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John 10:24-28 – 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.

1. HE IS STILL *SPEAKING

John 10:27a – 27 My sheep hear My voice,...

John 16:13 – 13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

2. OUR ABILITY TO *HEAR IS TIED TO THE *PROXIMITY OF OUR *RELATIONSHIP

John 10:3 – 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

John 10:27 – 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them,...

3. HEARING REQUIRES *OBEDIENCE

John 10:27 – …and I know them, and they follow Me;

PRACTICAL STEPS: PRAY → READ → LISTEN → FOLLOW

John 6:44 – 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.

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TRUTH #1 – YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE

TRUTH #2 – ANXIETY IS NOT A LACK OF FAITH BUT A

LACK OF CONTROL.

Philippians 4:6-8 NASB – 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

TRUTH #3 - ANXIETY IS AN INVITATION

Philippians 4:6-8 – 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

TRUTH #4 – ALLOW THE PEACE OF GOD TO CHANGE HOW WE FEEL AND HOW WE THINK

Philippians 4:7 – 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 23:7a KJV - “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…”

1 Kings 19:4 – But he himself went a day’s journey into

the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree; and he asked for himself to die, and said, “Enough! Now, Lord , take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

Philippians 4:8 – 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:9 - 9 Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

1 Peter 5:6-7 – Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you.

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(John 15:4 esv) 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

1. Our *aim must move from *appeasing to *abiding.

2. Our *focus must move from *balance to *stewardship.

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 11 csb) There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; 3 a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build; 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; 5 a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace and a time to avoid embracing; 6 a time to search and a time to count as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away; 7 a time to tear and a time to sew; a time to be silent and a time to speak; 8 a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace. 11 He has made everything appropriate

3. Our *rest must move from *retreat to *restoration.

(John 11:28-30 csb) “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

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If the enemy can't stop the fire, he'll try to separate what's burning.

Acts 2:41–47 (NASB)

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.

1. GOD NEVER INTENDED FOR OUR *FAITH TO BE LIVED *ALONE

Acts 2:41–42

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.

Koinonia - fellowship, sharing, participation, partnership.

Before we belong to one another, we belong to Him.

2. WE HAVE A *RESPONSIBILITY TO TEND WHAT GOD *IGNITES

Acts 2:42

42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Anybody can enjoy the fire when the weather is perfect. Devotion means tending the fire when it's raining.

Acts 2:46

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

3. GOD GIVES US *STRENGTH THROUGH THE *PEOPLE HE *PLACES AROUND US

Acts 2:44-45

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.

1 Corinthians 12:26

26 “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”

Sometimes God answers your prayer for strength by sending you a person.

4. WHAT GOD *BUILDS AMONG US BECOMES A *WITNESS BEYOND US

Acts 2:46–47

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.

John 13:35 — “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Something happening between US becomes evidence to THEM.

We're not perfect people. We're people Jesus is changing.

Hebrews 10:24–25

24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

If the enemy can't stop the fire, he'll try to separate what's burning.

We contend for what we refuse to lose.

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1. YOUR *FAITH MATTERS TO THE NEXT *GENERATION

2 Timothy 1:5 – 5 I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and now, I am convinced, is in you also.

2. LOOK AT WHAT WE *HAVE, NOT WHAT WE’VE *LOST

2 Kings 4:2 – 2 Elisha asked her, “What can I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.”

3. WE HAVE TO *INVITE THEM INTO THE *WORK

2 Kings 4:3-5 – 3 Then he said, “Go out and borrow empty containers from all your neighbors. Do not get just a few. 4 Then go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour oil into all these containers. Set the full ones to one side.” 5 So she left. After she had shut the door behind her and her sons, they kept bringing her containers, and she kept pouring.

4. OUR *OBEDIENCE RELEASES THE *MIRACULOUS

2 Kings 4:3-5 – 6 When they were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another container.” But he replied, “There aren’t any more.” Then the oil stopped. 7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go sell the oil and pay your debt; you and your sons can live on the rest.”

2 Timothy 1:6 – Therefore, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my

hands.

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Contending : For the Family

Joshua 24:2-4, 11-13

2 Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods. 3 But I took your father Abraham from the region beyond the Euphrates River, led him throughout the land of Canaan, and multiplied his descendants. I gave him Isaac, 4 and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. I gave the hill country of Seir to Esau as a possession.

11 “‘You then crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho. Jericho’s citizens—as well as the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hethites, Girgashites, Hivites, and Jebusites—fought against you, but I handed them over to you. 12 I sent hornets[a] ahead of you, and they drove out the two Amorite kings before you. It was not by your sword or bow. 13 I gave you a land you did not labor for, and cities you did not build, though you live in them; you are eating from vineyards and olive groves you did not plant.’

1. We have to trust Jesus with our families and vocalize what HE has done for us.

Joshua 24:14

14 “Therefore, fear the Lord and worship him in sincerity and truth. Get rid of the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and worship the Lord.

2. We can’t allow our impatient to cause us to compromise Gods plans and replace them with ours.

Joshua 24:15

15 But if it doesn’t please you to worship the Lord, choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship—the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living? As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.”

3. Who is responsible to contend for the health of the family? You!

Defend, Commit to your plan, Attack when the time is right.

Joshua 24:15

15 But if it doesn’t please you to worship the Lord, choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship—the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living? As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.”

Sermon Title: You Better

(Romans 13:1-2 & 5-7 CSB) Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. 5 Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath but also because of your conscience. 6 And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s servants, continually attending to these tasks. 7 Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.

1. You Better Stay Out of the Paper

2. You Better Mind Your Business

(Romans 14:12) So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

3. You Better Remember Who You Come From

(Romans 13:14) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires

(Romans 13:8-10) Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not covet; and any other commandment, are summed up by this commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself. 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.

(Romans 13:11–12) Besides this, since you know the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, because now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over, and the day is near; so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Romans 12- A Living Sacrifice

What does it mean to be a Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:1

“in view of”

(National Treasure Photo)

1. The lens we look at decisions and thoughts through demand knowledge and wisdom beyond our own.

Romans 12:2-3

2. The lens we look through changes how we use our abilities

Romans 12:4-10

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3. The lens we look through changes how we walk through offense

Romans 12:19-20

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Romans 12:21

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Today we need may need to change our lens…