West Lynchburg

1) Recognize the problem of an impure heart

2) Receive the purity only Christ can provide

3) Pursue the God you will one day see

3 Questions to Ponder

- What needs to be cleansed?

- What needs to be cut off?

- What do I really want?

What does it mean to be human? - Gen. 1:26-28

Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

People who have received mercy become people who give mercy.

1) Experience God's Mercy

2) Extend God's Mercy

3) Expect God's Mercy

The Key to Unlocking Satisfaction: Hunger

Lasting Satisfaction isn't found in pleasure, performance, or possessions.

How to Be Satisfied?

1) Recognize Your Hunger

2) Reject the Junk

3) Run to Christ

The Key to Unlock the Inheritance: Surrender

1) Meekness is not weakness

2) Meekness means surrendering my rights to God

3) Meekness receives the kingdom instead of building its own

Three Questions to Help Us Grow in Meekness

1) How do I respond when I don't get my way?

2) How do I respond when I'm wronged?

3) Am I trying to build my kingdom or receive His?

1) Recognize: I am spiritually bankrupt.

The Key to Unlock the Kingdom of Heaven: Humility

The Key to Unlock Comfort: Repentance

2) Mourn: My sin is an offense to a holy God.

3) Repent: I confess my sin and turn to Christ.

4) Receive: I receive the forgiveness, comfort, and joy that only Jesus can give.

Meaningless way of being blessed: circumstances

Meaningful way of being blessed: Christ-centered life

Key to Unlock the Kingdom of Heaven: Humility

What does it mean to be “poor”? Ptōchos vs Penēs

How YOU can find happiness by being poor in spirit:

1) Surrender your pride and self-sufficiency.

2) Starve yourself of the addiction to the world

3) Seek God for His presence, power, and provision

1) True happiness begins with Jesus

2) True happiness is a heart condition

3) True happiness is found in the paradox

4) True happiness points towards God

Your invitation gives others an opportunity to respond.

1) Believe that Jesus can change lives

2) Believe that Jesus calls you to invite others.

3) Believe that Jesus put people in your life to invite.

Who can you invite: Family, Friends, Co-workers/Classmates, Neighbors, People God puts in your path

4) Believe that Jesus loves them and you can too.

5) Believe that Jesus blesses those who invite others to Him.

Your readiness to share your faith positions you to recognize and respond to the opportunities God provides.

1) Be where God wants you. (8:26-27a)

2) Be aware of who God wants you to reach. (8:27b-29)

3) Be ready to tell them about Jesus. (8:30-38)

5 Ways to BE Ready

1) Share Your Story

2) Pray and Say

3) The Romans Road: Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9-10, 10:13

4) One Verse Evangelism (The Bridge) - Romans 6:23

5) Invitation