Sincere Worship is for God Alone

Hypocritical Giving id Self-Worship

How to Give for God's Glory and Not Our Own

Does God love everyone the same? Should we?

Armor of God series in the Sunday school class.

Main idea:

God loves justice, but He also loves mercy and humility. What God wants is a heart response to Him.

Who’s Strength?

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 

• God’s Omnipotence - Jeremiah 32:17, Colossians 1:15-16, Eph 1:11-12, God Almighty!

Who’s Armor? What Are the Pieces?

11 Put on the whole armor of God, 

God provides the armor. There are 6+ pieces of armor. (To be explained throughout series)

• Belt of Truth, 

• Breastplate of Righteousness, 

• Shoes of Gospel readiness,

• Shield of Faith,

• Helmet of Salvation,

• Sword of the Spirit.

• Prayer

…that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 

• Devil, rulers, authorities, cosmic powers, spiritual forces of evil. (Demons)

• An organized and well trained enemy. Daniel 10:13, Jude 1:9, Revelation 12:7

Who Are We Doing War Against? - Stand against- be hostile toward, oppose.

Devil  

Ephesians 2:2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body  and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

World

Colossian 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Flesh

 Romans 8:7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 

• John Chrysostom writes, “All are included. It is not possible to say that anyone is exempted” from the presence of sin and the enemies of: the world, the flesh, and the Devil (Believers and unbelievers alike)

How Do We Wage War?

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

• God’s Strength - 1 Samuel 30:6, Eph 1:11, 3:16

• Knowing the enemy - Who? World, Flesh, Devil - 2 Corinthians 10:4

• God’s Armor

• Putting on, Taking up. What does this look like? Just like clothes, daily rituals.

• Wrestling. Fighting, Spiritual not Physical. 

• Standing Firm - Exodus 14:12-14, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Maintain, Abide

What is an Oath? - 

a formally affirmed statement or promise accepted as an equivalent of an appeal to a deity or to a revered person or thing

Biblical - Solemn, binding promises, the truth of which are affirmed by appeal to God as witness. God himself makes solemn oaths to individuals. Scripture makes clear that oaths should be made wisely and not be broken.

Oaths are Oftentimes Made in Everyday Life With the Intention to DeceiveChristians Should be Known for Telling the Truth

Divorce is Antithetical to God’s Design for MarriageMain Idea: Marriage is an illustration of God’s love for His Church. His Covenant can’t be broken and He will never leave or divorce us! Therefor we should honor Him with our marriages.

A healthy church is devoted to what Scripture says about itself.

• Adultery Does Not Protect or Respect the Sanctity of Sex

The 7th Commandment: Exodus 20:14 “You shall not commit adultery.

Sex is meant only for a man and a woman in a covenant marriage together. It is a beautiful picture of God’s oneness and intimacy with His people.

• Lust is an Internal Sin That Has External and Eternal Consequences

Definition - General: Evil desire. Specific: Intense and unbridled sexual desire.

• Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures

Hippocrates - "For extreme diseases, extreme methods of cure, as to restriction, are most suitable," from around 400 BC

1. Thou Shalt Not Murder
2. Unrighteous Anger is a Sin That is Equal to Committing Homicide
3. Reconciliation Avoids Anger in Others
4. Kill Your Sin