Blog Archives

Fruitful Discipleship

3/30/2015

Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:1-26
Memory Verse: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Gal. 5:22-23

1. Liberty is produced by the Holy Spirit! Verses 1-14

Freedom fails when:

a. Viewed as a license to sin! Verse 13
b. Forfeited to legalism! Circumcision, outward religious rule keeping.

Free for “Love our neighbor as our self!” verse 1, 6, 13-14

a. An expression of faith, not a religious law keeping! Hebrews 11:6
b. Serve one another in humility
c. Love fulfills the law! Affirmed by both Jesus and Paul!

Free from Law: verse 18

a. The Law is an all or nothing obligation? Verse 3
b. Alienates from Christ and pulls away from grace! Verse 4
c. Of no value to the saved! Verse 6
d. Removes the offense of the cross! Verse 11

Free from slavery to sin! Verse 16

a. Will not gratify desires of the flesh!
b. The Flesh and the Spirit are in conflict!

2. Leadership is provided by the Holy Spirit! Verses 16, 18, Romans 8:14

You can’t just do what “feels” right! Verse 17
Away from works of flesh: Romans 8:5-9
This lifestyle isn’t the lifestyle of the Kingdom of God
Toward Spiritual work

3. Life in the Spirit is the power for victory!

Keep in step with: verse 25
Crucify the flesh: verse 24
Cultivate a knowledge of the Mind of Christ!
Careful not to become prideful and antagonistic! Verse 26

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Saying Grace Again

3/23/2015

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Scripture Reading: Matt. 5:5-12
Memory Verse: "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.: Matt.5:8

The Kingdom of God is inhabited by blessed citizens!

1. The merciful are blessed: verse 7

Mercy: help the afflicted, to bring help to the wretched, Withholding from a person the just punishment they deserve.
Clarence Jordan, Cotton Patch Gospel of Matthew says, “The generous are God’s people, for they will be treated generously.”
The will receive mercy from others.

2. The pure in heart are blessed: verse 8

Clean hearted:
They will see God: Psalm 24:3-5, Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior.

3. The peacemakers are blessed

Peace with God:
Peace for Others:
Peace with Others:
They will be called children of God: Ephesians 2:11-22. Reconciliation is built upon Jesus, and is made in Him, for and with others.

4. The persecuted are blesses: verses 9-12

Persecution due to righteousness:
Insults, speaking lies, speaking evil, pursued for evil purposes
Rejoice and be glad
Kingdom of heaven is theirs

SO WHAT?

Be where God places you!
Be who God makes you!
Follow Jesus in obedience!
Be blessed!

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“Saying Grace”

3/16/2015

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Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:1-12
Memory Verse: "Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God." Matthew 5:8

1. Ruled by the Blessed One! Jesus is the blessing!
a. Jesus and not Moses:

The new Law of Jesus as pronounced on the Mount in Galilee should be taken on as superior to the Mosaic Law given on the Mount of Sinai.
The sermon makes a strong case not only that Jesus' teaching builds upon the work of Moses but also that he brings finality to the Law.
Jesus does not abolish but fulfills the Law and prophets! Verse 17
Grace fulfills righteousness of the Law

b. Jesus accomplishes greatness in the Kingdom of God! Verse 19

Practices and teaches the Law of God!
Invites His disciples into His greatness!

2. Jesus shares the blessing with His followers!
a. Kingdom Citizens are all blessed!!!

Poor in spirit: Person of abject poverty! A person whose poverty has impoverished their soul!
Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!
God has reversed their curse!

b.Those who mourn:

Actively grieving?
Will be spoken to by God!
This is the unique role of the Holy Spirit! John 14:26, 15:26, 16:7

c. Meek:

Gentleness or meekness is the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God's goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will (Gal 5:23).
Those who have no portion will receive the earth as an inheritance!

d. Hunger and thirst for righteousness:

Figuratively, to crave ardently, to seek with eager desire
Craving to be, right with God, in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God.
You will be right with God!!!

SO WHAT?

Isa 55:1 NIV - “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost."

Repent and follow Jesus!!!!

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“Count the Cost”

3/8/2015

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Scripture Reading: Luke 14
Memory Verse: "For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you."
Luke 14:29

1. Help the hurting with love and compassion: Luke 14:1-6

Real life needs
Hypothetical situations
The cost is real to them because the relationship is near to them! They will pay it!!!

2. Honor those who cannot honor you: Luke 14:7-14

It offends Jesus when religious people place such an emphasis of being religiously honored that they try to move to the head of the line to do so.
Honor seekers beware, do not take the seat of honor, or you may be humiliated
Humble yourself and allow God to Honor you: “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
Honor those who cannot honor you in return!
You have a resurrection reward!

3. Half-hearted affirmation is unacceptable! Luke 14:15-24

Religious sentimentalism is not sufficient motivation for the Kingdom life.
Banquet celebration is prepared and ready!
Excuses: The all alike began to make excuses!

a. Bought a field but haven’t seen it
b. Bought five yoke of oxen and haven’t plowed them
c. Just Married, enough said

Invitation is revoked for some and extended to some new guests
Those who receive an invitation and respond are the only ones who can enjoy fellowship with the Host!
What’s keeping you

4. Hate what keeps you from participating in relationship with Jesus! Luke 14:25-35

Family bonds!
Failure to finish your work!
Fully examined life!

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“Take Up The Cross”

3/2/2015

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Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-28

Memory Verse: "Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." Matthew 16:24

1. Decision: verses 13-28

Personal Profession: Who is Jesus to you? Verse 15
Objective Truth: Profession is grounded in reality! Verse 16
Heavenly Revelation: verse 17

2. Blessing: verses 17-20

Earthly Privilege: The church is founded upon this faith! Verse 18
Divine promise: Nothing can overcome God’s work in the church! Verse 18
Spiritual Responsibility: verse 19

3. Challenge: verse 21-28

Suffering Savior: Requires a revolution of understanding, verse 21
Self-Concern is Satan’s tool: If it prevents self sacrifice, verses 22-23
Sanctifying Journey of time:

a. Willful
b. Identity of disciple
c. Deny self
d. Take up cross
e. Follow Jesus

Faith not intuition!

a. Gain your soul
b. Jesus is coming in glory
c. He will reward His followers

SO WHAT?

Who is Jesus to you?
Are you living in the blessing of your identity as a disciple?
Do you deny yourself to follow him?

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Fruitful Discipleship

Saying Grace Again

“Saying Grace”

“Count the Cost”

“Take Up The Cross”

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Fruitful Discipleship

Saying Grace Again

“Saying Grace”

“Count the Cost”

“Take Up The Cross”

Author

Categories

Archives

​Weekly Schedule

Weekly Schedule