1. BE JOYFUL! (v4-5) Rejoice in the Lord, He is near 2. BE PRAYERFUL! (v6-7) Choose prayer not despair Let peace guard your heart & mind Pray about everything 3. BE THOUGHTFUL! (v8-9) Practise thought management by the power of the Holy Spirit: Truth, honour, justice, purity, loveliness, commendation, excellence & praise Emulate, demonstrate
1. The MODEL of FRIENDSHIP David and Jonathan – soul mates, standing together, strengthening one-another in God 2. The MUSTS of FRIENDSHIP All-inclusive Intentional Humble, Accountable, Relational, Dependable 3. The MASTER of FRIENDSHIP Jesus – laying down His life for His friends
1. THE PLAGUE! The epidemic of division was affecting the whole church 2. THE PLEA! Agree in the Lord 3. THE PLAN! Help bring restoration – Syzygus 4. THE PLEDGE! “For there the Lord has commanded the blessing…..” (Psalm 133:3b)
A) GUILT – FALSE OR TRUE False Guilt Satan inflicted and Self-perpetuated True Guilt Recognises our standing before God and our salvation from God B) GUILT – WHAT WE MUST DO Acknowledge our sin – Psalm 32:5(a) Accept and Appreciate God’s forgiveness – Psalm 32:5(b) Address the Accuser with Gospel…
Straining Forward (3:12-16) Staying Focused (3:17-21) Standing Firm (4:1)
A) PRIDE Shows itself: 1. In our WISDOM We think we know better than God 2. In our POWER We rely on our strength rather than God’s 3. In our RICHES We get our value from “things” rather than God B) PRIDE Leads to: 1. ENVY – we think we’re more worthy 2. BITTERNESS –…
1. REJOICE! (v1) In the Lord 2. RENOUNCE! (v2-6) All confidence in the flesh 3. RELY! (v7-11) On Christ alone
ITS HURT Excruciating ITS HEART I don’t measure up ITS HOPE In Christ’s rejection In the acceptance of truth In the process of change In the sovereignty of grace
Principles of mission: Take the gospel to people groups not political nations The gospel has power in itself. The spread of the gospel is by those in the local culture People have to be sent – missionaries Who sends these missionaries? The Holy Spirit & the local church There are two paths of mission:…
1. ITS REALITY! The world’s most devastating malady 2. ITS ROBBERY! Robs us of confidence, identity, humanity & dignity 3. ITS REMEDY! A community of care The Friend who sticks closer than a brother