James 3:13-18 (NASB)

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

To foster harmonious relationships in life, put on true godly wisdom and put off false earthly wisdom.

1) You must behave with godly wisdom for peaceful relationships (3:13, 17)

2) If you act with worldly “wisdom”, conflict will be the result (3:14-16)

3) Peaceful relationships require hard/heart work (3:18)

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guest speaker: Cyril Florita

Romans 1:16–17 (NASB)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone
who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God
is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”

We must grasp two (2) life-changing truths about the gospel so that we would faithfully
embrace it for ourselves and boldly proclaim it to others.

2 Reasons to Embrace and Proclaim the Gospel:

1) It Is God’s Power to Save (v.16)

2) It Is God’s Righteousness Revealed (v.17)

Explanation:
Paul’s epistle to the Romans served as an introduction to his apostleship and as a
demonstration of his gospel-ministry (1:1–6). Paul wanted to forge a relationship with
them by edifying them and strengthening their faith so they would partner with him in his
missionary plans for Spain (1:8–13; 15:28). Because of his God-given call and obligation
to preach Christ to all people, he expressed how he was eager to preach the gospel to
them (1:14–15).
And so, with our passage, at the beginning of verse 16, Paul uses the conjunction “for” to
give a reason as to why he was so eager to preach—he was not ashamed of the gospel and
had complete confidence in it. Then, for the rest of verses 16 and 17, he again uses the
conjunction “for” twice to further explain why he had such confidence in the gospel. For
reason #1, he presents how the gospel is the very power of God to save everyone who
believes. And for reason #2, he presents how the gospel reveals the righteousness of God,
which is received through faith, from beginning to end.

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Guest Speaker : Mark Borsuk

Introduction

For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death.  1 Corinthians 7:10

Genuine repentance trusts in the character of God.  (V.1-2; 7-10)

 a. God’s Grace – “Be Gracious” – A plea for underserved favor from God

b. Steadfast Love – speaks not so much of God’s mercy, but of his loyalty to His covenant.

Psalm 25:7; Psalm 130:7; Ps 136; Psalm 138:2 Isaiah 54:10

It is at the cross where we see God’s lovingkindness, His steadfast love, His New Covenant promise that Christ’s perfect life has been imputed (applied) to us. This is the gospel, but it is the gospel that we need to remember and apply every day of our lives. (cf. 2Cor 5:17-21)

1. Compassion –A deep awareness and sympathy for our need.
2. Forgiveness – God can do what no human priest can
3. Blot Out 2) Wash 3) Cleanse

Isaiah 44:21-23 “Shout for joy…for the LORD has done it!”

I. Genuine repentance does not minimize sin.

a. Transgression (vv. 1,3) rebellion, revolt
Those who reject God’s authority and therefore cause a breach of relationship.

b. Iniquity (vv. 2, 5, 9) – crooked, twisted, or perverse behavior.

c. Sin (vv. 2, 4, 9) – miss the mark or fall short.

d. Evil (v. 4) – As Defined by God.

e. Blood guiltiness (v. 14) – shedding of innocent blood often through violence.

II. Genuine repentance expresses the  justification of God. (v. 4)

David does not vindicate himself, he vindicates God.

III. Genuine repentance renews Joy in salvation (vv. 8, 12, 14)

Guilt keeps us in a pattern of joylessness (cf. Ps 32:3-4)

David’s joy was not lost because he sinned, David sinned because he had already lost his joy in God.
“The enjoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied.” Jonathan Edwards

IV. Genuine repentance leads to a focus on evangelism. (v. 13)

People are not looking for perfect lives, they are looking for how God has met us through Christ in our sin, in our brokenness, in the same struggles of daily life that they are experiencing.

Genuine repentance produces genuine worship from a broken humble heart (vv. 15-17)

… as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.    2 Corinthians 6:10

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Hebrews 10:32-34 (NASB)

32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through insults and distress, and partly by becoming companions with those who were so treated. 34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better and lasting possession.

Guest Speaker: AlexMorice

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Guest Speaker: Marty Wolf

Daniel 2:18 (New American Standard Bible)
18 so that they might request compassion from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends would not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

Daniel 2:20 (NASB)
20 Daniel said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to Him.

Daniel 2:22-23 (NASB)
22 “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;
He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him.
23 “To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise,
For You have given me wisdom and power; Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, For You have made known to us the king’s matter.”

Daniel 6:10 (NASB)
10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God,as he had been doing previously.

Daniel 9:2-4 (NASB)
2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, observed in the books the number of the years which was revealed as the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. 3 So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes. 4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed and said, “Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments.

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Guest Speaker: Alex Morice

1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. ² For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. ³ For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. ⁴ For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

⁵ For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. ⁶ But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), ⁷ or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” ⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, ⁹ that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; ¹⁰ for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. ¹¹ For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” ¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; ¹³ for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

¹⁴ How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵ How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

¹⁶ However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” ¹⁷ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

¹⁸ But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have;

¹⁹ But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says,

²⁰ And Isaiah is very bold and says,

²¹ But as for Israel He says, “All the day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

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Guest Speaker: Marty Wolf (from Friends of Israel)

John 10:22-42 (NASB)

22 At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; 23 it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. 24 The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 26 But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” 33 The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? 35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” 39 Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp.

40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there. 41 Many came to Him and were saying, “While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.” 42 Many believed in Him there.

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Special Guest Speaker: Alex Morice

2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NASB)

16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Outline:
1) Our View of Christ

2) Our View of Creation

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Guest Speaker: Marty Wolf

Isaiah 52:13-15 (NASB)

13 Behold, My servant will prosper,He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted.
14 Just as many were astonished at you, My people,So His appearance was marred more than any man And His form more than the sons of men.
15 Thus He will sprinkle many nations, Kings will shut their mouths on account of Him;
For what had not been told them they will see, And what they had not heard they will understand.

Isaiah 53 (NASB)

1 Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. 3 He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

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