Text: Colossians 3:17 Why Should We Give Thanks? The Creation (Genesis 1:31) His care for us (Psalm 8:3-4) The scheme of redemption (Ephesians 3:11) The sacrifice of Christ (John 3:16) The church (Ephesians 1:22-23) The word of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-11,16) The hope of heaven (1 Peter 1:4) How Do We Give Thanks? Verbal expressing [...]

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 [...]

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: Isaiah 2:2-4 Mountain – government, authority (Daniel 2:44; John 18:36-37; Matthew 28:18) House – the church (1 Timothy 3:15), linked to the kingdom (Matthew 16:18-19) Nations – Gentiles, kingdom open to all (Acts 2:37-39; Ephesians 2:13-16) Come – individual responsibility to follow Christ (Joshua 24:15; 2 Corinthians 5:10) Teach – we must know God’s [...]

Text: Ephesians 5:23 The Husband is Head of the Wife (Ephesians 5:22-24) – The church is subject to Christ, receives instruction/guidance from Him The Wife is a Help Meet (Genesis 2:18) – The church must humbly and selflessly work to help advance the cause of Christ Domestic Responsibilities of the Wife (Titus 2:5) – The [...]

Text: John 2:13-22 What Is Zeal? – “Enthusiastic devotion to a cause, ideal or goal and tireless diligence in its furtherance” (American Heritage Dictionary) Misplaced Zeal Led the Jews to establish their own righteousness (Romans 10:2) Led Paul to persecute the church (Philippians 3:6) Zeal for God’s House Not mix business with our worship Purity [...]

The Lord’s Church Never Went Away (Daniel 2:44; Matthew 16:18) What Was Restored? Basically, a willingness to put Christ first Give up prior beliefs and practices (1 Thessalonians 1:9) Sacrifice relationships (Matthew 10:345-37) Accept the NT as our sole authority (2 Timothy 1:13) Restore NT practices – work, worship, organization of the church Ongoing Process of Restoration - [...]

The Lord’s Invitation (Matthew 11:28-30) Those Who Help Extend the Invitation (Revelation 22:17) The Spirit – through the word (Ephesians 6:17) The bride, church (1 Thessalonians 1:8) The one who hears, Christians (1 Peter 3:15)

Text: 1 Corinthians 11:19 The Missionary Society Organization established to send out men to preach the gospel We already have an organization for preaching the gospel – the local church (1 Timothy 3:15) God used the local church to send out preachers (Acts 13:1-4) Instrumental Music Using instruments of music to accompany singing in worship [...]