E11 Love God by Bragging on God          

Humble: I want to tell others about God

But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us — our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.      1 Corinthians 1:30-31

Jeremiah 9:23-24

Brag on God with your            Family

                                                Friends

                                                Social media

Love God by Tithing in Church                  

Humble: I want to be obedient to God

Leviticus 27:30  first born of livestock or 1/10 of the land product belongs to God

            Establishing the humility that we give the best and/or a portion of our income to God

Numbers 18:26  Levites (priests) were given 1/10 of what Israel provided (paid to keep up synagogue and the preachers), then they were to give 1/10 as well

            It takes money to keep up the church activities

Malachi 3:10 God says people rob from Him by not giving 1/10, He affirms that when you give 1/10 He will bless

            Don’t rob from God – what IS God’s

Matthew 23:23  Jesus teaches that it was expected to tithe, but not the only thing – He said not to neglect other important parts of following God like mercy and faith

            Tithing is an expected order of God’s children

– it is not something that grants you greater favor with God

To Contribute

Ephesians 3:7-12

We should not look to get something from church, but to contribute to the church.      

Consumer                Contributor

Consumers are spectators. Contributors are participants.

Consumers see themselves as cisterns to store truth. Contributors see themselves as channels to share blessings.

A consumer comes to “sit and get.” A contributor looks to go and serve.

A consumer only takes in for themselves. A contributor pours out to others.

Community

1 Corinthians 12:27-28

Care for other believers, and for yourself when needed.

Share burdens - Romans 12:15  Rejoice with those who Rejoice, Weep with those who Weep

Pray for our pastors:

            Health (mental and physical)

            Attacks from Satan

            Wisdom to share Gospel correctly

            Wisdom to lead our ministries

            Wisdom to lead people like us (church)

            Encouragement

Evangelize

Luke 6:43-45  We share from an abundance of our love for Jesus!

Because we have been SO loved by Jesus, we should want to share that love with others

Robby Gallaty: 82% of all unchurched people said they would attend your church if they were invited. The problem is that 2% of church members have invited someone to attend in the last year.

            Individually – family, friends, coworkers, Social Media

            Group – 2x2, or small group

E8 Loves God by our Posture of Worshiping God          

Humble: I want to glorify God properly with my body

Our Physical Posture

Bowing – Psalm 95:6 

Prostrate or falling down - Luke 17:16

Standing – Psalm 119:120 

Dancing – Psalm 149:3 

Walking and jumping - Acts 3:8

Voice

Speaking – Psalm 34:1 

Shouting and Singing – Psalm 100

Our Hands

Playing Instruments – Psalm 33:2

Clapping and raising hands – Psalm 47:1

E7 Love God by being a Member of, and regularly attending and serving in a local church  

Humble: I need to be a part of His body

Bride of Christ

Ephesians 522-30

To Contribute

We should not look to get something from church, but to contribute to the church. True- blessings will follow when you give to God!

Time | Talents | Money (cooperation) | Resources (missions)

Community

Care for other believers, and for yourself when needed.

Share burdens, pray for each other,

Hurt By Church

If you have been hurt by church, realize you have been hurt by people. People will disappoint, people will hurt.

I have been hurt by church.  I hurt people in church.  I’m sorry if I hurt you. 

Peolpe hurt others in church by not hearing from God correctly or by being obedient to God.

Church perfect – NO! Never will be ….. full of imperfect people.

Loving God by reading the Bible:

Humbly say I want to know more about you God

By Reading the Bible we learn more about God

Reveals God's Character and Nature: The Bible serves as a divine revelation of God's character, nature, and attributes. Through its pages, we encounter God's love, mercy, justice, wisdom, and faithfulness. By studying the Bible, we gain insights into who God is and how He interacts with His creation. We see His desire for a relationship with humanity and His plan for redemption through Jesus Christ. The more we read and meditate on the Bible, the clearer our understanding of God's character becomes.

Provides God’s plan for humans: Genesis 1:27 says, "God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Why – so we could enjoy a relationship with Him.

When sin entered the world it caused a division between us and God, but God provided a way for mankind to have an atonement for sin and have clear access to God.

Bible is full of people who God gave direction and they decided to go their own way.

Deepens Relationship with God: by reading God’s word we can know Him better.  Through knowing him better our relationship will grow stronger. Ever notice that Sr Adults sometime have such a sweet relationship with God. Their years of knowing God made their relationships better.

Prayer is communication with God – 2 way conversation is communication – not one way

Pray continually!

Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Prioritize time for prayer

4 steps to develop a habit of prayer

            1. Make a plan for your prayer time

o   Prayer list

o   Things on my mind

o   Pray Scripture to God ( ask for something about God or me )

            2. Start the conversation with God

            3. Listen to God

            4. Act on what God is telling you

Being humble we realize our best person for us to imitate is Jesus. We can do that by studying the life of Jesus.

Context of the life of Jesus: His genealogy, the prophecies fulfilled, 

Significance of the life of Jesus to Jews and Gentiles: Jews were looking for a King – most thought not kingly             Gentiles found a singular God, who were used to many gods

Significance of Jesus to believers today: He is polarizing today just as He was when He walked earth.

This most important episode details how to be a believer in Jesus.

Reality of sin: Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  

Humble yourself to know you need a Savior: Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. With unforgiven sins we are headed for hell when we die and we live apart of Jesus while here on earth.

Believe that Jesus was our atonement: Romans 5:8 says But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! Even though we don’t deserve it or asked for it, Jesus died to pay for our sins. Atonement – is an acceptable payment for something done wrong, or to make amends.

Accept Jesus as Savior: Romans 10:9-10 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart  that God raised Him from the dead,  you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.

To be a Student of Jesus we should consider the following:

Be a student for life

Embrace a learning mindset

The Role of disciplines in discipleship