the simple message is "always tell the truth"...but I'm gonna make a 35 minute sermon out of it (grin)

There is a primary reason believers are to no longer live as unbelievers do...

-unbelievers live in darkness...believers live in the light

: Paul contrasts the condition of believers and unbelievers in the word

-this week we will focus on the state or condition of humanity apart from Christ - unbelievers

Learning how to view and deal with sin/evil biblically is a means and an evidence of Christian maturity

: Perseverance is yet another way and means by which we grow and mature spiritually

-believers are to stand strong, firm, persevere , not give up in the midst of  pushback and the difficulties of life

continuing on our miniseries "Ways and Means by Which We Grow and Mature as Believers" 

-we grow and mature as believers by learning to control our thoughts and speech

-obedience is an evidence of true salvation

-obedience is an evidence of Christian maturity

We will begin looking at the ways and means by which we as believers grow and mature spiritually

-this week...the primary way and means...the Word of God

-there is a direct correlation between the level with which believers are thoroughly familiar with the Word of God and the level of their spiritual maturity