• 2 Corinthians 7:1 Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.
• Since we have these promises—> Let us cleanse ourselves –>bringing holiness
• 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 18 And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.

 

• Ephesians 6:10-18 10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
  

True holiness does not consist merely of believing and feeling, but of doing and bearing, and a practical exhibition of active and passive grace. Our tongues, our tempers, our natural passions and inclinations – our conduct as parents and children, masters and servants, husbands and wives, rulers and subjects – our dress, our employment of time, our behavior in business, our demeanor in sickness and health, in riches and poverty – all, all these are matters which are fully treated by inspired writers. They are not content with a general statement of what we should believe and feel, and how we are to have the roots of holiness planted in our hearts. They dig down lower. They go into particulars. They specify minutely what a holy man ought to do and to be in his own family, and by his own fireside, if he abides in Christ. I doubt whether this sort of teaching is sufficiently attended in the movement of the present day. JC Ryle

• Belt of Truth: commitment to self-discipline; prepared for battle
• Breastplate of Righteousness: live righteous lives, or be vulnerable to attack
• Shield of faith: the duty of Christian community

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty of my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.

• Spiritual maturity is a daily choice rooted in a to obey God and can cultivate humility, love, unity, service, and joy, leading to a life of thankfulness.
• Thankfulness flows with ease when life is .
• Thankfulness gets challenged when life gets .
• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1. Be thankful – our .
2. In all circumstances – our .
3. For this is God’s Will for you – our .
4. Who belong to Christ Jesus – our .

 

• Romans 8:28-29 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
• God’s design is to use to mold, shape, and conform us into becoming more like Christ. Less of us; more of Him.
• Thankfulness should be practiced even when life is turned upside down, and we don’t why.
• 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 …even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
• Who boasts in weakness? The person who Christ’s power to work.
• Colossians 2:7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
• Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

 

1. Start rather than later.

2. Notice small but meaningful to be thankful.

• Luke 17:17-18 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”

3. Reflect on thankfulness.

• As time and distance pass, it’s common to gain a clearer on the trial and then sincerely thank God for what He has done.
• Exodus 14:13 But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again.

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty of my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.

• Today, many of you are carrying heavy things that no one else can see.
  • Financial pressures
  • Unanswered prayers
  • Strained relationships
• The peace that Scripture speaks about is not shallow.
  • It is not surface level.
  • It is deep and it is sustaining.
• The world offers distraction—Jesus offers .
• The world offers temporary relief—Jesus offers anchored .
• John 16:33: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
• Notice this that in the middle of trouble— Jesus offers peace.
  Not after the storm.
  Not when everything settles down.
  But right in the middle of it.
  Peace Rejoices in God’s Work, Not Personal Control.
• Here is a key fact that I want us to remember: It is only through Jesus living in one’s heart that we can have true Biblical peace.

 

The Source of True Peace

• John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
• That means there are two different kinds of peace: There is worldly peace— And there is Biblical peace.
• Matthew 11:28-29: 28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
• Notice—Jesus didn’t say, “Come to religion.” – Jesus didn’t say, “Come to rules.” -Jesus said, “Come to Me.”

 

What is a Yoke?

• When Jesus says, “Take my yoke,” He is saying something very powerful: He is saying to us.
  – “Walk with Me.”
  – “Be joined to Me.”
  – “Let Me guide your life.”

The Presence of Peace in Fear

• John 20:19 19 That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 
• Peace is not the absence of fear— Peace is the presence of Jesus in the middle of fear.
• When Jesus steps in—peace steps in, and everything changes.

“To live under the Lord’s sovereign protection and care brings immeasurable comfort, joy and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension.”  ~ John MacArthur ~

 

The Calling to Live in Peace

• Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
• A peacemaker is someone who:
  – Brings calm into chaos
  – Brings unity into division
  – Brings healing into brokenness

 

1. Peace Encourages – John 16:33

• Speaks hope instead of fear
• Brings calm instead of panic
• Reminds others that God is still in control

 

2. Peace Trusts – Peace is built on trust. You cannot have peace if you are trying to control everything.

• Philippines 4:6-7 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand… His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

 

3. Peace Restores – Peace heals what is broken. Jesus restored people:

• He restored Peter after failure
• He restored relationships
• He restored humanity through the cross
• Peace doesn’t ignore pain—it brings healing to it

 

4. Peace Invests – Peace is active—not passive. Just a few minutes ago I referenced Jesus’ sermon on the mount.

• Matthew 5:9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God (NLT)
• Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (NIV)

 

Peacemakers invest in:

• Relationships
• Unity
• Growth

They don’t wait for peace—they create it

“The peace Jesus gives us is not a promise to remove the pain and stress of daily living. Those troubles are inevitable, and they will not be removed from us until the Lord comes again. The peace He offers is a calm, unafraid, unruffled confidence that, having placed our lives in His hands, all is well. Nothing can harm our innermost being. Nothing can shake us from the intimate connection we’ve established with the Lord of the universe through our saving faith in Him. It’s a peace we have despite external circumstances – a peace that cannot be destroyed. Dr. David Jeremiah, Pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in San Diego, and the founder of the Ministry Turning Point Ministries. Book – “Overcomer.”

 

• John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift— “peace” of mind and heart. And the “peace” I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
• Notice: Jesus doesn’t promise an easier path; He promises His .
• Then Jesus adds, “Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
• That is not a command to suppress emotion—it is an to rest in Him. Peace Rejoices in God’s Work, Not Personal Control.

 

• Acts 15:36–41
• “Peace” valued redemption over efficiency and his personal feelings.
• John 21 – Jesus restoring Peter
• Jesus restored Peter after denial—not privately hiding him but publicly recommissioning him: “Feed My sheep.”
• On the cross, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them.” That is peace under pressure.
• What we should see clearly in these passages of scripture is that Peace Seeks Restoration, Even When It’s Costly.
• Peace isn’t pretending hurt didn’t happen—it’s choosing forgiveness anyway.
• Peace leaves a legacy of faithful people.

The sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark seemed like a broken relationship at the time—but that wasn’t the end of the story.

• Colossians 4:10 “Mark, Barnabas’s cousin… If he comes to you, welcome him.”
• 2 Timothy 4:11 “Bring Mark with you… for he is helpful to me in my ministry.”
• Peace leaves a legacy by shaping people who remain .
• That’s what peace does—it focuses on people, not just outcomes, and leaves behind a legacy of transformed, faithful lives.

A clear pattern:

• Peace encourages
• Peace trusts
• Peace celebrates
• Peace restores
• Peace invests in people

• Barnabas was not the source of that peace – He was simply a – Jesus is the source.
• It was that same peace that steadied Jesus as He faced the cross.

“The peace Jesus gives us is not a promise to remove the pain and stress of daily living. Those troubles are inevitable, and they will not be removed from us until the Lord comes again. The peace He offers is a calm, unafraid, unruffled confidence that, having placed our lives in His hands, all is well. Nothing can harm our innermost being. Nothing can shake us from the intimate connection we’ve established with the Lord of the universe through our saving faith in Him. It’s a peace we have despite external circumstances – a peace that cannot be destroyed. Dr. David Jeremiah

• 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty of my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.

 

• Attitudes for godly development begin with our desire to obey God’s Word, His Wisdom, and His Ways, and are followed by an eagerness to live humbly and love others. This leads to unity and the desire to serve with inner .
• There’s nothing wrong with things going our way; however, we know that life has hills and valleys.
• Matthew 6:34 So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
• John 14:1 Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.
• Jesus encouraged his disciples to trust, and that’s helpful for us today. Is this easy? Not at all. Is it the right thing to do? Yes.
• Our joy as followers of Jesus is an internal truth that does not change with circumstances but is rooted in our relationship with the Living God.

“Jesus Christ is no security against storms, but He is perfect security in storms. He has never promised you an easy passage, only a safe landing.” Streams In The Desert, March 31

 

• 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. 28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.
• Acts 14:19-20 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. 20 But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.
• Acts 9:15-16 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.

“Take a saint (Christian), and put him into any condition, and he knows how to rejoice in the Lord.” Walter Cradock

• In Rome, Paul was placed under house arrest, confined physically but not in his ministry. The church in Philippi received a letter from Paul. He wrote it, and the main theme is JOY, with his encouragement for the church to be full of joy.
• Philippians 1:3-5 (Written from jail) Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 
• Philippians 4:4 (Written from jail) Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
• A Christian can still grieve, struggle, and suffer, but joy remains because it is rooted in God’s unchanging character and promises.

 

1. Know the Source of Joy – Jesus.
   John 16.33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
2. Trust in the authority and sufficiency of God’s Word.
   1 Samuel 30:6 But David found strength in the Lord His God.
3. Be prepared to learn from others and shift our perspective.
   Nehemiah 8:10 And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
4. Joy is not something we generate; it is a gift from the Holy Spirit.
   Galatians 5.22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…
5. Learn to be content.
   Philippians 4.11-13 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
   

• Discontent, ingratitude, resentment, anger, and jealousy will rob any believer in Jesus of joy.
• Psalm 90:14 Satisfy us each morning with Your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.
• Psalm 16:11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty of my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.

• Two Gentile leaders faced a dilemma because God was using Paul to spread the word of Jesus, but the religious Jewish leaders Jesus.
• Festus, a Roman governor, states that the main issue was disagreements over Jewish religion and “a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive.”
• The resurrection of Jesus is the belief in Christianity.
• The resurrection of Jesus is the vital claim that either Christianity or, if false, implies that billions who believed in it over the centuries are wrong.
• the resurrection did happen, confirming everything Jesus said and did—and believers are  of eternal life and forgiveness of sins.
• 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection from the dead? 13 For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. 15 And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. 16 And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! 19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. 20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.

 

1. The Tomb
   Despite all these precautions—the stone, the soldiers, and the seal—the tomb was empty on that first Easter morning.
2. Multiple
   When they talked about Jesus, they didn’t say, “We found an empty tomb,” but instead, they said, “We saw Jesus alive!”
   1 Corinthians 15:3-4  I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.
3. Lives
   Those who encountered the Resurrected Jesus underwent life-changing transformations. The disciples were transformed into the most effective missionary organization the world has ever seen. What motivated them to go everywhere and share the message of the risen Christ? Was it for money, power, or fame? No.

• The only thing that could have possibly changed the disciples’ lives so dramatically was the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Every one of these men could have lived if they had simply said: “He is dead.”
• Has your life been changed because Jesus is the Lord of your life?

“When I look at myself, I don’t see how I can be saved. But when I look at Christ, I don’t see how I can be lost.” Martin Luther

• 1 John 5:13 I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.

Everyone dies. Are you confident about your eternal destination?

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty of my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.

• As the crucifixion of Jesus drew nearer by the hour, HE experienced excruciating on all levels.
• Luke 23:1-2 Then the entire council took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. 2 They began to state their case: “This man has been leading our people astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming he is the Messiah, a king.”
• Jesus was hated for at least one reason: He exposed the evil in their hearts.
• Jesus hung on the cross in pain, thirsty, abandoned, and bearing the of sinners.

 

• It’s called atonement, forgiveness, cleansing, and freedom. It’s also known as .
• Ephesians 2:8-9 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
• Luke 23:40-43 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” 43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
• Here’s why we call it “Good Friday.” Jesus made it possible for everyone to receive forgiveness. Jesus is our .
• Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
• Saved by grace means: I don’t need to I’m deserving of God’s love. The striving to be good is over.
• Because of what Jesus did, God’s righteousness is given to all who .
• On that Friday, God treated Jesus as if He had lived our life, so that He could treat us as if we had lived His. That’s why we call today… ”Good Friday.”
• Hebrews 9:22 In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty of my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.

• Spiritual maturity grows by to the Living God, humility, love, and outward devotion shown through service.
• Serving is about filling a spot, staying busy, taking on another task, or doing something just to be noticed.

Possible reasons why people called to follow Jesus don’t serve in their church:

1. They have never been .
2. They don’t think they’re .
3. They see serving as just another to add to their already busy schedule.
4. They think a big church already has enough volunteers, so they it.
5. I’ve paid my dues, so let the younger generation step up. (Caleb’s life – Joshua 14:10-12) Why retire when you can re-?
6. Serving others isn’t among my .

 

• Jesus is the Lord overall and a of all.
• There is tension because Jesus models serving, while the culture values .
• Mark 10:37 …“when you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”
• Mark 10:41-45 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 42 So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
  • Jesus is motivated by , not a position. So should we.
  • Jesus abolished the pecking order of . (Mark 10.43).
  • Jesus provided His disciples with a understanding of leadership (Mark 10.44).
  • Jesus came to and serve, not to be served.
• Serving begins with a for Jesus and His church.

 

• Philippians 2:3-8 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
• Many in the American consumer church admire what Jesus did, but are horrified at the idea of living that way.

“God’s great holy joke about the messiah complex is this: Every human being who has ever lived has suffered from it – except one. And He was the Messiah.” John Ortberg

• John 13:4-5 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.
• John 13:12-17 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.
• Serving always comes from a heart.
  “Find a need and fill it.” Pastor Tommy Barnett

1. Find a friend and serve .
2. Find joy in doing small things well and with .
   “If it’s Christian, it ought to be a little bit better.” Jerry Falwell, co-founder of Liberty University
3. Find a place where you can . God gave us passion, skills, and a past to serve the Lord and others with fulfillment.
4. Find the vision like Isaiah (Isaiah 6:8).

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty of my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.

• Joshua 1.8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 
• Ezra 7:10 This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel.
• One benefit of understanding God’s Word is learning how to well to others.
• Unity is never accidental and can be more to achieve than disunity.
• Disunity is never accidental and is naturally to attain than unity.
• Genesis 3:9 “Where are you?”
• Genesis 3.10-13 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” 11“Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” 13 Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?”
• What God works to unite satan works to .

A united church is a force for righteousness. A divided church is a force for sinfulness.

• Cielo Vista Church Value #4 – Unity in diversity.
• We find unity in diversity. is our focus.
• Ephesians 4:1-2 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

 

1. The honor of God’s calling on our lives (v.1).
2. The Christ-like spirit (v.2).

• Humble – Is Jesus humble?
  Isaiah 53:2 “…There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.”   
• Gentle – Is Jesus gentle?
  Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.
• Patient – Is Jesus patient?
  Isaiah 53:8 Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people.
• Colossians 3:13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
• Love—Is Jesus love? Agape = love. Deep love.
• The same word ‘love’ in Ephesians 4 is the same in: John 13:35, John 15:13, Romans 5:8
• 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 11 For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. 12 Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 for now no one can say they were baptized in my name. 16 (Oh yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas, but I don’t remember baptizing anyone else.) 17 For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.

1. Satan’s best work is everyone and everything God wants to unite.
2. Unity morale; disunity demoralizes. Unity encourages; disunity discourages.
3. Unity the church; disunity weakens it.
4. Unity is ; disunity is cheap and driven by ego. (Edging God Out).
5. Unity God; disunity dishonors His Name.
6. The always matters more than the issue. Failing to resolve issues can lead to regret. Solving issues ultimately shows grace and maturity.

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty of my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.

• If someone claims to follow Jesus but does not , they are not demonstrating one of the strongest qualities of true spiritual growth.
• John 3:16 For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
• 1 John 3:16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.
• 1 John 4:19 We love each other because he loved us first.
• An authentic Christian is to love because of the love placed in the heart at salvation.

 

• 1 John 4:7-8 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
• How can believers in Jesus love people who are different in various ways? Because God has the nature of His love within us, it can then flow toward all people.
• 1 John 4:20-21 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.
• The world cannot see God directly, but it can observe His presence in the loving followers of Jesus and His church.
• 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

1. (1 Corinthians 13:4) “Patient and kind” is a Greek compound of two words: “thymia” and “macro”. Combining the two – macrothymia – means the ability to be wronged without retaliating. It suggests being long-fused, as opposed to having a “short fuse.”

Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things

2. (1 Corinthians 13:4-5) Love is not…
not to be so easily offended.

3. (1 Corinthians 13:6-7) 
Instead of harming others with words or actions, I strive for their good.

 

1. Love is patient – impatience is , and pride exposes impatience.
2. Love is built on trust – How trust develops: . Actions and words align.
3. Love is hopeful—stay optimistic. Better days are coming. Hopeful love means sticking , praying, hoping, and never stopping believing—TOGETHER (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
4. Love endures through circumstance.

DO THIS:

1. Tell people you love them and through problems.
2. Tell people you love them, and don’t .

AVOID SOWING SEEDS OF REGRET:

• Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
• 1 John 4:19 We love each other because he loved us first.

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty of my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.