1 John 4:7-21

We love, because He first loved us.  1 John 4:19

There are verses in 1 John – of which – “LOVE” is mentioned more than times.

This verse tells us love and with God.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.  John 3:16

We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers and sisters.  1 John 3:16

The message: “Love gives .”

The Bible shines light on love.

1^st is the highest form of love.

This love is totally sacrificial and committed to the well-being of .

This is the of the Spirit, who dwells in us as believers:

• Joy is love
• Peace is love .
• Patience is love .
• Kindness is love .
• Goodness is love .
• Faithfulness is love keeping its .
• Gentleness is love with others.
• Self-control is love being in .

2^nd is a brotherly love.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.  Romans 12:10

This is what we call love.

3^rd – this is sensual love.

This is known as the type of love.

Expressions of God’s love.

We were created for God’s .

God’s is love.

Some ways God expresses His love:

• Through
• Through freedom of
• Through
• Through
• Through

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28

• Through providing
• Through His

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you,”  Hebrews 13:5

What does God’s love look like?

• His love is . (1 Corinthians 13)
• His love is a .
• His love is .

The Lord appeared to him long ago, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore, I have drawn you out with kindness.”  Jeremiah 31:3

• His love is .
• His love is .

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

• His love is .

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.  Ephesians 3:17-19

How should we respond?

• By !

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.  John 14:15

• Not only am I to love God, but I am to love .

‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  Mark 12:31b

• We are to see as God .
• We are to love . (John 14–17)

Remember – love is not an – it is a .

• We are even to love our .

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”  Matthew 5:43-44

Acts 4:1-22

What you to do things?

is defined to be the acting on or within a person to initiate behavior.

is a peculiar thing because what motivates one person has no effect on another person.

What does the have to say about motivation for the Christian?

For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.  Phil. 2:13, NASB

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.  Col. 3:23-24, NASB

Motivation that and the Lord emerges when believers on the of Holy Spirit instead of strength, effort, and knowledge.

What would a person to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with another person?

• Someone you that you to share the Gospel.
• You a book about to share the Gospel, and so you feel ready to do so.
• You feel if you don’t share the Gospel.
• You feel to do so to be a Christian.

Are any of these reasons a enough motivator to share the Gospel?

They may cause a in the response, but do they a and motivation?

And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  Matt. 4:19, NASB

to live out the Christian faith and share the Gospel in a consistently and manner cannot be through mere effort or manipulation. This is not a enough or enough motivator to our behavior. At best, it may lead to a response.

A change can only be through a and relationship with Jesus and the to and Him.

Consider Acts 4:1-22

The to share Jesus Christ with another person should be to God and His calling on our life as His .

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  2 Corinthians 5:14-21, NASB

 

Ephesians 4:17-24

What does it mean to be a of ?

A person of God:

• has a foundation.
• has that Christ.
• has an unwavering in Jesus.

For this to happen:

So I say this, and affirm in the Lord, that you are to no longer walk just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their minds, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; Ephesians 4:17-18

People of God need to differently from this world.

The unsaved person is because of spiritual !

The and go together.

The Christian has experienced the of being from the .

Their life is now – their mind has gained .

The Christian gives their to God as an instrument of righteousness.

The old man (the former life) has been put and we can now walk in newness of through Christ.

A Simple Illustration Of This Great Truth! (John 11)

 Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.”  John 11:39

And when He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” Out came the man who had died, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them,  “Unbind him, and let him go.”  John 11:43-44

Truths To Remember!

1^st Physically – we are what we , but spiritually, we are what we .

For as he thinks within himself, so he is.  Proverbs 23:7a

2^nd We must this truth about , , .

3^rd We must accept our and ask for .

4^th We must “take off” the and “put on” !

 

Romans 14

Here are basic that can be applied by all Christians of all of .

1^st Am I convinced? Romans 14:1-5

We are not to act from mere , but from settled inward that are the result of prayer,

study, and of the Word. Opinions are what we , while are what us.

2^nd Am I doing this the Lord? Romans 14:6-9  He is the Lord and we must live to .

3^rd Will it the at the judgement seat?  Romans 14:10-12

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad.  2 Corinthians 5:10

According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each person must be careful how he builds on it. For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet only so as through fire.  1 Corinthians 3:10-15

4^th Am I causing to ? Romans 14:13-21

We are to live according to the rule of . Mark 9:33-50

Each of us should ask – are we to the Jesus paid on the cross?

All things are permitted, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted, but not all things build people up.  No one is to seek his own advantage, but rather that of his neighbor.  1 Corinthians 10:23-24

For if because of food your brother or sister is hurt, you are no longer walking in accordance with love. Do not destroy with your choice of food that person for whom Christ died. Romans 14:15

Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the person who eats and causes offense.  Romans 14:20

5^th Am I doing this by ? Romans 14:22-23

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.  Romans 10:17

Remember: Whatever is is not of .

6^th Am I pleasing or ? Romans 15:1-7

The ought to bear the weaknesses of the less Christians – and while doing so – seek to them up in the .

Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us, for the glory of God.  Romans 15:7

This is what brings to .

 

Luke 2:41-52

“I do not know – only God knows.” 2 Corinthians 12:2c

One of our most common is that we of Jesus.

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for before he was taken up, he was attested to have been pleasing to God.  Hebrews 11:5

We need to ourselves a – is that what we ?

Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.  Psalm 147:5

I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My plan will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;  Isaiah 46:9b-10

Truths we can glean from this passage:

1^st As long as I believe Jesus me , I have not truly His glory; I am still thinking of what He might for .

2^nd As long as I feel to something Him, I have not seen His ; I am thinking of .

3^rd As long as I think I have a on Jesus so that He answer my and do things for , I am still not His glory; I am still for .

4^th But when I truly see His , I will Him to do what He todo – whether or I am the receiver of His .

5^th I will honor what He or do, even if it doesn’t me.

We begin to see the glory of God when we put out of the .

Not to us, Lord, not to us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, because of Your truth. But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.  Psalms 115:1 & 3

The question of the year as we grow should be:

“What’s for ?”

The Bible is a book – it is only proper

that we a God life.

“The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”  Jeremiah 17:9

I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another,  Isaiah 42:8a

 

Matthew 1:18 – 2:8

Opportunity = a set of that makes it to do something.

Opportunities are sensitive.

To seize the opportunity may change your , and the things you.

To refuse the opportunity may mean living with “ – – ”.

The question is – do you see an opportunity as a adventure or as a to a comfortable life?

Accepting means ! Declining may deepen !

Some of the main characteristics of the Christmas stories were presented with

opportunities to with God.

1. and (Luke 1:13)

Obstacle = v. 18

Obstacle = and

Obstacle = ,

Obstacle = ,

Obstacle = ,

1. and Israel’s

Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent men and killed all the boys who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi.  Matthew 2:16

Obstacle =

How to look at opportunities

Life is a collection of and .

Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.  Ephesians 5:16 NLT

Opportunities are often disguised as .

God does not give each of us equal , but He gives everyone opportunities to Him on the journey of life.

Understanding opportunities

Opportunities:

1. Are – invitations to join Him.
2. Often are disguised as moments.
3. Don’t
4. May not like what you .
5. Require
6. Are the of our

How do we recognize them?

1. Spiritual is the .

But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.  1 Corinthians 2:14

1. Walk in and .

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.  Colossians 4:5

1. Be led by .

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God.  Romans 8:14

1. Pay to recurring or inner .

Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.”  Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”  And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.  Acts 8:29-31

1. Push beyond and . (Mark 5:25-34)

Opportunities increase when you on the you have.

Philippians 4:4-8

is something that seems to be in our world!

What is ? Biblical JOY is defined to be a deep, sense of inner and that results from in God and His promises instead of being on external circumstances or factors.

Three that JOY:

1. Forces
2. Influences, Attitudes, & Behaviors
3. Resources

Notice the Factor: is left !

Principle: When and where there is , there is !

Truth: is in our lives, not because is , but because we are to the things of the to bring when they are of doing so.

Good News: We are not to live lives!

to be made:

• If we focus on the JOY , !
• If we lean into the JOY , !

Some Lasting Truths about from God’s Word:

1. JOY is found in .
2. Our is found in the of the .
3. JOY in His .
4. is the of JOY.
5. JOY is to .
6. JOY is a from the .
7. We are to live with JOY.

What is the to JOY?

• to the – The is !

Important Reminders:

• God did not their . (He may not yours either)
• God did not them from their . (He may not you either)
• God did them a special though – He offered them ! (He you that same JOY)

Caution: We think if God does not change our circumstance or remove us from our circumstance that is not . Is that true?

not! You have JOY and your circumstance.

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Philippians 4:4-5, NLT

 

Luke 1:1-25

Luke one of the Lord’s disciples. Luke 1:1-4

Luke’s goal was accuracy, and .

Already – there were stories going around about the of Jesus and His ministry.

Luke’s goal – was to set the straight.

Notice the words, “In the days of Herod”. These were days – days.

To make matters worse, the people of Israel had not heard from God for years.

But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and frolic like calves from the stall.
Malachi 4:2

“Behold, I am sending My messenger, and he will clear a way before Me. And the Lord, whom you are seeking, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of armies.
Malachi 3:1

When John the Baptist on the scene, he was the between the Old and the New Testaments.

Israel longed for someone to them.

Zacharias = “ ”.

Elizabeth = “My God is an .

What Are The Lessons?

1) Zacharias was a man.

Humble = power under !

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:6

A humble person sees themselves as they really are – in need of a .

Zacharias was a priest.

We, too, are today.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
1 Peter 2:9

We God!

2) Zacharias was a man!

He was just doing his .

Here is the key: be in the things.

You can never be too – but you can be too .

 The one who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much; and the one who is unrighteous in a very little thing is also unrighteous in much.
Luke 16:10

3) Zacharias and Elizabeth were people.

They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. Luke 1:6

By the way – to be “” doesn’t mean sinless. This means they followed God.

Even with the difficulty of no – they were still faithful.

Do you think in this special , at this special , Zacharias thought of the others that were barren?

Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne.
Revelation 8:3

God up the prayers of His people.

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.
Luke 1:13

4) Zacharias was human and , just like us!

Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division,
Luke 1:8

God wasn’t just giving them a – He was working out .

For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb.
Luke 1:15

 

Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4

Have you ever just run out of ? Feeling ? out?

What us to get to that point? A few of those are…

• or provisions

Truth is – Our are .

Do you notice a common theme?

• – .
• Lack of – .
• and worry – most .

These are all struggles or responses. What is the issue at hand?

• struggle – Lack of or faith.

in the is one of .

• are anything that takes our and focus from where it should be.

Distractions:

1. our growth
2. Lead us
3. our vision
4.   us from what is most .

Distractions our eyes from the to our .

Distractions us into the and the .

Reminder – Our discipleship theme this year is : Discovering and Embracing God’s .

• The assesses GREATNESS based on the .
• assesses GREATNESS based on the .

To truly understand and embrace GREATNESS from God’s perspective, it is imperative that we the God.

4 Things God

1. Our
2. Our
   Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.  1 Peter 5:7, NLT
3. Our For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.  Psalm 103:14, NASB
4. Our

   God also knows our .
   Remember: “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”  Jeremiah 17:9, NASB

Think about listening to David about Jonathan!

As iron sharpens iron, So one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot Is confidence in a treacherous person in time of trouble.  Proverbs 25:19

David’s encounter with Jonathan is mentioned in 1 Samuel 23, as David finds himself no more than a .

By this time David was so terrified by Saul that he had turned to methods.

He Ahimelech the priest = (1 Samuel 21:1-9).

He was reduced to playing the part of a madman before the king of Gath, the city of Goliath. (1 Samuel 21:10-15) (Psalm 34, 53, 56)

Then everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them. Now there were about four hundred men with him.  1 Samuel 22:2

From the Gadites valiant mighty men went over to David at the stronghold in the wilderness, men trained for war who could handle a large shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains.  1 Chronicles 12:8

We should be that God is in the business of lives.

David was dealt a crushing at the Hebrew town of Keilah. (1 Samuel 23)

David sought the of God:

Then David said, “Will the citizens of Keilah hand me and my men over to Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will hand you over.” Then David and his men, about six hundred, rose up and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. When it was reported to Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the pursuit. David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul searched for him every day, but God did not hand him over to him.  1 Samuel 23:12-14

David, at this point, must have had a sense of – even .

When my spirit felt weak within me,
You knew my path.
In the way where I walk
They have hidden a trap for me.

Look to the right and see;
For there is no one who regards me favorably;

There is no escape for me;
No one cares for my soul.
Psalm 142:3-4

A Friend In Need!

And Jonathan, Saul’s son, set out and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God.  1 Samuel 23:16

As iron sharpens iron, So one person sharpens another.  Proverbs 27:17

A friend comes to and to strengthen in .

In other words – Jonathan David’s perspective on life by focusing him on .

• Three principles emerge:

1^st I need to be a friend.

2^nd My friendship with God must be the of my friendship with others.

3^rd I must help my friend be directly on the Lord.

Also, David was in great distress because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David felt strengthened in the Lord his God.  1 Samuel 30:6

Behold, God is my helper;
The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.
He will pay back the evil to my enemies;
Destroy them in Your faithfulness.

Willingly I will sacrifice to You;
I will praise Your name, Lord, for it is good.

For He has saved me from all trouble,
And my eye has looked with satisfaction upon my enemies.
Psalm 54:4-7

Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13