Bethel Baptist Church of St. Johns

God's design for giving includes these traits--1. Shows concern for others -14-

4 principles of a content person. A content person--1. Rejoices in God's provision -10--2. Experiences satisfaction with little -11--3. Lives independently from circumstances -12--4. Trusts in Christ's strength alone -13-

4 principles of a content person. A content person--1. Rejoices in God's provision -10--2. Experiences satisfaction with little -11-

4 principles of a content person. A content person--1. Rejoices in God's provision -10-

The Powerful Peace of God -4-7--1. The peace of God is superior to human reasoning-2. The peace of God guards our emotions-3. The peace of God guards our thoughts-4. The peace of God is found only in Christ Jesus

The Powerful Peace of God -4-7--1. The peace of God is superior to human reasoning-2. The peace of God guards our emotions-3. The peace of God guards our thoughts-4. The peace of God is found only in Christ Jesus

Believers are to be positively concerned for others -2-20-, but not unduly anxious about anything -4-6-.--How prayer defeats anxiety--1. Pray in every situation-2. Employ every kind of prayer-3. Pray with gratitude-4. Pray consistently

Believers are to be positively concerned for others -2-20-, but not unduly anxious about anything -4-6-.--How prayer defeats anxiety--1. Pray in every situation-2. Employ every kind of prayer-3. Pray with gratitude-4. Pray consistently

How prayer defeats anxiety--1. Pray in every situation-2. Employ every kind of prayer-3. Pray with gratitude-4. Pray consistently

Through the cross, Christ makes us Sons -4-1-7--1. An heir does not receive an inheritance until reaching a legal age -4-1-2--o Living under the law is like being a child-slave. They have no access to the inheritance.--2. God sent Christ to redeem guilty sinners -4-3-7--o Children try to earn salvation by works -4-3---o Through Christ, we receive adoption -4-4-5---o Through Christ, we receive inheritance -4-6-7-

The return of Christ is near, bringing vindication. Therefore, we can stop insisting on our every right -4-5-

How the nearness of Christ overcomes the challenges of life--1. The nearness of Christ is grounds for great and constant rejoicing -4---2. The return of Christ is near, bringing vindication. Therefore, we can stop insisting on our every right -5---3. The presence of Christ means the peace of God is only a prayer away, so we can be anxious for nothing -6-7-

Keys for restoring broken relationships--1. Challenge and exhort those involved -2--2. Use a mediator -3a--3. Recall earlier accomplishments -3b-

III. Applying the principle of Christian liberty -10-1-11-1--A. Misuse of liberty can disqualify us from effective service to Christ -1-13--B. It is not a moral issue to eat something offered to an idol, but it is a serious sin to engage in any form of idol worship -14-22--C. The principles for using Christian liberty to the glory of God -10-23-11-1--1. Edification over gratification -10-23---2. Others over self -10-24---3. Liberty over legalism -25-27---4. Condescension over condemnation -28-30---5. The purpose of using our liberty carefully and selflessly is to glorify God -10-31-11-1-

I. The principle of Christian liberty -8-1-13--A. Love sets the limits of Christian liberty. Our rights end when another person is offended.--II. Illustrating the principle of Christian liberty -9-1-27---A. Christians have certain rights -1-18---B. Christians exercise their liberty by giving up their rights to win others to Christ -19-27-

Before we exercise our Christian liberty in a given area not forbidden by Scripture, we should consider how it will affect others, especially our fellow believers.

-3-1-4-1- Steadfastness Against Opponents-1. Resisting the Opponents' Fleshly Confidence -3-1-16--2. Resisting the Opponents' Fleshly Behavior -3-17-4-1---5 encouragements to resist fleshly behavior-A. Resist fleshly confidence -3-1-16--B. Follow the apostolic pattern -3-17--C. Avoid those who do not cherish the cross -3-18-19--D. Citizenship and resurrection motivates Christlikeness -3-20-21--E. The church can remain spiritually stable -4-1-

-3-1-4-1- Steadfastness Against Opponents-1. Resisting the Opponents' Fleshly Confidence -3-1-16--2. Resisting the Opponents' Fleshly Behavior -3-17-4-1--5 encouragements to resist fleshly behavior-A. Resist fleshly confidence -3-1-16---B. Follow the apostolic pattern -3-17---C. Avoid those who do not cherish the cross -3-18-19---D. Citizenship and resurrection motivates Christlikeness -3-20-21---E. The church can remain spiritually stable -4-1-

5 encouragements to resist fleshly behavior-A. Resist fleshly confidence -3-1-16--B. Follow the apostolic pattern -3-17--C. Avoid those who do not cherish the cross -3-18-19--D. Citizenship and resurrection motivates Christlikeness -3-20-21--E. The church can remain spiritually stable -4-1-

Maintain passion during suffering by cherishing 3 certainties--1. Suffering renews the inner man -4-16--2. Suffering produces future glory -4-17--3. Suffering benefits the invisible -4-18-

The Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ-- Justification -3-9--- Sanctification -3-10--- Glorification -3-11---Sanctification involves knowing 3 realities---1- Christ--2- Power--3- Fellowship

Pressing towards the goal of Christlikeness necessitates--- dissatisfaction with one's present spiritual condition -3-12a--- maximum effort -3-12b--- have one driving compulsion -3-13-14--- a righteous attitude -3-15--- consistency -3-16-

The Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ-- Justification -3-9--- Sanctification -3-10--- Glorification -3-11---Justification- An instantaneous act by God in which He --1- Forgives our sins--2- We receive Christ's perfect righteousness

Knowing Christ as Lord is beneficial because of these 4 Characteristics of our resurrected bodies---1- Imperishable--2- Glory--3- Power--4- Spiritual

The gospel demands--- Meticulously consider how everything you have done cannot produce a right standing with the Lord. In fact, trusting in those deeds is sin that must be repented of.-- Believe that Christ alone is gain.

- BELIEVE THAT LIFE IS MORE THAN FOOD AND-CLOTHING -25--Look at life from God's perspective and treasure-what He treasures.-- LOOK AT GOD AS YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER--26--God functions like a good father by providing for-and taking from us.

-3-4b-6- Religious ritual does not earn favor with God---1. Inherited privilege does not earn favor with God -3-5a---2. Personal achievements do not earn favor with God -3-5b-6-

Three explicit qualities in verse 3 identify believers as the true circumcision--1. True Believers Worship in the Spirit--2. True Worshipers Glory in Christ Jesus--3. True Worshipers Put No Confidence in the Flesh--Self-confidence is the mark of the unsaved -Luke 18-9-17--Confidence in your flesh is like trusting a broken crutch -Proverbs 3-5--The Lord sends trials into our lives to teach us not to trust in ourselves -2 Corinthians 1-8-9-

Those who are truly circumcised understand biblical boasting--- Sinful boasting-boasting in men -1 Cor. 3-21--boasting in the Law -Rom. 2-23--boasting in your flesh -Gal. 6-13--- Righteous boasting-Boast in the Lord -1Cor. 1-31- 2Cor. 10-17--Boast in afflictions -Rom. 5-3--Boast in weaknesses -2 Cor. 12-9--Boast in the cross -Gal. 6-14-

3 safeguards against fleshly confidence--3-1- Biblical joy promotes God-centered living--3-2-4a- False teachers proclaim self-righteousness-- False teachers are vicious and dangerous-- False teachers promote heinous sin-- False teachers spread demonic doctrine--3-4b-6- Religious ritual does not earn favor with God

What is the nature of true religion---True religion, in great part, consists in holy affections-1. Love to Christ-2. Joy in Christ

The character of biblical joy--- The Lord rejoices in the faithfulness of His people -Deuteronomy 28-63--- Joy is an essential component of true virtue -Psalm 40-16--- There is a malicious and sinful joy that must be avoided -Lamentations 1-21--- The absence of joy indicates divine judgment -Isaiah 24-11--- Delighting in God strengthens our Christian walk -Nehemiah 8-10-

Biblical truths about joy--- What opposes joy--- What does joy include--- What causes joy-

3 character traits of a faithful church representative--A. Strategically engaged in ministry -25--B. Deeply connected to the church -26-28--C. Willing to give up everything to fulfill God's will -29-30-

4 characteristics of a faithful partner in the ministry---A. Genuinely concerned for the well-being of others -20---B. Seeks the things of Christ -21---C. Has the reputation as a true servant of the gospel -22---D. Willing to travel when and where he is needed -23-

3 truths about ministry to produce joy--A. After a faithful life, not even death deprives us of joy--B. Ministry is sacrificial service--C. Mutual service produces mutual joy

How to shine like a star--- Shine like stars by proclaiming the gospel-- Gospel ministry is worthwhile

3 reasons not to complain--1. When treated unjustly, complaining rebels against God's good and wise providence -Genesis 50-20--2. When treated fairly, do not complain-3. Complaining diminishes your testimony--Two metaphors describe the contrast between Christians and non-Christians--1. Like a ruler, Christians provide a straight model for distorted lives-2. Christians shine like stars in the dark universe

The Sin the Church Loves the Most- Part 2-Philippians 2-14-3 reasons not to complain--Phil. 2-14 -Do all things without grumbling or disputing--1. When treated unjustly, complaining rebels against God's good and wise providence -Genesis 50-20--2. When treated fairly, do not complain because--a. God is holy and righteous in all He does---b. We are not always able to make a right judgment about what is good for us---c. It is less than you deserve -Lamentations 3-39-

3 reasons not to complain--1. Complaining rebels against God's good and wise providence-Joseph is sold into slavery -Gen. 37--Joseph is wrongly accused and imprisoned -Gen. 39----Genesis 50-20- Complaining is never an option because God has ordained every detail of your life for a good purpose.--Trust God for his ability to do the humanly impossible, and bring you through this nightmare and, in some inscrutable way, bring good out of it.

4 responsibilities you have in sanctification--Man's responsibility in sanctification -2-12--1. Follow Christ's example-2. Continue uniform obedience-3. Apply maximum effort-4. Maintain an attitude of fear and trembling--3 responsibilities God has in sanctification--God's responsibility in sanctification -2-13--1. God's work encourages your work-2. God works on the inside-3. God works for His glory and purpose

Everyone should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord for the purpose of bringing glory to God.--Ways to glorify God- -- Service -1 Peter 4-11--- in everything -1 Corinthians 10-31--- faith -Romans 4-20--- confession -Joshua 7-19-

2 essential confessions--Confess your sin-Confess Christ-1. Jesus came in the flesh-2. Jesus is the Son of God-3. Jesus Christ is Lord

6 steps Jesus made, from glory to glory, which illustrate humility--1. Preexistence- His exalted position -2-6---Jesus used His exalted status for the benefit of others--2. Incarnation- God takes on a human nature -2-7-8a---how far did Jesus empty Himself-...-3. Humiliation- undergoing the miseries of this life -2-8--4. Crucifixion- Punished for the sins of others -2-8---the humble will be lifted up and exalted--5. Resurrection and Ascension- validates the cross -2-9--6. Exaltation- Christ's new identity as the God-Man -2-9-11--The result of Jesus' humiliation--A. Christ's exaltation to the right hand of the Father-B. The title of Christ's exaltation-C. The response to Christ's exaltation

Understanding the names of Jesus better enables us to know His character---The names of Jesus- -Isaiah 9-6-7- Matthew 1-21- Hebrews 1-4--The power of Jesus' name- -Mark 9-38- Acts 2-21----do all in the name of the Lord Jesus- -Col. 3-17-

The consequence of Jesus' humiliation is God highly exalted Him. This involves 2 events---1. resurrection-2. ascension

The most humiliating aspect of Jesus' crucifixion was when He was punished for the sins of others- He became a curse for us.--See how humiliating Jesus' death was by understanding 3 truths--1. Adam and Eve's sin brought a universal curse-2. The Lord Jesus Christ became a curse for us-3. The Bible ends with the removal of the curse

6 steps Jesus made, from glory to glory, which illustrate humility--1. Preexistence- His exalted position -2-6---Jesus used His exalted status for the benefit of others--2. Incarnation- God takes on a human nature -2-7-8a---how far did Jesus empty Himself-...-3. Humiliation- undergoing the miseries of this life -2-8--4. Crucifixion- Punished for the sins of others -2-8---The depth of Jesus' self-emptying is seen in 3 events--A. His humble birth-B. His modest life and ministry-C. His humiliating and shameful death--Jesus was betrayed for the price of a slave-An innocent man is arrested, tried, beaten and scourged-Jesus is mocked, and the crucifixion is treated like a comedy

6 steps Jesus made, from glory to glory, which illustrate humility--1. Preexistence- His exalted position -2-6---Jesus used His exalted status for the benefit of others--2. Incarnation- God takes on a human nature -2-7-8a---how far did Jesus empty Himself-...-3. Humiliation- undergoing the miseries of this life -2-8--The depth of Jesus' self-emptying is seen in 3 events--A. His humble birth-B. His modest ministry---Luke 2-22-24- Jesus' family was unable to sacrifice a lamb--Luke 2-51- Jesus was obedient to Mary and Joseph--Mark 6-1-3- Growing up, Jesus had a normal job--John 1-46- Jesus came from an insignificant town--Matthew 8-18-20- Jesus had no home--Luke 8-1-3- Jesus depended on ministering women--Matthew 21-1-5- Jesus made His triumphal entry on a donkey

How far did Jesus empty Himself--We see the depth of Jesus' self-emptying in 3 events. -First, in His humble birth.