Living A Life Of Expectation Luke 2:8-16

Advent People Luke 3:1-6 We are “Advent” people We are awaiting the promises of God realized in Jesus Christ! He said to them, “It is not for you to know times (chronos) or epochs (kairos) which the Father has fixed by His own authority.” Acts 1:7 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10 Revelation is God’s gift! Draw near to God and He will draw near to you James 4:8 Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence 1 Peter 3:15

Advent - Expectations Isaiah 58:6-12 Advent - From the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming". When this gospel of the kingdom is preached to all nations as a witness, then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel. Genesis 3:15 3 Expectations: Eschatology (study of last things) 1st - Reward of the righteous 2nd - Judgment of the wicked 3rd - Restoration of all things Isaiah 56 Reward of the righteous Isaiah 57 Judgment of the wicked Isaiah 58 Restoration of all things Isaiah 58 Vss 1-4 God’s Correction Vss 5-7 God’s Fast Vss 8-12 God’s Promise

Choose Life Jesus’ Kingdom Message Matthew 5-6-7 The Sermon on the Mount A 10 point message? Matthew Chapter 5 Vss 1-12 – Kingdom Values (The Beattitudes) Vss 13-20 – Kingdom Identity (Salt & Light) Vss 21-48 – Kingdom Relationships (5th through 10th commandments) Matthew Chapter 6 Vss 1-8 – Kingdom Practice Vss 9-15 – Kingdom Prayer Vss 16-24 – Kingdom Investments Vss 25-34 – Kingdom Rest Matthew Chapter 7 Vss 1-12 – Kingdom Aquisition Vss 13-23 – Kingdom Choices Vss 24-27 – Kingdom Exhortation Kingdom Choices Matthew 7:13-14 Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Two Choices: Wide Gate Narrow Gate Life or Destruction I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10

Peace Be With You John 20:19 Church Life Acts 2:42 Devoted to: The Apostles Teaching Fellowship Breaking of Bread (Communion) Prayer Let’s Get Political! Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!” He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. Psalm 2:1-4 Deuteronomy 30:19-20 Choose Life! Volition – noun=vote 2 Timothy 2:1-2 Romans 13:1-8 Matthew 5:11

God Is For Me Psalm 56:8-9 You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call; This I know, that God is for me. Psalm 56:9 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

Even if He Doesn’t Daniel 3:1-30 The God we serve is able to save us. But even if He doesn’t… Prayer Reading the Bible Memorizing Meeting Together Good Works Christ Centered Life Prayer Challenge: 2-3 minutes each for praising, thanking, requesting, listening. Reading Challenge: Start with 5 minutes a day. Memorizing Challenge: One new verse a week. Meeting Together Challenge: One something a month. Good Works Challenge: One extra one a week. Christ-Centered Challenge: One a week.

Truth? What Do You Do ... When a Truth Presents Itself What You Believe To Be Truth What You Are Told Is Truth Know How Things Work When It Stops Working Better Prevention Examples Know God The Word His Nature Test The Truth Challenged By Truth John 18:33-38 NKJV Cynicism is an attitude or state of mind characterized by a general distrust of others' motives. Cynic has a general lack of faith or hope in the human species or people motivated by ambition, desire, greed, gratification, materialism, goals, and opinions that a cynic perceives as vain, unobtainable, or ultimately meaningless and therefore deserving of ridicule or admonishment. A common misapplication of this attitude involves its attribution to individuals who emote well-thought-out expressions of skepticism. Skepticism is generally any questioning attitude or doubt towards one or more items of knowledge or belief. Started in Philosophy Now Social and Political Issues Climate Science Religion Pseudosciences Skeptic Questions the validity or authenticity of something purporting to be factual. A person who doubts the truth of a religion Especially Christianity - WHAT! False Truth Proliferation Mob Mentality Trying To Save Me Class Clown See What We Want Truth Project Clip Acquiring Truth Work For It Careful News (Sound Bytes) Misunderstanding Agendas Editing Truth Sources Bible Church Bible "It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand." ~ Mark Twain "If I am wrong about the bible, its no big deal, however, if you are!" What Does It Say Not What Told Not Misremembered Context Not What You Want (Editing) Church Encouragement Worship Prayer Instruction Search - What Does God Say About First of 234,000,000 results Fear Anxiety Doubt Abortion Tattoos Relationships Divorce Homosexuality “The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.”

Philippians 4:4-7

The Voice Proverbs 8:1-11 The Question: How do you hear God’s voice? How do you know if what you think you hear is God? Keys My sheep hear my voice. (John 10:27) God’s Word is His voice. God’s Wisdom is His speaking voice. God’s church is His spokesman. (1 Corinthians 14:1) The ear of faith! 1 Kings 19 — the prophet Elijah at Horeb The life of faith: Rote (repetition) ~ “I believe” Relationship ~ “I trust” Reality ~ “I obey” = “I love” For we walk by faith, not by sight 2 Corinthians 5:7 I love you Lord, and I lift my voice. To worship You, oh my soul rejoice. Take joy my King, in what you hear, May it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.