Sunday Morning July 15, 2012
scriptures:
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NOTES
It is also important when one is developing a lesson for children to realize being able to speak to scripture simply is important for our own soul.
The importance of being dedicated and passionate about God.
Hebrews 3:6-15
You have to hold on to the hope of what God promised in the end. Otherwise, you begin to serve without joy. Are you still excited about God?
Have you held on to your confidence and hope? Have you held on to it firmly?
Don’t lose sight that you have responsibility to serve God today.
Things may not be exactly what you want them to be. In the struggle, don’t shut down. You may want to avoid the feeling that comes, but you have to be sensitive to the truth so that you can respond and change what needs to be changed.
God used the wilderness to test and see what our commitment truly is.
The Israelites had error in their heart when they turned from God and didn’t serve Him. Even in doing what they were supposed to, but with a bad attitude, they still making God angry.
Seeking for happiness instead of contentment in God is a sign that your heart is not right in Him.
Pray – ask God, create in me a clean heart.
The way you feel and complain is important to Christ. If you have a deep complaining and discontentment, he sees that you are saying that He is not enough for you.
God knows the nature of man and man’s heart is to attach to Him and to turn from Him.
vs. 13 When a person becomes unresponsive, you are trying to talk to them before they get deeper and more resistant to the Lord and his word. This is why there is an urgency. The word says to exhort DAILY.
Fellowship helps you stay on track. A fellow responding to a comment or errant thought can correct you swiftly. Without that early redirection or rebuke, the more sin will creep in and your heart will be effected. That’s the deceitfulness of sin.
Who you are around effects who you are and what you do.
We get the rewards of Christ if we continue to the end.
Hebrews 6:9-12
This scripture refers to your work and labor of love. God will not forget what you’ve done. Have you been working? The work is couched in love.
What is your work? There is no excuse in the size of the congregation. There is always something to do.
Labor means you work and get tired, but you are doing it out of love. Not just because you like the thing you are doing, but because you love God.
You have shown work toward God by ministering to the saints. God sees church work. It also speaks to people. They know your reasons for doing things that are good. It is all about giving God glory.
These concerns are about desires for believers to all be saved, to exhort, and to show the same diligence.
Hebrews 9:11-14
Sacrifices represented that someone had to be punished for sin. Sin is that bad. God allowed that process, through faith, to atone for sin. How much more will he accept and cleanse us, heart and conscience, through the sacrifice that Christ made.
2 Corinthians 13:5
Communion tells you to judge yourself first. Make sure that you are right. To be right with God and also to avoid causing others to stumble.
Have you asked yourself: Am I really living a Christian life?
For all that Christ has done for me, what have I done for Him?
Romans 5:1-6
Christ has given us access to God.
Have you thought about how important hope is? If you are struggling and have no hope for the future, you will quit.
People say “You’re working my patience.” Are you allowing God to make you stronger in tribulation?
Experiences, tests to see what you will stand for, so that you will be proven.
Do you want God to run a spiritual “virus check” on you to make sure that you aren’t infected by sin?
Hope – looking in Christ for the promises. With that hope, you have not shame, no fear of being rejected.
It matters to God if you are embarrassed of Him. What could possibly be worth more?
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
We’ve talked about faith and hope, love is the glue.
vs 4. If you love God, you can deal with things.
Love is not about itself. It is not seeking to make itself comfortable, but to make you comfortable.
Some people root for evil to win, prefer their “ungodly friends” over believers. That is not love. Love is joyful in true, good things.
Love in Christ will endure, it will last.
All things in God, talent, faith, knowledge need love to carry on.
God showed His love by dying for us while we were sinners.
Romans 5:7-8