**your attitudes and actions reveal your level of commitment to Christ
Hebrews 5:11-14
11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
1. Attitude
An apathetic attitude reveals disinterest in the things of God.
V. 11-- "dull of hearing"
-We are unable to discern how to live right, or we just don't care. If this is a struggle for you, then be cautioned! This lack of understanding is a direct result of living outside of God's will and His word.
2. Growth
Lacking spiritual growth in your life means that you are moving backwards. Like the vine from last week's lesson, if we are not growing and living in Christ then we are dying!
V. 12-- we should be much further along in our spiritual journey. The milk is for babies!
3. Effectiveness
What kind of steward are you of God's gift of salvation? Have you been thankful for it? Have you sought to make good choices based on what you know from God's word? Do you want to know more and train your mind to think Biblically?
Vv. 13-14-- "righteousness" means right living. And right thinking = right living! We must train our minds to think right by absorbing God's truth in His word.
**The book of Hebrews is written to the Jews (Hebrews) to help those who followed Christ to move past their "rituals" into a life of obedience. Consider the very best way young people can live out obedience to Christ. There is no better act than to honor your parents. This is a great starting point for you to direct your thinking and living toward the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ.
-Christ's example-- obedient to the point of death! (Philippians 2:8)
-the fifth commandment (Exodus 20)
-Ephesians 6...v. 3 "SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH."
-Matthew 15
-Deuteronomy 5:16
-Proverbs 23:22
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Sunday, September 23, 2012
How to grow as a disciple: Spiritual disciplines
I. Love Jesus
This is a commandment! But we love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19 NASB)
"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart."(Deuteronomy 6:5, 6 NASB)
"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples." (John 15:5-8 NASB)
** abide = live (picture of vine)
2. Read your Bible
Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, shows a love for God's Word:
"Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105 NASB)
"Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law
And keep it with all my heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies
And not to dishonest gain. Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity,
And revive me in Your ways. Establish Your word to Your servant,
As that which produces reverence for You. Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your ordinances are good. Behold, I long for Your precepts;
Revive me through Your righteousness." (Psalm 119:33-40 NASB)
-many descriptive words for "Bible": statutes, law, commandments, testimonies, ways, word, ordinances, precepts
**Make goals for reading!
3. Pray to God
"pray without ceasing;" (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB)
-pray anytime; remember to pray for your parents' wisdom in raising you!
ACTS-adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication (praying for the needs of others)
4. Worship and serve
"and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24, 25 NASB)
-this is why we need to be in church!
'If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.' (1 John 4:20, 21 NASB)
-don't undervalue relationships with loved ones. Mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers are very important and not to be taken for granted!
This is a commandment! But we love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19 NASB)
"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart."(Deuteronomy 6:5, 6 NASB)
"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples." (John 15:5-8 NASB)
** abide = live (picture of vine)
2. Read your Bible
Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, shows a love for God's Word:
"Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105 NASB)
"Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law
And keep it with all my heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies
And not to dishonest gain. Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity,
And revive me in Your ways. Establish Your word to Your servant,
As that which produces reverence for You. Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your ordinances are good. Behold, I long for Your precepts;
Revive me through Your righteousness." (Psalm 119:33-40 NASB)
-many descriptive words for "Bible": statutes, law, commandments, testimonies, ways, word, ordinances, precepts
**Make goals for reading!
3. Pray to God
"pray without ceasing;" (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB)
-pray anytime; remember to pray for your parents' wisdom in raising you!
ACTS-adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication (praying for the needs of others)
4. Worship and serve
"and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24, 25 NASB)
-this is why we need to be in church!
'If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.' (1 John 4:20, 21 NASB)
-don't undervalue relationships with loved ones. Mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers are very important and not to be taken for granted!
Sunday, September 16, 2012
What does it look like to follow Jesus everyday?
Luke 14:25-33
1. Love Jesus above anyone else.
2. Love Jesus more than self.
3. Love Jesus above stuff.
1. Love Jesus above anyone else.
2. Love Jesus more than self.
3. Love Jesus above stuff.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Why Follow Christ?
With so many faiths and beliefs in the world, why choose Christ?
I. He gives Life
Background of John 6--the Bread of Life vv.41-65
John 6:63
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life."
-->Our earthly bodies will do nothing for our eternal standing!
-->If you embrace the work of the Spirit you will know Eternal Life!
John 6:64-69
"But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. And He was saying, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father." As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.
-->Many will follow while it suits them but will fall away as they encounter difficulty.
So Jesus said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" Simon Peter
answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God."
1 Corinthians 1:18
"For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
1 Corinthians 1:22-25
"For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
II. He gives Purpose
2 Timothy 1:8,9
"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,"
-->Our works can never gain us eternity, but ONLY His grace, and yet...
James 2:18
But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
III. He gives Rewards
Matthew 19:27-30
Then Peter said to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?" And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.
Jim Elliot, a missionary and martyr of the mid 1900s: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
John Wesley, an evangelist from 1700s: "I value all things only by the price they shall gain in eternity."
**To know Christ is to know Eternal Life, Eternal Purpose, and Eternal Rewards
I. He gives Life
Background of John 6--the Bread of Life vv.41-65
John 6:63
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life."
-->Our earthly bodies will do nothing for our eternal standing!
-->If you embrace the work of the Spirit you will know Eternal Life!
John 6:64-69
"But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. And He was saying, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father." As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.
-->Many will follow while it suits them but will fall away as they encounter difficulty.
So Jesus said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" Simon Peter
answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God."
1 Corinthians 1:18
"For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
1 Corinthians 1:22-25
"For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
II. He gives Purpose
2 Timothy 1:8,9
"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,"
-->Our works can never gain us eternity, but ONLY His grace, and yet...
James 2:18
But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
III. He gives Rewards
Matthew 19:27-30
Then Peter said to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?" And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.
Jim Elliot, a missionary and martyr of the mid 1900s: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
John Wesley, an evangelist from 1700s: "I value all things only by the price they shall gain in eternity."
**To know Christ is to know Eternal Life, Eternal Purpose, and Eternal Rewards
Before You Meet Prince Charming
We are looking at doing a Mother-Daughter book study this fall which deals with properly (and biblically!) relating to boys. The book follows along a fairytale storyline and offers very practical advice. Mothers are urged to join us with the study but are not required to be there! Girls should plan to be there either way as this is such an importance part of God's plan for your lives! I will give more information soon as to where to purchase the book and when we will begin. We plan to meet on Sunday nights after service.
The Day of Judgment
-->God will judge all people in the end
I. Judgment is coming
(Paul speaking at the Aeropagus)
A. Acts 17:30
"The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,"
1. The times of ignorance= refers to the time before Christ when believers in God trusted Him that the Messiah would come.
2. Repent=Matthew 3:1,2 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
B. Acts 17:31
"because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."
1. Fixed a day=there is a day of judgment coming that God knows, but no man knows.
2. Judge the world in righteousness...=God is the ONLY righteous judge, and can accept ONLY perfection.
3. The Man God appointed is the perfect One, Jesus, and
4. Our assurance of salvation is found in Him who conquered death by rising from the dead. Whereby He has become the atoning sacrifice once and for all.
II. Believers are already safe
John 5:24
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life."
--> this speaks of the eternal judgment/death that believers in Christ are freed from. And the eternal life that they gain!
III. Unbelievers will be condemned
Revelation 20:11-15
"11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.
12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.
13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.
14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."
-->All people will be judged first by what they have done and then by whether or not their name is in the Book of Life. To explain this text, consider these Scriptures:
A. Romans 3:28
"For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law."
--> the law/commandments were given to expose our sin that we might recognize it.
B. Ephesians 2:8,9
"8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
-->there is nothing of our own doing that can save us. It is a gift that we can never repay, and by His grace He gives us the faith to believe and repent.
C. James 2:14-24
"14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-and shudder!
20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;
23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness'-and he was called a friend of God.
24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone."
I. Judgment is coming
(Paul speaking at the Aeropagus)
A. Acts 17:30
"The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,"
1. The times of ignorance= refers to the time before Christ when believers in God trusted Him that the Messiah would come.
2. Repent=Matthew 3:1,2 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
B. Acts 17:31
"because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."
1. Fixed a day=there is a day of judgment coming that God knows, but no man knows.
2. Judge the world in righteousness...=God is the ONLY righteous judge, and can accept ONLY perfection.
3. The Man God appointed is the perfect One, Jesus, and
4. Our assurance of salvation is found in Him who conquered death by rising from the dead. Whereby He has become the atoning sacrifice once and for all.
II. Believers are already safe
John 5:24
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life."
--> this speaks of the eternal judgment/death that believers in Christ are freed from. And the eternal life that they gain!
III. Unbelievers will be condemned
Revelation 20:11-15
"11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.
12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.
13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.
14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."
-->All people will be judged first by what they have done and then by whether or not their name is in the Book of Life. To explain this text, consider these Scriptures:
A. Romans 3:28
"For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law."
--> the law/commandments were given to expose our sin that we might recognize it.
B. Ephesians 2:8,9
"8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
-->there is nothing of our own doing that can save us. It is a gift that we can never repay, and by His grace He gives us the faith to believe and repent.
C. James 2:14-24
"14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-and shudder!
20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;
23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness'-and he was called a friend of God.
24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone."
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