A Prophetic People

Luke 1:67-80

Zacharias’ Prophecy

John the Baptist - “Jehovah is gracious”

“Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.” Malachi 4:5-6

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth. Revelation 5:10

Prophetic Utterances

The angels (messengers)

Luke 1:11-17; Luke 1:30-37; Matthew 1:20-25

Elizabeth – Luke 1:42

Mary – Luke 1:46-55 The Magnificat

Simeon – Luke 2:29-35

Anna - Luke 2:36-38

And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant— As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old— Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us; to show mercy toward our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to Abraham our father, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. Luke 1:67-7

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; to give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Luke 1:76-7

We are a Prophetic People

1 Corinthians 8:2-3

Romans 7:18

2 Timothy 1:12

Romans 8:28

2 Corinthians 5:1

Jesus did not die to make bad men good, but to make dead men alive!

Christmas is an indictment before it is a delight.

Blessed are Those Who Believe

Luke 1:45

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord. Luke 1:45

Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the place of the dead. The third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Jesus did not die to make bad men good, but to make dead men alive!

How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit! Psalm 32:1-2

Bondslaves

Zacharias and Elizabeth 

Mary – Luke 1:26-38 “Be it done unto me according to Your Word.”

Joseph – Matthew 1:18-25 “he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.”

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7

The Magnificat

Mary’s hymn of praise to the Lord.

Luke 1:46-55

Nothing Is Impossible For God

Luke 1:37

For nothing will be impossible with God. Luke 1:37

Gospel Of Grace - Part 14

Boast In The Lord

Galatians 6:11-18

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen. Galatians 1:3-5

Boasting in the flesh!

Galatians 6:12-13 = motive

Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.

What is my motive?

To avoid ridicule in our service for Christ?

To take pride in what impresses others?

Matthew 23:1-12

But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:1

1 Corinthians 1:20-25

1 Corinthians 2:1-2

Romans 1:16-1

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:2

Grace people boast in Jesus!

Ephesians 2:8-10

Matthew 6:33

Psalm 86:12-13

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Matthew 5:16

1 Peter 4:16

Gospel Of Grace - Part 13

Thanksgiving In The Household of Faith

Galatians 6:6-10

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen. Galatians 1:3-5

Galatians 6

Forgiveness breaks the cycle of revenge

Repentance opens the door for restoration

Restoration is God’s work of salvation

We are empowered to:

    refuse revenge—risk reconciliation—and restore relationships

The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. Galatians 6:6

The Tithe (Tenth)

The first fruit offerings – the 1st 10%

Malachi 3:8-12

1 Corinthians 16:2

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-

4 Laws of Sowing & Reaping

Fruit    

The fruit of our actions won’t always come quickly.  But, all things remaining equal, the produce will come eventually!

Planting    

The harvest will be what was    sown!

Multiplication

The harvest will be more than was planted!

Action

Even though yesterday’s actions are irreversible, tomorrow’s are not!

Don’t Lose Heart

Restore gently

Watch yourself

Carry each others burdens

Test your own actions

Share good things with your teacher

Don’t be deceived – God is not mocked – sow/reap

Do good to all, especially the household of faith

Practice Your Testimony

1 Peter 3:15

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 1 Peter 3:15 NKJV

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 1 Peter 3:15 NLT

Be Ready

Hope

Sanctify / Honor / Worship

Meekness / Courtesy

Who Asks

We Are All Different

Know Your Audience

Be Prepared

You Have More Than One

Give The Holy Spirit Room

How To Share Your Testimony

C. S. Lewis Institute

Before, How, and After

Choose Your Format

Write It Out

Leading Into Your Testimony

The Close

Gospel Of Grace - Part 12

Restoration

Galatians 6:1-5

Bear One Another’s Burdens

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen. Galatians 1:3-5

Galatians 6

Forgiveness breaks the cycle of revenge

Repentance opens the door for restoration

Restoration is God’s work of salvation

We are empowered to:

    refuse revenge—risk reconciliation—and restore relationships

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load. Galatians 6:1-5

“But for the grace of God Go I”

Jesus’ Exhortations

Luke 6:35-38

Matthew 7:1-6

Gospel Of Grace - Part 11

Live By The Spirit

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, 

challenging one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:25-26

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen. Galatians 1:3-5

Galatians

Chapters 1 & 2 – A narrative — personal 

Chapters 3 & 4 – A discussion — doctrinal

Chapters 5 & 6 – An exhortation — practical

Galatians 6

Forgiveness breaks the cycle of revenge

Repentance opens the door for restoration

Restoration is God’s work of salvation

We are empowered to: refuse revenge—risk reconciliation—and restore relationships

How To be Miserable!

Think about yourself. 

Talk about yourself.

Use "I" as often as possible. 

Mirror yourself continually in the opinion of others. 

Listen greedily to what people say about you. 

Expect to be appreciated. 

Be suspicious. 

Be jealous and envious.

Be sensitive to slights. 

Never forgive a criticism. 

Trust nobody but yourself. 

Insist on consideration and respect. 

Demand agreement with your own views on everything. 

Sulk if people are not grateful to you for favors shown them. 

Never forget a service you have rendered. 

Shirk your duties if you can. 

Do as little as possible for others.

The Divine Vision

Acts 26:1-20

Our God

The God of History

The God of the Covenant

The God of Blessing

The God of Mercy

The God of Mission

Blessed to be a blessing!

The Biblical Mandate: The non-negotiable responsibility binding on all those who receive the  benefits of God’s covenant with Abraham, to share those same benefits with the other families (nations) of the earth.

As the Father sent Jesus so He sends us!

Why, to open their eyes.

So that they may turn from darkness to light

To tur from the dominion of Satan to God

So that they may receive forgiveness of sins

So that they may receive an inheritance 

To be among those who have been sanctified by faith in Jesus

God’s Book The Basis of Mission

God’s Purpose

God’s Plan

God’s People

God’s Covenant

God’s Messiah

God’s Messenger

God’s Message

Umbrella Faith

Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.  Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:23-24

The Faith of the Centurion

Matthew 8:5-13