We are commanded to grow in the grace and knowledge of God (2 Peter 3:18).
While we may appreciate the command and attempt to grow, sometimes we as a congregation do not take the steps necessary for that growth.
Sometimes churches grow by people moving into the community, and by children growing up and becoming members. But in reality, there is very little evangelism taking place these days. The early church grew rapidly because they had a purpose and a goal.
It would help everyone to sit down and list what their goals are. Individually, we can set goals for ourselves to help our growth and development in serving God. As a congregation, we need to sit down and discuss our goals, and each member work to achieve those goals.
In Joshua chapter One, we have the captain of the Lord's army telling Joshua how to have success. It comes from obeying the Lord in all things He commanded.
The D's of Discipleship are:
Desire Spiritual Things
Discipline of Self
Dedication To The Lord
Devotion To God Our Creator
Determination To Do Right
Discernment Between Good and Evil
Diligence In Living The Christian Life
Doing The Will Of God
Take these words and apply them to athletic endeavors. Notice that if you are watching the Olympics, these words are used to describe those who are profiled and the champions.
These same words would apply in the business world describing good employees and their characteristics, as opposed to those who do not try very hard to help the company.
Read Ephesians 4:15-16 and notice that we all are commanded to assist the growth of the body of Christ. Each of us contributes to this growth. Imagine if we decided to work together, just how much more could be accomplished.
By Carey Scott
Friday, November 19, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Perfect Love - 3/14/10pm
I John 4:7-19 -Perfect love drives out fear
God’s Love for Man
Freewill Ezekiel 18:19-29
Christ’s Sacrifice Romans 5:6-11
God’s Forgiveness I John 1:5-10
God’s Patience II Peter 3:1-9
Man’s Love for God
Keep Commands I John 4:20-5:5
Put His Will First Matthew 26:36-46
Man’s Love for Man
Don’t be a Stumbling Block I Corinthians 8:1-13
Submit to Others Ephesians 5:17-21
Luke 10:24-37 -The greatest commandment, good Samaritan
God’s Love for Man
Freewill Ezekiel 18:19-29
Christ’s Sacrifice Romans 5:6-11
God’s Forgiveness I John 1:5-10
God’s Patience II Peter 3:1-9
Man’s Love for God
Keep Commands I John 4:20-5:5
Put His Will First Matthew 26:36-46
Man’s Love for Man
Don’t be a Stumbling Block I Corinthians 8:1-13
Submit to Others Ephesians 5:17-21
Luke 10:24-37 -The greatest commandment, good Samaritan
Run the Race - 3/14/10am
Philippians 2:12-18 -Hold fast so Paul knows he hadn’t run in vain
Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, exhorting them to continue doing as they should so that Paul’s effort in teaching them would not have been futile.
Hebrews 12:1-2 -Run with endurance
I Corinthians 9:24-27 -Run in such a way as to receive the prize
We are exhorted to run with endurance, prepared to keep serving Christ, focused on Him. Likewise, we are exhorted to run the race, that is, live as a Christian, the best we possibly can.
Galatians 5:4-10 -You ran well, but became estranged from Christ
Galatians 1:11-2:5 -Paul talks to those of reputation, lest he run in vain
II Timothy 4:6-8 -I have finished the race
We can fail to properly run the race and find ourselves disqualified. We must make sure that we endure and continue to serve God, lest we become estranged from Christ.
Philippians 3:1-16 -Press towards the goal
I Thessalonians 4:1-8 -God called us not for uncleanness, but in holiness
Hebrews 11:6 -God rewards diligent seekers
Revelation 21:1-22:5 -The reward
We press on towards the goal, that we might receive the reward. Are you pressing on? Are you running the race with endurance and in such a way as to receive the prize of eternal life? How hard and how long are you willing to run?
Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, exhorting them to continue doing as they should so that Paul’s effort in teaching them would not have been futile.
Hebrews 12:1-2 -Run with endurance
I Corinthians 9:24-27 -Run in such a way as to receive the prize
We are exhorted to run with endurance, prepared to keep serving Christ, focused on Him. Likewise, we are exhorted to run the race, that is, live as a Christian, the best we possibly can.
Galatians 5:4-10 -You ran well, but became estranged from Christ
Galatians 1:11-2:5 -Paul talks to those of reputation, lest he run in vain
II Timothy 4:6-8 -I have finished the race
We can fail to properly run the race and find ourselves disqualified. We must make sure that we endure and continue to serve God, lest we become estranged from Christ.
Philippians 3:1-16 -Press towards the goal
I Thessalonians 4:1-8 -God called us not for uncleanness, but in holiness
Hebrews 11:6 -God rewards diligent seekers
Revelation 21:1-22:5 -The reward
We press on towards the goal, that we might receive the reward. Are you pressing on? Are you running the race with endurance and in such a way as to receive the prize of eternal life? How hard and how long are you willing to run?
Christ and Creation - 3/7/10pm
John 1:1-5, 14-18 - Christ is God, was at creation
Colossians 1:13-20 - All things were created through, by, and for Christ
Genesis 1:1-2:3 - Creation
Christ's Authority and power over Creation
Mark 3:1-6 - Jesus heals on the Sabbath
Mark 6:30-44 - Jesus feeds the 5,000
Mark 6:45-52 - Jesus walks on water
Marks 16:1-13 - Jesus rises from the dead
Colossians 1:13-20 - All things were created through, by, and for Christ
Genesis 1:1-2:3 - Creation
Christ's Authority and power over Creation
Mark 3:1-6 - Jesus heals on the Sabbath
Mark 6:30-44 - Jesus feeds the 5,000
Mark 6:45-52 - Jesus walks on water
Marks 16:1-13 - Jesus rises from the dead
John the Baptist - 3/7/10am
Prophecies of:
Isiah 40:3-5 - A voice in the wildnerness
Malachi 3:1 - The messenger to be sent before the Messenger
Malachi 4:5-6 - Elijah the prophet
Life of:
Luke 1:5-25 - John's father is told that he will be born
Luke 1:57-66 - John is born
Luke 3:1-22 - John teaches and baptizes
Matthew 14:1-12 - John is executed
Isiah 40:3-5 - A voice in the wildnerness
Malachi 3:1 - The messenger to be sent before the Messenger
Malachi 4:5-6 - Elijah the prophet
Life of:
Luke 1:5-25 - John's father is told that he will be born
Luke 1:57-66 - John is born
Luke 3:1-22 - John teaches and baptizes
Matthew 14:1-12 - John is executed
Monday, March 1, 2010
Daniel: A Ram, a Goat, and Two Kings - 2/28/10pm
Daniel 8:1 -In the third year of Belshazzar
Daniel 8:2-4 -Vision of a ram
Daniel 8:5-7 -A goat tramples the ram
Daniel 8:8-14 -A little horn (Antiochus Epiphanes)
Daniel 8:15-17 -Beginning of an explanation of the vision
Daniel 8:18-27 -Medo-Persia and Greece
History Recap: The Persian Empire fell to the Macedonian Empire of Alexander the Great. After the death of Alexander, his empire was divided up into several smaller kingdoms, each ruled by one of his generals. Two of these kingdoms, the Selucid (Syria) and Ptolemaic (Egypt) are of particular interest to us.
Daniel 10:10-14 -What will happen to Daniel’s people in the latter days
Daniel 10:15-21 -Daniel is troubled
Daniel 11:1-4 -In the first year of Darius, a vision of 4 more kings od Persia and one mighty king (Alexander) after that
Daniel 11:5-8 -The king of the south (Ptolemaic/Egyptian kingdom)
Daniel 11:9-13 -King of the south will not prevail against the king of the north (Selucid/Syrian)
Daniel 11:14-16 -Men from among your own, rulership by king of the north
Daniel 11:17-28 -Kings of the North
Daniel 11:29-39 -A king of the north and abomination of desolation: Antiochus Epiphanes
Daniel 11:40-45 -Fall of the king of the south, later defeat of the king of the north
History Recap: After the division of Alexander’s empire, the kings of the Selucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms warred against each other, with Judea trading hands several times. Eventually, Antiochus Epiphanes led the northern Selucid kingdom to victory. He also established a fortress inside Jerusalem, forbid the worship of Jehovah, instituted the worship of Zeus in the temple, and massacred Jews who rose up against him. “Epiphanes” was a name he took for himself, proclaiming himself to be the epiphany, or manifestation, of a god. All of this led to the Maccabean revolt and a short period of Jewish independence before Roman governorship.
Daniel 8:2-4 -Vision of a ram
Daniel 8:5-7 -A goat tramples the ram
Daniel 8:8-14 -A little horn (Antiochus Epiphanes)
Daniel 8:15-17 -Beginning of an explanation of the vision
Daniel 8:18-27 -Medo-Persia and Greece
History Recap: The Persian Empire fell to the Macedonian Empire of Alexander the Great. After the death of Alexander, his empire was divided up into several smaller kingdoms, each ruled by one of his generals. Two of these kingdoms, the Selucid (Syria) and Ptolemaic (Egypt) are of particular interest to us.
Daniel 10:10-14 -What will happen to Daniel’s people in the latter days
Daniel 10:15-21 -Daniel is troubled
Daniel 11:1-4 -In the first year of Darius, a vision of 4 more kings od Persia and one mighty king (Alexander) after that
Daniel 11:5-8 -The king of the south (Ptolemaic/Egyptian kingdom)
Daniel 11:9-13 -King of the south will not prevail against the king of the north (Selucid/Syrian)
Daniel 11:14-16 -Men from among your own, rulership by king of the north
Daniel 11:17-28 -Kings of the North
Daniel 11:29-39 -A king of the north and abomination of desolation: Antiochus Epiphanes
Daniel 11:40-45 -Fall of the king of the south, later defeat of the king of the north
History Recap: After the division of Alexander’s empire, the kings of the Selucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms warred against each other, with Judea trading hands several times. Eventually, Antiochus Epiphanes led the northern Selucid kingdom to victory. He also established a fortress inside Jerusalem, forbid the worship of Jehovah, instituted the worship of Zeus in the temple, and massacred Jews who rose up against him. “Epiphanes” was a name he took for himself, proclaiming himself to be the epiphany, or manifestation, of a god. All of this led to the Maccabean revolt and a short period of Jewish independence before Roman governorship.
Not Talented, but Able - 2/28/10am
I Corinthians 12:1-31 -Many members, one body
Ephesians 4:1-16 -The whole body, knit together
Matthew 25:14-30 -Parable of the talents
Often, we focus on finding ways to use our talents in the Lord’s service. Really, we should be going beyond this. As in the parable of the talents, we each have a responsibility to do as much as we are able, not just as much as we think we are really good at. There are a wide variety of things that need to be done, that nearly anyone is capable of, even without a lot of talent or skill.
I Peter 4:7-11 -With the ability God provides, as good stewards
I Corinthians 4:1-2 -Stewards of the mysteries of God
I Corinthians 9:16-18 -Entrusted with a stewardship
Titus 1:5-9 -Elders to be blameless, as a steward of God
Exodus 17:8-16 -Hur, holding up the arm of Moses
Are we each doing as much as we are able? Or do we make excuses about things because we lack “talent?” You don’t have to be the best teacher to reach a class or the best writer to send a card. You don’t have to have the best voice to lead singing or be the best speaker to preach. If you are able to do something…get to work!
Ephesians 4:1-16 -The whole body, knit together
Matthew 25:14-30 -Parable of the talents
Often, we focus on finding ways to use our talents in the Lord’s service. Really, we should be going beyond this. As in the parable of the talents, we each have a responsibility to do as much as we are able, not just as much as we think we are really good at. There are a wide variety of things that need to be done, that nearly anyone is capable of, even without a lot of talent or skill.
I Peter 4:7-11 -With the ability God provides, as good stewards
I Corinthians 4:1-2 -Stewards of the mysteries of God
I Corinthians 9:16-18 -Entrusted with a stewardship
Titus 1:5-9 -Elders to be blameless, as a steward of God
Exodus 17:8-16 -Hur, holding up the arm of Moses
Are we each doing as much as we are able? Or do we make excuses about things because we lack “talent?” You don’t have to be the best teacher to reach a class or the best writer to send a card. You don’t have to have the best voice to lead singing or be the best speaker to preach. If you are able to do something…get to work!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Daniel: Four Beasts - 2/21/10pm
In the second chapter of Daniel, we are presented with a situation where the king has a dream and wants to test his advisors by having them tell him the dream and its interpretation. Only Daniel is given this ability by God, and he does so. The dream is one we are probably familiar with, and has to do with the kingdoms which were to arise.
Daniel 2:1 -A dream in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign
Daniel 2:2-3 -Nebuchadnezzar summons the wise men
Daniel 2:4-13 -The wise men have no answer, the king grows angry
Daniel 2:14-23 -Daniel and his companions pray and are given the secret
Daniel 2:24-30 -Daniel comes to the king, giving the glory to God
Daniel 2:31-35 -Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
Daniel 2:36-45 -The explanation of the dream: the statue is four kingdoms
Head of Gold - Nebuchadnezzar/Babylonian Empire
Chest of silver - Medes and Persians/Persian Empire
Belly of Brass - Greek/Macedonian Empire
Legs of Iron, Mixed Feet - Roman Empire
Rock not cut with hands - Kingdom of God
In the 7th chapter of Daniel, Daniel is given a dream. This dream, like Nebuchadnezzar’s, had to do with four kingdoms and the Lord’s victory during the fourth kingdom.
Daniel 7:1 -Daniel’s dream in the first year of Belshazzar’s reign
Daniel 7:2-4 -The first beast, like a lion with eagle’s wings
Daniel 7:5 -The second beast, like a bear with ribs in its mouth
Daniel 7:6 -The third beast, like a 4-headed leopard with 4 wings
Daniel 7:7-8 -The fourth beast, different, with 10 horns and iron teeth. A little horn displaces 3 horns, speaking pompous words
Daniel 7:9-14 -The fourth beast is slain, the kingdom belongs to the Lord
Daniel 7:15-18 -The beasts are kingdoms, saints will receive the kingdom
Daniel 7:19-20 -What about the fourth beast and the little horn?
Daniel 7:21-28 -The fourth beast is a kingdom (Rome) which will rule the earth, one of the kings of which will persecute the saints for 3 ½ “times.” Then his kingdom will be removed and given to the saints.
In the book of Revelation, we see a beast that matches the fourth beast of Daniel 7 (Rome). The meaning of this passage is made more clear, having examined Daniel’s words.
Revelation 13:1-4 -The beast from the sea, possessing traits of the beasts from Daniel 7, particularly the fourth beast
Revelation 13:5-10 -The beast speaks blasphemies and persecutes the saints for 42 months (3 ½ years)
The Lord is victorious. The Lord’s prophecies have been fulfilled, save that we wait for Christ’s return. Are you prepared? Are you with the victorious Christ or against Him?
Daniel 2:1 -A dream in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign
Daniel 2:2-3 -Nebuchadnezzar summons the wise men
Daniel 2:4-13 -The wise men have no answer, the king grows angry
Daniel 2:14-23 -Daniel and his companions pray and are given the secret
Daniel 2:24-30 -Daniel comes to the king, giving the glory to God
Daniel 2:31-35 -Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
Daniel 2:36-45 -The explanation of the dream: the statue is four kingdoms
Head of Gold - Nebuchadnezzar/Babylonian Empire
Chest of silver - Medes and Persians/Persian Empire
Belly of Brass - Greek/Macedonian Empire
Legs of Iron, Mixed Feet - Roman Empire
Rock not cut with hands - Kingdom of God
In the 7th chapter of Daniel, Daniel is given a dream. This dream, like Nebuchadnezzar’s, had to do with four kingdoms and the Lord’s victory during the fourth kingdom.
Daniel 7:1 -Daniel’s dream in the first year of Belshazzar’s reign
Daniel 7:2-4 -The first beast, like a lion with eagle’s wings
Daniel 7:5 -The second beast, like a bear with ribs in its mouth
Daniel 7:6 -The third beast, like a 4-headed leopard with 4 wings
Daniel 7:7-8 -The fourth beast, different, with 10 horns and iron teeth. A little horn displaces 3 horns, speaking pompous words
Daniel 7:9-14 -The fourth beast is slain, the kingdom belongs to the Lord
Daniel 7:15-18 -The beasts are kingdoms, saints will receive the kingdom
Daniel 7:19-20 -What about the fourth beast and the little horn?
Daniel 7:21-28 -The fourth beast is a kingdom (Rome) which will rule the earth, one of the kings of which will persecute the saints for 3 ½ “times.” Then his kingdom will be removed and given to the saints.
In the book of Revelation, we see a beast that matches the fourth beast of Daniel 7 (Rome). The meaning of this passage is made more clear, having examined Daniel’s words.
Revelation 13:1-4 -The beast from the sea, possessing traits of the beasts from Daniel 7, particularly the fourth beast
Revelation 13:5-10 -The beast speaks blasphemies and persecutes the saints for 42 months (3 ½ years)
The Lord is victorious. The Lord’s prophecies have been fulfilled, save that we wait for Christ’s return. Are you prepared? Are you with the victorious Christ or against Him?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
