Calling on the Name of the Lord - 7/26/09pm

Romans 10:1-21 -Whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord
Matthew 7:21-23 -Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord
Calling on the name of the Lord is linked to confessing Christ, and of course, salvation. However, we know from the passage in Matthew that it is not simply giving vocal acknowledgement of the Lord. Let us consider, again, some of the psalms which call upon the Lord.

Psalm 18:1-3 -David calls upon the Lord in praise
Psalm 31:9-18 -David calls upon the Lord
Psalm 105:1-7 -Giving thanks, praise, calling on the Lord
Psalm 141:1-10 -A prayer to be kept from sin
Psalm 148:17-21 -The Lord is near those who call upon Him
We see that calling on the Lord includes spoken confession, but goes far deeper. Calling on the Lord involves confessing Christ throughout all our lives, in word and in deed. Calling on the Lord involves turning to the Lord in all circumstances.

I Corinthians 1:1-3 -The church, those who call upon the Lord
II Timothy 2:14-26 -Those who call on the Lord with a pure heart
Those who truly call upon the Lord are the church, those who have been sanctified. If we wish to call upon the Lord, we must do more than simply do so vocally: we must live it.

God's Gift: Grace - 7/26/09am

II Peter 3:17-18 -Grow in grace and knowledge
As in previous weeks, we consider this passage. We have looked at growth and we have looked at knowledge. This week we consider God’s grace, by which we have salvation.
Ephesians 2:1-10 -Saved by grace, the gift of God
Titus 2:11-15 -The grace of God has appeared to all men

I Peter 1:3-16 -Salvation, grace to be given to you, obedience
I Timothy 1:8-12 -Saved and called to a holy life by His grace
Romans 6:1-23 -A life of sin is opposed to God’s gift of eternal life
After considering these verses, let us look at an example of how a gift from God works. Consider Jericho, which God gave to the Israelites.
Joshua 6:1-21 -Example of God giving a gift: Jericho

Philippians 3:1-21 -Paul’s faith, righteousness from God, and pursuit of the goal

Singing the Psalms - 7/12/09pm

Colossians 3:16-17 -Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs

Psalm 104:1-2 -Praise for God
Psalm 104:3-9 -God created all things
Psalm 104:10-23 -God’s continuing work
Psalm 104:24-30 -God’s concern for His creation
Psalm 104:31-33 -Praise for God
Psalm 104:34-35 -Victory of the Lord
Song # 513

Psalm 113:1-3 -Continual praise for God
Psalm 113:4-6 -The height and power of the Lord
Psalm 113:7-9 -The love of God for the lowly
Song # 601

Psalm 24:1-2 -All belongs to the Lord
Psalm 24:3-6 -Blessings for the righteous
Psalm 24:7-10 -The Lord of hosts
Song # 597

Psalm 118:1-4 -Give thanks for God’s mercy
Psalm 118:5-14 -Strength and refuge in the Lord
Psalm 118:15-18 -Salvation and chastening
Psalm 118:19-21 -Praise for God’s salvation
Psalm 118:22-24 -The rejected stone
Psalm 118:25-28 -Praise for God
Psalm 118:29 -God’s mercy
Song # 644

Church Growth - 7/12/09am

Individual Growth
Before we focus on the growth of the church as a collective, let us spend time considering the growth that each Christian must have.
II Peter 3:17-18 -Grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord
II Peter 1:5-11 -Add to your faith...
Luke 17:5-10 -Increase our faith
Luke 2:51-52 -Christ grew

Luke 22:31-34 -Strengthen the brethren
Hebrews 10:24-25 -Do not forsake assembling yourselves together
I Corinthians 14:20-25 -If someone comes into the assembly

Numerical Growth
It is important for the church to grow in number. Not so that we can have more impressive numbers or more money, but rather so that as many can be saved as possible.
Acts 2:46-47 -The church grows
Acts 4:1-4 -The church grows
Acts 11:22-24 -The church is strengthened and grows
Acts 12:24 -The word of God grows
Acts 19:20 -The word of the Lord grows
I Timothy 2:1-7 -The Lord desires all men to be saved

I Corinthians 9:19-23 -Become all things to all men to save some
I Corinthians 3:1-9 -Men teach, God gives the increase

Spiritual Growth
It is vitally important that everyone grows spiritually. As we grow as individuals, we can strengthen others. And as we all grow together, and as we grow in number, the church will grow spiritually as a collective.
Ephesians 4:11-16 -Different roles for the edification of the body
Acts 14:21-26 -The souls of the church are strengthened
Colossians 2:16-19 -The church grows with the increase from God

Revelation 3:1-6 -Sardis, the dead church

Christ in the Psalms - 7/5/09pm

The Lord said to my Lord
Psalm 110:1-4 -The Lord said to my Lord
Matthew 22:41-45 -Christ questions those around Him
Acts 2:29-36 -Peter gives the meaning of the passage
Hebrews 5:5-11 -A priest according to the order of Melchizadek

Prophecy of the crucifixion
Psalm 22:1-31 -Mocked,
-Pierced hands/feet
-People wagging their heads and staring
-Clothing divided and gambled for
-Thirst
-Forsaken cry
Psalm 34:20 -Bones not broken
Psalm 69:21 -Gall and vinegar offered to Him
Matthew 27:15-50 -The crucifixion

Zeal for Your house
Psalm 69:9 -Zeal for Your house
John 2:13-17 -Jesus clearing the temple

Sacrifice and offering is not desired
Psalm 40:6-8 -The Lord does not desire sacrifice and offering
Hebrews 10:1-10 -Application to Christ and the new covenant

The Rejected Stone
Psalm 118:22-24 -The stone that is rejected
I Peter 2:1-10 -Live a life based on that stone

The Importance of Knowledge - 7/5/09am

II Peter 3:17-18 -Grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord
Ephesians 2:8-10 -Grace is essential for salvation
Acts 17:10-12 -The noble Bereans, searching the scriptures

The Importance of Having Knowledge
II Peter 1:2-4 -All things that pertain to life and godliness
Acts 17:30-31 -God no longer winks at ignorance

Hosea 4:6 -My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 -Fear God and keep His commandments
Hebrews 11:6 -Rewards those who diligently seek Him
II Thessalonians 1:3-10 -Destruction for those who do not know Him

John 20:30-31 -Belief through the written word
John 14:15-24 -Love and obey Christ

The Importance of Right Knowledge
John 8:31-36 -The truth will set you free

Galatians 1:6-12 -Turning away to another gospel
II Peter 2:1-3 -False teaching
II Thessalonians 2:11-12 -Believing a lie
Ephesians 4:11-16 -Come to knowledge, so not tossed about

Romans 1:16 -The power of God unto salvation
II Timothy 3:16-17 -All scripture

The Importance of Applying Knowledge
Matthew 7:24-27 -Wise and foolish builders
James 1:23-27 -Be not only a hearer, but a doer as well