Scripture: Matthew 5:6, Luke 18:9-14, Romans 3:21-24, 1 Corinthians 10:12-13, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Main Points:

• What does it mean to be Righteous?
• Deconstructing Righteousness.
• Righteous people know their faults.

Scriptures: Matthew 5:5, Psalm 37:3-11, Romans 12:14-21, Micah 6:6-8, Ephesians 1:11

Main Points:

-Meekness vs. Weakness.

-Running ahead of God.

-Doing right when you feel wronged.

-Walk humbly with your God.

Notes:

Stay humble when…

• You are persecuted
• Others are happy
• Others mourn
• There is discord
• Surrounded by “lowly people”
• You think you’re right
• You’ve been wronged
• Tempted to act dishonorably
• Disagreeing with someone
• You desire revenge
• God fights for you
• Your enemy is in need
• Evil is crouching at your door

Scriptures: Matthew 5:4, Isaiah 61:1-3, James 4:7-10, John 14:15-17

Main Points:

-Mourning for WHO? About WHAT?

-God OPPOSES the enemies of his people.

-Repentance for OUR sins.

-Who needs COMFORT?

God Opposes...

• The Proud –James 4:6
• The Arrogant –Isaiah 2:11
• The Wicked –Psalm 11:5
• Oppressors –Isaiah 10:1-2
• The Dishonest –Proverbs 11:1
• Murderers –Proverbs 6:16-17
• Idolators –Deuteronomy 32:16
• Liars –Proverbs 6:16-17
• The Immoral –Colossians 3:5-6
• Hypocrites –Isaiah 29:13
• The Corrupt –Isaiah 5:20
• The Divisive –Proverbs 6:16 & 19

Scriptures: Matthew 5:3, Isaiah 66:1-3, Psalm 51:16-17, Ephesians 5:9-14, Matthew 6:33

Main Points:

1. What does it mean to be POOR?
2. Without God, I have NOTHING…
3. God wants my HEART.
4. Love Others, Love God. Avoid: Sexual Immorality, Impurity, Greed, Obscene stories, Foolish Talk, Coarse Jokes.
5. The COST of the Kingdom.

Biblical Relationship Between the Heart & Mind

Scriptures: Romans 1:21-22, 28, 7:21-23, 8:5-6, 12:1-2, Ephesians 4:21-23, Philippians 4:8-9

Sermon Notes:

-Finding God's good, pleasing, & perfect will

-Have the desires of my mind been changed?

-A renewed mind enjoys the peace of God.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 2 Corinthians 4:15-18

Main Points:

-Run with PURPOSE

-Run with DISCIPLINE

-Run with PERSEVERANCE

Scripture: Psalm 33:12, John 8:31-32, Galatians 5:1

Sermon:

Let’s suppose that sometime this week you turned on the News and heard these 3 Announcements:

#1 “The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has just issued this statement: ‘Divine Providence (that’s God) has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty ... of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.’” (This was a portion of a Letter to John Murray, October 12, 1816)

#2 “Inquiries by our reporters reveal that almost every state legislature has now passed a law requiring all elected officials to take this oath: ‘I do profess faith in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ His only Son... and I do acknowledge the holy scriptures of the Old & New Testaments to be given by divine inspiration.’”

#3“Legislation was passed today in Congress to affirm that, ‘The Congress of the United States approves of and recommends...the Holy Bible for use in the schools.’”

FREEDOM FOR ALL

RESPONSES TO ONE'S FREEDOM

-The First Amendment to the United States Constitution:

What does the law say there? Freedom of religion, in other words, Freedom of FAITH.

Scripture: Proverbs 4:20-27, Jeremiah 17:9-10, 17:5-8, Matthew 11:28-30

Main Points:

• The HEALTH of my heart determines my future.
• A BAD heart believes in human strength.
• Jesus can TEACH my heart to rest in Him.

Notes:

How do I examine my heart?

1. What do I think about the most?
2. What do I worry about the most?
3. What is my first thought about how to fix a problem?
4. How bad do things have to get before I involve God?
5. Where is the bulk of my time and money being spent?

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 103:8-14, Hebrews 12:5-11, Luke 11:11-13 NLT

MAIN POINTS:

The CHARACTER of a good father gives life to his children.

• restrained
• compassionate
• forgiving
• yielding
• merciful
• patient
• careful
• steadfast
• loving
• understanding
• forgetful

The DISCIPLINE of a good father gives life to his children.

The GUIDANCE of a good father gives life to his children.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Main Points:

• Giving to God is a MINISTRY to reach the lost and provide for the poor.
• Generosity leads to abundance and a DELIGHT in sharing with those in need.

Notes:

Generosity Falsehoods

• You can’t afford to give
• The church is greedy
• God understands you need your money
• Giving is legalistic and Old Testament
• You will give when things are better
• Giving your time is enough

God’s Generosity Pathway (Old Testament)

• Honor God with your wealth, and your blessings will overflow
  • (Proverbs 3:9-10)
• Generosity = Prosperity
  • (Proverbs 11:24-25)
• Your money doesn’t last because you don’t honor God
  • (Haggai 1:5-6)
• Stop cheating God and watch him bless you. Test him!
  • (Malachi 3:8-10)

God’s Generosity Pathway (New Testament)

• Treasures impact your heart’s desires. God will provide!
  • (Matthew 6:19-21 & 31-33)
• Generosity to the poor matters
  • (Matthew 19:21)
• Tithing is just the beginning of honoring God
  • (Matthew 23:23)
• Generosity = Prosperity for sharing with others
  • (2 Corinthians 9:6-12)