coming approaches. That healing shows its
face in Jesus’ compassion-the same compassion we are to show to a hurting
world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
came to help those in need, those who don’t have anyone else to help them. He
didn’t come to destroy the wicked. He came to restore them and give them a
second change. In other words, he came for us. We are the ones who need help.
We are the ones who need someone to help us. We are the wicked who need a
second chance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
did preach repentance, but he offered mercy and healing. Jesus judges us
through mercy. Judgment has come, and Jesus the judge has decided that those of
us who have accepted him as our Saviour by faith will receive mercy. In return,
we are to continue his ministry of healing and teaching. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Faith
requires doubt in order to be faith. All of us have doubts about Jesus and our
faith from time to time, especially if we are suffering or praying for
something. Sometimes we wonder why God allows suffering or why God doesn’t
answer our prayers. At times like these we must be like John. He had doubts,
but he was open to hearing Jesus say that He is the Messiah. God doesn’t get
mad at us when we have doubts. In fact, he is loving and gracious. He cares
about our doubts and problems, but He cares more about us. All of our doubts
will be gone and all of our questions will be answered when we get to heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
we have doubts, we can do the following things:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Admit our doubts
and ask for help like John did.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Acton our faith
and not on our doubts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep going back
to what we know to be true.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sometimes
we have blinders on. These blinders hinder our vision of where God is. If we
take these blinders off we can see where God is in our lives and trust him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
answered John’s doubts with a report of His dramatic work. Matthew mentions the
giving of sight to the blind first in order to highlight Jesus’ unique
ministry. The Old Testament does not record the blind being healed, nor does
the New Testament record any of Jesus’ disciples performing such a miracle. It
is the most frequent healing miracle that Jesus performed. Jesus also healed
the lame, the lepers and the deaf, and he raised the dead. Each of these
compassionate acts was proof that Jesus was the Messiah. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
asks us to stretch our understanding of who the Messiah is-a different model
than the magical problem-solver and giver of good things that we want to have.
When we remain faithful in the face of prayers that are not answered or hopes
that go unfulfilled. God does not promise a life without pain, but He does
promise that He will walk with us and that we will come out whole in the end. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
used a series of rhetorical questions to get the crowd to appraise John the
Baptist. They were so interested in him because he was a humble prophet who
spoke a piercing message. That message landed John the Baptist in jail. King
Herod married his brother’s ex-wife, and John told him that was wrong. Herod
did not like that message, so he had John the Baptist arrested.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
insisted that John was more than a humble prophet because he served as His
forerunner. John the Baptist was therefore greater than Isaiah, Daniel, Elijah
or any of the other Old Testament prophets because only John had the privilege
of personally introducing the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to the nation of Israel. He
was also lesser than the least in the kingdom because he did not see the full
work of Christ-his death, resurrection and ascension. We have experienced all
of these because of our faith in what Christ did for us on the cross. We have
experienced the actual atoning work of Christ. We are also greater than John
because the Holy Spirit lives in us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
Jesus said that the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John the
Baptist, he was not belittling John but highlighting the extraordinary
privilege of being in the kingdom. John prepared the way for the coming of the
Messiah, but those in the kingdom experience its reality.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Advent
is a time of expectation, a time of waiting for the coming of our Saviour. He
comes among us in His Word and through the Holy Spirit. He stirs us up and gets
us involved in His ministry among those who are neglected by our society. That
is his expectation for us, and it is also the world’s expectation for us as
Christians, so it should be our expectation as well. It is up to us to meet
those expectations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah,
David: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King
James Version </i>(Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013, pp. 1299-1300)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Exegesis for
Matthew 11:2-11. Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.sermonwriter.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.sermonwriter.com</span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ESV Study
Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Augsberger,
M. & Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s
Commentary Series, Vol. 24: Matthew </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.;
1982, p. 18)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MacArthur,
J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur Study Bible, New
American Standard Bible </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stanley,
C.F.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Charles F. Stanley Life
Principles Bible: New King James Version </i>(Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles,
2005)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Ray
Pritchard, “If I Believe, why do I Doubt?” retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.keepbelieving.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.keepbelieving.org</span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kelly
McFadden, “Tunnel Vision.” Retrieved form </span></span><a href="http://www.homeword.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.homeword.com</span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jude
Siciliano, O.P., “First Impressions, 3<sup>rd</sup> Sunday of Advent (A).”
Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.preacherexchange.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.preacherexchange.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Very Rev. Samuel Candler, “Are You the One Who Is
to Come?” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.day1.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.day1.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">David Lose, “Disappointed with God at Christmastime.”
Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.workingpreacher.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.workingpreacher.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Arland J. Hultgren, “Commentary on Matthew 11:2-11.”
Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.workingpreacher.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.workingpreacher.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Rev. Ada Wong Nagata, “Can You See and Hear God’s
presence in Your Life?” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-90595209991262211552016-12-02T15:26:00.003-04:002016-12-02T15:26:54.420-04:00Isaiah 11:1-10 The Best is Yet to Come<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Ah….
those were the good old days!”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How
many of you have ever said or thought something similar to those words?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thinking
about the past always brings up memories, both good and bad. These memories
include kids playing street hockey or climbing trees or making forts or walking
40 miles to school-uphill both ways! The problem with remembering the good old
days is that sometimes they weren’t as good as we think they were!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
prophet Isaiah reminds us of the good old days when David ruled a united
Israel, when life was simple in the Garden of Eden, and when God’s people fled
Egypt to find a permanent home. Isaiah tells us that no matter how good the
good times were even better times will happen when Christ returns. In this
season of Advent, we remember both Christ’s birth in the stable in Bethlehem
over 2,000 years ago and his Second Coming. Nothing in the past can be measured
against what is yet to come.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before
Christ returns, the world will undergo trouble and strife through the Great
Tribulation and the Battle of Armageddon. When Christ returns, not only will he
bring with him the saints who are in heaven, but he will also redeem those
Christians who are alive here on earth. That is what Isaiah means when he
refers to the Messiah as a shoot or twig from Jesse. The Messiah and his
earthly kingdom will grow from the remains of God’s judgment of the people on
earth. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before
Christ returns, the world will be under judgment. Evil will be weeded out and
what is left will be the shoot I just referred to. That shoot will be modest,
just like Jesse, the father of King David, was. What Isaiah means is that the Messiah
will be of the house and lineage of King David, who was the son of Jesse. The
word “stem” refers to a “root-stock” or “stump”. The image of a stump indicates
hope, for out of the stump will come a root or branch; namely, the Messiah.
Isaiah recalls God’s promise to King David in 2 Samuel 7:16 that his descendant
would rule over his kingdom forever. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">David
was empowered by the Holy Spirit, but the Messiah will be more richly empowered
by the Holy Spirit. He will show ideal faithfulness and find deep joy in living
reverently before God. The coming Messiah will be endowed with the Spirit of
the Lord, who provides the wisdom, ability, understanding, counsel, power,
knowledge, peace and allegiance to God that are necessary to accomplish a challenging
task. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That
task includes transforming the social order and restoring nature to paradise. He
will do what is right in His judgment and what is fair in His decisions. He
will bring justice to the poor, the needy and the wicked. The peace Isaiah
refers to in the animal kingdom mirrors the relief from oppressive injustice
within human society. Isaiah 11:1-10 refers to the 1,000-year rule of Christ on
earth after his second coming, which is also referred to in Revelation 20:4-6.
It is the final earthly chapter in God’s plan to bring earth and its
inhabitants back under his rule. The earth will return to the days of the
Garden of Eden before Adam and Eve sinned. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul
quotes Isaiah 11:10 in Romans 15:12 to show that salvation is for Gentiles as
well as Jews. The Messiah’s rule will be over all nations. Christ will heal the
hostility between the nations of the world. As I mentioned earlier, He will
allow the remnants of God’s people who are left after the Great Tribulation and
the Battle of Armageddon to return to Him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In
the meantime, we must make certain that we are ready for His return, because it
could happen at any time. We can do this by making certain that our lives are a
reflection of what his kingdom here on earth will be. That includes being fair
in our dealings with other people, loving everyone and being honest in
everything we do. Jesus will see our true nature, so it doesn’t make any sense
for us to pretend that we are doing these things.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It
has been said that the main purpose of the Old Testament prophets was to
afflict the comforted and comfort the afflicted. The reading from Isaiah
11:1-10 is an example of an Old Testament prophet comforting the afflicted. It
gives hope for the future. In this season of Advent, the readings refer to our
need to prepare for Christ’s return-a time when there will be the hope and
peace referred to by Isaiah and the final judgment proclaimed by the apostle
John. In a world full of hurt and pain, Isaiah reminds us that we are children
of God. We as Christians have seen the fulfillment of the hope promised by the
Second Coming, so we can and should proclaim this passage from Isaiah as our
hope for salvation peace to be realized in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah, Dr.
David: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King
James Version</i> (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; pp. 893-894)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gathering
Magazine, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2017 (Toronto, ON: The United Church of
Canada, p. 8)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ESV Study
Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">McKenna, D.L.
& Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s
Commentary Series, Vol. 17: Isaiah 1-39 </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.;
1993, pp. 153-158)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MacArthur,
J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur Study Bible, New
American Standard Bible </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lucado, M.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible </i>(Nashville,
TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010, pp. 943-944)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Selwyn
Hughes, “Don’t Forget the Parentheses.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jennifer
Benson Schuldt, “Snake in a Box.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.rbc.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.rbc.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joni
Eareckson Tada, “Of Wolves and Lambs.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.joniandfriends.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.joniandfriends.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Exegesis for Isaiah 11;1-10. Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.lectionary.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.lectionary.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah, Dr. David: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Agents of the Apocalypse </i>(Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House
Publishers, 2014)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anathea Porter-Young, “Commentary on Isaiah 11:1-10.”
Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.workingpreacher.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.workingpreacher.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ron Hansen, “The Peaceable Kingdom.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.journeywithjesus.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.journeywithjesus.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">14.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Rev. Dr. Stephen Montgomery, “Not Much, But Enough
for Me.” Retrieved froom </span></span><a href="http://www.day1.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.day1.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-66595521702130374842016-11-25T16:00:00.000-04:002016-11-25T16:00:20.609-04:00Matthew 24:36-44 Be Prepared for Christ’s Return<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
central theme of the reading from Matthew 24:36-44 is promise. Jesus promises
that when he returns he will gather his people. We don’t need to be afraid of
the Great Tribulation or the Battle of Armageddon. Jesus will be with us. He
will protect us. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No
one knows when He will return to set up His kingdom. Periodically someone will
claim to have discovered a secret that indicates the date of Christ’s return,
but such claims are not true. Jesus will return when we least expect it.
Christians who are expecting His return will know it will be a great day. When
He returns, we will have to give an account of how we lived for Him. If we are
faithful and wise servants we will be ready. Jesus will see us doing His will
when He returns. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
can’t make it any plainer. Even he doesn’t know the exact date and time of his
return. At first glance this doesn’t make any sense because Jesus was fully God
even though he was also fully human. While Jesus was on earth he learned things
the same way other humans learned them. Because he was fully God at the same
time, he had infinite knowledge, so how could he have not known the date and
time of his return? One possibility is that he regularly lived on the basis of
his human knowledge, but he could call to mind anything from his infinite
knowledge. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
idea the Jesus will come like a thief in the night is found in multiple places
in Scripture such as Luke 12:39, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation
3:3 and Revelation 16:15. We must keep looking for Christ’s return, but we must
also continue to spread the Good News. We must always be prepared because he
could return at any time.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some
may wonder why Christ hasn’t returned yet. One possible reason is that he might
be waiting until the affairs of the world are so messed up that waiting any
longer won’t make a difference. This supports the fact that the Battle of
Armageddon has to take place before Christ returns. Some people say that we are
getting closer to the end of the world because of all the wars and natural
disasters that are taking place in the world today.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another
sign that we are getting close to the time of Christ’s return is the falling
away from the faith. Church attendance is declining. Some clergy even stand in
the pulpit and deny the virgin birth and Jesus’ resurrection. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It
isn’t easy for us to wait for anything, and our modern society doesn’t help.
With all of our time saving devices such as microwave ovens and cell phones, we
are used to getting things almost immediately. We forget to stop and look. We
forget to let God interrupt our plans so that we can see Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God
reveals enough about the future to give us hope, but not so much that we do not
have to live and walk by faith every day. We have His assurance about our
future with Him. He will bring justice and hope to our hurting would. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
said that people won’t notice His return when it happens. While it is true that
the event will be reported by the media thanks to our 24-hour news channels,
that does not mean that people will be paying attention. After all, how many of
us pay attention to every news story on radio or TV or in the newspaper? People
will keep on doing things as they have always done. They won’t realize that
things will change because of Jesus’ return. It’s important that we must always
be ready for Christ’s return. We don’t <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>want Him to catch us by surprise. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
end will be unexpected. God will come into the ordinary events of our lives.
His coming will cause a great separation between believers and non-believers.
He doesn’t want us to have a “ho-hum” attitude about his return, but he doesn’t
want us to be afraid of it either. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When Jesus returns, will we recognize him? The only way to
know for certain is to get lots of practice doing what he wants us to do. In
other words, we are to show his love to a hurting world be serving the less
fortunate. This means feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty,
welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked and visiting the prisoner. These
will be credited to us as if we had done them for Christ. While we are waiting
for Christ to return, we are to witness to unbelievers and warn them about
Christ’s judgment. We are to share God’s love and plan for salvation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah,
David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy
Publishing; 2013; p. 1325-1326)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ESV Study
Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Augsberger,
M. & Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s
Commentary Series, Vol. 24: Matthew </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.;
1983)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MacArthur,
J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur Study Bible, New
American Standard Bible </i>(Nashville, TN; Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stanley,
C.F.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Charles F. Stanley Life
Principles Bible, New King James Version </i>(Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles;
2005)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lucado, M.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible </i>(Nashville,
TN: Thomas Nelson; 2010; pp.1339-1340)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Richard
Inness, “Vivid Warning Signs.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.actsweb.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.actsweb.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Michael
Youssef, Ph.D., “Like a Thief.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.leadingtheway.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.leadingtheway.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Harold
Sala, “Prophecies and the Lord’s Return, 2.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.guidelines.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.guidelines.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Exegesis for
Matthew 24:36-44. Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.sermonwriter.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.sermonwriter.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: #0563c1;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Michael Youssef, Ph.D., “Until He Returns.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.leadingtheway.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.leadingtheway.org</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0563c1;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">David Lose, “A Sure and Certain
Promise.” Retrieved from</span><u> </u></span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.workingpreacher.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.workingpreacher.org</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rick Morley, “Like a Thief.”
Retrieved from </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.rickmorley.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.rickmorley.com</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">14.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sarah Dylan Breuer, “First Sunday of Advent, Year A.” retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.sarahlaughed.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.sarahlaughed.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">15.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ben Witherington, “Commentary on Matthew 24:36-44.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.workingpreacher.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.workingpreacher.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt 54pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-44341023925072663902016-11-21T14:29:00.001-04:002016-11-21T14:29:43.630-04:001 Corinthians 3:10-23 Our Firm Foundation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every
building has a firm foundation. Without it, the building would fall down. Similarly,
our faith has to have a firm foundation. That foundation is Jesus. Anything
else will fail-even the church.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
first reason that churches fail is because they violate their commitment to
Jesus Christ as their foundation. Churches must be built on Christ; then a
community of believers can glorify Him through social justice or outreach or
service. To establish a church on any other foundation-even one compromised of
seemingly virtuous causes-will not succeed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wood,
hay and straw will decay. God, silver and precious stones are permanent. The
framework of the church must be carefully chosen for endurance. God only uses
quality materials such as gold, silver and precious stones. These represent
dedicated, spiritual service in building the church. Too many people build the
foundations of their lives on material that will decay. They build their lives
on worldly ways and worldly things. The only foundation that will last is the
foundation of Jesus Christ. When we trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit takes up
residence in our hearts. He will be in us and with us forever. We are
significant because God lives in us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If we want God to live in
us, we need a daily dose of disciplined faith. That includes setting aside time
every day to pray and study the Bible. These habits will go a long way to
achieving spiritual health. Our reward for an earnest faith is a deep hunger to
know God. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul
explains in 1 Corinthians 3:10-23 that the Day of Judgment will declare the validity of each person’s
work. This is not the Great White Throne judgment where Jesus will condemn
unbelievers. It is the Judgment Seat of Christ, where believers will be
evaluated. The phrase, “test each one’s work” means that God will see His
children as they really are-all their motivations, desires and reasons for
serving Him. The work that Christians do in true faith and obedience to God
will survive and be rewarded. Work done in the power of the flesh or in
disobedience to the Scriptures will not. A sinner who lives a good life is
still a sinner. God needs people who see themselves as sinners and Him as a God
who saves. He wants people to ask for mercy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There
are no limits to our possessions in Christ. Pastors and teachers are fellow
servants ministering the things of God. It’s foolish to fight over an Apollos
versus a Paul versus a Peter when they, like every member within the church,
are part of God’s purpose for the body of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What
we do on earth will affect our eternal destiny. If we let our lives and our
words be witnesses to the lost, we will build up rewards in heaven. Believers
will be given rewards based on the quality of their service. Notice that it is
not their service that saves. Both the rewarded believer and the believer who
suffers loss are saved. Works can never earn salvation. Faithfulness in service,
however, will earn the right to give God even greater glory as the faithful lay
their rewards at His feet. God will reward us with heavenly responsibilities
according to how faithful we have been here on earth. If we use the best
resources to the best of our ability, we will receive all of the goodness He
offers. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sometimes
we may ask ourselves what God is thinking or what He wants us to do. We can
know His thoughts and His will. All we have to do is forget about our earthly
ways and learn His principles for living our lives. Worldly ways are the exact
opposite of God’s ways. If we study God’s Word we can see God’s message and His
method. We will see how he works in the lives of His people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyone
who tries to stop God’s work is not part of God’s family and will be destroyed,
just like God destroyed all of Israel’s enemies. It is one thing to disagree if
one’s desire is what is best for a community of believers. Those who are
motivated to block or ruin what God wants to do are sinning. This is what
happened to the church in Corinth. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
Corinthians knew that they belonged to God and not to the person who led them
to Christ. The person was only doing God’s work. They should only boast in God.
The source of real unity among us is the fact that we are all servants of the
same master. We are all products of God’s grace, which is the source of our
Christian unity. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah,
David:<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King
James Version </i>(Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 1577-1578)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chafin, K.L.
& Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s
Commentary series, Vol. 30: 1,2 Corinthians </i>(Nashville, TN:<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1985; pp. 51-56)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ESV Study
Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MacArthur,
J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur Study bible, New
American Standard Bible </i>(Nashville, TN; Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Charles
Stanley, “Choosing the Right Building Material.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.intouch.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.intouch.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anne Graham
Lotz, “Our One Foundation.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.angelministries.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.angelministries.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ron Moore,
“The Spirit Lives in Me.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.ronmoore.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.ronmoore.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ed Young,
“Invest in Your Future.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.edyoung.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.edyoung.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pastor Ken
Klaus, “The Word for the New year.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.lhm.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.lhm.org</span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-44918424484597708852016-11-18T15:44:00.000-04:002016-11-18T15:44:39.756-04:00Luke 23:35-38 A Backward Kind of King <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today
I am going to tell you a story about a king. As you know, a king usually wears
a crown made of gold, silver, and precious jewels. The king in our story wore a different
kind of crown. Listen as I tell you the story of "King Backward." <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once
upon a time, a long time ago, there lived a King. He was no ordinary king. He
was different from other kings because He did everything backwards from the way
other kings did them. From the very day he was born, you could tell that this
king was going to be different. Most kings are usually born in a palace, but
this king was born in a stable surrounded by donkeys, sheep and cows. It wasn't
a very big beginning for a king. In fact, very few people even knew that a king
had been born. Only a handful of shepherds and three wise men got the word that
a king had been born.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As
the infant king grew into a man, he continued to be different from other kings.
While most kings spent all of their time building up riches of silver, gold,
and jewels, this king owned nothing at all. And while most kings surrounded
themselves with servants, He chose to be a servant. He could often be found
helping others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As
time went on, people became very unhappy with their King because He just didn't
act the way that they thought a king should act. Instead of riding into town on
a big white horse the way other kings usually did, their king rode into town on
the back of a donkey. Was that any way for a king to act?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And
the people He chose to be his friends! His closest friends were a bunch of
smelly fishermen and He could often be seen visiting with the poor and eating
with sinners.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally
the people decided that they had put up with this King long enough. If He
couldn't act the way a king should act, then they didn't want Him to be their
king any more. They made a plan to have Him arrested and thrown into prison.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Their
plan worked. When the day came for his trial, the King stood before the people.
Instead of shouting "Hail to the King, Long live the King!" they
shouted, "Crucify Him! He is not our king! Crucify Him!." So they
crucified the King. They nailed Him to a cross; they put a crown made of thorns
on his head; they poked Him with sharp sticks and made fun of Him. What a way
for a king to die! After He was crucified, they took His body and put it in a
borrowed tomb. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wait,
that isn't the end of the story. Remember ... this King was different! King
Backward rose from the grave to live forever. Now, instead of being the
Backward King, He is the Forever King. He is the King to anyone who chooses Him
to be their King. Oh, there are still some people who call Him "King
Backward," but those who know Him don't call Him that ... they call him
King Jesus!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
wants to be your king too, and if you choose Him to be your King, you will live
happily forever, and forever after!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear
Jesus, today we crown you King and Lord of our life. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Christ the King Backward.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.sermons4kids.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.sermons4kids.com</span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-6542463065308586172016-11-12T15:14:00.002-04:002016-11-12T15:22:33.226-04:00Luke 19:41-44 Weeping for Jerusalem<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In
the reading we heard from Luke 19:41-44a few minutes ago, Jesus wept. Does
that surprise you? After all, Jesus and God are one in the same. Well, it’s not
really a surprise because Jesus was also human, so he had human needs and
emotions, including sorrow. This was not the first time he wept. He wept
shortly before he raised his friend Lazarus from the dead. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In
this passage from Luke, we heard how Jesus wept over the future of Jerusalem
and the Jewish people. Jesus also wept because He knew the real tragedy of the
moment. He had just entered Jerusalem in triumph. He knew this moment of glory
would not last. He knew that the joyous reaction of the crowds was superficial
and would not last. He knew that the city would be destroyed, and indeed it was
destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. Jerusalem’s destruction was God’s judgment
for their failure to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
rejection of Jesus by the Jews was predicted in the Old Testament, but Jesus
was still saddened by their rejection. This likely reflected God’s heart as he
thought about how the Jews rejected His prophets. Jesus was also thinking about
His Second Coming and the coming of the kingdom. The things that make for peace
were the things that would lead the Jews to salvation. Because they did not
realize that Jesus was the long-promised Messiah, they did not realize the way
to salvation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ironically,
Jerusalem means “City of Peace.” Jesus wept because of the great privileges
that were being abused. He wept because of the great possibilities that were
rejected. He also wept because of the great punishment he knew was coming on
the city and the people. Jerusalem had abandoned its faith, rejected the
Messiah, and would be laid to waste with terrible judgment. This was their day
opportunity. Jesus made himself available to them, but they nailed Him to the
cross. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">From
the time of David onward, Jerusalem was the centre of Israel and of her
religion. But as Jesus looked at it, the temple was no longer a place of glory,
holiness, and wonder but a picture of the terrible decay in the Jewish
religious system.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jerusalem
represents all of our hometowns. Have you ever wept or shown concern for your
own hometowns? We could weep for our neighbours who don’s know how to have the
peace of Christ. They don’t know the cure for the loneliness that results in
destructive patterns. If we knew the heartbreak in our hometowns, we would weep
too. Every city and town can be blessed with Jesus’ presence, but the leaders
must invite Jesus into the city or town before God’s peace can be experienced. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In
some ways, we are like the Jews. Do we realize it when God does somethings
special in our midst? How many people in the world today know God, even though
God created the world around us? How many people know God even though the Bible
reveals His plan for our lives? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jeremiah,
David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy
Publishing; 2013; p. 1494)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">ESV Study
Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Larsen, B.
& Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s
Commentary Series, Vol. 26: Luke </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1983;
pp. 290-294)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MacArthur,
J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur Study Bible, New
American Standard Bible </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Stanley, C.F:
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles
Bible, New King James Version </i>(Nashville, TN; Nelson Bibles; 2005)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Don Ruhl,
“Why Did Jesus Fade in Glory?” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">comment-reply@wordpress.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Os Hillman,
“Jesus Wept for the City.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-23711192094625315412016-11-12T15:14:00.001-04:002016-11-12T15:21:47.671-04:00Luke 19:41-44 Weeping for Jerusalem<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In
the reading we heard from Luke 19:41-44a few minutes ago, Jesus wept. Does
that surprise you? After all, Jesus and God are one in the same. Well, it’s not
really a surprise because Jesus was also human, so he had human needs and
emotions, including sorrow. This was not the first time he wept. He wept
shortly before he raised his friend Lazarus from the dead. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In
this passage from Luke, we heard how Jesus wept over the future of Jerusalem
and the Jewish people. Jesus also wept because He knew the real tragedy of the
moment. He had just entered Jerusalem in triumph. He knew this moment of glory
would not last. He knew that the joyous reaction of the crowds was superficial
and would not last. He knew that the city would be destroyed, and indeed it was
destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. Jerusalem’s destruction was God’s judgment
for their failure to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
rejection of Jesus by the Jews was predicted in the Old Testament, but Jesus
was still saddened by their rejection. This likely reflected God’s heart as he
thought about how the Jews rejected His prophets. Jesus was also thinking about
His Second Coming and the coming of the kingdom. The things that make for peace
were the things that would lead the Jews to salvation. Because they did not
realize that Jesus was the long-promised Messiah, they did not realize the way
to salvation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ironically,
Jerusalem means “City of Peace.” Jesus wept because of the great privileges
that were being abused. He wept because of the great possibilities that were
rejected. He also wept because of the great punishment he knew was coming on
the city and the people. Jerusalem had abandoned its faith, rejected the
Messiah, and would be laid to waste with terrible judgment. This was their day
opportunity. Jesus made himself available to them, but they nailed Him to the
cross. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">From
the time of David onward, Jerusalem was the centre of Israel and of her
religion. But as Jesus looked at it, the temple was no longer a place of glory,
holiness, and wonder but a picture of the terrible decay in the Jewish
religious system.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jerusalem
represents all of our hometowns. Have you ever wept or shown concern for your
own hometowns? We could weep for our neighbours who don’s know how to have the
peace of Christ. They don’t know the cure for the loneliness that results in
destructive patterns. If we knew the heartbreak in our hometowns, we would weep
too. Every city and town can be blessed with Jesus’ presence, but the leaders
must invite Jesus into the city or town before God’s peace can be experienced. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In
some ways, we are like the Jews. Do we realize it when God does somethings
special in our midst? How many people in the world today know God, even though
God created the world around us? How many people know God even though the Bible
reveals His plan for our lives? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jeremiah,
David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy
Publishing; 2013; p. 1494)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">ESV Study
Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Larsen, B.
& Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s
Commentary Series, Vol. 26: Luke </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1983;
pp. 290-294)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MacArthur,
J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur Study Bible, New
American Standard Bible </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Stanley, C.F:
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles
Bible, New King James Version </i>(Nashville, TN; Nelson Bibles; 2005)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Don Ruhl,
“Why Did Jesus Fade in Glory?” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">comment-reply@wordpress.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Os Hillman,
“Jesus Wept for the City.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-84019775119011501022016-11-04T18:55:00.000-03:002016-11-04T18:55:25.016-03:002 Thessalonians 2:1-5,13-17 Christ, Our Firm Foundation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every
house has a firm foundation. Without it, the house would quickly fall down.
Similarly, our faith has a firm foundation-Jesus Christ. That foundation can
never be shaken.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
word “Shaken” is sometimes used to describe what happens to a home’s
foundations in an earthquake. It can also describe what happens to weak faith
when trouble comes. Believers in Thessalonica were alarmed because they
mistakenly believed they had missed the rapture and were living in the
Tribulation-a rumour they were more prone to believe because they were being
persecuted. This false teaching had come to them either by a fraudulent
revelation, a false report, or a forged letter bearing Paul’s name. Paul spent
some time correcting this error.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
Day of the Lord doesn’t describe a literal 24-hour period but was prophesied by
the Old Testament prophets as a time when God would visit the earth to judge
the wicked and to save His people. In the New Testament, this event includes
the Tribulation, the Second Coming, the millennium and the final judgment. Paul
assumed that the arrival of the Day of the Lord and the Second Coming would
occur at the same time as part of a single event. Paul wanted to help the
Thessalonians gain a long-term perspective on their suffering. He assured them
of God’s eternal plan, that he loved them, chose them, saved them, sanctified
them, called them and has invited them to share in Christ’s glory. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul
wanted to encourage the Thessalonians to stand firm in their faith. Paul
assured them that the Day of the Lord and the Tribulation have not yet come. As
proof, he mentioned certain things that must precede these events following the
Rapture of the church. First, the truth of God’s word will be rejected. There
will be a specific walking away from the truth people once believed. Second, just
before Christ returns the Antichrist will be released and revealed. The Greek
word for “revealed” also means “uncovered” or “unveiled.” It is the same word
that described the revelation of Jesus. The Antichrist will in some ways
imitate Christ, even as he opposes Him. The Antichrist doesn’t want any rivals.
He will insist that he is God. The man of sin will sit as God in the temple of
God and falsely declare himself to be the only one worthy of the world’s worship.
This is another event that will happen before the Great Tribulation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
“falling away” from God’s Word has started already. Church attendance is
dwindling. There is increased opposition to Christianity in the world.
Terrorism and wars are on the rise. At times like these, we need to look not to
the world and its solutions but to Christ. These are signs that Christ’s return
is near. We don’t know the exact date, but we can take comfort in the knowledge
that Christ will soon make things right.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
Greek word for “chose” is used nowhere else in the New Testament. It means “to
select for oneself” with the intent to enjoy it after it becomes yours. God
chose His people before the foundation of the world; they could not possibly
choose him unless he had chosen them first. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Being
chosen by God is a call to responsibility. God has chosen us as his first
fruits so that we can tell everyone we know about His love and saving grace. We
will face ridicule, rejection and opposition like Jesus did, but we are to
stand fast. We can do this because God will support, strengthen and encourage
us. He loves us, consoles us and gives us hope because of His grace.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christians
don’t have to be worried about the Second Coming. We can be confident and
encouraged because we have been sanctified and chosen to be saved by the Holy
Spirit. There is no room for pride in our efforts to improve the world, and
there’s also no room for despair at the state of the world around us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s important that we hold on to Christ’s teachings.
They have been tried and tested and found to be true. Just like these teachings
have withstood the test of time, God’s love has stood the test of time. Just
like these teachings have transcended history, God’s love is infinite and
eternal. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because
God has done so much for them, His people are urged to stand fast and hold
tightly to the truth that they have been taught. They might not understand
everything that is happening, but they can be confident in the resources God as
provided from eternity past to eternity future. The word “traditions” does not
refer to human institutions such as worship styles or musical preferences which
will change with the times but the doctrinal teachings that originated with God
and were taught by Paul and the other apostles. These must never change. Everything
we do must be based on the lordship of Christ and the authority of the Bible.
His standards must be our standards. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul’s
prayer for the Thessalonians in verses 16 and 17 provided them with an eternal
perspective on the persecution they were facing. These verses focus on God’s
love and grace in Christ. He wants then not just to know and protect the truth
but to practice it, comforted, stabilized and ethical in every good word and
work. Knowing and practicing the Word of God strengthens our Christian walk and
spirit. God’s grace and love encourage and strengthen us in every good deed and
word. If we want to grow close to God, we have to forgive our enemies,
encourage others and pray daily. This is hard work, and at times we will be
discouraged, but it will be worth it in the end. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah,
David: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King
James Version</i> (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; pp. 1693-1696)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ESV Study
Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Demarest,
G.W. & Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s
Commentary Series, Vol. 32: 1,2 Thessalonians/1,2 Timothy/Titus </i>(Nashville,
TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1984; pp. 127-133)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MacArthur,
J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur Study Bible, New
American Standard Bible </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stanley,
C.F.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Charles F. Stanley Life
Principles Bible, New King James Version </i>(Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles;
2005)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ryan Duncan,
“A Spiritual Workout.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ed Young,
“Consistency Over Culture.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.edyoung.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.edyoung.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: #0563c1;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">T.M.
Moore, “Word and Deed.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.ailbe.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.ailbe.org</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -36pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mariam
Kamell, “Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5,13-17.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1847"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1847</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 54pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-58641710898876251982016-10-29T10:53:00.004-03:002016-10-29T10:53:54.848-03:002 Thessalonians 1:1-4,11-12 Encouragement in the Face of Problems<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have
you ever wished that someone had given you encouragement when you really needed
it? A few words of encouragement can really make our day brighter. We see an
example of this in the reading we heard from 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4,11-12.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Knowing
that his words would fill the Thessalonian believers with the humble desire to
do better, Paul praised them for their growing faith despite tremendous
persecution. Earthly troubles can be great soil for the growth of faith. Paul
reassures the Thessalonians that his giving thanks to them is both legitimate
and necessary because of their misunderstanding of the Lord’s return. He gave
thanks for their increasing faith and love in difficult circumstances. The
Thessalonians have set an example for us as Christians to follow. Difficult
circumstances are not excuses for us to lose faith. On the contrary, they are
opportunities for our faith to grow. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
Thessalonians demonstrated patience. They endured in spite of hardships. They
took their suffering and used it in positive, creative ways. In doing so, they
showed love to each other. Paul also praised the Thessalonians for their
abounding love toward each other. Rather than living according to their own
self-interest, as suffering people often do, the Thessalonian believers had
reached out to one another.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
Paul adds the word “tribulation” to the word “persecution,” he expands the
meaning to include not only what people did to the Thessalonians but their
everyday difficulties. Yet their persevering patience testified to God’s power
and the reality of their faith---things that Paul could boast about to other
churches. The word “boast” simply means that Paul could hold up the
Thessalonian believers as good examples. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Trials
do not make us what we are: they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">reveal</i>
what we are. Some of the most compelling evidence of God at work in the
Christian life comes when a person is overwhelmed by troubles and yet still
serves Him, fulfilling the work of faith with power. God will deal with those
who hurt us in his own time and in his own way. We have a spiritual obligation
to thank God in prayer when He accomplishes great things through us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In
our spiritual walk we will face many challenges to our faith. We can prepare
ourselves to face these challenges by studying the experiences of faith of
those who have gone before us. That includes studying the Bible. Our calling
from God on our lives won’t be easy. When God asks us to do something, he will
give us the grace and strength we need to do his work and make it through any
difficulties we face. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
we walk with God, we are united with fellow Christians. When we walk with God,
we become worthy of the calling Jesus has given us. More important, however, is
the fact that we will be worthy to enter the Kingdom. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
need both grace and peace to get to our God-given destinations. We are saved by
God’s grace through faith. We don’t deserve God’s grace, but he still gives it
do us. Grace opens the door to salvation, but it also gives us the strength we
need to live the lives God has called us to live here on earth. Peace is just
as powerful as grace. Peace means that we are one with God in thought, word and
deed. We are settled relationally with God and with each other, and nothing can
change that. God’s grace and peace allow us to grow n every area of our lives,
including our love for others. Love is the greatest thing, and that’s all that
matters in eternity. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For
the people to be worthy of God’s calling in their lives means they should live
in harmony with their ultimate destiny. In other words, because they belong in
Christ and are bound for heaven, they should act like it. That includes growing
spiritually wherever we are in life. If we don’t grow spiritually, we will
stagnate. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
is glorified through His people’s response to adversity. As believers represent
the Lord amid times of trouble, they will find their faith strengthened, their
hope sharpened, and their love stimulated. We can glorify God when we live our
lives to our very best. When we do the biggest thing even when the wrong things
are happening all around us, that brings honour to God. He is glorified when we
put him first in everything we do. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
we strive to please God and do His will by tapping into the Spirit’s power, we
show that Jesus is Lord and infinitely worthy of our service. Those who have
never heard or accepted the Gospel will suffer eternal separation from God.
When Christ comes again, he will raise the faithful to be with Him. Christ’s
goodness will be seen in them and their goodness will be seen in Him. This will
be achieved through God’s grace-the same grace he offers to all of us today.
All we have to do is reach out in faith and take it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah,
David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy
Publishing; 2013; pp. 1693)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ESV Study
Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joel Osteen,
“Grace and Peace to You.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.joelosteen.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.joelosteen.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joel Osteen,
“Let Your Love Show.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.joelosteen.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.joelosteen.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Steve
Arterburn, “Calling.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joel Osteen,
“Glorified in You.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.joelosteen.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.joelosteen.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Demarest,
G.W. & Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s
Commentary Series, Vol. 32: 1,2 Thessalonians/1,2 Timothy/Titus </i>(Nashville,
TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1984, pp. 108-111)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MacArthur,
J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur Study Bible, New
American Standard Version </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stanley,
C.F.; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Charles F. Stanley Life
Principles Bible, New King James Version </i>(Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles,
2005)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. David Jeremiah, “Keep Growing!” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">turningpoint@davidjeremiah.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-55908469198485577362016-10-21T15:12:00.000-03:002016-10-21T15:12:21.432-03:002 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18 Final Thoughts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What
would you say to someone if you knew you were speaking to them for the last
time?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>What advice would you
give?</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These
same questions were likely on Paul’s mind when he wrote his second letter to
Timothy. Paul wrote this letter from a prison cell in Rome, and he knew that he
would soon be put to death by Emperor Nero. The letter to Timothy, which we
heard a part of earlier in this morning’s service, was a “passing of the
torch.” In this letter Paul gave final instruction to his star pupil Timothy
much like a school teacher gives final instructions to his or her students
before they write a final exam.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s
a good idea for us to reflect back on our spiritual lives once in awhile. It
helps us live even better as we move forward. Our spiritual lives will face
setbacks, hardships and difficulties. We can’t change something that happened
in the past, but we can change how we do things form this moment forward. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
term, “At my first defense” speaks of Paul’s first imprisonment. This, his
final imprisonment, was Paul’s Gethsemane. It was the end of his earthly
journey and the beginning of his journey into eternal glory. He was delivered
from danger.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul
wanted to continue doing God’s work until the last possible moment, and he
wanted to study God’s work until the last minute. In other words, he stayed
focused on God until the last minute. He set a good example for us as
Christians to follow. When we stay focused on Christ and study His word, we can
withstand all of life’s challenges. Success eventually follows when we refuse
to quit. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul
has completed the work God assigned him to do. God has given the same
assignment to both Timothy and us. It was up to Timothy to continue this work,
and it’s up to us to continue it as well. Paul is now prepared to receive the
crown of righteousness that God gives to all believers. This is possible
because of God’s grace. All true believers who hope for Christ’s return and
persevere in doing His work will receive this crown. When we devote our lives
to doing God’s work, we might not receive earthly rewards. The results of our
work will last for eternity as long as we keep getting up and going when we
fall. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul’s
life has been a sacrificial offering. The word “departure” suggest the untying
of a boat from its moorings. Paul’s exit from this life will mean a new life
ahead in eternity. Paul, like most people who know that their life is coming to
an end, looked backward before passing into his eternal reward. Staring death
in the face can bring out the best in people. The real prospect of death forces
us to focus on what is significant in our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul
had every reason to be resentful. He had no money, clothes or food. He was in
prison. His morale was dwindling. The only familiar person who was there to
encourage him was the apostle Luke. All of his other friends deserted him
because in Rome at that time supporting a Christian at his/her trial would have
led to a death sentence. Paul’s last words had no hint of bitterness,
resentment or regret. His unbreakable spirit emerged. He was more concerned
about others than he was about himself. He extended forgiveness to those who
abandoned him, thereby following the examples of Jesus when he was on the cross
and Stephen when he was stoned to death. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God
also stood by Paul, and God will also stand by us. When we are tired, he will
give us strength. When failure is inevitable, he steps in and helps us find the
strength to finish the work he gave us to do. We need his strength because we
are in a spiritual war. We are fighting against evil in this world, flesh that
is corrupt and a devil that is busy. Like soldiers on the front line of a
battle we are in a battle that is demanding and risky, but the prize is worth
fighting for. Jesus will not be ashamed of His soldiers. In fact, he will be in
the trenches leading us and fighting alongside us. When we win the fight, we
will get a foretaste of the reward we will receive in heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul
has no regrets about his past. All three images-fight the good fight, finished
the race, kept the faith-have involved sacrifice, labour and danger. Now they
represent the successful completion of Paul’s earthly ministry. Paul accepted
the reality of his situation. God gave Paul the strength he needed to spread
the Gospel, and God also gave Paul the strength to face his upcoming death. God
rescued Paul from his fate not by preventing his death but by taking him to
heaven. Christian life and ministry is a commitment to run all the way to the
finish line. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul’s
acceptance of his situation is a good example for us as Christians to follow.
Things could be better, but they could also be worse. Our place in life can
only be experienced by us. If we can change anything for the better, we must do
so. If we are being blessed, we must share our blessings with gratitude with
others. If we have any regrets, we need to address them now before they poison
our spirit or ruin the rest of our lives. If we long for payback, we long for
justice to show itself. When we fear payback, we become afraid that justice
will show itself. We want our own efforts to matter. Complete justice rarely
comes, and when it does come it rarely comes at the speed we want it to arrive
at. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Those
who are eager for Christ’s appearing are usually eager to fulfill His calling
before He returns. They persevere because they know that their final salvation
and righteousness are sure. Paul saw his upcoming death as a release from the
toils of responsibility. He saw the hand of God moving to give him mercy and to
spread the gospel among the people who were persecuting him. He saw his
upcoming trial as another opportunity to spread the good news. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s
important for us to look above what’s here on earth and to know where our
treasures are. It’s also important for us to be true witnesses for God by
showing others that we serve someone greater than us. When it comes to
committing our resources in service to Jesus, we can only do what we can. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we want to do well, we need to live well.
If we want to live well, we need to figure out what our God-given purpose in
life is and give it our best shot with God’s help. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah,
David: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King
James Version </i>(Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; pp. 1723-1724)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Swindoll,
Charles R.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Swindoll’s Living Insights on
1&2 Timothy/Titus </i>(Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers
Inc., 2016, pp. 232-239,247-249)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ESV Study
Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Demarest, G.
& Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s
Commentary Series, Vol. 32: 1,2 Thessalonians/1,2 Timothy/Titus </i>(Nashville,
TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1984)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MacArthur,
J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur Study Bible, New
American Standard Version </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 1986)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stanley,
C.F.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Charles F. Stanley Life
Principles Bible, New King James Version </i>(Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles;
2005)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Richard
Inness, “Keeping the Faith.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.actsweb.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.actsweb.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. David
Jeremiah, “Famous Last Words.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">turningpoint@davidjeremiah.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Harold
Sala, “Quitting.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.guidelines.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.guidelines.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ed Young, “Invest in Your Future.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.edyoung.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.edyoung.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Richard Inness, “What’s Your Purpose in Life?”
Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.actsweb.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.actsweb.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joni Eareckson Tada, “The Good Fight.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.joniandfriends.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.joniandfriends.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alistair
Begg, “His Kingdom.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">14.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Matt Skinner, “Commentary on 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18.”
Retrieved from </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1837"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1837</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-59810033122355119162016-10-01T11:05:00.000-03:002016-10-01T11:05:03.231-03:00Luke 17:5-10 Big Things Come in Small Packages<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A
wealthy man died and went to heaven. He was met at the Pearly Gates by Saint
Peter who led him down the streets of gold. They passed mansion after mansion
until they came to the very end of the street. Saint Peter stopped the rich man
in front of a little shack. “This belongs to you,” said Saint Peter. “Why do I
get this ugly thing when there are so many mansions I could live in?” the man
demanded. “We did the best we could with the money you sent us!” Saint Peter
replied.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have
you ever noticed that some of the greatest or most beautiful things in life
come from things<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that are very small?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let
me give you an example. How many of you plant vegetables or flowers? Plants and flowers
start as seeds. Once these seeds are planted, they slowly grow into plants and
vegetables of different sizes. All you have to do is look at pumpkins that are
entered into various weigh-ins at this time of year. Some of them weigh
hundreds of pounds, but they all started from a small seed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Faith
is like a seed. It starts as something small and over time grows into something
larger that allows us to do great things in Christ’s name. Many people believe
they would be better equipped to live the Christian life if God wold only grant
them more faith. Jesus focused not on the quantity of faith but its character.
More faith does not equal greater ability to accomplish things, since God is
the One who does the work. The Lord is able to accomplish great things with
only a grain of genuine faith. Even an small amount of faith can lead to
remarkable results if it is the result of a genuine trust in God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
we ask for more faith like the disciples did in the reading we heard from Luke
17:5-10 earlier in this morning’s service, it’s often because we are facing
difficulties in life and we fear that our faith will weaken or that it won’t
match the trials we are facing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
tells both the disciples and us that the quantity of faith we have is not
important. What matters is the quality of our faith. A small amount of faith
will enable us to do great things for God. Having faith does not mean that we
will have the power to perform crowd-pleasing miracles. Sometimes the simplest
things done in faith can have huge impacts. Our response to the gift of faith
is the desire and ability to do what Jesus asks us to do, including great
things.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
illustrated His teaching on faith by pointing to a nearby mulberry tree-a
large, stout tree know for its longevity and deep root system. Our faith is to
be like the mulberry tree-large, strong, long-lasting and deeply rooted in the
love we have for God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
we struggle against life’s injustices and wrongs, we are reminded that the good
work we do is a gift from God. That gift is sufficient to enable us to do what
needs to be done to further God’s dominion on earth. Faith is putting one foot
in front of the other and walking toward a future we do not see but trust that God
is working. Faith is heading out the door every day looking for opportunities
to do God’s work in the world.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christ’s
standards might seem to be too high, but they represent the minimum duties for
a servant of Christ. When we obey Christ, we are not to think that our
obedience is meritorious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Servants are
expected to do the will of their masters or employers; their work is not a
favour but a required service. A servant of God seeks to obey God’s commands
without question and without bargaining for a reward. When we follow Jesus’
teachings, we are doing what we are supposed to be doing. God owes us nothing,
and we owe him everything, even our lives. We are not owed any special favours
or rewards for our good works. We will be rewarded in heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
it comes to obeying Jesus, full faith is needed. If we want to increase our
faith, we must understand what faith is, and we must be rightly motivated in
wanting to see our faith increase. These motives are:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wanting to please
God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wanting to do
good works of love, which is a mark of a true Christian.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">An effective
prayer life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wanting to live
by faith.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God
wants to strengthen our faith through the hardships He allows into our lives. God
works in all kinds of circumstances, among all types of people, in all kinds of
situations. He is with us wherever there is even faith as small as a mustard
seed. He is alive wherever we practice the faith we already have.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There
are two ways to build our faith-repetition and impartation from God. Our faith
builds as we see God working in our lives and we come to trust Him more and
more because we see that He is faithful to us. When God imparts faith to us, it
is for a specific purpose or task. This is the type of faith we received when
we trusted God to save us. When we act in faith, we will grow in faith. Faith
is like a muscle. The more we use it, the stronger it gets.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Faith
isn’t a game plan for solving our problems. Faith does not mean understanding
why things are the way they are. Faith isn’t about answers. It’s about the love
of God through Jesus. It’s about being grasped by Jesus so that we know in our
hearts and bones that our lives, his life and the world are mixed together.
It’s about God working through us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If
we live our lives according to the pattern Jesus laid out for us, we should not
expect any special commendations or rewards. Following His pattern is simply
the way to live life. We are only doing what He expects us to do. It is the
life we are expected to live by serving God. Faith is found in the ordinary,
daily acts of doing what needs to be done, responding to the needs around us
and caring for others. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sometimes
having faith means having our thoughts, feelings and actions transformed by God.
It means being a “slave” to God and being wholly devoted to God’s purposes in
the world. Faith is just doing our job, or our duty, not because of any sense
of reward but simply because it needs doing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God
is gracious to us. Each day He gives us the faith we need to face whatever the
day brings. We can grow weary, and we need to be waited on. That’s what God
does for us. He has us sit around His banquet table. He serves us with a
special chosen Word to encourage us. He gives us bread and wine to renew us
with Jesus’ life. We are renewed and we can go back to everyday life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah,
David: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King
James Version </i>(Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; pp. 1419-1420)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ESV Study
Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jude
Siciliano, O.P., “First Impressions, 27<sup>th</sup> Sunday -C-.” Retrieved
from </span></span><a href="http://www.preacherexchange.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.preacherexchange.org</span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Larsen, B.
& Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s
Commentary Series, Vol.26: Luke </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1983,
pp.248-249)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MacArthur,
J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur Study Bible, New
American Standard Version </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">T.M. Moore,
“Why More Faith?” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="mailto:noreply@ailbe.org"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">noreply@ailbe.org</span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lois Malcolm,
“Commentary on Luke 17:5-10.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1785"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1785</span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">David Lose,
“Everyday Faith.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.workingpreacher.org/craft.aspx?post=2773"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.workingpreacher.org/craft.aspx?post=2773</span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bishop
Kenneth Carter, “increase Our Faith.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.day1.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.day1.org</span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Rt. Rev. Porter Taylor, “Opening Up to Faith.”
Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.day1.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.day1.org</span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Preaching Magazine, Fall 2016 (Nashville, TN: Salem
Publishing, pp. 67-68)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jude Siciliano, O.P., “First Impressions, 27<sup>th</sup>
Sunday -C-, October 2, 2016.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.preacherexchange.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.preacherexchange.org</span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: #0563c1;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">13.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <u>
</u></span></span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Richard
Inness, “Exegesis for Luke 17:5-10.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.sermonwriter.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.sermonwriter.com</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">14.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Evangelectionary for Oct. 2, 2016. Retrieved from </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.evangelismconnections.org/evangelectionary-for-october-2-2-16-worldwide-communion-sunday"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.evangelismconnections.org/evangelectionary-for-october-2-2-16-worldwide-communion-sunday</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">15.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Pentecost 20 C: Every Day Acts of Faith.” Retrieved
from </span></span><a href="mailto:noreply+feedproxy@google.com"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">noreply+feedproxy@google.com</span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-41690763552737690162016-09-30T09:35:00.000-03:002016-09-30T09:35:14.862-03:00Hebrews 1:1-14 Messages from God <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do
you know that God speaks to his people?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s
true. He speaks to us today just like he spoke to his people in the past. God
spoke at various times and in various ways. He spoke to people such as Adam,
Noah, Abraham and Moses. He spoke through thunder; the sound of a trumpet; in a
still, small voice or in visions and dreams; in human form and angelic
visitations; through foreshadowing and parable and more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
God spoke to the people in Old Testament times, he pointed his final revelation
in Jesus. Through Jesus, God provided the perfect vehicle of expression. He
translated deity into humanity, and this revelation was absolute, infallible
and authoritative. The world in its entirety was given to Christ as the heir of
all things. As executor of the divine will, he will return one day to enforce
all of its clauses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In
Christ we have God’s final message. He is the fullness of the Godhead. He is
the Lord of everything. He is the eternal word of God. He came to earth to take
away our sins. Before Jesus came to earth, the Jews had to have their sins taken
away.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
is better than everything and anything because of his relationship with God. He
is also better because he is royalty. He is the King of Kings and Lord of
Lords. He is also better because of his reputation. His domain is never-ending.
His delight is unequalled. He never changes. His reign is unchallenged. In
fact, the only angle who has ever challenged his authority was Satan-and Satan
was kicked out of heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God’s
very nature-his glory and the express image-is revealed perfectly in Jesus,
because Jesus is God. The Son-who existed before time, was at the beginning of
time, and will be at the end of time-is the One who upholds all things by the
word of His power and thereby controls history. Jesus is God’s final, divine
revelation of himself. Jesus is the Son of God, the agent of creation, the very
glory of God and the one who saves us from our sins. He inherits all of
creation from God. He is the imprint of God. Jesus is the mind of God in human
form as illustrated by the Gospel of John. Because Jesus came to earth, God
knows us and love us. He loves us just as much as Jesus does.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In
Bible times, a person’s name was the outward expression of who they were,
encompassing not only a person’s proper name but his or her identity-including
rank, authority, fame and character. The more excellent name Jesus inherits is
“Son”. He is the eternal Son of God. While Scriptures sometimes refer to angels
as “the sons of God,” nowhere does God say of angels, “You are My Son, today I
have begotten you.” Only to Jesus does the Father speak in such personal,
familial terms. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
title “firstborn” does not mean that Jesus was created but refers to His
exalted status and authority as Ruler of all creation. His superiority to
angels is also proven by the fact that all the angels of God worshipped Him at
His birth and worship Him now at the throne of God. The angels are Christ’s
ministers. Although angels are not superior to or equal to Jesus, they occupy
an important role in the lives of believers today as “ministering spirits.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
Jews believed angels were the highest beings next to God. To prove that Jesus
is much better than the angels, the writer of Hebrews quotes several of
Israel’s own Scriptures. The word “better” occurs 12 times in this book,
indicating Jesus’ superiority to all of creation and to the Old Covenant. The
job of angels is to worship God, and hence to worship Jesus by doing His will.
Since only God is worthy of worship, this is evidence of Jesus’ full deity. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Angels
work in hidden ways to carry out God’s will and protect God’s people. They are
part of our lives even if we aren’t aware of them. They are part of an unseen
army that is fighting Satan and his followers.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus
is supreme above any angels because:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God speaks to us through
His Son.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus is the heir
of all things.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God made all
things through Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus is the
express image of God the Father.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He upholds all
things with the word of His power.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He purged our
sins.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus is the Son
of God, not a servant as are the angels.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He is worthy of
our worship.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus is God
Himself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
God the Father refers to Jesus as the eternal God, it is one of the Bible’s
most irrefutable proofs of the deity of Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One
day the worlds God created will be folded up like a linen garment, but Christ
will remain. He will be the same as He always has been, and His existence will
never end.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah,
David: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King
James Version </i>(Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; pp. 1744-1746)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ESV Study
Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MacArthur,
J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur Study Bible, New
American Standard Version </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stanley,
C.F.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Charles F. Stanley Life
Principles Bible, New King James Version </i>(Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles;
2005)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lucado, M.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible </i>(Nashville,
TN: Thomas Nelson; 2010; pp. 1689-1690)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joni
Eareckson Tada, “Like Father, Like Son.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">communications@joniandfriends.org</span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Billy Graham,
“What Do Angels Look Like?” retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.arcamax.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.arcamax.com</span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Berni Dymet,
“A Picture of God.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <u>
</u></span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bayless
Conley, “The Supremacy of Jesus.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Jeremiah, David: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hebrews:
The Supremacy & The Sufficiency of Christ, Volume One </i>(San Diego, CA:
Turning Point for God, 2012, pp. 9-30)</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-21354233352488696822016-09-24T11:00:00.000-03:002016-09-24T11:22:51.908-03:001 Timothy 6:6-19 The Love of Money<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">How
many of you have heard of the American Dream? </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s
not a dream that is limited to the United States. In fact, it’s a worldwide
phenomenon. It is the desire to pursue prosperity, success and upward social
mobility. While it is not wrong to be successful in life, the pursuit of the
American Dream can work against us. It interferes with our ability to find
contentment in what God provides for us. We seek more money, power, benefits
and so on, and that often forces us to miss the opportunity to pursue
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Since
the dawn of history, man has tried to be independent of God. It’s in our nature
to be self-sufficient and self-supporting. This does not bring us face to face
with our need to depend on God every day. True godliness means that a person trusts
God to provide for everything and learns to be content with what He gives. God
is not opposed to our having good things. In fact, every good thing we enjoy
comes as God’s gift. We must not confuse the gift with the Giver. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Growth
in godliness does not necessarily lead to material gain or wealth. The idea
that we are complete without having enough money or material goods is foreign
to us. The world tells us to get as much money or other goods as possible. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Contrary
to the popular saying, money is not the root of all evil. It is the love of
money that is the problem. The pursuit of money or all the things it can buy is
the problem. It shows that we are putting our faith, our sense of security and
our hope for the future in material goods. Instead, we need to put our hope in
God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This
does not mean that we should not save money for retirement or other
emergencies. Accumulating wealth so that we are not a burden on others is a
wise move. From a spiritual point of view, Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25-34 that
God will take care of our basic needs. God is our sole provider
and if we focus on the necessities of life, we can be content. Those who want to
get rich often fall into temptation.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Paul
tells Timothy and us in 1 Timothy 6:6-19 that true ministry is not motivated by
greed but by the reality of eternal life and an awareness of accountability to
God. True joy can only be found in a relationship with Christ. When we have
faith, we are no longer slaves to our circumstances. When we combine our love
for God with acceptance of His will for our lives, we will find great gain.
When we rely on him alone, we will experience our greatest happiness and
freedom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) temptation of any culture is to disregard
eternal values for temporary gains. Yet no person takes his money with him when
he dies. That’s why you never see a U-Haul behind a hearse in a funeral
procession. This is why money is such a poor object for our affection and
trust. It does not last beyond this life. A far better plan is to put it to
good use here on earth by giving as much as possible to help others. Between
this life and the next, believers must trust God to provide.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Most
early believers were poor, but there were some rich believers. The rich were
given four specific commands.;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Don’t be haughty.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Trust God, not
wealth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Do good.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Be rich in good
works, giving and sharing<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Godly
people know what they flee from: the love of money. One of greed’s many dangers
is its ability to make people err in the faith and become unfruitful. The rich
are to give some of their money to the poor. The sense of accumulating wealth
for personal security or comfort is foreign to Jesus. The unchecked desire for
money leads to the love of money, and the love of money is the root of all
evil. The love of money is called greed. This evil is one of many evils that we
have to confront. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We
don’t have all of the skills or knowledge to fight every evil. Our efforts are
better spent focusing on only one or two issues. We are to fight evil, but we
must also recognize when it is best to flee from evil. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s
not wrong for Christians to have money-even a great deal of money-as long as
that money does not have them. According to Paul, the problem comes when
accumulating wealth becomes the focus of our lives. When money begins to rule
lives, people fall prey to greed. Greed is not only an obstacle to achieving
godliness and contentment. It is a gateway to all kinds of evil. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s
like the burglar who was caught in the act of breaking into a house. He was
taken to court and found guilty. Before he passed sentence, the judge asked the
burglar if he wanted to say anything in his own defense. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
burglar said, “Well, Your Honour, its like this. The more a man has, the more a
man wants.” The judge replied, “Is that so. Well, I tell you what I’m going to
do. I’m going to sentence you to fifteen years in jail. How many more would you
like?”</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
godly are known not just by what they flee from but by what they follow after,
fight for and are faithful to. Paul used the active verbs pursue, fight, lay
hold on and keep. Believers should strive for these qualities as long as they
live.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Paul
calls Timothy a man of God. This term is found only twice in the New Testament,
but over 70 times in the Old Testament. It often refers to prophets-people who
spoke for God. For believers today, a man or a woman of God is someone who
belongs to God, is dedicated to God, finds true joy in God, and lives for the
glory of God. In Paul’s eyes, Timothy was such a man.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
balance in a bank account does not determine a person’s ability to be rich toward
God. Those who are good stewards in God’s economy make investments in eternity
by sharing their earthly resources-whether many or few-with the church and
those in need. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Pride
is one of the dangers of being wealthy. Wealth brings a sense of achievement.
It also brings power and privilege. There is no room for pride in God’s
kingdom. In fact, there are some Christians who are adopting a simpler, less
expensive lifestyle in order to direct more money to helping the poor and
spreading the Good News.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">A
willingness to share what we have with others is a mark of Christianity. When
we share with others, it breaks materialism’s hold on us. If we focus on giving
our resources (including giving tithes and offerings), the result leads to
worship and praise. We can take the treasures we have been entrusted with in
this life and invest them in the life to come. Jesus even tells us to store up
treasures in heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Where
there is wealth, pride is often nearby. Believers can counter this temptation
to haughtiness in three ways:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">By concentrating
on good works.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">By giving
generously.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">By trusting in
the living God alone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It
is more difficult for people to take pride in earthly possessions when they
realize that all they have comes from the Lord and is only temporary. Jesus
wants us to use the money God has given us to bring people to Christ. Godliness
will pay in both this life and in eternity. It makes sense to make the pursuit
of godliness a priority.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Faith
is a constant struggle that requires effort. We must always confess Jesus as
Saviour and Lord all the time. Confessing means speaking out in faith. As
Christians, we can enjoy life because our consciences are clear. We can enjoy
life. We can have fun and laugh in church. We can enjoy friends and family. In
the long run we are better off if we let the godliness of Christ within us and
contentment give us the greatest gains of all, moment by moment. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jeremiah,
David: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King
James Version </i>(Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; pp. 1711-1712)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Demarest,
G.W. & Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s
Commentary Series, Vol. 32: 1,2 Thessalonians/1,2, Timothy/Titus </i>(Nashville,
TN.: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1984, pp. 223-232)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MacArthur,
J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur Study Bible, New
American Standard Version </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Stanley,
C.F.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Charles F. Stanley Life
Principles Bible, New King James Version </i>(Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles,
2005)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">ESV Study
Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Pastor David
McGee, “Godly Contentment.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.crossthebridge.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "calibri";">www.crossthebridge.com</span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Selwyn
Hughes, “God’s Four Purposes for Money.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Selwyn
Hughes, “True Contentment.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Pastor Rick
Warren, “The Best Financial Investment You Can Make.” Retrieved form </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">connect@newsletter.purposedriven.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bayless Conley, “The Reward of Godliness.” Retrieved
from </span></span><a href="http://www.answersrbc.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "calibri";">www.answersrbc.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">11.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Pastor Rick Warren, “How God Helps you Enjoy Life.”
Retrieved form </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">connect@newsletter.purposedriven.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">12.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Alan Smith, “Needing to Share.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">thought-for-the-day@hub.xc.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">13.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Joan Walker Hahn, “Now That’s Priceless.” Retrieved
from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">14.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Pastor
Jeff Schreve, “Are You experiencing Life Indeed?” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">pastorjeff@fromhisheart.org</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">15.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Katie Emery, “God Pause for Wednesday, 9/21/2016.” Retrieved from </span></span></span><a href="mailto:communic@luthersem.edu"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">communic@luthersem.edu</span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">16.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sandra Hermann, “The Power of Money.” Retrieved from </span></span></span><a href="https://store.sermonsuite.com/printer.php?i=788040809"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "calibri";">https://store.sermonsuite.com/printer.php?i=788040809</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-68872504034530752492016-09-17T11:12:00.000-03:002016-09-17T11:12:03.481-03:00Psalm 79:1-9 The Consequences of Sin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have
you ever noticed that life isn’t always fair? After all, if it was fair, people
who believed in Christ would never suffer and evildoers would always be
punished. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and we saw a good example
of this in Psalm 79:1-9. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
psalmist wonders why it is that those who don’t acknowledge God are not
punished immediately while those who know God and acknowledge him suffer. God
will punish evildoers in His own time and in His own way. God hates evil, but
he allows it, especially when it serves his purpose In the case of the
Israelites, he allowed Jerusalem to be destroyed because the Israelites turned
their backs on God. God wants to lead his people to a safe place, but he also
passes judgment on his people when they turn away from Him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
people of Israel expected God to treat them differently than he treated other
nations and in return Israel was to live faithfully to the covenant. God
doesn’t work that way, especially when sin is involved. The Israelites turned
their back on God, and so they had to suffer the consequences of their actions.
God was jealous. Human jealousy can be irrational, but God’s jealousy is a practical
commitment to receive the exclusive loyalty of his people. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even
the temple was destroyed. The temple was the centre of Israel’s religious life.
It was the place where God lived according to the Jews. It gave meaning to and
an anchor for Israel’s faith. The temple’s destruction was a desecration. It
threw the Israelites into a pit, but God was with them in the pit. Psalm 79 is
a prayer from that pit. It addresses God. It also expresses the contradictions
of our human hearts to God. He’s the only one who can sort out these
contradictions.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
psalmist prayers for divine vindication for his people, not in a spirit of
vengeance but in a spirit of justice. Without any regard for God, the heathen
desecrated God’s land and left His people desperate. After a severe blow-the
sacking of the temple-the people did not ask “why?” They asked God how long
they must suffer. The question serves as a transition from a lament in verses
1-4 to a prayer in verses 6-9. In the end, the Israelites wanted God’s
forgiveness. The people cried for relief. They wanted God to be honoured in the
world. We want the same thing today. God’s reputation is tied to our
well-being, and our well-being is tied to our faithfulness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sometimes
we have the same desires for revenge today, and we want God to unleash his
wrath on someone who has done a great evil. These feelings are a natural part
of our human nature. The appropriate response for us as Christians is to bring
these feelings to God in prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Israel’s
destruction was seen as a consequence of the disregard for God’s kingdom, moral
order and authority. God’s anger is real. God is urged to turn his wrath to the
nations that attacked Israel, and then he is asked to change his relationship
with the Israelites. They asked for forgiveness and mercy. When we pray for
something in God’s name, we urge him to act in order to defend his reputation,
to make his glory known, to honour him and let others see his majesty and
greatness. When God acts, he will vindicate His name before those who oppose
him. A landmark of spiritual maturity is concern for God’s reputation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
consequences of sin are hard. The price is heavy. It’s time to plead for God’s
mercy. It’s time to confess our sins and ask God to restore and rebuild us. We
must not give up on God, because he does not give up on us. God can break the
cycle of sin. God wants us to come to him because we love him, and not because
we think God will bring us good things. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah,
David: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King
James Version </i>(Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; pp. 759-760)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ESV Study
Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Williams, D.
& Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s
Commentary Series, Vol. 14: Psalm 73-150 </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson
Inc.; 1989)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MacArthur,
J.F. Jr.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The MacArthur Study Bible, New
American Standard Version. </i>(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ron Moore,
“Restorer.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.ronmoore.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.ronmoore.org</span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ron Moore,
“Breaking the Cycle.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.ronmoore.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.ronmoore.org</span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Rev. Joy
Yee, “Prayers from the Pit.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://day1.org/991-prayers_from_the_pit.print"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://day1.org/991-prayers_from_the_pit.print</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Evangelectionary
for Sunday, September 18<sup>th</sup>. Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.evangelismconnections.org/evangelectionary-for-sunday-september-18/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.evangelismconnections.org/evangelectionary-for-sunday-september-18/</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: #0563c1;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Howard
Wallace, “Year C, Pentecost 17, September 19, 2010; Psalm 79:1-9.” Retrieved
from </span></span><a href="http://hwallace.unitingchurch.org.au/WebOTcomments/OrdinaryC/Pent17Psalm79.html"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://hwallace.unitingchurch.org.au/WebOTcomments/OrdinaryC/Pent17Psalm79.html</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0563c1;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">The Rev. Paul Castelli, AMI, “Bible Study, Proper 20
(C)-September 18, 2016.” Retrieved from</span><u> </u></span></span></span></span><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2016/08/30/bible-study-proper-20c-september-18-2016.html"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2016/08/30/bible-study-proper-20c-september-18-2016.html</span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-59397929561086465662016-09-17T11:06:00.003-03:002016-09-17T11:06:49.736-03:00Acts 18:12-28 Our Gifts from God <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You
are a gift from God!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m
serious. Each and every one of us is a gift from God. In addition, God has
given each of us different gifts. He wants us to use these gifts to do his work
in our world. With these gifts we can do mighty things. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many
believers seek to be mighty in worldly things, but few want to be mighty in the
Scriptures. Apollos was an exception. He was mighty in the Scriptures. We learn
about Apollos in a portion of the reading we heard from the Book of the Acts of
the Apostles. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Apollos
was a gifted speaker with a thorough knowledge of the Old Testament and the
baptism of John. He had heard about Jesus and the arrival of the Holy Spirit
from Jews returning from Pentecost, but he did not have the complete story. He
did not know that Christian baptism differs from the baptism of John. Christian
baptism symbolizes the believer’s union with Christ in his death, burial
resurrection, new life and unity in the kingdom of God. Apollos was well
qualified, but he lacked one important qualification. He did not have the experience
of the grace and power of the indwelling Lord. This weakness prompted Priscilla
and Aquila to use their gifts to teach him privately and give him a more
accurate picture of God.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
Apollos used the knowledge he already had, God sent him additional knowledge.
He was also fervent in spirit, meaning he was “boiling hot.” This is an amazing
combination of qualities to find in one person. It was no wonder that Apollos
made an impact in the early church. When he left Ephesus and sailed across to
Corinth, he received a letter of commendation and introduction to the church. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
Priscilla and Aquila taught Apollos, he graciously accepted what they taught.
He knew that although he was faithful, he had more to learn. He showed
spiritual maturity. Apollos humbly accepted the gentle correction and
understanding that Aquila and Priscilla offered. Ministers today need to come
to the same realization. I have come to the same realization. Every time I
prepare a message, I learn new things. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul
made disciples, Apollos defended the faith and Aquila and Priscilla deepened
the understanding of others. God has gifted all of his people differently so
that together they might work in unity for the sole purpose of the Gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah,
David: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King
James Version </i>(Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; pp. 1518-1519)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Swindoll,
Charles R.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Swindoll’s Living Insights on
Acts </i>(Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers Inc., 2016, pp.
366-370)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13703757408437877186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970427032462248915.post-66525805049702606102016-09-10T10:37:00.000-03:002016-09-10T10:37:08.168-03:001 Timothy 1:12-17 God’s Grace is for Everyone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On
the museum wall of the concentration camp at Dachau is a large and moving
photograph of a mother and her little girl standing in line for the gas
chamber. The child, who is walking in front of her mother, does not know where
she's going. The mother, following behind, looks knowingly but is helpless to
stop the tragedy.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In
her helplessness, she performs the only act of love left to her. She places her
hands over the child's eyes so she will at least not see the horror to come.
When people come to the museum, most don't whisk by this photo hurriedly.
Instead, they pause and almost feel the pain. Deep inside, they say to
themselves, "O God, don't let that be all there is."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hopelessness
and helplessness are all that remain in the world today. It’s fitting that we
remember this today, because 15 years ago today the world realized if only for
a short time that it is full of hopelessness and helplessness. Fifteen years ago
today the world witnessed the most horrible terrorist attacks in history. Today
is the 15<sup>th</sup> anniversary of 9/11. If there was ever an example of the
hopelessness and helplessness that exists in the world today, it is the events
that happened on September 11<sup>th</sup>, 2001.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God
provided a way out by sending His Son to earth as a child so that He could one
day save the sins of mankind through Christ's shed blood on the cross. The
apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15, "Here is a trustworthy saying that
deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of
whom I am the worst." This statement is something all of us hear regularly.
It is part of the comfortable words that we hear in the Holy Eucharist liturgy
from the Book of Common Prayer. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul
relates his past to highlight God’s mercy and forgiveness. No sin lies beyond
the scope of God’s forgiveness. God forgave a persecutor like Paul and enabled
him for ministry. This should give everyone hope. God’s forgiveness also
provides the basis for people to forgive themselves. This does not mean that
God will redeem everyone from the consequences of every evil -- but it does
imply that none of us is in a position to make flat claims about whom God will
or will not forgive.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul’s
previous persecution of Christians made him the foremost sinner because he
hindered others from coming to faith. At the same time, it allowed God to save
Paul as an example of grace. If God could save Paul, he can save and change
anyone and everyone. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No
one expected that Saul of Tarsus-the earliest, greatest enemy of 1<sup>st</sup>
century Christianity- would turn to Christ and become Christianity’s greatest
missionary. Paul even referred to himself as the chief of sinners, but his
salvation demonstrates three things:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God is merciful
and long-suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">His grace can
reach even his worst enemies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Good News of
Christ has the power to change lives and hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">False
teaching tells us none of these things. Paul’s conversion is an example of
God’s saving grace, which is in contrast to the uselessness of false teachings.
When Paul opposed Christ, he did not have faith. False teachers profess to
follow Christ, but they still live sin-filled lives. Some may say that TV
evangelists such as Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker were false teachers, and some
may say that modern TV evangelists such as Benny Hinn are also false teachers.
Only God knows for certain. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
Paul wrote to Timothy, he was being honest. He knew who he was. He did not need
to be perfect. He admitted that like many biblical characters he had many
problems. Moses killed a man, Jonah ran away from God, and Paul persecuted
Christians. Because of their encounters with God, they were changed. When we
encounter God, we are pushed to change as well. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul
mentions his past, but he does not dwell on it. There is a difference between
testifying to God’s power to change a person’s life and glorifying sin. Paul
was more interested in talking about the grace and salvation of Christ.
Christianity is Jesus himself. Any reference to Christianity that is not tied
to Jesus is not Christian. The gospel is grounded in the mystery of Emmanuel-God
with us, among us, for us and in us. God’s purpose for us comes through
personal faith. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God’s
purpose is for us to spread the Good News. God can use us regardless of our
past. IF he can use an evil persecutor like Paul, he can <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">definitely </b>use us. He can use us wherever we are. It doesn’t matter
if we are a doctor, accountant, lawyer or labourer. The needs of people are
everywhere. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sometimes
we feel that we are not equipped for the task. God does not call the equipped.
He equips the called. He will give us the wisdom, strength and ability to do
what he has called us to do. We need God’s strength to do his work. We are
weak, human vessels. We might stumble at times, but we have God’s strength and
power. God enables us, but he is also watching us, and he expects us to be faithful.
He opens doors for us when we are faithful, and no man can shut these doors.
Paul was not ashamed of Christ, and we must not be ashamed of Christ either.
Paul urges both Timothy and us to be bold. We need that boldness if we are to
spread the Good News.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God
did come to earth to teach and to set the highest moral example as to how we
should live our lives, but first and foremost His number one reason for
becoming human was to save sinners! Until we trust Jesus for our salvation, we
can’t even begin to follow in His footsteps. If Jesus had only come to show us
how to live, we would have been frustrated and doomed, wallowing in our own
constant failure! God loves us and welcomes us with open arms when we ask for
forgiveness and surrender our lives to Him. He knew our greatest need is for
forgiveness, so he sent us a Saviour.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There
is nothing we can do to earn salvation. The only thing we have to do is accept
that we are accepted. God welcomes us just as we are and right where we are, as
it says in the hymn, “Just as I Am:”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just
as I am, without one plea, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">but
that thy blood was shed for me, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">and
that thou bidst me come to thee, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">O
Lamb of God, I come, I come.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paul
was so overwhelmed by God’s grace that he broke into a doxology, or a short
expression or outburst of praise and worship to God based on who He is and what
He has done for his people. Paul gives God all honour and glory. No one
deserves or earns salvation. It is all about God and His grace. Jesus did
everything right so we could be made right. In spite of our sins, he continues
to reach out to us. He continually promises to heal and help those who come to
him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremiah,
David: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Jeremiah Study Bible, NKJV </i>(Brentwood,
TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 1704)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rev. David
Mainse, “Chief Sinner.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.100words.ca/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.100words.ca</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A.K.M. Adam,
“Commentary on 1 Timothy 1:12-17.” Retrieved from</span> </span><a href="http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=687"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=687</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Demarest,
G.W. & Ogilvie, L.J.: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Preacher’s
Commentary Series, Vol. 32: 1,2 Thessalonians/ 1,2 Timothy/Titus </i>(Nashville,
TN; Thomas Nelson Inc., 1984)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MacArthur,
J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, New American Standard Version (Nashville,
TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pastor David
McGee, “Equipping the Called.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.crossthebridge.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.crossthebridge.com</span></span></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pastor David McGee, “True Power.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.crossthebridge.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.crossthebridge.com</span></span></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bayless Conley, “Fruitfulness and Open Doors.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.answersrbc.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.answersrbc.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. David Jeremiah, “The king
Eternal.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.davidjeremiah.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.davidjeremiah.org</span></span></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Doug Fields, “Moving Past Your Past.”
Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.homeword.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.homeword.com</span></span></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Neil Anderson, “Showing Yourself
Faithful.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="mailto:Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com</span></span></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Randy Kilgore, “The Day My Dad Met
Jesus.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.rbc.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.rbc.org</span></span></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">14.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pastor Ken Klaus, “Jesus Came for
Me.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.lhm.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.lhm.org</span></span></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">15.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pastor Ken Klaus, “Saving Sinners.”
Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.lhm.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.lhm.org</span></span></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">16.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gathering, Pentecost 2, 2016, Year C.
(Toronto, ON: The United Church of Canada, p. 8)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">17.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Just as I Am, Without One Plea.”
Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh357.sht"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh357.sht</span></span></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">18.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dan Clendenin, Ph.D., “A Trustworthy
Saying.” Retrieved from </span></span><a href="http://www.journeywithjesus.net/lectionary-essays/current-essay?id=1051"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.journeywithjesus.net/lectionary-essays/current-essay?id=1051</span></span></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</div>
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