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Text: 1 Corinthians 5:1–13; Roman 14:10-13; Matthew 7:1–6
Believers are charged with encouraging and holding each other accountable when we are struggling with sin in our lives, but we are called to do so without burdening each other with ungodly judgment and shame.

Application Point: When we judge others, we elevate ourselves as morally superior, which often stems from false humility and pride. When we hold each other accountable, we recognize that we are all sinners in need of God’s mercy and grace.

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The belief that God wants all believers to be healthy, wealthy, and comfortable is an extrabiblical belief that is contradicted by the Scriptures. We are not promised that our lives will be free of suffering in this life. However, we are promised that we will not face pain or suffering on our own.

Application Point: Our ever-shifting circumstances are not in themselves proof of God’s love or disappointment. Rather, they are an opportunity to look for him in every season of life, giving thanks for every blessing both big and small, and trusting that he will safely guide us through every high and low point we experience.

Recommended reading:
Urban Apologetics: Cults and Cultural Ideologies.  by Dr. Eric Mason
God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel by Costi Hinn

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Topics: Discipline, Holiness
Big Idea of the Message: The desires of the flesh are directly opposed to the desires of the Spirit.
Application Point: We cannot do what our flesh wants and also serve the Spirit; we must choose which we will elevate. 

Galatians 5:16-26, 6:7-8; Romans 6:12-13, 8:18-19

"Discipline, for the Christian, begins with the body. We have only one. It is this body that is the primary material given to us for sacrifice. We cannot give our hearts to God & keep our bodies for ourselves." - Elisabeth Elliot
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Text: 2 Cor 5:17-18; 2 Samuel 11; 2 Samuel 12:1-15; Psalm 51
Topic: Repentance, living in your newness
Big Idea of the Message: When you slip up, repent and ask God to help you; don’t use it as an excuse to give into more sin. 

The new life of devotion to Christ means one has new attitudes and actions. Why do most New Year resolutions fail? Usually, we slip up once and then use that mistake as an excuse to slip up again and again. In our journey to become more like Christ, we can fall down. When that happens, it’s important to repent—not give up.

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Friendship is a mutual relationship characterized by intimacy, faithfulness, trust, unmotivated kindness, and service. The concept can describe one’s relationship with people and with God.
Obviously, we are affected most by those to whom we are closest. It is why there is such a heavy emphasis by Solomon on choosing close friends carefully & when you find some great ones---sticking together for the long haul.

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As the United States of America celebrates Independence Day on July 4, it’s worth noting the nation was founded upon the idea that God created human beings to be free. The Declaration of Independence states that people “are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

But what is “liberty,” exactly? Is freedom based upon the country where you live, or can it have a deeper meaning?
We as believers have to look at the word freedom thru a Kingdom lens.

Mientras los Estados Unidos de América celebran el Día de la Independencia el 4 de julio, vale la pena señalar que la nación se fundó sobre la idea de que Dios creó a los seres humanos para que fueran libres. La Declaración de Independencia establece que las personas “son dotadas por su Creador de ciertos derechos inalienables, entre los que se encuentran la vida, la libertad y la búsqueda de la felicidad”.

Pero, ¿qué es "libertad", exactamente? ¿La libertad se basa en el país donde vives o puede tener un significado más profundo?

Nosotros, como creyentes, tenemos que mirar la palabra libertad a través de los lentes del Reino de Dios.

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The church that does not operate under the biblical theology of worship is in danger of failing to give God glory and failing to offer worship that is pleasing to Him.  Contrary to popular belief, worship does not begin and end with the singing portion of our church services. Worship is also not limited to bowing in reverence before God. To begin with, worship is determined by God Himself.

Recommended reading: 
Life Together by Bonhoeffer
I will by Rainer

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No church is perfect. It’s full of imperfect people who come together for a common goal: to love Jesus and to talk about Him to those who don’t know Him. The Church is the body of Christ and, as such, is charged to carry out His work in the world. Before Jesus ascended back into heaven, He gave the disciples the Great Commission: "Go therefore and make disciples(reproduce) of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age(Jesus' 2nd coming)" (Matthew 28:19-20).  A healthy local church will be actively fulfilling the Great Commission, and the Bible provides specific guidelines of what the signs of a healthy church are.

2 practical tests to apply to all teaching:

1.    Test of faith: does it come from God, being in agreement with apostolic doctrine, or is it a product of human imagination?

2.    The test of love: does it promote unity in the body of Christ

Recommended Reading:
Church Called Tov By Scot McKnight  
life together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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God bless everyone & welcome to Build up in Christ Podcast. This episode will be broadcast in Spanish. I have been asked to upload an episode in Spanish & I am curious to see if there is any interest out there for any Spanish episodes. I have had listeners from Latin American countries listen to the English episodes. So, let’s see how well a Spanish episode is received.
The panel of speakers: Pastor Gene Diaz, Pastor Henry "Rick" Verdejo, Pastor Darby Paris

 Dios bendiga a todos y bienvenidos a Edificar en Cristo Podcast. Este episodio será transmitido en español. Me han pedido que suba un episodio en español y tengo curiosidad por ver si hay algún interés por algún episodio en español. He tenido oyentes de países latinoamericanos escuchando los episodios en inglés. Entonces, veamos qué tan bien se recibe un episodio en español.
panel de oradores: Pastor Gene Diaz, Pastor Henry "Rick" Verdejo, Pastor Darby Paris

En el contexto sombrío de nuestro mundo actual, Efesios 2:1-10 se destaca con una relevancia sorprendente. Pablo primero se adentra en las profundidades de la desconfianza hacia el hombre y luego se eleva a las alturas del optimismo sobre Dios. Lo que hace Pablo en estos pasajes es pintar un vívido contraste entre lo que el hombre es por naturaleza y lo que podemos llegar a ser por gracia!

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In this episode, I discuss Spiritual growth in Christ.

Becoming more like Christ is the desire of every believer, and it is encouraging to know that God has the same desire for us. In fact, the Bible says that God “predestined [believers] to be conformed to the likeness of his Son” (Romans 8:29). Making us Christlike is God’s work, and He will see it through to the end (Philippians 1:6).
Key Vs: Philippians 1:5-6

Suggested reading: 
So you want to be like Christ by Charles Swindoll
Rose Guide to Discipleship
The most significant teachings in the Bible by Christopher D Hudson
77 FAQs about God and the Bible by Josh McDowell & Sean McDowell

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