The danger of self-deception.

Wrong thoughts lead to wrong actions.

• What if I deceive myself and follow the world’s wisdom about …
  • Marriage?
  • Money?
  • Parenting?
  • Fellowship with God?

We need a Bible and a big dose of humility!

Love is a choice. It’s not about finding my “soul mate.”

• Malachi 2:14. Notice the phrase “wife by covenant.”
• Colossians 3:19. The very fact that God is commanding this implies that husbands have a choice: love or be bitter.
• I Peter 3:1. Some men are nice even if they’re not Christians. But others are not. Either way, the wife is told to choose and control her behavior.
• I Corinthians 13:4-7. Love is not based on the feeling of the moment. Love does what is right.
• Romans 5:8. Vine comments on this verse in his dictionary: “It was an exercise of the divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause save that which lies in the nature of God Himself.”

Keep strengthening your relationship through all of life’s stages and changes.

• Dating
  • “Now Jacob loved Rachel” (Genesis 29:18)
  • “Joseph … along with Mary, who was engaged to him” (Luke 2:4-5)
• Early marriage
  • “When a man takes a new wife … he shall be free at home one year and shall give happiness to his wife” (Deuteronomy 24:5)
  • “rejoice in the wife of your youth” (Proverbs 5:18)
• Kids
  • “children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.” (Psalms 127:3)
  • “teach … your sons” (Deuteronomy 6:7)
• Empty nest
  • “leave his father and his mother” (Genesis 2:24)
• Grandkids
  • “Grandchildren are the crown of old men” (Proverbs 17:6)
• Old age
  • “youth, before the evil days come …” (Ecclesiastes 12:1)
• Loss
  • “Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah” (Genesis 23:2)

We should follow his example of leadership.

We should learn the importance of obedience.

We should grow into greatness.

Availability of scriptures to early Christians

• Today we have an infinite number of Bibles and translations.
• Before the Gutenberg Bible (1454), only hand-written copies
• Handwritten copies cost several years’ salary.
• Did churches have complete Bibles?
• Most experienced Scripture through sermons and readings.

Application to our study

• Early Christians heard the word read.
• Early Christians would remember the principles taught.
• Emphasis on “doing it” – Luke 8:21

Women / parable of debtors (Luke 7:36-50)

• Sinful woman, wash feet with tears
• Pharisee critical
• Two debtors, small / large amount forgiven
• Debtor with largest debt loves more.
• Woman had great sin, great love.
• Principle: Great love results in great forgiveness.

Parable of the sower (Luke 8:4-15)

• (Seed is word of God)
• Road (no root, devil takes away)
• Rocky (shallow root, believe then fell)
• Thorny (root, choked by worries, riches, and pleasures of life)
• Good soil (firm root, held and shared)
• Principle: The condition of our heart determines the effectiveness of God’s word in our lives.

Parable of the lamp (Luke 8:16-21)

• Principle: We have a responsibility to let God’s light shine, share the good news.

Jesus stills the sea (Luke 8:22-25)

• Principle: Have faith in Jesus. He has power over nature.

Demonic cured (Luke 8:26-39)

• Principle: Have faith in Jesus. He has power over demons.

Jairus / woman with hemorrhage (Luke 8:40-56 / Mark 5:21-43)

• Principle: Have faith in Jesus. He has power over sickness and death.

Summary of principles

• Great love results in great forgiveness
• Effectiveness of God’s word depends on our heart
• Let God’s light shine
• Jesus has power over nature
• Jesus has power over demons
• Jesus has power over sickness / death
• These are simple principles. The challenge is incorporating them into our lives.

Introduction

• Hebrews 11:13-16
• Philippians 3:20
• Acts 1:9-11 – Heaven is a real place!
• I Thessalonians 4:16
• Ecclesiastes 12:7 – Our spirit goes back to God who gave it.

… I’ll finally be with God.

• Matthew 25:34, 41, 46
• Hebrews 9:24
• Matthew 7:23
• Hell is the place where God is not.
• I John 3:1-2
• I Thessalonians 4:17-18.

… I’ll be with other saints.

• I Thessalonians 4:15-17
• Will we have our memories in heaven?
• Revelation 6:9-11

… my problems on earth will be left behind.

• Luke 16:19-26
• Hebrews 4:8-11 – God’s people have a better rest than what the Israelites received in the promised land.
• Matthew 5:11
• Romans 8:18

… I will enjoy it!

• James 1:17-18 – God knows how to bless us. If He can make earth, surely, He can make Heaven amazing!

Therefore, I should live life like a citizen of Heaven.

• Philippians 3:19-20
• Our conduct must match our citizenship.
• Colossians 3:1-2
• Matthew 6:19-21 – Lay up treasure in Heaven.
• Philippians 2:5-8