The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (with Cross-References): Old and New Testaments

by Anonymous

GENESIS 1 In the abeginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1 -- "Creation" , a literal point of view Genesis 1:1-4 1. In the beginning - "intelligent design" -- eternity past -- beginning : a first of time -- timeframe 2. God - inexhausted study -- eternal existence Job 36:26 Psalm 102:12; 90:2 Isaiah 46:10 -- The Godhead : "Elohim" (1:26) -- Jesus as chief architect John 1:1-3 Colossians 1:16-17

Now mthe LORD said [1] to Abram, “Go from your country [2] and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 nAnd I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 oI will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and pin you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” [3]

Feb 1, 2025 The Promise of Blessing Genesis 12:1-3 God says to Abraham: "I will bless you" & "you shall be a blessing" The problem was not/is not Gods blessing; Its the fickle human. God Himself is the blessing. Reservoir vs River 1) This covenant was not just for Abraham, its for the church today. Luke 22 2) This covenant is for us to pass on to others. Luke 6 3) Weve got to learn to be givers not takers. Wrong reasons to give: A) because someone has given to you B) for the praise of people Right reasons to give: A) because its what God expects B) because its what God has modeled 4) What you sow is what you will reap.

Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out tfrom Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. 2 uAt the end of three days the officers went through the camp 3and commanded the people, “As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by vthe Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. 4 wYet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits [1] in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.”

March 30, 2025 "We have not passed this way before" Fear not - Courage in God 1) Our fear of the unknown "Fear of the Lord" "Do not fear or be afraid" 2) Our courage in the midst of the unknown a) Can be certain in Gods promise b) Can be confident in our prayers c) Can be certain about our protection

Now the wife of one of the esons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD, fbut the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” 2And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” 3Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. 4Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.” 5So she went from him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. And as she poured they brought the vessels to her. 6When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another.” Then the oil stopped flowing. 7She came and told the gman of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”

March 23, 2025 Fear Not -- Finding Courage in God "what to do when you dont know what to do?" 2 Kings 4:1-7 1) A Desperate Situation. > There was a _ in the family. a) death b) debt c) desire 2) A Divine Solution > It was a _ object. a) significant (annoiting oil) b) sacred (appointing oil - represting the Holy Spirit) c) slighted (provision & power of God) d) saving (living well flowing out of me : John 7:38-39) >> The quality of the vessels. God can only use an empty vessel. >> The quantity of the vessels. God can only use a clean vessel. 3) A Devoted Submission. > She obeyed _. a) immediately. b) implicity. c) inclusively. 4) A Definite Supply > Trust & obey and God will take care of the rest. >>God sees my problem. >> God hears our prayers. >> God keeps His promises.

O LORD, ohow many are my foes! Many are prising against me; 2 many are saying of my soul, q“There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah [1] 3 But you, O LORD, are ra shield sabout me, my glory, and tthe lifter of my head. 4 I ucried aloud to the LORD, and he vanswered me from his wholy hill. Selah 5 I xlay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me. 6 I ywill not be afraid of many thousands of people who have zset themselves against me all around. 7 aArise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! For you bstrike all my enemies on the cheek; you cbreak the teeth of the wicked. 8 dSalvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people! Selah

April 13, 2025 "When the News isn't Good" Psalm 3:1-8 "Selah" 1) Count your foes. (world, flesh, satan) a) Numerous. (Psalm 119:157) b) Negative. (be deaf when it comes to the enemies lies) 2) Consider your Father. a) He surrounds me. b) He supports me. c) He sustains me. 3) Conquer your fears. a) Courage. b) Confidence. c) Contentment.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and jdo not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways kacknowledge him, and he lwill make straight your paths. 7 mBe not wise in your own eyes; nfear the LORD, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be ohealing to your flesh [2] and prefreshment [3] to your bones.

The Promise of Guidance Proverbs 3:5-8 1) God has a plan and a purpose for your life. 2) God has promised to reveal His plan to you. >> How do we discover that plan: a) the Bible b) His unwritten will >> Principles to follow: a) obey the written rule first b) fall in love with Him c) be willing to except the will of God before its known >>Promise of Proverbs 3:5-6 b) Total commitment a) Trust 3) For many things in God has no preference. 4) The will of God is like a scroll that unrolls each day. 5) Guard against the temptation to take a Bible verse out of context to find Gods will. 6) Dont equate Gods will with your circumstances. 7) If youve Gods will dont despair. >>Beware of: a) Busyness b) Presumption c) Trying to hard

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Jan 22, 2025 Training Our Children Proverbs 22:6 The Plan/Instruction & a Promise: 1) the aborted child Jeremiah 1:5 2) the abused child 3) the neglected child A) the latch key child B) the depressed child Ephesians 6:4 ((fathers)) Negative: do not do anything that will cause the child to be angry Colossians 3:21 1) over protection 2) favortism 3) comparing them 4) discipling them inconsistent 5) failure to understand adolescence Positive: Titus 2:12

April 16, 2025 Excuses Jeremiah 1:5 — promise from God 1:6 — protest from Jeremiah 1:7-8 — promise from God 1:9 — promise from God

In the first year of cDarius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a dMede, who was made king over the realm of the eChaldeans— 2in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to fthe word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. 3Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by gprayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. 4I prayed to the LORD my God and hmade confession, saying, i“O Lord, the igreat and awesome God, who jkeeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 kwe have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly land rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. 6 mWe have not listened to nyour servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to oour kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7To you, pO Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, qthose who are near and qthose who are far away, in rall the lands to which you have driven them, because of sthe treachery that they have committed against you. 8To us, O LORD, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because kwe have sinned against you. 9 tTo the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him 10 mand have not ...

"Daniel's Quiet Time" -- Daniel 9:1-19 ~A quiet time is essential to spiritual: 1) conditioning 2) cleansing 3) conquering >Ephesians 5 - the fight & armor ~A quiet time's: I. ATTITUDE ~~We must have an attitude of: 1) determination > the enemy will attack 2) desperation > pray for the same want to spend time with God as the same want to eat 3) dediction > I am willing… II. ACTIONS/ACTIVITIES a) read the Bible b) pray ~~prayer involves: 1) adjustment/confession > my acknowledgment to my sin ushers in God and His heart (He draws near to me & He helps me draw near to Him) 2) adoration/praise > my spiritual weapon against the enemy 3) asking/appealing > Lord hear me… III. AFTERMATH > sharing with others with what God says and does in my heart in my quiet time

“Seventy weeks [3] are decreed about your people and jyour holy city, to finish kthe transgression, to put an end to sin, land to atone for iniquity, mto bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and nto anoint a most holy place. [4] 25 oKnow therefore and understand that pfrom the going out of the word to restore and qbuild Jerusalem to the coming of an ranointed one, a sprince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again [5] with squares and moat, tbut in a troubled time. 26And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall ube cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come vshall destroy the city and the sanctuary. wIts [6] end shall come with a flood, xand to the end there shall be war. yDesolations are decreed. 27And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, [7] and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. zAnd on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until athe decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”

Nov 24, 2024 "The 70 weeks prophecy" -- Daniel 9:24-27 Prophecy specifics : 1) The Particular A) The seventy weeks B) To whom is this prophecy addressed : Gods people, the Jews 2) The Purpose Christ work is : A) The redemptive : 1st coming B) The restorative : 2nd coming 3) The Periods : a week of years (490 years) As it relates to : A) Israel (Jews) : Neheimah 2 (445 BC : Israel to be rebuilt; 69 weeks Jesus was killed) B) Gentiles : we're living between verse 26 & 27

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, cwho was named Belteshazzar. And dthe word was true, and it was a great conflict. [1] And ehe understood the word and ehad understanding of the vision. 2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for fthree weeks. 3I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I ganoint myself at all, for fthe full three weeks. 4On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing hon the bank of the great river ( ithat is, the Tigris) 5 jI lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, ka man clothed in linen, lwith a belt of fine mgold from Uphaz around his waist. 6His body was like nberyl, his face olike the appearance of lightning, phis eyes like flaming torches, his arms and qlegs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and qthe sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. 7 rAnd I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. 8So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and sno strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, [2] tand I retained no strength. 9Then I heard the sound of his words, uand as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep uwith my face to the ground. 10And behold, va hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11And he said to me, “O Daniel, wman greatly loved, xunderstand the wor...

December 1, 2024 "He Touched Me" -- Daniel 10:1-21 The Overwhelming: 1) Vision (vs 4-10) Jesus appearance: > body > words > zero, absolute zero, flaws in everything of Him and about Him > Holy 2) Victory (vs 11-15) "He touched me" Ephesians 6:12 - we have no idea what is happening in the unseen world and the fight is against the demonic forces. > compromising > undermining God 3) Visit (vs 16-18) "He touched me"

“And as for me, uin the first year of uDarius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him. 2“And now I will show you vthe truth. Behold, three more kings shall arise in Persia, and a fourth shall be far richer than all of them. And when he has become strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece. 3Then wa mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion and xdo as he wills. 4And as soon as he has arisen, yhis kingdom shall be broken and divided ytoward the zfour winds of heaven, but anot to his posterity, nor according to the authority with which he ruled, for his kingdom shall be plucked up and go to others besides these. 5“Then the king of the south shall be strong, but one of his princes shall be stronger than he band shall rule, and his authority shall be a great authority. 6After some years cthey shall make an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement. But she shall not retain the strength of her arm, and he and his arm shall not endure, but she shall be given up, and her attendants, he who fathered her, and he who supported [1] her in those times. 7“And from a branch from her roots one shall arise in his place. He shall come against the army and enter the dfortress of the king of the north, and he shall deal with them and shall prevail. 8He shall also carry off to Egypt their gods with their metal images and their precious evessels of silv...

Dec 8, 2024 "The PERSONALITY that is to come" - Daniel 11 God has unbelievable power to fulfill predicted prophecy, exactly the way it was predicted. The devil can manipulate me to work out of the power of the antichrist. The Antichrist's : 1. Rebellion He will: a) exercise his own will Romans 12:2 b) exalt himself aka toot his own horn There will come a: c) time of conclusion 1 John 2:15 2. Religion 3. Ruin

“At that time shall arise aMichael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And bthere shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, ceveryone whose name shall be found written in the book. 2And many of those who dsleep in ethe dust of the earth shall eawake, fsome to everlasting life, and fsome to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 gAnd those who are wise hshall shine like the brightness of the sky above; [1] and ithose who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 4But you, Daniel, jshut up the words and kseal the book, until lthe time of the end. mMany shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

Dec 29, 2024 "The Time of the End" -- Daniel 12:1-4 A time of: 1) trouble 2) transformation 3) triumph 4) truth Jesus is the answer!

From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. wReturn to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. xBut you say, ‘How shall we return?’ 8Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. xBut you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ yIn your tithes and contributions. 9 zYou are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 aBring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby bput me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open cthe windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11I will rebuke dthe devourer [2] for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. 12Then eall nations will call you blessed, for you will be fa land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.

Feb 9, 2025 Malachi 3:7-12 The Tithe: 1) Purpose - to show commitment to God (("tithe" means 10%)) ··Not putting God first in: A) sacrifices B) families C) money 2) Problem - didn't know they had moved away from God ··When we stray: A) uncertain how to get back B) insensitive about the relationship C) leave a tangible trail that shows our unfaithfulness D) talk is better than our walk 3) Proposal - God says "try me" "bring" A) percentage B) place C) purpose D) proposal ··God wants us to trust Him: A) He knows money is the hardest thing well ever give up B) He wants to show Himself to us 4) Partnership A) God owns everything B) Giving is a true test of our commitment to God C) With God $10 - $1 = $10 D) God wants our first 10% not our leftovers E) Tithing is an issue of trust, not money

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where ymoth and rust [5] destroy and where thieves zbreak in and steal, 20 xbut lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 a“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 abut if byour eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 c“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and dmoney. [6] Do Not Be Anxious 25 e“Therefore I tell you, fdo not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 gLook at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. hAre you not of more value than they? 27And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his ispan of life? [7] 28And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29yet I tell you, jeven Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tom...

Feb 23, 2025 The Promise of Security 2 Kinds of Treasure: 1) earthly 2) heavenly >>2 Timothy Treasures are connected to the: 1) heart 2) mind 3) will >> For me to live is _________? Whatever you fill in the blank with is what you are living for. This is where insecurities start. Christians should not worry because they understand (not feel): 1) what lifes consists of 2) their value to God 3) worry is totally useless 4) power and wealth will not give them what they need 5) worry reflects the character of the unbeliever 6) worry keeps them from making God #1 7) worry keeps them from dealing with today Instead of worrying: 1) focus on God 2) need to put God first in our life 3) need to be our faith in God

Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished ato settle accounts with his servants. [7] 24When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him bten thousand ctalents. [8] 25 dAnd since he could not pay, his master ordered him eto be sold, with his wife and fchildren and all that he had, and payment to be made.

"The Power of Forgiveness" -- Matthew 18:23-25 Jeff Lorg (SBC President & CEO) 1) We NEED forgiveness! >> I have an insurmountable debt that I can't pay. >>My sin is staked before God. >>God forgives lavishly. 2) We HAVE to forgive. >>Forgive those who don't deserve it. >>Forgive completely. Remember it as forgiven. >>Forgive lavishly. The whole vat of forgiveness. >> Them getting away with what they did to me. I give my right up to revenge. Leave it to God. 3) Refusal to forgive. >>I'm the prisoner. They've got me because they control my mind. >>Hauling around junk. >>Throw off the control I am holding on to.

mNow after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and nthe other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And behold, there was a great earthquake, for oan angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 pHis appearance was like lightning, and qhis clothing white as snow. 4And for fear of him the guards trembled and rbecame like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here, for he has risen, sas he said. Come, see the place where he [1] lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, the is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8So they departed quickly from the tomb uwith fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9And behold, Jesus vmet them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and wtook hold of his feet and xworshiped him.

April 20, 2025 "Seven Words from beyond the Grave" Matthew 28:1-9 BEFORE the death of Jesus: 1. Forgiveness 2. Salvation 3. Relationship 4. Abandonment 5. Distress 6. Triumph 7. Reunion BEYOND the death of Jesus: 1. Do not be afraid 2. He is not here, for He is risen 3. Come, see 4. Go quickly and tell 5. You will see Him 6. Rejoice 7. Come to Me (not spoken but implied) Those who have come to Him have not been disappointed and neither will you.

8And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord xappeared to them, and ythe glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all zthe people. 11For aunto you is born this day in bthe city of David ca Savior, who is dChrist ethe Lord. 12And fthis will be a sign for you: you will find a baby gwrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the angel ha multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 i“Glory to God jin the highest, jand on earth kpeace lamong those with whom he is pleased!” [4] 15When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby mlying in a manger. 17And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19But nMary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, oglorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Dec 22, 2024 "The First Christmas Service" -- Luke 2:8-20 1) The Place - Bethleham 2) The Congregation - all peoples 3) The Preacher - the Angel of Lord 4) The Sermon - message of hope & love 5) The Special Music - give glory, get peace 6) The Invitation - response to God It doesn't matter what's under your tree; what matters most is who's in heart!

23And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him tdeny himself and utake up his cross vdaily and follow me.

Dec 15, 2024 "How much will Christmas cost you?" Luke 9:23; 14:33 1) The Bible affirms the LORDSHIP of Jesus Christ. 2) Jesus Christ calls us to absolute SUBMISSION to His LORDSHIP. Don't just make Jesus your SAVIOR, make Him your LORD.

13Pilate then called together the chief priests and uthe rulers and the people, 14and said to them, “You brought me this man vas one who was misleading the people. And wafter examining him before you, behold, I xdid not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15Neither did Herod, for yhe sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 zI will therefore punish and release him.” [1] Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified 18 aBut they all cried out together, b“Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and cfor murder. 20Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22A third time he said to them, “Why? dWhat evil has he done? eI have found in him no guilt deserving death. fI will therefore punish and release him.” 23But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25He released the man who had been thrown into prison gfor insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, hbut he delivered Jesus over to their will.

Nov 3, 2024 -- Landon Shelby The who, why, & what of Barabbas Luke 23:13-25 1) who is Barabbas? - mentioned in all Gospels - tranlates to "son of the father" - picture of Jesus substitution, atonement of sins ((- Pilot & Harod hated the Jews - God orchastrated Pilot & Harod to be in Jersualem at this time.)) 2) why Barabbas? A) the legitmacy of the jursidiction B) to show the love of Jesus (when Jesus looks at Barabbas He had compassion) C) the lostness of the jews (Jesus seen/knew the lostness) 3) what do we do with Barabbas? - pray walk with intentionality - Jesus He didn't just hold the debt note up to hang over our heads but He took and paid the note with no strings attached.

20For lall the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our mAmen to God for his glory.

Jan 19, 2025 The Promises of God 2 Corinthians 1:15-20 reluctency ··Why do Christians live beneath their privileges? ·It's not Gods fault; God is not the problem. ·The problem is us, sin. ··Two reasons God wants us to enter into this relationship: ·That He may establish us. ·For the sake of others. ··Why we as Christians live beneath our privileges: ·We fail to believe and claim Gods promises. ·We fail to meet the conditions of Gods promises. Obedience is key. Prayerful heart. Thanksful heart. Philippians 4:6 Romans 8:28 ··You can have as much of God as you want.

8for bat one time you were cdarkness, but now you are light in the Lord. dWalk as children of light 9(for ethe fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10and ftry to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 gTake no part in the hunfruitful iworks of darkness, but instead jexpose them. 12For kit is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13But when lanything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, m“Awake, O sleeper, and narise from the dead, and oChrist will shine on you.” 15 pLook carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 pmaking the best use of the time, because qthe days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what rthe will of the Lord is. 18And sdo not get drunk with wine, for that is tdebauchery, but ube filled with the Spirit, 19addressing one another in vpsalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 wgiving thanks always and for everything to God the Father xin the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 ysubmitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

"Children of Light" -- Ephesians 5:8-16 Our responsibility: 1) Reprove the darkness - expose sin 2) Raise the dead - share Jesus 3) Redeem the days - take the opprotunities

8for bat one time you were cdarkness, but now you are light in the Lord. dWalk as children of light 9(for ethe fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10and ftry to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 gTake no part in the hunfruitful iworks of darkness, but instead jexpose them. 12For kit is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13But when lanything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, m“Awake, O sleeper, and narise from the dead, and oChrist will shine on you.” 15 pLook carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 pmaking the best use of the time, because qthe days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what rthe will of the Lord is. 18And sdo not get drunk with wine, for that is tdebauchery, but ube filled with the Spirit, 19addressing one another in vpsalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 wgiving thanks always and for everything to God the Father xin the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 ysubmitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Nov 13, 2024 "The Spirit Filled Life" -- Ephesians 5:17-21 >>Like the engine of a car makes the car go, the Holy Spirit makes a Christian go.<< 1) Reasons to be fill with the Holy Spirit: A) obedience B) obligation a) our worship life b) our wedded life c) our work life (Eph 6:5) d) our war life e) our witness life C) opportunity >>Unfilled of the Holy Spirit days are wasted days.<< 2) Requirements of being filled with the Spirit: A) complete commitment B) continual control >>Be filled. Grieve not. Quench not.<< 3) Results of being filled with the Spirit: (towards others) A) adoration - praise B) appreciation - thankfulness C) accomodation - respect

Wives, asubmit to your own husbands, bas to the Lord. 23For cthe husband is the head of the wife even as dChrist is the head of the church, his body, and is ehimself its Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit fin everything to their husbands.

Nov 20, 2024 Ephesians 5:22-24 A Spirit Filled Marriage submission : - "arrange order" : military term - "mutual" : regard others - affirms leadership of the husband The wife needs to submit to her husband because it's the : 1) Bible way >>If not, there will be problems with : A) God B) the husband C) the children D) self 2) sensible way Galatians 3:28 1 Corinthians 11:3 3) desirable way subject to Christ 1 Peter 3:1 : Bible submission is redemptive 4) attractive way 1 Peter 3:1 : dont let your beauty only be on the outside

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 t“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3“that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, ubut bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:1-3 1) The Children A) the aborted b) the abandoned C) the abused a) physical b) social c) mental 2) Obey your parents A) the Spiritual thing to do B) the sensible thing to do 3) Honor your parents

10Finally, ebe strong in the Lord and in fthe strength of his might. 11 gPut on hthe whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against ithe schemes of the devil. 12For jwe do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against kthe rulers, against the authorities, against lthe cosmic powers over mthis present darkness, against nthe spiritual forces of evil oin the heavenly places. 13Therefore ptake up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in qthe evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore, rhaving fastened on the belt of truth, and shaving put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and, tas shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16In all circumstances take up uthe shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all vthe flaming darts of wthe evil one; 17and take sthe helmet of salvation, and xthe sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18praying yat all times zin the Spirit, awith all prayer and supplication. To that end, bkeep alert with all perseverance, making csupplication for all the saints, 19and dalso for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth eboldly to proclaim fthe mystery of the gospel, 20for which I gam an ambassador hin chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Final Greetings 21 iSo that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, jTychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell...

Feb 5, 2025 Ephesians 6:10-24 The Christian Warrior's Wardrobe The Christians: 1) Ally A) the Presence of God B) the Power of God 2) Adversary 3) Armor A) the Belt of Truth B) the Breastplate of Righteousness C) the Shoes of Peace D) the Shield of Faith E) the Helmet of Salvation F) the Sword of the Spirit G) the Breath of Prayer ··what, when, where, how, & for whom to pray 4) Abundance

do not be anxious about anything, sbut in everything by prayer and supplication twith thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And uthe peace of God, vwhich surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Jan 26, 2025 The Promise of Peace Philippians 4:6-7 If we want to have peace we must: 1)) PRAY about everything! Three kinds of people, those who bring what in prayer: 1) Nothing 2) Some things 3) Everything 2)) Be THANKFUL A thankful heart implies: 1) Gratitude 2) Perspective 3) Maturity 4) Submission Two kinds of peace: 1) Beyond HUMAN COMPREHENSION 2) Controls the way WE THINK AND FEEL Matthew 6:25-34 Five steps to inner peace for yourself: 1) Relax - take a deep breath 2) Value - yourself as God does 3) Accept - yourself as God does 4) Focus - on God 5) Consecrate - yourself to God

9And so, rfrom the day we heard, swe have not ceased to pray for you, asking that tyou may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all uspiritual wisdom and understanding, 10so as vto walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, wfully pleasing to him: xbearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 ybeing strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for zall endurance and patience awith joy; 12 bgiving thanks [4] to the Father, who has qualified you [5] to share in cthe inheritance of the saints in light. 13He dhas delivered us from ethe domain of darkness and transferred us to fthe kingdom of ghis beloved Son, 14 hin whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. The Preeminence of Christ 15 iHe is the image of jthe invisible God, kthe firstborn of all creation. 16For by [6] him all things were created, lin heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether mthrones or ndominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created othrough him and for him. 17And phe is before all things, and in him all things qhold together. 18And rhe is the head of the body, the church. He is sthe beginning, tthe firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

Feb 19, 2025 Colossians 1:9-14 1) Acknowledge meant of constant prayer "Understand the times and know what to do as Gods man" 2) Fully pleasing God A) being fruitful in every good work >Galatians 5 - fruit of the Spirit B) increasing in the knowledge of the Lord >santification C) strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and long suffering with joy D) giving thanks to the Father 3) Praying for someone 4) Remember why we were born again 5) Display an attitude of gratitude

9And so, rfrom the day we heard, swe have not ceased to pray for you, asking that tyou may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all uspiritual wisdom and understanding, 10so as vto walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, wfully pleasing to him: xbearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 ybeing strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for zall endurance and patience awith joy; 12 bgiving thanks [4] to the Father, who has qualified you [5] to share in cthe inheritance of the saints in light. 13He dhas delivered us from ethe domain of darkness and transferred us to fthe kingdom of ghis beloved Son, 14 hin whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. The Preeminence of Christ 15 iHe is the image of jthe invisible God, kthe firstborn of all creation. 16For by [6] him all things were created, lin heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether mthrones or ndominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created othrough him and for him. 17And phe is before all things, and in him all things qhold together. 18And rhe is the head of the body, the church. He is sthe beginning, tthe firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

February 26, 2025 Colossians 1:13-18 Jesus rescued, reconciled, restored, & renewed. Jesus relationship to... 1) God A) Jesus is like God. B) God is like Jesus. >>2 Corinthians 4:6 2) Creation 3) the Church

19For uin him all the vfullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20and wthrough him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, xmaking peace yby the blood of his cross. 21 zAnd you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, adoing evil deeds, 22he has now reconciled bin his body of flesh by his death, cin order to present you holy and blameless and dabove reproach before him, 23 eif indeed you continue in the faith, fstable and steadfast, not shifting from gthe hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed hin all creation [7] under heaven, iand of which I, Paul, became a minister.

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬-‭23‬ “getting together with God” >Reconciled?< Why : 1) because we are alienated from God 2) because we are enemies with God How : the blood of Jesus on the cross What : faith

24Now jI rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh kI am filling up lwhat is lacking in Christ’s afflictions mfor the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 nof which I became a minister according to othe stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 pthe mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 qTo them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are rthe riches of the glory of pthis mystery, which is Christ in you, sthe hope of glory. 28Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that twe may present everyone umature in Christ. 29For this vI toil, wstruggling xwith all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

March 12, 2025 Christ is enough -- Colossians 1:24-29 2 Timothy 3:12 Our message is a… 1) message about God 2) message from God Christ in you… 1) The possibility 2) The procedure 3) The potential 4) The permanence What we do… 1) preach 2) warning 3) teaching

For I want you to know yhow great a wstruggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2that ztheir hearts may be encouraged, being aknit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of bGod’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 cin whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4I say this in order dthat no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5For ethough I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your fgood order and gthe firmness of your faith in Christ.

March 19, 2025 Stay Firm - Colossians 2: 1-5 Why do people turn away from God? 1) ethical reasons 2) personal reasons 3) intellectul reasons --> have clear understanding of what believed --> have a peer group that supports them in what believed Results: 1) they would know ABOUT Christ 2) they would KNOW Christ

hTherefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 irooted and jbuilt up in him and kestablished in the faith, just las you were taught, abounding min thanksgiving. 8See to it that no one takes you captive by nphilosophy and oempty deceit, according to phuman tradition, according to the qelemental spirits [1] of the world, and not according to Christ. 9For rin him the whole fullness of deity dwells sbodily, 10and tyou have been filled in him, who is uthe head of all rule and authority.

March 26, 2025 “Running of Full” Colossians 2:6-10 Rooted results in: 1) confirmation 2) celebration “Come, follow me.” -Jesus >> We are complete in Him! << ——————————————— April 23, 2025 “The Search for More: ‘Intellectualism’” Colossians 2:8-10 “Jesus + ___ fill in the blank___ = nothing” “A substitute for Jesus.” In the church, we call this legalism. Outside it is called positive thinking along with other things. Philosophy: love of wisdom. -pagan vs Christian The futility of: 1. Pagan philosophy — Gaining book smarts — Confuses the mind / facade — Captivates the heart — Detrimental to the soul The vitality of: 2. Christian philosophy — Centered around God/Jesus/the Bible — Lead you to a fullness of the Savior — Lead you to a fullness of the Gospel — Lead you to the completeness of the believer Choose the empty of the pagan philosophy or the completeness of the Christian philosophy.

11In him also vyou were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by wputting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 xhaving been buried with him in baptism, in which yyou were also raised with him through faith in zthe powerful working of God, zwho raised him from the dead. 13 aAnd you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God bmade alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14by ccanceling dthe record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 wHe disarmed the rulers and authorities [2] and eput them to open shame, by ftriumphing over them in him.

April 2, 2025 "Alive in Christ" Colossians 2:11-15 1. Jesus dealt with our sins. 2. Jesus dealt with the power behind our sins.

16Therefore let no one gpass judgment on you hin questions of food and drink, or with regard to ia festival or ja new moon or a Sabbath. 17 kThese are a shadow of the things to come, but lthe substance belongs to Christ. 18Let no one mdisqualify you, ninsisting on asceticism and worship of angels, ogoing on in detail about visions, [4] ppuffed up without reason by qhis sensuous mind, 19and rnot sholding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. 20If with Christ tyou died to the uelemental spirits of the world, vwhy, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 w“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22( xreferring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to yhuman precepts and teachings? 23These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in zpromoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are aof no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

April 9, 2025 “Rituals, Religion, Rules, or Relationship" Colossians 2:16-23 The identification of Christianity with: 1. Rituals 2. Religious experience 3. Rules

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. hCleanse your hands, you sinners, and ipurify your hearts, jyou double-minded.

March 2, 2025 The Promise of Intimacy -- James 4:8 ((Psalm 63)) Our sinful nature causes us to: 1) Disobey God 2) Distance ourselves from God 3) Avoid responsibility for our sins Commandments to enhance intimacy with God: 1) Take personal responsibility for becoming initimate with God 2) Spend time with God 3) Avoid things that dull your spiritual sensitivity 4) Seek to please God 5) Reflect on what God is doing in your life 6) Spend time with christians who model intimacy 7) Participate in a group that encourage intimacy 8) Practice intimacy with your family 9) Always ask yourself "what would Jesus do?" 10) Understand success in Gods eyes