Learn to praise God during frustrating times in your life.

I strongly dislike winter, dark gloomy days, and snow/ice.

God has been faithful to his promise that as long as the earth remains winter, cold, and night shall not cease.

instead of complaining about those thing I choose to see that God is present in the world and faithful to his promise and for those things I choose to praise Him! 

The Lawyer was busy trying to justify himself Luke 10:29

The Priest & Levite was too busy being religious Luke 10:31-32

The Samaritan man, who was not brought up in Jewish way and doesn't live like most Jewish people of the day actually got it right by living as God wanted human being to live and help each other. Luke 10:33-35

The samaritan Loved his neighbor and Jesus told us to "go and do like wise" so lets look at what it looks like to "Love our neighbor"

1. Love is observant

2. Love gets involved

3. Love will take care of immediate needs

4. Love is messy and inconvenient

5. Love is required to be found faithful 

If Jesus is not first then he is last! 

Love is not superficial and it is not lust!

Love is deep, meaningful, active, genuine and true!

God Loved me enough to give his son for me; question is do I love him in the same manner?

The promised kingdom belongs to the poor in spirit, but what does that mean?

Jesus came to usher in the promised kingdom and the residents would be poor in spirit.

I. Poor in spirit means humble NOT prideful or arrogant

II. Poor in spirit we develop a man of faith that is useful in the kingdom

III. Poor in spirit will be the mark of a citizen of the kingdom of heaven 

"The greatest mistake man makes is that he does nothing because he thinks he can only do a little"  - Edmund Burke

Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus- they need to be recognized for their work

I. They may NOT be the apostle Paul but their role is significant

II. They devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints

III. They Refreshed Paul and the saints at Corinth

IV. Who has been the person who refreshed and assisted you? Thank them then go do likewise!

1. John 14:1, 27 two times Jesus says "Let not your heart be troubled

2. 1 John 5:19 the whole world lies under the influence of the wicked one still we must go

3. Let us arise and go...

I. Let us arise and go in fellowship & truth   John 14:23-26

II. Let us arise and go in peace                           John 14:27

III. Let us arise and go in joy                               John 14:28-29

In 2020 many things changed but some things stayed the same.

Jesus is still the same Hebrews 13:8; Man's need for the gospel is the same Romans 3:9,19,23

Death is sure, sin is the cause and Christ is the cure.

2 Corinthians 13:11 "Finally" henceforth, from this point forward, "Farewell" rejoice

From this point forward ...

I. Be complete - Restore/ Amend/Adjust

II. Be of good comfort - encouraged

III. Be of the same mind - mend the fences of division by focusing on Jesus death, burial, and resurrection

Psalm 34:6

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Matthew 11:28,29

Will Jesus really find faith on the earth? 

I. The self-righteous, holier-than-thou Pharisee Luke 18:10-12

II, The humble publican/tax collector Luke 18:13

III. The conclusion of the matter Luke 18:14

Will Jesus really find faith on the earth? A faith that is determined, strong, willing to fight the good fight of faith and not surrender?

A faith that is strong and confident that is not arrogant and prideful but maintains humility in faith?

Being a follower of Jesus is not for the faint of heart Matt. 10:16; John 15:18

The Parable of the persistent widow Luke 18:1-8

I. Perverted Justice Lk. 18:1-2

II. Persistent widow Lk 18:3

III. Positive results Lu .18:4,5

IV. Points to Ponder Lk. 18:6-8

Will Jesus find in us a faith that doesn't quit ?!