Introduction

• Mark 12:31

This is the law!

• Romans 13:8 – This is not saying it is sinful to take out a loan. Instead, it is emphasizing the importance of loving each other.
• Galatians 5:13-14
• Hebrews 13:2-3 – Treat everyone as valuable.

Prove to be a neighbor.

• Luke 10:25-37 – Jesus gives the parable of the good Samaritan to show how to be a good neighbor. I need to be a neighbor. I Need to take initiative and do the right thing.
• Matthew 7:12 – Jesus calls us to a higher standard. We are to initiate kindness.
• Matthew 5:38-45 – Love everyone, even your enemies.

Get in the habit of thinking about what would help others.

• Jonah 3:10-4:2, 11
• Romans 15:1-3 – Seek to please your neighbor, not yourself.
• I Corinthians 10:24
• We must look to see the value in others – we are all souls!
• James 2:8

Faith establishes trust

• John 11:40 (everyday life) – Jesus wants us to believe in extreme moments just like we do in the mundane, everyday moments.
• Matthew 17:20 (evidence)
• II Corinthians 5:6-8 (walk by faith)

Examples from scripture

• Noah – Genesis 6:14-7:6-20
• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego – Daniel 3:11-26, 17
  • They trusted in God’s plan. They also trusted that if God chose not to deliver them from the furnace, He will still deliver them.

Examples: evidence in our lives

• Answered prayers
• Maturity in our lives through the scriptures (virtue, knowledge, self-control) and the evidence that God is working in our lives (II Timothy 1:7)
• Love for one another (add to godliness, brotherly kindness, love) – Matthew 22:37-40
• Death (ultimate trust in God’s promises) – II Corinthians 5:7-10

Faith creates courage

• Courage: mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty
• Fear:
  • To have a reverential awe (God), to be afraid of
  • An unpleasant, often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger

Joshua 3

• Joshua 3:3 – See Exodus 25:10, 22; 26:34. In Hebrews 9:2-5, 9 the previous tabernacle is compared with the greater tabernacle.
• Joshua 3:17 – The Israelites crossed on dry ground – it wasn’t even wet ground even though the water was just stopped in v16. Compare Exodus 14 when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. This time, the Israelites were the aggressors.

Joshua 4

Joshua 4:1-24 – The twelve-stone memorial

• Compare Exodus 12:23-27 when the Passover was instituted, as well as Exodus 13:13-14; Numbers 15:37-41; I Corinthians 11:23-24. God knows we need reminders!
• Joshua 4:18 – As soon as the priests left the riverbed, the water went back to its normal flood stage for this time of year.
• Joshua 4:19 – Compare Exodus 12:29-41. This was within five days of being exactly 40 years. One day we will reach our Gilgal in our Promised Land!
• Joshua 4:22 – They were to teach the children about this memorial. God put the responsibility on the Israelites to teach their own children these things.

Introduction

• II Corinthians 12:20-21

Stop looking for the perfect local church.

• Revelation 2:4-5, 8-11, 12-17 – Messages to the churches. They all had problems and difficulties.
• No local church will be perfect because it is composed of people and people have problems.
• Acts 14:21-23 – These new churches needed to grow.
• Every local church is a work in progress!
• If you find a perfect local church, don’t join it because you will make it imperfect.

Start perfecting yourself.

• Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-12, 15-16 – These are the things they needed to work on in Ephesus. The church is built up as each member grows.

What are some things I can do to make Benchley better?

• Romans 12:10-13
• “I wish the preaching were better.”
• “I wish the elders were more active.”
• “I wish people were more hospitable.”
• “I wish people made better comments in class.”
• Nehemiah 1:1; 2:17
• Pray before I criticize.
• Be active.
• Sincerely and humbly commit to making Benchley better.

Faith establishes trust

• Trust: the assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.
• Matthew 6:25-30 (worry)
• Matthew 14:28-31 (doubt)
• Mark 5:36 (fear) – God is so much bigger than anything we fear.
• John 11:40 (everyday life)
• Matthew 17:20 (evidence)
• II Corinthians 5:6-8 (walk by faith)
• I John 4:18
• I Timothy 6:17-19
• II Corinthians 1:9
• I Timothy 4:10