Sunday, October 7, 2012

TFB Sermon Notes is on Hiatus

Listen to TFB sermons.

Sermon notes may return, but due to the editor's doctoral work, readers will need to make their presence known and state that they would like the notes returned.

For now, happy listening.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Happy = God Ruling You

Matthew 5:3


Review
  • Overarching theme: Living a righteous life John 10:10
  • ‘Blessed’: A state of well-being and joy not affected by circumstances. An inward contentedness. To be happy

“Kingdom of Heaven”
  • Matthew uses kingdom of heaven, kingdom of God, saved, and eternal life interchangeably. Matthew 19:16-26
  • The Kingdom of Heaven and of God is revealed as present right now. Matthew 4:17; Mathew 12:28
  • The Kingdom of Heaven and of God refers to God’s rule and authority in the lives of people. Colossians 1:13; Philippians 2:9-11
  • The Kingdom of Heaven and of God must be received with faith as a little child. Mark 10:14,15
  • The Kingdom of Heaven and of God is experienced only through a second birth. John 3:3
  • The Kingdom of Heaven and of God is to be what believers seek first. Matthew 6:33
  • The Kingdom of heaven and of God is the established rule and reign of God over everything forever. 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Revelation 21:1



Life Principle #1: True happiness comes to those who possess the rule of God in their lives.
“Poor in Spirit”
Explained
  • Being ‘poor in spirit’ does not mean to be spiritually weak.
  • Being ‘poor in spirit’ does not mean to be in financial poverty. Luke 6:20; Luke 12:15; Matthew 19:23
    • Deuteronomy 10 – Warning: don’t forget me when you gain material blessings in the promise land
  • Being ‘poor in spirit’ does not mean a false humility .
  • Being ‘poor in spirit’ is to live life recognizing your complete helplessness before God; that without God you are in spiritual poverty and overwhelming spiritual need. Psalm 103:13,14
  • Being ‘poor in spirit’ is to live life knowing that the real blessings of life and eternity come only from a right relationship with God. Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 1:3; Isaiah 6:5-7
  • Being ‘poor in spirit’ is to live life acknowledging that you are no better, no more superior than the next person.
Examples
  • The Tax collector’s ‘poor in spirit’ posture before God Luke 18:13-14
  • Peter ‘poor in spirit’ awareness when seeing the real Jesus Luke 5:8
  • Paul’s ‘poor in spirit’ self assessment Romans 7:18-25
  • Jesus sacrificial service 2 Corinthians 8:9
Evidences
  • Turning your primary attention away from the things of this world.  Matthew 6:25
  • Turning your primary attention to God and His kingdom. Matthew 6:33; Romans 12:1,2

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Jesus’ Rock Solid Principles for Living: An Introduction

Matthew 5:1-2


Important because….
  • Everyone’s desperate need is revealed in these principles.
  • God's prescription for happiness and success are found in these principles.
  • How to please the Lord with our life is found in these principles.

Overarching theme: Living a righteous life
  • Righteousness given Romans 3:21-22
  • Righteousness lived Matthew 5:20; 2 Corinthians 5:17
    • Jesus’ summary: Matthew 7:24-27
    • Jesus’ strategy v.1-2; Matthew 9:36-38
      • He saw the crowd with eyes of compassion.
      • He focused on training his followers. Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:2
  • Jesus’ desire:  for you to be blessed
    •  “Blessed” = Happy John 15:11
    • “Blessed” - A state of well-being and joy not affected by circumstances; an inward contentedness
    • Psalm 1 – O the blessedness of…
  • Jesus’ radical route to true happiness 1 John 2:15-16; Matthew 6:19-21
 
 
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly”
(John 10:10, NAS)

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Courageous Mothers




Saturday, May 5, 2012

Self-Control



Self-control:  The control of self by The Spirit.


It is not: 



A Self-Controlled Life 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
  • A life with goals  v. 24
    • Our Vision
      • Share the good news of Christ with others.
      • Model Christ in all aspects of life.
      • Engage in loving relationships with other believers.
      • Surrender our lives joyfully to God.
      • Serve God and others with our abilities and resources.
  • A life with discipline v. 25
  • A life with focus v. 25-26
  • A life with God directed thinking  v.27; Romans 12:1-2


A key to living the self-controlled life is God’s grace. Titus 2:11-14
  • Grace redeems us. v. 11, 14
  • Grace reforms us (12, 14b).  v. 12, 14
  • Grace rewards us. v. 13; Galatians 5:16, 25


Fruit of the Spirit Self Assessment Test (doc)

Friday, April 27, 2012

Gentleness






“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near”
(Philippians 4:5, NIV).


Gentleness:I am able to bear the slights of others and refrain from reaction while maintaining a tranquil, humble spirit.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Responses to the Empty Tomb

John 20:1-18
 
  • John, the believer 1 Corinthians 15:3-7; 1 John 1:1; 1 John 5:13
  • Peter, the skeptic  Luke 24:12
  • Mary, the broken-hearted: Jesus had brought release, peace, forgiveness, and hope to her life. John 1:12-13

 

 “…Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead.” For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for His children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” 1 Peter 1:3-4, NLT

CHRIST IS RISEN!
HE IS RISEN INDEED!
 
 
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