You may only have 80% of the information when you go to make a decision. The decisions in the dark are often the most critical.

Scripture Texts

Psalm 142; 1 Samuel 24

Main Points or Ideas

3 Lessons on Leadership in 1 Samuel 24:

1. Truth Based (v. 6)

2. Others Focused (v. 7)

3. Respect Authority (v. 8)

Sometimes, it is good to wait, but the Lord also allows decisions to be made in the dark.

We are called to be careful in our decisions. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

Take Home Truths:

1. Hit Pause

2. Pay Attention to the Tension

3. Don’t React But Act

Result:

• Saul was humiliated by David’s humility (v. 16-18)

Conclusion

Humility is the Runway to Harmony

We are looking at something very familiar, trials and temptations.

Scripture Text

James 1:1-15

We Meet/Face Trials Of All Types

We Have A Responsibility To Respond To Trials With:

• Joy (V. 2a)

• Letting steadfastness have its full effect (v. 4)

• Steadfastness = endurance (Vv. 3-4)

Similar To Trials, We Can Be Tempted (Vv. 13-15)

• Response - not blaming God (v. 13)

• Not letting our desire produce sin (Vv. 14-15)

Similarities Between Trials And Temptations:

• Both words, TRIAL and TEMPTATION are the same word in origin, but are different depending on their contexts

• Temptations are on the inside; trials are on the outside

• Trials are the test of our faith

• Temptations are the desires for evil or an inordinate amount of a good thing

• James does not have an expanded definition of these two

• Response:

• They (TRIALS and TEMPTATIONS) are everywhere.

• They can be part of each other!

Four Synthesis Questions:

1. How are trials and temptations interrelated?

• When I am in a trial, how am I prone to be in temptation?
• In my temptation, how is my faith being tested?

2. How is our thinking related to trials and temptations?

• How will you choose to respond?
• Are you thinking carefully about these things?
• Think carefully about the progress of the desires. Is your mind becoming a slave to your emotions, desires, and feelings?

3. How are the ends of trials and temptations related?

• Let steadfastness do its work
• Sin always leads to death. Do not give into temptation!

4. How is steadfastness related to both?

• V. 3-4, 12 - It is a key component to responding rightly to both trials and temptations
• It is not giving up in trials, not giving into temptation
• What is your tendency in both of these things?
  

Conclusion

God is pleased when we respond well in trials and temptations.

We will stand and read the word out of Song of Songs 2:8-3:5.

Scripture Texts: Song of Songs 2:8-3:5

Main Points or Ideas:

PRELIMINARIES:

1. It should be interpreted literally

2. It is a song, not a drama

3. The main characters are ideal, archetypal characters like the Proverbs 31 woman

4. Song of Songs primarily instructs single women like Proverbs teaches young men

KEY POINTS:

1. Love Restrains Strong Desires (2:8-17)

1. Male sexual desire is very strong (vv. 8-9)

2. Sexual desire is appropriate at the right time (vv. 10-14)

3. Love seizes the foxes (v. 15)

1. Jackals (Judges 15:4; Ezekiel 13:4; Psalm 63:14; Lamentations 5:18) destroys things

2. What does the gospel demand? It demands forgiveness!

3. God’s design for intimacy is the two together

4. “Occurrence in the night” - Deuteronomy 23:9-11 - intimacy; God’s Design for Purity

4. THE GOSPEL MUST BE DISPLAYED IN OUR LOVE/MARRIAGES

SONG OF SONGS WIFE VERSUS DAME FOLLY:

• Distinction between the Proverbs 7 promiscuous woman and the Song of Songs 3 wife

• The setting, seeking, location and seizing are the same actions and words used

• The house and end result are vastly different.

• SoS Wife in chapter 3 - house of LIFE

• Proverbs 7 Woman - house of DEATH

• A question raised: Why is her husband on the streets?

• A fox may need to be seized

• He is in a dangerous position

KEY POINTS (again):

1. Love Desires When One Doesn’t Desire

1. Through inconvenience

2. Through danger

3. Through obstacles

4. The wise woman builds up her house (Proverbs 14:1)

2. Love Discerns the Times

1. The two chapters (2:8-3:5) are bound together by a word: seized

2. 2:15 - seize the foxes

3. 3:4 - the wife seizes her wandering husband

Conclusion: This is a deep-seated, servant-hearted, self-sacrificing, “taking up your cross and follow me” kind of love for “the one whom your soul loves.”

If you don’t fully understand what’s being communicated, mistakes will happen. You can have the right key, but if you use it incorrectly, it is worthless.

Scripture Texts

Genesis 3; 2 Timothy 2:15

2 Timothy 2:15 - STUDY, SHOW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD (Matthew 25:21 - God is our master) WORKMAN NEED NOT BE (no cause for…) SHAME. RIGHTLY DIVIDING (interpretation, studying, understanding)… THE WORD OF GOD!

Tools Satan Uses That Leads to Misinterpretation of Scripture:

1. DOUBT

• Genesis 3:1 - “Did God really say…?”
• How do we deal with doubt? We have to know what God says!
• How do we not deal with doubt?
• Proverbs 3:3-7

2. BLATANT LIES/MISQUOTING

• Genesis 3:4-5 - Adam and Eve actually did die spiritually right away, and then later physically
• “Being like God” - another lie
• We must speak the truth in love! (Reasons for Hope promo video)

3. MISINTERPRETATION/MISUSE

• Luke 4 - temptation of Jesus by Satan - misuse of Scripture
• Psalm 91:16-17 - General promise of God to take care of his people; misinterpreted falsely by Satan in the temptation

How do we deal with doubt? The same way Christ did! Ephesians 6:10-13 - Put on the whole armor of God… so that you may be able to withstand the evil day!

Conclusion

If you point others to Christ, you have the power to instill hope.

You are a missionary (whatever you are doing, regardless of location) for Jesus Christ.

Scripture Text

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Main Points or Ideas

What we see in the world is consistent with the Word of God.

You’ve got to love the Lord, AND HIS WORD.

Evangelism is a conversation, not a presentation.

4 “Keys” to Overcoming Trouble:

1. Look for the starting point or tongue - Deuteronomy 10:12

2. Identify the obstacles - Galatians 5:19-21a; James 1:5-8

3. Plan your course - 2 Timothy 3:14-15

4. Find a marker rock to stay on track - Psalm 144:1

Conclusion

Who’s your boatman? Is it Jesus?

Gary Walton talks about the importance of trusting God when we take the Gospel to the world.

Scripture Texts

Matthew 28:16-20

Main Points or Ideas

Two Lessons from Matthew 28

1. God can only guarantee the delivery of His promises in the places where He has control

• Where does God have authority? See verse 18
• All authority has been given to God!
• V. 20b - “Behold, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.”
• Jesus assures us of…
• His Presence - “I will go with you.”
• His Promises - “I AM”
• His Authority - “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

2. Jesus’ authority and His power has not been guaranteed to you so that we can hang out

• Acts 1:8
• So many of us have settled for the safe and the small
• We were created for more
• Don’t settle for the safe and the comfortable
• One of the greatest tragedies of life os that we forget who God is - He is not safe and small

Conclusion

Venture into what God has called you to do.

The United States has become a mission field because of the decline of the Church.

Scripture Texts

John 4; Luke 15

Crossover: Leaving our comfort zone to make a relational connection, even for redemptive purposes.

John 4

1. Everyone is lost and in need of saving

• John 4:4-7 - Jesus starts the conversation

2. The promise of the new way of life - John 4:13-14

• Both Physical and Spiritual
• There is no barrier for God’s love
• Worshipping in Spirit and Truth, not in temples

3. Tolerance is a cheat substitute for love

• Jesus doesn’t tolerate, he enters into broken stories
• John 4:25-26 - “I am He”

4. Call to go

• John 4:28-30
• Result: (vv. 39-41) - Many believed

Has the gospel stopped with you? Or is it moving onward?

As an individual:

• Cross the street

• Crossover a prejudice

• Crossover your fear

• Crossover ethnic boundaries

“Crossing cultures without crossing borders.”

Luke 15

• Who has the resources to search for the lost? WE DO.

• John 4:31-34 - Satisfaction in Christ

Conclusion

Being where we are right now (at Faith) is a great time to equip for the crossover. John 4:35 - Don’t ignore the need!

Redemption is the overarching story of Scripture.

Scripture Text

Mark 4:26-29

Main Points or Ideas

God’s Divine Agenda:

1. Luke 19:10 - “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

2. When God providentially empowers you to touch a life in which He is already working (Providence/Evidence)

3. You know it when:

• You enter a situation and it is obvious that God has been at work before you get there
• The person to whom you are talking to tells you that someone else had been talking to him about the Lord
• See obvious interest and/or conviction
• The Lord leads you to say something you normally don’t say
• A lost person approaches a Christian out of the blue
• The timing of events is obviously from God
• The person to whom you are talking is dealing with a traumatic event that has pointed him to his inner needs
• A guest comes to your church without a human invitation
• Someone brings up the Bible, religion, God, or spiritual things in a normal conversation

4. Go, Show, Tell the Gospel Boldly

• We must be intentional
• We must be strategic
• We must tell the gospel
• We must pray for boldness

Conclusion

The gospel is POWERFUL. We must share it boldly, clearly, and thoroughly.

The Exchange is an evangelism outreach program and the focus is on the growing hunger here in the United States.Scripture Texts: Various TextsMain Points or Ideas: 

Relational Evangelism:

1. WHO? - Romans 1:1, 14-16

2. WHAT? Is relational evangelism:

3. WHEN? - Relational evangelism 24/7!

4. WHERE? - Anywhere people are

5. WHY? - Great Commission/sent

6. BRIDGING THE DISTANCE - surface to the soul

Conclusion

Learn to ask good questions and to listen well.

Where are you looking for satisfaction?

Scripture Texts

Ecclesiastes 1-2

Main Points or Ideas

Solomon’s Seven Options of Living:

1. Living Entirely For Myself (1:1-3)

2. Living To Build My Legacy (1:4-11)

3. Living In Search Of Utopia (1:12-18)

4. Living To Indulge The Flesh (2:1-11)

5. Living For The Life Of The Mind (2:12-17)

6. Living For Work (2:18-23)

7. Living For God Alone (2:24-26)

Conclusion

Live life how God intended it. May we not seek ourselves, but You Lord!