Spiritual Refreshment, Day by Day A. With the start of Summer, many of us are spending time working on lawns and flower beds. 1. By God’s creative design, the plants around us need light, water, and good soil in which to grow. 2. Without these natural elements, our best landscaping efforts will ultimately be wasted. B. Using Psalm 1 as our guide, let’s spend a little bit of time meditating on the spiritual refreshment we will need day by day to make the most of our God-given time and avoid wasting this season of life. PSALM 1  Do you need to do some____________________?  “Blessed is the man who_________not in the counsel of the wicked”  “nor____________in the way of sinners”  “nor_______in the seat of scoffers”  Are you getting the____________that you need?  “but his delight is in the law(or___________________) of the LORD”  “and on his law he meditates day and night”  Are you getting the_____________that you need?  “He is like a tree planted by streams of water”  “that yields its__________in its season”  “and its leaf does not____________”  How receptive and healthy is the_______of your heart?  “In all that he does, he_______________”  “The wicked are not so, but are like__________that the wind drives away”  How is your one and only God-given life being shaped, day by day?  “Therefore the wicked will not__________in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous”  “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish”

The Three Triumphal Entrances of Jesus A. God’s written revelation to mankind reveals not one, but three triumphal entrances of Jesus. B. His communication leads us to two pivotal questions: Why do they matter? Are you ready? Triumphal Entry #1:__________________(Matt 21:1-11 )  The Jewish Passover was less than one week away (John 12:12)  The manner of Jesus’ entrance was a fulfillment of prophecy (Zech 9:9)  A multitude praised Jesus as Lord and King because of his mighty works (Luke 20:37)  The multitude had grown at the news of Lazarus’ resurrection (John 12:17-19)  The crowds that went before him and followed him were shouting, “______________!” (Matt 21:9)  Jesus affirms their praise as appropriate and fitting (Luke 20:39-40)  The________of God has arrived in the city of David to die for the sins of the world (John 1:29) Triumphal Entry #2:______________(Acts 1:1-3, 6-9; Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14)  Jesus repeatedly referred to himself as “the Son of Man” throughout the Gospels  All authority in heaven and on earth had been given to him (Matt 28:18)  These are things into which even the___________had longed to look (1 Pet 1:9-12)  The risen Son of God has ascended and been seated at the right hand of the Father (Heb 12:2) " • From the time of his ascension, the promise has been that he will___________(Acts1:10-11) " " Triumphal Entry #3: The____________ Coming (Phil 3:20; 1 Thes 1:9-10)" "• That day will be more awesome, terrifying, and glorious than we can imagine (2 Thes 1:5-10)" "• Long ago we were told that the face of the LORD is against those who do evil (Psa 34:16)" "• The sure and steadfast word of God: every________will see him (Rev 1:7)" " • Because of his grace, these don’t have to be terrible thoughts (Rev 1:5-6; Col 1:13-14)" " • Those “_______________________ ” have nothing to fear (1 Thes 4:16-5:11)" " • The pivotal question: “Am I ‘in Christ’?” (Gal 3:26-27)"

Mothers Who Make a Difference A. Most all of us want to make a difference in this world, and there are a variety of ways to do so. 1. Fundamentally, in order to make a difference in this world you must be different from this world. 2. We choose, day by day, to be affected by this world or to affect this world for the better. B. Mothers have the God-designed opportunity to make a truly profound difference in this world. C. Consider what our Creator says about the difference mothers can make and how to do so. Mothers who make a difference: __________with Jesus as____________________daughters of God. (2 Cor 6:18; Luke 8:1-3; 23:49; Acts 1:14; 1 Thes 4:1)  Are___________________of God’s will on the______________of their children. (Deut 6:4-7; Prov 3:1-4; 31:1-9)  Recognize that even though this world is full of_________,__________is the pathway to victory.(1 John 5:1-5; 2 Tim 1:5; Rom 10:17; 2 Tim 3:14-17)  Continue to be difference-______________after their own children are______________.(Titus 2:3-5; Judg 5:7; Mark 10:29-30)  _________lives that revolve around_____________.(Eph 2:8-9; Heb 13:9; Col 4:6; Eph 2:10; 1 Pet 4:10)

What’s the Big Deal with Taking God’s Name in Vain? A. One of the first responsibilities of new parents is to ________ their child; we don’t name ourselves. B. By contrast, no one ever named God; his name is chosen and ________________. I. Much More Than a Name A. At the burning bush in Exodus 3, God revealed his name to Moses (3:13-15). 1. ______________ literally means, “I am who I am” or “I will be who I will be.” 2. “LORD” speaks to God’s self-existence, self-sufficiency, and supreme sovereignty. B. We quickly discover that Yahweh is more than just a name; it is God’s ______________. 1. The name appears almost 7,000 times throughout the Old Testament. 2. It is a name, according to the Revealer, that is to be held __________ (Exo 20:7a). Literally, “You shall not lift up the name of the LORD your God for ____________________.” C. Our Creator’s name has deep spiritual significance. To treat it like something worthless is _______________—treating something sacred as common (Lev 22:15-16; Acts 24:16). 1. “...for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain” (Exo 20:7b). 2. Example: “...the Israelite woman’s son blasphemed the Name...” (Lev 24:10-16). D. When God says that we will be held accountable, we should take him at his word! (Mal 2:1-2) II. God-Breathed Input for Christians A. The same principle of honor for God can be found throughout the New Testament: 1. “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be ___________ and gloryforever and ever” (1 Tim 1:17). 2. “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive ___________ and honor and power, for youcreated all things, and by your will they existed and were created” (Rev 4:11). 3. “________________ and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power andmight be to our God forever and ever! Amen” (Rev 7:12). B. Most certainly there are times when saying or singing “O my God” is appropriate and honorable. C. “Let your speech always be gracious, _________________ with salt...” (Col 4:5-6; Matt 5:13). 1. “God” is not a throw-away, empty, frivolous word to be mindlessly used whenever I’m surprised, excited, amazed, shocked, or looking to accentuate something like everyone else. 2. “To him be honor...” (1 Tim 6:15-16) in the way we talk and the way we live.

To love and trust and pursue anything more than God is_____________(2:18-19).As long as I love and trust and pursue__________more than God, joy will escape me.But when I trust God to be my strength, my hope, and my Savior, I find joy,_________________

Catching GOD'S DREAM TODAY 2 Kings 2:7-14 A. The ___________ of Elijah fell upon Elisha. B. We use the expression, "C________ the spirit" to describe the passing of a dream on to others. Isa 2:2-4 * Jo 6:44-45; 2 Jo 9; Mt 28:19-20 11. Every generation has to be _________ God's dream. * A ________ to dos this means the dream ends (Judg 2:10-12) * Every generation must hear lessons about the church; the Lords Supper; baptism; organization. * Those who have been taught must be _________ * They will ask ___________ (a) two concerns facing every generation - danger of being swept away by the spirit of __________ Being _________ - danger of being imprisoned by the spirit of _______________ 2. Every generation must understand what God wants from us _______________ * Acts 13:36; 1 Pet 2:9; 1-15-16 * Christ must _______ in our hearts * God wants to _______ you, inch by inch 3. Every generation must understand Gods p___________ for His ___________. Mat 16:18 * Elders who have the heart of a _________________ . * Deacons who are __________ at heart. * Members who are connected to ________ and _____________ . For us to catch this Dream....... 1. God's people must have a ___________ and i_____________ for righteousness. Flirting with the world doesn't impress God 2. God's word must be ____________ * 2 Tim 4:2 3. God's church must understand it's purpose for __________ * Why are we here? ______ ________ ____ _____ ________ , ________ and __________.

The Dream Comes to America Acts 1:7-8 A. Isa 2:2-4 God's Dream They would be T_____________ His way His Law would G_______F________ Hiss Word from J________ * There is a difference between being t______& being t_________ B. When a government, business or church becomes o______ & c________ people will rise up. Reform takes place.C. The American Story is unique. Two things happened: 1. Renewed___________ in religion 2. Return to the New Testament p________* Accepted the NT as the only_________ of faith and practice. * Denounced all ____________ but the Bible. * Rejected all ___________ but Christian. * Denied the __________ system * Restored the divine ___________ Nehemiah 8:5-8 * They __________ the book in front of the people * They _________ the book to the people * They __________ the book to the people * They made ___________ of what it says. Lessons Learned ! 1. The church we read about in the N.T. is d_________, u__________ and u__________ any other church. It is Divine: * O___________ * N_________ * P___________ * P__________. * The concern of Restoration begins with the premise that the original is the b________ and cannot be ___________. 2. The church we read about in the N.T. is fully ___________ to do the ______________ God wanted 3. If everyone followed the Bible ___________ and only the Bible we'd all be the same. 4. The direction we need to be traveling is __________ and not _____________ Jer 6:16

Trying to Discover the Dream Again Isaiah 2:2-4 A. God longed for a people that would honor him in: W_________, N__________, S_________ W__________ B. There are two central themes 1. There has always been ________ of God's people trying to keep the __________ _________. 2. god knew that a ________________ would happen. * 2 Thes 2:3; 1 Tim 4:1; Acts 20:28f C. Four Major Departures Took Place. 1. the church became _______________ 2. The church became ______________ 3. The church became ______________ 4. The church failed ______________ to God * Keeping the _____________ from the people. * Selling s____________ . Four things led to changes Invention of the _____________ ______________ Revival of ___________________ Availability of the _______________ General __________________ with the apostate church These reforms all failed. * They produced different different kinds of churches that were anti-catholic. The hierarchy system was altered but remained, articles of faith and creeds replaced councils. Four Common Attitudes Toward Scriptures 1. Unless the Bible p_____________ it is not wrong. 2. God continues to r____________ His will. 3. Scriptures are not a_____________. 4.Acceptance of m_____________________. The dream wasn't realized because 1. If you start at the _______________ _____________ you will end up at the _____________________. * Eph 2:19-22 2. The heart of the congregation is determined by the ____________ of the people to ______________. * We are _____________ this church the way it ________________. 3. Biblical __________ is the only way we will ever discover God's dream. * this is the process of G__________. fighting __________ and finding God's dream.

The DREAM LOST Isa. 2:2-4 Before the N.T. Had completed, God's dream was coming apart. * Today, instead of being a sanctuary for souls, the modern church has becomes "Six Flags Over Jesus." * The erosion that takes place is s__________, s___________ & s_________ Three Events that Led to God's Dream Being Lost 1. A D_____________ from the T____________ John MacArthur: People do not usually buy into false doctrine purpose;y. They err because of laziness, ineptness, carelessness, or foolishness in handing Scripture. * One error opens the _________ for the __________ * Each more _______ than the one before * Each one going _____________ anyway from God 2. The D____________ of an ___________ lager than the local church * Phil 1:1; 1 pet 5:1-3 * Bishops. elders, pastors, shepherds are the ____________ 3. The D___________ of God's ______________ * In fighting error, error, bishops met together, determined what was the truth, signed documents and sent them back to the churches. * The power to determine truth was from C___________ and given to the C___________ * Mat 15:5 What do we learn from all of this? 1. EACH of us are r__________ to ___________ God's word and to allow it to come _____________ in our everyday life * 2 Tim 3:16-17; Acts 17:11 2. We must stand ___________ on the ancient Gospel (1 Cor 15:58) * We are not for sale!

History of the Lord's Church - Is God Fair? * Math. 20:1-16 Parable a comparison. A story you know w/a spiritual one you don't know. * Notice specific one, Time for a day starts at 6:00 pm. Started work at 6:00 am. * These laborers did not have regular jobs. Needed more workers so go back and hire more workers. * Notice sense of urgency. Got to get the picking done now! * Up to verse 7 physical * Starting verse 8 three things that does not usually happen: Number 1. Pay last group hired first, see verse 8. point number 2. Last hired also paid denarius wasn't sure what he was going to be paid. vs. 9 * point number 3. First hired grumbled so master explained himself. vs 13 * vs. 16 Look at 19:30 First last, last first. 19:16-17 Only God is good and he was talking to god. vs, 18-20 Young man says he has done all those. What else? vs. 21-22 Could do what Jesus said. vs.23-30 Difficult for rick man to enter. Possessions between him and God. Peter says they did that. What do they get? Eternity. * First are the apostles, then others came, then more, etc. * Point. When we get to heaven we all will be equal to apostles. Equal in heaven. * vs.15 God is generous Rev. 22:4 they will see his face. So how can we complain. Look at what we will get......