Christ Community Church of Pembroke Pines

“The Blessed Calling of Motherhood”

Luke 1:41-45

New Life (vv.41-44)

13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. (Psa. 139:13-16).

“Before I formed you in your mother’s womb I chose you. Before you were born I set you apart….”   (Jer. 1:5)

Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. (1 Tim. 2:15)

purposes and plans for those ladies and for others. But as a general rule, as per God’s design, his calling is that motherhood would provide for society and the kingdom of God, in the rearing of a godly seed and lots of them.

Psa. 127:3, Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.  About the reward of faith.

New Faith (v.45)

The Servant of God

“The Problem of Morality, Pt. 2”

Ma. 10:23-31

A Question of Humility (vv.23-26)

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also… 24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money (Matt. 6:21,24)

A Question of Sovereignty (v.27)

Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil. (Jer. 13:23)

7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Ro.8:7-8)

A Question of Prosperity (vv.28-31)

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field... 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matt. 13:44-46).

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matt. 5:11-12)

28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” (Lu. 13:28-30).

Resurrection Sunday- The Servant of God

“The Reality of the Resurrection”

Ma. 10:32-34

Was the Resurrection Predicted? (vv. 32-33)

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Heb. 1:1-2).

Is the Resurrection Real? (v.34)

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed… And they made his grave with the wicked

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.  (1 Cor. 15:3-7).

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, 27 whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. (Job 19:25-27b)

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. (Psa. 16:9-10)

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God,4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev. 21:3-4).

Does the Resurrection Matter? (1 Cor. 15)

4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

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. (Ro. 6:4-5)

The Servant of God

“The Problem of Morality”

Ma. 10:17-22

A Question of Ethics (vv. 17-18)

“None is righteous, no, not one; 11  no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” 18  “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

(Ro. 3:10b-12,18).

A Question of Law (vv.19-20)

A Question of Repentance (vv. 21-22).

3.  You change your mind about God

26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple… 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.  (Lu.14:26,33).

7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them… 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. (Matt. 13:7,22)

9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (1 Tim. 6:9-10).

Love of Children (vv.13-14)

There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded which Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, with the women, the little ones, and the strangers who were living among them. Jos. 8:35

6 “And when I passed by you and saw you wallowing in your blood, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ 8 “When I passed by you again and saw you, behold, you were at the age for love, and I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness; I made my vow to you and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Lord God, and you became mine. 9 Then I bathed you with water and washed off your blood from you and anointed you with oil. (Eze.16:6, 8-9).”

20 And you took your sons and your daughters, whom you had borne to me, and these you sacrificed to them to be devoured. Were your whorings so small a matter 21 that you slaughtered my children and delivered them up as an offering by fire to them? 22 And in all your abominations and your whorings you did not remember the days of your youth, when you were naked and bare, wallowing in your blood. (16:20-22).

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 18:3).

Faith of Children (vv.15-16)

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Psa. 51:5)

19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Ro. 1:19,21).

For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Eph. 5:5

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ro. 6:23.

Love of Children (vv.13-14)

There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded which Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, with the women, the little ones, and the strangers who were living among them. Jos. 8:35

6 “And when I passed by you and saw you wallowing in your blood, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ 8 “When I passed by you again and saw you, behold, you were at the age for love, and I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness; I made my vow to you and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Lord God, and you became mine. 9 Then I bathed you with water and washed off your blood from you and anointed you with oil. (Eze.16:6, 8-9).”

20 And you took your sons and your daughters, whom you had borne to me, and these you sacrificed to them to be devoured. Were your whorings so small a matter 21 that you slaughtered my children and delivered them up as an offering by fire to them? 22 And in all your abominations and your whorings you did not remember the days of your youth, when you were naked and bare, wallowing in your blood. (16:20-22).

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 18:3).

Faith of Children (vv.15-16)

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Psa. 51:5)

19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Ro. 1:19,21).

For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Eph. 5:5

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ro. 6:23.

The Servant of God

“Lessons on Marriage and Divorce, Pt.1”

Ma. 10:1-9

The Doctrine of Divorce (vv.1-5)

But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery…. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” (Matt. 5:32; 19:9).

The Meaning of Marriage (vv.6-9)

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him. (Gen. 2:18).

31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Eph. 5:31-33).

Divorce Prevention:

The Servant of God

“A Lesson on Discipleship”

Ma. 9:42-50

maximum Love (v.42)

Millstone Photo

Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. (1 Cor. 8:12).

9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's[b] seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

(1 Jo. 3:9-10, 18).

Maximum Repentance (vv.43-48)

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matt. 25:41).

… when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from[b] the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,  (2 Thess. 1:7b-9).

Maximum Holiness (vv. 49-50)

so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Pet 1:7).

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven  (Matt. 5:13–16).

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person (Col. 4:6).

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you (2 Cor. 13:11).

The Servant of God

“A Lesson on Unity”

Ma. 9:38-41

Distinctions (vv. 38-40)

27 And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” 29 But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” (Nu. 11:27-29).

Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand (Ro. 14:4).

22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matt. 7:22-23

15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. (Phil. 1:15-18)

23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,  (2 Tim. 2:23-25).

Desires (v.41)

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Pet. 4:10-11).

The Servant of God

“A Lesson on Humility”

Ma. 9:30-37

Humility in Sacrifice (vv. 30-32)

But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus[a] said to his disciples, 44 “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying. (Lu. 9:43-45).

Humility in Attitude (vv. 33-35)

25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. (Lu.22:25-27).

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:5-11).

(But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.( Isa. 66:2b)

A Practical Strategy: The Means of Grace (prayer, word and worship)

Humility in Unity (vv. 36-37)