As we delve into the creation story, we see the unfolding of God's plan, from the creation of the heavens and the earth to the formation of Adam and Eve. Genesis 2 details the creation of humanity, with God breathing life into Adam and crafting Eve from his rib. This act establishes the foundation of marriage and gender, setting the stage for the covenant relationship between God and humanity. The story then takes a tragic turn in Genesis 3, where Adam and Eve's disobedience leads to the fall of humanity and the introduction of sin into the world. This event has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only humanity but all of creation.

The narrative then moves to the story of Cain and Abel, illustrating the destructive nature of sin. Cain's jealousy and anger lead to the first murder, a stark reminder of the power of sin to corrupt the human heart. This leads us into the catastrophic events of the flood, where God's judgment falls upon a world consumed by wickedness. Noah, a preacher of righteousness, builds an ark and saves his family and a remnant of animals, a testament to God's grace and mercy.

After the flood, humanity attempts to establish its own order at the Tower of Babel, defying God's command to spread across the earth. God responds by confusing their language and scattering them, a pivotal moment that shapes the diversity of languages and nations we see today. This event underscores the importance of obedience to God's will and the consequences of human pride.

As we conclude this overview, we are reminded of the cyclical nature of human history and the need for vigilance. Jesus warns us in Matthew 24 that the days before his return will be like the days of Noah, where life continues as usual until the flood comes. We are called to be awake, aware, and ready for his return, living in a world that increasingly mirrors the pre-Babel era, with technology and global interconnectedness reaching unprecedented levels. The day of the Lord is approaching, and we must remain steadfast in our faith, trusting in God's plan and his promise to return.

## Sermon Notes — Genesis 1:1-11:9

**Big Idea:** Genesis 1-11 lays the foundation for all of biblical theology, covering creation, the fall, and the flood.

### 1. Creation (Genesis 1:1-2:3)

- God created the heavens and the earth.

- Genesis 1:1-2:3 describes the creation of the universe and humanity.

- **Key principle:** God is the creator and sustainer of all things.

### 2. Foundation of Marriage and Gender (Genesis 2:4-25)

- God created Adam and Eve.

- Marriage and gender roles are established by God.

- **Key principle:** God determines the rules for marriage and gender.

### 3. The Fall (Genesis 3:1-24)

- Adam and Eve disobey God, leading to sin and death.

- Satan’s deception and the first prophecy of redemption.

- **Key principle:** Sin has universal consequences, but God provides a way of redemption.

### 4. The Spread of Sin (Genesis 4:1-26)

- Cain and Abel’s offerings and the first murder.

- Sin leads to further disobedience and violence.

- **Key principle:** Sin crouches at the door, but we must rule over it.

### 5. The Flood (Genesis 6:1-9:17)

- Humanity’s wickedness and God’s decision to flood the earth.

- Noah’s obedience and the ark.

- **Key principle:** God’s covenant with Noah and the rainbow as a sign.

### 6. Dispersion of Nations (Genesis 10-11)

- The Table of Nations and the Tower of Babel.

- God’s intervention to scatter humanity.

- **Key principle:** God’s plan to divide humanity into nations.

### Practical Applications

1. **Study the Bible** — Commit to reading and studying Genesis to understand the foundation of God’s plan.

2. **Guard against sin** — Be vigilant and rule over sin in your life, remembering its consequences.

3. **Follow God’s commands** — Like Noah, be obedient to God’s commands and trust in His promises.

4. **Be aware of the signs** — Stay alert and aware of the signs of the times, as Jesus taught.

### Discussion Questions

1. How does understanding the creation account in Genesis 1-2 affect your view of God’s sovereignty and purpose?

2. In what ways do you see the effects of sin in your daily life and community?

3. How can we learn from Noah’s obedience and apply it to our own lives today?

4. What does the story of the Tower of Babel reveal about human pride and rebellion against God?

5. How does the current global situation compare to the times of Noah and Babel, and what does this mean for us today?

*"The day of the Lord is coming closer and closer, and the further humanity pushes into this idea that we need to be like God or cast Him down, we're getting very close to His return."*

Today, we delve into Romans 12:1-2, where we are called to present our bodies as living sacrifices and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Rick explores the will of God through four aspects: the permissive, prudential, progressive, and perfect wills. The permissive will allows for human choice, even when it goes against God's desires, while the prudential will involves decisions where God expects wisdom and discernment. The progressive will reveals itself step by step, teaching us to walk with faith, and the perfect will aims for us to conform to the image of Christ, reflecting His love, joy, and peace. 

God's will is always good, acceptable, and perfect, and He desires for us to align our lives with His purposes. As we navigate the future of our church and our personal lives, we are called to trust God's faithfulness, even when the path ahead is unclear. The Holy Spirit is always faithful, never forcing our will but persistently guiding us towards His perfect will. We are encouraged to take one step at a time, trusting that God has a good plan for our lives. Will you follow where He leads, knowing that He is always faithful?

## Sermon Notes — Romans 12:1-2

**Big Idea:** The Holy Spirit guides us into God's will through various aspects, teaching us to walk with Him progressively.

### 1. Permissive Will of God (Romans 12:1-2)

- God allows wide range of choices, even sinful ones.

- Israel's disobedience in the wilderness is an example.

- **Key principle:** God's permissive will means He allows human choices while setting boundaries and directing history toward His ultimate purpose.

### 2. Prudential Will of God (Romans 12:1-2)

- Decisions for which Scripture gives no direct command.

- Use wisdom, prayer, and discernment.

- Examples: Choosing a college, buying a house.

- **Key principle:** Use your brain and discernment in making decisions God hasn't explicitly commanded.

### 3. Progressive Will of God (Romans 12:1-2)

- God reveals His will progressively.

- He gives enough light for the next step, not the full picture.

- Takes faith to follow each step.

- **Key principle:** God teaches us to walk with Him through faith, revealing His will step-by-step.

### 4. Perfect Will of God (Romans 12:1-2)

- God's complete will for us is to conform into the image of His son.

- His will is good, acceptable, and perfect.

- **Key principle:** God's perfect will for us is to reflect Jesus' character and be equipped for every good work.

### Practical Applications

1. **Obey what is already clear** — Identify and follow God's clear commands in Scripture.

2. **Take a step of faith** — Move forward with what God has revealed, trusting Him for the next step.

3. **Yield to correction** — Be open to God's redirection and correction.

4. **Trust God with what is hidden** — Have faith that God knows the full plan even when we don't.

5. **Align your life with God's will** — Make choices that reflect God's good, acceptable, and perfect will.

### Discussion Questions

1. How do you discern between God's permissive will and His perfect will in your life?

2. Can you share a time when God revealed His will progressively in your life? How did you respond?

3. What steps can you take this week to align more closely with God's will for your life?

4. How does God's progressive will require faith and trust in Him?

5. What does it mean to you to conform into the image of Jesus, and how can you do this more in your daily life?

## Sermon Notes

### 1. God is Faithful to Start the Work (Philippians 1:6)

- God initiates salvation

- Before we loved Him, He loved us (1 John 4:19)

- God brings new life in Christ (Ephesians 2:4-5)

- God's love is unconditional (illustration: love for children)

### 2. God is Faithful to Continue the Work (Philippians 1:6)

- God is committed to shaping you into Christ's image

- Growth is not immediate, but God is always faithful

- God uses blessings, challenges, and trials to conform us to Christ (illustration: new home construction)

- God's purpose is to conform us to the image of His Son (Romans 8:28-29)

- God's faithfulness means every situation is used for His purpose

### 3. God is Faithful to Complete the Work (Philippians 1:6)

- Focus on future hope, not present circumstances

- Jesus is coming back (Revelation 21:1-8)

- God promises to sanctify us completely (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

- God’s faithfulness is attached to His character

- Encouragement: God is working, even if it feels like He’s silent

### Practical Applications

1. **Search me, Lord** — Pray for God to reveal areas in your life that need to be conformed to Christ.

2. **Reflect on God's faithfulness** — Spend time each day meditating on how God has been faithful in your life.

3. **Confess and repent** — Identify a specific sin and confess it to God, asking for His grace and forgiveness.

4. **Surrender to God’s will** — Pray for the courage to surrender any areas of your life that are not aligned with God’s will.

5. **Share your faith** — Invite someone to church or share your testimony with a friend who doesn’t know Jesus.

### Discussion Questions

1. How has God's faithfulness impacted your life in a specific way?

2. What are some areas in your life where you feel like God is still working and transforming you?

3. How can we better trust in God's faithfulness during difficult times?

4. What does it mean to you that God is committed to shaping you into the image of Christ?

5. How can we practically support and encourage each other in our journey of sanctification?

6. For those who have not yet placed their faith in Christ, what is holding you back from surrendering to God's grace today?

**Detailed Notes**

- We are all failures. Romans 3:23 — "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." That includes every one of us.

- Scripture is a time capsule of humanity's failures that reveals God's faithfulness through them.

- Garden: Adam and Eve failed, yet God didn't wipe the slate clean—He covered their nakedness and stayed faithful.

- Peter: a simple fisherman Jesus called, renamed (Cephas/Peter), and poured into—yet at the crucial moment he denied Christ three times.

- Jesus didn't condemn Peter; He restored him around a charcoal fire (John 21). Three denials, three questions, three commissions: "Feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep."

- Restored Peter preached at Pentecost—the church grew from 120 to over 3,000 in a day. Not Peter's faithfulness, but God's.

**Three Points**

1. Failure is not the end when Jesus restores you.

2. Restoration always leads back to purpose—He restores us to use us.

3. Your greatest failure does not have to become your identity. We remember Peter for leading the church, not for his denial. Christ defines us, not our shortcomings.

**Practical Applications**

- Stop letting your past disqualify you. God isn't done with you when you fail.

- Bring your failures to Jesus rather than hiding or "blotting out" your story.

- Expect restoration to come with a calling—look for the purpose God is redeeming your failure toward.

- Be obedient and share your story. Someone near you has walked what you've walked; your redemption can point them to Christ.

- Root your identity in Christ, not in your worst moment.

**Discussion Questions**

1. Where do you tend to believe your failures have disqualified you from being used by God?

2. Peter's denial was left in the Gospels on purpose. Why do we want to erase our failures, and what changes when we don't?

3. How does seeing "God's faithfulness in the failure" differ from just trying to fail less?

4. Restoration led Peter back to purpose. What might God be restoring you toward right now?

5. Whose story has God given you that someone else needs to hear?

6. What would it look like this week to root your identity in Christ rather than your past?

*"This is not about Peter's failure. It's about God's faithfulness in the failure."*

**Detailed Notes**

- **Text Anchor – James 5:13–16**  

 - Elders are commanded to pray over the sick, anoint with oil, and expect God to work.  

 - Prayer of faith saves the sick; sins forgiven; healing linked with confession and community prayer.  

 - Today’s response: elders available to pray and anoint, obeying Scripture, not putting on a “show.”

- **Key Idea: Different Expressions of Faith, Same Powerful Jesus**  

 Jesus doesn’t repeat methods so we trust the Miracle Worker, not the method.

1. **Faith of the Centurion – Matthew 8:5–13**  

  - Roman Gentile, man of authority, serving his servant.  

  - Believes Jesus only has to *say the word*.  

  - Recognizes Jesus’ spiritual authority structure: sickness and demons answer to Him.  

  - Jesus marvels at his faith; servant healed at a distance.

2. **Faith of Jairus & the Bleeding Woman – Luke 8:40–56**  

  - Jairus: synagogue ruler, needs Jesus *to come and lay hands* on his dying daughter.  

  - On the way, a woman with 12-year hemorrhage pushes through crowd, touches His garment.  

  - She’s unclean, desperate, believing “if I only touch Him, I’ll be healed.”  

  - Jesus feels power go out, calls her “Daughter,” “your faith has made you well.”  

  - News arrives: Jairus’ daughter dead. Jesus: “Do not fear; only believe.” Raises her from the dead despite mockery.

3. **Faith of the Canaanite Woman – Matthew 15:21–28**  

  - Gentile from Tyre/Sidon, knows Davidic promise: calls Him “Lord, Son of David.”  

  - Persistent cries for her demon-oppressed daughter; Jesus at first silent, then states His mission to Israel.  

  - She kneels and worships even when not answered as she hoped.  

  - Accepts “house pet” analogy, asks for crumbs; Jesus praises her *great faith* and heals at a distance.

4. **Faith of the Desperate Father – Mark 9:14–29**  

  - Demonized, mute son; disciples failed to cast demon out; religious arguments overshadow the boy’s need.  

  - Jesus rebukes faithless generation.  

  - Pulls father’s eyes off the chaos: “How long has this been happening?”  

  - Father: “If you can do anything…” Jesus: “‘If you can’? All things are possible for one who believes.”  

  - Honest cry: “I believe; help my unbelief.” Jesus delivers the boy; explains to disciples this kind comes out only by prayer (and fasting): you must walk in dependence, not assumption.

**Practical Applications**

1. Come to Jesus as you are: strong faith, weak faith, mixed faith—He responds to honest trust.  

2. Don’t worship methods: word, touch, distance—Jesus is the healer, not the formula.  

3. Persist when God seems silent; keep worshiping like the Canaanite woman.  

4. Bring long-term struggles to Him (12 years, lifelong, childhood issues). No statute of limitations.  

5. Lead with prayer in all ministry; don’t rely on past success or your own strength.  

6. Use the body: ask elders and mature believers to pray, confess, and walk with you.

**Discussion Questions**

1. Which of the four faith stories do you identify with most right now, and why?  

2. Where have you been tempted to trust a method, routine, or “formula” instead of Jesus Himself?  

3. How do you typically respond when God feels silent or slow—more like the Canaanite woman or more like the disciples arguing?  

4. What would it look like for you to honestly pray, “I believe; help my unbelief” about a specific situation?  

5. In what area of life have you stopped asking because it’s been “too long”? What step of renewed faith can you take this week?  

6. How can your group practically obey James 5:13–16 together?

**SERMON NOTES – God’s Faithfulness & Our Response (Abraham / Lamentations 3)**

---

### 1. God’s Faithfulness When We Can’t See It  

- We *know* God is faithful, but our fallen nature doubts when we don’t see results.  

- Seasons of unanswered prayer, confusion, or silence feel lonely and isolating.  

- Scripture shows a pattern: people question, but God is always working behind the scenes; the story is not over.  

- Lamentations 3:22–24 written in devastation (Jerusalem destroyed), not comfort:  

 - “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases…”  

 - “Great is your faithfulness.”  

 - “The LORD is my portion… therefore I will hope in him.”

---

### 2. Our Faithfulness Flows from His  

- Key idea: **Our faithfulness is a response to God’s faithfulness, not the source of it.**  

- God is faithful whether or not we see it or feel it.  

- We don’t earn or trigger His faithfulness; we reflect it.

---

### 3. Abraham: Called to Move Without Details (Genesis 12:1–4; Heb. 11:8–10)  

- God calls Abram to leave country, family, security—no map, just “go.”  

- **When God calls, move.**  

 - Movement ≠ having all the answers; it’s taking the *next* step.  

 - Opposite of movement is stagnation—like a pond with no outflow: stale and toxic.  

- Hebrews 11:  

 - He went out “not knowing where he was going.”  

 - Lived in tents; not luxury, but promise.  

 - “He was looking forward to the city… whose designer and builder is God.”  

- Lesson: **God’s faithfulness is seen in His promises, not our circumstances.**

---

### 4. Faith in the Tension (Genesis 15:1–6)  

- Promised a great nation, but still childless; Abraham questions God.  

- God reaffirms: your own son will be your heir.  

- “Look toward heaven and number the stars… so shall your offspring be.”  

- **Faith lives in the tension between promise and fulfillment.**  

- Abraham and Sarah tried to “help God out” and made a mess—our control often does the same.  

- Much of what God does *through* us is for others after us (legacy, children, those we lead).

---

### 5. God’s Story Is Bigger Than Our Lifetime  

- Abraham never saw: David, Bethlehem, the cross, the empty tomb, the church—yet all were contained in God’s promise to him.  

- Disciples thought the story ended on Friday; God knew Sunday was coming.  

- Just because you can’t see God moving doesn’t mean He stopped moving.

---

## PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS  

1. **Identify a “next step.”**  

  - Where is God nudging you (obedience, forgiveness, serving, giving, sharing the gospel)? Take one concrete step this week.

2. **Shift your focus from circumstances to promises.**  

  - Write down 3–5 promises of God (e.g., Heb. 13:5; Rom. 8:28; Phil. 1:6) and pray them over your situation daily.

3. **Release control projects.**  

  - Name one area where you’re “Ishmael-building” (forcing outcomes). Confess, surrender it to the Lord, and ask for patience.

4. **Think legacy, not just comfort.**  

  - Ask: “How can my obedience today bless those who come after me?”

---

## DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  

1. Where have you recently struggled to see God’s faithfulness? What emotions surface in that tension?  

2. In what ways do you tend to tie your view of God’s faithfulness to your circumstances?  

3. What is one “westward” step God might be calling you to take without full details?  

4. How have you seen God use previous seasons of confusion or waiting for future good in your life or others’?  

5. What specific promise of God do you need to cling to in this season? How will you remind yourself of it this week?

SERMON NOTES – Romans 16:17–27 / Unity, Division, and the Crushing of Satan  

-----------------------------  

DETAILED NOTES  

I. Danger of Division in the Church (Rom 16:17–18)  

- Main New Testament warning: disunity (Jesus, Paul, Peter, John, Jude).  

- Unity = one Lord, one faith, one gospel; not robotic sameness but shared mission.  

- Christ shed his blood to make the church one; division attacks something Jesus died for.  

- Paul’s commands about divisive people:  

 - “Watch out for” (mark them, be aware).  

 - They cause divisions and obstacles contrary to sound doctrine.  

 - They serve their own appetites, not Christ.  

 - They use smooth talk and flattery to deceive the naive.  

II. Jesus’ Parables and the Corruption of the Church (Matt 13)  

1. Parable of the Soils  

  - Seed = Word; soils = hearts.  

  - Only 1 in 4 bears fruit; of that, some produce 30/60/100-fold.  

  - Birds = the wicked one (Satan), snatching the Word. Birds are “bad.”  

2. Parable of the Wheat and Tares  

  - Sower = Son of Man; field = world; good seed = sons of the kingdom; tares = sons of the evil one; enemy = devil; harvest = end of age; reapers = angels.  

  - Wheat and tares look similar until maturity; wheat bows in humility, tares stand proud and darken.  

3. Mustard Seed Parable  

  - Seed (kingdom) planted in the world becomes a tree big enough for birds to nest.  

  - Mustard should be a bush, not a tree—picture of abnormal, corrupted growth.  

  - Birds (demons) nesting = the enemy infiltrating an oversized, deformed church through false teaching and division.  

III. Power of Unity  

- Biblical “math”: one puts 1,000 to flight, two put 10,000—exponential power in agreement.  

- Eph 4; Col 3; Phil 2:  

 - Walk worthy: humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another, forgiveness.  

 - Do nothing from selfish ambition; count others more significant.  

 - Love binds everything in perfect harmony.  

- Matt 18: agreement in prayer after reconciliation; where two or three gather in Jesus’ name, He is present.  

IV. Crushing of Satan (Rom 16:20)  

- “God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet”: peace = the end of conflict, not passivity.  

- Genesis 3:15: promise of a serpent-crusher; Satan watches the seed-line through history.  

- Jesus revealed as Lamb of God; defeats Satan’s temptations with the Word.  

- On the cross: “It is finished” (paid in full). Satan’s apparent victory is actually his defeat.  

- Justification (penalty), sanctification (power), glorification (presence of sin removed).  

V. “My Gospel” and the Open Door (Rom 16:25–27)  

- Paul calls it “my gospel” – it must move from abstract truth to personal reality.  

- Mystery revealed: salvation open to all nations, not just Israel.  

- Same blood, same cross, same way for everyone; the blood will never lose its power.  

-----------------------------  

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS  

1. Guard against division: refuse gossip, confront offense biblically (Matt 18), seek reconciliation quickly.  

2. Deepen discernment: know Scripture (like Bereans, Acts 17:11); test teaching, including online voices.  

3. Pursue unity: intentionally prefer others’ interests, practice patience and forgiveness in your church.  

4. Use the Word in warfare: answer temptation and lies with Scripture as Jesus did.  

5. Make it *your* gospel: regularly meditate on Romans; personalize what Christ has done for you.  

-----------------------------  

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  

1. Where have you seen division harm a church? What were the roots of that division?  

2. In what ways can “tares” and “wheat” look similar today? How does maturity reveal the difference?  

3. How can your group practice biblical reconciliation when someone is offended?  

4. What are some current “human philosophies” or trends that conflict with the gospel?  

5. Has the gospel become “my gospel” for you? How is that evident in your daily decisions?

**Detailed Notes**

- **All Scripture Matters** – 2 Tim. 3:16–17  

 - All Scripture is God‑breathed and profitable, even “just a list of names” in Romans 16.  

 - The Spirit intentionally preserved these 26 names to teach us.

- **Phoebe (Rom. 16:1–2)**  

 - Sister, servant (diakonos / deacon), patron (financial supporter).  

 - Likely carried the only copy of Romans from Corinth to Rome—dangerous, costly, yet faithful.  

 - Deacons = lead servants; trusted with people, money, and needs.

- **Priscilla & Aquila (16:3–5; Acts 18; 2 Tim. 4:19)**  

 - Fellow workers; risked their necks for Paul; hosted a church in their home.  

 - Forced out of Rome; everywhere they went, they planted churches.  

 - Viewed exile and hardship as mission, not punishment.  

 - Tentmaking friendship with Paul likely began through ordinary vocational contact.  

 - Lifelong, harmonious partners in ministry.

- **Epaenetus (16:5)**  

 - First convert in Asia; Paul still knows his name and story.  

 - Firstfruits of a Gentile harvest.

- **Andronicus & Junia (16:7)**  

 - Kinsmen, fellow prisoners, in Christ before Paul, well known among the apostles.  

 - Likely family Paul once persecuted; powerful testimony of grace and reconciliation.  

 - Example of costly obedience (imprisonment, suffering).

- **Ampliatus & Others (16:8ff)**  

 - Likely former slave who rose to church leadership.  

 - Early church mixed slave/free, male/female, Jew/Greek, rich/poor—fulfilling Gal. 3:28.  

 - Masters sometimes sat under teaching of their slaves; the kingdom inverts status.

- **Rufus & His Mother (16:13; Mark 15:21)**  

 - Probably the son of Simon of Cyrene who carried Jesus’ cross.  

 - Simon’s forced interruption became his family’s salvation story.  

 - Rufus’ mother became like a mother to Paul.

- **Big Themes from the Names**  

 - Real people, real costs, real love, real partnership.  

 - Church as family: greeting, thanking, remembering, honoring.  

 - Diversity and unity under Christ, not human categories.

- **God Knows Your Name (Luke 19:1–10 & Survey of Scripture)**  

 - Jesus calls Zacchaeus by name; salvation comes to his house.  

 - God calls individuals by name across Scripture (Adam, Noah, Moses, David, Lazarus, Saul, etc.).  

 - The Creator who names the stars also numbers the hairs on our heads.  

 - He has not abandoned or forgotten us; He is personal and near.

---

**Practical Applications**

1. **See Yourself as a “Name” God Knows**  

  - Pray personally: “Lord, thank You that You know me and my situation.”

2. **Embrace Servant Leadership**  

  - Look for ways to be a “Phoebe” or a deacon‑hearted servant this week—meet a practical need.

3. **Open Your Home and Life**  

  - Consider how your home/resources can serve the kingdom, not just comfort.

4. **Pursue Gospel Friendships**  

  - Initiate one new conversation at church; your “tentmaking” connection may become lifelong partnership.

5. **Reject Status & Division**  

  - Examine prejudice (race, class, gender, education). Repent and intentionally honor someone different from you.

---

**Discussion Questions**

1. Which person in Romans 16 stood out to you most and why?  

2. How does knowing that God preserved these “hidden” names affect how you see unnoticed service in the church?  

3. Where might God be inviting you to turn a hardship or “exile” into a mission opportunity?  

4. In what concrete ways can your home or job become a platform for ministry, like Priscilla and Aquila?  

5. How have you personally experienced God’s “He knows my name” care?  

6. What divisions or hierarchies do you see creeping into the church today, and how can we resist them?

**Sermon Notes – Romans 15:30–33 – “An Appeal to Pray”**

**Text:** Romans 15:30–33  

> “I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf…”

---

### 1. The Weight of “I Appeal to You” (Parakaleō)  

- Paul isn’t making a casual suggestion; he’s urgently calling for attention and response.  

- *Parakaleō* = to urge, exhort, strongly request, comfort, encourage.  

- Other places Paul “appeals”:  

 - Romans 12:1–2 – present your bodies as living sacrifices.  

 - Romans 16:17 – watch out for those who cause divisions.  

 - 1 Cor 4:16; 16:15; Eph 4:1; 1 Thess 4:1 – walk worthy, imitate Christ, submit to godly leaders.  

- Idea: “Look at me. Listen. This really matters.”

---

### 2. The Specific Appeal: Pray With Me (v. 30–31)  

- “Strive together with me in your prayers” – prayer is hard work, shared labor.  

- Paul, the great apostle, openly asks for help. No spiritual lone rangers.  

- His requests:  

 - Protection from unbelievers in Judea.  

 - That his service to Jerusalem would be acceptable.  

 - That he might come to Rome with joy and be refreshed.  

- His prayer is gospel-centered, not comfort-centered: protection **for mission**, not just ease.

---

### 3. Why This Matters for the Church  

**a. Appeal for Prayer**  

- Normal Christian life: asking for prayer, not pretending “I’m fine.”  

- Requires humility, vulnerability, transparency.

**b. Encourage Those Who Ask**  

- Don’t just say, “I’ll pray for you” and walk away.  

- Listen, ask wise questions (as appropriate), pray *on the spot* when possible.  

- Keep checking in: bear one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2).

**c. Follow Through in Prayer**  

- Prayer is simple conversation with the Father, not performance.  

- Use reminders, texts, calls; let people know you’re praying (Phil 1:3–5).  

**d. Pray for Leaders**  

- Spiritual leaders (pastors, elders, parents, civil leaders) carry heavy responsibility.  

- Like Paul, they need protection, wisdom, clarity, and perseverance.

---

## Practical Applications

1. **Ask for Prayer This Week**  

  - Tell at least one trusted believer one real struggle and ask them to pray specifically.

2. **Pray Immediately**  

  - When someone shares a need, stop and pray with them right then if at all possible.

3. **Create a Prayer List**  

  - Include: family, church leaders, one hurting friend, one non-Christian, one global need.

4. **Gospel-Shape Your Prayers**  

  - Add: “How does the gospel advance in this situation?” and pray toward that.

5. **Commit to Pray for Leaders**  

  - Choose one leader (church, home, or civic) and pray for them daily for the next week.

---

## Discussion Questions

1. What does Paul’s repeated “I appeal to you” reveal about how seriously he takes prayer?  

2. Why is it hard for you personally to admit “I’m not okay” and ask for prayer?  

3. When have you actually felt “striving together” with someone in prayer? What was that like?  

4. How can we as a group move beyond “I’ll pray for you” to real follow-through?  

5. In what ways are your prayers currently more self-centered than gospel-centered?  

6. What specific things should we be praying for our church’s leaders right now?

**Detailed Notes**

• **Context – Romans 15:14–21, 22–33**  

 – Paul is closing the letter, affirming the maturity of the Roman church and explaining his ministry calling and travel plans.  

 – The sermon framed two big sections: (1) Practical church life, (2) Partnership in mission.

---

### I. A Mature Church (v.14)

1. **Full of goodness**  

  – Uprightness of heart and life; gracious toward one another.  

2. **Filled with knowledge**  

  – Deep, growing understanding of the faith (grace + truth).  

3. **Able to instruct one another**  

  – Mutual counsel, not clergy‑only; Col 3:12–17 – teaching, admonishing, worshiping together.  

  – Sunday gatherings align us for mission; the church body does the “work of ministry” all week.

---

### II. Paul the Priest (v.15–16)

• “Priestly service of the gospel” – not Old Testament sacrifice, but **offering Gentile converts to God**.  

• Every believer is part of a **“royal priesthood”** (1 Pet 2:9): servants of the King who bring people to Him.

---

### III. Paul the Preacher (v.17–19)

• Paul “proud” only in what **Christ accomplished through him**.  

• Ministry must be:  

 – Empowered by the **Spirit**, not human skill alone.  

 – Dependent: “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).  

• Hudson Taylor: “God’s will done God’s way brings God’s provision.”  

 – Faith often feels impossible → difficult → done.

---

### IV. Paul the Pioneer (v.20–21)

• Ambition: preach **where Christ is not named**, lay new foundations, then move on.  

• God had **set Paul apart before he was born** (Gal 1:15–16), transforming a persecutor into an apostle.  

• Some believers are similarly marked for pioneering ministry; they are miserable doing anything else.

---

### V. Partnership in Mission (v.22–33)

• Paul longs to see Rome, then go to Spain, expecting their **help on his journey** (support).  

• Model of **local → national → global** mission:  

 – Local ministries (kids, recovery, crisis pregnancy, etc.).  

 – National church planting.  

 – Global works (schools, long‑term missionaries).  

• The “5%” go; the “95%” **strive with them** in prayer, practical care, and financial support.

---

## Practical Applications

1. **Grow into maturity**  

  – Pursue goodness, biblical knowledge, and the ability to counsel others. Join and contribute to a group.  

2. **Own your priesthood**  

  – See people you share Christ with as your “offering” to God. Pray for one person to pursue this week.  

3. **Rely on the Spirit**  

  – Before serving, consciously ask the Spirit to lead; reject self‑reliance.  

4. **Discern your calling**  

  – If you feel “marked” for ministry or missions, don’t ignore the burn; seek wise counsel and take next steps.  

5. **Support those who go**  

  – Pray by name for missionaries; give sacrificially; look for “root beer”–type ways to encourage them.

---

## Discussion Questions

1. Which of Paul’s three commendations (goodness, knowledge, ability to instruct) do you see most and least in your own life?  

2. How does viewing yourself as part of a “royal priesthood” change your view of everyday life and work?  

3. Where have you been tempted to rely on your own ability instead of the Holy Spirit? What might dependence look like this week?  

4. Do you sense any specific calling from God (vocational ministry, missions, church planting, or something else)? How are you responding?  

5. As a group, what concrete step can you take to better partner with those “on the field” locally, nationally, or globally?

**SERMON NOTES – Romans 15:1–13**

**1. Strong & Weak Believers (Rom 15:1–3)**  

- In Romans, “strong” = mainly Gentile believers who understand they are free from OT ceremonial law (Sabbaths, food laws, feasts).  

- “Weak” = mainly Jewish believers still bound in conscience to OT ceremonies; they lack faith to enjoy their freedom.  

- Obligation of the strong: bear with the weak, not please themselves; build others up.  

- Christ is the example: He did not please Himself but bore reproach for others (Ps 69).

**2. Scripture, Endurance, and Hope (Rom 15:4–6)**  

- OT was written “for our instruction” so that through endurance and encouragement of Scripture we might have hope.  

- Old Testament stories (e.g., Israel in wilderness, Shadrach/Meshach/Abednego, Balaam) show God’s faithfulness despite human failure.  

- Goal: harmony, accord, one voice glorifying God—hence corporate worship and unified praise.

**3. Welcoming Like Christ (Rom 15:7)**  

- Command: “Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”  

- Greek *proslambanō*: to take by the arm, draw close, walk with; intimate, committed welcome.  

- Seen in:  

 - Peter taking Jesus aside (Mt 16:22),  

 - Priscilla & Aquila taking Apollos aside to teach more accurately (Acts 18),  

 - The people of Malta welcoming shipwrecked Paul (Acts 28).  

- To add extra requirements for belonging (like Pharisees’ added laws) is near blasphemy.

**4. God’s Heart for Sinners (Luke 15)**  

- Three parables (lost sheep, coin, son): all end in rejoicing.  

- Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents; God receives sinners with joy.  

- If we refuse to welcome those Christ welcomes, we sin against His heart.

**5. Dispensations & “It Is Finished”**  

- Jesus lived and obeyed under the Law to fulfill it perfectly, then declared, “It is finished.”  

- Veil torn: access to God opened; we now live in the age of grace.  

- We approach God by faith, not ceremony; no more sacrifices—just bold access.

**6. The God of Hope (Rom 15:13)**  

- God of hope fills us with joy and peace in believing.  

- By the Spirit we “abound in hope”: assurance that sin’s penalty is paid and God is not angry with us.  

- Our assignment: carry this hope to our generation; God placed us in this time and place (Acts 17:24–27).

---

**PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS**

1. Identify where you’re “strong” and tempted to look down on “weaker” believers. Choose to bear with and build up instead.  

2. Practice *proslambanō*: literally take someone new or struggling by the arm—sit with them, listen to them, walk with them.  

3. Repent of any “extra rules” you expect from others that Jesus did not.  

4. Use your testimony as your primary evangelism tool: “I was… but Christ…”  

5. This week, ask God for one open door to share the hope you have and step through it in dependence on the Spirit.

---

**DISCUSSION QUESTIONS**

1. In what areas of Christian freedom do you see yourself as “strong”? Where might that make you impatient with others?  

2. Have you ever felt like a “weak” believer bound by conscience? What helped you grow?  

3. What does “welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you” practically look like in our church?  

4. Where have you added expectations for people that Jesus doesn’t require?  

5. Which OT story especially encourages your hope right now, and why?  

6. Who is one person God may be asking you to “proslambanō” this month? What’s your next step with them?

**Sermon Notes – Romans 14:13–23**

**Big Idea:**  

In non-essential issues, Christians must refuse judgment, avoid causing others to stumble, and actively pursue peace and mutual upbuilding, inside and outside the church.

---

### 1. Do Not Pass Judgment (v.13a)

- “Let us not pass judgment on one another any longer.”

- God alone is Judge; we are not.

- Our tendency:  

 - Gravitate to people who “look/act/smell/run like us.”  

 - Judge those who don’t fit our traditions or expectations.

- Legalism = creating extra-biblical standards and condemning those who don’t measure up.

- Matthew 7:1–5 – Jesus warns against judging others while ignoring the “log” in our own eye.

- John 8:1–11 – Woman caught in adultery: Jesus exposes hypocritical judges and shows grace and truth.

**Key principle:** Examine yourself before criticizing others.

---

### 2. Do Not Be a Stumbling Block (v.13b–17, 20–23)

- “Decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.”

- Issue in Romans 14: food laws, days, wine—secondary issues, not the gospel.

- Jesus has declared all foods clean (Mark 7:14–23); what defiles is the heart, not the menu.

- Some believers have “weaker” consciences on certain issues (food, drink, holidays, schooling, entertainment).

- We must:

 - Refuse to make our personal convictions the standard of spirituality.

 - Be willing to limit our freedoms to protect others from stumbling.

- “Do not…destroy the work of God for the sake of food.” (v.20)

- “Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” (v.23)

**Key principle:** My freedom is never more important than my brother or sister.

---

### 3. Pursue Peace and Mutual Upbuilding (v.18–19)

- “Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.”

- “Let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”

- Our flesh tears people down to feel superior; the Spirit leads us to build others up.

- Philippians 2:3–4 – Count others more significant than yourselves.

- The church is not a courtroom of critics but a family marked by grace and truth.

- Everyone who walks in:

 1. Bears God’s image.

 2. Is a sinner in need of a Savior.

 3. Is someone for whom Christ died.

**Key principle:** The ground is level at the foot of the cross.

---

## Practical Applications

1. **Audit your judgments**

  - This week, notice when you internally critique someone’s appearance, past, parenting, etc. Confess it immediately.

2. **Protect someone’s conscience**

  - Identify one believer whose convictions differ from yours (food, drink, media, schooling). Choose to adjust your behavior around them to prefer their conscience over your freedom.

3. **Welcome the “unlike you” person**

  - On Sunday, intentionally greet and encourage someone who does not “run like you” (age, ethnicity, style, background).

4. **Guard unity over preferences**

  - When tempted to argue over non-essentials, ask: “Is this worth more than our unity in Christ?” If not, let it go.

---

## Discussion Questions

1. Where are you most tempted to judge other believers? What does that reveal about your own heart?

2. Have you ever felt judged in a church setting? How did that affect your view of God and His people?

3. What are some common “secondary issues” in our context that we wrongly treat as essentials?

4. Can you think of a time when someone limited their freedom to protect you? How did that impact you?

5. What would it look like, practically, for our church to “pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding” this month?

**Sermon Notes – Romans 14:1–12**

**1. Context & Big Idea**  

- Romans 14 addresses *disputable matters* among Christians (gray areas, non-essentials).  

- Paul’s concern: unity and love in the church, not uniformity of opinions.  

- Key tension: “weak” and “strong” believers disagreeing over food and special days.

**2. Judging vs. Helping (Matt. 7:1–5; Rom. 14:1–4)**  

- Jesus’ “speck and log” illustration: our sin looks worse on others than on us.  

- We tend to use Scripture as binoculars, not a mirror.  

- Goal is not to be “speck inspectors” but *log removers* so we can help, not condemn.  

- Paul: welcome the weak, “not to quarrel over opinions.” (v.1)  

- God, not we, is master of His servants (v.4).

**3. Disputable Matters in Rome (Rom. 14:2–6)**  

- Meat sacrificed to idols: some believers’ consciences would not allow eating; others understood idols are nothing.  

- Special days: some believers honored certain days (e.g., Sabbath); others saw all days alike.  

- Paul’s surprising command: “Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.” (v.5)  

 - Hold your conviction before the Lord, but don’t bind it on others.  

- The issue is *motive*: eating or abstaining “in honor of the Lord” with thanksgiving (v.6).

**4. Essentials vs. Non-essentials**  

- Augustine: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”  

- Essentials (examples from church statement):  

 - Trinity, authority of Scripture, creation and providence, salvation in Christ, return of Christ, gifts of the Spirit, baptism, etc.  

- Non-essentials: styles, preferences, traditions, gray areas of conscience.  

- There *are* right reasons to leave a church:  

 1) Moral failure in leadership (unrepentant)  

 2) Financial impropriety  

 3) Abandoning biblical truth  

- Wrong reasons: personal preference, style, minor disagreements.

**5. Living and Dying to the Lord (Rom. 14:7–9)**  

- “None of us lives to himself… we are the Lord’s.”  

- Our lives belong to Christ; we serve our generation for His purposes (Acts 13:36).  

**6. Final Accountability (Rom. 14:10–12; Matt. 12:36; Phil. 2:12)**  

- We will all stand before God’s judgment seat.  

- Each will give an account “of himself to God” – not for others, but for our own lives, words, and actions.  

- We must “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling,” not everyone else’s.

---

**Practical Applications**

1. **Use Scripture as a mirror first.** This week, when tempted to criticize someone, ask: “What ‘log’ is God showing me?”  

2. **Hold convictions humbly.** Identify one gray-area conviction you have. Commit to honor it personally without judging others who differ.  

3. **Guard your words.** Remember you’ll give an account for “every careless word.” Pray before posting, texting, or venting.  

4. **Pursue unity over preference.** When something at church isn’t your style (music, dress, temperature, format), choose gratitude over grumbling.  

5. **Focus on your own obedience.** Daily pray: “Lord, how do *You* want me to live for You today?” instead of fixating on others’ failures.

---

**Discussion Questions**

1. What are some modern “disputable matters” that tend to divide Christians today?  

2. How do you personally tell the difference between an essential doctrine and a non-essential opinion?  

3. Where are you most tempted to act as a “speck inspector”? How does Jesus’ “log” image confront you?  

4. When have you seen a church handle disagreement well? What made it different?  

5. In what area do you need to become “fully convinced in your own mind” before the Lord?  

6. How does remembering that you will give an account to God change the way you speak about or treat other believers?

**SERMON NOTES – Romans 13:8–14**

**1. Love Fulfills the Law (Rom 13:8–10)**

- “Owe no one anything, except to love each other.”

- Love is the one debt we always owe and never finish paying.

- If we truly love God and people, we will naturally keep the commandments:

 - No other gods / no taking His name in vain – because we love Him.

 - Honor parents – because we love them.

 - No murder, adultery, stealing, lying, coveting – because we love our neighbor.

- 1 Cor 13: Love is patient, kind, not envious, boastful, rude, self-seeking, or resentful; it bears, believes, hopes, endures all things; love never ends.

- A loving church is “felt” more than explained—like dew in Psalm 133—unity and joy are tangible.

**2. A Mother’s Love as a Picture of God’s Love**

- Moms often embody sacrificial, protective, “mama bear” love.

- They give their bodies, time, and hearts; they keep taking kids back in grace.

- God’s love is even greater: He goes after the one and leaves the 99; His “DNA” (new birth) changes us.

**3. The Urgency of the Hour (Rom 13:11–12)**

- “The hour has come for you to wake from sleep… the day is at hand.”

- We are closer to Christ’s return than any generation before.

- Signs of the times:

 - Israel back in the land (1948).

 - Global ability to destroy ourselves (nuclear weapons).

 - Moral confusion: evil called good, good called evil.

- Scripture repeatedly commands: Wake up, stay awake, be sober (Matt 24–25; 1 Thess 5).

**4. Cast Off Darkness, Put On Light (Rom 13:12–14)**

- “Cast off works of darkness… not in orgies, drunkenness, sexual immorality, sensuality, quarreling, jealousy.”

- “Make no provision for the flesh”: stop planning to sin; stop building a “supply line” for temptation.

- Daily choice: take off old clothes (sin) and put on Christ.

**5. Put On Christ and His Armor (Eph 6; Col 3; Matt 22)**

- Wedding parable: king provides free wedding garments; one man refuses to wear it and is cast out.

 - Point: we must put on the garment Christ provides; not come on our own terms.

- Col 3:

 - Put off: sexual immorality, impurity, evil desire, covetousness, anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk, lying.

 - Put on: compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and “above all… love.”

- Armor of God (Eph 6): belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit (Word of God).

 - Half of the armor is directly tied to Scripture—showing how vital the Word is.

---

**PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS**

1. **Daily Clothing Prayer**  

  Each morning, consciously “put off/put on”: confess specific sins, then ask God to clothe you with compassion, patience, self-control, and love.

2. **Cut Off Provision for Sin**  

  Identify where you “plan” to sin (websites, apps, contacts, places, times) and practically remove or limit access.

3. **Immerse in Truth**  

  Build a simple, steady Bible rhythm (e.g., one chapter a day in Romans or Ephesians). Treat Scripture as armor, not a hobby.

4. **Practice Love in Community**  

  At church and home, choose patient, kind responses—especially when irritated. Look for one person each week to intentionally encourage.

5. **Live Awake**  

  Evaluate your schedule, media, and habits: are you spiritually alert or numbed? Adjust to prioritize what sharpens your walk with Christ.

---

**DISCUSSION QUESTIONS**

1. Where do you most clearly see that love “fulfills the law” in your own relationships?

2. Which phrase from 1 Corinthians 13 most exposes a weakness in your love right now? Why?

3. In what ways might you be “asleep” spiritually? What would waking up look like this week?

4. What are some “provisions for the flesh” you’ve quietly allowed? How can you practically cut them off?

5. Which part of the armor of God do you neglect most, and how can you intentionally “put it on” this week?

6. How can our group/church better embody the welcoming, sacrificial love described in this sermon?

Sermon Notes: The Tension of Authority

I. Core Principles (Romans 12)

The Mandate: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Rom 12:21).

The Pursuit of Peace: Live peaceably with all, so far as it depends on you (Rom 12:18). Peace is a priority but is contingent upon personal integrity and spiritual fidelity.

II. The Jurisdictional Framework (Romans 13:1–7)

Three Institutions: God established the family, the state, and the church.

Jurisdictional Limits: Each institution has a God-ordained sphere. The state’s mandate is to punish evil and uphold good. It lacks the authority to dictate terms to the family or the church, just as they lack the authority to assume the state's role.

Submission vs. Obedience: Christians are called to be subject to governing authorities as a form of obedience to God, acknowledging these structures as instituted by Him.

III. The Ultimate Allegiance

The Conflict: When state demands conflict with divine commands, the believer must prioritize God (Acts 5:27–29).

The "Obey God Rather Than Men" Principle: Civil disobedience is reserved for instances where the state forces a violation of clear biblical mandate.

Practical Applications:

Discernment: Analyze requests from authority to determine if they fall within their "sphere" or if they cross into your convictions as a believer.

Respectful Dissent: When compelled to stand against an overstep, do so with grace, humility, and clear communication, maintaining the goal of peace without compromising truth.

Active Citizenship: Honor authority by fulfilling duties (taxes, laws) that uphold the general good, viewing this as an act of worship.

Prayer: Intercede for governing authorities, regardless of their policies, as requested in biblical calls for leadership.

Discussion Questions

How do you personally define the "limits" of governmental authority versus the role of the individual/family?

In what ways can we "overcome evil with good" in our current cultural climate while maintaining our core convictions?

Have you ever faced a situation where you felt a conflict between an earthly authority and a biblical command? How did you navigate it?

Why is the distinction between "submission" and "obedience" vital to the Christian witness?

**Sermon Notes – Romans 12:9–21 (esp. 13–21)**  

**Big Idea:**  

Because of God’s mercy (Rom 12:1–2), believers must live out a radically different, Christ-shaped love inside the church and out in the world—overcoming evil with good.

---

### 1. Radiating Circles of Christian Life  

- Romans 12–13 moves from:  

 - **Heart/character** (vv. 9–12)  

 - **Church life** (vv. 10–13)  

 - **Culture/enemies** (vv. 14–21)  

 - **Civil government** (13:1–7)  

- Christianity is an inside‑out transformation.

---

### 2. Life Together in the Church (v. 13, 15–16)  

- **Hospitality (v. 13)**  

 - “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help…eager to practice hospitality.”  

 - Root: “hospital” – caring for the hurting; the church is a spiritual hospital.  

 - Biblically required of elders and deacons (1 Tim 3; 1 Pet 4:9 – “without grumbling”).  

- **Rejoice / Weep (v. 15)**  

 - Sympathy: “I see you in the hole.”  

 - Empathy: “I’ll climb into the hole with you.”  

 - Easier to weep with others than to rejoice when they’re blessed. Older brother in Luke 15 failed here.  

- **No partiality (v. 16; James 2:1–4)**  

 - Don’t favor the rich, ignore the poor.  

 - Cross levels all distinctions: Jew/Greek, slave/free, male/female.  

---

### 3. Response to Persecution & Evil (vv. 14, 17–21)  

- **Bless, don’t curse (v. 14)**  

 - Ultimate curse: wishing someone’s damnation.  

 - Ultimate blessing: praying for their salvation and forgiveness.  

 - Jesus (Luke 23:34) and Stephen (Acts 7:60) model this.  

 - Louis Zamperini’s forgiveness letter: supernatural, not natural.  

- **No vengeance (v. 19)**  

 - “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”  

 - Our weapon is love and trust in God’s justice, not self‑defense or slander.  

- **Overcome evil with good (vv. 20–21)**  

 - Feeding enemies heaps “burning coals” of conviction.  

 - Story of David Nasser’s family: simple, persistent hospitality led an entire Muslim family (and then thousands) to Christ.

---

### 4. The Cost & Contrast (vv. 9–21)  

- These commands are **Christianity 101**, yet humanly impossible without Christ.  

- Reversing them (hypocritical love, clinging to evil, repaying evil, hating all) shows the misery of a self‑centered life.  

- We must **pour out** what God pours in; otherwise we become like the Dead Sea—full, but dead.

---

### Practical Applications  

1. **Practice hospitality this week**: invite someone from church or work for a meal or coffee; plan ahead and give your “time,” not just stuff.  

2. **Bless an “enemy”**: intentionally pray good for someone who wronged you; if possible, serve them tangibly.  

3. **Rejoice on purpose**: celebrate a friend’s promotion or blessing—verbally affirm them, fight jealousy.  

4. **Check your partiality**: notice who you avoid (poor, awkward, different); greet and sit with them.  

5. **Renew your mind (Rom 12:2)**: read Romans 12 daily this week; ask, “Where does my life not match this chapter?”  

---

### Discussion Questions  

1. Which command in Romans 12:9–21 feels most impossible to you right now? Why?  

2. How have you personally experienced life‑giving hospitality from other believers?  

3. What’s the difference between blessing an enemy in words vs. from the heart?  

4. Where are you tempted to show partiality in church or community?  

5. What specific mindset must change for you to “overcome evil with good” in a current conflict?

**SERMON NOTES – Romans 12:9–12 – “How to Build a Church, Part 1”**

---

### I. The Flow of Romans 12 

- Chapters 1–11: Doctrine. 

- Chapter 12: Practice—radiating outward: 

 - v9 – Character (heart) 

 - vv10–13 – Church 

 - vv14–21 – Culture 

 - ch.13 – Civics 

---

### II. Triplet #1 – v9: Heart Posture 

**“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”** 

1. **Let love be genuine (without hypocrisy)** 

  - No fake “churchy” love (“I love them in the Lord” but actually resent them). 

  - Jesus and Judas: a kiss of betrayal as a picture of hypocritical love. 

  - God’s love to us is genuine; ours toward others must reflect that.

2. **Abhor what is evil** 

  - Love and hate are connected: 

   - Love my wife → hate what harms the marriage. 

   - Love truth → hate lies. 

  - Evil = what is anti-God; Scripture defines what God hates (e.g., Prov 6). 

  - Romans believers refused violent “entertainment” of the Coliseum; were persecuted for it.

3. **Hold fast to what is good** 

  - “Koleo” – glue yourself to good; active pursuit, not just passive avoidance. 

  - Culture desensitizes (pumpkin/duck & frog/boiling water illustrations). 

  - Early Christians chose costly conviction over easy compromise.

---

### III. Triplet #2 – v10–11: Church Life 

**“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”** 

- Honor = lead in preferring others, pushing them forward. 

- Model: leaders who serve (Ezek 34 – God rebukes shepherds who feed themselves). 

- Jesus hates “Nicolaitan” spirit: overbearing leaders/laity (Rev 2:6). 

- True leadership: elders serving meals, men of high status doing lowly tasks. 

- Discipleship = show others how to do what you do, then release them (Apollos & Priscilla/Aquila; Paul’s attitude toward Apollos). 

**“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”** 

- Never lazy; work hard; serve enthusiastically. 

- “Sunday comes whether you’re ready or not” – faithfulness in preparation. 

- Every “small” task (coffee, parking, kids’ ministry) is a spiritual service when done unto the Lord. 

- Warning: don’t serve in a controlling, joyless way that repels helpers.

---

### IV. Triplet #3 – v12: Suffering & Prayer 

**“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”** 

1. **Rejoice in hope** – confidence in God’s promises not yet seen (Heb 11:1). 

2. **Patient in tribulation** – Bible assumes suffering, doesn’t erase it. 

  - Roman believers faced lions and fires; ours may be different but real. 

3. **Constant in prayer** – steady, honest pouring out of the heart (Psalms as model). 

  - Many Psalms (e.g., David in caves) birthed from deep affliction. 

  - Prodigal son: father doesn’t follow into sin, but never stops praying and watching.

---

## PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

1. Identify one relationship where your “love” has been hypocritical; confess and seek a step toward genuine love. 

2. Audit your media/entertainment: what are you being desensitized to? Choose one concrete change this week. 

3. Look for one person in church to honor publicly or privately—email, text, or conversation that pushes them forward. 

4. If you serve, invite someone to do it with you and intentionally show them how. Move from “worker” to “discipler.” 

5. Name one ongoing affliction; commit to a simple daily prayer rhythm (e.g., morning & night) for it for 30 days. 

---

## DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Where are you most tempted to show “polite hypocrisy” instead of genuine love? 

2. How do you practically distinguish between loving people and hating evil? 

3. What forms of entertainment do you think most dull our hatred of evil today? 

4. Who has honored or discipled you in the church, and how did it shape you? 

5. Are you more prone to laziness or to over-controlling in service? Why? 

6. What “cave” season have you walked through, and how did God meet you there? 

7. What long-term prayer have you nearly given up on, and how might Romans 12:12 call you to persevere?

**Detailed Notes**

**Text: Romans 12:1–8**

1. **Transformation Must Take Place (vv.1–2)**  

  - Paul has spent 11 chapters showing our sin, inability to save ourselves, and God’s provision in Christ.  

  - Jesus is “the door” (John 10); salvation is stepping through that door.  

  - Many step into the doorway (saved) but don’t fully walk into a life of surrendered obedience.  

  - Goal isn’t perfection but *pursuit*—ongoing renewal of the mind and living as a “living sacrifice.”

2. **Think Rightly About Yourself (v.3)**  

  - Warning against thinking *too highly* of ourselves: pride, platform-building, refusing to let others use their gifts (worship leader story).  

  - Warning against thinking *too lowly* of ourselves: insecurity, “I can’t,” when God has in fact gifted and called us (teacher’s hurtful words vs. God’s call; Ashley’s story).  

  - Healthy, “sober” judgment: honest assessment according to the faith and grace God has given.

3. **Understand Your Place in the Body (vv.4–5)**  

  - One body, many members; not all have the same function.  

  - Puzzle illustration: all the pieces are in the house; churches already have what they need in their people, but many pieces aren’t yet “snapped in.”  

  - If this is your church, God has called you to serve here; you discover gifts best by *serving*, not just by taking tests.

4. **Use Your Gifts Faithfully (vv.6–8)**  

  - Gifts differ by grace; lists in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12–14 are not exhaustive.  

  - “In proportion to our faith” = stay in step with the gospel and Scripture; no new revelation that contradicts the Word.  

  - All gifts are for *building up the body*, not building personal platforms (1 Cor. 14:26).  

  - Donuts/hospitality example: refocusing time, space, and money toward relationships and mission.

---

**Practical Applications**

1. Examine: Have I truly stepped through the door of salvation, or am I just standing in it?  

2. Ask God: Where am I proud? Where am I fearful or self-doubting? Confess both.  

3. Take one concrete step into serving (kids, students, greeting, groups, tech, etc.) and learn by doing.  

4. Evaluate your current service: Is it for your comfort and recognition, or for Christ’s glory and others’ growth?  

5. Commit to regular Scripture intake so your gifts stay aligned with the gospel, not trends or personalities.

---

**Discussion Questions**

1. In what ways might you be “standing in the doorway” spiritually instead of fully stepping into obedience?  

2. Do you more often struggle with pride or insecurity about your gifts? Why?  

3. How have you seen different gifts working together to build up the church?  

4. Where do you sense God nudging you to serve right now? What’s holding you back?  

5. How can your group help each other discover and faithfully use your gifts for the body’s good?

SERMON NOTES – Romans 12:1 (Resurrection Sunday)

I. Big Idea  

Because of God’s great mercy shown in Christ’s death and resurrection, believers are called to present their bodies as a **living sacrifice**—this is our reasonable, spiritual worship.

II. The Basis: “By the mercies of God”  

- Romans 1–11: God’s mercies explained.  

 - We are all sinners; none righteous (Rom 3).  

 - God consigned all to disobedience (Rom 11:32).  

 - Jesus is the **propitiation** (payment) for our sin.  

 - In Christ we are **justified** – “just as if I’d never sinned.”  

  - Our record is wiped clean; sin cast as far as east from west.  

 - We are being **sanctified**, seated with Christ, more than conquerors (Rom 8).  

 - There is now **no condemnation** for those in Christ (Rom 8:1).  

- Our response (Rom 12:1) is not to God’s wrath, but to His mercy.

III. Three Parts of the Person  

1) **Spirit**  

- Before Christ we are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph 2:1).  

- When we’re born again, God **quickens** our spirit—His Spirit now dwells in us (Rom 8:9–11).  

- The same Spirit that raised Jesus now lives in believers and grants authority “in Jesus’ name.”

2) **Soul** (mind, will, emotions)  

- Greatest command: Love God with all your **heart, soul, mind** (Matt 22:37).  

- The Word of God divides **soul and spirit** and discerns thoughts and intentions (Heb 4:12).

3) **Body** (flesh)  

- The ongoing struggle: our body/flesh has been in control for a long time.  

- Paul: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this **body of death**?” (Rom 7:24).  

- We “leak” spiritually; our flesh constantly pulls us away.  

- Command: **Crucify** the flesh (Gal 5:24; Rom 8:13; 1 Pet 2:11).  

 - Every selfish decision leads to loneliness.

IV. Living Sacrifice  

- OT image: costly, bloody bull offering reduced to ashes (Lev 1).  

- Daily picture: we present ourselves to be “burned up” and swept away—our will, rights, and demands.  

- This is “your reasonable service” / “spiritual worship” – not just singing, but **surrendered living**.

V. Example: Marriage (Eph 5)  

- Wives: submit to husbands as to the Lord.  

- Husbands: love wives as Christ loved the church—**dying** for her.  

- Marriage works when both give 100%; someone has to “die” to self.

VI. Paul’s Perspective (Phil 3:8–14)  

- Counts all things as loss to gain Christ.  

- Wants to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in death.  

- One thing: **forget what lies behind**, strain forward, press toward the upward call in Christ.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS  

1. Daily Surrender: Begin each day praying, “Lord, my body is yours today—eyes, mouth, hands, schedule.”  

2. Crucify the Flesh: Identify one recurring sinful habit; actively “put it to death” by confession, accountability, and replacing it with obedience.  

3. Relational Death to Self: In marriage, family, work—choose one concrete way today to die to preference and serve another.  

4. Mind Renewal: Saturate your soul with Scripture so the Word, not culture, shapes your desires.  

5. Forget and Press On: Stop rehearsing forgiven sins; receive Christ’s finished work and move forward.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  

1. Which aspect of God’s mercy in Romans 1–11 impacts you most personally, and why?  

2. Where do you most feel the tension between Spirit and body in your daily life?  

3. What does being a “living sacrifice” practically look like in your current season?  

4. How have you seen selfish decisions lead to loneliness in your own story?  

5. What “past” do you need to forget so you can press on toward Christ?  

6. What specific step will you take this week to present your body as a living sacrifice?

SERMON NOTES – Romans 11:25–32

-------------------

DETAILED NOTES

-------------------

I. Big Picture of Romans  

- Ch. 1–8: Doctrine – what God has done in Christ.  

- Ch. 9–11: Israel – past, present, future.  

- Ch. 12–16: Duty – how we live.  

- Order matters: doctrine before duty.

II. The Mystery (vv. 25–27)  

- “Mystery”: truth once hidden, now revealed.  

- The mystery = the church: Jews and Gentiles together in one body under Christ (Eph. 3:6).  

- “Partial hardening” of Israel:  

 • Not total, not permanent.  

 • Lasts “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.”  

- Then: “All Israel will be saved” – God will again show mercy to ethnic Israel.  

- Reason we can’t fully explain the order: God’s ways are “unsearchable… inscrutable.”  

 God set it up so He alone gets the glory.

III. Enemies Yet Beloved (vv. 28–29)  

- “As regards the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but as regards election they are beloved.”  

- Israel currently resists the gospel, yet remains loved because of God’s covenant.  

- “The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

IV. Disobedience and Mercy (vv. 30–32)  

- Two key words: disobedience, mercy.  

- God “consigned all to disobedience” (Jew and Gentile imprisoned under sin).  

- Purpose: “that he may have mercy on all.”  

- Salvation is never about merit—only mercy.  

- OT “mercy” picture: like a mother’s womb—deep, parental compassion.  

- God’s throne is the “mercy seat”; He loves to show mercy more than wrath.

V. Proper Response (vv. 33–36; Psalm 148)  

- Paul ends in doxology, not debate: “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!”  

- We cannot repay God or counsel Him.  

- Our calling: glorify Him, not question Him; praise like all creation does (Ps. 148).

---------------------------

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

---------------------------

1. Admit God’s ways are higher.  

  - Release the need to fully “figure out” His plan; worship instead of argue.

2. See yourself as a mercy case.  

  - Let this kill pride toward Jews, other sinners, or other churches.

3. Don’t camp in disobedience; run to mercy.  

  - Confess sin quickly and receive grace rather than self-punishment.

4. Love enemies.  

  - Pray for and do practical good to those who oppose you or your faith.

5. Live as a living sacrifice (12:1).  

  - Offer your body, schedule, money, and decisions to God as daily worship.

-------------------------

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

-------------------------

1. What about the “mystery” of Israel and the Gentiles is hardest for you to accept?  

2. How does knowing you were “consigned to disobedience” deepen your gratitude for mercy?  

3. Where do you see spiritual pride in yourself?  

4. Who is one “enemy” you need to actively love this week, and how?  

5. What is one concrete way you can present yourself as a living sacrifice today?

Sermon Notes – Romans 11:11–24  

--------------------------------  

DETAILED NOTES  

1. Opening Illustration – The Table  

- Picture a wealthy family with everything: inheritance, security, future.  

- You’re the rightful heir, always had a seat at the table.  

- Suddenly an outsider with a different last name is brought in and given equal share.  

- Emotion: “How is that fair?” → frustration, anger, jealousy.  

- This mirrors how many Jews felt when Gentiles were welcomed into God’s promises.  

2. Context of Romans 9–11  

- Romans 9–11: Israel’s past, present, and future.  

- Paul’s heart for Israel (Rom 9:1–4):  

 - Great sorrow and unceasing anguish.  

 - He would even be cut off if it meant their salvation.  

 - Israel had unique privileges: adoption, glory, covenants, law, worship, promises, patriarchs, and the Messiah came through them.  

- Yet, they “stumbled” over Christ; they had a front-row seat and missed Him.  

3. Purpose of the Stumble (Rom 11:11–12)  

- “Did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means.”  

- Through Israel’s trespass:  

 - Salvation has come to the Gentiles.  

 - Result: riches for the world, riches for the Gentiles.  

 - God’s aim: to make Israel jealous and eventually lead to their “full inclusion.”  

- Most of us are Gentiles; we only have a seat at the table because of God’s grace through Israel’s stumble.  

4. Rejection and Reconciliation (Rom 11:13–15)  

- Paul: apostle to the Gentiles, but still pursuing Jews.  

- He magnifies his ministry to the Gentiles in order to stir holy jealousy in Jews “and thus save some of them.”  

- Israel’s rejection = reconciliation for the world; their future acceptance = “life from the dead.”  

- This was always God’s plan (e.g., Isa 49:6; Ps 117:1–2): salvation to the nations.  

5. The Olive Tree & Warning Against Pride (Rom 11:16–24)  

- Image of the olive tree:  

 - Root = God’s covenantal work in Christ.  

 - Natural branches = Jews.  

 - Wild branches grafted in = Gentiles.  

- Some natural branches broken off because of unbelief; wild branches grafted in by faith.  

- Key warnings:  

 - “Do not be arrogant toward the branches.”  

 - “It is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.”  

 - If God did not spare natural branches in unbelief, He will not spare arrogant, unbelieving Gentiles.  

- God can also graft natural branches (Jews) back in if they do not continue in unbelief.  

- None of us deserve a seat at the table; it is entirely grace. Pride is deadly (Prov 16:18; 11:2).  

6. Don’t Miss What’s Right in Front of You  

- Israel was so focused on future promises, they missed the Messiah standing in front of them.  

- Many Christians today obsess over end-times details and miss God’s present activity and the lost people around them.  

- We are called not just to “invite” people to church/table, but to bring them, walk with them, sit with them.  

- True branches are known by their fruit (Matt 7:15–20).  

--------------------------------  

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS  

1. Examine your heart for spiritual entitlement.  

  - Confess any sense of “deserving” God’s favor or looking down on unbelievers.  

2. Live in a way that makes others “jealous” for Christ.  

  - Let your peace, joy, and hope in suffering provoke questions and curiosity.  

3. Actively bring people to the table.  

  - Don’t just say “you should come to church”; offer to pick them up, meet them, sit with them.  

4. Stay present to God’s work now.  

  - Study prophecy, but don’t let speculation replace mission.  

  - Ask daily: “Lord, what are you doing right in front of me at home, work, and where I play?”  

5. Check your fruit.  

  - Are you bearing love, joy, peace, patience, etc.?  

  - If not, return to the Root—Christ—for nourishment, not self-effort.  

--------------------------------  

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  

1. How does the “family table” illustration help you feel what Jews might have felt toward Gentiles?  

2. In what ways have you seen Christians (or yourself) act like spiritual insiders looking down on outsiders?  

3. What does it practically look like to let your life create a good, holy “jealousy” in unbelievers?  

4. Where are you tempted to be more focused on the future (end times, big plans) than on God’s present work around you?  

5. How can you move from merely inviting people to church to truly bringing them to the table?  

6. What “fruit” do you currently see in your life? What might it reveal about your connection to the Root?

Sermon Notes – Romans 11:1–10  

I. Big Idea  

God has not rejected Israel; His unbreakable covenant with them displays His faithfulness to all His people. Israel’s history, blindness, and future restoration are a living proof that God keeps His word and works by grace, not works.

---

II. Text: Romans 11:1–10  

• v1–2 – Question: “Has God rejected His people?” Answer: “By no means.”  

 – Paul himself: an Israelite, tribe of Benjamin, proof God still saves Jews.  

• v2–5 – Elijah & the remnant (1 Kings 18–19)  

 – Elijah: “I alone am left.”  

 – God: “I have kept for myself 7,000 who have not bowed to Baal.”  

 – Application: There is always a remnant; God preserves a faithful people.  

• v5–6 – Remnant chosen by grace  

 – If by grace, not by works; otherwise grace is no longer grace.  

• v7–10 – Israel’s hardening  

 – “The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened.”  

 – Spirit of stupor; eyes that don’t see, ears that don’t hear.  

 – David’s imprecation: their table (privilege, blessings) becomes a snare.

---

III. God’s Unbreakable Promises to Israel  

• God cannot lie or break covenant (Titus 1:2; Joshua 23:14; 1 Kings 8:56).  

• Davidic covenant (Psalm 89):  

 – Even when David’s offspring disobey, God will not revoke His steadfast love or violate His covenant.  

• New Covenant promised to Israel (Jeremiah 31:31–34):  

 – Law written on hearts, sins forgiven, intimate knowledge of God.  

 – What we experience in Christ now is what will one day be poured out on Israel as a nation.  

• Jeremiah 31:35–36 – As long as sun, moon, stars remain, Israel remains a nation before God.

---

IV. Israel in History & Prophecy  

• Uniqueness of Israel: other ancient peoples (Hittites, Amorites, etc.) vanished; Israel remains despite dispersion and persecution.  

• 70 AD: dispersion; 2,000 years without a homeland; ongoing suffering (e.g., Holocaust).  

• 1948: Israel reborn as a nation “in a day” (Isaiah 66:8) – a key marker in end-times prophecy and a visible sign that God keeps His word.  

• Future: Zechariah 12:10 – God will pour out a spirit of grace; Israel will look on “Him whom they pierced,” mourn, and turn to Christ. Their future obedience will bring worldwide blessing.

---

V. The Remnant Principle  

• Always a remnant in Israel (Elijah’s day; Messianic Jews today).  

• Always a remnant in the church—faithful believers holding to Scripture despite cultural Baal worship (sexual immorality, gender confusion, idolatry).

---

VI. Grace, Not Works  

• Salvation of Jew and Gentile alike is by grace alone.  

• Israel’s current hardening opened the door for Gentile salvation; their future turning will mean even greater worldwide revival (later in Romans 11).

---

Practical Applications  

1. Trust God’s Promises  

  – If God keeps His word to stubborn, often disobedient Israel, He will keep His word to you: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  

2. Reject Replacement Theology in Your Heart  

  – Don’t assume God is “done” with anyone—Israel or individuals. No one is beyond His reach.  

3. Stand Firm in a Baal Culture  

  – Refuse sexual immorality, gender confusion, and cultural idols. Be part of the remnant that doesn’t bow.  

4. Pray for Israel and the Nations  

  – Pray for Jewish people to see Jesus as Messiah and for peace and justice in the Middle East.  

5. Persevere When You Feel Alone  

  – When you think “I alone am left,” remember God has many others. Stay faithful; God loves “fourth-quarter” moments.

---

Discussion Questions  

1. How does Romans 11:1–2 challenge the idea that God might be “done” with certain people or groups?  

2. When have you felt like Elijah—alone in your faith? How did God show you there was a remnant?  

3. In what ways do you see “Baal worship” (idolatry, sexual confusion, self-worship) resurfacing in our culture?  

4. How does God’s faithfulness to Israel strengthen your confidence in His promises to you personally?  

5. What does it practically look like for you to live as part of the faithful remnant in your workplace, school, or family this week?

Sermon Notes – Romans 10:13–21  

--------------------------------  

DETAILED NOTES  

--------------------------------  

I. The Promise Is Persuasive (vv. 13, Joel 2:32)  

- “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  

- No boundaries: not race, class, morality, background, or performance.  

- Tension:  

 - God elects, calls, saves (Rom 8:29–30).  

 - Yet the invitation is to “everyone.”  

- Analogy: cone = circle from one angle, triangle from another; we lack the extra “dimension” to fully grasp how divine sovereignty and human responsibility fit together.  

- In Joel 2:32 both sides appear:  

 - “Everyone who calls…shall be saved.”  

 - “…among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.”  

II. The Power of Preaching (vv. 14–15; 1 Pet 3:15; 1 Cor 1:18–21)  

- Paul’s “how” chain (reversed):  

 5. Beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news.  

 4. They can’t preach unless sent.  

 3. They can’t hear without someone preaching.  

 2. They can’t believe what they’ve never heard.  

 1. They can’t call on whom they haven’t believed.  

- Foundational issue: Do we know the good news well enough to share it?  

- Preaching isn’t just for pastors; every believer is “sent” (Eph 4:12).  

- Our lives and testimonies are part of the message; God uses “the folly” of weak people with a perfect gospel to save.  

- In a world of noise, fear (wars, economy, confusion), believers’ peace and confidence are a powerful witness.  

III. The Problem of Unbelief (vv. 16–21)  

1. Lack of Faith  

- Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (v.17).  

- Salvation is received only by faith in Christ’s finished work (Rom 5:2; Eph 2:8; Heb 11).  

- We are more “blessed” than those who saw Jesus physically but did not have to (John 20:29).  

2. Willful Ignorance / Suppression (Ps 19; Rom 1)  

- Creation universally proclaims God’s glory; no one has a valid excuse.  

- Evolution and materialism often used to dodge accountability to a Creator.  

- If there is a Creator and an Author, then His standards are binding.  

3. Pride (esp. Israel’s example)  

- Israel had maximum revelation yet often refused God.  

- Called to be a light to the nations (Isa 49:6; Mic 4:1–2) but hoarded truth instead.  

- Jonah: a prophet who would “rather die” than see Gentiles repent; a picture of nationalistic pride and spiritual hard-heartedness.  

4. Love of Sin (John 3:16–21; Rom 1:32)  

- People love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil.  

- Not only practice sin but approve of others who do.  

- We resist God like a child shouting “no” to every loving boundary.  

IV. Our Moment in History  

- Rapid fulfillment of prophecy; increasing pressure and confusion.  

- God is purifying a people who:  

 - Hold to His Word,  

 - Refuse to compromise,  

 - Stand with biblical clarity in a dark, chaotic age.  

--------------------------------  

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS  

--------------------------------  

1. Clarify the Gospel  

- Write out the gospel in a few sentences; practice explaining it simply.  

2. Live as “Sent Ones”  

- Ask daily: “Lord, who are you sending me to today?”  

- Look for people who notice your peace, then share the reason for your hope (1 Pet 3:15).  

3. Strengthen Your Faith  

- Spend regular time in Scripture—especially Romans, John, and Psalms—to deepen confidence in Christ.  

4. Confront Pride and Sin  

- Ask the Spirit to reveal areas where you:  

 - Assume you “deserve” salvation, or  

 - Refuse to surrender favorite sins. Repent quickly.  

5. Grow in Bold, Gentle Witness  

- Pray for boldness + gentleness.  

- Set a goal: share your testimony or the gospel with at least one person this week.  

--------------------------------  

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  

--------------------------------  

1. How do you personally hold together “everyone who calls” and God’s sovereign election without dismissing either?  

2. On a scale of 1–10, how prepared do you feel to explain the gospel? What would help you grow?  

3. Where have you seen God use your story (testimony) to impact someone else?  

4. Which obstacle to belief hits closest to home for you: lack of faith, pride, or love of sin? Why?  

5. In what ways might we be acting like Jonah—resenting or avoiding certain people or groups God wants to reach?  

6. What specific steps can your group take to live more as “sent ones” in your workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods?

**Sermon Notes – Romans 10:5–15 – “The Message of Salvation to All”**

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### 1. Righteousness Based on the Law → Emptiness (vv.5; Lev. 18:5; James 2:10)

- Paul quotes Moses (Lev. 18:5): “The person who does the commandments shall live by them.”

- To be righteous by law you must keep *all* of it, perfectly.

- The law was never meant to *save* but to:

 - Reveal God’s standard.

 - Expose our sin and inability.

 - Point to our need for a Savior.

- When we base our standing with God on works (church attendance, serving, morality), it produces:

 - Constant insecurity.

 - Pride if we think we’re doing well; despair if we know we’re not.

- Ephesians 2:4–9: We are saved by grace through faith, *not* works, so no one may boast.

---

### 2. Righteousness Based on Faith → Fulfillment (vv.6–8; Deut. 30:11–14)

- Paul uses Deut. 30 to say: the word is *near* you—in your mouth and heart.

- We don’t “ascend to heaven” or “descend to the abyss” to reach Christ:

 - We can’t climb up to God.

 - God came down to us in Christ.

- God is not distant:

 - “The Lord is near to all who call on him” (Ps. 145:18).

 - “Near to the brokenhearted” (Ps. 34:18).

- True fulfillment is not in success, family, money, or “the American dream,” but in trusting Christ and His finished work.

---

### 3. How We Are Saved (vv.9–13)

- v.9–10:  

 - Confess with your mouth that **Jesus is Lord**.  

 - Believe in your heart that **God raised Him from the dead**.  

 - You *will* be saved.

- Believe → justified.  

 Confess → saved (public identification with Christ).

- This is simple, but not superficial:

 - Acknowledge your sin (Rom. 3:23).

 - Believe in Christ’s death and resurrection.

 - Confess Him openly (baptism is a commanded, public expression—but not what saves).

- Luke 23 thief on the cross:

 - No time for works or rituals.

 - Belief and confession → “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

- v.11–13: “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame… Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

 - No distinction: Jew/Greek. Same Lord. Same way of salvation.

---

### 4. Sent to Share (vv.13–15)

- v.14–15: How will they call, believe, or hear without someone preaching?

 - “Preaching” here is not just pastors—every believer bears witness.

- God raises up future pastors, missionaries, disciple-makers from each generation.

- The church must:

 - Invest in the next generation.

 - Refuse to idolize methods or traditions; cling to the unchanging gospel.

---

## Practical Applications

1. **Stop Trying to Earn It**

  - Identify where you still try to “pay God back” with works.

  - Repent of self-righteousness; rest in grace.

2. **Examine: Have You Both Believed and Confessed?**

  - Have you trusted Christ personally?

  - Have you ever clearly told others or been baptized as a believer? If not, take that step.

3. **Lean Into God’s Nearness**

  - When He feels distant, preach Deut. 30:14; Ps. 34:18 to yourself.

  - Bring your brokenness honestly before Him.

4. **Own Your Mission Field**

  - Where you live, work, and play is your assignment.

  - This week: intentionally share your story or an aspect of the gospel with one person.

5. **Invest in the Next Generation**

  - Pray for and encourage students and kids.

  - Consider serving in ministries that disciple them.

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## Discussion Questions

1. Where have you personally tried to base your righteousness on “law” or performance? What fruit did that produce?

2. How does knowing God is *near* (Deut. 30; Psalms) change how you handle seasons when He *feels* far?

3. Have you both believed in your heart and confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord? What did/does that confession look like?

4. Why is it vital that the church adapt methods (but not the message) to reach the next generation?

5. Who in your life “cannot hear” unless you speak? What’s one concrete step you can take this week to share Christ with them?

How do we become right with God? Drawing from Romans 9:30-10:4, this message challenges us to examine whether we are running in the right spiritual direction or exhausting ourselves trying to earn God's favor through religious performance. Using the example of Jim Marshall’s 1964 "wrong-way" run, we see a sobering truth: we can be sincere and zealous, yet completely miss Jesus.

The Apostle Paul reveals a paradox—those not seeking righteousness found it through faith, while those striving for it through works missed it entirely. This message exposes the dead-end road of works-based salvation, showing that Jesus did what we could never do. Salvation is not something we achieve, but something we receive.

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### **1. Salvation by Works Is a Dead-End Road**

* **The Shocking Contrast:** Gentiles received righteousness by **faith**, while Israel pursued the law but failed to arrive because they sought it by **works**.

* **The "Wrong Way" Story:** Like Jim Marshall, many do "right things" (effort, hustle) but run toward the wrong end zone.

* **Seven Problems with Works-Based Salvation:**

1. Sets an **impossible standard** of perfection.

2. Produces **pride** (superiority) or **despair** (never enough).

3. Shifts glory from **God to self**.

4. **Misuses the law** as a ladder rather than a mirror.

5. Cannot **change the heart**.

6. **Rejects Christ’s sufficiency**; if we can do it, He died in vain.

7. Leads to **spiritual exhaustion** and joyless duty.

### **2. Humble, Don’t Stumble**

* **The Stumbling Stone:** You either build your life on Christ or stumble over Him in offense and self-trust.

* **Zeal Without Knowledge:** Israel had passion and heritage but ignored God’s righteousness to establish their own.

* **Paul’s Perspective (Phil 3:3–9):** Paul traded his massive religious résumé for the "surpassing worth of knowing Christ," putting no confidence in the flesh.

### **3. Christ the Fulfillment & Our Mission**

* **The Goal:** Romans 10:4 declares Christ is the *telos* (end/fulfillment) of the law.

* **Intercession:** Paul moves from debate to deep prayer for the saved. If we have received grace, we will long for others to know Him.

* **The Beautiful Mission:** Salvation is near—confess with your mouth and believe in your heart. But how will they hear without someone preaching?

---

### **Practical Applications**

1. **Check Your End Zone:** Are you trusting Christ alone or your "Christian résumé"? Repent of self-righteousness.

2. **Trade Exhaustion for Rest:** Lay down performance-based "earning" and walk in grace.

3. **Choose Humility:** When Scripture confronts your pride, choose quick repentance over defensiveness.

4. **Relationship over Rules:** Shift from *knowing about* Jesus to *knowing* Him through daily rhythms of prayer and obedience.

5. **Join the Mission:** List three people to pray for by name and look for ways to share the Gospel.

---

### **Discussion Questions**

1. Where have you experienced the "dead-end road" of performance-based Christianity?

2. What does your spiritual résumé look like, and why is it hard to let go of?

3. How do you distinguish between religious zeal and actually knowing God?

4. Which of the "7 problems with works" resonates most with you right now?

5. How does Romans 10:4 (Christ as the "end" of the law) change your daily motivation?

6. Who are you committing to pray for this week?

---

## **SERMON NOTES: Romans 9 – Sovereignty & Mercy**

### **1. The Big Idea**

God is absolutely sovereign and unimaginably merciful. His sovereignty does not erase our choices; He repeatedly offers mercy and calls us to respond.

### **2. Pharaoh’s Hardened Heart (Exodus 7–12)**

* **The Tension:** Romans 9:15–18 says God hardens whom He wills, yet Exodus shows Pharaoh hardening his own heart.

* **The Reality:** God gave Pharaoh 10 real opportunities to obey. Pharaoh’s repeated refusal led to Egypt’s devastation, proving God’s purposes never fail.

### **3. Sovereignty & Responsibility**

* **The Potter & Clay:** Romans 9:19–21 explains that the Potter has the right to shape vessels for different purposes.

* **Justice vs. Fairness:** God is not "fair" by human standards; He is just. He owes mercy to no one; when He gives it, it is pure grace.

* **Patience:** He endures "vessels of wrath" with great patience to make His glory known to "vessels of mercy" (Rom. 9:22–24).

### **4. OT Pictures of Mercy**

* **Cain (Gen. 4):** Despite murder and defiance, God spared Cain and marked him for protection.

* **Adam & Eve (Gen. 2–3):** God didn't strike them dead instantly. He sacrificed animals to cover them, acting for their ultimate good even in judgment.

### **5. Identity as Clay**

* **Unique Design:** You are shaped for His purposes, not mass-produced for comparison (Isa. 64:8).

* **Divine Empowerment:** Philippians 2:13 reminds us that God gives us both the *desire* and the *power* to please Him.

### **6. The Two Sons (Luke 15)**

* **The Prodigal:** Wastes everything but is restored to sonship, not just servanthood.

* **The Older Brother:** Resentful and entitled. He refuses to celebrate his brother’s return.

* **The Call:** God’s mercy calls both the rebellious and the self-righteous home.

---

## **PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS**

1. **Respond Now:** Don't presume on God's patience. Repent before hardness sets in.

2. **Rest in Sovereignty:** Release the illusion of control. Pray: "Your will, not mine."

3. **Stop Comparing:** Embrace your design as clay in the Potter's hands.

4. **Check Your Heart:** Reject "Older Brother" resentment when others are blessed.

5. **Come Home:** If you’ve wandered, return. God restores you fully.

---

## **DISCUSSION QUESTIONS**

1. How do you see both God’s sovereignty and Pharaoh’s responsibility in Exodus?

2. Where have you experienced God’s patience while you were resisting Him?

3. In what area are you tempted to demand "fairness" from God instead of trusting His justice?

4. Do you relate more to the prodigal or the older brother right now?

5. What practical step of repentance do you need to take today?

6. How does being "clay" change how you view your current limitations?

Sermon Notes – Romans 9 and the Sovereignty of God 

-------------------------

DETAILED NOTES

-------------------------

**1. Foundational Questions & Assumptions**

- Key questions:

 - Do you believe the Bible?

 - Do you believe it is true, authoritative, and inerrant?

 - Do you believe God is sovereign?

- These convictions form the “lens” we must use to read Romans 9; otherwise we’ll try to reshape Scripture to fit our feelings.

**2. Helpful Terms & Framework**

- Sovereignty of God: 

 God’s absolute, kingly authority over all creation; He has the right to rule and He actively governs all things, including salvation history, according to His wise and holy will.

- The preacher resists labels like “Calvinist” or “Arminian”; prefers “biblicist” – someone who simply believes and submits to what the Bible says, even when it doesn’t fit our categories.

**3. Romans 8:28–30 – The Setup for Romans 9**

- God foreknew, predestined, called, justified, and glorified believers.

- Before the foundation of the world:

 - God knew every person.

 - God knew every choice each person would make.

- Christ’s saving work is effective for those whom God knew would respond in faith.

- Human responsibility still stands: we genuinely choose; we are not robots, yet God fully knows and is sovereign over all.

**4. God Has Not Failed (Romans 9:6–8)**

- “It is not as though the word of God has failed.”

- Not all physical descendants of Israel are true Israel.

- Not all of Abraham’s physical offspring are children of the promise.

- Application to us:

 - Your parents’ faith does not save you.

 - Your kids do not get a free pass because you’re a Christian (or a pastor).

 - Every person must personally repent and believe.

**5. Did God Hate Esau? (Romans 9:9–13; Malachi 1:2–3)**

- “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

- Referenced from Malachi, written hundreds of years after Jacob and Esau.

- “Hated” = covenantal rejection / disfavor; God hated Esau’s sin and choices, not in a petty, emotional way like human hate.

- God knew Esau’s decisions and the destructive legacy they would lead to.

- Same pattern as Adam and Eve: they had a real choice, God sovereignly knew the outcome.

**6. God Is the One Who Shows Mercy (Romans 9:14–18)**

- Is there injustice with God? “By no means.”

- God: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy…”

- Salvation does NOT depend on:

 - Human will

 - Human effort

 - But on God who has mercy.

- Pharaoh as an example:

 - God gave him many chances.

 - God used Pharaoh’s hard heart to display His glory.

- We cannot save anyone:

 - Our role: share the gospel, make disciples of those who believe.

 - God’s role: give mercy, change hearts, save.

**7. Human Responsibility in Salvation (Romans 10:9–13)**

- Clear call to response:

 - Confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord.

 - Believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead.

 - You will be saved.

- Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved:

 - No distinction between Jew or Greek.

 - God bestows riches on all who call on Him.

- Sovereignty and responsibility are both true:

 - God sovereignly saves.

 - We must personally repent and believe.

**8. Resting in God’s Sovereignty**

- God exists outside time, space, and matter; He created them.

- He holds all things together and knows the end from the beginning.

- We will not understand everything; that’s good and humbling.

- Instead of resenting His sovereignty, we are invited to rest in it.

-------------------------

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

-------------------------

1. Examine your foundation:

  - Do you truly submit to Scripture when it crosses your preferences and emotions?

2. Own your faith:

  - Stop leaning on family heritage or church culture; have you personally repented and believed in Christ?

3. Let go of the “savior complex”:

  - Keep praying, loving, and sharing the gospel, but release the burden of feeling like you must save people. That’s God’s work.

4. Be honest with your kids and others:

  - Model repentance, not perfection. Let them see that Jesus, not you, is the Savior.

5. Rest instead of resent:

  - Where God’s sovereignty feels confusing or “unfair,” choose to trust His character rather than demand full explanation.

-------------------------

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

-------------------------

1. How do your answers to the questions about Scripture (true, authoritative, inerrant) practically shape how you respond to difficult passages like Romans 9?

2. In what ways have you (maybe subconsciously) relied on family background, church attendance, or “being good” instead of personal faith in Christ?

3. How does the idea that God knew every decision before the foundation of the world challenge or comfort you?

4. Where are you currently carrying the weight of someone else’s salvation? What would it look like to release that to God while still being faithful?

5. How do you hold together these two truths: “God is sovereign over salvation” and “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”?

6. What specific area of your life do you need to consciously “rest in God’s sovereignty” this week, instead of trying to control the outcome?

### Sermon Notes:

**Introduction:**

- The sermon is focused on Romans 9:1-5, discussing Paul's deep sorrow and fervent desire for the Israelites to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

- Paul expresses a willingness to be accursed if it meant the salvation of his fellow Jews.

**Key Points:**

1. **Recap of Romans 1-8:**

  - Chapters 1-8 outline that all have sinned and salvation comes only through Jesus Christ, resulting in no condemnation for believers.

2. **Paul’s Anguish for the Israelites:**

  - Paul is deeply sorrowful, wishing he could take the place of his Jewish brethren to ensure their salvation.

  - This mirrors Moses in Exodus who offered to be blotted out for the sake of his people.

3. **Moses and the Israelites:**

  - The story of the golden calf in Exodus 32 illustrates Israel’s disobedience and idolatry.

  - Despite their failures, Moses interceded for them, showing a type and shadow of Christ's ultimate sacrifice.

4. **Jesus as the Anathema:**

  - Unlike Moses or Paul, Jesus fulfilled the role of being accursed by taking on the sins of humanity.

  - He becomes the cornerstone of faith as opposed to a stumbling block for those who reject Him.

5. **Israel and the Rejection of Jesus:**

  - Israel was given statutes, laws, and prophets but rejected Christ, who was predicted throughout their history.

  - However, there remains a future hope for Israel’s recognition of Christ as the Messiah.

**Practical Applications:**

- **Reflect on Sacrifice and Compassion:**

 - Emulate Paul's and Moses' compassion by earnestly praying for those who do not know Christ.

 - Contemplate the sacrificial nature of Jesus and how it can inspire personal sacrifice for others.

- **Firm Foundation in Christ:**

 - Ensure that Christ is the cornerstone upon which all aspects of life are built.

 - Align personal life choices and behaviors with the teachings of the Bible.

- **Discern and Preach the Gospel:**

 - Continue to share the message of the cross despite facing ridicule or opposition.

 - Use opportunities to discuss the faith and exemplify Christ-likeness in actions and words.

**Discussion Questions:**

1. How do the desires of Paul and Moses for their people challenge our own priorities and prayers for the unsaved?

2. In what ways can we ensure that Jesus is the cornerstone in our lives rather than a stumbling block?

3. How can the story of the golden calf teach us about obedience and faithfulness in our current cultural context?

4. What are practical ways we can intercede for others, following the examples of Paul, Moses, and ultimately Jesus?

These notes, applications, and questions encourage a deep reflection on personal faith, the role of Jesus as a savior, and our mission to live out and share the gospel.

**Sermon Notes:**

**Title:** Making Disciples

**Scripture Reference:** Matthew 28:16-20

**Main Themes:**

1. **Context and Importance of Discipleship:**

  - The sermon is the final part in a series focusing on the mission statement: Love God, love people, make disciples.

  - Emphasizes that making disciples is not a suggestion but a command from Jesus.

2. **Challenge and Opportunity:**

  - Acknowledges that many churches lack training for disciple-making.

  - Plans to focus on equipping the congregation to make disciples in the coming years, particularly by 2026.

3. **Understanding Discipleship:**

  - Discipleship is messy, personal, and requires one-on-one investment.

  - It's not just about creating converts but developing mature believers.

4. **Three Practical Steps for Making Disciples:**

  - **Imitation:** Lead by example, as others will imitate your lifestyle in both strengths and weaknesses.

  - **Education:** Equip through studying the Bible and understanding foundational Christian doctrines.

  - **Proclamation:** Be ready to share the Gospel confidently, using personal testimony as a powerful tool.

5. **Personal Commitments in Discipleship:**

  - **Priority:** Align your life with Kingdom priorities, not personal desires.

  - **Trajectory:** Set a clear direction in life that aligns with God's commands.

  - **Velocity:** Trust God to set the pace for your ministry and opportunities.

**Practical Applications:**

1. **Engage in Life Groups:**

  - Join, host, or lead a life group to foster deeper relationships and spiritual growth.

2. **Serve Actively:**

  - Get involved in church ministries to contribute to the community and nurture disciple-making.

3. **Mission and Ministry Involvement:**

  - Participate in local and international missions to live out the calling to make disciples.

4. **Pursue Biblical Education:**

  - Attend church classes on foundational Christian teachings and apologetics to deepen your understanding.

**Discussion Questions:**

1. How can you practically imitate Christ in your daily life, especially in the presence of family, friends, and colleagues?

2. What obstacles do you face in sharing your faith, and how can you overcome them with the help of the Holy Spirit?

3. Reflect on your current priorities. What steps can you take to align more closely with Kingdom priorities?

4. How can serving in your local church or community strengthen your walk as a disciple and disciple-maker?

5. Discuss the importance of waiting on the Lord for guidance and opportunities. How can patience in this area change your outlook and actions in ministry?

This set of notes helps encapsulate the core messages of the sermon, offering practical ways to live out the teachings shared and providing a basis for deeper discussion and reflection.

**Sermon Notes:**

**Introduction:**

- Pastor Will welcomes the congregation and introduces the focus on the part of Hope Church's mission statement: loving people.

- Brief recount of the sermon series progression, from loving God to the future of Hope Church, and now to loving people.

**Main Points:**

1. **Distinction Between Animals and Humans:**

  - Humans are different from animals due to the Imago Dei, the image of God.

  - This concept emphasizes the inherent value of all humans irrespective of any social or economic distinctions.

2. **The Imago Dei:**

  - Humans are created in the likeness of God, which is distinct from all other creation.

  - Understanding this elevates the value and dignity of human life above animals.

3. **Cultural and Ethical Challenges:**

  - The sermon discusses ethical dilemmas such as abortion and euthanasia, highlighting the sanctity of human life.

  - Roe v. Wade and the implications of abortion in the US are mentioned with a focus on the moral responsibility Christians have towards life.

4. **Genesis Reference:**

  - Emphasis on Genesis and the creation of humans in God's image.

  - The mandate to fill and subdue the earth and the assigned dominion over other creatures.

5. **Societal Issues and Historical Context:**

  - The sermon touches upon slavery, the Holocaust, and how taking God out of the equation results in chaos and devaluing of human life.

6. **The Role of Believers:**

  - Believers are called to recognize the image of God in every person and to act accordingly.

  - This view transforms interactions in the church, workplace, and broader society.

**Practical Applications:**

1. **Recognize and Respect:**

  - Acknowledge the image of God in others, fostering respect and dignity towards all humans.

2. **Action in the Community:**

  - Actively engage in community and church activities that uphold and promote the sanctity of life.

3. **Personal Reflection:**

  - Reflect on personal biases and actions that might undermine the recognition of the Imago Dei in others.

4. **Support Life-Affirming Causes:**

  - Participate in and support organizations like Agape Women's Services that advocate for life and provide support to those in need.

**Discussion Questions:**

1. **Understanding the Imago Dei:**

  - How does understanding that all humans bear the image of God change your perspective on difficult social issues?

2. **Cultural Influence:**

  - In what ways does modern culture challenge the biblical view of the Imago Dei? How can we address these challenges?

3. **Application in Daily Life:**

  - How can you actively demonstrate the value of the Imago Dei in your workplace or community?

4. **Church and Community Engagement:**

  - What are some practical ways our church can better engage with and support those who feel marginalized or undervalued in our community?

These notes and questions are intended to help deepen the understanding and application of the sermon’s message, encouraging both personal reflection and community discussion on these significant topics.

Sermon Notes

Introduction:

Welcome by Pastor Will, introducing an atypical format with both him and Rick sharing insights.

Focus on gospel transformation and future vision for Hope Church.

Main Themes:

Story of Paul:

Paul’s transformation from persecutor to apostle as a model of gospel transformation.

Emphasis on the radical change the gospel can effect in individuals.

Gospel Transformation:

Everyone's story of moving from spiritual death to life, similar to Paul's.

Essential nature of being transformed and actively sharing the gospel.

Hope Church Vision for 2026:

Emphasis on not just doing church but actively engaging in gospel transformation.

Rapid growth at Hope Church attributed to the impact of the gospel, not personal efforts.

Future Directions for Hope Church:

Ongoing need for more space and possible shift to four services.

Encouragement for congregation members to serve and take part in the church’s mission.

Upcoming missions opportunities to engage with communities locally and globally.

Equipping for Ministry (Rick’s Part):

Church’s role is to equip members for ministry, both within and outside church walls.

Emphasis on spiritual maturity and stability to withstand challenges and false teachings.

Introduction of a new education initiative with 100, 200, and 300-level classes.

Next Steps and Growth:

Three focus areas: serving the church, community, and the world.

Encouragement to participate in life groups and other church activities to grow spiritually.

Practical Applications:

Personal Engagement:

Reflect on personal experiences with gospel transformation and share with others.

Serving Opportunities:

Identify areas within the church or community where you can serve.

Commit to taking part in planned missions trips or projects.

Spiritual Growth:

Take part in educational classes offered by the church to deepen biblical understanding.

Join a life group to foster community and accountability.

Discussion Questions:

How does Paul’s story of transformation resonate with your personal faith journey?

**Sermon Notes:**

**Introduction:**

- Pastor Rick introduces the topic of the sermon, focusing on Hope Church's mission statement: Love God, Love People, Make Disciples.

- The sermon emphasizes the challenge of loving God, especially as a being beyond human comprehension.

**Loving God:**

1. **Understanding God's Love:**

  - Begin with understanding the depth of God's love for us, as described in 1 John 3:1.

  - This love is foreign and supernatural, beyond earthly experiences.

2. **Commands for Loving God:**

  - Love God totally: Matthew 22:37 emphasizes loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind.

  - Keep His commandments: Align life with God's word as it provides structure and life.

  - Love others: An outward manifestation of God's love.

**Challenges in Loving God:**

- Difficulty arises in comprehending God's love, which is not performative but based on relationship, not rituals or actions.

- Past experiences and relationships often distort our view of God's love.

- Suffering and hard times may challenge our understanding, but they don't negate God's love.

**Key Illustrations:**

- Rick shares personal anecdotes and stories, including one about a woman named Marge Caldwell, to highlight love, forgiveness, and unshakable faith.

- The alabaster jar story from Mark 14 exemplifies sacrificial love and devotion to Jesus.

**Practical Applications:**

1. **Reflect on God's Unconditional Love:**

  - Meditate on 1 John 3:1 and other scripture detailing God's love.

  - Acknowledge that God's love is constant and not based on individual merit.

2. **Pursue Relationship Over Ritual:**

  - Develop a personal relationship with God by finding ways that feel authentic to you, whether through study, prayer, or other forms of worship.

3. **Demonstrate God’s Love in Community:**

  - Engage in acts of love and kindness towards others as an expression of God's love dwelling in you.

  - Consider how community involvement reflects and amplifies your love for God.

4. **Embrace Forgiveness and Grace:**

  - Identify areas where you might be performing out of obligation rather than love.

  - Recenter your spiritual practices around grace and forgiveness, both of yourself and others.

**Discussion Questions:**

1. What are some misconceptions about God's love that you have had, and how have you overcome them?

2. In what ways can we cultivate a loving relationship with God that is independent of performance?

3. How does understanding God’s love change your perspective on suffering and difficult circumstances in life?

4. Share an experience where you felt drawn closer to God through loving others.

5. How does the story of the alabaster jar challenge your view of sacrificial love and worship?

These notes, practical steps, and questions are designed to deepen personal reflection and group discussion, encouraging a more profound experience of God's love and its impact on lives.

**Sermon Notes:**

1. **Introduction:**

  - Overview of Romans 1-8, focusing on living in Christ.

  - Today's focus: Romans 8:33-39, a pinnacle passage.

2. **Key Scriptural Insights:**

  - **Romans 8:33-39:**

   - Assurance that no charges can stand against God's elect as God justifies.

   - Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.

  - **Zechariah 3:1-10 Vision:**

   - Joshua the high priest accused by Satan.

   - God's intervention to cleanse and justify.

3. **Spiritual Warfare Context:**

  - The presence of a judge, an accuser, an intercessor, and a redeemer.

  - Satan's accusations are true but overshadowed by God's justification.

4. **God’s Justification and Love:**

  - Our righteousness in Christ replaces our polluted garments.

  - In Christ, we are clothed with salvation and righteousness.

5. **Role of the Redeemer:**

  - Redemption detailed through the story of the prodigal son.

  - We are brought back as sons and daughters, not slaves.

6. **Inseparable Love in Trials:**

  - Paul's resilience through tribulations as evidence of God’s steadfast love.

  - Testimony of Darlene Dibler Rose's faith in adversity.

7. **Living as Conquerors:**

  - We are more than conquerors through Christ—empowered to overcome worldly challenges.

**Practical Applications:**

1. **Strengthen Faith in Trials:**

  - Regularly remind yourself of God’s inseparable love during hardships.

2. **Embrace Your Identity in Christ:**

  - Reflect on being justified and clothed in righteousness; live out this new identity.

3. **Exhibit Christ’s Love Daily:**

  - Let the love of God shine in your interactions, especially in trying situations.

4. **Practice Solitude and Prayer:**

  - Set aside noise to deepen your relationship with God and hear His voice.

**Discussion Questions:**

1. What does it mean to you that God justifies rather than condemns?

2. How can we better remember our identity in Christ when faced with accusations or self-doubt?

3. In what ways have you experienced the inseparable love of God in your life?

4. Reflecting on Darlene Dibler Rose’s story, how do you sustain faith in times of adversity?

5. How can you express being "more than a conqueror" in your daily life?

These condensed notes and applications, along with the questions, are designed to encourage deeper reflection, discussion, and application of the message shared in the sermon.

**Sermon Notes:**

**Introduction:**

- Speaker: Pastor Will from Hope.

- Call for congregation to accommodate latecomers by scooting in.

- Announcement about children's events: CentraKid and Fuge camps.

- Mission update from Steve and Kim Bradley, missionaries in Malawi, highlighting their work, challenges, and the opportunity to build a preschool to reach Muslim communities.

- Church's support: $50,000 pledged for the school development.

**Main Sermon - Romans 8:26-30:**

- **Theme: Weakness and God's Sovereignty**

 - Our Weakness: 

  - We are inherently weak and live in a world obsessed with self-fixation.

  - As believers, we experience tension between faith and sin.

  - We struggle in knowing how to pray; the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.

- **Intercession of the Holy Spirit:**

 - The Spirit helps in our prayers, understanding our hearts beyond words.

 - Highlights the need for prayer aligned with God's will, not personal desires.

- **God's Sovereignty:**

 - Emphasis on Romans 8:28 – Misinterpretation risks focusing on personal benefit rather than God's purpose.

 - Illustration using God's plan for Jesus' birth demonstrates His ways are superior to human understanding.

- **Concept of Foreknowledge and Predestination:**

 - Foreknowledge and predestination discussed as concepts that can be challenging but are crucial for understanding God's sovereignty.

 - Explanation that God knew who would choose Him and orchestrated a plan accordingly.

 - Focus on being conformed to the image of Christ through justification and glorification.

**Practical Applications:**

1. **Recognize Weakness:** Accept and embrace your weakness as a believer. Depend on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength.

2. **Align Desires with God's Will:** Regularly check if your desires align with God's purpose. Focus on serving His kingdom rather than personal dreams.

3. **Trust in God's Plan:** Have faith that God’s plans are higher than your own, especially in challenges.

4. **Be Open to God’s Calling:** Reflect on where God might be calling you to serve more significantly, whether locally or abroad.

**Discussion Questions:**

1. What are some recent situations where you felt your personal weakness, and how did you witness the Holy Spirit's help?

2. How can Romans 8:28 be misinterpreted in today's Christian culture? In what ways can it be correctly applied?

3. How can you ensure your prayers and desires are in alignment with God's will rather than personal wants?

4. Discuss a time when you saw God's plan work out differently and better than what you had planned. What did it teach you?

The sermon underscores the importance of focusing on God’s sovereignty and the Holy Spirit’s work in aiding believers through weaknesses, aligning with divine purposes over personal aspirations.

**Sermon Notes:**

**Introduction:**

- Passage: Romans 8:17-25.

- Central theme: The role of suffering in Christian maturity and the hope of future glory.

**Key Themes:**

1. **Suffering and Growth:**

  - Suffering is universal and disliked but essential for Christian growth.

  - Suffering isn't elective; it's a part of spiritual maturation.

  - Personal anecdote: Grandson's struggle during a hike symbolizes how suffering can lead to growth.

2. **Comfort and Complacency:**

  - Modern comfort can lead to spiritual complacency.

  - Reference to Revelation 3:14 (Laodicean church): They are lukewarm due to self-sufficiency and lack of spiritual hunger.

  - Importance of recognizing need for God amid comfort.

3. **Creation’s Groaning:**

  - Creation itself suffers due to sin and longs for redemption.

  - Examples of nature's subjugation: thorns, decay, and futility.

  - Biblical references: Genesis 3 (curse of the ground), and Isaiah's prophecy of renewal.

4. **God’s Sovereignty Over Nature:**

  - God controls and commands creation.

  - Examples: Darkness at Jesus' crucifixion, God stopping time for Joshua.

  - Nature worships God through its existence and awaits His return.

5. **Hope of Redemption:**

  - Believers are like creation, groaning for relief and renewal.

  - Hope is anchored in God's promise of a new heaven and earth (Revelation 21).

6. **Practical Implications:**

  - Self-reflection on spiritual readiness and eagerness for Christ's return.

  - Challenge to embrace suffering as a path to spiritual growth.

**Practical Applications:**

1. **Embrace Suffering:**

  - View personal hardships as opportunities for spiritual growth.

  - Reflect on how challenges can refine character and increase reliance on God.

2. **Combat Complacency:**

  - Evaluate areas of life where comfort may have led to spiritual stagnation.

  - Foster a genuine hunger for God through scripture and prayer.

3. **Focus on Eternal Hope:**

  - Regularly meditate on the promises of a renewed creation and eternal life.

  - Shift perspective from earthly concerns to heavenly expectations.

**Discussion Questions:**

1. How has a specific period of suffering or hardship contributed to your spiritual growth?

2. In what areas might comfort be hindering your spiritual zeal or dependence on God?

3. How do you maintain hope and patience while waiting for the fulfillment of God's promises?

4. In what ways can you remind yourself and others that this world is not our ultimate home?

5. How do you actively prepare your heart and mind for Christ's return amidst the distractions of everyday life?

By focusing on these themes and applications, we strive to not only understand the biblical text but also integrate its teachings into our daily lives, reinforcing our hope in Christ's imminent return and the inherent growth found through life's challenges.

**Sermon Notes:**

**Main Scripture:** Romans 8:10 - "But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness."

**Themes:**

- The dual reality of human existence: physical death and spiritual life.

- The pattern of God's creation being corrupted by sin and counteracted by God's redemption.

**Genesis Account:**

- Reference to Genesis 3, the onset of sin through Adam and Eve.

- The pattern of temptation: desire, sin, shame, and hiding.

- God's response: Calling humans back to Himself despite their shame and fear.

**Sin and Redemption:**

- Sin as humanity’s incurable disease, entering through Adam.

- The prophecy and enmity (Genesis 3:15) between the serpent and the woman's seed, highlighting the battle between good and evil.

**Jesus as Redeemer:**

- Jesus' coming as the ultimate counteraction to sin.

- His sacrificial death as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world.

**Practical Applications:**

1. **Awareness of Sin Patterns:** Identify areas in life where temptation leads to shame, and actively seek God’s redemption.

2. **Embrace Redemption:** Celebrate the complete work of Jesus, not just as a historical event but a personal salvation story.

3. **Live as Children of God:** Adopt a mindset of a beloved child, not a servant, understanding your position and rights in God’s family.

4. **Stand against Fear:** Confront fear and anxiety with the truth of being adopted into God's family and living under His grace.

**Discussion Questions:**

1. What are some ways you see the pattern of creation, corruption, and redemption in your personal life?

2. How does understanding the full narrative of sin entering through Adam and redemption through Christ change your perspective on personal struggles?

3. In what ways can you practically live out your identity as a child of God in your daily life?

4. How can we as a community support each other in moving from a mindset of fear to one of sonship and confidence in God’s promises?

5. Reflect on God’s persistence in pursuing humanity despite their sin. How does this impact your understanding of God's love and grace toward you?

By focusing on these key areas, you can reflect deeply on the transformative power of Christ's atonement and its implications for your life and the broader community of believers.

**Sermon Notes:**

**Introduction:**

- The speaker, Pastor Will, introduces the series on the book of Romans, specifically focusing on Romans chapter 8.

- Emphasizes the significance of Romans 8 as one of the most important chapters in the Bible.

**Key Points:**

1. **Courtroom Analogy:**

- Illustration of a courtroom scene where one is guilty but Jesus steps in, declaring "not guilty."

- Romans 8:1 states, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

2. **All Are Guilty:**

- Romans 3:23 states all have sinned and fall short.

- No hierarchy in Christianity; all are equal before God.

3. **No Condemnation:**

- Only those in Christ are free from condemnation.

- The law exposes sin, highlighting the need for Jesus.

4. **Freedom in Christ:**

- Those in Christ are set free from the law of sin and death.

- Galatians 2:20 discusses living by faith in Christ, not by flesh.

5. **Spirit vs. Flesh:**

- Believers live in the tension between flesh and Spirit.

- Setting the mind on the flesh leads to death, the Spirit leads to life and peace.

6. **Holy Spirit's Presence:**

- Romans 8:9 emphasizes the Spirit dwelling in believers.

- The Spirit is essential; without Him, one does not belong to Christ.

7. **Dwelling in the Spirit:**

- The Spirit wants to dwell in us, impacting every aspect of life.

- Importance of being in God's Word and fellowship for spiritual growth.

- Colossians 3:16 encourages letting the word of Christ dwell in us.

8. **Prayer and the Spirit's Help:**

- The Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we don’t have the words.

- Romans 8:26 highlights the Spirit's aid in our weakness.

**Practical Applications:**

1. **Embrace Your Position in Christ:**

- Live with the assurance that you are no longer condemned if you are in Christ.

- Reflect on the courtroom analogy when guilt arises.

2. **Cultivate Mindset on the Spirit:**

- Regularly engage with scripture; let it shape your thoughts and actions.

- Seek spiritual fellowship and accountability within the church community.

3. **Invite the Holy Spirit to Indwell You:**

- Begin each day in prayer, asking for the Holy Spirit's guidance and presence.

- Make time for worship and reflection, allowing God to dwell in your daily life.

4. **Rely on the Spirit in Weakness:**

- When struggling, trust that the Holy Spirit intercedes even when words fail.

- Be persistent in prayer and quiet time with God.

**Discussion Questions:**

1. How does the imagery of the courtroom help you understand your position in Christ?

2. What practical steps can you take to shift your mindset from the flesh to the Spirit?

3. In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to dwell more fully in your life?

4. How have you experienced the Holy Spirit's intercession in times of weakness or uncertainty?

5. How can the community of believers support you in living according to the Spirit?

### Detailed Sermon Notes

**Introduction:**

- Pastor Will introduces himself and shares his recent mission trip to Malawi and South Africa. He emphasizes the gratitude for the church's support, which enables partnerships and gospel sharing in extremely impoverished regions.

**Scripture Focus (Romans 7:13-25):**

- **Struggle with Sin:**

 - Paul’s honesty about his battle with sin highlights a universal Christian experience.

 - Believers are of the flesh yet in Christ, creating a tension of living according to the Spirit while wrestling with sinful nature.

 - Paul’s question, "Why do I do what I don’t want to do?" resonates with many believers.

**Life as a Journey:**

- **Analogy of the River:**

 - Life's path before Christ is like flowing downstream. Conversion is the turning point, representing the choice to paddle upstream against worldly currents.

**Personal Story:**

- Will shares a story of his son breaking a TV and promptly confessing, illustrating how God desires us to come to Him after we fail, instead of trying to fix things on our own.

**Main Points:**

- **Human Nature vs. Divine Calling:**

 - Despite being saved, Christians have an ongoing struggle with sin due to their fleshly nature.

 - Quoting John MacArthur, Will explains that believers are not "in" the flesh but "of" it, highlighting the continuous internal conflict.

**Closing Message:**

- Only Jesus, not human efforts, can deliver from sin’s power.

- Encourages transparency within the church, fostering a community where individuals can confess struggles without judgment.

### Practical Applications

1. **Embrace Transparency:**

  - Cultivate authentic relationships within the church by admitting and discussing personal struggles.

2. **Run to God:**

  - Develop a habit of confessing sins to God promptly and seeking His strength to overcome, rather than relying on self-improvement techniques.

3. **Rely on Grace:**

  - Focus on understanding and relying on God’s grace through Christ, rather than attempting to achieve righteousness through personal effort.

4. **Scripture Engagement:**

  - Regularly read and meditate on Scripture to reinforce the truth of God’s grace and the ongoing internal battle with sin.

### Discussion Questions

1. **Personal Reflection:**

  - Describe a time when you felt like Paul, struggling between your desires and your actions. How did you handle it?

2. **The Role of Grace:**

  - How can embracing God’s grace daily help you in your struggle against sin?

3. **Community Support:**

  - In what ways can you contribute to making the church a more open and accepting environment for vulnerability and authenticity?

4. **Prayerful Dependence:**

  - What steps can you take to run to God and seek His help whenever you face temptation or failure? 

### Sermon Notes: Understanding Romans 7:7-14

#### Detailed Notes

1. **Introduction**

  - The sermon focuses on Romans 7:7-14, noted as a dense and challenging part of the scripture where Paul discusses the law and sin.

  - Central theme: The law's role in revealing sin and the struggle of living under sin's influence despite knowing the law.

2. **Prayer for Clarity**

  - Asking for divine help to illuminate the passage and remove distractions for better understanding.

3. **Missions Update**

  - Brief updates on church missions to Malawi, South Africa, and Myanmar, emphasizing global reach and community impact.

4. **Exposition of Romans 7:7-14**

  - Example of coveting as illustrated in Exodus 20:17 (The Tenth Commandment).

  - Story of personal experience with grandchildren to highlight the human tendency toward covetousness.

  - Emphasis that coveting stems from the heart, leading to actions contrary to God's commandment.

5. **Boundaries and Sin**

  - Illustration of boundaries using a playground metaphor, explaining how humans naturally push against established limits.

  - The law serves as a boundary to reveal the sin within, not to save.

6. **Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21)**

  - Jesus teaching against covetousness by focusing on the parable where temporal possessions take precedence over spiritual richness.

  - Warning against the dangers of greed and the temporal nature of material possessions.

7. **David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12)**

  - The story of King David's sin due to covetousness as a demonstration of how a desire stems from the heart and leads to breaking multiple commandments.

  - Nathan’s confrontation of David and the ensuing consequences.

8. **Covetousness and Spiritual Life**

  - Recognizing that covetousness begins in the heart and can lead to a cascade of sinful actions.

  - Encouragement to guard the heart against such desires (Proverbs 4:23).

9. **Paul's Struggle with Sin**

  - Insight into Paul's internal struggle with sin, possibly rooted in personal inadequacies and past actions.

  - Importance of grace through Jesus as the only path to overcoming sin.

10. **Practical Implications of the Sermon**

  - Recognizing our daily battles with sin and relying on Jesus as our advocate.

  - Importance of gratitude as a weapon against covetousness and material obsession.

  - Encouraging humility and recognition of one's sinfulness to experience growth and redemption.

#### Practical Applications

1. **Cultivate Gratitude**

  - Regularly practice gratitude to combat covetousness. Maintain a gratitude journal or share daily thanks with family or friends.

2. **Guard Your Heart**

  - Be mindful of thoughts that lead to coveting. Establish personal 'guardrails' when engaging with media that fuels envy or discontentment.

3. **Recognize Boundaries**

  - Identify areas in life where you push against God's established boundaries and work on staying centered through prayer and reflection.

4. **Pursue Spiritual Richness**

  - Prioritize investments in spiritual growth over material acquisitions. Participate in church activities, bible studies, and community services.

5. **Rely on Jesus’ Advocacy**

  - When struggling with sin, verbally acknowledge Jesus as your advocate in prayer to foster reliance on His grace.

#### Discussion Questions

1. How does understanding the purpose of the law help you in your daily struggle with sin?

2. Can you identify ways in which covetousness surfaces in your life? How do you typically respond to it?

3. Reflect on a situation where gratitude has helped you overcome feelings of envy or dissatisfaction. Share with the group.

4. In what ways can we as a community support each other in establishing and respecting personal and spiritual boundaries?

5. How does the understanding of Jesus as your advocate change your perspective on personal failings and sins?

### Sermon Notes

**Introduction:**

- Pastor Will welcomes the congregation and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to gather and study Scripture.

- The focus is on Romans chapter 7, a continuation of the sermon series on Romans, specifically looking at the controversial and often misinterpreted first six verses.

**Main Themes:**

1. **Universal Sinfulness:**

  - Paul addresses the reality of sin present in all human lives.

  - Sin is a common struggle that should be openly discussed despite cultural tendencies to avoid the topic.

  - Recognizing our depravity is the first step towards understanding the need for redemption through Christ.

2. **The Inner Battle:**

  - Even after accepting Christ, believers struggle with sin.

  - This internal conflict between the desire to follow Christ and the tendency to sin is a common experience.

  - Paul’s admission of his own struggles in Romans 7:17 reinforces this truth.

3. **Freedom Through Christ:**

  - Paul's illustration of marriage laws demonstrates that death (Christ's sacrifice) frees us from the law's bondage.

  - Believers are no longer bound by the law of sin due to Christ’s atonement, highlighting the transformative power of His death and resurrection.

4. **From Captivity to Freedom:**

  - Sin can enslave us, but death in Christ brings freedom.

  - Paul uses marriage as an analogy to explain this freedom, cautioning that the text is not a prescription for divorce but an illustration of spiritual freedom.

5. **Bearing Fruit:**

  - True conversion is evidenced by a change in lifestyle and the bearing of spiritual fruit.

  - Followers of Christ are expected to exhibit visible transformations in their lives.

  - The presence of fruit is a litmus test for genuine faith.

**Practical Applications:**

1. **Self-Examination:**

  - Reflect on personal sins that may be hidden or denied.

  - Consider areas in life where self-control is lacking and seek accountability.

2. **Understanding Freedom:**

  - Embrace the freedom from sin's bondage by continually turning to Christ and confessing shortcomings.

  - Recognize the liberty found in Christ, not as a license to sin, but as empowerment to live righteously.

3. **Bearing Fruit:**

  - Actively seek ways to bear fruit in life, such as serving others, practicing generosity, and growing in spiritual disciplines.

  - Engage in community and accountability groups to foster growth and encourage one another.

**Discussion Questions:**

1. **Understanding Sin:**

  - How does acknowledging our own sinfulness enhance our dependence on Christ?

2. **Inner Struggles:**

  - In what ways have you experienced the inner struggle between following Christ and falling back into sin?

3. **Freed by His Sacrifice:**

  - How can we live out the freedom Christ has provided in practical, everyday situations?

4. **Response to Freedom:**

  - What steps can you take to ensure that the freedom purchased by Christ’s sacrifice is not taken for granted in your life?

5. **Real Evidence:**

  - What are some specific ways you or someone you know has evidenced their transformation in Christ through the bearing of spiritual fruit?

### Sermon Notes

**Scripture**: Romans 6:15-23

**Introduction**: 

- Rick, a pastor at Hope Church, continues the study of Romans, focusing on Romans 6. 

- Reminder that they preach through books of the Bible, emphasizing the importance of scripture-based preaching.

**Key Points**:

1. **Understanding Sin and Grace**:

  - The question Paul raises: Are we to sin because we are under grace, not the law?

  - Emphasis on morality within the law and grace.

2. **Analogy of Slavery**:

  - Paul uses the analogy of being slaves to sin versus slaves to righteousness.

  - Bob Dylan's illustration: "You gotta serve somebody."

3. **Transformation through Salvation**:

  - Christianity is not just an addition but a transformation of life.

  - The old self versus the new self: Embrace becoming a slave to righteousness.

4. **Challenges in Christian Walk**:

  - Temptation to mix worldly views and new belief systems with Christianity.

  - Importance of separating from past sinful lifestyles and friendships.

5. **Practical Illustrations**:

  - Rick's personal testimony about radical change after accepting Christ.

  - Importance of cutting off past connections that hinder spiritual growth.

6. **Reasons for Struggling with Sin**:

  - Continually resurrecting old sinful behaviors.

  - Lack of suffering or commitment in serving God wholeheartedly.

  - Not eliminating the past life entirely.

7. **Biblical References to Commitment**:

  - Examples of Elisha burning his plow and the disciples leaving everything to follow Jesus.

  - The rich young ruler's story: Heart's attachment to possessions.

8. **Fruit of Righteousness**:

  - Encouragement to analyze life for spiritual fruit.

  - Belonging entirely to Christ results in sanctification and eternal life.

**Practical Applications**:

1. **Cut Ties with Sin**: 

  - Identify and remove old habits and relationships that hinder spiritual growth.

2. **Embrace Transformation**: 

  - Acknowledge that faith in Christ leads to a completely changed life, not just an addition to current beliefs.

3. **Serve with Zeal**: 

  - Dedicate the same energy formerly given to sin towards serving God.

4. **Evaluate Your Life**: 

  - Regularly assess if your life reflects the fruit of righteousness or if it's still tied to the old self.

5. **Take Steps of Faith**: 

  - Listen for God's direction and take incremental steps towards fulfilling His call.

**Discussion Questions**:

1. How does understanding that we are under grace, not the law, change your perspective on sin and righteousness?

2. What are some steps you can take to ensure you're living as a "slave to righteousness" rather than a slave to sin?

3. Are there aspects of your past life that you are still holding onto, and how can you fully commit them to God?

4. How has your commitment to Christ transformed your everyday life and decisions?

5. Discuss a time when taking a small step of faith led to a significant spiritual victory or growth in your life.

### Sermon Notes

#### Key Themes:

1. **Sin and Grace:**

  - Sin, deriving from the Greek word "hamartia," means to miss the mark, as in archery when one misses the bullseye. It encompasses anything that doesn't honor God.

  - Everyone sins daily, often unknowingly—highlighted by the analogy of felonies in everyday actions.

  - Sin resides in the human body, but through Jesus, believers are delivered from their sins.

2. **Romans' Structure:**

  - The first section of Romans addresses universal sinfulness and the need for the blood of Jesus for redemption.

  - The second section focuses on conversion and what Jesus has done for believers.

  - The third section deals with failure, redemption, and the process of sanctification.

3. **The Grace Debate:**

  - Address's Paul's teachings on grace—often misunderstood as a license to sin.

  - Grace is limitless but shouldn’t encourage sinning. It's meant to lead to repentance.

4. **Walking in Sanctification:**

  - Sanctification is a lifelong process.

  - Believers must "walk" in faith, actively choosing righteousness over sin.

5. **Overcoming Sin Nature:**

  - The old sinful nature is crucified with Christ; hence believers need not be slaves to it.

  - Emphasizing spiritual rebirth where believers share in Jesus' death and resurrection.

6. **Grace and Holiness:**

  - Balancing grace with a call to holiness.

  - Holiness is aspiring to be more like God, beyond merely acknowledging imperfection.

7. **The Defeated Enemy:**

  - Despite sin’s presence, Christ's victory ensures that believers fight a defeated foe—the devil. 

  - Jesus disarmed spiritual authorities and reclaimed dominion.

#### Practical Applications:

1. **Daily Walk:**

  - Embrace sanctification by making intentional choices that honor God.

  - Begin each day with a commitment to resist sin and follow Christ’s teachings.

2. **Mortifying the Old Self:**

  - Regularly reaffirm the crucifixion of your old sinful self. Confess sins, repent, and embrace the new nature in Christ.

  - Practicing self-discipline through spiritual activities like fasting can help assert mastery over the flesh.

3. **Rely on Grace:**

  - Trust in God’s boundless grace to cover past mistakes but be proactive about living a life that strives for holiness.

  - Use grace as a motivator towards repentance rather than a justification for complacency.

4. **Confronting the Enemy:**

  - Recognize the enemy is already defeated; utilize Jesus’ authority in spiritual warfare.

  - Engage actively in prayer, studying Scripture, and living obediently to resist satanic influences.

#### Discussion Questions:

1. How do you personally define sin, and how conscious are you of missing the mark in your daily life?

2. In what ways have you seen grace play out in your own spiritual journey?

3. Discuss the balance between grace and a call to holiness in your life. How do you strive to achieve this balance?

4. What actions can you take to 'walk out' your faith more deliberately each day?

5. How do you spiritually combat the "defeated foe" in your own life? What Scriptures or practices help you reclaim victory?

### Detailed Notes:

**Introduction:**

- The sermon begins with Pastor Will introducing Romans chapter 5, verse 12.

- Emphasis is placed on the theological depth of this chapter and its foundational significance.

- The sermon links back to the beginning of creation, highlighting the importance of understanding Genesis to grasp our current relationship with God.

**Sin and Its Origin:**

- Sermon discusses the entrance of sin into the world through Adam, referencing the concept of original sin.

- Original sin is inherent and does not require teaching; it's an observed reality in human behavior.

- Example given: children naturally exhibit selfishness without being taught.

**Historical Background:**

- Sin entered through one man, Adam, and affected all humanity.

- The narrative of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden: after they sinned, they realized their nakedness and tried to cover it up.

- The first sin wasn't just eating the fruit but the desire to be like God, originating from Satan’s temptation.

**Comparison of Adam and Jesus:**

- Adam is a type of Christ, serving as a foreshadowing of Jesus.

- Sin came through Adam, while salvation and grace come through Jesus.

- The consequences of sin (death) versus the free gift through Jesus (life).

**Grace and Life Through Jesus:**

- Emphasizes the "free gift" of grace which is unlike the trespass of Adam.

- Grace overcomes the ramifications of sin, offering justification and life.

- Salvation through Jesus is likened to receiving a desired gift; it requires acceptance.

**Practical Redemption & Transparency:**

- The sermon encourages acknowledging one’s sin and reaching out for God's help.

- Transparency in the church community is highlighted: sharing the journey from sin to redemption strengthens faith.

- God's victorious plan was set before the foundation of the world; He chose to redeem humanity despite knowing their sins.

**Practical Applications:**

1. **Acknowledge and Accept Grace:**

  - Reflect on personal sins and accept the grace God offers. This could be through prayer or contemplation on God’s mercy.

2. **Be Honest and Transparent:**

  - In church fellowship or small groups, share personal struggles and testimonies honestly to encourage and support one another.

3. **Study the Foundation of Sin and Redemption:**

  - Read and study Genesis and Romans to better understand the nature of sin and the necessity of Christ’s redemption.

4. **Embrace Your Faith Actively:**

  - Go beyond a nominal belief. Actively engage with your faith by participating in community worship, Bible study, and serving others.

5. **Trust in God’s Plan:**

  - Rest with the assurance of God’s foreknowledge and intentional plan for salvation, which includes you no matter your past mistakes.

**Discussion Questions:**

1. What does original sin mean to you, and how have you seen its effects in everyday life?

2. How do you interpret the connection between Adam as a "type" of Christ? What are the similarities and differences you see?

3. In what ways have you experienced the "quicksand of sin" in your life, and how did you find freedom through Christ?

4. How can we as a community be more transparent about our struggles with sin to help each other grow spiritually?

5. What are practical steps you can take this week to deepen your relationship with God, acknowledging His gift of grace more fully?

6. How does understanding the depth of your sin impact your appreciation for the salvation offered through Jesus?

7. How do you perceive the balance between discussing sin and focusing on grace within your spiritual walk and in church settings?

### Sermon Notes

**Title: Understanding Justification and its Implications Through the Lens of Romans 5**

**Introduction:**

- Welcome and dismissal of kids to their classes.

- Acknowledgment of fall break participants.

- Introduction to the passage from Romans 5:1-11.

**Main Points:**

1. **Justification by Faith:**

  - Defined as being in right standing with God, akin to "just as if I'd never sinned."

  - Emphasizes no record of wrongdoings due to Christ's sacrifice.

2. **Peace with God:**

  - Not a promise of a problem-free life but assurance the war with sin is over.

  - Christ's death has created a peace treaty between humanity and God.

3. **Access by Faith into Grace:**

  - Access to God compared to entering a room through a door; Jesus is the door.

  - Exclusivity of Christianity: Christ is the sole way to God.

4. **Rejoicing in the Hope of the Glory of God:**

  - Hope as an unseen, yet powerful, force in the believer’s life, producing joy even amid trials.

5. **Rejoicing in Sufferings:**

  - Suffering is a process of pressing that leads to spiritual maturity.

  - Builds endurance, character, and hope within believers, refining them for God's purposes.

6. **Saved from the Wrath of God:**

  - Jesus saves believers from the rightful judgment of sin due to His atoning sacrifice.

  - Understanding God's dual nature as both just and loving.

7. **Reconciliation with God:**

  - Exchange of our sins for Christ’s righteousness (reconciliation as a monetary term).

  - Seen through the lens of being washed, sanctified, and justified.

**Conclusion:**

- Emphasizes the transformative power of the cross.

- Calls believers to understand their identity and live out their faith boldly.

- Urges the church to be active in proclaiming the gospel, drawing from Charles Spurgeon’s call to ensure no one perishes unwarned or unprayed for.

### Practical Applications

1. Reflect on your personal understanding of justification and how it affects your relationship with God. Consider journaling about areas where you feel guilt and contrast that with the truth of justification.

2. Identify moments in your life where you can practice being a peacemaker with others, as a reflection of the peace God procured with you.

3. Engage in an act of hospitality toward someone outside your immediate community as a reflection of God’s reconciliatory love—consider inviting a neighbor or a co-worker for coffee.

4. During personal prayer time, thank God for the access you have to Him through grace. Spend a moment in prayer without asking for anything—simply rest in the presence of God.

5. Write down how you have seen suffering refine and mature you in your faith. Share your story over a meal with fellow believers to encourage one another.

6. Be equipped to explain to someone why Christ's sacrifice is central to salvation. Practice this explanation with a fellow church member to feel more confident in evangelistic conversations.

### Discussion Questions

1. How has your understanding of justification by faith evolved over time? What difference does this make in your daily walk with God?

2. In what ways have you experienced the "peace of God" amidst life's trials? Share a specific example with the group.

3. How can you actively engage with those who hold different beliefs without compromising the truth of the gospel?

4. Reflect on a time you’ve had to rejoice in suffering. What did you learn about God's character and your own faith during that period?

5. Why is understanding the exclusivity of salvation through Christ important in today’s multicultural environment? How can we lovingly communicate this truth?

6. What are some practical ways you can participate in reconciliation within your community or family this week?

7. How can our church follow the example set by the Coalition for Kids and create bridges, rather than barriers, to share God's love?

### Detailed Notes

- Paul in Romans 4 highlights Abraham as an example of unwavering faith despite impossible circumstances, urging believers to trust God when life seems hopeless.

- Faith is presented not as perfection but as persistence; Abraham doubted, questioned, and even tried to act on his own, yet God remained faithful to His promise.

- The promise to Abraham and his descendants was given before the Law. This communicates that God's blessing and inheritance come through faith, not adherence to religious rules.

- God's process: Abraham left his home at age 75, waited 10 years without seeing the promise fulfilled, took matters into his own hands, and received God's reassurance and correction. Ultimately, the promise was fulfilled 25 years after the initial calling.

- Paul teaches that in hopeless seasons—when all earthly possibilities are exhausted/failed—believers are called to “believe against hope,” trusting an unseen but faithful God.

- Abraham’s journey illustrates that questioning, doubting, or laughing at God’s promise (e.g., both Abraham and Sarah did this) does not disqualify one from God’s plan. Human error and delay do not nullify God’s faithfulness.

- The resurrection (“the empty tomb”) is the foundation of Christian hope. If Jesus rose from the dead, anything is possible, and all of God’s promises are trustworthy and complete.

- Suffering is not a sign of God's absence or disfavor; rather, enduring difficulty can shape character and lead to a deeper hope (Romans 5:1-5).

- God’s faithfulness is daily (“new mercies every morning”), enabling believers to face each day’s challenges with hope, regardless of past or present struggles.

***

### Practical Applications

- Practice trusting God’s promises, even when outcomes are delayed or seem impossible.

- When facing uncertainty, take the next step of obedience, even without full clarity about the future.

- Accept that faith does not require perfection. It’s okay to question, struggle, or feel weak—continue relying on God’s character.

- Remember God’s mercies are new every morning. Start each day by thanking God for His faithfulness and asking for fresh hope.

- When tempted to “fix” circumstances through human effort, pause and pray for trust and guidance rather than immediate solutions.

- In suffering, look for how God is developing endurance and deeper character rather than assuming abandonment.

- Share burdens with trusted believers—bring hopeless situations to God in prayer and be open to encouragement from the faith community.

***

### Discussion Questions

1. Where in your life do you feel hopeless or unsure about God’s promises?

2. What do you find most difficult about waiting on God’s timing?

3. How have you experienced God’s faithfulness after a season of doubt or failure?

4. Why is it important that Abraham’s promise came before the Law? How does this shape your view of God’s grace?

5. How can the resurrection give you hope in your current circumstances?

6. What practical steps can you take this week to “believe against hope” in a challenging area?

7. How does your faith community encourage or challenge you to trust God in trials?

8. How do you respond when God’s answer isn’t quick or clear? What might need to change in your approach?

9. In what ways can you remind yourself and others of God’s “new mercies” each day?

10. What stories from your own life can encourage someone else who feels hopeless right now?

NOTES:

Romans 4:1-3

Abraham As Our Example

- Abraham: 75 Years Old (He Went)

Genesis 12:1-4

- Abraham: 80 Years Old (He Believed)

Genesis 15:4-6

- Abraham: 99 Years Old (He Cut/Removed)

Genesis 17:1-6

Genesis 17:10-14

Genesis 17:22-24

- Abraham: 132 Years Old (He Sacrificed)

Genesis 22:1-2

Genesis 22:10

Romans 4:4

Romans 3:23-24

Romans 4:5-8

James 2:14

James 2:17

James 2:18

James 2:21-24

Conviction is a Matter of the Heart

Romans 4:6-8

Psalm 32:1-5

Circumcision is a Matter of the Heart

Romans 4:9-10

Romans 2:28-29

Romans 4:11-12

John 15:1-2

Psalm 51:1-17

Romans 3:24-25

Romans 3:26-27

Romans 3:28-31

1. For All Who Believe

Romans 3:21-23

Luke 18:9-14

Romans 3:21-23

2. And Are Justified

Romans 3:24-25

3. A Propitiation by His Blood

Romans 3:24-25

Propitiation: "Appeasement, placation, conciliation, expiation, and atonement. The word refers to the act of gaining favor or goodwill by overcoming distrust and hostility, often by making amends or a sacrifice, especially to a deity. “

Hebrews 10:4

Romans 3:24-25

Romans 3:26

Romans 3:27

4. God is One

Romans 3:28-31

Romans 3:22-25a

Romans 1:24-25

Romans 1:20

Romans 2:11

1. What’s The Advantage?

Romans 3:1-2

2. What If Some Were Unfaithful?

Romans 3:3-4

Psalm 51:1-6

3. Is God Unrighteous?

Romans 3:5-6

Romans 5:8

Romans 5:6-8

4. Is It Wrong To Sin?

Romans 3:7-8

5. No One Is Righteous

Romans 3:9-20

Romans 1:28

Romans 3:19-20

John 14:6

Romans 3:23-26

Romans 2:1

Romans 2:11

Romans 2:9-11

Romans 2:12-16

James 3:1

Luke 17:2

Clinging to Heritage

Romans 2:17

John the Baptist Challenges Their Heritage

Matthew 3:7-12

Jesus Challenges Their Heritage

John 8:31-38

John 8:39-43

John 8:44-47

John 8:56-59

Romans 2:17-24

Paul Gives The Standards by Which the Jewish People Will Be Judged:

1. They relied on the law

2. They boasted in God 

3. They knew his will and approved what is excellent, because they were instructed from the law

4. They thought they were a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness 

5. They instructed the foolish, and taught children

6. They had in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth

7. They taught others, but didn’t teach themselves? 

8. They preached against stealing, but they stole from others? 

9. They said one must not commit adultery, while committing adultery themselves? 

10. They abhorred idols, do you rob temples? 

11. They boasted in the law, but dishonored God by breaking the law. 

Romans 2:24

Romans 2:25-29

Hebrews 19:12-19

1 John 2:1-2

Romans 2:1

Romans 1:32

Romans 2:1

Matthew 7:1-2

1 Corinthians 6:2

Romans 2:2

Romans 2:14-16

Matthew 7:21-23

Romans 3:10-11

Romans 3:20

Romans 3:21-24

Romans 2:2-3

Romans 2:3

Romans 1:29-31

2. God's Loving Kindness

Romans 2:4-5

Ecclesiastes 8:11

Ecclesiastes 2:4, 7

Isaiah 63:7-10

3. God Shows No Partiality

Romans 2:6-11

Romans 2:12

Romans 2:13

James 1:22-25

Romans 1:17

Matthew 13:44

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

1. Creation Over Creator

Romans 1:24-31

2. Gave Them Up

Psalm 81:4-16

Genesis 1:27-28

John 8:31-38

Romans 1:32

3. Giving Approval

Isaiah 5:20

Acts 7:54-60

Acts 8:1

Acts 22:20

Genesis 1:26

Genesis 2:8-9

Genesis 2:15-17

Romans 1:16-17

John 14:6

Romans 1:18

1. The Wrath of God

Psalm 145:8

Romans 1:18

John 8:7

Romans 1:19-20

2. No One is Without Excuse

Psalm 104:5-9

Psalm 104:19-23

3. Honor

Romans 1:21-23

mōrainō - make foolish

Exodus 32:7-12

Romans 1:18

Romans 2:5

Romans 2:14

Here are some of the questions that it answers — this one epistle. 

What is the good news of God?  

Is Jesus really God?  

What proves He is God?  

Why did He come? 

What is God like?  

How can God send people to hell?  

What will happen to people who have never heard the gospel?  

Why do men reject God and Christ?  

Why are there false religions and idols?  

What is man's biggest sin?  

Why is there sex perversion, hate, crime and those other things and why are they so rampant?  

How can a person who has never head be held responsible?

How do we know we're sinners?  

How are we justified and forgiven?  

What is the importance of Christ's death?  

What is the importance of His resurrection?  

Where can men find real peace and hope?  

What is grace? And what does it do?  

1. Introduction

Romans 1:1

Servant: doulos: one who gives himself up to another's will those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men

Romans 1:2

2. The Mission

A. Prayer - Romans 1:8-10

Ephesians 3:14-20

Philippians 1:9-11

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

B. The Spiritual Imparation

Romans 1:11-13

1 Peter 4:10

Matthew 9:36-38

C. The Obligation

Romans 1:14

Acts 9:15

Acts 13:2

Ephesians 3:1

3. The Charge

Romans 1:15

1 Corinthians 1:17-18

Romans 1:16

2 Timothy 1:12

Mark 8:38

Romans 6:20-23

2 Timothy 1:8

2 Timothy 1:16

Ephesians 3:6-9

Luke 14:33

Philippians 3:7-8

Philippians 3:12-14

Luke 9:62

Romans 1:17

**Sermon Notes:**

**Introduction:**

- Pastor Rick introduces himself and mentions the church's journey through the book of Romans.

- He shares an impactful experience from a conference in Jacksonville, Florida, led by Pastor Joby Martin and Church of 1122.

**Main Themes:**

- **Culture of Generosity:** Pastor Rick felt corrected and inspired regarding his approach to giving.

- **Importance of Giving:** Emphasis on giving as a reflection of gratitude and faith rather than obligation.

**Key Scriptures:**

- **Colossians 1:15-18:** Jesus is the image of the invisible God, preeminent in all things, emphasizing His centrality.

- **Psalm 24:1:** Everything belongs to God; all creation and ownership are His.

- **Matthew 6:19-21:** Storing treasures in heaven; where your treasure is, there your heart will be.

- **1 Timothy 6:6-10:** Warning against the love of money and its destructive potential.

**Principles of Giving:**

- God wants the first and best of what we have as a demonstration of our faith, not leftovers (Genesis 4: Cain and Abel).

- The story of Abraham and Melchizedek (Genesis 14) as an example of purposeful giving.

- **Old Testament Tithe:** Explained as giving the first 10% of one's earnings for the support of the temple and community (Malachi 3).

**New Testament Insights:**

- **Matthew 23:23:** Jesus acknowledges the importance of tithing but prioritizes justice, mercy, and faith.

- **New Testament Giving Principles (1 Corinthians 16):** Giving should be periodic, personal, planned, proportionate, and plentiful.

**Pastor Rick's Personal Reflection:**

- Rick shares his own journey in understanding and practicing generosity, emphasizing obedience and faithfulness in giving.

**Conclusion:**

- The ultimate model of giving is Jesus, who gave everything for humanity, prompting us to mirror that generosity in our lives.

**Practical Applications:**

1. **Evaluate Priorities:** Reflect on where your financial resources go, as it indicates where your heart truly lies.

2. **Plan Your Giving:** Set a regular time to tithe or give, ensuring it is a thoughtful and purposeful act, not an afterthought.

3. **Start Small if Necessary:** If a full tithe is daunting, begin with a smaller, consistent amount, and increase as your faith grows.

4. **Teach Generosity:** Share the principle of giving with your family, emphasizing its importance and spiritual basis.

**Discussion Questions:**

1. How does recognizing God’s ownership of everything change your perspective on your resources?

2. In what ways can you ensure that your giving is from a place of gratitude and not obligation?

3. Reflect on the principle "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." What does this reveal about your current heart posture?

4. What steps can you take to make Jesus preeminent in all areas of your life, including your finances?

5. Share a personal experience where you felt called to give. What was the impact of your obedience?

By exploring these concepts, the sermon encourages personal reflection and practical steps toward embodying a culture of generosity in personal and community life.

It Is The Good Will, Loving-Kindness, And Favor Of Our Redeemer.

Grace Is The Merciful Kindness By Which God, Exerting HIS HOLY INFLUENCE Upon Souls:

Turns Them To Christ, Keeps Them,

Strengthens Them,

Increases Them In The Christian Faith, Increases Them In Knowledge, Increases Them In Affection,

And Kindles Them To The Exercise Of The Christian Virtues [Faith].

But To Paul, Grace Is How God SAVES THE SINNER, KEEPS THE SAINT, And BRINGS HOME THE SON.

ISAIAH 55:8-9

WHO HE IS AND WHY HE DOES THIS JEREMIAH 29:11

EPHESIANS 2

WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP

GOD WANTS TO SHOWCASE HIS GRACE

HEBREWS 13

CAN GOD DO IT?

HOW CAN GOD DO IT?

HEBREWS 8: 11

1 CORINTHIANS 15

BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM WHAT I AM

Genesis 1:26-28

Genesis 2:7

Genesis 3:1-13

Genesis 3:15

Genesis 3:21

Genesis 12:1-3

2 Samuel 7:12-13

Isaiah 7:14

Isaiah 9:6-7

John 3:16-18

Romans 3:21-26

Romans 5:6-8

Romans 5:12-13

Romans 6:23

Romans 10:9-13

Matthew 22:34-40

1. Love God, Love People

Matthew 28:16-20

2. Make Disciples

Colossians 1:15-20

1. Genuine Hospitality

Acts 28:1-2

Acts 28:3-6

Acts 28:7-10

2. Arrival in Rome

Acts 28:11--16

3. Not The End

Acts 23:11

Acts 28:17-31

Acts 20:24

- Paul is arrested in the Jerusalem Temple (Acts 21)

- Paul is set before the high counsel (Acts 23)

- Paul is send to Caesarea and stands before Felix (Acts 24)

- Paul is kept in custody for 2 years (Acts 24)

- Paul stands before Felix's successor Porches Festus (Acts 24-25)

- Paul now stands before the Jewish King Agrippa and Festus (Acts 25)

Acts 25:22

Acts 25:23-24

Acts 25:25-27

The Defense

Acts 26:1

Isaiah 40:23

Matthew 19:30

1 Corinthians 15:9

Acts 26:2-7

The Hope

Acts 23:6

Acts 24:14-15

Acts 28:20

Mark 13:11

Acts 26:8

The Who, What, When, Where, & Why

Acts 26:9-23

The Interruption

Acts 26:24

Acts 26:25-26

Matthew 5:14

John 8:12

Acts 26:25-26

Acts 26:27

1 Peter 3:15

2 Corinthians 5:20

Acts 26:28

Acts 26:29

Romans 1:1

The Conclusion

Acts 26:30-32

1. Is your testimony pointing people to Jesus? Who What When Where and Why?

2. Have you had a powerful personal encounter with Him?

3. Are you almost persuaded--or fully following?

Acts 25:1

1. The Ambush

Acts 25:1-5

2. The Continued Innocence

Acts 25:6-12

3. The Second Opinion

Acts 25:13-22

Acts 9:15-16

Acts 23:11

Proverbs 4:1-5

1. The Accusations

Acts 24:1-9

2. The Defense

Acts 24:10-21

3. The Indecision

Acts 24:22-27

Romans 15:13

Romans 12:9-12

1. Conflict With Culture

The Christian message challenges the values of the world.

John 7:7

John 15:18-19

John 15:23-25

Acts 23:16-22

Acts 23:23-24

2. Providence Through The Practical

God often works through natural ways and means to fulfill His divine purpose.

Acts 23:25-30

Acts 23:31-35

Deuteronomy 7:6-7

Exodus 4:10-15

Isaiah 40:29-31

Zechariah 4:6-10

1 Corinthians 1:18-29

3. Proclaim With Purpose

We are called to boldly share the message of Christ.

1 Peter 2:9

1 Corinthians 1:30-31

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Acts 23:11

Acts 28:30-31

4. Trust in the Truth

Rely fully on God’s Word as the unchanging and trustworthy source of life and guidance.

Isaiah 43:2

Ephesians 6:10-20

John 16:23

John 14:1

You are in a Conflict with Culture – The Christian message challenges the values of the world.

There is Providence through the Practical – God often works through natural ways and means to fulfill His divine purpose. 

Proclaim with Purpose – We are called to boldly share the message of Christ.

Trust in the Truth – Rely fully on God’s Word as the unchanging and trustworthy source of life and guidance.

Acts 22:24

Acts 21:30-31

Acts 22:30

Acts 23:1-2

Acts 5:34, 38-39

Acts 23:3

Romans 7:15, 24-25

Acts 23:4-10

1 Corinthians 14:33

1 Samuel 24:1-9

Proverbs 10:31-32

Proverbs 11:11

Proverbs 15:28

Proverbs 17:4

1 Corinthians 13:11

Ecclesiastes 5:2

James 3:3-10

Proverbs 26:20, 22

Proverbs 25:11-12

Acts 23:11

Romans 7:24-25

1. Does it build up or tear down? (Edify)

2. Does it need to be said? (Gossip)

3. Would you say it if they were with you? (Motive)

4. Does it glorify God? (Holy)

Acts 21:17-25

Acts 19:21

Matthew 5:17-20

2. Assumptions and Stigmas

Acts 21:26-29

Ephesians 2:14-16

3. The Author of Chaos

Acts 21:30-36

1 Corinthians 14:33

Acts 21:37-40

4. Share Your Story

Acts 22:1-21

2 Corinthians 2:14-17

2 Corinthians 3:1-6

Acts 21:1-4

Acts 20:36-38

Acts 19:21

Acts 20:16, 22

Isaiah 55:8-9

Acts 1:1-2

Acts 21:5-7

Acts 20:36-38

1 Corinthians 11:1

1. Show People Grace

2. Don't Assume

3. Support the Next Generation

4. Feed the Speed (Be a gospel man or woman)

2 Timothy 2:2

Acts 21:8

Acts 6:5

Acts 8:40

Forgiveness:

Matthew 18:21-35

Acts 20:25-27

Ezekiel 33:7-9

2 Corinthians 5:17

Acts 21:9-13

Numbers 13:1-2

Numbers 13:25-28

Numbers 13:30-32

Mark 8:27-30

Mark 8:31-33

Acts 20:24

Acts 21:13-16

Acts 21:18-19

Ephesians 2:4-5, 10

Ephesians 3:20

Philippians 4:12-13

Colossians 1:15-17

Philemon 1:8-9

1. Spend dedicated time with the Lord and ask (James 1:5)

2. His Word still speaks (Psalm 18:30)

3. Get counsel from Godly people. Not just friends and family  (Proverbs 11:14)

4. Be obedient (Deuteronomy 28:2)

2. Paul's Preaching (Acts 20:7-12)

3. Paul's Pilgrimage (Acts 20:13-16)

4. Paul's Example of a Pastor (Acts 20:17-38)

The Elder (presbyteros): among the Christians, those who presided over the

assemblies (or churches)

• The Bishop: an overseer (episkopos): Spiritual authority to lead. the

superintendent, elder, or overseer of a Christian church

• The Shepherd/Pastor (poimainō): To feed, to tend a flock, keep sheep

• Episkopos = authority, Presbyteros = Maturity, Poimainō = responsibility

Acts 20:17

Acts 20:28

Hebrews 13:17

Acts 20:18-21

Jeremiah 23:28-29

Acts 20:22-23

2 Corinthians 11:23-28

Acts 20:24

2 Timothy 4:6-8

Acts 20:25-27

Ezekiel 33:7-9

2 Corinthians 5:17

Acts 20:28-35

1 Samuel 12:1-5

Acts 20:36-38

1 Corinthians 11:1

1. Show people grace

2. Don’t assume

3. Support the next generation (2 Timothy 1:13)

4. Feed the sheep (Be a gospel man or woman)

2 Timothy 2:15

2 Timothy 3:16-17

1 Corinthians 5:9-10

Acts 19:20-22

Acts 19:20

1. The Gospel Causes Disturbances

Acs 19:20-26

2. The Gospel Impacts Worldly Culture

Acts 19:27-34

3. The Gospel Changes Everything

Acts 19:35-41

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

1. The Holy Spirit Is Necessary for Salvation

Acts 19:1-7 (ESV)

Romans 8:9 (ESV)

1 John 3:24 (ESV)

1 John 4:13 (ESV)

2. True Growth Takes Time

Acts 19:8-10 (ESV)

James 1:2-4 (ESV)

1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV)

Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)

1 Timothy 3:6 (ESV)

1 Timothy 3:10 (ESV)

3. The Gospel Prevails

Acts 19:11-20 (ESV)

Isaiah 45:18-23 (ESV)

1. Companions in Corinth (Acts 18:1-7 ESV)

Romans 16:3-4 (ESV)

1 Corinthians 16:19 (ESV)

2 Timothy 4:19 (ESV)

Acts 18:5 (ESV

Jeremiah 20:9 (ESV)

Luke 2:46-49 (ESV)

Acts 18:6 (ESV)

Acts 18:7-8 (ESV)

1 Corinthians 1:14 (ESV)

Acts 18:9-17 (ESV)

1 Corinthians 1:1 (ESV)

2. Completion of the Second Missionary Journey (Acts 18:18-23 ESV)

Isaiah 8:13-16 (ESV)

Matthew 28:19 (ESV)

3. Clarity for Apollos (Acts 18:24-28 ESV)

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

1 Corinthians 3:4-9 (ESV)

Acts 18:25 (ESV)

Proverbs 19:2 (CSB)

Romans 10:1-4 (ESV)

Acts 18:26 (ESV)

Proverbs 9:7-9 (NLT)

Acts 18:27-28 (ESV)

Ephesians 4:11-16 (ESV)

1 Corinthians 4:15-17 (ESV)

Titus 2:1-6 (ESV)

Philippians 2:1-3 (ESV)

Jude 1:22-23 (ESV)

Acts 17:15-18

Acts 17:22-23

Acts 17:24

God is the creator all things 

Creationism is the religious belief that nature, and aspects such as the universe, Earth, life, and humans, originated with supernatural acts of divine creation.

[Psa 24:1 NKJV] [1] A Psalm of David. The earth [is] the LORD's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.

[Gen 1:1-3 NKJV] [1] In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. [2] The earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. [3] Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.

[Jhn 1:1-5 NKJV] [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. [4] In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

[Col 1:16 NKJV] [16] For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

Acts 17:24

Acts 17:24

Acts 17:25

Psalm 50:10-12

Numbers 23:19

Psalm 50:21

Acts 17:26

Job 38:1-18

Acts 17:27

Ephesians 4:17-20

Acts 17:28-29

Romans 1:18-25

Acts 17:30-31

Acts 17:18

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Acts 17:32-33

Acts 17:16

Acts 17:18

Acts 17:22-33

Matthew 10:34-36 (ESV)

Acts 17:6 (ESV)

Proverbs 3:27-28 (ESV)

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV)

Acts 17:6-9 (ESV)

Acts 17:10-11 (ESV)

Genesis 3:15: Jesus was the Seed of the woman that bruised the serpent’s head

Exodus 12:21: Jesus was our Passover Lamb sacrificed for us.

Leviticus 16:21-22: Jesus was our scapegoat who bore our sins on the cross.

Numbers 21:8: Jesus was lifted up on a pole like the bronze serpent.

Deuteronomy 18:15: Jesus was the prophet like Moses who God raised up.

Joshua 5:14: Jesus was there as a Commander of the Lord’s army.

Judges 6:22: Jesus was there as the Angel of the Lord, encouraging.

Ruth 4:6: Jesus, in His incarnation, became our Kinsman Redeemer.

1 Samuel 2:10: Jesus is the Horn of Salvation that God raised up for us.

2 Samuel 7:12: Jesus is the Son of David, prophesied to rule as King.

1 Kings 8:27: Jesus is the answer to the question, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth?”

2 Kings 4:43: Jesus is a prophet similar to Elisha who multiplied loaves.

1 Chronicles 17:14: Jesus is the Son of David whose kingdom would last forever. He is both Priest and King.

2 Chronicles 9:22: Jesus was typified as a “Greater than Solomon” in His wisdom.

Ezra 9:2: The preservation of the Holy Seed matters, because the lineage of Jesus matters.

Nehemiah 13:8: Nehemiah foreshadows Jesus cleansing the temple.

Esther 10:3: Jesus was typified by Mordecai’s exaltation from persecuted Jew to the highest position.

Job 19:25: Jesus is our Living Redeemer who stood on the earth.

Psalm 22:16: Jesus was the One whose hands and feet were pierced on the cross.

Proverbs 30:4: Jesus was the Son of God who descended from heaven to save us and ascended to be our advocate.

Ecclesiastes 12:11: Jesus was the Good Shepherd who taught us the truth.

Song of Solomon 2:4: Jesus’ love for His church was typified in Solomon’s love for his bride.

Isaiah 53:5: Jesus was prophesied to be the One to take our sin’s punishment.

Psalm 22:1, 7-8, 14-19 (ESV)

Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)

Acts 17:10-15 (ESV)

Matthew 9:36-38 (ESV)

1. Complete Dependency on the Holy Spirit

Acts 16:6-12 (NLT)

"If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference." - AW Tozer

2. The LORD Opens the Hearts of the Lost.

Acts 16:13-15 (NLT)

Acts 16:16-18 (NLT)

Acts 16:19-25 (NLT)

Philippians 1:20-21 (NLT)

3. Salvation Is By GOD'S GRACE Through FAITH ALONE in Jesus

Act 16:26-34 (NLT)

Acts 15:1-5 (ESV)

1. The Issue

Acts 15:1-5 (ESV)

2. The Discussion

Acts 15:6-21 (ESV)

Galatians 2:11-16 (ESV)

3. The Decision

Acts 15:22-35 (ESV)

Galatians 5:1-6 (ESV)

4. The Divide

Acts 15:36-41 (ESV)

2 Timothy 4:9-11 (ESV)

Acts 15:10-11 (ESV)

1. Conversions

Acts 14:1-7 (ESV)

2. Confirmation

Acts 14:8-16 (ESV)

Acts 17:29-30 (ESV)

Ephesians 2:11-13 (ESV)

Acts 14:17 (ESV)

Romans 1:18-21 (ESV)

Genesis 1:1 (ESV)

Romans 1:20 (ESV)

Acts 14:18-19 (ESV)

Galatians 6:16-17 (ESV)

Acts 9:15-16 (ESV)

Acts 14:20-22 (ESV)

3. Commission

Acts 14:23-25 (ESV)

4. Completion

Acts 14:26-28 (ESV)

Acts 11:29-30 (ESV)

1. The Local Church Established

Acts 13:1-3 (ESV)

2. The Church Sends

Acts 13:4-12 (ESV)

3. The Gospel Moves

Acts 13:13-52 (ESV)

Mark 3:17 (ESV)

Matthew 20:20-22 (ESV)

Hebrews 9:27 (KJV)

Isaiah 57:1-2 (NLT)

Acts 12:5 (ESV)

1 Timothy 2:1 (ESV)

Supplications: a petition or entreating or petition. expressing an earnest or anxious request; pleading.

Prayer: Worship, adoration, giving of praise.

Intercessions: a falling in with, meeting with, an interview, a conference or conversation.

Thanksgiving: the giving of thanks. Do we have an attitude of gratitude with the Lord?

1 Timothy 2:1 (ESV)

1 Timothy 2:2-4 (ESV)

Acts 12:6 (ESV)

Acts 5:17-20 (ESV)

Acts 12:7-9 (ESV)

Acts 12:10-11 (ESV)

Acts 12:12-18 (ESV)

Acts 12:19-23 (ESV)

Acts 12:24 (ESV)

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

1. Men Carry the Gospel

Acts 8:29-35 (ESV)

Acts 9:10-12 (ESV)

Act s9:15-17 (ESV)

Romans 10:14-15 (ESV)

2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV)

2 Samuel 6:13 (ESV)

2. What God Has Made Clean, Do Not Call Common

Acts 10:9-23 (ESV)

Acts 1:8 (ESV)

John 13:34 (ESV)

John 15:12; 17 (ESV)

1 John 3:23 (ESV)

Ephesians 2:14-17 (ESV)

John 10:16 (ESV)

3. God Shows No Partiality

Acts 10:24-28 (ESV)

Acts 10:29-43 (ESV)

Acts 10:44-48 (ESV)

Mark 15:39 (ESV)

Acts 11:1-3, 18 (ESV)

Acts 8:4-8 (ESV)

1. Follow God's Leading

Acts 8:9-25 (ESV)

2. Not Everyone is Genuine

Acts 9:26-40 (ESV)

3. Fruit Takes Time To Grow

Acts 9:1-9 (ESV)

4. No One is Too Far Gone

Acts 9:10-19 (ESV)

Acts 9:20-22 (ESV)

Acts 5:25, 28-29 (ESV)

Acts 5:33-34, 38-39 (ESV)

Acts 5:40-42 (ESV)

Acts 6:1-7 (ESV)

The Accusation of Stephen

Acts 6:8-15 (ESV)

Stephen and the Sanhedrin

Acts 7:1-5 (ESV)

• Acts 7:2-8 (ESV) – The Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

• Acts 7:9-16 (ESV) – The Patriarchs in Egypt: Joseph sold into slavery by his brothers

• Acts 7:17-36 (ESV) – God Delivers Israel by Moses: How his own people despised Moses and wanted to overthrow his power.

• Verse 39 – “Whom our fathers would not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt.”

• Verse 40 – “Saying to Aaron, ’Make us gods to go before us; as for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’”

How Do We Speak Grace and Truth to Our Generation?

1. We don’t resist the Holy Spirit

• Acts 7:51 (ESV)

• 1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NKJV)

• Ephesians 4:30-32 (NKJV)

2. We speak the truth

• Acts 7:52-53 (ESV)

3. We don’t argue with chaos

• Acts 7:54-57 (ESV)

• 1 Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV)

4. We love the people that are against us

• Acts 7:58-60 (ESV)

• Matthew 10:16 (NKJV)

• Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)

Acts 8:1-3 (ESV)

• Luke 1:1-2 (NLT)

• Acts 22:17-21 (NKJV)

Closing

1 Timothy 1:12-17 (NKJV)

1. Expression

2 Samuel 7:16

2. Admonition

Acts 5:1-13

1 Corinthians 1:26-29

John 13:35

Acts 3:1-6

Acts 3:1-10

1. Wonder and Amazement

Acts 3:11-26

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

2. Power in the Name

Acts 4:1-22

3. Do Right By God, Not By Man

Acts 4:23-31

4. Pray and Speak With Boldness

1 John 1:1-4

Acts 4:32-37

[Luk 9:33 NKJV]

[Mat 14:28-29 NKJV]

[Mat 16:16 NKJV]

[Mat 16:22-23 NKJV]

[Mat 18:21 NKJV]

[Mat 19:27 NKJV]

[Mat 26:35 NKJV]

[Mat 26:40 NKJV]

[Mat 26:75 NKJV]

[Luk 22:50-51 ESV]

[Jhn 18:10-11 ESV]

[Jhn 21:21-22 ESV]

[Act 2:1-8 NKJV]

[Act 2:11-47 NKJV]

[1Co 1:26-29 NKJV]

[1Jo 1:1-3 ESV]

[1Jo 1:5 ESV]

[1Jo 1:7 ESV]

[Eph 5:8-16 ESV]

[Luk 1:1-4 NKJV]

[2Ti 4:9-11 NKJV]

1. Waiting on the Lord

[Act 1:4 NKJV]

[Psa 25:5 NKJV]

[Psa 27:14 NKJV]

[Psa 37:7 NKJV]

[Psa 52:9 NKJV]

[Psa 59:9 NKJV]

[Psa 62:5 NKJV]

[Isa 40:31 NKJV]

[Act 1:14 NKJV]

[Luk 24:44-49 NKJV]

2. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

[Act 1:5 NKJV]

[Mat 3:11-12 NKJV]

[Jhn 20:21-22 NKJV]

[1Co 12:12-13 NKJV]

[Rom 8:9 NKJV]

[Eph 1:13-14 NKJV]

[Act 18:24-28 NKJV]

[Act 19:1-6 NKJV]

[Act 4:8 NKJV]

[Act 4:31 NKJV]

[Act 7:55 NKJV]

[Mat 10:19-20 NKJV]

[Luk 12:11-12 NKJV]

3. Witnesses

[Act 1:6-8 NKJV]

witnesses: martys

a witness in a legal sense an historical sense

one who is a spectator of anything, e.g. of a contest in an ethical sense those who after his example have proved the strength and genuineness of their faith in Christ by undergoing a violent death

[Act 2:32 NKJV]

[Act 3:15 NKJV]

[Act 5:32 NKJV]

[Act 10:39 NKJV]

[Act 13:31 NKJV]

[Act 22:15 NKJV]

[Act 1:9-11NKJV]

3 reasons God has given us the Holy Spirit

[Act 1:8 NKJV]

[1Co 14:26 NKJV]

[Gal 5:22-25 NKJV]

Genesis 18:17-19 (ESV)

The Way of the Lord: Dereḵ Yᵊhōvâ: a course of life or mode of action

Deuteronomy 5:33 (ESV)

Deuteronomy 8:6 (ESV)

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (ESV)

Judges 2:19-22 (ESV)

2 Kings 21:22 (ESV)

The Prophets Even Spoke of the Way

Jeremiah 5:1-5 (ESV)

Ezekiel 18:25 (ESV)

Ezekiel 33:20 (ESV)

The Way of the Lord is Now Prophesied to Isaiah

Isaiah 40:3 (ESV)

The New Testament - Prophesy Fulfilled

Luke 1:76 (ESV)

John 1:19-21, 23 (ESV)

John 1:29-31 (ESV)

Luke 4:18-19 ESV)

Luke 4:20-21 (ESV)

Jesus Is The Way

John 14:5-6 (ESV)

People Belonging to The Way

Acts 9:1-2 (ESV)

Acts 24:14 (ESV)

The Gospel of the Kingdom

Matthew 4:23 (ESV)

Matthew 9:35 (ESV)

Matthew 24:14 (ESV)

Romans 3:21-24 (ESV)

Romans 8:1-2 (ESV)

Galatians 3:26 (ESV)

Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)

Ephesians 2:13 (ESV)

1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV)

or an object of worship:

Lexham Bible Dictionary - PRAYER - Communication with God, primarily offered in the

second-person voice (addressing God directly). May include petition, entreaty,

supplication, thanksgiving, praise, hymns, and lament.

John 17:1-26 (ESV)

John 17:1-4 (ESV)

John 16:33 (ESV)

John 17:1 (ESV)

1. Jesus Prayed To The Father

John 17:1-5 (ESV)

Matthew 26:36-42 (ESV)

Matthew 6:5-6 (ESV)

Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)

1 John 5:14-15 (ESV)

Mark 11:24 (ESV)

James 5:16 (ESV)

2. Jesus Prayed For His Disciples and Their Protection

John 17:6-19 (ESV)

3. Jesus Prays For Those Who Will Believe

John 17:20-26 (ESV)

Romans 8:18-30 (ESV)

[Jas 1:15 NKJV]

[Gen 4:14 NKJV]

[Gen 6:5-7 NKJV]

[Gen 7:23 NKJV]

[Gen 11:6-9 NKJV]

[Gen 12:1 NKJV]

[Gen 12:2-3 NKJV]

[Exo 3:4-6 NKJV]

[Exo 33:20-23 NKJV]

[Exo 19:21 NKJV]

[Num 4:15 NKJV]

[2Sa 6:7 NKJV]

[Lev 26:12 KJV]

[Eze 37:27 NKJV]

[Isa 9:6 NKJV]

[Isa 7:14 NKJV]

[Mat 1:21-23 NKJV]

[Luk 2:6-7 NKJV]

[Jhn 1:14 NKJV]

[Gen 3:10 NKJV]

[Jhn 1:1-5 NKJV]

[Heb 1:1-2 NKJV]

[Jhn 1:14 NKJV]

[Gal 4:4-5 ESV]

[Eph 2:13 NKJV]

[Col 1:27 NKJV]

On My Father’s Side

Just a young boy in the temple one day,

shared with the doctors they were so amazed,

never had they seem one so young speak so swift,

they asked him many questions the conversation went like this.

What's your name son, “On my mother's side my name is Jesus,

but on my father's side they call me Emmanuel,”

How old are you boy, “On my mother's side now I'm twelve years,

but on my father's side I’m alpha and omega, beginning without end”,

Where are you from son, “On my mother's side I'm from Bethlehem,

but on my father's side it's new Jerusalem”,

What's your plan boy, “On my mother's side I'll be crucified,

but on my father's side in three days I'll rise and I'll sit at my father's side.”

Matthew 2:10 (NKJV)

Luke 1:14, 44 (NKJV)

Luke 1:58 (NIV)

Luke 2:34 (NLT)

Joy is the assurance that God is in control of every detail of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything will be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in all things.

John 15:4-6 (NKJV)

1. Abide in Him

Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)

Abiding means to to remain, sit, rest, to continue to be present, 2. to be held, kept, continually

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)

Rejoice Always - Have Joy!

Pray without ceasing - allow God into all of your life

Give thanks - have the right attitude of gratitude.

John 15:7-8 (NKJV)

2. Abide in His Word

Joshua 1:3 (NKJV)

The Bible contains 8,810 promises, with 7,487 of those being promises made by God to humanity.

Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)

John 15:9-10 (NKJV)

3. Abide in His Love and Keep His Commandments

Romans 2:4 (ESV)

Keep My Commandments/Word

Deuteronomy 7:9 (NKJV)

Daniel 9:4 (NKJV)

John 14:15 (NKJV)

John 14:23 (NKJV)

1 John 5:2-3 (NKJV)

John 15:11 (NKJV)

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)

Galatians 5:22-26 (NKJV)

Luke 2:8-11 (ESV)

Psalm 98:1-9 (ESV)

- Freedom from disturbance; tranquility

- Mental calm; serenity

Isaiah 9:1-7 (ESV)

1. From The Lord

Psalm 85:8 (ESV)

John 16:33 (ESV)

John 14:27 (ESV)

2. From Before the Foundation of the World

Revelation 12:1-6 (ESV)

Revelation 12:7-17 (ESV)

3. From a Baby Born in Bethlehem

Micah 5:2-5a (ESV)

Ephesians 2:11-22 (ESV)

The word advent means "arrival"

Hope:

Yakhal : State of expectation. To wait for. Noah waited for the waters to recede

Qavah: The tension of waiting. The tension on a cord and then when it breaks, the tension is relieved.

Elpis: joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation

Isaiah 8:17 (ESV)

Psalm 39:7 (ESV)

Psalm 130:5 (ESV)

Luke 2:22-33 (ESV)

Mark 1:1-3 (NKJV)

Mark 1:14-15 (NKJV)

Mark 1:32-34 (NKJV)

Mark 1:35-39 (NKJV)

Mark 2:1-5 (NKJV)

Mark 2:6-9 (NKJV)

Mark 2:10-12 (NKJV)

12 Reasons Why Jesus Came:

1. Jesus Came To Fulfill The Law. (Matthew 5:17)

2. Jesus Came To Divide. (Luke 12:51)

3. Jesus Came To Call Sinners. (Luke 5:32)

4. Jesus Came To Serve and Give His Life. (Mark 10:45)

5. Jesus Came To Proclaim Good News. (Luke 4:18-19)

6. Jesus Came To Seek and Save The Lost. (Luke 19:10)

7. Jesus Came That The World Might Be Saved. (John 3:17)

8. Jesus Came To Do His Father's Will To Keep, Save, and Resurrect Believers. (John 6:38-40)

9. Jesus Came For Judgement. (John 9:39)

10. Jesus Came To Give Abundant Life (John 10:10)

11. Jesus Came So Believers May Not Remain In Darkness. (John 12:46)

12. Jesus Came To Bear Witness To The Truth. (John 18:37)

John 12:23-27 (NIV)

1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV)

1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV)

Romans 5:2 (ESV)

Romans 15:4, 13 (NKJV)

Galatians 4:4-7 (NKJV)

1. Generosity Starts With The Father

Genesis 2:5-7 (ESV)

Genesis 3:21 (ESV)

John 3:16-18 (ESV)

2. Generosity Was Shown By Jesus

Matthew 26:39 (ESV)

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

3. Generosity Is Shown Through The Believer

Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (ESV)

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)

Luke 15:11-32 (NLT)

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is THE MOST important thing about us." A.W. Tozer

1. In His Grace, The Love of the Father Allows His Children To Come To Their Senses

Luke 15:13-17 (NLT)

John 10:10 (ESV)

Matthew 16:24 (NLT)

2. The Love of the Father Actively Seeks and Patiently Waits For His Children To Return To Him

Luke 15:18-24 (NLT)

3. The Love of the Father Accepts and Celebrates Repentant Sinners

Luke 15:25-32 (NLT)

Galatians 6:14 (NLT)

1. Do You Believe? (Matthew 28:16-17)

2. You Have Been Empowered! (Matthew 28:18)

John 14:15-17 (ESV)

Acts 1:8 (ESV)

3. Make Disciples (Replicate) (Matthew 28:19-20)

Acts 1:6-11 (ESV)

Acts 8:1-8 (ESV)

Acts 11:19-30 (ESV)

4. He Is Always With You! (Matthew 28:20b)

Romans 1:16-17 (ESV)

Recap From The Series:

The Supremacy of Scripture - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

The Greatness of God - Acts 17:18 (NKJV)

The Necessity of the Trinity - Genesis 1:1-4 (ESV)

The Holiness of God - Hebrews 10:4-5 (NLT)

Creation and Image of God - Genesis 1:27 (ESV)

Theology of Sin/Redemption - Nicodemus and The Woman at the Well

Justification - Romans 5:1 (ESV)

Sanctification - 1 Corinthians 1:30 (NLT)

Perseverance and Glorification - Romans 8:28 (ESV)

Eternity - The Rich Man and Lazarus - Luke 16:31 (NKJV)

Matthew 22:36-40 (NKJV)

John 1:14-17 (NKJV)

Matthew 7:1 (NKJV)

1 Corinthians 2:15 (NKJV)

1 Corinthians 5:1-3 (ESV)

Matthew 7:2 (NKJV)

Matthew 7:3-6 (NKJV)

Matthew 7:1 (NKJV)

1. Examine Yourself First

2. Do Nothing From Selfish Ambition

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)

James 3:13-16 (ESV)

2 Corinthians 12:20 (ESV)

James 3:17-18 (ESV)

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)

3. Major On The Majors

Philippians 2:12-15 (ESV)

How Can We Love God and Love People?

Loving God: John 14:21-24, John 15:10-14, Matthew 25:34-40 (ESV)

How Do You Know The Will of God In Your Life?

1. What Has God Given You To Give Away?

2. Who Needs It?

Luke 16:19 (NKJV)

Luke 16:20-21 (NKJV)

Luke 16:22 (NKJV)

Luke 16:23-24 (NKJV)

Luke 16:25 (NKJV)

Luke 16:26-28 (NKJV)

Luke 16:29-30 (NKJV)

James 2:14-16 (NKJV)

Acts 2:42, 47 (NKJV)

Luke 16:31 (NKJV)

John 11:38-53 (NKJV)

Matthew 10:28 (NKJV)

Mark 9:43 (NKJV)

John 5:24-25 (NKJV)

2 Peter 3:11-13 (ESV)

Persevere - continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success.

Romans 8:1-8 (ESV)

1. Genuine Faith Equals No Condemnation

John 6:38-40 (ESV)

Romans 8:9-15 (ESV)

2. The Holy Spirit Seals The Genuine Believer

Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV)

Philippians 1:3-11 (ESV)

Romans 8:18-30 (ESV)

3. Security In His Hand

John 10:27-30 (ESV)

1 Peter 1:3-9 (ESV)

Ephesians 6:10-20 (ESV)

Axios: The Greek word ἄξιος (áxios) means "worthy of", "deserving of", or "suitable". In the New Testament, it is usually translated as "worthy" in English versions, but can also be translated as "in keeping with”.

Ephesians 4:1-3 (NKJV)

1 Corinthians 1:30 (NLT)

1. God Has United You With Christ Jesus

1 Corinthians 12:27-31 (NLT)

Ephesians 4:4-6 (NKJV)

2. For Our Benefit God Made Him To Be Wisdom Itself

1 Corinthians 1:22-25 (NKJV)

John 14:6 (NKJV)

John 17:17-19 (NKJV)

3. Christ Made Us Right With God; He Made Us Pure and Holy (sanctification)

Sanctification the action of making or declaring something holy.

the action or process of being freed from sin or purified."the process of sanctification takes deliberate action on our part"

the action of causing something to be or seem morally right or acceptable.

Romans 3:10-12 (NKJV)

Romans 7:14-25 (NLT)

Romans 7:25 (NLT)

Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

Romans 8:2 (NKJV)

3. And He Freed Us From Sin

1 Corinthians 6:11 (NKJV)

Matthew 1:21 (NKJV)

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)

1 Corinthians 1:30 (NLT)

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)

Hebrews 12:3 (NKJV)

Hebrews 12:28-29 (NKJV)

Romans 3:9-19 (ESV)

Genesis 2:15-17 (ESV)

Genesis 3:1-9 (ESV)

Genesis 3:21 (ESV)

Romans 3:21-31 (ESV)

Romans 5:1-11 (ESV)

1. Justified By Faith

Luke 23:39-43 (ESV)

2. Faith In Christ Grants Access

Luke 18:9-14 (ESV)

The Old Testament uses 6 different nouns and 3 verbs to describe sin:

ra` rah; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) (600 times)

chatta’ah (khaw-taw’); an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness) (300 times)

rāšāʿ (raw-shaw’) wicked, criminal (250 times)

ʿāôn (aw-vone’) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity

John 2:23-25 (NLT)

John 2:25 (NKJV)

John 1:29 (NKJV)

John 3:1-15 (NKJV)

Numbers 21:7-9 (NKJV)

John 3:16-18 (NKJV)

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)

John 3:19-21 (NKJV)

John 4:5-6 (NKJV)

Hebrews 2:17 (NKJV)

John 4:7-29 (NKJV)

John 4:39 (NKJV)

John 4:42 (NKJV)

Ezekiel 11:19 (NKJV)

Ephesians 2:1-10 (NKJV)

John 19:38-42 (NKJV)

Acts 8:4-8 (NKJV)

Genesis 1:1-5 (ESV)

1. Created Out of Nothing

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)

Genesis 1:26-31 (ESV)

2. Imago Dei - The Image of God

Genesis 2:5-9 (ESV)

3. God Breathed

John 17:20-23 (ESV)

Isaiah 32:13 (NKJV)

Exodus 32:27-28 (NKJV)

Exodus 35:4-10 (NKJV)

Exodus 38:8 (NKJV)

Exodus 36:6 (NKJV)

Exodus 40:34-35 (NKJV)

Leviticus 1:1-9 (NKJV)

Luke 2:14 (NKJV)

Hebrews 10:1-22 (NLT)

1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)

Genesis 1:1-5

Genesis 1:26-27

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Matthew 3:16-17

Matthew 28:18-20

John 1:1-5

John 6:27

John 17:20-26

Romans 1:1-5

Romans 8:12-17

Galatians 4:4-7

Colossians 1:15-20

Colossians 2:9

Isaiah 48:12-16

Galatians 4:4-7

Acts 17:15-18

Acts 17:22-23

Acts 17:24

God is the creator all things 

Creationism is the religious belief that nature, and aspects such as the universe, Earth, life, and humans, originated with supernatural acts of divine creation.

[Psa 24:1 NKJV] [1] A Psalm of David. The earth [is] the LORD's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.

[Gen 1:1-3 NKJV] [1] In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. [2] The earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. [3] Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.

[Jhn 1:1-5 NKJV] [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. [4] In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

[Col 1:16 NKJV] [16] For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

Acts 17:24

Acts 17:24

Acts 17:25

Psalm 50:10-12

Numbers 23:19

Psalm 50:21

Acts 17:26

Job 38:1-18

Acts 17:27

Ephesians 4:17-20

Acts 17:28-29

Romans 1:18-25

Acts 17:30-31

Acts 17:18

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Acts 17:32-33

Acts 17:16

Acts 17:18

Acts 17:22-33

Because that’s what it claims

Psalm 119: 137, 138, 140, 142, 144

Proverbs 30:5-6 (NKJV)

Psalm 12:6

2. Archaeology 

3. Science

The Shape of the Earth 

Isaiah 40:22 (NIV)

2.  The Earth is suspended in nothing 

Job 26:7 (NIV)

Genesis 1:1 (NKJV)

4. Divine, supernatural evidence in the text

Luke 4:16-30 (NKJV)

Zechariah 12:10

Isaiah 1:11-20

Isaiah 53:1-12

Elijah and the Widow (1 Kings 17:8-16)

Elijah Revives the Widow's Son (1 Kings 17:17-24)

1 Kings 18:17-19 (NKJV)

Elijah's Mount Carmel Victory (1 Kings 18:20-40)

The Drought Ends (1 Kings 18:41-46)

1 Kings 19:1-2 (NKJV)

1 Kings 19:3-4 (NKJV)

1 Kings 19:5-9 (NKJV)

1 Kings 19:11-15 (NKJV)

1 Kings 21:20-23 (NKJV)

Daniel 7:25 (NKJV)

Galatians 6:9-10 (NKJV)

Hebrews 12:12-13 (NLT)

Ephesians 4:2-3 (NKJV)

Matthew 18:18-20 (NKJV)

Deuteronomy 32:30 (NKJV)

Matthew 5:23-24 (NKJV)

Philippians 2:1-4 (NKJV)

Ephesians 4:4-6 (NKJV)

1. His Realm

Psalm 24:1-2

Isaiah 40:22

Isaiah 14:12

Ezekiel 28:14-16

2. His Requirements

Psalm 24:3-6

Revelation 20:4

Revelation 2:26

Ecclesiastes 1:14

3. His Reign

Psalm 24:7-10

Psalm 23:1

John 10:11

John 10:14-15

Psalm 23:2

Psalm 23:3

Psalm 23:4

Psalm 23:5

Psalm 23:6

Psalm 84:10

1. My Shepherd Provides

2. My Shepherd Protects

3. My Shepherd Promises

1 Peter 2:21-25

Matthew 27:46

Mark 15:34

Psalm 22:6

Job 25:6

Jonah 4:7

Isaiah 1:18

Psalm 22:7-8

Matthew 27:39-44

Psalm 22:9-13

Deuteronomy 3:11

Joshua 12:4

Psalm 22:14-18

John 19:23-24

Psalm 22:19-31

Psalm 78:6

Psalm 86:9

Psalm 102:18

Psalm 145:4-7

Isaiah 44:3-5

Hebrews 2:10

Acts 8:26-40

Daniel 12:1a

Daniel 10:13-14

Jude 9:9

Revelation 12:7-8

Daniel 12:1b

Daniel 11:36-38

Daniel 12:2

Psalm 17:15

Isaiah 26:19

John 5:28-29

Daniel 12:3

Daniel 12:4

Daniel 12:5

Daniel 10:5

Daniel 12:6

Daniel 12:7

Daniel 7:25

Revelation 10:5-7

Revelation 12:14

Daniel 12:8

Daniel 12:10-13

1. Times of trouble are coming

2. The people of God will be delivered

3. Go your way and shine bright

Daniel 1:8

Daniel 12:3

Daniel 10:14 (ESV)

Daniel 11:2 (ESV)

1. Ahasuerus, Artaxerxes, or Xerxes (Esther’s Husband)

Ezra 4:6 (ESV)

Alexander

Daniel 11:3-4 (ESV)

The 4 winds

Macedon and Greece went to Cassander

Thrace and Asia Minor went to Lysimachus

Syria and Babylon went to Seleucus

Judah and Egypt went to Ptolemy

The City of Tyre

Ezekiel 26:1-7 (ESV)

Antiochus III the Great: takes the throne at 18

Daniel 11:10-12 (ESV)

Daniel 11:13-14 (ESV)

Daniel 11:17 (ESV)

Daniel 11:18-20 (ESV)

4. Antiochus Ephiphinies

Daniel 11:21-27 (ESV)

Daniel 11:28-30 (ESV)

5. Anti-Christ

Daniel 11:35-45 (ESV)

Daniel 12:1 (ESV)

Holy Spirit

Psalm 2:1-5 (ESV)

God

Psalm 2:6 (ESV)

Jesus

Psalm 2:7 (ESV)

God

Psalm 2:8 (ESV)

Holy Spirit

Psalm 2:10-12 (ESV)

Ezra 1:1-4 (ESV)

Ezra 2:64 (ESV)

Ezra 3:12-13 (ESV)

1. Work

1 Thessalonians 2:9 (ESV)

Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV)

Colossians 3:23 (ESV)

Luke 9:62 (ESV)

2. Worship

Daniel 10:4-6 (ESV)

Revelation 1:12-18 (ESV)

Daniel 10:7-9 (ESV)

Isaiah 6:1-5 (ESV)

Job 42:5-6 (ESV)

Mark 9:2-8 (ESV)

Luke 5:8 (ESV)

Judges 13:21-23 (ESV)

3. The Warfare

Daniel 10:10-12 (ESV)

Daniel 9:23 (ESV)

Daniel 10:13-21 (ESV)

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (ESV)

Ephesians 6:13-18 (ESV)

Hebrews 11:32-33 (ESV)

Daniel 9:20-21 (ESV)

1. While Praying

Daniel 9:22-23 (ESV)

2. Through Prayer Comes Understanding

Daniel 9:24-25 (ESV)

3. Weeks and Years

Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV)

4. What Does This Mean For Us?

Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV)

Acts 3:18-21 (ESV)

Ezra 1:1 (ESV)

Jeremiah 25:12-14 (ESV)

Jeremiah 29:10-14 (ESV)

Daniel 9:4-6 (ESV)

Luke 11:2-4 (NKJV)

2 Timothy 3:1-7 (NKJV)

Daniel 9:7-10 (ESV)

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

1 Peter 4:17 (NKJV)

Daniel 9:11-19 (ESV)

4 Things That God Does When We Pray:

1. God Hears

1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV)

Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NKJV)

2. God Forgives

Psalm 103:10-12 (NKJV)

3. God Pays Attention (Harkens)

Psalm 66:16-20 (NKJV)

4. God Acts

Matthew 18:19 (NKJV)

James 5:16 (NKJV)

Daniel 9:20-23 (ESV)

A.C.T.S. Model of Prayer:

Adoration

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication

1 Corinthians 13:12 (KJV)

Acts 17:11 (KJV)

Daniel 8:15-27 (ESV)

Antiochus Epiphanes

Antiochus IV assumed the title Epiphanes meaning, “illustrious” and alluding to deity. The ancient Jews twisted his name into “Epimanes” meaning, “madman.”

Matthew 24:15 (ESV)

Ephesians 1:20-23 (MSG)

1. We Are To Praise God!

1 Peter 2:9-10 (NKJV)

2. We Are To Equip The Saints

Ephesians 4:11-16 (NKJV)

Colossians 1:28 (NKJV)

Ephesians 5:22-23 (ESV)

3. We Are To Disciple and Evangelize

Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV)

Mark 16:15 (NKJV)

The dangers of an imbalanced church

A church that over-emphasizes worship at the expense of teaching of Scripture and evangelism will end up with inadequate Bible teaching for the believers, who will remain shallow in their understanding of Scripture, as well as in their understanding of the nature and purposes of God.

A church that over-emphasizes evangelism at the expense of teaching and worship is in danger of neglecting the teaching of the Word and the worship of God. The church will end up with immature Christians who emphasize growth in numbers but lack true spiritual growth in their own lives.

A church that over-emphasizes the equipping of believers at the expense of worship and evangelism easily minimizes the importance of worshipping God and reaching out to others. It will soon become ingrown and stagnant, for new believers are the lifeblood of the church!

Revelation 12:11 (NKJV)

2 Corinthians 1:2-5 (MSG)

Daniel 7:1-7

Daniel 7:7-8

1. The Speaking Horn

Revelation 13:1-6

Daniel 7:9-10

2. Ancient of Days

1 Kings 22:19

Daniel 7:11-12

Daniel 7:13-14

3. Son Of Man

Revelation 14:14

Revelation 19:20-21

Revelation 20:9-10

Daniel 7:15-28

4. Who Wins?

Revelation 13:7-8

Philippians 2:4-11

Revelation 1:12-18

Revelation 5:11-14

God is able to save to the uttermost

Hebrews 7:22-25

Matthew 19:25-26

God is able to provide

2 Corinthians 9:8

Philippians 4:19

Matthew 6:33

God is able to do more than we can ask or think

Ephesians 3:20

God is able to help in temptation

Hebrews 2:17-18

Hebrews 4:14-16

God is able to keep us from stumbling and present us blameless

Jude 1:24-25

God is able to guard you on the day

2 Timothy 1:6-12

Hebrews 5:7-10

Daniel 6:21-23

Daniel 6:24-28

Psalm 22:12-13

Isaiah 54:17

Psalm 27:1-4

Daniel 6:1-3

1. Work With An Excellent Spirit

Geness 2:2

Genesis 2:15

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (CSB)

Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)

Proverbs 22:29

Daniel 6:3

Daniel 6:4

2. Be Faithful In All You Do

Proverbs 20:6

Galatians 5:22-23

1 Peter 2:12

1 Peter 3:16

Matthew 25:21

Daniel 6:4-5

3. Have No Errors Or Faults

Proverbs 11:20

Proverbs 13:6

Proverbs 28:10

Proverbs 29:10

Daniel 6:6-8

Daniel 6:9-11

1. Daniel Knew

2. Daniel Didn't Hide

3. Daniel Didn't Waver

Philippians 4:6

1 Thessalonians 5:16

Hebrews 13:15

Luke 12:4-5

Luke 12:8-9

2 Timothy 2:1-7

We Must Live As Teachers Of The Word (1 Thessalonians 2:4)

We Must Live As Soldiers

We Must Compete As Athletes (1 Corinthians 9:27)

We Must Work As Farmers (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV)

Romans 12:1-2

Hebrews 12:1-2

Daniel 4:34-35

Daniel 4:37

Daniel 5:1-21

1. Nebuchadnezzar Acknowledge God

i. He humbled himself

ii. He worshipped and recognized who had put him in power

iii. He recognized who had put the breath in his lungs

Daniel 5:22-23

2. Belshazzar Did Not Acknowledge God

i. He lifted up himself against God

ii. He worshipped other gods

iii. He did not honor the one who put the breath in his lungs

Psalm 150:1-6

Acts 17:24-25

3. The Writing On The Wall

Daniel 5:26-31

Proverbs 3:5-12

Daniel 4:27

Daniel 4:28-33

Proverbs 6:16-19 (NKJV)

1. We Should All Have a Testimony

Daniel 4:2 (ESV)

2 Corinthians 3:2-3

Romans 8:28

Revelation 12:11

2. We Should Be Grateful For His Signs and Wonders

Daniel 4:3a

Proverbs 3:19-21

Psalm 127:3-4

Proverbs 17:6

Proverbs 31:28

3. We Should Pass On What God Has Given Us

Daniel 4:3b

2 Timothy 2:2

Ephesians 2:10

Daniel 4:34-35

Daniel 4:36-37

James 5:16

Daniel 3:4-6

Daniel 3:8-15

Daniel 2:47

Daniel 3:16-18

4 Steps of Faith

Romans 4:18-19

1. We Don't Look At Our Own Difficulties or Circumstances

Romans 4:20a

2. He Didn't Waver Concerning God's Ability

Exodus 14:13 (NKJV)

Romans 4:20 (ESV)

3. He Gave Glory To God

Daniel 3:16-18

Romans 4:21

4. Believe That God WILL Do What He Promises

Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)

Deuteronomy 31:8

Isaiah 40:31

Isaiah 43:2 (ESV)

Daniel 3:16-18

Acts 14:19-20

Acts 5:40-42

Daniel 3:19-23

Daniel 3:24-27

Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV)

Daniel 3:29-30 (ESV)

Daniel 2:31-35

Daniel 2:26-49

Isaiah 2:2

Micah 4:1

Daniel 2:31-35

Daniel 2:27-28

Daniel 2:36-38

1. Babylon is Gold

Daniel 2:39

2. Medo-Persia is Silver

Daniel 2:39

3. Greece is Bronze

Daniel 2:40-42

4. Rome is Iron and Clay

Daniel 2:43-45

5. The Stone That Smashes and Becomes a Great Mountain is Christ and the Kingdom of God

Psalm 118:19-24

Isaiah 8:14

Isaiah 28:16

Luke 20:18

Isaiah 6:6-7

Daniel 2:46-49

Daniel 2:1-4

Daniel 2:1

Daniel 2:2-4

Daniel 2:5-6

Daniel 2:7-11

Daniel 2:10-11

1. Man Does Not Have The Answers

Daniel 2:12

Daniel 2:13-15

Daniel 1:8-10

2. Find Favor (Over Time)

Daniel 2:16

Daniel 1:17

Daniel 2:17-18

3. But There Is A God

Daniel 2:19-23

Daniel 2:24-30

Daniel 1:2 (ESV)

Daniel 1:9

Daniel 1:17

Daniel 9:4-6, 9-15

2 Corinthians 5:17

God gave the Favor Through Obedience

Daniel 1:8-15

James 1:5 (NIV)

God gave them learning and skill

Daniel 1:16-17 (ESV)

Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)

Daniel 1:18-21 (ESV)

Conviction

Whatever a Christian does today he should first purpose in his heart. And that’s the answer to all things that are questionable. If there’s any question in your mind about it, then it is wrong for you to do. Be fully persuaded in your own mind and carry out your conviction with enthusiasm.

Conscience

There must be conscience. Anything that a Christian looks back upon and has to say, “I wonder if I should have done that?” was wrong for him. It may not be wrong for the next man, so don’t criticize the next man. But, my brother or sister, it was wrong for you.

Consideration

Are you driving somebody away from Christ by what you are doing? If so, it is wrong.

Conduct

Christian conduct is not how far you can go before you are wrong, it is what you can do to please your Savior.

Matthew 13:44

Luke 24:27

Luke 24:44 (NKJV)

Daniel 2:31-34 (ESV)

Colossians 3:17

Colossians 3:23-24

Ephesians 6:5-8

Matthew 6:1-4, 16-18

2 Samuel 23:14-16

Philippians 2:5-11 (NKJV)

Daniel 1:8

Theme #1: God Is Sovereign

Daniel 4:17

Theme #2: God Is Sovereign How Do We Live In Babylon?

Daniel 1:8

Matthew 24:15

Daniel 1:1-2

Psalm 137:1-3

Daniel 1:3-4

1 Peter 2:11-17

Daniel 1:5

Daniel 1:6-7

Daniel = "God is my judge”

Belteshazzar = "lord of the Saturn’s treasure” or Protect the Life of the King

Hananiah = "God has favoured”

Shadrach = command of Aku (Spirits of the Dead or Servant of the Moon god), "illumined by Rak," the sun god

Mishael = "who is what God is”

Meshach = ("who is like Shak," the Babylonian Venus)

Azariah = "Jehovah has helped”

Abed-nego = ("servant of Nego," the god of fire)