We are called by Jesus to share His message, to be lights for His kingdom. How do we make sure we influence the world instead of being influenced by the world?
• Righteous learning: Be careful who holds influence over your life. As believers, we must seek out righteous behaviors, foster discerning behaviors, and have discerning teachers so we can be blessed.
• Righteous laboring: We must dwell in the word of God. Actively seeking out the truth found through the study of scripture.
• Righteous Living: As a result of righteous learning and laboring we will become examples of righteous living. Displaying the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
(Verses Cited: Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19, 5:13-14; Romans 12:2; Luke 15:2; Psalm 119:37; James 1:17; Job 38:2, 38:4; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Joshua 1:8; 2 Timothy 2:15; John 8:12; Proverbs 25:2; Matthew 7:12)
Keeping Faith in a Secular World
Psalm 1
May 13, 2018 • Collin Monger
Showing Faith in a Persecuting World
May 27, 2018 • Charles Rowdon
Persecution of the church looks different around the world. One constant though should be our response to persecution. • Be a blessing through persecution: When you are a blessing to someone you want what is best for them. Seek to bless those who persecute you. • Be a support through persecution: When others go through persecution support them. Don’t be afraid to share your faith during persecution. • Love during Persecution: We love others because Jesus first loved us. Show His love during persecution to bring others to Him. (Verses Cited: Matthew 10:21-22; John 14:6; Acts 7; Romans 12:14; Luke 6:29; 1 Samuel 21-24; John 8:11; Romans 12:15-19, 1:16, 12:20-21; John 13:35; Jeremiah 12:5)
Enduring Faith in a Difficult World
May 20, 2018 • Collin Monger
There will be times when you endure difficulties and feel alone because you chose to follow God. You must never give up! • Recognize the difficulty: Prepare for hardship and expect challenging times. Keep a positive disposition through adversity. • Realize the difference: The world wants to entertain us, God wants to engage us! We experience difficulties in this world because we are not yet home. • Remain Determined: Even when the world seeks to knock us down we rise again in Christ. Be determined, faith does not happen overnight. (Verses Cited: Exodus 32:1-4; John 16:33; James 1:2; Matthew 5:11; Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10, 4:4; John 16:11; 1 Peter 5:8; Hebrews 13:14; John 17:16; Philippians 4:13; Luke 18:27, 9:58; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 4:7)
Freeing Faith in an Enslaving World
May 6, 2018 • Charles Rowdon
We all struggle with addiction, some more destructive than others. How should we, as believers, handle a world of enslaving addictions? • Lawful but not beneficial: We can do anything our hearts desire but not everything will benefit us. • Live by faith: When you because a believer in Christ you were saved through faith. When we struggle with addiction we also over it through faith. • Fleeing from temptation: If you play with fire you will be burnt. Do not allow an addiction to entice you, flee from it! (Verses Cited: Romans 6:1; 1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:1-3, 5-7, 10-11; Matthew 21; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:21-23; Mark 12:30-31; Romans 5:8, 1:16-17, 7:15; 1 Corinthians 6:18; Proverbs 6:27)