Four Key Observations: The future is uncontrollable; Death is inescapable; Evil is unavoidable; Yet life is better than death

2. Press In: This life is far more precious than you enjoy (v. 7-10)

Enjoy creaturely comforts (v. 7-8); Enjoy creaturely companions (v. 9); Engage in creaturely vocation (v. 10)

2. The Response of Wisdom (v. 11-14)

-Value Grief, The Inescapable

-Value Rebuke, The Irreplaceable

2. Because Of Wisdom's Precious Prize

- Hasty words are vain (2-3)

- Empty words are vain (4-7)

2. Be Wise: Four Aids in Growing Wise Fear

-Wise fear approaches God

…as he is

…for his grace

…on his terms

a. Grieving for those who suffer alone (1-3)

b. Grieving for those who labor alone (4-12)

c. Grieving for those who lead alone (13-16)

2. Look to God

3. Love the Gift

2. Four Beautifying Responses (v. 12-15)

Response 1 - Be Joyful (v. 12)

Response 2 - Do Good (v. 12)

Response 3 - Take Pleasure (v. 13)

Response 4 - Fear God (v. 14-15)

2. Find The Posture (9-15)

1. The Gain Of Wisdom (13-16)

2. The Grief Of Wisdom (17-23)

3. The Gift Of Wisdom (24-26)

2. Pleasure Lost (11)

3. Pleasure Reordered

2. Hear

a. The Thesis (2)

b. The Research Question (3)

c. The Opening Arguments (4-11)

3. Heed

1. In Creation (v. 15-17)

John 1:18

Psalm 89:26

2. In Reconciliation (v. 18-20)

Colossians 1:13-14

Colossians 1:21-22

Colossians 2:13-15

2. The Pharisees Attribute the Work of the Spirit to Satan

3. Salvation is an Act of the Holy Spirit

4. Rejection of the Gospel is the Unpardonable Sin

1. Grace Reshapes How You See Yourself (v. 3)

2. Grace Reshapes How You Serve Christ's Church (4-8)

2. We can have joy in our giving even in trials, whether we have little or much, for we have much (v. 2-4)

3. We can have joy in our giving because we can be encouraged to excel in faith, speech, knowledge, love, earnestness, but also in this act of grace, for generosity is a spiritual discipline (v. 5-7)

4. We can have joy because Christ’s indescribable gift is the example: He became poor so we might become rich (v. 8-9)

5. We can have joy in our giving because eternity is at stake

1. The Sin Of Self-Sufficiency (vv. 1-9)

2. The Sentence For Sin (vv. 10-17)

3. The Salvation Of Sinners (vv. 18-25)

Application:

1. God is always sovereign, so trust in His providence

2. God is the righteous Judge, so repent and believe

3. God has provided us the better David, Jesus Christ, so trust in His finished work

1. Substitutionary sacrifice through the blood of Christ (Luke 22:20)

2. Remission of sin through the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:22)

3. Redemption through the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19)

4. Propitiation/Expiation through the blood of Christ (Romans 3:25)

5. Justification through the blood of Christ (Romans 5:8-9)

1. The space between brokenness and God's mercy

2. The transition between pain and promise

3. The path from heartbreak to hope

4. The transformation from evil to good

In lament, we move from pain to trust by:

1. Turning to God (v. 1-3)

2. Complaining to God (v. 4-9)

3. Asking God (v. 10-15)

4. Trusting in God (v. 16-20)

2. Holy Constraint: Living in the Reality of Christ’s Love (v14)

3. Holy Freedom: The Release from Self-Service (v15)

1.    The blood bought gifts to the church (7-11)

2.    Purpose: To equip the saints (12)

3.    Goal: Is mature Christians (13)

4.    Result:

a.    An unshakable faith (14)

b.    A pure gospel (15-16)

1. God's grace has enriched them with spiritual gifts (v. 4-7)

2. God's grace will sustain them to the end (v. 8-9)

2. The King Offers Right Sacrifice (v. 5-10)

3. The King Intercedes With Unrestrained Mercy (v. 11-17)

1. Burning [Ps 39:1–3]

2. Breathing [Psalm 39:4–6]

3. Believing [Psalm 39:7–13]

2. I Am Sorry For My Sin [Psalm 38:18b-22]

1. Sight of Sin

2. Sorrow for Sin

3. Confession of Sin

4. Shame for Sin

5. Hatred for Sin

6. Turning from Sin

1) Frets Not Because of Evil Doers [v. 1-9; 12-21]

2) Delights in God in Christ [v. 1-11; 34]

3) Waits to Inherit the Land [v. 3, 9, 11, 22, 27, 29, 34]

1. Fears God and Turns from Evil [v. 1–4]

2. Beholds The Grandeur of God! [v. 5-6] 

3. Drinks From The River of Delight [v. 7-9]

4. Hopes in God’s Judgement and Salvation to Come [v. 10-12]

2. Love Liars and Lament [Psalm 35:11–18] 

3. Vindication Belongs to the Lord [Psalm 35:19–28]

2. Look To Him And Be Radiant [Psalm 34:1–7]

3. Taste & See The Lord is Good [Psalm 34:8–14]

4. The Lord Is Near To The Brokenhearted [Psalm 34:15–22]

1. Loudly (v. 1-3)

2. For His Word’s Covenantal Character (v. 4-5)

- God’s Word of Creation (Gen. 1, Rom. 1)

- God’s Word in the Conscience (Rom. 2)

- God’s Inspired Word, the Bible (2 Tim. 3-4)

- God’s Word Made Flesh, Jesus Christ (John 1)

3. For His Word in Creation (v. 6-9)

4. For His Word of Counsel (v. 10-12)

5. For His Watchful Preservation (v. 13-19)

6. Together (v. 20-22)

2. Encourage Others To Be Blessed & forgiven By Confessing Their Sins to the Lord [vv 6–11]

2. Sigh To Christ Over Your Sin And Schemers [Ps 31:9–13]

3. Trust Christ For Your Times Are In His Hands [Ps 31:14–20]

4. Love The Lord; Take Heart; Wait! [Psalm 31:21–24]

1. The Father Brings Us From Death to Life in Christ (v.1-5)

Response: Because Jesus rose, you will rise in Christ too!

2. The Father Disciplines Those He Loves in Christ (v. 6-10)

Response: God uses sickness and hardships for our good, to make us more like Jesus and reliant on God.

3. The Father Turns Sadness to Gladness in Christ (v. 11-12)

Response: Be not silent! Give thanks to Father, Son, and Spirit forever!

2. The Storm King Creates, [3–4]

3. The Storm King Judges [5–9]

4. The Storm King Blesses [10–11]

5. Respond To The Storm King

1. Prayerfully plea (v.1-2)

2. Remember God will judge (v. 3-5)

3. Trust Christ (v. 6-9)

With enemies all around, the Christian can wait for the Lord and take courage in Christ because:

1. The Lord is our stronghold against all fears (v. 1-3)

2. We will gaze upon the beauty of the Lord in the safety of His temple (v. 4-6)

3. The Lord will not forsake us as we seek His face (v. 7-12)

4. We will look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (v. 13-14)

Responses:

1. Do not fear people or problems; fear God (v. 1-3)

2. Wait on the Lord as you walk worshipfully in His ways (v. 11, 14)

3. What, truly, is your “One Thing”? (v. 4, 13)

1. Walk in God’s Faithfulness [Ps 26:1–3]

2. Hate the Assembly of the Wicked [Ps 26:4–5]

3. Love the Place Where God’s Glory Dwells [Ps 26:6–8]

4. Bless the Lord in the Great Assembly [Ps 26:9–12]

1. …For Those Who Lift Their Souls To Him and Wait [Ps 25:1–5]

2. …For Those Who Humbly Walk In His Covenant Love and Fear Him [Ps 25:6–15]

3. …For The Lonely and Afflicted Who Find Refuge in Him [Ps 25:16–22]

-LORD Creator: Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Sustainer, Perfectly Good, Creator

2. Who can Ascend God’s Holy Hill? (v. 3-4)

3. Who is this King of Glory? (v. 7-10)

2. The Lord Is My Shepherd and Comforts Me In Deathly Difficulties [Psalm 23:4]

3. The Lord Is My Shepherd and Hosts Me With Holy Hospitality [Psalm 23:5–6]

1. Jesus Was Forsaken By the LORD... [Psalm 22:1–22]

2. ...To Lead us to Feasting With the LORD, So Proclaim His Righteousness [Psalm 22:21b–31]

2. The Kingdom of Christ Will Be Consummated, So Sing His Praise and Power [Psalm 21:8–13]

2. The LORD Saves the Messiah-King to Save You, So…Set Up A Banner in Jesus’ Name [Psalm 20:5–

6]

3. The LORD Saves the Messiah-King to Save You, So…Trust in Jesus’ Name [Psalm 20:7–9]

2. Declare the Glory of God and Study the Book of Scripture [Psalm 19:7–11]

3. Declare the Glory of God and Prayerfully Depend Upon Your Redeemer [Psalm 19:12–14]

2. The Lord Saves Through Judgment, So Watch For Him To Ride A Cherub In Devouring Fire [Psalm 18:4–18]

3. The Lord Saves Through Judgment, So Expect Him To Set You In A Broad Place [Psalm 18:19–42]

4. The Lord Saves Through Judgment, So Trust in Jesus [Psalm 18:43–50]

2. The Lord Hides You In The Shadow of His Wings, So Be Satisfied With His Likeness [Psalm 17:6–8]

3. The Lord Will Subdue the Wicked, So Be Satisfied With His Likeness [Psalm 17:9–14]

4. You Shall Behold Jesus’ Face, So Be Satisfied With His Likeness [Psalm 17:15]

2. What Can Be Known Of Him Exceeds All Greatness (17:24-29)

-The Triune God is the Maker (v. 24a)

-The Triune God is the Lord (v. 24b)

-The Triune God is “a se” (v. 24c-25)

-The Triune God is the Benefactor (v. 25, 28)

-The Triune God is Lord of Providence (v. 26)

-The Triune God Cannot Be Likened to Anything or Reached By Man (v. 29)

3. What Can Be Known Of Him Exceeds All Justice and Grace (17:30-34)

2. How To Be Noble Minded (Acts 17:10-15)

2. The Gospel Fosters Worship Through Suffering (16:25)

3. The Gospel Saves In Unexpected Places (16:26-34)

4. The Gospel Rebukes Injustice (16:35-40)

2. Timothy - Mission Can Involve Becoming All Things to All People [Acts 16:1–5]

3. Macedonian Man - Mission Can Expect Opened and Closed Doors [Acts 16:6–10]

4. Lydia - Only the Lord Opens Hearts For Salvation [Acts 16:11–15]

2. A Defense of the True Gospel (15:6-18)

3. A Letter of Gospel Unity Encourages the Church (15:19-35)

2. The Witness of Providence (v. 8-20)

3. The Church Full of Praise (v. 20-28)

2. Prophecies Fulfilled [Acts 13:26–37]

3. Promises Kept [Acts 13:38–52]

2. Four Principles For Our Partnership in Mission Today

2) The Deliverance of Peter (v. 3-19)

3) The Damnation of Herod (v. 20-23)

4) The Dynamic Word of God (v. 24-25)

2. The Church is Encouraged by Exhortation (v. 21-26)

3. The Church is Encouraged by Relief (v. 27-30)

1. The Circumcision Party is Not a Fun Party [Acts 11:1–2]

2. The New Covenant Party is a Fun Party [Acts 11:3–18]

3. Ways to Respond

2. Jesus Saves All Who Trust in Him (Acts 10:17-43)

3. Jesus Gives The Spirit to His One New People (Acts 10:44-46)

2. Jesus Resurrects (9:36-42)

3. Jesus Saves (9:35, 42)

3. Jesus Has The Right And Might To Build His Church Through Peace And Hardship [23-31]

2. Jesus Has the Might and Right to Save

3. To Persecute a Christian, is to Ultimately Persecute Jesus

4. Christians All Have the Same Testimony, "Jesus is the Lord, the Son of God"

Baptize means to immerse

Why do we baptize?

Why this initiation rite?

Who gets baptized?

Who does baptism belong to?

2. What Does Baptism Mean? [Romans 6:1-12]

Isaiah 7:13-17; 9:1-7; 11; 26:19; 49; 52-53

2. The Gospel is for Outcasts (v. 27-40)

Deuteronomy 23:1; Isaiah 56:3-5

2. The Gospel is For All Who Believe [Acts 8:14–17]

3. God’s Grace Can’t Be Bought [Acts 8:18–25]

2. Persecution is a Sharing in the Suffering & Strength of Christ (John 15:18)

3. Persecution is a Means By Which Christ Assures Us of Salvation (Matt. 13:18-23)

4. Persecution is a Means By Which God Advances the Gospel (Acts 8:4)

5. Persecutors Will Either Be Defeated by the Love or Wrath of Jesus (Matt. 5:10; 2 Thess. 1:5-10)

2. Jesus is the True and Greater Seed of Abraham (7:1-8)

3. Jesus is the True and Greater Resurrected Joseph (7:9-16)

4. Jesus is the True and Greater Prophet Like Moses (7:17-38)

5. Jesus is the True and Greater Tent of Witness (7:38-50)

6. Jesus is Worth Dying For (7:51-8:4)

2. The Standards (v. 2-4)

3. The Solution (v. 5-6)

4. The Result (v. 7)

2. Jealousy Drives Division (Acts 5:17-26)

3. We Must Obey God (Acts 5:27-40)

4. We Rejoice in Dishonor (Acts 5:41-42)

2. The Spirit of Great Fear Purifies the Church (Acts 4:35-5:11)

2. Highlights From Acts 1-4

1. Praise God for His Sovereign Lordship Over His Creation [Acts 4:23–24]

2. Praise God for His Prophetic Word [Acts 4:25–26]

3. Praise God For His Predestining Providence [Acts 4:27–28]

4. Petition God For Boldness, Especially In Persecution [Acts 4:29–31]

1. Don’t Deny the Evidence of Jesus! He is God’s Wisdom Who Saves [Acts 4:13–22]

Scene 2c: Jesus is the True and Greater Prophet Like Moses, So Receive Him (v. 22-23)

Scene 2d: Jesus is the True and Greater Seed of Abraham, So Rely On His Blessing (v. 24-26)

Scene 1 - Jesus Works In and Through You, So Give Him The Glory [3:1–12]

Scene 2a - Jesus Gifts Faith, So Look To Jesus To Perfect It [3:13–16]

1. Devotion to the apostles’ teaching (v. 42)

2. Devotion to the fellowship (v.42)

3. Devotion to the breaking of bread (v. 42)

4. Devotion to the prayers (v. 42)

5. Generous “Commonism” (v. 43-45)

6. Corporate and house worship (v. 46)

7. Compelling Community (v. 47) 

1. Is baptism necessary for salvation? [v38]

2. Are we baptized in the Name of Jesus or the Trinity? [v38]

3. Do all true believers receive the Holy Spirit just like at Pentecost? [v38]

4. Does this passage teach babies should be baptized? [v39]

5. Does this passage teach we ultimately save ourselves? [v40]

Second pass -> The Gospel cuts to the heart in a good way, so believe, repent, and be baptized [37–41]

1. King David The Prophet Foretold Jesus Would Resurrect And Rise [Acts 2:29–32]

2. King David The Prophet Foretold Jesus Would Rule And Reign [Acts 2:33–35]

3. Jesus Is Lord And Christ [Acts 2:36]

- Peter’s Second Point - Pentecost Proves Jesus Rose From The Dead as David Prophesied [v. 22–28]

1. Miracles Authenticate Jesus and Signal the New Creation [v. 22]

2. God’s Gospel Power Works in Human Freedom [v. 23]

3. Jesus’ Resurrection is the Death of Death in the Death of Christ [v. 24-27]

4. New Life in Jesus Gifts New Gladness in God [v. 28]

- Peter’s Third Point - Pentecost proves Jesus is the Ascended King as David Prophesied [Acts 2:29–36]

- The Crowd’s Response (and ours!) [Acts 2:37–41]

1. Peter’s First Point - Pentecost Fulfills the Prophet Joel’s Promise of the Spirit [Acts 2:14–21]

1. Joel explains God’s Gift of the New Covenant Spirit [vv17–18]

2. Joel explains supernatural events that accompany Pentecost [v19–21]

3. Joel explains the new time period Pentecost would usher in [vv17, 20]

4. Joel explains who Pentecost is for [vv21]

2. Peter’s Second Point - Pentecost Proves Jesus Rose From The Dead as David Prophesied [Acts 2:22–28]

3. Peter’s Third Point - Pentecost proves Jesus is the Ascended King as David Prophesied [Acts 2:29–36]

4. Crowds Response - (and ours!) [Acts 2:37–41]

2. Pentecost is the Valley of Dry Bones Come to New Covenant Life (Acts 2:2; John 3; Ezekiel 37)

3. Pentecost is the Establishment of God’s New Temple (Acts 2:3) 

4. Pentecost is the Reversal of the Tower of Babel (Acts 2:4; Genesis 11)

Scene 2: Peter Teaches Another Must Take Judas’ Place (v. 15-20)

Scene 3: A Twelfth Apostle is Appointed (v. 21-26)

1. Who is the Holy Spirit?

2. To receive the Power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus must ascend [John 16:7]

3. The Power of the Holy Spirit Convicts the World [John 16:8–11]

4. The Power of the Holy Spirit Continues Jesus’ Teaching [John 16:12–13]

5. The Power of the Holy Spirit Always Glorifies Jesus [John 16:14]

1. Jesus’ Ascension Means He is Embodied Forever [Acts 1:9]

2. Jesus’ Ascension Means He is Enthroned Forever [Acts 1:3, 6–7]

3. Jesus’ Ascension Means He Has Poured our the Holy Spirit [Acts 1:4–5, 8]

4. Jesus’ Ascension Means He is Building His Church [Matt 16:14–19]

5. Jesus’ Ascension Means He is Interceding For Us [Romans 8:34]

6. Jesus’ Ascension Means He is Preparing a Place For us [John 14:1–3]

7. Jesus’ Ascension Means He is Waiting to Return [Acts 1:10–11]

2. Proof 2: Jesus died on the cross (v. 3)

3. Proof 3: Jesus presented Himself alive after His death (v. 3)

4. Proof 4: Jesus fulfilled impossible prophecy (v. 3)

5. Verdict: What will you do with the Truth? 

2. How Does The Book of Acts Tell Its Story? [Acts 1:8]

3. Three Highlights From Acts For Our Lives. [Acts 1:8]

1. Actively wait for Jesus return (v. 14)

2. The whole of scripture calls us to be found in Christ (v. 15-16)

3. Be forewarned that scripture will be attacked (v. 17)

4. Grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (v. 18)

1. Wait for the Day of the Lord (v. 10)

2. What sort of people are we to be as we wait? (v. 11-12)

3. Wait expectantly for New Heavens and New Earth (v. 13)

1. Reminder of the authority of scripture (v. 1-2)

2. Recognize that scoffers will come (v. 3-4)

3. Realize past judgment (v. 5-7)

4. Repentance in view (v. 8-9)

1. The Depravity of False Teachers (2 Peter 2:10-14a)

2. The Deceptions of False Teachers (2 Peter 2:14b-19a)

3. The Destruction of False Teachers (2 Peter 2:19b-22)

1. Beware of False Teachers (v. 1-3)

2. The Judgment of False Teachers (v. 4-9)

3. God’s Preservation of the Godly (v. 4-9)

2. Jesus is The Promised Greater Judah/Shiloh (Giving Life For a Brother) (Genesis 49:9-10)

3. Jesus is The Promised Greater New Creation (Genesis 49:11-12)

2. Only As the God-Man Can Christ Jesus Destroy the Devil and Death [Heb. 2:14-15]

3. Only As Christ Jesus Can God Die and Save [Heb. 2:16]

4. Only As Man Can Christ Jesus Atone for Man [Heb. 2:9, 17-18]

1. King Jesus is the Powerful Prince

2. King Jesus Has a People

3. King Jesus Has a Place

4. King Jesus Has a Precept

2. What Does It Mean That Jesus is Truly Man? [Luke 1:32–33]

1. Who Is God? [Luke 1:30]

2. What Happened to God the Son in the Incarnation? [Luke 1:35, 37]

3. Why Did God the Son become Incarnate? [Luke 1:31]

1. By God’s grace, you must live in harmony with your church, so welcome one another [Romans 15:5-6]

2. By God’s grace, you must welcome those in your church as Christ has welcomed you [Romans 15:7] 

2. What are some dangers of being an immature, weaker brother? [Romans 14:10-19]

3. How can a weaker brother calibrate their conscience? [Romans 14:6-9, 17-19]

2. What is the danger of being a “stronger brother” in Christ? [Romans 14:1–4]

3. What are the unity priorities for a “stronger brother” in Christ? [Romans 15:1–2]

4. Should a “stronger brother” never use his freedoms in Christ? [Romans 14:22]

5. What are some joys of being a “stronger brother” in Christ? [Romans 14:22]

1. How Does Jesus’ Work In The Gospel Impact Our Consciences? [Romans 15:7]

2. Why Are There Differently Calibrated Consciences In The Church? [Romans 14:2, 5–6]

3. What Are The Dangers Of Differently Calibrated Consciences In The Church? [Romans 14:1,3-4,

13–16]

4. What Is The Core Issue With “Conscience Matters?” [Romans 14:14–19]

5. Where Is This Series Going With “Conscience Matters?” [Romans 15:1–3]

2. What Are Some Negative And Positive Aspects Of The Christian Conscience? (Various)

3. How Can I Trust and Biblically Calibrate My Conscience? (Romans 13:5)

4. What Do I Do With A Guilty And Dirty Conscience? (1 John 3:20) 

1. Why are there so many Christian denominations? [Acts 15]

2. What are the major doctrinal causes of division?

3. In what ways should we respond to differences between gospel churches? [Eph 4:1–6]

2. What Makes Christianity Christian?

a. We Must Confess The Right God [Matt 3:16–17]

b. We Must Confess The Right Jesus [Matt 16:13–17]

c. We Must Confess The Right Way of Salvation:

i. According To Scripture Alone [2 Tim 3:16–17]

ii. By Grace Alone [Ephesians 2:8–10]

iii. Through Faith alone [Ephesians 2:8–10; Gal 2:16]

iv. In Christ alone [John 14:6]

v. To God’s Glory alone [1 Cor 10:31]

2. What Makes Christianity Christian / the Gospel the Gospel?

a. We must confess The Right God [Matt 3:16–17]

b. We must confess The Right Jesus [Matt 16:13–17]

- The Right “Person of Jesus” [Matt 1:18–25]

- The Right “Work of Jesus” [1 Cor 15:1–8]

2. What Makes Christianity Christian?

We must confess The Right God [Matt 3:16–17]

of 1 69.22.24

2. How Can We Maintain Unity With So Many Differences? [Matt 22:34–40; 23:23–24]

3. Why Does Theological Triage Matter? [Ephesians 2:11–22]

Faithful churches are faithful to Jesus (v 18) Faithful churches are faithful to Jesus' mission (v 19-20a) Jesus is faithful to faithful churches (v 20b)

Devoted to Gathering (Acts 2:42, 46) A Praying Church (Acts 2:42) A Fellowshipping Church (Acts 2:42) "One Anothers": Romans 12:5; Colossians 3:16; 1 Peter 4:9; Hebrews 10:24-25; Ephesians 4:32 A Flourishing Church (Acts 2:47)

The Joyous Ground of Slavery to Christ: The Gospel (Phil 2:5–11)

The Purpose of Slavery to Christ: Imitation of Christ (Gal 5:13)

The Result of Slavery to Christ: Worship of God and Growth of the Church (1 Pet 4:10–11)

Seven ways to Respond to Being Slaves of Christ

Repent and Believe the gospel to be reconciled to God and set free to truly live

Join the church. First, submit to the church by formally agreeing to our doctrines and practices, let us know your testimony of the gospel and become a part of this church such that you can participate in exercising the keys of the kingdom with us. Scripture requires you to be in a position where you can participate in the formative and corrective discipline of the church, where you can protect and promote the gospel as we agree upon it in this church, where you can vote on elders and deacons and more. In other words, first join us as a Christian, so that we know you are a Christian before you serve us as a Christian.

Take an honest audit of your life of service. Can you point to clear areas where you are actively serving as a slave of Christ, formally and informally in this church? Can you point to clear ways you proclaim and demonstrate the gospel in this church?

For those who serve, are you a volunteer or a slave of Christ? Do you welcome feedback and direction or do you bristle and reject it? In other words, do you have a volunteer mentality or a slave of Christ mentality. Is it your humble joy to please Christ by pleasing others through service or are there terms and conditions on what you will and won’t do?

For those who serve as slaves of Christ, treasure the gift of showing Christ to others in your service

For those who serve as slaves of Christ, prize the opportunity of building the body of Christ in your service

For those who serve as slaves of Christ, savor the occasion of worshipping Christ in your service

2. What Are the Keys of the Kingdom? (Matt 16:19)

3. What is Binding and Loosing? (Matt 16:19; 18:18)

4. How does the Local Church Exercise the Keys (an overview)?

5. Ways to respond to Jesus’ Word.

1. To be the church is to profess the gospel (Matt. 16:13-16)

2. Jesus builds His church with the gospel and Hell will not prevail (Matt. 16:17-18)

3. Four ways to respond

a. Confess the Great Confession!

b. Believe the gospel truth that Jesus intends the gospel to build and bind Christians together in local churches.

c. Embrace Jesus' plan for your life to be vitally known and connected to a local gospel church.

d. Preach, speak, pray, sing the gospel (The Great Commission - Matt. 28)

2. The Significance of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:6-8)

3. The Meaning of Christian Baptism (Romans 6:3-11)