1Peter: Living HopeHandling Suffering: 1Peter 1:1-12July 26, 2015Please turn to 1Peter 1:1-12Michael’s personal goal: With the assurances of God’s promise, I will greatly rejoice amidst life’s strugglesAuthor: Simon Peter (Cephus) with the help of Silvanus (Silas: see 5:12)Audience: dispersed and persecuted believers in Asia Minor“God’s Elect” (V 2) 1.Chosen according to the ” foreknowledge of God” the Father2.Chosen through sanctifying work of the Spirit 3.Chosen to be obedient to Jesus Christ“Sprinkling of blood” (V 2): Points to blood applications in the Old Testament that foreshadow salvation through Christ1.We are sinners in need of cleansing 2.We are now in blood-sealed covenant relationship with God3.We are now set apart for God’s service App: How is your obedience to Jesus? 1.A Living Hope (V 3-5)a)We have a permanent inheritance (V 4)b)We are kept by the power of God (V 5)2.We Greatly RejoiceFour things about trials (V 6-7)They’re out of our controlThey’re grievous, distressing, not easy…like going through a fireThey’re varied. They come in all shapes and sizesThey prove the genuineness of our faith. (thud or sing).a)We’re among those who have not seen, yet believe (V 8. ref. John 20:25-29)b)We have a guaranteed deliverance (V 9)What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

James: Growing UpPrayers of Faith: James 5:13-20July 19, 2015Please turn to James 5:13-20Michael’s personal goal: to entrust to God any specific areas that are troubling me (ref. James 1:5, 1:22, 4:2, 5:7)1.Are you in trouble (V 13)? App: Pray App: Practice praise and thanksgiving2.Are you sick (V 14-15)?App 1 (V 14): Call on the elders App 2 (V 15a): Pray in faith App 3 (V 15-16): Believe for the person beyond the obvious needV 16b: Righteous man: one in good standing with God through faith in Christ 3.Have you lost your way (V 19-20)?Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2App: Is there someone you need to go after? Remember:1.Have the nerve to ask: importunity2.Pray and don’t stop praying3.Pray in all phases of life4.Prayer isn’t a substitute for responsibility5.Prayer isn’t for the perfect, but the imperfectWhat is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

James: Growing UpPatiently Abiding: James 5:7-12July 12, 2015Please turn to James 5:7-12Michael’s personal goal: to allow the promise of Christ’s return to feed my hope in these last days.V 11: patience = persevere: hold steady through the stormV 7, 8, 10 (Gr.) Makrothumeo: Makro = long + thumos = temper (as to temper as with fire) App: Be patient: long tempered.V 8b: Be Patient: Stand Firm in the Fire: “strengthen your heart” App: pray, be in the Word, fellowshipV 9-11: Be Patience: Don’t Grumble in the FireApp: We need each otherV 12: Be Patience: Don’t Swear in the FireApp: Don’t weasel 7 Key Events to Happen by the end of SeptemberWritten June 16, 2015: http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/2015/June16/161.htmlWhat to Do1.Keep your eyes on Jesus. He’s coming soon.2.Don’t blame or get angry. It never did anyone any good. James 1:53.Be prepared to minister. People will seek answers4.Get your eyes on eternity. That’s what matters.What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

James: Growing UpMoney Talks: James 5:1-6July 5, 2015Please turn to James 5:1-6Michael’s personal goal: to be generous with all God has entrusted to meA Cause (V 3b-6) and an Effect (V 1-3a)Who are the rich people? (ref. James 1:10, James 2:6b-7)Plutocracy: to be ruled by the wealthyEconomical Position Vs Spiritual Position.-Poor; Poor: poor economically and poor spiritually-Rich; Rich: rich economically and rich spiritually-Poor; Rich: poor economically and rich spiritually-Rich; Poor: rich economically and poor spirituallyEffect (V 1-3a): Judgment is coming Cause (V3b-6): hoarding, cheating, selfishness and condemningV 2-3: Do we hoard? App: Rot and rust prevention: give it awayV 4: Do we cheat? V 5: Are we selfish? V 6: Do we condemn the righteous? What can we learn from all of this?First: Use It or Abuse ItSecond: Use it or lose itWealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.Proverbs 11:4What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

James: Growing UpPlanning Ahead: James 4:11-17June 28, 2015Please turn to James 4:11-17Michael’s Personal Goal: To take all of my plans and dreams and surrender them to the reality that God knows my futurePlaying God in how we view others (V 11-12)Slander: to speak evil of; to judge (ref. Matthew 7:1-5)Law-giver (compound): The law of liberty“Love your neighbor as yourself.” App: Putting yourself in another’s shoes: how would it feel if someone said similar things about you like you’re saying about them? Playing God in how we view ourselves (V 13-17) 1: The Sin of Presumption (V 13)a: We have no idea what the future holds (V 14a) b: We have no assurance of how long a life we have (V 14b)c. We have no business ignoring God’s will (V 15)2: The Sin of Boasting (V 16)Boasting: “a wandering quack”App: Deo Volente’: God willing 3: The Sin of Omission (V 17): Know what God wants and do itDo not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.James 1:22App: How are you doing loving others the way you need to be loved?What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

James: Growing UpThe End of War: James 4:1-10June 14, 2015Please turn to James 4:1Michael’s Personal Goal: to let go of all envy, striving and comparing in order to become an instrument of God’s peaceThe Problem (V 1a): Fights and quarrelingThe Reason (V 1b-2a): “Desire” (hedone’): selfish pursuits, trying to satisfy the flesh “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” Matthew 5:21-22“Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24 “…this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” 1John 5:14-15Challenge: Pray. Know God; learn what He wants and what He is saying App: To let go of the world to fully embrace GodGod’s Response (V 6): He keeps pouring out graceOur response (V 7-8): Submit, Resist, ComeWhat is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

James: Growing UpTwo Kinds of Wisdom: James 3:13-18June 7, 2015Please turn to James 3:13Michael’s Personal Goal: To surrender areas of personal prideHeavenly Wisdom (Sophos): the correct and skillful application of knowledge “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom” Proverbs 4:7aWorldly (false) Wisdom (V 15):•Origin: of the world•Life Focus: gratification of the flesh•Underlying Character: inspired the pit of hellAs for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:1-5Heavenly Wisdom: the capacity to see and understand things from God’s perspectiveThe Good Life: Generally “good conduct” observable in our attitudes and actionsWhat is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

James: Growing Up The Tongue: A Terrific or Terrible Tool (James 3:1-12) May 31, 2015 Please turn to James 3:1 Introduction The tongue is one of the most powerful tools on earth. James gives six real-life examples to help us understand the power of the tongue. 1. The Power to Direct: The Bit and the Rudder (James 3:1-4) •Good teachers control their tongues. •He who controls his tongue is a perfect man. “Perfect” means mature, brought to completion; fully accomplished, fully developed. •The control of tongue represents a controlled life. 2. The Power to Destroy: The Fire and the Animal (James 3:5-8) •Note that James says, the tongue “sets the whole course of one’s life on fire”. •And, why do words have this power? Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Whatever fills our heart inevitably comes out. •Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” 3. The Power to Delight: The Spring & the Tree (James 3:9-12) •We have a tendency to “speak out of both sides of our mouth”. But, this should not be. •Practical advice on controlling the tongue. T.H.I.N.K. before you speak. T - Is it true? H - Is it helpful? I - Is it inspiring? N - Is it necessary? K - Is it kind? Our tongues should be used as instruments of blessing – giving life to those around us and positively setting the course for our own lives. What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

James: Growing UpFaith Works: James 2:14-26May 24, 2015Please turn to James 2:14Michael’s Personal Goal: to allow God to examine me as to how I’m balancing the faith I profess with the actions I carry out2 Rhetorical Questions (V 14)#1: What good is a faith without works?#2: Can such a faith save a person?What does genuine fruit (faith) look like (V 15-20)?1: Real faith is a verb (V 15-17) Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:to look after orphans and widows in their distress… James 1:27a (adelphos): a: of the same + delphos: womb2: Real faith doesn’t dance alone (V 17) Faith + Action = LifeFaith – Action = Death3: Real Faith is practical and not theoretical (V 18-19)Polar Opposite in the Hall of Faith (V 20-25)-Abraham: a moral man of the people of God (ref. Genesis 22)-Rahab: an immoral pagan (Joshua 2, 6)By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. Hebrews 11:31If you were up for consideration to be indicted Into the Faith Hall of Fame, what might your plaque read? Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 2Corinthians 13:5What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

James: Growing UpNo Superstars: James 2:1-13May 17, 2015Please turn to James 2:1Michael’s Personal Goal: to treat everyone as Christ has treated me“I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right.” Acts 10:34b-35 V 1: Get the Point: Do not show partiality/favoritism Compound word: perceive at face valueV 2-7: Get the Illustrations: An influencer and “a nobody”V 8-11: Get the Why: Favoritism is wrong because…•Theological Reason (V 5): It’s everything God isn’t“…God does not show favoritism.” Acts 10:34b26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” 1Corinthians 1:26-31•Logical Reason (V 6-7): Face value is a false standard•Biblical Reason (V 8): Royal Law trumps all“Love your neighbor as yourself”V 12-13: Get the Do: Conclusion“Law of Liberty” = LoveWhat is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?