Christ s Glorious Blessings (Eph. 1:3 14) I. The QUALITY of His Blessings: SPIRITUAL A. God s GREATEST riches/blessings are not material B. God s GREATEST riches/blessings are spiritual 1. Spiritual blessings have to do with my soul its eternal welfare and destiny II. The LOCALITY of His Blessings: IN CHRIST A. God s tells me where to find His GREATEST riches/blessings 1. They are in Christ equivalent to saying in the body of Christ (1:20 23) 2. Cannot be enjoyed without being IN Christ B. God s tells me how to enter INTO Christ 1. Faith in Christ ( believes unto righteousness, Rom. 10:10) 2. Repent toward Christ ( repentance unto salvation, 2 Cor. 7:10) 3. Confession of Christ ( confession unto salvation, Rom. 10:10) 4. Baptism into Christ ( baptized into Christ, (Gal. 3:27) 5. Live with Christ ( your life is hidden with Christ in God, Col. 3:3) III. The EXCLUSIVITY of His Blessings: EVERY A. Every single conceivable spiritual blessing is in Christ 1. Not one of these blessings is found outside Christ and His body B. There is no condemnation in Christ (Rom. 8:1); therefore, all is outside C. There is new life in Christ (Rom. 6:4; 2 Cor. 5:7); therefore, no new outside D. There is all promises of God in Christ (2 Cor. 1:20); therefore, none outside E. There is eternal life in Christ (1 John 5:11); therefore, eternal death is outside IV. The CAUSALITY of His Blessings: GRACE A. The riches of His glorious grace were freely bestowed and lavished on us (1:7,6,8). B. The grace of God PLANNED before the world began to save man (1:4, 5, 11; 1 Pet. 1:20; Eph. 3:10 11)! C. The grace of God SUFFERED, BLED & DIED on the propitiatory cross to save man (1:7)! V. The IMMENSITY of His Blessings A. I have been chosen (1:4) God s Foreknowledge B. I have been adopted (1:5) God s Family C. I have been redeemed (1:7) God s Freedom D. I have been forgiven (1:7) God s Forgiveness E. I have been sealed (1:13 14) God s Foretaste VI. The RESPONSIBILITY of His Blessings A. to the praise of the glory of His grace (1:6) B. we should be to the praise of His glory (1:12) C. to the praise of His glory (1:14) D. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!!! (Eph. 1:3)
Christ s Valuable Treasure (Matt. 13:44 46) I. The Value of the Church TO JESUS (as evidenced by ) A. The Price of the Church (Highest Price Ever Paid!) 1. It cost Jesus His life (Eph. 5:25) 2. It cost Jesus His blood (Acts 20:28) 3. To value the church of Christ today = To value Christ s blood (+/ ) B. The People of the Church (Greatest People on Earth!) 1. All the people in the church have been saved (Eph. 5:23) 2. All saved people are in the church (Acts 2:47; cf. v. 37 41) 3. Only the saved people in the church are enrolled in heaven (Heb. 12:23) 4. To value the church of Christ today = To value Christ s salvation (+/ ) C. The Purpose of the Church (Highest Work on Earth!) 1. To make known wisdom of God (Eph. 3:10 11) 2. To present every perfect in Christ (Col. 1:27 28) 3. To value the church of Christ today = To value Christ s purpose (+/ ) D. The Peculiarity of the Church (The Only One on Earth!) 1. It is unique among all the religions of the world (Matt. 16:18)! 2. The church that belongs to Christ is the only one (Eph. 4:4)! 3. To value the church of Christ today = To value Christ s church (+/ ) II. The Value of the Church TO YOU (as evidenced by ) A. The Joy Filled Sacrifice of My All (Matt. 13:44 46) 1. JOY + SACRIFICE + ALL = GREAT REWARD! B. The Joy Filled Sacrifice of My Allegiances 1. Sacrificing my religion for the church (Gal. 1:11 15; Phil. 3:7 8) C. The Joy Filled Sacrifice of My Ambitions 1. Sacrificing my revolve around me for the church (Gal. 2:20) D. The Joy Filled Sacrifice of My Associations 1. Sacrificing my relationships for the church (Matt. 10:34 39; Luke 14:26) E. The Joy Filled Sacrifice of My Assets 1. Sacrificing my resources for the church (Matt. 6:33; Luke 9:62)
Christ s Transforming Power (Mark 1:16 20) I. COME! Coming to Jesus requires: A. You (as yourself)! Mark 1:16; Matt. 11:28 B. Decision! Mark 1:17 18; Josh. 24:15 C. Trust! Mark 1:17; Prov. 3:5 6 D. Urgency! Mark 1:18, 20; Acts 16:33; 22:16 E. Commitment! Mark 1:18, 20; Luke 5:11; 14:25 33 F. Action! Mark 1:18; Luke 9:23; Jas. 1:25 G. Submission! Mark 1:20; Col. 3:24; Jas. 4:7 10 II. AND LET JESUS! A. Jesus said, I will Promise B. make You Power C. to become Progress III. COME AND LET JESUS A. Save you according to HIS plan! 1. Jesus plan of salvation requires believing John 8:24 2. Jesus plan of salvation requires repenting Luke 13:3 3. Jesus plan of salvation requires avowing faith Mt. 10:32 4. Jesus plan of salvation requires immersion John 3:3 5 (a) To obtain salvation by the gospel Mark 16:15 16 (b) To obtain the remission of sins Acts 2:38; Luke 24:47 (c) To obtain entrance into the kingdom of God John 3:3 5 B. Make you a Christian! Matt. 28:18 20; Acts 11:26 C. Transform you! 2 Cor. 3:18; Rom. 8:29; Heb. 13:21 D. Strengthen you! Eph. 6:10; Phil. 4:13 E. Grow you! Eph. 4:15; Luke 2:52 F. Guide you! John 14:1 6; 10:1 18; 1 Pet. 2:21 G. Motivate you! 2 Cor. 5:14; John 14:15; 1 John H. Use you! 2 Tim. 2:21; Rom. 6:13; 12:1 I. NOT for you or because you, but for Him and because of Him!
The Christian s Posture Like Christ (John 13) I. Jesus Got on His Knees in Service A. Because He Knew His Time Was Limited (13:1) 1. Running out of time to teach 2. Running out of time to influence B. Because He Knew His Mission Must Be Fulfilled (13:3) 1. Fully aware of His own divine nature & mission 2. Fully determined to fulfill His God given mission C. Because He Knew His Friends Needed an Example (13:4 16) 1. There had been disputes about greatness (Matt. 18:1 4; 20:20 28; Luke 22:24 30) 2. He had taught them with words; now with actions (object lesson) 3. Seeing humility in action makes quite a lasting impact! D. Because He Wanted His Friends to Know the Joy of Serving (13:17) 1. Blessed are those who serve their brethren! 2. God s true blessings are always conditioned on obedience E. Because He Wanted All People to Know the Mark of a True Disciple (13:34 35) 1. Agape love is a love that is seen (1 John 3:18) 2. Agape love distinguishes Christians from the world II. What Should Drive Us To Our Knees in Service? I. Knowing Our Time Is Limited A. James 4:14; Luke 12:35 48; Ephesians 5:15 16 II. Knowing Our Mission Must Be Fulfilled A. Galatians 6:1 10; 5:13; Mark 12:30 31 III. Knowing Our Friends Need an Example A. Titus 2:7; 1 Timothy 4:12; Matthew 5:16; Proverbs 27:17 IV. Wanting Our Friends to Know the Joy of Serving A. Philippians 2:17 18; Galatians 6:7 10 V. Wanting All People to Know We Are Disciples of Christ A. Matthew 7:12; 1 John 3:18; Galatians 2:20; Matthew 5:16
The Christian s Mission for Christ (Acts 4 5) Introduction: 1. The early church is THE model of success! a. 28 years after Jesus spoke in Mark 16:15, they had fulfilled it in Colossians 1:23. b. 28 years after the church was established in Acts (in one city with 3,000 members): i. It was added to daily (2:47), reaching 5,000 (4:4), increasingly added (5:14), multiplying (6:1), disciples multiplied (6:7), churches multiplied (9:31), great many added (11:21, 24), increased daily (16:5), etc. ii. By the end of Acts, the church was in at least 50 cities with 100,000 s of members. 2. Helpful Background Information a. Peter & John preached Christ (3:11 26) i. The gospel was having great success (3:11; 4:4, 21) ii. The Jewish leaders were troubled (4:1 2) b. Peter & John were arrested (4:3) i. Imprisoned (4:3), Interrogated (4:5 12) + Intimidated (4:17 18, 21) c. The apostles preached Christ (5:12) i. The gospel was having great success (5:14) ii. The Jewish leaders were troubled (5:17) d. The apostles were arrested (5:18) i. Imprisoned, with plans to Interrogate & Intimidate e. The Jewish leadership was seeking to shut down Christianity by shutting up its advocates Qualities for Success in Reaching the Lost Like the Early Church: I. Unshakeable Faith A. Commissioned by God (5:20) B. Contested by the enemy (5:28; 4:21) C. Choice to Be Made: What would/will you do? 1. God said: Go to the temple and speak 2. They: Entered the temple & taught (5:20, 21, 25 + 3:11) 3. We must obey God and what God says NOT man! (5:29) D. Content to sacrifice their own lives for the sake of the gospel (cf. 7:51 60; 20:24; 21:13) II. Uncompromising Message A. Content of Message 1. Prescribed By Christ (Luke 24:46 47) 2. Proclaimed By Apostles (Acts 3:6, 16; 4:2, 10) 3. Prohibited By Authorities (4:17 18; 5:28, 40) B. Choice to Be Made: What would/you do/teach? 1. Resolve to listen to God rather than man (4:19) 2. Refuse to change His message for any man or reason (4:20) 3. Realize that only one message can save (4:12) C. Continued to preach, un watered down salvation in the name of Jesus (2:38; 8:12,16; 10:48; 19:5; 22:16)
The Christian s Mission for Christ (page 2) III. Urgent Passion A. Instant compliance with the Lord s instructions (5:21) B. Intense concern for lost souls (3:11, 12; 4:1, 2, 10, 21; 5:12, 20, 25) C. Insatiable craving for all the lost to repent and be forgiven (5:31; cf. Rom. 10:1; 9:2 3) D. Intriguing conviction when they knew they were doing the right thing (5:41) IV. Universal Outreach A. Candidates for the gospel everywhere (Mark 16:15) B. Creatures in the image of God needed the gospel C. Comprehensive approach: 1. Rulers and elders (4:8) 2. Religious people in the temple (4:10) 3. Residents in every home (5:42; cf. v. 28) 4. Reaches of every Christian journey (8:4) 5. Regardless of any social, ethical, religious, racial differences (10:34 35) V. Unrelenting Effort A. Could not stop telling what they knew (4:20) B. Could not be dissuaded from teaching Jesus (5:42) C. Could not let a day go by without preaching (5:42) VI. Do you have an A. Unshakeable faith? B. Uncompromising message? C. Urgent passion? D. Universal outreach? E. Unrelenting effort? F. The early church is THE model of success! 1. How do we/you measure up to God s model?
The Christian s Reward with Christ I. Heaven Is a Place of REST A. His rest for the people of God Heb. 4:1, 9 B. Rest from earthly hardships 1. Rest from labors Rev. 14:13 2. Rest from troubles/afflictions 2 Thess. 1:7 3. Rest from all want/need Rev. 21:23; 22:1 5 C. Be diligent to enter that rest Heb. 4:11 II. Heaven Is a Place of REAPING A. Faithful labor is promised reward 1 Cor. 3:14 1. Your labor is not in vain in the Lord 1 Cor. 15:58 2. Lay up treasures in heaven Matt. 6:20 B. We shall reap if we do not lose heart Gal. 6:9 1. You will reap more than you sow 2. You will reap longer than you sow 3. You will reap later than you sow III. Heaven Is a Place of REJOICING A. No place for sorrow Isa. 35:10; Rev. 21:1 4 B. Well done enter into the JOY of your Lord 1. In the presence of God Psa. 16:11; Rev. 21:3 2. Always be with the Lord 1 Thess. 4:16 17 3. Absent from this body 2 Cor. 5:6 8 4. Great victory over the devil Rev. 12:11 12 5. Worship for all eternity Rev. 15:2 3 6. Far better to be with Christ Phil. 1:21 23 IV. Heaven Is a Place of RIGHTEOUSNESS A. Righteousness dwells there 2 Pet. 3:13 1. Those who practice righteousness + He who is righteous 1 John 3:7 B. Free from all unrighteousness 1. Nothing enters that defiles, unclean, lie Rev. 21:27 2. Outside are immoral, murderer, idolater Rev. 22:15 3. No one not found in the Book of Life Rev. 20:15; 21:27 C. Get away from the filth of this world! V. Heaven Is a Place of RESPONSIBILITY A. Not a place of idle inactivity B. Inhabitants will worship and praise God Rev. 15:3 C. His servants shall serve Him Rev. 22:3; 7:15 1. Faithful servants rewarded with responsibility Matt. 25:21, 23 2. Direct proportion to how ability was used Luke 19:16 19; Mt. 25:29 VI. Heaven Is a Place of REUNION A. Gathered to his people Gen. 25:8; 35:29; 49:33; Num. 27:13 B. I shall go to him 2 Sam. 12:23; cf. Gen. 37:35 C. Sit down with Abraham, Isaac & Jacob Matt. 8:11 D. Saints reunited 1 Thess. 2:19 20; 3:13; 4:13 18 E. Redeemed of all time Rev. 14:3 4; Heb. 11 VII. Heaven Is a Place of RESERVATION A. Reserved in heaven for you 1 Pet. 1:4 B. A reservation kept by the power of God through faith 1 Pet. 1:5 C. Is your reservation made? R U ready? R U going?
One on One With Jesus: A Widow of Nain (Luke 7:11 17) I. A Providential Coincidence (Luke 7:11 12) A. Two very different groups converged at just right time on road leading into Nain B. We know nothing of the reason for Jesus visit to Nain other than this occasion C. Two large crowds met and were witnesses to the glory of God II. The Extreme Sorrow (Luke 7:12 13) A. The woman had lost her son B. The woman had lost her only son (deepest of grief, Jer. 6:26; Zec. 12:10; Amos 8:10) C. The woman had lost her husband before she lost her only son D. The woman was weeping (klaio) crying aloud, sob, wail, loud expression of grief E. Jesus came to the woman and said, Stop weeping! III. The Deep Compassion (Luke 7:12 13) A. The purpose of miracles was to corroborate the message being proclaimed (not primarily to benefit the recipient) B. On this occasion the miracle seems to carry with it a very personal & emotional touch C. Jesus saw the woman (7:13) same Greek word means to perceive or know 1. Jesus not only saw her with His eyes, but with His mind and His heart D. Jesus had compassion on her (7:13) lit. to suffer with 1. He felt for her in His bowels (seat of deepest emotions) 2. He knew what He was going to do IV. The Divine Power (Luke 7:14 15) A. Jesus touched the bier (flat wooden stretcher) on which wrapped body was carried B. Jesus spoke to the dead, Young man, I say to you, arise. (7:14) 1. When Jesus spoke to the dead, they could hear Him and obeyed Him (cf. John 11:25) 2. Each time Jesus raised the dead, He spoke directly to them (Lk. 8:54; Jn. 11:43) 3. This is proof and a preview of what will happen when He returns (Jn. 5:28 29) C. The boy who was dead sat up and began to speak (7:15) 1. He was not only restored to life but restored to health and strength 2. There is no record of what he spoke (cf. 2 Cor. 12:2 4) V. The Wonderful Reunion (7:15) A. Jesus gave the young man back to his mother B. This shows us that there will be reunions after death (Matt. 8:11; 1 Thess. 4:13 18) C. Christ will, with His own hands, restore kindred to kindred in the glorious morning VI. The Spreading Fame (7:16 17) A. Fear came upon all (Realized they were in the presence of One Who was truly great) B. Fear gave place to praise: They kept on glorifying God C. Their rational conclusion (based on the evidence) 1. A great prophet has risen up among us (cf. Deut. 18:15 19) 2. God has visited His people (cf. Luke 1:56) i.e., looked upon with care D. The news could not be kept (The fame of Jesus filled all Judea & Galilee)