First Baptist Lenoir City

<p>I. Keeping the Focus on Faith in Christ </p><p>1. The Identity & Audience - 1:1 </p><p>2. The How & Why - 1:2a </p><p>3. The Heart - 1:2b </p><p>4. The Great Mercy/Living Hope - 1:3a </p><p>5. The Resurrection - 1:3b </p><p>6. The Inheritance</p><p>8. The Prophets & Angels - 1:10-12 </p><p>9. The Mind Prepared/Hope Set - 1:13 </p><p>10. The Obedience - 1:14-17 </p><p>11. The Gospel - 1:18-25</p>

<p>I. Lessons learned from a lost man:</p><p> 1. Clearing up Bad Theology - vv. 1-7</p><p> 2. Clearing up Right Identity - vv. 8-12</p><p> 3. Clearing up Messianic Credentials - vv. 13-17</p><p> 4. Confronting the Parents -vv. 18-23</p><p> 5. Confronting the Seeing Man - vv. 24-34</p><p> 6. Converting the Seeing Man - vv. 35-41</p>

<p>I. How the Victory was Won - Colossians 2</p><p> 1. Walking in Grace - 2:6-7a</p><p> 2. Overflowing with/ Gratitude - 2:7b</p><p> 3. The Problem of Philosophy - 2:8-10</p><p> 4. The Power of the Cross - 2:11-15</p><p> 5. The Problem of Legalism - 2:16-17</p><p> • Mark 7:14-19</p><p> • Illustrated in Acts 10:9-16</p><p> • Ratified in Acts 15:28-29</p><p> 6. The Problem of Mysticism - 2:18-19</p><p> 7. The Problem of Asceticism - 2:20-23</p><p><br></p>

<p>I. Those Rich in this present world - v. 17a </p><p>1. Don’t be haughty - v. 17b </p><p>2. Don’t set your hope on the uncertainty of riches - v. 17c </p><p>3. Do set your hope on God bc He richly supplies us with everything to enjoy - v. 17d</p><p>4. Do good (with your resources) - v. 18a </p><p>5. Be rich in good works - v. 18b </p><p>6. Be generous/ready to share - v. 18c (See II Corinthians 9:7) </p><p>7. Store up treasure for yourself - v. 19a (See Revelation 14:13) </p><p>8. Take hold of that which is life indeed - v. 19b </p><p><br></p><p>The Lord’s Supper / Communion - II Corinthians 8:9 </p><p>Read Matthew 26:26-29</p>

<p>I. The Word is the Weapon - II Corinthians 10:3-5 </p><p>(The power of the pen (Greece); The Power of the sword (Rome); The Power of the towel (Jesus)</p><p> 1. The mind of man - Romans 12:1-2</p><p> 2. The heart of man - Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 12:33-37</p><p> 3. The soul of man - Psalm 19:7-8; 23:1-3</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>II. How the War was Won - Colossians </p><p> 1. The Deliverance - 1:1-29 (vv. 9-14)</p><p> 2. The Dangers - 2:1-23 (vv. 6-15)</p><p> 3. The Death - 3:1-17</p><p> 4. The Devotion - 4:1-6</p><p> 5. The Disciples - 4:7-18</p>

<p>Two Decisions for all Disciples:</p><p>• Intentionality -</p><p>• Intensity -</p><p><br></p><p>I. A Humility that leads to Intensity -vv. 11-15</p><p>1. True Salvation - Repent & Believe</p><p>2. True Sanctification -</p><p>a. Flee from -</p><p>b. Follow after -</p><p>c. Fight for -</p><p><br></p><p>II. A Holiness that leads to Purity - vv.15-16 (“in His own time”)</p><p>1. The Blessed and only Sovereign - Potentate!</p><p>2. The King of Kings and Lord of lords - Revelation 17:14; 19:16</p><p>3. Who alone possesses immortality - You want it? You must get it from the Lord!</p><p>4. Who alone dwells in unapproachable light (God met Moses in a burning bush; God met Isaiah in a smoke-filled temple; God met Peter in a boat on the sea; God met John on the island of Patmos) John 1; I John 3:1-2; Revelation 1:1; Exodus 33 -</p><p>5. Who is to be Honored - Your stated goal? Honor has been a theme in chapters 5 & 6! Honor God @ work; Honor God w/ widows; Honor God w/ pastors; Honor God over money; Honor God!</p><p>6. Who has Eternal Dominion - over your sin and over Satan (both now and for all time).</p><p> </p>

<p>Review:</p><p> • The Commander </p><p> • The Commanded </p><p> • The Liberty</p><p> • The Liar </p><p> • The Curse </p><p> • The Christ - Paul keeps Jesus front and center. Jesus is his main focus, but Paul reminds the Corinthians and us about Satan’s strategies:</p><p> • II Corinthians 2:11</p><p> • II Corinthians 11:14</p><p> • II Corinthians 12:7</p><p><br></p><p>— THE WEAPON IS THE WORD - </p><p> Matthew 4:1-11</p><p><br></p><p>I. Be Compassionate - 10:1</p><p><br></p><p>II. Be Courageous - 10:2</p><p><br></p><p>III. Be Competent - 10:3-5</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>IV. Be Confident - 10:6</p><p> 1. We walk in the flesh</p><p> 2. We don’t war in the flesh </p><p> 3. The Weapons of our Warfare </p><p> • They are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses </p><p> • They destroy speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God </p><p> • We can take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ </p><p> • We are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete</p><p><br></p>

<p>I. A Humility that leads to Intensity -vv. 11-15 </p><p>1. True Salvation - faith, grace, repentance </p><p>2. True Sanctification- </p><p>3 Intense Greek Imperatives </p><p>a. Flee from - </p><p>b. Follow after - </p><p>c. Fight for -</p><p><br></p><p> II. A Holiness that leads to Purity - vv.15-16 </p><p>1. The Blessed and only Sovereign </p><p>2. The King of Kings and Lord of lords </p><p>3. Who alone possesses immortality </p><p>4. Who alone dwells in unapproachable light - </p><p>5. Who is to be Honored </p><p>6. Who has Eternal Dominion -</p>

<p>“The Word is the Weapon” / Mt. 4:1-11</p><p>(Matthew 6:13; Hebrews 4:14-16; I Corinthians 10:13) </p><p><br></p><p>I. The Last Adam is very different from the First Adam! </p><p>1. The Conception of Jesus - Matthew 1</p><p>2. The Birth of Jesus - Matthew 2</p><p>3. The Baptism of Jesus - Matthew 3</p><p>4. The Temptation of Jesus - Matthew 4:1-11 </p><p> a. The Spirit led Jesus - 4:1a</p><p> b. The Serpent tempted Jesus - 4:1b</p><p> c. The Scripture defended Jesus- Matthew 4:2-11a</p><p> d. The Angels strengthened Jesus - Matthew 4:11b</p><p> e. The Serpent would attack again - Luke 4:13</p><p> f. The Application - I Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 4:14-16</p>

<p>Leadership in the Lord’s Church Honoring God Part 3 / I Timothy 6:1-10 </p><p>(The Outcome in Israel & in America) </p><p>I. Love God @ Work - 6:1-2 </p><p>1. Unbelieving bosses - </p><p>2. Believing bosses - </p><p>3. Impact on our Testimony - Protect God’s Name & Protect God’s Word </p><p>• Colossians 3:22-25 • Ephesians 6:5-9 • I Peter 2:18-25 </p><p><br></p><p>II. Love God’s Word - 6:3-5 </p><p>1. “If anyone” - no one gets a pass </p><p>2. “sound doctrine” - bones & nets </p><p>3. Hymenaeus, Alexander, Demas are mentioned - not everyone in error is a heretic. </p><p>4. “depraved in mind” and deprived of the truth” - They don’t know the truth; They don’t want the truth.</p><p><br></p><p>III. Love God, not Money - 6:6-10 </p><p>1. The Defenses -humility & contentment </p><p>2. The Dangers - </p><p>3. The Damages - </p><p>4. The Discernment - The remedy/cure (Proverbs 30:7-9)</p>

<p>I. There is a similar model for supporting Pastors that we saw for supporting Widows:</p><p> </p><p>Honoring - 5:3 & 5:17</p><p>Providing </p><p>Protecting </p><p>Even Correction for both - </p><p> </p><p>II. Jesus is the Model Shepherd - He is called: Psalm 23</p><p>1 The Good Shepherd in John 10 </p><p>2 The Chief Shepherd in I Peter 5 </p><p>3 The Great Shepherd in Hebrews 13 </p><p>4 Jesus revealed in Matt. 9:36-38 </p><p>5 Jesus restored Peter in John 21 </p><p> </p><p>1. Honor Pastors/Elders/Overseers - 5:17</p><p>a. Who rule well - I Peter 5:1-4</p><p>b. Who labor in study - II Tim 2:15</p><p> </p><p>2. Provide for Pastors/Elders/Overseers - 5:18</p><p>a. Quoting Moses - Deut 25:4 (referencing animals)</p><p>b. Quoting Jesus - Luke 10:7 (referencing people)</p><p> </p><p>3. Protect Pastors/Elders/Overseers - 5:19</p><p>a. Do not receive an accusation against an elder (give them benefit of the doubt) “except”</p><p>b. Except on the basis of two or three witnesses - Mt. 18:15-17</p><p> </p><p>4. Correct Pastors/Elders/Overseers - 5:20-21</p><p>a. Those who continue in sin -overview of I Timothy 1-4</p><p>b. Rebuke in the presence of all - don’t leave room for gossip and innuendo - incentive to live rightly when in leadership </p><p>c. Maintain these principles w/out bias (don’t play to partiality)</p><p>d. Two were removed in chap 1 - </p><p> </p><p>5. Selecting Pastors/Elders/Overseers - 5:22-25 </p><p>a. Don’t lay hands too hastily -don’t be in a hurry on this critical process (because then you share in the responsibility of the problems)</p><p>b. Keep yourself free from sin - Be accountable! Then a caveat for Timothy (you can remain pure and use wine for medicinal purposes)</p><p>c. The sins of some are quite evident - “going on before them to judgment”</p><p>d. For others, their sins follow after (obvious examination process)</p><p>e. Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite - </p><p>f. And those otherwise cannot be concealed - </p>

<p>I. The Starting Point of the Supper </p><p>1. Saved by Grace & Faith - Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:1-9 </p><p>2. Saved for Works - Ephesians 2:10 </p><p>3. Saved to Share - Ephesians 3:7-13 </p><p>4. Saved to Serve / to Be Shaped - 4:11-16 </p><p>5. Saved to Walk Worthy - Ephesians 5:1-21 </p><p>a. Walk in Love - 5:1-2 </p><p>b. Walk in Light - 5:3-14 </p><p>c. Walk in Wisdom - 5:15-17 </p><p>d. Walk in the Spirit - 5:18-21</p><p><br></p><p> II. The Lord’s Supper - Matthew 26:26-35</p>

<p>God has cared about widows from the very beginning - The Law (Deuteronomy); The Prophets; The Gospels; and The Epistles. Caring for widows fulfills the 2 Great Commandments AND impacts our evangelism - John 13:34-35 </p><p>Sadly, many churches discount widows and senior adults as a whole. They are often viewed as a burden to the church. They are largely ignored because they are viewed as no longer a productive part of the church. It’s basically a “What have you done for me lately” mindset. This is not the view of our Lord. This cannot be the view of His Church. </p><p>I. The Compassion & Concern of Widows - OT/NT Honoring Widows </p><p>The Christmas Widow - Anna in Luke 2:36-38 </p><p>The Big Reveal included widows - Jesus in Luke 4:14-32 (25-26) </p><p>The Corruption of Corban against widows - Mark 7:9-13; 12:38-44 </p><p>The Double Doom for widows - Luke 7:11-17 </p><p>The Power of Persistence of the Widow - Luke 18:1-8 </p><p>The Generous Given widow - Luke 21:1-3 </p><p>The Second Challenge was about widows (in the early church) - Acts 6:1-7 </p><p>The Place of Widows (in the early church) - Acts 9:36-43 </p><p><br></p><p>II. The Attention & Protection of Widows (Respect/Recognition) - I Timothy 5:3-16 </p><p>Qualified widows - age & faithfulness This is not favoritism Ephesians 6:1-4</p>

<p>Scripture calls us OVERCOMERS (I John 4:1-6 & Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21. We are told that we are MORE THAN CONQUERERS (Romans 8:37)</p><p><br></p><p>All 3 in Ephesians 6:10-18 / 9-18-24 </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>I. The Whole Armor of God - Ephesians </p><p> 6:10-18 (“stand” - 3x)</p><p> • James 4:7-10, sin weakens us; opens us up to being wounded </p><p> • I Peter 5:1-7, 8-10: humility, alertness (prepared not paranoid), resist by standing firm on the faith”)</p><p><br></p><p>(The Primary Focus of this passage of this truth of Spiritual Warfare is Jesus, not a Roman Soldier and not Satan. The Lord fights for us and with us)</p><p> • The Lord’s Strength - 6:10</p><p> • The Lord’s Armor - 6:11</p><p> • The Lord’s Enemy - 6:12</p><p> • “Having done all” - 6:13</p><p> • The belt of truthfulness - 6:14</p><p> • The sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God - 6:17 (II Cor. 10:5)</p><p> • God’s weapons are effective and successful - Our weapons are not. Our strategies make things worse: isolation, keeping struggles a secret, relying on self-determination </p><p> • Defend and Attack - mostly defend</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>I. The Goal is Victory, not Comfort </p><p> 1. Know Your Commander/Creator -</p><p> 2. Know Your Enemy - </p><p> 3. Know Your Weapon - </p><p> • Delight in God’s Word - Ps. 1:2A</p><p> • Meditate on God’s Word - Ps. 1:2b</p><p> • Trust in God’s Word - Ps. 19:7-9</p><p> • Value God’s Word - Ps. 19:10-11</p><p> • Purified by God’s Word - Ps. 119:9</p><p> • Protected by God’s Word - Ps. 119:11; Matthew 4:1-11; Ephesians 6:10-18 (Scripture provides, protects, defends)</p><p> • Directed by God’s Word - Ps. 119:105</p><p> • Saved by God’s Word - Luke 16:27-31</p><p> • Made holy by God’s Word - John 17:17</p><p> • Examined by God’s Word - Hebrews 4:12</p>

<p> (WE ARE ALL ACCOUNTABLE)</p><p><br></p><p> (“Order in the Church” is caused by Careful Correction by the Church) </p><p> • Some love to confront </p><p> • Some lovingly confront - us!</p><p><br></p><p>I. Careful Correction in the Family of Faith - vv. 1-2 (sharp rebuke vs encourage/appeal). Let’s back up and answer a critical question that must be thought out before moving forward with correction: </p><p> • Cover if you can - Proverbs 17:9</p><p> • Confront if there’s a pattern </p><p> • The goal of biblical confrontation is reconciliation - to “win” our brothers and sisters back into a right relationship / into healthy fellowship - Ken Sande (Peacemakers Ministry in Billings, MT) - Christian conciliation </p><p> • Matthew 18:15-18</p><p><br></p><p> 1. Treat older men as a father - </p><p> 2. Treat younger men as brothers - </p><p> 3. Treat older women as mothers - </p><p> 4. Treat younger women as sisters - * “with/in all purity” - “with complete patience” - </p><p> • Be encouraging in Ephesus - II Timothy 2:24-26</p><p> • II Timothy 4:1-4</p><p> • Be careful in Thessalonica - I Thessalonians 5:12-14</p><p> • Be gentle in Galatia - Galatians 6:1-2</p><p> • Keep the perspective in Phillipi - Philippians 4:1-3 (with joy)</p><p> • Be warned in James 3:1-10 (scattered saints) Subscribe to get notified on new releases: @fbclc </p><p><br></p>

<p>I. Meet the Commander in Chief - Genesis 1-2 (Psalms 11:3) </p><p>He is a Powerful Creator - </p><p>He is a Benevolent Creator - </p><p>He is a Personal Creator </p><p>He is a Judicial Creator - </p><p>He is a Gracious Creator -</p><p><br></p>

<p>(Eliminating unresolved conflict)</p><p>I. Pastors must correct - 5:1-2</p><p> 1. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians is a corrective letter - I Cor. 11:17</p><p> 2. Paul’s letter to the Galatians is a rebuking letter - Galatians 4:16</p><p> 3. Paul speaks into this often - I Thessalonians 5:12-14; II Timothy 4:2 “with great patience”</p>

<p>The Goal is Victory, not comfort</p><p>I. Meet the Commander in Chief - Genesis 1-2 </p><p>1. He is a Powerful Creator - </p><p>2. He is a Benevolent Creator - </p><p>3. He is a Personal Creator - </p><p>4. He is a Judicial Creator - </p><p>5. He is a Gracious Creator -</p>

<p>10 Lessons Learned From the First 4 chapters of I Timothy</p><p><br></p><p>The Main Idea of I Timothy is 3:14-16</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>I. 10 Lessons Learned: Remember…</p><p> 1. The Centrality of the Godhead - 1:1-2</p><p> 2. The Elevated Virtues of God - hope, faith, grace, mercy, peace - 1:2</p><p> 3. The Danger of False Leadership - 1:3-7</p><p> 4. The Clarity of Conversion - 1:12-17 </p><p> 5. The Priority of Prayer - 2:1-4 </p><p> 6. The Priority of Evangelism - 2:5-6 </p><p> 7. The Offices of God’s Church - 3:1-13 </p><p> 8. The Goal of Godliness - 4:6</p><p> 9. The Place of Scripture - 4:13 </p><p> 10. The Pursuit of Progress - 4:15-16</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p>(1) “keep a close watch on yourself”</p><p>(2) “persist in this”</p><p><br></p><p>a. Matthew 7:1-5 (judge self)</p><p>b. I Corinthians 11 (judge self)</p><p>c. John 21 - Jesus to Peter (about John), “What’s that to you?”</p>

<p>1. Leaders set the example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity 4:11-12 </p><p>2. Public Attention to the Word, exhortation, teaching - 4:13 </p><p>3. Accountability - 4:14 </p><p>4. Application - 4:15 (practice for progress)</p>

<p>1. WHAT TO BELIEVE</p><p>2. WHAT TO DO</p><p>3. WHO TO HOPE IN</p>

<p>We are Apologists - 3:16; Rev 5:13 </p><p>Beware of Apostates - 4:1-2; II 3:1; 4:3-4; Acts 20:28-31; Heb 3:12; II Pt 2:1, 20-22; 3:17 - MATT 24:1-14 </p><p><br></p><p>I. The Divine Doctrines - 3:16; Rev 5:13 </p><p>a. Revealed in the flesh - </p><p>b. Vindicated in the Spirit - </p><p>c. Beheld by angels - </p><p>d. Proclaimed among the nations - </p><p>e. Taken up in glory - </p><p><br></p><p>II. The Demonic Doctrines - 4:1-5 </p><p>• The Spirit reveals (prophecy): - Mt. 3; Jn 2;Phil. 3:1 </p><p>a. Falling from the faith - </p><p>b. Falling for deception - II Tim 3 </p><p>c. Hypocrisy of liars </p><p>d. Seared in their conscience - 3:9 </p><p><br></p><p>• Men who forbid marriage - Paul isn’t attacking singleness. </p><p>This command moves away from God’s divine design. </p><p>* Gen. 1 & 2; Proverbs 5:18-19; 12:4 (2); 18:22; 31:10; Eph. 5:22-33; Hebrews 13:4 </p><p><br></p><p>• Advocate abstaining from foods - </p><p>a. Which God created to be gratefully shared in - Colossians 2 (anything that denies salvation by grace in Jesus is dangerous and even demonic - like circumcision or good works) </p><p>b. By those who believe & know the truth - </p><p>c. IF received w/ thanksgiving - </p><p>d. FOR it is sanctified by the Word of God (clarity) and prayer - Ro.14; Heb. 13:9</p>

<p>I. The Conduct in God’s House - 3:14-15</p><p> 1. The Church of the living God -</p><p> 2. The Pillar & Buttress of the Truth - </p><p><br></p><p>II. The Confession of God’s People - 3:16 </p><p> 1. The mystery of godliness - is Christ-centeredness AND Christlikeness! </p><p><br></p><p> a. Manifested in the flesh - INCARNATION </p><p> • John 1:14; Hebrews 10; Rev 1:11-18</p><p><br></p><p> b. Vindicated by the Spirit - AFFIRMATION </p><p> • His conception/birth (Matt 1)</p><p> • His life & ministry (Matt 3; Acts 2)</p><p> • His Resurrection (Romans 1)</p><p><br></p><p> c. Seen by angels - CONFIRMATION </p><p> • His birth; His temptation; His tomb </p><p> • His three days after the cross</p><p> • His resurrection: His ascension </p><p><br></p><p> d. Proclaimed among the nations - EVANGELIZATION</p><p> </p><p> e. Believed on in the world - SALVATION</p><p> • Not just spoken of but embraced! They believed therefore they received - Colossians 1:6</p><p><br></p><p> f. Taken up in glory - ASCENSION</p><p> • Acts 1:9-11 (critical in understanding His return. Matthew 24:15-31 (vv. 1-14)</p>

<p>THE LORD'S SUPPER AND THE LAST DAYS</p>

<p>I. Jesus the Supreme Example - Jesus then Pastors & Deacons </p><p>1. John 13 </p><p><br></p><p>II. The Example of the Early Church - </p><p>1. Acts 2:32-47 </p><p>2. Acts 4: 32-37 </p><p>3. Acts 6:1-7 </p>

<p>CONNECTION OF THE CHRIST</p>

<p>Jesus is THE Deacon of His Church - He calls Himself a Servant and calls all who follow Him to be servants as well. </p><p>Two key passages I want to share with you are Matthew 20:20-28 & John 13 </p><p>I. Who is a servant? Spiritual leadership is Servant leadership! </p><p>1. Generally speaking - Every believer </p><p>2. Specifically speaking - Office in the Church - Prototype in Acts 6 </p><p>3. Singularly speaking - Jesus Christ Himself! Matthew 20:20-28; John 13:1-17; Isaiah 42:1 </p><p><br></p><p>II. What is a Deacon? </p><p>1. About the word when used generally </p><p>a. We are all “deacons” - 3 Greek words help us understand this </p><p>1. We are all diaconas - </p><p>2. We are all doulos - </p><p>3. We are all huperetes -</p>

<p>Jesus is the Supreme Example we all are to follow. </p><p>His pastors & deacons should be next in line. “Consider their faith” - Hebrews 13:7 </p><p><br></p><p>The Head of the Church is the greatest example for the Church in every way. </p><p>Jesus is the Model Shepherd; The Model Servant; The Model Evangelist; The Model Discipler; and The Model Missionary (He set the strategy from day one) </p><p><br></p><p>I. God’s New Testament Pastors: </p><p>1. Their Calling, Character, & Content </p><p>2. Their Heart, Soul, Mind, & Motive - </p><p>3. Their personal, church, home life - </p><p>4. Their Watching (oversight), Working (serving), and Worshipping (believing & bowing)</p><p> • ABLE TO TEACH - The Word of God (II Timothy 2:15: 3:16-17; 4:1-4)</p><p> • REPUTATION WITH OUTSIDERS - </p><p><br></p><p>II. God’s Pastors: Community Contact </p><p>1. Those “outside” of Christ matter </p><p>2. There is to be a focus on those outside of Christ (Acts 2:42-47)</p><p>3. Other Scriptures focus on those outside of Christ - Paul & Peter </p><p>4. I Corinthians 5:12-13a </p><p>5. Ephesians 5:15-16 </p><p>6. Philippians 2:14-16 </p><p>7. Colossians 4:5-6 8. </p>

<p>II. God is Head of His Church - </p><p>1. God calls Pastors - Exodus 3:8-12; 4:10-17; John 21; Acts 9:10-15 </p><p>• Above reproach</p><p>• Husband of one wife </p><p>• Temperate </p><p>• Self-controlled </p><p>• Respectable (consistent; fair) </p><p>• Hospitable - approachable; accessible; inviting; welcoming; opens his home </p><p>• ABLE TO TEACH - vs actively teaching/preaching</p><p>• Not given to drunkenness </p><p>• Not violent but gentle (pugnacious) </p><p>• Not greedy for money </p><p>• Not quarrelsome </p><p>• Not covetous </p><p>• One who manages his own home well, seeing that his children obey him </p><p>• Not a recent/new convert </p><p>• Having a good reputation with outsiders (outside the faith) </p><p>• Congregation responsibility to Pastors (intertwined) </p>

<p>Men being men - Women being women </p><p>(Creative order vs culture like Eph. 5). When God’s people don’t follow God’s roles for His gathered church then we contribute to the gender confusion of our day! (Genesis 3:16-17)</p><p><br></p><p>I. Removing everything that distracts our devotion to Jesus - (Isa. 40:3)</p><p>a. Men set the example of serving and submitting </p><p>b. Women set the example of devotion over distraction - Prov. 31:25; I Peter 3:3 </p><p>c. “MODEST IS HOTTEST” - Job 31:1 </p><p>d. “Let women learn…” - not normal. Women aren’t pastors & men aren’t mothers. </p><p>e. Motherhood remains God’s creative priority - Is childbearing a blessing or a burden? Proverbs 31 woman prioritized her family and had a thriving business - Lois & Eunice (II Tim. 1:5)</p><p><br></p>

<p>I. The Divine Design of Men - Genesis 1-4 </p><p>1. God made man - Gen. 1 & 2 </p><p>2. God made husbands - Gen. 3 </p><p>3. God made fathers - Gen. 4 </p><p><br></p><p>II. Paul Exhorts the men at Ephesus - I Timothy 2:8 </p><p>1.“in every place” - </p><p>2.“men should pray” - </p><p>3.“lifting holy hands” - </p><p>4.“without anger or quarreling” - </p><p><br></p><p>III. Paul Challenges the men @ Corinth - I Corinthians 16:13-14 </p><p>1.“Be on your guard” - </p><p>2.“stand firm in the faith” - </p><p>3.“act like men” - </p><p>4.“be strong” - </p><p>5.“do everything in love” -</p>

<p>I. The MESSAGE in God’s Church (A Gospel Message) - 1:1-20 (1:1;1:18 ) </p><p>II. The MOVEMENT in God’s Church 2:1-7 </p><p>1. Praying for all People - exclude none </p><p>2. Praying for Politicians - Like Nero </p><p>3. Praying that God save them and/or … </p><p>4. Praying that God save us from them</p>

<p>I. The Main Theme of the Bible: God’s Savior! (Our salvation) </p><p>1. God’s Savior is Coming - The Patriarchs & Prophets of Israel </p><p>2. God’s Savior is Here - The Apostles </p><p>3. God’s Savior is Coming Back- The Church </p><p><br></p><p>II. The Books written by Paul - God’s Church is his main focus! God’s chosen instrument for accomplishing His mission! </p><p>1. The Theme (Main Idea ) of I Timothy - 3:14-16</p><p>2. The Trouble in the Church - is not a new problem. </p><p>a. Jesus loves His Church so we should love His Church - </p><p>b. Jesus is also concerned with His Church - Revelation 2 & 3</p><p>c. Jesus wants us to follow His Model for His Church - 3 Books</p><p><br></p><p>III. Threats to His Church - I Timothy 1 </p><p>a. The Personal relationship - vv. 1-2</p><p>b. The Problem of false teachers -vv. 3-11</p><p>c. The Passion of Paul for grace - vv. 12-17</p><p>d. The Price of blasphemy - vv. 18-20</p>

<p>I. The Rich Man & Lazarus - Luke 16:19-31 </p><p>Jesus says 3 Main Things: </p><p>(1) Religious people go to Hell - </p><p>(2) Rich people go to Hell </p><p>(3) You are going to Hell unless you change your ways (and their hatred for Jesus continued to build)</p>

<p>I. Is The Scriptural Standard too High for Mothers and Fathers and Wives and Husbands? </p><p>1. The Excellent/Virtuous Wife - Proverbs 31:1-31 </p><p>2. The Exemplary Husband - Ephesians 5:22-33. </p><p>3. The Perfect Savior - Christlikeness! </p><p><br></p><p>II. Why we DEDICATE babies: </p><p>1. We recognize God as Creator and Giver of life inside the womb </p><p>2. We recognize God as Teacher and Trainer outside of the womb </p><p>3. We recognize and hope God to be the future Savior & Lord of our babies</p><p><br></p><p> III. Why we HONOR Mothers/Motherhood - bc God does. The World doesn’t honor motherhood. God’s Word does. </p><p>(1) Eve is called “the mother of all the living” in Genesis 3:20. This is a physical designation. </p><p>(2) Sarah is called “the mother of all nations” in Genesis 17:16. This is a spiritual designation. </p><p>(3) Mary is called “the mother of Jesus” This is a Savior designation. </p><p>(4) Pray over every mother who recognizes what has been stated today. </p><p>a. May 5th is International Bereaved Mother’s Day - honoring mothers who have lost a child </p><p>b. THE GOD-FEARING WOMAN</p>

<p>A Message first for the Graduates and then to the rest of us. Matthew 16 reveals a critical encounter that Jesus has with His disciples. Jesus speaks to His FUTURE. Jesus speaks to their FAITH. What is the end goal? What is the measurement for success? Will they prevail? Will you prevail graduates? Will we prevail in our life? </p><p><br></p><p>You will PREVAIL in life based on your relationship to Jesus AND His Church! Many say they’ve left the church but kept Jesus. That won’t fly with Jesus. The Church is His Body! The Church is His Bride! </p><p><br></p><p>Wherever Life Takes You: The Person of Jesus and the Gospel of Jesus will be the determining factor on whether you PREVAIL in this world and in the next. (Heaven and Hell weigh in the balance)</p><p><br></p><p>(1) Matthew 16:1-4 (Demands) </p><p>(2) Matthew 16:5-12 (Dangers) </p><p>(3) Matthew 16:24-28 (More Dangers)</p>