Text: Philippians 1:21-24 To Live is Christ Similar point in Galatians 2:20 We must be crucified with Christ (Romans 6:3-6) Fruitful labor (Philippians 1:22) Help others (Philippians 1:24) Live worthy of the gospel (Philippians 1:27) To Die is Gain Nothing wrong with enjoying the blessings of this life (Ecclesiastes 11:8) — but keep things in [...]

Text: Acts 22:3 What Is Zeal? “Eagerness & ardent interest in pursuit of something” (Merriam Webster) If we are zealous for something — we will make it a priority, it will affect our actions, we will speak about it, we will hold fast our convictions Zeal Alone is Not Enough Zeal for God was one [...]

Most of the time we use these terms negatively. Yet in a sense, these terms can also be used to describe the good that God expects of us. Radical The Bible cautions us against radical ideas (Deuteronomy 5:32; Proverbs 24:21) — But… We are to be far different than the norms of the world (Romans [...]

Text: Matthew 5:14 Highly Visible We should not expect to blend in with the world (Romans 12:1-2) There would be a sharp contrast between Christians and the world (John 15:18-19; 1 Peter 4:3-4) Target of Attacks Expect persecution (1 Peter 4:12) Do not surrender (Revelation 2:10) Fight back (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) Position of Strength God [...]

Text: Hebrews 6:1 Our Life in Christ New birth (John 3:3,5; 1 Peter 1:23) Babes in Christ (1 Peter 2:1-2) Full grown (Hebrews 5:13-14) We are not to remain stagnant (Hebrews 5:11-12) God Expects Us to Grow Individually (John 15:2; 2 Peter 3:18; 1:5-8) Collectively (Ephesians 4:15-16; Acts 9:31) What If We Fail to Grow? [...]

Luke 14:26-33 What will it cost us to follow Christ? Our Pride (Luke 9:23; James 1:21) Our Comfort (2 Timothy 3:12; 2 Corinthians 7:5) Our Time (Hebrews 10:24-25; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:17) Our Possessions (Hebrews 12:1; Luke 14:18) Our Careers (Luke 14:19; 2 Corinthians 6:14) Our Relationships (Luke 14:20,26) But… There is a [...]

Text: Galatians 2:20 Crucified with Christ — We must die with Christ (Romans 6:3-5, 10-11) It Is No Longer I Who Live — We must sacrifice our life for Him (Romans 12:1) Christ Lives in Me — He dwells in our hearts by faith (Ephesians 3:17) Live by Faith in the Son of God — [...]

Where Have We Been? Born innocent, without sin (Ecclesiastes 7:29) All who have reached an accountable age have sinned (Romans 3:23) Sin separated us from God (Isaiah 59:2; Ephesians 2:1-3) Without direction (Jeremiah 10:23) Where Are We Now? Those who have not had their sins forgiven are still in the condition described above Christians have [...]

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 Four Facts of First Importance Christ died – laid down His life for our sins (John 10:18; Colossians 1:22) He was buried – shows that His death was not a hoax (Matthew 27:57-60) He was raised – first fruits of those who are asleep, gives us hope (1 Corinthians 15:20; 1 [...]

Text: Psalm 1 The Righteous Man is Blessed (v. 1-3) He does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly – following their thinking/advice He does not stand in the path of sinners – putting himself in a position to encounter them He does not sit in the seat of scoffers – among those who [...]