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?

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!

A Letter from Jerusalem - 1/3/10pm

Acts 15:1-2 -Debate over circumcision arises
Acts 15:3-6 -The apostles and elders in Jerusalem discuss the matter
Acts 15:7-11 -Peter speaks
Acts 15:12 -Barnabas and Paul speak
Acts 15:13-21 -James speaks
Acts 15:22 -Word is sent from Jerusalem
Acts 15:23-29 -The letter sent from Jerusalem
Acts 15:30-32 -The letter is received and confirmed

Abstain from meat offered to idols
I Corinthians 8:1-13 -Eating of meat sacrificed to idols
I Corinthians 10:14-30 -Food offered to idols and idolatry

Abstain from blood, Abstain from strangled animals
Leviticus 17:10-14 -Life is in the blood
Hebrews 9:11-28 -The blood of bulls and goats, the blood of Christ

Abstain from fornication
Galatians 5:19-21 -The works of the flesh
I Corinthians 6:12-20 -The body is nor for sexual immorality, but for the Lord

Paul's Last Letter - 12/20/09am

II Timothy 1:1-2 -A fatherly greeting, his care for Timothy
II Timothy 1:3-7 -Timothy’s faith, and who taught him
II Timothy 1:8-12 -Do not be ashamed of the gospel
II Timothy 1:13-18 -Hold fast the pattern of sound words and an example

II Timothy 2:1-7 -Stay focused
II Timothy 2:8-13 -A faithful saying of consequence
II Timothy 2:14-15 -Be diligent and remind them
II Timothy 2:16-19 -Shun babbling, and the firm foundation remains
II Timothy 2:20-23 -Flee and pursue
II Timothy 2:24-26 -A servant of the Lord

II Timothy 3:1-9 -Turn away from such
II Timothy 3:10-15 -Continue in the doctrine and work
II Timothy 3:16-17 -All scripture is from God

II Timothy 4:1-5 -Preach the word
II Timothy 4:6-8 -Paul’s work and reward
II Timothy 4:9-13 -Paul’s companions
II Timothy 4:14-18 -The Lord stood by Paul
II Timothy 4:19-22 -Hurry

The Whole Armor of God - 12/13/09am

II Timothy 2:1-4 -Directions to Timothy as a soldier of Christ
II Corinthians 10:3-6 -Our war is not a physical war

Ephesians 6:10-19 -The whole armor of God

Girded waist with Truth (v14)
John 14:6 -I am the way, the truth, and the life
Colossians 1:3-8 -The word of truth of the gospel
John 7:25-29 -The Father and the Son are true

Breastplate of Righteousness (v14)
I John 3:4-9 -He who practices righteousness is righteous
I Peter 3:16 -That they may be ashamed when they defame

Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel (v15)
I Peter 3:15 -Be prepared to give a defense
II Timothy 4:1-5 -Preach in season and out

Shield of Faith (v16)
II Samuel 22:29-31 -He is a shield to all who trust in Him
II Timothy 1:12 -I know whom I have believed
II Corinthians 4:7-15 -Though hard pressed, not crushed; I believe, so I speak

Helmet of Salvation (v17)
Galatians 3:26-29 -Put on Christ in baptism

Sword of the Spirit (v17)
Hebrews 4:12 -Word of God is sharper than a two edged sword
Revelation 2:12-16 -He would come and fight with the sword of His mouth
Revelation 19:11-16 -Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword

Watchful Prayer (v18)
I Peter 5:8-9 -Be sober and vigilant
I Peter 4:7 -Be serious and watchful in your prayers
I Corinthians 16:13 -Watch, stand fast, be brave, be strong

Faith is the Victory 0 12/6/09am

I John 5:1-5 -This is the victory that has overcome the world

The Example of Noah
In Noah we see an example of one who lived by faith, and so was victorious and overcame the world. Because of his faith and his obedient adherence to that faith, he and his family alone were saved from destruction.
II Peter 2:4-5 -Noah, a preacher of righteousness
I Peter 3:18-20 -Christ preached through Noah
Genesis 6:1-8 -The wicked world to be destroyed, but Noah found favor with God
Genesis 6:9-22 -Noah receives directions to build the ark and obeys
Genesis 7:1-16 -Noah, his family, and the animals get on the ark
Genesis 7:17-24 -All creatures were destroyed save those on the ark
Genesis 8:1-5 -The ark comes to rest on Ararat
Genesis 8:6-19 -The earth is dried, and Noah, his family, and the animals leave the ark
Hebrews 11:7 -Noah, by faith, did these things

The Reward for Overcoming
Revelation 21:1-8 -He who overcomes shall inherit all things

A Description of Christians - 11/29/09am

Romans 1:1-7 -Paul’s introduction to the Roman letter

Being Called
II Thessalonians 2:13-15 -To which He called you by the gospel
Acts 2:36-42 -As many as our Lord God will call
II Peter 1:2-4 -Given us all things through knowledge of Him who called us
Philippians 3:8-16 -Press on to the goal of the for the prize of the upward high calling

Separated to the Gospel / Saints
II Corinthians 6:14-18 -Come out and be separate
Hebrews 10:1-18 -Sanctified by Christ

Jesus Christ our Lord
Matthew 22:41-46 -The Lord said to my Lord

Receive Grace for Obedience to the Faith
James 2:14-26 -Faith without works

Beloved of God
I John 4:7-11 -God loved us and sent His Son
I John 2:3-6 -God’s love is perfected in word keepers
Jude 20-21 -Keep yourself in God’s love
Romans 8:38-39 -No external force can separate us from God’s love

Grace and Peace
Philippians 4:4-7 -The peace of God
Colossians 3:12-17 -Let the peace of God rule in your hearts

A Cheerful Giver - 11/22/09pm

Mark 12:41-44 -The widow’s mite

In the Old Testament
Exodus 35:4-9 -Israelites to give from a willing heart
Exodus 36:2-7 -The Israelites had brought too much
Deuteronomy 15:7-11 -Generosity to the poor

The Collection
Acts 4:32-37 -Laying money at the apostles’ feet
I Corinthians 16:1-4 -1st day of the week, as you have prospered
II Corinthians 8:1-7 -The generosity of the Macedonian churches
II Corinthians 9:1-15 -For ministering to the saints, a cheerful giver

General Generosity
Matthew 6:1-4 -Don’t give to be seen by others
Acts 10:1-4 -Cornelius’ alms and prayers
Romans 12:6-8 -He who gives, with liberality
Galatians 6:7-10 -Do good to all, especially to Christians
I Timothy 6:17-19 -Ready to give, willing to share

Not Giving
I John 3:10-23 -Love one another, shutting up the heart against a brother in need is not love
Matthew 6:19-21 -Do not lay up treasure on earth
Colossians 3:5-7 -Greed/covetousness, which is idolatry
I Timothy 6:6-10 -The love of money

Denying Christ - 11/22/09am

Matthew 26:31-35 -Christ foretells Peter’s denial
John 18:15-27 -Peter denies Christ
Luke 22:54-62 -Peter denies Christ, then weeps

Peter’s Teaching on Denying Christ
Acts 3:11-26 -The Jews had denies the Holy One (Christ)
I Peter 3:13-17 -Sanctify Christ in your heart, be ready to give an answer
II Peter 2:1-17 -False teachers, denying the Lord

Denying Christ in Word
Matthew 10:32-33 -Whoever denies Christ, Christ will deny
Romans 10:8-13 -With the mouth, one confesses unto salvation

Denying Christ in Action
Titus 1:15-16 -Deny God through works
Jude 3-19 -Ungodly men who deny God and Christ
I Timothy 5:3-8 -Those who don’t provide for family deny the faith
I John 2:18-23 -Antichrists deny the Father and Son

The Weightier Matters - 11/15/09am

John 5:1-15 -Jesus heals a man at the pool of Bethesda
Matthew 23:23-24 -The weightier matters, without leaving the other undone

Justice
Colossians 4:1 -Masters, treat servants with justice and fairness
John 7:21-24 -Jesus healed on the Sabbath, and is judged unrighteously
James 2:1-13 -Do not show favoritism

Mercy
Matthew 5:7 -Blessed are the merciful, they shall receive mercy
Luke 6:27-36 -Love your enemies, show mercy
Luke 10:25-37 -The good Samaritan

Faith
Hebrews 11:6 -That God is, and the He rewards those who seek Him
Matthew 16:13-16 -Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God
I Corinthians 15:3-17 -If Jesus was not raised, our faith is in vain
II Corinthians 5:7 -We walk by faith
Hebrews 11:4-12, 17-31 -Men and women who acted by faith

You've Got to Crucify Somebody - 11/8/09pm

Matthew 27:15-50 -Christ’s crucifixion
We are all familiar with the crucifixion of our Lord, and of what it means to us. We are aware of the pain and agony and of the burden Christ bore that we might be forgiven of our sins and have the hope of eternal life. As we will see, there are two options available to us. Either we can crucify Christ, or we can crucify self.

Crucifying the Son of God
Acts 2:14-41 -Peter’s sermon on Pentecost
Acts 3:12-26 -Sermon to the Jews, convicting them of crucifying Christ
Hebrews 6:4-6 -They crucify for themselves the Son of God
If we choose to sin, we choose to crucify Christ, for we have made it necessary. When you sin, you crucify and shame the Son of God.

Crucifying Self
If we do not wish to crucify Christ, we must instead crucify self. We must put our own desires, self-will, and sin to death and shame, and live as a new man, alive to Christ.
Galatians 2:20 -Crucified with Christ
Galatians 5:19-25 -Crucified the flesh with its passions and desires
Romans 6:5-14 -The old man is crucified, dead to sin, alive to Christ

God's Promises - 10/25/19pm

God Does Not Promise Good Health
Some believe that God promises good health and long life to those who follow Him. While faithfully serving God does remove many things that cause life to be shortened, there is no promise that those who are faithful will enjoy good health all their life.
I Timothy 5:23 -Timothy’s frequent illnesses
I Corinthians 12:7-12 -Paul’s thorn in the flesh
Galatians 4:12-14 -Paul’s sickness when preaching to the Galatians
James 5:13-18 -Prayer for the sick

God Does Not Promise Wealth
Some believe that God promises great wealth to those who follow Him. Some even put a specific amount on it (7, 10, 100, etc. times what is contributed). God makes no such promise to Christians. Much to the contrary, what we are shown is poverty.
II Corinthians 8:1-5 -The great poverty of the Macedonians
Romans 15:26-27 -The poor among the saints of Jerusalem
Matthew 19:23-26 -A camel through the eye of a needle
Matthew 6:19-34 -Needs (not wants) will be met

God Does Promise Persecution
God does not promise an easy life if you choose to follow Him. Quite the contrary, He promises persecution. You can expect to suffer various forms of persecution as a Christian.
Revelation 2:8-11 -The poverty and persecution of the church in Smyrna
II Timothy 3:1-13 -All who want to live a godly life will be persecuted
II Corinthians 4:7-11 -Persecuted and being delivered over to death
II Thessalonians 1:1-5 -Their persecution was as sign of their worthiness

God Does Promise Eternal Life
God does promise eternal life to those who follow Him. This is surely a greater promise than any promise of temporary health, wealth that is easily consumed or lost, or status among the world.
James 1:12 -Endure, for the Lord has promised a crown
Titus 1:1-4 -God, who cannot lie, has promised eternal life
II Peter 1:1-11 -Great and precious promises if we add these qualities
Revelation 21:1-8 -The one who overcomes shall inherit

Working in the Vineyard - 10/18/09am

Matthew 20:1-16 -Parable of the workers in the vineyard

The Promise
Each worker was made a promise of a denarius for their labor. We have a promise for our labor. Our promise, however, is far greater than a day’s worth of pay. Our promise is of Christ’s return and of eternal life to follow.
I Timothy 4:1-11 -Godliness holds the promise of life
II Peter 3:1-13 -The promise of His coming
I John 2:25 -The Lord has promised eternal life
Luke 14:25-33 -Count the cost...is the promise worth the work?

The Work
In order to carry out their part of the arrangement, the hired men had to spend the rest of the day working. The same is very much true for us. We must spend our time working if we wish to receive what has been promised. The promise is conditional.
Matthew 9:35-38 -The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few
I Timothy 3:1-5 -Timothy, the fellow worker
Ephesians 4:11-16 -Prepared for works of service, each does his own work
Titus 2:1-15 -Instruction on good works

The Payment
It is not too late to begin working. It is not to late to start serving the Lord, carrying out His will. Whether you have never obeyed the gospel or whether you have obeyed but have not been a diligent worker, it is not too late to start...if you start now. You are not guaranteed a later. But if we are His workers, we will receive what He has promised.
Hebrews 11:6 -He rewards those who seek Him
James 1:12 -Receive the crown of life that God has promised
I Thessalonians 4:13-18 -Meet the Lord in the air and be with Him forever
Hebrews 10:19-25 -He who promised is faithful

Fervent in Spirit - 9/13/09am

John 2:13-17 -Jesus clears the temple

II Peter 3:10-13 -Fervent heat

Zeal is Commanded
Titus 2:11-15 -The Lord wants His people to be zealous for good works
Romans 12:9-21 -Among other things that Christ requires, we must be fervent in spirit
Jude 3 -Contend earnestly for the faith

Zeal is Contagious
II Corinthians 7:5-16 -Repentance produces zeal, their zeal causes Paul to rejoice
II Corinthians 9:1-2 -Their zeal stirred up others

Zeal in Love
I Peter 1:22-25 -Love fervently with a pure heart
I Peter 4:7-11 -Among other things, be fervent in love

Zeal in Prayer
James 5:13-18 -Fervent prayer
Luke 22:39-44 -Christ’s fervent prayer
Acts 12:1-10 -The church’s fervent prayer on Peter’s behalf

Zeal with Knowledge
Acts 18:24-28 -Zealous/fervent Apollos
Romans 10:1-4 -Zeal needs to be built on knowledge
Philippians 3:2-6 -Paul had been zealously wrong
Galatians 4:12-20 -We must be zealous for the right things

The Whole of Man - 8/9/09pm

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

The Feet
While before we have looked at “walking” in a figurative sense, now we consider how we can literally use our feet in the Lord’s service: to carry us to teach others and to speed us towards doing His work.
Ephesians 6:15 -Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel
Romans 10:14-15 -Beautiful feet

The Body
We must submit the body, and all of its desires, to God, using what we physically in such a way as to serve Him.
I Corinthians 6:12-20 -Glorify God in your body
Romans 12:1-2 -Present body as a living sacrifice

The Heart
We must focus our hearts on Christ. We cannot have our hearts set on other things, but must desire the will of God.
Matthew 22:34-40 -The greatest commandment
Psalm 131 -A humble heart

The Hands
Our hands must be innocent of wrong doing, and clean. We should also be working diligently in all things, as though unto the Lord. When we work diligently in our lives at secular work and such things, the Lord is pleased.
James 4:7-11 -Cleanse your hands
I Thessalonians 4:1-12 -Work with your own hands, consider context

The Tongue
How are we using the tongue in the Lord’s work? We must be careful to speak those things He wishes to be said, and to not speak those things we should not.
James 3:1-13 -Taming the tongue
Palm 119:169-176 -Speaking to God, and about His law

The Ears
We should be receptive and quick to heed the word of God. We must not let teaching simply slip in one ear and out the other, but rather be prepared to listen and apply.
Matthew 13:10-17 -Christ’s reason for speaking in parables
Psalm 78:1-3 -Incline your ears
I Timothy 4:1-14 -Itching ears

The Eyes
We must keep our focus on Christ, and on those things he would have us focus on. We must not allow ourselves to look instead towards sin.
Matthew 5:27-32 -Do not look after a woman to lust
Hebrews 12:1-2 -Looking unto Jesus
Psalm 123 -Lifting up eyes unto God

The Mind
We must follow and love the Lord with our mind. Our mind, as it controls the rest of the body, must be in line with what God wants. If we cannot bring our minds into subjection, then the rest of us will not be either.
I Peter 1:13-16 -Gird up the loins of your mind
Philippians 3:18-19 -Minds set on earthly things
Philippians 4:8-9 -Think on these things

Don't Be Stupid - 8/2/09pm

Proverbs 12:1 -The stupid man hates correction
Proverbs 30:1-3 -The stupid man has no wisdom or knowledge of God
Jeremiah 10:1-25 -Stupidity of idols and idolatry (vv. 8, 14)
Jeremiah 51:15-19 -Lacking knowledge and following idols is stupid
Ecclesiastes 10:1-3 -Actions make stupidity obvious
We see then that stupidity is found in rejecting that which God has made known, and in turning to other things. It is truly stupid to not heed that which is made clear by God, and it is truly stupid to put our trust in idols, false religions, and other things, instead of in the Lord.

In the Bible, we have examples of people who, knowing the truth, choose to reject it and turn to something else. In other words, we are shown examples of stupid people in the Bible.
Exodus 32:1-20 -Israel, knowing God, turns to an idol
Luke 22:1-6, 47-53 -Judas, knowing Christ, betrays him
Acts 26:19-32 -Agrippa, knowing the law and prophets, rejects Christ

Jude 3 -The faith has been delivered, once and for all
II Peter 1:2-3 -All things pertaining to life and godliness
The word of God has made the Lord clear to us. God has seen to it that we have all that we need in order to know Christ, to follow Him, and to not turn aside. If we choose to do anyway, we, like the Israelites, like Judas, like Agrippa, and like many others, choose to be stupid. Don’t be stupid.

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.

Good Works - 6/28/09am

Ephesians 2:8-10 -Walking in good works
James 2:14-17 -Faith without works is dead

What is a good work?
The works must be good, that is, of God
Luke 18:19 -Only One is good
III John 11 -Good doers are of God
It must accomplish God’s will, using His methods and ways
Matthew 7:21-23 -Lord, Lord, did we not…?
Romans 3:8-9 -“Let us do evil that good may result”
It must be done with the right motives
Matthew 5:8 -Blessed are the pure in heart
Psalm 7:9-17 -The Lord judges hearts

Christ did good works
John 10:25-32 -Many good works He did
I Peter 2:21-22 -Follow Christ’s example
I John 2:5-6 -Walk as He walked

Good works glorify God
Matthew 5:16 -That you glorify God
I Peter 2:11-12 -That others see them and glorify God

Everyone can do good works
Colossians 1:9-1 -Congregations
I Timothy 6:7-19 -The wealthy
Titus 2:1-3 -The elderly
Titus 2:4-8 -The young
I Peter 3:1-9 -Wives, husbands, and all others

Examples of good works
Exodus 17:8-16 -Hur, and the small thing he did
Ruth 2:11-12 -Ruth, a poor widow noticed for her good works
II Kings 18:1-6 -King Hezekiah, who followed the Lord
II Kings 20:2-3 -Hezekiah, who walked faithfully
Acts 9:36-41 -Dorcas, known for generosity and good works
Philemon 4-7 -Philemon, of great faith and love for the brethren
I Thessalonians 1:1-5 -The church in Thessalonica’s work of Faith, labor of love
II Thessalonians 1:3-4 -Thessalonica’s abounding love for one another

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 -God will judge all works

Romans 14: Matters of Liberty and Indifference - 6/21/09am

I Peter 2:15-16 -Not using liberty as a cloak for maliciousness
Galatians 5:13-14 -Do not use liberty as an occasion to the flesh

I Corinthians 8 -Eating meat sacrificed to idols
I Corinthians 10:23-24 -Not all things that are lawful are edifying, seeking the good of others first
I Corinthians 10:25-30 -Eating of meat sacrificed to idols
I Corinthians 10:31-33 -Be able to give glory to God in all things that you do

Part I
Romans 14:1 -Doubtful/disputable matters
Romans 14:2 -Matter at hand is eating of meat
We are not looking at matters about which the Lord has spoken (ie. Fornication is wrong, end of story). They are things that are left to the individual conscience.

Fellowship: sharing in common, contributing to an outcome. Partners. Partakers in something. It is the state of commonality.

Romans 14:3-4 -Judging another’s servant
The idea of judging another’s servant (in this case a servant of Christ’s) is not to say we cannot give warning or help, but rather that we cannot give instruction.

Romans 14:5-6 -Further disputable things, done unto the Lord
Things must be done unto the Lord. If something cannot give glory to God, it’s just plain wrong. If we can give glory to God either way, that it is permissible.

Romans 14:7-9 -Dead to self, live for Christ our Lord
Romans 14:10-12 -All face judgment: we’re all in it together
We need to maintain the proper attitude: we’re here to look out for each other and we need to be working together. If we’re trying to show our own superiority and bring others to our side on unimportant matters, we’re not truly working together.

Romans 14:13 -Therefore, don’t judge unrighteously, don’t be a stumbling block


Part II
Romans 14:14-15 -Self sacrifice: putting others and the cause of Christ first

Romans 14:16-18 -Serving and giving glory to God in all things

Romans 14:19-21 -Pursue peace and edification, not destroying God’s work
Offend: to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall.
-To entice to sin
-A spiritual hindrance

Romans 14:22-23 -Not acting against faith

Complacency - 6/14/09am

The Problem
Proverbs 1:32-33 -The complacency of fools
Luke 12:13-21 -The rich man and barns
Revelation 3:1-6 -Reputation for being alive, but are dead
Revelation 3:14-22 -Lukewarm Laodicea
Haggai 1:1-5 -Israel hadn’t been building the temple
Zephaniah 1:12-13 -Punishment for complacency

Matthew 25:14-30 -Parable of the talents

The Solution
I Corinthians 15:33-34 -Awake to righteousness
Romans 13:9-14 -Awake out of sleep
Philippians 3:1-16 -Press on toward the goal
Hebrews 12:1-2 -Lay aside every weight, looking towards Jesus

II Peter 1:5-9 -Add these things
I Peter 3:17-18 -Grow

Hebrews 11:24-27 -Moses’ faith and noncomplacency