Category: Spiritual Growth

Jesus’ Example of Preaching the Gospel

Jesus’ Example of Preaching the Gospel

There is no better example to study and imitate in “preaching the gospel of God” (Mk.1:14) than Jesus Christ Himself:

  • His teaching was perfect.
  • His conduct was perfect.
  • After all, He was sinless!
1.  Jesus preached in accordance with God’s expectations 
2.  Jesus preached to save the lost
3.  Jesus preached because of compassion for the lost
4.  Jesus’ conversations had a spiritual goal in mind
5.  Jesus’ preaching emphasized God’s authority
6.  Jesus preached to all kinds of sinners
7.  Jesus’ preaching was narrow
8.  Jesus preached baptism to religious people
9.  Jesus preached about commitment
10.  Jesus encouraged others to preach
11.  Jesus’ preaching did not always change lives

Spiritual Growth is a Choice

Spiritual Growth is a Choice

Just as a healthy physical life involves growth, so too a healthy spiritual life is a process of growth

Physical growth takes place naturally/automatically.

  • But spiritual growth is not automatic – it is a choice we have to make.

Sadly, not all Christians grow spiritually

Spiritual Growth Is A Choice

  1. Commanded by God
  2. Requires diligent effort
  3. Assisted by God
  4. The example of the Thessalonians

Words of Defeat or Words of Victory?

Words of Defeat or Words of Victory?

How do we react when things don’t go as planned?

  • How do we react when times are hard?

Perhaps you have economic, family or health concerns?

Do we live our lives with words of defeat (like Job’s wife, the sons of Israel, the one talent man, Felix)?

Or do we live our lives with words of victory (like Job, King Hezekiah, Queen Esther, the apostle Paul)?

Prove All Things. Pt 1 Quench Not the Spirit 1Th 5:19

Prove All Things. Pt 1 Quench Not the Spirit 1Th 5:19

  • The Spirit
  • The Pouring out of the spirit was prophesied Joe 2:28-29 KJV
  • We receive the Spirit at water Baptism Act 2:38 KJV
  • Why do we need the Spirit? For the Apostles Joh 14:26 KJV For Us Rom 8:26 KJV
  • The Spirit Can be Taken Psa 51:11 KJV
  • Quench not
  • Stiffnecked and Rebellious from the start Deu 9:6-7 KJV
  • Surely It Changed Once in the Land Jer 5:23-31 NAS95
  • What About in Jesus day Mat 15:8-9 KJV
  • Enough is Enough Neh 9:30 KJV
  • Watch! For the Son of Man Come A Name that you Live Mat 25:1-4 KJV ( (lu17:20-21) 1Pe 4:16 NAS95 Rev 3:1 KJV
  • The Bride Groom Comes Mat 25:5-6 Heb 10:36-37 KJV
  • I know you Not Mat 25:7-13

Nehemiah’s Love for God and for People

1.  Nehemiah’s love for God

(i) Nehemiah prayed to God regularly

(ii) Nehemiah knew God’s word and applied it to life

(iii) Nehemiah feared God

(iv) Nehemiah was a servant of God

(v) Nehemiah persevered in the work of God

2.  Nehemiah’s love for people

(i) Nehemiah was concerned for others

(ii) Nehemiah encouraged others

(iii) Nehemiah was a good example to others

(iv) Nehemiah saw the good in others

Pride Goes Before a Fall

  • Introduction Pro 16:17-19
  • The Sin Of Pride
  • The Attributes/Characteristics of Proud Person Psa 10:2-11, Pro 13:10
  • God Will judge the Proud according to his deeds Psa 94:2-4 This side of Eternity Lev 26:17-20 Or in the Day of the Lord Isa 2:11-12
  • Pride in Action Hamans Promotion Est 3:1-6 Hamans Boast and Conspiring Est 5:9-14. Let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. Est 7:6-10
  • Blessings of the Humble Boast No Longer 1Sa 2:3 Jer 9:24
  • Be Contrite and Humble Isa 57:15, Luk 18:9-14
  • Humility in Action 2Co 12:2-9

Man Shall not Live by Bread Alone, But…

  • Introduction Mat 4:1-4 Deu 8:1-3
  • The Mouth of God
  • If thou be the Son of God Mat 4:3; Joh 1:1-4
  • Jesus In The Beginning Gen 1:1-2; Rev 22:13 The Word Joh 1:14; Psa 33:6; Psa 33:9; The Word was God Joh 8:57-59; Exo 3:13-14; Mar 9:7
  • The Mouth of Corrupt Men A Famine for Truth Amo 8:11 The Prophets are false Jer 23:21-27 The Rich Oppress the poor Amo 8:4-7 My People are Wicked Jer 5:23-31
  • The Mouth of the Believers Seek First Mat 6:33
  • Be a Doer of the Work Jas 1:19-25
  • Our Brothers Keepers Jas 5:19-20 Our Children’s Keepers Pro 22:6; Eph 6:4; Pro 29:15

Wisdom from Above

  • 1:26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;
    • 1:30-31 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”

But we’ve seen:

James 3:17  But the wisdom from above is
1. first pure,
2. then peaceable,
3. gentle,
4. reasonable,
5. full of mercy
6. and good fruits,
7. unwavering,
8. without hypocrisy.

Note Proverbs 2:6  For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Are all our righteous acts like filthy rags?

Are all our righteous acts like filthy rags?

(Is. 64:6, NIV)

One of the most misused, misquoted, and misunderstood Scriptures in the Bible comes from Isaiah 64:6, where Isaiah writes, “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags …” (NIV).

  • 1. They shouldn’t be!
  • 2. Where might misunderstandings of Isaiah 64:6 have also come from?
  • 3. Can we not sin? Can we be perfect? Can our deeds be pleasing to God?
  • 4. What if we do sin?