An Idolatry Test: - An idolatry-free Christian heart is guarded by contentment, flowing from commitment - An idolatry-free Christian heart is guarded by sacrifice, flowing from contentment 3 benefits to those who pass the idolatry test: - eternal fruit v17 - God's faithful provision of earthly needs v19 - ultimate glory and fulfillment of God-given purpose for life v20

As we begin a new year full of hopes and dreams and ambitions and aspirations and good intentions, we must take heed to HOW we build, lest we lean or even topple to our own destruction.

The four themes of Advent are hope, peace, joy, and love. The greatest of these is love.

Jesus is our peace!

A realization of the holiness of God enables us and compels us to serve Him.

If the matters of salvation and sanctification are attained by human effort, there is good reason for man to boast in himself. But if the matters of salvation and sanctification are attained by Jesus Christ's work on the cross, then man can only boast in Jesus Christ and the cross.

It is the practical relationships of life that best reveal our walk.

A proper use of our Christian freedom brings glory to God.

Without the Spirit of God, we cannot live for the Lord as we ought to live. Just as salvation is a divine work, so also is sanctification. Our responsibility is to walk in the Spirit. See Fruit of the Spirit study - Summer 2017