1. Paul's love reaffirmed -v8--a. God's the witness-b. -affection of Christ Jesus- - because Christ's work on Paul's heart--2. Paul's prayer request -v9--a. v1-7 - thanksgiving-Joy, Partners in the Gospel-b. May they Love -abound- - Phil 1-27-2-2- i. Don't love yourself - love one another - Rom 12-9-10-e. Knowledge and Discernment- i. Spiritual growth- ii. 1 John 4-7 - God is love - essence- iii. Be a doer of HIS word--3. The Aim of Paul's Prayer -v10-11-a. Glorify God-Phil 1-6-Rom 13-11-Phil 1-10-b. No efforts but God's provision--4 Conclusion-a. Focus on knowing Christ-b. Don't depend on our performance-c. Romans 5-8-10

Thesis- Put on Jesus Christ----1. The warning- -the hour has come for you to awake from your sleep.--- -Against spiritual slumbering and lethargy.-- -For looking for signs of the enemy's presence.-- -Challenge- Christianity does't conceive or perceive a sense of danger--- -Beware of the celebrity parade----2. The Motivation- has been cause of confusion for some. -11b--- -We are in the process of being saved - salvation is nearer now than when we believed-- -We are saved, we were saved, we will be saved-- -Propositionally--- -You believe-you are saved, Jesus paid it all--- -You come to Jesus, you enter the process of being saved. 2 Corinthians 3-16-- -You believe you embrace this hope. 1 John 3-1-2-- -Eschatological--- -Life as we know it is coming to an end, so we better get ready. 2 Peter 3-10-13-- -Warning to wake up----3. The instruction- cast off the works of darkness, put on the Lord Jesus Christ.-- -We cannot fight darkness and the flesh, in the flesh.-- -Orgies - Drunkenness- Paul says -Stop It---- -Sexual immorality and Sensuality- ENOUGH with darkness- Put on Jesus--- -Quarreling and Jealousy- Jesus said- Learn from Me, for I am of a meek and humble Spirit.----4. Conclusion--- -This life is transient, but we're at war-- -Put on Christ-- -Honor Jesus by making disciples and teaching them

Thesis- What can we learn from studying the book of Acts as it pertains to the Church- especially in light of the common comment, -We need to be an Acts church-- What does that mean-----AUTHOR--- - Luke - Physician -Colossians 4-14--- - Greek-Gentile -Colossians 4-11--- - Fellow gospel worker with Paul----WHY WRITTEN--- - Testimony to Theophilus -Acts 1-1, Luke 1-3--- - Follow-up to Luke's gospel about Jesus -1st book-----THEMES--- - Birth of the Church-- - Persecution-- - Expansion of God's Kingdom -Gentiles added--- - Missions - Trips-- - Gifts of Holy Spirit

Thesis- Partnership in the Gospel leads to prayer -vv3-5- that brings assurance -vv6-, which sustains us, God's people, in and through our suffering -v7---1- Leads to prayer - V3-5-a. Cause and Effect - partners in gospel-Paul is thankful-b. Friendship vs Fellowship-c. A lifestyle-d. Thankfulness in prayer--2- Prayer that brings assurance v6-a. 1 Corinthians 1-6-9-b. He will bring you safely home - John 17-20-26--3- Prayer that sustains His people through suffering - v7-a. Cause and effect - hold in the heart-Paul is thankful--4- Conclusion-a. The persecutor, killer of Stephens-, later will be killed for the Gospel.-b. Jesus prayed for all of us but also endured Gethsemane.

What is the Law for-----a- A Mirror of God's perfect righteousness- the law defines sin - Gal 2-19--b- A Restraint of evil through the fear of punishment - Rom 2-1-ff - Jn 5-25-ff--c- A Guide to point believers to the will of God - Rom 12-3----For the Christian, the Law - albeit impossible to keep in the flesh - is delightful, agreeable and perfect.----1. The Statement - Owe nothing to anyone but love----2. The explanation-- a- Thou shalt not commit adultery-- b- Thou shalt not steal-- c- Thou shalt not murder-- d- Thou shalt not covet your neighbor's possession.----3. The Measure - Love does no wrong to a neighbor- therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Thesis- Paul commandment to civil obedience--a-V13-1 THE OVERARCHING EXHORTATION IS--1 Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. -a.1. GOD IS THE SOURCE OF ALL HUMAN AUTHORITY - Daniel 2-21--b-V13-2-4a A LOGICAL CONCLUSION--2 Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God-Encouragement to civil obedience -a.2. Encouragement to civil obedience - FEAR OF PUNISHMENT-a.3. The benefits of having authorities - THE PEACE OF REWARD--c-V13-5-6 A PRACTICAL NECESSITY. -3. Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection - the alternative of anarchy is intolerably worse.-a.4. appeals to our conscience v13-5-a.5. pay taxes V13-6--d-V13-7 CLOSING THE LOOP-A The Christian must exemplify Christlikeness, as a citizen.-1.Submission is not synonym of Strict Obedience-2.Submission to Civil Authority is based on God being the Ultimate Authority-3.God establishing authorities DOES NOT MEAN He approves of wicked authority.-4.What about the Sword of the Magistrate- Does the NT endorse the death penalty--5.Taxes are not illegal or immoral, but a necessity.-6.Are there legitimate revolts---Conclusion- OUR REAL PROBLEM AND ITS SOLUTION IS NOT THE GOVERNMENT.

Paul introduces this letter as a -slave- of Christ along with his brother Timothy.----Who is your master, to whom are you a slave to-----To all the -saints- in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi----If you are in Christ, you are a -saint-----When was this letter written- Pauls 2nd mission 60-61 AD----Where was this letter written- In Prison----Why was this letter written- For you to know Christ

Thesis- Seeing the gospel through Life's Struggles----What is the primary purpose in Life-----Is it God's word alone-----The conclusion, when all has been heard, is- fear God and Keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgement, everything which is hidden, wheter it is good or evil-----Proverbs 1-7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge- Fools despise wisdom and instruction.----Proverbs 29-25 The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trust in the Lord will be exalted.

Thesis- Understanding the -mercies of God- ought to produce forgiveness---- There are benefits of forgiveness and negative effects of holding a grudge according to secular research.----1. The parable of the two debtors. -I will repay you everything.- Matthew 18-34-35 35 -So shall My heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.-----2. The end of the Lord's Prayer- Mt 6-12-15-- -Forgiveness is a fruit of salvation, not a requisite to be saved.-- -An unforgiving spirit is a sign of not having understood and embraced the Gospel--Caveat--- -People confuse unforgiveness with feeling the pain - stoic resilient-- -Forgiveness -is a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge----3. What is forgiveness in our text--- -Negatively- Do not get even-- -Positively- Be a Peace-Maker-- -Negatively- Do not seek revenge.-- -Positively- Do good to those who oppose you.-- -Keep eternity in mind- win forever by losing now.----4. Do you feel the pressure- I do--- -This is the Gospel- Love your neighbor as yourself--- -This is Jesus' New Commandment- Love one another as I have loved you.-- -The commandment always has three purposes.-- -It condemns and crushes us-- -It points us to the only One who kept it and embodies it perfectly-- -It shows us the beauty of God's character and the goodness of His ways-- -Jesus received insults, rejection and hatred, yet He healed the sick, fed the hungry, raised the dead and died to save His enemies.-- -Do not seek revenge, be at peace, do good to all - Jesus did it for us.-- -It is not a once and for all experience, but a daily, conscious decision.