Acts 8

Acts 8:1-8
- historic narrative
-- how early church endured persecution

2 Kinds of Fire
1. Persecution v. 1-3
- B4: High Leaders ; then: Every Christians
v. Mt. 10:34-37; Mark 13:10,12,14
- rift between believers and unbelievers
- willing to forsake everything, even his family
- PAUL
= Hebrew of Hebrews
= educated in Jerusalem by Gamaliel
= devoted & promising Pharisee
v. Gal. 1:13,14 - Saul/ old Paul
= ravaged the church
a. wild animal mangling its prey/
like a beast
b. destruction of a city
- not unique in the times of apostles
- reason:
= there is a God you contend with; don't run with men
- instruction v. Mt. 10:28
= Don't fear men who only kills body.
= Godly fear: out of reverence
== destroys both body and soul
e.g. Hugh Latimer
2. Gospel v. 5-8

NPV: Ps. 149:5

------------------------------------------
Principle for Fruitbearing
Seed = Christians
Field = World
* Victory from suffering.
a. business
b. family
c. spiritual things
* No to selves, yes to God.
v. Gal. 2:20
* Death and denial brings out fruit.

Life v. Jn. 12:24
1. "Suke"
- life of the mind
- ego
* Die to self, and live for Christ.
2. "Zoe"
- eternal / divine life
* Do anything for Christ if he directs you.
* To obey is not sadness, but joy.
v. Hebrews 12:2

Buried vs. Planted
P. - bears fruit

Philip
- the Evangelist
- not the apostle
- bridge builder
- bravely preached in Samaria even he was a Jew
- fragrance of aroma

------------------------------------------
3.17.13

Temporary Spiritual Gifts
1. Apostleship
2. Foretelling
- God has a message and uses people to convey it.
- prophesy
- e.g. Revelation (John)
3. Healing
- Person immediately healing the afflicted.
4. Miracles
- Wherever they were
5. Discerning Spirit
6. Speaking in Tongues
- languages that were not spoken by apostles during that time
- Corinth problem: competing that caused chaos; no order
* Temporary Gifts that ended with the death of apostles.

Horrifying:
- believed that they are on the narrow road, but in reality they are bound for eternal damnation.

Signs that Simon Magus, the Magician, is not a Christian
- one exposed to strong preaching and great powers, but have not changed heart.
1. Heart is not right with God.
- hypocrite at heart
v. Prov. 23:6
- What fills ur heart speaks your mouth.
- Union with God is a heart issue that requires radical change.
+ Matters/Issues of the heart
a. conviction
b. repentance
c. faith
- We are born with evil heart.
- Good Heart: always fights with sin
- Faith, Worship, and Obedience
+ simoni
- knows what divine grace is all about??
3. Wrong view of salvation.
- why he still with Philip after the baptism
a. wanted to sustain company with Philip
b. constantly amazed of the miracles
- source of Philip's power
c. want to figure out how he can have the power
- s. is divine transformation
4. Incorrect Understanding of the Holy Spirit
- take away any racial distinctions
- having one body of Christ. preserve unity of the church
- giving ourselves completely to yhe Holy Spirit. instead of us making more use of Him
5. Faulty view of sin
- Gall of Bitterness: extremely bitter harsh situation; bondage to sin
- more concerned with avoiding the penalty of sin rather than being right with God
a. good sorrow
b. worldy sorrow that caused death
- Established a Cultic Movement
- Response: refusing what he was told. instead of repenting. turned away from God

* Almost there, but not quite. Not genuinely saved.
* Test yourselves.

NPV: Jer. 29:12-13
------------------------------------------
4.28.13
Acts 8:25-30
* An Ethiopian Receives Christ.

I. Proper Preparation
II. Proper Presentation
Effective Presentation of the Gospel
A. Right Man for the Job
* Soulwinning
-chief concern for believers
* Qualifications of Soul Winners
1. Holiness of Character
2. High Level of Spiritual Life
- Living Men
3. Humble Spirit
v. Is. 57:15
4. Living Faith
v. Mt. 9:29
5. Evident Love and Sincerity for the Hearers
6. Completely Surrendered to God
B. Presentation Based on the Scripture
- Vicarious Atonement
- Truth renews the mind. v. Rom. 12:2
- X Use of personal stories
* Be proficient in the Scripture. Explain from Scriptures. Ready Defense.
C. Centered on the Lord Jesus Christ
III. Proper Response
A. Expressed Faith
- divinely planted assurance
- planted by God
B. Confession
C. Rejoicing
* Joy - mark of true believer
- "procopei"
- inner peace, bliss, and happiness given by God
- can't easily be taken away

Fastforwarding Philip
- established family in Ceasaria, invited Paul once, had unmarried daughters that are prophetesses

Summary of Acts 8
a. Part Jew and Gentile
b. Pure-blooded Ethiopian
* Very Different People but ONE message.

NPV: Is. 9:6

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Acts 7

Acts 7: 1-16

Stephen's Sermon...
A. Overview
1. not a direct defense for the charge of Sanhedreen. Sand
2. not like preaching of Peter in Pentecost
- Peter: abt Jesus in whole preaching
- preached Jesus only in the end
3. straightforward recital of the history of Israel
- purpose: reveal old national sense & indirect defense
* Trace the points of Stephen in refuting.
B. Doctrine/Content of Sermon
1. God's Sovereignty and Providence
- used historical evidence
v. Ps. 115:3
- even in the most severe suffering that God ordained and God will use to uplift you
- all glory belongs to God
2. God of Purpose
- wise, full of grace
- includes all things
v. Is. 46:9-11
- God's purpose can't be thwarted or altered
3. pointed to the coming of Christ and redemption of man v. 7
v. John 1:45
- sign of covenant: circumcision
v. Is. 53:3
- foreshadowing/parallelism of Christ:
a. Joseph
i. tried injustly
ii. forsaken by brothers: Jews
iii. brought to glory from trials
iv. accepted by Egyptians: Gentiles
v. saved his brothers from starvation
b. Moses
i. delivered people
ii. descended
iii. was rejected
iv. rejected 1st but accepted 2nd time
v. Shepherd and Redeemer
C. Characters Discussed
1. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob
2. Joseph
3. Moses
4. Law & Temple
- Worship God in Spirit and in truth.
v. John 4:23
- Not enclose him in a box
- 48:50
5. Prophets
- Jeremiah, Isaiah?, Jesus Christ
- was despised and put to death
* Trials here on Earth is not the final verdict.

NPV: Ps. 103:1-2
---------------
Outcome of Stephen's Death
1. Coronation of Stephen
2. Condemnation for persecutors
Blasphemy
- utters deity/irreverence
- defaming God's name
- questions God's kindness and wisdom
- forgivable by grace
- Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
= unforgivable
= determined unbelief
= blasphemy even in complete knowledge/evidence of God's deity
v. 51 : always resisting the Holy Spirit
v. Hebrews 6:4-6
3. Redirection for church in Jerusalem
4. Salvation of Saul/Peter

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Acts 6

Acts 6
------------------------------
11.25.12

Tools Used to Break the Church
1. Strife
2. Complaining/Murmuring
3. Descension/Division

Hellenistic Jews
- from Diaspora
Problem of Priorities
- division of labor

* Preaching of the Word must be central.
- top priority
* Techniques will not produce maturing Christians.
* Authentication of the Word, the church is there.

Principles in Appointing Church Leaders/Deacons
1. Dividing in the responsibilities of the church
- 60% involved in ministry
2. Need for plurality of leadership within the church
3. Given to people by apostles before election based on Christian qualifications
- based on Christian character and maturity
- whether they were wise or spiritual
- men who knew their gifts and inabilities

+ 7 Deacons
- increased the Christian's population
------------------------------
12.2.12

1. Perscution
2. Deceit/Lies/Hypocrisy
(Annanias &Sapphira)
3. Discord

+ 7 Deacons - "servant"
+ Martyr - dying for own belief
+ Successful/Greatness (God's eyes)
- by following humility of Christ as a servant.

Stephen
- bridge between Peter & Paul in the book of Acts
- catalyst of evangelization of Christians = forced to spread
(Judea, Samaria, etc. )
V. fulfillment of Acts 1:8
- forerunner of Paul
- man full of faith & power

Lessons (V. 8-15)
1. Faithfulness is the one thing that God requires and one thing He honors in his servants. (v. 8)
- Stephen was a faithful deacon, preacher, and martyr which made him prominent.
+ 2 Rewards (1 Tim. 3:13)
a. earn high standing
---- high from everyone else; put in a pedestal; recognized frm being a humble servant
b. gain great confidence
---- boldness of speech
e.g. Stephen is a man full of faith and power.
* A man who powerfully preaches believes in His own preaching with conviction.
2. Every word spoken for God and every work done for God accomplishes something for God's purpose. (v. 9-12)
+ 2 things that determine success in a work done
a. purpose of God
b. power of God
3. Gospel of Christ is offensive to men.
4. God is faithful to His faithful servants. (v. Hebrews 13:5-6)

* Rev. 2:10
-----------------------
1.6,13.13
Closer Profile of Stephen

Stephen is a man full of/filled with..
- totally dominated
- controlled by emotions that they express
- full of: to trust
- filled with: to obey

1. Faith v. 5
WHAT: Acts 7
a. God sovereignly ruled history.
v. 1-51
X Can't trust God completely in their emotions
b. Jesus was the Messiah v. 52
c. Jesus was Risen and exalted at the Right Hand of the Father. v. 55
d. Jesus cared for Him. v. 59
e. He believed in the Holy Spirit. v. 51

2. Holy Spirit v. 7:55
- "LERUO?": being kept filled
a. continuous
- day by day; moment by moment submission
- work done by the HS
- can't rely in the past feelings and future expectations, but by present feeling
- not doing things in ur own
- not submitting in doses but in fullness
- not an option but a mandate
- moved along in our life by God Himself
b. passive
- permeated our lives by the HS
c. having total control/dominated by the HS
- not to get drunk with wine: no control of ur senses
- Detaches us from the very systems of this world
* Only True Believers are indwelt by the HS. v. Rom. 8:9
- confession, surrender, die to self, filled w/ the Spirit
- He increases while we decrease.
v. Col. 3:16
- filled w/ God's Word, permeate in our life, and dominate us
* Living in the consciousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
* Walking thought by thought, decision by decision, act by act to God.
v. II Cor. 3:18, Gal. 5:16-17

3. Grace
* All grace comes from faith.
a. salvation v. Eph. 2:8
b. suffering v. I Peter 5:10
c. lovingkindness
- why he was probably chosen as a deacon
- forgiving: knows God is in control
- not trying to protect yourself
* Live on earth with view of Heaven as our final destination. v. Phil. 3:20

4. Courage
* Claims Against Him by False Witnesses/Blaspheming God:
a. Jesus will destroy the Holy Place.
- Temple: Ressurection of Christ
b. Jesus would alter the customs.
- Change of Covenant
* Stephen didn't change his stand. He was firm and defended God. v. Acts 7
* They conftonted their enemies.
* Spiritual warfare is a battle that needs courage for confrontation.

* Holy Expression v. 15
- similar appearance of Moses: approval of the New Covenant
- rebuked the Council
- radiated the glory of God
- fulfillment of the Old covenant in the New

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Acts 5

10.14.12 --- 11.4.12
Acts 5:17-28

Spirit-Filled Church:
1. purity
2. power
3. presence of persecution
v.Mt. 5:10-12
* Following God comes with a price.
- willing to forsake everything even family v. Mt. 10
4. obedience to God and His Word
5. joy even in the face of suffering
----------------------------------
10.14.12

Narrative:
1. Saducees upset
2. Improsoned the Apostles
3. Saved by Angels
4. Found by Saducees
5. Apostles went back to the temple and preached
6. Cautious Saducees for they feared the people

Why Saducees Were Upset:
1. miracles made under Christ's name
2. doctrine of resurrection were against their preachings
- guilty of killing the Messiah who Israel
3.jealous of the apostles
- fishermen, simple, uneducated, but had success
v. 5:18

Saved by Angels v. 19
* Angels serve Christians.
-even in temporal danger
a. Elisha
b. Lot & family
c. Daniel in the Lion's Den
d. Apostles told by Angels of what to do

Apostles went right away to the temple and not in their homes to share the Gospel.
- Christ came to Earth to give eternal life to the dead in spirit.
v. I John 5:20-25

Sufferings of Early Christians
- rising action of their sufferings
1. threats
2. beatings
3. death

* Righteous Anger
- see things in light of the Scripture
e.g. Christ

God does not forget our afflictions.
- God knows how to repay.
3 Rewards of God:
1. present
2. millenial
3. eternal

3 Compensation of God:
1. Here and Now in this life
a. Joseph
b. Daniel
*Not everyone is rewarded in this life.
- but have strength, comfort, & joy in the indwelling presence of God
2. Millenial Period
- dwelling of Christ in the new Earth
v. Rev. 20:4
* Millenial Kingdom
- fulfillment of Christ's promise to the Jews/believers v. Psalm 2
a. Rupture of Church
b. Terrible 7-year period of the Tribulation
c. Millenial Reign
- taking back everything that was lost before
- answer to Christ's prayer for the Earth
3. Reward of Eternal Kingdom
- Blessings of every blessings

* When persecuted, we are not to retreat and hide.We are salt and light.
Salt - rubbed in their open wounds
Light - flashes in the eyes
-- produce conflict which cause persecution
1. Command
- Be glad in the face of persecution.
"Agaliao"
2. Motivation
a. reward in heaven is great
* Life is like a vapor; it vanishes away. It is short. Heaven is eternal.
- do that will reap dividends eternally; great treasures in heaven
b. assurance of salvation; same past experience with the prophets
-------------------------------------
10.28.12

1. Saducees claimed that disciples were disobeying the council's order.
2. Still, obey God rather than men.
3. Disciples said that Saducees were guilty of killing Christ.

Saducees were guilty of putting Christ to death/killing...
* They knew it. Pilate's time: Put the blame on us.
- the most innocent man
- in the most shameful way (Crucifixion)
- the Prince and Savior
* Obeying God rather than men is work of the Holy Spirit.

Obedience...
1. an integral part of one's salvation
* Salvation is itself an act of obedience.
* Christian accepted Christ as...
- Savior
- Lord of your life

Obedience at heart
- slaves of righteousness
- love of Christ constrains him
- obey even if we don't like it
- motivation: duty and love of God

Disobedient...
v. James 1:23,24
- looks at a mirror and forgets it right away.

Disobedient vs. Obedient...
1. attitude of belief
2. attitude of sin
3. attitude toward the Lord Jesus Christ
4. attitude toward the Word of God
A. Disobedience of Unbelief
1. believes that he can save himself
2. continue in their sins
3. blind of Christ
4. does not fully believe in the Word of God
- lip service
- don't fully believe it
- WG is not sufficient. supplement it.
B. Obedience of Faith
1. obedience turning away from self
- theology is divine revelation
2. show repentance. Godly sorrow
3. accepted the Lord for everything he claims to be
4. obeyed God's commands from the heart.
- treats the very Word of God as God's voice
-------------------------------------
11.4.12
Acts 5:33-42

1. disciples wanted to be killed
2. Gamaliel spoke up (pragmatic)
3. Gamaliel was obeyed
(obey men rather than God)
4. Disciples were freed
5. Joy in the face of Suffering

Why apostles preaching were scorned
1. rejected their pet teachings
2. preaching after they were warned to stop
3. popularity

Wicked
- Bible's view for those who deny God's Word
- Will be judged in the future after Christians (salt) taken from the Earth

+ Gamaliel
- most popular and respected Rabbi of his time
- "Rabban" --->super teacher
- Pharisee and had Paul as his disciple
- pragmatist: "If it is of God, they will not be overthrown."
- Example: Revolt of Theudas and Judas of Galilee
* People listen to men rather than God. It should be the other way around.

5. Joy in the face of suffering v. 41
* No Gospel without joy.
Philippians

V. Philippians 1:12-14
1. Paul
- aimed to go to Rome and preach in a large congregation and to Nero
- imprisoned; was shipwrecked; virtually forgotten
- still wrote the most joyous letter in the NT
2. Trials and Sufferings
a. corrective
- to bring us back to him
b. instructive
- awaken us of other's feelings
- instruct us
- "Prodigal Son"
- testing by fire
c. proof of faith
v. I Peter 1:6,7
3. Preatorian Guards
- elite guards
- front line of the army
- preached to by Paul by when he was virtually forgotten, message was spread, and people were encouraged

* Ill-temper spreads. Also, contagious joy, which spreads the Gospel.
* Nothing should stop us from sharin the Gospel.

NPV: Jude 24,25

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Acts 4: Church in Jerusalem

9.16.12
Acts 4

Prominent Characteristics of the Church in Jerusalem
1. sense of unity (v. 32)
- not organizational, but spiritual
- not trans-denomination
v. 2 Jn. 1:7-11: (Draw a strong line against false teachings.)
2. generosity and love for one another
(v. 34-37)
- loving generosity vs. prosperity theology
- selling possesions for their brethren
3. emphasis on Christ's resurrection
(v. 33)
- cultural relevance (Paul) x
- same Gospel should still be preached even today. God's Word is never outdated

Resurrection
a. tangible proof that their is another life (v. Jn. 14:1-3)
- sure of our future existence: heaven or hell
b. seal to all His claims (v. Jn. 2:19)
- temple to rise up after 3 days
- innocent from sin
- deity claims
- Son of God (Rom. 1:4)
* Declaration as the Christ of God because he lives forever.
c. acceptance of Christ as the substitute for sinners
- paid sinner's penalty fully and freed from the law
- Nobody can charge Christ's elect
v. Rom. 8: 33-34
d. guarantee of the elect's resurrection
v. Eph. 2:4-6; John 14:19
e. picture of the new life of Christians
v. Acts 2:1-2; Eph. 2:10
- still experience pain and decay, but have renewed life
* Happy Children of Resurrection

Next PV: I Peter 2:12

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4.21.13 (Walk Carefully & Wisely)

Prayer Preciding
Text: II Peter 1:5-8
Virtues
1. moral excellence
2. knowledge
3. self-control
4. perseverance
5. godliness
6. brotherly kindness
7. love

Preaching = Bro. Deni Koswardi
Walking Carefully/Wisely
Text: Ephesians 5:15-18

Walk with those who are wise. Dead in tresspasses. Alive to God. Be on the alert. Choose steps carefully. Warned that the days are evil.

3 Essentials to Walk Carefully and Wisely.
1. Use your time wisely. v. 16
* Consider carefully how you will spend your life. Walk Carefully. Walk Wisely. Spirit of love, power, and discipline. Submissive and Skillfully (wisdom). Fear of the Lord beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10). Say NO to other works to be able to sat YES to heavenly things.
* Warning: Being unwise (knowing His Word but not applying it).
* TIP: Reading Bible 5 mn/day again and again. Never neglect fellowship with believers.
* VS: Non-believer- bondage in sin & futile works; Believer - redeeming the time, buying back time.
2. Understand d Will of d Lord v. 17
- Will of God = Navigation Chart
- X e.g. Tending to personalize sceneries in pictures
- God's Will: God's overall plan for salvation. Live life in line with it.
* Submit to Lordship of Christ. Be part of His Church universally and locally. Committed. Live in harmoniously with other believers (united).
3. Controlled by the Holy Spirit. v.18
- not induced by drunkeness,
but filled with the Holy Spirit.
* Be being kept filled. not dwelt in/baptized, but controlled. moment by moment. constant. continuously filled. passive. permeates and flavor your life
* HOW: surrender everything to His will. Death of you/Emptying of yourself so He will fill you up.
* EFFECTS: Singing. Thanking God Everyday. Submitting. Obedient Children. Unprovoking Parents. (v. 19 onwards) affects all relationship to God, family, believers, & non-believers
v. Col 3:16= parallel verse. Therefore, Filled with Holy Spirit= Word of God richly dwell in you/ dominate you= Presence of Christ in your life

* Evaluate the pattern of your life.

NPV: Hebrews 2:17

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2.24.13 (Hebrews 3: Warning & Encouragement)

2.24.13
Bro. Jairus
Hebrews 3

Hebrews 3:1-6 = faithfulness of Jesus
Numbers 14:1-11 = Israelites drifters from the faith

Be Warned...
1. Evil
-"poneros": evil in active opposition of what is good
- not contented being e. alone
- evil heart
2. Unbelief
- to refuse to put one's trust in something or someone
- choose to trust in own ability rather than on God
3. Hardened Heart
- drifted away/ fall away
- stony; hard and resistant; not malleable anymore

Rom. 7:21
Key Truths about Sin
1. Sin leading us is law.
- one that directs us in the way we act; inclination; indwelling
- sign of a believer: struggle with sin and repent when caught in
2. Sin is always in us.
3. Sin is there When we are at our rest
4. This law never rest.
- Always ready to attack us.
* Life of vigilance and holiness
5. Sin makes us spiritual blind.
- blind in our own blindness

Encourage Daily v. H. 3:13
- giving courage, support, and confidence
1. to consider Jesus v. 1
- works, life, death, faithfulness
2. to be faithful as Christ is faithful
v. 2
3. to remind brethren
4. to turn away from sin and to live a life of holiness
v. Ps. 141:5
- Biblical Confrontation
5. to make ourselves accountable so that they may see what we can't see
- sin blinds us
- tells us we are okay when we are not okay
6.to remind them of their calling as believers

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2.10.13 (Purpose of Affliction & Comfort)

2.10.13
Bro. Deny Koswardi
II Corinthians 1:1-11

2 Highlights in the Text
1. Affliction
- "flipsis": pressure
2. Comfort
- does not mean ease
- "para-kaleo": by the sight of/to call;
to call along sight
- "com-fort": with strength, courage, or bravery

* God provides comfort to believers.
* Righteous suffering will be comforted and rewarded. Suffering for sin will be chastised.
v. I Peter 4:12-14
* Suffering for Christ is abudant, so is the comfort of God.

Purpose of Affliction and Comfort
We are afflicted and comforted, so that we...
1. Become comforters of the afflicted.
v. 4
2. Grow in maturity and strengthen others in their walk. v. 6
- Without affliction, we are proud, unconcerned, and unfinished.
3. Do not trust in ourselves, but in God alone. v. 9
- trusting God wholeheartedly
v. Ps. 119:71: afflicted to learn from His statutes
4. Become a prayerful church. v. 11

* We get the benefits, and God receives all the glory.

NPV: Acts 2:46

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12.30.12 (John 10: Christ's Complete Characters)

12.30.12
John 10

3 Complete Characters of God in John 10
1. Complete Shepherd
- oriental shepherd
a. the owner of the flock he tends
v. II Samuel 12:1-4
b. caretaker
v. Is. 62:1
- on-duty day & night (24/7)
- the vinedresser
c. the provider
- sheep relies completely on them
d. defender of the flock
v. Ps. 121:3-12
e. the leader
- guides the sheep & knows the way
---> The Good Shepherd:
- cares for the sheep with all its heart
- the real, best and model Shepherd
- rejoices in its role: invites us to be His sheep who is completely dependent on Him
2. Complete Knowledge
v. 14,18
a. mutual relationship
- intimacy between the Father & Son
b. knows our number
- persons that belong in His sheepfold
v. I Cor. 10:13 - He knows what you are capable.
c. knows their trials, sins, sinful tendencies
* Believers know The Shepherd.
- able to discern good from bad
3. Complete Sacrifice
v. 15: repeated 4x in the chapter
- Jesus' Death
a. voluntary v. 18
- great turning point of history
b. vicarious
- not for himself but for us
c. specific
- died for specific number of people which are His sheep
---> Cause of Death: love for His people

NPV: Ps. 62:8

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12.23.12 (Megas Christ)

12.23.12
Luke 1:26

* 2 Extremes about Mary
1. give too much esteem above frm God
2. ignore her and give the esteem she deserves
- Jesus born of fornication. X
v. Jn.8:41

* Nothing will be impossible with God.
- Sarah, Job, Jeremiah, Jesus

* Mary is a willing & committed servant
- body, soul, & spirit

* Jesus as a Gem.
1. Great - "megas" v. 32
- Moses, Esther (Mordecai), Micah 5:4
- Son of the Most High, given the throne of His father David, reign over the house of Jacob forever
-definitely greater than John the Baptist; but was not that great when he was born
v. I Tim. 3:16, Mt. 11:27
- can't fully explain the greatness of God

*Christ's Greatness ("megas")
a. perfection of his nature
v. Is. 9:6
- God-man
b. greatness of Christ's offices
- only God can fulfill it alone
c. splendor of his achievements
v. Rev. 19:11
- defeated death and bringing life
v. I Cor. 14: 54-55
d. merits he disposed for his people
e. way he meets our needs
- Jesus has great supplies.
f. preparing a place for His people
v. Jn. 14:2

* Christmas is great because Christ himself came to man.
- to redeem us and take to Heaven.

* Christ's greatness will soon appear.
- Now is nightime; parable of the virgins.
v. Phil.2:9-11
- Christ will gather all his elect.

* Let us make God great this Christmas.
- trust him
- long for him
- hunger for him

NPV: Ps. 142:1

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12.19.12 (Sorrow & Distress/Parable of the Sower)

12.19.12
---------------
God is always there.
* He will never leave us. (Deut. 31:8)
- The LORD is before you and is with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged.

Sorrow and Distress brings us to God.
v. II Corinthians 7:10
- God uses our sorrow to bring us closer to Him and to repent to him which also leads us to salvation. Worldly sorrow with no repentance of our sins causes spiritual death.
v. Deut. 4:29-31
- Distress will bring you back to God. Search him with all your heart and He will deliver you. He is a compassionate God.
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Parable of the Sower
(Matthew 13:18-23)
1. Road
- hears the Word, but don't understand it
2. Rocky
- hears the Word, enjoys it; but when affliction comes it becomes unfruitful
3. Thorns
- hears the word,worlds worry, and deceitfulness of wealth; becomes unfruitful
4. Good Soil
- hears the Word, understand, enjoy, bear fruit, and plants others

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12.16.12 (Gal. 4:3-6)

12.16.12
Galatians 4:3-6

2 Types of Heirs
1. Heir de Jeur
- Masters assigned
- still like slaves
- by legal right
2. Heir de Facto
- responsible citizen
- given all the powers
* Salvation by faith vs. by works
- Old Testament people

2 Things to be Joyful for Christ's Coming
1. joyful mission of the Son of God
- timetable of Redemption fully accomplished
* Lesson that God teaches in OT:
- Man can't save Himself.
a. accomplished at the right time
- Jesus was sent when the fullness of time has come.
- wisely timed: maturity of age
b. divine authorization by God
v. Jn. 5:19
c. involved God's Son Himself
- 2nd person in the Godhead
(Jesus Christ)
* Trinity: Scripture affirms it.
d. Son clothing Himself with humanity.
- born of a woman (Holy Nature)
- full God and full man: representative of God
e. Christ placed Himself under the Law.
v. Rom. 8:3-4
2. joyful result that came from God's incarnation.
- sending of the Holy Spirit
- personal intimate relationship with the Father

* Believers are not under Law, but under grace.

NPV: Mt. 5:48

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10.21.12 (Parable of 10 Virgins)

10.21.12
Matthew 25:1-8
Parable of the 10 Virgins

1. A Wedding
- most feastive celebration before
2. 10 Virgins
- 5 wise and 5 fools
- preparedness for oil
3. Groom Arrives
- only the ready with oil will enter
4. Door was Shut
- no more second chances
- fools appeal
- "I don't know you."

Jewish Wedding:
1. Engagement
2. Preparatory
- legally married but not living together
3. Wedding Ceremony

Groom: Christ
Bridemaids: Professing Christians
- 5 wise
- 5 foolish
Oil: Salvation
- Check of Preparedness

Horrifying Happening:
"And the door was shut."
- like in Noah's time
- no more chance

* Prepare while there is time.

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10.11.12 (Marriage Duties)

10.11.12
Oscar Villa
Ephesians 5:22-33

+ Marriage
- for the glory of God in Christ
- purpose: display Christ's relationship to His people
- covenant relationship: permanent pledge
- grace of God which gives us hope in our marriages

* Be filled with the Spirit. v. 18
1. Wives: submit to ur husbands.
- based in ur reverence for Christ
- marriage is a new ministry.
- displays church's submission to Christ
2. Husbands: love ur wives
- persevering/continuing love
- marriage: God's grace upon our lives
- model: Christ's love of the Church
-- love of Christ makes the Church lovely
-- speak and act ur love: unique love
a. desire to lead wife into Christ-like
- nourished, fed, cherished
- speaks to his wife

1. Calling attention to the greatness of the mystery
- Marriage points us to something to greater: You have Christ's love for HIs church.
- Why are you married?: display Christ's love more visible in the world

Grace of God enables us to ...
- leadership.submission.love.respect
a. difficulty
- used to doing what was wrong

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