Edinboro Community Church Sermons: Recent Episodes
Edinboro Community Church
Esther 3:6; 1 Peter 1:1; Hebrews 13:14; Ephesians 2:19
I. Our Need For Deliverance.
Romans 5:8–10; Romans 8:28
II. How God Delivers.
III. How they respond - Rejoicing!
Esther 8:15–17; Galatians 4:4; 1 Timothy 2:6; Romans 5:6
- Joy comes from grace
Romans 5:1-2; Romans 1:7; Psalm 16:11
Charis-grace, Chara-joy
- Joy comes from thankfulness
Philippians 4:4-6; Romans 1:21
Charis-thanks
- Rejoice always
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
2 Kings 25:1-3; Jeremiah 16:10
I. God Promises Both Blessing and Curse
Deuteronomy 30:15-20; John 15:5-14; Romans 5:8
II. Always Internal, Sometimes External
Psalm 1
III. How To Be More Blessed
Psalm 1:1-2; Matthew 6:31-33
I. External Results Don’t Cure Internal Issues (2 Kings 5:1-7)
1 Samuel 16:7; Ezekiel 36:26; Romans 10:10; Luke 10:27; John 9:1–3
II. Our Ways Don’t Work (2 Kings 5:8-12)
Luke 18:18-30
III. God’s Ways Are Our Hope (2 Kings 5:13-14)
2 Kings 5:15; 2 Kings 5:17; Isaiah 55:8
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What problem are we trying to fix on our own?
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What problem do you need to give over to God?
Psalm 25:4 – “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.”
I. Elijah vs. the Prophets of Baal
•1 Kings 16:30, 33
II. Who are you Following?
•1 Kings 18:21; Matthew 4:19; Matthew 10:38; Matthew 16:24; Luke 5:27; 1 Corinthians 1:12–13
III. The Victory of God
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The challenge
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The call out
•1 Kings 18:27
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God’s Response
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Man’s Response
•1 Kings 18:39
IV. Jesus is the Greater Prophet
•Hebrews 1:1–3; John 14:6
I. A Wise King Seeks Wise Counsel. (1 Kings 12:1-15)
• 1 Corinthians 15:33; Proverbs 13:20
II. A Wise King Unites. (1 Kings 12:16-24)
III. A True and Greater King
• 2 Samuel 7:16; Matthew 1:1; 2:2; 21:5; 27:11; 27:29; 27:37
I. Solomon’s Start
Spurgeon on Solomon - “If we were called on to select a man who, as to his life as a whole, perpetrated the greatest folly, we should mention Solomon. Yet he was the wisest of men. Yes, the cream of wisdom, when curdled, makes the worst of folly.”
II. Solomon’s Wisdom (1 Kings 3:9-15)
Proverbs 9:10; Psalm 104:24; Ephesians 1:17; Colossians 1:9; James 1:5
III. Solomon’s Wisdom on Display (1 Kings 3:16-28)
IV. A Warning from Solomon (1 Kings 11)
1 Kings 11:3–4; 1 Kings 11:6–8; Deuteronomy 7:3
Application
- Love God
Matthew 22:37–38
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Seek Him above this world
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Stay consistent in Him
Colossians 1:21–23; Luke 11:31; Colossians 2:1–3
I. We are family in Christ
Romans 12:1, 12:3
John 1:12
II. Worship God, not the world
Romans 12:2
III. Serve others, not ourselves
Romans 12:4-8
Matthew 4:19
I. God Reconciles Us
Romans 5:10; John 3:16; Romans 5:8
II. Totally
III. For Others
- Pointing them to God
John 13:35
- Bringing them together
Matthew 5:23–24; Ephesians 4:1–3; 1 Peter 3:8
Ecclesiastes 4:12; Hebrews 10:24–25; Proverbs 27:17; 1 John 1:7; Ephesians 4:15
C-Groups exists to:
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Live life together in Community
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Serve together in Community
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Equip each other to share the gospel in our Communities
Acts 4:32; Titus 1:4; Jude 3
I. Devotion (vs. 42)
II. Doctrine (vs. 42)
III. Downtime (vs. 42)
IV. Dinner (vs. 42)
V. Dependence (vs. 42)
I. Fishing Trip #1 - Religious Lost (Luke 4:31-37)
II. Fishing Trip #2 - Family (Luke 4:38-41)
III. Fishing Trip #3 - Community (Luke 5:1-11)
IV. Fishing Trip #4 - Outcasts (Luke 5:12-15)
V. Fishing Trip #5 - Broken and Hurting (Luke 5:17-26)
VI. Fishing Trip #6 - Secular Lost (Luke 5:27-39)
I. The Plan of God (1 Samuel 16:1-2)
1 Samuel 15:3; 1 Samuel 8:22; Psalm 89:19–21
II. The Anointing of God (1 Samuel 16:3)
1 Samuel 16:3; 1 Samuel 16:12–13
III. The Importance of the Inner Man (1 Samuel 16:7)
1 Samuel 16:7; Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 4:23; Mark 7:21–23; Luke 10:27
IV. The Skillset of a Leader (1 Samuel 16:18)
1 Samuel 16:18; James 1:17; Romans 12:6–8
V. The Sovereignty of God (1 Samuel 16:14-23)
Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 2:21; Romans 13:1; Philippians 4:19–20
I. Israel’s Desire: To Be like Other Nations. (1 Samuel 8:1-9)
Judges 8:22–23; Deuteronomy 16:18–19; Proverbs 15:27; Proverbs 17:23; Leviticus 20:26; 1 Samuel 8:5; Deuteronomy 17:14; 1 Samuel 8:7
II. Israel’s Reward: An Earthly Kings (1 Samuel 8:10-18)
Judges 2:18; James 4:6
III. Israel’s Need: The Lord Fighting their Battles (1 Samuel 8:19-22)
Joshua 10:14; Joshua 23:3; 1 Samuel 7:10; Psalm 24:8; Romans 1:21–23, 25
I. Emptiness
Ruth 1:1; Judges 2:10-12; Judges 17:6; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Isaiah 55:1-2
II. Hope
Ruth 1:16-17; Ruth 1:20-21; Lamentations 3:19-24, 31-33
III. Redemption
Ruth 2:1; Ruth 2:10-12; Ruth 3:9-11; Ruth 3:17-18; Ruth 4:13-17
Proverbs 10:9
I. Samson’s Call
Judges 13:24-25; Judges 13:4-5; James 2:26
II. Samson’s Flaws
Judges 14:6; Judges 14:9; Judges 14:19; Judges 15:4; Judges 15:8; Judges 15:15; Judges 16:20; Judges 16:30
III. How to Develop as a Leader through Your Flaws:
Thinking -- Beliefs -- Expectations -- Attitude -- Action -- Habits -- Character
Romans 10:17; Proverbs 29:18; Romans 8:28; Proverbs 20:11; Luke 6:44
Philippians 2:12–13; Judges 3:7; Judges 6:1; Judges 21:25
I. Sin (Judges 6:1a)
Romans 3:23; Psalm 27:4
II. Servitude (Judges 6:1b-6a)
John 8:34; 2 Peter 2:18–19
III. Supplication (Judges 6:6b)
Psalm 57:2; Psalm 77:1
IV. Salvation (Judges 6:7-8:28)
1 Peter 1:9
I. The Promise of God (Joshua 6:1-2)
2 Corinthians 1:20–22; 2 Timothy 3:12; John 12:26 ; Romans 8:28; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 4:6–7; Philippians 4:19
II. The Command of God (Joshua 6:3-5)
John 3:7; John 15:4–5; Matthew 28:18–20
III. The Obedience of God’s People (Joshua 6:6-23)
John 14:15
IV. The Presence of God (Joshua 6:27)
Joshua 1:5; Joshua 1:9; Deuteronomy 31:23; Matthew 11:28–30
V. Danger to Avoid (Joshua 7:1)
Joshua 7:1; Joshua 6:18
I. God’s Design
Genesis 1:31; Psalm 19:1; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23
II. Brokenness
Romans 1:25
III. Gospel
John 3:16; Colossians 2:14
IV. Two Lessons
- John is Humble
John 14:6
- John Believed
John 20:8; Mark 1:15; Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 10:9; Romans 10:13; Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 2:10
Genesis 2:17; Ephesians 2:1
I. Cultivate (John 4:1-12)
John 4:10
II. Plant (John 4:13-26)
Mark 4:1–9; Mark 4:26–29; 1 Corinthians 3:6–7
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Jesus gave hope.
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Jesus didn’t steer clear of sin in her life.
John 4:16
- Jesus gave truth (vs. 17-26)
III. Reap
Luke 10:2; John 4:29; John 4:39; John 4:40–42; Romans 10:17
I. Ask God
Numbers 27:2-4; John 13:3
II. Trust God
Numbers 27:3; Exodus 34:6-7
III. Obey God
Numbers 36:6; Numbers 36:10; John 13:3; 1 Peter 1:3-4
I. Glorifying God through Honoring Godly Leadership
Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:1; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13-14; Acts 14:23; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2-3; Jeremiah 3:15; Hebrews 13:7; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Timothy 3:1-7
Complaint 1: Numbers 16:3
Numbers 15:40
Complaint 2: Numbers 16:29-30
II. God’s Judgment (Numbers 16:31-35)
III. God’s Reminder (Numbers 16:36-40)
IV. We Must Lead Like Moses
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Moses trusts God.
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Moses weeps for the people.
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Moses saves the People.
I. We Need Atonement.
II. What is Atonement?
Hebrews 10:1-4; Hebrews 10:5-7; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 10:19-20
III. How to Experience Atonement.
Hebrews 10:19; John 14:23; John 4:21, 23; Hebrews 10:22
I . Wrestling with a Call from God (Exodus 4)
Mark 16:15 – “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’”
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Moses doubts God. (Exodus 4:10)
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God provides for Moses. (Exodus 4:15-16)
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God equips Moses. (Exodus 4:17)
II. Plagues (Exodus 7-12)
III. Passover (Exodus 12)
1 Corinthians 5:7 – “…For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”
IV. Freedom (Exodus 14)
Exodus 14:13–14 – “And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.””
Matthew 25:35-40
Galatians 5:1 – “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
V. Celebration (Exodus 15)
Exodus 7:16; 8:1,20; 9:1,13; 10:3,7,8,11,24,26; 12:31
I. A Disregarded People (Exodus 1-2)
II. A Cared for People (Exodus 2:23-25)
- God Hears.
Matthew 6:7–8; Romans 10:9–10; Romans 10:13; James 4:2; Psalm 66:19; Psalm 18:6; Psalm 34:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 8:26
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God Remembers.
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God Sees.
Proverbs 15:3; Genesis 6:5; 1 Samuel 16:7
- God Knows.
Genesis 3:5; Luke 16:15; Acts 15:8
III. A Delivered People (Exodus 3:1-12)
Exodus 3:7-8; Hebrews 4:15-16; 1 Timothy 2:5–6; Hebrews 8:12; Genesis 1:26–27; Psalm 139:13; Exodus 3:11-12
I. A Dream of What is to Come. (Genesis 37:1-11)
II. A Wrinkle in the Dream (Genesis 37:12-36)
III. God’s Plan Revealed (Genesis 50)
I. Jacob Wrestled Alone (Genesis 32:22-24)
II. Jacob didn’t Give Up (Genesis 32:24-26)
III. Jacob is Changed (Genesis 32:27-28)
IV. Jacob Earns a Reminder (Genesis 32:25)
I. Birth of Jacob & Esau (Genesis 25:19-28)
Genesis 3:15; Genesis 50:20
II. Privilege of First Born (Genesis 25:29-34)
Matthew 22:37-38; Hebrews 12:15-16; Hebrews 6:4-6; Hebrews 10:26; 2 Timothy 2:22
III. Stolen Blessing (Genesis 27:1-40)
Romans 8:38-39
IV. God’s Grace Wins in the End.
- We can trust him when we are anxious.
Matthew 6:26-33
- God’s glory works through even the worst conditions.
John 11:3-4
- God won’t give up on that which He has started.
Philippians 1:6
1 John 2:6
I. Born to a Region Against Him. (Luke 2:1-2)
Luke 3:1-2; Micah 5:2-3; Isaiah 9:6-7
II. Born in Inconvenience. (Luke 2:3-5)
III. Born at the Right Time. (Luke 2:6)
Galatians 4:4; 1 Timothy 2:6; Mark 1:15; Romans 5:6
IV. Born in Humility. (Luke 2:7)
Luke 9:57-58; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:6-8; Mark 10:43-45
I. Behold the Joy of Carrying the Savior (Luke 1:26-31)
Psalm 34:8; John 5:24
II. Behold the Work of God Before Us (Luke 1:32-36)
Daniel 7:14; Isaiah 7:14; Genesis 18:13–14
III. Behold Mary’s Faith (Luke 1:37-38)
Mark 10:26–27
IV. Behold the Joy of the Announcement of Christ (Luke 1:39-45)
Psalm 150:6; Exodus 20:3; Romans 12:1
I. Worship Through Time (Matthew 2:1)
Psalm 90:10; James 4:14; Psalm 90:12; John 9:4
II. Worship Through Talent (Matthew 2:1)
James 1:17; Romans 12:6; Colossians 3:23-24
III. Worship Through Treasure (Matthew 2:11)
1 Chronicles 29:1-9; 1 Corinthians 16:1; Acts 2:44-46
I. Word Centered Families Matter (Matthew 1:18-19)
Jeremiah 23:5; Micah 5:2; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 4:4; Matthew 5:6
II. Be Open to Change (Matthew 1:20-22, 24-25)
- Jesus Saves
Romans 3:23
- Jesus is With Us
Psalm 139:7–8; Matthew 18:20; Matthew 28:20; Matthew 11:28; Psalm 46:1; Titus 2:11–14
I. God’s Arrival Was Seemingly Unspectacular. (Luke 2:8)
II. Obedience was the Response to God’s Call. (Luke 2:9-16)
III. They Shared What God Had Said and Done. (Luke 2:17-19)
IV. God’s People are Ultimately Faithful. (John 10:1-18)
V. They Glorify God. (Luke 2:20)
I. Admit You Have a Need.
Matthew 6:25-33
II. Assess What You Have to Work With.
III. Give God What You Have.
IV. Expect God to Multiply Your Giving.
Mark 10:27
Colossians 2:6-7 - "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
I. Attitude of Giving (2 Corinthians 8:5)
2 Corinthians 8:5 – “and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.”
Mark 12:41–44 – “And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.””
II. The Poverty of Christ (2 Corinthians 8:9)
2 Corinthians 8:9 – “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”
Philippians 2:7–8 – “but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
III. The Source of Generosity (2 Corinthians 8:12)
2 Corinthians 8:12 – “For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.”
Psalm 24:1 – “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,”
IV. Give Based on Need (2 Corinthians 8:14)
2 Corinthians 8:14 – “your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.”
V. A Godly Return is Expected (2 Corinthians 9:6)
2 Corinthians 9:6 – “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
2 Corinthians 9:11 – “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”
VI. Giving is an Act of Obedience Between You and God (2 Corinthians 9:7)
2 Corinthians 9:7 – “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 8:3 – “For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,”
VII. Giving is Meant to be a Joyous Act (2 Corinthians 9:7)
2 Corinthians 9:7 – “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
VIII. God is Our Supplier (2 Corinthians 9:10)
2 Corinthians 9:10 – “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.”
IX. Generosity Results in God’s Glory (2 Corinthians 9:13)
2 Corinthians 9:13 – “By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others,”
Ephesians 1:3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,”
Genesis 18:14; Romans 3:25–26
I. Abraham’s Hope in a Just God
Exodus 22:22–23; Deuteronomy 24:15; Exodus 2:23; Jeremiah 18:22; Ezekiel 16:49; Luke 18:1
II. The Lessons of Lot
III. Final and Freeing Justice in Christ
Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 5:21
I. God’s Promise for Now. (Genesis 15:1)
Psalm 28:7–9
II. God’s Reminder of His Promise. (Genesis 15:2-5)
Psalm 147:4; Ephesians 1:4; Romans 8:29; Revelation 21:27
III. God’s Credit of Righteousness. (Genesis 15:6)
Matthew 16:16–17; Romans 4:20-25
IV. God’s Promise is Kept in Christ.
Genesis 3:15; John 3:16; James 2:23–24
Genesis 3:15
I. God’s Call to Abram - Go (Genesis 12:1)
Matthew 10:37; Matthew 28:18–20
II. God’s Promise to Abram - I Will Make You (Genesis 12:2-3)
Galatians 3:8; Galatians 3:13–14; Galatians 3:29
III. Abram Obeys
Hebrews 11:8
IV. Jesus is the True Abram
V. Jesus Sends Us in the Same Way
Matthew 4:19; John 20:21; Mark 8:35
I. God’s Survey of Humanity (vs. 5)
Romans 5:12; James 1:14-16
II. The Sadness of God’s Heart (vs. 6)
1 Samuel 15:11; 2 Samuel 19:2; Genesis 34:7
III. The Severity of God’s Judgement (vs. 7)
Genesis 19:24-2
IV. God Saves Noah (vs. 8)
2 Peter 2:5; Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:7
1 Corinthians 15:22 – “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”
Genesis 2:8, 15 – “And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed...The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”
Deuteronomy 12:10 – “But when you go over the Jordan and live in the land that the Lord your God is giving you to inherit, and when he gives you rest from all your enemies around, so that you live in safety,”
Genesis 3:23 – “therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken.”
I. Satan Deceives (Genesis 3:1-5)
Ephesians 2:2 “...the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—”
James 1:13–14 – “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.”
II. Man is Absent (Genesis 3:6-7)
III. Man Blames (Genesis 3:8-13)
IV. God Provides (Genesis 3:14-15, 21)
Genesis 3:7 – “Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.”
Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Genesis 3:21 – “And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.”
V. Man Needs Rescued.
Genesis 3:24 – “He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.”
John 14:6 – “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Romans 5:14-18
I. Grace Leads Us to Good Works (Titus 3:1-11)
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Relationship with Authority
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Relationship with Everyone
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Relationship with Self
II. The Point of it All (Titus 3:14)
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Devote Yourself to Good Works
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Meet Urgent Needs
I. Teach Sound Doctrine (Titus 2:1)
1 Timothy 6:2-5 – “2 ...Teach and urge these things. 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.”
II. Lessons for Life (Titus 2:2-10)
- Older Men (Titus 2:2)
- Older Women (Titus 2:3-5)
1 Timothy 2:9 – “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,”
1 Timothy 3:11 – “Their (deacons) wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.”
- Younger Men (Titus 2:6)
- Titus (Leaders) (Titus 2:7-8)
1 Timothy 4:12 – “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
1 Peter 5:2-3 – “2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.”
1 Peter 2:12 – “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”
1 Peter 3:16 – “having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”
- Bondservants (Titus 2:9-10)
1 Peter 2:18 – “Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.”
Matthew 5:16 – “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Philippians 2:14-15 – “14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”
III. God Trains Through Grace (Titus 2:11-15)
I. Know God (Titus 1:1-4)
II. Know Who You Are (Titus 1:5-9)
III. Know Where to Serve (Titus 1:10-16)
I. A Transformational Teacher is a Worker. (2 Timothy 2:15-19)
II. A Transformational Teacher is Inwardly Focused. (2 Timothy 2:20-21)
III. A Transformational Teacher Keeps the Main Thing the Main Thing. (2 Timothy 2:14; 22-26)
I. Faithful by Gospel Living (2 Timothy 2:1)
II. Faithful by Gospel Discipleship (2 Timothy 2:2)
III. Faithful by Gospel Endurance (2 Timothy 2:3-10)
A) Soldier (v. 3-4)
B) Athlete (v. 5)
C) Farmer (v. 6)
D) Jesus (v. 8)
E) Paul (v. 9-10)
IV. Faithful by Gospel Surrender (2 Timothy 2:11-13)
I. Do Not Be Ashamed of the Gospel. (2 Timothy 1:8)
II. Suffering Will Accompany the Gospel (2 Timothy 1:8b-12)
III. Follow the Example of Gospel Centered Leaders (2 Timothy 1:13)
IV. Guard the Gospel (2 Timothy 1:14-18)
1 Timothy 4:16 – “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Titus 1:5-7 – “5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,”
Acts 14:23 – “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”
Acts 20:28 – “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”
James 5:14 – “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
Ephesians 4:11-12 – “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,”
1 Peter 5:1-2 – “1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;”
I. Elder Led
2 Timothy 2:24 – “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,”
1 Timothy 5:17 – “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.”
Titus 1:9 – “He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”
Ephesians 5:18 – “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,”
II. Deacon Served
III. How to Follow Godly Leadership
Hebrews 13:17 – “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
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Heed their call when they ask for action
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Sign up to serve alongside
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Imitate their lives
1 Corinthians 11:1 – “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
2 Timothy 2:2 – “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”
- Pray for them
Philippians 2:2 – “complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”
1 Corinthians 1:10 – “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”
1 Peter 3:8 – “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”
Ephesians 4:3 – “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Romans 12:4-5 – “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
John 20:20-21 – “When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.””
1 Timothy 3:15 – “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.”
I. Men Must Fight for Unity (1 Timothy 2:8)
Matthew 6:10 – “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
II. Women Must Fight for Unity (1 Timothy 2:9-10)
1 Peter 3:3-4 – “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”
1 Samuel 16:7 “...For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
III. God Designs for Unity (1 Timothy 2:11-15)
Hebrews 13:17 – “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
Titus 2:3-5 – “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.”
I. The Call for Prayer (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
II. Why Pray? (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
Ezekiel 33:11 – “...As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways...”
1 Timothy 4:10 – “For to this end [training for Godliness] 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.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
John 3:36 – “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
III. The Confidence of Prayer (1 Timothy 2:5-7)
Acts 4:12 – “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Galatians 1:3-4 – “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,”
Mark 10:45 – “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””
Acts 20:29-30 – “I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.”
Hope - To trust in the finished work of Christ’s life death and resurrection and look forward to His final rescue.
Psalm 43:5 – “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”
Church - the called out people of God whose aim in life is to love God wholeheartedly, love others sacrificially, and make disciples of the real Jesus.
1 Timothy 3:15 – “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.”
I. The Gospel of Jesus is True Hope (1 Timothy 1:1-2)
2 Corinthians 11:4 – “For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.”
Galatians 1:6-8 – “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.”
Acts 4:12 – “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.””
Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”
Galatians 2:16 – “yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 – “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
II. Guard the Gospel (1 Timothy 1:3-11)
III. Trust the Gospel (1 Timothy 1:12-17)
IV. Fight for the Gospel (1 Timothy 1:18-20)
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 – “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.”
Ephesians 6:12 – “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
I. Discipleship is Christ-Centered
Romans 6:5 – "For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his."
Romans 6:8 – "Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him."
Romans 5:7-8 – "For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
II. Discipleship is Other-Centered
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Read the Word with Others
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Spend Time with Others
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Use Your Talents with Others
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Use Your Treasures with Others
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Pray with Others
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Worship with Others
Romans 1:11–12 – "For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine."
I. Transformation = Praise
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Rescue Through the Living Water of Jesus
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A Story to Tell
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Fruit
II. Filters for Praise
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Is it intelligible?
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Is it encouraging?
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Is it obviously about God?
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Is it obviously to God?
III. How to Praise
- Clapping and rejoicing
Psalm 47:1 – “Clap your hands, all peoples; Shout to God with the voice of joy.”
- Lifting holy hands
1 Timothy 2:8 – “Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.”
- Be glad and sing to Him
Psalm 9:2 – “I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”
- Sing and praise God to encourage others
Ephesians 5:19 – “…addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart”
- Praise with eternity in mind
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 – “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
- Prepare ourselves before we arrive
Psalm 100:4 – “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.”
IV. Praise Throughout the Week
I. Prayer is Expected.
Matthew 6:5-7, 9; Luke 11:9; Luke 18:1; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Hebrews 4:16; Romans 8:15; Luke 5:16; John 15:5
II. Prayer is Learned.
Luke 11:1; John16:13; Proverbs 27:17; Proverbs 13:20
III. Prayer is Answered.
Psalm 65:2
1 Timothy 4:7-8 “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.”
Psalm 24:1 – “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,”
I. The Poverty of Possessions (Luke 12:13-21)
- Life isn’t about Stuff. (Luke 12:15)
- The Rich Man has Plenty. (Luke 12:16)
- The Fool is Selfish. (Luke 12:21)
II. Leveraging our Resources (2 Corinthians 9:6-13)
- Sow Bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6)
- Make a Plan (2 Corinthians 9:7)
- Give Gladly (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Philippians 4:18 – “I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”
Romans 12:1 – “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
- Trust in God (2 Corinthians 9:8)
Generosity Leads to Salvation (2 Corinthians 9:13)
1 Corinthians 10:33 – “just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.”
Matthew 22:37 – “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Luke 9:23 – “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Luke 9:25 – “For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”
I. Generosity flowed from Affliction, Joy and Poverty (2 Corinthians 8:1-2)
II. Generosity came from their Means (2 Corinthians 8:3)
Psalm 24:1 – “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,”
III. Generosity came with Eagerness (2 Corinthians 8:4)
IV. Generosity flowed from a Devotion to God (2 Corinthians 8:5)
Romans 12:1-2 – “1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
V. Generosity is a Result of Christ’s Work (2 Corinthians 8:9)
John 1:14 – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Ephesians 1:3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,”
1 John 2:6 – “whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
VI. Generosity is practiced because of Trust in God’s Provision (2 Corinthians 8:15)
Haggai 2:8 – “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts.”
- Give to the church.
1 Corinthians 16:2 – “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.”
- Support the needy.
1 John 3:17-18 – “17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
- Bless others.