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Becoming a Can Do Christian

7/15/09 Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

1. Very Short Time Testimony

a. used this week – hands – any one like to tell?

2. Few Minutes to Look at this verse

1. PERSONAL VERSE I

a. not for them, those, her or him >ME!

b. not for the super saint- struggling saint >ME!

c. this is my verse it belongs to me

encourage me when I am defeated

comfort me when I am sad

embolden me when I am afraid

empower me when I am weak

d. this is my verse it belongs to me!

2. POSITIVE VERSE CAN

a. no room for maybes or might’s- possiblys or perhaps

b. word of certainty

Psalms 18:32 It is God that girds me with strength, and makes my way perfect. saiah 41:10 Fear you not; for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; yea, I will help you; yea, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.

3. PRODUCTIVE VERSE DO

a. Not Gripe about or think about – DO!!

b. Verb – word of action;

c. Christianity is not sitting it is striving

d. avg. Church Mbr has taken Eph 6:12 & emasculated

For we wrestle not - against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

4. PERVASIVE VERSE ALL

a. not some or most – ALL!!

Genesis 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD?

Jeremiah 32:27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

Jeremiah 32:17 Ah Lord GOD! behold, You have made the heaven and the earth by Your great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for You:

5. PRECISE VERSE THINGS

a. every situation – every relationship – every “thing”

b. whatever you face put its name in place of “things”

c. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

6. PROVISIONAL VERSE THROUGH

a. small word –en = fixed position & instrumentality

b. only through a certain path and instrument

7. PERSON VERSE CHRIST

John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.

8. PERFORMING VERSE WHICH

a. Because of this person and the path laid out

b. This will always be the results

if we stay w/person & on His path

9. POWERFUL VERSE STRENGTHENS

a. same verse in Acts 2:8 You shall receive power

b. dynamis = power that produces more power

10. PERSONAL VERSE ME

a. Ends where we started – don’t personalize mean nothing!!

b. If you do then “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me” is your Battle Cry

GROWING UP IN CHRIST
7/19/09 Colossians 2:6-7 S__ L__ R__

1. Letter to warn against threats to true faith
          a. Legalism of Judaism
          b. Spiritualism of Gnosticism
          c. Ascendancy of the Flesh

2. Whole letter deals - vs. 2:6-7- concise answer.
          a. same substitutions call us today
          b. do's & don'ts - spiritual snobbery of super Sts.
          c. Flesh -taking credit for growth - sweat & tears

3. Last Weeks Memory Verse Philippians 4:13
          a. Becoming a Can Do Christian - on line nbcstarke.org
          b. This weeks memory verse Colossians 2:6-7
1. QUESTIONS THAT MUST BE ANSWERED
As you have therefore received
          A. Have You Received
                   1. paralambano >come near / take hold; hold close
                   2. No way you can mistake - action on your part
                   3. therefore > certainly or accordingly; assumes
                   4. Do Not assume that you are saved
                             a. 2 Cor 3:15
                             b. Some that did not - Matthew 7:21-24
          B. How Did You Receive
                    1. Drawn By the Holy Spirit
                    2. Convicted of Your Sin - specifically not gen.
                    3. Repented - turn from sin to Him
                    4. Saved Ephesians 2:8-9

5. 3 xs in James 3 "faith w/o works is dead"
6. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

2. PERSON THAT MUST BE ACKNOWLEDGED
          A. Do You Know Who Jesus Is?
                   1. Christ Jesus-
                             a. God's anointed one
                             b. God saves
                   2. Acts 4:12

                             B. Have you Allowed Him to Rule?
                   1. Christian is either submissive or in rebellion
                   2. Carnal Christian is a rebellious Christian
                   3. Daily coronation service - beginning HOURLY
                             a. Jesus you are the Lord of my Life - I bow to you and agree that you are in control  & not me. Give me ears to hear and a will to do all that you command me to do. Thank You Jesus

3. WALK THAT MUST BE DELIBERATE
          A. Walk in Love Eph. 5:2

B. Walk in Light Eph. 5:8

C. Walk Worthy Eph 4:1

D. Walk in Truth 3 John 1:4

E. Walk in Wisdom Colossians 4:5

F. Walk in the Spirit Gal. 5:16

Galatians 5:25
G. Acts 17:28

H. Walk by Faith 2 Cor. 5:7

4. GROWTH THAT MUST BE EVIDENT
          A. Rooted
                   1. give nourishment - strength - stability
                             a. root bound - pot to small restricts growth
                             b. to shallow - strong wind uproot
                   2. Perfect tense - abiding results of past event
          B. Built Up present tense
                   1. Continuous
                   2. Controlled
                   3. Creative

5. FAITH THAT MUST BE PRO-ACTIVE
          A. Determination
                   1. stablished - firm; steadfast; secure
                   Ephesians 4:14

                   2. Know What the Word Teaches
                             a. And BELIEVE IT!!!
                             B. Education
                                      1. Systematic Teaching of the Gospel
                                      2. 2 Timothy 2:14-16

          C. Celebration
                   1. Abounding - refers back to what you learned!
                             a. so full that it runs over
                             b. continuous supply spilling over
                   2. Thanksgiving
                             a. That which comes naturally
                             b. vocal celebration
                             c. based on what God has done- is doing & will do

QUESTIONS THAT MUST BE ANSWERED
PERSON THAT MUST BE ACKNOWLEDGED
WALK THAT MUST BE DELIBERATE
GROWTH THAT MUST BE EVIDENT
FAITH THAT MUST BE PRO-ACTIVE

THE LORD IS MY REFUGE

Joshua 20:1-9

1. Refuge – quite place; safe place;

a. 2 Samuel 22:2-3

b. Psalms 46:1

2. 47x’s – 46 in OT & 1 NT – Heb = Christ is

a. 18 x’s Numbers & Josh established

b. 19x’s words of Praise for our refuge

3. Since God is our refuge & so much said in OT

a. see what it means to and for us

1. NATURE OF THE CITIES OF REFUGE

A. DIVINELY APPOINTED

1. First to Moses and Now to Joshua

2. God’s idea & desire to give “refuge”

B. DEFINITELY NEEDED

1. Law – kill a man you must die

2. Law always brings death – can’t keep

a. It shows us our sin & hopelessness

3. Romans 7:24-25 & Romans 8:1-4

C. DELIBERATELY AVAILABLE

1. 6 Cities = the number representing man

2. All on elevated sites – could be seen

3. Roads were to be kept repaired & clear

4. Signs were posted – way & distance

5. Even though Isr. small – Maryland

a. children must be taught – where & what for

D. DELIBERATELY ENTERED

1. Recognition of the Presence of Sin

a. Life so holy to God to shed blood – death

b. not in times of war or protection of family

2. Reaction to the Peril of Sin

a. flee vanish/run;

b. soon as learned – death warrant issued

c. twice Ezek. “the soul that sins it shall die”

2 Corinthians 6:2

3. Revelation by the Person of Sin

a. Agreement to the judgment – may flee

1. Not my fault; others worse; God is love

2. Until sure under judgment would not flee

b. Admittance of His act V. 4

1. Danger if fled & didn’t admit- no refuge

2. NAMES OF THE CITIES OF REFUGE

A. KADESH – Righteousness

1. Refuge for the Unclean

2. Only by fleeing to our refuge

Zechariah 13:1

3. As long as you keep trying to make

a. self clean & acceptable – you become dirtier

b. saying the blood of Jesus not able

What can wash away my sin?
B. SHECHEM – Shoulder -R. for the Weary

1. When Shepherd found straying sheep

a. placed upon his shoulders

b. soon sheep was at peace

2. Jesus is our shepherd

a. little child reaches down and takes

b. places us on his shoulders

c. soon at peace and above the turmoil

Matthew 11:28

C. HEBRON – Fellowship

1. A Refuge for the Homeless

a. Outside of God we have no rest/safety

b. Outside of God we are His enemy

2. Jesus Christ is the Hebron for the Soul

a. 1 John 1:3

John 17:20-21

D. BEZER – Fortress

1. Refuge for the Helpless

a. no acquittal for the manslayer

b. only hope was to flee to the C of R

2. No hope for us outside of Jesus Christ

a. judged and found guilty

b. accept our guilt and look to Calvary

c. pay the price which is separation

3. Proverbs 18:10

4. Flee from Justice of God to His mercy

E. RAMOTH – Exalted

1. A Refuge for the Hopeless!

a. No one love you or cares for you?

b. Depression & despair fill your soul

Psalms 142:4-5

Isaiah 59:16

2. Jesus said where I am there you may be also

F. GOLAN – Separated- R. to the Tempted

1. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

2. Last of the Cities of refuge

a. Can’t continue to live in pleasures & sin

and expect to experience fellowship w/God

Ephesians 5:11
1 John 2:15

KADESH- Refuge for the Unclean

SHECHEM -Refuge for the Weary

HEBRON -Refuge for the Homeless

BEZER -Refuge for the Helpless

RAMOTH -Refuge for the Hopeless

GOLAN -Refuge to the Tempted

POWER FOR THE BROTHERS

7/26/09 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

1. God’s People are to Be Powerful

a. Called the Army of God

b. Victorious Over comers

c. More than Conquerors

2. First two vs. we memorized

a. Philip. 4:13 Becoming Can Do Christians

b. Col. 2:6-7 Growing Up In Christ

c. 1 Cor. 15:58 Power for the Brothers

3. Tonight - look at 8 vs. preceding

a. 3 Life Changing Truths v.50-57

1. Can’t Be altered or eliminated

b. 4 life Empowering Responses v. 58

1. Can be ignored but can’t be fabricated

1. 3 LIFE CHANGING TRUTHS V. 50-57

A. Transience of the Flesh Vs. 50-51

lasting for only a short time and quickly coming to an end, disappearing, or changing

1. Impossible Stated vs. 50

a. cannot – not no how! no way

b. inherit – be included in the Family Estate

c. like always produces like & flesh is corrupt!

d. that which always seems to say yes to sin

e. the K. of God – that realm of sinlessness

2. Unbelievable Promised vs. 51

a. Behold – stop; drop everything; you are not going to believe this; Wow – take a look!!

b. show – lego – lay out; systematic discourse

one thing building on another

c. a mystery -In the NT it denotes, not the mysterious … that which, being outside the range of unassisted natural apprehension, can be made known only by Divine revelation, and is made known in a manner and at a time appointed by God, and to those only who are illumined by His Spirit. In the ordinary sense a "mystery" implies knowledge withheld; its Scriptual significance is truth revealed. Vine's Expo. Dictionary of OT & NT Words.

d. We shall not all sleep- not everyone -going to die

i. If Corruptible can’t inherit – some not inherit?

ii. Unthinkable statement – who? why?

e. but we shall all be changed -made something else

i. universal change experienced by all Christians

B. Imminence of the Rapture

2 words identical in sound Imminence – about to happen,or threatening to happen

eminence - a position or rank of distinction or superiority

1. Untimeable

a. moment – undividable time; atomos>atom

b. twinkling – sudden jerk; catch out of corner eye

c. last trump – 1^st prepare; 2^nd break & last March!

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

2. Unstoppable – 3 shalls; not might or maybe

a. verb meaning determined or preordained

C. Excellence of the Reward

1. Necessity v. 53

a. must – necessary and binding- twice -

i. corruptible must put on incorruption

ii. mortal must put on immortality

2. Notice v. 54

a. That which man fears most – death

b. That which man would pay all to conquer

c. Death no longer holds fear or dread – doorway

d. victory – nikos=triumph, conquest

3. Noise v. 55

Revelation 21:4

Rev 22:3

4. News v. 56-57

a. Gift

i. not earned or deserved

b. Path

i. only one way to conquer death & grave

ii. Only Jesus’ grave is empty- He Is Alive!

c. Person

i. stresses our relationship – we belong to him

ii. Lord Jesus Christ

2. 4 LIFE EMPOWERING RESPONSES 58

A. Command – Be Ye

1. become & keep on becoming

B. Settled – steadfast;

1. Let the doubters howl and assail

2. Look up he is coming

Matthew 10:28

C. Steady unmovable

D. Shouting always abounding

E. Sure know that your labor is not in vain