Faith

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Connecting The Dots // Created for Connection

1.     You are a part of God’s family. 

2 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV)

"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord 

Almighty."

Acts 5:42 (NIV)
“Day after day, (they met) in the temple courts and from house to house.”

Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

2.     You study and talk about the bible together with others. 

Acts 2:42 (NIV)

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.”

3.     Grow in learning how to love others better. 

Acts 2:42 (NIV)

“They devoted themselves to…fellowship.”

4.     We eat together. 

Acts 2:42 (NIV)

“They devoted themselves to…the breaking of bread.”

5.     You give and receive prayer.  

Acts 2:42 (NIV)

“They devoted themselves to…prayer.”

Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

6.     Because you and others have needs. 

Acts 2:45 (NLT)

...Shared…with those in need.…

Let My Son Go

Exodus 4:1-5 (HCSB)

“Moses answered, ‘What if they won’t believe me and will not obey me but say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?’ The Lord asked him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ ‘A staff,’ he replied. Then He said, ‘Throw it on the ground.’ He threw it on the ground, and it became a snake. Moses ran from it, but the Lord told him, ‘Stretch out your hand and grab it by the tail.’ So he stretched out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand. ‘This will take place,’ He continued, ‘so they will believe that Yahweh, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.’”

Exodus 4:6-9 (HCSB)

“In addition, the Lord said to him, ‘Put your hand inside your cloak.’ So he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, his hand was diseased, white as snow.  Then He said, ‘Put your hand back inside your cloak.’ He put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, it had again become like the rest of his skin. ‘If they will not believe you and will not respond to the evidence of the first sign, they may believe the evidence of the second sign. And if they don’t believe even these two signs or listen to what you say, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the Nile will become blood on the ground.’”

Exodus 4:10-17 (HCSB)

“But Moses replied to the Lord, ‘Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent—either in the past or recently or since You have been speaking to Your servant—because I am slow and hesitant in speech.’ Yahweh said to him, ‘Who made the human mouth? Who makes him mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, Yahweh? Now go! I will help you speak and I will teach you what to say.’  Moses said, ‘Please, Lord, send someone else.’ Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses, and He said, ‘Isn’t Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, he is on his way now to meet you. He will rejoice when he sees you.  You will speak with him and tell him what to say. I will help both you and him to speak and will teach you both what to do. He will speak to the people for you. He will be your spokesman, and you will serve as God to him. And take this staff in your hand that you will perform the signs with.’”

Exodus 4:18-23 (HCSB)

“Then Moses went back to his father-in-law Jethro and said to him, ‘Please let me return to my relatives in Egypt and see if they are still living.’ Jethro said to Moses, ‘Go in peace.’ Now in Midian the Lord told Moses, ‘Return to Egypt, for all the men who wanted to kill you are dead.’  So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took God’s staff in his hand. The Lord instructed Moses, ‘When you go back to Egypt, make sure you do all the wonders before Pharaoh that I have put within your power. But I will harden his heart so that he won’t let the people go. Then you will say to Pharaoh: ‘This is what Yahweh says: Israel is My firstborn son.  I told you: Let My son go so that he may worship Me, but you refused to let him go. Now I will kill your firstborn son!’”

Exodus 4:24-31 (HCSB)

“On the trip, at an overnight campsite, it happened that the Lord confronted him and sought to put him to death. So Zipporah took a flint, cut off her son’s foreskin, and threw it at Moses’ feet. Then she said, ‘You are a bridegroom of blood to me!’ So He let him alone. At that time she said, ‘You are a bridegroom of blood,’ referring to the circumcision. Now the Lord had said to Aaron, ‘Go and meet Moses in the wilderness.’ So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him. Moses told Aaron everything the Lord had sent him to say, and about all the signs He had commanded him to do. Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the Israelites. Aaron repeated everything the Lord had said to Moses and performed the signs before the people. The people believed, and when they heard that the Lord had paid attention to them and that He had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.”

Introduction

• Three Signs
• Two Objections 
• Freedom for the people of God 

Three Signs

• The Staff/Rod
• The Leprous White Hand 
• The Nile Water Becoming Blood

Three Signs

In challenging Egypt’s faith, God struck at the world of nature. Suddenly nature became to 

the Egyptian mind, perverse & undependable. This fact struck at the foundations of Egyptian life and religion: Egypt’s certainties became uncertainties … - R. J. Rushdoonyy

The Rod/Staff

Psalm 94:20 (CSB)

“Can a corrupt throne be your ally, a throne that makes evil laws?”

The Leprous White Hand

Nile Water Becoming Blood

Two Objections

·       First objection: What if they won’t believe me? 

·       Second objection: I am not eloquent-my mouth and tongue are slow.

First objection: What if they won’t believe me?

Second Objection: I am not eloquent – my mouth and tongue are slow.

Exodus 4:11-12 (CSB)

“Who placed a mouth on humans? Who makes a person mute or deaf, seeing or blind? 

Is it not I the Lord? Now go! I will help you speak and I will teach you what to say.”

Second Objection: “I am not eloquent – my mouth and tongue are slow”

Matthew 10:16-20 (HCSB)

“Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves.  Because people will hand you over to sanhedrins and flog you in their synagogues, beware of them. You will even be brought before governors and kings because of Me, to bear witness to them and to the nations. But when they hand you over, don’t worry about how or what you should speak. For you will be given what to say at that hour, because you are not speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you.”

Second Objection: “I am not eloquent – my mouth and tongue are slow”

Jeremiah 1: 8-9 (NKJV)

“Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.”

Second Objection: “I am not eloquent – my mouth and tongue are slow”

Pharoah was to the Egyptians the great god, and, as such, he spoke to the people 

through various officials who were his mouth. The Lord uses Moses’ reluctance to 

establi...

Connecting the Dots // The Second Most Important Thing to Do

Matthew 22:34-40 (NIV) 

The Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Luke 10:29-37 (NIV)

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ In reply Jesus said: ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ ‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’”

Choices we can make when given the opportunity to love others. 

1.     Avoid them. 

Luke 10:31 (NIV)

“A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he 

passed by on the other side.”

2.     We are curious but not concerned. 

Luke 10:32 (NLT)  

“A Temple assistant (Levite) walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.” 

3.      Treat others the way you would want them to treat you. 

Matthew 7:12 (NIV)

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up 

the Law and the Prophets.”

Luke 10:33 (NLT)

“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion              for him.”

How can you grow in loving those around you? 

1. Be mindful of the needs of others. 

Luke 10:33 (NLT)

“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.”

2.      Put yourself in their shoes. 

Luke 10:33 (NIV)

“…when he saw him, he took pity on him.”

Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

“Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

3.     When you have an opportunity to show kindness, do it. 

Luke 10:34-35 (NLT)

“Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’”

Galatians 6:10 (NIV)

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Proverbs 3:27 (NIV)

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”

Connecting the Dots // Created For Relationship

Romans 12:16-18 (NIV)

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

Revelation 22:17 (NIV)

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”

ME: Superior

God

Parents

Authorities

Employers

Coach

ME: Subordinate

Under Authority

Children

Employees

Team

ME: Platonic

Peers

Friends

Neighbors

Teammates

ME: Romantic

Dating, Etc.

Marriage

Relationships: Connecting the Dots // The Foundation of All Relationships

1 Corinthians 16:14 (ESV)

“Let all that you do be done in love.”

1 Corinthians 13:1 (NIV)

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”

1. Your words without love are unproductive. 

1 Corinthians 13:2 (NIV)
“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, but do not have love, I am nothing.” 

2. Offering knowledge and wisdom without love as your motivation means nothing. 

1 Corinthians 13:2 (NIV)

“If I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”

3. Faith, without love, doesn’t mean anything. 

1 Corinthians 13:3 (NIV)

“If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

4. Generosity and sacrifice without being motivated by love are insignificant and self-serving. 

Colossians 3:14 (NLT)

“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. These things are important but without love they are nothing.”

What does love look like?

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Love is a Choice

Raise An Ebenezer

1 Samuel 7:7-13 (ESV)

“Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. And the people of Israel said to Samuel, ‘Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.’ So, Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. And Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car.”

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer, for he said, ‘Till now, the Lord has helped us.’ So, the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.”

Ebenezer Means “Stone of Help” 

Joshua 4:21-24 (ESV)

“And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to 

come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel 

passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the waters of 

the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which 

he dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know 

that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”

Remembering 2024 

What Remembrance Does

1.     Remembrance guards you from straying from the Lord. 

2.     Remembrance anchors you in the truth about God’s character.

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called to according to His purposes.

Now it’s your turn. What things do you need to take a closer look at, and intentionally remember? 

Ways we can set up an “Ebenezer” in our lives:

•      Write it down in a Journal.

•      Buy a memento and place it in a visible place or a keepsake box.

•      Create a video blog and tell the story of his faithfulness. 

•      Find a relevant scripture and highlight, date, and annotate it with memorable information. 

•      Put a sticky note on your bathroom mirror.

•      Print a photo book and keep it out where you can see it. 

•      Collect songs and make a playlist (Mix Tape) 

•      Paint a painting or create a piece of art. 

•      Plant a tree.

•      For next year: Set aside a Memory Jar, write down the good and bad things that happen on a regular basis, and review these at the end of the year. 

Ultimately, the goal is that we take the time to reflect on God’s goodness and his character, highlighting his abundant goodness and desire for the situations we have had to walk through.

Christmas Eve – No More Darkness

Isaiah 8:21-22 (NIV)

“Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.”

Isaiah 9:2,6 (NIV)

“The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness

a light has dawned…For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given.”

Luke 2:8-10 (NIV)

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

The Light of Christ:

1.Reveals the Truth about God and Salvation. 

John 12:46 (NIV)

“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

John 18:37 (NIV)

“The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth.”

John 14:6 (NIV)

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 8:32 (NLT)
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

2.Seeks and Saves the Lost.  

Luke 19:10 (NIV)

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Matthew 20:28 (NIV)
“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

3.Illuminates Your Path and Guides Your Steps. 

John 8:12 (NLT)

“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness.”

4.Brings Healing in Your Life. 

Luke 4:18 (NIV)

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

 because he has anointed me

 to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

and recovery of sight for the blind,

to set the oppressed free.”

Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

John 1:4-5 (NIV)

“In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

 Advent // The Love of God

John 3:16 (NIV)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

For God so loved you, He gave His one and only Son. 

1.     To remove your wrong views about Him. 

Exodus 34:5-7 (NIV)

“Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed His 

name, the Lord. And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the 

compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and 

sin.”

John 18:37 (NIV)

“The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth.”

John 1:18 (NIV)

“No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and…. has 

made Him known.”

John 14:9 (NIV)

“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”

Hebrews 1:3 (NIV)

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, 

sustaining all things by His powerful word.”

2.     To show you what His love is really like. 

1 John 4:9-10 (NIV)

“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the 

world that we might live through Him. This is love…. that He loved us and sent His Son as 

an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Ephesians 3:18 (NIV)

(I want you) “...to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”

Exodus 34:5-7 (NIV)

“The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and 

faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.”

Advent // Joy

John 15:11 (NIV)

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

Luke 1:26b-30 (NIV)

"God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God."

1.     When faced with fear of the unknown, Mary chose to accept God’s purpose and plans for her life.

Luke 1:31b-33 (NIV)

“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Luke 1:34-35 (NIV)

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.”

Luke 1:38 (NIV)

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” 

Luke 1:46-49 (NIV)

“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

Romans 15:13 (NIV)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”