Theme: Christians should know clearly from the Bible what our purpose and part is in the local church, so that we can stay focused on the mission and move forward together under God’s direction.

Outline: The “Big 3” of God’s purpose for the local church, which must be our purpose as a church, in order to glorify Him:

1. Be a Worshiping Community – To Exalt the Lord

…..To Be Continued.

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Theme: As Christians, we should know what the Bible says about church membership and soberly evaluate our own level of commitment to the local church.

Outline: 4 clear bases from the Bible which strongly imply & instruct that Christians be committed to local church membership:

1. The Example of the Early Church (Acts, Epistles)
2. The Existence of Church Government (1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:1-5)
3. The Exercise of Church Discipline (Matt. 18:15-19; 1 Cor. 5)
4. The Exhortations to Mutual Edification (Epistles)

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Acts 2:37-47 (NASB)

³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” ³⁸ Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” ⁴⁰ And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” ⁴¹ So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. ⁴² They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; ⁴⁵ and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. ⁴⁶ Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Theme: The Church is made up of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who continue in their devotion to Him and His Word, resulting in a life of true fellowship with one another and true witness to the lost.

Outline: Two critical characteristics of a true church

I. A true church consists of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ – vv 2:37-41; 44

    a. Repentance / Faith
    b. Baptized

II. A true Church consists of believers who are devoted to the following:

    a. A life of learning God’s Word together – vv 2:42-43
    b. A life of genuine fellowship and love – vv 2:42; 44-47
    c. A life of witnessing together for the Gospel – v 2:47

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Psalm 19:7-11 (NASB)

⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. ⁸ The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. ⁹ The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. ¹⁰ They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. ¹¹ Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.

Theme: God describes His own glorious Word, and through it you can receive the blessings of personally knowing, trusting, and obeying Him.

Outline: Eight descriptions and blessings of God’s Word that reveal its wonderful character and worthiness for you to live by.

Six Descriptions and Blessings of God’s Word (vv 7-9)

    1. Law of the Lord … Perfect / Restoring
    2. Testimony of the Lord … Sure / Making Wise
    3. Precepts of the Lord … Right / Rejoicing
    4. Commandment of the Lord … Pure / Enlightening
    5. Fear of the Lord … Clean / Enduring
    6. Judgments of the Lord … / Are Righteous

Two Further Descriptions of God’s Word (v 10)

    It is exceedingly Precious
    It is highly Palatable

Two Further Blessings of God’s Word (v 11)

    It is the source of Admonition
    It holds the promise of Obedience

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Matthew 15:21-28 (NASB)

²¹ Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. ²² And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” ²³ But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.” ²⁴ But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” ²⁵ But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” ²⁶ And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” ²⁷ But she said, “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” ²⁸ Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.

Definitions:
Faith: Trust or Dependence on God based on the fact that we take Him at His word and believe what He has said.
Saving Faith: Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as a living person for forgiveness of sin and eternal life with God.

Four qualities of great faith that you should emulate because our Savior is trustworthy.

1. Great faith is centered on knowledge of Christ – VV 15:21-22, 25, 27.

• What she calls Him: Son of David, Lord
• What she asks Him for

2. Great faith is dependent on Mercy – VV 15:22-23, 25.
3. Great faith is persistent – VV 15:22-27.
4. Great faith is humble – VV 15:22-27.

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Hebrews 12:1-3 NASB

¹ Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

• The Christian Life is Hard
• The Christian Life is Active
• The Christian Life Requires the Use of the Mind

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God’s Justice – Getting what we deserve

• God is fair and impartial in His treatment of all people – Gen 18:25
• God always acts in a way consistent with His character as described in His Word – 2 Tim 2:13
• God is never unfair – Deut 32:4
• God’s justice is not to be sinned against – Jer 50:7
• God’s justice is denied by the ungodly – Ezek 33:17,20
• God’s justice should be rejoiced over and magnified – Psalm 98:9, 99:3-4
• God’s justice is abundant – Job 37:23
• God’s justice is proactive – Deut 10:17
• God’s justice is unfailing and dependable – Zeph 3:5
• God’s justice is not a respecter of persons – Rom 2:11
• God’s justice is the foundation of His throne – Psalm 89:14
• God’s justice is shown in forgiveness of confessed sins – 1 John 1:9
• God’s justice shows in His government – Psalm 9:4
• God’s justice shows in all His judgements – Rev 19:2
• God’s justice will be displayed in His final judgment – Acts 17:31

God’s Mercy – Not getting what we deserve

• God’s Mercy – Not getting what we deserve
• God’s mercy is part of His character – Ex 34:6-7
• God is called the Father of Mercy – 2 Cor 1:3
• God’s mercy is great – Num 14:18
• God’s mercy is rich – Eph 2:14
• God’s mercy is abundant – 1 Pet 4:3
• God’s mercy is tender – Psalm 103:4
• God’s mercy is new every morning – Lam 3:23
• God’s mercy is high as the heavens – Psalm 36:5
• God’s mercy is a ground of hope – Psalm 130:7
• God’s mercy is a ground of trust – Psalm 52:8
• God delights in mercy – Micah 7:18

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Dictionary definition of abortion: the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus.

Actual definition of abortion: the intentional killing of an unborn baby.

Genesis 1:27-28 (NASB)

27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Psalm 127: 3-5 (NASB)

3 Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. 5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

Psalm 128 (NASB)

1 How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways. 2 When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you. 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine Within your house,Your children like olive plants around your table. 4 Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the Lord. 5 The Lord bless you from Zion, And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. 6 Indeed, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!

Jeremiah 7:30-31 (NASB)

30 For the sons of Judah have done that which is evil in My sight,” declares the Lord, “they have set their detestable things in the house which is called by My name, to defile it. 31 They have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, and it did not come into My mind.

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Philippians 4:21-23 (NASB)

²¹ Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you.

²² All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

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Philippians 4:15-20 (NASB)

15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Theme: Giving for the cause of God’s Gospel and Kingdom in this life brings God-glorifying rewards, both in this life and for eternity.

Outline: 4 Principles to learn about faithful giving to help you store up your treasures in heaven rather than on earth.

1. Understanding the Right Cause (verses 15-16)
2. Cultivating the Right Heart (verses 15-16, 18)
3. Desiring the Right Rewards (verses 17,19)
4. Living for the Right Reason (verses 15-20)

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