“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:1-4
6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:6-10 Central Idea: Those who serve Christ well live out the truth they teach, pursue godliness above all, and labor with unshakable hope in the living God. I. A Good Servant Lives the Truth He Teaches (v. 6) II. A Good Servant Trains for Eternal Gain (vv. 7–8) III. A Good Servant Labors with Confidence in the Living God (vv. 9–10)
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:15-18 1. Christ’s church is built on an unshakable foundation Matt. 16:15 18; Psalm 18: 2, 31; 1 Cor . 3:11 ; Eph. 2:20 2. Christ personally is building His church Matt. 16:15 18; 1 Cor. 3:9 3. Christ’s church will certainly be built Matt. 16:15 18; Eph 5:26 27 4. Christ’s church will advance Matt. 16:15 18; Acts 2:41, 47 5. Christ takes exclusive ownership of His church Matt. 16:15-18; John 10:14 15; 1 Cor 6:19 20 ; 1 Peter 2:9 6. Christ’s church is an elect family Matt. 16:15-18; Eph. 1:3 5; Eph. 2:18 22; 1 Tim. 3:15 7. Christ’s church will not be conquered Matt. 16:15-18; 1 Cor. 15:54 57
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:1-5 Central Idea: People depart the faith when they distance themselves from the gospel, devote themselves to false teaching, and deny God’s good creation. I. The Reality of Departure (v. 1) II. The Reason for Departure (vv. 2–3) III. The Remedy for Departure (vv. 4–5)
9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” 12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. Revelation 1:9-20A. Introduction (Revelation 1:1-8) B. Vision Prelude (Revelation 1:7-8) C. Vision of the Lord Jesus (Revelation 1:9-16) 1. John’s vision of Jesus: His proximity – His identity 2. John’s vision of Jesus: His clothing 3. John’s vision of Jesus: His features 4. John’s vision of Jesus: The reaction and instruction: Revelation 1:17-20 – John’s response to the Lord Jesus a. Humbled: Rev. 1:17a; Ezekiel 1:28; Dan. 10:1-9; Judges 13:15-21 b. Terrified: Rev. 1:17b; Mark 4:35-41; Matt. 17:1-8; Judges 13:22 – The Lord’s assurance to John a. Commands John not to fear: Rev. 1:17c; Josh. 1:9; Dan.10:7-10; Matt. 17:6-7, 8:1-3 b. Reaffirms His authority to John: Rev. 1:17-20; John 13:12-14; Rev. 19:11-16 c. Instructions to John: Rev. 1:19-20 1) Jesus was specific: Rev. 22:18-19; 1 Thessalonians 1:5, 2:13, 1:8 2) John was obedient: Matthew 7:24-27
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:8-14 A. The CONSUMING PASSION of the Apostle Paul 1. The surpassing worth of knowing Christ Philippians 3:8 – Knowing Him defined – Knowing Him compared 2. The surpassing worth of knowing Christ experienced Matthew 13:45-46 – Surpassing worth in Christ’s love (personal love): Galatians 2:20 – Surpassing worth in Christ’s mercy: 1 Timothy 1:15-16 – Surpassing worth in Christ’s righteousness: Romans 3:21-23 – Surpassing worth in Christ’s presence: Psalm 16:11 3. The surpassing worth of knowing Christ pursued a. The pursuit of knowing Christ consumes our entire being Philippians 3:7-8, 10; Philippians 1:20-23; Psalm 73:25 b. The pursuit of knowing Christ is life’s chief passion and pursuit Philippians 3:7-8, 10; 1 Peter 2:7 c. The pursuit of knowing Christ requires our greatest efforts Philippians 3:12, 14; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Luke 9:23-24 d. The pursuit of knowing Christ knows no rivals Philippians 3:13; Luke 14:25-33 e. The pursuit of knowing Christ is a life-long pursuit Philippians 3:12-13; Psalm 27:4; Luke 10:38-42
14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. 1 Timothy 3:14-16 Central Idea: The simple church is God’s family, built on God’s truth, centered on God’s Son I. This is the Simple Church: Living as God’s Family (v.15a) II. This is the Simple Church: Built on God’s Truth (v.15b) III. This is the Simple Church: Centered on God’s Son (v. 16)
As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. John 9:1-
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 3:8-13 Central Idea: Deacons must meet God-given qualifications of character, faith, and family life, and they will receive the gracious reward of honor and confidence in Christ. The Qualifications of Deacons (vv. 8–12) The Reward of Deacons (v. 13)
1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” John 8:1-11
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3:2-7 Central Idea: Biblical Leadership in the church requires a man meet the God-given character qualifications. The Character of Leadership (2-7) -His Personal Life -His Family Life -His Public Life
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 1 Timothy 3:1 Central Idea: Biblical leadership in the church requires a God-given call and the God-honoring charge of a noble task. The Call to Leadership (verse 1a) The Charge of Leadership (verse 1b)
9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” 12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. Revelation 1:9-20 A. Introduction (Revelation 1:1 8) B. Vision Prelude (Revelation 1:7 8) C. Vision of the Lord Jesus (Revelation 1:9 13) D. Vision of the Lord Jesus His appearance 1. John’s vision of Jesus: His proximity His identity Revelation 1:13 a. The nearness of Jesus to his church Rev 2:1; Gen 28:10 16; John 14:15 18, 16:7, 13 14; Acts 1:8 b. The identity of Jesus to His church Daniel 7:13 14; Mark 14:60 65 2. John’s vision of Jesus – His clothing Revelation 1:13 a. Jesus dressed as an authoritative figure (judge, king) Exodus 28:4; Leviticus 16:4 b. Jesus dressed as the High Priest of His church Hebrews 2:17 1 8, 4:14, 7:21 27 3. John’s vision of Jesus: His appearance (features) Revelation 1:14-16 a. His hairs: eternality, purity, wisdom Rev 1:14 a; Dan. 7:9; John 1:1 2 , 10 :30, 17:22; Lev. 19:32; Prov. 16:31 b. His eyes: judgment, omniscience, fear Rev. 1:14b, 2:18; Heb. 4:13; Prov. 15:3; Ps. 139:1 4 c. His feet: glory, power, guidance Rev 1:15 ; 2:1; Heb. 12:5 10 d. His voice: authority, power, majesty Rev 1:15b ; Ezek. 43:1 2; Gen. 1; Matt. 4:1 11 e. His right hand: security, control Rev. 1:16 ; Eph. 1:22 23, Eph. 4:11 f. His mouth: truth, authority, power Rev 1:16 b ; Heb. 4:12, Rev. 19:11 16 g. His face: beauty, brilliance, purity Rev. 1:16c ; 2 Cor. 4:6; Isaiah 33:17
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:8-14 A. The CONSUMING PASSION of the Apostle Paul Philippians 3:7-14; Psalm 63:1-2; Philippians 1:21 1. The surpassing worth of knowing Christ Philippians 3:8, 10 – Knowing Him defined John 17:3; Galatians 4:9; John 10:14-15 – Knowing Him compared Philippians 3:4-8; Isaiah 33:17 2. The surpassing worth of knowing Christ experienced Philippians 3:8; Matthew 13:45-46 – Surpassing worth in Christ’s love John 13:1; Galatians 2:20 – Surpassing worth in Christ’s mercy 1 Timothy 1:15-16; Ephesians 2:4-5 – Surpassing worth in Christ’s righteousness Romans 3:21-26 – Surpassing worth in Christ’s presence Psalm 16:11, Psalm 21:6; Psalm 73:25; John 17:24
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:8-14 Why study the Apostle Paul? Three Reasons a. Discover or rediscover the life of a true Christian 1 John 1:1-4; Ephesians 1:3, 1 Peter 1:8; 1 Thess. 1:2-10; John 10:10, John 15:11; John 14:21; Eph. 3:8; Phil. 4:4 b. Observe the Apostle Paul as the model Christian 1. The Consuming Passion of the Apostle Paul Philippians 3:7-14 2. The Spiritual Prayer Life of the Apostle Paul Ephesians 1:15-20, 3:14-19 3. The Controlling Power of the Apostle Paul 2 Corinthians 5:11-19 c. Evaluate ourselves by scripture 2 Corinthians 13:5 A. The CONSUMING PASSION of the Apostle Paul Philippians 3:7-14 1. The surpassing worth of knowing Christ; Philippians 3:8 – Knowledge alone of Christ does not produce passion for Him. 1 Corinthians 13:2 – Facts of the history of Christ do not produce passion for Him. Luke 24:25-27, 32 – Knowing Christ produces transformation by Christ: John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17 – Knowing Christ leads to love for Christ: 1 Peter 1:3-9 2. The surpassing worth of knowing Christ experienced Philippians 3:8; Matthew 13:44 – Surpassing worth in Christ’s love: John 13:1; Gal. 2:20 – Surpassing worth in Christ’s mercy: 1 Tim. 1:15-16; Eph. 2:4-5 – Surpassing worth in Christ’s righteousness: Romans 3:21-26 – Surpassing worth in Christ’s presence: Psalm 16:11, 17:15; John 17:24
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48
9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. 1 Timothy 2:9-15Central Idea: God’s design for women in the church is that they display godliness in their appearance, attitude, and actions in accordance with His good order. I. Displaying Godliness in Appearance II. Displaying Godliness in Attitude III. Displaying Godliness in Roles and Actions
9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” 12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. Revelation 1:9-20 A. Introduction (Revelation 1:1-8) 1. Prologue (gives way to a standard greeting as a letter) 2. The Trinitarian Greeting 3. The Centrality of Christ 4. The Doxology B. Vision Prelude (Revelation 1:7-8) 1. Second coming of the Lord 2. Judgment by the One who is coming 3. Authority in the One coming to judge C. Vision of the Lord Jesus (Revelation 1:9-13) 1. John’s encounter by physical location 2. John’s encounter by spiritual experience 3. John’s instructions about the vision TONIGHT D. Vision of the Lord Jesus – His appearance 1. John’s vision of Jesus: His proximity – His identity REVELATION 1:13 – and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, a. The nearness of Jesus to His church (Revelation 2:1, Genesis 28:10-16; John 14:15-18; 16:7, 13-14; Acts 1:8 b. The Identity of Jesus to His church (Daniel 7:13-14, Mark 14:60-65) 2. John’s vision of Jesus: His clothing REVELATION 1:13 – and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. a. Jesus dressed as an authoritative figure (judge, king) – Exodus 28:4, Leviticus 16:4 b. Jesus dressed as the High Priest of His church HEBREWS 2:17-18 HEBREWS 4:14. HEBREWS 7:21 – 27 3. John’s vision of Jesus: His appearance (features)
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man[a] Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 1 Timothy 2:1-8 Central Idea: As the church, we are called to prioritize a pattern of prayer that reflects God’s desire for all to be saved, through a posture that promotes peace and unity. I. Priority of Prayer (verse 1a) II. Pattern of Prayer (verses 2-3) III. Purpose of Prayer (verses 4-7)
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-121. Reality2. Response3. Reward