Justification – is a point in time when you pass from death to life; from an enemy of God to a child of God.

Sanctification – is the daily process of becoming more like Jesus; a process that will continue, at different rates, your entire life.

Glorification – the ultimate state of the believer in heaven with Jesus, and without sin.

1. We are all born of Adam and therefore we are born with a sinful nature.

2. It is through Jesus, the new Adam, that we are born again with a new nature free from sin.

3. The life of a child of God is marked by an increasing level of freedom from sin.

1. If you love the world, you don’t love God.

As Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:24

2. If you invest in this life you will lose everything

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:19-20

3. If you invest in the next life, you gain everything.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13

Three characteristics of Jesus:
1. Our Advocate- task
2. Righteous – qualified
3. Propitiation - results
a. our sins
b. the whole world

Three characteristics of a believer:
1. Obey Jesus’ commands.
2. Live like Jesus lived.
3. Love your brother.

1. The False Teachers

2. The Fakers

3. The True Believers

“You have heard said, “Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.” But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.” Matthew 5:21-22

“Anger is momentary insanity.” -Horace

I. Put off Anger.

“He (Jesus) looked around at them in anger and deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts.” Mark 3:5

Anger not addressed in a timely manner leads to sin.

“For with hearts like an oven they approach their
intrigue; all night their anger smolders; in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire.” Hosea 7:6

2. Sin in our lives gives the devil a foothold.

II. Put on Compassion.

“Love is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong.” 1 Corinthians 13:5

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19-20

BITTER PEOPLE

Justify their bitterness.
Become overly critical .
Secretly celebrate misfortunes.
Struggle to see bitterness in their own life.

“Don’t wait to forgive until you feel like forgiving; you will never get there. Feelings take time to heal after the choice to forgive is made.” - Neil Anderson

1. The plan of becoming one flesh

2. The permanence of becoming one flesh

3. The pleasure of becoming one flesh

“Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
1 Corintians 7:5

“For a marriage relationship to flourish, there must be intimacy. It takes an enormous amount of courage to say to your spouse, ‘this is me. I’m not proud of it – in fact, I’m a little embarrassed by it – but this is who I am.” Bill Hybels

Our Father

1. The Father pursued me.

“Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me.’” John 8:42

2. The Father adopted me.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” 1 John 3:1

3. The Father challenged me.

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32

4. The Father corrected me.

“And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” Hebrews 12:5-6

5. The Father has freed me.

“When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes--from their own sons or from others?" "From others," Peter answered. "Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him.” Matthew 17:25-26

Building a Marriage That Lasts

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.
Ephesians 5:31

1. Commitment

The disciples said to Him, “If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry.
Matthew 19:10

2. Courage

3. Cultivation

4. Christ

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
2 Corinthians 6:14

Realize you communicate differently

Learn and use good communication skills

Seek prompt resolutions

Be willing to humble yourself and forgive

Be vulnerable and honest