Because we have received such an amazing mercy in the salvation and calling of Christ, we ought to be filled with gratitude as we dedicate ourselves wholly to his service. I. Amazed by Christ's Gospel Calling v 12 II. Amazed By Christ's Mercy to Such Sinners v 13 III. Amazed by Christ's Overwhelming Grace v 14

Because the Law was given, not to manage sin in believers but to expose sin in unbelievers, we must declare it's truth in a way that keeps our focus on the gospel that saves and sanctifies those who believe. I. The Law is Good, If We Understand What It is For vv 7-8 II. We Must Understand Who the Law Is For and Who It's Not vv 9-10 III. The Whole of God's Word, Including the Law, Points us to the Gospel of the Glory of God v 11

The conversion of Manasseh, like New Testament Saul of Tarsus, stands as an example that God can save anyone and will hear and save those who repent and Call out to him.

Because it is the preaching of the Gospel that produces real change through the agency of Christ-like love implanted in the heart, we must beware of those who leave the gospel behind in their effort to gain a following as teachers who focus on anything other than the Gospel. I. The Gospel Alone Produces the Christ-like Love that Changes Lives! v 5 II. Beware of Those Who Have Left the Gospel Behind and Gotten Tangled Up in Other Things v 6 III. Beware of These Self-Appointed Teachers Who Have Much to Say, but Not much of Value! v 7

Because the Gospel alone is what changes lives and produces Christ-like love, we must be quick to reject all false teaching and pointless pursuits that would distract us from that focus. I. Don't Give in to False Teaching v 3 II. Don't Get Distracted by Myths and Speculation v 4a III. Keep Your Focus Firmly on the Gospel of Christ and the Love It Produces vv 4b

Because God appointed Paul an apostle to the gentiles, commissioned to preach the Gospel and organize the churches on a sound footing of Gospel truth, we must, like Timothy heed his instruction and join him in the blessing that is ours in Christ. I. Authorship: Who Wrote this Letter? v 1 II. To Whom Did Paul Write This Letter and Why? v 2a III. The Blessing Promised to Those Who Hold Fast to Christ by Faith v 2b

Because of the shortness and uncertainty of life, we must set our course this year to gain a deeper and more intimate knowledge and experience of God! I. Let's make it our goal to seek God for spiritual strength and growth in this new year! II. We must Seek God for Growth in Intimacy with Christ in this coming year! III. Let's Press on into an even Deeper Knowledge and Experience of Christ in His Love

Our unity is God's plan. Unity in the church is how we show Jesus, know Jesus, and grow in Jesus. So why do we often feel so divided? Why do we fear that our unity is a fragile thing, easily broken? This passage helps us see that unity is not what we thought. It is not merely the absence of conflict or the absence of error, but a shared celebration of Jesus. We already share an essential unity with every true believer and we have an expansive unity that gets bigger and bigger as each of us happily agree with Jesus in every area of life.

Because Christ is the Perfect Image of the invisible God, our all-powerful Creator and Redeemer, we must entrust all we are and have to Him and praise Him as Lord and Savior of all. I. Christ is Preeminent as Creator of All Things (1) He is the Perfect Image of the Invisible God (2) He is the First-Born of Creation (3) He is Before All Thing (4) He Holds All Things Together II. Christ is Preeminent as Redeemer of All Things (1) He is the Head of the Church (2) He is the Beginning (3) He is the Firstborn from the Dead (4) He is Preeminent (5) He is the One in Whom the Fulness of God Dwells (5) He is Our Savior Who Reconciles Us to God by the Blood of His Cross

Because God is faithful to keep all His promises, we can trust Him even in the most fearful times to keep His word, as confirmed in His sending of His Son to be born of the Virgin. I. God Speaks to Bring Assurance to a Terrified King vv 10-11 II. God Rebukes the Unbelief of a Faithless King vv 12-13 III. God Promises to Keep His Word and Send His Salvation through a Virgin-Born Son! vv 14-17