THE DOORWAY TO GOD’S KINGDOM

Matthew 5:3

Truth: The poor in spirit find God’s Kingdom. The pure in heart see God. Those persecuted for righteousness’ sake reveal God’s Kingdom. Are you part of the God’s Kingdom?

I. THE POOR IN SPIRIT FIND GOD’S KINGDOM

1. A self-sufficient person has difficulty being saved. Matt 19:16-17, Luke 18:11, Luke 18:25
2. A person poor in spirit knows he is helpless without God. Luke 18:13-14
3. Only then are we willing to come to Him as paupers and receive from Him. Mark 9:21-24

II. THE PURE IN HEART SEE GOD

1. We see God when His Spirit comes into our heart. 2 Cor 4:6, 1 Cor 2:16
2. We see God when we are made a new creature in Christ. 2 Cor 5:17, Matt 13:11

III. THE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE REVEAL GOD’S KINGDOM

1. Persecuted for preaching Jesus. Matt 5:10-12
2. Persecuted for preaching righteousness. Rom 3:22, Rom 10:10, Matt 5:20
3. Persecuted for preaching righteous living. Isa 5:20-21

ARE YOU PART OF GOD’S KINGDOM?

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS AT WORK

John 15:26-16:15

Truth: The Holy Spirit Comforts the Church. The Holy Spirit reproves through the church. The Holy Spirit teaches the church. Is the Holy Spirit working in you?

I. THE HOLY SPIRIT COMFORTS THE CHURCH

1. The world will hate and persecute the church. John 15:18-25, 16:1-4
2. The Holy Spirit will comfort and empower the church. John 15:26, Gal 5:16, Phil 3:3, Acts 1:8

THE HOLY SPIRIT REPROVES THROUGH THE CHURCH

1. The church is the witness. John 15:27, John 16:5-7
2. The Holy Spirit is the prosecuting attorney. John 16:8-11
3. The Holy Spirit convicts the sinner of sin, righteousness, and judgement. John 16:9-11, John 3:18-21

III. THE HOLY SPIRIT TEACHES THE CHURCH

1. The Holy Spirit teaches the church truth. John 16:13, John 14:26, John 17:17
2. The Holy Spirit guides the church into all truth. John 16:13, John 14:17, 1 John 2:20
3. The Holy Spirit will teach His church about things to come. John 16:14-15

IS THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKING IN AND THROUGH YOU?

LIVING GODLY IN PERILOUS TIMES

2 Timothy 3:1-17

Truth; Turn away from evil. Follow those of truth. Stand on the Word of God. Are you worshiping God during these perilous times?

I. TURN AWAY FROM EVIL

1. Those that are lovers of self. 2 Tim 3:2-5, Rom 1:28-32
2. The Blind leaders of the blind. 2 Tim 3:6-7, Isa 5:20-24
3. False leaders. 2 Tim 3:8-9, Matt 7:21-23

II. FOLLOW THOSE WHO ARE TRUE

1. They teach and practice truth. 2 Tim 3:10, John 4:23-24
2. They live to glorify Christ. 2 Tim 3:10, 1 Peter 4:14
3. They are willing to suffer. 2 Tim 3:11-12, 1 Peter 4:12-13

III. CONTINUE IN THE WORD OF GOD

1. The Scripture are holy. 2 Tim 3:14-15. 2 Peter 1: 20-21
2. They lead us to salvation. 2 Tim 3:15, John 5:39
3. They equip us to serve. 2 Tim 3:16-17. Matt 22:37-40

ARE YOU LIVING GODLY IN THESE PERILOUS TIMES?

YOUR GREATEST JOY

Psalm 116:1-19

Truth: Remember the bad before the good. Remember what you did. Remember what happen. What is your greatest memory?

I. REMEMBER THE BAD BEFORE THE GOOD

1. God revealed your sin to you. Psakm 116:3, Acts 2:37, Acts 9:5.
2. God revealed the remedy for sin. Psakm 116:4, 1 John 3:5, 2 Cor 5:21
3. God revealed Himself to you. John 6:44,2 Cor 7:10

II. REMEMBER WHAT YOU DID

1. Your prayed. Psakm 116:1-2. Rom 10:13
2. You repented. Psakm 116:4-6, Luke 18:13
3. You believed (trusted) in Jesus. Psakm 116:10, Rom 10:9-10

III. REMEMBER WHAT HAPPEN

1. You noticed the burden was gone. Psakm 116:7, Rom 5:1, Matt 11:29, 1 John 4:13. Gal 5:22-23.
2. You loved the Lord Jesus. Psakm 116:1, Rom 5:5. 1 John 4:19
3. You loved the church and joined her. 1 John 3:14,16

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY?

BE READY TO LEAVE

2 Timothy 4:1-8

Truth: Be ready to leave. Be ready to live. Be ready for death. Are you ready for heaven?

I. BE READY TO LEAVE

1. MANY OF US WILL DIE. 2 Tim 4:6, Heb 9:27, 1 Kings 2:2. 2 Cor 5:8, Luke 23:43
2. Some will be changed. 1 Cor. 15:51-52, Dan 12:2
3. All need to be ready. 2 Tim 4:6-8, Matt 24:44, Matt 7:21-23, 2 Tim 1:12

II. BE READY TO LIVE

1. Know who you are. 2 Tim 4:1, 2 Cor 5:17, Rom 8:16-17
2. Know what you believe. 2 Tim 4:2-5, 2 Tim 2:15, 2 Tim 3:15, John 5:39.
3. Live who you are. 2 Tim 4:7, Phil 3:14, 2 Tim 2:2

III. BE READY FOR DEATH

1. Know that God provides dying grace! 2 Tim 4:8, Acts 7: 55-56, 60
2. Know that we will be with Jesus forever. 1 Thess 4:13-18.

ARE YOU READY FOR HEAVEN?

BEING BORN OF GOD

John 3:1-8

Truth: What does it mean to be born of God? What is it like to be born of God? What is the evidence you are born of God? Have you been born of God?

I. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BORN OF GOD?

1. God calls us. John 3:1-2, John 1:12, John 6:44, 65.
2. God calls us through the gospel. John 3:3, John 3:14-18, 1 Peter 1:23-25
3. God’s Spirit comes and dwells in us. John 3:4-7, Rom 8:16, Eph 1:13-14, 2 Cor 1:22

II. WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE BORN OF GOD?

1. A journey from darkness to light. John 8:12, 2 Cor 4:6
2. A journey from condemnation to eternal life. 1 John 3:19-21
3. A journey to a new creature in Christ. 2 Cor 5:17

III. WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE YOU ARE BORN OF GOD?

1. A genuine Christ-like love. 1 John 4:7
2. Hatred of sin. 1 John 3:9
3. A Spirit filled life. Gal 5:22-23, Eph 5:18
4. An assurance of sins forgiven, a desire to read the Bible and pray (and a sense that these are meaningful spiritual activities), a delight in worship, a desire for Christian fellowship, a sincere desire to be obedient to God’s Word in Scripture, and a desire to tell others about Christ.

HAVE YOU BEEN BORN OF GOD?

BE READY THE LORD IS COMING

1 Thessalonians 4:1-18

Truth: Be ready to live for Jesus. Be ready for the Lord’s return. Be ready for the unbeliever will be judged. Are you ready?

I. BE READY TO LIVE FOR JESUS

1. Live like you are saved for the Lord. 1 Thess 4:1-8. 1 Peter 3:15, 1 Cor 15:34, James 1:17
2. Live sanctified for the Lord’s church. 1 Thess 4:9-10, 1 John 3:16, Rom 13:8,10
3. Live as a soul winner for the sinner. 1 Thess 4:11-12.

II. BE READY FOR THE LORD’S RETURN

1. Know what the Lord says about His return. 1 Thess 4:13-15.
2. Know that when He returns the saints will be with Christ forever. 1 Thess 4:16-18.

III. BE READY FOR THE UNBELIEVER WILL BE JUDGED

1. The Lord will come suddenly. 1 Thess 5:2-3, 2 Peter 3:10
2. The Lord will gather all nations before Him. Matt 25:31-32, Rev. 20:11-13
3. The saints will be judged. Rev 20:12, 1 Cor 3:13-15
4. The unbelieving will be cast into the everlasting fire. Rev 21:8, Matt 25:41.

ARE YOU READY?

JESUS CHRIST IS ALIVE

1 Cor 15:1-8, Rev 1:17-18

Truth: Jesus Christ the Word has always been. Jesus Christ the Savior died for our sins. Jesus Christ our redeemer is alive.

I. JESUS CHRIST THE WORD HAS ALWAYS BEEN GOD

1. Christ the Word was always God. Rev 1:11,17, John 1:1-2.
2. Christ as God made all things. John 1: 3
3. In Christ is life and the Light so that all men could believe and have life. John 1:4-5.

II. JESUS CHRIST OUR SAVIOR DIED FOR OUR SINS

1. Christ became flesh to die for our sins. John 1:14, Phil 2:8
2. Christ came to die for our sins. 1 Tim 1:15, 1 John 3:5
3. Christ died to be the Savior of all men. 1 Tim 4:10

III. JESUS CHRIST OUR REDEEMER IS ALIVE

1. Jesus Christ is alive and defeated death. 1 Cor 15:3-8, Acts 2:24, 1 Cor 6:14, Eph 1:20
2. Jesus Christ is alive and will save all who come to Him in faith. Heb 7:25, Rom 8:34
3. Jesus Christ is alive and is our Provider, our Helper, our Keeper. Heb 9:24, Phil 4:19
4. Jesus Christ is alive and will raise us up to be with Him forever. Rom 8:11, 1 Cor 15:51-57.

IS JESUS CHRIST ALIVE IN YOU?

THINGS I CAN KNOW FOR SURE

1 John 5:5-21

Truth: Jesus is God. Believers have eternal life. God answers prayer. Christians do not practice sin. The Christian life is the real life. Do you know these things for sure?

I. JESUS IS GOD

1. The water is the first witness. 1 John 5:6, Matt 3:13-17
2. The blood is the second witness. 1 John 5:8, Acts 20:28, Matt 27:50-53
3. The Spirit is the third witness. 1 John 5:9-10, Rom 8:15-16

II. BELIEVERS HAVE ETERNAL LIFE

1. Eternal life comes through the Son. 1 John 5:11, John 3:14-16.
2. If you have salvation you have eternal life. 1 John 5:12-13, John 3:36

III. GOD ANSWERS PRAYER

1. We can have confidence that when we ask according to God’s will He hears us. 1 John 5:14, Matt 6:10
2. We know He answered according to His will. 1 John 5:15

IV. CHRISTIANS DO NOT PRACTICE SIN

1. Christians can sin unto death. 1 John 5:16, Heb 12:5-8
2. Christians can overcome the sin of the flesh. 1 John 5:17-19, 1 John 1:9, Gal 5:16

V. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS TRUE LIFE

1. We know the Son of God and that He is true. 1 John 5:20, John 17:3.
2. We know that we are in Him that is true. 1 John 5:20, John 15:7

DO YOU KNOW THESE THINGS FOR SURE?

THE LORD WILL MEET OUR NEEDS

Psalm 23:1-6

Truth: The Lord wants to be our Shepherd. The Lord Our Shepherd is always there for us. Is the Lord your Shepherd?

I. THE LORD WANTS TO BE OUR SHEPHERD

1. The Lord is the Shepherd of the saved and they shall not want. Psa 23:1, John 10:11,14, 2 Tim 2:19, Phil 4:19
2. He leads His people. Psa 23:2-3. John 14:26-27, Psa 119:105
3. He restores our soul. Psa 23:3, Phil 4:7, Isa 26:3
4. His Spirit covers us and fills us. Psa 23:5, Eph 5:18, 1 Cor 2:12

II. THE LORD OUR SHEPHERD IS ALWAYS THERE FOR US

1. He walks with us through fear and even death. Psa 23:4, Psa 139:7-10
2. His rod and staff comfort us. Heb 4:12, Eph 6:17
3. He provides in the mist our trouble. Psa 23:5, Psa 50:15
4. Goodness and mercy follow the people who are His house. Psa 23:6, 1 Cor 3:16, 1 Cor 2: 9-10, 13-16.

IS THE LORD YOUR SHEPHERD?