God's Dream: Lessons From the History of the Lord's Church Lesson 1 GOD'S DREAM * Erosion is: s________________ s_______________ s_______________ * Erosion can happen to s_____________, to m_____________, and to c___________ -----------------------------------------------------C.S. Lewis; "Indicate, the safest road to Hell is a gradual one--the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turning, without milestone, without sign post." ------------------------------------------------------Mt 16:18--Six declarative Statements 1. Upon this rock:______________ 2. I: ___________________ 3. Will:_________________ 4. Build: _______________ 5. My: ______________ 6. Church: ____________ A. God's Dream (Eph 1:3-6) A people that would become His holy _____ A people that would be ___________ to Jesus A people that would ___________________ God 1. Isa 2:2-4 * It would be ________________ of the mountains * They would be _______________ concerning His ways * The _______________ would go forth * People would _________________ 2. Acts 2:32-42 shows this fulfilling of this dream The church was a group of ________ people who were united together They ________________ the facts of the gospel They _______________ the commands God They ______________ the promises of God They ______________ themselves in worship and work God dreamed that this group would honor Him By carrying His divine _____________ By following his divine ______________ By engaging in His ________________ It Would be a place of ______________ It Would be a place of _______________ It Would be a place that sought to ________________ the world God dreamed of a spirit _____________ They would remember the _________ Christ They would _________________ to God's law They were looked after by caring ______________ -------------------------------------------------------- * God's dreamed was for each group to be s____________________________ * God' dream was based upon His __________________ * God's dream meant that decision would be formed from God's word not man's ______________________ * God's dream was staying with His word would prevent ____________________

"How We Speak Matters""Does it matter what we say or how we say it? Jesus shows us that it does make a difference in content and intent. Even the world around us will recognize that it’s important how say what you’re going to say. Think about what we should consider each day about the things we say.""A. What Jesus taught us about how we speak""1. Intent – it is important to use some foresight it what we’re going to say (Prov. 29:20; 18:2; Luke 14:28-29, 30-31) It is a matter of the heart (Matt.12:34-35).""2. Content – The actual things we say have meaning and impact. What kinds of words are we speaking and why does it matter? (Matt.12:35-37; Prov.19:1, 14; 16:24)""3. How we represent ourselves – speaking clearly, honestly, and directly (Matt 5:37; 1 Pet. 3:10-12; Heb. 13:18)""B. What does our speech look like every day?""1. Do you ? (Prov. 12:22; 6:16-20; Rev.21:8)""2. Are you ? (2 Cor. 8:21; Phil. 4:8; Prov. 11:3; Acts 24:16)""3. How do you speak when you’re ? (Prov.15:1; 16:32; Ep. 4:29,32)""4. If we’re not careful, we keep talking without really much. (Prov. 17:8; 18:2; 10:19)""5. There are certain kinds of talk that we should want to avoid. (Titus 3:9-10; Prov.""18:8; James 4:11)""6. Does what we say make us ? (Deut. 23:23; Acts 5:1-10; Prov.6:1-3)""7. How we talk can be a reflection of our true ? (James 3:8-12; 1:26; Titus 2:7-8)""8. Does what you say to God? (1 Pet.4:11; Eph.4:15)""9. Can you speak in ways that will others? (Prov. 18:21; John 6:68; 1 Cor. 2:1-5)""What we say is important, remember to use it in ways that will build up and lead to Jesus. (Prov. 25:11)"

When You Subtract the Prophets and Apostles A. “I...urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the_________to which you have been called” (Eph 4:1).1. Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places is available in Christ (1:3). 2. We should be holy and blameless before him (1:4). 3. In love our heavenly Father predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ (1:5-6). 4. We have redemption through the blood of Christ, the forgiveness of our trespasses (1:7-8). 5. God has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose (1:9-10). B. “..eager to maintain the___________of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph4:2-16). 1. By God’s design, there is (4:4-6): a. One body e. One faith b. One Spirit f. One baptism c. One hope g. One God and Father of all d. One Lord 2. In accordance with the purpose of his will, he gave (4:11): a. The apostles d. The shepherds b. The prophets e. The teachers c. The evangelists 3. “..to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ" (4:12-16). C. But what happens when you_______________the apostles and prophets? I. The God-Designed Role of the Apostles and Prophets A. “...the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets”(Eph 2:19-22).1. The prophets made“_________________”as spokesmen “from God” (2 Pet 1:21; 3:1-2a). 2. The apostles delivered“___________________”of “the Lord and Savior”(2 Pet 3:2a-18). B. God made his will known by revelation to the prophets and apostles Eph 3:1-5).1. Evangelists, shepherds, and teachers have used the revelation of hiswill ever since to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ (Eph 4:11-12). 2. ...until we all attain to the unity of the faith (Eph 4:13, 4-6). II. When You Subtract the Apostles and Prophets... A.The____________________of the household of God is removed. B. We are left with evangelists, shepherds, and teachers; but whose ________? C. Human cunning, craftiness, and deceitful schemes are__________________into the equation. D. Saints of God are________to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine.

"“But Jonah Was Angry”""“Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai” (Jonah 1:1)""◇ Jonah 1: Jonah flees to Tarshish, is caught in a mighty tempest, and swallowed by a great fish""◇ Jonah 2: After 3 days and 3 nights, Jonah prays to the LORD and is vomited onto dry land""◇ Jonah 3: Jonah proclaims the word of the LORD to Nineveh and the people repent""◇ Jonah 4: The results displease Jonah exceedingly and he is angry""“Do you do well to be…?” (Jonah 4:4, 9) - a question worth asking then … and NOW""◇ Angry?""◇ ? (Prov 14:17; Eccl 7:9; James 1:19-20)""◇ ? (James 3:13-18; Matt 5:8-9; Prov 14:30)""◇ ? (Acts 8:22-23; Heb 12:15)""◇ ? (Rom 3:13; Prov 26:24-28; Psa 5:6)""◇ ? (1 Cor 5:6; Prov 11:2; 16:18; 21:24; 29:23)""◇ ? (Rom 12:17-21)""◇ ? (Matt 5:27-28; 1 Tim 6:9-10; Eph 2:3; 4:22; 1 John 2:16-17)""◇ ? (Jude 16; Phil 2:14; 1 Pet 4:9)""◇ ? (2 Tim 3:1-5)""◇ ? (Rom 2:8)""◇ ? (Prov 14:16)""Bottom-line:""◇ is crouching at the door and its desire is for you (Gen 4:5-7)""◇ Children of God have been given a wonderful opportunity to and grow (Psa 139:23-24)""◇ In the gospel of Jesus Christ, there is great (Titus 3:3-7)"

"The Need for and Power of Mentors""A. A is “a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.”""B. While the word mentor isn’t used in the Bible, the principle most certainly can be seen throughout.""1. Romans 15:13-14 - “you yourselves are able … to instruct one another.”""2. Philippians 4:4-9 - “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me…”""3. Proverbs 27:17 - “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”""Real-Life Examples from God’s Word:""• to Moses - “What you are doing is not good” (Exo 18:1, 13-26)""• Moses to Joshua - “Be strong and courageous...do not fear or be dismayed” (Deut 31:7-8)""• to Samuel - “You shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears’” (1 Sam 3:8-9)""• David to Solomon - “You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father…” (1 Chron 28:9-10)""• to Elisha - Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him (1 Kings 19:19)""• Mordecai to Esther - “Who knows...for such a time as this?” (Est 4:12-14)""• to four fishermen - “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt 4:18-19)""• Barnabas to Saul - Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles… (Acts 9:26-28; 11:19-26)""• Priscilla and Aquila to - they took him aside and explained to him… (Acts 18:24-28)""• Paul to Timothy - how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel (Phil 2:22-23)""• Paul to - my true child in a common faith (Titus 1:4)""• Timothy to faithful men - who will be able to teach others also (2 Tim 2:1-2)""• Titus to older - teach what is good, and so train the young women (Titus 2:1-8)""The Whole Body, Joined and Held Together By Every Joint (Eph 4:15-16)""• To the more experienced"" Walk in (Prov 1:7)"" Show yourself (Prov 11:13)"" Be (Psa 71:17-18; 145:4)""• To the less experienced"" Walk in (Prov 4:7)"" Take care who you’re to (Prov 13:14)"" Show yourself (1 Tim 1:18)"" Be (Prov 15:22)""• Whomever we are, let’s allow God to shape within us the hearts of mentors (1 Thes 2:8)"

"Living Today with Eternity in Mind""There are amazing things we see in creation; everything brought into existence by an all-powerful and eternal God. But nothing in creation compares to God’s design of man. We are born into this world, bound by time, yet God created us for eternity (Ecc.3:11). So as we live the lives God has granted us, trying to make good use of our time (Eph.5:15-16), we do so with eternity as the backdrop. Each day that is before us, each choice we have to make, every direction we decide to go has an effect on our ultimate destination, which is either an eternity with God, or being ever separated from Him.""A. Living with an Eternal (James 4:13-15)""1. What’s your attitude about this world? (Rom 8:18)""2. Understand that your station in life right now can affect your outlook (Rom.14:11; 1 Peter 4:7-11; 2 Cor.""4:16-18) We have to view ourselves as (1 Pet 2:9-11; Phil 3:20-21)""3. Remember how Jesus and the apostles viewed things Jesus (John 8:23; John 18:33-36; John 12:25)""Apostles (Romans 12:2; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-16)""B. Keeping our on the (Psalm 73)""1. There is a powerful biblical example of what can happen when a believer gets his eyes off the Lord and""starts focusing on transient things rather than eternal matters. Psalm 73 contains the confession Asaph.""2. Struggling with the prosperity of the wicked (Psalm 73:1-3) Asaph’s wrong attitude (Psalm 73:4-5,12-14)""3. Asaph’s turning point (Psalm 73:17-19) Asaph’s faith restored (Psalm 73:21-22; also note 2 Timothy 2:13).""C. Focus Your Mind""1. Paul tells us how to guard against becoming comfortable with the world. (Colossians 3:2; Philippians 4:8)""2. Live triumphant in Christ and embrace your heritage (1 Peter 2:11; Hebrews 11:13; Philippians 3:19-20).""a. Are you longing for the Lord’s return? Are you ready for the Lord to come….have you been living""with Heaven in view, with eternity in mind? (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23-24).""b. “Lord, keep me eternity conscious.”""Living with Heaven and our eternity in mind is one of the keys to overcoming. It is something that will be important""for those who live as Christians in an increasingly dark world. Let the “joy of the Lord” be your strength. (Neh.8:10)"

"What Does God Want From Me?""So often we make things in life more complicated than they need to be. We exhaust resources and spend our time to find answers to things that God has already made known to us. From the beginning He has wanted a relationship with us (Gen. 3:8). His Son came to make a way for that relationship to continue (John 1:1&14). But many times we fail to appreciate just what it is that God wants from us.""A. Learn to focus your life on the things. (Micah 6:6-8)""1. We are wonderfully made (Psalm 139:4)""2. Keep serving from becoming just a duty and living by a list (Matt. 23:23; Mal.1:6-8, 14)""a. Understand what He truly asks of us. Micah 6:8 – Remember that you were created in His image (Matt 5:7; Eph. 4:1)""(1) Justice – He deserves all that He has asked of us (Rev.4:11)""(2) Loving Kindness – He has been so kind and forgiving to us, can we not do the same? (Titus 3:4- 5)""(3) Walking Humbly with Him – (James 4:8; Eph. 5:2,8)""B. Put God in the place He to be (Ecc. 12:13)""1. The Preacher in Ecclesiastes spends much of the book talking about the vanities of life. (1:14,16-17; 2:11; 5:10; 9:11) After considering all these saying from a few thousand years ago, is life much different now?""2. How much of what we do in this life is devoted to what is most important? (Luke 10:38-42).""3. Casting out vanity for the Fear of the Lord (Psalm 33:8,18)""a. We spend much time complicating our earthly life with worry and fear""b. The fear of the Lord & commitment to His commandments will re-direct the way we look at things (Matt 6:25-33; Ps.37:25; Luke 22:24-26; Matt.10:28)""C. Develop a heart that is (Mark 12:28-34)""1. Jesus asserts that this is “the most important” command. Quoted from Deut.6:5""a. “All your heart” shows a relationship that starts from within (Prov.4:23)""b. “All your soul” speaks to your entire being honoring God""c. “All your strength” (might) encompassing every way you can, all you have""2. When we approach life with this thinking, understanding the depth of what Jesus means here, it changes how we go about what we do each day.""There is no need to struggle understanding what God wants from man. We don’t have to wonder what to do. God""has plainly told us is in simple ways. The key is to be willing to change our focus to the things He has revealed and to have the trust needed to depend on His faithful fulfillment of all He has promised."

"“Do Not Fear Those Who Kill the Body”""A. Luke 12:1-9 contains words spoken nearly 2,000 years ago by Jesus of Nazareth. ?""1. Extraordinary things had been said about him prior to and after his birth (Luke 1-3).""2. He had claimed to be the fulfillment of a 700-year-old prophecy (Luke 4). And then he had...""a. Luke 4 - healed a man with an unclean demon, a woman with a high fever, and many who were sick with various diseases""b. Luke 5 - healed a leper and a paralytic""c. Luke 6 - healed a man with a withered hand and many with diseases and unclean spirits""d. Luke 7 - healed the servant of a centurion and raised a widow’s son from the dead""e. Luke 8 - commanded a storm to cease, healed a demon-possessed man and a woman sick for more than a decade, and revived a 12-year-old girl who had just died""f. Luke 9 - fed more than 5,000, healed a boy with an unclean spirit, and been transfigured""3. And now he has been talking about dying… soon (Luke 9:21-22, 44).""4. In Luke 10-11 he has been doing more teaching, his miracles beyond dispute (Luke 11:53-54).""B. Here’s the vitally important question: Is he telling us the ?""1. Luke 12 contains straightforward words about an unpleasant topic; is he telling us the truth?""2. My answer needs to be squarely grounded in the lordship of Jesus. Is he ? (Matt 27:65)""a. “...they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus” (Luke 24:1-9)""b. “The Lord has risen indeed…” (Luke 24:33-34)""c. “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you…” (Luke 24:44-48)""3. If Jesus has been raised from the dead, then he is Lord and he knows what he’s talking about. My decision at that point is, “Will I what he is teaching?”"" You have a ""• Your body was given to you by (Psa 139:14)""• Your body is neither invincible nor eternal (Eccl 12:7a)""• But you are more than a body; you have a (Eccl 12:7b)"" We each how we will conduct ourselves during our time on this earth""• We can choose hypocrisy or authentic servanthood (Josh 24:15)""• Either way, we cannot anything from God (Psa 139:7)""• One day, everything will be revealed and we will be held accountable (Eccl 12:14)"" Therefore, it is absolutely imperative that our fear not be shortsighted, but fully ""• Those who can kill the body have nothing more that they can do (Psa 56:11)""• Our Creator can kill the body and has authority to cast into (Eccl 12:13; Matt 5:22;""Mark 9:43-48; Matt 25:41, 46; 13:49-50)""• Jesus is willing to welcome and acknowledge you as his own (Matt 16:18; John 17:24)"

Walking on Water Matthew 14:22-33 Consider the context of what the disciples have witnessed first hand in the book of Matthew. What should we learn from Jesus walking on the water? 1. Pray in_______________vs.22-23 Matthew 6:5-6Matthew 4:1-11 Matthew 26:36-46 2. Take__________vs. 24-27 Matthew 10:26-33 1 Corinthians 16:132 Corinthians 5:6-10 3. Get Out of the__________vs. 28-29 Romans 12:9-21 Ephesians 6:18-20 Hebrews 10:35-39 4. Never Doubt, Jesus_________vs.30-31 Hebrews 12:1-2 John 20:24-31 Acts 4:11-12 5. Awe of the_______of_______vs. 32-33 John 1:29-34 Matthew 3:16-17 Matthew 17:1-8