Jehovah-Shalom: The-LORD-Is-Peace (Judges 6:24)

Jehovah-Shalom: The-LORD-Is-Peace (Judges 6:24)

(Judges 6:24)

I. The call of Gideon

    A. Consequences of evil deeds (Judges 6:1-6)
    B. The LORD answers their cry (Judges 6:7-10)
    C. The LORD raises up a deliverer (Judges 6:11-21)
    D. Face-to-face with divinity (Judges 6:22-24)

II. The-LORD-Is-Peace

    A. “Written for our learning” (Romans 15:4)
    B. Peace, regardless of circumstances (Philippians 4:6-7)
    C. Peace with God (Ephesians 2:11-15)

      1. Reconciliation with God (Ephesians 2:16)
      2. Access to God (Ephesians 2:17-18)
      3. Relationship with God (Ephesians 2:19)
      4. Purpose in God (Ephesians 2:20-22)

III. Hindrances to peace

    A. Fear (2 Timothy 1:7)
    B. Forgetfulness (2 Peter 1:5-9)
    C. Faithlessness (1 John 1:6-10)

More About Jesus

More About Jesus

I. More about Jesus would I know (2 Peter 3:18)

    A. More of His grace to others show (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6; 1 Peter 4:10)
    B. More of His saving fullness see (Hebrews 7:25; John 10:10; Ephesians 3:17-19)
    C. More of His love who died for me (Romans 5:8; Galatians 2:20; 1 John 4:9-10)

II. More about Jesus let me learn (Matthew 11:29)

    A. More of His holy will discern (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 5:17; Hebrews 5:14)
    B. Spirit of God, my teacher be, showing the things of Christ to me (John 14:26; 16:13-15; 17:20; Ephesians 3:3-4)

III. More about Jesus in His Word (John 5:39; Luke 24:27)

    A. Holding communion with my Lord (1 John 1:1-4)
    B. Hearing His voice in every line (John 10:27; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
    C. Making each faithful saying mine (2 Timothy 2:11-13; James 1:22-25)

IV. More about Jesus on His throne (Acts 2:30-33)

    A. Riches in glory all His own (Revelation 5:11-13)
    B. More of His kingdom’s sure increase (Colossians 1:13; Matthew 28:19-20)
    C. More of His coming, Prince of Peace (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

Bad Examples (2 Timothy 2:16-18; 4:10, 14-15)

Bad Examples (2 Timothy 2:16-18; 4:10, 14-15)

(2 Timothy 2:16-18; 4:10, 14-15)

I. Hymenaeus and Philetus (2 Timothy 2:16-18)

    A. Spread false doctrine (Galatians 1:6-9)
    B. “The resurrection is already past” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
    C. Leading some away from the faith (Romans 14:13; Matthew 18:1-6; Titus 1:10-11)

II. Demas (2 Timothy 4:10)

    A. Initially committed to the cause (Col. 4:14; Philemon 24)
    B. Forsook Paul and the mission “having loved this present world” (2 Peter 1:9; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17)
    C. His love contrasted with the love of the faithful (2 Tim. 4:8)

III. Alexander the coppersmith (2 Timothy 4:14-15)

    A. Harmed Paul (Romans 3:8; 3 John 9-10)
    B. Paul affirms the Lord will judge according to one’s deeds (2 Corinthians 5:10-11; Romans 12:17-21)
    C. Resisted the preaching of truth (2 Thessalonians 1:3-12)

The Blessing of God’s Presence (Psalm 114)

The Blessing of God's Presence (Psalm 114)

(Psalm 114)

I. God redeems His people (Psalm 114:1-2)

    A. The house of Jacob (Genesis 46:27)
    B. The nation of Israel (Exodus 12:37; Numbers 1:46)
    C. God dwells among His people (Exodus 13:21-22)
    D. The people of God are under His authority (Deut. 5:1-3)

II. Nature recognizes God’s might (Psalm 114:3-6)

    A. The Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22)
    B. The Jordan (Joshua 3:14-17)
    C. The mountains and hills (Exodus 19:16-18; Judges 5:4-5)

III. The majesty of God’s presence (Psalm 114:7-8)

    A. Reverence in the presence of God (Psalm 46:10; 89:7; Hebrews 12:28-29)
    B. Basic needs abundantly met (Exodus 17:1-7; Ephesians 3:20-21; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4)

IV. “God with us” (John 1:1, 14; Matthew 1:23)

    A. Redemption through Christ (Colossians 1:13-14)
    B. Authority over nature (Matthew 8:23-27)
    C. Spiritual provision (Philippians 4:19; John 4:10-14)

El Elyon: God Most High (Genesis 14:18-20)

El Elyon: God Most High (Genesis 14:18-20)

(Genesis 14:18-20)

I. El Elyon

    A. Hebrew word “Elyon” simply means “high, higher”
    B. Applied to God, emphasizes His might and greatness above all else (Psalm 7:17; 9:2; 50:14; 57:1-3)

II. “Possessor of heaven and earth” (14:19)

    A. Source (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16-17)
    B. Supreme owner (Psalm 24:1)
    C. Sovereign authority (Isaiah 46:9-10)
    D. Sustainer (Nehemiah 9:6)

III. “Who has delivered your enemies into your hand” (14:20)

    A. Lot captured (Genesis 14:8-12), rescued (Genesis 14:14-16), and the glory is given to God (Genesis 14:20)
    B. God is the ultimate deliverer of His people (Exodus 14:10-14; Psalm 18:2; Isaiah 46:4; 1 Corinthians 10:13)

IV. The connection to Jesus and to us

    A. Christ is Son and High Priest of the Most High God (Luke 1:32; Mark 5:7; Hebrews 5:10; Genesis 14:18)
    B. We are a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9)

From Routine to Renewal

From Routine to Renewal

I. “Remember your first love” (Revelation 2:4-5)

    A. Who were you before you became a Christian? (Eph. 2:12)
    B. Who are you now? (1 Peter 2:9)
    C. Reflect on His love, grace, and mercy (Lam. 3:21-24)
    D. Repent of complacency! (Prov. 1:32; Eph. 4:15; Psalm 42:1-5)

II. Reengage in spiritual disciplines (1 Timothy 4:7-8)

    A. Prayer (Luke 5:16; Hebrews 4:16)
    B. Bible study (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2; Matthew 4:4)
    C. Fasting (Matthew 9:14-15)
    D. Spend time meditating upon the Word, drawing near to God (Colossians 3:16; James 4:8)
    E. Worship with intention (Acts 2:42; Heb. 10:24-25; Jn. 4:24)

III. Reconnect with Christ’s purpose (Matt. 20:28; Luke 19:10)

    A. Teach the lost (Matthew 9:35-38)
    B. Edify the body (Ephesians 4:11-16)
    C. Serve one another (Phil. 2:3-4; 1 Cor. 15:58; Galatians 6:2)

The Reign Above the Roar (Psalm 93)

The Reign Above the Roar (Psalm 93)

(Psalm 93)

I. His Authority (1-2)

    A. The LORD reigns (1 Timothy 1:15)
    B. Clothed with majesty (John 1:14)
    C. The world established and sustained (Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3)
    D. Eternal nature (John 1:1)

II. His Adversaries (3-4)

    A. The opposition compared to flood waters (Isaiah 57:20)
    B. The LORD is stronger (Mark 4:39; Psalm 46:10)

III. His Assurance (5)

    A. The Word is unshakable and unbreakable (Matthew 24:35; John 12:48)
    B. Holiness is in His house (Ephesians 5:25-27)

Encouragement Toward Holiness and Harvesting

Encouragement Toward Holiness and Harvesting

I. “Putting heart into someone”

    A. We are strengthened by the Lord (Ephesians 6:10-18; Philippians 4:11-13)
    B. We are spurred on by the brethren (Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Romans 15:5; Galatians 6:2)

II. Encouraged to live an exemplary life

    A. Positive commands and examples (Hebrews 11; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; Eph. 1:3-6; 1 Peter 1:13-16)
    B. In the face of discouragement (John 16:33; 1 Peter 4:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:58)

III. Encouraged to spread the gospel

    A. Positive commands (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; 2 Timothy 2:2)
    B. In the face of discouragement (John 4:34-35; Matthew 7:13-14; Luke 8:12-14; Matthew 7:6; 10:14; Acts 13:46; Luke 8:15; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7)

Closer To Thee

Closer To Thee

I. God’s grace

    A. His holiness contrasted with our wickedness (Job 40:3-5; Isaiah 6:5; Psalm 130:3)
    B. Grace allows for proximity (Psalm 130:4; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:1-2)

II. God’s guidance

    A. Peace and rest (Isaiah 26:3; Matthew 11:28-30)
    B. Guides us and guards us from sin (Psalm 31:3; 73:24; 119:9-11, 105)

III. God’s glory

    A. His constant presence (Hebrews 13:5-6; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
    B. Our confidence in His preparation for us (John 14:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:1)

Heaven Holds All To Me

Heaven Holds All To Me

I. “Earth holds no treasures but perish with using…”

    A. Where is your treasure? (Matthew 6:19; 13:22; Luke 12:15-21)
    B. A greater citizenship (Philippians 3:17-21; Colossians 3:1-4; Hebrews 11:16)

II. “Out on the hills of that wonderful country…”

    A. Happy (Matthew 5:3-12)
    B. Contented (1 Timothy 6:6-8; Hebrews 13:5)
    C. Free (John 8:31-36; Romans 6:1-7; Galatians 2:20)
    D. “Loved ones are waiting and watching my coming…” (1 Thessalonians 2:19)

III. “Why should I long for the world with its sorrows…”

    A. Sin is pleasurable, but the consequences are dire (Hebrews 11:24-26; Luke 16:19-25)
    B. No sorrow in heaven (Revelation 21:4) but singing (Revelation 15:3-4)

IV. “Heaven holds all to me”

    A. “Brighter its glory will be” (Hebrews 11:16)
    B. “Joy without measure will be my treasure” (Mathew 6:19-21; 13:44)

But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. (Acts 8:12)