First Baptist Lenoir City

<p>The power of practical living)</p><p><br></p><p>I. The New Life in Christ - vv. 1-4</p><p>1. Once raised with Christ - v. 1a</p><p>2. Start seeking - v. 1b</p><p>3. Position of Christ - v. 1c</p><p>4. Heavenly mindset - vv. 2-4</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>II. The Old Life in Adam - vv. 5-11</p><p>1. Kill the sin within - v. 5</p><p>2. Take seriously the consequences - v. 6</p><p>3. The Past is a problem - vv. 7-8</p><p>4. Do not lie to one another - v. 9</p><p>5. Honor God’s Image - vv. 10-12</p><p>6. Bearing with one another (forgiveness) - v. 13</p><p>7. Love one another (unity) - v. 14 </p><p>8. The Peace of Christ Rule (unity) - v. 15</p><p>9. The Word of God Dwell (richly) - v. 16-17</p><p>10. Teaching one another </p><p>11. Admonishing one another </p><p>In all Wisdom (not folly) </p><p>The Motive (in the Name of)</p><p>The Attitude (gratitude)</p><p><br></p>

<p>I. The Obituary: Paul was born by the name Saul in the great city of Tarsus in Cilicia around 5 AD. Paul was executed for his faith in the city of Rome as a martyr under Emperor Nero (circa 67 AD). Paul was born a Roman citizen and trained as a strict Pharisee under the leadership of Gamaliel. He was a skilled tent maker, follower of the risen Christ, Apostle, Missionary, and human author of at least 13 New Testament books (Romans, I & II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and possibly Hebrews). Prior to his conversion to Christ on a Damascus road he was an aggressive persecutor of the early church. Paul became the most influential proponent of Christianity, preaching the gospel of grace through faith, not by the works of the law. He endured severe hardships, including physical beatings, imprisonments, shipwrecked, and hunger. Paul’s tireless missionary journeys established churches in Asia Minor and Europe, fostering a unified community of Jewish and Gentile Christians. Paul spoke of his death in his final days from prison in his last letter, saying, I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH (II Timothy 4:7). He is not survived by a family of his own, but by thousands of spiritual children in the churches he founded. He is preceded in death by the Apostle James and the Deacon Stephen. Funeral arrangements are unknown. PRAY!</p><p><br></p><p>II. The 3 Perspectives of Paul’s life:</p><p>•What would Paul say about himself?</p><p>•I Timothy 1:12-15</p><p>•Phil. 1:21; 3:1-9</p><p>•What would others say about Paul?</p><p>•Galatians 1:18-24</p><p>•What would the Lord say about Paul?</p><p>•Acts 9:10-16; Acts 18:9-11: II Cor 12:8-10</p><p><br></p><p>III. We Remember Paul today based on his last words in Acts 20.</p><p><br></p><p>•A life of serving - vv. 17-19</p><p>•A life of sharing - vv. 20-21</p><p>•A life of sacrificing - vv. 22-24</p><p>•A life of shepherding - vv. 25-31</p><p>•A life of strengthening - vv. 31-35</p><p>•A life of sorrow - vv. 36-38</p><p>•Jesus ends in Jerusalem (Calvary) then begins in Jerusalem (Pentecost)</p><p>•Acts opens in Jerusalem and ends in Rome - take note of that, my friends.</p><p><br></p>

<p>I. The 2 Biblical Requirements of True Spirituality: The placement in Galatians is critical - Chapter 6 is the culmination of all that Paul has said. He said a lot!</p><p><br></p><p>(1) Being spiritual</p><p>(2) Seeking restoration</p><p><br></p><p>Being Saved bc God’s grace - Galatians 1:6-10</p><p>Being a Servant bc of God’s Love - Galatians 2:20</p><p>Being Impacted by God’s Spirit - Galatians 3:1-3</p><p>Being Led by/Walk by God’s Holy Spirit - 5:13-26</p><p>Being Burden Bearers - 6:1-10</p><p>II. The “One Another’s of Galatians 5: Setting up ch. 6</p><p>Galatians 5:13 - Through love serve one another</p><p>Galatians 5:15a - Don’t bite and devour one another</p><p>Galatians 5:15b - Or you will be consumed by one another</p><p>Galatians 5:26 - Don’t become conceited (which leads to) provoking one another, envying one another</p><p>Galatians 6:1 - Romans 15:1; I Thessalonians 5:14-15; Hebrews 12:12-13; “Watch” - Greek word meaning continual, diligent attentiveness</p><p>Galatians 6:2 - See 5:14; Matthew 22:34-40!</p><p>Galatians 6:3-4 -“test” is to approve of something after testing. Is our spiritual life strong enough to assist others?</p><p>Galatians 6:5 - We can carry someone’s burden; We cannot carry their consequences (accountability vs responsibility)</p><p>Galatians 6:6 -</p><p>Galatians 6:7-8 (both reaping requires waiting)</p><p>Galatians 6:9-10 (See I Corinthians 8:1-13)</p><p><br></p>

<p>• Paul delights in life after death; II Corinthians 5:8-9</p><p>• Psalm 116:15 - “precious”</p><p>• Simeon in Luke 2, “I can depart in peace”</p><p>• Jesus in John 14:1-3</p><p><br></p><p>I. The Finish Line of Faith:</p><p>1. Paul speaks of his death - v. 6</p><p>2. Paul speaks of his life - v. 7</p><p>• Paul fought (soldier, boxer)</p><p>• Paul finished (athlete)</p><p>• Paul kept (words of a vow)</p><p>3. Paul speaks of his afterlife - v . 8a</p><p><br></p><p>4. Paul speaks of our afterlife - v. 8b</p><p>• There is laid up for me -</p><p>• There is laid up for you -</p><p>• There is a qualifier - “to all who loved His appearing”</p><p><br></p><p>II. The Crowns Promised by God:</p><p>• Some crowns are given on earth: God has been good to His children!</p><p>• Psalm 8:5 (quoted in Hebrews 2:9) - Humanity has been crowned with incredible sanctity (of life)</p><p>• The others have qualifiers like the future crowns.</p><p>• Psalm 103:4 (our salvation) - crowned with steadfast love and mercy</p><p>• Proverbs 12:4 - An excellent wife is the crown of her husband</p><p>• Proverbs 14:18, The prudent are crowned with knowledge</p><p>• Proverbs 16:31 - Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.</p><p>• Proverbs 17:6 - Grandparents are crowned, Children’s children are a crown to the aged.</p><p><br></p>

<p>I. The 2 Biblical Requirements of True Spirituality: The placement in Galatians is critical - Chapter 6 is the culmination of all that Paul has said. He said a lot! </p><p>1. Being Saved because God’s grace - Galatians 1:6-10 </p><p>2. Being a Servant because of God’s Love - Galatians 2:20 </p><p>3. Being Impacted by God’s Spirit - Galatians 3:1-3 </p><p>4. Being Led by/Walk by God’s Holy Spirit - 5:13-26 </p><p>5. Being Burden Bearers - 6:1-10 </p><p><br></p><p>II. The “One Another’s of Galatians 5: Setting up ch. 6 </p><p>1. Galatians 5:13 - Through love serve one another </p><p>2. Galatians 5:15a - Don’t bite and devour one another </p><p>3. Galatians 5:15b - Or you will be consumed by one another </p><p>4. Galatians 5:26 - Don’t become conceited (which leads to) provoking one another, envying one another </p><p>5. Galatians 6:1 - Romans 15:1; I Thessalonians 5:14-15; Hebrews 12:12-13; “Watch” - Greek word meaning continual, diligent attentiveness </p><p>6. Galatians 6:2 - See 5:14; Matthew 22:34-40! </p><p>7. Galatians 6:3-4 -“test” is to approve of something after testing. Is our spiritual life strong enough to assist others? </p><p>8. Galatians 6:5 - We can carry someone’s burden; We cannot carry their consequences (we are impacted by the consequences of others, but we cannot take their place) </p><p>9. Galatians 6:6 - </p><p>10. Galatians 6:7-8 </p><p>11. Galatians 6:9-10</p>

<p>There are Delights in Good Fellowship & Dangers in Bad Fellowship! </p><p>I. The New Testament Model - The “one-anothers” </p><p>1. We are competent to counsel - Romans 15:14 </p><p>• Not written to church leaders </p><p>2. We have different levels of competency - Exodus 18:13-27 </p><p>• The Proverbs (father/mother) </p><p>3. *Communicating w/ one another (Words hurt/Words heal - Proverbs 12:18; 15:4; 18:21 </p><p>• Proverbs 6:16-19; 15:1-2 </p><p>• Matthew 5:37; 12:33-37 </p><p>• Ephesians 4:15, 25-33 </p><p>• Colossians 4:5-6 </p><p>• James 1:19-20 </p><p>• James 3:1-12 </p><p>4. Bearing one another’s burdens - Galatians 6:1-5 </p><p>• The Context - Gal. 5:13, 15, 26 </p><p>= Seeing others humbly - vv. 1-2 </p><p>= Seeing ourselves honestly - vv. 3-5</p><p>= Seeing our leaders gratefully - vv. 6-10 </p><p>= Seeing the cross clearly - vv. 11-18</p>

<p>THE MAN OF GOD CAN ONLY LEAD THE PEOPLE OF GOD WHEN HE RELIES ON THE WORD OF GOD</p><p><br></p><p>Paul started strong in chapter 1 in this, his last ever epistle. Paul stays strong in chapters 2 & 3. Paul finishes strong in chapter 4.</p><p><br></p><p>I ended the last sermon looking at the general statements from II Timothy 3:16-17. Let’s review those and then get more specific on what the Bible teaches us.</p><p><br></p><p>I. The Source of Scripture -</p><p>All Scripture is …</p><p>God breathed</p><p><br></p><p>II. The Strength of Scripture -</p><p>Is profitable - useful, beneficial,</p><p>It will teach us -</p><p>Theology - The Creator God; The Holy God; The Glory of God; The Love of God; The Grace of God; The Mercy of God; The Wrath of God - just to name a few!</p><p>Anthropology - The Priority of man (image of God); The Innocence of man; The Sin of man; The Pride of man; The Transformation of man is possible bc of …</p><p>Soteriology - Salvation, Conversion, Justification, Sanctification, Glorification (II Tim 4:6-8)</p><p>Eschatology (more significant than some think) - Matthew 24; Acts 1:6-11</p><p>It will reprove us</p><p>It will correct us</p><p>It will train us</p><p>It will complete us</p><p>It will equip us</p><p><br></p><p>III. The Specifics of Scripture -</p><p>Our Mission - Matthew 28:19-20</p><p>The Great Commission is the Grand Finale of the story of Jesus. His story didn’t end in the manger. His story didn’t end at the cross. His story didn’t end in the tomb. His story didn’t end even after the resurrection. His final statement/commitment was a global mission. All 4 Gospels</p><p>We must focus on His mission</p><p>We must focus on two issues</p><p><br></p><p>Our Mandate - Acts 1:3-11</p><p>We must focus on the King</p><p>We must focus on His Kingdom</p><p>We enhance His Kingdom through discipleship</p><p>We enlarge His Kingdom through evangelism</p><p><br></p><p>Our Message - I Corinthians 15:1-4 (DBR)</p><p>We must focus on the death of Jesus Christ</p><p>We must focus on the burial of Jesus Christ</p><p>We must focus on the resurrection of Jesus Christ</p><p><br></p>

<p>I. The New Testament Model - The “one-anothers”</p><p>1. We are competent to counsel - Romans 15:14</p><p>2. Not written to church leaders</p><p><br></p><p>1. We have different levels of competency - Exodus 18:13-27</p><p>2. The Proverbs (father / mother)</p><p><br></p><p>1. Counseling in Communication</p><p>2. Proverbs 6:16-19</p><p>3. Proverbs 15:1-2</p><p>4. Matthew 5:37</p><p>5. Matthew 12:33-37</p><p>6. Ephesians 4:15, 25-33</p><p>7. Colossians 4:5-6</p><p>8. James 1:19-20</p><p>9. James 3:1-12</p>

<p>I. Good Fellowship Creates Good Communion -</p><p>Acts 2:42-47</p><p>1. all were together</p><p>2. had all things in common</p><p>3. as any had need</p><p>4. received their good w/ glad and generous hearts</p><p>5. praising God</p><p>6. having favor w/ all the people</p><p><br></p><p>Acts 4:32-37</p><p>1. full number</p><p>2. one heart and one soul</p><p>3. everything in common</p><p>4. great power & great grace</p><p>5. not a needy person</p><p>6. as any had need</p><p><br></p><p>II. Bad Fellowship Negates Good Communion -</p><p>1. The First Compromise in the Early Church - Acts 5:1-12</p><p>2. great fear upon all who heard</p><p>3. great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard</p><p><br></p><p>1. The First Church Known for Division - Corinth</p><p>2. Division addressed in chap 1</p><p>3. Division addressed in chap 3</p><p>4. Damage addressed in chap 5 & 6</p><p>5. Damage addressed in chap 11</p><p><br></p><p>a. Paul cannot commend</p><p>b. Paul criticizes their fellowship</p><p>c. Paul confronts their ongoing divisiveness</p><p>d. Paul affirms God’s sovereignty in the midst of compromise - v. 19</p><p>e. Paul calls out their damage to the Lord’s Supper - vv. 20-22</p><p>f. Paul corrects the Corinthians but also warns them - vv. 23-34</p>

<p>The Beauty of the Love of God is far greater than anything we can comprehend. </p><p>If you don’t love God, you don’t love yourself, and if you don’t love yourself, you don’t love God. </p><p><br></p><p>Love is from God. </p><p>Love is defined by God Himself. </p><p>Love is displayed by God - and demonstrated by Jesus. </p><p>Love is embodied by believers. </p><p>Love Readies Us for Eternity</p>

<p>Why are we calling these groups LIFE GROUPS?</p><p>What is the Biblical Model for LIFE GROUPS in homes?</p><p><br></p><p>The Core Convictions & Practices of the Newborn Church (early)</p><p><br></p><p>Roles: Teachers, Hosts, and Attenders</p><p>Reproducible: Teachers need assistant teachers, prayer leaders, care leaders, </p><p>outreach leaders</p>

<p>When We See the Presence of Christ - vv 5-7</p><p><br></p><p>When We Understand the Presence of Christ - vv 8-9</p><p><br></p><p>When We Experience the Presence the Person of Christ - vv 10-13</p><p><br></p><p>The prophet Isaiah understood what it meant to experience the person of Christ</p><p><br></p><p>Isaiah 6:1-8</p>

<p>I. The Promises of Christmas: The Promise of the Prophets - The Promise of the Preparer - The Promise to the Parents - The Promise of the Person - The Promise of the Passover - The Manger of the Savior - 2:1-7 The Message of the Savior - 2:8-14 The Mission of the Savior - 2:15-21 The Messengers of the Savior - 2:22-38 The Meaning of the Passover - 3:38-40</p>

<p>I. God Commissioned Christmas:</p><p><br></p><p>God sent His Word</p><p>God sent His Prophets</p><p>God sent His Messages</p><p>God sent His Messenger </p><p>God sent the World (2) </p><p>God sent His Angel(s)</p><p>God sent His Son</p><p>She gave birth to her firstborn Son</p><p>She wrapped him in swaddling clothes </p><p>She laid Him in a manger </p><p>There was no room </p><p>Shepherds; Shone; *Savior; Suddenly </p><p>Glory to God in the highest </p><p>Peace on earth </p><p>Goodwill to man </p><p>With whom God is pleased </p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p>III. The PROMISE is a Person (JC) - </p><p>The Praise of Mary - 1:26-45; 46-56</p><p>Mary is a WITNESS of Christmas Truth: How so?</p><p>Mary is a WORSHIPPER - inward worship! Her soul & spirit moved with exaltation and rejoicing - This reaction flows from a heart of faith responding to God’s grace </p><p><br></p><p>There are 3 Examples of Mary’s Faith that we must emulate: </p><p><br></p><p>(1) Mary is SAVED - God my Savior! Like King David, when in Psalm 23 he declares, “God restores my soul”</p><p><br></p><p>(2) Mary is BLESSED - a recipient of blessing - not a giver of blessing</p><p><br></p><p>(3) Mary is THOUGHTFUL (theologically mindful) - She calls God “holy” and “mighty”; She reminds us of God’s “mercy”; of God’s “strength”; She confronts the “pride” of humanity bc she knows God values humility; She reminds kings that they are under God’s authority; She clarifies how God deals with the poor and the rich; She remembers “Israel”; She remembers “Abraham” -</p>

<p>I. The Grace of God in Galatians:</p><p><br></p><p>Galatians 1:3-10, 18-24</p><p>Galatians 2:15-21</p><p>Galatians 3:1-14</p><p>Galatians 4:4-6</p><p>Galatians 5:16-25</p><p>Galatians 6:11-18</p><p><br></p>

<p>Luke checks off all of the boxes. The WHO of Christmas. The HOW of Christmas. The WHERE of Christmas. The WHY of Christmas. The WHAT of Christmas. </p><p>The Clues of the Christ. Jesus has the right parents, the right line, the right birth, the right Name, the right life, the right ministry, the right Elijah to come, the right mission, the right death, the right resurrection, the right mission, the right Return, the right forever home.</p><p><br></p><p> I. The Birth of John the Baptizer - </p><p>The Witness of the Word-prophetic </p><p>The Witness of Luke - 1:1-4 </p><p>The Witness of the Angel - 1:5-25 </p><p>The Witness of Mary - 1:26-56 </p><p>The Witness of Zechariah - 1:57-80 </p><p>John is the Elijah to come; The one chosen to roll out the red carpet for the Messiah; The best man for the wedding for the Groom of His Bride (aka “The wedding coordinator” - Weddings in first-century Israel were a major undertaking and oftentimes lasted for a week-long celebration. John was born to get the people and the place ready. John 3:22-30 </p><p><br></p><p>Matthew 11:11-19: Two games children played in the days of Jesus were called “Wedding” and “Funeral”. They would be dancing for the Wedding game and a dirge for the Funeral game. Jesus is indicting the JRE for their reasons for rejecting Him and John. John had a dirge and you want a dance. I have a dance and you want a dirge. You are proud. You are jealous. You are hypocrites. BUT WISDOM IS VINDICATED BY HER CHILDREN! </p><p><br></p><p>II. The Birth of Jesus (the) Christ - </p><p>The Manger of Jesus - 2:1-7 </p><p>The Message of Jesus - 2:8-14 </p><p>The Mission of Jesus - 2:15-21 </p><p>The Messengers of Jesus - 2:22-40</p>

<p>1. Isaiah 53</p><p>2. Isaiah 55</p><p>3. Isaiah 59:1-2</p><p>4. Isaiah 64:6</p><p><br></p>

<p>Isaiah tells the Gospel Story (aka The Christmas Story) 700 years before the birth of Jesus. Yet he reveals the sinful condition of mankind and the need for a supernatural born Savior. God’s Governor removes the gloom and replaces it with glory! We call this glorious event Christmas! </p><p>I. The Gospel According to Isaiah </p><p>II. The Gloom of the Problem of sin - 9:1-5 (1:1-17) - </p><p>III. The Glory of the Promise - 9:6-7 </p><p><br></p><p>The Promise Unwrapped - will have several Names - 9:6d-7 (descriptions; character; revelation) - How will He govern?</p>

<p>I. The Gloom of Our Sin - </p><p><br></p><p>II. The Glory of Our Savior - </p><p><br></p><p>III. A Jet Tour Through Isaiah:</p><p>Isaiah 1:1-17, 18-20</p><p>Isaiah 6:1-8 (John 12:36-41)</p><p>Isaiah 7:14</p><p>Isaiah 26:3</p><p>Isaiah 40:1-5, 28-31</p><p>Isaiah 53:1-12</p><p>Isaiah 55:1-2, 8-9</p><p>Isaiah 59:1-2</p><p>Isaiah 64:6</p>

<p>= A New Testament Pastor is a Shepherd (points to his task)</p><p>= A New Testament Pastor is an Overseer (points to his authority)</p><p>= A New Testament Pastor is an Elder (points to his maturity) </p><p>= Hebrews 13:7; 17 - congregation to pastor and pastor to congregation.</p><p><br></p><p> I. Intensity & Intentionality Required - </p><p>1. Flee - Run from the wrong things </p><p>2. Pursue - Run to the right things </p><p>3. Fight the good fight (I Tim 6:11-12) </p><p>4. PO/PO - Ephesians 4 </p><p>5. Flee - James 4:7 </p><p>• We run away from sin (sanctification), but Satan runs away from you (submission) </p><p><br></p><p>II. The Shepherds as Bond-Servants: </p><p>1. “Must not be” - “quarrelsome.” </p><p>• I Timothy 2:8; 3:3; 6:4 </p><p>• Titus 3:2; Titus 3:9 </p><p>• II Timothy 2:14; 2:23; 2:24 </p><p>2. “Must be” - Serving & Discerning </p><p>• Kind to everyone - (leads to repentance - Romans 2:4) </p><p>• Able to teach - unique word here and I Timothy 3:2. Ezra 7:10, The hand of the Lord is upon him because He SET HIS HEART to (3): Rigorous study; Regular obedience; Robust teaching. </p><p>• Not resentful - (patient when wronged). Many commentators noted that this is one of the most difficult challenges of a pastor. What is the key to being faithful to this verse? Making sure ministry is about His Name; His Word; His Will. It’s not about us. </p><p>• Correcting opponents w/ gentleness - (correcting carefully) - Look to Joseph of Genesis and Jesus of Nazareth! Genesis 50:20; I Peter 2:21-23 </p><p>3. Must Trust God when correcting: We must trust God to change people </p><p>- We follow His commands </p><p>• God will grant them repentance </p><p>• God will lead them to the knowledge of the truth </p><p>• They will come to their senses - </p><p>• They will escape from the trap of the devil - “who has taken them captive to do his will.”</p>

<p>Grace-Driven Study</p><p>Grace-Driven Sanctification</p><p>Grace-Driven Shepherding</p><p>= 5 Encouragements from Paul: being honorable; being holy; being useful; being ready; having a pureheart</p><p><br></p><p>= The LAST words from LAST week - 2:19, “depart from iniquity” - still on that theme: How do you read that? How can it be read? Is it harsh or is</p><p>it hopeful? We can depart from sin! We don’t have to stay in bondage. We don’t have to live in our past.</p><p>I Cor. 6:9-11 is the main passage</p><p>I Thess. 4:3-5; I Peter 1:14-16</p><p>I. Being Honorable - 2:20</p><p><br></p><p>II. Being Useful - 2:21</p><p><br></p><p>III. Being Decisional - 2:22</p>

<p>I. The Language of Life & Faith - Jesus uses physical realities to picture spiritual truths. </p><p>1. You must be born-again, John 3:1-8 </p><p>2. You must drink Water-John 4:1-15 </p><p>3. You must eat Bread-John 6:22-40 </p><p>4. You must drink Blood-John 6:41-60 </p><p>5. You must know Who Jesus is - John 6:60-71 </p><p><br></p><p>I Corinthians 11:23-26</p>

<p>The Vision of Cornelius (vv. 1-8)</p><p>Peter's Vision (vv. 9-16)</p><p>The Visitors (vv. 17-23)</p><p>The Breakthrough (vv. 23b-35)</p><p>The Gospel of Peace (vv. 36-43)</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p>Montana Mission Trip Recap begins at 28:24.</p>

<p>Pray for God's guidance</p><p>Find some common ground (don't set up barriers)</p><p>Meet them where they are</p><p>Explain who God is and what He is like</p><p>He is CREATOR</p><p>He CARES for each of us</p><p>He wants to be KNOWN by us</p><p>He gives us our PURPOSE</p><p>He will JUDGE US</p><p>At each step, look for ways to connect even deeper with them</p><p>Present them with a decision to make (repent or reject)</p><p>Expect one of three different responses</p><p>Some will make fun of you</p><p>Some will want to hear more</p><p>Some will believe</p><p><br></p>