WHAT IT MEANS TO REALLY LOVE JESUS

Matthew 16:24-28

Truth: To really love Jesus you have to be saved. To really love Jesus, you have to serve Him. To really love Jesus, you will suffer for Him. Do you really love Jesus?

I. TO REALLY LOVE JESUS, YOU HAVE TO BE SAVED

1. To be saved you have to know Jesus and He has to know you. Matt 16:24, 2 Tim 1:12, Matt 7:21-23
2. To be saved you must deny yourself. Matt 16:24, Titus 3:5. Eph 2:8-9
3. To be saved you must surrender yourself to God. Matt 16:25, John 12:25
4. To be saved means God has revealed Himself to you. Matt 16: 16-17, 1 John 4:13

II. TO REALLY LOVE JESUS, YOU HAVE TO SERVE HIM

1. To serve Him you must take up the cross. Matt 16:24, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27
2. Serve Him in the church. Matt 16:27, 1 Peter 4:10
3. Share the Gospel with the world. Luke 24:46-47

III. TO REALLY LOVE JESUS, YOU WILL SUFFER FOR HIM

1. Following Jesus will cost you. Matt 16:24, Rom 12:1-2, Phil 3:7-10, Gal 2:20, 2 Tim 3:12
2. Following Jesus will bless you and bring Him Glory. Matt 16:27-28, Rom 8:17, 2 Tim 2:12

DO YOU REALLY LOVE JESUS?

LIVE LIKE THE LORD IS COMING TODAY

1 Thessalonians 4:1-18

Truth: Live like the Lord is coming today. Love like the Lord is coming today. Look to the Lord as if He is coming today. Is the Lord coming for you?

I. LIVE LIKE THE LORD IS COMING TODAY

1. Live to please God. 1 Thess 4:1; 1 Thess 2:12
2. Live by His commandments. 1 Thess 4:3-5; John 14:15
3. Live to escape God’s judgment. 1 Thess 4:6-8; Heb 12:5-6

II. LOVE LIKE THE LORD IS COMING TODAY

1. Loving one another is the second great command. 1 Thess 4:9-10; John 13:34-35
2. Love the unsaved by the life you live for God. 1 Thess 4:11-12

III. LOOK TO THE LORD AS IF HE IS COMING TODAY

1. We look to the revelation of God’s Word. 1 Thess 4:13,15a. 1 Cor 15:51-54; John 5:24-29
2. We look to the promise of Christ’s return. 1 Thess 4:14-15. John 14:1-3
3. We look for the Resurrection of the dead in Christ. 1 Thess 4:15-16; 1 Cor 15: 51-54
4. We look to the rapture of the living saints. 1 Thess 4:17
5. We look to the reunion of Christians with Christ forever. 1 Thess 4:17-18

IS THE LORD COMING FOR YOU?

REMEMBERING OUR LORD’S DEATH

1 Corinthians 11:23-34

Truth: Remember the reason for our Lord’s death. We are to Remember He will return for us. Remember to examine ourselves. Let us remember and be thankful for our Lord’s death.

I. REMEMBER THE REASON FOR OUR LORD’S DEATH

1. The bread represents his body broken for us. 1 Cor 11:23-24, Isa 53:4-5
2. The cup represents His blood shed for our sins. 1 Cor 11:25, Heb 9:12, 22, Eph 1:7, Col 1:14
3. The Bread and the cup take us back to the cross. 1 Cor 11:26. Isa 53:6, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Tim 1:15

II. REMEMBER HE WILL RETURN FOR US

1. Jesus told His disciples he would return to carry them home with Him. 1 Cor 11:26, Acts1:11, John 14:1-3
2. He will bring His heavenly saints with Him. 1 Thess. 4:16-18

III. REMEMBER TO EXAMINE OURSELVES

1. Come to the supper Saved and a member of the Lord’s church. 1 Cor 11:28, 1 Peter 3:15, Acts 2:41
2. Come to the supper unworthy but forgiven. 1 Cor 11:29-32, 1 John 1:9, Psa 32:5
3. Come to the supper in unity. 1 Cor 11:33-34, Eph 4:1-3

LET US REMEMBER OUR LORD’S DEATH

WHAT A CHRISTIAN CAN DO IN THESE TIMES

Luke 10:1-42

Truth: We can Represent Jesus Christ. We can demonstrate love for our neighbor. We can Worship our LORD. What are you doing in these times for the Lord?

I. WE CAN REPRESENT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

1. Pray for more laborers and preach the peace of God’s kingdom has come. Luke 10:1-12; Matt 9:37
2. Share that judgement will come to those who reject the truth. Luke 10:13-16; Rev 20:15
3. Rejoice that your name is written in Heaven. Luke 10:17-20
4. Know Jesus rejoices when we represent God to our world. Luke 10:21-24

II. WE CAN DEMONSTRATE LOVE FOR OUR NEIGHBOR

1. Love for God will be demonstrated by love for our neighbor. Luke 10:25-28
2. Recognize who our neighbor is and respond. Luke 10:29-37

III. WE CAN WORSHIP OUR LORD

1. To worship we welcome the Lord into our home. Luke 10:38; Matt 6:21
2. To worship we set at Christ’s feet and hear His Word. Luke 10:39; John 14:23
3. To worship we center our lives on Christ, choosing the good part that can not be taken away. Luke 10:40-42; Matt 11:28-30

WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THESE TIMES FOR THE LORD?

WHAT A GODLY FATHER LOOKS LIKE

Romans 4:1-25

Truth: A godly father understands justification by faith. A godly father lives his faith. A godly father instructs his children in faith. Thank God for our godly fathers.

I. A GODLY FATHER UNDERSTANDS JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH

1. He knows that salvation is by faith in Christ not by works. Rom 4:1-8; Gal 2:16
2. He has been saved by grace through faith like Abraham. Rom 4:9-17; Gen 15:6
3. He shares his faith like Abraham. Rom 4:11; Proverbs 11:30

II. A GODLY FATHER LIVES BY FAITH

1. He lives for the Lord. Phil 2:12; Gen 22:7-8
2. He lives by the power of faith. Phil 2:13-15
3. He lives to lift up Christ. Mat 5:16

III. A GODLY FATHER INSTRUCTS HIS CHILDREN IN FAITH

1. He loves his wife as Christ loves His church. Eph 5:25-26
2. He loves his children by instruction and discipline. Eph 6:4; Gen 19:18; Josh 24:15; Proverbs 22:6; Deut 6:4-7
3. He loves the church by serving. 1 Peter 4:10-11

THANK GOD FOR OUR GODLY FATHERS

JESUS AND THE COMMANDMENTS

Matthew 5:17-20

Truth: Jesus lived and died to fulfill the Law. The Law is valuable for you and me. Believers in Christ can fulfill the Law. Are you living by God’s Law?

I. JESUS LIVED AND DIED TO FULFILL THE LAW

1. Jesus fulfilled the Law with a sinless life. Matt 5:17-18; Rom 10:4; Heb 4:15; 2 Cor 5:21
2. Jesus fulfilled the Law for us on the cross. 1 John 3:5; Gal 3:13
3. Jesus fulfilled the Law because He loved us. John 15:13

II. THE LAW IS VALUABLE TO YOU AND ME

1. The Law reveals our guilt and sin. James 2:10; Rom 3:19-20
2. The Law tips the scales of right and wrong against us. Gal 3:22
3. The Law points us to Jesus as our Redeemer. Gal 3:24; Acts13:38-39

III. BELIEVERS IN CHRIST CAN FULFILL THE LAW

1. Salvation makes us righteous and able to fulfill the Law. Rom 8:1-3
2. The Holy Spirit empowers us to learn, love, and live the Law of God. Gal 5: 14-18
3. We fulfill the Law of God through the po16wer of God’s love. Matt 22:37-40.

ARE YOU LIVING BY GOD’S LAW?

HOW WE LEARN FROM GODLY MOMS

Proverbs 31:1,10, 26-31

Truth: Godly moms teach us to know the Lord. Godly moms are not perfect. Godly moms never quit. Thank God for godly moms.

I. GODLY MOMS TEACH US TO KNOW THE LORD

1. Godly moms have salvation. 2 Tim 1:5, Luke 1:5-6, Luke 1:45
2. Godly moms talk about the Lord. Luke 1:46-50
3. Godly moms teach us about the Lord. 2 Tim 3:15

II. GODLY MOMS ARE NOT PERFECT

1. Moms sometimes push too hard. John 2:4-5
2. Moms sometimes want to much for their kids. Matt 20:20-23
3. Moms sometimes underestimate their kids. Luke 8:19-21; Phil 4:19

III. GODLY MOMS NEVER QUIT

1. Godly moms never quit on the Lord. 1 Sam 1:10-11
2. Godly moms never quit on their kids. Matt 15:22-28
3. Godly moms go the distance with their kids. John 19:25-27

THANK GOD FOR GODLY MOMS

THE BLESSINGS OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

Hebrews 10:23-25

Truth: Our church gives us a place to worship. Our church gives us a place to serve. The church gives us a place be served. I s your church membership a blessing to you?

I. OUR CHURCH GIVES US A PLACE TO WORSHIP

1. Sing songs of praise with the saints. Psa 100:1-2; Col 3:16
2. To testify of and hear testimonies of the goodness of God. Psa 107:2
3. Pray to God for the many needs. 1 Tim 2:8; Acts 4:31
4. Hear the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. 2 Tim 3:15-17

II. OUR CHURCH GIVES A PLACE TO SERVE

1. A place to use our spiritual gifts. 1 Peter 4:10-11
2. A place to encourage one another in the Lord. Heb 10:25
3. A place to give our tithes and offerings. Mal. 3:8-10, Matt 23:23

III. OUR CHURCH IS A PLACE TO BE SERVED

1. A place to give and receive love. Heb 10:24, 1 Peter 1:22; Rom 16:16
2. A place to study and grow in the Lord. 1 Tim 2:15
3. A place to receive discipleship. 2 Tim 2:2

IS YOUR CHURCH MEMBERSHIP A BLESSING TO YOU?

THE WORK OF THE CHURCH TODAY

Acts 2:41-47

Truth: The church is to assist in making disciples. The church is to baptize new disciples. The church is to Disciple new disciples. Are you doing the work of the church?

I. THE CHURCH IS TO ASSIST IN MAKING DISCIPLES

1. Our number one job is to share the Gospel. Acts 2:41, Acts 2:4,14, Matt 28:19
2. Every member should be able to tell others how to be saved. Acts 2:41, Acts 16:30-31; 1 Peter 3:15
3. When the church shares the Gospel souls will be saved. Acts 2:47, Acts 11:19-24

II. THE CHURCH IS TO BAPTIZE NEW DISCIPLES

1. Jesus commanded the church to baptize new disciples. Matt 28:19. Three things we must have for Biblical baptism!
2. 3000 new disciples where baptize at Pentecost. Acts 2:41
3. Baptism is the first act of obedience after a person tells of being saved. Acts 2:38

III. THE CHURCH IS TO DISCIPLE NEW DISCIPLES

1. Teach them the Word and show them how to live it. Acts 2:42, 44, Matt 28:20, Gal 5:16,22-23, Col 3:16-17
2. Teach them to pray and fellowship. Acts 2:42, Matt 6:9-13, Heb 10:25, Eph 4:3
3. Teach them to love one another in word and action. Acts 2:44-46, John 13:35

ARE YOU DOING THE WORK OF THE CHURCH?

FROM DEATH TO LIFE IN CHRIST

Ephesians 2:1-9

Truth: The terrible spiritual condition of the unsaved person. What God did on behalf of sinners to save them. Are you alive in Christ?

I. THE TERRIBLE SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF THE UNSAVED

1. The unsaved are dead in their trespasses and sins. Eph 2:1, Rom 6:23, Isa 59:2,1 Tim 5:6. Death means separation in Scriptures.
2. The unsaved are disobedient. The world wants us to reform. Eph 2:2-3a, Rom 12:2, the devil lies to us, Eph 6:11-12, the flesh or fallen nature is ruled by lust. James 1:15
3. The unsaved are depraved. Eph 2:3b, Rom 3:23
4. The unsaved are doomed. Eph 2:3c, John 3:18, John 3:36

II. WHAT GOD DID ON BEHALF OF SINNERS TO SAVE THEM

1. God expressed His to us love by mercy and grace by Jesus at Calvary. Eph 2:4, Rom 5:8, John 3:16
2.  God quickens or makes us alive together with Christ. Eph 2:5, Heb 4:12, John 5:24, Eph 1:19-20, Rom 8:11
3. God exalts us. Eph 2:6, Rom 8:17
4. God keeps us. Eph 2:7-9, 1 Peter 1:5, John 10: 27-28

ARE YOU ALIVE IN CHRIST?