Scripture Text

Ephesians 1:18

Main Points or Ideas

Eyes of Understanding = “turn on the Spiritual light”

A look at life from God’s point of view.

Three Old Testament Examples:

1. Hagar with her son - family (Genesis 21:19)

2. Balam with his donkey - direction (Numbers 22:31)

3. Elijah with the servant - spiritual protection (2 Kings 6:17)

Acts 26:18; Luke 24:45 - Salvation-related eyes of understanding

Discernment = the ability to see people and circumstances as they really are

Conclusion

We can fall short of the goal when we do not have eyes of understanding spiritually.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is profitable.

Scripture Texts

Colossians 1:5-8

Main Points or Ideas

Where we are at is not as important as being in Jesus Christ.

1. The Gospel is Truth - V. 5

• “The Word of truth”
• Romans 3:4

2. The Gospel is Good News - V. 5

• The Gospel = good news

3. The Gospel is Universal - V. 6

• As it is in all the world

4. The Gospel is Productive - V. 6

• Constantly bearing fruit, increasing

5. The Gospel Tells of Grace - V. 6

• “... the grace of God in truth”
• “Heard it and understood”

6. The Gospel is Humanly Transmitted - V. 7

• “As you also heard from Epaphras”
• Faithful servant

Conclusion

V. 8 - … has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

You’ll ask yourself, “is that real?” We live in a world where people are searching for their reality.

Scripture Text

Acts 17:24-28

Main Points or Ideas

Our reality is that LIFE IS ABOUT GOD.

1. God is the creator (V. 24a)

2. God is the Lord over creation (V. 24b)

• “If God is the creator of the entire universe, then it must follow that He is the Lord of the whole universe. No part of the world is outside of His Lordship.” - R.C. Sproul

3. God is self-existent (V. 24c)

4. God is the sustainer (V. 25)

• Every breath we have is a gift
• V. 28 - No existence is without God

Revelation 4:11; Proverbs 16:4; Colossians 1:15-17; Isaiah 6:3

2 Corinthians 5:9; 1 Corinthians 10:30

Conclusion

We live to please God and to be a conduit of His grace to others - Matthew 5:16

What is the greatest/most important commandment?

Scripture Text

1 John 3:1-3

Main Points or Ideas

If the Christian does not look at the love of God first, every command after loses its power.

How might our relationships change if we viewed them as loved by God?

1. The Privilege of the Love of the Father (3:1)

• John 15:13, Romans 8:32
• There is no problem in life that a clearer look at the cross doesn’t help
• It was given to us by the most powerful Being of the universe - nothing can stop God’s love

2. The Transformation of the Love of the Father (3:2-3)

• God has given us our purity, we do not create it
• Ephesians 5:14; Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:17
• We are not identified by others, but we are identified by Christ
• It also transforms our hope

Conclusion

God defines us by the Son’s light.

All Scripture is profitable and some scriptures take over your heart.

Scripture Text

Habakkuk 3:2

Main Points or Ideas

1. A Complaint by God’s Man (1:1-4)

2. • “Why God, are you letting things go so long and get so bad without doing anything?”

3. God’s Reply (1:5-11)

• 
  
• “I am working, I will work”
• 
  
• No matter what we think, God is at work - The God that Habakkuk wanted was not the God that is.
• 
  
• Isaiah 55:8

4. A Second Complaint and Questioning (1:12-17)

5. • “We deserve chastening… but they’re worse than we are - they deserve punishment!”

6. Change of Heart and Action (2:1)

• 
  
• Outward focus turned to upward focus
• 
  
• “Stay still for a while”

Building Toward Revival

1. The Site Preparation - Word of God - “Write the vision” (2:2-3)

2. The Foundation - Faith - “The just shall live by faith” (2:4)

• Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11’ Hebrews 10:38
• “The first and primary work of the church is faith in Jesus Christ.” - Iain Murray
• We tend to let other things get in the way of spending time in the Word of God

3. Pillar One - Realize Sin is Doomed - REPENT (Ch. 2)

• We need to repent of sin in our lives

4. Pillar Two - Realize That God Will Glorify Himself - WITNESS (2:14)

• It takes faith to be a missionary
• Matthew 16:18; 28:19-20
• Revival always includes greater witness

5. Pillar Three - Realize That God Wants Worship - WORSHIP (2:20)

• We need to keep our focus on God

6. Roof - Revival “REVIVE THY WORK” (Ch. 3)

• A prayer; Shigionoth - A passionate praise in music
• Vv. 17-19 - Result of Revival
• God is our strength and song

Conclusion

Let’s get back to the basis of God’s Word and live by it.

Scripture Text

Corinthians 15:58

Main Points or Ideas

1. Be steadfast, be immovable (V. 58a)

• Firmly planted; glued in; firm
• If it is not time to move, don’t move
• What motivated Paul? - 1 Corinthians 15:50-57

2. Always abounding in the work of the Lord (V. 58b)

• Exceeding the requirements
• It is about character, giving 100%; 2 Corinthians 5:20
• Keep growing, abounding

3. Your labor is not in vain in the Lord (V. 58c)

• Toiling to the point of exhaustion
• Give 100%

Conclusion

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Do not undo, in God, what you started by faith.

Dr. Les Ollila shares his personal journey of 61 years in marriage and ministry, highlighting his commitment to God and his wife Charlene. He discusses their current life challenge with Charlene's health issues and reflects on how Christians should respond to difficult seasons of life.

Scripture Text

Philippians 3:13-14

Main Points or Ideas

1. Acknowledging Reality - When facing a crisis or difficult situation, we must first acknowledge that it is indeed happening and that it won't simply disappear overnight.

2. Accepting God's Plan - After acknowledgment comes acceptance. Dr. Ollila emphasizes that bitterness often results from refusing to accept what God brings into our lives. He notes that God opposes pride and sometimes uses difficult circumstances to humble us.

3. Adapting to a New Normal - Once we accept our situation, we must adapt and create "a new normal," potentially finding ministry opportunities within our changed circumstances. Dr. Ollila shares how he now sees caring for his wife as his primary ministry.

4. Accelerating Forward - Like Paul in Philippians 3:13-14, we must press forward rather than dwelling on the past, focusing on Christ's calling in our lives.

5. Understanding Suffering's Purpose - Dr. Ollila explains that suffering comes in different forms:

   • Suffering for the cause of Christ
   • Suffering as a consequence of our choices
   • Suffering for conformity to Christ's image

Conclusion

Dr. Ollila's testimony demonstrates how God uses every circumstance, including suffering and life changes, to shape us into Christ's image. By acknowledging, accepting, adapting, and accelerating forward with joy, believers can find purpose and meaning in their challenges while reflecting Christ to others.

Scripture TextMain PointsConclusion

Dr. Jim talks about the qualities of godly mentors from Titus 2.

Scripture Text

Titus 2:1-2

Main Points or Ideas

Leviticus 19:32; Proverbs 16:31 - Respect for older men

What does a good mentor look like?

1. Sober - temperate, a good example

2. Reverent - dignified, not laughing at the expense of others

• Inability to laugh isn’t a sign of holiness, but a sign of bitterness

3. Sensible - grown in discernment, not afraid to make mistakes

4. Sound in Faith - trusting God in every way, especially when it doesn’t make sense; staying firm

5. Sound in Love

• Do you love God in the same way you love others and things?
• Does he choose his wife and family well? - 1 John 4

6. Perseveres

Conclusion

Do you look to older mentors or to the younger ones around you for guidance?

Our perspective in trials determines our reward from trials.

Scripture Texts

James 1:2-4

Main Points or Ideas

1. We must have the right perspective… (v. 2)

• What the joy is not
• What the joy is
• What the trials are

2. …On the process… (v. 3)

• The testing produces endurance
• It takes time
• The trusting can be sabotaged

3. … Leading to the prize! (v. 4)

• Mature, complete, lacking in nothing
• God is not interested in testing you in areas that you are strong. He wants to make us strong where we are weak.

Conclusion

For most of us, joy looks like getting rid of our trials; Scripture says you’ll never get rid of trials. We instead will learn to endure and get stronger.

You do not get far in life without power of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture Text

Acts 1:8

Main Points or Ideas

Three Offenses We Bring to the Spirit:

1. Quenching the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19)

• Can be jumping into reading God’s Word without seeking the Author Himself
• We need His help in everything
• Snuffing the Flame

2. Grieving the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30)

• God knows the thoughts and intentions of our heart intimately.
• Do you really please God with your thoughts, words, and actions?
• His ability to minister in our lives is hindered by a tainted conscience
• It is a God-given command to us to be filled with the Holy Spirit

3. Resisting the Spirit (Acts 7:51)

   • It is actively opposing His work in our lives

The Christian life is to be powerful, fruitful, and full of the Holy Spirit

He has given us power through the Holy Spirit

Questions:

1. Who are you in your weaknesses?

2. Have you been offending the Spirit?

Conclusion

We will have trials in life, but we have the power of the Spirit of God