Courage

II Timothy 1:7 – We must use this “spirit of power” to spread God’s word.

Psalm 27

II Timothy 1:7 tells us not to fear. Compare Psalms 111:10; Acts 13:16, 26; Romans 3:18; II Corinthians 5:11; 7:1; Hebrews 10:31. These are different types of fear. We should have a reverent fear of God.

Luke 12:23-31 – God is in control. This should give us great comfort!

Philippians 1:27-30

Matthew 10:28

I Corinthians 16:13-14 – We must stand firm like men, but in a loving way.

John 14:27 – Jesus gives us great peace, which should help us have courage.

Elders rule by:

Leading

Hebrews 13:17; I Timothy 5:17 – Elders are to lead in a way similar to how fathers lead in families.

I Peter 5:2 – Elders are shepherds of the flock.

Service

Luke 22:25-26 – Those that serve are the greatest.

Matthew 20:25-28

Warning and admonishing

Teaching

Example

Christians are to be crucified, peaceful, and loving.

Matthew 22:37, 39

Galatians 5:13-23

Ephesians 4:1-3

Philippians 4:2; 2:1-4 – Regard one another as more important than yourself.

Romans 14-15 – Eating meat and principles of conscience.

I John 2:9-11; 3:10, 15; 4:20-21

New Testament Christians were actually able to pull this off!

Thessalonica – Acts 17:4-5; I Thessalonians 1:6-9

Antioch – Acts 11:19

Even Corinth! – I Corinthians 1:11; 6:1-8; 11:18; II Corinthians 7:6-16

Attitudes are contagious.

Unnecessary conflict is embarrassing.

There will virtually never be a unanimous matter of opinion.

James 1:22

Putting it all together

The beginning of knowledge!

Proverbs 1:7, 29; 2:5; 3:7; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 14:2, 26-27; 15:16, 33; 16:6; 19:23; 22:4; 23:17; 31:30

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.

Where am I heading?

Proverbs 5:11; 14:12-14; 16:25; 19:20; 20:21; 23:17-18; 23:32; 24:14, 20; 25:8

We have to keep the end in mind.

Our goal is to glorify God as long as we’re on earth, and then live with Him in eternity. Our decisions should lead us toward that goal.

It’s time to make application!

Proverbs 3:5-7; 19:3, 21; 28:25

It takes a lot of character and deliberate willpower to truly, genuinely, fully trust in God!

Let Solomon be a warning to us! Deuteronomy 17:7 à I Kings 11:4

“My son …” – Passing wisdom down as a legacy

Proverbs 1:8

This book gives parents wisdom to discuss with their children in order to guide them in the Divinely-ordained ways of life. Let’s use it for that!

Proverbs 9:1-2 – Wisdom is described as a character quality.

Hateful

Proverbs 6:16-19

We need to hate sin as much as God does.

Division/unity

Proverbs 6:16-19

Luke 11:17

Jude 1:16-19

II Timothy 2:14-19 – To be united, we must all handle God’s word correctly.

II John 1:9-11 – Those who do not abide in God’s word do not have God.

I John 1:5-8 – To have fellowship with God and be unified, we must walk in the light.

Philippians 1:27-2:5

We are never going to agree with someone else on absolutely everything.

I Corinthians 11:17-19

Ephesians 4:1-6 – We should be eager to maintain unity.

Colossians 3:12-17

Introduction

Elders are spiritual leaders, not just bosses or business managers.

I Timothy 3:5

Hold fast the faithful word, exhort and convince the gainsayer – Titus 1:9

Shepherd, feed, tend the flock among them – I Peter 5:2

Acts 20:28

I Peter 5:4 – Jesus is the chief shepherd

Watch for the souls of the flock – Ezekiel 3:17; 34:1-10; Zechariah 11:17; Hebrews 13:17

Oversee the flock – Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:1-3

Be examples to the flock – I Peter 5:3

Introduction

Acts 13:2

Paul’s missionary journeys

1st: Acts 13:1 - 14:28

2nd: Acts 15:36 - 18:22

3rd: Acts 18:23 – 21:17

Religious people set in their ways put up a fight.

Acts 19:24-28

Acts 17:18

Acts 14:2, 19; 17:5; 20:19

We have to overcome our biases and think clearly.

Paul spent lots of time teaching and re-teaching.

Acts 14:3, 21, 23; 15:36; 16:5; 18:11; 19:8 – Paul spent years with some of these Christians!

We must commit to a lifetime of spiritual growth.

The gospel is powerful!

Acts 18:4-5, 6-10 – Paul wasn’t powerful – it was the word of God!

Acts 13:4-5, 16, 49; 16:14, 32; 19:10; 20:7, 32

Let’s appreciate the treasure of God’s word!

Think about how many suffered and died to spread the gospel.

II Timothy 4:16

Paul needed a great attitude and lots of perseverance.

Acts 14:19-20; 16:24-25; 20:22; 21:13

We need to soldier on when living like Christ gets us in trouble.

Humility

Pride goes before destruction

Proverbs 6:16-19; 11:2; 15:25, 33; 16:5, 18-19; 18:12; 21:4, 24; 22:4; 29:23

Genesis 3:6; Revelation 3:17 – Pride is consistently rebuked all through the Bible.

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth

Proverbs 12:15; 25:14, 6-7, 27; 27:2

Matthew 23:12; Luke 18:14; 14:7-11 – Jesus often warned about praising yourself.

Do not be wise in your own eyes

Proverbs 21:2; 16:2; 3:7; 26:12, 16

Examples of people who were wise in their own eyes

Diotrephes – III John 1:9-10

Scribes and Pharisees – Matthew 23:2

Korah – Numbers 16:1-ff

He who hates reproof will die

Service

James 2:14-18 – We have to act and do good to others, not just wish them well. Our faith is dead if we don’t act!

Mark 9:35

Acts 20:35 – “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

I Peter 4:8-11 – We have a cornucopia of gifts we can share with others, including time, money, and acts of service.

Mark 10:43-45

Ephesians 6:5-9 – Render service with a good will.

Galatians 5:13-15

I John 3:15-20

Hebrews 13:16 – Do not neglect to share what you have!

Introduction

John 15:19; II Thessalonians 2:14; Acts 26:18; I Peter 2:9

The church is God’s chosen people.

Titus 2:14

John 3:9; I Peter 1:23; Galatians 3:26

I Timothy 3:15; Romans 8:16-17

Colossians 1:13; Ephesians 2:19

I Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 1:18

The purpose: to glorify God

Ephesians 3:21

Psalms 111:9

Romans 2:11; Acts 10:34

Matthew 20:25-28

I Corinthians 11:20; James 2:2

Galatians 1:10

Romans 16:17-18

II Timothy 4:2-4

Its name

Its worship

John 4:24

Prayer – Acts 2:42; I Thessalonians 5:17, 25

Singing – Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Matthew 26:30; I Corinthians 14:15; James 5:13; Hebrews 13:15; Romans 15:9; Psalms 119:128; Jeremiah 6:16

Lord’s Supper – Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 11:26; Acts 20:7; 2:42

Preaching and teaching – Acts 2:42

Giving – I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 9:7

Its organization

Acts 14:23; Philippians 1:1

Elders/bishops – I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9; I Peter 5:1-4

Deacons – I Timothy 3:8-13

Its work

The importance of the church

Establishment of the church

Daniel 2:44; Matthew 3:1-2; Mark 1:15

Matthew 16:18-19

Mark 9:1; Luke 24:49

Acts 1:6-8; 2:1-4, 22-24, 36-41, 47

Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9

Spiritual blessings are in Christ – Ephesians 1:3; Matthew 5:44-45; Acts 17:24; II Timothy 2:1, 10; Colossians 1:14

Galatians 3:27; I Corinthians 12:13, 20; Ephesians 5:23; Acts 9:4

Matthew 25:31-40

John 10:27-28; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:25; II Thessalonians 2:14; John 15:19; Titus 2:11-2, 14

Jesus died for the world – I John 2:2; 4:14; John 3:16; Acts 20:28

The church is the body of Christ.

Acts 2:47; I Timothy 3:16; Romans 8:14, 16; Galatians 4:7; I Corinthians 6:17-18

There is one church

Matthew 16:18-19; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 4:4; 1:20-23

Romans 6:3; I Corinthians 12:13; Acts 2:47

The gospel call allows entrance to Christ’s church – Mark 1:15; 16:15-16; Romans 10:16; II Thessalonians 2:14; John 6:44; Romans 10:9-10; Matthew 10:32; Acts 8:37; Mark 16:16