Grace Baptist Fellowship

Paul is setting up to explain who are in Christ. Paul explains the transition from bondage to sin to freedom in Christ is a totally new way to live & mindset never before available to us. Paul wants us to understand God desires a relationship w/us on the same level as father/child but He also desires us to be glorified w/Him. *Prioritize God over Persecution, Prison, & Death for the sake of His name. (This is point 3 from earlier the morning sermon. Points 1&2 were prioritizing God 1st w/our possessions & our time). Paul can back up his statements & this point because he endured many physical abuses for Christ's name sake. But Paul points out the list of sufferings here on earth are not worthy to be compared to the glory that's coming (heaven, rewards, BEING W/CHRIST, etc.) yet we compare them all the time. When put Christ as our top priority we have a future w/Him @ the front of our mind all the time. Because Paul's focus was on eternal life he describes all the physical torture he went through as momentary

What do I learn about God? What do I learn about me? Paul uses terms of endearment when talking to the church while calling them to the grace of God. We see an example of joy flowing from their lives in the midst of trials. The church is admonished because they were willingly giving above & beyond what was expected of them. Their overflowing of generosity was the result of giving themselves to the Lord. The maturation of the believer involves a lot of adding. God keeps building in our lives. He compliments the church on their faith, knowledge, love, and diligence but reminds them to not let grace fall to the wayside. Paul reminds the church to look to Jesus as their example. Generous giving can only benefit you. No one's too poor not to give and to make giving easier grace is promised to all who give. Principle of Equality: - God provides for His people; - God's people provide for each other; - often God provides for His people through His people. So what did we learn about God? He provides, He cares about th

This chapter is set in the midst of an upheaval. Notice in vs. 3 the people are singing the song of Moses. This could be referring to either Ex 15 or Deut 32. 1.) Praise God because all that He does is amazing. Who's singing Moses song? The ones who are victorious over the Beast. They're the ones who were killed for refusing to bow to the Beast during Tribulation. They're singing a song of deliverance, salvation. God's salvation is amazing. Often we forget the awe of His power to save us. God's sovereignty doesn't allow anything to be out of control @ any time throughout history. The latter part of Heb. 11 gives us a great example of what God's deliverance looks like. 2.) Praise God because all that He does is right. Our future never relies on the earthly leaders. If we start to fear the future then we've succumbed to the sing of unbelief. ALL that He does is right & true. We can always rest assured in those truths. 3.) Praise God because He is worthy. vs. 4. All will fear & revere our Heavenly Father because

The Growing believer has a hunger for God's Word!

Nehemiah comes back from his time w/the king to see the people/city in spiritual & structural disarray because they were neglecting the spiritual priorities. 1 issue is intermarrying w/the native people of the land. 1 consequence is the children couldn't even speak the Jewish language. Nehemiah confront them bluntly w/anger because this practice is in direct violation of God's commandments from Lev. 20:2. God is a jealous God & will not have His people pursue another. 1 Kings 11:6-10 Nehemiah reminds the people that Solomon committed the very same sin which caused much suffering down through history. In v. 27 we see the people's short term memory how they forget so quickly that God delivered them from so much evil only for them to turn from Him & the book ends w/the people under judgement again. What can we learn from this passage today? 1) Identify the sin in your life. Be specific. Don't sugar coat the severity. This starts w/a serious prayer to God asking for His help to name the sin(s). 2) Learn from past