Broadlands Community Church

Psalm 2:1-4 - Psalm 2:1-4 (NIV) 1Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, 3Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles. 4The One enthroned in heaven LAUGHS; the Lord scoffs at them. Are you disturbed by world affairs. Don't be. No one is getting away with anything. The world is acting so foolish that God laughs at them. This is not a humorous laugh, but a dismissive laugh like thinking “you have to be kidding me”. The Creator of heaven and earth sees the nations conspire and plot out their human solutions. God sees the rulers band together against HIS Anointed, Jesus. They throw off anything that restricts their fleshly desires. God sees all this foolishness and HE is almost in disbelief thinking, “you have to be kidding me”. We are secure because we know that God is fully aware of the world situation and our situation. Therefore, we depend on God to guide and protect us based on truth.

Isaiah 48:10 - Isaiah 48:10 (NIV) See, I have “refined” you, though not as silver; I have “tested” you in the furnace of affliction. We are God's witnesses on this earth. God's standard is perfection which was demonstrated by Jesus Christ. Therefore, God moves in our life to remove the impurities that hinder our ministry to HIM. We are saved by God's Grace. We are totally forgiven and accepted by God just the way we are. Just as the old hymn says, “Just as I am, O Lamb of God I come.” So true but God loves us so much that HE will not leave us in our state of impurity. God will refine us to be pure silver and gold.

Isaiah 66:2 - Isaiah 66:2b (NIV) These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who TREMBLE AT MY WORD. Humble – I can't but God can. Contrite – Crushed – Void of any personal strength. These are the people who recognize God as the creator of all things who holds all things together. These are the people that recognize that God's Word is eternal and has the power to create and the power to destroy.

Amos 7:14-15 - Amos 7:14–15 (ESV) 14 Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor a prophet's son, but I was a herdsman (cattle tender) and a dresser of sycamore figs. 15 But the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'” Over the years, I have known some powerful men of God. Three of those men sincerely believed that there would be a great move of God before Jesus returned. They believed this latter day move of God would “not” start with the well-known and famous but would be a grass roots Holy Spirit empowered move of God. Amos is an example of this. God chose Amos to carry HIS message to the nation. Yet he was not famous, nor did he claim to be. He wasn't a prophet or the son of a prophet. He was a farmer who took care of the cattle, sheep, and trees. Amos was one of the Least in society in a rural area, yet God chose him. Even in the NT we see that Jesus didn't choose the famous to proclaim HIS message.

Deuteronomy 4:7 - Deuteronomy 4:7 (ESV) For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? There was never a nation that could call upon God as their God. Then God called on Abraham and he believed God and God grew the nation of Israel from him. This na1on had the Privileged Position of being called the apple of God's eye. Jesus' human lineage came through the na1on of Israel. Although this nation failed in many ways, Jesus fulfilled all that God desired. Now today we hold the Privileged Position of being called the people of God, the Holy Nation as stated in 1Peter 2:9. The church and individual believers have proven to fall short of God's intended purpose.

John 14:26 - John 14:26 (ESV) The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, HE WILL TEACH YOU all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. There was a good book written serval years ago by Francis Chan by this title. Also, I gave a message under this title 10 years ago. Hopefully I have learned a few things since then. Before I share my thoughts, we need to acknowledge the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. The Trinity is the word to identify God who embodies three persons who each are fully God yet are one in unity and purpose. For the Christian, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit make up the one God. As a third graded explained it to me, it is like an egg. An egg is made up of the yoke, white, and the shell. While each part is equal and necessary, all three must be present to have an egg. As Christians we most often call upon andinvoke the names of God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son; as in Dear God help me or Sweet Jesus answer my prayer, etc. Last week we correctly acknowledged that the Bible is the revelation of Christ and the redemption of man. This is true because without Jesus, we do not have a Savior or salvation. However, we also see in this verse that God the Father will send us the Holy Spirit to enable us to live life here on earth. Therefore, the Holy Spirit, the Helper, as crucially important.

Isaiah 52:13-15 - Isaiah 52:13 Behold, Jesus shall act wisely; HE shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. The Bible is the unfolding revelation of Christ and the redemption of man. This should be always on our lips. In Isaiah, 800 years before the birth of Jesus we have a detailed prophecy about Jesus and the redemption of man. As a heads up based on my own understanding, I have paraphrased in places for clarification. Also, I added Jesus' name where it was clearly talking about the Messiah. Plus, I have used various Bible translations, and some commentary references. However, I am confident that each one of you through your own Bible study of the inerrant Word of God will determine if these things are accurate. Here we see that Jesus will be high and lifted up and shall be exalted. But before Jesus is exalted, He had to suffer terribly being beaten and then crucified on the Cross as described.

Ephesians 5:31-32 - In Ephesians, Paul tells us that it is a profound mystery - that the relationship between a husband and wife is parallel to the relationship between a Believer and Christ!

Isaiah 40:13 - Isaiah 40:13 (NIV) O/H Who can fathom the Spirit of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as HIS counselor? If we think we can comprehend the greatness of God, we have a weak limited God that cannot be fully trusted.

Isaiah 50:4 - Isaiah 50:4 (NIV) The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. This is a follow up from last week's message on Each One is to be a shield from the wind and a stream of water in the desert. We comfort the distraught in the chaos surrounding them. This morning we see that God is asking us to be ready with words for the weary. This means that in the chaos of life we are not the ones complaining, but through Christ we are the ones who have words of truth, hope and power. We are the light of the world. However, to have words to sustain the weary, we must receive from Jesus the before we can offer any comfort to others. By examining this verse, we see how we can fulfill our God given ministry to those who are struggling.

Isaiah 32:1-2 - Isaiah 32:1–2 (NIV) 1 See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. 2 Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land. These verses are an OT prophesy revealing Christ and HIS church reigning in this unbelieving world. In verse one, the king is Jesus Christ which was previously revealed in Isaiah C.11. The “Each One” in verse two, refer to the believers that will reign with Christ. The term “Each One” in verse 2 puts an emphasis on the people rather than exclusively on the KING HIMSELF, or Christ HIMSELF. Thus, the “Each One” is talking about us as believers having an assignment which is necessary to carry out Jesus' ministry. Last week we saw where God identified the insanity of our current world. God says, “You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!” While this is true, God says that EACH ONE of us have an assignment to share truth in this chaos. We come alongside, believers and unbelievers, who are distraught, frightened, and hopeless. Thus, Each One of us will be to them as a shelter from the wind, a refuge from the storm, and a stream of water the desert.

Isaiah 29:16 - Our World Isaiah 29:16 (NIV) You turn things upside down, as if the power were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, “You did not make me”? Can the pot say to the po=er, “You know nothing”? Satan is a liar and the father of lies. He is so good at it that even solid believers begin to ques=on truth and reality. Sometimes we have to shake off the lie; clear out the cobwebs. We have to recalibrate and realign with Scripture.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 - 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (ESV) Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. The word “may” is not in the original. Removing the word “may” causes the statement to read more like a strong exhortation. More like, Jesus HIMSELF will give you “peace” and we should call on HIM to do so. The last sentence of the verse says, “The Lord be with you all.” This certainly seems to be saying we should be praying God into our circumstances.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 - 2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NIV) So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. The previous verses have dealt with Satan inspired lawlessness. With this dreadful view of the future, Paul makes the vivid contrast by identifying those chosen of God. Paul starts off with the significant word “But” meaning in contrast with unbelievers.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 - 2 Thessalonians 2:3 (ESV) Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. Before we jump into the revelation of the Man of Lawlessness, let us put some context to understand why this subject even comes up. In the first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul had explained the Rapture of believers which ushers in the destruction of the Day of the LORD. Now in the second letter, we see Jesus as the one bringing this destruc8on on the unbelievers.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 - 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (ESV) HE who calls you is faithful; HE WILL DO IT! Leading up to last week's message, I was struggling with God's command to Rejoice Always. Several times I walked up and down our driveway confessing my inability to “Rejoice Always”. Then I began rejoicing out of obedience to the Lord all the painful circumstances in my life. Then last Sunday during wordship, Adam led us in a song by Colton Dixon “Build a Boat”. As I heard the words, “Build a boat in the sand where they say it will never rain, and so let it rain.” The Holy Spirit powerfully said, “This is why and how you Rejoice! Basically, the Holy Spirit said, “You Rejoice in all circumstance and God will bring the rain.” We must “Rejoice Always” to give an avenue for God to bring the rain. Now this morning we continue to learn why we should Always Rejoice: “HE who calls you is faithful; HE WILL DO IT!”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 - 1 Thessalonians 5:16–22 (ESV) 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. Last week we looked at the Church Dynamics in verses 12-15. Since it is impossible to totally comply with these instructions apart from a personal communion with God, Paul turns to the believer's inner life which is necessary succeed.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 - 1 Thessalonians 5:14–15 (ESV) 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. • And we urge you, brothers Comes after Respect Due Elders, but the entire body must cope with practical situations of the errant believer. • Admonish the idle Admonish – to put in one's mind Idle – military term meaning insubordinate – NIV gives an appropriate rendering “idle and disruptive” – This is characteristic of someone who sets themselves outside the necessary and given order. 2 Thessalonians 3:11 (ESV) For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.

Luke 24:1-3 - Luke 24:1–3 (ESV) 1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, Mary Magdalene and Mary mother of James went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. Jesus suffered the most cruel physical death – plus suffering for all of our sins resulting in the overwhelming anguish forcing Jesus to cry out, “My God My God why have you forsaken ME!” Jesus, fully man and yet fully God, hangs on the cross a God forsaken man. After a three-year ministry, after the Cross, what happened that first EASTER Sunday? First of all, we do not have any evidence that any of Jesus' followers thought HE would rise from the dead. None of them! Embarrassingly, Jesus enemies were keenly aware that Jesus had proclaimed HIS resurrection because they asked Pilate to post a guard at Jesus' tomb so that no one would steal the body and thus perpetuate HIS fraud.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 - 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 (ESV) 12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. When we look at this le2er and the context in which it was wri2en we have a be2er understanding of why the subject “Respect Due Elders” was deemed necessary. Paul gives the gospel message to Gentiles before the Jews run him out of town. Now Paul writes a le2er back to these baby believers who only have a pagan background. He tells them they are chosen and are an example to all believers. He clears up questions about the resurrection, rapture, and Jesus' return. Now Paul instructs these baby believers about their respect toward leaders in this newfound church. These instructions are as important today as they were then.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 - 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (ESV) For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. Interpret: You are fully aware no one knows when Jesus is coming back to judge the earth, because “THAT DAY” will come like a thief in the night. Important Lesson: “THAT DAY” of God's Wrath and coming judgement on the earth comes in an instant after the Rapture. Last week in Thessalonians C.4, we learned that the Rapture comes unexpectedly in the twinkling of an eye. In other words, believers are caught up in the twinkling of an eye and an instant later God's judgement comes on unbelievers like a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 (ESV) WE ARE NOT HERE! While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 - 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (ESV) Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. This statement refers to the catching up into the air of those Christians who are living when Jesus returns. This is commonly called The Rapture. The reason this statement comes up is because Paul feels it is necessary to address the concerns about Christians who had previously died. We see this in Paul's opening statement. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (ESV) But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:1 - 1 Thessalonians 4:1 (ESV) Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to Please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. Remember the Thessalonians were gentiles and grossly immoral and bound in an oppressive pagan religion and who knew nothing about the Christian life. Turning to Christ changed all of that. After accepting the love of God through Jesus Christ, the Thessalonians have a desire to Please God. Thus, Paul gives instructions about how they can Please God.

- Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Matthew 1:18 - Matthew 1:18 (NIV) This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. This is not a statement out of nowhere. This is the fulfillment of a promise from the very beginning of time. In fact, the Bible is the unfolding revelation of Christ. Jesus is coming to reconcile mankind to God. It is all about Jesus. Every Christian needs to understand this truth to be able to understand the Bible, God's revelation, and the evil in this world. We see this truth in the very beginning when Satan led Adam and Eve into sin. Genesis 3:14-15 (NASB) 14The LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you will go, And dust you will eat All the days of your life; 15And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He (Jesus) shall bruise you on the head, And you (Satan) shall bruise him on the heel." NASB used the literal word “seed” referring to the offspring of the Devil and the woman. The word “seed” can be interpreted as singular or plural. Satan's offspring will be many, but the woman's victorious seed will be one. The one victorious seed of the woman that defeats Satan is Jesus.

Joshua 24:15 - Joshua 24:15 (NIV) Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. God's message to Joshua: I will give you every place you place your foot. God's majesty was available to fulfill God's promise to Joshua: Joshua prayed and the sun stood still. Now the land has been conquered, and Joshua gives his parting statement to God's people and to all people: Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. The lesson to Joshua is a lesson to us. As we stand before Christ, our declaration before the church and all people is the same: Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. The promise is the same for us, but like Joshua we must choose. This commitment is carried over to the NT where the Apostle Paul says the same thing: Romans 4:21 (NIV) (We) being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

James 1:17-25 - When you look into the mirror, who do you see? Know that you need to see yourself correctly, you need to like what you see (God has made you to be that way in this moment...Grow (In Him),but recognize there is a reason you are who you are now, and in that, see what God sees.

Joshua 10:13 - Joshua 10:13 (NIV) The sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies. As we look at this incredible miracle, it is worth looking at what led up to this event. As we saw last week the Gibeonites tricked Joshua into making an alliance with them. Now they are in trouble and Joshua is obligated to help them. Although Joshua is obligated by a bad decision, the LORD still tells him to go ahead, and HE will give them the power to conqueror. The LORD said, “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.” This should be an encouragement to all of us. Through God's grace and mercy, HE never leaves us or forsakes us and continues to lead and protect us even when we mess up! Not only that but as we repent and keep our eyes on Jesus, God HIMSELF will intervene more powerfully than we could ever expect.

Joshua 9:14 - Joshua 9:14 (NIV) The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD. In any communication, there are facts and also the intent of the heart. Therefore, we should always carefully hear the facts, but also consult the LORD to understand the intent of the heart so we do not fall into “word traps”. Even after all Joshua has experienced, he unfortunately falls into a “word trap”.

Joshua 8:32 - Joshua 8:32 (NIV) There, in the presence of the Israelites, Joshua wrote on stones a copy of the law of Moses. After experiencing all the powerful moves of God, God commands Joshua to write the Words of God on two stone altars built on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. God is demonstrating we need to keep embracing the Word of God. This was not an on-the-spot decision. This command was given Deuteronomy 28. Now it is fulfilled in Joshua C. 8. God knew the people needed a visible recording of the Word of God that they all could read and rehearse. Nothing fancy here! Just the Word!

Joshua 7:1 - Joshua 7:1 (NIV) But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan took some of them. So the LORD's anger burned against Israel. The lesson this morning is after powerful victories, living in the OT land and NT kingdom, we must continually keep our eyes on our source of life, Jesus Christ. After Joshua experienced the great victory at Jericho, everything seems to fall apart. Israel is defeated by a much weaker foe in the city of Ai. Joshua is stunned. He goes to the tabernacle and falls face down before the LORD. However, not only is the LORD fully aware of the issue, HE insinuates that Joshua should have been aware of the problem.

Joshua 6:1-2 - Joshua 6:1-2 (NIV) 1Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. 2Then the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.” Israel is in the land. Although in the land, significant obstacles must be faced. The first one is the fortress of Jericho. God has already said, “I have delivered Jericho into your hands.” But in order to achieve the victory, they must march around the city for six days. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times with the priests blowing the trumpets. On the seventh day, the whole army give a loud shout; then the walls of the city will collapse. This account of the power of God is true and fascinating. However, the lesson is not that we need to march around city walls seven times, and they will fall down. This physical OT account give us NT spiritual insight of how we conquer our Jericho, our immovable obstacle in the kingdom of God. In the OT Land and NT kingdom, God's people need to hear God and do what HE says.

Joshua 4:19-24 - Joshua 4:19-24 19On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. 20And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. 21He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?' 22tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' 23For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. 24He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God. They are in the Land. In the NT we are in the kingdom. God has performed a great miracle for us to be HIS children. God tells the people to take some rocks from the Jordon and pile them up on dry land as a reminder what God has done for them. God knows people need to continually remember what God has done for them. In the NT, this is why we take communion. Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Also, In the Land/in the kingdom we openly identify with God. For the Israelites, this was by circumcision which had a clear message of identification.

Joshua 2:1-14 - Through Rahab we have CONFIDENCE THROUGH CONTINUITY! At the Jordon River, God's promises are about to be fulfilled. Like today light exposing darkness.

Joshua 1:1 - Joshua 1:1 (NIV) After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua, Moses my servant is dead. Moses who may be the greatest man of the OT has died. Moses is also a type of Christ. Moses brought God's people out of darkness and slavery of Egypt to freedom. Christ brought believers out of the dominion of darkness of this world who were slaves to sin into HIS glorious light. After the death of Moses God's work expanded. Likewise, after the death of Christ God's work expanded. This world doesn't understand that of God's kingdom expands in adversity. The Jewish leaders had this same misconception.

Proverbs 29:18 - Proverbs 29:18 New King James Version Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law. King James Bible Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

1 Peter 5:6-8 - 1 Peter 5: 6-8 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. This verse is so important because Peter is writing to Christians. He tells them to be clear-headed, self-controlled and to keep watch, be on guard. It tells us that Satan is our enemy and specifically wants to “devour” us.

Ezekiel 28:12-17 - Satan is a Beautiful Fallen Angel hat wanted to be God. His insatiable Pride led to him being cast out from Heaven. Unfortunately, he fell to Earth. His Super-Powers are the ability to lie, tempt and pervert the TRUTH.

Esther 1:1-10:3 - A walk through the book of Esther.

2 Timothy 4:2 - 2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV) Preach the WORD; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. As mature disciples of Jesus, we have received the Holy Spirit and sound teaching. Therefore, we have the responsibly to Preach the WORD. This means, “Preach, be a herald, announce in an official capacity the WORD, logos.” The preacher or herald is not to air his own opinions but to proclaim God's eternal, authoritative WORD of truth. We are, therefore, to “Be Prepared” for that divine appointment! We must be on duty constantly, ready for any situation “In season and out of season” to speak God's truth. Don't ever think, “I don't know what to say.” God does not allow us such an excuse!

2 Timothy 2:24-26 - 2 Timothy 2:24–26 (ESV) 24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. These verses are full of insight about our faith and how we can calmly approach the insanity of this world. This is important because as bad as things are, Scriptures warns us of worse times to come. 2 Timothy

2 Timothy 1:12 - 2 Timothy 1:12 (ESV) I AM NOT ASHAMED, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that HE IS ABLE TO GUARD until that day what has been ENTRUSTED TO ME. Paul in his final letter before his death is making his final declaration not only to Timothy but also to all believers including us at BCC. Paul's conviction is to be an example to all those who put their trust in Christ. Like Paul, we are not ashamed, because we know whom we have believed. Not “what” we believe but “whom” we have believed, Jesus! We don't have a dead theology; we have a personal experience with the living Christ that comes with power.

2 Timothy 1:6-7 - 2 Timothy 1:6–7 (ESV) 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a SPIRIT not of fear but of power and love and selfcontrol. Paul wanted to remind Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God that was in him. This is a good encouragement for us. We need to Fan into flame the gift of God! This verb is a metaphor for rekindling a fire. This fire we are fanning is the fire of the Holy Spirit. Christians were meant to be on fire! The term gift or charisma occurs sixteen times in Paul's Epistles and only once elsewhere in the NT, 1Peter 4:10. The word means the extraordinary operations of the Holy Spirit in the church which includes all spiritual gifts. Our supernatural spiritual gift from God should be fanned into a flame, a roaring fire.

1 Timothy 3:14-15 - 1 Timothy 3:14–15 (ESV) 14 I am writing these things to you so that, 15 you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. We see a tremendous concern about the behavior in God's household. The metaphor household rightly represents “family,” which naturally would recognize God as Father and believers as brothers and sisters. Using terms household and church, the two concerns are over behavior among believers, and the collective whole, the church. The household of God, the church of the living God is entrusted to uphold and proclaim the truth of God. The truth itself is at stake. It is crucial that believers know how to behave, because they make up the corporate church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth. Plainly put, the church has been entrusted to uphold the truth and keep it safe. Church universal but Scripture is also addressing the local Household of God, like BCC.

1 Timothy 1:5 - 1Timothy 1:5 (NIV) The goal of this command is love, “which comes” from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Our Heart Attitude or our premise in life directs our thinking and our entire life. Therefore, we need to know God's premise! God declares HIS goal HIS premise for us is love! The end of all Christian moral preaching, the whole moral charge which is given to God's people is love. Love must be the Christian's ultimate goal in life. When asked, “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus said: Matthew 22:37–40 (ESV) NO/OH 37 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Our Heart Attitude or our premise in life should be love.

1 Peter 5:8 - 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Dear brothers and sisters, we walk rejoicing with our eyes fixed on Jesus. We are leading our families in the ways of Christ. We come together as a church family enjoying the godly company of one another. We are fighting the good fight enjoying the presence of God. Things are moving along well. At this time, we must be very alert and not drop our guard because our adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. The devil is a very real powerful entity, an evil spiritual person. According to Scripture, the devil has great power on earth, “being the prince of this world” and “the ruler of the kingdom of the air”. The Devil is revealed as a cunning and evil personal being who has the ability and the desire to attack and harm Christians. He attacks suddenly, viciously, and often when we are engaged in routine activities. The devil is in active rebellion against God who has leadership of many demons like himself.

1 Peter 4:12 - 1 Peter 4:12 (ESV) Beloved, do not be surprised at the “fiery trial” when it comes upon you to “test” you, as though “something strange” were happening to you. Note the words, “SOMETHING STRANGE!” Something strange like, “You are the most productive person in the company, and they need to reduce cost, so they release you.” Something strange inexplicable like, “You buy a dream home in the country and then Loudoun County desgnates property next to you for a land fill.” The point is that when Scripture says, “something strange” it truly means, “something strange”. Maybe you can relate to “something strange” that has already happened to you. We are warned so that we will not be surprised when “something strange” something foreign to the Christian experience happens. Notice that this “strange event” is described as a “fiery trial” that cones to “test” us.

1 Peter 2:11 - 1 Peter 2:11 (ESV) Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. In the previous verses which we covered in the last 2 weeks identified us as living stones, a holy nation. Now as a chosen people of God we are identified as visitors to a foreign country. Therefore, as visitors we should abstain from the passions of the flesh associated to this foreign country. Earthly “passions” or “sinful desires” which wage war against our soul will prevent us from living out our full potential. The literal meaning is ‘passions which are continually waging war against our soul.' To be unaware of this war and the devastating damage will prevent us from living a joyous and powerful Spirit filled life. Even dabbling in these passions of the flesh is dangerous.

1 Peter 2:9 - 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Last week we learned that believers were living stones being built up into a spiritual house. Here we see that believers are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession. This comes directly from the OT. Deuteronomy 7:6 (ESV) For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. We are God's own possession, HIS treasured possession, a chosen race, a Holy nation.

1 Peter 2:4 - 1 Peter 2:4 (ESV) You come to him, A LIVING STONE rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, Bill Wright – Jesus is the Living Stone! This Living Stone was rejected by the general population, but it was chosen and precious to God. Jesus, the LIVING STONE, is also the cornerstone from which God will build HIS foundation for HIS glorious Temple, the church. This comes from a prophecy made 800 years earlier by Isaiah. Isaiah 28:16 (NIV) “So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “See, I lay a Stone in Zion, a tested Stone, a precious Cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.”

1 Peter 1:17-19 - 1 Peter 1:17–19 (ESV) 17 … Conduct yourselves with fear…, 18 knowing that you were ransomed … not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. Ransomed – the release of a prisoner by paying the demanded price. We were separated from God held in the bondage of sin. Our demanded price is death. Jesus, who is of infinite value, gave himself as our ransom. HE died in our place. We are free because we had our RANSOM PAID by HIS death! When Israel was in bondage in Egypt, the Passover lamb was killed, and the blood was spread over the entrance of every Jewish home. When the death angel came, it passed over every home where it saw the blood. The death of the lamb and the spreading of the blood protected the people. This was a picture of Jesus. Because Jesus is without sin, he is unique, and his life is of infinite value as the Sacrificial Lamb of the Passover. Paul unequivocally identifies Christ as “our Passover Lamb”.