ONE THING: Jesus is THE Lord and King, for Him we should lay it all down.

John 12:12-19

CONTEXT: Devoting ourselves to Jesus is always the best course of action.

Hold nothing back, take nothing back but what He gives.

Hosanna = Oh save, now 

Why is laying all you love, plan, are, hope for the day and dream for the future at the feet of Jesus always the best action to take? 

   Jeremiah 23:5 Jesus is the righteous King who deals wisely and executes justice. 

Do you need Jesus?

   Yes, for Hosanna, for holiness / sanctification in life.

How does a person, someone like us, actually "lay" something down before Jesus?

   Do what Jesus says to do the way Jesus says to do it. 

   Ex. Salvation, prayer, Bible Study, love like Christ, live like Jesus.

Based on this message what can we do to become more like Jesus?

Gospel- Centered = 

   Worship: Dwell with Jesus. Use the resources you have on hand to spend quality time with Him.

Gospel- Centered = 

   Community: Respond to Jesus. Lay it all down!! All that you love, plan, are, hope, dream, everyday Jesus' way. 

Gospel- Centered = 

   Service: Make Ways To Jesus. Use the resources you have on hand to help others spend quality time with Jesus.

Gospel- Centered = 

   Multiplication: Go Public With Jesus. Tell others the great things Jesus has done in, through and around you.

ONE THING: Husbands are to lead and love like Jesus.

    Husbands (Men) love your wives (women) as Christ love the church & gave himself for her, Ephesians 5:25

1 Peter 3:7

CONTEXT: God’s best flows most free when the husband is the man he was created to be.

   Husbands come from the ranks of men.

What is a great way to get to know her? LEAD

   Show empathy and encouragement.

What is a great way to cherish her? LOVE

   Love to show her the same dignity, value, worth that God does.

Why would a husbands prayers be hindered for not loving his wife, a daughter of God well?

  God is not okay with husbands who don’t know and cherish their wife.

  God is not okay with men who are not prepared to know and cherish women.

Based on this message what can you do to become more like Jesus?

Gospel- Centered = 

Worship: Love Jesus. The best way for a man to love his wife well is for him to first love Jesus well.

Community: Know her. Through empathy and encouragement increase your understanding of her.

Service: Cherish her. Give yourself up for her to draw closer to God.

Multiplication: Step Up. Start living out the truth of how a godly man loves a woman biblically. Help boys grow up to men.

ONE THING: Wives are precious and perfectly placed by God.

       God can do so much good in and through a Christian wife.

1 Peter 3:1-6

CONTEXT: God gives wives their purpose, true beauty and hope.

A Christian wife, can lead their husband to Jesus so that he too may be saved from his sin by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

What is something a wife should always remember in her marriage?

    Her hope is in God and her actions can draw her husband closer to Him.

Based on this message what can you do to become more like Jesus?

Worship: Draw your husband closer to God. Your actions can win him over to faith and maturity in Christ. So worth it!

Community: Display God's Beauty. Present yourself as the daughter of God, gentle, peaceable and precious. Never exchange these imperishable qualities for worldly trinkets.

Service: Serve God "Even If" he doesn't. Your love for God is rooted in your relationship with God.

Multiplication: Show others how to love well. Let them see you loving your husband in a godly way.

ONE THING: Jesus is THE way, THE truth, THE life. John 14:6 

1 Peter 2:22-25

CONTEXT: Jesus is Lord and savior, He is worthy of your full devotion daily.

Jesus is sin free, passed every test, trial and temptation.

Jesus is truth.

Why is it such a big deal for the average person that Jesus committed no sin?

   Shows His perfection, ability to relate to us, ability to help us 

   overcome temptation and sin.

Jesus turned the other cheek for God's glory and the good of others.

Jesus suffered well by trusting that God would act justly in judgment.

   No attack on those vilifying Him.

Jesus dying on the cross empathizes with our sin. (v21, Matt.26:38)

   Matthew 26:38  38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful,  even to death; remain here, and watch[a] with me.”

Jesus alone makes it possible for us to die to sin and live acceptable before God because of His life, death and resurrection.

Jesus is our provider, protector (Shepherd) and authority (Overseer) in all matters Matt. 28:19

When we stray, backslide, fall away, walk away from Jesus what should our immediate response be?

   Stop straying and return to Jesus.

Based on this message what can you do to become more like Jesus?

Gospel- Centered = 

Worship: Learn from Jesus. In prayer, Bible study, community discover how Jesus passed every test, trial, temptation.

Community: Trust God. He can bring a just end to the suffering of others. Model it for them as you move them to Him.

Service: Die to sin and live to righteousness. Our lives are not our own we were bought for a price. Turn to Jesus for strength.

Multiplication: Return to Jesus. The non-Christian can be shown the way to Him. The Christian can be reminded of the way to Him.

ONE THING: It isn't always easy but it is always better to do good for God.

1 Peter 2:18-21

Do good in the name of Jesus, to everyone.

To better prepare and equip you more to face suffering. 

Where does our strength come from to endure suffering when doing good for God's glory?

   God, in your mind and Jesus, in your heart, He suffered too, for you.

To endure suffering for doing good is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

Since there is no escaping suffering this side of Heaven. How does God want us to respond when we suffer for doing good?

   Just like Jesus, with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control

We are called in our suffering to endure and follow in the steps of Jesus.

SALVATION: Jesus Christ lived a perfect, sin free life, He suffered, so that we might be saved by grace through faith from the wages of our sin which is death.

   Jesus Christ is the example of our response to suffering. LIKE HIM.

   Jesus Christ is the focus of our faith when we do good.   IN HIS NAME.

   Jesus Christ is the destination when we do good.    CLOSER TO HIM.

ONE THING: The awe of God leads us from immaturity to maturity as a disciple Jesus. 

Titus 2:11-15

CONTEXT: Jesus graciously brought salvation for all people. PRAISE HIM!!

   Soon He will return again to bring justice, to right all wrongs.

What does a maturing disciple train themselves to do?

   Renounce the bad, live godly lives and be zealous for good works.

What does God want us to remember when we mature disciples?

Be obvious, invite, implore, course correct others, don't give up.

    Give God glory and make disciples.

    Share the biblical truth in brotherly love.

Based on this message what is something you can do to become more like Jesus?

Gospel- Centered = 

Worship: Train to be a mature disciple. During times of private devotions daily with God focus on your level of awe of Him.

Community: Train to renounce. Say no to ungodliness and worldly passions that hold you back and down from fulfilling God's created purpose for you.

Service: Love God out loud. Live self-controlled, upright, godly lives so that others can experience being in awe of God's goodness.

Multiplication: Invite others to implore with you. As much as possible live for God's glory and make disciples alongside other Christians.

ONE THING: People will know that we are a disciple of Jesus if we love one another. John 13:35

Titus 2:1-10, 15

The contagious characteristics of a maturing Christian man. It's better than better homes and neighborhoods, though that is a byproduct. 

The inspiring actions of a maturing Christian woman. These qualities in the hands of God literally make it easier for people to get to and become like Jesus.

The Word of God, the Bible, is central to helping others through relationship to become like Jesus.

   God can use our humble and generous actions to literally rewrite what a person thinks, says and how they respond to God.

A Disciple acting biblically can lead a lot of people to God who can undo a lot of hurts, habits and hang-ups.

Young women strive to be like Christ following mature women.

   Be where they are more than where they are not.

Young men strive to be like Christ following mature men.

   Be where they are more than where they are not.

One of the hardest things you will do is serve others but it is always better when we live for the Lord. 

   SO THAT in everything you may be a model of Gospel-centered Christlikeness.

 REMEMBER: Everybody answers to someone and everybody will answer someday to the One, God.

How can we start the mentoring process?

   Look around and see who you are already in a relationship with, start with salvation then move forward to becoming more like Christ.

Based on this message what is something you can do to become more like Jesus?

Gospel- Centered = 

Worship: Observe all the Bible. When you study it in your personal devotional time. Think about how you can speak and act on God's truth.

Community: Go. Embody the qualities and characteristics found in Titus 2:1-10, 15 everywhere. God can do it in and through you, Trust Him.

Service: Mentor Disciples. Do what is best for them to draw closer to God by using your faith and deeds.

Multiplication: Make Disciples. Give others the opportunity to become a Christian. Then help them to become more like Christ.

ONE THING: Acknowledge Jesus before men, Jesus acknowledges you before the Father. Deny Jesus before men, Jesus denies you before the Father in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33

Daniel 2:19-23, 28-30, 47, Matthew 10:32-33  

God getting the credit for what He has done... stirs the heart affections toward Jesus while drawing people closer to God through the Holy Spirit. 

CONTEXT A person who has yet to love God has a better chance of loving Him when we acknowledge Him. 

A person who loves God will acknowledge His good work. 

WHEN WITH GOD, HE GETS THE CREDIT

Need to see life from a heart, mind, soul and strength tuned to God. 

   Salvation, Bible Study, Prayer, Tithing, Praise are great places to start. 

Why is it more helpful to identify the specific need, want or desire of a person than to just respond with a general Christian response? Daniel 2:19-23

   The more specific you are with your requests the easier it will be for you to give God credit once that request is met. 

   Deep love resides in the details of a relationship. 

   The bonds of an experience shared and credit where credit is due strengthens any relationship. 

WHEN WITH OTHERS, GOD GETS THE CREDIT

Share biblical truth in brotherly love. 

   Help others to see how God is calling, drawing them closer to Him right where they are right now. 

The more specific you are with the credit you give God the easier it will be for others to understand how God is working in their life.

   There is a point to what they have, are and will face. 

How can we know when and where to give God credit?

   Trust the Holy Spirit to lead you through the fear and uncertainty of giving God the credit because it is for everyone’s best if you share how God is good. 

Why is it so harmful to not give God credit for the things He has done?

   We are not spreading His glory across the community and making disciples. 

   The credit we give God should guide everyone by the Holy Spirit, passed the empty cross and tomb ending up at God’s throne. How they respond is up to them. 

Based on this message what is something you can do to become more like Jesus?

Gospel- Centered = 

Worship: Adore God. Tell God how much you appreciate and love what He has done. 

Community: Share biblical truth in brotherly love. Help others to see how God is calling, drawing them closer to Him right where they are right now. 

Service: Act on God’s behalf. Be clear and courageous with others that you are acting because of God’s leading. 

Multiplication: Give other people reasons to give God the credit. Help them to acknowledge and express God’s good work in their life along with the need for it as well.

ONE THING: Praise the Lord as long as you live. Psalm 146:2

Romans 15:8-21,  Psalm 146:2

Praise is a celebration of who God is ( Father, Son, Holy Spirit ) as evidenced by what He has, is and will do. 

CONTEXT: God is worthy of our praise. 

Why praise God?

   Who He is, what He has done, will do. 

According to Romans 15:8-13 how can we bring God glory?

   Praise Him through words when around others.

When You Praise God

   Who He is, what He has done, will do, also your relationship with God. 

According to Romans 15:14-21 how can we bring God glory?

   Praise Him through Biblical actions when around others.

Based on this message what is something you can do to become more like Jesus?

Gospel- Centered = 

Worship: Actually praise God. Tell God in word, thought and deed how grateful you are for who He is and what He has done.

Community: Keep God front and center. Make the most out of every opportunity to praise God.

Service: Help others celebrate God. Show them how God is at work in their lives by using the Bible and sharing your experiences with Him.

Multiplication: Lead people in praise to God. Invite others to join you in praising God.

ONE THING: God loves a cheerful giver and a cheerful (HILAROS) giver loves God. 2 Corinthians 9:7

Deuteronomy 26:16-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Genesis 4:3-7, Hebrews 7:1-2

Tithe is a grateful response to a generous God from the first fruits of everything in order to show love to God and others. 

CONTEXT: A tithe / tenth – a floor to stand on not a ceiling to reach. The Offering is the above and beyond ceiling to break through.

WHY YOU GIVE

We don't tithe to earn God's love. We tithe because we already have God's love. It is a celebration of gratitude for the love He has shown us.

Rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house, others near you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you.

Why do we give God a Tithe / tenth of all He has given us?

Because of our LOVING obedience to what God has commanded us so others will be saved and become like Christ. 

WHEN YOU GIVE

God uses real world giving to generate eternal spiritual blessings and benefits. 

   You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 

What does God hope for us when we Tithe?

That we would do it faithfully and joyfully. 

Based on this message what is something you can do to become more like Jesus?

Gospel- Centered = 

Worship: Tithe to your local church. Tithe your time. Tithe your talents. Tithe your treasures. A tenth given in person, online, through text.

Community: Publicly praise God for the 90. Give thanks to God in front of others for His many blessings. Sow bountifully and thankfully. 

Service: Make room in your life to Tithe. First priority with your finances and all things for that matter is God. Never take from God and to meet a need or desire. Trust God to meet that need or desire.   

Multiplication: Make a way for others to Tithe. Invite them to join you at the church you call home so they can then tithe their time, talents and treasures.