What is the scope of this problem?

• I John 2:15-17
• Matthew 5:27-28
• Proverbs 6:23-26
• We know that “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). But how would you describe this age-old temptation today in our society? What is the devil doing to amplify this temptation in our generation?

Porn changes your beliefs

• Hebrews 3:12-15
• Ephesians 4:17-19 - Sin causes us to become callous.
• Proverbs 28:13-14
• Studies have shown that porn consumption changes how people think about violence against women.

Any sin is beatable!

• I Corinthians 10:13
• James 4:7

First, I have to admit that I am guilty of sin

• John 9:39-41 - If you don’t think you’re wrong, you’ll never change.
• I John 1:8-9
• Isaiah 5:20

Introduction

• Acts 9:3-9, 18-20
• We want to do what Saul did that day and turn from our error.

Find victory in Jesus Christ!

• Romans 3:9
• No one can say, “I don’t need Jesus.”
• Romans 4:2-8, 22-25; 5:1-2
• Philippians 1:23

Keep coming back to Jesus!

• Hebrews 6:6 - Our goal should be to never sin again.
• Romans 6:1-4
• I John 1:7
• Ephesians 2:1-8
• Mark 2:17
• I John 2:1-2 - The ideal and the real.

Use your past to help others.

• Hebrews 5:1
• I can’t change my past, but the past has helped to change me into someone who can better help others.
• Luke 18:9-14
• Luke 7:40-48 - Who would you want to help you, Simon or the woman?
• Acts 22:1-5
• Satan can use guilt to drown a Christian. Don’t let that happen!

Turn regret into motivation.

• Luke 22:54-62; Acts 5:27

Be content as a servant

• Luke 5:4-11
• I Corinthians 12:22-23
• Take the pressure off yourself and just get busy serving!

Luke 16

• Luke 16:16 - Compare the other use of “force his way into it” in Matthew 11:12. In the original language, this is a very unusual phrase - only occurring twice in the New Testament.

Luke 16:1-13 - Parable of the unjust steward.

• The lesson here seems to be the importance of being wise in all your dealings - not so much in the dishonesty perpetrated by the steward. If we can’t be faithful with the relatively less valuable earthly goods, how can we be faithful with much more valuable spiritual things?

Luke 16:19-31 - The rich man and Lazarus

Introduction

• Titus 1:1-4

God promises the end, but I must faithfully travel the path.

• Genesis 12:5-7 - Abraham was already in Canaan when he received the land promise.
  • Abram :arrow_right: Egypt
  • Abram :arrow_right: Canaan
  • Joseph :arrow_right: Slave in Egypt
  • Family multiplies into nation, forced into slavery.
  • Moses delivers from Egypt.
  • 40 years wandering
  • Conquest of land
• Genesis 37:2-11 - Joseph dreams of his family bowing down to him.
  • Brothers sell him to Midianites
  • Midianites sell him to Potiphar
  • False accusations :arrow_right: jail
  • Interprets two dreams of fellow prisoners
  • Forgotten in jail two more years
  • Interprets Pharaoh’s dream, given high position
  • Faming brings family to Egypt
    • Genesis 42:6
• I Corinthians 10:13

Sometimes, God makes the result contingent on my response.

• Deuteronomy 28:1-68 - Israel would be blessed or cursed based on their actions.
• Colossians 1:21-23
• Hebrews 3:1-11, 14 - Notice the word “if!”
• Hebrews 4:1

I must trust God to handle things I know nothing about.

• Genesis 17:15-21 - The promise would come through Isaac.
• Genesis 22:2 - Abraham told to sacrifice Isaac!
• Hebrews 11:17-19 - Abraham knew God could resurrect Isaac if He wanted to.
• I John 5:14

We must teach and study the Bible. (Let’s not compromise the gospel so we can fill the pews.) (continued)

More people means more beliefs, more backgrounds, and more perspectives.

• Romans 15:1
• Galatians 1:10
• II Timothy 4:1-5

We ought to treat visitors with love, as Jesus would.

• I Corinthians 14:22-25 - What do unbelievers think of us when they join our assembly? Do they see that God is among us?

Follow Jesus’ example.

• Matthew 5:16 - Our goal should be to glorify God and cause others to want to glorify God.
• Luke 19:1-10 - How did Jesus treat prospective disciples?
• Luke 13:34 - Jesus wanted to help and save everyone.
• Luke 22:31
• Luke 23:33 - Jesus even prayed for His murderers!
• Mark 10:13-16
• Luke 7:39

Consider Thom Rainier’s data

Top 10 responses as to why people did not return to a particular church.

1. The stand-and-greet time in the worship service was unfriendly and awkward.
2. Unfriendly church members.
3. Unsafe and unclean children’s areas.
4. No place to get information on the church.
5. Bad church website.
6. Poor signage.
7. Insider church language.
8. Boring or bad church services.
9. Members telling guests they were in the wrong pew or chair.
10. Dirty facilities.

Top 10 responses from happy guests

1. Someone asked the guest to sit with her.
2. People introduced themselves to the guests.
3. There was clear signage.
4. There was a clearly marked welcome center.
5. The kids loved the children’s area.
6. The children’s area was secure and sanitary.
7. Guest parking was clearly visible.
8. The church did not have a stand-and-greet time.
9. The members were not pushy.
10. The guest card was simple to complete.

Develop genuine love and concern.

• II Peter 3:9
• II Corinthians 7:2; 11:28

Be aware of how we sound to others.

• I Corinthians 9:19-23
• Acts 22:2-3 - Paul tailored his speech and approach to the audience at the time.