The “Little Faith” Cycle

Matthew 8:5-13 & 23-27

November 8, 2020

I. Introduction

II. Little Faith

Great Faith

IV. So, What’s the Difference?

V. The “Little Faith” Cycle

THE PERFECT STORM

Mark 4:35-41 & Matthew 8:18-27

I. Introduction

II. The cost of following Jesus

III. The “other side”

IV. The Sea of Galilee (Gennesaret or Tiberias)

V. The nature of the storm

VI. Conclusion

See maps attached.

MOTES, BEAMS AND HYPOCRITES

Matthew 7:1-6

September 20, 2020

I. Introduction

II. Are Christians Allowed to Judge?

When is it Wrong to Judge Other?

IV. What Goes Around Comes Around

V. Discernment Must Temper Our Judgements

VI. Conclusion / Summary

JUDGE NOT:

1. Motives, attitudes (I Sam. 16:7), or the heart.

2. According to men’s standards (Acts 24:6).

3. According to standards by which you are unwilling to be judged (Acts 23:3).

4. When you have a log in your eye (Matthew 7:4).

JUDGE:

1. Only after humbling yourself (Matthew 7:5).

2. Correctly, rightly (John 7:24)

3. According to God’s standards

4. Outward behavior alone; actions and speech.

ASK, SEEK, KNOCK

Matthew 7:7-12

October 11, 2020

I. Introduction

Ask

Seek

IV. Knock

V. Conclusion

FEAR, WORRY AND ANXIETY: THE ACCEPTED SINS, PART 4

Matthew 6:19-24 & Luke 12:22-34

September 13, 2020

I. Introduction / Review

II. Worry & Fear: The Accepted Sins

III. How do we develop a game plan to address worry?

Name the pressures

Identify how you express anxiety

Ask, “Why am I anxious?”

Review the Matthew and Luke passage

Go to your Father and talk to Him

Do and say something constructive. Care for someone else.

IV. Conclusion – the cure for worry can be summarized in two words:

Priorities –

b. Simplicity -

FEAR, WORRY AND ANXIETY: THE ACCEPTED SINS

Luke 12:22-34; Matthew 6:19-24

Some sins are so common among Christians that they appear to be acceptable behavior. Worry and fear would certainly be near the top of the list. Some realize it is wrong and try to hide their worry by giving it other titles such as "concerned, troubled, disturbed, interested or bothered."

Worry defined — Worry literally means, "a divided mind."

Worry is sinful

I ll . Worry is idolatry (and the solution is repentance)

IV. Worry is unbelief (and the solution is faith)

The idolatry and unbelief of worry is to be replaced by a worship of and faith in God. This will manifest itself in a lifestyle marked by:

a. Right Praying (Phil. 4:6-7)

b. Right Thinking (Phil. 4:8)

c. Right Acting (Phil. 4:9)

Note the progression:

Right Praying Right Thinking Right Acting

FEAR

Introduction: True or False?

Fear, per se, is not wrong.

In Scripture, Jesus is never said to be afraid.

The fear of God is the one fear that removes all other fears, God warns us over 450 times in the Bible not to fear.

Genesis 3: 10 is the first occurrence of fear in the Bible,

Fear is a feeling of anxiety and agitation caused by the presence or nearness of danger, evil, pain, etc.

1. Fears That are Right

A. Fear of God (Ecc 12:13-14•, 2 Cor 5:10; Prov 1:7).

B. Fear of Danger (Job 41:33•, Gen 1 Cor

C. Fear to Guilt (Prov 2821; Matt 14:1-2•, Lev 26:17-18, 36).

D. Summary: Fear is right, good and proper when it moves us toward God and motivates biblical behavior

2. Fears That are Wrong

A. Fear of man, not God (John 12:42-43; Luke 12:4-5).

B. Fear of things temporal, rather than eternal (Luke 12:4-5; 1 Cor 4:5).

C. Fear of things we cannot change (Prov 3:25; Gen 4:14).

D. Summary: Fear is wrong and sinful when it is allowed to motivate thinking and behavior that is unbiblical*

3. Keys to Overcoming Sinful Fear

A. Develop a strong focus (Gal 1:10; 2 Cor 5:9-10; Isa 26:3; Ps 46:1-10)

Be Deal with guilt biblically (Prov 28:1; 1 John 1:9•, Mat 5:23-24)

C Develop love as the antidote to fear (1 John 4:15-21, esp. 17-19; 2 Tim 117; 1 Cor 13)

D View fearful situations as opportunities to grow for God's glory (Rom 8:28-29; Matt 5:16; 1 Cor 6:19-20)

E Meditate on and memorize key Scriptures (2 Tim 1:7; Ps 118:6; 1 Pet 5:7; Isa 26:3)

Selected Resources

Adams, Jay E. Competent to Counsel, Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1970.

The Christian Counselor 's Manual. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973,

. "What Do You Do When Fear Overcomes You?" Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 1975.

. "What To Do When worry Overcomes You." Phillipsburg, NJ: 1975.

Berg, Jim. "Basics for Pressured Believers: Look at Pressure Biblically." The Journal of Biblical Counseling volume 19, number 3, 2001, 36-39*

Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1988.

Fitzpatrick, Elyse. Overcoming Fear, Worry and Anxiety. Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 2001.

Jones, Robert D. "Getting to the Heart of Your Worry." The Journal of Biblical Counseling, volume 17, number 3, 1999, 21-24.

Mack, Wayne A. A Homework Manual for Biblical Counseling, Volume l: Personal and Interpersonal Problems. Phillipsburg: P&R, 1979.

MacArthur, John F., Jr. Anxiety Attacked: Applying Scripture to the Cares of the Soul. Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Publishing, 1993.

Welch, Edward T. "Learning the Fear of the Lord: A Case Study." The Journal of Biblical Counseling, volume 16, number 1, 1997, 25-27.

When People are Big and God is Small. Phillipsburg: P&R5 1997.

FEAR, WORRY AND ANXIETY: THE ACCEPTED SINS, PART  1

Matthew 6:19-24 & Luke 12:22-34

August 23, 2020

 

I.               Introduction

 

 

II.             Jesus lists reason after reason to not worry

 

a.     Consider the ravens

 

b.    We are unable to add to our lives

 

c.     Consider the lilies

 

d.    What are we living for?

 

III.            We have plenty of good reasons to worry!

 

a.     Why do we worry?

 

b.    Three forms of greed:

 

1.     Covetous greed

 

2.     Satisfied greed

 

3.     Anxious greed

IV. We have plenty of better reasons not to worry!

1. There is something bigger in your life than the things you worry about.

2. You matter more than crows

3. It’s pointless to worry

4. Look at the lilies

5. Don’t obsess and be driven

6. God promises you – “Little Flock”

7. There is nothing to worry about – so give

WHO OWNS YOUR POSSESSIONS?

Matthew 6:19-24

August 16, 2020

 

I.               Introduction

 

II.             Love of Money

 

III.            Treasure in Heaven

 

IV.           Distorted Vision

 

V.             A Single Master

 

VI.           Conclusion