Thesis- In general. man has many plans of what he will do in this life - dreams of what to make life grand, but they all die. What makes life worthwhile or relevant- For those that are saved, the reality of eternal life impacts our thoughts, our affections and our hope.----- SEEK the things above. Points to the heart.-- We should become passionate about heavenly-- things.----- THINK about things above. Points to mind.-- We should -think- about - ponder - what is-- valuable and let our mind drive our actions.---- - Paul talks about the place where God dwells.-- We should let our minds be focused there --- what is eternal, what is glorious, what is-- worthy, what is true life. See Romans 8-5----- SEE what awaits above. Points to our hope.-- The believer has union with Christ, eternal-- life in Christ and glorified in-with Christ.----- Seek - passionately pursue things above--- Think - deliberately dwell on things above--- See - eagerly eye things waiting for you----CONCLUDING EXAMPLES- John Owen- -we are what we think-. Jesus- -Wherever your treasure is, there will your heart be also-. Where is your heart and what does your mouth speak about. When at leisure or alone, what comes out of you, what do you treasure, what do you go after-

Thesis- Reputation - Reality----1. The Reputation - Reality---- a. The Reputation---- b. The Reality----2. Evangelism 101---- The early church members were different----- a. Racially---- b. Politically---- c. Linguistically---- d. Religiously

-New City Catechism-----Leader- Freddy Campana-----What is the Catechism------Purpose of the Catechism----- Exposition of the Gospel--- Cultures falsehoods addressed and counteracted--- Pastoral - parental purpose-----Structure of the New York City Catechism--- Part 1- God, creation and fall, law--- Part 2- Christ, redemption, grace--- part 3- Spirit, restoration, growing in grace---- Q1- What is our only hope in life and death----- Ans- That we are not our own but belong, body and soul both in life and death, to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ.--Romans 14-7-8, 1 Corinthians 6-19-20, Titus 2-13-14, 1 Peter 1-18-19 Hebrews 2-14-15, John 6-39-40, John 10-27-30, John 1-12-13

Thesis- Because of what Christ did and who he is in verses 9-15. we are not to be subject to legalism - the do's and dont's. Godliness and holiness has nothing to do with man-made decrees.----I. LEGALISM -v. 16-17--- - concerned more with form than substance-- - don't pass judgment over forms and practices-- - practices were not means to God's favor, but-- a shadow of Christ, pointing to his life-----II. FALSE WORSHIP -v.18-19--- - Many suggest alternate beings, avenues, etc-- to get to God - false worship-- - ex- -I feel-, -God told me-, -I think-, etc-- - Text says Jesus is the head, only one to be-- worshipped and held on to----III. ASCETISM -v.20-23--- - imposing outside disciplines to change the heart-- - The heart must change- inside-out-- - can't be trapped into thinking external practices-- will change the inside-- - outside action cannot detour appetites of the-- flesh. Grace opposes sin, not nature.----CONCLUSION- True holiness is imitating Christ - seeking to be like him- live for him- reflect him. Not following, and thus exalting regulations over his person and being.

1. Grace caused Paul to Preach Christ v19-20-a. Acts 7-58-8-1-b. Acts 22-14-c. Colossians 1-13--2. Grace strengthened Paul in light of opposition v21-25-a. Educated regarding traditions-b. Teacher of the Law-c. People amazed because he was the Persecutor-d. Jews knew his reputation-e. He was strengthened by Christ himself - Phil 4-13-1 Tim 1-12--3. -When many days had passed- -a. better explained through Galatians 1-15-18-b. Spent time, 3 years, with Christ himself.

Thesis- We cannot be led by individual verses, out of context, to -prove- what we think about Christianity. We must let Biblical theology drive our systematic theology to properly defend the gospel.----1. WARNING ON FALSE TEACHING -v.8--- - At this time, Paul may have been addressing one-- or all of Judaizers, Pagans, Gnostics . . . .-- - Is actually brainwashing - redefining truth----2. FALSE TEACHING DEFINED-- - babbling, deceit, driven by passions-- - human based, originated, demonic, anti-Christ----3. FALSE TEACHING IS USELESS-- - Salvation is about gospel only-- - Jesus is fully God -v.9- - all teaching should-- center on him-- - Doctrine of Christ's deity drives all truth-- - Christ is our completion before God-- - Jesus stands above every other thing, being, doctrine-- - Regeneration occrus via Christ - nothing-no one else-- - Jesus alone and COMPLETELY has forgiven our sin debt

Thesis- To Walk on Water you better get out of the boat.----1. Context-- - Could have been a very difficult day for Jesus and His followers.-- a. Jesus heard John has been murdered.-- b. He retired to Pray-- c. He feeds 5000 - people-- d. He retired to Pray-- e. He sends his disciples to Gennesaret on a boat----2. A Ghost-- - Disciples are convinced Jesus is a ghost walking on the water.-- - He comes to us in our darkest hour.-- - Jesus walking on water reveals His divine presence and power.----3. Do not be Afraid-- - Jesus said' -Take heart- it is I. Do not be afraid--- - I am with you. I AM--- - They knew their Lord, do you-----4. -COME--- - Jesus said -come- so Peter got out of the boat.-- - To walk on water - you need to recognize God's presence in your life.-- - This is a story of faith and obedience.-- - What is your boat--- - If you want to walk on water, you better get out of the boat.----5. Expect Problems - -LORD, SAVE ME---- - Peter left the boat and walked towards Jesus, -He saw the wind-.-- - He began to sink and cried out -Lord, save me--- - Cry to Jesus when we are going down----6. The Hand that Saves-- - Out of the boat is where we meet Jesus-- - Jesus took hold of him-- - Christ saved him-- - If you know Christ call out to him when going down and he will reach out to you.-- - If you don't know him all you have to do is call on to him -LORD SAVE ME-- Jesus will take a hold of you.----7. Little Faith-- - -O you of little faith, why did you doubt---- - Peter took his focus off of Christ.-- - Are you focusing on Jesus or the storm raging around you--- - Bring Christ in to your boat-- - Back in the boat with Jesus the storm ceases.-- - Truly you are the Son

Speaker- Freddy Campana--1. Saul defending the Jewish truth-a. Anger-b. Would take the followers of the Way - bound to Jerusalem--2. Persecution - The early church reality-a. We are comfortable, they were not--3. Saul, Saul-a. Emphasis-b. Pay Attention--4. Saul, recognizes the position of whom addresses him-a. -,Lord-

Thesis- There are many cultural and religious views on Baptism. What truths can we all see from scripture when we look at Jesus' baptism.----1. THE ENCOUNTER -v.13--- - John the Baptist and Jesus cousins-- - grown up knowing each other-- - John was to prepare Jesus' coming-- - Jesus came for baptism - so baptism cannot-- be in and of itself salvation----2. THE EXCHANGE -v.14-15--- - John preached repentance leading to baptism-- - Why then Jesus to be baptized--- - What righteousness was Jesus fulfilling if he-- never sinned- -- Isaiah 53-11-12 . . . . . .-- - Jesus was basically calling all to repent by-- coming to him and his righteousness-- - Jesus was identifying with sinners, taking their-- place, providing atonement-- - Jesus' baptism foreshadows his death-resurrection----3. THE AFFIRMATION -v.16-17--- - Triune God publicaly present-- - All of Trinity involved in salvation-- - This is God's business, plan of redemption----CONCLUSION- Baptism is about what God has done in saving a person from death and raising them to life. A public affirmation of what He has done - bringing him glory and honor. Romans 6-3-4.

Thesis- Today's text describes Paul's anxiety over people he had never seen, whom he wanted to see established in faith, and prevent false teachers from derailing them.----1. Paul's Admitted Anxiety----- For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf, and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face.----2. Paul's Longing---- a. Hearts knit together in love---- b. The wealth of attaining full assurance---- c. Heads fitted with understanding---- d. Knowledge of Christ----3. Paul's Concern---- so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument----4. Paul's Healthy Attitude---- For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.----5. Paul's Exhortation----Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him having been firmly rooted and not being built up in him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.